The discovery of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) as monocopper enzymes for the oxidative cleavage glycosidic bonds in recalcitrant polysaccharides has revolutionized our understanding enzymatic biomass conversion. In recent years, debate regarding whether LPMOs function or peroxygenases generated significant interest due to its implications mechanisms involved LPMO-mediated lignocel...

The life cycle of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) consists of two phases, latent and lytic. The virus establishes latency as a strategy for avoiding host immune surveillance and fusing symbiotically with the host for lifetime persistent infection. However, latency can be disrupted and KSHV is reactivated for entry into the lytic replication. Viral lytic replication is crucial for...

A protocol for the generation of high yields of viable protoplasts has been developed for several highly branched (colonial) strains of the Quorn2 myco-protein fungus, Fusarium graminearum A3}5. Driselase was found to produce higher protoplast yields (ca 10* g−" wet weight) than the other lytic enzymes tested (Glucanex, Novozyme, β-glucuronidase, Sigma lytic enzyme, or ICN lytic enzyme), althou...

Storage proteins are deposited into protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) during plant seed development and maturation and stably accumulate to high levels; subsequently, during germination the storage proteins are rapidly degraded to provide nutrients for use by the embryo. Here, we show that a PSV has within it a membrane-bound compartment containing crystals of phytic acid and proteins that are ch...

Bacterial endospore dormancy and resistance properties depend on the relative dehydration of the spore core, which is maintained by the spore membrane and its surrounding cortex peptidoglycan wall. During spore germination, the cortex peptidoglycan is rapidly hydrolyzed by lytic enzymes packaged into the dormant spore. The peptidoglycan structures in both dormant and germinating Bacillus anthra...

Lysobacter enzymogenes is an important biocontrol agent with the ability to produce a variety of lytic enzymes and novel antibiotics. Little is known about their regulatory mechanisms. Understanding these will be helpful for improving biocontrol of crop diseases and potential medical application. In the present study, we generated an hfq (encoding a putative ribonucleic acid chaperone) deletion...

Currently, the bacterial resistance, especially to most commonly used antibiotics has proved to be a severe therapeutic problem. Nosocomial and community-acquired infections are usually caused by multidrug resistant strains. Therefore, we are forced to develop an alternative or supportive treatment for successful cure of life-threatening infections. The idea of using natural bacterial pathogens...

The resistance to nisin was examined for the vegetative forms and the endospores of 14 strains of 9 species of the genus Bacillus. Bacilli, endospores and culture filtrates were tested for ability to inactivate nisin. Marked antinisin activity was detected in extracts of bacilli and endospores of organisms which have a lytic mechanism for rupture of the spore coat (type L); little or no activit...