Current Biotechnology - Volume 4, Issue 3, 2015

Background: The big wave of the successes in glycobiology is also embracing the marine domain. The major inherent structural complexity of carbohydrate molecules greater than that of proteins and nucleic acids, adds challenges for the control of pharmaceutical preparations based on such complex biomolecules. More effort is needed to overcome current limitations for the use of marine polysaccharides in pharmaceut Read More

Background: Alginates, a complex copolymer of α-L-guluronate (G) and its C5 epimer β-Dmannuronate (M), can be disassembled by alginate lyases to monosaccharides or alginate oligosaccharides, and the latter exhibits many fascinating bioactivities. A lot of new alginate lyases have been identified in many resources, especially in marine organisms. Elucidating the natural paradigms of alginate conversion will enable us to Read More

Background: Investigation of products from marine Streptomyces sp. NPS554 led to the discovery of lorneic acids and akaeolide. Genome analysis of this strain predicted the presence of more unidentified secondary metabolites. In this study, we further examined the products of strain NPS554 to obtain novel compounds predicted by bioinfomatical screening. Methods: Culture extract of strain NPS554 was fractionated by differe Read More

Objective: This is a study on the condition optimization of production of l-arginine deiminase (ADI) by Vibrio alginolytics 1374. To increase the production quantity, it could be helpful in the production of ADI for the therapeutic use in the future. Method: Vibrio alginolyticus 1374; GU726873 is a gram negative rod shaped marine bacteria isolated from chirala beach of Andhra Pradesh. It was screened for the enzyme production Read More

Background: Molluscan larval ontogeny is a highly conserved process comprising three principal developmental stages; trochophore, veliger and metamorphosis into the juvenile. A characteristic that is unique to each of these stages is shell design, termed prodissoconch I, prodissoconch II and dissoconch in bivalves. These shells vary in morphology, mineralogy and microstructure. The discrete temporal transitions in shell bi Read More

Background: Phycobiliproteins are located in phycobilisomes, which are huge pigmentprotein complexes that function as light harvesting antennas for photosynthesis in cyanobacteria, red algae and other uncommon species. Methods: The research progress of structures of the pigmented-covalently-binding phycobiliproteins were reviewed, including PhycoCyanin (PC), AlloPhycoCyanin (APC), PhycoErythroCyanin/PhycoEryth Read More

Background: Mining operations generate high demand of water resources in the areas where they operate; in Chile, the majority of major mining operations are concentrated in the north, close to the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. Fresh water is no longer available in big quantities in the region; for this reason, new alternatives have been developed. The use of seawater and desalination plants has increas Read More

Background: Global aquaculture production has increased continuously over the last five decades, and particularly in China. Its aquaculture has become the fastest growing and most efficient agri-sector, with production accounting for more than 70% of the world’s aquaculture output. In the new century, with serious challenges regarding population, resources and the environment, China has been working to develop high-qua Read More

Background: Aquaculture faces many challenges over the next decade, notably, combating diseases andepizootics, broodstock improvement and domestication, development of appropriate feeds and feeding mechanisms, hatchery and grow-out technology, as well as water-quality management. These all present considerable scope for biotechnological and other technology interventions. Aquaculture biotechnology Read More

Background: Cancer cells are more susceptible than normal cells to the effect of chemotherapeutic agents and most of the anticancer drugs can cause harm to the normal cells. Optimum dose and frequency are both important factors in the persistence of cancer cells during cancer chemotherapy. Now attempts have been focusing on efforts to kill cancer cells by more specific targeting while sparing the normal cells Read More

Background: CYP175A1 is a thermophilic P450 with high potential to invoke as an industrially viable biocatalyst though very little is known about the natural substrate of this enzyme. The crystal structure of CYP175A1 is similar to its mesophilic analogue CYP102A1, which is a fatty acid metabolizing enzyme (J Biol Chem 1990; 265: 4233-9). We have earlier shown that CYP175A1 catalyzes regioselective mono-oxygenatio Read More

Introduction: Understanding the factors responsible for enzyme thermostability and discriminating them from mesophilic proteins is one of the most important concerns in engineering new proteins. The primary structure of a protein is an important factor in determining L-asparaginase thermostability and it can be improved by adjusting external environmental factors. L-asparaginase II possesses antitumor activity and e Read More

Background: Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) from cyanobacteria is considered to be a potentially viable source for degradable plastic. Yet, to date, only a modest level of research has been reported in this area. PHB has variety of properties such as natural origin, biocompatibility, biodegradability, piezoelectricity, streospecificity, thermoplasticity and optical activity, which make it suitable for various applications in Read More

Background: β-galactosidase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes lactose to glucose and galactose. Lactose is the major sugar present in milk and its hydrolysis makes milk fit for consumption by lactose intolerant people. Enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose is one of the most important biotechnological processes in the food industry. Thus, the continuous efforts are going on to enhance β-galactosidase production and op Read More

Background: β-glucosidase is one of the important components of cellulase enzyme complex which acts synergistically with endoglucanase and exoglucanase to hydrolyze cellulosic substances into glucose. β-glucosidase is widely being used in biofuels, food, textile, cosmetics, leather, detergent, pulp, pharmaceutical and paper industries. It prevents the discoloration of fruit juices and helps in the enzymatic release of a Read More