[New low-copy plasmid in cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis].

Complete genome sequencing was performed for Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 from the collection of the Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Moscow State University, Russia. In addition to known plasmids A, B, and C, a new circular low-copy plasmid was detected and named D. It was also sequenced completely and found to have 27051 bp. The plasmid contained the parA and parB genes of the partition system, two genes that encode replication proteins, a gene for site-specific recombinase, atype-I restriction-modification system, and several genes with unknown functions. Analysis by PCR revealed the presence of plasmid D in two epiphytic strains from Vietnam, i.e., Anabaena sp. 182 and Anabaena sp. 281, as well as in Anabaena sp. V5 and A. azollae (Newton's isolate).

Iron-dependent superoxide dismutase from novel thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Acidilobus saccharovorans: from gene to active enzyme.

A gene encoding superoxide dismutase was revealed in the genome of the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Acidilobus saccharovorans. A recombinant expression vector was constructed and transformed into E. coli cells. The novel recombinant superoxide dismutase was purified and characterized. The enzyme was shown to be an iron-dependent superoxide dismutase able to bind various bivalent metals in the active site. According to differential scanning calorimetric data, the denaturation temperature of the enzyme is 107.3°C. The maximal activity of the Fe(II) reconstituted enzyme defined by xanthine oxidase assay is 1700 U/mg protein. Study of the thermal stability of the superoxide dismutase samples with various metal contents by tryptophan fluorescence indicated that the thermal stability and activity of the enzyme directly depend on the nature of the reconstituted metal and the degree of saturation of binding sites.

Influence of intermolecular contacts on the structure of recombinant prolidase from Thermococcus sibiricus.

Prolidases are peptidases that are specific for dipeptides with proline as the second residue. The structure of recombinant prolidase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus sibiricus (Tsprol) was determined at 2.6 Šresolution. The homodimer of Tsprol is characterized by a complete lack of interactions between the N- and C-terminal domains of the two subunits and hence can be considered to be the most open structure when compared with previously structurally studied prolidases. This structure exists owing to intermolecular coordination bonds between cadmium ions derived from the crystallization solution and histidine residues of a His tag and aspartate and glutamate residues, which link the dimers to each other. This linking leads to the formation of a crystal with a loose packing of protein molecules and low resistance to mechanical influence and temperature increase.

[Isolation and functional characterization of lipase from the thermophilic alkali-tolerant bacterium Thermosyntropha lipolytica].

As a result of sequencing the genome of the termophilic alkali-tolerant lipolytic bacterium Thermosyntropha lipolytica, the gene encoding a lipase secreted into the medium was identified. The recombinant enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli. It was isolated, purified, and functionally characterized. The lipase exhibited hydrolytic activity toward para-nitrophenyl esters of various chain lengths, as well as triglycerides, including vegetable oils. The optimal reaction conditions were achieved at temperatures from 70 to 80 degrees C and pH 8.0. Enzyme saved more than 80% of its activity in the presence of 10% methanol. This new thermostable lipase may be a promising biocatalyst for organic synthesis; it may find application in the food and detergent industry and biodiesel production.

Expression, purification and crystallization of a thermostable short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase from the archaeon Thermococcus sibiricus.

Alcohol dehydrogenases belong to the oxidoreductase family and play an important role in a broad range of physiological processes. They catalyze the cofactor-dependent reversible oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones. The NADP-dependent short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase TsAdh319 from the thermophilic archaeon Thermococcus sibiricus was overexpressed, purified and crystallized. Crystals were obtained using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using 25%(w/v) polyethylene glycol 3350 pH 7.5 as precipitant. The crystals diffracted to 1.68 A resolution and belonged to space group I222, with unit-cell parameters a = 55.63, b = 83.25, c = 120.75 A.