The potential for the use of leghemoglobin and plant ferritin as sources of iron.

Iron is an essential component for the body, but it is also a major cause for the development of many diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune diseases. It has been suggested that a diet rich in meat products, especially red meat and highly processed products, constitute a nutritional model that increases the risk of developing. In this context, it is indicated that people on an elimination diet (vegetarians and vegans) may be at risk of deficiencies in iron, because this micronutrient is found mainly in foods of animal origin and has lower bioavailability in plant foods. This article reviews the knowledge on the use of leghemoglobin and plant ferritin as sources of iron and discusses their potential for use in vegetarian and vegan diets.

Delineating elastic properties of kinesin linker and their sensitivity to point mutations.

We analyze free energy estimators from simulation trials mimicking single-molecule pulling experiments on a neck linker of a kinesin motor. For that purpose, we have performed a version of steered molecular dynamics (SMD) calculations. The sample trajectories have been analyzed to derive distribution of work done on the system. In order to induce stretching of the linker, we have applied a constant pulling force to the molecule and allowed for a subsequent relaxation of its structure. The use of fluctuation relations (FR) relevant to non-equilibrium systems subject to thermal fluctuations allows us to assess the difference in free energy between stretched and relaxed conformations. To further understand effects of potential mutations on elastic properties of the linker, we have performed similar in silico studies on a structure formed of a polyalanine sequence (Ala-only) and on three other structures, created by substituting selected types of amino acid residues in the linker's sequence with alanine (Ala) ones. The results of SMD simulations indicate a crucial role played by the Asparagine (Asn) and Lysine (Lys) residues in controlling stretching and relaxation properties of the linker domain of the motor.

The effect of introduction of chicken manure on the biodiversity and performance of an anaerobic digester

Background: Ammonium stress is a prime limiting phenomenon that occurs during methane formation from poultry manure. It is caused by elevated ammonium nitrogen concentrations that result from substrate decomposition. The amounts of methane formed depend on the activity of methanogenic microbes. Results: During the research reported in this paper, the response of a mesophilic consortium inhabiting a biogas reactor to rising load of poultry manure was investigated. The taxonomic composition of bacterial population was mostly typical, however syntrophic bacteria were not detected. This absence resulted in limitation of succession of some methanogenic microorganisms, especially obligate hydrogenotrophs. The methanogenic activity of the consortium was totally dependent on the activity of Methanosaeta. Inhibition of methanoganesis was noticed at ammonium nitrogen concentration of 3.68 g/L, total cessation occurred at 5.45 g/L. Significant amounts of acetic acid in the fermentation pulp accompanied the inhibition. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the consortium was totally dependent on the metabolic activity of the acetoclastic Methanoseata genus and lack of SAOB did not allow hydrogenotrophic methanogens to propagate and lead to cessation of biogas production at an elevated ammonium concentration at which acetoclastic methanogens were inhibited.

Daily Regulation of Phototransduction, Circadian Clock, DNA Repair, and Immune Gene Expression by Heme Oxygenase in the Retina of Drosophila.

The daily expression of genes and the changes in gene expression after silencing the heme oxygenase (ho) gene were examined in the retina of Drosophila using microarray and SybrGreen qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) methods. The HO decrease in the morning upregulated 83 genes and downregulated 57 genes. At night, 80 genes were upregulated and 22 were downregulated. The top 20 genes downregulated after ho silencing in the morning modulate phototransduction, immune responses, autophagy, phagocytosis, apoptosis, the carbon monoxide (CO) response, the oxidative stress/UV response, and translation. In turn, the genes that upregulated at night were involved in translation-the response to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and phototransduction. Among the top 20 genes downregulated at night were genes involved in phototransduction, immune responses, and autophagy. For some genes, a low level of HO had an opposite effect in the morning compared to those at night. Silencing ho also changed the expression of circadian clock genes, while the HO decrease during the night enhanced the expression of immune system genes. The results showed that the cyclic expression of HO is important for controlling several processes in the retina, including neuroprotection and those involved in the innate immune system.

Evaluation of the ability to metabolize 1, 2-propanediol by heterofermentative bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus

Background: New directions of research on lactic acid bacteria include investigation of metabolic pathways for the synthesis and/or metabolism of 1,2-propanediol, commonly used in the food and chemical industry, medicine, pharmacy and cosmetology as well as agriculture. The objective of this study was to compare the capacity of strains representing three diverse heterofermentative species belonging to the genus Lactobacillus to synthesize and/or transform 1,2-PD as well as to suggest new directions of research aimed at commercial use of this metabolite. Results: The novel strain of Lactobacillus buchneri A KKP 2047p, characterized as exhibiting an unusual trait for that species in the form of capacity to metabolize 1,2-PD, grew poorly in a medium containing 1,2-PD as a sole carbon source. The supplementation with glucose facilitated rapid growth of bacteria and use of 1,2-PD for the synthesis of propionic acid. A similar observation was noted for Lactobacillus reuteri. On the other hand, Lactobacillus diolivorans effectively metabolized 1,2-PD which was the sole carbon source in the medium, and the addition of glucose inhibited the synthesis of propionic acid. The experiments also investigated the effect of cobalamin as a diol dehydratase coenzyme involved in the propionic acid synthesis from 1,2-PD whose addition promoted the yield of the reaction in the case of all tested strains. Conclusions: All tested isolates showed the ability to effectively metabolize 1,2-PD (in the presence of cobalamin) and its conversion to propionic acid, which reveals that investigated bacteria meet the essential requirements of microorganisms with a potential application.