A Minnow, an E. Coli and Ubiquinone

A Minnow, an E. Coli and Ubiquinone
Author: Ronald Forrest Fox
Publisher:
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2008-06
Genre: Biomolecules
ISBN: 9780471694892

This book provides an introduction to the physics, demonstrates that rectified Brownian motion (RBM) is a unifying way to understand a large number of biological systems, and discusses the implications of RBM for potential industrial applications. Furthermore, the book helps readers solve problems related to these systems and model similar systems using RBM.

Studies on Selected Enzymes Involved in Ubiquinone Biosynthesis in Escherichia Coli

Studies on Selected Enzymes Involved in Ubiquinone Biosynthesis in Escherichia Coli
Author: Debarati Ghose
Publisher:
Total Pages: 113
Release: 2018
Genre: Microbiology
ISBN: 9780438391796

Escherichia coli synthesize an important component of the electron transport chain, Coenzyme Q (Ubiquinone; Q) from the shikimate pathway intermediate, chorismate. Two isofunctional enzymes UbiD and UbiX are responsible for the decarboxylation step in Q biosynthesis. It was shown by Gulmezian et al. (2007) that the loss of ubiX+ gene leads to a reduction in growth in both rich and minimal media as well as decrease in Q. They further reported that UbiX is responsible for controlling the activity of UbiG O-methyltransferase, involved in two O-methylation reactions in Q biosynthesis. Contrary to these results, in this study we show that the [Delta]ubiX had no effect on the growth of E. coli in succinate minimal medium and on Q biosynthesis. The growth and levels of Q, were however drastically decreased when the gene ubiD+ was deleted. The decreased levels of Q synthesized by [Delta]ubiD is due to the activity of UbiX. It was further shown that UbiX was not involved in controlling the activity of UbiG, since the expression of UbiG was not affected in the [Delta]ubiX deletion mutant. Phylogenetic analysis of the two methyltrasferases, UbiG and UbiE demonstrated the possibility of horizontal gene transfer between closely related bacteria. The first of the three hydroxylations in Q biosynthesis, contrary to previous studies was shown to be carried out by UbiI (VisC) by Chehade et al. (2013). In this study we demonstrate that a [Delta]visC deletion mutant grew to wild-type levels on succinate minimal medium and synthesized wild-type levels of Q, proving that VisC was not involved in the aerobic biosynthesis of Q. Our results show that, [Delta]ubiB deletion mutant failed to grow on succinate minimal medium and accumulated 2-octaprenylphenol, the substrate for this hydroxylation step. It was recently reported that, in Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), VisC is required for biofilm formation and expression of Type I pili resulting in increased virulence under aerobic conditions (Floyd et al., 2016). The prenyl sidechain in Q is synthesized in most bacteria using the non-mevalonate or methylerythritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway (Rodriguez-Concepcion and Boronat, 2002), whereas humans and a few genera of bacteria use the mevalonate pathway (Endo, 1992). This difference was utilized in designing novel antimicrobials targeted against the various enzymes of the MEP pathway. Our study involved the anti-bacterial testing of over 350 such compounds against nine potential bacteria including pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Over 200 compounds were found to have inhibitory effects on multiple bacteria and this will contribute to research for new antibiotics, which is the need of the hour.

Sustainable Desalination Handbook

Sustainable Desalination Handbook
Author: Gnaneswar Gude
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
Total Pages: 596
Release: 2018-03-07
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0128094966

Sustainable Desalination Handbook: Plant Selection, Design and Implementation provides the comprehensive knowledge base required for efficient and sustainable process design for existing and new desalination plants around the world. This valuable resource for understanding and utilizing the most recent developments in desalination technologies and methods addresses the necessary components, including process design and implementation, operational strategies, and novel discoveries that minimize environmental impacts. In addition, the book features essential illustrations, operational details, issues and potential solutions and sustainable management strategies for present and future desalination plants. Explains plant design and process selection criteria for each desalination process Presents international regulations and permitting for intake and discharge locations, design and disposal Provides energy recovery schemes, optimization and process controls Covers renewable energy sources, such as nuclear, geothermal, solar and wind powered desalination, energy storage and optimization Includes case studies of recent desalination projects and process design

Multiple Stressors: A Challenge for the Future

Multiple Stressors: A Challenge for the Future
Author: Carmel Mothersill
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 483
Release: 2007-08-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1402063334

Ecotoxiclogical risk from multiple stressors covers any situation where org- isms are exposed to a combination of environmental stressors. These include physical and chemical pollutants as well as other stressors such as parasites and environmental impact (e. g. , climate change or habitat loss). The combi- tion of stressors can result in increased risk to organisms (either additive or synergistic effects) or decreased effects (protective or antagonistic effects). The multiple stressor challenge is an international, multi-disciplinary problem requiring an international, multi-disciplinary approach. The c- rent approach to multiple stressors is to examine one stressor at a time and assume additivity. Little work has been done on combinations of stressors such that potential interactions can be determined. The problem is very complex. Multiple stressors pose a whole spectrum of challenges that range from basic science to regulation, policy and gove- ance. The challenges raise fundamental questions about our understanding of the basic biological response to stressors, as well as the implications of those uncertainties in environmental risk assessment and management. In addition to the great breadth, there is also great depth in the research ch- lenges, largely due to the complexity of the issues. From a basic science point of view, many of the mechanisms and processes under investigation are at the cutting edge of science — involving new paradigms such as genomic ins- bility and bystander effects.

Environmental Metabolomics

Environmental Metabolomics
Author: Diana Alvarez-Munoz
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2020-06-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0128181966

Environmental Metabolomics Applications in Field and Laboratory Studies: From the Exposome to the Metabolome presents an overview of the current state of aquatic environments and problems caused by human pressure and daily life. The presence of contaminants in nature and their effects are evaluated, along with recommendations for preservation. This book not only shows readers how to implement techniques, it also guides them through the process. As metabolomics becomes a more routine technique for environmental studies and future perspectives, a guide for validation and globalization of current approaches is needed. Presents relevant and reliable information on the use of different analytical techniques for establishing the environmental metabolomics of polluted systems Includes a critical review of each central topic in every chapter, together with a bibliography and future trends Provides, for the first time, a global opinion and guide for achieving standardized results

Energy and the Evolution of Life

Energy and the Evolution of Life
Author: Ronald Forrest Fox
Publisher: W H Freeman & Company
Total Pages: 182
Release: 1988
Genre: Bioenergetics.
ISBN: 9780716718499

Energy and the Evolution of Life provides an interdisciplinary approach to the question of life's origin. The text includes clear coverage of biochemical and mathematical topics.