Structure-function analysis of pectate lyase Pel3 reveals essential facets of protein recognition by the bacterial type 2 secretion system.

The type II secretion system (T2SS) transports fully folded proteins of various functions and structures through the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The molecular mechanisms of substrate recruitment by T2SS remain elusive but a prevailing view is that the secretion determinants could be of a structural nature. The phytopathogenic γ-proteobacteria, Pectobacterium carotovorum and Dickeya dadantii, secrete similar sets of homologous plant cell wall degrading enzymes, mainly pectinases, by similar T2SSs, called Out.

Do spawn storage conditions influence the colonization capacity of a wheat-straw-based substrate by Agaricus subrufescens?

Storage conditions of the spawn of edible fungi are of major importance to facilitate the production of mushrooms. Here, standard storage conditions at 10°C or 15°C were used and the potential of colonization of standard European compost by the tropical species Agaricus subrufescens was assessed during the spawn running phase. Two lignocellulolytic activities, laccase and CMC-cellulase, were enhanced after storage compared to control as well as substrate transformation, as described by the aromaticity ratio and a humification ratio calculated from NMR data.

Capacity for colonization and degradation of horse manure and wheat-straw-based compost by different strains of Agaricus subrufescens during the first two weeks of cultivation.

The potential of Agaricus subrufescens strains to colonize and transform horse manure and wheat-straw-based mushroom compost under the physico-chemical conditions typically used for Agaricus bisporus was assessed. Lignocellulolytic activities, H2O2 production and substrate transformation (assessed via CP/MAS NMR of (13)C) for certain A. subrufescens strains were similar or even greater than those obtained for an A.

Does anthracene affect microbial activities and organic matter decomposition? A comparative study in Pinus halepensis litters from Mediterranean coastal and inland areas.

The widespread concern about pollution caused by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) raises the question of how they affect soil microbial communities which are potentially involved in the transformation of these pollutants. Using microcosms, we describe the effect of anthracene, a model PAH, on microbial communities inhabiting a Pinus halepensis litter from both coastal (COS) and inland (INL) Mediterranean sites. The microcosms were incubated over 3 months (25°C, 60% WHC) and the effects of anthracene on microbial activities of both litters were monitored.

Chemical characterization of the biomass of an edible medicinal mushroom, Agaricus subrufescens, via solid-state 13C NMR.

The biomass of 18 strains of Agaricus subrufescens and of 13 strains of Agaricus bisporus was chemically analyzed using solid-state (13)C NMR. The study focused on polysaccharides because they can play a major role as antitumor molecules. The study also examined whether biomass chemical properties varied between the vegetative mycelium and the fruiting bodies of A.

Functional changes in culturable microbial communities during a co-composting process: carbon source utilization and co-metabolism.

Microbial communities in sewage sludge and green waste co-composting were investigated using culture-dependent methods and community level physiological profiles (CLPP) with Biolog Microplate. Different microbial groups characterized each stage of composting. Bacterial densities were high from beginning to end of composting, whereas actinomycete densities increased only after bio-oxidation phase i.