The NADH-dependent flavin reductase ThdF follows an ordered sequential mechanism though crystal structures reveal two FAD molecules in the active site.

Two-component flavin-dependent monooxygenases are of great interest as biocatalysts for the production of pharmaceuticals and other relevant molecules, as they catalyze chemically important reactions such as hydroxylation, epoxidation and halogenation. The monooxygenase components require a separate flavin reductase, which provides the necessary reduced flavin cofactor. The tryptophan halogenase Thal from Streptomyces albogriseolus is a well-characterized two-component flavin-dependent halogenase.

Single-molecule imaging and molecular dynamics simulations reveal early activation of the MET receptor in cells.

Embedding of cell-surface receptors into a membrane defines their dynamics but also complicates experimental characterization of their signaling complexes. The hepatocyte growth factor receptor MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and survival. It is also targeted by the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, whose invasion protein, internalin B (InlB), binds to MET, forming a signaling dimer that triggers pathogen internalization.

Environmental factors control microbial colonization of plastics in the North Sea.

Large quantities of plastic enter the oceans each year providing extensive attachment surfaces for marine microbes yet understanding their interactions and colonization of plastic debris remains limited. We investigated microbial colonization of various plastic types (polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-terephthalate, and nylon) in ex-situ incubation experiments. Plastic films, both UV-pretreated and untreated, were exposed to seawater from a coastal and an offshore location in the North Sea.

Crystal structure and enzyme engineering of the broad substrate spectrum l-amino acid oxidase 4 from the fungus Hebeloma cylindrosporum.

l-Amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) catalyze the oxidative deamination of l-amino acids to α-keto acids. Recombinant production of LAAOs with broad substrate spectrum remains a formidable challenge. We previously achieved this for the highly active and thermostable LAAO4 of Hebeloma cylindrosporum (HcLAAO4).

Biodegradation of polyethylene by the marine fungus Parengyodontium album.

Plastic pollution in the marine realm is a severe environmental problem. Nevertheless, plastic may also serve as a potential carbon and energy source for microbes, yet the contribution of marine microbes, especially marine fungi to plastic degradation is not well constrained. We isolated the fungus Parengyodontium album from floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and measured fungal-mediated mineralization rates (conversion to CO) of polyethylene (PE) by applying stable isotope probing assays with C-PE over 9 days of incubation.