Investigation of ruminant xenobiotic metabolism in a modified rumen simulation system (RUSITEC).

The approving agencies for plant protection agents request xenobiotic metabolism and residue studies in rats, farm animals and plants (e.g. EU regulation 1107/2009) according to OECD guidelines.

Three biotechnical processes using Ashbya gossypii, Candida famata, or Bacillus subtilis compete with chemical riboflavin production.

Chemical riboflavin production, successfully used for decades, is in the course of being replaced by microbial processes. These promise to save half the costs, reduce waste and energy requirements, and use renewable resources like sugar or plant oil. Three microorganisms are currently in use for industrial riboflavin production.

Molecular characterization of human and bovine endothelin converting enzyme (ECE-1).

A membrane-bound protease activity that specifically converts Big endothelin-1 has been purified from bovine endothelial cells (FBHE). The enzyme was cleaved with trypsin and the peptide sequencing analysis confirmed it to be a zinc chelating metalloprotease containing the typical HEXXH (HELTH) motif. RT-PCR and cDNA screens were employed to isolate the complete cDNAs of the bovine and human enzymes.

Characterization of a membrane-bound metalloendoprotease of rat C6 glioblastoma cells.

C6 rat glioblastoma cells are able to attach to and to spread on culture dishes which are coated with purified central nervous system myelin, in contrast to normal astrocytes, fibroblasts or neurons which adhere poorly and are unable to spread on this substrate. The metalloprotease blockers o-phenanthroline and a newly developed oligopeptide could specifically inhibit C6 cell spreading on central nervous system myelin, suggesting a crucial role for a metalloprotease. Here we characterize this metalloproteolytic activity of C6 cells using a peptide degradation assay with the iodinated tetrapeptide carbobenzoxy-Phe-Ala-Phe-125I-Tyr-amide as a substrate.