Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens sp. nov., a zeaxanthin-producing bacterium.

A comprehensive taxonomic re-evaluation was performed on the marine, zeaxanthin-producing bacterium formerly classified as [Favobacterium] sp. strain R-1 512 (ATCC 21588). This strain, together with two other previously described marine isolates, [Flavobacterium] strain R-1506 and Paracoccus sp.

Genetics of isoprenoid biosynthesis in Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens.

The genes coding for all the enzymes involved in the conversion of acetyl-CoA to farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) in the zeaxanthin-producing bacterium Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens were cloned and characterized. Two genes encoding enzymes catalysing the condensation of two acetyl-CoA molecules to acetoacetyl-CoA were found. The six enzymes involved in the conversion of acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA to isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) are grouped in an operon, designated the mevalonate operon.

Efficient transformation system for Propionibacterium freudenreichii based on a novel vector.

A 3.6-kb endogenous plasmid was isolated from a Propionibacterium freudenreichii strain and sequenced completely. Based on homologies with plasmids from other bacteria, notably a plasmid from Mycobacterium, a region harboring putative replicative functions was defined.

Comparative characterization of complete and truncated forms of Lactobacillus amylovorus alpha-amylase and role of the C-terminal direct repeats in raw-starch binding.

Two constructs derived from the alpha-amylase gene (amyA) of Lactobacillus amylovorus were expressed in Lactobacillus plantarum, and their expression products were purified, characterized, and compared. These products correspond to the complete (AmyA) and truncated (AmyADelta) forms of alpha-amylase; AmyADelta lacks the 66-kDa carboxyl-terminal direct-repeating-unit region. AmyA and AmyADelta exhibit similar amylase activities towards a range of soluble substrates (amylose, amylopectin and alpha-cyclodextrin, and soluble starch).