Reactance and resistance: main properties to follow the cell differentiation process in Bacillus thuringiensis by dielectric spectroscopy in real time.

During growth, Bacillus thuringiensis presents three phases: exponential phase (EP), transition state (TS), and sporulation phase (SP). In order to form a dormant spore and to synthesize delta-endotoxins during SP, bacteria must undergo a cellular differentiation process initiated during the TS. Dielectric spectroscopy is a technique that can be utilized for continuous and in situ monitoring of the cellular state.

Extracellular expression of glucose inhibition-resistant Cellulomonas flavigena PN-120 β-glucosidase by a diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The catalytic fraction of the Cellulomonas flavigena PN-120 oligomeric β-glucosidase (BGLA) was expressed both intra- and extracellularly in a recombinant diploid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, under limited nutrient conditions. The recombinant enzyme (BGLA¹⁵) expressed in the supernatant of a rich medium showed 582 IU/L and 99.4 IU/g dry cell, with p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside as substrate.

Production of cellulases and xylanases under catabolic repression conditions from mutant PR-22 of Cellulomonas flavigena.

Derepressed mutant PR-22 was obtained by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) mutagenic treatment of Cellulomonas flavigena PN-120. This mutant improved its xylanolytic activity from 26.9 to 40 U mg(-1) and cellulolytic activity from 1.

Light-regulated asexual reproduction in Paecilomyces fumosoroseus.

The entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus has been successfully used in the control of several insect pests. Asexually produced spores (conidia) are the means for dispersal and transmission of the entomopathogen; upon contact with the insect cuticle they germinate and penetrate the host. In model fungal systems it has been found that phototropism, resetting of the circadian rhythm, the induction of carotenogenesis and the development of reproductive structures are controlled by blue light.