Publications by authors named "Mengkai Zhou"

Unlabelled: Acetate/acetyl-CoA interconversion is an interesting metabolic node, primarily catalyzed by a set of various enzymes in prokaryotes. is a promising haloarchaeaon, capable of utilizing acetate as a sole carbon source for biosynthesis of high value-added products. Here, we have reported the key enzymes that catalyzed acetate activation in .

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora has drawn attention due to its production of dibenzodioxocinones which are a new class of inhibitors of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP). Previous studies showed that the pks8 gene cluster is responsible for the biosynthesis of dibenzodioxocinones in P. microspora.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Melanins are the common fungal pigment, which contribute to stress resistance and pathogenesis. However, few studies have explored the regulation mechanism of its synthesis in filamentous fungi. In this study, we identified two transcription factors, Pmr1 and Pmr2, in the filamentous fungus .

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

It is known that 7-epitaxol has much stronger cytotoxicity than taxol does. However, the content of 7-epitaxol in yew is much less than taxol, which makes it more costly to obtain. We describe here a method to effectively convert taxol to 7-epitaxol.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-damo), which is mediated by "Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera-like" bacteria, is unique in linking the carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, the niche and activity of n-damo bacteria in the mangrove ecosystem have not been confirmed. Here, we report the occurrence of the n-damo process in the mangrove wetland of the Zhangjiang Estuary, China.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The present study aims to analyze the chemotaxis genes and proteins of several PAH-degrading Novosphingobium strains, and the chemotaxis of these strains toward aromatic compounds and intermediates.

Methods: Based on genome comparative analysis, we identified the chemotaxis genes organization and proteins distribution. We used drop and swarm plate assays to detect the chemotaxis of these strains toward aromatic compounds and intermediates of TCA cycle.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF