Dissimilatory perchlorate reduction: a review.

In the United States anthropogenic activities are mainly responsible for the wide spread perchlorate contamination of drinking water, surface water, groundwater, and soil. Even at microgram levels, perchlorate causes toxicity to flora and fauna and affects growth, metabolism and reproduction in humans and animals. Reports of antithyroid effects of perchlorate and its detection in common food items have raised serious public health concerns, leading to extensive decontamination efforts in recent years.

Template-directed ligation of tethered mononucleotides by t4 DNA ligase for kinase ribozyme selection.

Background: In vitro selection of kinase ribozymes for small molecule metabolites, such as free nucleosides, will require partition systems that discriminate active from inactive RNA species. While nucleic acid catalysis of phosphoryl transfer is well established for phosphorylation of 5' or 2' OH of oligonucleotide substrates, phosphorylation of diffusible small molecules has not been demonstrated.

Methodology/principal Findings: This study demonstrates the ability of T4 DNA ligase to capture RNA strands in which a tethered monodeoxynucleoside has acquired a 5' phosphate.

Characterization of interactions between and among components of the meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA machinery in Neurospora crassa using bimolecular fluorescence complementation.

Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) is based on the complementation between two nonfluorescent fragments of the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) when they are united by interactions between proteins covalently linked to them. We have successfully applied BiFC in Neurospora crassa using two genes involved in meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA (MSUD) and observed macromolecular complex formation involving only SAD-1 proteins, only SAD-2 proteins, and mixtures of SAD-1 and SAD-2 proteins.

Cyclosporin A-resistance based gene placement system for Neurospora crassa.

DNA introduced into Neurospora crassa are usually inserted at random ectopic sites of the genome, often in multiple copies. To facilitate the study of gene expression and function, transformation by a single-copy of a gene at a defined locus is desired. Although several targeted gene placement methods are available for N.

Expression in and purification of Hepatitis B surface antigen (S-protein) from methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

The study describes expression and purification of recombinant hepatitis B small surface antigen (rHBsAg hereafter) in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris strain GS115. For expression of the rHBsAg, a single copy of 678 bp cDNA was inserted at the unique EcoRI site downstream of the alcohol oxidase (AOX 1) promoter of the 8.2 kb pHIL-D2 vector.

Isolation and characterization of Dechlorospirillum anomalous strain JB116 from a sewage treatment plant.

The dissimilatory perchlorate reducers mainly belong to two monophyletic groups, viz. Dechloromonas and Azospira in the beta subclass of Proteobacteria. The present study describes isolation and genetic characterization of Dechlorospirillum anomalous strain JB116 that belongs to alpha subclass of Proteobacteria.

Interference of thiosulfate during colorimetric analysis of hexavalent chromium using 1,5-diphenylcarbazide method.

Thiosulfate (S(2)O(3)(2-)) contained in the media for autotrophic Cr (VI) reduction was found to interfere with Cr (VI) measurement following the 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) method. The interference was confirmed at several abiotic and biotic conditions, and was influenced by S(2)O(3)(2-) concentration, pH, and the media components. At neutral to alkaline pH, 500 mg/L of S(2)O(3)(2-) did not cause interference, while 4 mg/L of S(2)O(3)(2-) resulted in the interference at pH 2.

Bioremediation potential of a perchlorate-enriched sewage sludge consortium.

The purpose of this work was to explore the reductive bioremediation potential of a perchlorate-enriched facultative anaerobic consortium. Rapid perchlorate reduction and bacterial growth were observed up to 1.84 g l(-1) of perchlorate, but not at 3.

Role of Citrobacter amalonaticus and Citrobacter farmeri in dissimilatory perchlorate reduction.

The article deals with the novel physiological function of dissimilatory perchlorate reduction by strains JB101 and JB109 isolated from a laboratory-enriched mixed consortium originating from a sewage treatment facility. The biochemical and physiological data of the strains showed good correspondence with members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The partial 16S rDNA sequence of the strains JB101 and JB109 had similarity of 99.