Nonpoint source of nutrients and herbicides associated with sugarcane production and its impact on Louisiana coastal water quality.

A watershed analysis of nonpoint-source pollution associated with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) production was conducted. Runoff water samples following major rainfall events from two representative sugarcane fields (SC1 and SC2) were collected and analyzed.

Synthesis of novel fructooligosaccharides by substrate and enzyme engineering.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and polyfructosides (PSs) have received particular attention due to its beneficial effects as prebiotics. Here we report the synthesis of a new class of fructooligosaccharides by substrate and enzyme engineering. Using an engineered levansucrase enzyme (SacB of Bacillus subtilis), and sucrose analogues (alpha-Xyl-1,2-beta-Fru or alpha-Gal-1,2-beta-Fru), the product profile shifted from the fructan (levan) polymer to a range of new higher oligosaccharides (xylooligofructosides), or polysaccharides (galactopolyfructosides), of varying size.

Export, purification, and activities of affinity tagged Lactobacillus reuteri levansucrase produced by Bacillus megaterium.

Fructosyltransferases, like the Lactobacillus reteri levansucrase, are important for the production of new fructosyloligosaccharides. Various His(6)- and Strep-tagged variants of this enzyme were recombinantly produced and exported into the growth medium using the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus megaterium. Nutrient-rich growth medium significantly enhanced levansucrase production and export.

The mouse Trm1-like gene is expressed in neural tissues and plays a role in motor coordination and exploratory behaviour.

Using a gene trap approach in ES cells, the novel mouse gene Trm1-like with substantial sequence homology to human C1orf25 mRNA (GenBank accession no. ) was identified. Murine Trm1-like encodes a putative protein with limited similarity to N2,N2-dimethylguanosine tRNA methyltransferase (Trm1) from other organisms, however its function is not known.