Publications by authors named "Wangli Ji"

Many endeavors in expressing a heterologous gene in microbial hosts rely on simply placing the gene of interest between a selected pair of promoters and terminator. However, although the expression efficiency could be improved by engineering the host cell, how modifying the expression cassette itself systematically would affect heterologous gene expression remains largely unknown. As the promoter and terminator bear plentiful -elements, herein using the mannanase with high application value in animal feeds and the eukaryotic filamentous fungus workhorse as a model gene/host, systematic engineering of an expression cassette was investigated to decipher the effect of its mutagenesis on heterologous gene expression.

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The manganese peroxidase (MnP) can degrade multiple mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (DON) efficiently; however, the lignin components abundant in foods and feeds were discovered to interfere with DON catalysis. Herein, using MnP from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (CsMnP) as a model, it was demonstrated that desired catalysis of DON, but not futile reactions with lignin, in the reaction systems containing feeds could be achieved by engineering MnP and supplementing with a boosting reactant. Specifically, two successive strategies (including the fusion of CsMnP to a DON-recognizing ScFv and identification of glutathione as a specific targeting enhancer) were combined to overcome the lignin competition, which together resulted into elevation of the degradation rate from 2.

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The cellulose-rich corncob residue (CCR) is an abundant and renewable agricultural biomass that has been under-exploited. In this study, two strategies were compared for their ability to transform CCR into cello-oligosaccharides (COS). The first strategy employed the use of endo-glucanases.

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Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) is well-known for its excellent ability to secret a large quantity of cellulase. However, unlike the endogenous proteins, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing heterologous protein production.

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A novel 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin glycoside (1) was obtained from the culture of endophytic fungal Xylaria CGMCC No.5410 from the leaves of Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron, together with five known compounds (2-6). Their structures elucidations were conducted by HRESIMS, NMR and IR spectroscopic analysis.

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Growing populations and climate change pose great challenges to food security. Humankind is confronting a serious question: how will we feed the world in the near future? This study presents an out-of-the-box solution involving the highly efficient biosynthesis of artificial starch and microbial proteins from available and abundant agricultural residue as new feed and food sources. A one-pot biotransformation using an in vitro coenzyme-free synthetic enzymatic pathway and baker's yeast can simultaneously convert dilute sulfuric acid-pretreated corn stover to artificial starch and microbial protein under aerobic conditions.

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Background: Humicola insolens is a filamentous fungus with high potential of producing neutral and heat- and alkali-resistant cellulase. However, the genetic engineering tools, particularly the genome-editing tool, are scarce, hindering the study of cellulase expression regulation in this organism.

Results: Herein, a CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system was established in H.

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Humicola insolens is an excellent producer of pH-neutral active, thermostable cellulases that find many industrial applications. In the present study, we developed an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system for H. insolens.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Wangli Ji"

  • - Wangli Ji's recent research primarily focuses on enhancing the efficiency of heterologous gene expression in microbial systems through systematic engineering of expression cassettes, as illustrated in his study involving a mannanase gene and its expression in a filamentous fungus.
  • - Ji has also investigated the degradation of mycotoxins, specifically deoxynivalenol (DON), using engineered manganese peroxidase systems to optimize catalysis in the presence of food-related lignin, highlighting innovative approaches to mitigate mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products.
  • - Additionally, his work explores the conversion of agricultural residues into valuable bioproducts, such as artificial starch and microbial protein, addressing food security challenges while utilizing renewable bioresources effectively.