Eicosapentaenoic acid facilitates the folding of an outer membrane protein of the psychrotrophic bacterium, Shewanella livingstonensis Ac10.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are found in various cold-adapted microorganisms. We previously demonstrated that EPA-containing phospholipids (EPA-PLs) synthesized by the psychrotrophic bacterium Shewanella livingstonensis Ac10 support cell division, membrane biogenesis, and the production of membrane proteins at low temperatures. In this article, we demonstrate the effects of EPA-PLs on the folding and conformational transition of Omp74, a major outer membrane cold-inducible protein in this bacterium.

[Study on the atrazine-degrading genes in Arthrobacter sp. AG1].

Atrazine could be used as the sole carbon, nitrogen and energy sources for growth by strain Arthrobacter sp. AG1, and the atrazine-degrading genes of AG1 were found to be the combination of trzN, atzB and atzC. The atrazine chloride hydrolysase gene trzN was cloned by PCR amplification,whose sequence shared 99% identity with that of Norcardioides sp.

[Isolation and characterization of an atrazine-degrading bacterium strain SA1].

Atrazine (AT), a kind of herbicide for the pre and post-emergence control of annual and broad leaved weeds and perennial grasses, had been widely used in the world. However, the extensive use of atrazine had led to widespread environmental pollution. A bacterium strain SA1, which could degrade AT completely, was isolated from an atrazine-degrading consortium by long-time repeated alternative cultivation and plate striking.

[Construction of multifunctional genetically engineered pesticides-degrading bacteria by homologous recombination].

Construction of multifunctional pesticides-degrading genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) is increasing important in the bioremediation of various pesticides contaminants in environment. However, construction of genetically stable GEMs without any exogenous antibiotic resistance is thought to be one of the bottlenecks in GEMs construction. In this article, homologous recombination vectors with the recipient's 16S rDNA as homologous recombination directing sequence (HRDS) and sacB gene as double crossover recombinants positive selective marker were firstly constructed.

[Horizontal transfer of environmental pollutant-degrading gene and application in bioremediation].

Horizontal gene transfer, unlike vertical gene transfer, is a means of genetic communication in bacteria. In the special polluted environment, horizontal transfer of polluted-degrading gene has significant functions. Study on horizontal transfer of degrading gene in polluted environment may deepen our understanding of the mechanism of bacterial adaptation to the organic-polluted environment.