Allosteric inhibitor of SHP2 enhances macrophage endocytosis and bacteria elimination by increasing caveolae activation and protects against bacterial sepsis.

The uncontrolled bacterial infection-induced cytokine storm and sequential immunosuppression are commonly observed in septic patients, which indicates that the activation of phagocytic cells and the efficient and timely elimination of bacteria are crucial for combating bacterial infections. However, the role of dysregulated immune cells and their disrupted function in sepsis remains unclear. Here, we found that macrophages exhibited the impaired endocytosis capabilities in sepsis by Single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing.

Biodegradation of vulcanized rubber by a gut bacterium from plastic-eating mealworms.

The disposal of vulcanized rubber waste is difficult due to the presence of three-dimensional crosslinking network structure. Here, we report that a bacterium Acinetobacter sp. BIT-H3, isolated from the gut of plastic-eating mealworm, can grow on and degrade vulcanized poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) rubber (vPR).

Engineering a thermostable version of D-allulose 3-epimerase from Rhodopirellula baltica via site-directed mutagenesis based on B-factors analysis.

D-allulose has received increasing attention due to its excellent physiological properties and commercial potential. The D-allulose 3-epimerase from Rhodopirellula baltica (RbDAEase) catalyzes the conversion of D-fructose to D-allulose. However, its poor thermostability has hampered its industrial application.

Efficient Biosynthesis of High-Value Succinic Acid and 5-Hydroxyleucine Using a Multienzyme Cascade and Whole-Cell Catalysis.

Succinic acid (SA) is applied in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. 5-Hydroxyleucine (5-HLeu) is a promising precursor for the biosynthesis of antituberculosis drugs. Here, we designed a promising synthetic route for the simultaneous production of SA and 5-HLeu by combining l-leucine dioxygenase (NpLDO), l-glutamate oxidase (LGOX), and catalase (CAT).

Soluble expression, purification and biochemical characterization of a C-7 cholesterol dehydrogenase from Drosophila melanogaster.

The C-7 cholesterol dehydrogenase (NVD), which converts cholesterol to 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) by 7,8-dehydrogenation, plays a pivotal role in the metabolism of cholesterol and steroid intermediates. The NVD protein was successfully expressed in insect Sf9 cells. To reduce the production cost for industrial application, the NVD gene was cloned into E.

Engineering of 3-ketosteroid-∆-dehydrogenase based site-directed saturation mutagenesis for efficient biotransformation of steroidal substrates.

Background: Biosynthesis of steroidal drugs is of great benefit in pharmaceutical manufacturing as the process involves efficient enzymatic catalysis at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure compared to chemical synthesis. 3-ketosteroid-∆-dehydrogenase from Arthrobacter simplex (KsdD3) catalyzes 1,2-desaturation of steroidal substrates with FAD as a cofactor.

Results: Recombinant KsdD3 exhibited organic solvent tolerance.

[Advances in hydroxylation of hydrophobic amino acid].

Hydroxy amino acids, constituents of chiral pharmaceutical intermediates or precursors, have a variety of unique functions in the research fields of biotechnology and molecular biology, i.e. antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer properties.

A novel l-leucine 5-hydroxylase from Nostoc piscinale unravels unexpected sulfoxidation activity toward l-methionine.

Hydroxy amino acids are produced by Fe(II)/αKG-dependent dioxygenases and used widely as medicinal intermediates for chemical synthesis. A novel l-leucine 5-hydroxylase gene from Nostoc piscinale (NpLDO) was cloned into pET28a (+), pColdI and pQE-80 L plasmids. Using a two-step purification process (Ni-affinity chromatography and gel filtration), highly purified recombinant NpLDO was obtained.

Biochemical characterization of a novel ulvan lyase from sp. strain PLSV.

Ulvans, complex polysaccharides found in the ulvales (green seaweed) cell wall, contain predominantly 3-sulfated rhamnose (Rha3S) linked to either d-glucuronic acid, l-iduronic acid or d-xylose. The ulvan lyase endolytically cleaves the glycoside bond between Rha3S and uronic acid a β-elimination mechanism. Ulvan lyase has been identified as belonging to the polysaccharide lyase family PL24 or PL25 in the carbohydrate active enzymes database, in which fewer members have been characterized.

A Framework for Flood Risk Analysis and Benefit Assessment of Flood Control Measures in Urban Areas.

Flood risk analysis is more complex in urban areas than that in rural areas because of their closely packed buildings, different kinds of land uses, and large number of flood control works and drainage systems. The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical framework for flood risk analysis and benefit assessment of flood control measures in urban areas. Based on the concept of disaster risk triangle (hazard, vulnerability and exposure), a comprehensive analysis method and a general procedure were proposed for urban flood risk analysis.