There and turn back again: the application of phage serine integrases in eukaryotic systems.

Serine integrases (Ints) have gained prominence and have been extensively used in Synthetic Biology due to their ability to modify DNA sequences. Ints are recombinases encoded by the phage genome and have been used to unidirectionally catalyze an insertion, excision, or inversion of a specific DNA sequence between the two attachment sites () (bacterial attachment site) and (phage attachment site). The entire process is highly specific and accurate; therefore, Ints are widely used in genetic engineering and have been extensively studied due to their unique site-specific recombination properties and potential genome editing applications.

Isolation and structure elucidation of Dm-CVNH, a new cyanovirin-N homolog with activity against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1.

An anti-HIV screening of natural product extracts resulted in the discovery of a new antiviral protein through bioassay-guided fractionation of an aqueous extract of the ascidian Didemnum molle. The protein was sequenced through a combination of tandem mass spectroscopy and N-terminal Edman degradation of peptide fragments after a series of endoproteinase digestions. The primary amino acid sequence and disulfide bonding pattern of the 102-amino acid protein were closely related to the antiviral protein cyanovirin-N (CV-N).

Optimizing dsRNA engineering strategies and production in E. coli HT115 (DE3).

Producing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) represents a bottleneck for the adoption of RNA interference technology in agriculture, and the main hurdles are related to increases in dsRNA yield, production efficiency, and purity. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize dsRNA production in E. coli HT115 (DE3) using an in vivo system.

Protocol for the establishment of a serine integrase-based platform for functional validation of genetic switch controllers in eukaryotic cells.

Serine integrases (Ints) are a family of site-specific recombinases (SSRs) encoded by some bacteriophages to integrate their genetic material into the genome of a host. Their ability to rearrange DNA sequences in different ways including inversion, excision, or insertion with no help from endogenous molecular machinery, confers important biotechnological value as genetic editing tools with high host plasticity. Despite advances in their use in prokaryotic cells, only a few Ints are currently used as gene editors in eukaryotes, partly due to the functional loss and cytotoxicity presented by some candidates in more complex organisms.

Exploring the Proteomic Profile of Soybean Bran: Unlocking the Potential for Improving Protein Quality and Quantity.

Soybean is a rich source of vegetal protein for both animal and human consumption. Despite the high levels of protein in soybean seeds, industrial processing to obtain soybean bran significantly decreases the final protein content of the byproducts. To overcome this problem, cultivars with higher protein contents must be developed.

Evolution of a minimal cell.

Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life. Here we report on how an engineered minimal cell contends with the forces of evolution compared with the Mycoplasma mycoides non-minimal cell from which it was synthetically derived. Mutation rates were the highest among all reported bacteria, but were not affected by genome minimization.

Cyanovirin-N binds to select SARS-CoV-2 spike oligosaccharides outside of the receptor binding domain and blocks infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped positive stranded RNA virus which has caused the recent deadly pandemic called COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 virion is coated with a heavily glycosylated Spike glycoprotein which is responsible for attachment and entry into target cells. One, as yet unexploited strategy for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections, is the targeting of the glycans on Spike.

Soybean seed protein storage vacuoles for expression of recombinant molecules.

Soybean is one of the most important protein sources for human consumption and livestock feed. Soy production also allows the biosynthesis of edible oils, biodiesel, and biofertilizers. With the advent of modern agricultural biotechnology, soybean plants have also converted into bioreactors of therapeutic proteins and industrial enzymes.