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Statistical optimization of a high maltose-forming, hyperthermostable and Ca2+-independent alpha-amylase production by an extreme thermophile Geobacillus thermoleovorans using response surface methodology.

AIM: Statistical optimization for maximum production of a hyperthermostable, Ca2+-independent and high maltose-forming alpha-amylase by Geobacillus thermoleovorans. METHODS AND RESULTS: G. thermoleovorans was cultivated in 250 ml flasks containing 50 ml of chemically defined glucose-arginine medium (g l(-1): glucose 20; arginine 1.2; riboflavin 150 microg ml(-1); MgSO4. 7H2O 0.2; NaCl 1.0; pH 7.0). The medium was inoculated with 5 h-old bacterial inoculum (1.8x10(8) CFU ml(-1)), and incubated in an incubator shaker at 70 degrees C for 12 h at 200 rev min(-1). The fermentation variables optimized by 'one variable at a time' approach were further optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The statistical model was obtained using central composite design (CCD) with three variables: glucose, riboflavin and inoculum density. An over all 24 and 70% increase in enzyme production was attained in shake flasks and fermenter because of optimization by RSM, respectively. A good coverage of interactions could also be explained by RSM. The end products of the action of alpha-amylase on starch were maltose (62%), maltotriose (31%) and malto-oligosaccharides (7%). CONCLUSIONS: RSM allowed optimization of medium components and cultural parameters for attaining high yields of alpha-amylase, and further, a good coverage of interactions could be explained. The yield of maltose was higher than maltotriose and malto-oligosaccharides in the starch hydrolysate. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: By applying RSM, critical fermentation variables were optimized rapidly. The starch hydrolysate contained a high proportion of maltose, and therefore, the enzyme can find application in starch saccharification process for the manufacture of high maltose syrups. The use of this enzyme in starch saccharification eliminates the addition of Ca2+.

Analysis of Variance↗

The surface layer (S-layer) glycoprotein of Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a. Analysis of its glycosylation.

Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a possesses an oblique surface layer (S-layer) composed of glycoprotein subunits as the outermost component of its cell wall. In addition to the elucidation of the complete S-layer glycan primary structure and the determination of the glycosylation sites, the structural gene sgsE encoding the S-layer protein was isolated by polymerase chain reaction-based techniques. The open reading frame codes for a protein of 903 amino acids, including a leader sequence of 30 amino acids. The mature S-layer protein has a calculated molecular mass of 93,684 Da and an isoelectric point of 6.1. Glycosylation of SgsE was investigated by means of chemical analyses, 600-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Glycopeptides obtained after Pronase digestion revealed the glycan structure [-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-beta-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->](n = 13-18), with a 2-O-methyl group capping the terminal trisaccharide repeating unit at the non-reducing end of the glycan chains. The glycan chains are bound via the disaccharide core -->3)-alpha-l-Rhap-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(L--> and the linkage glycose beta-D-Galp in O-glycosidic linkages to the S-layer protein SgsE at positions threonine 620 and serine 794. This S-layer glycoprotein contains novel linkage regions and is the first one among eubacteria whose glycosylation sites have been characterized.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of the catalytic residues in family 52 glycoside hydrolase, a beta-xylosidase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6.

beta-d-Xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) are exo-type glycoside hydrolases that hydrolyze short xylooligosaccharides to xylose units. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond involves two carboxylic acid residues, and their identification, together with the stereochemistry of the reaction, provides crucial information on the catalytic mechanism. Two catalytic mutants of a beta-xylosidase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6 were subjected to detailed kinetic analysis to verify their role in catalysis. The activity of the E335G mutant decreased approximately 106-fold, and this activity was enhanced 103-fold in the presence of external nucleophiles such as formate and azide, resulting in a xylosyl-azide product with an opposite anomeric configuration. These results are consistent with Glu335 as the nucleophile in this retaining enzyme. The D495G mutant was subjected to detailed kinetic analysis using substrates bearing different leaving groups (pKa). The mutant exhibited 103-fold reduction in activity, and the Brønsted plot of log(kcat) versus pKa revealed that deglycosylation is the rate-limiting step, indicating that this step was reduced by 103-fold. The rates of the glycosylation step, as reflected by the specificity constant (kcat/Km), were similar to those of the wild type enzyme for hydrolysis of substrates requiring little protonic assistance (low pKa) but decreased 102-fold for those that require strong acid catalysis (high pKa). Furthermore, the pH dependence profile of the mutant enzyme revealed that acid catalysis is absent. Finally, the presence of azide significantly enhanced the mutant activity accompanied with the generation of a xylosyl-azide product with retained anomeric configuration. These results are consistent with Asp495 acting as the acid-base in XynB2.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Crystal structures of Geobacillus stearothermophilus alpha-glucuronidase complexed with its substrate and products: mechanistic implications.

Alpha-glucuronidases cleave the alpha-1,2-glycosidic bond between 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid and short xylooligomers as part of the hemicellulose degradation system. To date, all of the alpha-glucuronidases are classified as family 67 glycosidases, which catalyze the hydrolysis via the investing mechanism. Here we describe several high resolution crystal structures of the alpha-glucuronidase (AguA) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, in complex with its substrate and products. In the complex of AguA with the intact substrate, the 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid sugar ring is distorted into a half-chair conformation, which is closer to the planar conformation required for the oxocarbenium ion-like transition state structure. In the active site, a water molecule is coordinated between two carboxylic acids, in an appropriate position to act as a nucleophile. From the structural data it is likely that two carboxylic acids, Asp(364) and Glu(392), activate together the nucleophilic water molecule. The loop carrying the catalytic general acid Glu(285) cannot be resolved in some of the structures but could be visualized in its "open" and "closed" (catalytic) conformations in other structures. The protonated state of Glu(285) is presumably stabilized by its proximity to the negative charge of the substrate, representing a new variation of substrate-assisted catalysis mechanism.

Geobacter↗

N-acetylmuramic acid as capping element of alpha-D-fucose-containing S-layer glycoprotein glycans from Geobacillus tepidamans GS5-97T.

Geobacillus tepidamans GS5-97(T) is a novel Gram-positive, moderately thermophilic bacterial species that is covered by a glycosylated surface layer (S-layer) protein. The isolated and purified S-layer glycoprotein SgtA was ultrastructurally and chemically investigated and showed several novel properties. By SDS-PAGE, SgtA was separated into four distinct bands in an apparent molecular mass range of 106-166 kDa. The three high molecular mass bands gave a positive periodic acid-Schiff staining reaction, whereas the 106-kDa band was nonglycosylated. Glycosylation of SgtA was investigated by means of chemical analyses, 600-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-fight mass spectrometry. Glycopeptides obtained after Pronase digestion revealed the glycan structure [-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Fucp-(1-->](n=approximately 20), with D-fucopyranose having never been identified before as a constituent of S-layer glycans. The rhamnose residue at the nonreducing end of the terminal repeating unit of the glycan chain was di-substituted. For the first time, (R)-N-acetylmuramic acid, the key component of prokaryotic peptidoglycan, was found in an alpha-linkage to carbon 3 of the terminal rhamnose residue, serving as capping motif of an S-layer glycan. In addition, that rhamnose was substituted at position 2 with a beta-N-acetylglucosamine residue. The S-layer glycan chains were bound via the trisaccharide core -->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1--> to carbon 3 of beta-D-galactose, which was attached in O-glycosidic linkage to serine and threonine residues of SgtA of G. tepidamans GS5-97(T).

Bacillaceae↗

Characterization of a new thermophilic spore photoproduct lyase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus (SplG) with defined lesion containing DNA substrates.

The Geobacillus stearothermophilus splG gene encodes a thermophilic spore photoproduct lyase (SplG) that belongs to the family of radical S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) enzymes. The aerobically purified apo-SplG forms a homodimer, which contains one [4Fe-4S] cluster per monomer unit after reconstitution to the holoform. Formation of the [4Fe-4S] cluster was proven by quantification of the amount of iron and sulfur per homodimer and by UV and EPR spectroscopy. The UV spectrum features a characteristic absorbance at 420 nm typical for [4Fe-4S] clusters, and the EPR data were found to be identical to those of other proteins containing an [4Fe-4S]+ center. Probing of the activity of the holo-SplG with oligonucleotides containing one spore photoproduct lesion at a defined site proved that the enzyme is able to turn over substrate. In addition to repair, we observed cleavage of AdoMet to generate 5'-deoxyadenosine. In the presence of aza-AdoMet the SplG is completely inhibited, which provides direct support for the repair mechanism.

Bacillaceae↗

Thermoadaptation trait revealed by the genome sequence of thermophilic Geobacillus kaustophilus.

We present herein the first complete genome sequence of a thermophilic Bacillus-related species, Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426, which is composed of a 3.54 Mb chromosome and a 47.9 kb plasmid, along with a comparative analysis with five other mesophilic bacillar genomes. Upon orthologous grouping of the six bacillar sequenced genomes, it was found that 1257 common orthologous groups composed of 1308 genes (37%) are shared by all the bacilli, whereas 839 genes (24%) in the G.kaustophilus genome were found to be unique to that species. We were able to find the first prokaryotic sperm protamine P1 homolog, polyamine synthase, polyamine ABC transporter and RNA methylase in the 839 unique genes; these may contribute to thermophily by stabilizing the nucleic acids. Contrasting results were obtained from the principal component analysis (PCA) of the amino acid composition and synonymous codon usage for highlighting the thermophilic signature of the G.kaustophilus genome. Only in the PCA of the amino acid composition were the Bacillus-related species located near, but were distinguishable from, the borderline distinguishing thermophiles from mesophiles on the second principal axis. Further analysis revealed some asymmetric amino acid substitutions between the thermophiles and the mesophiles, which are possibly associated with the thermoadaptation of the organism.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

S-layer glycan-specific loci on the chromosome of Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a and dTDP-L-rhamnose biosynthesis potential of G. stearothermophilus strains.

The approximately 16.5 kb surface layer (S-layer) glycan biosynthesis (slg) gene cluster of the Gram-positive thermophile Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a has been sequenced. The cluster is located immediately downstream of the S-layer structural gene sgsE and consists of 13 ORFs that have been identified by database sequence comparisons. The cluster encodes dTDP-L-rhamnose biosynthesis (rml operon), required for building up the polyrhamnan S-layer glycan, as well as for assembly and export of the elongated glycan chain, and its transfer to the S-layer protein. This is the first report of a gene cluster likely to be involved in the glycosylation of an S-layer protein. There is evidence that this cluster is transcribed as a polycistronic unit, whereas sgsE is transcribed monocistronically. To get insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying glycosylation of the S-layer protein, the influence of growth temperature on the S-layer was investigated in seven closely related G. stearothermophilus strains, of which only strain NRS 2004/3a possessed a glycosylated S-layer. Chromosomal DNA preparations of these strains were screened for the presence of the rml operon, because L-rhamnose is a frequent constituent of S-layer glycans. From rml-positive strains, flanking regions of the operon were sequenced. Comparison with the slg gene cluster of G. stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a revealed sequence homologies between adjacent genes. The temperature inducibility of S-layer protein glycosylation was investigated in those strains by raising the growth temperature from 55 degrees C to 67 degrees C; no change of either the protein banding pattern or the glycan staining behaviour was observed on SDS-PAGE gels, although the sgsE transcript was several-fold more abundant at 67 degrees C. Cell-free extracts of the strains were capable of converting dTDP-D-glucose to dtdp-L-rhamnose. Taken together, the results indicate that the rml locus is highly conserved among G. stearothermophilus strains, and that in the investigated rml-containing strains, dTDP-L-rhamnose is actively synthesized in vitro. However, in contrast to previous reports for G. stearothermophilus wild-type strains, an increase in growth temperature did not switch an S-layer protein phenotype to an S-layer glycoprotein phenotype, via the de novo generation of a new S-layer gene sequence.

Bacillaceae↗

Identification of a gene cluster encoding an arginine ATP-binding-cassette transporter in the genome of the thermophilic Gram-positive bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus strain DSMZ 13240.

A single gene cluster encoding components of a putative ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter for basic amino acids was identified in the incomplete genome sequence of the thermophilic Gram-positive bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus by blast searches. The cluster comprises three genes, and these were amplified from chromosomal DNA of G. stearothermophilus, ligated into plasmid vectors and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified solute-binding protein (designated ArtJ) was demonstrated to bind L-arginine with high affinity (Kd=0.39+/-0.06 microM). Competition experiments revealed only partial inhibition by excess L-lysine (38 %) and L-ornithine (46 %), while no inhibition was observed with L-histidine or other amino acids tested. The membrane-associated transport complex, composed of a permease (designated ArtM) and an ATPase component (designated ArtP), was solubilized from E. coli membranes by decanoylsucrose and purified by metal-affinity chromatography. The ArtMP complex, when incorporated into liposomes formed from a crude extract of G. stearothermophilus lipids, displayed ATPase activity in the presence of ArtJ only. Addition of L-arginine further stimulated the activity twofold. ATP hydrolysis was optimal at 60 degrees C and sensitive to the specific inhibitor vanadate. Analysis of kinetic parameters revealed a maximal velocity of ATP hydrolysis of 0.71 micromol Pi min(-1) (mg protein)(-1) and a Km(ATP) of 1.59 mM. Together, these results identify the ArtJMP complex as a high-affinity arginine ABC transporter.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of family 39 beta-D-xylosidase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6.

beta-D-Xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) are hemicellulases that hydrolyze short xylooligosaccharides into single xylose units. In this study, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the beta-D-xylosidase (XynB1) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6, a family 39 glycoside hydrolase, are described. XynB1 is a tetrameric protein consisting of four identical subunits of 503 amino acids and with a calculated molecular weight of 58 001 Da. Both the native and the selenomethionine-containing XynB1 were crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and the crystals were found to belong to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 92.7, b = 165.7, c = 311.0 A. The native crystals diffracted X-rays to a resolution of 2.1 A.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Structure determination of the extracellular xylanase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus by selenomethionyl MAD phasing.

Xylanases are hemicellulases that hydrolyze the internal beta-1,4-glycoside bonds of xylan. The extracellular thermostable endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8; XT6) produced by the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6 was shown to bleach pulp optimally at pH 9 and 338 K and was successfully used in a large-scale biobleaching mill trial. The xylanase gene was cloned and sequenced. The mature enzyme consists of 379 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight of 43 808 Da and a pI of 9.0. Crystallographic studies of XT6 were performed in order to study the mechanism of catalysis and to provide a structural basis for the rational introduction of enhanced thermostability by site-specific mutagenesis. XT6 was crystallized in the primitive trigonal space group P3(2)21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 112.9, c = 122.7 A. A full diffraction data set for wild-type XT6 has been measured to 2.4 A resolution on flash-frozen crystals using synchrotron radiation. A fully exchanged selenomethionyl XT6 derivative (containing eight Se atoms per XT6 molecule) was also prepared and crystallized in an isomorphous crystal form, providing full selenium MAD data at three wavelengths and enabling phase solution and structure determination. The structure of wild-type XT6 was refined at 2.4 A resolution to a final R factor of 15.6% and an R(free) of 18.6%. The structure demonstrates that XT6 is made up of an eightfold TIM-barrel containing a deep active-site groove, consistent with its 'endo' mode of action. The two essential catalytic carboxylic residues (Glu159 and Glu265) are located at the active site within 5.5 A of each other, as expected for 'retaining' glycoside hydrolases. A unique subdomain was identified in the carboxy-terminal part of the enzyme and was suggested to have a role in xylan binding. The three-dimensional structure of XT6 is of great interest since it provides a favourable starting point for the rational improvement of its already high thermal and pH stabilities, which are required for a number of biotechnological and industrial applications.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a thermostable family 52 beta-D-xylosidase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6.

Beta-D-xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) are hemicellulases that hydrolyze short xylooligosaccharides into single xylose units. In this study, the first crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a family 52 glycoside hydrolase, the beta-D-xylosidase (XynB2) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6, is described. XynB2 is a dimeric protein consisting of two identical subunits of 705 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 79 894 Da. XynB2 was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and the crystals were found to belong to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 80.6, b = 97.5, c = 107.2 A, alpha = 107.4, beta = 98.2, gamma = 106.6 degrees. The native crystals diffracted X-rays to a resolution of 2.0 A.

Bacillaceae↗

The quaternary structure of the amidase from Geobacillus pallidus RAPc8 is revealed by its crystal packing.

The amidase from Geobacillus pallidus RAPc8, a moderate thermophile, is a member of the nitrilase enzyme superfamily. It converts amides to the corresponding acids and ammonia and has application as an industrial catalyst. RAPc8 amidase has been cloned and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli and has been purified by heat treatment and a number of chromatographic steps. The enzyme was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Crystals produced in the presence of 1.2 M sodium citrate, 400 mM NaCl, 100 mM sodium acetate pH 5.6 were selected for X-ray diffraction studies. A data set having acceptable statistics to 1.96 A resolution was collected under cryoconditions using an in-house X-ray source. The space group was determined to be primitive cubic P4(2)32, with unit-cell parameter a = 130.49 (+/-0.05) A. The structure was solved by molecular replacement using the backbone of the hypothetical protein PH0642 from Pyrococcus horikoshii (PDB code 1j31) with all non-identical side chains substituted with alanine as a probe. There is one subunit per asymmetric unit. The subunits are packed as trimers of dimers with D3 point-group symmetry around the threefold axis in such a way that the dimer interface seen in the homologues is preserved.

Amidohydrolases↗

Amelioration in secretion of hyperthermostable and Ca2+ -independent alpha-amylase of Geobacillus thermoleovorans by some polyamines and their biosynthesis inhibitor methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone.

AIM: Effect of polyamines and their biosynthesis inhibitors on the production of hyperthermostable and Ca2+ -independent alpha-amylase by Geobacillus thermoleovorans MTCC 4220. METHODS AND RESULTS: The alpha-amylase was produced in starch-yeast extract-tryptone (SYT) broth with different polyamines (PA) and polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG) and cyclohexylammonium sulphate (CHA) at 70 degrees C. The bacterial pellets were obtained after growing G. thermoleovorans at different temperatures, and used in determining total PA. The cell-free culture filtrates were used in alpha-amylase assays. During growth, total polyamines in biomass increased till 2 h, and thereafter, decreased gradually. The total polyamine content was very high in the biomass cultivated at 55 degrees C when compared with that of higher temperatures. Enzyme titre enhanced up to 70 degrees C, and thereafter declined. Extracellular enzyme and protein levels declined in the presence of exogenously added PA. The intracellular enzyme titres, however, were higher in putrescine (put) and spermidine (spd) than in spermine (spm). Polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, MGBG enhanced secretion of alpha-amylase in a laboratory fermentor as well as shake flasks, although CHA did not affect it. CONCLUSIONS: The intracellular accumulation of put in the presence of MGBG appeared to enhance synthesis and secretion of alpha-amylase. Extracellular enzyme and protein levels were low in the presence of exogenously added PA, but their intracellular levels, however, were higher in put and spd than in spm. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A substantial increase in the synthesis and secretion of alpha-amylase was attained in G. thermoleovorans in the presence of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor MGBG.

Bacillus↗

Decontamination assessment of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores on indoor surfaces using a hydrogen peroxide gas generator.

AIMS: To evaluate the decontamination of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores on indoor surface materials using hydrogen peroxide gas. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacillus anthracis, B. subtilis, and G. stearothermophilus spores were dried on seven types of indoor surfaces and exposed to > or =1000 ppm hydrogen peroxide gas for 20 min. Hydrogen peroxide exposure significantly decreased viable B. anthracis, B. subtilis, and G. stearothermophilus spores on all test materials except G. stearothermophilus on industrial carpet. Significant differences were observed when comparing the reduction in viable spores of B. anthracis with both surrogates. The effectiveness of gaseous hydrogen peroxide on the growth of biological indicators and spore strips was evaluated in parallel as a qualitative assessment of decontamination. At 1 and 7 days postexposure, decontaminated biological indicators and spore strips exhibited no growth, while the nondecontaminated samples displayed growth. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in decontamination efficacy of hydrogen peroxide gas on porous and nonporous surfaces were observed when comparing the mean log reduction in B. anthracis spores with B. subtilis and G. stearothermophilus spores. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results provide comparative information for the decontamination of B. anthracis spores with surrogates on indoor surfaces using hydrogen peroxide gas.

Bacillaceae↗

A two-component system regulates the expression of an ABC transporter for xylo-oligosaccharides in Geobacillus stearothermophilus.

Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6 utilizes an extensive and highly regulated hemicellulolytic system. The genes comprising the xylanolytic system are clustered in a 39.7-kb chromosomal segment. This segment contains a 6-kb transcriptional unit (xynDCEFG) coding for a potential two-component system (xynDC) and an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system (xynEFG). The xynD promoter region contains a 16-bp inverted repeat resembling the operator site for the xylose repressor, XylR. XylR was found to bind specifically to this sequence, and binding was efficiently prevented in vitro in the presence of xylose. The ABC transport system was shown to comprise an operon of three genes (xynEFG) that is transcribed from its own promoter. The nonphosphorylated fused response regulator, His6-XynC, bound to a 220-bp fragment corresponding to the xynE operator. DNase I footprinting analysis showed four protected zones that cover the -53 and the +34 regions and revealed direct repeat sequences of a GAAA-like motif. In vitro transcriptional assays and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that xynE transcription is activated 140-fold in the presence of 1.5 microM XynC. The His6-tagged sugar-binding lipoprotein (XynE) of the ABC transporter interacted with different xylosaccharides, as demonstrated by isothermal titration calorimetry. The change in the heat capacity of binding (DeltaCp) for XynE with xylotriose suggests a stacking interaction in the binding site that can be provided by a single Trp residue and a sugar moiety. Taken together, our data show that XynEFG constitutes an ABC transport system for xylo-oligosaccharides and that its transcription is negatively regulated by XylR and activated by the response regulator XynC, which is part of a two-component sensing system.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Organophosphonate utilization by the thermophile Geobacillus caldoxylosilyticus T20.

A strain of Geobacillus caldoxylosilyticus from central heating system water could utilize a number of organophosphonates as the sole phosphorus source for growth at 60 degrees C. During growth on glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonate release to the medium was observed, and in cell extracts, a glyphosate oxidoreductase-type activity, producing stoichiometric amounts of aminomethylphosphonate and glyoxylate from glyphosate, was detectable.

Bacillaceae↗

Inactivation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores by high-pressure carbon dioxide treatment.

High-pressure CO2 treatment has been studied as a promising method for inactivating bacterial spores. In the present study, we compared this method with other sterilization techniques, including heat and pressure treatment. Spores of Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus were subjected to CO2 treatment at 30 MPa and 35 degrees C, to high-hydrostatic-pressure treatment at 200 MPa and 65 degrees C, or to heat treatment at 0.1 MPa and 85 degrees C. All of the bacterial spores except the G. stearothermophilus spores were easily inactivated by the heat treatment. The highly heat- and pressure-resistant spores of G. stearothermophilus were not the most resistant to CO2 treatment. We also investigated the influence of temperature on CO2 inactivation of G. stearothermophilus. Treatment with CO2 and 30 MPa of pressure at 95 degrees C for 120 min resulted in 5-log-order spore inactivation, whereas heat treatment at 95 degrees C for 120 min and high-hydrostatic-pressure treatment at 30 MPa and 95 degrees C for 120 min had little effect. The activation energy required for CO2 treatment of G. stearothermophilus spores was lower than the activation energy for heat or pressure treatment. Although heat was not necessary for inactivationby CO2 treatment of G. stearothermophilus spores, CO2 treatment at 95 degrees C was more effective than treatment at 95 degrees C alone.

Bacillaceae↗