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Physiological characterization of Streptococcus bovis mutants that can resist 2-deoxyglucose-induced lysis.

Streptococcus bovis JB1 does not normally lyse, but stationary phase lysis can be induced by including 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) in the growth medium. Isolates deficient in glucose/2DG phosphotransferase activity (PTS-) also lysed when 2DG was present (Lys+) and this result indicated that 2DG phosphorylation via the PTS was not an obligate requirement for 2DG-induced lysis. Cells and cell walls from 2DG-grown cultures lysed faster when proteinase K was added, but glucose-grown cultures and cell walls were not affected. A lipoteichoic acid (LTA) extract (aqueous phase from hot phenol treatment) from glucose-grown cells inhibited the lysis of 2DG-grown cultures, but a similar extract prepared from 2DG-grown cells was without effect. Thin-layer chromatography and differential staining indicated that wild-type and Lys+ PTS- cells incorporated 2DG into LTA, but lysis-resistant cultures (Lys- PTS+ and Lys- PTS-) did not. LTA from lysis-resistant (Lys- PTS+ and Lys- PTS-) cells grown with glucose and 2DG also prevented 2DG-dependent lysis of the wild-type. LTA could not inhibit degradation of cell walls isolated from 2DG-grown cultures, but LTA inhibited the lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus (Micrococcus luteus) cells that were exposed to supernatants from 2DG-grown S. bovis cultures. Group D streptococci (including S. bovis) normally have an alpha-1,2 linked glucose disaccharide (kojibiose) in their LTA, but kojibiose cannot be synthesized from 2DG. This observation suggested that the kojibiose moiety of LTA was involved in autolysin inactivation. Wild-type S. bovis had ATP- as well as PEP-dependent mechanisms of 2DG phosphorylation and one lysis-resistant phenotype (Lys- PTS-) had reduced levels of both activities. However, the Lys- PTS+ phenotype was still able to phosphorylate 2DG via ATP and PEP and this result indicated that some other step of 2DG incorporation into LTA was being inhibited. Based on these results, growth in the presence of 2DG appears to prevent synthesis of normal LTA, which is involved in the regulation of autolytic enzymes.

Antimetabolites↗

Microbial spoilage of pre-cooked potato-topped pies.

The ecological succession of bacteria which developed in pre-cooked potato-topped pies stored at two different temperatures was examined. Bacillus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. were the predominant organisms isolated from freshly prepared pies and those stored at 4 degrees and 37 degrees C. None of these groups of bacteria caused significant biodeterioration of pies held at 4 degrees C, but all groups grew well in pies stored at 37 degrees C and achieved counts of ca 10(8)/g of sample. Bacillus spp. were the first group to grow, followed by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. Growth which occurred at 37 degrees C did so at the expense of glucose, lactate accumulated and the pH of pie components decreased. Amylase activity detected in all pie components during storage was associated with the growth of Bacillus spp. and probably supplemented glucose already present in pies, by hydrolytic cleavage of potato, flour or binder starches. Spoilage caused by growth and activity of the bacteria isolated was not associated with visual signs of biodeterioration, nor production of 'off' odour usually associated with spoilage of meats. These results suggest that pre-cooked potato-topped pies held at inappropriate temperatures represent a potential public health risk.

Bacillus cereus↗

Characterization and ion channel activities of novel antibacterial proteins from the skin mucosa of carp (Cyprinus carpio).

A detergent-solubilized fraction of skin mucus of carp (Cyprinus carpio) induced ion channels after reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers. A differential extraction using a non-ionic detergent followed by electrophoretic separation led to the isolation of two hydrophobic 31-kDa and 27-kDa proteins. In contrast to the 27-kDa protein, which was glycosylated, the 31-kDa did not bind to concanavalin A. The reconstitution of these proteins into a planar lipid bilayer restored the ionophore behavior already observed with the crude mucus. The main unit conductance levels were about 900 pS for the 27-kDa protein and 500 pS for the 31-kDa protein, and selectivity measurements gave Pcl/Pk ratios of 0.6 and 1.0, respectively. These proteins had large potent microbicidal activities (0.018-0.18 microM) against different strains of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. This behavior can be compared with insect defensins that are known to form large ion channels in the bacterial membrane. To exclude the eventuality of bacterial origin, the bacterial flora of the crude mucus were analysed and the following were identified: Pseudomonas cepacia; Micrococcus luteus; Micrococcus roseus; Flavobacterium sp.; Aeromonas hydrophila. Antibacterial assays with both proteins were performed against these specific strains and revealed good growth inhibition activities. Furthermore, microsequencing analysis showed that the 31-kDa protein was protected on its N-terminal extremity in contrast to the 27-kDa protein, which had a 19-amino-acid sequence. This last sequence, when compared with sequences in protein data banks, did not reveal any significant similarities to other proteins. These results suggest that these novel proteins could be involved in antibacterial defense processes in fish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Normal ocular features, conjunctival microflora and intraocular pressure in the Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the ocular features, normal conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora, and intraocular pressure (IOP) in the Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis). SAMPLE POPULATION: Sixteen, apparently healthy beavers with no evidence of ocular disease, and live-trapped in regions throughout Prince Edward Island. PROCEDURES: The beavers were sedated with intramuscular ketamine (12-15 mg/kg). Two culture specimens were obtained from the ventral conjunctival sac of both eyes of 10/16 beavers for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial and fungal identifications. The anterior ocular structures of all beavers were evaluated using a transilluminator and slit lamp biomicroscope. Palpebral fissure length (11/16 beavers), and horizontal and vertical corneal diameters (10/16 beavers) were measured. IOPs were measured in both eyes of 11/16 beavers using applanation tonometry. Both eyes of 3/16 beavers and one eye of 1/16 beavers were dilated using topical tropicamide prior to sedation to effect timely maximal dilation. Culture specimens and IOPs were not evaluated in these four animals. Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed on 7/8 eyes of these four beavers. RESULTS: Conjunctival specimens from all eyes cultured positively for one or more isolates of aerobic bacteria. The most common isolate was Micrococcus spp. (five beavers; 9/20 eyes). Other isolates included a Gram-positive coccobacilli-like organism (four beavers; 7/20 eyes), Aeromonas hydrophila (three beavers; 4/20 eyes), Staphylococcus spp. (three beavers; 4/20 eyes), Gram positive bacilli (one beaver; 2/20 eyes), Enterobacter spp. (two beavers; 2/20 eyes), Streptococcus spp. (two beavers; 2/20 eyes), aerobic diphtheroids (one beaver; 1/20 eyes), and Pseudomonas spp. (one beaver; 1/20 eyes). Clostridium sordellii (one beaver; 1/20 eyes) and Peptostreptococcus spp. (one beaver; 1/20 eyes) were the sole anaerobic bacteria isolated. All conjunctival specimens were negative for growth of fungi. Ophthalmic examinations revealed the normal beaver eye and ocular adnexa included dorsal and ventral puncta, a vestigial third eyelid, and a circular pupil. Average palpebral fissure length was 9.36 mm (SD = 1.00) for both eyes. Mean horizontal and vertical corneal diameters of both eyes were 9.05 mm (SD = 0.64) and 8.45 mm (SD = 0.69), respectively. Mean IOP for the right and left eyes were 17.11 mmHg (SD = 6.39) and 18.79 mmHg (SD = 5.63), respectively. Indirect ophthalmoscopic examinations revealed normal anangiotic retinas. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-positive aerobes were most commonly cultured from the conjunctival sac of normal beavers, with Micrococcus spp. predominating. The overall mean IOP in ketamine-sedated beavers was 17.95 mmHg. The beaver, an amphibious rodent, has an anangiotic retina.

Animals↗

Patterns of cell division, DNA base compositions, and fine structures of some radiation-resistant vegetative bacteria found in food.

Representative highly radiation-resistant Moraxella-Acinetobacter (M-A), Pseudomonas radiora, Micrococcus radiodurans, and Micrococcus radiophilus exhibited a wide variety of division systems and cell wall characteristics. However, the most resistant M-A possessed unusually thick cell walls, indicating a possible role of the cell wall in radiation resistance in the M-A. Thick septation was present in most of the bacteria studied, but was absent in P. radiora, thus excluding this as a necessity for high resistance. Reliable determination of the number of division planes of the M-A for use as a taxonomic criterion was achieved by the direct observation of dividing cells. The highly resistant M-A were found to divide in multiple planes and had base compositions of 54.0 to 57.5%, unlike typical Moraxella and/or Acinetobacter species. The taxonomic position of most highly resistant bacteria remains unclear.

Bacteria↗

Microbiological Degradation of Malodorous Substances of Swine Waste under Aerobic Conditions.

Phenol, p-cresol, and volatile fatty acids (VFA; acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids) were used as odor indicators of swine waste. Aeration of the waste allowed the indigenous microorganisms to grow and degrade these malodorous substances. The time required for degradation of these substances varied according to the waste used, and it was not necessarily related to their concentrations. Using a minimal medium which contained one of the malodorous compounds as sole carbon source, we have selected from swine waste microorganisms that can grow in the medium. The majority of these microorganisms were able to degrade the same substrate when inoculated in sterilized swine waste but with an efficiency varying from one strain to the other. None of these strains was able to degrade all malodorous substances studied. Within 6 days of incubation these selected strains degraded the following: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, phenol and all VFA; Alcaligenes faecalis, p-cresol and all VFA; Corynebacterium glutamicum and Micrococcus sp., phenol, p-cresol, and acetic and propionic acids; Arthrobacter flavescens, all VFA. On a laboratory scale, the massive inoculation of swine waste with C. glutamicum or Micrococcus sp. accelerated degradation of the malodorous substances. However, this effect was not observed with all of the various swine wastes tested. These results suggest that an efficient deodorization process of various swine wastes could be developed at the farm level based on the aerobic indigenous microflora of each waste.

Journal Article↗

Autolysis of lactococci: detection of lytic enzymes by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and characterization in buffer systems.

Lactococcal strains were screened for bacteriolytic activity against Micrococcus luteus cells, lactococcal cells, and cell walls. Thirty strains were screened for bacteriolytic activity against cells and cell walls incorporated into agar medium. Enzymes from all strains hydrolyzed the substrates; however, the activity against Micrococcus cells was much higher than against Lactococcus cells or cell walls. Electrophoretic profiles of bacteriolytic activities of culture supernatants, sodium dodecyl sulfate-treated cell extracts, cell wall fractions, and cell extracts were analyzed in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels containing M. luteus cells or lactococcal cell walls as the substrate. The 22 strains tested contained two to five lytic bands in the culture supernatant, ranging in size between 32 and 53 kDa. The cell extracts, the sodium dodecyl sulfate-treated cell extracts, and the cell wall fractions revealed two lytic bands of 47 and 53 kDa. Effects of external factors on autolysis of some strains were determined in buffer systems. Optimal autolysis was observed in the exponential growth phase at pH 6.0 to 7.5 and at a temperature of 30(deg)C. Two of three strains tested seemed to contain a glycosidase, and all three strains contained an N-acetylmuramyl-l-alanine amidase or an endopeptidase.

Journal Article↗

Changes in the Microflora of Vacuum-packaged, Irradiated Petrale Sole (Eopsetta jordani) Fillets Stored at 0.5 C.

The microfloral changes of irradiated petrale sole fillets during anaerobic (vacuum-packed in cans) refrigerated storage was determined by the identification of 1,260 microbial isolates to the generic level. The samples were irradiated at 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 Mrad from a cobalt-60 gamma source, stored at 0.5 C, and examined periodically for spoilage and total microbial population and composition. The preirradiation flora consisted of Achromobacter, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, coryneforms, Lactobacillus, and Flavobacterium. Immediately after irradiation, Micrococcus, Achromobacter, coryneforms, and Bacillus were predominant. After storage under vacuum, the spoilage flora of the nonirradiated petrale sole was predominantly Pseudomonas; the spoilage flora of the 0.1-Mrad irradiated samples consisted of Pseudomonas and Lactobacillus; and that of the 0.2-, 0.3-, and 0.4-Mrad samples was almost entirely Lactobacillus.

Journal Article↗

Microbiological characteristics of Dungeness crab (Cancer magister).

Aerobic, heterotropic microorganisms of Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) were isolated from raw crab, cooked crab, crab meats obtained during commercial processing, and from retail crab meat samples. Each microbial isolate was then identified to the genus level employing the revised replica plating procedure. Microbial groups most commonly isolated from crab meat were, in the order of predominance, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium-Cytophaga, and Bacillus sp. Proteus, Staphylococcus, yeasts, Vibrio, and Lactobacillus sp. were found less frequetly in some samples. Distribution patterns of microbial flora in crab meat revealed the presence of three classes of microorganisms. Microorganisms that originated from the raw crab and gained predominance by growth during refrigerated storage were Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Flavobacterium-Cytophaga sp. Those that originated from the crab but did not grow in meat were Arthrobacter and Bacillus sp. Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, and Proteus sp. were introduced during processing, but they did not grow in the refrigerated crab meat.

Aerobiosis↗

Proteins of the Rpf family: immune cell reactivity and vaccination efficacy against tuberculosis in mice.

It was shown recently that Mycobacterium tuberculosis expresses five proteins that are homologous to Rpf (resuscitation promoting factor), which is secreted by growing cells of Micrococcus luteus. Rpf is required to resuscitate the growth of dormant Micrococcus luteus organisms, and its homologues may be involved in mycobacterial reactivation. Mycobacterial Rpf-like products are secreted proteins, which makes them candidates for recognition by the host immune system and anti-Rpf immune responses potentially protective against reactivated tuberculosis. Here we report that the Rpf protein itself and four out of five of its mycobacterial homologues, which were administered as subunit vaccines to C57BL/6 mice, are highly immunogenic. Rpf-like proteins elicit immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2a responses and T-cell proliferation and stimulate production of gamma interferon, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-12 but not IL-4 or IL-5. Both humoral and T-cell responses against these antigens show a high degree of cross-reactivity. Vaccination of mice with Rpf-like proteins results in a significant level of protection against a subsequent high-dose challenge with virulent M. tuberculosis H37Rv, both in terms of survival times and mycobacterial multiplication in lungs and spleens.

Animals↗

Distribution of the isopropylmalate pathway to leucine among diverse bacteria.

alpha-Isopropylmalate synthase and beta-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase activities were detected in extracts of the following organisms: Chromatium D, Rhodopseudomonas spheroides, Hydrogenomonas H16, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Vibrio extorquens, Rhizobium japonicum, Alcaligenes viscolactis, Escherichia coli B, Proteus vulgaris, Aerobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Micrococcus sp., Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Bacillus polymyxa, Bacillus subtilis, and Nocardia opaca. The alpha-isopropylmalate synthase activity in these extracts was inhibited by low concentrations of l-leucine. Taken together with other data, these results suggest that the isopropylmalate pathway is widespread among organisms that can synthesize leucine.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Taxonomically significant color reactions of Brevibacterium linens.

Grecz, Nicholas (University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.), and Gail M. Dack. Taxonomically significant color reactions of Brevibacterium linens. J. Bacteriol. 82:241-246. 1961.-Brevibacterium linens was observed to give characteristic color reactions with certain bases and acids. An intensive carmine-red color appeared immediately after addition of a drop of 5 n sodium hydroxide, 5 n potassium hydroxide, and saturated barium hydroxide. A light carmine-red was given by lithium hydroxide, and a light orange-red with a milky suspension of calcium hydroxide. No discernible color change was given with weak bases such as ammonium hydroxide, aniline, and pyridine.A characteristic salmon-pink color was produced when B. linens was rubbed with a glass rod in a drop of glacial acetic acid or filter paper; a brick-red color was produced with aniline under these conditions. With syrupy phosphoric acid a green color appeared within 3 to 4 min which turned blue after approximately 3 hr. The blue color was stable for several days. On the basis of these color reactions, B. linens could be distinguished from other microorganisms possessing yellow-orange pigmentation, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus flavus, Micrococcus citreus, Mycobacterium phlei, Sarcina lutea. Therefore, these color changes may be used for the identification of B. linens. Original isolates of B. linens from cheese were tested by these spot reactions and all presumptive identifications could be subsequently confirmed by conventional methods. Blue and green colors appeared in all yellow-orange chromogens treated with sulfuric, perchloric, and hydrochloric acids and hence these colors were not specific for B. linens.

Brevibacterium↗

Use of trehalose-mannitol-phosphatase agar to differentiate Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus from other coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Using a plate medium containing trehalose, mannitol, and phenolphthalein diphosphate (TMPA), we differentiated significant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis by their lack of acid production in 18 h from other coagulase-negative staphylococci, with our results having a sensitivity (R. S. Galen and S. R. Gambino, Beyond Normality: The Predictive Value and Efficiency of Medical Diagnoses) of 100%, a specificity of 89.9%, and a positive predictive value of 94.8%. With a Taxo A bacitracin disk, which differentiates Staphylococcus species from Micrococcus species, no zone of inhibition was seen for 96% of all staphylococcal strains, with 5 of 26 strains of Staphylococcus saprophyticus exhibiting zone diameters up to 10 mm. By using resistance to a 5-microgram novobiocin disk, we differentiated S. saprophyticus, with our results having a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 97.1%, and a positive predictive value of 83.9% on TMPA. These two species represented 77.8% of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated. Reference strains fo Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species were differentiated by TMPA. The cost of TMPA was compared with that of another method. TMPA was found to offer an inexpensive, sensitive method for rapidly differentiating coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolates.

Agar↗

Isolation and purification of a Campylobacter upsaliensis autolysin.

Autolytic activity in the soluble and sediment fractions of sonicates of the spiral and the coccoid form of Campylobacter upsaliensis could not be demonstrated by native (nondenaturing) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Autolysins were detected, however, by using denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE gels containing either purified Escherichia coli peptidoglycan or whole cells of Micrococcus luteus (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) as the turbid substrate, with subsequent renaturation by treatment with Triton X-100 buffer. In renaturing gels that contained Escherichia coli peptidoglycan, 14 putative autolytic bands ranging from 200 to 12 kDa were detected. In similar gels containing whole cells of M. luteus, only a single band appeared with a molecular mass of 34 kDa. This band corresponded to one of the bands present in the gels containing Escherichia coli peptidoglycan. This common autolysin was isolated by adsorbing it from Campylobacter upsaliensis soluble fractions onto M. luteus cells and then subjecting these cells to renaturing SDS-PAGE in gels containing Escherichia coli peptidoglycan. The 34-kDa autolysin differed from a single 51-kDa autolysin unique to the M. luteus cells, and when isolated from an SDS-PAGE gel, was pure when tested by isoelectric focusing. The N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis showed the first 15 amino acids of the 34-kDa autolysin to have 67% identity to a part of antigenic protein PEB4 of Campylobacter jejuni. The purified autolysin was used to immunize rabbits and the antibodies produced precipitated autolytic activity from cell lysates. The specificity of the antibodies was shown by Western blotting: only a single specific band occurred, with a molecular mass of 34 kDa, and thus it seems unlikely that the 34-kDa autolysin was derived from any of the other autolysins that were detected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Presence of a new cytochrome b - like pigment with a peak at 567 nm in various aerobic bacteria.

Several physiological groups of bacteria were examined for the presence of a cytochrome b - like pigment which is demonstrable in dithionite-reduced minus substrate-reduced difference spectra. This pigment is characterized by an unusually high alpha band at 567 nm, a low concentration relative to conventional cytochromes, and an inability to be fully reduced by endogenous substrates or NADH. Previous studies with one denitrifying and nondenitrifying species of the genus Pseudomonas, in Paracoccus denitrificans, in Alcaligenes faecalis, in Azotobacter vinelandii, in Branhamella catarrhalis, and in Neisseria lactamicus. In all these organisms, the peak of the 567-nm pigment is accompanied by a peak of about equal height at approximately 559 nm, which exhibits similar properties to the 567-nm pigment. The 567-nm pigment was not demonstrable by this technique in Gluconobacter oxydans subspecies suboxydans, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Escherichia coli, a Klebsiella species, Moraxella osloensis, Aquaspirillum itersonii, Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Micrococcus luteus, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, or Rhizobium meliloti.

Aerobiosis↗

Colony counts and characterization of bacteria adherent to the rumen wall and desquamated epithelial cells in conventional young lambs.

Characterization and enumeration of the adherent epimural community of the rumen wall of young, conventionally reared lambs were carried out from 2 to 21 days after birth. Three hundred strains were isolated by anaerobic procedures from three sites: dorsal, ventral, and caudal sacs, and from the sloughed epithelial cells. The population of epimural bacteria was very dense from the first days of the lamb's life. This population increased slightly with age. During the first week the counts were similar in the dorsal and ventral sacs, but they were 10 to 100 times lower in the caudal sac. Total counts for anaerobic bacteria were higher than the counts for aerobic bacteria. The isolated strains were distributed into 19 groups: 11 groups included aerotolerant strains, and 8 others, strictly anaerobic strains. During the first week the facultative microflora was mainly composed of Escherichia coli and Streptococci. Later, the epimural community was more complex and included Staphyloccus, Micrococcus, and Gaffkya. The strictly anaerobic microflora was mainly composed of Clostridium, Peptostreptococcus, Veillonella, Propionibacterium, and Acidaminococcus. Some of these strains appeared to be similar to those previously isolated from the rumen fluid of young lambs; however, the genera Micrococcus, Veillonella, Gaffkya, and Acidaminococcus, and E. coli seemed to be specific of the rumen wall tissues.

Animals↗

Microbial contamination of non-disposable instruments in otolaryngology out-patients.

Nosocomial infections are an important cause of morbidity and contaminated equipment may contribute to this. There has been little work concerning contamination of non-disposable equipment in Otolaryngology. This study investigates the efficacy of the cleaning regimen for non-disposable instruments in an Otolaryngology out-patients clinic. Instruments were swabbed before each clinic, when they had been autoclaved, then after use on patients, when they had been washed with detergent and chlorhexidine. Swabs of 86 instruments were cultured using standardized microbiological techniques. Fifteen instruments (17 per cent) were contaminated, most with coagulase negative staphylococci. Two specimens of Micrococcus luteus were cultured and one each of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Aureobacterium spp. Micrococcus luteus and coagulase negative staphylococci may represent skin contaminants, but Aureobacterium spp. and Acinetobacter lwoffii can be sources of nosocomial infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a potentially serious pathogen and is implicated in the aetiology of otitis externa. These findings question the efficacy of the current cleaning techniques.

Cross Infection↗

Substrate specificities of several prenyl chain elongating enzymes with respect to 4-methyl-4-pentenyl diphosphate.

In order to develop synthetic methods for biologically active homoallylic terpene sulfates, we examined the applicability and substrate specificities of several prenyl chain elongating enzymes with respect to 4-methyl-4-pentenyl diphosphate (homoIPP). The reaction of dimethylallyl diphosphate with homoIPP by use of Bacillus stearothermophilus (all-trans)-farnesyl diphosphate synthase resulted in efficient yields of cis-(yield: 45.9%) and trans-4,8-dimethylnona-3,7-dien-1-ol (homoGOH, 25.5%), which has a carbon skeleton of 4,8-dimethylnona-3-en-1-sulfate, an antiproliferative compound from a marine organism (Aiello, A. et al., Tetrahedron, 53, 11489-11492 (1997)). The homoIPP was found to be also active as a homoallylic substrate in place of isopentenyl diphosphate for Sulfolobus acidocaldarius geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase to give diphosphate of cis- and trans-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-3,7,11-trien-1-ol, for Micrococcus luteus B-P 26 hexaprenyl diphosphate synthase to give cis- and trans-4,8,12,16-tetramethylheptadeca-3,7,11,15-tetraen-1-ol (homoGGOH), and for Micrococcus luteus B-P 26 undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase to give cis-homoGGOH exclusively.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗