Navigation Links
New molecule may aid in production of biofuels and fungi-resistant plants

of the sugar chains in the chitin molecule. How exactly chitinases overcome these challenges has been unclear until now.

Interested in learning more about how the breakdown of chitin occurs, Dr. Eijsink and his colleagues investigated chitin degradation by the soil bacterium Serratia marcescens. They discovered that in addition to producing chitinases, the bacterium also make a protein called CBP21 which binds to and disrupts the chitin polymer making it more accessible to degradation by chitinases. They showed that adding CBP21 dramatically speeds up the degradation of chitin by chitinases. CBP21 works by binding to chitin through highly specific interactions that disrupt the chitin structure making the individual sugar chains in the chitin polymer more amenable to enzymatic degradation.

The discovery of this new protein that participates in chitin degradation has many potential applications. For example, transgenic plants that expresses both chitinases and CBP21 would be able to combat fungi by degrading chitin in their cell walls. And, a better understanding of natural chitin turnover increases our ability to interfere with chitin metabolism in insects and other plague organisms.

CBP21 also has the potential to aid in the production of biofuel. "In principle, large quantities of chitin are available for exploration, primarily due to fishing and farming of crustaceans such as shrimps," says Dr. Eijsink. "However, a current lack of technology limits the exploitation of these waste streams. CBP21-like proteins may become an important tool for effective, enzymatic processing of this valuable resource. More in general, one might say that our discovery may lead to discovery of proteins with similar functions in cellulose processing. This may be of major important for the cellulose field and production of biofuel."


'"/>

Source:American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Chemists create Superbowl molecule; May lead to better health
2. Key molecule in plant photo-protection identified
3. Inflammatory molecules released by pollen trigger allergies
4. Researchers discover molecule that causes secondary stroke
5. Yale researchers identify molecule for detecting parasitic infection in humans
6. Scientists identify molecule that regulates well-known tumor suppressor
7. Medical molecules designed to respond to visible light that can penetrate tissue
8. Researchers find promising cancer-fighting power of synthetic cell-signaling molecule
9. Chemists synthesize molecule that helps body battle cancers, malaria
10. DNA constraints control structure of attached macromolecules
11. Scripps research scientists identify infertility molecule
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: New molecule may aid production biofuels and fungi resistant plants

(Date:5/22/2013)... insects and wild plants have slowed in recent years, ... the University of Leeds and the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre ... in the diversity of species in Britain, Belgium and ... the picture brightened markedly after 1990, with a slowdown ... and wild plants. , Professor Bill Kunin, ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... YORK, May 22, 2013. Plastic additives known as ... about everywhere: They turn up in flooring, plastic ... to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionthe ... phthalates have come under increasing scrutiny. A growing ... (which can leech from packaging and mix with ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Biologists have known for a long time that some ... well understood, particularly for plants. But it may be ... Australian National University and the U. S. National Evolutionary ... published 21 May in the journal Nature Communications ... faster-changing genomes. , Drawing from a database of global ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Encouraging signs for bee biodiversity 2Encouraging signs for bee biodiversity 3Study links chemicals widely found in plastics and processed food to elevated blood pressure in children and teens 2Small but speedy: Short plants live in the evolutionary fast lane 2
... that research done with zebrafish may be able to play ... cancer and the mutations that can lead to it - ... essential to preventing tumors. , The findings were published in ... by researchers from Oregon State University and two Boston hospitals, ...
... the country's first genetically modified (GM) maize growing in ... and ordered the destruction after discovering that a technician ... resist attack by insects called stem borers. , Wilson ... Biosafety Committee, said this could compromise the validity of ...
... would ever stop growing. The answer is obvious, but ... organism determines when it has reached its optimal size ... biologists studying the physiology of Drosophila melanogaster, the common ... size of the juvenile and signals when it has ...
Cached Biology News:Zebrafish may hold key to improved cancer research 2Zebrafish may hold key to improved cancer research 3Kenya halts first field trials of GM maize 2Researchers find gland that tells fruit flies when to stop growing 2Researchers find gland that tells fruit flies when to stop growing 3
(Date:5/21/2013)... 22, 2013 First patients dosed ... glycopyrronium bromide designed using Prosonix, particle engineering platform ... portfolio of inhaled Respiratory Medicines by Design , ... that will assess its effect on lung function and ... with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013  On May ... FCN ), the global business advisory firm dedicated ... value (the "Company"), announced that it has combined ... were formerly included within the Corporate Finance/Restructuring segment ... segment to form a single integrated practice whose ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... YORK , May 21, 2013  The Lindsley F. ... today that it is a Grand Challenges Explorations ... Gates Foundation .  Dr. Sara Lustigman , ... innovative global health and development research project, titled Innovative ...  These worms are needed to screen drugs to help ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... May 21, 2013 Custom Learning ... reporting eLearning solution using Tin Can API combined ... tool. CLD is a leading developer of training ... device companies worldwide. , Tin Can API ... helps learners and trainers more accurately measure the ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Prosonix Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study with PSX1002 in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 2Prosonix Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study with PSX1002 in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 3Prosonix Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study with PSX1002 in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 4FTI Consulting Releases Realigned Segment Information Reflecting Newly Combined Health Solutions Practice 2New York Blood Center's Research Institute Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant For Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and Development 2New York Blood Center's Research Institute Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant For Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and Development 3CLD Integrates Tin CAN API with its eLearning Solutions and Launches its Excelerometer Tracking Statement Dashboard 2CLD Integrates Tin CAN API with its eLearning Solutions and Launches its Excelerometer Tracking Statement Dashboard 3
... Also ... Recognized, CHICAGO, Jan. 10 ... its,community, Harborview Medical Center of Seattle is the recipient of the,prestigious 2007 ... excellence in community service in healthcare. As one of two,primary teaching hospitals ...
... FRANCISCO, Jan. 10 BioSpace, the leading ... Massachusetts Biotechnology,Council (MBC) unveiled this morning the ... (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080110/CLTH069 ), (Logo: ... first launched in 1993, features promotional and,functional ...
... Nancy Linck Extends Firm,s Life Sciences Capabilities, WASHINGTON, ... today that Dr. Nancy J. Linck will join the ... Dr. Linck has served as the,former Solicitor and later ... Office (USPTO), former Deputy General Counsel, IP &,Trade, for ...
Cached Biology Technology:Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Receives Prestigious $100,000 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service 2Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Receives Prestigious $100,000 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service 3Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Receives Prestigious $100,000 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service 4Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Receives Prestigious $100,000 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service 5Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Receives Prestigious $100,000 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service 6BioSpace and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council Launch 2008 Genetown(TM) Hotbed Campaign 2Former Patent Office Solicitor and Judge Joins Rothwell Figg 2
... Conjugate, 2 ml. Streptavidin ... molecules for use in ... hybridization applications.High specificity reagents. ... & Detection, Protein Labeling ...
...
... Cell Dissociation Buffers are membrane-filtered isotonic ... chelating agents and cell-conditioning agents in ... salt solution or Ca2+- and ... of mammalian cells from support substrates ...
... Cell Dissociation Buffers are membrane-filtered ... salts chelating agents and cell-conditioning agents ... balanced salt solution or Ca2+- ... dissociation of mammalian cells from support ...
Biology Products: