• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1393-1400
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• 2021

Acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum has been considered a promising process of industrial biofuel production. Phosphotransbutyrylase (phosphate butyryltransferase, PTB) plays a crucial role in butyrate metabolism by catalyzing the reversible conversion of butyryl-CoA into butyryl phosphate. Here, we report the crystal structure of PTB from the Clostridial host for ABE fermentation, C. acetobutylicum, (CaPTB) at a 2.9 Å resolution. The overall structure of the CaPTB monomer is quite similar to those of other acyltransferases, with some regional structural differences. The monomeric structure of CaPTB consists of two distinct domains, the N- and C-terminal domains. The active site cleft was formed at the interface between the two domains. Interestingly, the crystal structure of CaPTB contained eight molecules per asymmetric unit, forming an octamer, and the size-exclusion chromatography experiment also suggested that the enzyme exists as an octamer in solution. The structural analysis of CaPTB identifies the substrate binding mode of the enzyme and comparisons with other acyltransferase structures lead us to speculate that the enzyme undergoes a conformational change upon binding of its substrate.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.156-171
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• 1992

Chitin was isolated from crab shell. Chitosan, which was prepared by the deacetylation of chitin, was acylated to obtain N-acetyl(regenerated chitin), N-propionyl, N-butyryl, N-hexanoyl, N-decanoyl and N-maleated chitosans and their metal ion adsorption characteristics of N-acylchitosans were investigated. In order to enhance the adsorptivity, their porous beads were prepared and their adsorptivity with respect to the porosity and the adsorptivities for metal ions($Cu^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, $CO^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, $Ag^{+}$)were investigated. Their metal ion adsorptivities were remarkably imporved compared to those of chitin. As the larger acyl groups were introduced, adsorptivity increased, but that of N-decanoyl chitosan showed some decrease because of steric hindrance of the bulky N-decanoyl group. N-Maleated chitosan containing carboxyl group showed highly improved adsorptivity, and N-acylchitosans showed the good selective adsorption in the mixed metal ions($Cu^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, $CO^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Ag^{+}$). They also showed excellent adsorption characteristics as chelating polymers.