Zhijian Ni, Xiaolu Yu, Qi Da, Xiaoxi Wu, ZhiDa Wei, Yulei Hu, Yao Xiao, Chunting Ye, Chunlin Deng
{"title":"Enhanced biosynthesis of full-length triple-helical human type III collagen in engineered Komagataella phaffii","authors":"Zhijian Ni, Xiaolu Yu, Qi Da, Xiaoxi Wu, ZhiDa Wei, Yulei Hu, Yao Xiao, Chunting Ye, Chunlin Deng","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-13996-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-13996-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fibrillar type III collagen, characterized by a distinct triple helix structure, is a critical structural component of the mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM). Its unique mechanical properties and biological functions make it a highly valuable biomaterial for medical applications. However, the limited availability of natural human type III collagen (hCOL3) and the defects of animal-derived sources necessitate sustainable alternatives. Here, we developed an integrated molecular engineering strategy for the efficient production of full-length recombinant human type III collagen (rhCOL3) in <i>Komagataella phaffii</i>. The N- and C-terminal propeptides of the rhCOL3α1 chain were rationally redesigned to preserve its intrinsic capability for triple helix formation. Synergistic co-expression of human P4Hαβ and <i>Bacillus anthracis</i>-derived BaP4H achieved a proline hydroxylation level of 52.88%, enabling the stable assembly of rhCOL3 procollagen homotrimers (> 300 kDa). Subsequent optimization, including high-copy-number strain screening, signal sequence substitution (with Ost1 identified as optimal), and co-expression of the molecular chaperones (e.g., BCY1 and ERO1), significantly enhanced productivity. The engineered strain achieved a rhCOL3 procollagen yield of 430 mg/L in a 5-L fed-batch bioreactor. The purified rhCOL3 exhibited a stable triple helix conformation, a melting temperature of 38.87 °C, and the ability to self-assemble into fibrils with a characteristic D-banding pattern. Biological assays confirmed that the rhCOL3 promotes cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration at levels comparable to those of natural collagen. This study establishes a promising platform for the industrial-scale production of bioactive, triple-helical human collagen.</p><p>• <i>Synergistic P4Hαβ and BaP4H co-expression achieves 52.88% Hyp level and Tm 38.87 °C.</i></p><p>• <i>Ost1 and Bcy1 co-expression elevated rhCOL3 yield to 430 mg/L in a 5-L bioreactor.</i></p><p>• <i>Purified rhCOL3 self-assembles into D-banded fibrils resembling native collagen.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00253-026-13996-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149126358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identification and characterization of TrxA: a novel bacterial thioredoxin–metallothionein chimera","authors":"Annamaria Vitiello, Luciano Pirone, Martina Filocaso, Gabriella Fiorentino, Emilia Pedone, Danila Limauro","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-14002-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-14002-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Heavy metals (HMs) are naturally occurring elements which can be essential, such as zinc, copper, and iron, or non-essential, including cadmium, mercury, and lead. While essential metals serve as cofactors in critical enzymatic processes, elevated concentrations of both essential and non-essential HMs pose severe toxicity risks, primarily through oxidative stress, disruption of metal homeostasis, and biomolecular damage. Microorganisms have evolved diverse mechanisms to cope with metal-induced stress, including metal sequestration, enzymatic transformation, efflux systems, and surface immobilization. Among these, metallothioneins (Mts) are small, cysteine-rich proteins capable of high-affinity metal binding, contributing to cellular detoxification. Although Mts have been extensively studied in eukaryotes, knowledge of bacterial Mts remains limited, with characterized examples largely confined to cyanobacteria and a few other bacterial species. In this study, we identified a novel hybrid protein, TrxA, from <i>Runella aurantiaca</i>, containing a thioredoxin (Trx) domain fused to a Mt domain. The presence of the Trx domain may confer improved stability and solubility, supporting potential recombinant applications. In fact, the recombinant protein, named TrxMt, was heterologously expressed in <i>Escherichia coli</i>, displaying both disulfide-reducing activity and heavy metal–binding capability. Notably, TrxMt expression enhanced bacterial tolerance to multiple HMs, demonstrating its functional relevance in vivo. These findings expand the understanding of bacterial Mt diversity and suggest that TrxMt is a promising candidate for the bioremediation of heavy metal–contaminated environments, combining metal detoxification with favorable biochemical properties for industrial and environmental applications.</p><p>• <i>Identification of TrxA, a novel hybrid thioredoxin–metallothionein in R. aurantiaca</i></p><p>• <i>Recombinant protein TrxMt shows reductase activity and binds HMs</i></p><p>• <i>Overexpression of TrxMt enhances tolerance to different HMs in E. coli</i></p>","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00253-026-14002-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148975700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maike Laura Karcher, Annette Siskowski, Chantal Müller, Laura Engel, Vincent Franz, Susanne H. Kirsch, Birthe Sandargo, Tanja Schneider, Gabriele Bierbaum
{"title":"Construction of a novel reporter strain indicating inhibition of cell wall biosynthesis","authors":"Maike Laura Karcher, Annette Siskowski, Chantal Müller, Laura Engel, Vincent Franz, Susanne H. Kirsch, Birthe Sandargo, Tanja Schneider, Gabriele Bierbaum","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-14013-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-14013-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The WalRK two-component system monitors cell wall biosynthesis, and its activity decreases when biosynthesis is inhibited. As WalRK is essential for many Gram-positive bacteria, including <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, directly inhibiting WalK would disrupt cell wall biosynthesis and result in cell death. This study presents the construction of new reporter strains with two WalRK-dependent promoters: P<i>iseA</i> and P<i>ssaA</i>. These reporter strains enable indirect in vivo measurement of WalRK activity based on luminescence. We evaluated these reporters in combination with the established P<i>liaI</i> reporter system, which is regulated by LiaRS, in order to improve the identification of cell wall inhibitors during the screening of natural products. The WalRK-dependent P<i>iseA</i> reporter yielded specific responses to almost all known cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors, including β-lactams, tunicamycin, glycopeptides, daptomycin, and fosfomycin, with no discernible response to other antibiotic classes. Furthermore, combining the P<i>liaI</i> reporter system with the P<i>iseA</i> reporter enhanced the range of potential cell wall inhibitors that could be detected. Deleting the gene of the eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr kinase PrkC increased the P<i>iseA</i> signal obtained with certain antibiotics, as well as after a longer incubation period. Additionally, deletion of <i>prkC</i> lowered P<i>liaI</i> expression in the presence of lipid II-targeting antibiotics. Screening natural products with an unknown mode of action identified several compounds that elicited vancomycin-like patterns with the reporter systems, indicating potential cell wall inhibitory activity. Overall, combining WalRK and LiaRS reporters enables a rapid, complementary evaluation of cell wall stress responses, providing a powerful method for discovering new cell wall-targeting antibiotics.</p><p>• <i>The PiseA/PssaA reporters enable continuous in vivo observation of WalRK activity</i></p><p>• <i>Cell envelope stress responses are differentially sensed by WalRK and LiaRS</i></p><p>• <i>The PiseA reporter strain detects nearly all cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors</i></p>","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00253-026-14013-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Israa Abuobida Mohamed, Qais Al-Khawlani, Raika Milde, Niels Valentin Heise, Martin Dippe, Mohammed Nagia, Ludger A. Wessjohann, Markus Pietzsch, Bodo Moritz
{"title":"Efficient biotechnological production of N-(Hydroxycinnamoyl)tyramines by utilizing plant-derived enzymes in a bench-scale bioreactor with in situ product precipitation","authors":"Israa Abuobida Mohamed, Qais Al-Khawlani, Raika Milde, Niels Valentin Heise, Martin Dippe, Mohammed Nagia, Ludger A. Wessjohann, Markus Pietzsch, Bodo Moritz","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-13997-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-13997-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The efficient recovery of plant polyphenolic bioactives is facing technological challenges of low concentrations and complex mixtures starting from plant tissue. In the search of alternatives, we developed a high-yield biotechnological production process for hydroxycinnamic acid–tyramine conjugates in <i>Escherichia coli</i> by converting soluble substrates into insoluble products. A recombinant plant-enzyme cascade was established by co-expression of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> 4-coumarate:CoA ligase and <i>Solanum tuberosum</i> hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:tyramine <i>N</i>-(hydroxycinnamoyl)transferase. We overcame initial enzymatic limitations by developing a temperature adapted and sequentially phased bioprocess on a 1 L reactor scale. With 5 mM/h substrate supply rate we achieved 31.9 g/L (102 mM) of feruloyltyramine (FerT), 14.4 g/L (50.7 mM) coumaroyltyramine, and 14.6 g/L (46.5 mM) isoferuloyltyramine with a space time yield of 1.75 g *L<sup>−1</sup> *h<sup>−1</sup> FerT. The vast majority of the product was obtained as filterable precipitate, simplifying the downstream process compared to classical procedures. Washed filter cake from a FerT production after filtration via 16–40 µm glass filter, showed 99% mass content of FerT. Product identity was confirmed by NMR after recrystallization. The newly developed process is robust, cost-effective and scalable, paving the way for commercial applications of biotechnologically produced hydroxycinnamic acid–tyramines.</p><p>• <i>Plant derived enzymes expressed at low temperature enable high productivity</i></p><p>• <i>In situ precipitated product is readily filtered from fermentation broth</i></p><p>• <i>Carbon transfer rate mirrors toxicity of phenolics and guide process optimization</i></p>","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00253-026-13997-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148824426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biofilm state transitions: quorum sensing inhibition and network destabilization","authors":"Ayşe Nur Yurdcu, Mustafa Akçelik, Nefise Akçelik","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-14001-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-14001-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Biofilms are traditionally viewed as surface-associated, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)–encased aggregates. Here, we present a theoretical perspective positioning biofilm formation as a coordinated regulatory state transition, drawing on a synthesis of published transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolic studies that document systemic reprogramming of gene regulatory networks, second-messenger signaling (e.g., cyclic di-GMP), quorum sensing circuits, and metabolic flux distribution. Spatial stratification within biofilms generates metabolically distinct subpopulations—including persisters and dormant cells—that enhance collective robustness. Using <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Typhimurium as a model organism, we formalize quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) as one plausible bifurcation control parameter, with its destabilizing effects described by a coarse-grained phenomenological model governed by cooperativity, population density, and signal decay rates. We show, through bifurcation analysis and cross-referencing with published experimental biofilm disruption studies, that sufficiently strong signal-decay-type QSI can collapse the high-signal biofilm attractor without imposing strong bactericidal pressure. This network-centric perspective elucidates how destabilization of collective regulatory circuits—rather than direct cell killing—can enhance therapeutic susceptibility. Additionally, the framework provides a conceptual basis for combinatorial strategies integrating antivirulence interventions with conventional antimicrobials, with the potential to reduce the pace of resistance evolution by targeting cooperative rather than essential traits. Predictions arising from this framework require direct experimental validation to establish quantitative accuracy.</p><p>• <i>Biofilms can be conceptualized as coordinated regulatory attractor states sustained by multilayered feedback coupling.</i></p><p>• <i>QSI is formalized as one plausible bifurcation control parameter capable of destabilizing the high-commitment biofilm state when implemented as signal-degradation-type inhibition.</i></p><p>• <i>Network destabilization may enhance antimicrobial susceptibility while imposing lower evolutionary pressure than direct bactericidal approaches.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00253-026-14001-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149189882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nourhan G. Naga, Mona E. M. Mabrouk, Radwa M. Taha, Mervat A. Arayes, Hend M. H. Al-Kordy
{"title":"Biogenic synthesis and characterization of selenium nanoparticles by halotolerant Bacillus sonorensis 2MNHR","authors":"Nourhan G. Naga, Mona E. M. Mabrouk, Radwa M. Taha, Mervat A. Arayes, Hend M. H. Al-Kordy","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-13921-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-13921-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have attracted significant attention owing to their unique physicochemical properties and promising biomedical applications. In the present study, a newly isolated halotolerant marine <i>Bacillus sonorensis</i> 2MNHR strain was employed for the extracellular biosynthesis of SeNPs. Bacterial isolates capable of reducing selenium oxyanions were obtained from seawater samples collected at Alexandria Harbor, Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. The ability of ten morphologically distinct bacterial isolates to reduce sodium selenite and sodium selenate under aerobic conditions was evaluated. Among them, only one isolate consistently reduced sodium selenite, as evidenced by the development of a characteristic red coloration in both liquid and solid media within 72 h, whereas no reduction was observed with sodium selenate. Extracellular reduction was confirmed using a cell-free supernatant assay. UV-Vis and FTIR analyses of the filtrate confirmed the involvement of biomolecules in selenite biotransformation, while GC–MS analysis revealed diverse organic compounds potentially responsible for reduction and stabilization. The biosynthesized SeNPs were comprehensively characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These analyses confirmed the formation of spherical, amorphous nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 80 to 200 nm (average ~ 160 nm) and a characteristic UV-Vis peak at 226 nm. A zeta potential of −38 mV indicated high colloidal stability. The SeNPs exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 23 to 32 mm and MIC values from 19.5 to 156.25 µg/mL. MBC/MIC ratios (≤ 2) confirmed bactericidal activity against most tested bacteria, while a ratio of 4 indicated borderline activity against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and fungistatic behavior against <i>Candida albicans</i>. These findings highlight the potential of halotolerant marine bacteria as sustainable platforms for the production of stable and biologically active SeNPs.</p><p>• <i>Isolation of marine Bacillus sonorensis 2MNHR with high selenite-reducing potential</i></p><p>• <i>Efficient extracellular biosynthesis of stable selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs)</i></p><p>• <i>Integrated physicochemical characterization and antimicrobial evaluation of SeNPs</i></p>","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00253-026-13921-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148757268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marwa E. Hasan, Ghada Attia, Engy Elekhnawy, Moataz A. Shaldam, Abdel-Rahim S. Ibrahim, Kamilia A. Abo El-Seoud
{"title":"Biotransformation-guided production of quinalizarin as an antibacterial agent against Acinetobacter baumannii","authors":"Marwa E. Hasan, Ghada Attia, Engy Elekhnawy, Moataz A. Shaldam, Abdel-Rahim S. Ibrahim, Kamilia A. Abo El-Seoud","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-13960-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-13960-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The search for antibacterial agents remains a global priority, particularly against multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this study, microbial transformation of 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone (chrysazin) was performed to obtain derivatives with enhanced antibacterial activity. Biotransformation using <i>Absidia corymbifera</i> AUMC 7104 and <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> AUMC 5133 yielded two metabolites: 1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone (1, quinalizarin) and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-anthraquinone (2, chrysophanol), respectively. Their structures were elucidated by HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR analyses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of quinalizarin production through microbial biotransformation. The antibacterial activities of both derivatives (1 and 2), along with their parent compound, were evaluated against multidrug-resistant <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> through in vitro assays. Compound 1 exhibited the least MIC values of 512–1024 µg/mL against <i>A. baumannii</i> isolates and was selected for further in vivo<i> and </i>in silico studies. In the murine infection model, the compound 1-treated group (group IV) exhibited a significant reduction (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in bacterial burden compared to the positive control group (group II). Immunohistochemical analysis of kidney, liver, and spleen tissues revealed modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, indicating anti-inflammatory properties alongside antibacterial activity. Molecular docking suggests a potential multi-target mechanism for compound 1, with favorable interactions with five critical bacterial proteins: MetRS, MurB, LptG/F, DXR, and MacB efflux transporter. These findings highlight quinalizarin as a potential lead compound for further antibacterial development.</p><p>• <i>Fungal biotransformation of chrysazin yielded the antibacterial agent quinalizarin.</i></p><p>• <i>Quinalizarin revealed in vitro and in vivo actions against Acinetobacter baumannii.</i></p><p>• <i>Docking studies suggested favorable interactions with multiple bacterial targets.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00253-026-13960-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amina Elahi, Iqra Arooj, Dilara A. Bukhari, Abdul Rehman
{"title":"Retraction Note: Successive use of microorganisms to remove chromium from wastewater","authors":"Amina Elahi, Iqra Arooj, Dilara A. Bukhari, Abdul Rehman","doi":"10.1007/s00253-026-13999-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00253-026-13999-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8342,"journal":{"name":"Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology","volume":"110 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13453977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}