Staphylococcal γ-hemolysin (Hlg), leukocidin (Luk), and Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are two-component and hetero-oligomeric pore-forming cytolytic toxins (or cytolysin), that were first identified in bacteria. No information on the existence of hetero-oligomeric pore-forming cytolytic toxins in bacteria except for staphylococcal strains is available so far. Hlg (Hlg1 of 34 kDa/Hlg2 of 32 kDa) effectively lyses erythrocytes from human and other mammalian species. Luk (LukF of 34 kDa/LukS of 33 kDa) is cytolytic toward human and rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes and rabbit erythrocytes, and PVL (LukF-PV of 34 kDa/LukS-PV of 33 kDa) reveals cytolytic activity with a high cell specificity to leukocytes. Hlg1 is identical to LukF and that the cell specificities of the cytolysins are determined by Hlg2 and LukS. Based on the primary and 3-dimensional structures of the toxin components, Hlg, Luk, and PVL are thought to form a family of proteins. In the first chapter of this article, we describe the molecular basis of the membrane pore-forming nature of Hlg, Luk, and PVL. We also describe a requirement of the phosphorylation of LukS and LukS-PV by protein kinase for their leukocytolytic activity besides their pore formation on human leukocytes.
Recently, the assembly mechanism of the LukF and Hlg2 monomers into pore-forming hetero-oligomers of Hlg on human erythrocyte membranes has been clarified for the first time by our study using a single-molecular fluorescence imaging technique. We estimated 11 sequential equilibrium constants for the assembly pathway which includes the beginning with membrane binding of monomers, proceeds through single pore oligomerization, and culminates in the formation of clusters of the pores. In the second chapter of this article, we refer to an assembly mechanism of LukF and Hlg2 on human erythrocytes as well as the roles of the membranes of the target cells in pore formation by Hlg.
The LukF, LukS, and Hlg2 proteins are derived from the Hlg locus (hlg), and have been found in 99% of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, LukF-PV and LukS-PV are derived from the PVL locus (pvl) which is distinct from the hlg locus, and only a small percentage of clinically isolated S. aureus strains carries pvl. Recently, we discovered pvl on the genome of lysogenic bacteriophages, φPVL, and determined the entire gene of the phage. We also demonstrated the phage conversion of S. aureus leading to the production of PVL through the discovery of a PVL-carrying temperate phage, φSLT, from a clinical isolate of S. aureus. In the third chapter of this article, we discuss genetic analyses of the Hlg, Luk, and PVL genes. We also discuss the current status of knowledge of the genetic organization of PVL-converting phages in order to achieve an understanding of their molecular evolution.

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Brassinosteroids containing various side chain moieties were synthesized and their activity was determined as the reciprocal logarithm of the ED₅₀ (50% effective dose per plant in moles) in the rice lamina inclination assay using synergist indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The introduction of a hydroxyl group in the α-position to the carbonyl group of the ester structure significantly enhanced the activity. 2α,3α-Dihydroxy-17β-[(2R,3S)-2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoyl]oxy-B-homo-7-oxa-5α-androstan-6-one showed the highest activity, for which the pED₅₀ was determined to be 10.5 under synergistic conditions with IAA. Under identical conditions, the pED₅₀ values of brassinolide and castasterone were determined to be 13.6 and 12.3 respectively. With respect to the α-carbon of the acyl moiety, the R-form was 10 times more potent than the corresponding S-form. Substituting the terminal structure (Et) of the side chain to that of the most potent compound, brassinolide (i-Pr), did not increase the activity.

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Our search for new 3-hydroxyfusicoccins structurally related to cotylenin A from a culture of Phomopsis amygdali Niigata 2-A resulted in the isolation of novel 3-hydroxy fusicoccins, called fusicoccins R and S, and the fusicoccin S aglycon, called phomopsiol, together with known 3α-hydroxyfusicoccin J. The structure of phomopsiol was identified as that of O-demethyl-3-epicotylenol based on spectroscopic evidence. The structures of fusicoccins R and S were also determined to be those of 3′-deacetyl-3α-hydroxyfusicoccin A and 3β-hydroxy-3-epifusicoccin H. The lettuce seed germination-stimulating activity of fusicoccins R and S, phomopsiol and 3α-hydroxyfusicoccin J was examined in the presence of ABA; fusicoccin R and 3α-hydroxyfusicoccin J were highly active, while fusicoccin S and phomopsiol were inactive. The possible biosynthetic relationships among these novel fusicoccins having a 3α- or 3β-hydroxy group in their diterpene moiety are briefly discussed.

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A new monoterpene glucoside (1) was isolated from a methanol extract of the dried aerial parts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), together with known 2- and 5-β-D-glucopyranosylthymoquinols (2 and 3, respectively), and (−)-angelicoidenol-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). The structure of 1 was elucidated to be (R)-p-cymen-9-yl β-D-glucopyranoside by spectral evidence and enantioselective synthesis from (R)- and (S)-p-cymen-9-ol derived from p-cymen-8-ol.

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The main biodegradation product of (±)-α-isomethylionone (2) with standard activated sludge was characterized as (±)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one (1) by its analysis and synthesis. Both enantiomers (1a and 1b) of 1 were synthesized by starting from (R)- and (S)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (3a and 3b), respectively.

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In many fungi, the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits, and/or small G protein (RAS) control intracellular cAMP levels. But it is not clear which types of G proteins modulate cAMP levels in homobasidiomycete (mushrooms). To explain the mechanism, we expressed dominant active RAS (a homolog of S. cerevisiae RAS1) in homobasidiomycete Schizophyllum commune and compared the cAMP levels in the transformed clones with those of clones expressing dominant active heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits ScGP-A, B, and C. The results demonstrated that the dominant active ScGP-A and C elevated the intracellular cAMP levels. In contrast, the dominant active S. commune RAS gene did not affect the cAMP levels, even though colony growth and formation of fruiting bodies were apparently repressed. These data suggest that the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits are involved in the mechanism of cAMP regulation, and that RAS modulates another signal-transduction pathway regulating cell growth and differentiation.

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Escherichia blattae acid phosphatase/phosphotransferase (EB-AP/PTase) exhibits C-5′-position selective pyrophosphate-nucleoside phosphotransferase activity in addition to its intrinsic phosphatase. Improvement of its phosphotransferase activity was investigated by sequential site-directed mutagenesis. By comparing the primary structures of higher 5′-inosinic acid (5′-IMP) productivity and lower 5′-IMP productivity acid phosphatase/phosphotransferase, candidate residues of substitution were selected. Then a total of 11 amino acid substitutions were made with sequential substitutions. As the number of substituted amino acid residues increased, the 5′-IMP productivity of the mutant enzyme increased, and the activity of the 11 mutant phosphotransferases of EB-AP/PTase reached the same level as that of Morganella morganii AP/PTase. This result shows that Leu63, Ala65, Glu66, Asn69, Ser71, Asp116, Thr135, and Glu136, whose relevance was not directly established by structural analysis alone, also plays an important role in the phosphotransferase activity of EB-AP/PTase.

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The genome sequencing project on alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans C-125 revealed a putative endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Endo-BH), which consists of a signal peptide of 24 amino acids, a catalytic region of 634 amino acids exhibiting 50.1% identity with the endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Arthrobacter protophormiae (Endo-A), and a C-terminal tail of 220 amino acids. Transformed Escherichia coli cells carrying the Endo-BH gene exhibited endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. Recombinant Endo-BH hydrolyzed high-mannose type oligosaccharides and hybrid type oligosaccharides, and showed transglycosylation activity. On deletion of 219 C-terminal amino acid residues of Endo-BH, the wild type level of activity was retained, whereas with deletions of the Endo-A homolog domain, the proteins were expressed as inclusion bodies and these activities were reduced. These results suggest that the enzymatic properties of Endo-BH are similar to those of Endo-A, and that the C-terminal tail does not affect the enzyme activity. Although the C-terminal tail region is not essential for enzyme activity, the sequence is also conserved among endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidases of various origins.

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A gene, agaA, for a novel β-agarase from the marine bacterium JAMB-A94 was cloned and sequenced. The 16S rDNA of the isolate had the closest match, of only 94.8% homology, with that from Microbulbifer salipaludis JCM11542^T. The agaA gene encoded a protein with a calculated molecular mass of 48,203 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 37–66% identity to those of known agarases in glycoside hydrolase family 16. A carbohydrate-binding module-like amino acid sequence was found in the C-terminal region. The recombinant enzyme was hyper-produced extracellularly when Bacillus subtilis was used as a host. The purified enzyme was an endo-type β-agarase, yielding neoagarotetraose as the main final product. It was very thermostable up to 60 °C. The optimal pH and temperature for activity were around 7.0 and 55 °C respectively. The activity was not inhibited by EDTA (up to 100 mM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (up to 30 mM).

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A flavocytochrome protein was isolated from the actinomycete Streptomyces antibioticus. The purified protein contained protoheme and FAD, and its M_r was estimated to be 52,000. The absorption spectra in its resting oxidized, dithionite-reduced, carbon monoxide-bound, and oxygenated (O₂-bound) forms were characteristic of those of flavohemoglobin (Fhb). The N-terminal amino acid sequence showed high identities to those of other Fhb’s. Furthermore, the actinomycete flavocytochrome scavenged nitric oxide in the presence of NADH. These results demonstrated that the flavocytochrome is the first Fhb purified from actinomycetes. The actinomycete Fhb was produced in S. antibioticus cells in large amounts without any external nitric oxide (NO) stress, which is indicative of a physiological function of Fhb other than detoxification of NO.

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The function of the non-homologous region of a family 3 β-glucosidase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Cbg1) was studied by analyzing the properties of mutant enzymes that have internal truncated amino acid sequences in the region. Five truncated mutants named Cbg1-d4, Cbg1-d31, Cbg1-d62, Cbg1-d89, and Cbg1-d119 having deletions of 4, 31, 62, 89, and 119 amino acid residues starting from Phe417, respectively, were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. All the mutants exhibited β-glucosidase activity, indicating that the non-homologous region was not essential for the activity. The truncation caused thermal instability, decrease in pK_a of the proton donor residue (Glu616), and deficient transglycosylation activity. The thermal stability and the pK_a of Glu616 were partially recovered with longer truncation, suggesting that the truncation perturbed the structure and that their presence in the region was not essential. The main role of the non-homologous region could be formation of a hydrophobic atmosphere at the acceptor site to make the enzyme suitable for hydrolyzing hydrophobic glucosides.

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The enzyme activities encoded in five cDNAs for chalcone synthase (CHS) homologs from hop were investigated. Only valerophenone synthase (VPS) and CHS_H1 showed both naringenin-chalcone and phlorisovalerophenone forming activity. Narigenin-chalcone production by VPS was much lower than by CHS_H1. Therefore, it is highly possible that flavonoid depends mainly on CHS_H1, while bitter acid biosynthesis depends mainly on VPS and CHS_H1.

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Four mutations observed between tripeptidases from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and subsp. cremoris were introduced one by one to the corresponding points in wild-type tripeptidase from L. lactis subsp. lactis. The k_cat values of four resultant mutants were analyzed and discussed in stereographical terms. Change in catalytic activity appeared to be related to the sequential and steric location of mutation point within the enzyme protein, even though no drastic change was observed with one point mutation.

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Putative access channel for NADH in the heme-distal pocket of cytochrome P450nor (P450nor) comprises many charged amino acid residues. Characterization of the E71A mutant protein of P450nor highlights the existence of a unique mechanism for binding NADH that depends on the salt bridge network between Glu71, Arg64 and Asp88.

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A protein phosphatase holo-type enzyme (38, 65, and 75 kDa) preparation and a free catalytic subunit (38 kDa) purified from tulip petals were characterized as protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) by immunological and biochemical approaches. The plasma membrane containing the putative plasma membrane aquaporin (PM-AQP) was prepared from tulip petals, phosphorylated in vitro, and used as the substrate for both of the purified PP2A preparations. Although both preparations dephosphorylated the phosphorylated PM-AQP at 20 °C, only the holo-type enzyme preparation acted at 5 °C on the phosphorylated PM-AQP with higher substrate specificity, suggesting that regulatory subunits are required for low temperature-dependent dephosphorylation of PM-AQP in tulip petals.

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The effects of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) on stimulating calcium absorption was investigated in humans. We studied changes in the time-course of characteristics urinary calcium excretion in 12 healthy men given 0.3, 1.0 or 3.0 g of DFAIII and 300 mg of calcium as calcium carbonate. In addition, urinary excretion and urine concentrations of creatinine and deoxypyridinoline were determined. Urine calcium excretion every 2 hours after the intake were higher over than that of the control subjects. The total amount of urinary calcium excretion for 10 hours was significantly greates in the subjects given 1.0 g or 3.0 g of DFAIII than that of the control subjects. However, there were no differences in the urine concentrations of creatinine and deoxypyridinoline between the subjects given DFAIII and the control subjects. These findings suggests that low dose of DFAIII had a stimulating effect on calcium absorption in humans.

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The levels of verotoxin-1 and verotoxin-2 released by verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 treated in vitro with sodium nitrite, sodium chloride and several antibiotics were evaluated. Of the three strains of E. coli O157:H7 used in this study, two strains produced both verotoxin-1 and verotoxin-2, and one strain produced only verotoxin-2. Treatment of E. coli O157:H7 with sodium nitrite (6,000 mg/l, minimum inhibitory concentration) did not increase the levels of verotoxin-1 and verotoxin-2 compared with a treatment by sodium chloride or antibiotics. When the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of sodium nitrite-treated bacterial cells was examined at 77 K to clarify the mechanism for the anti-bacterial activity of nitric oxide derived from sodium nitrite, electron paramagnetic resonance signals with g-values of 2.035 and 2.010 were observed. These were identified as being derived from iron–nitric oxide complexes. It appears that the dinitrosyl iron complexes in the E. coli O157:H7 cells were generated from the reaction of iron-sulfur proteins (enzymes) with nitric oxide formed by the reduction of sodium nitrite. The amount of ATP was decreased by the presence of sodium nitrite in the cell suspension. These findings indicate that nitric oxide derived from sodium nitrite penetrated the cells and inactivated enzymes related to the respiratory chain.

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We studied whether taurine has any regressive effect on existing atherosclerotic lesions and lipid peroxidation in rabbits fed on a high-cholesterol (HC) diet. The cholesterol, triglyceride, malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC) levels, as well as the aortic histopathological findings were examined in rabbits that had been fed on a cholesterol-containing diet for 8 months [0.5% cholesterol (w/w) for 3 months and subsequently 0.25% cholesterol (w/w) for 5 months], and then for a further 4 months on a normal diet with or without taurine treatment [1% (w/v) in the drinking water]. High levels of lipid and lipid peroxide induced by the HC diet were observed to decline in the plasma, liver and aorta of atherosclerotic rabbits, as well as a slight retardation in aortic atherosclerotic lesions during the regression period. Although no significant differences in the lipid and lipid peroxide levels in the plasma and aorta were found between the regressed groups with or without the taurine treatment, the extent of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta was less in the taurine-treated regressed group than in the non-treated regressed group. However, the liver MDA and DC levels were lower in the regressed rabbits with the taurine treatment in the non-treated group. These results indicate that the taurine treatment may accelerate the regression of cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits without having any effect on the plasma and aorta lipid and lipid peroxide levels.

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To examine a potential role for soybean phytoestrogens in postmenopausal bone loss, twenty-four 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 4 groups and given controlled diets for 16 weeks. The treatment groups were as followed: sham operated, ovariectomized (OVX) control, OVX + isoflavone extract (6.25 g/kg), and OVX + 17β-estradiol (4 mg/kg). OVX treatments reduced femoral and fourth lumbar vertebral bone density and mineral content (p<0.01), decreased uterine weight (p<0.01), accelerated body weight increases (p<0.05), and increased the activities (p<0.01) of both serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Supplementation with isoflavone prevented the losses of bone density and mineral content caused by OVX (p<0.01). Although both isoflavone and 17β-estradiol exhibited similar bone-sparing ability on the OVX-induced bone loss, the effect of isoflavone was not the same as that of 17β-estradiol on the serum ALP and TRAP, body weight increase, and uterine weight change. We concluded that dietary supplementation with soybean isoflavone can prevent postmenopausal bone loss via a different mechanism of estrogen in OVX rats.

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3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol in mammals. Some microbial metabolites have been found to be HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Korean soybean paste is a unique food fermented by many microorganisms. The enzymatic method using the catalytic domain of Syrian hamster HMG-CoA reductase was employed for the screening of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Soybean paste extract was fractionated by vacuum liquid chromatography. Fractions showing relatively high HMG-CoA reductase inhibition were further purified through Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and C18 preparative HPLC, and the inhibitory compounds were identified as genistein, daidzein, and glycitein.

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Regulators for pancreatic amylase were examined. Rats were fed ad libitum a 20% amino acid (AA) mixture diet (Con), a 60% AA diet (HA), a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-rich diet (BC), or a diet supplemented with AA other than BCAA (OA) for 7 d, or fed the Con, HA, BC diets or diets supplemented with individual BCAA. Activity and mRNA levels of pancreatic amylase in the BC and HA groups were lower than those in the Con and OA groups. Leucine and isoleucine contributed to these effects of the BC diet. The mRNA levels correlated with individual pancreatic BCAA concentrations but not with plasma insulin level. In conclusion, dietary BCAA, especially leucine and isoleucine, may reduce amylase mRNA and activity in rats.

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The effects of protein concentration, and heating temperature and time on the gelling properties of soybean β-conglycinin (7S globulins) lacking the α or α′ subunit were compared with those of 7S containing all three subunits (α, α′, and β) to determine whether each subunit contributes equally. In most of the conditions, the relative order of gel hardness was α′-lacking > 7S > α-lacking. From Fourier transform infrared studies, the secondary structure change after heating was very similar among the three samples; thus, the secondary structural change is not the reason for the differences in gel hardness. By using scanning electron microscopy, we observed differences in strand thickness and the density of the gel network among the three samples. These differences correlated well with the differences in gel hardness.

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The high molecular weight protein connectin (also called titin) in Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus) mantle muscle was identified by western blotting analysis with 3B9, the mouse anti-chicken skeletal muscle connectin monoclonal antibody. Similarly to vertebrate samples, there exists connectin in invertebrate squid mantle muscle, and the amino acid sequences are assumed to resemble those present in the A band of vertebrate connectin, judging by the specificity of 3B9. Moreover, the connectin in squid muscle migrated in this study as a closely spaced doublet of α and β (titins 1 and 2). Between 5 and 7 h post-mortem, the SDS PAGE patterns of the squid sample indicated a change of the doublet bands into a single β-connectin band. Simultaneously, the rheological properties of the squid muscle changed substantially. This degradation of α-connectin into β-connectin in the muscle can explain the critical change that occurs during the post-mortem tenderization of squid muscle.

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This study assessed the effect of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) in yogurt on the elevation of postprandial serum lipid levels. Eleven healthy adult male subjects were given yogurt with or without 6 g of PHGG in a fat tolerance test as a crossover study. Supplementation with 6 g of PHGG significantly suppressed the incremental peaks and areas under the incremental curve (AUIC) of postprandial serum remnant-like lipoprotein particle cholesterol (RLP-C) and triglyceride (TG). The results suggest the potential of PHGG to reduce the risk of hyperlipemia.

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Previously, we found that soymetide-4 (MITL), an N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) agonist peptide derived from soybean β-conglycinin α′ subunit, stimulated phagocytosis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and inhibited alopecia induced by etoposide, an anticancer drug, in neonatal rats after oral administration. We found that the fMLP receptor affinity and phagocytosis-stimulating activity of soymetide-4 was potentiated by replacement of Thr³ with hydrophobic residues. Among the derivatives synthesized, [Trp]³-soymetide-4 (MIWL) was the most potent, stronger by 180 and 130 times than soymetide-4 in receptor affinity and phagocytosis-stimulating activity, respectively. The anti-alopecia effect of [Trp]³-soymetide-4 was about 3 times larger than that of soymetide-4 after oral administration.

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β-Conglycinin decreased blood triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in male Wistar adult rats. Liver mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity in the β-conglycinin-fed group significantly increased as against the casein-fed group. Hepatic fatty acid synthase activity in the β-conglycinin group significantly decreased as against that of the casein-fed group. Fecal fatty acid excretion in the β-conglycinin group was significantly higher than in the casein group.

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The activities of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine kinase (CK) in rats injected or not with the Chinese medicines, Astragali, Rhodiolae and Ligusticum, were determined after noise exposure. Noise at 95 and 105 dB significantly increased the activities of GPT, ALP and CK, and showed a dependence on the exposure time. The injection of each medicine significantly suppressed the increased enzyme activities by 95 and 105 dB noise.

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A new binding assay to investigate the mechanism of adhesion of lactic acid bacteria to the human intestine was established by the surface plasmon resonance technique using a biosensor BIACORE1000. Cells of 26 strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus group as analytes were eluted onto a sensor chip on which were immobilized biotinylated A-trisaccharide polymer probes having human A-type antigen [(GalNAcα1-3(Fucα1-2)Gal)-] or human colonic mucin of blood type A (HCM-A) as ligands. In the first screening, high adhesive affinity to the A-trisaccharide BP-probe was observed in L. acidophilus OLL2769, L. crispatus JCM8778, LA205 and LA206. In the second screening, which used HCM-A, only L. acidophilus OLL2769 and L. crispatus JCM8778 were selected as adhesive strains with specific binding ability to human A-antigen. The results indicated that some strains of the L. acidophilus group could recognize and bind the sugar chain of A-antigen structure on HCM.

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A chitinolytic bacterium was isolated from Lake Suwa and identified as Aeromonas hydrophila strain SUWA-9. The strain grew well on a synthetic medium containing colloidal chitin as sole carbon source. Chitin-degrading activity was induced by colloidal chitin or N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Most of the activity, however, was not detected in culture fluid but was associated with cells. A β-N-acetylglucosaminidase was purified after it was solubilized from cells by sonication. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed N-acetylchitooligomers from dimer to pentamer and produced GlcNAc as a final product. The enzyme also hydrolyzed synthetic substrates such as p-nitrophenyl (pNP)-N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminide and pNP-N-acetyl-β-D-galactosaminide. A gene coding for the purified β-N-acetylglucosaminidase was isolated. The ORF identified is 2,661 nucleotides long and encodes a precursor protein of 887 amino acids including a signal peptide of 22 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence deduced showed a high similarity to those of bacterial β-N-acetylhexosaminidases classified in family 20 of glycosyl hydrolases.

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An exopolysaccharide-producing Gram negative bacterium was isolated and determined to be a Sphingomonas sp. (CS101). A sugar composition analysis of an exopolysaccharide indicated that the Sphingomonas sp. CS101 secreted an exopolysaccharide composed of glucose, mannose, fucose, and rhamnose in the ratio of 2.1:1.1:1.0:0.1, suggesting that this exoplysaccharide is an unusual type of sphingan family. The mean molecular weight of the exopolysaccharide was determined to be 4.2×10⁵ Da by size exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser-light scattering (SEC/MALLS) analysis. An exopolysaccharide was produced up to 17 g/l (pH 7; 30 °C) with the optimal medium condition over 4 days of cultivation.

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A screening study yielded Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain 4-1-5, which is capable of hydroxylating indole to 7-hydroxyindole. Strain 4-1-5 grew on terephthalate as the sole source of carbon and energy and hydroxylated indole to 7-hydroxyindole by cometabolism of indole using terephthalate as cosubstrate. Strain 4-1-5 produced 0.574 mM of 7-hydroxyindole at 2.38 mM indole in 24 h with the cell growth.

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