Journal of Microbiology

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

NOTE] Biosynthesis of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) Copolyesters with a High Molar Fraction of 3-Hydroxyvalerate by an Insect-Symbiotic Burkholderia sp. IS-01: Do Young Kim , Doo-Sang Park , Soon Bum Kwon , Moon Gyu Chung , Kyung Sook Bae , Ho-Yong Park , Young Ha Rhee; J. Microbiol. 2009;47(5):651-656. Published online October 24, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-009-0109-7

Abstract: Burkholderia sp. IS-01 capable of biosynthesizing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [poly(3HB- co-3HV)] copolyesters with a high molar fraction of 3HV was isolated from the gut of the adult longicorn beetle, Moechotypa diphysis. The strain IS-01 was relatively tolerant to high concentrations of levulinic acid and accumulated a poly(13.5 mol% 3HB-co-86.5 mol% 3HV) copolyester when cultivated on a mixture of gluconate (20 g/L) and levulinic acid (12.5 g/L). In this case, the content of the copolyester in the cells was approximately 60.0%. The compositions of the copolyesters were easily regulated by altering the molar ratio of gluconate and levulinic acid in the medium. The organism was found to possess a class I PHA synthase (PhaC) gene (1,881 bp) that encodes a protein with a deduced molecular mass of 68,538 Da that consists of 626 amino acids. The PhaC of this organism was most similar to that of B. cenocepacia PC184 (92% similarity).

Microbial Symbiosis in Marine Sponges: Yoo Kyung Lee , Jung-Hyun Lee , Hong Kum Lee; J. Microbiol. 2001;39(4):254-264.

Abstract: Sponges are host organisms for various symbiotic microorganisms such as archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria and microalgae. Sponges are also sources of a wide variety of useful natural products like cytotoxins, antifouling agents, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory and antiviral compounds. Symbiotic microorganisms in sponges can be sources of various natural products, because metabolites previously ascribed to sponges have recently been demonstrated to be biosynthesized by symbionts. If a symbiotic microorganism from which some natural products are derived can be cultured, the microorganism could be used in a mass production of the bioactive compounds. We summarize recent research on isolation and cultivation of sponge-symbiotic microorganisms and the symbiotic relationship.

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