Document Detail


Occurrence, functions and biosynthesis of polyamides in microorganisms and biotechnological production.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12008968     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Microorganisms are able to synthesize three different polyamides by enzymatic processes independently from ribosomal protein biosynthesis: poly(gamma-D-glutamic acid), poly(epsilon-L-lysine) and multi-L-arginyl-poly(L-aspartic acid) which is also referred to as cyanophycin. These polyamides, which occur mainly in Bacillus spp. (and only a few other eubacteria and the nematocysts of Cnidaria, in Streptomyces albulus or in cyanobacteria, respectively), have recently attracted considerable interest of the chemical industry and may be suitable for various applications. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the occurrence, biosynthesis, physiological functions, and biodegradation as well as on the properties and putative applications of these polyamides. Emphasis is placed on the enzymology of the polymerization and on the genes encoding the polymerizing enzymes, which have only recently become available for cyanophycin synthetases. Prospects for novel production processes. in particular for cyanophycin, are also presented.
Authors:
F B Oppermann-Sanio; Alexander Steinbüchel
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Die Naturwissenschaften     Volume:  89     ISSN:  0028-1042     ISO Abbreviation:  Naturwissenschaften     Publication Date:  2002 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-05-14     Completed Date:  2002-06-06     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0400767     Medline TA:  Naturwissenschaften     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  11-22     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Institut für Mikrobiologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Amino Acid Sequence
Anabaena / metabolism
Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis,  chemistry,  metabolism
Biotechnology / methods
Cyanobacteria / metabolism*
Molecular Sequence Data
Nylons / analysis,  chemical synthesis,  metabolism*
Polyglutamic Acid / metabolism
Polylysine / metabolism
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Bacterial Proteins; 0/Nylons; 25104-18-1/Polylysine; 25513-46-6/Polyglutamic Acid

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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