Trends in bioconversion of lignocellulose: Biofuels, platform chemicals & biorefinery concept

Brain function requires precisely orchestrated connectivity between neurons. Establishment of these connections is believed to require signals secreted from outgrowing axons, followed by synapse formation between selected neurons. Deletion of a single protein, Munc18-1, in mice leads to a complete loss of neurotransmitter secretion from synaptic vesicles throughout development. However, this does not prevent normal brain assembly, including formation of layered structures, fiber pathways, and morphologically defined synapses. After assembly is completed, neurons undergo apoptosis, leading to widespread neurodegeneration. Thus, synaptic connectivity does not depend on neurotransmitter secretion, but its maintenance does. Neurotransmitter secretion probably functions to validate already established synaptic connections.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/287/5454/864.full.pdf

Synaptic Assembly of the Brain in the Absence of Neurotransmitter Secretion

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticlePDF/2013/GC/C2GC36364J

Deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass with ionic liquids

Green and sustainable manufacture of chemicals from biomass: state of the art

▪ Abstract Membrane fusion involves the merger of two phospholipid bilayers in an aqueous environment. In artificial lipid bilayers, fusion proceeds by means of defined transition states, including hourglass-shaped intermediates in which the proximal leaflets of the fusing membranes are merged whereas the distal leaflets are separate (fusion stalk), followed by the reversible opening of small aqueous fusion pores. Fusion of biological membranes requires the action of specific fusion proteins. Best understood are the viral fusion proteins that are responsible for merging the viral with the host cell membrane during infection. These proteins undergo spontaneous and dramatic conformational changes upon activation. In the case of the paradigmatic fusion proteins of the influenza virus and of the human immunodeficiency virus, an amphiphilic fusion peptide is inserted into the target membrane. The protein then reorients itself, thus forcing the fusing membranes together and inducing lipid mixing. Fusion of intr...

Membrane Fusion and Exocytosis

Enhanced enzyme saccharification of Sorghum bicolor straw using dilute alkali pretreatment.

Characterization of Munc-18c and Syntaxin-4 in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes: PUTATIVE ROLE IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT MOVEMENT OF GLUT-4 *

Physico-chemical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is critical in removing substrate-specific barriers to cellulolytic enzyme attack. Alkaline pretreatment successfully delignifies biomass by disrupting the ester bonds cross-linking lignin and xylan, resulting in cellulose and hemicellulose enriched fractions. Here we report the use of dilute alkaline (NaOH) pretreatment followed by enzyme saccharifications of wheat straw to produce fermentable sugars. Specifically, we have assessed the impacts of varying pretreatment parameters (temperature, time and alkalinity) on enzymatic digestion of residual solid materials. Following pretreatment, recoverable solids and lignin contents were found to be inversely proportional to the severity of the pretreatment process. Elevating temperature and alkaline strengths maximised hemicellulose and lignin solubilisation and enhanced enzymatic saccharifications. Pretreating wheat straw with 2% NaOH for 30 min at 121 °C improved enzyme saccharification 6.3-fold when compared to control samples. Similarly, a 4.9-fold increase in total sugar yields from samples treated with 2% NaOH at 60 °C for 90min, confirmed the importance of alkali inclusion. A combination of three commercial enzyme preparations (cellulase, β-glucosidase and xylanase) was found to maximise monomeric sugar release, particularly for substrates with higher xylan contents. In essence, the combined enzyme activities increased total sugar release 1.65-fold and effectively reduced cellulase enzyme loadings 3-fold. Prehydrolysate liquors contained 4-fold more total phenolics compared to enzyme saccharification mixtures. Harsher pretreatment conditions provide saccharified hydrolysates with reduced phenolic content and greater fermentation potential.

Optimisation of dilute alkaline pretreatment for enzymatic saccharification of wheat straw

https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:407361/UQ407361_OA.pdf

Shane McIntosh

Papers

Enhanced enzyme saccharification of Sorghum bicolor straw using dilute alkali pretreatment.

Characterization of Munc-18c and Syntaxin-4 in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes: PUTATIVE ROLE IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT MOVEMENT OF GLUT-4 *

Optimisation of dilute alkaline pretreatment for enzymatic saccharification of wheat straw

Molecular Identification of Two Novel Munc-18 Isoforms Expressed in Non-neuronal Tissues

Use of ionic liquids in converting lignocellulosic material to biofuels.