Methods for the preparation of a biodesulfurization biocatalyst using Rhodococcus sp.

Several methods to prepare a biodesulfurization (BDS) biocatalyst were investigated in this study using a strain of Rhodococcus sp. 1awq. This bacterium could selectively remove sulfur from dibenzothiophene (DBT) via the "4S" pathway. DBT, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), sodium sulphate and mixed sulfur sources were used to study their influence on cell density, desulfurization activity, desulfurization ability, and the cost of biocatalyst production. In contrast to that observed from bacteria cultured in DBT, only partial desulfurization activity of strain 1awq was induced by DBT after cultivation in a medium containing inorganic sulfur as the sole sulfur source. The biocatalyst, prepared from culture with mixed sulfur sources, was found to possess desulfurization activity. With DMSO as the sole sulfur source, the desulfurization activity was shown to be similar to that of bacteria incubated in medium with DBT as the sole sulfur source. The biocatalyst prepared by this method with the least cost could remove sulfur from hydrodesulfurization (HDS)-treated diesel oil efficiently, providing a total desulfurization percent of 78% and suggesting its cost-effective advantage.

Expression, purification and activity measurement of soluble BACE protein in E.coli.

To express BACE (beta-site APP cleaving enzyme), an aspartic protease related to Alzheimer's disease in E.coli to obtain the active protein after refolding and purification, the sequence for soluble form of BACE was inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pET11a. After expression in E.coli BL21(DE3), the protein was obtained as inclusion bodies, after refolding and purification. The proteolytic activity of the protein was measured by HPLC and MS. After refolding and purification, the protein exhibited beta-secretase activity by cleaving the synthetic peptide, which was designed according to the beta-secretase site at Swedish mutant of APP, and according Hanes method the kinetics constants for the synthetic peptide of BACE protein were measured. The study will facilitate BACE protein structure determination and inhibitor development efforts, which may lead to the evolution of promising and effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease.