https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2018.04.001 SUMMARY: Mimiviruses are giant viruses that co-evolved with eukaryotic hosts and virophages. Virophages are tiny viruses that hijack the viral factories giant viruses set up inside the host. Just as the eukaryotic host and virophages have evolved a sort of symbiotic relationship to defend against giant virus attacks, giant viruses have also evolved a… Continue reading Cas4-like Protein in Giant Viruses
Tag: enzymes
Different Enzymes to Digest Different Plant Substrates
The fungal cultivar of leaf-cutter ants produces specific enzymes in response to different plant substrates SUMMARY: Leaf-cutter ants and a fungus called Leucoagaricus gongylophorus have a symbiotic relationship. The ants harvest plant material for the fungus to “eat” and then the ants feed off of the gongylidia. These swollen parts of the hyphae are no… Continue reading Different Enzymes to Digest Different Plant Substrates
Anhydrobiosis without trehalose in bdelloid rotifers
Anhydrobiosis without trehalose in bdelloid rotifers SUMMARY: There are many types of organisms that can dry out, rehydrate, and then go about their lives with no problems. Many of the larger ones use trehalose or sucrose as an antifreeze. Bdelloid rotifers (tiny microscopic animals) do not. This study looked at the carbohydrate content in desiccated… Continue reading Anhydrobiosis without trehalose in bdelloid rotifers
Enzyme Catalysis To Power Micro/Nanomachines
Enzyme Catalysis To Power Micro/Nanomachines SUMMARY: Is it possible to make nanomachines out of enzymes? This review looks at the ways we can harness enzymes to self-propel or function as tiny machines. Doing so would have many implications in nanotechnology and drug delivery. There were a few ways to use enzymes. First, there's the DNA-enzyme… Continue reading Enzyme Catalysis To Power Micro/Nanomachines
Chloroplast Division
Chloroplast Division SUMMARY: Chloroplast division in plants is still a fairly unknown topic when it comes to specific cellular/molecular mechanisms. This paper describes, step by step, all the proteins and enzymes involved in helping chloroplasts divide (FtsZ, Min system, ARC6, etc.) It also compares the division of chloroplasts to binary fission in various prokaryotes (FtsZ… Continue reading Chloroplast Division
Field and lab conditions alter microbial enzyme and biomass dynamics
Field and lab conditions alter microbial enzyme and biomass dynamics driving decomposition of the same leaf litter SUMMARY: This study looked at the rate of decay between litter in lab conditions and natural conditions. They used fallen leaves from dogwood trees, oak trees, maple trees, and maple-oak tree mix. Results showed quite a difference in… Continue reading Field and lab conditions alter microbial enzyme and biomass dynamics