Characterization of auxiliary (redox) enzymes from the termite Coptotermes gestroi that cooperate with glycolytic hydrolases

• Grant number: 14/20576-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Márcio Squina
• Grantee: Robson Tramontina
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Plant cell wall polysaccharides are sustainable products with high biotechnological potential, and the conversion of these polymers into fermentable sugars is one of the main challenges of this production chain. Identification and characterization of genes and enzymes which are active in carbohydrate as well the proteins with complementary actions in this approach, are crucial for increasing efficiency in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic compounds. Regarding to that, termites are ecologically considered as a natural bioreactor in lignocellulosic materials conversion into sugars, which are the basis of their feeding, and therefore, play an important role being responsible for around 90% of plant material degradation in tropical forests. The reason for this would be its enzymatic pool (endogenous and symbiotic). In literature as well results obtained by our group, evidences that others mechanisms may act complementing the cellulases actions in termites digestoma. In this way, the main goal of this project is the investigation of redox enzymes which can act in synergism with glycolytic hydrolases in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TRAMONTINA, ROBSON; FRANCO CAIRO, JOAO PAULO L.; LIBERATO, MARCELO V.; MANDELLI, FERNANDA; SOUSA, AMANDA; SANTOS, SAMANTHA; RABELO, SARITA CANDIDA; CAMPOS, BRUNA; IENCZAK, JACIANE; RULLER, ROBERTO; et al. The Coptotermes gestroi aldo-keto reductase: a multipurpose enzyme for biorefinery applications. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS, v. 10, JAN 3 2017. (13/06336-0, 12/20549-4, 14/20576-7, 14/04105-4, 08/58037-9)

FRANCO CAIRO, JOAO P. L.; CARAZZOLLE, MARCELO F.; LEONARDO, FLAVIA C.; MOFATTO, LUCIANA S.; BRENELLI, LIVIA B.; GONCALVES, THIAGO A.; UCHIMA, CRISTIANE A.; DOMINGUES, ROMANIA R.; ALVAREZ, THABATA M.; TRAMONTINA, ROBSON; et al. Expanding the Knowledge on Lignocellulolytic and Redox Enzymes of Worker and Soldier Castes from the Lower Termite Coptotermes gestroi. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. 7, OCT 13 2016. (15/06971-3, 14/20576-7, 14/50371-8, 12/19040-0, 14/10351-8, 11/20977-3, 13/03061-0, 10/11469-1, 08/58037-9)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

TRAMONTINA, Robson. Characterization of auxiliary enzymes (REDOX) from the termite Coptotermes gestroi that cooperate with glycolytic hydrolases. 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.