Emiliania huxleyi is a single celled, marine phytoplankton with global distribution. As a key species for global biogeochemical cycling, a variety of strains have been amassed in various culture collections. Using a library consisting of 52 strains of E. huxleyi and an ‘in house’ enzyme screening program, we have assessed the functional biodiversity within this species of fundamental importance to global biogeochemical cycling, whilst at the same time determining their potential for exploitation in biocatalytic applications. Here, we describe the screening of E. huxleyi strains, as well as a coccolithovirus infected strain, for commercially relevant biocatalytic enzymes such as acid/alkali phosphodiesterase, acid/alkali phosphomonoesterase, EC1.1.1-type dehydrogenase, EC1.3.1-type dehydrogenase and carboxylesterase.

Edited by Peter BrzezinskiKeywords: Cytochrome b5 Virus Crystallography P450 catalysis Ostreococcus tauri a b s t r a c t Cytochrome b5 is a ubiquitous electron transport protein. The sequenced viral OtV-2 genome, which infects Ostreococcus tauri, was predicted to encode a putative cytochrome b5 enzyme. Using purified OtV-2 cytochrome b5 we confirm this protein has identical spectral properties to purified human cytochrome b5 and additionally that the viral enzyme can substitute for yeast cytochrome b5 in yeast cytochrome P450 51 mediated sterol 14a-demethylation. The crystal structure of the OtV-2 cytochrome b5 enzyme reveals a single domain, comprising four b sheets, four a helices and a haem moiety, which is similar to that found in larger eukaryotic cytochrome proteins. As a product of a horizontal gene transfer event involving a subdomain of the host fumarate reductase-like protein, OtV-2 cytochrome b5 appears to have diverged in function and is likely to have evolved an entirely new role for the virus during infection. Indeed, lacking a hydrophobic C-terminal anchor, OtV-2 encodes the first cytosolic cytochrome b5 characterised. The lack of requirement for membrane attachment (in contrast to all other microsomal cytochrome b5s) may be a reflection of the small size of the host cell, further emphasizes the unique nature of this virus gene product and draws attention to the potential importance of cytochrome b5 metabolic activity at the extremes of cellular scale. Structured summary of protein interactions:OtV-2_201 and OtV-2_201 bind by X-ray crystallography (View interaction)

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In Canadian prisons and jails, populations are not able to access the internet, and many other essential technologies. Several research studies have examined the impact of the digital divide on incarcerated populations in the United States and other countries around the world (Barreiro-Gen & Novo-Corti, 2015; Reisdorf & Rikard, 2018). This study will expand on the current research by examining the impact of restrictions to internet access in Canadian prisons on the lives of formerly incarcerated women in Canada and, more specifically, how these restrictions affect their ability to reintegrate into society after the period of incarceration. The methodology of this research will be qualitative, and data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with individuals who have a variety of different experiences with the women’s correctional system in Canada. This study will address major areas of research in the field of study that addresses the digital divide, including the learning and development of digital skills, and how different identities can intersect to impact the way individuals experience the digital divide. Through constant comparative content analysis, this study describes the experience of the digital divide, how it both persists and develops from the time of incarceration to life post-incarceration, and how it can compound other types of barriers faced by women who have been incarcerated in our country.