Anaerobic toluene degradation is initiated by adding toluene to fumarate via the glycyl radical enzyme benzylsuccinate synthase (BSS). We developed a recombinant production system producing active BSS and present data on the effects of some active-site mutants. A single substitution of Ile617 to Val inside a hydrophobic pocket of the active site leads to an extended substrate range of the variant, which includes conversion of m-xylene, but not of o- or p-xylene. Moreover, a mutation of the conserved Arg508, which participates in fumarate binding, to Lys or Gln decreases or eliminates BSS activity, proving its catalytic importance. Surprisingly, the Arg508Lys mutant gained the ability to synthesize a small amount of the product 3-benzyl-4-ketopentanoate from toluene and the fumarate analogue 3-acetyl acrylate. This study provides insight into substrate recognition by BSS and opens avenues for possible broader biotechnological applications in C–C bond formation.

The article will be interesting for specialists in psychology and law, scientific and scientific-pedagogical staff, who participate in educational process in sphere of legal education of individual. This article describes (justifies) the insufficiency of illustration, in previously written scientific projects, of the basics of legal education on current stage of Ukrainian reforms, in which main psychological aspects would be taken into account. These aspects are based on creation of individual’s legal culture with prevalence of universal human values. This article shows that modern life realities demand determination of place and role for legal education, taking into account psychological aspects, in the context of reformation of the Legal System, its aim and tasks, review and improvement of forms and methods. Scientific task on justification of main psychological principles of legal education on current stage of our state development was formulated. The main idea is creation of legal culture of individual in whom universal human values prevail. It is defined, that legal education mast be based on: deeply rooted folk traditions of humanism;  folk pedagogics; best samples of world culture (which are the most important factors of personality formation); ideological principles of universal human  values and ideas of creation of constitutional stat; ideological basis (The Constitution of Ukraine); pluralism; fusion of possibilities of folk pedagogics; the best moral and ethical traditions; moral laws of the Bible; the best samples of achievements of world civilization; culture; idea of philosophical and religious social consciousness; interconnection and coherence of legal education with modern state-building processes in Ukraine. Pedagogues, psychologists and lawyers, who are involved in work on problems of legal education, should concentrate their efforts on possibilities of psychology and law to ensure behavior, which would guaranty progressive and irreversible development of society.