Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Microbes and Methanogenesis01:26

Microbes and Methanogenesis

Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Co-variation of insecticide resistance and host-microbe gene expression in geographically distant populations of German cockroaches (Blattodea: Blattellidae).

Journal of economic entomology·2026
Same author

Pulling teeth: access to dental clearance in patients with cancer eligible for bone-modifying agents.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·2026
Same author

Self-reflection, sense of agency, and underlying neural correlates: A pilot study.

PloS one·2025
Same author

Use of myoelectric orthosis after stroke or traumatic brain injury: a systematic review.

Topics in stroke rehabilitation·2025
Same author

Enhancing stroke recovery assessment: A machine learning approach to real-world hand function analysis.

International journal of medical informatics·2025
Same author

Metagenomic analysis reveals methanogenic and other archaeal genes in the digestive tract of invasive Japanese beetle larvae and associated soil.

Frontiers in microbiology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Extracting DNA from the Gut Microbes of the Termite (Zootermopsis Angusticollis) and Visualizing Gut Microbes
15:27

Extracting DNA from the Gut Microbes of the Termite (Zootermopsis Angusticollis) and Visualizing Gut Microbes

Published on: May 28, 2007

Lignin-associated metagene expression in a lignocellulose-digesting termite.

Amit Sethi1, Jeffrey M Slack, Elena S Kovaleva

  • 1Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089, USA.

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|October 31, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Termites possess unique enzymes that break down lignin, a plant biomass barrier to biofuel production. These enzymes, including aldo-keto reductases and catalases, can enhance biofuel and biomaterial production processes.

More Related Videos

Investigating the Microbial Community in the Termite Hindgut - Interview
21:02

Investigating the Microbial Community in the Termite Hindgut - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
14:43

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

Published on: July 23, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Extracting DNA from the Gut Microbes of the Termite (Zootermopsis Angusticollis) and Visualizing Gut Microbes
15:27

Extracting DNA from the Gut Microbes of the Termite (Zootermopsis Angusticollis) and Visualizing Gut Microbes

Published on: May 28, 2007

Investigating the Microbial Community in the Termite Hindgut - Interview
21:02

Investigating the Microbial Community in the Termite Hindgut - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
14:43

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

Published on: July 23, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Lignin, a complex plant polymer, hinders biofuel production due to its recalcitrance and toxic byproducts.
  • Termites efficiently degrade lignocellulose, suggesting specialized mechanisms for lignin breakdown and detoxification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms of lignin degradation and detoxification in termites.
  • To identify novel enzymes involved in lignocellulose digestion for potential biotechnological applications.

Main Methods:

  • High-throughput pyrosequencing and proteomics were employed to analyze host and symbiont gene expression and protein profiles.
  • Dietary lignin complexity was varied to assess its impact on the termite digestive system.
  • Enzyme activity assays were performed on identified candidate enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Over 9500 differentially expressed transcripts were identified, indicating a broad physiological response to diet.
  • Two detoxification enzyme families, aldo-keto reductases and catalases, were found to be crucial for coping with lignin.
  • Recombinant host enzymes from these families significantly improved lignocellulose saccharification when combined with cellulases.

Conclusions:

  • Termites utilize specialized detoxification enzymes, beyond cellulases, to manage lignin.
  • Aldo-keto reductases and catalases play a significant role in overcoming lignin's recalcitrance.
  • These findings offer novel enzymatic strategies for enhancing biofuel and biomaterial production from lignocellulosic biomass.