In vitro regeneration and optimization of conditions for Agrobacterium mediated transformation in jute, Corchorus capsularis

Jute is a crop of commercial importance that is widely cultivated for its bast fiber production but susceptible to many diseases that results in major economic loss. New genes can be introduced into this plant through Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation for its genetic improvement, which is dependent on the availability of suitable in vitro techniques. An efficient regeneration system has been developed for in vitro culture of jute (Corchorus capsularis) from the distal cut ends of cotyledonary petioles. High frequency shoot regeneration was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient agar medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l NAA, 0.5 mg/l BAP and 36 g/l sucrose. On transfer to soil, the regenerated plantlets survived and appeared to be morphologically similar to the normal seed-grown plants. They developed pods and set fertile seeds. Histological analysis revealed de novo origin of shoot buds in the in vitro cultured cotyledonary petioles. Parameters affecting transformation were optimized by assaying GUS activity in these regenerable tissues after cocultivation with Agrobacteria. These tissues appear to be susceptible for infection and transformation by Agrobacterium carrying uid (GUS INT) and nptII genes, as well as shoot multiplication. The cells at the cut end of the petioles were found competent to take up the DNA, which was monitored by transient GUS gene expression. EHA105 at 0.3 O.D and LBA4404 at 0.5 O.D were found to be compatible in giving optimal levels of transient GUS expression.     

Biosynthesis of Callose and Cellulose by Detergent Extracts of Tobacco Cell Membranes and Quantification of the Polymers Synthesized in vitro

The conditions that favor the in vitro synthesis of cellulose from tobacco BY-2 cell extracts were determined. The procedure leading to the highest yield of cellulose consisted of incubating digitonin extracts of membranes from 11-day-old tobacco BY-2 cells in the presence of 1 mM UDP-glucose, 8 mM Ca2+ and 8 mM Mg2+. Under these conditions, up to nearly 40% of the polysaccharides synthesized in vitro corresponded to cellulose, the other polymer synthesized being callose. Transmission electron microscopy an...     

Phytoremedial Potential of Typha latifolia,Eichornia crassipes and Monochoria hastata found in Contaminated Water Bodies Across Ranchi City (India)

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology that uses green plants (living machines) for removal of contaminants of concern (COC). These plant species have the potential to remove the COC, thereby restoring the original condition of soil or water environment. The present study focuses on assessing the heavy metals (COC) present in the contaminated water bodies of Ranchi city, Jharkhand, India. Phytoremedial potential of three plant species: Typha latifolia, Eichornia crassipes and Monochoria hastata were assessed in the present study. Heterogenous accumulation of metals was found in the three plant species. It was observed that the ratio of heavy metal concentration was different in different parts, i.e., shoots and roots. Positive results were also obtained for translocation factor of all species with minimum of 0.10 and maximum of 1. It was found experimentally that M. hastata has the maximum BFC for root as 4.32 and shoot as 2.70 (for Manganese). For T. latifolia, BCF of maximum was observed for root (163.5) and respective shoot 86.46 (for Iron), followed by 7.3 and 5.8 for root and shoot (for Manganese) respectively. E. crassipes was found to possess a maximum BCF of 278.6 (for Manganese and 151 (for Iron) and shoot as 142 (for Manganese) and 36.13 (for Iron).     

Two new species of Garudinia Moore (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Lithosiinae) from India

Two new arctiid species, Garudinia pseudosimulana sp. nov. and G. conjuncta sp. nov. are described and illustrated from India.     

Homepeptide Repeats:Implications for Protein Structure,Function and Evolution

Analysis of protein sequences from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv(Mtb H37Rv) was performed to identify homopeptide repeatcontaining proteins(HRCPs).Functional annotation of the HRCPs showed that they are preferentially involved in cellular metabolism.Furthermore,these homopeptide repeats might play some specific roles in protein-protein interaction.Repeat length differences among Bacteria,Archaea and Eukaryotes were calculated in order to identify the conservation of the repeats in these divergent kingdoms.From the results,it was evident that these repeats have a higher degree of conservation in Bacteria and Archaea than in Eukaryotes.In addition,there seems to be a direct correlation between the repeat length difference and the degree of divergence between the species.Our study supports the hypothesis that the presence of homopeptide repeats influences the rate of evolution of the protein sequences in which they are embedded.Thus,homopeptide repeat may have structural,functional and evolutionary implications on proteins.