An alpha-1 antitrypsin genetic variant from India

The highly polymorphic human alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) gene codes for the most abundant circulating plasma serine protease inhibitor. Previously, genetic variants of the AAT gene were reported from different regions of the world. In the present study, the AAT gene was characterized in an Indian sample. The AAT gene was isolated and cloned from a liver biopsy sample through RT-PCR and the full-length gene was sequenced. Nucleotide sequence comparison with the human genome and the AAT sequences available in the GenBank (NCBI) demonstrated four unique variations--(i) an A to G variation at position 286 (Thr96Ala), (ii) an A to G variation at position 839 (Asp280Gly), (iii) a T to C variation at position 1182 that did not result in any change in the protein sequence (TTT to TTC both code for Phe) and (iv) an A to C variation at position 1200 (Glu400Asp) that resulted in replacement by an amino acid of similar nature. Other variations found were T to C at position 710 (Val273Ala) and T to C position 863 (Val288Glu), which were also reported earlier. In conclusion, this study reports the entire 1257 bp nucleotide sequence of protein coding region of the human AAT gene from an Indian sample. This preliminary finding is significant, as it reports for the first time the AAT gene sequence in the Indian sample.     

Airborne Pollen Grains of Gurdur,Turkey

Ｔｈｃ ｐｏｌｌｅｎ ｇｒａｉｎｓ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ａｔｍｏｓｐｈｅｒｅ ｏｆ Ｂｕｒｄｕｒ ｈａｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｓｔｕｄｉｅｄ ｆｏｒ ａ ｔｗｏ－ｙｅａｒ ｐｅｒｉｏｄ（１９９６ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ １９９７）ｗｉｔｈ ａ Ｄｕｒｈａｍ ｓａｍｐｌｅｒ．Ａ ｔｏｔａｌ ｏｆ １１ ８８１ ｐｏｌｌｅｎ ｇｒａｉｎｓ ｂｅｌｏｎｇｉｎｓ ｔｏ ３９ ｔａｘａ ｈａｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｉｄｅｎｔｉ－ｆｉｅｄ     

Pattern of Resource Allocation of Six Plantago Species with Different Breeding Systems

Plantago exhibit great deal of differences in the breeding system. The reproductive effort calculated on the basis of, (i) dry biomass of foliar and floral parts and (ii) seed output-weight (mg) per unit leaf area (cm²), exhibits relation with breeding system. The predominantly inbreeding taxa invest higher reproductive effort compared to their outbreeding allies. In terms of sex allocation strategies, the outbreeding species like P. lanceolata, P. lagopus invest more to the development of floral features and to male functions. On the contrary, inbreeding species such as P. patagonica, P. drummondii, and P. ovata invest greater resources to the female function. Received 13 April 1998/ Accepted in revised form 6 November 1998     

Molecular Assessment of Diversity among Pathotypes of Colletotrichum falcatum Prevalent in Sub-Tropical Indian Sugarcane

Summary Six pathotypes of Colletotrichum falcatum, responsible for Red-rot in sugarcane, prevalent in subtropical India were examined for genetic relationships using RAPD markers. A high degree of polymorphism (78.6%) was observed using 40 RAPD markers. More than 50% genetic divergence was found among the pathotypes and UPGMA cluster analysis of genetic similarity indices grouped the six pathotypes into two clusters. Cluster I comprised pathotypes Cf01 and Cf09, while cluster II comprised the remaining four pathotypes. Cf02 and Cf08 were the most closely related among all the pathotypes. Pathotype-specific unique bands generated in RAPD profiling are being used for developing markers for pathotype identification in diseased cane samples.     

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: phylogenetic motifs for predicting protein functional sites

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a medical condition associated with abnormally high levels of glucose (or sugar) in the blood. Keeping this view, we demonstrate the phylogenetic motifs (PMs) identification in type 2 diabetes mellitus very likely corresponding to protein functional sites. In this article, we have identified PMs for all the candidate genes for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Glycine 310 remains conserved for glucokinase and potassium channel KCNJ11. Isoleucine 137 was conserved for insulin receptor and regulatory subunit of a phosphorylating enzyme. Whereas residues valine, leucine, methionine were highly conserved for insulin receptor. Occurrence of proline was very high for calpain 10 gene and glucose transporter.     

Proteomics indicates modulation of tubulin polymerization by L-menthol inhibiting human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell proliferation

Menthol is a naturally occurring cyclic monoterpene used in oral hygiene products, confectionary, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pesticides, and as a flavoring agent. In the present study, we analyzed the differentially expressing proteome in L-menthol-treated Caco-2 cell line as it was found to inhibit cell proliferation. Interestingly, free tubulin proteins were observed to be limited after menthol treatment. Semiquantitative RT-PCR with α-tubulin primers showed no change in the level of RNA expression in menthol-treated cell line. However, tubulin polymerization assay with menthol indicated a trend similar to taxol in promoting microtubule assembly. Further, physical counting of apoptotic nuclei and active caspase-3 assays confirmed onset of apoptosis though the rate was slower as compared with that of taxol treatment. This study is the first report of a monoterpene L-menthol modulating tubulin polymerization and apoptosis to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.     

Possible influences of a macroalgal bloom in eelgrass beds on fish assemblages in the lower Knysna Estuary,South Africa

The occurrence of a macroalgal bloom at eelgrass (Zostera capensis) sampling sites in the summer of 2014/2015 provided an opportunity to use underwater video cameras to monitor the possible effects of environmental change on fish diversity and abundance in the lower reaches of the Knysna Estuary. A General Linear Model (GLM) showed that there was a significant difference in the abundance of fish before and after an invasion of the sampling sites by the macroalga Ulva lactuca. The eelgrass bed fish abundance was more affected by the macroalgal bloom than the bare substratum fish abundance, with the Ulva impacting negatively on the relative abundance of Mugilidae in the former habitat. The hypothesis that macroalgal invasions have a negative effect on fish diversity and abundance is therefore supported by this preliminary study.