Plasmodium berghei leucine-rich repeat protein 1 downregulates protein phosphatase 1 activity and is required for efficient oocyst development

Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a key enzyme for Plasmodium development. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying its regulation remain to be deciphered. Here, we report the functional characterization of the Plasmodium berghei leucine-rich repeat protein 1 (PbLRR1), an orthologue of SDS22, one of the most ancient and conserved PP1 interactors. Our study shows that PbLRR1 is expressed during intra-erythrocytic development of the parasite, and up to the zygote stage in mosquitoes. PbLRR1 can be found in complex with PbPP1 in both asexual and sexual stages and inhibits its phosphatase activity. Genetic analysis demonstrates that PbLRR1 depletion adversely affects the development of oocysts. PbLRR1 interactome analysis associated with phospho-proteomics studies identifies several novel putative PbLRR1/PbPP1 partners. Some of these partners have previously been characterized as essential for the parasite sexual development. Interestingly, and for the first time, Inhibitor 3 (I3), a well-known and direct interactant of Plasmodium PP1, was found to be drastically hypophosphorylated in PbLRR1-depleted parasites. These data, along with the detection of I3 with PP1 in the LRR1 interactome, strongly suggest that the phosphorylation status of PbI3 is under the control of the PP1–LRR1 complex and could contribute (in)directly to oocyst development. This study provides new insights into previously unrecognized PbPP1 fine regulation of Plasmodium oocyst development through its interaction with PbLRR1.     

Biosynthesis of itaconic acid by aspergillus terreus

Summary The formation of itaconic, aconitic and other acids from glucose in the presence of some enzyme inhibitors or organic acids by Aspergillus terreus was studied. Moreover, the metabolic activities of the preformed mats when floated on solutions of some organic acids were traced.When the resulting information were collected together a presumed condensation reaction between acetate and succinate could be formulated. The reaction product, presumably 1, 2, 3 propane tricarboxylic acid, would undergo a dehydrogenation reaction to yield aconitic acid and subsequently itaconic acid. It has also been suggested that aconityl CoA may be the metabolic form which suits the reactions leading to the formation of itaconic acid. The presumed aconityl CoA may be formed either through a condensation reaction between acetyl CoA and succinate or acetate with succinyl CoA.     

Effect of cotton dust and 2,4-D on Host-Parasite relationship. (2) beans and botrytis

Summary Artificial inoculation experiments have been carried out to study the effect of different concentrations of cotton dust on the chocolate-spot disease of bean leaves, induced byBotrytis fabae. Cotton dust, in high concentrations, does not significantly alter the severity of the disease. A considerable reduction in the size of the lesions and hence in percentage leaf area infected took place when bean cut shoots were dipped in a dilute solution of 2,4-D. Explanations were given on basis of anatomical, enzymatic and biochemical studies.     

Molecular identification and determination of the trichothecene chemotypes of fungi causing crown and root in different growth stages of wheat in north of Iran

In order to determine the crown and root agents and their mycotoxins produced in different growth stages of wheat including seedling, tillering and heading, sampling was done in north of Iran, during 2011–2012. From 160 isolates of Fusarium, eight species were obtained including F. graminearum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. nygamai, F. semitectum, F. solani, F. acuminatum and F. oxysporum. Sampling at different growth stages showed that F. graminearum was the predominant causal agent of crown and root at the heading stage, whereas other species of Fusarium were mostly observed at the seedling and tillering stages. Moreover, identification of pathogenic species was confirmed using species-specific primers pairs. In F. graminearum isolates, presence of Tri13 gene, responsible for nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxins biosynthesis, was detected using specific PCR primers. Finally, the ability of trichothecene production of five F. graminearum isolates was confirmed with high-performance liquid chromatography.     

Intake and digestibility in sheep fed on alkali-treated straw and concentrates,as complete diets or separate feeds

Twelve mature wethers were used in an experiment of change-over design to determine the effect of complete diet feeding on intake and digestibility of diets based on alkalitreated straw and a concentrate containing rolled barley and extracted soya bean meal. Two diets were used: D₁ with a 50:50, and D₂ with a 75:25 ratio of straw:concentrates on a dry matter basis. The straw and concentrates of each diet were given either separately (S) or as a complete diet (C). Complete diets gave a slightly, but not significantly higher intake (C, 86.5) and S, 82.5 g dry matter /kg W^0.75 per day). The separate method gave a significantly higher digestibility coefficient for dry matter (C, 62.2 and S, 65.5; P < 0.05) and for crude fibre (C, 57.2 and S, 62.5; P < 0.01). Water intake increased by 42.7 ml g^?1 Na derived from NaOH. There were no significant interactions between the method of feeding and the type of diet in intake and digestibility of the diets or in the intake of water.     

Enzymatic Engineering of Polysialic Acid on Cells in Vitro and in Vivo Using a Purified Bacterial Polysialyltransferase

In vertebrates, polysialic acid (PSA) is typically added to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in the Golgi by PST or STX polysialyltransferase. PSA promotes plasticity, and its enhanced expression by viral delivery of the PST or STX gene has been shown to promote cellular processes that are useful for repair of the injured adult nervous system. Here we demonstrate a new strategy for PSA induction on cells involving addition of a purified polysialyltransferase from Neisseria meningitidis (PST_Nm) to the extracellular environment. In the presence of its donor substrate (CMP-Neu5Ac), PST_Nm synthesized PSA directly on surfaces of various cell types in culture, including Chinese hamster ovary cells, chicken DF1 fibroblasts, primary rat Schwann cells, and mouse embryonic stem cells. Similarly, injection of PST_Nm and donor in vivo was able to produce PSA in different adult brain regions, including the cerebral cortex, striatum, and spinal cord. PSA synthesis by PST_Nm requires the presence of the donor CMP-Neu5Ac, and the product could be degraded by the PSA-specific endoneuraminidase-N. Although PST_Nm was able to add PSA to NCAM, most of its product was attached to other cell surface proteins. Nevertheless, the PST_Nm-induced PSA displayed the ability to attenuate cell adhesion, promote neurite outgrowth, and enhance cell migration as has been reported for endogenous PSA-NCAM. Polysialylation by PST_Nm occurred in vivo in less than 2.5 h, persisted in tissues, and then decreased within a few weeks. Together these characteristics suggest that a PST_Nm-based approach may provide a valuable alternative to PST gene therapy.     

Profiling the Lipophilic Fractions of Pithecellobium dulce Bark and Leaves Using GC/MS and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant,Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities

Pithecellobium dulce has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments owing to its restorative properties. The biological activities and chemical profiles of the lipophilic fraction of P. dulce bark and leaves were assessed herein. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and unsaponifiable matter (USM) were prepared and analyzed by GC/MS. A total of 40 compounds were identified in the bark saponifiable fraction, whereas 9 compounds were annotated in the leaves. Palmitic acid methyl ester was the major compound identified accounting for 41.48 % of the bark and 19.03 % of the leaves composition. Besides, linolenic acid methyl ester (22.40 %) and linoleic acid (12.69 %) were annotated in the leaves saponifiable fraction. A total of 63 compounds were detected in the bark USM and 4 compounds were identified in the leaves. Phytol represented the major component in the leaves (52.57 %) followed by lupeol (20.68 %) and lupenone (8.60 %). Meanwhile, n‐dodecane dominated in the bark USM accounting for 24.69 % of the total composition. The leaves and bark lipophilic fractions revealed moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Both extracts showed no antifungal activity. No cytotoxicity was observed for both lipophilic fractions. P. dulce offers a good source of antioxidant compounds that can be introduced to food and pharmaceutical industry.     

Effect of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Coactivator-1 Alpha Variants on Spontaneous Clearance and Fibrosis Progression during Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Moroccan Patients

Virologica Sinica - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is still one of the main causes of liver disease worldwide. Metabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), induced by HCV have...