Excess free histone H3 localizes to centrosomes for proteasome-mediated degradation during mitosis in metazoans

The cell tightly controls histone protein levels in order to achieve proper packaging of the genome into chromatin, while avoiding the deleterious consequences of excess free histones. Our accompanying study has shown that a histone modification that loosens the intrinsic structure of the nucleosome, phosphorylation of histone H3 on threonine 118 (H3 T118ph), exists on centromeres and chromosome arms during mitosis. Here, we show that H3 T118ph localizes to centrosomes in humans, flies, and worms during all stages of mitosis. H3 abundance at the centrosome increased upon proteasome inhibition, suggesting that excess free histone H3 localizes to centrosomes for degradation during mitosis. In agreement, we find ubiquitinated H3 specifically during mitosis and within purified centrosomes. These results suggest that targeting of histone H3 to the centrosome for proteasome-mediated degradation is a novel pathway for controlling histone supply, specifically during mitosis.     

Biological control of pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) with Bacillus subtilis G1

The antagonistic activity of Bacillus subtilis strain G1 was tested against various isolates of Aspergillus flavus in vitro. A talc-based powder formulation of B. subtilis strain G1 was prepared and evaluated to control A. flavus infection and aflatoxin B1 contamination in groundnut under greenhouse and field conditions. The results showed that B. subtilis strain G1 could inhibit the growth of all isolates of A. flavus tested in dual culture assay and the growth inhibition ranged from 93 to 100%. Results of greenhouse and field experiments indicated that B. subtilis strain G1 when applied to groundnut as seed treatment and soil application significantly suppressed A. flavus population in the soil, A. flavus infection and aflatoxin B1 content in kernels and increased the pod yield. These studies show that B. subtilis strain G1 has potential as a biocontrol agent for control of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut.     

Occurrence of chromatophoroma or chromatophoromatosis in Sardinella longiceps (Valenciennes, 1847) from Tamilnadu,southeast coast of India

The study was undertaken to analyse the prevalence of skin tumours in Sardinella longiceps, and to investigate the tumour type occurrence, distribution and histology. Fish samples were collected from three different landing centres (Cuddalore, Parangipettai and Nagapattinam) of Tamilnadu, southeast coast of India, from January 2014 to December 2014. A total of 192 661 individuals were examined, 750 of which had tumours for an overall prevalence of 0.39%. By station, higher prevalence was observed in Parangipettai (0.41%) followed by Cuddalore (0.39%) and Nagapattinam (0.36%). Chromatophoromas were predominant among the types of tumours in sardines. The multi‐coloured cutaneous tumour masses were in the head and body skin. Among the chromatphoromas, the erythrophoromas were most abundant followed by melanophoromas, iridophoromas and leucophoromas. Histologically, the tumour lesions were characterized by hyperplastic pigment cells intermingled with fibroblasts. The gross‐morphological and histopathological diagnoses of these lesions were compatible with erythrophoroma, melanophoroma, iridophoroma and leucophoroma.     

Vertical distribution of mesozooplankton in the central and eastern Arabian Sea during the winter monsoon

The vertical distribution of mesozooplankton in the centraland eastern Arabian Sea was investigated during the winter monsoonin 1995. Samples were analysed from discrete depth zones definedaccording to oxygen and temperature profiles of the water column.Zooplankton had higher standing stock in the mixed layer comparedto the strata below. The mixed layer had 78.5% of the totalcolumn biomass, while the deepest (500–1000 m) layer accountedfor only 0.9%. The stratum between 500 and 1000 m had the lowestabundance of copepods as well as other zooplankton. A notablefeature was that zooplankton biomass and density did not showmuch variations between coastal and offshore regions. Copepodawere the dominant group. Herbivores were generally more abundantat all depths. A total of 94 species of calanoid copepods wereidentified. Based on vertical distributions, they were assignedto four groups: (i) species restricted to the upper 200 m; (ii)predominantly surface-living species with tails to deeper waters;(iii) sparser deeper-living species generally confined below300 m; (iv) species occurring throughout the water column. Diversitywas fairly high in all strata with equitability being higherin the deeper strata.     

Insect resistance of transgenic tobacco expressing an insect chitinase gene

Chitinase expression in the insect gut normally occurs only during moulting, where the chitin of the peritrophic membrane is presumably degraded. Thus, insects feeding on plants that constitutively express an insect chitinase gene might be adversely affected, owing to an inappropriately timed exposure to chitinase. This hypothesis was tested by introducing a cDNA encoding a tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) into tobacco via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. A truncated but enzymatically active chitinase was present in plants expressing the gene. Segregating progeny of high-expressing plants were compared for their ability to support growth of tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) larvae and for feeding damage. Both parameters were significantly reduced when budworms fed on transgenic tobacco plants expressing high levels of the chitinase gene. In contrast, hornworm larvae showed no significant growth reduction when fed on the chitinase-expressing transgenics. However, both budworm and hornworm larvae, when fed on chitinase-expressing transgenic plants coated with sublethal concentrations of a Bacillus thuringiensis toxin, were significantly stunted relative to larvae fed on toxin-treated non-transgenic controls. Foliar damage was also reduced. Plants expressing an insect chitinase gene may have agronomic potential for insect control     

Cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and the modulating effect of glutathione ester

The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic advantage of glutathione ester along with cisplatin. Comparisons were made with renal reduced glutathione, enzymatic antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation levels. Cisplatin caused differential toxic effects on renal antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. However administration of glutathione ester modulates the toxic effects of cisplatin observed in renal antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. The finding that glutathione ester co-administration along with cisplatin is more effective and advantageous in protecting against the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin when it was given alone.     

miRNA in Parkinson's disease: From pathogenesis to theranostic approaches

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age associated neurological disorder which is specified by cardinal motor symptoms such as tremor, stiffness, bradykinesia, postural instability, and non-motor symptoms. Dopaminergic neurons degradation in substantia nigra region and aggregation of αSyn are the classic signs of molecular defects noticed in PD pathogenesis. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNA) predicted to have a pivotal part in various processes regarding regularizing the cellular functions. Studies on dysregulation of miRNA in PD pathogenesis has recently gained the concern where our review unravels the role of miRNA expression in PD and its necessity in clinical validation for therapeutic development in PD. Here, we discussed how miRNA associated with ageing process in PD through molecular mechanistic approach of miRNAs on sirtuins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, dopamine loss, oxidative stress and autophagic dysregulation. Further we have also conferred the expression of miRNAs affected by SNCA gene expression, neuronal differentiation and its therapeutic potential with PD. In conclusion, we suggest more rigorous studies should be conducted on understanding the mechanisms and functions of miRNA in PD which will eventually lead to discovery of novel and promising therapeutics for PD.     

Fatty acid changes in Hibiscus esculentus tissues during growth

Lipids were isolated from roots, stems, cotyledons, leaves, buds, flowers, pods and seeds of okra (Hibiscus esculentus) at different stages of plant growth from germination to seed formation and their fatty acid compositions analysed. The lipid contents of roots and stems were 1–3%, cotyledons 3.7–9%, leaves 2.5–5.1% and seeds 2.2–20.2%. Palmitic, linoleic and linolenic were the main fatty acids present in all tissues at all stages, but their relative proportions varied. Cyclopropene fatty acids (CFA) were present at some stages in roots and seeds. In the roots their formation coincided with bud formation (35 days after sowing) and their content reached a maximum (12.8%) seven days after flowering. CFA were present in maturing seeds from 31 days after flowering and occurred as dihydro derivatives throughout. Dihydro derivatives of the CFA were absent in all other tissues. Heptadecenoic acid was present (0.4–1.3%) in root lipids at all stages and in the stem lipids (0.4–1.2%) in the initial stages and after flowering.     

Influence of clonidine on the acute tolerance pattern to morphine induced analgesia and sensitivity changes in mice

Pretreatment with clonidine inhibited the acute tolerance development to morphine-induced analgesia and sensitivity changes of the smooth muscles to exogenous acetylcholine and norepinephrine in mice. Clonidine per se enhanced the responsiveness of mouse ileum and vas deference to the above agonists and no signs of tolerance was evident for this effect and to its analgesic activity.