Host-induced silencing of Mi-msp-1 confers resistance to root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in eggplant

RNA interference (RNAi)-based host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) is emerging as a novel, efficient and target-specific tool to combat phytonematode infection in crop plants. Mi-msp-1, an effector gene expressed in the subventral pharyngeal gland cells of Meloidogyne incognita plays an important role in the parasitic process. Mi-msp-1 effector is conserved in few of the species of root-knot nematodes (RKNs) and does not share considerable homology with the other phytonematodes, thereby making it a suitable target for HIGS with minimal off-target effects. Six putative eggplant transformants harbouring a single copy RNAi transgene of Mi-msp-1 was generated. Stable expression of the transgene was detected in T₁, T₂ and T₃ transgenic lines for which a detrimental effect on RKN penetration, development and reproduction was documented upon challenge infection with nematode juveniles. The post-parasitic nematode stages extracted from the transgenic plants showed long-term RNAi effect in terms of targeted downregulation of Mi-msp-1. These findings suggest that HIGS of Mi-msp-1 enhances nematode resistance in eggplant and protect the plant against RKN parasitism at very early stage.

     

Current advances and future directions in genetic enhancement of a climate resilient food legume crop,cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a warm-season legume crop which is widely grown by resource-poor small and marginal farmers of Sub-Saharan...     

A short note on predicted motifs in the Thaparocleidus wallagonius genome

Thaparocleidus wallagonius is a monogenean parasite and a fish-borne pathogen with a worldwide distribution. The genome for Thaparocleidus wallagonius is known. Therefore, it is of interest to report the DNA motif analysis data in the 18S rDNA of Thaparocleidus wallagonius collected from the fish Wallago attu in India. This data forms a framework for an in-depth analysis of the parasite biology and development, immune evasion strategies, virulence and long-term survival within the definitive host.     

Allelopathic effects of Lantana camara Linn. on spore germination of Asterella angusta Steph.--a liverwort

Extract from root, stem and leaf of L. camara proved inhibitory for germination of the spores of A. angusta. Leaf extract was found to exhibit maximum allelopathic potentiality followed by stem and root extract and may be interpreted to be the result of phytotoxic substances which are possibly synthesized in the leaf and translocated to other organs.     

High level production and one-step purification of biologically active ectodysplasin A1 and A2 immunoadhesins using the baculovirus/insect cell expression system

Ectodysplasin A (EDA) is a ligand of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family that has been shown to play a crucial role in ectodermal differentiation. Mutations of the syntenic ectodysplasin A gene (Eda) are responsible for Tabby (Ta) phenotype in mice and human X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED). EDA-A1 and EDA-A2 are the two main splice variants of Eda, which differ from each other in only two amino acid residues and engage the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family receptors EDAR and XEDAR, respectively. We have used the baculovirus/insect cell system to express the recombinant EDA proteins fused to the Fc portion of a truncated human IgG1 immunoglobulin heavy chain. Immunoadhesins (4.5-4.7 mg/L) from crude supernatant could be purified to near homogeneity by using rProtein A affinity chromatography. The purified EDA immunoadhesins were endowed with ligand-binding activity as they could bind EDAR or XEDAR on the surface of 293T cells that had been transiently transfected with the corresponding plasmids. Functional activities of EDA immunoadhesins were demonstrated by their ability to activate the NF-kappaB pathway in cells expressing their cognate receptors. These results open up the possibility of obtaining large amounts of purified EDA proteins to investigate EDAR/XEDAR related signaling pathways and for the treatment of patients with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.     

Rank order of success favors longer duration of imidazole-based therapy for Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer disease: a randomized pilot study

Background. Studies on eradication therapy in developing countries have shown a success rate of 70–85%, which is suboptimal. Duration of therapy may be an important factor dictating eradication success in such regions. Aim. The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of increasing the treatment period on eradication of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer disease. Methods. A randomized trial was carried out in which 64 consecutive H. pylori‐infected patients with duodenal ulcer disease were enrolled. The patients were randomized to one of the three trial arms. Therapy consisted of lansoprazole 30 mg twice a day (b.i.d.), amoxycillin 1 g b.i.d. and tinidazole 500 mg b.i.d. The treatment period was 1 week in group I, 2 weeks in group II and 3 weeks in group III. At inclusion, patients underwent endoscopy and the presence of H. pylori was documented by a positive urease test and C14 urea breath test. Four weeks after completion of eradication therapy, the patients were subjected to repeat endoscopy to assess ulcer healing and tests for H. pylori infection. Results. Sixty‐four patients (55 male and nine female; mean age 35.5 years) were enrolled in each group. The H. pylori eradication rate for group I (1 week of therapy) was 47.6%, that for group II (2 weeks of therapy) was 80%, and that for group III (3 weeks of therapy) was 91.3% (p = .003). The ulcer healing rates were 71.4, 80 and 95.6% in groups I, II and III, respectively (p = .09). Conclusion. The 3‐week regimen significantly improved the eradication rate as compared with the 1‐week regime. Increasing the duration of therapy significantly improved the chances of eradication of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer disease.