Unusual diversity in microsporogenesis inVernonia cinerea

Diverse types of tetrads (1+2+1, decussate, 3+1, and tetrahedral), simultaneous and successive divisions, and cytokinesis by both plate formation and furrowing were observed during microsporogenesis inVernonia cinerea (Asteraceae).     

Analysis of P-Loop and its Flanking Region Subsequence of Diverse NTPases Reveals Evolutionary Selected Residues

The P-loop NTPases are involved in diverse cellular functions. Members of the P-loop NTPase superfamily are characterized by presence of a highly conserved sequence pattern GxxxxGKS/T, known as Walker A motif. This motif adopts an archetypal P-loop conformation which allows accommodation of the triphosphate moiety of a bound nucleotide. Despite the presence of Walker A as a common sequence motif, P-loop NTPases exhibit extreme sequence divergence which hampers their phylogenetic or evolutionary classification. Here, we show that P-loop and its flanking region subsequence (termed as “extended-WalkerA motif”) contain distinct signatures that can be utilized to classify NTPase domain of functionally diverse proteins. We find a clearly classified group of diverse NTPases of Conserved Domain Database such as G-proteins, Ylqf, RecA like, DExDc, AAA, CPT, NK, ABC transporter and NifH proteins.     

Spatial and temporal movement of the Bearded Vulture using GPS telemetry in the Himalayas of Nepal

This study addresses for the first time the movement patterns of the globally near-threatened Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in its most important stronghold, the high-altitude mountain ranges of Asia. Tracked individuals (n = 8) in the Annapurna Himalayan range (Nepal) foraged over a vast range of 60 715.9 km² and our results indicated age-class differences in the use of space. Territorial adults showed very small annual home-ranges (K90 = 150.3 km²), whereas immatures wandered extensively and covered vast ranges of the mountains (K90 = 23 930.8 km²). For adults and immatures, these values are notably larger than the other two studied populations in the world (Pyrenees and South Africa). This suggests that the studied Annapurna population might exhibit lower breeding density than in the Pyrenees or South Africa, possibly due to lower food availability.     

Effect of cadmium stress on inductive enzymatic and nonenzymatic responses of ROS and sugar metabolism in multiple shoot cultures of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal)

Withania somnifera is one of the most important medicinal plant and is credited with various pharmacological activities. In this study, in vitro multiple shoot cultures were exposed to different concentrations (5–300 μM) of cadmium (Cd) as cadmium sulphate to explore its ability to accumulate the heavy metal ion and its impact on the metabolic status and adaptive responses. The results showed that supplemental exposure to Cd interfered with N, P, and K uptake creating N, P, and K deficiency at higher doses of Cd that also caused stunting of growth, chlorosis, and necrosis. The study showed that in vitro shoots could markedly accumulate Cd in a concentration-dependent manner. Enzymatic activities and isozymic pattern of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase were altered substantially under Cd exposure. Sugar metabolism was also markedly modulated under Cd stress. Various other parameters including contents of photosynthetic pigments, phenolics, tocopherol, flavonoids, reduced glutathione, nonprotein thiol, ascorbate, and proline displayed major inductive responses reflecting their protective role. The results showed that interplay of enzymatic as well as nonenzymatic responses constituted a system endeavor of tolerance of Cd accumulation and an efficient scavenging strategy of its stress implications.     

Optimization of pretreatment and fermentation conditions for production of extracellular cellulase complex using sugarcane bagasse

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB), a lignocellulosic byproduct of juice extraction from sugarcane, is rich in cellulose (40-42%). This could be used as a substrate for the production of cellulase complex. Fermentation conditions were optimized for production of cellulase complex (CMCase, Cellulobiase and FPase) by wild type Trichoderma sp. using sugarcane bagasse as sole carbon source. Alkaline treatment (2% NaOH) of bagasse (AlSCB) was found suitable for the production of reducing sugar over the acidic pretreatment method. After 5 days of incubation period, 5% substrate concentration at pH 5.0 and 400C resulted in maximum production of CMCase (0.622 U), while maximum (3.388 U) production of cellulobiase was obtained at 300C. The CMCase was precipitated and purified to the extent of 59.06 fold by affinity chromatography with 49.09% recovery. On 12% SDS-PAGE, a single band corresponding to 33 kDa was observed. The Km and Vmax for CMCase from Trichoderma was found 507.04 mg/ml and 65.32 mM/min, respectively. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at 300C at pH-5.0 (0.363 U) and was stable over range of 20-60°C and pH 5.0-7.5.     

Integrating aspects of ecology and predictive modelling: implications for the conservation of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in the Eastern Himalaya

An understanding of species ecology is vital for effective conservation, particularly if the species forms an important constituent of the lesser mammal guild and regulates small mammal and bird populations. As the ecological role of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in the intricate eastern Himalayan habitats is not known, we assessed the site occupancy, detection probability and activity pattern of leopard cats in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, India, based on sign surveys and camera trapping. The estimated site occupancy was 0.352?±?0.061 and detection probability was 0.143?±?0.0484. Occupancy modelling indicated low elevation, high rodent abundance and tree cover as best predictors for the occupancy of leopard cat. Diet based on analysed scats revealed murids as the most dominant prey (89.2 %). Information based on photographic captures indicated that the leopard cat exhibited a nocturnal activity pattern (peak activity between 0200–0300 hours), which coincided with its principal prey (revealed through diet analysis), but mainly contradicted with other sympatric competitors, hence indicating a temporal partitioning of resources among them. Ecological niche factor analysis indicated that the leopard cat exhibits high global marginality (1.32) and low global tolerance (0.275). The habitat suitability map for leopard cats showed majority of the habitat as unsuitable (1,959.44 km²) and predicted only 164.54 km² areas of lower temperate forests as moderate to highly suitable. As highly suitable habitats of the leopard cat are in close proximity to villages, conflict issues are a major threat and therefore need to be addressed in conservation program for this felid.     

In Vitro Propagation of a Threatened, Anticarcinogenic Herb, Curculigo orchioides Gaertn

Shoot multiplication of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn (Kali Musali), a threatened medicinal herb, was achieved using shoot bud explants. Single explants cultured on MS + 0.2 mg l^?1 BA + 2.5 mg ^l?1 spermidine produced multiple shoots with an average of 7 shoots per explant that readily rooted on the same medium. Plantlets were acclimatized before successful transfer to soil. The developed protocol demonstrates the use of spermidine for mass propagation that can help in conservation of germplasm of Curculigo orchioides.     

Biochemical and Proteomic Characterization of a Novel Extracellular β-Glucosidase from Trichoderma citrinoviride

β-Glucosidases are of pivotal importance in bioconversion of carbonic biomass into fermentable and other useful metabolites, food industry, biotransformation, glyco-trimming of metabolome, etc. Trichoderma citrinoviride when grown on delignified Lantana camara produced a β-glucosidase and secreted it out in the medium. The extracellularly secreted β-glucosidase of T. citrinoviride was homogeneity purified and then characterized for its kinetic properties and proteomic characteristics. The 90 kDa enzyme was monomeric in nature, optimally active at pH 5.5 and the catalytic reaction rate was highest at 55°C. Uniquely, the enzyme was insensitive to inhibition by glucose (up to 5 mM). It also possessed catalytic ability of transglycosylation, as it could catalyze conversion of geraniol into its glucoside. MALDI-TOF assisted proteomic analysis revealed its high degree of sequence similarity with family 3 glycoside hydrolases.     

Bioconversion of sugarcane bagasse with white rot fungi

Summary Four cultures of white rot fungi were screened for their ability to degrade lignin and carbohydrates of sugarcane bagasse and their effect on changes inin vitro digestibility.Polyporus hirsutus534 degraded maximum lignin and carbohydrates accompanied with the highest increase in digestibility, but increase in nutrient availability was maximum withPleurotus sajorcaju (Z-6) due to lower dry matter loss during the process of fungal treatment. All the fungi tested exceptPolyporus caperatus Berk. degraded lignin more selectively than the other components of sugarcane bagasse.