Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration of Cassia angustifolia from immature cotyledon-derived callus

Plant regeneration through indirect somatic embryogenesis was attempted from the immature cotyledon-derived explant of Cassia angustifolia Vahl. — a valuable leguminous shrub. The highest frequency (90.5 %) of somatic embryos was obtained on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with 10.0 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 μM benzyladenine (BA) with the production of a maximum of 22.8 embryos per explant, of which 35.3 % germinated on the same medium after 6 weeks of culture. A half strength MS medium without plant growth regulators facilitated better conversion of embryos into complete plantlets compared to a full strength MS medium. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in sterile Soilrite and transferred to field conditions with a 70 % survival rate. Histological studies performed at different stages of embryogenesis revealed the mode of differentiation of embryos from the callus. The content of chlorophylls (a + b) and carotenoids, and the net photosynthetic rate (P_N) in the regenerated plantlets were tested during different periods of acclimatization.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) has been achieved from hypocotyl-derived callus culture in Pterocarpus marsupium. Ninety percent of hypocotyl explants (excised from 12-day-old in vitro germinated axenic seedlings) produced callus on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1 μM a 6-benzyladenine (BA). Induction of SE occurred after transfer of callus clumps (200 ± 20 mg fresh mass) to MS medium supplemented with BA at 2.0 μM, where a maximum of 23.0 ± 0.88 globular stage embryos per callus clump were observed after 4 weeks of culture. Subculturing of these embryos on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM BA, 0.1 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid and 10 μM abscisic acid significantly enhanced the maturation of somatic embryos to early cotyledonary stage, where 21.4 ± 0.32 embryos per callus clump were recorded after 4 weeks of culture. Of 30-well developed somatic embryos, 16.6 ± 0.33 germinated and subsequently converted into plantlets on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 μM BA. The morphologically normal plantlets with well-developed roots were first transferred to 1/4-liquid MS medium for 48 h and then to pots containing autoclaved soilrite and acclimatized in a culture room. Thereafter, they were transferred to a greenhouse, where 60% of them survived.     

1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol sulfonamides as potent and selective inhibitors of the glycine transporter type 1

High throughput screening led to the discovery of a novel series of 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol sulfonamides as selective GlyT-1 inhibitors. Structure-activity relationships of this novel series and optimisation of the initial hit that led to the identification of (2), a potent and selective GlyT-1 inhibitor, are also presented.     

Intron-containing hairpin RNA interference vector for OBP8 show promising mortality in peach potato aphid

Myzus persicae is a devastating pest affecting potato production. Intron-containing hairpin RNA (ihpRNA) silenced the odorant-binding protein 8 (OBP8) for enhanced protection against Myzus persicae in potatoes. OBP8 was isolated from M. persicae, sequenced, with the allotment of GenBank ID. ERNAi was used to design siRNA targets from OBP8 with no off-targets. Multiple Sequence Alignment show M. persicae OBP8 resemblance with Acyrthosiphon pisum, Rhopalosiphum maidis, Aphis fabae, and Sitobion avenae. dsRNA-OBP8 (7 µg/µL) oral feeding resulted in a 69% mortality, and 58% OBP8 reduced expression 8D post-feeding compared to control. Golden Gate cloning is used for RNA interference taking advantage of type IIs restriction enzyme Eco31I. ihpRNA-OBP8 introduced by agroinfiltration in Solanum tuberosum. Transgenic S. tuberosum fed Myzus show 57.6% mortality and 49% reduction in OBP8 expression 8D post-feeding, compared to control. This work proves OBP8 as promising ihpRNA targets in potato and related crops for whom Myzus is a destructive pest.

     

Postnatal deficiency of essential fatty acids in mice results in resistance to diet-induced obesity and low plasma insulin during adulthood

Our objective was to investigate the long-term metabolic effects of postnatal essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). Mouse dams were fed an EFAD diet or an isoenergetic control diet 4 days before delivery and throughout lactation. The pups were weaned to standard diet (STD) and were later subdivided into two groups: receiving high fat diet (HFD) or STD. Body composition, energy expenditure, food intake and leptin levels were analyzed in adult offspring. Blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations were measured before and during a glucose tolerance test. EFAD offspring fed STD were leaner with lower plasma leptin and insulin concentrations compared to controls. EFAD offspring fed HFD were resistant to diet-induced obesity, had higher energy expenditure and lower levels of plasma leptin and insulin compared to controls. These results indicate that the fatty acid composition during lactation is important for body composition and glucose tolerance in the adult offspring.     

In Vitro Clonal Propogation of Coleus forskohlii via Direct Shoot Organogenesis from Selected Leaf Explants

Present study provides an easy and efficient protocol for large scale clonal propagation of Coleus forskohlii, a threatened medicinal plant of commercial importance. Basal leaf lamina excised from upper three nodes of shoot was used as explant and its size, position, orientation and season of collection were initially optimized to select the most responsive explant condition. Enhanced shoot production and proliferation has been achieved on medium containing 2 μM BA + 0.1 μM NAA wherein, a highest number of 35 shoots/explant were produced. The regenerated shoots of varied length (3–5 cm) were transferred to root induction medium comprising of IBA, NAA and IAA (1–5 μM) in half-strength MS medium to determine the most suitable shoot length for proper root induction. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in field conditions after proper hardening. Histological analysis was also carried out to confirm the nature of origin of shoot buds from leaf explants.     

Biological color stripping: A novel technology for removal of dye from cellulose fibers

This research work was carried out to compare the color stripping efficiency of optimized biological method with the chemical stripping, commonly employed in the textile industries. Knitted fabric dyed with Reactive black B dye in 2, 4 and 6% shades strengths was subjected to chemical and biological stripping processes individually. Biological stripping process was found many fold superior to chemical one. It was noted that shade strength does not showed any pronounced effect on the bursting strength of fabric but biological and chemical treatment affect the quality of fabrics in terms of bursting strength/durability of fabric. White rot fungus Ganoderma lucidum IBL-05 showed good potential for decolorization/color stripping of cotton fabric dyed with Reactive black B under optimized set of conditions. The chemical stripping technology is inferior to biological stripping process regarding the quality of fabric and percent color removal from cotton fabric dyed with Reactive black B dye.