Survivability of parthenogenetic embryos following in vivo transfer in naturally synchronized Capra hircus

The present study was conducted to see the in vivo developmental potency of caprine parthenogenetic embryos generated in a modified way. The good quality caprine oocytes were matured in presence of cytochalasin B (CCB) and then activated by 7% ethanol followed by 2 mM 6-dimethyl amino purine (6-DMAP) and embryo development was recorded. Early stage parthenogenetic embryos (two to four cells) were surgically transferred in recipients (10). The pregnancy diagnosis was done by nonreturn to oestrus, ultrasonography (USG), and progesterone estimation. The levels of progesterone were above normal values (1 ng/ml) of pregnancy and fall below the level of pregnancy just before retuned to oestrus. Progesterone profile revealed that out of ten recipients (G1–G10), four goats (G1, G2, G3, and G5) returned to oestrus after 43?±?7.29 (Mean?±?SE) d of embryo transfer and six goats (G4, G6, G7, G8, G9, and G10) did not return to cycle even after 70 d of embryo transfer. In three recipients (G4, G5, and G6), the USG on day 40 revealed that there was fluid filled uterine body with solid fetus-like structure. These might be dead fetus and had started resorption. The progesterone profile also corroborated the assumption of pregnancy in these animals. Authors believe that this may be the first report on in vivo diploid parthenogenetic embryo development in caprine species.     

Characterizing the normal proteome of human ciliary body

Background

The ciliary body is the circumferential muscular tissue located just behind the iris in the anterior chamber of the eye. It plays a pivotal role in the production of aqueous humor, maintenance of the lens zonules and accommodation by changing the shape of the crystalline lens. The ciliary body is the major target of drugs against glaucoma as its inhibition leads to a drop in intraocular pressure. A molecular study of the ciliary body could provide a better understanding about the pathophysiological processes that occur in glaucoma. Thus far, no large-scale proteomic investigation has been reported for the human ciliary body.

Results

In this study, we have carried out an in-depth LC-MS/MS-based proteomic analysis of normal human ciliary body and have identified 2,815 proteins. We identified a number of proteins that were previously not described in the ciliary body including importin 5 (IPO5), atlastin-2 (ATL2), B-cell receptor associated protein 29 (BCAP29), basigin (BSG), calpain-1 (CAPN1), copine 6 (CPNE6), fibulin 1 (FBLN1) and galectin 1 (LGALS1). We compared the plasma proteome with the ciliary body proteome and found that the large majority of proteins in the ciliary body were also detectable in the plasma while 896 proteins were unique to the ciliary body. We also classified proteins using pathway enrichment analysis and found most of proteins associated with ubiquitin pathway, EIF2 signaling, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Conclusions

More than 95% of the identified proteins have not been previously described in the ciliary body proteome. This is the largest catalogue of proteins reported thus far in the ciliary body that should provide new insights into our understanding of the factors involved in maintaining the secretion of aqueous humor. The identification of these proteins will aid in understanding various eye diseases of the anterior segment such as glaucoma and presbyopia.     

INPPO Actions and Recognition as a Driving Force for Progress in Plant Proteomics: Change of Guard,INPPO Update,and Upcoming Activities

The International Plant Proteomics Organization (INPPO) is a non‐profit organization whose members are scientists involved or interested in plant proteomics. Since the publication of the first INPPO highlights in 2012, continued progress on many of the organization's mandates/goals has been achieved. Two major events are emphasized in this second INPPO highlights. First, the change of guard at the top, passing of the baton from Dominique Job, INPPO founding President to Ganesh Kumar Agrawal as the incoming President. Ganesh K. Agrawal, along with Dominique Job and Randeep Rakwal initiated the INPPO. Second, the most recent INPPO achievements and future targets, mainly the organization of first the INPPO World Congress in 2014, tentatively planned for Hamburg (Germany), are mentioned.     

Plasmodium falciparum RuvB1 is an active DNA helicase and translocates in the 5′–3′ direction

RuvB family of protein contains two similar kinds of proteins i.e. RuvB1 and RuvB2 from yeast to human. These proteins belong to the AAA + class of proteins and are critical components of several multiprotein complexes involved in diverse cellular activities. There are two RuvB proteins annotated in the Plasmodium database but the identification of the third protein recently by our lab has raised the question why Plasmodium falciparum contains three RuvB proteins instead of two. Hence the biochemical characterizations of these proteins have become essential to understand the role of these proteins in the malaria parasite. Recently we have reported the characterization of the recombinant PfRuvB3, which contains ATPase activity but lacks DNA helicase activity. In the present study we report the phylogenetic analysis and detailed biochemical characterization of one of the other RuvB homologue RuvB1 from P. falciparum. PfRuvB1 shows considerable homology with human as well as yeast RuvB1 and contains Walker motif A and Walker motif B. The activity analysis of this protein revealed that PfRuvB1 is an ATPase and this activity increased significantly in the presence of ss-DNA. PfRuvB1 also contains DNA helicase activity and translocates preferentially in 5′ to 3′ direction. In vivo investigation of PfRuvB1 revealed that it is constitutively expressed during all the stages of intraerythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum and localizes mainly to the nucleus. These studies will make important contribution in understanding the role of RuvB protein in P. falciparum.     

Plant proteomics in India and Nepal: current status and challenges ahead

Plant proteomics has made tremendous contributions in understanding the complex processes of plant biology. Here, its current status in India and Nepal is discussed. Gel-based proteomics is predominantly utilized on crops and non-crops to analyze majorly abiotic (49 %) and biotic (18 %) stress, development (11 %) and post-translational modifications (7 %). Rice is the most explored system (36 %) with major focus on abiotic mainly dehydration (36 %) stress. In spite of expensive proteomics setup and scarcity of trained workforce, output in form of publications is encouraging. To boost plant proteomics in India and Nepal, researchers have discussed ground level issues among themselves and with the International Plant Proteomics Organization (INPPO) to act in priority on concerns like food security. Active collaboration may help in translating this knowledge to fruitful applications.     

AIM2 promotes non-small-cell lung cancer cell growth through inflammasome-dependent pathway

The human absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is considered as a DNA recognizer. AIM2 has been described as a tumor suppressor gene in the early years. But recent studies suggested that it functions as an oncogene in several cancers. However, its roles in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Here we reported that AIM2 highly expressed in NSCLC cells and exhibited a tumor-promoting property both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, AIM2 short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated suppression of cell proliferation was triggered by the accumulation of cells at the G2/M phase. Knockdown of AIM2 reduced the inflammasome formation, while overexpression of AIM2 or stimulation by poly(dA:dT) induced the inflammasome formation. Interestingly, blockade of the inflammasome by caspase-1 inhibitor VX-765 or ASC small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the effects brought by AIM2 shRNA and AIM2 plasmid. In summary, our results revealed that AIM2 functioned as an oncogene in NSCLC in an inflammasome-dependent way.