Workflow management systems for gene sequence analysis and evolutionary studies – A Review

Post ‘omic’ era has resulted in the development of many primary, secondary and derived databases. Many analytical and visualization bioinformatics tools have been developed to manage and analyze the data available through large sequencing projects. Availability of heterogeneous databases and tools make it difficult for researchers to access information from varied sources and run different bioinformatics tools to get desired analysis done. Building integrated bioinformatics platforms is one of the most challenging tasks that bioinformatics community is facing. Integration of various databases, tools and algorithm is a challenging problem to deal with. This article describes the bioinformatics analysis workflow management systems that are developed in the area of gene sequence analysis and phylogeny. This article will be useful for biotechnologists, molecular biologists, computer scientists and statisticians engaged in computational biology and bioinformatics research.     

Benzimidazol-1-yl-1-phenylpropanone Analogs as Potent Antimicrobial Agents: Rational Design and Synthesis

Designed, synthesized a sequence of novel benzimidazol-1-yl-1-phenylpropanone hybrids and assessed for in vitro antimicrobial potential counter to several bacterial strains. Computational Methodology was carried out for designing of the target molecules and structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. Amid the 12 integrated derivatives, (3-(2-((3-fluorobenzylidene)amino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one ( 6g ) and 3-(2-((4-fluorobenzylidene)amino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one ( 6k ) were found to acquire excellent antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), whereas derivative 3-(2-((2-fluorobenzylidene)amino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one ( 6c ), was potent against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and displayed moderate action against P. aeruginosa. Derivatives with NO₂ substituent at 3^rd and 4^th position, 3-(2-((3-nitroobenzylidene)amino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one ( 6h ) and 3-(2-((4-nitroobenzylidene)amino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one ( 6 l ) respectively declared good to moderate results against all bacterial strains. Further, 3-(2-((3-chlorobenzylidene)amino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one ( 6f ) and 3-(2-((4-chlorobenzylidene)amino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropan-1-one ( 6j ) were found to be more competent against both fungal strains (C. albicans, A. niger). Serial two-fold dilution method was used for the entire study and standard drugs utilized were ciprofloxacin and clotrimazole. MIC values (μg/ml) of novel synthesized analogs were reported in comparison to standard drugs for antibacterial and antifungal actions. Molecular docking studies showed that designed molecules dynamically bound with effective area of the receptor (DNA gyrase B, Clotrimazole complex of cytochrome P 45046A1) and in vitro results were in accord with in silico studies.     

In Vitro Regeneration of a High Oil-yielding Variety of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius var HUS-305)

A protocol for regular in vitro regeneration of Carthamus tinctorius var HUS-305 is described. The morphogenic response of seed explants and explants from seedlings of different ages were studied on Murashige and Skoog’s medium (MS) supplemented with different growth regulators. The protocol finally standardized involves culture of cotyledonary explants from 2 cm long, 2- to 6-day-old seedlings on MS supplemented with 1.0 mg l^?1 BAP and 0.1 mg l^?1 kinetin. Various other adjuvants viz., adenine sulphate, glutamine and casein hydrolysate were also tested. None of these promoted the caulogenic response significantly. The microshoots could be rooted on medium supplemented with different auxins. The highest rhizogenic response was on 1/2 MS supplemented with 0.2 mg l^?1 NAA.     

Xanthan gum: an economical substitute for agar in plant tissue culture media

Xanthan gum, a microbial desiccation-resistant polysaccharide prepared commercially by aerobic submerged fermentation from Xanthomonas campestris, has been successfully used as a solidifying agent for plant tissue culture media. Its suitability as a substitute to agar was demonstrated for in vitro seed germination, caulogenesis and rhizogenesis of Albizzia lebbeck, androgenesis in anther cultures of Datura innoxia, and somatic embryogenesis in callus cultures of Calliandra tweedii. Culture media used for eliciting these morphogenic responses were gelled with either 1% xanthan gum or 0.9% agar. Xanthan gum, like agar, supported all these responses.     

Taxol binds to polymerized tubulin in vitro

Taxol, a natural plant product that enhances the rate and extent of microtubule assembly in vitro and stabilizes microtubules in vitro and in cells, was labeled with tritium by catalytic exchange with (3)H(2)O. The binding of [(3)H]taxol to microtubule protein was studied by a sedimentation assay. Microtubules assembled in the presence of [(3)H]taxol bind drug specifically with an apparent binding constant, K(app), of 8.7 x 19(-7) M and binding saturates with a calculated maximal binding ration, B(max), of 0.6 mol taxol bound/mol tubulin dimer. [(3)H]Taxol also binds and assembles phosphocellulose-purified tubulin, and we suggest that taxol stabilizes interactions between dimers that lead to microtubule polymer formation. With both microtubule protein and phosphocellulose- purified tubulin, binding saturation occurs at approximate stoichiometry with the tubulin dimmer concentration. Under assembly conditions, podophyllotoxin and vinblastine inhibit the binding of [(3)H]taxol to microtubule protein in a complex manner which we believe reflects a competition between these drugs, not for a single binding site, but for different forms (dimer and polymer) of tubulin. Steady-state microtubules assembled with GTP or with 5’-guanylyl-α,β-methylene diphosphonate (GPCPP), a GTP analog reported to inhibit microtubule treadmilling (I.V. Sandoval and K. Weber. 1980. J. Biol. Chem. 255:6966-6974), bind [(3)H]taxol with approximately the same stoichiometry as microtubules assembled in the presence of [(3)H]taxol. Such data indicate that a taxol binding site exists on the intact microtubule. Unlabeled taxol competitively displaces [(3)H]taxol from microtubules, while podophyllotoxin, vinblastine, and CaCl(2) do not. Podophyllotoxin and vinblastine, however, reduce the mass of sedimented taxol-stabilized microtubules, but the specific activity of bound [(3)H]taxol in the pellet remains constant. We conclude that taxol binds specifically and reversibly to a polymerized form of tubulin with a stoichiometry approaching unity.     

Proliferation and differentiation from endosperms of Carthamus tinctorius

The endosperms of Carthamus tinctorius cv. HUS-305, excised at globular to heart-shaped stages of zygotic embryo development, were cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s medium (MS) supplemented with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin, thidiazuron (TDZ), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or α-naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA). The highest incidence of callusing was on 2,4-D supplemented media. However, embryos differentiated only from the calli developed on media supplemented with BAP, kinetin or TDZ with the last eliciting maximum embryogenic response. The addition of a reduced nitrogen source, casein hydrolysate to MS medium supplemented with BAP and/or NAA, did not stimulate the response. However, adenine sulphate (100 mg dm⁻³) promoted the induction of somatic embryos. Upon transfer to MS basal medium or the same supplemented with 0.61 μM gibberellic acid (GA₃), plumular poles of few embryos elongated resulting in the development of shoots.     

Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1–Sirtuin 1 Functional Interplay Regulates LPS-Mediated High Mobility Group Box 1 Secretion

Pathophysiological conditions that lead to the release of the prototypic damage-associated molecular pattern molecule high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) also result in activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1; now known as ADP-ribosyl transferase 1 [ARTD1]). Persistent activation of PARP1 promotes energy failure and cell death. The role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in HMGB1 release has been explored previously; however, PARP1 is a versatile enzyme and performs several other functions including cross-talk with another nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- (NAD⁺) dependent member of the Class III histone deacetylases (HDACs), sirtuin-1 (SIRT1). Previously, it has been shown that the hyperacetylation of HMGB1 is a seminal event prior to its secretion, a process that also is dependent on HDACs. Therefore, in this study, we seek to determine if PARP1 inhibition alters LPS-mediated HMGB1 hyperacetylation and subsequent secretion due to its effect on SIRT1. We demonstrate in an in vitro model that LPS treatment leads to hyperacetylated HMGB1 with concomitant reduction in nuclear HDAC activity. Treatment with PARP1 inhibitors mitigates the LPS-mediated reduction in nuclear HDAC activity and decreases HMGB1 acetylation. By utilizing an NAD⁺-based mechanism, PARP1 inhibition increases the activity of SIRT1. Consequently, there is an increased nuclear retention and decreased extracellular secretion of HMGB1. We also demonstrate that PARP1 physically interacts with SIRT1. Further confirmation of this data was obtained in a murine model of sepsis, that is, administration of PJ-34, a specific PARP1 inhibitor, led to decreased serum HMGB1 concentrations in mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) as compared with untreated mice. In conclusion, our study provides new insights in understanding the molecular mechanisms of HMGB1 secretion in sepsis.     

Phosphorylation and biosynthesis of high molecular weight proteins of tumor nuclear matrix

INTRODUCTIONAsearlyasin1948wehavefr8CtionatedisolatednucleifromnormalandtumorcellsbyextractionwithiMNaCIanddilutealkali[1].Thenuclearresiduewasthenstudiedmorethoroughly[2,3].Lateron,sillillarproteinousnuclearresidueswereisolatedbyotherworkers[46]andasstud…     

Induction of androgenesis and callus formation inin vitro cultured anthers of a myrtaceous fruit tree (Psidium guajava L.)

Anthers ofPsidium guajava cultivated on either Murashige-Skoog's or Nitsch's basal medium (BM) or the BM supplemented with 10⁻⁶ M benzylaminopurine (BAP) were observed to contain microspores undergoing androgenic segmentations as well as a few multicellular microscopic embryoids. However, final morphogenic response from such cultured anthers was the development of calli. These calli had restricted growth accompanied by their early browning. Suspecting the browning to be due to accumulation of polyphenols, the culture medium was fortified with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). PVP, increased sucrose concentration in the medium and cold pretreatment of anthers decreased the proportion of anthers turning brown as well as delayed the browning of calli, but it was not possible to maintain the calli for differentiation. Cold pretreatment significantly increased the percentage of callusing anthers and also resulted in the early emergence of calli.