Aspergillus niger CSR3 regulates plant endogenous hormones and secondary metabolites by producing gibberellins and indoleacetic acid

In this study, an endophytic fungus, Aspergillus niger CSR3, was isolated from Cannabis sativa. The culture filtrate (CF) was initially screened for growth-promoting activities such as the presence of siderophores, phosphate solubilization, and the production of indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellins and was further assayed for its ability to promote the growth of mutant waito-C rice. Nearly all plant growth attributes examined (root–shoot length, biomass, and chlorophyll content) were significantly enhanced by treatment with CSR3. This growth promotion action was due to the presence of various types of gibberellins (GAs) and IAA in the endophyte CF. Moreover, the presence of GA pathway genes (P50-1, P450-3, P450-4, ggs2, and des) was confirmed by means of semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Finally, the application of CSR3 spore suspension with uniconazole and yucasin on maize seedlings revealed that, similar to exogenous IAA and GA₃, CSR3 has the potential to alleviate the inhibitory effect of these inhibitors.     

Preclinical Analysis of JAA-F11, a Specific Anti–Thomsen-Friedenreich Antibody via Immunohistochemistry and In Vivo Imaging

The tumor specificity of JAA-F11, a novel monoclonal antibody specific for the Thomsen-Friedenreich cancer antigen (TF-Ag-alpha linked), has been comprehensively studied by in vitro immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of human tumor and normal tissue microarrays and in vivo biodistribution and imaging by micro-positron emission tomography imaging in breast and lung tumor models in mice. The IHC analysis detailed herein is the comprehensive biological analysis of the tumor specificity of JAA-F11 antibody performed as JAA-F11 is progressing towards preclinical safety testing and clinical trials. Wide tumor reactivity of JAA-F11, relative to the matched mouse IgG₃ (control), was observed in 85% of 1269 cases of breast, lung, prostate, colon, bladder, and ovarian cancer. Staining on tissues from breast cancer cases was similar regardless of hormonal or Her2 status, and this is particularly important in finding a target on the currently untargetable triple-negative breast cancer subtype. Humanization of JAA-F11 was recently carried out as explained in a companion paper “Humanization of JAA-F11, a Highly Specific Anti–Thomsen-Friedenreich Pancarcinoma Antibody and In Vitro Efficacy Analysis” (Neoplasia 19: 716-733, 2017), and it was confirmed that humanization did not affect chemical specificity. IHC studies with humanized JAA-F11 showed similar binding to human breast tumor tissues. In vivo imaging and biodistribution studies in a mouse syngeneic breast cancer model and in a mouse-human xenograft lung cancer model with humanized ¹²⁴I- JAA-F11 construct confirmed in vitro tumor reactivity and specificity. In conclusion, the tumor reactivity of JAA-F11 supports the continued development of JAA-F11 as a targeted cancer therapeutic for multiple cancers, including those with unmet need.     

Impact of rapid urbanization on the floral diversity and agriculture land of district Dir,Pakistan

In the World urbanization is a serious problem especially in developing countries which creates serious environmental problems like climatic and ecological changes in the ecosystem. The present paper aims to explain urbanization that causes loss of agriculture lands, biodiversity, soil erosions and grazing in District Dir. Urbanization decreased species richness such as Salix alba and Populus alba in the last few years in the local area. Soil of local area was divided into three different zones and was tested for soil texture and mineral percentage. Zone I soil showed sandy loamy texture with a pH of 8.3, Nitrogen 0.012%, Phosphorus 5.0% and organic matter was 0.74 (ppm). Zone II soil was loamy sand in texture with pH 8.1, Nitrogen 0.011%, Phosphorus 6.2%, and organic matter was 0.24 (ppm) while Zone III soil texture was silty clay loam with a pH of 8.1, Nitrogen 0.032%, Phosphorus 11.3%, and organic matter was 0.60 (ppm). The current work concludes that urbanizations affect natural biodiversity and agriculture lands, and that soil erosion and watering-points trampled by livestock is one of the significant problems in district Dir, and that the main degrading factor is the overexploitation of vegetation for fuel-wood and livestock grazing.     

Plant growth promoting endophytic fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asprgillus fumigatus</Emphasis> TS1 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium proliferatum</Emphasis> BRL1 produce gibberellins and regulates plant endogenous hormones

Endophytes can serve as plant growth promoters as they secret a vast array of phytohormones to support host plants. Keeping the growth promoting activity of the endophytes in view, two endophytic fungi, Asprgillus fumigatus TS1 and Fusarium proliferatum BRL1 have been isolated from the roots of Oxalis corniculata. The isolates have been screened initially for growth promoting activities, including siderophores activity, phosphate solubilization, and secreation of indole acetic acid and gibberellins. Further, the isolates have assayed for the ability to promote the growth of mutant rice Waito-C. The plants associated with TS1 and BRL1 have shown higher chlorophyll content, root-shoot length, and biomass production. The growth promoting activity of the endophytes can be attributed to the various types of GAs and IAA that have been observed in the culture filtrates of the endophytes by the Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of different gibberellins concentrations (ng/ml) in TS1 and BRL1 culture filtrate, i.e. GA₁ (0.091?±?0.009, 0.392?±?0.007), GA₃ (0.324?±?0.077, 0.089?±?0.0007) and GA₇ (0.023?±?0.002, 0.492?±?0.005), respectively. Besides, a significant up regulation of plant endogenous GA₁ (12.443?±?0.454 and 15.434?±?0.245) has been obsereved in TS1 and BRL1 associated plants compared to the control. Moreover, semi quantitative RT-PCR has confirmed the presence/invovment of GA pathways genes (P50–1, P450–3, P450–4, ggs2, and des). The results conclude that the endophytes isolated in this study can ably synthesize bioactive compounds, which play an important role in plant growth promotion.     

Evaluation of the Biotechnological Potential of Pure and Mixture of Indigenous Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria to Dissolve Trace Metals from Cu Bearing Ore

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the ability of pure and consortia of indigenous iron-oxidizing bacteria to enhance the dissolution of trace metals from Cu and Zn-bearing ore. Three bacterial strains Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strain WG101, Leptospirillum ferriphilum strain WG102, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans strain WG103 isolated from Baiyin copper mine, China were used in this study. The biotechnological potential of these indigenous isolates was evaluated both in pure and in consortia to extract cobalt, chromium, and lead from the copper and zinc bearing ore. The sulfur and iron-oxidizing bacterial isolate Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strain WG101 exhibited efficient dissolution compared to sole iron-oxidizing Leptospirillum ferriphilum strain WG102, and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans strain WG103. Initial medium pH, pulp density, and temperature were studied as influential parameters in bioleaching carried out by bacterial consortia. The achieved optimum conditions were; initial pH of 1.5, 10% of pulp density, and temperature 30?°C with 68.7?±?3.9% cobalt, 56.6?±?3.9% chromium, and 36?±?3.7% lead recovery. Analytical study of oxidation-reduction potential and pH fluctuation were observed during this whole process that shows the metal dissolution efficiency of bacterial consortia. Alterations in spectral bands of processed residues were reported through FTIR analysis compared with control ore sample. Mössbauer spectroscopy analysis showed the influence of bacterial consortia on iron speciation in bioleached samples. The findings confirm that the indigenous acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacterial strains are highly effective in the dissolution of trace elements present in ore samples. This study not only supports the notion that indigenous bacterial strains are highly effectual in metal dissolution but provides the basic vital conditions to upscale the bioleaching technique for metals dissolution.     

Retrieved 16S rRNA and nifH sequences reveal co-dominance of Bradyrhizobium and Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) strains in field-collected root nodules of the promiscuous host Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - In the present study, the relative distribution of endophytic rhizobia in field-collected root nodules of the promiscuous host mung bean was investigated by...     

An investigation of donor and culture parameters which influence epithelial outgrowths from cultured human cadaveric limbal explants

Limbal stem cell deficiency is a blinding disease which affects the cornea at the front of the eye. The definitive cure involves replacing the corneal epithelial (limbal) stem cells, for example by transplanting cultured limbal epithelial cells. One method of performing cultures is to grow a sheet of epithelial cells from a limbal explant on human amniotic membrane. The growth of limbal tissue can be variable. The aim of this study is to investigate how different donor and culture factors influence the ex vivo growth of cadaveric limbal explants. Limbal explant cultures were established from 10 different cadaveric organ cultured corneo‐scleral discs. The growth rate and the time taken for growth to be established were determined. Statistical analysis was performed to assess correlation between these factors and donor variables including donor age, sex, time from donor death to enucleation, time from enucleation to organ culture storage and duration in organ culture. Growth curves consistently showed a lag phase followed by a steeper linear growth phase. Donor age, time between death and enucleation, and time between enucleation and organ culture were not correlated to the lag time or the growth rate. Time in organ culture had a significant correlation with the duration of lag time (P = 0.003), but no relationship with the linear growth rate. This study shows that an important factor correlating with growth variation is the duration of corneo‐scleral tissue in organ culture. Interestingly, donor age was not correlated with limbal explant growth. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.