Targeted Genome-Wide Enrichment of Functional Regions

Only a small fraction of large genomes such as that of the human contains the functional regions such as the exons, promoters, and polyA sites. A platform technique for selective enrichment of functional genomic regions will enable several next-generation sequencing applications that include the discovery of causal mutations for disease and drug response. Here, we describe a powerful platform technique, termed “functional genomic fingerprinting” (FGF), for the multiplexed genomewide isolation and analysis of targeted regions such as the exome, promoterome, or exon splice enhancers. The technique employs a fixed part of a uniquely designed Fixed-Randomized primer, while the randomized part contains all the possible sequence permutations. The Fixed-Randomized primers bind with full sequence complementarity at multiple sites where the fixed sequence (such as the splice signals) occurs within the genome, and multiplex amplify many regions bounded by the fixed sequences (e.g., exons). Notably, validation of this technique using cardiac myosin binding protein-C (MYBPC3) gene as an example strongly supports the application and efficacy of this method. Further, assisted by genomewide computational analyses of such sequences, the FGF technique may provide a unique platform for high-throughput sample production and analysis of targeted genomic regions by the next-generation sequencing techniques, with powerful applications in discovering disease and drug response genes.     

Development of new formulations of Bacillus subtilis for management of tomato damping-off caused by Pythium aphanidermatum

Formulations of a strain of Bacillus subtilis AUBS-1 inhibitory to the growth of the damping-off pathogen, Pythium aphanidermatum, were developed for seed treatment. The formulations included a talc-based powder, lignite-based powder, lignite+fly ash-based powder, wettable powder, bentonite-paste, polyethylene glycol (PEG) paste and a water-dispersible tablet. Formulations were stored at room temperature for 2 years and frequently sampled to test their shelf life. Populations of bacteria in the formulations were stable for up to 2 years storage at room temperature (28°C). Viability of propagules in lignite, lignite+fly ash, bentonite paste, wettable powder and water dispersible tablet formulations was 100% for up to 1 year. However, the viability of propagules was significantly reduced in talc, wettable powder, PEG paste and tablet formulations beyond 1 year of storage. Seed treatment of tomato with these formulations resulted in effective control of damping-off caused by P. aphanidermatum, and also enhanced plant biomass under glasshouse and field conditions. Active rhizosphere colonization by the bacterium was observed on tomato plants grown from seeds treated with the above formulations.     

CCL5 regulation of mucosal chlamydial immunity and infection

Background  

Following genital chlamydial infection, an early T helper type 1 (Th1)-associated immune response precedes the activation and recruitment of specific Th1 cells bearing distinct chemokine receptors, subsequently leading to the clearance of Chlamydia. We have shown that CCR5, a receptor for CCL5, is crucial for protective chlamydial immunity. Our laboratory and others have also demonstrated that CCL5 deficiencies found in man and animals can increase the susceptibility and progression of infectious diseases by modulating mucosal immunity. These findings suggest the CCR5-CCL5 axis is necessary for optimal chlamydial immunity. We hypothesized CCL5 is required for protective humoral and cellular immunity against Chlamydia.     

Compositional difference of the exopolysaccharides produced by the virulent and virulence-deficient strains of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the bacterial blight pathogen of rice, is known to produce phytotoxic polysaccharides. The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) was isolated from virulent (BXO1) and virulence-deficient gum G mutant (BXO1002) strains of X. oryzae pv. oryzae and characterized using fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Data from the FT-IR suggested that the aldehyde (R-CHO) group and C=O of acid anhydride are present in BXO1 but absent in BXO1002. The (1)H-NMR spectra showed the presence of an acetyl amine of hexose or pentose, free amines of glucose, an beta-anomeric carbon of hexose and pentose, hydrogen next to hydroxyl group, an acetyl amine of hexose and pentose in the polysaccharides of both BXO1 and BXO1002, and the absence of alpha-anomeric carbon of hexose or pentose and the glucuronic acid in the polysaccharides produced by BXO1002. The test for glucuronic acid also confirmed the absence of glucuronic acid in the polysaccharides of BXO1002 and the presence glucuronic acid (32 microg/mg) in the polysaccharides produced by BXO1.     

A Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-associated MYBPC3 Mutation Common in Populations of South Asian Descent Causes Contractile Dysfunction

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) results from mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins, most often MYBPC3, which encodes cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C). A recently discovered HCM-associated 25-base pair deletion in MYBPC3 is inherited in millions worldwide. Although this mutation causes changes in the C10 domain of cMyBP-C (cMyBP-C^C10mut), which binds to the light meromyosin (LMM) region of the myosin heavy chain, the underlying molecular mechanism causing HCM is unknown. In this study, adenoviral expression of cMyBP-C^C10mut in cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes was used to investigate protein localization and evaluate contractile function and Ca²⁺ transients, compared with wild-type cMyBP-C expression (cMyBP-C^WT) and controls. Forty-eight hours after infection, 44% of cMyBP-C^WT and 36% of cMyBP-C^C10mut protein levels were determined in total lysates, confirming equal expression. Immunofluorescence experiments showed little or no localization of cMyBP-C^C10mut to the C-zone, whereas cMyBP-C^WT mostly showed C-zone staining, suggesting that cMyBP-C^C10mut could not properly integrate in the C-zone of the sarcomere. Subcellular fractionation confirmed that most cMyBP-C^C10mut resided in the soluble fraction, with reduced presence in the myofilament fraction. Also, cMyBP-C^C10mut displayed significantly reduced fractional shortening, sarcomere shortening, and relaxation velocities, apparently caused by defects in sarcomere function, because Ca²⁺ transients were unaffected. Co-sedimentation and protein cross-linking assays confirmed that C10^mut causes the loss of C10 domain interaction with myosin LMM. Protein homology modeling studies showed significant structural perturbation in cMyBP-C^C10mut, providing a potential structural basis for the alteration in its mode of interaction with myosin LMM. Therefore, expression of cMyBP-C^C10mut protein is sufficient to cause contractile dysfunction in vitro.     

Functional characterization of antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads associated with rhizospheric soil of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from rhizospheric soil of rice were characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analyses. Antagonistic isolates were grown in the fermentation media, and production of antibiotics was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Production of fungal cell-wall-degrading enzymes such as protease, cellulase, pectinase, and chitinase was determined. Dendrogram based on the major and differentiating fatty acids resulted into 5 clusters, viz., cluster I (P. pseudoalcaligenes group), cluster II (P. plecoglossicida group), cluster III (P. fluorescens group), cluster IV (P. aeruginosa group), and cluster V (P. putida group). Characteristic presence of high relative proportions of cyclopropane (17:0 CYCLO w7c) was observed in antagonistic bacteria. Data revealed biodiversity among antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads associated with the rice rhizosphere. Results presented in this study will help to identify the antagonistic isolates and to determine their mechanisms that mediate antagonism against fungal pathogens of rice.