White Spot Syndrome Virus infection in Penaeus monodon is facilitated by housekeeping molecules

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is a major pathogen in shrimp aquaculture, and its rampant spread has resulted in great economic loss. Identification of host cellular proteins interacting with WSSV will help in unravelling the repertoire of host proteins involved in WSSV infection. In this study, we have employed one-dimensional and two-dimension virus overlay protein binding assay (VOPBA) followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify the host proteins of Penaeus monodon that could interact with WSSV. The VOPBA results suggest that WSSV interacted with housekeeping proteins such as heat shock protein 70, ATP synthase subunit β, phosphopyruvate hydratase, allergen Pen m 2, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein, actin and 14-3-3-like protein. Our findings suggest that WSSV exploits an array of housekeeping proteins for its transmission and propagation in P. monodon.     

Predatory Cues Influence the Behavioral Responses and Metamorphic Traits of Polypedates maculatus(Anura: Rhacophoridae)

Mechanisms of predator detection and the influence of the presence of nonlethal predators on antipredator defense behavior and metamorphic traits were studied in the Indian tree frog, Polypedates maculatus. Exposure of P. maculatus tadpoles to chemical cues of caged predator(crabs, Barytelphusa spp.) fed with either conspecific or heterogeneric tadpoles, or were starved elicited defense behavior(by avoiding predator zone) in them. Such a behavior was not evident when exposed to predators housed in a glass beaker(visual cues). Both early(Gosner stage 27–28) and later(Gosner stage 35–36) stage tadpoles when exposed to caged predators(fed with conspecific tadpoles), prey tadpoles spent less time swimming and remained motionless for longer periods. Yet, the time spent by prey in feeding was unaffected. Further, the predator avoidance behavior exhibited by them was of the same intensity regardless of whether the caged predators were fed or starved implying the influence of predator's kairomones. Tadpoles reared with caged predator reached the metamorphic climax stage(MC stage; Gosner stage 42) earlier than those reared without a predator. Size at emergence(Gosner stage 46) was comparable in both the groups. The findings suggest that P. maculatus tadpoles assess predation risk chiefly by sensing kairomones of the predator in eliciting antipredator defense behaviors. Accelerated development and early metamorphosis without any compromise of the size at emergence may be due to their unaltered feeding activity.     

Reproductive performance of four aphidophagous ladybirds on cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch

Abstract:  This study investigated prey consumption, egg production, percent progeny loss, reproductive, pre- and post-reproductive periods, reproductive time ratio, reproductive rate and bioconversion efficiency of four aphidophagous ladybirds, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, Coccinella transversalis Fabricius and Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) on Dolichos lablab Linnaeus infested with cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. C. sexmaculata had the highest bioconversion efficiency, reproductive rate and reproductive time ratio followed in rank order by P. dissecta , C. transversalis and C. septempunctata . This study indicates that C. sexmaculata has a narrow ecological relationship with A. craccivora . The increased allocation of resources to reproduction as indicated through a high reproductive time ratio and high bioconversion efficiency of C. sexmaculata and P. dissecta suggest that they may be better adapted to compete for this prey with larger species like C. transversalis and C. septempunctata .     

The effect of oxidants on biomembranes and cellular metabolism

During the reductive process in the tissues, the aerobes generate a number of oxidants. Unless these oxidants are reduced, oxidative damage and cell death would occur. Oxidation of plasma membrane lipids leads to autocatalytic chain reactions which eventually alter the permeability of the cell. The role of oxidative damage in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications and ischemic reperfusion injury of myocardium, especially the changes in the channel activity which may lead to arrhythmia have been studied. Hyperglycemia activates aldose reductase which could efficiently reduce glucose to sorbitol in the presence of NADPH. Since NADPH is also aldose required by glutathione reductase for reducing oxidants, its diversion would lead to membrane lipid oxidation and permeability changes which are probably responsible for diabetic complications such as cataractogenesis, retinopathy, neuropathy etc. Antioxidants such as butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and also reductase inhibitors prevent or delay some of these complications. By using patch-clamp technique in isolated frog myocytes, we have shown that hydroxy radicals generated by ferrous sulfate and ascorbate as well as lipid peroxides such as t-butyl hydroperoxide facilitate the entry of Na⁺ by oxidizing Na⁺-channels. Increased intracellular Na⁺ leads to an increase in Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange. The increased Na⁺ concentration by itself may produce electrical disturbance which would result in arrhythmia. Increased Ca²⁺ may affect proteases and may help in the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase, consequently increased production of super oxide radicals. Increased membrane lipid peroxidation and other oxygen free-radical associated membrane damage in myocytes has been demonstrated.     

Guar gum derivatives. Part I: Preparation and properties

O-(2-Hydroxyethyl), O-(2-hydroxypropyl) and O-carboxymethyl derivatives of guar gum have been prepared under different experimental conditions. Several properties such as moisture regain, rate of hydration, solubility, viscosity and rheology of these derivatives have been studied. The properties depend upon polysaccharide chain length, and the nature and degree of chemical modification. The effect of alkali and alkaline hydrogen peroxide on the properties of guar gum have also been studied.     

Escherichia coli 16S rRNA 3''-end formation requires a distal transfer RNA sequence at a proper distance.

The 16S rRNA species in bacterial precursor rRNAs is followed by two evolutionarily conserved features: (i) a double-stranded stem formed by complementary sequences adjacent to the 5' and 3' ends of the 16S rRNA; and (ii) a 3'-transfer RNA sequence. To assess the possible role of these features, plasmid constructs with precursor-specific features deleted were tested for their capacity to form mature rRNA. Stem-forming sequences were dispensable for both 5' and 3' terminus formation; whereas an intact spacer tRNA positioned greater than 24 nucleotides downstream of the 16S RNA sequence was required for correct 3'-end maturation. These results suggest that spacer tRNA at an appropriate location helps form a conformation obligate for pre-rRNA processing, perhaps by binding to a nascent binding site in preribosomes. Thus, spacer tRNAs may be an obligate participant in ribosome formation.