Molecular basis of hyperlipidemia in golden hamsters during experimental infection with Ancylostoma ceylanicum (Nematoda:Strongylidae)

An infection of golden hamsters with Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a hookworm parasite, induced profound hyperlipidemia, particularly hypertriglyceridemia, and the effect was directly related to the degree of infection. A significant increase was also noticed in serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels. The appearance of lipoprotein-X, an abnormal low density lipoprotein, was detected in the serum of hookworm-infected animals. The hyperlipidemia was further characterized by an increase in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) with a concomitant decline in high density lipoproteins (HDL). Decreased lipolytic activities, especially triglyceride lipase, in hepatic tissue and induction of lipolytic activities in intestine and adipose tissues indicated mobilization of fats from adipose and jejunum with a defective removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in hepatic tissues. Accumulation of lipids in liver and depletion in adipose tissue supported these results. The derangement may have a significant effect on host parasite interaction and is an important pathophysiological feature occurring during experimental ancylostomiasis.     

Improved inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase.

An inhibitor of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) synthase, 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP), has been reported to deplete cells and mice of their glucosphingolipids. This inhibitor has proved useful for the elucidation of the many functions of this lipid family [reviewed by Radin, N.S. & Inokuchi, J. (1991) Trends Glycosci. Glycotechnol. 3, 200-213]. In the present study, we have synthesized homologs of PDMP having different acyl chains (C6-C18) and compared their effectiveness for the inhibition of GlcCer synthase in vitro and their inhibition of GlcCer, protein, and DNA synthesis in cultured MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells. Using MDCK homogenates and mouse brain and liver microsomes, we found that the C6 compound was relatively inactive and that the longer chain compounds did not differ much in inhibitory power. However, the use of intact MDCK cells showed that the longer chain homologs were much more effective in inhibiting GlcCer synthesis, cell growth, and incorporation of [3H]thymidine. Tests with two radioactive homologs showed that the inhibitor with a longer acyl chain was taken up much more effectively by MDCK cells and that this difference explains the much greater effectiveness of this homolog in intact cells. The inhibitors were effective when solubilized either with a nonionic detergent or with bovine serum albumin. The extent of decrease in DNA synthesis was not directly proportional to the decrease in cellular glucosylceramide, possibly because only a low level of the glycolipid is needed for DNA synthesis.     

A new fossil wood from the highly diverse early Eocene equatorial forest of Gujarat (western India)

During the early Eocene (～55–52 Ma), when the Indian subcontinent relished equatorial climatic conditions, lignite was deposited along its north western margin. Lignite mines of northwestern India have proved to be an outstanding resource for palaeoenvironmental information. The Vastan lignite mine of the early Eocene age situated near Surat district (Gujarat) is one of the well-dated and fossiliferous lignite mines in western India. A fossil wood, retrieved from this mine, is systematically described and shows a strong resemblance to the modern genus Chisocheton of the family Meliaceae. Plant fossils are the best source to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment of any region, and here a luxurious, highly diverse tropical evergreen forest is interpreted in and around the fossil locality in contrast to the tropical thorn forest of the present day. This early Eocene highly diverse equatorial forest, once covered a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent, is now restricted in fringes known as Western Ghats in south India attesting to changes in climate.     

Molecular characterization and expression profiling of BMP 3 gene in broiler and layer chicken

A study was carried out to characterize and explore the expression profile of BMP 3 gene in control broiler and control layer chicken. The total open reading frame of BMP 3 (1389 bp) was cloned and sequenced. The control broiler and control layer chicken showed variation at nucleotide and amino acid level with reference gene (Gallus gallus, NCBI Acc. No. NM_001034819). When compared to reference gene, the control broiler showed four nucleotide differences (c.192A>G, c.519C>T, 903G>A and 960C>G), while, control layer showed variation at c.33G>C, 192A>G, 858G>A, 904G>A, 960C>G and 1257C>T making six differences in total. However, between control broiler and control layer lines, nucleotide differences was observed at c.33G>C, 519T>C, 858G>A, 903A>G, 904G>A and 1257C>T. The change at amino acid level between reference and control broiler was p.D320N and with control layer chicken, it was p.D302N and p.D320N. On the other hand, a single amino acid difference (p.D302N) was observed between the control broiler and control layer chicken lines. The phylogenetic study displayed a close relationship between broiler and layer lines and reference gene and also with other avian species resulting in a cluster formation. These cluster in turn displayed a distant link with the mammalian species. The expression profile of BMP 3 gene exhibited a variation at different stages of embryonic development and also at post embryonic period among the lines with control layer showing higher expression than that of broiler chicken. The protein was also detected in bone marrow tissue of broiler and layer lines by western blotting. It is concluded that the BMP 3 gene sequence differed at nucleotide and amino acid level among the lines and the gene expressed differentially at different periods of embryonic development and also at post hatch period.     

Engineering Thermostable Microbial Xylanases Toward its Industrial Applications

Xylanases are one of the important hydrolytic enzymes which hydrolyze the β-1, 4 xylosidic linkage of the backbone of the xylan polymeric chain which consists of xylose subunits. Xylanases are mainly found in plant cell walls and are produced by several kinds of microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, yeast, and some protozoans. The fungi are considered as most potent xylanase producers than that of yeast and bacteria. There is a broad series of industrial applications for the thermostable xylanase as an industrial enzyme. Thermostable xylanases have been used in a number of industries such as paper and pulp industry, biofuel industry, food and feed industry, textile industry, etc. The present review explores xylanase–substrate interactions using gene-editing tools toward the comprehension in improvement in industrial stability of xylanases. The various protein-engineering and metabolic-engineering methods have also been explored to improve operational stability of xylanase. Thermostable xylanases have also been used for improvement in animal feed nutritional value. Furthermore, they have been used directly in bakery and breweries, including a major use in paper and pulp industry as a biobleaching agent. This present review envisages some of such applications of thermostable xylanases for their bioengineering.     

Combinatorial Interactions of Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Plants and Their Molecular Mechanisms: Systems Biology Approach

Plants are continually facing biotic and abiotic stresses, and hence, they need to respond and adapt to survive. Plant response during multiple and combined biotic and abiotic stresses is highly complex and varied than the individual stress. These stresses resulted alteration of plant behavior through regulating the levels of microRNA, heat shock proteins, epigenetic variations. These variations can cause many adverse effects on the growth and development of the plant. Further, in natural conditions, several abiotic stresses causing factors make the plant more susceptible to pathogens infections and vice-versa. A very intricate and multifaceted interactions of various biomolecules are involved in metabolic pathways that can direct towards a cross-tolerance and improvement of plant’s defence system. Systems biology approach plays a significant role in the investigation of these molecular interactions. The valuable information obtained by systems biology will help to develop stress-resistant plant varieties against multiple stresses. Thus, this review aims to decipher various multilevel interactions at the molecular level under combinatorial biotic and abiotic stresses and the role of systems biology to understand these molecular interactions.     

Molineria jashpurica sp. nov. (Hypoxidaceae) from Central India

Molineria jashpurica A.P. Tiwari, Mujaffar & A.N. Shukla (Hypoxidaceae), a new species from the Jashpur district of Chhattisgrah, India is described and illustrated. It is closely similar to M. gracilis and M. trichocarpa, but differs by shorter pseudopetiole, broad and glabrous leaf blade, delicate scape, fewer flowers and clavate stigma. A key for identification of all Molineria species is also provided. The conservation status of the new species is assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR) according to IUCN red list category and criteria.