Production of interspecific hybrids between Sesamum alatum Thonn and Sesamum indicum L. through ovule culture and screening for phyllody disease resistance

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop grown in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Despite the nutritional value and cultural importance, the biotechnological research on sesame is very limited. In this study, we have optimized a simple and efficient protocol for producing an interspecific hybrid between Sesamum alatum and S. indicum through ovule culture. In the cross S. alatum × S. indicum, capsule retention without embryo abortion was extended up to 7 days after pollination by spraying the growth regulator mixture containing 289 µM gibberellic acid (GA₃), 80.6 µM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 23.3 µM kinetin. Direct organogenesis was successfully achieved when the ovules, excised from 7-day-old capsules, were cultured on MS medium containing 8.8 µM benzylaminopurine (BAP), 2.8 µM indole acetic acid (IAA) and 1712.3 µM glutamine. The regenerants produced roots on half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.27 µM NAA. Phenotypically, the S. alatum × S. indicum hybrid plants were intermediate to those of parents for majority of the traits. Cytological studies revealed normal meiosis in the hybrid without any chromosomal abnormalities. Peroxidase and esterase isozymes were demonstrated to be useful in the identification of hybrid plants. Screening against phyllody disease under greenhouse conditions revealed that the hybrids were moderately resistant.     

16S rDNA sequence analysis of culturable marine biofilm forming bacteria from a ship's hull

Marine bacteria from the hull of a ship in the form of biofilms or microfouling were isolated, cultured, and identified by phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences. With an average length of 946 bp, all the 16 sequences were classified using the Ribosomal database project (RDP) and were submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences indicated that the 16 strains belonged to the Firmicutes (IK-MB6 Exiguobacterium aurantiacum, IK-MB7 Exiguobacterium arabatum, IK-MB8 Exiguobacterium arabatum, IK-MB9 Jeotgalibacillus alimentarius, IK-MB10 Bacillus megaterium, IK-MB11 Bacillus pumilus, IK-MB12 Bacillus pumilus, IK-MB13 Bacillus pumilus, IK-MB14 Bacillus megaterium), High GC, Gram-positive bacteria (IK-MB2 Micrococcus luteus, IK-MB5 Micrococcus luteus, IK-MB16 Arthrobacter mysorens), G-Proteobacteria (IK-MB3 Halomonas aquamarina, IK-MB15 Halotalea alkalilenta), CFB group bacteria (IK-MB1 Myroides odoratimimus), and Enterobacteria (IK-MB4 Proteus mirabilis). Among the 16 strains, representatives of the Firmicutes were dominant (56.25%) compared to the high GC, Gram-positive bacteria (18.75%), G-Proteobacteria (12.5%), CFB group bacteria (6.25%), and Enterobacteria (6.25%). Analysis revealed that majority of marine species found in marine biofilm are of anthropogenic origin.     

HIV-1 Nef Impairs Heterotrimeric G-protein Signaling by Targeting Gαi2 for Degradation through Ubiquitination

The HIV Nef protein is an important pathogenic factor that modulates cell surface receptor trafficking and impairs cell motility, presumably by interfering at multiple steps with chemotactic receptor signaling. Here, we report that a dominant effect of Nef is to trigger AIP4 E3 ligase-mediated Gα_i2 ubiquitination, which leads to Gα_i2 endolysosomal sequestration and destruction. The loss of the Gα_i2 subunit was demonstrable in many cell types in the context of gene transfection, HIV infection, or Nef protein transduction. Nef directly interacts with Gα_i2 and ternary complexes containing AIP4, Nef, and Gα_i2 form. A substantial reversal of Gα_i2 loss and a partial recovery of impaired chemotaxis occurred following siRNA knockdown of AIP4 or NEDD4 or by inhibiting dynamin. The N-terminal myristoyl group, ⁶²EEEE⁶⁵ motif, and ⁷²PXXP⁷⁵ motif of Nef are critical for this effect to occur. Nef expression does not affect a Gq_i5 chimera where the five C-terminal residues of Gq are replaced with those of Gα_i2. Lysine at position 296 of Gα_i2 was identified as the critical determinant of Nef-induced degradation. By specifically degrading Gα_i2, Nef directly subverts leukocyte migration and homing. Impaired trafficking and homing of HIV Nef-expressing lymphocytes probably contributes to early immune dysfunction following HIV infection.     

Tapetum determinant1 is required for cell specialization in the Arabidopsis anther

In flowering plants, pollen formation depends on the differentiation and interaction of two cell types in the anther: the reproductive cells, called microsporocytes, and somatic cells that form the tapetum. The microsporocytes generate microspores, whereas the tapetal cells support the development of microspores into mature pollen grains. Despite their importance to plant reproduction, little is known about the underlying genetic mechanisms that regulate the differentiation and interaction of these highly specialized cells in the anther. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a novel tapetum determinant1 (TPD1) gene that is required for the specialization of tapetal cells in the Arabidopsis anther. Analysis of the male-sterile mutant, tpd1, showed that functional interruption of TPD1 caused the precursors of tapetal cells to differentiate and develop into microsporocytes instead of tapetum. As a results, extra microsporocytes were formed and tapetum was absent in developing tpd1 anthers. Molecular cloning of TPD1 revealed that it encodes a small protein of 176 amino acids. In addition, tpd1 was phenotypically similar to excess microsporocytes1/extra sporogenous cells (ems1/exs) single and tpd1 ems1/exs double mutants. These data suggest that the TPD1 product plays an important role in the differentiation of tapetal cells, possibly in coordination with the EMS1/EXS gene product, a Leu-rich repeat receptor protein kinase.     

The TORMOZ gene encodes a nucleolar protein required for regulated division planes and embryo development in Arabidopsis

Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana is marked by a predictable sequence of oriented cell divisions, which precede cell fate determination. We show that mutation of the TORMOZ (TOZ) gene yields embryos with aberrant cell division planes and arrested embryos that appear not to have established normal patterning. The defects in toz mutants differ from previously described mutations that affect embryonic cell division patterns. Longitudinal division planes of the proembryo are frequently replaced by transverse divisions and less frequently by oblique divisions, while divisions of the suspensor cells, which divide only transversely, appear generally unaffected. Expression patterns of selected embryo patterning genes are altered in the mutant embryos, implying that the positional cues required for their proper expression are perturbed by the misoriented divisions. The TOZ gene encodes a nucleolar protein containing WD repeats. Putative TOZ orthologs exist in other eukaryotes including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where the protein is predicted to function in 18S rRNA biogenesis. We find that disruption of the Sp TOZ gene results in cell division defects in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Previous studies in yeast and animal cells have identified nucleolar proteins that regulate the exit from M phase and cytokinesis, including factors involved in pre-rRNA processing. Our study suggests that in plant cells, nucleolar functions might interact with the processes of regulated cell divisions and influence the selection of longitudinal division planes during embryogenesis.     

Inhibitory activity of probiotics <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus phocae</Emphasis> PI80 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus faecium</Emphasis> MC13 against Vibriosis in shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus monodon</Emphasis>

Occurrence of widespread epizootics among larval and cultured shrimp has put on viable preventive approaches such as application of probiotics on a high priority in aquaculture. In the present study, four probiotics bacteria were isolated from marine fish and shrimp intestine based on the antagonistic activity and nonpathogenic to the host. The isolates of probiotics strains Streptococcus phocae PI80, Enterococcus faecium MC13, Lactococcus garvieae LC149, B49 and one commercial probiotics (ECOFORCE) were fed to post larvae of Penaeus monodon obtained from two different hatcheries to analyze the growth and protection against Vibrio harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus. Growth of P. monodon post larvae fed with probiotic strain S. phocae PI80 was significantly (P < 0.001) higher when compared with control and other three strains in both experiments. The treatment of post larvae with B49 reduced the growth as well as Specific growth rate. Among the three probiotic strains S. phocae PI80 and E. faecium MC13 have effectively inhibited the pathogens. In experiment I high survival (92%) were observed in S. phocae PI80 treated post larvae when challenged with Vibrio harveyi followed by E. faecium MC13 (84%), B49 (76%) and ECOFORCE (68%) but PI80 did not protect the post larvae in the same experiment when they were exposed to V. parahaemolyticus. The probiotic isolate of MC13 has protected the post larvae against V. parahaemolyticus when compared to other probiotics and control. Similarly in the second experiment feeding of S. phocae enhanced the survival of larvae when challenged with V. harveyi. The laboratory studies proved that bacterial probionts S. phocae and E. faecium isolated from shrimp and brackishwater fish has potential applications for controlling pathogenic vibriosis in shrimp culture.     

Detection of Bluetongue Virus Group-specific Antigen Using Monoclonal Antibody Based Sandwich ELISA

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for the bluetongue virus (BTV) group specific antigen (VP7) was characterized for its reactivity with purified virus and recombinant BTV VP7 (rVP7) protein and its suitability for use in the sandwich ELISA.The MAb,designated as 5B5 was specific to VP7 and belongs to IgG2a subclass and was selected for the development of the sELISA in this study.The MAb had a titer of 1:25 with BTV and 1:2 with the rVP7 protein.The sELISA is based on capturing of BTV antigen with VP7 spec...