Studies onMadhuca butyraceae seed proteins

DefattedMadhuca butyraceae seeds contain 24% of crude protein and 10.4% of saponins. The solubility ofMadhuca seed proteins was determined in water and NaCl as a function of pH and minimum solubility occurred at pH 4.0. The proteins consist of three components with S_20,w values of 2.2, 9.8 and 15.4. On gel filtration the proteins gave three peaks and on diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography they resolved into two components. Thein vitro digestibility ofMadhuca seed protein was found to be 69% when assayed with a pepsin-pancreatin system.     

Effect of algal inoculation on the yield and vitamin C content of two varieties of tomato

Summary Two varieties of tomato (Pusa Rubi and Selection 120) positively responded to algal inoculation in terms of the yield of fruits and shoots, but there was no significant effect on the vitamin C content of the fruits. A combined application of urea and algae was more effective than the application of urea alone.     

Functional assignment to JEV proteins using SVM

Identification of different protein functions facilitates a mechanistic understanding of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection and opens novel means for drug development. Support vector machines (SVM), useful for predicting the functional class of distantly related proteins, is employed to ascribe a possible functional class to Japanese encephalitis virus protein. Our study from SVMProt and available JE virus sequences suggests that structural and nonstructural proteins of JEV genome possibly belong to diverse protein functions, are expected to occur in the life cycle of JE virus. Protein functions common to both structural and non-structural proteins are iron-binding, metal-binding, lipid-binding, copper-binding, transmembrane, outer membrane, channels/Pores - Pore-forming toxins (proteins and peptides) group of proteins. Non-structural proteins perform functions like actin binding, zinc-binding, calcium-binding, hydrolases, Carbon-Oxygen Lyases, P-type ATPase, proteins belonging to major facilitator family (MFS), secreting main terminal branch (MTB) family, phosphotransfer-driven group translocators and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family group of proteins. Whereas structural proteins besides belonging to same structural group of proteins (capsid, structural, envelope), they also perform functions like nuclear receptor, antibiotic resistance, RNA-binding, DNA-binding, magnesium-binding, isomerase (intra-molecular), oxidoreductase and participate in type II (general) secretory pathway (IISP).     

Analysis of the distribution and structure of integrated Banana streak virus DNA in a range of Musa cultivars

Banana streak virus strain OL (BSV-OL) commonly infects new Musa hybrids, and this infection is thought to arise de novo from integrated virus sequences present in the nuclear genome of the plant. Integrated DNA (Musa6+8 sequence) containing the whole genome of the virus has previously been cloned from cv. Obino l’Ewai (Musa AAB group), a parent of many of the hybrids. Using a Southern blot hybridization assay, we have examined the distribution and structure of integrated BSV-OL sequences in a range of Musa cultivars. For cv. Obino l’Ewai, almost every restriction fragment hybridizing to BSV-OL was predicted from the Musa6+8 sequence, suggesting that this is the predominant type of BSV-OL integrant in the genome. Furthermore, since only two junction fragments of Musa/BSV sequence were detected, and the Musa6+8 sequence is believed to be integrated as multiple copies in a tandem array, then the internal Musa spacer sequences must be highly conserved. Similarly sized restriction fragments were detected in four BB group cultivars, but not in six AA or AAA group cultivars, suggesting that the BSV-OL sequences are linked to the B-genome of Musa. We also provide evidence that cv. Williams (Musa AAA group) contains a distinct badnavirus integrant that is closely related to the ‘dead’ virus integrant previously characterized from Calcutta 4 (Musa acuminata ssp. burmannicoides). Our results suggest that the virus integrant from cv. Williams is linked to the A-genome, and the complexity of the hybridization patterns suggest multiple sites of integration and/or variation in sequence and structure of the integrants.     

Effect of inhalation of insecticide spray on learning and memory in rats

Acute exposure to insecticide (Baygon-spray; 5 ml/animal/5 min) inhalation in rats did not affect the learning process but produced a significant loss of memory (P less than 0.01 less than 0.001) whereas chronic exposure (one exposure per day for three weeks) produced a significant delay in learning (P less than 0.05) and memory (P less than 0.01). Acetylcholinesterase activity in brain after acute and chronic exposure declined significantly (P less than 0.01) during the learning process but returned to normal after 24 hr.     

A homopolymer of the potent antitumor drug 2′-deoxy-5-fluorouridylate

Poly(5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridylic acid) was synthesized and its properties were compared with those of poly(dT) and poly(dU). It readily complexed with poly(dA). The 1:1 complex melted at about 20°C lower than poly(dA) · poly(dT). A triple-stranded helix, poly(dA)·2 poly(dF⁵U) was formed only in high salt (2.0 M NaCl).     

Radiation causes increased production and decreased utilization of IL-2 in human mononuclear cells

The effects of radiation on the kinetics of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and utilization by mononuclear cells (MNCs) were studied. Mononuclear cells from normal, healthy individuals were subjected to various doses of radiation ranging from 0 to 2,000 rad and cultured in the presence of PHA. Supernatants from these cultures were harvested at various periods and their IL-2 contents determined by both the standard bioassay and ELISA. A radiation dose of 800 rad and higher had a marked effect on both IL-2 production and consumption. Although the supernatants from both the irradiated and non-irradiated MNCs contained maximal concentrations of IL-2 between 8 and 24 h of culture, the former had three times as much IL-2 as the latter. An increase in IL-2-mRNA levels was also noticed in irradiated, PHA-stimulated cells. Moreover, the supernatants from irradiated MNCs collected as late as 72 h after the initiation of culture contained more than 30% of the total IL-2 produced compared to less than 8% in supernatants from non-irradiated cells. Supernatants from non-irradiated cells incubated further with irradiated cells contained relatively higher quantities of IL-2 than those incubated continuously with non-irradiated cells. Supernatants from co-cultures of irradiated and non-irradiated MNCs contained less than expected amounts of IL-2 in two of the three subjects. Despite a difference in both the production and consumption of IL-2 between the irradiated and non-irradiated cells, there was no difference in their ability to generate IL-2 receptors. The results indicate that inactivation of radiosensitive suppressor T cells is associated with superinduction of IL-2 mRNA, increased production and decreased consumption of IL-2 by MNCs, thereby resulting in increased accumulation of IL-2.     

The solution structure of ω-Aga-IVB,a P-type calcium channel antagonist from venom of the funnel web spider,Agelenopsis aperta

Summary The 48 amino acid peptides -Aga-IVA and -Aga-IVB are the first agents known to specifically block P-type calcium channels in mammalian brain, thus complementing the existing suite of pharmacological tools used for characterizing calcium channels. These peptides provide a new set of probes for studies aimed at elucidating the structural basis underlying the subtype specificity of calcium channel antagonists. We used 288 NMR-derived constraints in a protocol combining distance geometry and molecular dynamics employing the program DGII, followed by energy minimization with Discover to derive the three-dimensional structure of -Aga-IVB. The toxin consists of a well-defined core region, comprising seven solvent-shielded residues and a well-defined triple-stranded -sheet. Four loop regions have average backbone rms deviations between 0.38 and 1.31 Å, two of which are well-defined type-II -turns. Other structural features include disordered C- and N-termini and several conserved basic amino acids that are clustered on one face of the molecule. The reported structure suggests a possible surface for interaction with the channel. This surface contains amino acids that are identical to those of another known P-type calcium channel antagonist, -Aga-IVA, and is rich in basic residues that may have a role in binding to the anionic sites in the extracellular regions of the calcium channel.Abbreviations TOCSY total correlated spectroscopy - NOESY nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy - COSY correlated spectroscopy     

Poly (8-bromo-2′-deoxyadenylic acid): The syn/anti relationship

The synthesis of a high-molecular-weight, putatively all-syn DNA analogue, poly(8-bromo-2′-deoxyadenylic acid), is described. The syn → anti transition was shown to be both salt and temperature dependent. Conditions were found which favored ‘normal’ Watson-Crick pairing and duplex formation with poly(dT).     

Oral toxicity of Madhuca butyracea Macb. saponins to albino rats

Saponins, isolated from M. butyracea, were assessed for their acute and subacute oral toxicity in albino rats. Acute doses of saponins caused mortalities and LD50 and LD90 values were 330 and 430 mg/kg body wt respectively. Severe diarrhoea, restlessness and histopathological changes were observed in liver and kidney. Diets containing saponins at 0,250,500 and 1000 ppm for 14 weeks did not affect food intake, growth or organ weights, but induced mild histological changes in liver and kidney and altered the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol and proteins, particularly in female rats.