Efficient plant regeneration from shoot apices of sorghum

An efficient and rapid regeneration protocol was developed using shoot apices from germinating seedlings of two cultivars of sorghum, SPV-462 and M35-1, as explants. A vertical slit given from the base of each dissected apex enhanced the efficiency of callusing response by two fold. MS medium containing 0.5 mg dm⁻³ each of 2,4-D and kinetin was most effective in producing friable and embryogenic calli. Scanning electron microscopy of these calli detected somatic embryogenesis. Calli thus induced gave rise to approximately 42 green shoots per callus in both the genotypes when transferred to regeneration medium containing 1.5 mg dm⁻³ kinetin.     

Statistical optimization of solid state fermentation conditions for the enhanced production of thermoactive chitinases by mesophilic soil fungi using response surface methodology and their application in the reclamation of shrimp processing by-products

The mesophilic strains Aspergillus flavus CFR 10 and Fusarium oxysporum CFR 8 are potent producers of extracellular thermoactive chitinases (endo-chitinase and β-N-acetylhexosaminidase). Chitinases have a wide range of applications in many areas including reclamation of seafood processing chitinous by-products. In the present study, the interactive effects of four fermentation conditions on thermoactive chitinase production by solid state fermentation (SSF) using commercial wheat bran (CWB) was investigated employing response surface methodology (RSM). Further, these chitinases were applied for the preparation of N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides from shrimp chitin. Statistical optimization resulted in the production (unit/g initial dry substrate, U/g IDS) of 19.8 endo-chitinase and 649.0 β-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity by A. flavus CFR 10, and 17.5 endo-chitinase and 319.9 β-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity by F. oxysporum CFR 8. Activity of crude endo-chitinase and β-N-acetylhexosaminidase were found to be optimum at 62?±?1 °C in a wide pH range. Hydrolysis of colloidal chitin with crude chitinases produced the maximum N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides yield (mmol/l) of 10.4?±?0.28 at 6 h and 10.2?±?0.01 at 30 h post-reaction initiation, respectively, by the enzymes of A. flavus CFR 10 and F. oxysporum CFR 8. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides with N-acetyl chitotriose as the main end product of the colloidal chitin hydrolysis. These results indicate the potential of mesophilic A. flavus CFR 10 and F. oxysporum CFR 8 in the production of thermoactive chitinases employing the economical SSF process using CWB as an ideal substrate, as well as the potential of these chitinases for the reclamation of abundant shrimp processing by-products and production of defined N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides.     

Production and potential applications of a xylanase from a new strain of Streptomyces cuspidosporus

Enzyme production by a new mesophilic Streptomyces isolate was investigated which grew optimally on 1% (w/v) xylan and 10% (w/v) wheat bran at pH 7 and 37 °C. Xylan induced only CMCase (0.29 U/ml) besides xylanase (22–35 U/ml, 40–49 U/mg protein). Wheat bran induced xylanase (105 U/ml, 17.5 U/mg protein), CMCase (0.74 U/ml), -xylosidase (0.009 U/ml), -glucosidase (0.026 U/ml), -L-arabinofuranosidase (0.049 U/ml), amylase (1.6 U/ml) and phytase (0.432 U/ml). The isolate was amenable to solid state cultivation and produced increased levels of xylanase (146 U/ml, 28 U/mg protein). The pH and temperature optima of the crude xylanase activity were 5.5 and 65 °C respectively. The pI was 6.0 as determined by PEG precipitation. The crude enzyme was applied in treatment of paper pulp and predigestion of poultry feed and was found to be effective in releasing sugars from both and soluble phosphorus from the latter.     

Differential response of antioxidative enzymes to various abiotic stresses in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pennisetum glaucum</Emphasis> seedlings

Antioxidative enzyme activities and their isozyme patterns under water-deficit, salinity, high and low temperature stresses were studied in the seedlings of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. It was observed that under water-deficit stress glutathione reductase (GR) was the key enzyme while in case of high temperature stress, GR along with catalase played a major role. Superoxide dismutase was found to be the main enzyme under low temperature stress. Co-ordinated higher expression of all the antioxidative enzymes was observed under salt stress. This study revealed the operation of different enzymatic antioxidative mechanisms under various abiotic stresses that will aid in understanding the metabolic basis of stress tolerance in pearl millet.     

Interaction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Meloidogyne javanica on Cicer arietinum

Interaction of Meloidogyne javanica and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri was studied on Fusarium wilt-susceptible (JG 62 and K 850) and resistant (JG 74 and Avrodhi) chickpea cultivars. In greenhouse experiments, inoculation of M. javanica juveniles prior to F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri caused greater wilt incidence in susceptible cultivars and induced vascular discoloration in roots of resistant cultivars. Nematode reproduction was greatest (P = 0.05) at 25 °C. Number of galls and percentage of root area galled increased when the temperature was increased from 15 °C to 25 °C. Wilt incidence was greater at 20 °C than at 25 °C. Chlorosis of leaves and vascular discoloration of plants did not occur at 15 °C. The nematode enhanced the wilt incidence in wilt-susceptible cultivars only at 25 °C. Interaction between the two pathogens on shoot and root weights was significant only at 20 °C, and F. o. ciceri suppressed the nematode density at this temperature. Wilt incidence was greater in clayey (48% clay) than in loamy sand (85% sand) soils. The nematode caused greater plant damage on loamy sand than on clayey soil. Fusarium wilt resistance in Avrodhi and JG 74 was stable in the presence of M. javanica across temperatures and soil types.     

Effect of Water Deficit on Accumulation of Dry Matter, Carbon and Nitrogen in the Kernel of Wheat Genotypes Differing in Yield Stability

Water stress effects on accumulation of dry matter, carbon andnitrogen in grains were analysed in varieties and species ofwheat differing in yield stability. Variable water environmentswere generated using a line source sprinkler system. Althoughlarge fluctuations occurred in the water potentials of the flagleaf and ear, grain growth remained relatively buffered undermoisture stress. Developing grains were at a lower moisturelevel throughout grain growth in plants subjected to moisturestress relative to the unstressed plants. Carbon content decreasedmore than the nitrogen content in the stressed grains of thespecies and varieties. Reduction in the duration of grain growthand the rate of dry weight accumulation induced by water stresswas more prominent in T. aestivum var. C306 and T. sphaerococcum.Grain yield was reduced significantly under water stress, themaximum being in the high yielding cultivar HD2329. Both grainnumber and grain weight were reduced in response to stress,the extent of reduction being different in different genotypes.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Water deficit, yield stability, C and N accumulation, heat degree days     

A model for carbohydrate metabolism in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum deduced from comparative whole genome analysis

Background

Diatoms are unicellular algae responsible for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation. Their evolution by secondary endocytobiosis resulted in a complex cellular structure and metabolism compared to algae with primary plastids.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The whole genome sequence of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum has recently been completed. We identified and annotated genes for enzymes involved in carbohydrate pathways based on extensive EST support and comparison to the whole genome sequence of a second diatom, Thalassiosira pseudonana. Protein localization to mitochondria was predicted based on identified similarities to mitochondrial localization motifs in other eukaryotes, whereas protein localization to plastids was based on the presence of signal peptide motifs in combination with plastid localization motifs previously shown to be required in diatoms. We identified genes potentially involved in a C4-like photosynthesis in P. tricornutum and, on the basis of sequence-based putative localization of relevant proteins, discuss possible differences in carbon concentrating mechanisms and CO₂ fixation between the two diatoms. We also identified genes encoding enzymes involved in photorespiration with one interesting exception: glycerate kinase was not found in either P. tricornutum or T. pseudonana. Various Calvin cycle enzymes were found in up to five different isoforms, distributed between plastids, mitochondria and the cytosol. Diatoms store energy either as lipids or as chrysolaminaran (a β-1,3-glucan) outside of the plastids. We identified various β-glucanases and large membrane-bound glucan synthases. Interestingly most of the glucanases appear to contain C-terminal anchor domains that may attach the enzymes to membranes.

Conclusions/Significance

Here we present a detailed synthesis of carbohydrate metabolism in diatoms based on the genome sequences of Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. This model provides novel insights into acquisition of dissolved inorganic carbon and primary metabolic pathways of carbon in two different diatoms, which is of significance for an improved understanding of global carbon cycles.