6 research outputs found
Biodegradation Studies of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) Compounds by Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are monoaromatic
hydrocarbons found frequently in petroleum and its derivatives; and
they are among the most important pollutants of soil and groundwater.
This study focused on harnessing the enzymatic capabilities of
filamentous fungi Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus, dwelling in
a petroleum-contaminated soil to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene
and xylene (BTEX) compounds. The biodegradation experiment was carried
out using the fungi individually and in consortium in a batch culture
containing mineral salts medium supplemented with 1% v/v BTEX. The
experiments were carried out in triplicates at room temperature on a
rotary shaker (180rpm) for twenty five days and aliquots were taken on
a five day interval to determine the hydrocarbon utilizing fungal (HUF)
count and residual BTEX in order to monitor the rate of biodegradation.
The hydrocarbon utilizing fungal counts were determined by direct
counting using a Neubauer Haemocytometer while, the residual BTEX was
determined using absorbance values measured using a spectrophotometer
and the corresponding concentrations determined from a standard curve.
The highest percentage degradation of BTEX was observed with
Aspergillus terreus (89.1%) while, the least was observed with
Gliocladium sp. (84.4%). The growth peak was attained on the 15th day
in all treatments after which the HUF counts declined. Statistical
analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean
amounts of BTEX degraded and hydrocarbon-utilizing fungal counts
between the treatments. The strains of Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus
terreus used in this study showed high ability for BTEX degradation
thus, they are potential candidates for bioremediation of soils
contaminated with monoaromatic hydrocarbons
Increased expression of BubR1 protects against aneuploidy and cancer and extends healthy lifespan
Item does not contain fulltextThe BubR1 gene encodes for a mitotic regulator that ensures accurate segregation of chromosomes through its role in the mitotic checkpoint and the establishment of proper microtubule-kinetochore attachments. Germline mutations that reduce BubR1 abundance cause aneuploidy, shorten lifespan and induce premature ageing phenotypes and cancer in both humans and mice. A reduced BubR1 expression level is also a feature of chronological ageing, but whether this age-related decline has biological consequences is unknown. Using a transgenic approach in mice, we show that sustained high-level expression of BubR1 preserves genomic integrity and reduces tumorigenesis, even in the presence of genetic alterations that strongly promote aneuplodization and cancer, such as oncogenic Ras. We find that BubR1 overabundance exerts its protective effect by correcting mitotic checkpoint impairment and microtubule-kinetochore attachment defects. Furthermore, sustained high-level expression of BubR1 extends lifespan and delays age-related deterioration and aneuploidy in several tissues. Collectively, these data uncover a generalized function for BubR1 in counteracting defects that cause whole-chromosome instability and suggest that modulating BubR1 provides a unique opportunity to extend healthy lifespan