In silico sequence analysis, homology modeling and functional annotation of pectate lyase enzyme from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc.

Protein structure is more evolutionary conserved than a DNA sequence. To gain more insight into the molecular mechanisms of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides pathogenesis, we analyzed a pectate lyase gene sequence at molecular level using bioinformatics approaches. We evaluated the sequence information of pectate lyase enzyme retrieved from NCBI database. We also interpreted its homology modeling, functional annotation. Based on homology modeling, three dimensional (3D) structure of the gene was constructed and interpreted. Several validation tests were computed to check the reliability of 3D structure. We found conserved domains in pectate lyase protein. These conserved domains have significant role for plant pathogens that use a set of pectate lyases as their main virulence factor and to initiate the symbiosis activity in different organism. The study has clear implications to annotate the role of pectate lyase gene and linked proteins associated. More insights into the structure of the gene will lead to annotate the role of this gene in different biological pathways.Keywords: Pectate lyase, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, sequence information, bioinformatics tool

Comparative study of the effects of five Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) strains on cabbage moth Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Food production is adversely affected by numerous biotic and abiotic factors that lead to reduction in yield and poor quality of the food products. Use of commercially synthetic pesticides was the most common method for pest control in many agricultural crops during recent decades. These synthetic chemicals have effects on all living organism when they consume such crops treated with pesticides. This research attempted is a green regulation technology as an alternative method to control cabbage moth Plutella xylostella towards the reduction of release of toxic chemical and residue. Virulence studies on different strains (Bb6, Bb11, Bb115, Bb116 and Bb362) of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) were evaluated. Various doses at 0 (control) 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109 conidies ml−1 of five strains were applied topically on the third stage larvae of P. xylostella. Different parameters of larvae were measured in terms of mortality, sporulation rates, the number of pupae that emerged as adult, number of eggs laid between survived adults and the survival rate of larvae were examined at different doses, statistical analysis was performed using Cox-regression. We found that Bb11 strain of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) produced highest virulence compared to other strains at 109 conidia/ml while, Bb6 strains showed lower virulence effect at 109 conidia/ml as compared to control dose. Due to the larvicidal effect of different fungus strains, the percentage weight of female adult decreased significantly as compare to the control

Heat Shock Proteins (HSP70) Gene: Plant Transcriptomic Oven in the Hot Desert

Heat stress is considered to induce a wide range of physiological and biochemical changes that cause severe damage to plant cell membrane, disrupt protein synthesis, and affect the efficiency of photosynthetic system by reducing the transpiration due to stomata closure. A brief and mild heat shock is known to induce acquired thermo tolerance in plants that is associated with concomitant production of heat shock proteins’ (HSPs) gene family including HSP70. The findings from different studies by use of technologies have thrown light on the importance of HSP70 to heat, other abiotic stresses and environmental challenges in desserts. There is clear evidence that under heat stress, HSP70 gene stabilized the membrane structure, chlorophyll and water breakdown. It was also found that under heat stress, HSP70 decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in transgenic plants as compared to non-transgenic plants. Some reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical are also synthesized and accumulated when plants are stressed by heat. Hence HSP70 can confidently be used for transforming a number of heat tolerant crop species