Dynamics of Phylogenetic Diversity and its influence on the production of Extracellular Protease by moderately Halotolerant Alkaliphilic Bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii GTCR407 Nov.

New characters emerge in the population of microorganisms living in the extreme environments due to its adaptation to ecological association. The microorganisms living in saline habitat utilize complex nutrients by adopting different strategies in Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), which are related to their metabolic and ecological diversities. Isolation and characterization of the organisms producing extracellular protease from such environment were the prime focus of this investigation, which can indicate the importance of metabolic diversity in phylogeny. Norberg medium was used to isolate halotolerant microorganisms from salt-cured skin. The isolates were screened for high activity of protease and the strain showing maximum activity of protease was taken for further studies. The biochemical characterization and 16s ribosomal RNA sequencing studies confirm that the isolate is Acinetobacter baumannii. Moreover, hydrolysis positive for starch and casein, negative for gelatin shows that the organism is a variant form of A. baumannii. Cell growth parameters such as pH and temperature were optimized and their values are 8 and 37oC respectively. The extracellular production of protease was optimized in the suitable medium and its enzyme activity was 165μg/ml/min. The results imply that the isolate had acquired operational genes through lateral gene transfer (LGT) probably from unrelated species in the environment. This indicates that the isolate identified possesses metabolic and ecological diversities with values of phylogenetic delineation

Effects of Bt-cotton on biological properties of Vertisols in central India

Growing areas under transgenic crops have created a concern over their possible adverse impact on the soil ecosystem. This study evaluated the effect of Bt-cotton based cropping systems on soil microbial and biochemical activities and their functional relationships with active soil carbon pools in Vertisols of central India (Nagpur, Maharastra, during 2012–2013). Culturable groups of soil microflora, enzymatic activities and active pools of soil carbon were measured under different Bt-cotton based cropping systems (e.g. cotton-soybean, cotton-redgram, cotton-wheat, cotton-vegetables and cotton-fallow). Significantly higher counts of soil heterotrophs (5.7–7.9 log cfu g−1soil), aerobic N-fixer (3.9–5.4 log cfu g−1soil) and P-solubilizer (2.5−3.0 log cfu g−1soil) were recorded in Bt-cotton soils. Similarly, soil enzymatic activities, viz. dehydrogenase (16.6–22.67 µg TPF g−1 h−1), alkaline phosphatase (240–253 µg PNP g−1 h−1) and fluorescein di-acetate hydrolysis (14.6–18.0 µg fluorescein g−1 h−1), were significantly higher under Bt-cotton-soybean system than other Bt- and non-Bt-cotton based systems in all crop growth stages. The growth stage-wise order of soil microbiological activities were: boll development > harvest > vegetative stage. Significant correlations were observed between microbiological activities and active carbon pools in the rhizosphere soil. The findings indicated no adverse effect of Bt-cotton on soil biological properties

Bioinformatics in crosslinking chemistry of collagen with selective cross linkers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Identifying the molecular interactions using bioinformatics tools before venturing into wet lab studies saves the energy and time considerably. The present study summarizes, molecular interactions and binding energy calculations made for major structural protein, collagen of Type I and Type III with the chosen cross-linkers, namely, coenzyme Q₁₀, dopaquinone, embelin, embelin complex-1 & 2, idebenone, 5-O-methyl embelin, potassium embelate and vilangin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Molecular descriptive analyses suggest, dopaquinone, embelin, idebenone, 5-O-methyl embelin, and potassium embelate display nil violations. And results of docking analyses revealed, best affinity for Type I (- 4.74 kcal/mol) and type III (-4.94 kcal/mol) collagen was with dopaquinone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Among the selected cross-linkers, dopaquinone, embelin, potassium embelate and 5-O-methyl embelin were the suitable cross-linkers for both Type I and Type III collagen and stabilizes the collagen at the expected level.</p

Structural analysis and seismic stratigraphy for delineation of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian petroleum system in central and eastern part of Bikaner–Nagaur basin, India

Abstract Bikaner–Nagaur basin is located in the northwestern part of India and lies on the rising flank of Punjab platform of Middle Indus basin in Pakistan. Existence of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian petroleum system was confirmed by the exploration activities in the western periphery of the basin, whereas vast areas of central and eastern parts remain unexplored. Knowledge of petroleum system in this unexplored part of the basin is limited due to non-availability of data. Recently, 2525 line km of regional 2D seismic data acquired for the first time by Government of India under National Seismic Program (NSP) unlocks the opportunity for comprehensive understanding of subsurface geology in unexplored part of the basin. Present work aims to interpret recently acquired 2D seismic data and integrate with available surface (outcrop) data, gravity and well data (drilled in western part of basin) for unfolding the petroleum system elements, structural configurations and stratigraphic features in the hitherto central-eastern part of the basin. Two Neoproterozoic-Cambrian hydrocarbon plays: (1) Jodhpur and (2) overlying Bilara/Hanseran Evaporite Group (HEG) were envisaged. Both the plays depicted distinctive seismic characteristics, structural alignment and distribution of reservoir, source and seal. Fluvio-deltaic sandstone within Jodhpur group and shallow marine fractured dolomites within Bilara/HEG showed potential reservoir characteristics whereas organic rich laminated dolomites, stromatolites and argillaceous litho-units within Bilara/HEG group have been predicted as prospective source. The Halite layers within HEG group were considered as effective regional seals. Fault bounded anticlinal structures associated with Cambrian compression have been identified as the main entrapment for hydrocarbon accumulation. The basin witnessed long tectonostratigraphic history with two major compressional phases Structures formed by Cambrian compression are likely to be charged as the time of source maturity and peak expulsion was later, during early Mesozoic period. Overall, the study indicates new opportunities and potential accumulation of hydrocarbon in the unexplored part of the basin

Studies on collagen-tannic acid-collagenase ternary system: inhibition of collagenase against collagenolytic degradation of extracellular matrix component of collagen

We report the detailed studies on the inhibitory effect of tannic acid (TA) on Clostridium histolyticum collagenase (ChC) activity against degradation of extracellular matrix component of collagen. The TA treated collagen exhibited 64% resistance against collagenolytic hydrolysis by ChC, whereas direct interaction of TA with ChC exhibited 99% inhibition against degradation of collagen and the inhibition was found to be concentration dependant. The kinetic inhibition of ChC has been deduced from the extent of hydrolysis of N-[3-(2-furyl) acryloyl]-Leu-Gly-Pro-Ala (FALGPA). This data provides a selective competitive mode of inhibition on ChC activity seems to be influenced strongly by the nature and structure of TA. TA showed inhibitor activity against the ChC by molecular docking method. This result demonstrated that TA containing digalloyl radical possess the ability to inhibit the ChC. The inhibition of ChC in gaining new insight into the mechanism of stabilization of collagen by TA is discusse

Protective effect of withania somnifera and cardiospermum halicacabum extracts against collagenolytic degradation of collagen

The irreversible destruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) such as cartilage, tendon, and bone that comprise synovial joints is the hallmark of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis by over-expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-collagenases. We report herein the detailed study on the inhibitory effects of Withania somnifera extract (WSE) and Cardiospermum halicacabum extract (CHE) on Clostridium histolyticum collagenase (ChC) activity against the degradation of the ECM component of bovine Achilles tendon type I collagen by hydroxyproline assay method. Interaction of WSE and CHE with ChC exhibited 71% and 88% inhibition, respectively, to the collagenolytic activity of ChC against collagen degradation, and the inhibition was found to be concentration-dependent. The inhibition kinetics of ChC by both the extracts has been deduced from the extent of hydrolysis of N-[3-(2-furyl) acryloyl]-Leu-Gly-Pro-Ala. Both WSE and CHE are provided competitive and mixed type inhibition on ChC activity, respectively. Circular dichroism studies of ChC on treatment with WSE and CHE revealed changes in the secondary structure of collagenase. These results suggest that the WSE and CHE facilitated collagen stabilization through collagenase inhibition

Thermokinetic responses of the metabolic activity of Staphylococcus lentus cultivated in a glucose limited mineral salt medium

Biocalorimetric experiments were performed to investigate the metabolic thermal responses of the halotolerant species Staphylococcus lentus in glucose limited mineral salt medium. Growth factors were optimized in both shaker flask and calorimetric experiments. A limiting value of 5 g/L glucose was found to be the optimum for S. lentus growth. The heat flux profiles, OUR, biomass growth, and substrate depletion profiles were compared to deduce the metabolic activity of S. lentus. Shifts in heat flux due to the shifts in substrate uptake and three distinct phases of growth are noticeable in heat profile curves. Respirogram (OUR) and heat profiles are seen to follow the biomass growth curve. Oxycalorific coefficient is validated with the theoretical studies and those noticed in published literature

Effect of maternal dietary manipulation and in ovo injection of nutrients on the hatchability indices, post-hatch growth, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and immunocompetence traits of turkey poults

Two hundred turkey breeder hens and 24 viable toms of 30-35 weeks (wk) old of small white variety were distributed into 2 treatment groups having 4 replicates First four replicates were offered diet A [National Research Council. 1994. Nutrient requirements of poultry. 8th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press] and other four replicates were maintained on a higher plane of nutrition – diet B for 8 wk. Five hundred and fortyeight fertile eggs on 21st embryonic day were in ovo injected with nutrients (essential amino acids - INA; linolenic acid, linoleic acid, retinol and DL-alpha-tocopherol-INFV; INA + INFV-INAFV, sham control – S and un-injected control – C). INAFV poults had significantly (P < .01) higher body weight compared to other treatment groups till 8 wk of age. Total immunoglobulins in response to 1% sheep red blood cells were significantly higher (P < .01) in the INA group compared to the C group. Cell-mediated immune response was significantly higher (P < .01) in the diet B group compared to diet A group. Thus, INAFV treatment may be carried out for better posthatch growth and breeders may be maintained on higher plane of nutrition along with INA treatment to elicit better post-hatch immunity