Optimization of Extracellular Keratinase Production by Aspergillus Terreus Isolated From Chicken's Litter

In this current study 45 fungal isolates were isolated from chicken's litter on Feather Agar Medium (FAM) were screened for determining the potent keratinase producing isolates. Out of these fungal isolates, twelve species and one species variety exhibited various degrees of keratinolytic activities from which A. terreus showed the highest keratinase production (12.6U/ml). The optimum temperature and initial pH for keratinase production by A. terreus were 40°C and 8, respectively. The highest keratinase production was observed for a period 25 days. The optimum ionic strength for the enzyme production was 80mM NaCl. Deprivation of K+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Ca2+ or Zn2+ from the culture medium drastically reduced the keratinase production by A. terreus. In contrast, sulfur deprivation did not significantly affect the keratinase production. The Km and Vmax values for A. terreus keratinase were 8.64mg keratin and 56.7U/mg proteins, respectively. The optimum temperature, pH and ionic strength for keratinase activity were 35°C, 7.8 and 80-100mM NaCl, respectively

Abstract 074: Endothelial Caveolin-1 Mediates The Effects Of Dietary Sodium On Cardiovascular And Metabolic Function

Hypertension and insulin resistance (IR) are often associated with endothelial dysfunction; however, the underpinnings of their association are not well understood. Caveolin-1 (cav1) is a transmembrane protein identified in many cell types including cardiovascular (CV) and adipose cells. Our recent findings in mice and humans consistently suggest a role of cav1 in IR, dyslipidemia, CV dysfunction and hypertension in response to sodium loading. While adipose cav1 has been established as a critical mediator of glucose and lipid homeostasis, the role of endothelial cav1 in cardiometabolic dysfunction , and its relationship with dietary sodium is unclear. To test whether the cav1 in the endothelium mediates the effect of dietary sodium on CV and metabolic function, we used the Cre- loxP technology to generate a novel, endothelium-specific cav1 KO mouse model (Ecav1 KO). Glucose tolerance, BP, fasting insulin, lipids and the state of circulating RAAS were measured in Ecav1 KO and WT mice studied on low- and high-sodium diets (0.03 vs 1.6% Na) for 7 days. Ecav1 KO and WT mice had similar BW, food and water intake and urinary output on either diet. Compared to the WT, Ecav1 KO animals had significantly higher fasting blood glucose levels on a LS diet (103±4 vs 87±3 mg/dl, p&lt;0.01) but not on a HS diet. Ecav1 KO mice also had impaired glucose tolerance vs the WT, especially on a HS diet; however, the glucose intolerance was not as pronounced in the Ecav1 KO as in the full cav1 KO. There were no differences in fasting insulin or lipid levels between the genotypes. On a HS diet, Ecav1 KO vs WT mice had significantly higher SBP levels (117±2 vs 109±3 mmHg, p&lt;0.05). In addition, they had significantly higher pulse pressure (38±2 vs 29±1 mmHg, p&lt;0.01), heart rates (802±11 vs 725±12 bpm, p&lt;0.01) and rate pressure products, consistent with increased arterial stiffness and myocardial workload. These changes could not be explained by differences in kidney function; however, aldosterone levels were increased in Ecav1 KO vs WT animals (74±11 vs 48±5 ng/dl) despite no changes in PRA. Our findings are consistent with a direct role of endothelial cav1 in the development of IR and CV dysfunction, and highlight the importance of endothelial function in cardiometabolic homeostasis. </jats:p

Development of transgenic wheat plants withstand salt stress via the MDAR1 gene

In light of the fact that climate change has emerged as one of the difficulties confronting the global food system, researchers are obligated to work toward developing fundamental crops, particularly wheat, to combat environmental stress, including drought and salt. In the present study, genetic engineering was used to transfer the Arabidopsis MDAR1 gene, which controls the buildup of ascorbic acid (AsA) to make bread wheat less likely to be sensitive to salt stress. The biolistic bombardment was used to transfer cDNA from the Arabidopsis thaliana plant that encodes MDAR1 into Bobwhite 56 cultivar wheat plants. A molecular investigation was performed on six different transgenic lines to confirm the integration of the transgene, the copy number, and the expression of the transgene. There were one to three copies of the transgene, and there was no association found between the number of copies of the transgene and All the data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].the presence of its expression. Compared to plants that were not transgenic, the amount of ascorbic acid (AsA) that accumulated in the transgenic plants was twice as high. ROS concentrations are significantly lower in transgenic plants compared to non-transgenic plants under both control and salt stress conditions, effectively reducing oxidative stress. By cultivating transgenic T2 plants in a greenhouse, we were able to determine whether they were able to tolerate the potentially damaging effects of salt stress (200 mm). The study concluded that transgenic wheat plants that consistently expressed the MDAR1 gene become tolerant to salt stress with improvement in growth characteristics