Glutamate mediated metabolic neutralization mitigates propionate toxicity in intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Metabolic networks in biological systems are interconnected, such that malfunctioning parts can be corrected by other parts within the network, a process termed adaptive metabolism. Unlike Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) better manages its intracellular lifestyle by executing adaptive metabolism. Here, we used metabolomics and identified glutamate synthase (GltB/D) that converts glutamine to glutamate (Q → E) as a metabolic effort used to neutralize cytoplasmic pH that is acidified while consuming host propionate carbon through the methylcitrate cycle (MCC). Methylisocitrate lyase, the last step of the MCC, is intrinsically downregulated in BCG, leading to obstruction of carbon flux toward central carbon metabolism, accumulation of MCC intermediates, and interference with GltB/D mediated neutralizing activity against propionate toxicity. Indeed, vitamin B12 mediated bypass MCC and additional supplement of glutamate led to selectively correct the phenotypic attenuation in BCG and restore the adaptive capacity of BCG to the similar level of Mtb phenotype. Collectively, a defective crosstalk between MCC and Q → E contributes to attenuation of intracellular BCG. Furthermore, GltB/D inhibition enhances the level of propionate toxicity in Mtb. Thus, these findings revealed a new adaptive metabolism and propose GltB/D as a synergistic target to improve the antimicrobial outcomes of MCC inhibition in Mtb

H2S biosynthesis and catabolism: new insights from molecular studies

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has profound biological effects within living organisms and is now increasingly being considered alongside other gaseous signalling molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Conventional use of pharmacological and molecular approaches has spawned a rapidly growing research field that has identified H2S as playing a functional role in cell-signalling and post-translational modifications. Recently, a number of laboratories have reported the use of siRNA methodologies and genetic mouse models to mimic the loss of function of genes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of H2S within tissues. Studies utilising these systems are revealing new insights into the biology of H2S within the cardiovascular system, inflammatory disease, and in cell signalling. In light of this work, the current review will describe recent advances in H2S research made possible by the use of molecular approaches and genetic mouse models with perturbed capacities to generate or detoxify physiological levels of H2S gas within tissue

Modern Genomic Tools for Pigeonpea Improvement: Status and Prospects

Pigeonpea owing to its ability to sustain harsh environment and limited input/water requirement remains an excellent remunerative crop in the face of increasing climatic adversities. With nearly 70% share in global pigeonpea production, India is the leading pigeonpea producing country. Since the mid-1900s, constant research efforts directed to improve yield and resistance levels of pigeonpea have resulted in the development and deployment of several commercially accepted cultivars in India, accommodating into diverse agro-climatic zones. However, the crop productivity needs incremental improvements in order to meet the growing nutritional demands, especially in developing countries like India where pigeonpea forms a dominant part of vegetarian diet. Empowering crop improvement strategies with genomic tool kit is imperative to attain the project gains in crop yield. In the context, adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has helped establish a wide range of genomic resources to support pigeonpea breeding, and the existing molecular tool kit includes genome-wide genetic markers, transcriptome/genome assemblies, and candidate genes/QTLs for target traits. Similarly, availability of whole mitochondrial genome sequence and derived DNA markers is immensely relevant in order to furthering the understanding of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) system and hybrid breeding. This chapter covers the progress of developing modern genomic resources in pigeonpea and highlights their vital role in designing future crop breeding schemes

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Not AvailableFoxtail millet is one of the climate resilient crops having great capabilities to sustain agriculture production in near future. Forty four genotypes of foxtail millet were evaluated to study the genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients. The Estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were high for number of productive tillers plant-1, number of panicles plant-1, grain yield plant-1, straw yield plant-1 and iron content. All the traits except plant height had the maximum heritability. High genetic advance as per cent of mean coupled with high estimates of broad sense heritability (h2 b) (>60%) indicated that, the variation observed for most of the traits were heritable and selection would be effective for improvement of these traits. Grain yield plant-1 (g) was highly significant and positively correlated with number of productive tillers plant-1, panicle length, number of panicles plant-1, 1000-grain weight, straw yield plant-1 and protein content. The selection in positive direction for these traits with grain yield plant-1 (g) can be practiced for genetic enhancement of grain yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that 1000-grain weight had the highest positive direct effects on grain yield plant-1. The indirect effect of number of panicles, panicle length (cm), number of productive tillers and straw yield through 1000-grain weight was positive and moderate to high indicating the direct selection for 1000-grain weight in foxtail millet will lead to simultaneous indirect selection of these traits for increased grain yield plant-1.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableExtrusion cooking is a unique method for preparing pasta, which is generally produced from durum wheat semolina. However, preparation of pasta from sorghum is not practiced in India. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to develop and standardize pasta from sorghum cultivar, M35-1 and wheat semolina of 0.1 mm particle size. Sorghum and wheat semolina in different proportions (T1;S:W-50:50,T2;S:W-60:40,T3;S:W-70:30,T4; S:W-80:20, T5; S −100) were mixed with lukewarm water (40 °C) in the cold extruder for 30 min and passed through the extruder with a screw speed of 80 rpm and at a temperature of 55° to obtain pasta of diameter (0.6 mm) and length (1.4 mm). The extruded pasta was dried at 70 °C in a tray drier for 8 h, cooled and stored in polyethylene bags at room temperature. The pasta was subjected to physico-chemical analysis such as length, diameter, bulk density, water absorption, cooking time, cooking loss, moisture, water activity, alcoholic acidity, amylase, carbohydrates, fat, protein, fibre and ash using standard methods. Organoleptic characteristics such as color and appearance, texture, taste, flavor and overall acceptability, stickiness, bulkiness and firmness were evaluated at laboratory level by a panel of semi trained judges using 5 point hedonic rating scale. Among the various blends studied, the sorghum and wheat semolina with a combination of 50:50 (T1) and 60:40 (T2) and 70:30 (T3) were more acceptable than others. Well acceptable sorghum pasta can be developed from sorghum and wheat, thereby improving its nutritional composition.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTo physiologically categorize drought tolerance characteristics of post-rainy sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], 21 sorghum genotypes were evaluated under well watered and water deficit stress conditions for 2 years. Water deficit stress showed mixed effect among the genotypes for days to flowering, while other traits were adversely affected. Over 35 % reduction in grain yield was recorded due to post-flowering drought. Retention of green leaf area (GLA) during grain filling stage was found to be associated with drought tolerance. Loss of GLA started earlier and faster among high susceptible lines compared to tolerant lines. Based on stability analysis and drought susceptibility indices IS 23514 and Phule Chitra were identified as stable drought tolerant lines. Identified lines can be used in post-rainy sorghum breeding and molecular studies in future. The study also suggests that easily scorable physiological traits such as retention of green leaf area can be combined with stability analysis and DSI to identify drought tolerant genotypes.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableBasic information on genetics and inheritance of quantitative characters, which is necessary to develop future breeding programme, is not widely studied in pigeonpea. Hence, present study was conducted among 5 generations in four pigeonpea crosses to know significance of additive-dominance model, gene action involved in inheritance of quantitative characters, heritability and genetic advance. “Scaling” and “joint scaling test” was significant for most characters indicating that additive-dominance model alone is not enough to explain the inheritance of a character. Though additive variance was more, dominance variance also played important role for most of the traits. Positive and negative alleles were found to be distributed between parents. Additive gene effect (d) was significant for pods per plant and seeds per pod whereas dominance gene effect (h) was more predominant among pod yield and seed yield. Dominance × Dominance inter-allelic interactions (l) was more important than Additive × Additive type (i) for most of the traits studied which could be exploited by selecting individuals based on their performance in recurrent selection. Complementary gene action was observed among many traits with few exhibiting duplicate gene action. Heritability and genetic advance was high indicating the effectiveness of selection. Since dominance effects is also present along with additive effects selection could be practised in later generations to identify high yielding genotypes.Not Availabl