Comparative proteome analysis and thermal stress induced changes in the embryo of poly- and bi-voltine strains of Bombyx mori

Proteins are the ultimate operating molecules producing the physiological effect in all the stages of an organism. As a consequence, proteome of the embryo play a pivotal role in determining the biological structures besides cellular organization and morphogenetic movements that occur during embryo development. But, changes in the environment temperature for few hours whether that alter the embryo development, protein expression and hatching of infants are unknown in Bombyx mori L. Hence, eggs of poly- and bi-voltine breeds were exposed to heat shock temperature of 35, 40 and 45°C for 2 h to measure tolerance level and differential expression of proteins in different age of the embryos. To facilitate comparative analysis among different breeds a comprehensive proteome map was constructed considering protein profile of different day’s embryos. Interestingly, ~10 to 21 protein bands were recorded during embryo development - from ovipostion till hatching - along with few new protein bands on day-6, which were differ in their intensity in different silkworm strains. Interestingly, no change in the protein pattern was observed in different days embryos exposed to thermal stress at 35 and 40°C. But degradation of 18 and 19 kDa proteins were recorded in all the days of embryos exposed to 45°C while four major protein bands remain unaltered. Further, the percent of hatching was slightly declined in 35 and 40°C and zero hatching was recorded in all the stages of eggs HS at 45°C. This clearly indicates that differential expression/degradation of proteins as a response to thermal stress not only influences the growth and development but also determine hatching of embryo. Accordingly, we suggest that embryonic protein map constructed in the present study shall be a valid reference for comparative analysis and hatching of embryos as one of the key traits to measure the rate of thermotolerance in the existing or new strains/breeds of B. mori

Qualitative Analysis of Subsurface Water Quality in Challakere Taluk, Karnataka, India

Rural India relies mainly on groundwater for drinking and agriculture. Unsustainable withdrawal of groundwater has led to the spectra of depleting the problem of water scarcity. The available groundwater quality is not only contaminated by hazardous pathogenic germs and anthropogenic substances but also geogenic substances is adversely affect the water supply of many regions. The groundwater of Challakere taluk had many threats such as anthropogenic activities, quality deterioration by agricultural activities and over exploitation and also persistence of continuous drought condition. This paper mainly addresses the physico-chemical concentration of 30 groundwater samples during August 2009 in Challakere taluk, Karnataka (India). The results of all the findings are discussed in details which reflect the present status of the groundwater quality of the study area. Groundwater is extremely important to the future economy and growth of rural India. If the resource is to remain available as high quality water for future generation it is important to protect from possible contamination. Hence it is recommended that suitable water quality management is essential to avoid any further contamination

Comprehensive Analysis of Homologous Proteins for Specific Drug Design

A drug is a chemical substance used in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or as a component of a medication, should be specific and freedom from side affect. Many issues should be addressed while designing a new drug or improving existing compound. The increase in the interdisciplinary nature of science gives bioinformatics, systems and computational biology, which helps in reducing research and development costs, minimize drug failures by predicting drug efficacy and toxicity. One of the most important pathogenic bacterium is Aeromonas species which causes tissue damage, acute gastroenteritis and neonatal septicemia. Bacterial proteins are the ultimate target to inhibit their growth and these are the executors of cellular function. In related to this we selected four such different proteins Flavohemo protein, Guanylate kinase, Topoisomerase and Oligopeptidase found to be present in both humans and Aeromonas to study the effects of antibiotics through in silico approaches. An attempt has been made to classify the inhibitors as host protein inhibitors or guest protein inhibitors. Finally we conclude that the molecule AgkI5 (2-morpholin-4-yl-thianthren-1-ylpyron-4-one) shown good inhibition with minimum binding energy -9.30, docking energy -10.03, inhibition constant 1.53e-007 and RMS 0.0 against Aeromonas Guanylate kinase [Aeromonas: Modelled] when compared to human Guanylate kinase [PDB ID: 1KJD]. So AgkI5 was predicted as a good antibiotic against Aeromonas Species.Keywords: Aeromonas species; Host; Guest; Guanylate kinase Docking; Protein Inhibitor

A Mycobacterium smegmatis gyrase B specific monoclonal antibody reveals association of gyrase A and B subunits in the cell

DNA gyrase is a unique topoisomerase, which plays important roles in macromolecular events like DNA replication, transcription and genetic recombination. In this study a high affinity monoclonal antibody to the gyrase B (GyrB) subunit of Mycobacterium smegmatis was characterized, which did not cross-react with either the Escherichia coli GyrB subunit or with GyrB subunits from other mycobacterial species. The antibody recognized an epitope in the N-terminus, novobiocin-binding domain of GyrB. Immunoprecipitation of gyrase from M. smegmatis cell lysate revealed an association, mediated by ionic interactions, of gyrase A and GyrB subunits in the cell. This antibody is a valuable tool for structure-function analysis and immunocytological studies of mycobacterial DNA gyrase

Gamma, X-ray and neutron shielding properties of boron polymers

271-276We have studied the X-ray and gamma radiation shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, Half Value Layer (HVL), Tenth Value Layer (TVL), effective atomic number and electron density in some boron polymers of different boron based polymers [ Polymer A-PolyBorazylene (B3N3H4), Polymer B- 4-Vinylphenyl Boronic acid (C8H9O2B), Polymer C- Borazine (B3N3H6), Polymer D- 3-Acrylamidophenylboronic acid (C9H10BNO3) Polymer E-Phenylethenylboronic acid (C14H19BO2), Polymer F- 4-Aminophenylboronic acid (C12H18BNO2) and Polymer G- 3- Aminophenylboronic acid (C6H8BNO2)]. We have also studied the neutron shielding properties such as coherent neutron scattering length, incoherent neutron scattering lengths, coherent neutron scattering cross section, incoherent neutron scattering cross sections, total neutron scattering cross section and neutron absorption cross sections in the boron polymers. We have compared the shielding properties among the studied different boron polymers. From the detail study, it is clear that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good absorber for X-ray, gamma radiation and neutron. Hence, we suggest that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good shielding material for X-ray, gamma and neutrons

Effect of NaF flux on microstructure and thermoluminescence properties of Sm3+ doped CdSiO3 nanophosphor

This work reports the preparation of CdSiO3:Sm3+ (1-7 mol) nanophosphors by a low temperature solution combustion method. For the first time the effect of NaF flux on the crystallization behavior, morphology, and thermoluminescence property of 5 mol Sm3+ doped CdSiO 3 has been investigated. The nanopowders are well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PXRD results indicate that the powder calcined at 800 °C for 2 h has monoclinic phase. SEM results show that the powder is highly porous and the pore size and shape can be modified by the addition of NaF flux. Addition of NaF could lead to formation of particle type morphology and the increase in wt of NaF changes crystallinity and phase. The thermoluminescence glow curves for 2-6 wt NaF in CdSiO3:Sm 3+ show a single, well resolved glow peak at 126, 130 and 150 °C, respectively. But for the sample prepared with 8 wt of NaF flux shows two glow peaks at 148 and 220 °C. With the addition of NaF flux, TL intensity can be effectively enhanced. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Benthic fluxes in a tropical Estuary and their role in the ecosystem

In-situ measurements of benthic fluxes of oxygen and nutrients were made in the subtidal region of the Mandovi estuary during premonsoon and monsoon seasons to understand the role of sediment-water exchange processes in the estuarine ecosystem. The Mandovi estuary is a shallow, highly dynamic, macrotidal estuary which experiences marine condition in the premonsoon season and nearly fresh water condition in the monsoon season. The benthic flux of nutrients exhibited strong seasonality, being higher in the premonsoon compared to the monsoon season which explains the higher ecosystem productivity in the dry season in spite of negligible riverine nutrient input. NH4+ was the major form of released N comprising 70-100% of DIN flux. The benthic respiration rate varied from -98.91 to -35.13 mmol m-2 d-1, NH4+ flux from 5.15 to 0.836 mmol m-2 d-1, NO3- + NO2- from 0.06 to -1.06 mmol m-2 d-1, DIP from 0.12 to 0.23 mmol m-2 d-1 and SiO44- from 5.78 to 0.41 mmol m-2 d-1 between premonsoon to monsoon period. The estuarine sediment acted as a net source of DIN in the premonsoon season, but changed to a net sink in the monsoon season. Variation in salinity seemed to control NH4+ flux considerably. Macrofaunal activities, especially bioturbation, enhanced the fluxes 2-25 times. The estuarine sediment was observed to be a huge reservoir of NH4+, PO43- and SiO44- and acted as a net sink of combined N because of the high rate of benthic denitrification as it could remove 22% of riverine DIN influx thereby protecting the eco system from eutrophication and consequent degradation. The estuarine sediment was responsible for ~30-50% of the total community respiration in the estuary. The benthic supply of DIN, PO43- and SiO44- can potentially meet 49%, 25% and 55% of algal N, P and Si demand, respectively, in the estuary. Based on these observations we hypothesize that it is mainly benthic NH4+ efflux that sustains high estuarine productivity in the NO3- depleted dry season

Measurement of 92Mo(n,α)89Zr and 97Mo(n,p)97Nb reactions at the neutron energy 13.52 MeV with covariance analysis

218-222The cross sections have been estimated for the Nuclear reactions 92Mo(n,α)89Zr and 97Mo(n,p)97Nb produced in Purnima neutron generator at neutron energy of 13.52±0.0045 MeV using activation analysis and off-line γ -ray spectrometric techniques. 27Al(n,α)24Na has been used as a monitor reaction. The covariance analysis for these cross sections has been carried out by taking into consideration of partial uncertainties of different attributes and correlations between the attributes. The cross section values of the present study have been compared with EXFOR, ENDF data of various libraries and theoretical data of TALYS-1.8 code

Gamma, X-ray and neutron shielding properties of boron polymers

We have studied the X-ray and gamma radiation shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, Half Value Layer (HVL), Tenth Value Layer (TVL), effective atomic number and electron density in some boron polymers of different boron based polymers [ Polymer A-PolyBorazylene (B3N3H4), Polymer B- 4-Vinylphenyl Boronic acid (C8H9O2B), Polymer C- Borazine (B3N3H6), Polymer D- 3-Acrylamidophenylboronic acid (C9H10BNO3) Polymer E-Phenylethenylboronic acid (C14H19BO2), Polymer F- 4-Aminophenylboronic acid (C12H18BNO2) and Polymer G- 3- Aminophenylboronic acid (C6H8BNO2)]. We have also studied the neutron shielding properties such as coherent neutron scattering length, incoherent neutron scattering lengths, coherent neutron scattering cross section, incoherent neutron scattering cross sections, total neutron scattering cross section and neutron absorption cross sections in the boron polymers. We have compared the shielding properties among the studied different boron polymers. From the detail study, it is clear that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good absorber for X-ray, gamma radiation and neutron. Hence, we suggest that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good shielding material for X-ray, gamma and neutrons

Silkworm Thermal Biology: A Review of Heat Shock Response, Heat Shock Proteins and Heat Acclimation in the Domesticated Silkworm, Bombyx mori

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are known to play ecological and evolutionary roles in this postgenomic era. Recent research suggests that HSPs are implicated in cardiovascular biology and disease development, proliferation and regulation of cancer cells, cell death via apoptosis, and several other key cellular functions. These activities have generated great interest amongst cell and molecular biologists, and these biologists are keen to unravel other hitherto unknown potential functions of this group of proteins. Consequently, the biological significance of HSPs has led to cloning and characterization of genes encoding HSPs in many organisms including the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). However, most of the past investigations in B. mori were confined to expression of HSPs in tissues and cell lines, whereas information on their specific functional roles in biological, physiological, and molecular processes is scarce. Naturally occurring or domesticated polyvoltines (known to be the tropical race) are more resistant to high temperatures and diseases than bi- or univoltines (temperate races). The mechanism of ecological or evolutionary modification of HSPs during the course of domestication of B. mori - particularly in relation to thermotolerance in geographically distinct races/strains - is still unclear. In addition, the heat shock response, thermal acclimation, and hardening have not been studied extensively in B. mori compared to other organisms. Towards this, recent investigations on differential expression of HSPs at various stages of development, considering the concept of the whole organism, open ample scope to evaluate their biological and commercial importance in B. mori which has not been addressed in any of the representative organisms studied so far. Comparatively, heat shock response among different silkworm races/strains of poly-, bi-, and univoltines varies significantly and thermotolerance increases as the larval development proceeds. Hence, this being the first review in this area, an attempt has been made to collate all available information on the heat shock response, HSPs expression, associated genes, amino acid sequences, and acquired/unacquired thermotolerance. The aim is to present this as a valuable resource for addressing the gap in knowledge and understanding evolutionary significance of HSPs between domesticated (B. mori) and non-domesticated insects. It is believed that the information presented here will also help researchers/breeders to design appropriate strategies for developing novel strains for the tropics