Molecular mechanism of methionine differentiation in high and low methionine maize lines

Since maize is a primary food stuff for humans and livestock, its amino acid balance is important for proper nutrition. Methionine, an essential amino acid and a primary source of sulfur, is lacking in maize endosperm. Several maize populations were developed through breeding with enhanced methionine content in comparison with normal maize populations. BS31HM (high methionine) and BS31LM (low methionine) maize were among such populations created by the selection from the highest or lowest methionine content population from original BS31 maize. Candidate gene approach was adopted to determine the difference between the two populations at transcript level of the selected genes in the endosperm. The genes selected were mostly expressed in the endosperm and could be involved in enhanced methionine biosynthesis. The selected genes, that is, 15-kDa β-zein, 16-kDa γ-zein, 19-kDa α- zeinB1, 27-kDa γ-zein, 22-kDa α-zein and 18-kDa δ-zein were responsible for coding of endosperm storage proteins when analyzed through RT-PCR. Similarly, expression level relative to the high population (2-ΔΔct) values were also calculated for BS31HM and BS31LM, respectively. These values were found as 1 and 0.25, 1 and 0.07, 1 and 0.10, 1 and 0.15, 1 and 0.33, 1 and 0.43 for 27-kDa γ-zein, 22- kDa α-zein, 18-kDa δ-zein, 15-kDa β-zein, 16-kDa γ-zein and 19-kDa α-zeinB1, respectively, in both populations. The p-values were determined by student’s t-test at confidence level of 95%. The expression of 18-kDa δ-gene, 15-kDa β-gene and 16-kDa γ-gene were found to be significant (p < 0.05) in high methionine maize population when compared with low methionine maize population. Non significant (p > 0.05) differences in the expression level of 27-kDa γ-gene, 22-kDa α-gene and 19-kDa α- gene were observed in both HM and LM maize populations. From these results it can be concluded that all zein genes did not show expression equally in high and low methionine  maize populations.Key words: Maize, methionine, zein, storage protein, amino acid, real time PCR

Analysis of HMWGS of historical set of Pakistani bread wheat varieties using SDS-PAGE

In the present study an attempt has been made to characterize thirty bread-wheat varieties of Pakistan for High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunits (HMW- GS). Glutenin proteins form a continuous proteinaceous matrix in the cells and form a continuous viscoelastic network during the mixing process of dough development. Glutenin consists of High Molecular Weight (HMW) and Low Molecular Weight (LMW) subunits. The HMW Glutenin Subunits (HMW-GS) are chiefly vital for determining doughelasticity. The core objective of our research work was to inspect the glutenin subunits by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and compare the banding pattern withChinese Spring High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits (HMW-GS). The bands were numbered according to Payne's numbering system and varieties were accordingly assigned theoretical quality scores. All the tested varieties indicated null allele for gluA1 locus, 17 + 18 for gluB1 locus and 2 + 12 for gluD1 locus. This result indicating that all varieties have similar bread making quality alleles at HMWGS loci. The varieties containing 5 + 10 HMWGS allele at gluD1 locus have better bread making quality. Better bread making wheat varieties may be produced by crossing the local varieties of gluA1 locus, 17 + 18 for gluB1 locus and 2 + 12 for gluD1 locus with 5 + 10 HMWGS allele at gluD1 locus

Effect of different solvent extracted sample of Allium sativum (Linn) on bacteria and fungi

This study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of garlic-extracted samples against bacteria and fungi at different concentration, in various polar solvents. For this purpose, six different extracts were prepared, using five different polar solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, chloroforms and butanol) and water. Two different concentrations (1 and 2 mg disc-1) of each extract were subjected for preliminary antibacterial screening against seven pathogenic bacteria by Kirby- Bauer disk diffusion method. The result of in vitro antibacterial screening showed that 6 extracts from garlic had different ranges of antibacterial activities. When garlic extracts were studied for their antibacterial potential against Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, the butanol extracted samples showed the highest inhibitory effect against B. cereus (76% ZI at 2 mg disc-1 concentration). Water extracted samples indicated a good range of inhibitory effect against Salmonella typhi (73% ZI at 2 mg disc-1) and butanol extracted sample showed highest activity against Erwinia carotovora (75% ZI). The data also showed that of petroleum ether, methanol and water did not show any  inhibitory effect against the tested microbes.Key words: Solvent, bacteria, fungi, Allium sativum

Antimicrobial potentials of Eclipta alba by disc diffusion method

This study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial potentials of methanol, petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water extracted samples from the aerial parts of Eclipta alba against nine microbial species. The antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) susceptibility was screened by disc diffusion assay. The tested microbial species were Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Erwinia carotovora, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. The extracts were applied in different concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 mg disc-1. Analysis of the data revealed that all the six extracts from E. alba showed different ranges of antimicrobial activities. Butanol fraction showed inhibitory activities against all the nine microbial species. Ethyl acetate fraction showed inhibitory effects against all the tested microbial species except B. cereus and S. typhi. Petroleum ether, dichloromethane, methanol and water extracted samples had varying levels of inhibitions against some of these microorganisms. The most resistant microbial strain was S. typhi and was not controlled by petroleum ether, dichloromethane, methanol and water extracted samples. The most susceptible Gram positive bacterium was B. subtilis and was inhibited by all the six extracts from E. alba while the most resistant Gram positive bacterium was B. cereus. E. carotovora was the most susceptible Gram negative bacterium while S. typhi and E. coli were highly resistant among the Gram negative bacteria.Key words: Antimicrobial, potential, Eclipta alba, disc diffusion

Virulence traits and novel drug delivery strategies for mucormycosis post-COVID-19: a comprehensive review

The outbreak of a fatal black fungus infection after the resurgence of the cadaverous COVID-19 has exhorted scientists worldwide to develop a nutshell by repurposing or designing new formulations to address the crisis. Patients expressing COVID-19 are more susceptible to Mucormycosis (MCR) and thus fall easy prey to decease accounting for this global threat. Their mortality rates range around 32-70% depending on the organs affected and grow even higher despite the treatment. The many contemporary recommendations strongly advise using liposomal amphotericin B and surgery as first-line therapy whenever practicable. MCR is a dangerous infection that requires an antifungal drug administration on appropriate prescription, typically one of the following: Amphotericin B, Posaconazole, or Isavuconazole since the fungi that cause MCR are resistant to other medications like fluconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins. Amphotericin B and Posaconazole are administered through veins (intravenously), and isavuconazole by mouth (orally). From last several years so many compounds are developed against invasive fungal disease but only few of them are able to induce effective treatment against the micorals. Adjuvant medicines, more particularly, are difficult to assess without prospective randomized controlled investigations, which are challenging to conduct given the lower incidence and higher mortality from Mucormycosis. The present analysis provides insight into pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, underlying fungal virulence, and growth mechanisms. In addition, current therapy for MCR in Post Covid-19 individuals includes conventional and novel nano-based advanced management systems for procuring against deadly fungal infection. The study urges involving nanomedicine to prevent fungal growth at the commencement of infection, delay the progression, and mitigate fatality risk

Respuesta de la semilla de maíz (Zea mays L.) a tratamientos con NaCl y estrés salino

Salinity is one of the biggest limitants for agriculture in semi-arid areas of the world. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of seed priming with 6 dS m–1 NaCl on growth and yield responses of two maize cultivars (Azam and Sarhad yellow) exposed to three levels of salinity (0, 6, 8 dS m–1). Statistical analysis of the data revealed that cultivars, seed priming with saline water (6 dS m–1) and subsequent exposure to salinity stress had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on germination, days to emergence, plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, leaf area, shoot Na+, K+, proline, abscisic acid contents and yield variables. The results suggested that increasing salinity level had a negative effect on the growth and development of both cultivars under study. Analysis of the data also revealed that maize cv Azam performed better than cv. Sarhad yellow when exposed to different levels of salinity. Priming of cv Azam with NaCl resulted in earlier emergence (2 days) and germination rate (31.92%), plant height (12%), shoot proline (950.33 μg g–1 fresh weight) and ABA levels (0.983 and 1.203 μg g–1 fresh weight) and yield (36% than the non-primed treatment). These results suggest that priming of maize seeds with NaCl before sowing induces physiological and biochemical changes, which resulted in better performance when subsequently exposed to different levels of salinity.La salinidad es uno de los mayores limitantes para la agricultura en las zonas semi-áridas del mundo. Se estudió el efecto sobre el crecimiento y producción del tratamiento con NaCl 6 dS m–1 de las semillas antes de la siembra de dos cultivares de maíz (Azam y Sarhad amarillo) y posterior exposición a tres niveles de salinidad (0, 6 y 8 dS m–1). El análisis estadístico de los datos reveló que los cultivares, el tratamiento salino de las semillas y su posterior exposición a un estrés salino tuvieron un efecto significativo (p < 0.05) sobre la germinación, días de emergencia, altura de planta, peso en fresco y seco de los tallos, área foliar, Na+ y K+ de los tallos, y contenido de prolina y ácido abscísico, así como sobre la producción. Un aumento en los niveles de salinidad tuvo un efecto negativo sobre el crecimiento y desarrollo de los dos cultivares estudiados; no obstante, el maíz cv Azam se comportó mejor que el cv Sarhad amarillo, con una emergencia más temprana (2 días), tasa de germinación (31,92%), altura de planta (12%), niveles de prolina (950,33 μg g–1 de peso fresco) y ácido abscísico (0,983 y 1,203 μg g–1 peso fresco) en tallo y producción (36%) respecto el tratamiento control. Estos resultados sugieren que el tratamiento de las semillas de maíz con NaCl antes de la siembra induce cambios fisiológicos y bioquímicos, que se traducen en un mejor comportamiento cuando posteriormente las plantas son expuestas a diferentes niveles de salinidad

Effect of abscisic acid applications on cold tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A series of field experiments were undertaken at three locations in Khyber PukhtunKhwa (KPK) Province, Pakistan to assess the effects of low temperatures and phytohormone applications on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth and yield. These trials showed that ABA application (10−4 M) to 40-day-old plants (before the first seasonal frost) offset low temperature-induced growth and yield depression at harvest (200-day-old plants) by up to 17%. These yield improvements were mainly due to an increase in the number of seeds pod−1. Growth room experiments were carried out under controlled environmental conditions to establish how foliar application of 10−4 M ABA to 40-day-old plants might improve seed production at harvest. The foliar application of 10−4 M ABA had no detectable effect on endogenous shoot or root ABA levels four-days after spraying or on biomass when plants were maintained in warm conditions. When exposed to night temperatures of −2 °C, however, the endogenous ABA levels increased dramatically in both control and ABA-treated plants, but this rise was more rapid after ABA application (p < 0.01); after 14 days, these plants had gained significantly more biomass than the unsprayed controls (p < 0.05). No evidence was found to suggest ABA affected the osmotic or water balance of plants, but parallel experiments have shown ABA reduced low temperature-induced cell damage. Analysis of the proteome of the shoot tissues of ABA treated and untreated plants by 2-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis identified several proteins that are induced by low temperatures and/or by ABA application in chickpea and which may be involved in conferring coldtolerance. Attempts were made to establish the identity of these proteins using mass spectrometry but in all cases the results were ambiguous; a more complete protein data base for legumes is required before the function of these proteins can be inferred

Identification of novel brown midrib genes in maize by tests of allelism

Brown midrib (bm) mutations are known to affect cell-wall digestibility by altering the quantity and composition of lignins in cell walls, resulting in higher ethanol yield and increased cell-wall digestibility. So far, four bm genes (bm1, bm2, bm3 and bm4) were identified and mapped in maize, the last one (bm4) in 1947. In this study, 13 spontaneous mutations (bm*A–M) resulting in the appearance of brown midribs were crossed with bm1–4 for tests of allelism. From these tests, we report two new bm mutants bm5 (bm*F) and bm6 (bm*J) while other bm* lines were either found allelic to bm1–4 or to one of the bm* lines.This article is published as Ali, Farhad, P. Scott, J. Bakht, Y. Chen, and T. Lübberstedt. "Identification of novel brown midrib genes in maize by tests of allelism." Plant breeding 129, no. 6 (2010): 724-726. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0523.2010.01791.x.</p