In vitro plantlet regeneration from nodal segments and shoot tips of Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. Naga King Chili

An in vitro regeneration protocol was developed for Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. Naga King Chili, a very pungent chili cultivar and an important horticultural crop of Nagaland (Northeast India). Maximum number of shoot (13 ± 0.70) was induced with bud-forming capacity (BFC) index of 10.8, by culturing nodal segments in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 18.16 μM Thidiazuron (TDZ) followed by 35.52 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Using shoot tips as explants, multiple shoot (10 ± 0.37) (BFC 8.3) was also induced in MS medium fortified with either 18.16 μM TDZ or 35.52 μM BAP. Elongated shoots were best rooted in MS medium containing 5.70 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Rooted plantlets thus developed were hardened in 2–3 weeks time in plastic cups containing potting mixture of a 1:1 mix of soil and cow dung manure and then subsequently transferred to earthen pots. The regenerated plants did not show any variation in the morphology and growth as compared to the parent plant

Modulating RNA structure and catalysis: lessons from small cleaving ribozymes

RNA is a key molecule in life, and comprehending its structure/function relationships is a crucial step towards a more complete understanding of molecular biology. Even though most of the information required for their correct folding is contained in their primary sequences, we are as yet unable to accurately predict both the folding pathways and active tertiary structures of RNA species. Ribozymes are interesting molecules to study when addressing these questions because any modifications in their structures are often reflected in their catalytic properties. The recent progress in the study of the structures, the folding pathways and the modulation of the small ribozymes derived from natural, self-cleaving, RNA motifs have significantly contributed to today’s knowledge in the field

Fresh Insights into Disease Etiology and the Role of Microbial Pathogens

Pathogens have been implicated in the initiation and/or promotion of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc); however, no evidence was found to substantiate the direct contribution to this disease in past years. Recently, significant advances have been made in understanding the role of the innate immune system in SSc pathogenesis, supporting the idea that pathogens might interact with host innate immune-regulatory responses in SSc. In light of these findings, we review the studies that identified the presence of pathogens in SSc, along with studies on pathogens implicated in driving the innate immune dysregulation in SSc. The goal of this review is to illustrate how these pathogens, specifically viruses, may play important role both as triggers of the innate immune system, and critical players in the development of SSc disease