Molecular generation and characterization of an efficient recombinant vaccine for avian influenza A/H5N8 in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To characterize a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 for engineering recombinant 6-+ 2 vaccine strain based on reverse genetic technology. Methods: A total of 135 swab samples from various birds were collected from different parts of Saudi Arabia as part of an influenza surveillance activity. The samples were checked for influenza virus infection using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, Avian influenza H5N8 (A/chicken/KSA/1-NRC/2018), was used for the generation of H5N8 vaccine strain. The vaccine was tested on specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken purchased from a local market. Results: The results indicate that the candidate vaccine (rgH5N8/KSA) induced specific neutralizing antibodies in chicken, and thereby protected the chickens from subsequent infections of H5N8. Conclusion: The study reinforces the development of a vaccine against avian influenza H5N8 virus isolated in Saudi Arabia, suggesting its possible application against the influenza virus associated with bird fl

Transcriptomic and metabolic responses of Calotropis procera to salt and drought stress

Background: Calotropis procera is a wild plant species in the family Apocynaceae that is able to grow in harsh, arid and heat stressed conditions. Understanding how this highly adapted plant persists in harsh environments should inform future efforts to improve the hardiness of crop and forage plant species. To study the plant response to droμght and osmotic stress, we treated plants with polyethylene glycol and NaCl and carried out transcriptomic and metabolomics measurements across a time-course of five days. Results: We identified a highly dynamic transcriptional response across the time-course including dramatic changes in inositol signaling, stress response genes and cytokinins. The resulting metabolome changes also involved sharp increases of myo-inositol, a key signaling molecule and elevated amino acid metabolites at later times. Conclusions: The data generated here provide a first glimpse at the expressed genome of C. procera, a plant that is exceptionally well adapted to arid environments. We demonstrate, through transcriptome and metabolome analysis that myo-inositol signaling is strongly induced in response to drought and salt stress and that there is elevation of amino acid concentrations after prolonged osmotic stress. This work should lay the foundations of future studies in adaptation to arid environments

Analysis of transcriptional response to heat stress in Rhazya stricta

Clusters of assembled transcripts of R. stricta SRA in mature leaves (A5-L8) at different time points of the day (A, morning; F-H, midday & L, dusk). Grey lines indicate expression patterns of individual transcripts in a given cluster. Blue lines indicate overall expression pattern across different transcripts of a given cluster. (PDF 397 kb

Transcriptional analysis of Rhazya stricta in response to jasmonic acid

Background: Jasmonic acid (JA) is a signal transducer molecule that plays an important role in plant development and stress response; it can also efficiently stimulate secondary metabolism in plant cells. Results: RNA-Seq technology was applied to identify differentially expressed genes and study the time course of gene expression in Rhazya stricta in response to JA. Of more than 288 million total reads, approximately 27% were mapped to genes in the reference genome. Genes involved during the secondary metabolite pathways were up- or downregulated when treated with JA in R. stricta. Functional annotation and pathway analysis of all up- and downregulated genes identified many biological processes and molecular functions. Jasmonic acid biosynthetic, cell wall organization, and chlorophyll metabolic processes were upregulated at days 2, 6, and 12, respectively. Similarly, the molecular functions of calcium-transporting ATPase activity, ADP binding, and protein kinase activity were also upregulated at days 2, 6, and 12, respectively. Time-dependent transcriptional gene expression analysis showed that JA can induce signaling in the phenylpropanoid and aromatic acid pathways. These pathways are responsible for the production of secondary metabolites, which are essential for the development and environmental defense mechanism of R. stricta during stress conditions. Conclusions: Our results suggested that genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and aromatic acid synthesis pathways were upregulated during JA stress. However, monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (MIA) was unaffected by JA treatment. Hence, we can postulate that JA plays an important role in R. stricta during plant development and environmental stress conditions. How to cite: Hajrah, NH, Rabah SO, Alghamdi MK, et al. Transcriptional analysis of Rhazya stricta in response to jasmonic acid. Electron J Biotechnol 2021;50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2021.01.00

Mimosoid legume plastome evolution: IR expansion, tandem repeat expansions, and accelerated rate of evolution in clpP

The Leguminosae has emerged as a model for studying angiosperm plastome evolution because of its striking diversity of structural rearrangements and sequence variation. However, most of what is known about legume plastomes comes from few genera representing a subset of lineages in subfamily Papilionoideae. We investigate plastome evolution in subfamily Mimosoideae based on two newly sequenced plastomes (Inga and Leucaena) and two recently published plastomes (Acacia and Prosopis), and discuss the results in the context of other legume and rosid plastid genomes. Mimosoid plastomes have a typical angiosperm gene content and general organization as well as a generally slow rate of protein coding gene evolution, but they are the largest known among legumes. The increased length results from tandem repeat expansions and an unusual 13 kb IR-SSC boundary shift in Acacia and Inga. Mimosoid plastomes harbor additional interesting features, including loss of clpP intron1 in Inga, accelerated rates of evolution in clpP for Acacia and Inga, and dN/dS ratios consistent with neutral and positive selection for several genes. These new plastomes and results provide important resources for legume comparative genomics, plant breeding, and plastid genetic engineering, while shedding further light on the complexity of plastome evolution in legumes and angiosperms.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Nature Publishing Group. The published article can be found at: http://www.nature.com/articles/srep1695

Genome-Driven Discovery of Enzymes with Industrial Implications from the Genus <i>Aneurinibacillus</i>

Bacteria belonging to the genus Aneurinibacillus within the family Paenibacillaceae are Gram-positive, endospore-forming, and rod-shaped bacteria inhabiting diverse environments. Currently, there are eight validly described species of Aneurinibacillus; however, several unclassified species have also been reported. Aneurinibacillus spp. have shown the potential for producing secondary metabolites (SMs) and demonstrated diverse types of enzyme activities. These features make them promising candidates with industrial implications. At present, genomes of 9 unique species from the genus Aneurinibacillus are available, which can be utilized to decipher invaluable information on their biosynthetic potential as well as enzyme activities. In this work, we performed the comparative genome analyses of nine Aneurinibacillus species representing the first such comprehensive study of this genus at the genome level. We focused on discovering the biosynthetic, biodegradation, and heavy metal resistance potential of this under-investigated genus. The results indicate that the genomes of Aneurinibacillus contain SM-producing regions with diverse bioactivities, including antimicrobial and antiviral activities. Several carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and genes involved in heavy metal resistance were also identified. Additionally, a broad range of enzyme classes were also identified in the Aneurinibacillus pan-genomes, making this group of bacteria potential candidates for future investigations with industrial applications

Phytogenic Fabrication of Ag–Fe Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis Signaling Pathways in Candida auris by Generating Oxidative Stress

Novel green synthetic nanomedicines have been recognized as alternative therapies with the potential to be antifungal agents. Apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest and activation of the antioxidant defense system in fungal cells have also gained attention as emerging drug targets. In this study, a facile and biodegradable synthetic route was developed to prepare Ag&ndash;Fe bimetallic nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Beta vulgaris L. Surface plasmon resonance of Beta vulgaris-assisted AgNPs nanoparticles was not observed in the UV-visible region of Ag&ndash;Fe bimetallic NPs, which confirms the formation of Ag&ndash;Fe nanoparticles. Beta vulgaris-assisted Ag&ndash;Fe NPs were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and TGA-DTG analysis for their structural and morphological properties. The as-prepared Ag&ndash;Fe NPs were well dispersed and spherical with the average particle size of 15 nm. The antifungal activity of these Ag&ndash;Fe NPs against clinical isolates of Candida auris was determined by broth microdilution and cell viability assays. For insights into mechanisms, induction of apoptosis and triggering cell cycle arrest were studied following standard protocols. Furthermore, analysis of antioxidant defense enzymes was determined spectrophotometrically. Antifungal susceptibility results revealed high antifungal activity with MIC values ranging from 0.19 to 0.39 &micro;g/mL. Further studies showed that Ag&ndash;Fe NPs were able to induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and disturbances in primary and secondary antioxidant enzymes. This study presents the potential of Ag&ndash;Fe NPs to inhibit and potentially eradicate C. auris by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and increased levels of oxidative stress

Data from: Plastid genome sequences of legumes reveal parallel inversions and multiple losses of rps16 in papilionoids

To date, publicly available plastid genomes of legumes have for the most part been limited to the subfamily Papilionoideae. Here we report 13 new plastid genomes of legumes spanning all three subfamilies. The genomes representing Caesalpinioideae and Mimosoideae are highly conserved in gene content and gene order, similar to the ancestral angiosperm genome organization. Genomes within the Papilionoideae, however, have reduced sizes due to deletions in nine intergenic spacers primarily in the large single copy region. Our study also indicates that rps16 has been independently lost at least five times in legumes, with additional gene and intron losses scattered among the papilionoids. Additionally, genera from two distinct lineages within the papilionoids, Lupinus and Robinia, have a parallel inversion of 36 kb and 39 kb, respectively. This parallel inversion is novel as it appears to be caused by a 29 bp repeat within two trnS genes. This repeat is present in all available legume plastid genomes indicating that there is the potential for this inversion to be present in more species. This case of a homoplasious inversion is also evidence that some inversion events may not be reliable phylogenetic markers

Facile Bio-Fabrication of Ag-Cu-Co Trimetallic Nanoparticles and Its Fungicidal Activity against Candida auris

Candida auris is an emergent multidrug-resistant pathogen that can lead to severe bloodstream infections associated with high mortality rates, especially in hospitalized individuals suffering from serious medical problems. As Candida auris is often multidrug-resistant, there is a persistent demand for new antimycotic drugs with novel antifungal action mechanisms. Here, we reported the facile, one-pot, one-step biosynthesis of biologically active Ag-Cu-Co trimetallic nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Salvia officinalis rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. These medicinally important phytochemicals act as a reducing agent and stabilize/capping in the nanoparticles&rsquo; fabrication process. Fourier Transform-Infrared, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy dispersive X-Ray, X-ray powder diffraction and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements were used to classify the as-synthesized nanoparticles. Moreover, we evaluated the antifungal mechanism of as-synthesized nanoparticles against different clinical isolates of C. auris. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum fungicidal concentrations ranged from 0.39&ndash;0.78 &mu;g/mL and 0.78&ndash;1.56 &mu;g/mL. Cell count and viability assay further validated the fungicidal potential of Ag-Cu-Co trimetallic nanoparticles. The comprehensive analysis showed that these trimetallic nanoparticles could induce apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in C. auris. Furthermore, Ag-Cu-Co trimetallic nanoparticles exhibit enhanced antimicrobial properties compared to their monometallic counterparts attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag, Cu and Co present in the as-synthesized nanoparticles. Therefore, the present study suggests that the Ag-Cu-Co trimetallic nanoparticles hold the capacity to be a lead for antifungal drug development against C. auris infections

Therapeutic role of Ricinus communis L. and its bioactive compounds in disease prevention and treatment

Ricinus communis L. (R. communis), commonly known as castor oil plant, is used as a traditional natural remedy or folkloric herb for the control and treatment of a wide range of diseases around the globe. Various studies have revealed the presence of diverse phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, phenolic compounds such as kaempferol, gallic acid, ricin, rutin, lupeol, ricinoleic acid, pinene, thujone and gentisic acid. These phytochemicals have been responsible for pharmacological and therapeutic effects, including anticancer, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, bone regenerative, analgesic, and anticonvulsant activity. R. communis harbours phytochemicals which have been shown to target peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR), nuclear factor NF- κ -B, cytochrome p450, P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases kinase (p38 MAPK), tumor protein P53, B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xL) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Considering its wide variety of phytochemicals, its pharmacological activity and the subsequent clinical trials, R. communis could be a good candidate for discovering novel complementary drugs. Further experimental and advanced clinical studies are required to explore the pharmaceutical, beneficial therapeutic and safety prospects of R. communis with its phytochemicals as a herbal and complementary medicine for combating various diseases and disorders