Investigation on promising progenies of Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.)

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) is an exotic vine cactus, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, commonly known as ‘pitaya’ is a weather resilient crop. In order to develop superior varieties, a large number of progenies obtained from open pollinated seedling of cvs. Hiryur red, Vietnam pink and Vietnam red were raised and evaluated. To broaden the genetic base with desired traits, seeds of Hirehalli red and Hirehalli white were irradiated with gamma rays (500, 600 and 700 Gy), EMS (2.25, 2.5 and 2.75%) and sodium azide (0.04, 0.05 and 0.06%) and evaluated for horticultural traits. Three elite progenies such as CHESH-D1, CHESH-D2, and CHESH-D3 were obtained from open pollinated seedlings of cvs. Hiryur red, Vietnam red and Vietnam pink, respectively, and one EMS (2.5%) treated mutant i.e. CHESH-DE were selected based on their morphological and yield traits. The selection CHESH-D1 performed superior with highest fruit weight (507.71 g) and yield (39.50 kg/ pole) compared to CHESH-D2 and CHESH-D3. The biochemical characters namely, TSS (15.35 oB), total sugars (5.95 g), reducing sugars (4.91 g) and betalains (21.2 mg BCE) were recorded highest in CHESH-D2, and one EMS (2.5%) treated mutant from cv. Hirehalli red showed better adaptability and dwarfness. These elite progenies are at final stage of performance assessment to be released as variety in India

Morphological and molecular characterization of Alternaria spp. causing leafspot and flower blight of marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Globally, leaf spot and flower blight disease, caused by Alternaria spp., is the most devastating disease of marigold, especially during rainy season when moderate temperature and high relative humidity prevails. Disease is characterized by appearance of irregular black sunken lesions on the surface of lower leaves which enlarge and progress to stems, buds and flowers causing the death of plants under congenial environment conditions. The pathogen infecting Tagetes spp. was identified as Alternaria tagetica based on the symptomatology and conidial morphology. This finding was further confirmed by sequencing the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the fungus which showed ~100% homology with the earlier reported Alternaria tagetica isolates affecting marigold across China, Netherlands and USA. Further, ten different growing media were evaluated to study the fungal growth patterns including sporulation to aid large-scale phenotyping of germplasm under controlled conditions. The radial colony and other colony parameters were largely influenced by the type of growing media used. Potato dextrose agar, oat meal agar and V8-juice agar showed desirable colony parameters and showed maximum sporulation of A. tagetica

Comparative analysis of BLUP and GCA for parental selection in marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) for hybrid development

The area under marigold cultivation is increasing over the years and so is the demand for marigold seeds. To meet the increasing demand, hybrid varieties are preferred as they produce higher yields, for which the right parental selection is of major concern. Male sterility being the prerequisite for economical hybrid seed production of marigold, we have attempted to strategize the selection of male sterile seed parent and fertile pollen parent for yield and yield-related traits. The study was undertaken across multiple forms of male sterile lines morphologically varying in apetaloid and petaloid types, therefore use of BLUP and GCA was evaluated as a criterion to select the parents for the hybridization program. Results suggested apetaloid male sterile lines as better seed parents for days to bud initiation, while, petaloid male sterile lines can be selected for the improvement of shelf life and flower diameter. Results from BLUP and GCA were in agreement with each other for the traits studied. However, BLUP-based comparison of different lines is less tedious as it eliminates the laborious procedure of developing multiple hybrids and evaluating them to study the combining ability effects

Soluble perlecan domain i enhances vascular endothelial growth factor-165 activity and receptor phosphorylation in human bone marrow endothelial cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Immobilized recombinant perlecan domain I (PlnDI) binds and modulates the activity of heparin-binding growth factors, <it>in vitro</it>. However, activities for PlnDI, in solution, have not been reported. In this study, we assessed the ability of soluble forms to modulate vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF₁₆₅) enhanced capillary tube-like formation, and VEGF receptor-2 phosphorylation of human bone marrow endothelial cells, <it>in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In solution, PlnDI binds VEGF₁₆₅in a heparan sulfate and pH dependent manner. Capillary tube-like formation is enhanced by exogenous PlnDI; however, PlnDI/VEGF₁₆₅mixtures combine to enhance formation beyond that stimulated by either PlnDI or VEGF₁₆₅alone. PlnDI also stimulates VEGF receptor-2 phosphorylation, and mixtures of PlnDI/VEGF₁₆₅reduce the time required for peak VEGF receptor-2 phosphorylation (Tyr-951), and increase Akt phosphorylation. PlnDI binds both immobilized neuropilin-1 and VEGF receptor-2, but has a greater affinity for neuropilin-1. PlnDI binding to neuropilin-1, but not to VEGF receptor-2 is dependent upon the heparan sulfate chains adorning PlnDI. Interestingly, the presence of VEGF₁₆₅but not VEGF₁₂₁significantly enhances PlnDI binding to Neuropilin-1 and VEGF receptor-2.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our observations suggest soluble forms of PlnDI are biologically active. Moreover, PlnDI heparan sulfate chains alone or together with VEGF₁₆₅can enhance VEGFR-2 signaling and angiogenic events, <it>in vitro</it>. We propose PlnDI liberated during basement membrane or extracellular matrix turnover may have similar activities, <it>in vivo</it>.</p

Deciphering mollusc shell production: the roles of genetic mechanisms through to ecology, aquaculture and biomimetics

Most molluscs possess shells, constructed from a vast array of microstructures and architectures. The fully formed shell is composed of calcite or aragonite. These CaCO3 crystals form complex biocomposites with proteins, which although typically less than 5% of total shell mass, play significant roles in determining shell microstructure. Despite much research effort, large knowledge gaps remain in how molluscs construct and maintain their shells, and how they produce such a great diversity of forms. Here we synthesize results on how shell shape, microstructure, composition and organic content vary among, and within, species in response to numerous biotic and abiotic factors. At the local level, temperature, food supply and predation cues significantly affect shell morphology, whilst salinity has a much stronger influence across latitudes. Moreover, we emphasize how advances in genomic technologies [e.g. restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) and epigenetics] allow detailed examinations of whether morphological changes result from phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation, or a combination of these. RAD-Seq has already identified single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with temperature and aquaculture practices, whilst epigenetic processes have been shown significantly to modify shell construction to local conditions in, for example, Antarctica and New Zealand. We also synthesize results on the costs of shell construction and explore how these affect energetic trade-offs in animal metabolism. The cellular costs are still debated, with CaCO3 precipitation estimates ranging from 1-2 J/mg to 17-55 J/mg depending on experimental and environmental conditions. However, organic components are more expensive (~29 J/mg) and recent data indicate transmembrane calcium ion transporters can involve considerable costs. This review emphasizes the role that molecular analyses have played in demonstrating multiple evolutionary origins of biomineralization genes. Although these are characterized by lineage-specific proteins and unique combinations of co-opted genes, a small set of protein domains have been identified as a conserved biomineralization tool box. We further highlight the use of sequence data sets in providing candidate genes for in situ localization and protein function studies. The former has elucidated gene expression modularity in mantle tissue, improving understanding of the diversity of shell morphology synthesis. RNA interference (RNAi) and clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats - CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) experiments have provided proof of concept for use in the functional investigation of mollusc gene sequences, showing for example that Pif (aragonite-binding) protein plays a significant role in structured nacre crystal growth and that the Lsdia1 gene sets shell chirality in Lymnaea stagnalis. Much research has focused on the impacts of ocean acidification on molluscs. Initial studies were predominantly pessimistic for future molluscan biodiversity. However, more sophisticated experiments incorporating selective breeding and multiple generations are identifying subtle effects and that variability within mollusc genomes has potential for adaption to future conditions. Furthermore, we highlight recent historical studies based on museum collections that demonstrate a greater resilience of molluscs to climate change compared with experimental data. The future of mollusc research lies not solely with ecological investigations into biodiversity, and this review synthesizes knowledge across disciplines to understand biomineralization. It spans research ranging from evolution and development, through predictions of biodiversity prospects and future-proofing of aquaculture to identifying new biomimetic opportunities and societal benefits from recycling shell products.FCT: UID/Multi/04326/2019; European Marine Biological Research Infrastructure Cluster-EMBRIC (EU H2020 research and innovation program) 654008; European Union Seventh Framework Programme [FP7] ITN project 'CACHE: Calcium in a Changing Environment' under REA 60505; NERC Natural Environment Research Council NE/J500173/1info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

In vitro efficacy of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles against biofilm and virulence of Serratia marcescens

[[abstract]]Zinc oxide reduced into nanosized exhibits antibacterial activity due to the interaction of ZnO with the cell surface and inside of the bacteria making them adaptive candidate for antibacterial activity. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized using plant extract and their biomolecules makes them a safer, non-toxic and bactericidal solution against pathogenic bacteria. Till date, only few research articles are published on analysing the antibiofilm and anti-virulence activity of ZnO NPs synthesized using Ruellia tuberosa extract. Based on these literature survey, the present study was focused on synthesizing ZnO NPs using Ruellia tuberosa and efficacy to inhibit biofilm formation and virulence factor of Serratia marcescens. ZnO NPs at the concentration of 100 μg/mL showed highest antibacterial activity by reducing S. marcescens growth upto 4-fold (0.25 OD600nm) in comparison to untreated bacteria (1.8 OD600nm). ZnO NPs also showed 50% of inhibition of biofilm formation 25 μg/mL concentration. Microscopic analysis revealed the phenotypical change in the biofilm matrix formation after treating with >25 μg/mL of ZnO NPs. Prodigiosin, a quorum sensing regulated factor of S. marcescens was also inhibited >70% at 100 μg/mL concentration of ZnO NPs. Therefore, the present study shows the efficacy of green fabricated ZnO NPs to inhibit the growth, biofilm, and virulence factor of S. marcescens