TBC1D3, a Hominoid-Specific Gene, Delays IRS-1 Degradation and Promotes Insulin Signaling by Modulating p70 S6 Kinase Activity

Insulin/IGF-1 signaling plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular homeostasis through its control of glucose metabolism as well as due to its effects on cell proliferation. Aberrant regulation of insulin signaling has been repeatedly implicated in uncontrolled cell growth and malignant transformations. TBC1D3 is a hominoid specific gene previously identified as an oncogene in breast and prostate cancers. Our efforts to identify the molecular mechanisms of TBC1D3-induced oncogenesis revealed the role of TBC1D3 in insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway. We document here that TBC1D3 intensifies insulin/IGF-1-induced signal transduction through intricate, yet elegant fine-tuning of signaling mechanisms. We show that TBC1D3 expression substantially delayed ubiquitination and degradation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). This effect is achieved through suppression of serine phosphorylation at S636/639, S307 and S312 of IRS-1, which are key phosphorylation sites required for IRS-1 degradation. Furthermore, we report that the effect of TBC1D3 on IRS-1:S636/639 phosphorylation is mediated through TBC1D3-induced activation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), followed by suppression of T389 phosphorylation on p70 S6 kinase (S6K). TBC1D3 specifically interacts with PP2A regulatory subunit B56γ, indicating that TBC1D3 and PP2A B56γ operate jointly to promote S6K:T389 dephosphorylation. These findings suggest that TBC1D3 plays an unanticipated and potentially unique role in the fine-tuning of insulin/IGF-1 signaling, while providing novel insights into the regulation of tumorigenesis by a hominoid-specific protein

Pigeonpea

Pigeonpea was labeled as an orphan crop but is now a trendy and pacesetter, with ample genetic and genomic information becoming available in recent times. It is now possible to cross wild relatives not only from the Cajanus group placed in the secondary and tertiary gene pool but also the related genera placed in the quaternary gene pool. This is no small achievement for a legume which is an important crop of Asia and Africa and plays a major role in the diet of majority of the people of this region. The need of the hour is further committed research on wide crosses in pigeonpea

Carbon Dioxide Utilisation -The Formate Route

UIDB/50006/2020 CEEC-Individual 2017 Program Contract.The relentless rise of atmospheric CO2 is causing large and unpredictable impacts on the Earth climate, due to the CO2 significant greenhouse effect, besides being responsible for the ocean acidification, with consequent huge impacts in our daily lives and in all forms of life. To stop spiral of destruction, we must actively reduce the CO2 emissions and develop new and more efficient “CO2 sinks”. We should be focused on the opportunities provided by exploiting this novel and huge carbon feedstock to produce de novo fuels and added-value compounds. The conversion of CO2 into formate offers key advantages for carbon recycling, and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes are at the centre of intense research, due to the “green” advantages the bioconversion can offer, namely substrate and product selectivity and specificity, in reactions run at ambient temperature and pressure and neutral pH. In this chapter, we describe the remarkable recent progress towards efficient and selective FDH-catalysed CO2 reduction to formate. We focus on the enzymes, discussing their structure and mechanism of action. Selected promising studies and successful proof of concepts of FDH-dependent CO2 reduction to formate and beyond are discussed, to highlight the power of FDHs and the challenges this CO2 bioconversion still faces.publishersversionpublishe

Chocolate mouth rinse: Effect on plaque accumulation and mutans streptococci counts when used by children

Background: Glucosyltransferases (GTF) play an important role in the adherence of bacteria to acquired pellicle. Cocoa bean husk extract (CBHE) has been shown to possess anti-glucosyltransferase and antibacterial activity. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CBHE on plaque accumulation and mutans streptococcus count when used as a mouth rinse by children. Materials and Methods: Scaling of the teeth of the selected children was done and the children were instructed to refrain from their routine oral hygiene practices till the morning of the fourth day; they were instead given a placebo mouth rinse for use during this period. On the fourth day, saliva was collected from each subject for microbiological analysis and plaque was disclosed and scored using the modified Quigley and Hein plaque index; later, the teeth were cleaned. After 1 week, scaling of the subjects was done and they were given CBHE mouth rinse to rinse their mouth, following the above protocol. The data was statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon′s signed rank test. Results: There was a 20.9% decrease in mutans streptococci counts and a 49.6% decrease in plaque scores in the CBHE group as compared to the placebo group, which was highly significant (P value < 0.001). Conclusion: CBHE is highly effective in reducing mutans streptococci counts and plaque deposition when used as a mouth rinse by children

Report of the Expert Group on Washing of Thermal Coal is vital for India

On 21st May 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued a notification negating its own notification of 2nd January 2014 doing away with the use and supply of washed (and blended) coal of ash content not over 34% to power plants located 500 km from the supply sources and also for those located in urban and ecologically sensitive locations, and allowing coal of any ash content to be supplied to the power stations. The new notification of MoEFCC dated 21st May 2020 is based on inaccurate representations and baseless arguments put forward by Ministries of Coal, Power and NITI Aayog. Therefore, on the face of it this notification is a retrograde step as this would lead to irreparable damage not only to coal-red power plants but also to the ecology in and around power stations. This will also have adverse impact on India's ability to meet the commitment made at the Paris Climate Treaty of reducing the GHG emissions to pre-2005 level, by 2030. In view of the wide ranging adverse impact of the Notification dated 21st may 2020 issued by MoEFCC, the Coal Preparation Society of India (CPSI) - a professional body with members from coal, power, iron & steel, cement and allied industries and subject experts got all the aspects of washing of thermal coal and use of washed coal in power plants studied in detail through a group comprising of highly experienced experts having in-depth knowledge of coal mining, preparation, transportation and use in thermal power stations