Phospholipase C: underrated players in microbial infections

During bacterial infections, one or more virulence factors are required to support the survival, growth, and colonization of the pathogen within the host, leading to the symptomatic characteristic of the disease. The outcome of bacterial infections is determined by several factors from both host as well as pathogen origin. Proteins and enzymes involved in cellular signaling are important players in determining the outcome of host–pathogen interactions. phospholipase C (PLCs) participate in cellular signaling and regulation by virtue of their ability to hydrolyze membrane phospholipids into di-acyl-glycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3), which further causes the activation of other signaling pathways involved in various processes, including immune response. A total of 13 PLC isoforms are known so far, differing in their structure, regulation, and tissue-specific distribution. Different PLC isoforms have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases; however, their roles in infectious diseases are not clearly understood. Many studies have suggested the prominent roles of both host and pathogen-derived PLCs during infections. PLCs have also been shown to contribute towards disease pathogenesis and the onset of disease symptoms. In this review, we have discussed the contribution of PLCs as a determinant of the outcome of host-pathogen interaction and pathogenesis during bacterial infections of human importance

SiO2 nanopriming protects PS I and PSII complexes in wheat under drought stress

abstract: Drought is an important abiotic stress that hampers the growth of plants by inhibiting photosynthesis resulting in major crop losses. Silicon is known for its role to alleviate impact of various abiotic stresses in plants. In the present study, drought sensitive wheat variety HI-1544 was subjected to drought stress (DS) by withholding irrigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of SiO2 nanopriming in protecting photosynthesis, particularly photosystems (PSI and PSII), under drought condition. DS significantly reduced the quantum yield of PSII (YII) and PSI (YI) in unprimed drought stressed (UP+DS) plants but non-significant reduction was observed in NP+DS wheat plants. Likewise a severe impairment in the electron transport rate of PSII and PSI (ETRII and ETRI) in UP+DS was noticed as compared to NP+DS plants. Among energy dissipation parameters, regulated and non-regulated energy dissipation [Y(NPQ) and Y(NO) respectively] showed prominent increase in UP+DS plants when compared to NP+DS wheat plants. Decrease in YI was accompanied by significant increase in donor Y(ND) and acceptor side Y(NA) limitation of PSI in UP+DS plants. These parameters were less affected in NP+DS wheat plants. A remarkable inhibition in the oxidation reduction kinetics of P700 was observed in UP+DS plants while it were less affected in NP+DS wheat plants. The data suggests that the impact of drought stress (DS) was more prominent on PSII than PSI. SiO2 nanopriming conferred more protection to PSII complex, thereby improving photosynthetic efficiency under DS