Issues Associated with Genetic Diversity Studies of the Liver Fluke, Fasciola Heptica (Platyhelminthes, Digenea, Fasciolidae)

Space scienc

Genetic polymorphism of kappa casein and casein micelle size in the Bulgarian Rhodopean cattle breed

The present study aimed to compare the size of casein micelle in cow milk sample in function of kappa casein (CSN3) genetic polymorphism. Sixteen cows from Bulgarian Rhodopean cattle breed were genotyped by PCR-RFLP analysis. Milk samples from the three found CSN3 genotypes (AB, AA and BB) were employed for the determination of casein micelles size by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The results showed differences in the size and polydispersity of the casein micelles between the milks of cows with different genotypes. Hydrodynamic radii of micelles at a scattering angle of 90 °C varied from 80 to 120 nm and polydispersity varied from 0.15 to 0.37. In conclusion casein micelle size of CSN3 AA cows (~ 120 nm) exceed with about 60% cows with AB (~ 80 nm) and BB genotype (~ 70 nm). These results could be useful for improving technological properties of the milk

Molecular detection and phylogenetic assessment of six honeybee viruses in Apis mellifera L. colonies in Bulgaria

Honey bee colonies suffer from various pathogens, including honey bee viruses. About 24 viruses have been reported so far. However, six of them are considered to cause severe infection which inflicts heavy losses on beekeeping. The aim of this study was to investigate incidence of six honey bee viruses: deformed wing virus (DWV), acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), sacbrood virus (SBV), kashmir bee virus (KBV), and black queen cell virus (BQCV) by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A total of 250 adult honey bee samples were obtained from 50 colonies from eight apiaries situated in three different parts of the country (South, North and West Bulgaria). The results showed the highest prevalence of DWV followed by SBV and ABPV, and one case of BQCV. A comparison with homology sequences available in GenBank was performed by phylogenetic analysis, and phylogenetic relationships were discussed in the context of newly described genotypes in the uninvestigated South Eastern region of Europe. In conclusion, the present study has been the first to provide sequencing data and phylogenetics analyses of some honey bee viruses in Bulgaria

Variability in Early Seed Development of 26 Populations of Cuscuta campestris Yunck.: The Significance of Host, Seed Age, Morphological Trait, Light, Temperature, and Genetic Variance

Efficient approaches aimed at restricting Cuscuta campestris distribution can be based on the control of seed germination. Thus, data on effects of environmental factors, seed age, seed longevity and viability, and hosts on C. campestris seed germination and emergence would provide valuable information in that context. Seeds of 26 populations of C. campestris were collected from different locations in Serbia during the field season August–October between 2005 and 2019. Seeds were collected in three major agronomic regions in Serbia: Banat (13 populations), Srem (11 populations), and Macva (2 populations). The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of different temperatures and light on seed germination and seedling growth of populations of C. campestris, determine possible correlations between seed age or hosts and total germination and seedling growth, and survey the morphological diversity and genetic variability of seeds of this parasitic plant. Large variability of germination patterns was observed within each agronomic region, and the high variance of seed germination patterns within regions reflects the ability of C. campestris to adapt to local agricultural management practices. For practical purposes, populations that start and complete their emergence earlier are considered harder to control. Thus, farmers should implement effective mechanical and chemical management measures for early-germinating populations

A Novel Secretory Poly-Cysteine and Histidine-Tailed Metalloprotein (Ts-PCHTP) from Trichinella spiralis (Nematoda)

BACKGROUND: Trichinella spiralis is an unusual parasitic intracellular nematode causing dedifferentiation of the host myofiber. Trichinella proteomic analyses have identified proteins that act at the interface between the parasite and the host and are probably important for the infection and pathogenesis. Many parasitic proteins, including a number of metalloproteins are unique for the nematodes and trichinellids and therefore present good targets for future therapeutic developments. Furthermore, detailed information on such proteins and their function in the nematode organism would provide better understanding of the parasite-host interactions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study we report the identification, biochemical characterization and localization of a novel poly-cysteine and histidine-tailed metalloprotein (Ts-PCHTP). The native Ts-PCHTP was purified from T. spiralis muscle larvae that were isolated from infected rats as a model system. The sequence analysis showed no homology with other proteins. Two unique poly-cysteine domains were found in the amino acid sequence of Ts-PCHTP. This protein is also the first reported natural histidine tailed protein. It was suggested that Ts-PCHTP has metal binding properties. Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) assay revealed that it binds significant concentrations of iron, nickel and zinc at protein:metal ratio of about 1:2. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the Ts-PCHTP is localized in the cuticle and in all tissues of the larvae, but that it is not excreted outside the parasite. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest that Ts-PCHTP is the first described member of a novel nematode poly-cysteine protein family and its function could be metal storage and/or transport. Since this protein family is unique for parasites from Superfamily Trichinelloidea its potential applications in diagnostics and treatment could be exploited in future

ARTICLE MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 50 YEARS ROUMEN TSANEV INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY NATIVE AND RECOMBINANT FATTY ACID BINDING PROTEIN 3 FROM FASCIOLA HEPATICA AS A POTENTIAL ANTIGEN

ABSTRACT Lipid-binding proteins are members of widely distributed protein family. They take part in metabolism of different lipophilic ligands and also have a role in physiological activity, metabolism and disposition of essential hydrophobic compounds (fatty acids, phospholipids, eicosanoids, retinoids, etc.

Chapter Issues Associated with Genetic Diversity Studies of the Liver Fluke, Fasciola Heptica (Platyhelminthes, Digenea, Fasciolidae)

Space scienc

Agricultural Academy

Abstract NEOV, B., D. TEOFANOVA, L. ZAGORCHEV, G. RADOSLAVOV and P. HRISTOV, 2013. Mi lk protein polymorphism in Bulgarian grey cattle population. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Supplement 2, Application of gene specifi c molecular markers in genotyping and genetic identifi cation is of an essential signifi cance for preserving genetic diversity. The aim of the present research is to reveal the genotype profi le of native Bulgarian Grey cattle population with respect to lactoprotein genes: kappa-casein and αS1-casein through PCR-RFLP analysis. The results for kappa-casein locus show superiority of heterozygous AB genotype and prevalence of the uncommon B allele. Analysis of the polymorphism of alfaS1-casein gene displays high frequency of heterozygous BC genotype and C allele of gene. Genetic profi le of the breed is compared to other cattle populations to establish the position of the breed about other European cattle breeds genetic diversity. It may be concluded that Bulgarian grey cow is with specifi c genotype profi le similar to other cattle population in South-Eastern Europe

Cuscuta australis Parasitism-Induced Changes in the Proteome and Photosynthetic Parameters of Arabidopsis thaliana

Cuscuta australis is a widely distributed stem parasitic plant, infecting a variety of host plants. Its parasitism has a negative effect on the hosts, mainly due to the exhaustion of nutrients, thus negatively affecting the growth and development. However, recent studies indicated that the effect of parasitism may extend beyond the simple extraction of organic compounds, water, and minerals. In the present study, the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana was used as a host for Cuscuta australis, to study the effect of the parasite on the photosynthetic parameters and the proteome after short-term infection. To test this, a highly sensitive portable photosynthesis system and gel-based MS/MS proteomics were employed. It was found that the parasite has a dramatic negative effect on the photosynthetic ability of the host, as well as causing the up-regulation of stress-related proteins. Simultaneously, proteins involved in both decreased permeability and loosening of the cell wall of the host were found to be up-regulated