Oleosomes in some nitrogen-fixing root nodules

The high energy-demanding process of nitrogen fixation in symbiotic root nodules is generally supported by a supply of carbon compounds derived from current photosynthate of the host plant. However, in Arachis hypogaea L (peanut) nodules, which have oleosomes (lipid bodies) in the infected cells, the lipid catabolism may supplement the energy supply in case of photosynthate stress. The present investigation was undertaken to further study oleosomic metabolism in Arachis hypogaea and four other legumes: A. pintoi L., A. duranensis L., A. batizocoi L. and Lathyrus maritimus L. (Bigel) (beach pea) nodules where oleosomes are present. -- The oleosomes of A. hypogaea root nodules contained diacylglycerol (DAG), triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipids (PL) and oleosins. The oleosomes varied in size, electron density and in the width of a less electron-dense peripheral layer. Four oleosin bands having molecular weights 66.0 KD, 61.1 KD, 56.3 KD and 10.0 KD could be resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. -- The development of symbiosis and oleosome distribution was studied in three wild species of Arachis i.e. A. pintoi, A. duranensis and A. batizocoi. Oleosomes were present in the infected cells of A. pintoi during the infection process and before establishment of symbiosis. In A. duranensis and A. batizocoi oleosomes persisted during symbiosis in mature nodules. A.pintoi mature nodules were devoid of oleosomes in infected cells, but reappeared during senescence. Another interesting feature in this species was the reversion of spherical bacteroids into rod-forms within the confines of the senescent nodule tissue. -- Studies on the distributional pattern of oleosomes in the root nodules of naturally growing L. maritimus (beach pea) revealed that the pre-winter nodules were filled with large numbers of oleosomes and amyloplasts in uninfected interstitial and parenchyma cells. These storage organelles could not be seen in the cells of nodule sampled during post- winter periods before aerial shoots emerged. The results indicate that either the oleosomes are catabolized slowly during the winter months, to allow the nodules to survive the extreme cold temperatures or they are rapidly mobilized just before the growing season. The olesomes in beach pea nodules seem to serve as storage organelles in the uninfected and parenchyma cells and not directly related to nitrogen fixation per se. The overwintered nodules are capable of resuming nitrogen fixation due to the presence of persistent infection threads with rhiozobia and many rod-shaped Rhizobium among the senescent infected cells

Indole: A novel signaling molecule and its applications

297-310  A variety of intercellular signal molecules, such as, the most studied N-acyl-homoserinelactones (AHLs) in Gram-negative bacteria, autoinducer (AI-2) in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and signal peptides in Gram-positive bacteria, have been discovered over the last 20 years. Although it has been known for over 100 years that many bacteria produce indole, the real biological roles of this molecule are only now beginning to be explored. Recently, indole has been identified as signaling molecule in diverse functions and those attributed to indole include extracellular signal, drug resistance, plasmid stability, virulence control and biofilm formation<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">. Indole is widespread in the natural environment and a variety of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria produce large quantities of indole. To date, approx 85 bacterial species are known to produce indole. Both natural and synthetic indole derivatives are being used as antimicrobial agents.   Understanding indole signaling will help to develop effective antimicrobial or antivirulence strategies and their biotechnological applications. Indole works at both high and low cell density. Though it does not behave as quorum sensing molecule, but some mode of its action is like quorum sensing molecule. Current postgenomic studies already indicate a role for IAA (indole acetic acid) signaling in bacteria and microorganism-plant interactions. Indole signaling appears to be important in microbial consortia and may influence the digestive and immune systems in humans. Recently, synthetic indole <span style="background:white; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">7-fluoroindole (7FI) has been reported as a potential candidate for use in an antivirulence approach against persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The present review aims to address the role of indole as novel signaling molecule in diverse bacterial genes. </span

Regulation of T cell lineage commitment by SMAR1 during inflammatory &amp; autoimmune diseases

Background &amp; objectives: CD4 + T cells are involved in abnormal inflammatory responses causing adverse effects to the body. Th17 cells play a major role in immune disorders and the exact mechanism by which CD4 + T cells regulate its effector Th1 and Th17 phenotype at chromatin level is not clearly understood. This study was aimed to understand the role of matrix associated region (MAR) binding protein SMAR1 (scaffold/matrix attachment region binding protein 1) in T cell differentiation during inflammatory and autoimmune condition using SMAR1 transgenic mice as model. Methods: Wild type (C57BL/6J) and SMAR1 transgenic mice were used for isolation of T cells and further identification of different T cell lineages, along with histological analysis. Further, we studied autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using chemically induced and T cell transfer model of colitis and rheumatoid arthritis to better understand the role of SMAR1 in immune responses. Results: SMAR1 transgenic mice were resistant to dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) induced colitis with decreased expression of Th1 and Th17 specific cytokines. Overexpression of SMAR1 repressed Th17 response by negatively regulating RORγt and IL-17 expression. Downregulation of SMAR1 upregulated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and IL-17 expression that caused generation of more proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells leading to inflammation and disease. Interpretation &amp; conclusions: Our results show an important role of SMAR1 in regulating CD4 + T cell differentiation during inflammatory disorders via regulation of both Th1 and Th17 signaling pathways. This study reveals a critical role of SMAR1 in maintaining the proinflammatory immune responses by repressing Th1 and Th17 cell function and it gives the novel insight into immune regulatory mechanisms

Synergism study of Bacopa monnieri and Piriformospora indica and its impact on Biomass and metabolite

Abstract Background A symbiotic connection between Piriformospora indica and Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettest, obtained through co-cultivation synergism, was found to improve growth, biomass production, and bacoside content in the plants. Brahmi (B. monnieri L.), a well-known Indian plant prized for its memory-boosting properties, has a lengthy history and a premium price tag. Because of its remarkable ability to colonize a wide variety of plant species, the axenically cultivable mycorrhiza-like endophytic fungus P. indica has gained a lot of interest recently. Methods In the current study, fungal spores from recently revived cultures were added to jam bottles next to rooted Brahmi plants for in vitro co-cultivation. The control plants were left without fungal discs. Pre-rooted micro-propagated Brahmi plants were treated with agar discs containing actively growing hyphae. For a period of 3 months, both trials were conducted with a fully randomized setup. Microscopy of the treated and control plant roots verified co-cultivation. Results Microscopic examination of the roots of co-cultivated plants reveals a high degree of colonization with host plants. These endophytic fungal structures include intracellular chlamydospores, and arbuscules, an intercellular and intracellular hyphae network, and a mycelial network on the root surface. In both in vitro and in vivo co-cultivation studies, the plant extended the host plant’s lifespan in 3 months by displaying continuous regeneration; in contrast, the control plant displayed signs of senescence. With biomass exceeding the control by 1.18 times in vivo and 1.28 times in vitro. In vitro, co-cultivation circumstances also led to an increase in the rate of utilization of nutritional medium. In comparison to the control, the amount of bacoside increases to 100% in vivo after a month of co-cultivation and 33% in vitro after 3 months. Conclusions In the present investigation, in vivo co-cultivation showed a favorable interaction effect on biomass production as well as bacoside content, which can satisfy the raw material demands of Brahmi plants in pharmaceutical industries

Novel Mn-SOD Mimetics Offer Superior Protection Against Oxidative Damages in Hek293 Kidney Cells

International audienceA series of ternary Mn (II) complexes have been synthesized employing combination of thiosemicarbazones as primaryligand and bipyridyl/aminoethanethiol as ancillary ligands and structurally characterized. The compounds were examinedfor their protective effects in Xanthine–Xanthine oxidase-induced oxidative stress in HEK-293 kidney cells using MTTassay, confocal imaging and Western blots. All compounds offer protection against the oxidative stress generated byXanthine–Xanthine oxidase system, while compounds having aminoethanethiol as ancillary ligands especially exhibitpotent effects even at nanomolar concentrations. These compounds seem to operate mechanistically through quenchingof ROS and enhancing Mn-SOD expression in mitochondria

<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">In vitro </i>callus induction and estimation of plumbagin content from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Plumbago auriculata </i>Lam<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">.</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"></i>

1122-1127The medicinal plant Plumbago contains a very potent secondary metabolite, plumbagin having many therapeutic properties. Callus culture was induced using explants, leaf, stem and shoot apex, from P. auriculata. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Murashige and Skoog media fortified with various growth hormones like NAA, IAA, IBA and 2, 4-D individually and in various combinations were checked for callus induction. Among the growth hormones used, 1 mg/L 2, 4-D showed best callusing. The hormonal combinations of 1 mg/L IAA and 1.5 mg/L NAA in the media exhibited best callus induction using stem internode as an explant. Plumbagin content from root, stem, leaf and callus was analyzed by using thin layer chromatographic technique. The callus derived from stem showed comparable plumbagin content to the in vivo plant parts. Quantitative spectrophotometric analysis of plumbagin from plant samples and callus indicated that plumbagin content was maximum in roots which was followed by callus, stem and leaf samples respectively. Generation of in vitro sources for plumbagin, for therapeutic applications will serve as a continuous supply and will contribute to preserve the natural plant recourses. </span

Actinomycetes: A Repertory of Green Catalysts with a Potential Revenue Resource

Biocatalysis, one of the oldest technologies, is becoming a favorable alternative to chemical processes and a vital part of green technology. It is an important revenue generating industry due to a global market projected at $7 billion in 2013 with a growth of 6.7% for enzymes alone. Some microbes are important sources of enzymes and are preferred over sources of plant and animal origin. As a result, more than 50% of the industrial enzymes are obtained from bacteria. The constant search for novel enzymes with robust characteristics has led to improvisations in the industrial processes, which is the key for profit growth. Actinomycetes constitute a significant component of the microbial population in most soils and can produce extracellular enzymes which can decompose various materials. Their enzymes are more attractive than enzymes from other sources because of their high stability and unusual substrate specificity. Actinomycetes found in extreme habitats produce novel enzymes with huge commercial potential. This review attempts to highlight the global importance of enzymes and extends to signify actinomycetes as promising harbingers of green technology

Novel Di-Tertiary-Butyl Phenylhydrazones as Dual Cyclooxygenase-2/5- Lipoxygenase Inhibitors: Synthesis, COX/LOX Inhibition, Molecular Modeling, and Insights into Their Cytotoxicities

Although dual inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzymes is highly effective than targeting COX or LOX alone, there are only a few reports of examining such compounds in case of colorectal cancers (CRC). In the present work we report that the novel di-tert-butyl phenol-based dual inhibitors DTPSAL, DTPBHZ, DTPINH, and DTPNHZ exhibit significant cytotoxicity against human CRC cell lines. Molecular docking studies revealed a good fit of these compounds in the COX-2 and 5-LOX protein cavities. The inhibitors show significant inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX activities and are effective against a panel of human colon cancer cell lines including HCA-7, HT-29, SW480 and intestinal Apc10.1 cells as well as the hyaluronan synthase-2 (Has2) enzyme over-expressing colon cancer cells, through inhibition of the Hyaluronan/CD44v6 cell survival pathway. Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR analyses indicated that the di-tert-butyl phenol-based dual inhibitors reduce the expression of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CD44v6 in human colon cancer HCA-7 cells, while the combination of CD44v6shRNA and DTPSAL has an additional inhibitory effect on CD44v6 mRNA expression. The synergistic inhibitory effect of Celecoxib and Licofelone on CD44v6 mRNA expression suggests that the present dual inhibitors down-regulate cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes through CD44v6. The compounds also exhibited enhanced antiproliferative potency compared to standard dual COX/LOX inhibitor, viz. Licofelone. Importantly, the HA/CD44v6 antagonist CD44v6shRNA in combination with synthetic compounds had a sensitizing effect on the cancer cells which enhanced their antiproliferative potency, a finding which is crucial for the anti-proliferative potency of the novel synthetic di-tert-butyl phenol based dual COX-LOX inhibitors in colon cancer cells