In silico structural and functional analysis of protein encoded by wheat early salt-stress response gene (WESR3).

Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat early salt-stress response gene (WESR3) is one of the major salt stress genes, which is affected in the first phase of salt stress. In this study, sequence and structural analysis of protein coded by WESR3 gene was carried out using various bioinformatics tools. Sequence analysis of WESR3 protein revealed the presence of highly conserved regions of Mlo gene family. Three-dimensional modeling was carried out to elucidate its structure and its active site. The sequence analysis revealed that WESR3 protein might be involved in fungal pathogen attack pathway. Thus, in addition to its involvement in abiotic stresses, it also seemed to play an important part in biotic stress pathways. Out of the three modeled protein structures obtained from I-TASSER, HHPred and QUARK, the I-TASSER protein model was the best model based on high confidence score and lesser number of bad contacts. The Ramchandran plot analysis also showed that all amino acid residues of I-TASSER model lie in the allowed region and thus indicating towards the overall good quality of the predicted model. Seventeen active sites were predicted in the protein bearing resemblance to the Mlo family conserved regions. In conclusion, a detailed analysis of WESR3 protein suggested an important role of WESR3 in biotic and abiotic stress. These results aid to the experimental data and help to build up a complete view of WESR3 proteins and their role in plant stress response.

Evaluation of Genetic Variability in Adansonia digitata L. by RAPD Analysis.

Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) belonging to Bombacaceae family, is one of the most widely used indigenous tree species in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the present study was to assess molecular variation among A. digitata and to determine the level of genetic similarity among them. The yield of DNA ranged from 15-40 μg/mg of leaf tissue and the purity was between 1.1- 2.9, indicating minimal levels of contaminating metabolites. The technique was ideal for isolation of DNA from A. digitata and the DNA isolated was used for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using the primer OPB07. The bands obtained ranged in size from 54-795 bp. Two clusters were observed, one group with 8 bands and the other with 11 bands. Present study could be important in domestication, conservation, management & improvement strategies of A. digitata.

Regulation of N-Myristoyltransferase by the Calpain and Caspase Systems.

N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) is an essential eukaryotic enzyme which catalyzes the transfer of the myristoyl group to the terminal glycine residue of a number of proteins including those involved in signal transduction and apoptotic pathways. In higher eukaryotes, two isoforms of NMT have been identified (NMT1 and NMT2) which share about 76% amino acid sequence identity in humans. Protein-protein interactions of NMTs reveal that m-calpain interacts with NMT1 whereas caspase-3 interacts with NMT2. These findings reveal differential interactions of both isoforms of NMT with various signaling molecules. This minireview provides an overview of the regulation of N-myristoyltransferase by calpain and caspase systems.

In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Cichorium intybus against some Pathogenic Bacteria.

The root and leaf extracts of Cichorium intybus were investigated for antibacterial activity against gram negative pathogenic bacteria viz. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The sensitivity was analyzed using Disk diffusion method at various concentrations where zone of inhibition was compared with the standard drug Cephotaxime. The extracts showed a wide spectrum of inhibition against the test pathogens. Methanolic extract of root and leaf proves to have the strongest antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity of the test extracts at different inhibitory concentration varied significantly at 0.05 level of significance. The maximum activity was recorded at 200mg/ml concentration, the activity decreased with the decrease in the concentration of the extract. The present study reveals that the root and leaf extracts of Cichorium intybus would exert several beneficial effects by virtue of their antibacterial activity and could potentially be exploited as a source of natural antibacterial.

Inhibition of mercapturic acid pathway-mediated disposal of 4-hydroxynonenal causes complete and sustained remission of human cancer xenografts in nude mice.

Environmental electrophilic chemical carcinogens are detoxified via mercapturic acid pathway to be excreted as mercapturic acid derivatives. Mercapturic acid pathway is also involved in the metabolism of pro-apoptotic and toxic endogenous electrophiles such as 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). HNE is a common denominator in stress induced signaling and is a pro-apoptotic second messenger that affects cell cycle signaling in a concentration dependent manner. It can regulate signaling for apoptosis, differentiation, and gene expression by interacting with the transcriptional factors, transcriptional repressors, membrane receptors and other proteins. First two rate limiting enzymes of the mercapturic acid pathway, GSTs that conjugate HNE to glutathione (GSH), and RLIP76 that excludes GHS-HNE conjugate from cells, regulate the intracellular concentration of HNE. Thus GSTs and RLIP76 can have a profound effect on cell cycle signaling. Our studies have established that increased HNE levels in cells promote apoptotic signaling while at decreased levels below its basal constituted levels HNE promote proliferation. A major outcome of these findings is that by blocking the mercapturic acid pathway mediated detoxification of HNE through the inhibition of RLIP76 catalyzed transport of GS-HNE, a complete remission of many human cancer xenografts in mice can be achieved.