Metabolite profiling identifies a key role for glycine in rapid cancer cell proliferation

Metabolic reprogramming has been proposed to be a hallmark of cancer, yet a systematic characterization of the metabolic pathways active in transformed cells is currently lacking. Using mass spectrometry, we measured the consumption and release (CORE) profiles of 219 metabolites from media across the NCI-60 cancer cell lines, and integrated these data with a preexisting atlas of gene expression. This analysis identified glycine consumption and expression of the mitochondrial glycine biosynthetic pathway as strongly correlated with rates of proliferation across cancer cells. Antagonizing glycine uptake and its mitochondrial biosynthesis preferentially impaired rapidly proliferating cells. Moreover, higher expression of this pathway was associated with greater mortality in breast cancer patients. Increased reliance on glycine may represent a metabolic vulnerability for selectively targeting rapid cancer cell proliferation.     

Solid-pse radioimmunoassay of protein biosynthesis

Solid-phase radioimmunoassay was used for measuring the rate of radioisotope incorporation into a single protein species. Radioactive antigen was measured by its binding to specific antiserum covalently linked to insoluble bromoacetylcellulose. The insoluble antigen-antibody complex was collected on filters for counting. The assay is performed in about 4 hours as compared with several days for methods based on the precipitin reaction.     

Vegetative Growth and Foliage Nutrient Content of Super Chief Apple under Different Irrigation and Fertigation Schedules in NW Himalayan Region

ABSTRACT

In the scheduling of nutrient supply programs, analysis of plant nutrient status has been found to be useful to prevent the deficiency or toxic effects of nutrients in any horticultural crop. So the present study was framed to assess the foliage nutrient content and vegetative growth under different irrigation and fertigation combination modules. Recently apple (Malus ×domestica) orchards in the state Himachal Pradesh of India have converted from the traditional royal delicious orchard at 6 × 6 m spacing with rainfed/basin irrigation to early spur varieties on dwarfing rootstock with drip irrigation, both with or without fertigation. An experimental field trial was started at the end of 2018 in a ‘Super Chief’/MM106 orchard at an experimental farm of the department of Soil Science & Water Management, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). A factorial experiment with 16 treatment combinations of 4 irrigation levels viz. I_{1 –} drip irrigation at 100% ETc, I_{2 –} drip irrigation at 80% ETc, I_{3 –} drip irrigation at 60% ETc, I_{4 –} conventional irrigation, and four fertigation levels viz. F_{0 –} No fertilizer application (absolute control), F_{1 –} 100% of AD (NPK), F_{2 –} 75% of AD (NPK) and F₃ – 50% of AD (NPK) were replicated thrice with 3 plants in each replication. Vegetative growth parameters and leaf nutrient contents were affected by both fertilization and water rate. Irrigation and nutrient levels and their interactions exhibited significant effect on leaf N (3.10%), P (0.28%), K (1.77%), and S (0.44%) contents. Significantly maximum contents were observed in the irrigation level I₁ (DI at 100% ETc). Among fertigation level, F₁ [100% AD (NPK)] recorded highest contents of leaf N (3.17%), P (0.29%), K (1.80%), S (0.46%). Interaction I₁F₁ registered maximum leaf N (3.36%), P (0.36%), K (1.92%) and S (0.63%).

With an increase in the water volume and an increasing dose of NPK, vegetative growth parameters, i.e., tree height, plant spread, tree volume, trunk girth, and annual extension growth were noted to increase proportionately. Treatment DI at 100% ETc (I₁), increased the tree height by 9.41, plant spread (EW by 32.0, NS by 16.3), tree volume by 61.36, trunk girth by 8.05, and annual extension growth by 14.22% over conventional irrigation (I₄). Drip fertigated trees with F₁ [100% AD (NPK)] reported the highest growth parameters. The results of two years apple trial suggested a positive effect of fertigation on enhanced effectiveness of fertilization and improved foliage nutrient content and vegetative growth.     

Analysis of the coat protein gene of Indian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato virus X</Emphasis> isolates for identification of strain groups and determination of the complete genome sequence of two isolates

Complete coat protein (CP) gene sequences of 66 Potato virus X (PVX) isolates were sequenced and compared with other PVX isolates. The CP gene of these isolates shared 93.9–100.0 % and 97.0–100.0 % identities among them at nucleotide and amino acid sequence level, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis with isolates of known PVX strain groups showed that all 66 isolates were found in clade I (strain groups 1, 3 and 4) and none of them in Clade II (strain groups 2 and 4). The Indian isolates had the 714 bp coat protein gene and were closer to clade I isolates with 92.9–99.5 % identities and distantly related to Clade II isolates (74.2 to 80.0 % identities). Hence, these isolates may belong to either of the strain groups 1, 3 and 4. A threonine residue at position 122 and glutamine residue at position 78 were found conserved in all the Indian isolates suggesting that these isolates cannot overcome Rx1gene and Nx gene mediated resistance, characteristic of group 1 and 3. However, unique amino acid substitutions were observed in Indian isolates and further studies are required to ascertain their role in symptom expression, virulence and host range. In addition, whole genome sequences of two isolates one each from Jalandhar (Punjab) and Kufri (Himachal Pradesh) were also determined. They were 6435 nts long with five ORFs and shared 81.4–97.2 % identities to clade I isolates from USA, Russia, India, Iran, China, Japan, Taiwan and 77.0 to 77.5 % identities with clade II isolates from Peru.     

Development and validation of microsatellite markers linked to the rice blast resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pi-z</Emphasis> of Fukunishiki and Zenith

Rice blast resistance gene ‘Pi-z’ present in rice genotypes, Zenith and Fukunishiki, represents a potential source of blast resistance for the north-western Himalayan region of India. We tested the reliability of microsatellite markers linked to Pi-z for assessing blast resistance phenotype in crosses of commercial importance. A new set of microsatellite markers linked to Pi-z was also developed by exploiting the publicly available marker and genomic resources of rice. Of the three previously reported markers for Pi-z, only MRG5836 was suitable for the marker assisted selection of Pi-z. Among the 17 microsatellites selected from the putative region of Pi-z locus, two, RM8225 and RM8226 cosegregated with MRG5836 and were located at distance of 1.2–4.5 cM from the gene. A new microsatellite marker ‘SSR236’ was developed from the (CT)₁₆ repeat of PAC clone P0502B12, which exhibited closer linkage (0.6–1.2 cM) to Pi-z. Survey of the allelic diversity at the loci of the Pi-z linked microsatellite markers revealed that the Fukunishiki and Zenith type alleles were not present in majority of the local indica rice genotypes. As these markers are polymorphic between the Pi-z donors and a great majority of local indica rices tested, they can be used as a selection tool in rice breeding programs aimed at improving the blast resistance of local rices.     

Studies on conjoint application of nutrient sources and PGPR on growth,yield, quality,and economics of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)

The present experiment was carried out with cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K1 in a randomized block design with three replications. The experiment comprised of seven different treatments with different sources of nutrients including organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, and biofertilizers, which were applied following the proper procedures as per treatment. Conjoint use of fertilizers, manures, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) significantly influenced plant growth and yield attributes of crop. Gross weight (1,267.22 g), curd weight (981.05 g), curd yield (392.45 q/ha), number of days taken to curd initiation (86.17) and curd maturity (94.00) and ascorbic acid content (74.87 mg/100 g) were found best under T₅. Also, treatment T₅ recorded 42.77% increase in yield over recommended practice (T₁) along with highest benefit cost ratio (3.36) and quality (ascorbic acid). From present investigation, it can be concluded that treatment T₅ (75% NPK + 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis + PGPR) can be suggested as a cost-effective nutrient module for getting higher yield and quality with 25% net saving of fertilizers, besides enhanced soil health as evident by soil fertility status of soil after crop harvest.     

A variable-based approach to the design, development, implementation and institutionalization of information systems in the forest sector

Global concern for improving governance in the forest sectorhas encouraged funding agencies and governments to spend millionsof dollars to harness the potential of computer-based informationsystems (IS) in improving the delivery of goods and servicesto stakeholders. Though design methodologies being used fordeveloping IS are technically sound and well established, stillthese systems are not being accepted by all the user groups.This has necessitated research on improvement of design methodologiesand related aspects. The present paper examines the successof an IS introduced in the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department in2002 in relation to 13 factors such as training, resource allocationand support of top management. The most important factors responsiblefor the success of an IS were found to be perceived usefulnessof the IS and resource allocation. A variable-based approachsuperimposed on existing design methodologies is expected toimprove the design, development, implementation and institutionalizationof IS in the forest sector.     

Mars north polar deposits: stratigraphy, age, and geodynamical response

The Shallow Radar (SHARAD) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has imaged the internal stratigraphy of the north polar layered deposits of Mars. Radar reflections within the deposits reveal a laterally continuous deposition of layers, which typically consist of four packets of finely spaced reflectors separated by homogeneous interpacket regions of nearly pure ice. The packet/interpacket structure can be explained by approximately million-year periodicities in Mars' obliquity or orbital eccentricity. The observed approximately 100-meter maximum deflection of the underlying substrate in response to the ice load implies that the present-day thickness of an equilibrium elastic lithosphere is greater than 300 kilometers. Alternatively, the response to the load may be in a transient state controlled by mantle viscosity. Both scenarios probably require that Mars has a subchondritic abundance of heat-producing elements.     

Organizational dynamics of an information system： case study from the forestry sector

The Forest Department in the State of Uttar Pradesh, India developed Forest Management Information System （FMIS） for achieving organizational goals of improved financial and human resource management, improvement in the management of forests and wildlife, and for achieving responsive administration. This paper, based on field research, presents an assessment of the dynamics of FMIS in organizational context for a better understanding of such systems in forestry organizations. The paper also investigates the success of FMIS in assisting decision makers in achieving organizational goals. Based on the knowledge developed during the course of the study, key learning elements have been highlighted for the benefit of the stakeholders in information systems in forest sector.