Characterization and genetic linkage mapping of the horticulturally important mutation leafless inflorescence (lli) in periwinkle Catharanthus roseus

Catharanthus roseus is a seasonal to perennial garden plant and the exclusive source of the anticancer drugs vincristine and vinblastine. Its horticultural importance is due to the compound racemose inflorescence architecture of branches in which pairs of prominent flowers are subtended by one of the two leaves per node. Here is reported the construction of a molecular framework genetic linkage map and mapping on it of the LEAF-LESS INFLORESCENCE (LLI) locus. It is quantitatively shown that the adult lli mutant plants produce altered inflorescence of improved horticultural value, wherein axes are excessively branched, two flowers are formed per node that are bare of subtending leaves, and several times more open flowers are displayed each day, as compared to LLI plants.     

Genetic variation of Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc., causal agent of dark leaf spot of cauliflower and mustard in India

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) and mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern] are important cruciferous crops facing serious yield and quality loss in India from dark leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. Genetic variation among 32 pathogenic A. brassicae isolates from both crops was analyzed with random amplified polymorphic DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat primers in which the mean similarity coefficient was found to be 0.73 and 0.84, respectively. Further internal transcribed spacer analysis showed all isolates are 90–100 % similar to each other, indicating genetic similarity among different A. brassicae isolates that vary pathogenically.     

Structural basis for DNA damage-dependent poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by human PARP-1

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) (ADP, adenosine diphosphate) has a modular domain architecture that couples DNA damage detection to poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity through a poorly understood mechanism. Here, we report the crystal structure of a DNA double-strand break in complex with human PARP-1 domains essential for activation (Zn1, Zn3, WGR-CAT). PARP-1 engages DNA as a monomer, and the interaction with DNA damage organizes PARP-1 domains into a collapsed conformation that can explain the strong preference for automodification. The Zn1, Zn3, and WGR domains collectively bind to DNA, forming a network of interdomain contacts that links the DNA damage interface to the catalytic domain (CAT). The DNA damage-induced conformation of PARP-1 results in structural distortions that destabilize the CAT. Our results suggest that an increase in CAT protein dynamics underlies the DNA-dependent activation mechanism of PARP-1.     

Characterization of carboxylesterase in skin mucus of Cirrhinus mrigala and its assessment as biomarker of organophosphate exposure

Presence of carboxylesterase (CbE) activity in the skin mucus of Cirrhinus mrigala was investigated. CbE activity in skin mucus showed higher substrate preference for α-naphthyl acetate over p-nitrophenyl acetate. Four CbE isozymes—CbE-1, CbE-2, CbE-3, and CbE-4 were observed in skin mucus during zymography. The isozyme CbE-4 was characterized as typical serine esterase, whereas CbE-1, CbE-2, and CbE-3 were identified as sulphhydryl group-dependent serine esterases. In vitro treatment of skin mucus with the organophosphorus insecticide, Nuvan^® showed strong inhibition of CbE activity. In vivo exposure of the fish to sublethal test concentrations (5 and 15 mg/l) of the insecticide also revealed significant inhibition of CbE activity in mucus. After the cessation of exposure, CbE activity recovered to its control level during the recovery periods. Thus, CbE activity in skin mucus could be considered a biomarker of the organophosphorus insecticide exposure to fish and a useful tool in monitoring environmental toxicity.     

Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 associated with outbreaks of infectious hydropericardium in Haryana, India

During 1998, hydropericardium syndrome was observed among 3-to-6-wk-old broilers in 45 different flocks of Haryana, India, with mortality ranging between 10% and 30%. Fowl adenovirus (FAV) was isolated from one of the affected flocks by chicken embryo liver cell culture. Serum neutralization test and polymerase chain reaction assay coupled with restriction enzyme analysis confirmed that the isolated virus belonged to FAV serotype 4. The disease was reproduced in 28-day-old broilers by subcutaneous and oral inoculation of isolated FAV4 alone. Typical hydropericardium and basophilic intranuclear inclusions in hepatocytes were observed in experimental birds by day 4 postinoculation.     

Treatment of wheat straw using tannase and white-rot fungus to improve feed utilization by ruminants

Background： Current research to enrich cattle feed has primarily focused on treatment using white rot fungi, while there are scarce reports using the enzyme tannase, which is discussed only in reviews or in the form of a hypothesis. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of tannase on wheat straw （WS） and also the effect of lyophilized tannase at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% （w/w） on WS followed by fermentation with Ganodermo sp. for 10 d and compared in relation to biochemical parameters, crude protein （CP） content, and nutritional value by calculating the C/N ratio in order to improve the nutritional value of cattle feed. Results： Penicillium charlesii, a tannase-producing microorganism, produced 61.4 IU/mL of tannase in 54 h when 2% （w/v） tannic acid （TA） was initially used as a substrate in medium containing （% w/v） sucrose （1.0）, NaNO3 （1.0）, and MgSO4 （0.08 pH, 5.0） in a 300-L fermentor （working volume 220 L）, and concomitantly fed with 1.0% （w/v） TA after 24 h. The yield of partially purified and lyophilized tannase was 5.8 IU/mg. The tannin-free myco-straw at 0.1% （w/w） tannase showed 37.8% （w/w） lignin degradation with only a 20.4% （w/w） decrease in cellulose content and the in vitro feed digestibility was 32.2%. An increase in CP content （up to 1.28-fold） along with a lower C/N ratio of 25.0%, as compared to myco-straw, was obtained. Conclusions： The use of tannin-free myco-straw has potential to improve the nutritional content of cattle feed. This biological treatment process was safe, eco-friendly, easy to perform, and was less expensive as compared to other treatment methods.     

Tubulin polyglutamylase enzymes are members of the TTL domain protein family

Polyglutamylation of tubulin has been implicated in several functions of microtubules, but the identification of the responsible enzyme(s) has been challenging. We found that the neuronal tubulin polyglutamylase is a protein complex containing a tubulin tyrosine ligase-like (TTLL) protein, TTLL1. TTLL1 is a member of a large family of proteins with a TTL homology domain, whose members could catalyze ligations of diverse amino acids to tubulins or other substrates. In the model protist Tetrahymena thermophila, two conserved types of polyglutamylases were characterized that differ in substrate preference and subcellular localization.     

Influence of foliar application of manganese on growth,pigment content,and nitrate reductase activity of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek under salinity

The effect of the micronutrient manganese (Mn) on the physiological performance of green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] under saline condition was studied in the present work. Green gram was grown under controlled conditions and treated with different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl): 100, 200, and 300 mM. The plant samples were analyzed from 25 to 65 days of plant growth at every 10-day interval. Significant difference was observed in leaf area index, membrane stability index, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content in treated plants. A drastic reduction was recorded at 200 and 300 mM NaCl treated plants in the parameters. The concentration 100 mM resulted in a slight increase of the parameters. Foliar application of Mn as manganese chloride (MnCl₂) was found to improve the physiological parameters in green gram at 200 and 300 mM salinity level and was useful in alleviating the detrimental effects of NaCl.