NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJEB Vol.45(04) [April 2007]

Isolation and characterization of microsomal ω-6-desaturase gene (fad2-1) from soybean

Title: Isolation and characterization of microsomal ω-6-desaturase gene (fad2-1) from soybean

Authors: Kishore, K; Sinha, S K; Kumar, R; Gupta, N C; Dubey, N; Sachdev, A

Abstract: A genomic DNA sequence (fad2-1) encoding seed specific microsomal ω-6 desaturase was isolated from soybean (Glycine max. L cv. Pusa – 9702). A positive genomic clone of 1852 nucleotides containing a single uninterrupted 3' end exonic region with an ORF of 1140 bp encoding a peptide of 379 amino acids, a complete 3' UTR of 206 bp and 86 bp of 5' UTR interrupted by a single intron of 420 bp was obtained on screening the sub-genomic library of soybean. Southern blots revealed at least two copies of the gene per haploid genome. Analysis of the translated product showed the presence of three histidine boxes, with the general sequence HXXXH and five probable transmembrane segments reported to be involved in substrate specificity.

Page(s): 390-397

Dietary fish oil as hepatoprotective agent in Mus musculus

Title: Dietary fish oil as hepatoprotective agent in Mus musculus

Authors: Roy, R; Chandrasekhar, D; Pujari, P

Abstract: The administration of galactosamine in omega-3 polyunsatu-rated fatty acid (PUFA) supplemented mice resulted in lesser amount of damage in the liver tissue compared to the mice without prior supplementation of fish oil. Only 50% elevation in the plasma total bilirubin was detected in omega-3 supplemented mice injected with galactosamine over those supplemented with omega-3 without galactosomine injection. The results suggest that very long chain omega-3 PUFA like eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid may act as preventive agent for hepatic cirrhosis in Mus musculus.

Page(s): 367-370

Effect of cadmium on chlorophyll biosynthesis and enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in greening maize leaf segments: Role of 2-oxoglutarate

Title: Effect of cadmium on chlorophyll biosynthesis and enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in greening maize leaf segments: Role of 2-oxoglutarate

Authors: Jain, Meeta; Pal, Monika; Gupta, Priyanka; Gadre, Rekha

Abstract: Supply of cadmium chloride (0.5 mM) inhibited chlorophyll formation in greening maize leaf segments, while lower concentration of Cd (0.01 mM) slightly enhanced it. Inclusion of 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG, 0.1-10 mM) in the incubation mixture increased chlorophyll content in the absence as well as presence of Cd. Substantial inhibition of chlorophyll formation by Cd was observed at longer treatment both in the absence and presence of 2-OG. When the tissue was pre-incubated with 2-OG or Cd, the inhibition (%) of chlorophyll formation by Cd was lowered in the presence of 2-OG. Treatment with Cd inhibited ALAD activity and ALA formation and the inhibition (%) of ALA formation by Cd was strongly reduced in the presence of 2-OG. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was increased by the supply of Cd both in the absence as well as presence of 2-OG. In the presence of 2-OG, Cd supply significantly increased glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity and reduced inhibition (%) of glutamine synthetase (GS) activity. The results suggested the involvement of the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase (GS/GOGAT) pathway of ammonia assimilation to provide the precursor, glutamate, for ALA synthesis under Cd toxicity and 2-OG supplementation.

Page(s): 385-389

Evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of Butea monosperma Lam.

Title: Evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of Butea monosperma Lam.

Authors: Lavhale, Manish S; Mishra, S H

Abstract: In the present study, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fractions derived from total methanol extract of Butea monosperma flowers were evaluated for radical scavenging activities using different in vitro models like reducing power assay, scavenging of 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, nitric oxide radical, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical and inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis using 2, 2' azo-bis (amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Methanol extract along with its ethyl acetate and butanol fractions showed potent free radical scavenging activity, whereas aqueous fraction was found to be devoid of any radical scavenging properties. The observed activity could be due to the higher phenolic content in the extracts (16.1, 25.29, and 17.74%w/w in methanol extract, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions respectively). HPTLC fingerprint profile of the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions were developed which would serve as reference standard for quality control of the extracts.

Page(s): 376-384