NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJBT Vol.09(1) [January 2010]

Regeneration of multiple shoots from the callus cultures of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Regeneration of multiple shoots from the callus cultures of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.

Authors: Tejavathi, D H; Devaraj, V R; Murthy, Savitha M; Anitha, P; Nijagunaiah, R

Abstract: An effective protocol for the regeneration of multiple shoots from the callus, derived from shoot tip and cotyledonary node, was developed for the first time for Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. Shoot apices and cotyledonary nodes from 9-d-old aseptically grown seedlings were inoculated onto MS, L₂ and MMS media supplemented with various growth regulators. Proliferation of about 17 shoots was obtained on AS supplemented MS medium after 16 d of culture, while about 14 and 20 shoots regenerated from the callus on MMS₁+NAA (1.86 μM)+BAP (0.45 μM) and L₂+IBA (0.45 μM)+BAP (0.11 μM), respectively after 30 d of culture. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS+IAA (0.11 µM)+Kn (0.21 µM) with upto 6 roots per shoot. Rooted shoots were sequentially acclimatized by transferring them to sterile distilled water and tap water before planting in various pot mixtures. A maximum of 60% survival rate was noticed on a mixture of soil:sand:manure (1:1:1).

Page(s): 101-105

Homology modeling and docking studies between HIV-1 protease and carbamic acid

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Homology modeling and docking studies between HIV-1 protease and carbamic acid

Authors: Balakrishnan, M; Srivastava, R C; Pokhriyal, Mayank

Abstract: HIV-I protease (HIV-I PR) is aspartic protease enzyme which is essential for the life-cycle of HIV retrovirus. Homology structural model and function relation of HIV-I PR have solved the structure of HIV-I proteases. We created a homology model of HIV-I PR and the 3-D structure as template using with ICMPro software. The ICMPro homology modeling algorithm has demonstrated excellent accuracy in blind predictions. Moreover, recent results show that ICMPro models built with as little as 35% identity can be accurate enough to be successfully used in receptor based rational drug design. The closest homologue with the highest sequence identity of 38.395% was selected as representative model using YASARA tools. The model was validated using protein structure checking tools such as PROCHEK for reliability. A total of two pockets were predicted by the software. Once the pockets were predicted, the ligand was subjected to docking reaction using the docking module of ICMPro software. Based on the RMSD and energy values, the best docking orientation was selected. The better RMSD value of docking is 0.0066288. This study will be used in broad screening of inhibitors of the protein and can be further implemented in future drug designing.

Page(s): 96-100

Production of fibrolytic enzymes in repeat-batch culture using immobilized zoospores of anaerobic rumen fungi

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Production of fibrolytic enzymes in repeat-batch culture using immobilized zoospores of anaerobic rumen fungi

Authors: Sridhar, Manpal; Kumar, Deepak

Abstract: The zoospores of two isolates of polycentric rumen fungi, Orpinomyces NIANP 58 (isolated from the faeces of a buffalo) and Anaeromyces NIANP 115 (isolated from the rumen liquor of a cannalulated cow), were immobilized in sodium alginate solution for the production of three fibrolytic enzymes, viz. CMcase, xylanase and -glucosidase in repeat-batch culture. Enzyme activity was recorded initially (0 h) and after every 24 h up to 72 h of immobilization. CMCellulase activity of 8.5±1.205 units at 0 h in Orpinomyces showed a very steep increase in the activity (598.00±26.87), almost 70-fold increase at 48 h of immobilization. This increase was reflected in the specific activity as well, while in case of Anaeromyces, an activity of 6.0±0.851 units at 0 h also showed a very steep increase in activity (322.46±1.054 units, recording a 50-fold increase at 48 h of immobilization. At 0 h, 28.22± 4.556 units of xylanase activity corresponding to a specific activity of 31.36±6.225 were obtained in the case of Orpinomyces, which increased steeply to 955.11±54.93 units at 48 h of immobilization. Thereafter, the activity declined to more or less that obtained at 24 h of immobilization though a high specific activity of 791.20±10.66 was recorded. High xylanase activities were obtained in case of Anaeromyces upon immobilization with activity increasing from 56.88 units at 0 h to as high as 1921 units at 72 h. Anaeromyces isolate yielded 3.85, 4.246, 8.03 and 23.19 units of -glucosidase, whereas Orpinomyces isolate yielded 6.09, 14.12, 16.63 and 20.89 units of -glucosidase at 0,24,48 and 72 h, respectively. The results clearly elucidate the feasibility of using the zoospores of anaerobic rumen fungi for large-scale production of these three enzymes, which have great potential in ruminant nutrition in the breakdown of fibrous feeds and also various industrial applications.

Page(s): 87-95

Antibiotic resistance profile of halophilic microorganisms isolated from tannery effluent

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Antibiotic resistance profile of halophilic microorganisms isolated from tannery effluent

Authors: Ghosh, Rakesh; Chattopadhyay, Pijush Kanti; Chattopadhyay, Budhhadeb; Pal, Debasish

Abstract: Halophiles are defined as organisms showing considerable growth at salt concentrations higher than 100 g L^-1. Based on the halophilicity, halophiles can be broadly classified as slightly, moderately or extremely halophilic depending on their requirement for NaCl. Halophilic microorganisms, metabolically diversified, comprising Archaea, Bacteria, and Eucarya, are found distributed all over the world in hypersaline environments including drained soak liquor and brine cured hides. Plasmids mediating resistance to antimicrobial agents have been found in many halophilic bacteria examined so far. For the purpose of protection of salt cured hides, adequate knowledge and exposure related to characteristics of halophilic bacteria is very important as halophilic microorganisms secrete bacterial collagenases responsible for collagen damage in the form of ‘Red heat’. All the halophilic bacteria isolated from the drained soak liquor used in these experiments were proved to be motile, aerobic and extremely pleomorphic Gram negative organisms. The growth curve of the halophilic bacteria showed slower growth profile at 37°C compared to E. coli. Effective plasmid isolation further strengthened the antibiotic resistance of the halophiles. Analysis of drained soak liquor was followed to examine the related important features of the halophilic species. Optimum salinity of media and pleomorphic Gram-negative nature of halophiles were found as causative factors of insensitivity to antimicrobial agents (AMA). It was found that darkness and low temperature would resist ‘Red heat’ on hides.

Page(s): 80-86