• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.126-138
• /
• 2018

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is a major disease. In the present study, we aimed to identify and evaluate the novel bacterial isolates from rice rhizosphere for biocontrol of M. oryzae pathogen. Sixty bacterial strains from the rice plant's rhizosphere were tested for their biocontrol activity against M. oryzae under in vitro and in vivo. Among them, B. amyloliquefaciens had significant high activity against the pathogen. The least disease severity and highest germination were recorded in seeds treated with B. amyloliquefaciens UASBR9 (0.96 and 98.00%) compared to untreated control (3.43 and 95.00%, respectively) under in vivo condition. These isolates had high activity of enzymes in relation to growth promoting activity upon challenge inoculation of the pathogen. The potential strains were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and dominance of these particular genes were associated in Bacillus strains. These strains were also confirmed for the presence of antimicrobial peptide biosynthetic genes viz., srfAA (surfactin), fenD (fengycin), spaS (subtilin), and ituC (iturin) related to secondary metabolite production (e.g., AMPs). Overall, the results suggested that application of potential bacterial strains like B. amyloliquefaciens UASBR9 not only helps in control of the biological suppression of one of the most devastating rice pathogens, M. grisea but also increases plant growth along with a reduction in application of toxic chemical pesticides.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2006

The differential response of soybean cultivars with or without sulfur (S) application was observed under fold conditions. Plant biomass decreased by sulfur deficiency but the reduction was less in Bragg variety about 26 % relative to the control than other ones over 45%, probably due to less reduction in loaves and pods. The photosynthetic rate of Bragg cultivar was also unaffected by the absence of sulfur application while it depressed in other lines. Soybean cultivars were compared in terms of storage protein, protein quality and biomass production by application of sulfur nutrition. The storage protein concentration tended to decrease without sulfur application in all the cultivars, however the differential response of protein quality only by 11S/7S ratio to sulfur nutrition status was observed: For instance, Bragg cultivar had higher biomass and protein production but protein quality decreased at sulfur deficiency. On the other hand, biomass and protein production in other cultivars remained louver at sulfur deficiency but protein quality differed genetically in spite of sulfur nutrition status. These results suggest that the response of soybean to sulfur nutrition is controlled by genotypic difference and sulfur supply status.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.384-390
• /
• 2004

An in vtro nucellar polyembryo propagation method was established with mature seed of the Citrus junos Sieb. 7-8 nucellar polyembryos per seed were induced on MS basal medium without plant growth regulators. The polyembryos developed to complete plantlets on teatment with IBA. These shoots grew further in MS medium without plant growth regulators. Rooting of shoots occurred on MS medium supplemented with IBA. These plantlets were successfully transplanted to small plastic pot containing soil mixture. Somatic embryos were induced from nucellar polyembryo and maturation occurred spontaneously from proliferating cultures on MS medium without growth regulators. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker analysis of in vitro and in vivo grown junos orange showed identical polymorphism indicative of their genetic stability. The RAPD polymorphism produced revealed same banding pattern in each regenerant. Hence, propagaton of junos orange by nucellalr polyembryos was efficient and produced in genetically stable plants under in vitro conditions.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Semecarpus anacardium Linn. is a plant well-known for its antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anti-arthritic properties in the Ayurvedic and Siddha system of medicine. This has prompted the screening of this plant for antibacterial activity. The main aims of this study were to isolate compounds from the plant's seeds and to evaluate their antibacterial effects on clinical bacterial test strains. Methods: The n-butanolic concentrate of the seed extract was subjected to thin layer chromatography (TLC) and repeated silica gel column chromatography followed by elution with various solvents. The compound was identified based on observed spectral (IR, $^1H$ NMR, $^{13}C$ NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry) data. The well diffusion method was employed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of the isolated acyclic isoprenoid compound (final concentration: $5-15{\mu}g/mL$) on four test bacterial strains, namely, Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Bacillus cereus (MTCC 430), Escherichia coli (MTCC 1689) and Acinetobacter baumannii (MTCC 9829). Results: Extensive spectroscopic studies showed the structure of the isolated compound to be an acyclic isoprenoid ($C_{21}H_{32}O$). Moreover, the isoprenoid showed a remarkable inhibition of bacterial growth at a concentration of $15{\mu}g/mL$ compared to the two other doses tested (5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$) and to tetracycline, a commercially available antibiotic that was used as a reference drug. Conclusion: The isolation of an antimicrobial compound from Semecarpus anacardium seeds validates the use of this plant in the treatment of infections. The isolated compound found to be active in this study could be useful for the development of new antimicrobial drugs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8411-8418
• /
• 2016

The effect of Eruca sativa seed extract (SE) on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) gene expression levels was investigated in rat mammary gland carcinogenesis induced by 7,12 dimethylbenz(${\alpha}$)anthracene (DMBA). DMBA increased NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2 and Bcl-2 gene expression levels and lipid peroxidation (LP), while, decreased glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and total antioxidant concentration (TAC) compared to the control group. After DMBA administration, SE treatment reduced NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2 and Bcl-2 gene expression levels and LP. Hence, SE treatment reduced inflammation and cell proliferation, while increasing apoptosis, GST and SOD activities and TAC. Analysis revealed that SE has high concentrations of total flavonoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids and polyphenolic compounds such as gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, 3,4-dicaffeoyl quinic, 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinic, tannic, cinnamic acids, catechin and phloridzin. These findings indicate that SE may be considered a promising natural product from cruciferous vegetables against breast cancer, especially given its high antioxidant properties.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2024

Pre-harvest sprouting is a critical phenomenon involving germination of seeds in the mother plant before harvest under relative humid conditions and reduced dormancy. In this paper, we generated HDR mutant lines with one region SNP (C/T) and an insertion of 6 bp (GGT/GGTGGCGGC) in OsERF1 genes for pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) resistance using CRISPR/Cas9 and a geminiviral replicon system. The incidence of HDR was 2.6% in transformed calli. T₁ seeds were harvested from 12 HDR-induced calli and named ERF1-hdr line. Molecular stability, key agronomic properties, physiological properties, and biochemical properties of target genes in the ERF1-hdr line were investigated for three years. The ERF1-hdr line showed significantly enhanced seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting resistance. qRT-PCR analysis suggested that enhanced ABA signaling resulted in a stronger phenotype of PHS resistance. These results indicate that efficient HDR can be achieved through SNP/InDel replacement using a single and modular configuration applicable to different rice targets and other crops. This work demonstrates the potential to replace all genes with elite alleles within one generation and greatly expands our ability to improve agriculturally important traits.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.543-553
• /
• 2017

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is an important oil seed crop of Asia. Yields can be negatively impacted by various factors, including disease, particularly those caused by fungi which create problems in both production and storage. Foliar diseases of sesame such as Alternaria leaf blight may cause significant yield losses, with reductions in plant health and seed quality. The work reported here determined the incidence of Alternaria species infecting sesame seeds grown in the Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 428 Alternaria isolates were obtained from 105 seed samples and grouped into 36 distinct taxonomic groups based on growth pattern and morphological characters. Isolation frequency and relative density of surface sterilized and non-surface sterilized seeds showed that three isolates (A13, A47 and A215) were the most common morphological groups present. These isolates were further identified using sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the Alternaria major allergen gene (Alt a 1). Whilst ITS of rDNA did not resolve the isolates into Alternaria species, the Alt a 1 sequences exhibited > 99% homology with Alternaria alternata (KP123850.1) in GenBank accessions. The pathogenicity and virulence of these isolates of Alternaria alternata was confirmed in inoculations of sesame plants resulting in typical symptoms of leaf blight disease. This work confirms the identity of a major source of sesame leaf blight in Pakistan which will aid in formulating effective disease management strategies.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.173-178
• /
• 2001

This study was carried out to analyse the nutrient composition of grape seeds and to assess as a plant oil source. Mean values of nutrient contents were as follows: moisture 10.1%, crude protein 11.7%, crude fat 29.7%, crude ash 2.53%, total sugar 4.38 ${\mu}g/mg$, and reducing sugar 3.96 ${\mu}g/mg$. Linoleic acid was the most prominent fatty acid, showing 66.15%, and followed by oleic acid > palmitic acid > stearic acid. Mean contents of neutral-, glyco-and phospholipids were 85.4%, 6.50%, and 8.06%, respectively. Mean saponification value of crude fat was 187.5, showing elevated value than that of perilla oil. Antioxidative capacity of grape seed oil was marked by 12 and 50% higher values than those of perilla or sesame oils. Regardless of storage conditions, grape seed oil showed more lowered P.O.V than perilla and sesame oils. P.O.V of grape seed oil treated at $150^{\circ}C$ showed a lower value than those of perilla and sesame oils. The stability against oxidation may be related with the antioxidant substances contained in the grape seeds.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.196-200
• /
• 1998

Zeins, maize storage proteins, are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during the subcellular targeting process without the ER retention signal. Circumstantial data indicate that the 27K zein is an ER transmembrane protein. The potential transmembrane domain may permit the 27K zein to remain in the ER. This study investigated the potential transmembrane feature by employing alkaline extraction, proteinase K digestion, and surface biotinylation on isolated intact protein bodies. These assays consistently support the possibility of the 27K zein as a transmembrane protein. The 27K zein polypeptide was shown to be associated with alkali-stripped membranes. The polypeptide was digested by proteinase K to a smaller fragment. According to surface biotinylation, the 27K zeins was labeled to the exclusion of other classes of zeins. This study, therefore, concludes that the 27K zein has an ER transmembrane domain, which may serve as an anchor for zeins' ER retention.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2016

microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of cell state transition and retention during stem cell proliferation and differentiation by post-transcriptionally downregulating hundreds of conserved target genes via seed-pairing in their 3' untranslated region. In embryonic and adult stem cells, dozens of miRNAs that elaborately control stem cell processes by modulating the transcriptomic context therein have been identified. Some miRNAs accelerate the change of cell state into progenitor cell lineages—such as myoblast, myeloid or lymphoid progenitors, and neuro precursor stem cells—and other miRNAs decelerate the change but induce proliferative activity, resulting in cell state retention. This cell state choice can be controlled by endogenously or exogenously changing miRNA levels or by including or excluding target sites. This control of miRNA-mediated gene regulation could improve our understanding of stem cell biology and facilitate their development as therapeutic tools. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(1): 3-10]