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Abstract: We have investigated the efficiency of N-terminal 1–260 residues of Edema factor (EFn) as a delivery system for ESAT-6, an antigenic protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, into the cytosol of mammalian cells. The EFn.ESAT-6 recombinant protein was obtained by genetic fusion of EFn and ESAT-6 DNA. Our data shows that in the presence of PA, EFn.ESAT-6 fusion protein is internalized into the cytosol of antigen presenting cells, and the splenocytes produced both Th1 and Th2 cytokines in vitro. Further, EFn.ESAT-6 elicited effective cytotoxicT lymphocyte (CTL) response in an in vitro CTL assay. This study for the first time demonstrates that EFn can be used as a vehicle to deliver heterologous proteins of therapeutic importance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the ability of N-terminal fragment of lethal factor of Bacillus anthracis to deliver genetically fused ESAT-6 (early secretory antigen target), a potent T cell antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, into cytosol to elicit Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response. In vitro Th1 cytokines data and CTL assay proved that efficient delivery of LFn.ESAT-6 occurs in cytosol, in the presence of protective antigen (PA), and leads to generation of effective CTL response. Since CTL response is essential for protection against intracellular pathogens and, it is well known that only single T cell epitope or single antigenic protein is not sufficient to elicit protective CTL response due to variation or polymorphism in MHC-I alleles among the individuals, we suggest that as a fusion protein LFn can be used to deliver multiepitopes of T cells or multiproteins which can generate effective CTLs against intracellular pathogens like M. tuberculosis. It can be used to enhance the protective efficacy of BCG vaccine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Endophytic fungi are goldmines of novel drug skeletons. • Biominig endophytic fungi yielded therapeutics for curbing cancer, obesity, and gout. • Endophytic fungi are a repository of safer and more affordable immunomodulators. Inflammation and associated disorders have been a major contributing factor to mortality worldwide. The augmented mortality rate and emerging resistance against the approved therapeutics necessitate the discovery of novel chemistries destined for multiple clinical settings. Cellular factories including endophytic fungi have been tapped for chemical diversity with therapeutic potential. The emerging evidence has suggested the potential of bioactive compounds isolated from the endophytic fungi as putative agents to combat inflammation-associated disorders. The review summarizesand assists the readers in comprehending the structural and functional aspects of the medicinal chemistries identified from endophytic fungi as anticancer, antiobesity, antigout, and immunomodulatory agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding Cu/Zn–superoxide dismutase was isolated from Fasciola gigantica that on nucleotide sequencing showed a close homology (98.9%) with Cu/Zn–superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the temperate liver fluke, F. hepatica . Expression of the gene was found in all the three developmental stages of the parasite viz . adult, newly excysted juvenile and metacercaria at transcriptional level by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and at the protein level by Western blotting. F. gigantica Cu/Zn–SOD cDNA was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . Enzyme activity of the recombinant protein was determined by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and this activity was inactivated by hydrogen peroxide but not by sodium azide, indicating that the recombinant protein is Cu/Zn–SOD. The enzyme activity was relatively stable at a broad pH range of pH 4.0–10.0. Native Cu/Zn–superoxide dismutase protein was detected in the somatic extract and excretory–secretory products of the adult F. gigantica by Western blotting. NBT–PAGE showed a single Cu/Zn–SOD present in the somatic extract while three SODs are released ex vivo by the adult parasite. The recombinant superoxide dismutase did not react with the serum from buffaloes infected with F. gigantica . The role of this enzyme in defense by the parasite against the host reactive oxygen species is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The increasing demand for fresh water has necessitated the exploration for new sources of groundwater, particularly in hard rock terrain, where groundwater is a vital source of fresh water. A fast, cost effective and economical way of exploration is to study and analyze remote sensing data. Interpreted remote sensing data was used to select sites for carrying out surface geophysical investigations. Various geomorphologic units were demarcated and the lineaments were identified by interpretation of remote sensing satellite images. The potential for occurrence of groundwater in the watershed areas was classified as very good, good, moderate and poor by interpreting the images. Sub-surface geophysical investigations, namely vertical electrical soundings, were carried out to delineate potential water-bearing zones. Integrated studies of interpretation of geomorphologic and geophysical data were used to prepare a groundwater potential map. The studies reveal that the groundwater potential of shallow aquifers is due to geomorphologic features and the potential of deeper aquifers is determined by lineaments such as faults and joints. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]