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Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are toxic N-glycosidases that depurinate eukaryotic and prokaryotic rRNAs and thus interrupt protein synthesis during translation. In the present study, a protein of around 32 kDa, supposedly a RIP isolated from Trichosanthes dioica, was assessed for its potential to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. Cell viability assay was done to measure cell proliferation and survivability. It was observed that cells viability decreased with the increase of decrease in dilution, i.e. when the sample was an undiluted one, the viability decreased drastically and almost came to less than 10%. To further check whether the isolated RIP could induce apoptosis, HeLa cells were treated with the test RIP. Immunoblotting was carried out using PARP poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1), a 113 kDa nuclear enzyme, which is considered a hallmark of cells undergoing apoptosis. HeLa cells were further analyzed for loss of mitochondrial membrane potential with JC-1 dye, which is an early event during apoptosis. Increased PARP breakdown in the RIP treated cells indicates that cells undergoing apoptosis and progressive loss of red J-aggregate fluorescence indicate that the isolated RIP from Trichosanthes dioica induces apoptosis in HeLa cells. The ability of apoptosis induction is comparable to another known RIP from Momordica charantia, which was used as a positive control. Promising results from the present study warrants the isolated RIP to be further explored for anticancer activities.

India is home for at least 18 indigenous pig breeds; however, the genetic diversity of Indian pig

The 2019 novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has caused a large number of deaths, with thousands of confirmed cases worldwide. The present study followed computational approaches to identify B- and T-cell epitopes for the spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 by its interactions with the human leukocyte antigen alleles. We identified 24 peptide stretches on the SARS-CoV-2 S protein that are well conserved among the reported strains. The S protein structure further validated the presence of predicted peptides on the surface, of which 20 are surface exposed and predicted to have reasonable epitope binding efficiency. The work could be useful for understanding the immunodominant regions in the surface protein of SARS-CoV-2 and could potentially help in designing some peptide-based diagnostics. Also, identified T-cell epitopes might be considered for incorporation in vaccine designs., Highlights • Identification of the B- and T-cell epitopes for spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. • Interactions of B and T cell epitopes with the human leukocyte antigen alleles.

The 2019 novel severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has caused a large number of deaths with thousands of confirmed cases worldwide. The present study followed computational approaches to identify B- and T-cell epitopes for spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 by its interactions with the human leukocyte antigen alleles. We identified twenty-four peptide stretches on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that are well conserved among the reported strains. The S protein structure further validated the presence of predicted peptides on the surface. Out of which twenty are surface exposed and predicted to have reasonable epitope binding efficiency. The work could be useful for understanding the immunodominant regions in the surface protein of SARS-CoV-2 and could potentially help in designing some peptide-based diagnostics.

This article reviews the advances in molecular genetics that have led to the genetic improvement in meat quality in pigs. During the past few decades, genes, or markers associated with genes have been identified that affects meat quality. The huge amount of information emerging from genomic studies is opening up new opportunities for the genetic selection of pigs. Several genes that influence meat quality have already been, or are close to being identified. Some of them have already been implemented into breeding programs by marker assisted selection. Fields like functional genomics and proteomics are helping in better understanding of the function and regulation of genes and how these participate in complex networks controlling the phenotypic characteristics of a trait. An integrated approach of genomics and proteomics with bioinformatics tools will further exploit the available molecular genetics information. This will allow animal breeders to make progress more rapidly to meet the demand for high quality pork.

Aim: This study was conducted to understand whether serum level of the steroid and metabolic hormones may be indicative of their level in ovarian follicular fluid (FF) in porcine, and its influence on fertility. Materials and Methods: Ovaries from pigs (n=32) of two genetic groups, namely, native (Ghungroo; n=16) and crossbred (Hampshire × Ghungroo; n=16) were collected. Both the genetic groups comprised gilts (n=8) and sows (n=8), and sows were in luteal phase of estrus cycle. FF was aspirated from small, medium and large follicles, and centrifuged for the collection of supernatant for further analysis. Blood samples were collected from the same animals, and serum was separated. Hormones, namely, cortisol, T3, T4 and testosterone were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Two-way ANOVA was used for analysis of data considering genetic background (native or crossbred), stage of reproductive life (gilt or sow), and source of sample (serum or FF) as fixed effects. Results: It was observed that all the hormones except cortisol differed significantly (p

Newcastle disease (ND) is prevalent among the domesticated and the wild birds and is caused by the avian paramyxovirus serotype-I (APMV-I). It is commonly known to affect chicken, pheasant, ostrich, pigeon and waterfowl. Depending on the virulence, the velogenic NDV strains cause severe respiratory and nervous disorders with a high mortality rate. The live and killed vaccines are available for the prevention of infection in the market, but the drug for the treatment is not available. Nitazoxanide (NTZ), a member of thiazolides, is an antiparasitic drug. In the present study, the effect of NTZ on the NDV replication was explored. The experiments were conducted in chicken fibroblast cells (DF-1), PBMC, embryonated chicken eggs, and two-week old chickens. The inhibition of the NDV was observed upon post-treatment of NTZ at a concentration of ~12.5 μM. Cytokine profiling of the DF-1, PBMC, and chicken embryonic tissue treated with NTZ revealed significant upregulation in all the cytokines studied except for IL-1β in DF-1 cells. It is plausible that NTZ is involved in causing immune-modulatory effects in poultry. NTZ treatment in two weeks old chicken showed significant reduction in NDV replication in trachea, and lungs, respectively, at 72 h post-infection. Encouraging results from the present study warrants repurposing NTZ as a drug for the treatment of viral infection in poultry. It will also pave the way towards understanding of similar effect against other animal pathogens.