Search

The formation of new proteins under the influence of harsh environmental conditions is a plant adaptation reaction. Two-year-old date palm tissue culture-derived plants from ‘Barhee’ grown in the field were subjected to salt stress (70 g l-1 NaCl) and dehydration-induced by applying 70 g l-1 polyethylene glycol or without irrigation and withholding irrigation (0 g l-1) for one month. The soluble carbohydrate content increased in response to salinity and polyethylene glycol treatment in leaves compared to the control and drought treatment without irrigation. Proline increased in all treatments. Malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide increased under salinity. Salinity treatment increased the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase enzyme. Salinity and polyethylene glycol treatments increased abscisic acid, whereas the indoleacetic acid level decreased. The protein pattern of roots and leaves in one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the stress conditions led to new protein bands' appearance and other proteins' disappearance. A comparison of protein patterns between the control and stress treatments revealed that the relative intensity of proteins in roots and leaves were more associated with salinity treatment than the drought. The results may be clearing important the molecular mechanism of tolerance under the influence of extreme environmental stress.

Determining the appropriate parents for breeding programs is the most important decision that plant breeders must make to maximize the genetic variability and produce excellent recombinant genotypes. Several methods are used to identify genotypes with desirable phenotypic features for breeding experiments. In this study, five kalanchoe genotypes were morphologically characterized by assessing plant height, number of inflorescences, number of flowers, flower length, flower diameter and number of petals. The analysis showed the distinction of yellow kalanchoe in the plant height trait, while the orange kalanchoe was distinguished in the number of inflorescences, the number of flowers and flower length traits, whereas the violet kalanchoe possessed the largest flower diameter and the highest number of petals. The molecular profiling was performed by random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tools. Genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves and the PCR reactions were performed using ten primers for each SCoT, ISSR and RAPD marker. Only four out of ten primers showed amplicon profiles in all PCR markers. A total of 70 bands were generated by SCoT, ISSR and RAPD-PCR with 35 polymorphic bands and 35 monomorphic bands. The total number of bands of RAPD, ISSR and SCoT was 15, 17 and 38, respectively. The polymorphism percentages achieved by RAPD, ISSR and SCoT were 60.25%, 15% and 57%, respectively. The cluster analysis based on morphological data revealed two clusters. Cluster I consisted of violet and orange kalanchoe, and cluster II comprised red, yellow and purple kalanchoe. Whereas the cluster analysis based on molecular data revealed three clusters. Cluster I included only yellow kalanchoe, cluster II comprised orange and violet kalanchoe while cluster III comprised red, and purple kalanchoe. The study concluded that orange, violet and yellow kalanchoe are distinguished parents for breeding economically valued traits in kalanchoe. Also, the study concluded that SCoT and RAPD markers reproduced reliable banding patterns to assess the genetic polymorphism among kalanchoe genotypes that consider the basis stone for genetic improvements in ornamental plants.

Environmental pollution is one of the most pressing challenges in today’s world. The main cause of this pollution is fuel emissions from automobiles and other sources. As industrialization progresses, we will be unable to compromise on the use of energy to power heavy machines and will be forced to seek out the best options. As a consequence, utilizing green fuel, such as biodiesel derived from natural sources, is a realistic option. Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) is recognized as the greatest feedstock for biodiesel production throughout the world, and it has gained a huge market value in the recent years. Conventional cultivation alone will not be sufficient to meet the global need for the plant’s biomass for the production of biodiesel. Adoption of plant tissue culture techniques that improve the biomass availability is an immediate need. The present review provides detailed information regarding in-vitro plant propagation (direct and indirect organogenesis), somatic embryogenesis, and acclimatization protocols of plantlets for stabilized production of biomass. The review also focuses on biotechnological approaches such as gene transformation studies, production of haploids, and double haploids for developing elite germplasm for high biomass and improved traits for the production of biodiesel.

Hydroxylated polyphenols, also called flavonoids, are richly present in vegetables, fruits, cereals, nuts, herbs, seeds, stems, and flowers of numerous plants. They possess numerous medicinal properties such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammation. Studies show that flavonoids activate antioxidant pathways that render an anti-inflammatory effect. They inhibit the secretions of enzymes such as lysozymes and β-glucuronidase and inhibit the secretion of arachidonic acid, which reduces inflammatory reactions. Flavonoids such as quercetin, genistein, apigenin, kaempferol, and epigallocatechin 3-gallate modulate the expression and activation of a cytokine such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8); regulate the gene expression of many pro-inflammatory molecules such s nuclear factor kappa-light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), activator protein-1 (AP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM), and E-selectins; and also inhibits inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and lipoxygenase, which are pro-inflammatory enzymes. Understanding the anti-inflammatory action of flavonoids provides better treatment options, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, obstructive pulmonary disorder, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. This review highlights the sources, biochemical activities, and role of flavonoids in enhancing human health.

Artemisinin is an anti-malarial sesquiterpene lactone derived from Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae family). One of the most widely used modes of treatment for malaria is an artemisinin-based combination therapy. Artemisinin and its associated compounds have a variety of pharmacological qualities that have helped achieve economic prominence in recent years. So far, research on the biosynthesis of this bioactive metabolite has revealed that it is produced in glandular trichomes and that the genes responsible for its production must be overexpressed in order to meet demand. Using biotechnological applications such as tissue culture, genetic engineering, and bioreactor-based approaches would aid in the upregulation of artemisinin yield, which is needed for the future. The current review focuses on the tissue culture aspects of propagation of A. annua and production of artemisinin from A. annua L. cell and organ cultures. The review also focuses on elicitation strategies in cell and organ cultures, as well as artemisinin biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of biosynthetic genes in Artemisia and plant model systems.

Bacterial pathogens are always challenged by fluctuations of chemical and physical parameters that pose serious threats to cellular integrity and metabolic status. Sudden deprivation of nutrients or key metabolites, changes in surrounding pH, and temperature shifts are the most important examples of such parameters. To elicit a proper response to such fluctuations, bacterial cells coordinate the expression of parameter-relevant genes. Although protein-mediated control of gene expression is well appreciated since many decades, RNA-based regulation has been discovered in early 2000s as a parallel level of regulation. Small regulatory RNAs have emerged as one of the most widespread and important gene regulatory systems in bacteria with rare representatives found in Archaea and Eukarya. Riboswitches and thermosensors are cis-encoded RNA regulatory elements that employ different mechanisms to regulate the expression of related genes controlling key metabolic pathways and genes of temperature relevant proteins including virulence factors. The extent of RNA contributions to gene regulation is not completely known even in well-studied models such E. coli and B. subtilis. In depth understanding of riboswitches is promising for opportunity to discover a narrow spectrum antibacterial drugs that target riboswitches of essential metabolic pathways.

Fruit trees provide essential nutrients to humans by contributing to major agricultural outputs and economic growth globally. However, major constraints to sustainable agricultural productivity are the uncontrolled proliferation of the population, and biotic and abiotic stresses. Tree mutation breeding has been substantially improved using different physical and chemical mutagens. Nonetheless, tree plant breeding has certain crucial bottlenecks including a long life cycle, ploidy level, occurrence of sequence polymorphisms, nature of parthenocarpic fruit development and linkage. Genetic engineering of trees has focused on boosting quality traits such as productivity, wood quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Recent technological advances in genome editing provide a unique opportunity for the genetic improvement of woody plants. This review examines application of the CRISPR-Cas system to reduce disease susceptibility, alter plant architecture, enhance fruit quality, and improve yields. Examples are discussed of the contemporary CRISPR-Cas system to engineer easily scorable PDS genes, modify lignin, and to alter the flowering onset, fertility, tree architecture and certain biotic stresses.

A rapid economically viable micropropagation protocol has been developed in the present work for Morus indica L. (K-2 cultivar) utilizing the readily available nodal explants. Explants were established on different plant growth regulators (PGRs) either individually or in combinations. MS medium containing 1 mg L−1 Kinetin (Kin) showed the best shoot multiplication with 4.8 ± 0.23 cm average shoot length and 6.5 ± 0.03 number of internodes. Regenerated shoots were elongated in MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L−1 gibberellic acid (GA3). Elongated shoots cultured in full-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for one week and then cultured in half-strength MS proved to be more effective in rooting compared to other PGRs in significantly shorter duration. Micropropagated plants transferred to soil fortified with the quarter-strength of MS salts along with humidity regulation process showed 89% survival frequency. In vitro flowering in the regenerated shoots was also observed in the MS medium supplemented with (1.5 mg L−1) Kin and carbon source replaced by commercial sugar cubes. This method can be effectively used for in vitro culture of M. indica in commercial scale owing to its enhanced quality and reduced time frame.

Membrane vesicles (MVs) released from bacteria participate in cell communication and host-pathogen interactions. Roles for MVs in antibiotic resistance are gaining increased attention and in this study we investigated if known anti-bacterial effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid from Cannabis sativa, could be in part attributed to effects on bacterial MV profile and MV release. We found that CBD is a strong inhibitor of MV release from Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli VCS257), while inhibitory effect on MV release from Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus subsp. aureus Rosenbach) was negligible. When used in combination with selected antibiotics, CBD significantly increased the bactericidal action of several antibiotics in the Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, CBD increased antibiotic effects of kanamycin in the Gram-positive bacteria, without affecting MV release. CBD furthermore changed protein profiles of MVs released from E. coli after 1 h CBD treatment. Our findings indicate that CBD may pose as a putative adjuvant agent for tailored co-application with selected antibiotics, depending on bacterial species, to increase antibiotic activity, including via MV inhibition, and help reduce antibiotic resistance.

Outer membrane and membrane vesicles (OMV/MV) are released from bacteria and participate in cell communication, biofilm formation and host-pathogen interactions. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are phylogenetically conserved enzymes that catalyze post-translational deimination/citrullination of proteins, causing structural and functional changes in target proteins. PADs also play major roles in the regulation of eukaryotic extracellular vesicle release. Here we show phylogenetically conserved pathways of PAD-mediated OMV/MV release in bacteria and describe deiminated/citrullinated proteins in E. coli and their derived OMV/MVs. Furthermore, we show that PAD inhibitors can be used to effectively reduce OMV/MV release, both in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Importantly, this resulted in enhanced antibiotic sensitivity of both E. coli and S. aureus to a range of antibiotics tested. Our findings reveal novel strategies for applying pharmacological OMV/MV-inhibition to reduce antibiotic resistance.

BackgroundNeonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult is a leading cause of disability and death in newborns, with therapeutic hypothermia being the only currently available clinical intervention. Thus there is a great need for adjunct and novel treatments for enhanced or alternative post-HI neuroprotection. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have recently been shown to exhibit regenerative effects in various injury models. Here we present findings showing neuroprotective effects of MSC-derived EVs in the Rice–Vannucci model of severe HI-induced neonatal brain insult.MethodsMesenchymal stromal/stem cell-derived EVs were applied intranasally immediately post HI-insult and behavioral outcomes were observed 48 h following MSC-EV treatment, as assessed by negative geotaxis. Brains were thereafter excised and assessed for changes in glial responses, cell death, and neuronal loss as markers of damage at 48 h post HI-insult.ResultsBrains of the MSC-EV treated group showed a significant decrease in microglial activation, cell death, and percentage tissue volume loss in multiple brain regions, compared to the control-treated groups. Furthermore, negative geotaxis test showed improved behavioral outcomes at 48 h following MSC-EV treatment.ConclusionOur findings highlight the clinical potential of using MSC-derived EVs following neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia.

Male and female infertility is a global major health problem. Approximately 15% of couples of a reproductive age are unable to achieve the desired pregnancy within 12 months, despite daily unprotected sexual intercourse, and about 10% of infertilities have no specific reason worldwide. Currently, many researchers are interested to investigate the use of natural remedies for preventive and curative purposes of infertility. This review brings together some of the data on the nutritional characteristics of the date palm and its different parts on fertility outcomes and critically evaluates the past and recent literature relevant to the consumption of date fruit against infertility-related problems. Due to its antioxidant potential, dates are considered a functional treatment for reducing the risks of infertility. In males, the date palm has a potent effect on the reproductive parameters including hormonal levels and seminal vesicle parameters as well as sperm motility, count, and viability; whereas, in females, it shows a convincing effect on reproductive parameters including oogenesis process, strengthening of oocytes, regulation of hormones, strengthening of pregnancy, reduction of the need for labor augmentation, and postpartum hemorrhage prevention.

Three kinds of extracts (hot , boil water and ethanolic extracts) had been prepared from populous euphratica leaves .Known chemical reagent was applied to different various function groups( flavonoid , alkaloid , polyphenoles , Tannins, Saponions and Proteins) present in the plant leaves. Different concentration of these extract (120, 180 and 240 mg/ml) were used against various bacterial spp.( Escherichia coli ، Klebsiella pneumonae ، Salmonella typhi , Shigella sonei and Protus mirabilus ) to detect the antibacterial activity. The result of the antibacterial activity of populous euphratica leaves extract has been varied according to the kind of extract used and bacterial spp. applied. The results clear that the mean diameter of inhibition zone increased with increasing concentration of the extract used and The results showed that the mean diameter of inhibition zone in the range 4-26 mm for hot water extract , 4-22 mm for boiling water and 2-14 mm for ethanolic extract .Finally , the results of hot water extract plant leaves has shown of the higher biological activity (26 mm) for E.coli among other extract of the same concentration(120 , 180 and 240 mg/ml) and 22 mm to extract boiling water in Shigella soni The alcoholic extract higher inhibition zone 14 mm recorded in each of the (Salmonella typhi Shigella soni, Protus mirabilus).Statistical analysis of the results of all kinds of extracts was showed significant different(p