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Yadav A, Babu S, Krishnan P, Kaur B, Bana RS, Chakraborty D, Kumar V, Joshi B, Lal SK. Zinc oxide and ferric oxide nanoparticles combination increase plant growth, yield, and quality of soybean under semiarid region. Chemosphere 2024; 352:141432. [PMID: 38368965 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) malnutrition are global health challenges that need immediate attention. Hence, to address these issues, a two-pronged approach involving the development and application of novel Zn and Fe products for crop fertilization may be a potential solution. Therefore, zinc oxide (ZnO) (∼13.2 nm) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) (∼15 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized. Seven nutrients treatments viz, control, ZnO- NPs (25 mg kg-1), Fe2O3-NPs (25 mg kg-1), ZnO + Fe2O3-NPs (25 mg kg-1each), ZnSO4 (55.8 mg kg-1), FeSO4 (60.4 mg kg-1) and ZnSO4+ FeSO4 (55.8 and 60.4 mg kg-1) were arranged in five-time replicated Completely Randomized Design model to test the effectiveness of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs in two soybean cultivars over conventional zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) fertilizers. The results indicated that the photosynthetic rate (Pn) and chlorophyll content increased (33.9-86.2%) significantly at the flowering stage with ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs applications, compared to their conventional counterparts. Likewise, the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs reduced H2O2 production by 17-19% and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities by 15-17% and 9.6-11.4% over the combined use of ZnSO4 and FeSO4, respectively. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) showed an increase of 6.9-44.2% under ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs, as well as ZnSO4 and FeSO4. Furthermore, the combined application of NPs enhanced soybean seed yield by 4.6-18.3% compared to conventional Zn and Fe fertilizers. Concerning seed Zn and Fe density, conjoint application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs increases Zn by 1.8-2.2-fold and Fe by 19.22-22.58% over the combined application of Zn SO4 and FeSO4, respectively. While the application of NPs significantly decreased seed phytic acid concentrations by 7.3-59.9% compared to the control. These findings suggest that the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs effectively enhances soybean productivity, seed nutrient density, and overall produce quality. Therefore, the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 -NPs in soybean can be a potential approach for sustainable soybean production and to reduce/arrest Zn and Fe malnutrition in a growing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achchhelal Yadav
- Divsion of Agricultural Physics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
| | - Subhash Babu
- Divsion of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
| | - P Krishnan
- Divsion of Agricultural Physics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
| | - Baljeet Kaur
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
| | - R S Bana
- Divsion of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
| | - Debashis Chakraborty
- Divsion of Agricultural Physics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
| | - Vikas Kumar
- ICAR- National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi, 110 012, India
| | - Bhawna Joshi
- Division of Environmental Science, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
| | - S K Lal
- Divsion of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
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Gee YJ, Sea YL, Lal SK. Viral modulation of lipid rafts and their potential as putative antiviral targets. Rev Med Virol 2023; 33:e2413. [PMID: 36504273 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Lipid rafts are ubiquitous in cells. They are identified as cholesterol and glycosphingolipid enriched microdomains on cellular membranes. They serve as platforms for cellular communications by functioning in signal transduction and membrane trafficking. Such structural organisation fulfils cellular needs for normal function, but at the same time increases vulnerability of cells to pathogen invasion. Viruses rely heavily on lipid rafts in basically every stage of the viral life cycle for successful infection. Various mechanisms of lipid rafts modification exploited by diverse viruses for attachment, internalisation, membrane fusion, genome replication, assembly and release have been brought to light. This review focuses on virus-raft interactions and how a wide range of viruses manipulate lipid rafts at distinct stages of infection. The importance of virus-raft interactions in viral infections has inspired researchers to discover and develop antivirals that target this interaction, such as statins, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, viperin, 25-hydroxycholesterol and even anti-malarial drugs. The therapeutic modulations of lipid rafts as potential antiviral intervention from in vitro and in vivo evidence are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Jing Gee
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Yi Lin Sea
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia.,Tropical Medicine & Biology Platform, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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Sea YL, Gee YJ, Lal SK, Choo WS. Cannabis as antivirals. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:6956804. [PMID: 36626776 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is a plant notorious for its psychoactive effect, but when used correctly, it provides a plethora of medicinal benefits. With more than 400 active compounds that have therapeutic properties, cannabis has been accepted widely as a medical treatment and for recreational purposes in several countries. The compounds exhibit various clinical benefits, which include, but are not limited to, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Among the vast range of compounds, multiple research papers have shown that cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, have antiviral effects. Recently, scientists found that both compounds can reduce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral infection by downregulating ACE2 transcript levels and by exerting anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds also act as the SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors that block viral replication. Apart from cannabinoids, terpenes in cannabis plants have also been widely explored for their antiviral properties. With particular emphasis on four different viruses, SARS-CoV-2, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and herpes simplex virus-1, this review discussed the role of cannabis compounds in combating viral infections and the potential of both cannabinoids and terpenes as novel antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lin Sea
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yee Jing Gee
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.,Tropical Medicine and Biology Platform, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wee Sim Choo
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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4
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Low ZY, Yip AJW, Lal SK. Repositioning anticancer drugs as novel COVID-19 antivirals: targeting structural and functional similarities between viral proteins and cancer. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:1-23. [PMID: 35450545 PMCID: PMC9114731 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic contributed by the SARS-CoV-2 has put in place an urgent need for new and promising antiviral therapeutics. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme plays a vital role in viral replication for all RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, thereby making it a prime and promising candidate for novel antiviral targeting. Interestingly, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a common catalytic subunit of the telomerase enzyme in many cancers, has also been identified with structural and functional similarities to the viral RdRp. Therefore, it becomes essential to evaluate and consider anticancer drugs that target hTERT towards antiviral RdRp activity, and vice versa. For instance, Floxuridine, an hTERT inhibitor, and VX-222, a hepatitis C virus RdRp inhibitor, are now gaining recognition as a potential antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 and anti-hTERT for cancer, simultaneously. While limited studies on hTERT inhibitors for use as viral RdRp, and anti-RdRp inhibitors as hTERT inhibitors are available, in this review, we aim at bringing to light this close structural and functional relationship between both these enzymes. We punctuate this idea with specific examples on how potential anticancer inhibitors can effectively be brought to use as inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a relatively new pathogen, compared to the very well-studied field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yao Low
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Ashley Jia Wen Yip
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Tropical Medicine and Biology Platform, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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Kaur R, Batra J, Stuchlik O, Reed MS, Pohl J, Sambhara S, Lal SK. Heterogeneous Ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) Interacts with the Nucleoprotein of the Influenza a Virus and Impedes Virus Replication. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020199. [PMID: 35215793 PMCID: PMC8880450 DOI: 10.3390/v14020199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV), like other viruses, depends on the host cellular machinery for replication and production of progeny. The relationship between a virus and a host is complex, shaped by many spatial and temporal interactions between viral and host proteome, ultimately dictating disease outcome. Therefore, it is imperative to identify host-virus interactions as crucial determinants of disease pathogenies. Heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) is an RNA binding protein involved in the life cycle of many DNA and RNA viruses; however, its role in IAV remains undiscovered. Here we report that human hnRNPA1 physically interacts with the nucleoprotein (NP) of IAV in mammalian cells at different time points of the viral replication cycle. Temporal distribution studies identify hnRNPA1 and NP co-localize in the same cellular milieu in both nucleus and mitochondria in NP-transfected and IAV-infected mammalian cells. Interestingly, hnRNPA1 influenced NP gene expression and affected viral replication. Most importantly, hnRNPA1 knockdown caused a significant increase in NP expression and enhanced viral replication (93.82%) in IAV infected A549 cells. Conversely, hnRNPA1 overexpression reduced NP expression at the mRNA and protein levels and impeded virus replication by (60.70%), suggesting antagonistic function. Taken together, results from this study demonstrate that cellular hnRNPA1 plays a protective role in the host hitherto unknown and may hold potential as an antiviral target to develop host-based therapeutics against IAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramandeep Kaur
- School of Science, Monash University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia; (R.K.); (J.B.)
| | - Jyoti Batra
- School of Science, Monash University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia; (R.K.); (J.B.)
| | - Olga Stuchlik
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (O.S.); (M.S.R.); (J.P.)
| | - Matthew S. Reed
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (O.S.); (M.S.R.); (J.P.)
| | - Jan Pohl
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (O.S.); (M.S.R.); (J.P.)
| | - Suryaprakash Sambhara
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (O.S.); (M.S.R.); (J.P.)
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.K.L.)
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia; (R.K.); (J.B.)
- Tropical Medicine & Biology Platform, Monash University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.K.L.)
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Wijesinghe VN, Farouk IA, Zabidi NZ, Puniyamurti A, Choo WS, Lal SK. Current vaccine approaches and emerging strategies against herpes simplex virus (HSV). Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1077-1096. [PMID: 34296960 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1960162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Vaccine development for the disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been challenging over the years and is always in dire need of novel approaches for prevention and cure. To date, the HSV disease remains incurable and challenging to prevent. The disease is extremely widespread due to its high infection rate, resulting in millions of infection cases worldwide.Areas covered: This review first explains the diverse forms of HSV-related disease presentations and reports past vaccine history for the disease. Next, this review examines current and novel HSV vaccine approaches being studied and tested for efficacy and safety as well as vaccines in clinical trial phases I to III. Modern approaches to vaccine design using bioinformatics are described. Finally, we discuss measures to enhance new vaccine development pipelines for HSV.Expert opinion: Modernized approaches using in silico analysis and bioinformatics are emerging methods that exhibit potential for producing vaccines with enhanced targets and formulations. Although not yet fully established for HSV disease, we describe current studies using these approaches for HSV vaccine design to shed light on these methods. In addition, we provide up-to-date requirements of immunogenicity, adjuvant selection, and routes of administration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isra Ahmad Farouk
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Wee Sim Choo
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.,Tropical Medicine & Biology Platform, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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7
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Sandra N, Tripathi A, Lal SK, Mandal B, Jain RK. Molecular and biological characterization of soybean yellow mottle mosaic virus severe strain infecting soybean in India. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:381. [PMID: 34458057 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02925-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The complete nucleotide sequence and genome organization of soybean yellow mottle mosaic virus severe strain causing bright yellow mosaic, mottling and puckering symptoms in soybean (Glycine max) from India was determined. The monopartite single stranded genomic RNA is 3974 nuclotides long and has the potential to encode six viral proteins viz., p25, p83, p8, p10, p39 and p25. The SYMMV-Sb isolate differed from mungbean strain with 69 nucleotides and nine aminoacids dispersed over the various ORFs. Comparative sequence analysis revealed that SYMMV-Sb shared 98% nt sequence identity at complete genome level and 96-100% at all ORFs level with SYMMV mungbean strain from India and 71-92% identity with SYMMV Korean soybean isolate, whereas it showed very low sequence identity with other tombusviridae members (2-53%). The phylogenetic analysis showed the clustering of SYMMV-Sb along with other members of genus Gammacarmovirus. The SYMMV-Sb isolate produced chlorotic blotches, mild and veinal mottling, necrosis and puckering symptoms in various leguminous host plants. The symptomatalogy of the soybean isolate was differed from mungbean strain as earlier induced severe symptoms on soybean and mild symptoms on mungbean. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02925-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagamani Sandra
- Division of Seed Science and Technology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India
| | - Ankita Tripathi
- Division of Seed Science and Technology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India
| | - S K Lal
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India
| | - Bikash Mandal
- Advanced Centre for Plant Virology, Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Jain
- Advanced Centre for Plant Virology, Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India
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Sharma A, Ahmad Farouk I, Lal SK. COVID-19: A Review on the Novel Coronavirus Disease Evolution, Transmission, Detection, Control and Prevention. Viruses 2021. [PMID: 33572857 DOI: 10.3390/v13020202]] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Three major outbreaks of the coronavirus, a zoonotic virus known to cause respiratory disease, have been reported since 2002, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and the most recent 2019-nCoV, or more recently known as SARS-CoV-2. Bats are known to be the primary animal reservoir for coronaviruses. However, in the past few decades, the virus has been able to mutate and adapt to infect humans, resulting in an animal-to-human species barrier jump. The emergence of a novel coronavirus poses a serious global public health threat and possibly carries the potential of causing a major pandemic outbreak in the naïve human population. The recent outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China has infected over 36.5 million individuals and claimed over one million lives worldwide, as of 8 October 2020. The novel virus is rapidly spreading across China and has been transmitted to 213 other countries/territories across the globe. Researchers have reported that the virus is constantly evolving and spreading through asymptomatic carriers, further suggesting a high global health threat. To this end, current up-to-date information on the coronavirus evolution and SARS-CoV-2 modes of transmission, detection techniques and current control and prevention strategies are summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshika Sharma
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Isra Ahmad Farouk
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Tropical Medicine & Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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Sharma A, Ahmad Farouk I, Lal SK. COVID-19: A Review on the Novel Coronavirus Disease Evolution, Transmission, Detection, Control and Prevention. Viruses 2021; 13:202. [PMID: 33572857 PMCID: PMC7911532 DOI: 10.3390/v13020202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Three major outbreaks of the coronavirus, a zoonotic virus known to cause respiratory disease, have been reported since 2002, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and the most recent 2019-nCoV, or more recently known as SARS-CoV-2. Bats are known to be the primary animal reservoir for coronaviruses. However, in the past few decades, the virus has been able to mutate and adapt to infect humans, resulting in an animal-to-human species barrier jump. The emergence of a novel coronavirus poses a serious global public health threat and possibly carries the potential of causing a major pandemic outbreak in the naïve human population. The recent outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China has infected over 36.5 million individuals and claimed over one million lives worldwide, as of 8 October 2020. The novel virus is rapidly spreading across China and has been transmitted to 213 other countries/territories across the globe. Researchers have reported that the virus is constantly evolving and spreading through asymptomatic carriers, further suggesting a high global health threat. To this end, current up-to-date information on the coronavirus evolution and SARS-CoV-2 modes of transmission, detection techniques and current control and prevention strategies are summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshika Sharma
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia; (A.S.); (I.A.F.)
| | - Isra Ahmad Farouk
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia; (A.S.); (I.A.F.)
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia; (A.S.); (I.A.F.)
- Tropical Medicine & Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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Low ZY, Farouk IA, Lal SK. Drug Repositioning: New Approaches and Future Prospects for Life-Debilitating Diseases and the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak. Viruses 2020; 12:E1058. [PMID: 32972027 PMCID: PMC7551028 DOI: 10.3390/v12091058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, drug discovery utilises a de novo design approach, which requires high cost and many years of drug development before it reaches the market. Novel drug development does not always account for orphan diseases, which have low demand and hence low-profit margins for drug developers. Recently, drug repositioning has gained recognition as an alternative approach that explores new avenues for pre-existing commercially approved or rejected drugs to treat diseases aside from the intended ones. Drug repositioning results in lower overall developmental expenses and risk assessments, as the efficacy and safety of the original drug have already been well accessed and approved by regulatory authorities. The greatest advantage of drug repositioning is that it breathes new life into the novel, rare, orphan, and resistant diseases, such as Cushing's syndrome, HIV infection, and pandemic outbreaks such as COVID-19. Repositioning existing drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Ivermectin and Baricitinib shows good potential for COVID-19 treatment. This can crucially aid in resolving outbreaks in urgent times of need. This review discusses the past success in drug repositioning, the current technological advancement in the field, drug repositioning for personalised medicine and the ongoing research on newly emerging drugs under consideration for the COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yao Low
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (Z.Y.L.); (I.A.F.)
| | - Isra Ahmad Farouk
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (Z.Y.L.); (I.A.F.)
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (Z.Y.L.); (I.A.F.)
- Tropical Medicine & Biology Platform, Monash University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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Gaur P, Kumar P, Sharma A, Lal SK. AML1 protein interacts with influenza A virus neuraminidase and upregulates IFN-β response in infected mammalian cells. Lett Appl Microbiol 2020; 70:252-258. [PMID: 31990997 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Neuraminidase (NA) is an integral membrane protein of influenza A virus (IAV) and primarily aids in the release of progeny virions, following the intracellular viral replication cycle. In an attempt to discover new functions of NA, we conducted a classical yeast two-hybrid screen and found acute myeloid leukaemia marker 1 (AML1) as a novel interacting partner of IAV-NA. The interaction was further validated by co-immunoprecipitation in IAV-infected cells and in an in vitro coupled transcription/translation system. Interestingly, we found an increase in the expression of AML1 upon IAV infection in a dose-dependent manner. As expected, we also observed an increase in the IFN-β levels, the first line of defence against viral infections. Subsequently, when AML1 was downregulated using siRNA, the IFN-β levels were found to be remarkably reduced. Our study also shows that AML1 is induced upon IAV infection and results in the induction of IFN-β. Thus, AML1 is proposed to be an important player in IFN induction and has a role in an antiviral response against IAV infection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Influenza epidemics and pandemics are constant threats to human health. Development of antiviral therapeutics has focused on important and major IAV proteins as targets. However, the rate at which this virus mutates makes the task challenging. Thus, next-generation approaches aim at host cellular proteins that aid the virus in its replication. This study reports a new host-virus interaction, of acute myeloid leukaemia marker 1 (AML1) with influenza A neuraminidase (IAV-NA). We have found that this interaction has a direct effect on the upregulation of host IFN-β response. Further studies may lead to a greater understanding of this new innate defence pathway in infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Gaur
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - P Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India.,Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - A Sharma
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research - Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - S K Lal
- Department of Biotechnology, Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India.,Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.,School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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Verma DK, Gupta D, Lal SK. Host Lipid Rafts Play a Major Role in Binding and Endocytosis of Influenza A Virus. Viruses 2018; 10:v10110650. [PMID: 30453689 PMCID: PMC6266268 DOI: 10.3390/v10110650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza still remains one of the most challenging diseases, posing a significant threat to public health. Host lipid rafts play a critical role in influenza A virus (IAV) assembly and budding, however, their role in polyvalent IAV host binding and endocytosis had remained elusive until now. In the present study, we observed co-localization of IAV with a lipid raft marker ganglioside, GM1, on the host surface. Further, we isolated the lipid raft micro-domains from IAV infected cells and detected IAV protein in the raft fraction. Finally, raft disruption using Methyl-β-Cyclodextrin revealed significant reduction in IAV host binding, suggesting utilization of host rafts for polyvalent binding on the host cell surface. In addition to this, cyclodextrin mediated inhibition of raft-dependent endocytosis showed significantly reduced IAV internalization. Interestingly, exposure of cells to cyclodextrin two hours post-IAV binding showed no such reduction in IAV entry, indicating use of raft-dependent endocytosis for host entry. In summary, this study demonstrates that host lipid rafts are selected by IAV as a host attachment factors for multivalent binding, and IAV utilizes these micro-domains to exploit raft-dependent endocytosis for host internalization, a virus entry route previously unknown for IAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep Kumar Verma
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
- School of Science and Tropical Medicine & Biology Platform, Monash University, Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, DE 47500, Malaysia.
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T V, Bansal N, Kumari K, Prashat G R, Sreevathsa R, Krishnan V, Kumari S, Dahuja A, Lal SK, Sachdev A, Praveen S. Comparative Analysis of Tocopherol Biosynthesis Genes and Its Transcriptional Regulation in Soybean Seeds. J Agric Food Chem 2017; 65:11054-11064. [PMID: 29121768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tocopherols composed of four isoforms (α, β, γ, and δ) and its biosynthesis comprises of three pathways: methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP), shikimate (SK) and tocopherol-core pathways regulated by 25 enzymes. To understand pathway regulatory mechanism at transcriptional level, gene expression profile of tocopherol-biosynthesis genes in two soybean genotypes was carried out, the results showed significantly differential expression of 5 genes: 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-P-reductoisomerase (DXR), geranyl geranyl reductase (GGDR) from MEP, arogenate dehydrogenase (TyrA), tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) from SK and γ-tocopherol methyl transferase 3 (γ-TMT3) from tocopherol-core pathways. Expression data were further analyzed for total tocopherol (T-toc) and α-tocopherol (α-toc) content by coregulation network and gene clustering approaches, the results showed least and strong association of γ-TMT3/tocopherol cyclase (TC) and DXR/DXS, respectively, with gene clusters of tocopherol biosynthesis suggested the specific role of γ-TMT3/TC in determining tocopherol accumulation and intricacy of DXR/DXS genes in coordinating precursor pathways toward tocopherol biosynthesis in soybean seeds. Thus, the present study provides insight into the major role of these genes regulating the tocopherol synthesis in soybean seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinutha T
- Division of Biochemistry, IARI , New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Navita Bansal
- Division of Biochemistry, IARI , New Delhi 110012, India
| | | | | | - Rohini Sreevathsa
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology , New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Veda Krishnan
- Division of Biochemistry, IARI , New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Sweta Kumari
- Division of Biochemistry, IARI , New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Anil Dahuja
- Division of Biochemistry, IARI , New Delhi 110012, India
| | - S K Lal
- Division of Genetics, IARI , New Delhi 110012, India
| | | | - Shelly Praveen
- Division of Biochemistry, IARI , New Delhi 110012, India
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Mayank AK, Sharma S, Nailwal H, Lal SK. Nucleoprotein of influenza A virus negatively impacts antiapoptotic protein API5 to enhance E2F1-dependent apoptosis and virus replication. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e2018. [PMID: 26673663 PMCID: PMC4720893 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis of host cells profoundly influences virus propagation and dissemination, events that are integral to influenza A virus (IAV) pathogenesis. The trigger for activation of apoptosis is regulated by an intricate interplay between cellular and viral proteins, with a strong bearing on IAV replication. Though the knowledge of viral proteins and mechanisms employed by IAV to induce apoptosis has advanced considerably of late, we know relatively little about the repertoire of host factors targeted by viral proteins. Thus, identification of cellular proteins that are hijacked by the virus will help us not only to understand the molecular underpinnings of IAV-induced apoptosis, but also to design future antiviral therapies. Here we show that the nucleoprotein (NP) of IAV directly interacts with and suppresses the expression of API5, a host antiapoptotic protein that antagonizes E2F1-dependent apoptosis. siRNA-mediated depletion of API5, in NP-overexpressed as well as IAV-infected cells, leads to upregulation of apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (APAF1), a downstream modulator of E2F1-mediated apoptosis, and cleavage of caspases 9 and 3, although a reciprocal pattern of these events was observed on ectopic overexpression of API5. In concordance with these observations, annexin V and 7AAD staining assays exhibit downregulation of early and late apoptosis in IAV-infected or NP-transfected cells on overexpression of API5. Most significantly, while overexpression of API5 decreases viral titers, cellular NP protein as well as mRNA levels in IAV-infected A549 cells, silencing of API5 expression causes a steep rise in the same parameters. From the data reported in this manuscript, we propose a proapoptotic role for NP in IAV pathogenesis, whereby it suppresses expression of antiapoptotic factor API5, thus potentiating the E2F1-dependent apoptotic pathway and ensuring viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Mayank
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - S Sharma
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - H Nailwal
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE 47500, Malaysia
| | - S K Lal
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE 47500, Malaysia
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15
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Kumar M, Lal SK. Molecular analysis of soybean varying in water use efficiency using SSRs markers. J Environ Biol 2015; 36:1011-6. [PMID: 26364483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A set of 91 soybean germplasm lines, collected from different parts of the world, were screened for Water Use Efficiency (WUE) using Carbon Isotope Discrimination (CID) technique and were characterized for 10 quantitative traits. After screening under field condition, 44 soybean genotypes showed variations in WUE. Molecular diversity of these 44 diverse soybean lines was carried out with 26 Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) markers, of which 10 were polymorphic (38.47% polymorphism). 28 alleles were observed which were distributed over 10 loci, with an average of 2.8 alleles per locus. Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value of 10 polymorphic markers ranged from 0.40 (locus Satt460) to 0.67 (locus satt260), with an average of 0.46. Pair-wise genetic similarity value, as calculated by simple matching coefficient, ranged from 0.99 to 0.40, with an average of 0.70. Genotypes were clustered using NTSYS-pc software employing unweighted paired group method using arithmetic averages to generate the dendrogram. Dendrogram exhibited 8 distinct clusters with a similarity coefficient of 0.69. Genotypes having low to medium and medium to high CID value were clustered in distant groups indicating usefulness of these polymorphic SSRs markers for differentiating genotypes on the basis of their CID value. The findings of this study indicate the need for broadening genetic base of the present Indian soybean cultivars through use of exotic sources of variation towards WUE. Thus, diverse genotypes identified in this study would be beneficial to soybean breeders to develop mapping population to identify QTLs for WUE.
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Nailwal H, Sharma S, Mayank AK, Lal SK. The nucleoprotein of influenza A virus induces p53 signaling and apoptosis via attenuation of host ubiquitin ligase RNF43. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1768. [PMID: 25996295 PMCID: PMC4669709 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between influenza virus and host factors to support the viral life cycle is well documented. Influenza A virus (IAV) proteins interact with an array of cellular proteins and hijack host pathways which are at the helm of cellular responses to facilitate virus invasion. The multifaceted nature of the ubiquitination pathway for protein regulation makes it a vulnerable target of many viruses including IAV. To this end we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen to search for cellular ubiquitin ligases important for influenza virus replication. We identified host protein, RING finger protein 43 (RNF43), a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a novel interactor of nucleoprotein (NP) of IAV and an essential partner to induce NP-driven p53-mediated apoptosis in IAV-infected cells. In this study, we demonstrate that IAV leads to attenuation of RNF43 transcripts and hence its respective protein levels in the cellular milieu whereas in RNF43 depleted cells, viral replication was escalated several folds. Moreover, RNF43 polyubiquitinates p53 which further leads to its destabilization resulting in a decrease in induction of the p53 apoptotic pathway, a hitherto unknown process targeted by NP for p53 stabilization and accumulation. Collectively, these results conclude that NP targets RNF43 to modulate p53 ubiquitination levels and hence causes p53 stabilization which is conducive to an enhanced apoptosis level in the host cells. In conclusion, our study unravels a novel strategy adopted by IAV for utilizing the much conserved ubiquitin proteasomal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Nailwal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - S Sharma
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - A K Mayank
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - S K Lal
- 1] School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE, Malaysia [2] Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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Kumar B, Talukdar A, Verma K, Bala I, Harish GD, Gowda S, Lal SK, Sapra RL, Singh KP. Mapping of yellow mosaic virus (YMV) resistance in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) through association mapping approach. Genetica 2015; 143:1-10. [PMID: 25475043 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-014-9801-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV) is a serious disease of soybean. Resistance to YMV was mapped in 180 soybean genotypes through association mapping approach using 121 simple sequence repeats (SSR) and four resistance gene analogue (RGA)-based markers. The association mapping population (AMP) (96 genotypes) and confirmation population (CP) (84 genotypes) was tested for resistance to YMV at hot-spot consecutively for 3 years (2007-2009). The genotypes exhibited significant variability for YMV resistance (P < 0.01). Molecular genotyping and population structure analysis with 'admixture' co-ancestry model detected seven optimal sub-populations in the AMP. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the markers extended up to 35 and 10 cM with r2 > 0.15, and >0.25, respectively. The 4 RGA-based markers showed no association with YMV resistance. Two SSR markers, Satt301 and GMHSP179 on chromosome 17 were found to be in significant LD with YMV resistance. Contingency Chi-square test confirmed the association (P < 0.01) and the utility of the markers was validated in the CP. It would pave the way for marker assisted selection for YMV resistance in soybean. This is the first report of its kind in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupender Kumar
- Cummings's Lab., Directorate of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 12, India
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18
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Tuyen DD, Lal SK, Xu DH. Identification of a major QTL allele from wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) for increasing alkaline salt tolerance in soybean. Theor Appl Genet 2010; 121:229-36. [PMID: 20204319 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-010-1304-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2009] [Accepted: 02/11/2010] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Salt-affected soils are generally classified into two main categories, sodic (alkaline) and saline. Our previous studies showed that the wild soybean accession JWS156-1 (Glycine soja) from the Kinki area of Japan was tolerant to NaCl salt, and the quantitative trait locus (QTL) for NaCl salt tolerance was located on soybean linkage group N (chromosome 3). Further investigation revealed that the wild soybean accession JWS156-1 also had a higher tolerance to alkaline salt stress. In the present study, an F(6) recombinant inbred line mapping population (n = 112) and an F(2) population (n = 149) derived from crosses between a cultivated soybean cultivar Jackson and JWS156-1 were used to identify QTL for alkaline salt tolerance in soybean. Evaluation of soybean alkaline salt tolerance was carried out based on salt tolerance rating (STR) and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD value) after treatment with 180 mM NaHCO(3) for about 3 weeks under greenhouse conditions. In both populations, a significant QTL for alkaline salt tolerance was detected on the molecular linkage group D2 (chromosome 17), which accounted for 50.2 and 13.0% of the total variation for STR in the F(6) and the F(2) populations, respectively. The wild soybean contributed to the tolerance allele in the progenies. Our results suggest that QTL for alkaline salt tolerance is different from the QTL for NaCl salt tolerance found previously in this wild soybean genotype. The DNA markers closely associated with the QTLs might be useful for marker-assisted selection to pyramid tolerance genes in soybean for both alkaline and saline stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Tuyen
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309-4401, USA
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20
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Kar-Roy A, Korkaya H, Oberoi R, Lal SK, Jameel S. The hepatitis E virus open reading frame 3 protein activates ERK through binding and inhibition of the MAPK phosphatase. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:28345-57. [PMID: 15096509 PMCID: PMC2441640 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m400457200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus causes acute viral hepatitis endemic in much of the developing world and is a serious public health problem. However, due to the lack of an in vitro culture system or a small animal model, its biology and pathogenesis are poorly understood. We have shown earlier that the ORF3 protein (pORF3) of hepatitis E virus activates ERK, a member of the MAPK superfamily. Here we have explored the mechanism of pORF3-mediated ERK activation and demonstrated it to be independent of the Raf/MEK pathway. Using biochemical assays, yeast two-hybrid analysis, and intracellular fluorescence resonance energy transfer we showed that pORF3 binds Pyst1, a prototypic member of the ERK-specific MAPK phosphatase. The binding regions in the two proteins were mapped to the N terminus of pORF3 and a central portion of Pyst1. Expression of pORF3 protected ERK from the inhibitory effects of ectopically expressed Pyst1. This is the first example of a viral protein regulating ERK activation by inhibition of its cognate dual specificity phosphatase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shahid Jameel
- A Wellcome Trust International Senior Research Fellow in Biomedical Sciences. To whom correspondence should be addressed: Virology Group, ICGEB, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India. Tel.: 91-11-26176680; Fax: 91-11-26162316; E-mail:
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21
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Abstract
The present paper discusses a general expression for determining the minimum sample size (plants) for a given number of seeds or vice versa for capturing multiple allelic diversity. The model considers sampling from a large 2 k-ploid population under a broad range of mating systems. Numerous expressions/results developed for germplasm collection/regeneration for diploid populations by earlier workers can be directly deduced from our general expression by assigning appropriate values of the corresponding parameters. A seed factor which influences the plant sample size has also been isolated to aid the collectors in selecting the appropriate combination of number of plants and seeds per plant. When genotypic multiplicity of seeds is taken into consideration, a sample size of even less than 172 plants can conserve diversity of 20 alleles from 50,000 polymorphic loci with a very large probability of conservation (0.9999) in most of the cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Sapra
- Genetics Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012, India.
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Srivastava R, Lal SK. A liquid synchronized-growth culture assay for the identification of true positive and negative yeast three-hybrid transformants. Lett Appl Microbiol 2002; 34:300-3. [PMID: 11940164 DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2002.01085.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To develop a simple and easy-to-use assay for detection of truely positive transformants from a yeast three-hybrid assay. METHODS AND RESULTS The yeast three-hybrid system is a new powerful system for studying RNA-protein interactions in vivo. There are, however, many reports from investigators about the difficulty in distinguishing a positive from a negative result due to the hard-to-detect differences between truely positive transformants and the negative ones. A liquid synchronous-growth culture approach has been described for all positive and negative transformants and their growth densities have been compared to each other at fixed intervals of incubation times. We have designed a simple yet effective procedure to assay for positive and negative RNA-protein interactions based on liquid culture analysis of synchronously growing yeast cells. Results obtained from this new procedure clearly show differences in positive and negative transformants after a 24-h incubation of synchronously growing transformants in liquid culture. CONCLUSIONS The procedure mentioned in this report shows clearly the differences between positive and negative results from a three-hybrid system. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The method proposed here is a clear advantage over existing methods based on measuring growth on restrictive growth medium plates by the naked eye. This method will have substantial usage with investigators using the yeast three-hybrid studies for RNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Srivastava
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 1100 067, India
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Malik A, Khan AU, Lal SK. Chemoprotection profiles of sodium thiosulfate on methyl methanesulfonate-induced mutagenesis of bacteriophage T4. Med Sci Monit 2002; 8:BR212-20. [PMID: 12070426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The alkylation of nucleic acids is primarily responsible for chemical carcinogenesis. Even during disease treatment, several alkylating drugs interact with nucleic acids and cause severe toxic effects. Thus good chemoprotectants are necessary. For our study we chose a simple model organism, bacteriophage T4 (a nucleoprotenic particle), and alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) to study its lethal effects. Sodium thiosulfate (STS), used as a chemoprotectant, has been tested against alkylating drugs. MATERIAL/METHODS Bacteriophage T4D(o) were exposed to different molarities of MMS for several pre-termination incubations. Alkylation reactions were stopped with different concentrations of STS at given pre-termination incubation periods and further incubated up to 24 hours. The viability (survival frequency) of phage T4 was studied at various post-termination intervals by plaque count assay. RESULTS Our results show that the survival frequency is strongly influenced by MMS dosage and exposure time. However, the antidotal effect of STS on MMS-induced lethality directly corresponds to STS dosage. Survival frequencies with 1% quench solution were lower than with 5% quench solution at all molarities of MMS and at different pre- and post-termination periods. CONCLUSIONS Our studies confirmed the role of STS in the cytoprotection of bacteriophage T4. In the presence of 1% STS, a moderate inhibition in cytotoxicity was observed, while 5% STS exhibited a significant inhibition against the cytotoxic activity of MMS, presumably due to a rapid covalent binding of the methyl group (carbocation - an electrophile) of MMS with the nucleophilic sulfur atom of STS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajmaluddin Malik
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
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Korkaya H, Jameel S, Gupta D, Tyagi S, Kumar R, Zafrullah M, Mazumdar M, Lal SK, Xiaofang L, Sehgal D, Das SR, Sahal D. The ORF3 protein of hepatitis E virus binds to Src homology 3 domains and activates MAPK. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:42389-400. [PMID: 11518702 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m101546200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, an acute form of viral hepatitis. The biology and pathogenesis of HEV remain poorly understood. We have used in vitro binding assays to show that the HEV ORF3 protein (pORF3) binds to a number of cellular signal transduction pathway proteins. This includes the protein tyrosine kinases Src, Hck, and Fyn, the p85alpha regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, phospholipase Cgamma, and the adaptor protein Grb2. A yeast two-hybrid assay was used to further confirm the pORF3-Grb2 interaction. The binding involves a proline-rich region in pORF3 and the src homology 3 (SH3) domains in the cellular proteins. Competition assays and computer-assisted modeling was used to evaluate the binding surfaces and interaction energies of the pORF3.SH3 complex. In pORF3-expressing cells, pp60(src) was found to associate with an 80-kDa protein, but no activation of the Src kinase was observed in these cells. However, there was increased activity and nuclear localization of ERK in the pORF3-expressing cells. These studies suggest that pORF3 is a viral regulatory protein involved in the modulation of cell signaling. The ORF3 protein of HEV appears to be the first example of a SH3 domain-binding protein encoded by a virus that causes an acute and primarily self-limited infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Korkaya
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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25
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus is a human RNA virus containing three open reading frames. Of these ORF2 encodes, the major capsid protein (pORF2), may possess regulatory functions, in addition to a structural one. In this study, we have shown using the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro immobilization experiments that full-length pORF2 is capable of self-association, thus forming a homodimer. Using mutational analysis we have studied dimerization of various truncated versions of the ORF2 capsid protein using the yeast two-hybrid system and supported our findings with in vitro immobilization experiments. Deletions of pORF2 reveal a loss of the dimerization potential for all deletions except an N-terminal 127-amino-acid deletion. Our studies suggest that the dimerization property of pORF2 may not be amino-acid sequence-dependent but instead a complex formation of a specific tertiary structure that imparts pORF2 its property to self-associate.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tyagi
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110067, India
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26
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus is a human RNA virus containing three open reading frames. Of these, ORF2 encodes the major capsid protein (pORF2) and may possess regulatory functions, in addition to a structural one. In this study, we have shown using the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro immobilization experiments that full-length pORF2 is capable of self-association, thus forming a homodimer. Using mutational analysis we have studied dimerization of various truncated versions of the ORF2 capsid protein using the yeast two-hybrid system and supported our findings with in vitro immobilization experiments. Deletions of pORF2 reveal a loss of the dimerization potential for all deletions except an N-terminal 127-amino-acid deletion. Our studies suggest that the dimerization property of pORF2 may not be amino-acid sequence dependent but instead a complex formation of a specific tertiary structure that imparts pORF2 its property to self-associate.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tyagi
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110067, India
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27
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major human pathogen in the developing world. In the absence of an in vitro culture system, very little information on the basic biology of the virus exists. A small protein (approximately 13.5 kDa) of unknown function, pORF3, is encoded by the third open reading frame of HEV. The N-terminal region of pORF3 is associated with the cytoskeleton using one of its hydrophobic domains. The C-terminal half of pORF3 is rich in proline residues and contains a putative src homology 3 (SH3) binding domain and a mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation site. In this study, we demonstrate that pORF3 can homodimerize in vivo, using the yeast two-hybrid system. We have isolated a 43-amino-acid interaction domain of pORF3 which is capable of self-association in vivo and in vitro. The overlap of the dimerization domain with the SH3 binding and phosphorylation domains suggests that pORF3 may have a dimerization-dependent regulatory role to play in the signal transduction pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tyagi
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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Abstract
Driver fatigue is a major cause of road accidents and has implications for road safety. This review discusses the concepts of fatigue and provides a summary on psychophysiological associations with driver fatigue. A variety of psychophysiological parameters have been used in previous research as indicators of fatigue, with electroencephalography perhaps being the most promising. Most research found changes in theta and delta activity to be strongly linked to transition to fatigue. Therefore, monitoring electroencephalography during driver fatigue may be a promising variable for use in fatigue countermeasure devices. The review also identified anxiety and mood states as factors that may possibly affect driver fatigue. Furthermore, personality and temperament may also influence fatigue. Given the above, understanding the psychology of fatigue may lead to better fatigue management. The findings from this review are discussed in the light of directions for future studies and for the development of fatigue countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- University of Technology, Health Science, Floor 14, Broadway, 2007, Sydney, NSW Australia.
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Tyagi S, Lal SK. Combined transformation and genetic technique verification of protein-protein interactions in the yeast two-hybrid system. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 277:589-93. [PMID: 11061998 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.3720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The yeast two-hybrid system is frequently used to identify protein-protein interactions. The assay is based on the functional reconstitution of a transcriptional activator. Since an indirect phenotype of the positive clones is the basis for selection of positive interacting clones, the two-hybrid screens are vulnerable to false positives. Here we report a screening protocol based on the sequential use of the cotransformation approach followed by the genetic method for verifying true two-hybrid interactions. Using this procedure, we have screened a cDNA library and have been able to isolate true positives from the yeast two-hybrid screen.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tyagi
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 1100069, India
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Khan AU, Ahmad M, Lal SK. Restoration of mRNA splicing by a second-site intragenic suppressor in the T4 ribonucleotide reductase (small subunit) self-splicing intron. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 268:359-64. [PMID: 10679208 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.2144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The nrdB gene of bacteriophage T4 codes for the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase and contains a 598-base self-splicing intron which is closely related to other group I introns of T4 and eukaryotes. Thirty-one mutants causing splicing defects in the nrdB intron were isolated. Twenty-three EMS-induced revertants for these 31 primary mutants were isolated by the strategic usage of the white halo plaque phenotype. We mapped these revertants by marker rescue using subclones of the nrdB gene. Some of these second-site mutations mapped to regions currently predicted by the secondary structure model of the nrdB intron. One of these suppressor mutants (nrdB753R) was found to be intragenic by marker rescue with the whole nrdB gene. However, this mutation failed to map within the nrdB intron. Splicing assays showed that this pseudorevertant restored splicing proficiency of the nrdB primary mutation to almost wild-type conditions. This is the first example of a mutation within the exons of a gene containing a self-splicing intron that is capable of restoring a self-splicing defect caused by a primary mutation within the intron. In addition, two other suppressor mutations are of interest (nrdB429R and nrdB399R). These suppressors were able to restore their primary 5' defect but in turn create a 3' splicing defect. Both of these revertants mapped in different regions of the intron with respect to their primary mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A U Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
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Lal SK, Hannah LC. Maize transposable element Ds is differentially spliced from primary transcripts in endosperm and suspension cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999; 261:798-801. [PMID: 10441504 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.1119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The process by which transposable elements are spliced from the host gene transcripts remains poorly understood. We previously reported that a maize transposable element Ds (dissociation) and a copy of its host site duplication are perfectly spliced from the shrunken-2 transcript in the endosperm. Here, we have monitored splicing of the Ds element and its flanking Sh2 sequence following transient expression in maize suspension cells. The pattern of Ds splicing in suspension cells differs dramatically from that in the endosperm. In contrast to splicing in the endosperm, Ds in suspension cells was completely spliced from the transcripts using multiple donor and acceptor splice sites outside the element. In addition, noncanonical splice sites were utilized in suspension cells. Our results indicate that this difference in splicing is due to the context of Ds placement in the construct and/or to tissue specific differences in splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology and Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-0690, USA
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Lal SK, Kumar V. The X gene of hepatitis B virus shows a high level stimulation of the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat in the methylotropic yeast, Pichia pastoris. FEBS Lett 1999; 456:108-12. [PMID: 10452540 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)00930-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In order to study the transactivational property of the X gene in the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris, a Rous sarcoma virus-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (RSV-CAT) cassette was co-transformed and integrated into the host yeast strain as a reporter which showed an overwhelming CAT activity. Immunoprecipitation of the yeast cell extracts with an X-specific monoclonal antibody, however, showed a low level expression of the X gene. Therefore besides a trans-effect of the X protein, the enhanced reporter activity could be a manifestation of a cis-effect of the X gene sequences also. Therefore, unlike the transactivation studies with X gene in animal cells where limited functional activity is observed, P. pastoris appears to be an excellent system to study cis- and trans-aspects of gene regulation by the X gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India.
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Lal SK, Lee C, Sachs MM. Differential regulation of enolase during anaerobiosis in maize. Plant Physiol 1998; 118:1285-93. [PMID: 9847102 PMCID: PMC34744 DOI: 10.1104/pp.118.4.1285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/1998] [Accepted: 08/25/1998] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
It was reported previously that enolase enzyme activity and ENO1 transcript levels are induced by anaerobic stress in maize (Zea mays). Here we show that not all isoforms of maize enolase are anaerobically induced. We cloned and sequenced a second enolase cDNA clone (pENO2) from maize. Sequence analysis showed that pENO2 shares 75.6% nucleotide and 89.5% deduced amino acid sequence identity with pENO1 and is encoded by a distinct gene. Expression of ENO2 is constitutive under aerobic conditions, whereas ENO1 levels are induced 10-fold in maize roots after 24 h of anaerobic treatment. Western-blot analysis and N-terminal sequencing of in vivo-labeled maize roots identified two major proteins selectively synthesized upon anaerobic stress as isozymes of enolase. We describe the expression of enolase in maize roots under anaerobic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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Lal SK, Henderson RJ, Carter N, Bath A, Hart MG, Langeluddecke P, Hunyor SN. Effect of feedback signal and psychological characteristics on blood pressure self-manipulation capability. Psychophysiology 1998; 35:405-12. [PMID: 9643054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Blood pressure presentation mode and personality are likely to influence biofeedback outcome. Thirty-six normotensive subjects were randomly assigned to visual or auditory continuous systolic feedback. "Distracting speech" and "broad band noise" were also superimposed and the effect on the biofeedback response was investigated. Psychological influence was also investigated. Systolic pressure reduction of 4 +/- 4.3 mmHg (visual, p = .04) and 5 +/- 5.5 mmHg (visual + auditory, p = .03) were achieved compared with auditory feedback (2 +/- 4.7 mmHg), which was less effective. The addition of noise or speech had no effect on the systolic response, but speech adversely affected diastolic reduction (p = .04). Mood (p = .003) was associated with systolic lowering, whereas increased trait anxiety (p = .06) and expectation (p = .03) had trends for opposite effects. Increased anger-hostility, state-anxiety, and expectation (p = .06) had links with systolic raising capability. We conclude that feedback modality and psychological characteristics have implications for studies investigating blood pressure manipulation capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Cooperative Research Center (CRC) for Cardiac Technology & Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Cardiology, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Home training in self-lowering of blood pressure using continuous blood pressure feedback has not previously been reported. Enhancement of laboratory-learned skills was hypothesized on the basis of outcomes from other intellectual, emotional and physical endeavours. OBJECTIVE To examine the supplementary effect of home blood pressure biofeedback training. DESIGN Thirty unmedicated, mild hypertensives participated in a randomized, double-blinded, modified contingency placebo-controlled study. METHOD After suitable screening and baseline blood pressure measurements subjects undertook eight laboratory biofeedback sessions and then 12 home training sessions over 4 weeks using continuous finger blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS In the laboratory those being administered active therapy (n=16) lowered systolic pressures by 5 +/- 5.4 mmHg compared with a lowering of 4 +/- 4.2 mmHg with placebo (NS). During the fourth week at home lowering for the active group (11 +/- 8 mmHg) was greater than that with placebo (4 +/- 6.2 mmHg, P=0.017). Arm-cuff blood pressures were not statistically different for groups and with time but that of the active group was lower by 9 +/- 15.4/7 +/- 10.2 mmHg, which is a clinically relevant change, after home biofeedback. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of self-lowering of systolic blood pressure in mild hypertensives by continuous feedback was enhanced by 6 mmHg with 4 weeks of practice at home. Standard arm-cuff blood pressure was reduced by a clinically relevant amount. The home environment proved cost effective for this 'high-tech' approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Henderson
- Department of Cardiology and The Cooperative Research Centre for Cardiac Technology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Khan AU, Lal SK, Ahmad M. Isolation and characterization of EMS induced splicing defective point mutations within the intron of the nrdB gene of bacteriophage T4. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1998; 242:10-5. [PMID: 9439601 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1997.7553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The nrdB gene of bacteriophage T4 codes for the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase and contains a 598-base-pair self-splicing intron which is closely related to other group I introns of T4 and eukaryotes. The screening, isolation, and mapping of 31 nrdB intron mutations were conducted by the strategic usage of the white halo phenotype exhibited by T4 mutants defective in dyhydrofolate reductase or thymidylate synthase. These intron mutations cluster towards the ends, mainly the 3' end, and show a defect in self-splicing. These mutations map in regions of conserved structural elements, thus supporting secondary structure predictions. A distinct pattern of clustering is observed with the highest number of mutations mapping within three of the smaller regions (A, C, and D) of the nrdB intron and no mutations mapping in the largest (B) region. The highest density of mutations mapped in the smallest region (C) of the intron, containing only 96 bases, thus showing a distinct pattern of clustering within the catalytic core.
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Affiliation(s)
- A U Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, India
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Hunyor SN, Henderson RJ, Lal SK, Carter NL, Kobler H, Jones M, Bartrop RW, Craig A, Mihailidou AS. Placebo-controlled biofeedback blood pressure effect in hypertensive humans. Hypertension 1997; 29:1225-31. [PMID: 9180622 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.29.6.1225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The role of biofeedback in blood pressure control remains ill-defined because of nonspecific (placebo) effects, small study numbers, and the technical limitations of continuous pressure feedback. Clarification of its potential is awaited by those seeking a nonpharmacological approach to blood pressure control. This study examines the capability for systolic pressure lowering of 5 mm Hg or more using continuous pressure feedback in a statistical sample of untreated, well-characterized, mildly hypertensive individuals. Subjects were randomized in a double-blind study to active or placebo biofeedback. Placebo consisted of a modified contingency approach, using a partial disguise based on a digital high pass filter with 15 elements. Blood pressure-lowering capability was assessed during two laboratory sessions. Continuous visual feedback resulted in 11 of 28 subjects on active treatment and 12 of 28 on placebo treatment lowering their systolic pressure by 5 mm Hg or more (11 +/- 5.6 and 12 +/- 8.4 mm Hg, respectively; P = NS). Prestudy pressure was well-matched (153 +/- 9/97 +/- 4 and 154 +/- 8/98 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively). An initial small difference in diurnal profile did not change. These findings indicate that among mildly hypertensive individuals, almost half can lower systolic pressure at will for short periods. This capability is independent of the real or placebo nature of the feedback signal. We conclude that there is no specific short-term biofeedback pressure-lowering capability in hypertensive individuals. Further exploration is needed to determine whether specific components of the placebo effect can be delineated, whether personality characteristics influence the response, and whether further biofeedback training can alter the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Hunyor
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, (Sydney), NSW, Australia.
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Abstract
We have used the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, to express the open reading frame 3 (ORF3) of the hepatitis E virus (HEV). The ORF3 gene codes for a 123-amino-acid protein that contains highly immunodominant epitopes and is a potentially useful diagnostic and immunoprophylactic antigen. The expressed protein showed positive on immunoblots probed against antibodies raised in rabbit and infected human patient sera. In order to optimize the ORF3 protein expression, we have examined the regulated expression of this protein and characterized it. Unlike its expression in E. coli, the ORF3 protein was present in both the soluble and insoluble fractions of the cell lysate. The expressed protein is not glycosylated and does not undergo any major processing in the host strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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Lal SK, Hall DH. Functional and sequence analysis of splicing defective nrdB mutants of bacteriophage T4 reveal new bases and a new sub-domain required for group I intron self-splicing. Biochim Biophys Acta 1997; 1350:89-97. [PMID: 9003462 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4781(96)00151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The nrdB gene of bacteriophage T4 codes for the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase and contains a 598 nuclelotide group 1 self splicing intron. In order to study the functional domains for self-splicing of this intron, 23 nrdB splicing defective intron mutants were analyzed for both sequence and functional changes. These mutants cluster towards the ends in regions of conserved structural elements of the intron. These 23 mutants have single base changes at 14 different sites. Interestingly two of these sites that seemed to map within the intron are actually located on the flanking exon sequences on both sides of the intron. A high frequency (4/12) of the mutation sites are in bases not thought to be base-paired in the standard model of group I intron structure. The mutation sites in pairing regions P3, P7, P8, P9 and between P6[3'] and P7[5'] are identical to changes found in the well studied td (encoding dTMP synthase) intron. However, five new mutation sites (S61, SL1, S29, SL11, SL196 and SL126) are unique to the nrdB intron and disrupt self-splicing. A mutation (S61) in the P7.1 pairing region is especially significant because no mutations have been found in this pairing, thus defining a new sub-domain essential for RNA splicing. Like the td intron, the mutation site in P9 of the nrdB intron is a hot spot for mutations, but unlike td, the nrdB intron does not show a mutational hot spot in the P6[5'] region. Our molecular dissection of the nrdB intron also supports the P9.0 and P10 pairings that have been postulated to help form a complex tertiary structure required to give the RNA sequence its catalytic activity: particularly 3' splice site selection, cleavage and exon ligation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Virology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.
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Lal SK, Lal R, Lal S, Lal R, Lal BN. Experience with roxithromycin in visceral leishmaniasis in north Bihar. J Assoc Physicians India 1996; 44:615-7. [PMID: 9251373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In search of an oral drug for Visceral Leishmaniasis, 54 cases of Kala-azar were treated with roxithromycin, an orally administrable drug at a dose of 300 mg twice daily for 21 days. Thirty-nine (86.7%) were responsive (cured), 11 (28.2%) relapsed. The results appeared equally or even more effective when compared to the sodium antimony gluconate in two recent trials in Kala-azar in almost same demographic pattern. A possible synergistic action of roxithromycin and SAG was explored. Toxicities of SAG and roxithromycin are compared and discussed. Further controlled trials are needed before it can be widely used as first line drug for Indian Kala-azar in the present epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- I.O.C. Hospital, Barauni, India
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Abstract
Because of the clinical and experimental utility of continuous finger blood pressure measurements and the need for accuracy, we tested the performance of a new hydraulic device in 22 consecutive hypertensive subjects during physiological and pharmacological interventions. Ipsilateral brachial intra-arterial pressure was monitored during rest, Valsalva's maneuver, static handgrip, and mental arithmetic and after sublingual glyceryl trinitrate. In excess of 40,000 blood pressure values were analyzed. Average bias (intra-arterial minus finger blood pressure) was 8.2 +/- 17.0 mm Hg (mean +/- SD, P = NS) for systolic and 2.8 +/- 10.4 mm Hg (P = NS) for diastolic pressure. Two-way ANOVA of biases with subject and task factors showed a subject effect (P < .001). Intersubject and intrasubject standard deviations of bias were 13.8 and 9.8 mm Hg systolic and 8.7 and 5.7 diastolic, respectively. Linear drift (millimeters of mercury per minute) of finger pressure was greater (P < .001) for systolic than diastolic pressure during static exercise and math and after glyceryl trinitrate. Coefficients of determination for blood pressure ranged from 0.4 +/- 0.3 to 0.8 +/- 0.3 during the tasks. We conclude that (1) noninvasive finger blood pressure faithfully follows intra-arterial changes but with clinically relevant offsets, (2) this technique is best suited for assessing pressure changes, (3) physiological and pharmacological interventions do not consistently affect finger pressure accuracy, (4) many reports of finger blood pressure measuring devices are based on direct readings obtained with inadequate system response characteristics, and (5) the tested instrument falls short of the standard requirements (bias < or = 5 +/- 8 mm Hg) for devices that measure intermittently.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards (Sydney), NSW, Australia
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Lal SK, Sachs MM. Cloning and characterization of an anaerobically induced cDNA encoding glucose-6-phosphate isomerase from maize. Plant Physiol 1995; 108:1295-1296. [PMID: 7630947 PMCID: PMC157487 DOI: 10.1104/pp.108.3.1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test a prototype hydraulic, non-invasive, continuous finger blood pressure monitor based on the volume-clamp principle for procedure-related factors likely to influence precision. DESIGN The influence of these factors was determined by repeatability of finger blood pressure measurement and the relationship to contralateral arm-cuff blood pressure. METHODS Repeated blood pressure measurements from three different fingers were made in 60 subjects following re-initialization of the device and re-insertion of the finger into the cuff. Repeatability was assessed in relation to simultaneous arm-cuff readings. Drift in arm-finger discrepancy was measured over a 1-h period. Finger diameter, drug therapy and presence of peripheral vascular disease were correlated with arm-finger blood pressure difference. RESULTS Repeatability coefficients (twice the SD of the arm-finger difference) across device re-initialization were large, but similar to parallel repeated arm blood pressure determinations: 17.6 and 17.1 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 13.9 and 13.6 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), respectively. Withdrawing and re-inserting the finger reduced repeatability substantially, with a 50% increase in repeatability coefficient. A trend towards a progressive 9-mmHg increase was observed in overestimation of SBP over the 1-h period. Mean +/- SD pooled arm-finger blood pressure differences were -10.8 +/- 14.6 mmHg for SBP and 4.5 +/- 9.4 mmHg for DBP. Blood pressure measured in different fingers was similar on average, with repeatability no poorer than for re-insertion of the same finger. The presence of peripheral vascular disease in 15 subjects correlated with a smaller arm-finger difference for DBP. CONCLUSIONS Variations in positioning of the finger within the cuff influences blood pressure measurement during volume-clamp plethysmography, reducing its precision. Finger SBP exceeds brachial auscultatory readings and has similar precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Lal SK, Hall DH. A novel approach for isolation and mapping of intron mutations in a ribonucleotide reductase encoding gene (nrdB) of bacteriophage T4 using the white halo plaque phenotype. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1993; 196:943-9. [PMID: 8240371 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1993.2340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The nrdB gene of bacteriophage T4 codes for the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase and contains a 598 base pair self splicing intron which is closely related to other group I introns of T4 and eukaryotes. The screening, isolation and mapping of the nrbB intron mutations was conducted by the strategic usage of the white halo phenotype exhibited by T4 mutants defective in dhydrofolate reductase or thymidylate synthase. We have isolated 159 hydroxylamine-induced nrdB mutants, determined which mutations are in nrdB by marker rescue with clones of the nrdB gene and have mapped these mutations by marker rescue using subclones of the nrdB intron. Thirty out of the 159 nrdB mutations are in or near the intron. These mutations cluster towards the ends, mainly the 3' end. We have performed deletion mapping to further map mutations in the 3' end of the intron. The mutations map in regions of conserved structural elements, thus supporting secondary structure predictions similar to those of the well studied td intron in the T4 gene coding for thymidylate synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lal
- School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332
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Lal SK, Nath LS. An atypical case of Vogt-Koyanagi syndrome. J Indian Med Assoc 1986; 84:382-3. [PMID: 3585016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Abstract
The sub-blastodermal administration of methylene blue at 17 h of incubation gives rise to a mosaic of neuroectodermal differentiation with a disruption of the neural axis at 40 h of incubation. These features appear to be due to the rapid and direct movement of this dye into all the cells of the chick embryo blastoderm, and its binding and breakdown of the cytoplasmic ribose nucleotides, due to which neural tube formation is completely inhibited. The findings are confirmed by combined copper sulphate and methylene blue treatment, as copper is a powerful catalyst of methylene blue activity and binds with RNA.
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Puri S, Chakrabarty AS, Lal SK. Adrenergic receptors in the hypothalamus concerned with control of arterial blood pressure: elicited by electrical and chemical stimulation. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1981; 25:319-324. [PMID: 6122645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The study was made with the help of a chemitrode placed in various areas of the hypothalamus by the stereotaxic technique, for electrical and chemical stimulation (noradrenaline or isoprenaline) before and after microinjection of respective blockers (phenoxybenzamine or practalol). The results indicated the presence of both alpha and beta-adrenoreceptors in the anterior and dorsomedial hypothalamus producing a depressor response, and, the presence of alpha adrenoreceptors in the posterior and lateral hypothalamus producing a pressor response.
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Abstract
A case of persistent, high output, traumatic pancreatic fistula, complicated by the development of a gastric fistula secondary to a pancreatic abscess, is described. The problems associated with the metabolic and nutritional management are discussed.
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Lal SK. Respiratory functions. Indian Pediatr 1977; 14:583-4. [PMID: 591013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Abstract
1) Variations in the serum concentrations of total proteins and the electrophoretic fractions, glycoprotein, mucoprotein, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline, and acid phosphatases were analyzed until the 30th day following uncomplicated fracture of shafts of long bones of the limbs in 25 cases. 2) A significant fall of albumin with concomitant rise of alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta globulins were noted until 30th day. 3) Mucoprotein, glycoprotein, and fibrinogen showed parallel elevations with that of alpha and beta globulins. 4) The peak values of alpha 1 and alpha 2 globulins, mucoprotein, and fibrinogen were registered on the 10th day after trauma. Albumin showed maximum fall on the 10th day in all these cases. 5) Glycoprotein showed a peak value on the 5th day. 6) Total protein and gamma globulin remained almost unchanged throughout the studies. 7) Beta globulin showed higher values and paralleled more closely the fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedementation rates. 8) The elevations of beta globulin, fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were higher, and persisted beyond 30 days in lower-limb fractures as compared to upper-limb fractures. 9) Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase were not significantly different following fractures and therefore did not reflect much physiologic variation. 10) The most significant changes in the levels of plasma fractions studied were conspicuous on the 10th day and lasted for about 1 month.
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