Structural modeling and gene expression analysis of phosvitinless vitellogenin (vgc) in the Indian freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793).

Vitellogenin (Vg) is a female-specific egg-yolk precursor protein, synthesized in the liver of fish in response to estrogens. In the present study, complete gene of phosvitinless vitellogenin (vgc) was sequenced, its 3D structure was predicted and validated by web-based softwares. The complete nucleotide sequence of vgc was 4126 bp which encodes for 1272 amino acids and showed the presence of three conserved domains viz.

Molecular cloning and bioinformatic characterization of Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone (GnIH) and its receptors in the freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793).

Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone belonging to the RFamide peptide family, a hypothalamic neuropeptide, regulates Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and inhibits gonadal development. GnIH polypeptide precursor has an Arg-Phe-NH (RFamide) motif at the C-terminal, which has LPXRF (X = Q or L) domain. The actions of GnIH are mediated through G-protein coupled receptors and upto three receptors have been characterized in many teleosts.

Role of cathepsins B and D in proteolysis of yolk in the catfish Clarias gariepinus.

Yolk processing pathways vary in the oocytes of benthophil and pelagophil teleosts. The present study investigated the yolk processing pattern in the oocytes of the fresh water catfish Clarias gariepinus at vitellogenic, maturation, and ovulated stages. This study concludes that during maturation stage, an electrophoretic shift in the major peptide band on Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) occurs due to a decrease in the size of the yolk protein.

Amelioration of immune and digestive system through weed supplemented feed against Aeromonas hydrophila in Clarias gariepinus.

Aquaculture is one of the important globally growing industries. It serves as an important food source of protein for human beings. With the expanding demand for the fish and their products it has become extremely important to improve the aquaculture practices.

analysis of kiss2, expression studies and protein-protein interaction with gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 (GnRH2) and luteinizing hormone beta (LHβ) in .

Kisspeptins, encoded by the genes, are neuropeptides that regulate the onset of puberty, maturation of gonads, and fertility in higher vertebrates including fishes. The gene ontology suggests that kisspeptin plays an important role not only in reproduction but also in cell signaling, immune response and metabolic processes, and to decipher protein-protein interactions, computational approach has been favored. The present investigation focuses on the detailed structural analysis and molecular docking of gene using tools.

Structural analysis and characterization of egg-envelope in the Indian freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus.

Egg-envelope, an acellular coat, surrounds the egg and is essential for vitellogenin incorporation. It also plays a pivotal role during fertilization and provides protection to the developing embryo. In the present study, scanning electron microscopy was used to elucidate the structural details of isolated egg-envelopes from the Indian freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus.

Ligand and Structure Based Models for the Identification of Beta 2 Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists.

Ligand bound beta 2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) crystal structures are in use for screening of compound libraries for identifying inducers and blockers. However, in case of G protein coupled receptors (GPCR), docking and binding energy (BE) calculations are not enough to discriminate agonist and antagonists. Absence of a reliable model for discriminating β2AR antagonist is still a major hurdle.

Cross Talk between KGF and KITLG Proteins Implicated with Ovarian Folliculogenesis in Buffalo Bubalus bubalis.

Molecular interactions between mesenchymal-derived Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and Kit ligand (KITLG) are essential for follicular development. These factors are expressed by theca and granulosa cells. We determined full length coding sequence of buffalo KGF and KITLG proteins having 194 and 274 amino acids, respectively.

Transcriptional dynamics of homeobox C11 gene in water buffalo bubalus bubalis.

The Hox complex contains 39 genes clustered into four groups involved in cell differentiation and development. We cloned full-length sequence of Hoxc11 gene from water buffalo Bubalus bubalis, assessed its copy number, localized the same onto the chromosome 5, and studied its evolutionary conservation across the species. Northern hybridization of Hoxc11 showed a 2.

Morphology, morphogenesis, and molecular phylogeny of Sterkiella tetracirrata n. sp. (Ciliophora, Oxytrichidae), from the Silent Valley National Park, India.

The morphology and morphogenesis during cell division of Sterkiella tetracirrata n. sp., isolated from a soil sample collected from the Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, India, were investigated using live observation, protargol staining and scanning electron microscopy.

Todralazine protects zebrafish from lethal effects of ionizing radiation: role of hematopoietic cell expansion.

The Johns Hopkins Clinical Compound Library (JHCCL), a collection of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved small molecules (1400), was screened in silico for identification of novel β2AR blockers and tested for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion and radioprotection in zebrafish embryos. Docking studies, followed by the capacity to hasten erythropoiesis, identified todralazine (Binding energy, -8.4 kcal/mol) as a potential HSC-modulating agent.

Differential expression of Homeobox C11 protein in water buffalo Bubalus bubalis and its putative 3D structure.

Background: The Homeobox (Hox) family complex contains 39 genes, clustered into four groups (A-D) all expressing in sequential manner. The HOX proteins are transcriptional factors involved in regulation of pattern formation of the anterio-posterior body axis across the species. Most of the Hox family genes have been studied with respect to their organization and expression during the embryonic stages.

Aromatase activity in brain and ovary: seasonal variations correlated with circannual gonadal cycle in the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

Seasonal variations in the aromatase activity in H. fossilis estimated by a microassay were correlated with the sex steroids, vitellogenin in and ovarian weight during circannual reproductive cycle. In the female catfish, aromatase activity was detectable in the hypothalamus throughout the year whereas in ovary only during active vitellogenesis.

Immunostimulatory effect of artificial feed supplemented with indigenous plants on Clarias gariepinus against Aeromonas hydrophila.

The antibacterial activity of methanol extracts of Ficus benghalensis (prop-root) and Leucaena leucocephala (pod seed) was evaluated by measurement of zone of inhibition against pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila. Control artificial feed and artificial feed supplemented with 5% powder of F. benghalensis and L.

Nutritional and toxicological assessment of white-rot fermented animal feed.

The fungal fermented wheat straws as animal feeds have been evaluated for its toxicological and nutritional status in male rats (Holtzman strain). Digestibility of dry matter and other nutrients as well as fiber fractions were found significantly higher (P < 0.05) in straw fermented with either Ganoderma sp.

Middle-redox potential laccase from Ganoderma sp.: its application in improvement of feed for monogastric animals.

The variables influencing laccase production by white-rot fungus Ganoderma sp. rckk-02 were optimized employing response surface methodology. Malt extract (6.

Immunostimulatory response induced by supplementation of Ficus benghalensis root powder, in the artificial feed the Indian freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus.

Methanol extract from the dried aerial root of Ficus benghalensis, was used to evaluate antibacterial activity on the bacterial strains of Aeromonas hydrophila and Escherichia coli, by disc diffusion method. In order to study, if there is any immunostimulatory response of F. benghalensis, immunized fish were fed with supplementary artificial feed containing 5% F.

Design and docking studies of [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-(amino acid)2] with acetylcholine receptor as a molecular imaging agent for single-photon emission computed tomographic application.

The acetylcholine receptor is an essential link between the brain and the muscles, so it is a sensitive location for attack. In this study, some reversible [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-(amino acid)2] have been docked computationally to the active site of the acetylcholine receptor. The induced fit method was employed to perform the automolecular docking for these systems.

Differential modulation of apoptotic gene expression by N-acetyl-L-cysteine in Leydig cells stimulated persistently with hCG in vivo.

The present study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of NAC (150 mg/kg bw twice/week) action in vivo under repeated hCG (100 IU/rat/day) stimulation to adult rats. Leydig cell refractoriness led to a significant decline in serum testosterone and intracellular cAMP by day 30 of chronic hCG intervention which improved significantly following NAC co-administration. It inhibited the rise in lipid peroxidation, improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes along with intracellular glutathione and total antioxidant capacity in the target cells.

AR versus ER (α) expression in the testis and pituitary following chronic estrogen administration in adult rat.

Modulation of the testis-pituitary axis has direct relevance to the expression of androgen and estrogen receptors. Androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ERα) expression during hypospermatogenesis after chronic estrogen administration to rats was studied in the adult testis and pituitary utilizing immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and RT-PCR. Both organs demonstrated higher AR transcriptional activity gradually increasing from 15 days (d) to 30 d of estrogen treatment.

N-acetylcysteine counteracts oxidative stress and prevents hCG-induced apoptosis in rat Leydig cells through down regulation of caspase-8 and JNK.

We have earlier reported that following persistent stimulation with hCG, oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in rat Leydig cells was mainly achieved through the extrinsic pathway. In the present study, the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in counteracting the oxidative stress and the mechanisms of inhibition of apoptosis under such conditions were investigated. NAC (1 mM) intervention with repeated hCG stimulation (50 ng/ml, four times, each with 30 min challenge) prevented the decline in Leydig cell viability and the rise in lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species.

Adverse effects associated with persistent stimulation of Leydig cells with hCG in vitro.

The detrimental effects of persistent stimulation with hCG were investigated in rat Leydig cells in vitro. Significant rise in lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) with concomitant attenuation in the activities of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase was observed. Transcripts for catalase and superoxide dismutase were also depleted.

Lactose biosensor based on lactase and galactose oxidase immobilized in polyvinyl formal.

A lactose biosensor was developed by immobilizing lactase and galactose oxidase in a polyvinyl formal membrane and was attached to the oxygen electrode of a dissolved oxygen analyzer for estimation of lactose in milk and food products. The enzyme immobilized polyvinyl formal membrane was characterized by atomic force microscopy. The biosensor showed the linearity for 1-7 g dl(-1) of lactose and can be reused for up to 20 measurements.

Establishment of ELISA for murrel vitellogenin and choriogenin, as biomarkers of potential endocrine disruption.

Vitellogenin (Vg) and choriogenin (Chg) are sensitive biomarkers for testing endocrine disruption in fish. Therefore, we have developed immunoassays for Vg and Chg in the Indian freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus. Vg is a known precursor of egg-yolk proteins, whereas Chg contributes to the formation of egg-envelope.

In vitro induction of vitellogenin by estradiol 17 beta in isolated hepatocytes of catfish, Clarias gariepinus.

Vitellogenin is a female-specific calcium-binding glycolipophosphoprotein synthesized in the hepatocytes of fishes. Its synthesis can be induced in fishes of either sex by estradiol or by xenoestrogens. To study the in vitro synthesis of vitellogenin, different culture conditions were set up using the hepatocytes of Clarias gariepinus.