Comparative transcriptome analysis of different chemotypes elucidates withanolide biosynthesis pathway from medicinal plant Withania somnifera.

Withania somnifera is one of the most valuable medicinal plants synthesizing secondary metabolites known as withanolides. Despite pharmaceutical importance, limited information is available about the biosynthesis of withanolides. Chemo-profiling of leaf and root tissues of Withania suggest differences in the content and/or nature of withanolides in different chemotypes.

Similarities in lindane induced alterations in protein expression profiling in different brain regions with neurodegenerative diseases.

Previous studies have reported that lindane, an organochlorine pesticide induces oxidative stress in rat brain that may lead to neurodegeneration. However, as the proteins involved in lindane induced neurodegeneration are yet to be identified, the present study aims to identify the proteins that may regulate lindane induced neurotoxicity. The data showed that repeated exposure of lindane (2.

Comparative analysis of transcription factor gene families from Papaver somniferum: identification of regulatory factors involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis.

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.), known for biosynthesis of several therapeutically important benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), has emerged as the premier organism to study plant alkaloid metabolism. The most prominent molecules produced in opium poppy include narcotic analgesic morphine, the cough suppressant codeine, the muscle relaxant papaverine and the anti-microbial agent sanguinarine and berberine.

Comprehensive analysis of regulatory elements of the promoters of rice sulfate transporter gene family and functional characterization of OsSul1;1 promoter under different metal stress.

Adverse environmental conditions including heavy metal stress impose severe effects on the plant growth and development limiting productivity and yield. Studies demonstrated that changes in genome-wide expression modulate various biochemical processes and molecular components in response to heavy metal stress in plants. Some of the key components involved in such a regulation are the transcription initiation machinery, nucleotide sequence of promoters and presence of cis-acting elements.

Differential expression of microRNAs by arsenate and arsenite stress in natural accessions of rice.

Arsenic (As) contamination of rice (Oryza sativa) imposes a serious threat to human health worldwide. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of As transport and accumulation in rice may provide promising solutions to the problem. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel class of short, endogenous, non-coding small RNA molecules involved in a wide variety of biological processes such as organ polarity, morphogenesis, floral transition, hormone signalling and adaptation to environment.

Omics and biotechnology of arsenic stress and detoxification in plants: current updates and prospective.

Arsenic (As), a naturally occurring metallic element, is a dreadful health hazard to millions of people across the globe. Arsenic is present in low amount in the environment and originates from anthropogenic impact and geogenic sources. The presence of As in groundwater used for irrigation is a worldwide problem as it affects crop productivity, accumulates to different tissues and contaminates food chain.

First Report of Ageratum enation virus, Betasatellite and Alphasatellite Causing Leaf Curl and Enation Disease of Amaranthus hypochondriacus in India.

During a survey in February 2011, severe symptoms of upward leaf curling, vein enation on lower side of the leaves, and shortening of internodes were observed on 20 out of 117 Amaranthus hypochondriacus plants (17% disease incidence) examined at breeding plots of CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow. These symptoms are typical of begomovirus infection. PCR with begomovirus-specific primers (3) produced the expected ~1.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in sacred groves of Kumaon Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: International organizations recognize the importance of sacred groves and place them into the context of sustainable development and also emphasize to conserve biodiversity through protection of sacred groves and sties. The significance of medicinal plants from Himalayan region is well known to the world. Therefore, present study was conducted in identified sacred groves of Kumaon Himalaya to investigate and document the utilization of medicinal plants by various local communities and tribal people.

Comparative transcriptome analysis using high papaverine mutant of Papaver somniferum reveals pathway and uncharacterized steps of papaverine biosynthesis.

The benzylisoquinoline alkaloid papaverine, synthesized in low amount in most of the opium poppy varieties of Papaver somniferum, is used as a vasodilator muscle relaxant and antispasmodic. Papaverine biosynthesis remains controversial as two different routes utilizing either (S)-coclaurine or (S)-reticuline have been proposed with uncharacterized intermediate steps. In an attempt to elucidate papaverine biosynthesis and identify putative genes involved in uncharacterized steps, we carried out comparative transcriptome analysis of high papaverine mutant (pap1) and normal cultivar (BR086) of P.

Expression in Arabidopsis and cellular localization reveal involvement of rice NRAMP, OsNRAMP1, in arsenic transport and tolerance.

Irrigation of paddy fields to arsenic (As) containing groundwater leads to As accumulation in rice grains and causes serious health risk to the people worldwide. To reduce As intake via consumption of contaminated rice grain, identification of the mechanisms for As accumulation and detoxification in rice is a prerequisite. Herein, we report involvement of a member of rice NRAMP (Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein) transporter, OsNRAMP1, in As, in addition to cadmium (Cd), accumulation through expression in yeast and Arabidopsis.