Aneeqa Noor

A review of the role of synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) in neurological disorders.

ABSTRACT Synaptosomal-associated protein 25 kDa (SNAP-25) is one of the key proteins involved in the formation of neural soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complexes, which are responsible for the calcium-dependent exocytosis of neurotransmitters – a major step in neurotransmission and the key to normal functioning of brain. Several studies have reported abnormalities in its expression and structure and highlighted it as an important player in pathology of various neurological disorders like Alzheimers disease, schizophrenia, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy and few others. Several studies have also associated its substantial expression disturbances with various polymorphisms and post-translational modifications. The present review examines the crucial implication of SNAP-25 in altered neuronal processes and highlights its substantial association with various neurological disorders.

Omics Approaches in Forensic Biotechnology: Looking for Ancestry to Offence

Abstract Forensic biotechnology deals with the study and investigation of genomic information for the identification of specific signatures. The data obtained from forensic biotechnology are utilized by the legal system to make necessary interpretations about criminals. Because of its potential to identify unique genetic markers, the discipline has also been employed for the determination of parenthood or other familial characteristics. Traditionally this field relied on a few basic techniques of genetics like DNA fingerprinting. However, the recent developments in the field of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have made the forensic sciences increasingly sensitive and reliable. The availability of the minutest amount of sample (like blood, hair, or other body tissues) can help in extracting the information in a timely manner that would otherwise have taken months to years to obtain. This chapter provides an introduction about the basic techniques involved in forensic technology. The developments in the field of omics sciences and how they have contributed to the field of forensic biotechnology have also been discussed.

Transport and Metabolism of Nitrogen in Legume Nodules Under Phosphorus Deficiency

Leguminous plants, like all other plants, rely on a number of elemental nutrients for their growth, development, and metabolic processes. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are some of the minerals that regulate the proper survival of a plant species. Legumes are one of the most important sources for the fixation of atmospheric dinitrogen (N2). They harbor N2-fixing bacteria (mainly rhizobacteria) in their roots that aid the process. These plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in turn provide nutrients to the legumes for their proper growth. However, under nutritional stress conditions, the absorption and metabolism processes are affected. P deficiency is observed in a number of agricultural and environmental conditions. This deficiency adversely affects the metabolic processes of the legumes. Chief among this is the N transport and metabolism which governs the production, transport, and metabolism of many primary and secondary metabolites. The N metabolism, hence, has to be carefully regulated under P-stress conditions. The host plant as well as the nodules associated with their roots is involved in regulating the N metabolism and transport processes. Chief among these compensatory mechanisms are the alteration in catabolic and anabolic cycles, increasing the carbohydrate storage capacity and alteration of the N2 fixation capability (Sulieman et al. 2008). This chapter provides insights into the changes observed in the N transport and metabolism in leguminous plants as a result of P deficiency and the mechanisms developed to respond to the P-stress conditions.