Ekta Verma

Role of manganese in protection against oxidative stress under iron starvation in cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120

The cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 was grown in presence and absence of iron to decipher the role of manganese in protection against the oxidative stress under iron starvation and growth, manganese uptake kinetics, antioxidative enzymes, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, thiol content, total peroxide, proline and NADH content was investigated. Manganese supported the growth of cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120 under iron deprived conditions where maximum uptake rate of manganese was observed with lower Km and higher Vmax values. Antioxidative enzymes were also found to be elevated in iron‐starved conditions. Estimation of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage depicted the role of manganese in stabilizing the integrity of the membrane which was considered as the prime target of oxygen free radicals in oxidative stress. The levels of total peroxide, thiol, proline and NADH content, which are the representative of oxidative stress response in Anabaena 7120, were also showed increasing trends in iron starvation. Hence, the results discerned, clearly suggested the role of manganese in protection against the oxidative stress in cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120 under iron starvation either due to its antioxidative properties or involvement as cofactor in a number of antioxidative enzymes.

Modulation of fatty acids and hydrocarbons in Anabaena 7120 and its ntcA mutant under calcium

Calcium being a signaling molecule and mediator of cell response, we examined the modulation in fatty acid and hydrocarbon profiles of wild type cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and its ntcA mutant under the influence of different calcium chloride concentrations (0–10 mM). Dynamic modifications in fatty acid and hydrocarbon profile were evident through GC‐FID analysis of extracted lipids. In the wild type, increase in CaCl2 (10 mM) resulted in unsaturation of fatty acids (observed in terms of high MUFA/PUFA ratio) while hydrocarbon production was distinctly high in the mutant strain compared to wild type at all tested concentrations. The synthesis of short chain hydrocarbons (C5–C8) were dominated at inhibitory concentration (10 mM CaCl2) in mutant strain. Results suggest that the increase in MUFA/PUFA ratio at inhibitory concentration in wild type, and higher percentage of hydrocarbons in mutant strain, may be attributed to the survival and acclimation strategies under altered calcium environment. Our results also suggest the involvement of the ntcA gene (master regulator of N2 metabolism) in regulation of carbon metabolism; specifically fatty acid, hydrocarbon, and other metabolic compounds essential for maintenance and sustenance of growth under stress condition. Thus, our study outlines basic acclimation response along with possibilities of production of fatty acid and hydrocarbon derived biofuel and other bioactive compounds in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 under altered calcium levels which could be of biotechnological interest.

Transcriptional regulation of acetyl CoA and lipid synthesis by PII protein in Synechococcus PCC 7942

PII protein family is widespread in prokaryotes and plants. In this study, impacts of PII deficiency on the synthesis of acetyl CoA and acetyl CoA carboxylase enzyme (ACCase) was analyzed in the Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 by evaluating the mRNA levels of pyruvate kinase (PK), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), citrate synthase (CS), biotin synthase (BS), biotin carboxylase (BC), biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), carboxyl transferase (CT) α and β subunits. The PII deficient Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 showed upregulation of all the above‐mentioned genes, except CS. Analyses of genes required for acetyl coA synthesis exhibited a substantial increase in the transcript levels of PK and PDH in the PII mutant strain. In addition, the PII mutant also displayed reduced acetyl CoA content, high ACCase activity, and increased lipid content. The lessening of acetyl CoA content was attributed to the rapid utilization of acetyl CoA in fatty acid synthesis as well as in the TCA cycle whereas the increased ACCase activity was ascribed to the rise in mRNA levels of BS, BC, BCCP, CT α, and β genes. However, increased lipid content was correlated with the declined total protein content. Hence, the study suggested that PII protein regulates the synthesis of acetyl CoA and ACCase enzyme at the transcriptional level.

Sequential role of biosorption and biodegradation in rapid removal degradation and utilization of methyl parathion as a phosphate source by a new cyanobacterial isolate Scytonema sp. BHUS-5

ABSTRACT A new isolate of genus Scytonema distinct from its closest relative cyanobacterium, Scytonema hofmanni was found efficient in the removal and degradation of organophosphorus (OP) pesticide, methyl parathion (MP). The cyanobacterial isolate was also capable of utilizing the phosphorus present in the MP following its degradation, which was evident from the increase in growth (chlorophyll content), biomass, protein content, and total phosphorus in comparison to cyanobacterium grown in phosphate-deficient cultures. The rapid removal of MP by the cyanobacterium during initial 6 hours of incubation was defined by the pseudo-second-order biosorption kinetics model, which indicated the involvement of chemosorption in initial removal of pesticide. Further, degradation of MP was also confirmed by the appearance of p-nitrophenol in the medium after 24 hours of incubation. Thus, the cyanobacterial isolate of Scytonema sp. BHUS-5 seems to be a potential bioremediation agent for the removal of OP pesticide, MP from the habitat.

Structural Elucidation and Molecular Docking of a Novel Antibiotic Compound from Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. MGL001.

Cyanobacteria are rich source of array of bioactive compounds. The present study reports a novel antibacterial bioactive compound purified from cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. MGL001 using various chromatographic techniques viz. thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further characterization was done using electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and predicted structure of bioactive compound was 9-Ethyliminomethyl-12-(morpholin - 4 - ylmethoxy) -5, 8, 13, 16–tetraaza–hexacene - 2, 3 dicarboxylic acid (EMTAHDCA). Structure of EMTAHDCA clearly indicated that it is a novel compound that was not reported in literature or natural product database. The compound exhibited growth inhibiting effects mainly against the gram negative bacterial strains and produced maximum zone of inhibition at 150 μg/mL concentration. The compound was evaluated through in silico studies for its ability to bind 30S ribosomal fragment (PDB ID: 1YRJ, 1MWL, 1J7T, and 1LC4) and OmpF porin protein (4GCP, 4GCQ, and 4GCS) which are the common targets of various antibiotic drugs. Comparative molecular docking study revealed that EMTAHDCA has strong binding affinity for these selected targets in comparison to a number of most commonly used antibiotics. The ability of EMTAHDCA to bind the active sites on the proteins and 30S ribosomal fragments where the antibiotic drugs generally bind indicated that it is functionally similar to the commercially available drugs.

Isolation, characterization and molecular phylogeny of multiple metal tolerant and antibiotics resistant bacterial isolates from river Ganga, Varanasi, India

Abstract The present study was focused on the isolation of multiple metal tolerant and antibiotics resistant bacterial strains from water samples of five different Ghats of River Ganga, Varanasi, India. These strains were biochemically characterized and their phylogenetic relatedness was assumed using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis fingerprinting and 16S ribosomal gene sequencing. The presence of heterogeneous groups of bacteria belonging to alpha, beta, gamma proteobacteria, and bacilli was noticed. Some of the bacterial strains like Pseudomonas, Serratia, Enterobacter, and Proteus vulgaris were mainly found at the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Assi Ghat showing minimum inhibitory concentration 200–300 mg/L for copper, nickel, lead, and chromium. Comamonas sp. mainly isolated from the Samne Ghat and the Rajendra Prasad Ghat was able to grow at very high concentration of lead viz. 400 mg/L. Some of the strains showed multidrug resistant property against 10 different antibiotics which are of most serious concern because these drugs are frequently used against various bacterial infections.

Deciphering the evolutionary affiliations among bacterial strains (Pseudomonas and Frankia sp.) inhabiting same ecological niche using virtual RFLP and simulation-based approaches

To decipher an evolutionary lineage between two different but important bacterial groups, i.e., Pseudomonas strain (γ-Proteobacteria) and Frankia strain (actinobacteria) growing in the same ecological niche in and around of an actinorhizal plant Hippophae salicifolia D. Don, genetic diversity and comparative molecular phylogeny have been investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequences and computer-simulated and virtually directed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) through 10 restriction enzymes. Bayesian and coalescent analyses on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested three major groups with close proximity between Pseudomonas and Frankia isolates. This result has been further validated based on the data observed through similarity coefficient value and computational RFLP. Principal component analysis and Mandel h and k statistical analysis also confirmed and strengthen the findings. Approximately 458 aligned sequence of all the taxa were used to decipher nucleotide diversity, polymorphism and gene flow between these taxa. Thus, our results suggest for a possible co-evolution or a heterologous gene transfer of distantly related microbial forms. Further, our study also advocate for the use of computer aided, virtual RFLP analysis as a cost effective and rapid identification tool.

Antimicrobial Compounds From Actinobacteria

Abstract Actinobacteria, bearing the characteristics of both bacteria and fungus, are considered as one of the most medicinally important candidates because of their tremendous ability to produce various bioactive compounds. Members of actinobacteria are strictly gram positive in nature and represent the most efficient group of prokaryotes capable of producing novel metabolites. The metabolites produced by actinobacteria exhibit inhibitory effects against different pathogens such as MDR bacterial strains, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and other parasites. Numerous antimicrobial compounds such as beta-lactams, tetracyclines, phenazine, aminoglycosides, etc. have already been isolated and characterized from several actinobacteria and are used as drugs to control diverse human diseases. Two individual pathways, i.e., nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS I and II), are thought to be responsible for the synthesis of these compounds in actinobacteria. This review demonstrates the diversity, chemistry, and bioactivity of actinobacterial metabolites along with the biochemical and genetic basis of their production.

The Combined Use of in Silico, in Vitro, and in Vivo Analyses to Assess Anti-cancerous Potential of a Bioactive Compound from Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. MGL001

Escalating incidences of cancer, especially in developed and developing countries, demand evaluation of potential unexplored natural drug resources. Here, anticancer potential of 9-Ethyliminomethyl-12-(morpholin-4-ylmethoxy)-5,8,13,16-tetraaza -hexacene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (EMTAHDCA) isolated from fresh water cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. MGL001 was screened through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies. For in silico analysis, EMTAHDCA was selected as ligand and 11 cancer related proteins (Protein Data Bank ID: 1BIX, 1NOW, 1TE6, 2RCW, 2UVL, 2VCJ, 3CRY, 3HQU, 3NMQ, 5P21, and 4B7P) which are common targets of various anticancer drugs were selected as receptors. The results obtained from in silico analysis showed that EMTAHDCA has strong binding affinity for all the 11 target protein receptors. The ability of EMTAHDCA to bind active sites of cancer protein targets indicated that it is functionally similar to commercially available anticancer drugs. For assessing cellular metabolic activities, in vitro studies were performed by using calorimetric assay viz. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Results showed that EMTAHDCA induced significant cytotoxic response against Daltons lymphoma ascites (DLA) cells in a dose and time dependent manner with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 372.4 ng/mL after 24 h of incubation. However, in case of normal bone marrow cells, the EMTAHDCA did not induce cytotoxicity as the IC50 value was not obtained even with higher dose of 1,000 ng/mL EMTAHDCA. Further, in vivo studies revealed that the median life span/survival days of tumor bearing mice treated with EMTAHDCA increased significantly with a fold change of ~1.9 and 1.81 corresponding to doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) of EMTAHDCA respectively, as compared to the DL group. Our results suggest that 5 mg/kg B.W. is effective since the dose of 10 mg/kg B.W. did not show any significant difference as compared to 5 mg/kg B.W. Taken together, our findings based on in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses suggest that EMTAHDCA has potential anticancer effects, and thus, can be considered for cancer treatment.