Manvendra S. Kachole

Amylase inhibitors of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) seeds.

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L) seeds were analysed quantitatively for amylase inhibitor (AI) activity and qualitatively, by an in-gel-detection method on polyacrylamide gels. At least four AI isoforms were identified in pigeonpea seeds. The AIs inhibit human salivary and bovine pancreatic amylase but fail to inhibit bacterial, fungal and endogenous amylase. Pigeonpea AIs were found to be active over a pH range of 4.5 to 9.5 and were heat labile. The isoelectric point of a major inhibitor is 6.2 AIs were tolerant to proteolysis by trypsin, chymotrypsin, bromelain and endogenous pigeonpea proteases. Pigeonpea AIs were synthesized during late seed development and also degraded during late germination. Addition of AIs or protease inhibitors (PIs) alone to a diet of Helicoverpa armigera larvae did not increase mortality. However, the larvae reared on a diet containing AIs and PIs in combination, showed increased mortality and adverse effects on larval growth and development. In vitro inhibition of Helicoverpa gut amylase revealed that only 22% activity is sensitive to inhibitors. Further investigations on interactions of pigeonpea AIs and PIs with Helicoverpa gut enzymes is necessary to develop strategies to strengthen defense mechanisms in pigeonpea against H. armigera.

Differential inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut proteinases by proteinase inhibitors of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and its wild relatives

The seeds of 36 pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.] cultivars, resistant and susceptible to pests and pathogens and 17 of its wild relatives were analysed for inhibitors of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and insect gut proteinases to identify potential inhibitors of insect (Helicoverpa armigera) gut enzymes. Proteinase inhibitors (PIs) of pigeonpea cultivars showed total inhibition of trypsin and chymotrypsin, and moderate inhibition potential towards H. armigera proteinases (HGP). PIs of wild relatives exhibited stronger inhibition of HGP, which was up to 87% by Rhynchosia PIs. Electrophoretic detection of HGPI proteins and inhibition of HGP isoforms by few pigeonpea wild relative PIs supported our enzyme inhibitor assay results. Present results indicate that PIs exhibit wide range of genetic diversity in the wild relatives of pigeonpea whereas pigeonpea cultivars (resistant as well as susceptible to pests and pathogens) are homogeneous. The potent HGPIs identified in this study need further exploration for their use in strengthening pigeonpea defence against H. armigera.

In vivo inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut pro-proteinase activation by non-host plant protease inhibitors.

We evaluated 22 different host and non-host plant protease inhibitors (PIs) for in vivo inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut pro- and proteinases, and their biological activity against the pod borer, H. armigera, the most important pest of agriculture and horticultural crops worldwide. In vitro activation of H. armigera gut pro-proteinases (HaGPPs) in larvae fed on non-host plant PIs showed significant in vivo inhibition of HaGPPs activation in solution as well as in gel assays. The larvae fed on diet incorporated with Datura alba ness PIs showed highest inhibition of HaGPPs, followed by Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. Non-host plant PIs from Pongamia pinnata, Mucuna pruriens, Capsicum annuum, and Nigela sativa showed maximum inhibitory potential towards HaGPs in vivo, and also exhibited moderate level of inhibition of pro-proteinases. However, some of non-host plant PIs, such as those from Penganum harmala and Solanum nigrum, and the principal host plant PIs, viz., Cicer arietinum and Cajanus cajan did not inhibit HaGPP activity. Pro-proteinase level increased with the growth of the larvae, and maximum HaGPP activity was observed in the fifth-instars. Larvae fed on diets with D. alba ness PIs showed greater inhibition of HaGPPs as compared to the larvae fed on diets with P. tetragonolobus. Low concentrations of partially purified HaGPs treated with gut extract of larvae fed on D. alba ness showed that out of 10 proteinase isoforms, HaGPs 5 and 9 were activators of pro-proteinases. Larval growth and development were significantly reduced in the larvae fed on the non-host plant PIs, of which D. alba ness resulted in highest stunted growth of H. armigera larvae. The in vivo studies indicated that non-host plant PIs were good candidates as inhibitors of the HaGPs as well as HaGPPs. The PIs from the non-host plants can be expressed in genetically engineered plants to confer resistance to H. armigera.

Lichen Permelia perlata: A novel system for biodegradation and detoxification of disperse dye Solvent Red 24

Lichen is a self-supporting symbiotic association of fungi and algae which was not yet explored for its bioremediation potential. Lichen Permelia perlata showed potential of decolorization and biodegradation of Solvent Red 24 (SR24). Optimum pH and temperature for decolorization was found to be 8 and 50°C, respectively. Induction in the activity of laccase in P. perlata during biodegradation of SR24 showed their involvement. HPTLC, FTIR and GC-HRMS analysis confirmed biodegradation of SR24 in to metabolites such as naphthalen-1-yldiazene, naphthalene, 1-(2-methylphenyl)-2-phenyldiazene and diphenyldiazene. Phytotoxicity and genotoxicity analysis revealed the reduction in toxicity of SR24 after its biodegradation.

Detection of electrophoretically separated amylase inhibitors in starch-polyacrylamide gels

A method for detection of electrophoretically separated proteinaceous amylase inhibitors is described. Seed powders of pigeon pea, sorghum, chick pea and pearl millet were extracted with 0.1 M HCl and the amylase inhibitors present in the extract were analyzed after ammonium sulfate fractionation. The inhibitors were separated in polyacrylamide gel containing 0.5% soluble starch by electrophoresis and visualized by incubation of the gel in salivary amylase solution and staining with iodine. Starch in the gel is hydrolyzed by amylase during incubation, but the starch in vicinity of amylase inhibitor is protected from hydrolysis and appears as a blue band after staining. Using this protocol, pigeonpea, sorghum, chick pea and pearl millet seed extracts were found to contain at least three inhibitors of salivary amylase. These inhibitors had no activity against bacterial and fungal amylases. The method can be used to screen specificity of individual amylase inhibitors against various amylases.

Proteinaceous Inhibitors of Trypsin and of Amylases in Developing and Germinating Seeds of Pigeon Pea ( Cajanus cajan(L) Millsp)

Inhibitors of trypsin and amylase in the extracts of developing seeds of 12 pigeon pea cultivars were analysed using a gel-X-ray film contact print technique and an enzyme-inhibitor assay, respectively. The inhibitors of amylase and trypsin in the extracts of germinating seeds of a pigeon pea cultivar (BDN2) were also studied. Nine trypsin inhibitor bands were detected in mature seeds of all the 12 cultivars. Inhibitory activities against amylase and trypsin were not detected in the extracts of seeds collected 11 and 27 days after flowering (DAF) by the enzyme-inhibitor assay. However, up to three trypsin inhibitor bands could be detected in the extracts of seeds collected 27 DAF by the gel-X-ray film contact technique. Two new slow-moving trypsin inhibitor bands were detected in the extracts of germinating seeds of BDN2 cultivar. These bands were prominent in extracts of seeds 10 days after germination (DAG). The amylase inhibitors and trypsin inhibitors in pigeon pea seeds are late synthesised proteins, their highest levels were observed in mature seeds and they were found to be slowly degraded during germination. Significant inhibitor activities were observed even 15 DAG. The amylases in developing seeds are insensitive to endogenous inhibitors.

Protease inhibitor (PI) mediated defense in leaves and flowers of pigeonpea (protease inhibitor mediated defense in pigeonpea).

More than 200 insect pests are found growing on pigeonpea. Insects lay eggs, attack and feed on leaves, flowers and developing pods. Plants have developed elaborate defenses against these insect pests. The present work evaluates protease inhibitor (PI) based defense of pigeonpea in leaves and flowers. PIs in the extracts of these tender tissues were detected by using gel X-ray film contact print method. Up to three PIs (PI-3, PI-4 and PI-5) were detected in these tissues as against nine (PI-1-PI-9) in mature seeds. PI-3 is the major component of these tissues. Mechanical wounding, insect chewing, fungal pathogenesis and application of salicylic acid induced PIs in pigeonpea in these tissues. Induction was found to be local as well as systemic but local response was stronger than systemic response. During both local and systemic induction, PI-3 appeared first. In spite of the presence and induction of PIs in these tender tissues and seeds farmers continue to suffer yield loses. This is due to the weak expression of PIs. However the ability of the plant to respond to external stimuli by producing defense proteins does not seem to be compromised. This study therefore indicates that PIs are components of both constitutive and inducible defense and provide a ground for designing stronger inducible defense (PIs or other insect toxin based) in pigeonpea.

Identification of Amylase Inhibitor Deficient Mutants in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millisp.)

We have developed and analyzed several mutant lines (M6 generation) of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) for the content of defensive proteins and antinutritional factors. Inhibitors of proteinase and of amylase, lectins, and raffinose family oligosaccharides were analyzed in mature seeds of different pigeonpea accessions (untreated) and compared with mutant lines. Proteinase inhibitor profiles were similar in terms of number and intensities of activity bands but they differ marginally in the activity units in pigeonpea accessions and mutants. Pigeonpea mutants showed significant differences in amylase inhibitor profiles as well as activity units from those of pigeonpea accessions. Interestingly, two mutants (A6-5-1 and A7-3-2) were identified to have absence of amylase inhibitor isoforms. Hemagglutinating activity and raffinose family oligosaccharides content were found to be significantly higher in mutants than in accessions. It is evident from the results that proteinase inhibitors of pigeonpea are stable while amylase inhibitors, lectins, and raffinose family oligosaccharides show altered expression upon mutagen treatments. These mutants will be ideal candidates for further evaluation.

A bifunctional α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor from pigeonpea seeds: Purification, biochemical characterization and its bio-efficacy against Helicoverpa armigera.

This paper evaluates α-amylase inhibitor (α-AI) mediated defense of pigeonpea against Helicoverpa armigera. A bifunctional α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor was purified from the seeds of pigeonpea by native liquid phase isoelectric focusing (N-LP-IEF), affinity chromatography and preparative electrophoresis. Its in-vivo and in-vitro interaction with midgut amylases of H. armigera was studied along with growth inhibitory activity. One and two dimensional (2D) zymographic analyses revealed that the purified inhibitor is dimeric glycoprotein (60.2kDa and 56kDa) exist in a multi-isomeric form with five pI variants (pI 5.5 to 6.3). It was found to be heat labile with complete inactivation up to 80°C and stable over a wide range of pH (4-11). The slow binding and competitive type of α-amylase inhibition was observed with 0.08μM of dissociation constant (Ki) for the enzyme-inhibitor complex (EI). The internal protein sequence of two subunits obtained by mass spectrometry matched with cereal-type α-AI, a conserved domain from AAI_LTSS superfamily and sialyltransferase-like protein respectively. In-vivo studies indicated up-regulation of total midgut α-amylase activity with negative effect on growth rate of H. armigera suggesting its suitability for pest control.

Inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut pro‐proteinase activation in response to synthetic protease inhibitors

Protease inhibitors play an important role in host plant defence against herbivores. However, insects have the ability to elevate the production of proteinases or resort to production of a diverse array of proteinases to offset the effect of proteinase inhibitors. Therefore, we studied the inhibition of pro‐proteinase(s) activation in the midgut of the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in response to protease inhibitors to develop appropriate strategies for the control of this pest. Gelatin coating present on X‐ray film was used as a substrate to detect electrophoretically separated pro‐proteinases and proteinases of H. armigera gut extract on native‐ and sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Six activated pro‐proteinase bands were detected in H. armigera gut lumen, which were partially purified and characterized using substrate assays. Activated H. armigera midgut pro‐proteinase(s) showed activity maxima at pH 8 and 10, and exhibited optimal activity at 40 °C. The activation of H. armigera gut pro‐proteinase isoforms was observed in the fraction eluted on benzamidine‐sepharose 4B column. Purification and substrate assay studies revealed that 23–70 kDa polypeptides were likely the trypsin/chymotrypsin‐like pro‐proteinases. Larvae of H. armigera fed on a cocktail of synthetic inhibitors (antipain, aprotinin, leupeptin, and pefabloc) showed maximum activation of pro‐proteinases compared with the larvae fed on individual inhibitors. The implications of these results for developing plants expressing proteinase inhibitors for conferring resistance to H. armigera are discussed.