Magnetofection approach for the transformation of okra using green iron nanoparticles.

Climate change, pesticide resistance, and the need for developing new plant varieties have galvanized biotechnologists to find new solutions in order to produce transgenic plants. Over the last decade scientists are working on green metallic nanoparticles to develop DNA delivery systems for plants. In the current study, green Iron nanoparticles were synthesized using leaf extract of Camellia sinensis (green tea) and Iron Chloride (FeCl3), the characterization and Confirmation was done using UV-VIS Spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. Using these nanoparticles, a novel method of gene transformation in okra plants was developed, with a combination of different Magnetofection factors. Maximum gene transformation efficiency was observed at the DNA to Iron-nanoparticles ratio of 1:20, by rotation of mixture (Plasmid DNA, Iron-nanoparticles, and seed embryo) at 800 rpm for 5 h. Using this approach, the transformation of the GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene was successfully carried out in Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra plant). The DNA transformation was confirmed by observing the expression of transgene GFP via Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM) and PCR. This method is highly economical, adaptable, genotype independent, eco-friendly, and time-saving as well. We infer that this approach can be a potential solution to combat the yield and immunity challenges of plants against pathogens.

Structure activity relationship (SAR) and quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) studies showed plant flavonoids as potential inhibitors of dengue NS2B-NS3 protease.

BACKGROUND: Due to dengue virus disease, half of the world population is at severe health risk. Viral encoded NS2B-NS3 protease complex causes cleavage in the nonstructural region of the viral polyprotein. The cleavage is essentially required for fully functional viral protein. It has already been reported that if function of NS2B-NS3 complex is disrupted, viral replication is inhibited. Therefore, the NS2B-NS3 is a well-characterized target for designing antiviral drug. RESULTS: In this study docking analysis was performed with active site of dengue NS2B-NS3 protein with selected plant flavonoids. More than 100 flavonoids were used for docking analysis. On the basis of docking results 10 flavonoids might be considered as the best inhibitors of NS2B-NS3 protein. The interaction studies showed resilient interactions between ligand and receptor atoms. Furthermore, QSAR and SAR studies were conducted on the basis of NS2B-NS3 protease complex docking results. The value of correlation coefficient (r) 0.95 shows that there was a good correlation between flavonoid structures and selected properties. CONCLUSION: We hereby suggest that plant flavonoids could be used as potent inhibitors of dengue NS2B-NS3 protein and can be used as antiviral agents against dengue virus. Out of more than hundred plant flavonoids, ten flavonoid structures are presented in this study. On the basis of best docking results, QSAR and SAR studies were performed. These flavonoids can directly work as anti-dengue drug or with little modifications in their structures.