RESUMEN
The Dolichol kinase (DOLK) gene encodes the polytopic DOLK protein associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) N-glycosylation pathway catalyzing the final step in the biosynthesis of dolichol phosphate. Dolichol phosphate is an oligosaccharide carrier required for N-glycosylation of DOLK protein, with its deficiency leading to a severe hypo glycosylation phenotype in humans which can cause congenital disorders of glycosylation and death in early infancy. The aim of the present study is to identify the phylogenetic relationship between human and ortholog species based on their conserved sequences in DOLK gene. Sequence alignment of DOLK was carried out in this study and the evolutionarily conserved regulatory sequences were identified using bioinformatics. Promoter sequence of human DOLK was compared with orthologous sequences from different organisms. Conserved non-coding sequences (CNS) and motifs in promoter regions were found by analyzing upstream promoter sequences of Homo sapiens DOLK and its orthologous genes in other organisms. Conserved sequences were predicted in the promoter regions in CNS1 and CNS2. Conserved protein sequences were also identified by alignment of the orthologous sequences. Organisms with similar gene sequences are assumed to be closely related and the ER N-glycosylation pathway is conserved in them.
RESUMEN
The fruit of Monotheca buxifolia is among the underutilized wild edible fruits that grows in Hindukush and Suleiman range mountains of Pakistan. Mountain communities consume this wild fruit as a food, medicine and it provides an important source of income. In this study, we aimed to investigate the total yield and the effect that altitude plays on its proximate composition and mineral contents as determined through phytochemical screening of this economically important wild fruit. Our results indicate a significant increase in the total fruit yield with increasing trunk diameter (R2 = 0.98), height (R2 = 0.95) and cover (R2 = 0.92). The proximate composition shows that the crude fat and carbohydrate contents of Monotheca fruit significantly varies (P < 0.05) along the altitudinal gradient. Similarly, ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey HSD, further confirms the variation (P < 0.01) in moisture contents of the fruit. Dry matter ranged from 95.28 ± 4.64 to 108 ± 3.70 g kg- 1 of the fruit's edible portion, while protein contents varied between 17.16 % and 20.44 %. The fruits were found to be rich in minerals containing sizeable amounts of potassium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, nitrogen, magnesium, and copper. Significant difference was observed in the nitrogen (P < 0.01), potassium (P < 0.05) and sodium (P < 0.05) contents of the fruit along the altitudinal gradient. Similarly, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, reducing sugars, terpenoids, anthraquinones, and cardiac glycosides, were the most prominent chemicals found in Monotheca fruit. It was concluded that Monotheca fruit is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, macro and micro-nutrients which fluctuated along the altitudinal gradient.
RESUMEN
Salinity stress is one of the primary abiotic stresses limiting crop growth and yield. Plants respond to salinity stress with several morphophysiological, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms, however, these mechanisms need to be improved further to cope with salt stress effectively. In this regard, the use of plant growth-promoting (PGP) and halotolerant bacteria is thought to be very efficient for enhancing growth and salinity tolerance in plants. The current study aims to assess Bacillus safensis PM22 for its ability to promote plant growth and resistance to salt. The PM22 produced substantial amounts of exopolysaccharides, indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACC-deaminase) under saline conditions. Additionally, inoculation of the halotolerant bacteria PM22 reduced the severity of salinity stress in plants and increased root and shoot length at various salt concentrations (0, 180, 240, and 300 mM). Furthermore, PM22-inoculated plants showed markedly enhanced photosynthetic pigment, carotenoid, leaf relative water content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, salt tolerance index, total soluble sugar, total protein, and ascorbic acid contents compared to non-inoculated control maize plants. PM22 substantially increased antioxidant (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) activities in maize plants, including ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, total flavonoid, and phenol levels. Maize plants inoculated with PM22 also exhibited a significant reduction in electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, glycine betaine, and proline contents compared to non-inoculated control plants. These physiological appearances were further validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), which revealed the upregulation of expression in genes responsible for stress tolerance. In the current investigation, Bacillus safensis PM22 showed plant growth-promoting and salt tolerance attributes and can be utilized as a bio-inoculant to improve yield in salt stress affected areas.
