A lipid synthase maintains metabolic flux for jasmonate synthesis to regulate root growth and phosphate homeostasis.

Plants require phosphate (Pi) for proper growth and development but often face scarcity of this vital nutrient in the soil. Pi-starvation triggers membrane lipid remodeling to utilize the membrane phospholipid-bound Pi in plants. In this process, phospholipids are replaced by non-Pi-containing galactolipids (MGDG, DGDG) and sulfolipids. The galactolipids ratio (MGDG:DGDG) is suggested to influence jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis. However, how the MGDG:DGDG ratio, JA levels, and root growth are coordinated under Pi deficiency in rice (Oryza sativa) remains unknown. Here, we characterized DGDG synthase 1 (OsDGD1) for its role in regulating root development by maintaining metabolic flux for JA biosynthesis. We showed that OsDGD1 is responsive under low Pi and is under the direct control of Phosphate Starvation Response 2 (OsPHR2), the master regulator of low Pi adaptations. Further, OsDGD1 knockout (KO) lines showed marked phenotypic differences compared to the wild type (WT), including a significant reduction in root length and biomass, leading to reduced Pi uptake. Further, lipidome analyses revealed reduced DGDG levels in the KO line, leading to reduced membrane remodeling, thus affecting P utilization efficiency. We also observed an increase in the MGDG: DGDG ratio in KO lines, which enhanced the endogenous JA levels and signaling. This imbalance of JA in KO plants led to changes in auxin levels, causing drastic root growth inhibition. These findings indicate the critical role of OsDGD1 in maintaining optimum levels of JA during Pi deficiency for conducive root growth. Besides acting as signaling molecules and structural components, our study widens the role of lipids as metabolic flux controllers for phytohormone biosynthesis.

A citrate efflux transporter important for manganese distribution and phosphorus uptake in rice.

The plant citrate transporters, functional in mineral nutrient uptake and homeostasis, usually belong to the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion transporter family. We identified and functionally characterized a rice (Oryza sativa) citrate transporter, OsCT1, which differs from known plant citrate transporters and is structurally close to rice silicon transporters. Domain analysis depicted that OsCT1 carries a bacterial citrate-metal transporter domain, CitMHS. OsCT1 showed citrate efflux activity when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and is localized to the cell plasma membrane. It is highly expressed in the shoot and reproductive tissues of rice, and its promoter activity was visible in cells surrounding the vasculature. The OsCT1 knockout (KO) lines showed a reduced citrate content in the shoots and the root exudates, whereas overexpression (OE) line showed higher citrate exudation from their roots. Further, the KO and OE lines showed variations in the manganese (Mn) distribution leading to changes in their agronomical traits. Under deficient conditions (Mn-sufficient conditions followed by 8 days of 0 µm MnCl2 · 4H2 O treatment), the supply of manganese towards the newer leaf was found to be obstructed in the KO line. There were no significant differences in phosphorus (P) distribution; however, P uptake was reduced in the KO and increased in OE lines at the vegetative stage. Further, experiments in Xenopus oocytes revealed that OsCT1 could efflux citrate with Mn. In this way, we provide insights into a mechanism of citrate-metal transport in plants and its role in mineral homeostasis, which remains conserved with their bacterial counterparts.

Root-Expressed Rice PAP3b Enhances Secreted APase Activity and Helps Utilize Organic Phosphate.

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency leads to the induction of purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) in plants, which dephosphorylate organic phosphorus (P) complexes in the rhizosphere and intracellular compartments to release Pi. In this study, we demonstrate that OsPAP3b belongs to group III low-molecular weight PAP and is low Pi-responsive, preferentially in roots. The expression of OsPAP3b is negatively regulated with Pi resupply. Interestingly, OsPAP3b was found to be dual localized to the nucleus and secretome. Furthermore, OsPAP3b is transcriptionally regulated by OsPHR2 as substantiated by DNA-protein binding assay. Through in vitro biochemical assays, we further demonstrate that OsPAP3b is a functional acid phosphatase (APase) with broad substrate specificity. The overexpression (OE) of OsPAP3b in rice led to increased secreted APase activity and improved mineralization of organic P sources, which resulted in better growth of transgenics compared to the wild type when grown on organic P as an exogenous P substrate. Under Pi deprivation, OsPAP3b knock-down and knock-out lines showed no significant changes in total P content and dry biomass. However, the expression of other phosphate starvation-induced genes and the levels of metabolites were found to be altered in the OE and knock-down lines. In addition, in vitro pull-down assay revealed multiple putative interacting proteins of OsPAP3b. Our data collectively suggest that OsPAP3b can aid in organic P utilization in rice. The APase isoform behavior and nuclear localization indicate its additional role, possibly in stress signaling. Considering its important roles, OsPAP3b could be a potential target for improving low Pi adaptation in rice.

PRpnp, a novel dual activity PNP family protein improves plant vigour and confers multiple stress tolerance in Citrus aurantifolia.

Under field conditions, plants are often simultaneously exposed to several abiotic and biotic stresses resulting in significant reductions in growth and yield; thus, developing a multi-stress tolerant variety is imperative. Previously, we reported the neofunctionalization of a novel PNP family protein, Putranjiva roxburghii purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PRpnp) to trypsin inhibitor to cater to the needs of plant defence. However, to date, no study has revealed the potential role and mechanism of either member of this protein group in plant defence. Here, we overexpressed PRpnp in Citrus aurantifolia which showed nuclear-cytoplasmic localization, where it functions in maintaining the intracellular purine reservoir. Overexpression of PRpnp significantly enhanced tolerance to salt, oxidative stress, alkaline pH, drought and two pests, Papilio demoleus and Scirtothrips citri in transgenic plants. Global gene expression studies revealed that PRpnp overexpression up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to ABA- and JA-biosynthesis and signalling, plant defence, growth and development. LC-MS/MS analysis validated higher endogenous ABA and JA accumulation in transgenic plants. Taken together, our results suggest that PRpnp functions by enhancing the endogenous ABA and JA, which interact synergistically and it also inhibits trypsin proteases in the insect gut. Also, like other purine salvage genes, PRpnp also regulates CK metabolism and increases the levels of CK-free bases in transgenic Mexican lime. We also suggest that PRpnp can be used as a potential candidate to develop new varieties with improved plant vigour and enhanced multiple stress resistance.

Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol synthase 3 affects phosphate utilization and acquisition in rice.

Galactolipids are essential to compensate for the loss of phospholipids by 'membrane lipid remodelling' in plants under phosphorus (P) deficiency conditions. Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) synthases catalyse the synthesis of MGDG which is further converted into digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), later replacing phospholipids in the extraplastidial membranes. However, the roles of these enzymes are not well explored in rice. In this study, the rice MGDG synthase 3 gene (OsMGD3) was identified and functionally characterized. We showed that the plant phosphate (Pi) status and the transcription factor PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 2 (OsPHR2) are involved in the transcriptional regulation of OsMGD3. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout and overexpression lines of OsMGD3 were generated to explore its potential role in rice adaptation to Pi deficiency. Compared with the wild type, OsMGD3 knockout lines displayed a reduced Pi acquisition and utilization while overexpression lines showed an enhancement of the same. Further, OsMGD3 showed a predominant role in roots, altering lateral root growth. Our comprehensive lipidomic analysis revealed a role of OsMGD3 in membrane lipid remodelling, in addition to a role in regulating diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid contents that affected the expression of Pi transporters. Our study highlights the role of OsMGD3 in affecting both internal P utilization and P acquisition in rice.

OsJAZ11 regulates phosphate starvation responses in rice.

MAIN CONCLUSION: OsJAZ11 regulates phosphate homeostasis by suppressing jasmonic acid signaling and biosynthesis in rice roots. Jasmonic Acid (JA) is a key plant signaling molecule which negatively regulates growth processes including root elongation. JAZ (JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN) proteins function as transcriptional repressors of JA signaling. Therefore, targeting JA signaling by deploying JAZ repressors may enhance root length in crops. In this study, we overexpressed JAZ repressor OsJAZ11 in rice to alleviate the root growth inhibitory action of JA. OsJAZ11 is a low phosphate (Pi) responsive gene which is transcriptionally regulated by OsPHR2. We report that OsJAZ11 overexpression promoted primary and seminal root elongation which enhanced Pi foraging. Expression studies revealed that overexpression of OsJAZ11 also reduced Pi starvation response (PSR) under Pi limiting conditions. Moreover, OsJAZ11 overexpression also suppressed JA signaling and biosynthesis as compared to wild type (WT). We further demonstrated that the C-terminal region of OsJAZ11 was crucial for stimulating root elongation in overexpression lines. Rice transgenics overexpressing truncated OsJAZ11ΔC transgene (i.e., missing C-terminal region) exhibited reduced root length and Pi uptake. Interestingly, OsJAZ11 also regulates Pi homeostasis via physical interaction with a key Pi sensing protein, OsSPX1. Our study highlights the functional connections between JA and Pi signaling and reveals JAZ repressors as a promising candidate for improving low Pi tolerance of elite rice genotypes.

A novel glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase improves phosphate deficiency tolerance in rice.

Soil phosphate (Pi) deficiency is major constraint for rice cultivation worldwide. Cellular membranes account for one third of cellular organic phosphorus (P) in the form of phospholipids. Therefore, remobilization of Pi from membrane phospholipids under Pi deficiency can be an important strategy to improve phosphorus use efficiency. Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases (GDPDs) hydrolyse intermediate product of phospholipid catabolism, glycerophosphodiesters to glycerol-3-phosphate, a precursor for P and non P-lipid biosynthesis. Here, we show that OsGDPD2 is a Pi deficiency responsive gene, which is transcriptionally regulated by OsPHR2. In silico analysis of active site residues and enzymatic assays confirmed phosphodiesterase activity of OsGDPD2. All overexpression lines showed higher GDPD activity, Pi content, root growth, and biomass accumulation as compared with wild type. Conversely, silencing of OsGDPD2 led to decreased GDPD activity and Pi content. Notably, most of the P-containing metabolites and fatty acids were elevated in transgenic lines. Further, quantitative analysis of polar lipids revealed higher accumulation of several classes of phospholipids and galactolipids in overexpression lines indicating a potential role of OsGDPD2 in de novo glycerolipid biosynthesis. Thus, present study provides insights into novel physiological roles of OsGDPD2 in low Pi acclimation in rice.

OsHAD1, a Haloacid Dehalogenase-Like APase, Enhances Phosphate Accumulation.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency limits plant growth and yield. Since plants can absorb only the inorganic form of P (Pi), a large portion of soil P (organic and inorganic P complexes) remains unused. Here, we identified and characterized a PHR2-regulated, novel low-Pi-responsive haloacid dehalogenase (HAD)-like hydrolase, OsHAD1 While OsHAD1 is a functional HAD protein having both acid phosphatase and phytase activities, it showed little homology with other known low-Pi-responsive HAD superfamily members. Recombinant OsHAD1 is active at acidic pH and dephosphorylates a broad range of organic and inorganic P-containing substrates, including phosphorylated serine and sodium phytate. Exogenous application of recombinant OsHAD1 protein in growth medium supplemented with phytate led to marked increases in growth and total P content of Pi-deficient wild-type rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings. Furthermore, overexpression of OsHAD1 in rice resulted in enhanced phosphatase activity, biomass, and total and soluble P contents in Pi-deficient transgenic seedlings treated with phytate as a restricted Pi source. Gene expression and metabolite profiling revealed enhanced Pi starvation responses, such as up-regulation of multiple genes involved in Pi uptake and solubilization, accumulation of organic acids, enhanced secretory phosphatase activity, and depletion of ATP in overexpression lines as compared with the wild type. To elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms of OsHAD1, we performed in vitro pull-down assays, which revealed the association of OsHAD1 with protein kinases such as OsNDPKs. We conclude that, besides dephosphorylation of cellular organic P, OsHAD1 in coordination with kinases may regulate the phosphorylation status of downstream targets to accomplish Pi homeostasis under limited Pi supply.

Segmental resection with primary reconstruction using patient- specific implant for odontogenic fibromyxoma: An illustrative rare case from Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic fibromyxoma (OFM) is a round and locally invasive neoplasm predominantly seen in the mandible. Though radiographic appearance is variable, definitive diagnosis is based on correlation with histopathological examination. Surgical approach is the treatment of choice. For reconstruction, patient-specific implant (PSI) has lately been developed as a crucial help. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report presents a 19 year old female patient with odontogenic fibromyxoma highlighting its clinical, radiographic, histopathological features along with rehabilitation using patient specific implants reducing the complexity and related morbidities of reconstructive procedures. DISCUSSION: Surgical repair and reconstruction of defects in cranio-maxillofacial region is challenging. The described treatment eliminates the need for bone grafting, shows optimal results owing to the shorter rehabilitation time and more accurate fits. CONCLUSION: This report introduces a novel technique whereby patient-specific implants are employed as the primary method of reconstruction following segmental resection.

Gender differences in the management and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome in indians: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) outcomes have been noted in global data, which however did not analyse Indian data. No prior systematic review and meta-analysis (SRM) has addressed this important aspect of gender bias in Indian women with ACS. Hence this SRM aimed to address this knowledge gap. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for studies in ACS comparing cardiovascular disease presentation, treatment received and outcomes in women and men from India. Primary outcomes were to evaluate gender-differences in 30-day death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Secondary outcomes were to evaluate gender-differences in presentation, management and mortality. The SRM is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023477286). RESULTS: From initially screened 3753 articles, data from 9 studies (61,185 patients) were analysed. Women with ACS had higher prevalence of diabetes [Odds ratio (OR) 1.65(95%CI:1.33-2.04); p < 0.001; I2 = 95 %] and hypertension [OR2.06(95%CI:1.88-2.25); p < 0.001; I2 = 42 %]. Smoking was significantly lower in women [OR 0.05(95%CI:0.03-0.07); p < 0.001; I2 = 87 %]. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was significantly higher in women [OR 1.92(95%CI:1.66-2.21); p < 0.001; I2 = 0 %]. Diagnostic angiography [OR 0.64(95%CI:0.56-0.74); p < 0.001; I2 = 46 %] and percutaneous coronary interventions [OR0.71(95%CI:0.55-0.92); p = 0.01; I2 = 92 %] were significantly lower in women. Women had significantly higher 30-day mortality [Hazard ratio (HR)2.26(95%CI:2.01-2.55); p < 0.001; I2 = 6 %], 1-year mortality [HR2.41(95%CI:1.89-3.07); p < 0.001; I2 = 53 %], in-hospital death [HR1.88(95%CI:1.19-2.96); p = 0.007; I2 = 92 %], stroke [HR 1.84 (95%CI:1.34-2.52); p < 0.001; I2 = 0 %] and MACE outcomes [OR 2.05 (95%CI:1.78-2.35); p < 0.001]. Use of aspirin, clopidogrel, beta-blockers and nitrates were significantly lower in women. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights worse outcomes in Indian women with ACS. Higher burden of diabetes and hypertension, decreased used of PCI and lesser aggressive pharmacotherapy may be some of the contributing factors.

Triumphs of genomic-assisted breeding in crop improvement.

Conventional breeding approaches have played a significant role in meeting the food demand remarkably well until now. However, the increasing population, yield plateaus in certain crops, and limited recombination necessitate using genomic resources for genomics-assisted crop improvement programs. As a result of advancements in the next-generation sequence technology, GABs have developed dramatically to characterize allelic variants and facilitate their rapid and efficient incorporation in crop improvement programs. Genomics-assisted breeding (GAB) has played an important role in harnessing the potential of modern genomic tools, exploiting allelic variation from genetic resources and developing cultivars over the past decade. The availability of pangenomes for major crops has been a significant development, albeit with varying degrees of completeness. Even though adopting these technologies is essentially determined on economic grounds and cost-effective assays, which create a wealth of information that can be successfully used to exploit the latent potential of crops. GAB has been instrumental in harnessing the potential of modern genomic resources and exploiting allelic variation for genetic enhancement and cultivar development. GAB strategies will be indispensable for designing future crops and are expected to play a crucial role in breeding climate-smart crop cultivars with higher nutritional value.

OsJAZ11 regulates spikelet and seed development in rice.

Seed size is one of the major determinants of seed weight and eventually, crop yield. As the global population is increasing beyond the capacity of current food production, enhancing seed size is a key target for crop breeders. Despite the identification of several genes and QTLs, current understanding about the molecular regulation of seed size/weight remains fragmentary. In the present study, we report novel role of a jasmonic acid (JA) signaling repressor, OsJAZ11 controlling rice seed width and weight. Transgenic rice lines overexpressing OsJAZ11 exhibited up to a 14% increase in seed width and ~30% increase in seed weight compared to wild type (WT). Constitutive expression of OsJAZ11 dramatically influenced spikelet morphogenesis leading to extra glume-like structures, open hull, and abnormal numbers of floral organs. Furthermore, overexpression lines accumulated higher JA levels in spikelets and developing seeds. Expression studies uncovered altered expression of JA biosynthesis/signaling and MADS box genes in overexpression lines compared to WT. Yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays revealed that OsJAZ11 interacts with OsMADS29 and OsMADS68. Remarkably, expression of OsGW7, a key negative regulator of grain size, was significantly reduced in overexpression lines. We propose that OsJAZ11 participates in the regulation of seed size and spikelet development by coordinating the expression of JA-related, OsGW7 and MADS genes.

Specific galactolipids species correlate with rice genotypic variability for phosphate utilization efficiency.

Membrane lipid remodeling helps in the efficient utilization of phosphorus (P) by replacing phospholipids with galactolipids during P deficiency. Previous studies have shown lipid remodeling in rice under P deficiency; however, main lipid classes did not show association with superior P-use-efficiency in rice genotypes. Here, diverse rice genotypes were extensively phenotyped in normal (NP) and low P (LP) conditions. Based on the phenotypic response to P deficiency, genotypes were identified as tolerant and sensitive. Further, bulks were generated differing in their physiological P-use-efficiency (PPUE) during LP condition. Shoot lipidome profiling of genotypes was performed and used to correlate the abundance of various lipid classes and their constituent species with the PPUE of the genotypes. Lipid remodeling was observed as a P-starvation-induced response in all the genotypes. However, neither total galacto- and phospholipids nor the lipid classes correlated with PPUE during P deficiency. However, the difference in PPUE in the two bulks correlated with specific lipid species of galactolipids (DGDG, MGDG). Further, DGDG34:3 had the highest Mol% among the differentially accumulated lipid species between the two bulks. Our study reveals the importance of specific galactolipids species in rice adaptation to P deficient soils and thus opens new targets for future research.

Lentiform fork sign: Uremia alone or multifactorial causation?

Neurological complications are common in patients with acute or chronic renal failure, especially when there is marked reduction in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). One such clinical syndrome, uremic encephalopathy (UE), occurs due to widespread dysfunction of central nervous system (CNS). It manifests with myriad clinical features and usually is suggested by bedside elicitation of asterixis (flapping tremor). Symptomatic involvement of the basal ganglia manifesting as choreoathetosis and clinical and radiological resolution with hemodialysis has been reported in the medical literature, but only rarely. The present report details such a case.

CRISPR-Cas9 based plant genome editing: Significance, opportunities and recent advances.

Precise genome editing is a quantum leap in the field of plant sciences. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and its associated Cas9 protein have emerged as a powerful tool for precise genome editing. CRISPR-Cas9 system introduces small heritable mutations (indels) in the genome of an organism. This system also enables precise gene characterization in plants with complex genomes. Besides, it offers new opportunities of trait stacking, where addition of desirable traits or removal of undesirable traits can be achieved simultaneously in a single event. With CRISPR-Cas9 RNPs technology, raising transgene free genetically modified plants is within realm of possibility which would be helpful in addressing regulatory concerns of transgenic plants. Several new advancements have been made in this technology which has extended its applications in almost every aspect of plant science. For example, recently developed catalytically inactive dCas9 fused with transcriptional effector domains allows targeted activation or silencing of the gene of interest. Apart from this, dCas9 fused with fluorescent labels is a budding tool in chromatin imaging studies. In this review, we summarize these recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas system and methods for analyzing the induced mutations, and its implementations in crop improvement.

Role of histamine H1 receptor in caffeine induced locomotor sensitization.

The present study elucidated the role of histamine H1 receptor in the caffeine induced locomotor sensitization. Intermittent administration of caffeine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) on alternate days (induction phase) i.e. 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th resulted in the development of locomotor sensitization. In addition, challenge with sub-stimulant dose of caffeine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) directly on 17th day to induction group animals resulted in expression to locomotor sensitization to caffeine. I.c.v. injection of histaminergic agents concomitantly with caffeine during induction phase i.e. histamine H1 receptor agonist, FMPH (6.5 µg/mouse) significantly potentiated while H1 receptor antagonist, cetirizine (0.1 µg/mouse) attenuated the locomotor sensitization induced by caffeine (15 mg/kg, i.p.). In addition, challenge with caffeine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) on the expression day (17th) to the induction group mice on FMPH + caffeine treatment showed enhanced, while those on cetirizine + caffeine treatment exhibited lesser expression to locomotor sensitization. Therefore, a possible contributory role of the central histaminergic system via H1 receptor stimulation or up-regulation in the caffeine-induced locomotor sensitizing effect is proposed.

Enhanced central histaminergic transmission attenuates compulsive-like behavior in mice.

Present investigation demonstrated the effect of central histaminergic transmission on the compulsive-like marble burying and spontaneous alteration behavior (SAB) in mice. Result demonstrates that on enhancement of endogenous histaminergic transmission in mice achieved by central (i.c.v.) administration of histamine or central histamine neuronal releaser, H3 receptor antagonist or on intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of histamine precursor, l-histidine significantly attenuated the number of marble buried in marble burying behavior (MBB) test as well as obliterated the persistent behavior induced by 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT in T-Maze test. Furthermore, central injection of histamine H1 receptor agonist, FMPH or H2 receptors agonist, amthamine also attenuated the MBB in mice. On the other hand, prior i.c.v administration of H1 but not H2 receptor antagonist attenuated the effects exhibited in MBB test on mice by all the above agents capable of enhancing the endogenous central histaminergic transmission. Thus, the results of the present investigation delineate the attenuating effect of central histaminergic transmission predominantly via H1 receptor on compulsive-like behavior in mice.

Ethanol induced antidepressant-like effect in the mouse forced swimming test: modulation by serotonergic system.

AIM: The present investigation explored the modulatory role of serotonergic transmission in the acute ethanol-induced effects on immobility time in the mouse forced swim test (FST). METHODS AND RESULTS: Acute i.p. administration of ethanol (20% w/v, 2 or 2.5 g/kg, i.p.) decreased the immobility time in FST of mice, indicating its antidepressant-like effect while lower doses of ethanol (1, 1.5 g/kg, i.p.) were devoid of any effect in the FST. The mice pre-treated with a sub-effective dose of 5-HT2A agonist, DOI (10 µg/mouse, i.c.v.) or 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY 100635 (0.1 µg/mouse, i.c.v.) but not with the 5-HT2A/2C antagonist, ketanserin (1.5 µg/mouse, i.c.v.) exhibited a synergistic reduction in the immobility time induced by sub-effective dose of ethanol (1.5 g/kg, i.p.). On the other hand, ethanol (2.5 g/kg, i.p.) failed to decrease the immobility time in mice, pre-treated with 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (0.1 µg/mouse, i.c.v.) or ketanserin (1.5 µg/mouse, i.c.v.). In addition, pre-treatment with a 5-HT neuronal synthesis inhibitor, p-CPA (300 mg/kg, i.p. × 3 days) attenuated the anti-immobility effect ethanol (2.5 g/kg, i.p.) in mouse FST. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the results of the present study points towards the essentiality of the central 5-HT transmission at the synapse for the ethanol-induced antidepressant-like effect in the FST wherein the regulatory role of the 5-HT1A receptor or contributory role of the 5-HT2A/2C receptor-mediated mechanism is proposed in the anti-immobility effect of acute ethanol in mouse FST.

Identification of Purple Acid Phosphatases in Chickpea and Potential Roles of CaPAP7 in Seed Phytate Accumulation.

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) play important roles in phosphate (Pi) acquisition and utilization. These PAPs hydrolyze organic Phosphorus (P) containing compounds in rhizosphere as well as inside the plant cell. However, roles of PAPs in one of the most widely cultivated legumes, chickpea (Cicer arietnum L.), have not been unraveled so far. In the present study, we identified 25 putative PAPs in chickpea (CaPAPs) which possess functional PAP motifs and domains. Differential regulation of CaPAPs under different nutrient deficiencies revealed their roles under multiple nutrient stresses including Pi deficiency. Interestingly, most of the CaPAPs were prominently expressed in flowers and young pods indicating their roles in flower and seed development. Association mapping of SNPs underlying CaPAPs with seed traits revealed significant association of low Pi inducible CaPAP7 with seed weight and phytate content. Biochemical characterization of recombinant CaPAP7 established it to be a functional acid phosphatase with highest activity on most abundant organic-P substrate, phytate. Exogenous application of recombinant CaPAP7 enhanced biomass and Pi content of Arabidopsis seedlings supplemented with phytate as sole P source. Taken together, our results uncover the PAPs in chickpea and potential roles of CaPAP7 in seed phytate accumulation.

Central histaminergic transmission modulates the ethanol induced anxiolysis in mice.

Intrigued by the report demonstrating an increase in brain histamine levels by ethanol administration and central histamine transmission to affect the anxiety related behaviors, the present study examined the permissive role of central histaminergic transmission in the acute anxiolytic-like effect of the ethanol on elevated plus maze (EPM) in mice. Results demonstrated that prior administration of the agents that are known to enhance the brain histamine transmission, i.e. low dose of histamine (0.1µg/mouse, i.c.v.) or histamine precursor, l-histidine (500, 1000mg/kg, i.p.) or low dose of histamine releasing agent (H3 receptor inverse agonist), thioperamide (2µg/mouse) attenuated the acute anitanxiety-like effect of ethanol (2g/kg, i.p, 8% w/v) in mice on EPM. However, pre-treatment with the H1 receptor antagonist, cetirizine (0.1µg/mouse, i.c.v.) or H2 receptor antagonist, ranitidine (50µg/mouse, i.c.v.) failed to affect the attenuating effect of low dose of histamine on ethanol induced anxiolysis. On the other hand, only H1 receptor antagonist, cetirizine (0.1µg/mouse, i.c.v.) was able to partially reverse the attenuation of ethanol induced anxiolysis by l-histidine (1000mg/kg, i.p.). Surprisingly, in mice pre-treated with the higher dose of histamine (50µg/mouse, i.c.v.) or thioperamide (10µg/mouse, i.c.v.), the ethanol (2g/kg, i.p.) induced antianxiety-like effect was further enhanced on EPM. Furthermore, this potentiating effect of high dose of histamine on the ethanol (2g/kg, i.p.) was exacerbated on pre-treatment with the H1 receptor antagonist, cetirizine, while H2 receptor antagonist, ranitidine completely reversed this action of high dose of histamine on ethanol. Supportive to these results, i.c.v. pre-treatment with H1 receptor agonist, FMPH (2, 6.5µg/mouse, i.c.v.) attenuated while H2 receptor agonist, amthamine (0.1, 0.5µg/mouse, i.c.v.) enhanced the ethanol induced anxiolysis in mice. Thus, it is reasonable to contemplate that central histaminergic transmission functions to negatively modulate the acute ethanol-induced anxiolysis probably via stimulation of postsynaptic H1 receptor and histamine might contribute to the anxiolytic action of ethanol via H2 receptor activation.