Avneesh Kumar

Bio: Avneesh Kumar is an academic researcher from Akal University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Gene & Freundlich equation. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 5 publications receiving 25 citations.

Homology modeling and molecular dynamics based insights into Chalcone synthase and Chalcone isomerase in Phyllanthus emblica L.

Abstract: Chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) plays a major role in the biosynthesis of flavonoid in plants. In this study, we made extensive bioinformatics analysis to gain functional and structural insight into PeCHS and PeCHI proteins. The phylogenetic distribution of PeCHS and PeCHI genes encoding proteins demonstrated the close evolutionary relationship with different CHS and CHI proteins of other dicot plants. MicroRNA target analysis showed miR169n and 3p miR5053 targeting PeCHS gene while miR169c-3p and miR4248 are targeting PeCHI gene, respectively. Three-dimensional structural models of PeCHS and PeCHI proteins were elucidated by homology modeling with Ramachandran plots showing the excellent geometry of the proteins structure. Molecular docking revealed that cinnamoyl-coa and naringenin chalcone substrates are strongly bound to PeCHS and PeCHI proteins, respectively. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for 30 ns, further yielded stability checks of ligands in the binding pocket and behavior of protein complexes. Thus MD simulation and interaction fraction analysis showed the stable conformation of PeCHS and PeCHI proteins with their respective substrates during theee simulation. Our study provides first-hand structural prospective of PeCHS and PeCHI proteins towards understanding the mechanism of flavonoid biosynthetic pathway in P. emblica.

Synergistic effect of pistachio shell powder and nano-zerovalent copper for chromium remediation from aqueous solution

Abstract: Pistachio shell powder supported nano-zerovalent copper (ZVC@PS) material prepared by borohydride reduction was characterized using SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA/DTA, BET, and XPS. SEM, XRD, and XPS revealed the nano-zerovalent copper to consist of a core-shell structure with CuO shell and Cu(0) core with a particle size of 40–100 nm and spherical morphology aggregated on PS biomass. ZVC@PS was found to contain 39% (w/w %) Cu onto the pistachio shell biomass. Batch sorption of Cr(VI) from the aqueous using ZVC@PS was studied and was optimized for dose (0.1–0.5 g/L), initial Cr(VI) concentration(1–20 mg/L), and pH (2–12). Optimized conditions were 0.1 g/L doses of sorbent and pH=3 for Cr(VI) adsorption. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models fitted well to the adsorption behavior of ZVC@PS for Cr(VI) with a pseudo-second-order kinetic behavior. ZVC@PS (0.1g/L) exhibits qmax for Cr(VI) removal up to 110.9 mg/g. XPS and other spectroscopic evidence suggest the adsorption of Cr(VI) by pistachio shell powder, coupled with reductive conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by ZVC particles to produce a synergistic effect for the efficient remediation of Cr(VI) from aqueous medium.

Identification and Functional Characterization an Ortholog of OsENOD93-1 Gene in Wheat Using in-silico Approach

Abstract: ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 05 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Nitrogen is an essential macromolecule necessary for suitable growth and development of plants by playing a vital role in biochemical and physiological functions throughout the life cycle. Early node 93 (ENOD93-1) gene is well known for significantly responding to both N induction and N reduction in plants, but little is known about the structure and function of the ENOD93-1 protein in cereal crops. In this study, a putative ortholog of rice OsENOD93-1 gene was identified in the wheat genome. BLASTP analysis showed the OsENOD93-1 shared the 80% similarity with wheat TRIAE_CS42_4AL_TGACv1_ 288261_AA0942630.1 scaffold. Present study describes the location of TaENOD93-1 gene on4AL chromosome of wheat. MicroRNA target analysis revealed that TaENOD93-1 gene targeting by miR6201. Phylogeny tree suggested that identified putative ortholog shared the evolutionary relationship with monocots. The three dimensional structure of TaENOD93-1 protein was predicted using computer-aided molecular modeling technique followed by structure evaluation using Ramachandran plot. The primary goal of this study was to mapping the chromosomal location and functional annotation of TaENOD93-1 gene in wheat using bioinformatics approach. The identification of putative ortholog of OsENOD93-1 gene in wheat has opened up new opportunities to improve the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in wheat through molecular breeding approach. K e y w o r d s Nitrogen, Early node, In-

Impact of metal oxide nanoparticles on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.): a physiological perspective

Abstract: Cotton production substantiated a crucial part in the escalating economic development of many countries. To realize the increasing global demand for cotton, the emphasis should be laid on to improve cotton fiber growth and production. The bioengineered transgenic cotton proved expedient in resolving inadequacies of conventional cotton, but still required improvements to encounter heightened demand of textile industries. One possible solution pertaining to this has been provided by nanoscience in the form of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles. These metal oxide nanoparticles have easy access to the various parts of cotton plants through its transportation system, and thus significantly influence several parameters relative to the growth and production of cotton fiber. This review summarizes the distribution and accumulation of metal oxide nanoparticles in cotton plant and its impact on different plant growth-promoting factors, which resulted in the improved cotton yields. Metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles have easy access to the various parts of cotton plant through its transportation system, and thus significantly influence its growth parameters, and hence the production of cotton fiber. This review summarizes the distribution and accumulation of metal oxide nanoparticles in cotton plants, and its impact on different plant growth promoting factors.

Development and use of miRNA-derived SSR markers for the study of genetic diversity, population structure, and characterization of genotypes for breeding heat tolerant wheat varieties

Abstract: Heat stress is an important abiotic factor that limits wheat production globally, including south-east Asia. The importance of micro (mi) RNAs in gene expression under various biotic and abiotic stresses is well documented. Molecular markers, specifically simple sequence repeats (SSRs), play an important role in the wheat improvement breeding programs. Given the role of miRNAs in heat stress-induced transcriptional regulation and acclimatization, the development of miRNA-derived SSRs would prove useful in studying the allelic diversity at the heat-responsive miRNA-genes in wheat. In the present study, efforts have been made to identify SSRs from 96 wheat heat-responsive miRNA-genes and their characterization using a panel of wheat genotypes with contrasting reactions (tolerance/susceptible) to heat stress. A set of 13 miRNA-derived SSR markers were successfully developed as an outcome. These miRNA-SSRs are located on 11 different common wheat chromosomes (2A, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4D, 5A, 5B, 5D, 6A, 6D, and 7A). Among 13 miRNA-SSRs, seven were polymorphic on a set of 37 selected wheat genotypes. Within these polymorphic SSRs, three makers, namely HT-169j, HT-160a, and HT-160b, were found promising as they could discriminate heat-tolerant and heat-susceptible genotypes. This is the first report of miRNA-SSR development in wheat and their deployment in genetic diversity and population structure studies and characterization of trait-specific germplasm. The study suggests that this new class of molecular makers has great potential in the marker-assisted breeding (MAB) programs targeted at improving heat tolerance and other adaptability or developmental traits in wheat and other crops.