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P. Rani

Bio: P. Rani is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 12 citations.

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the requirement, uptake, and subcellular distribution of Na2 · 75SeO3 in the larvae of C. cephalonica was investigated, and a more fundamental role for selenoprotein in the mitochondrial energy metabolism emerges from these studies.
Abstract: Requirement, uptake, and subcellular distribution of Na2 75SeO3 in the larvae of the insectC. cephalonica was investigated. That Se is well tolerated byC. cephalonica upto an added level of 2 ppm in the diet is suggested by the observed increase in body weight, total protein, and succinate dehydrogenase levels. Significant increases in the State 3 respiration ensued with Se supplementation up to 2 ppm in the mitochondrial oxidation of D-glycerol 1-phosphate, succinate and NADH, along with concomitant unaltered State 4 respiration, leading to enhanced RCR values. Maximal uptake of75Se was registered in the larvae maintained on basal diet when subjected to short-term exposure to 0.5 ppm75Se level. When exposure level was further increased up to 20 ppm, the observed decrease in the uptake of75Se suggested that Se status of larvae itself controlled the tissue uptake. Subcellular distribution pattern revealed maximal incorporation of75Se (cpm/g tissue) in the supernatant fraction, whereas, maximal specific75Se activity (cpm/mg protein) was associated with the mitochondrial fraction. Autoradiography of the soluble fractions indicated the presence of single selenoprotein in the larval group with short term 2 ppm75Se exposure. Inherent Se controls both the extent and the nature of distribution of mitochondrial75Se incorporation. Uptake of45Ca by the insect mitochondria was enhanced by dietary Se up to 2 ppm but was unaffected by addition ofin vitro 75Se in the medium. A more fundamental role for Se in the mitochondrial energy metabolism emerges from these studies.

16 citations


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that Se in the food chain may have detrimental population level effects on insects even in the absence of biomagnification, given the host contains significantly elevated concentrations of selenium.
Abstract: The effects of selenium (Se) accumulation in phytophagous insects on predators in the next trophic level were investigated. The generalist predator Podisus maculiventris Say (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was fed an herbivore Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae from control diet and diets at two Se levels (0, 109, and 135 microg/g sodium selenate dry weight added). Predators reared on larvae grown on diets with sodium selenate took longer to complete each developmental stage and had significantly higher mortality rates. Predators achieving the adult stage on Se-containing hosts weighed 20% less than those feeding on control larvae. Reduced adult weight of insects has been associated with reduced fitness (longevity, egg production, etc.), which would have long-term negative impacts on population dynamics. These developmental and mortality effects resulted from biotransfer of Se, not biomagnification since the trophic transfer factor was less than 1.0 (approximately 0.85). Host larvae in Se-treatments contained significantly more total Se (9.76 and 13.0 microg/g Se dry weight host larvae) than their predators (8.34 and 11 microg/g Se dry weight predatory bugs, respectively). Host larvae and predators in the control groups did not differ in their Se content. These data demonstrate that Se in the food chain may have detrimental population level effects on insects even in the absence of biomagnification, given the host contains significantly elevated concentrations of selenium.

64 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The surprising finding of trimethylselenonium-like species in adult parasitoids and the cocoons from which they emerged suggests that adults and pharates can detoxify excess selenium through methylation and volatilization.
Abstract: Phytoremediation of selenium-contaminated soils may be influenced by higher trophic levels including insects. We examined how selenium affects the behavior, survival, and development of the wasp parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris, parasitizing its natural host, the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua, feeding on alfalfa, Medicago sativa, irrigated with water containing selenate. X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to quantify the selenium chemical forms in each trophic level. Alfalfa partially transformed selenate to organoselenium. S. exigua contained only organoselenium, both directly absorbed from M. sativa and transformed from selenate. C. marginiventris cocoons collected shortly after larval emergence contained only organoselenium derived from the host. The surprising finding of trimethylselenonium-like species in adult parasitoids and the cocoons from which they emerged suggests that adults and pharates can detoxify excess selenium through methylation and volatilization. Adult parasitoids do not discriminate against selenium-containing alfalfa, even though alfalfa generates selenium volatiles. Parasitoids raised on selenium-fed larvae emerged later and pupae weighed less than their selenium-free counterparts. We conclude therefore that C. marginiventris can be used to control S. exigua damage to M. sativa being used to remove selenium from soils. Moreover, the presence of such insects may improve phytoremediation by increasing biotransformation of inorganic selenium and release of volatile selenium species.

60 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Alfalfa with high Se-treatment levels is resistant to S. exigua, and may serve as a population “sink,” where females oviposit and few offspring survive to reproduce.
Abstract: We examined the effect of irrigating alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with selenium- contaminated water on the oviposition response, larval feeding preference, development and survival of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua Hubner, a generalist herbivore. Alfalfa was grown in sand cultures under three levels of sodium selenate irrigation: (1) control with no Se added; (2) a low rate of 0.0066 g sodium selenate/60 liters water; (3) and a high rate of 0.20 g sodium selenate/60 liters water. The low concentration treatment resulted in 2.88 0.52 g Se/g plant dry weight and did not affect percent survival to adult eclosion compared with the control at 1.26 0.11 g Se/g dry weight. The high rate generated 305.81 52.14g Se/g dry weight of alfalfa and signiÞcantly fewer insects survived compared with insects fed control alfalfa at 1.11 0.12 g Se/g dry weight. High Se levels, but not low levels, decreased the relative growth index for larvae. In two-choice bioassays (treated/control) neonate larvae did not discriminate between control and Se-treated plants at high or low levels. Fourth instars did not discriminate between plants with low Se levels and control plants, but preferred to consume plants with high, usually lethal concentrations of Se. Females preferred ovipositing on plants with low Se concentrations over control plants, but did not discriminate between plants with high Se levels and untreated controls. This indicates that although females and late instars may be able to differentiate between Se-treated and control alfalfa they do not avoid plants containing high con- centrations of Se. Thus, alfalfa with high Se-treatment levels is resistant to S. exigua, and may serve as a population "sink," where females oviposit and few offspring survive to reproduce.

37 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Electron microscopic observations revealed structural changes such as loss of cristae with proliferative and degenerative changes of the mitochondria in Se deficiency and involvement of Se in maintaining structure and functional efficiency of mitochondria is evident from the present study.
Abstract: Selenium (Se) deficiency in the experimental models, Coturnix coturnix japonica and Corcyra cephalonica, resulted in impaired mitochondrial substrate oxidations and lowered thiol levels. Studies with respiratory inhibitors confirmed reduced mitochondrial electron transport enzyme activities, especially at cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the terminal segment. Enhanced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation in Se deficiency was more pronounced in the heart tissue of the quail compared to other tissues. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity toward H2O2 and cumene hydroperoxide were generally low in the insect muscle tissue and activity toward H2O2 was maximal in the quail heart mitochondria that was not very sensitive to Se status. Lowered COX activity in Se deficiency was more directly correlated with the increased level of lipid peroxidation than with the GSH-Px activity measured, suggestive of Se mediated protective mechanisms independent of GSH-Px. Electron microscopic observations revealed structural changes such as loss of cristae with proliferative and degenerative changes of the mitochondria in Se deficiency. Involvement of Se in maintaining structure and functional efficiency of mitochondria is evident from the present study.

35 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Aug 2019
TL;DR: Accumulated selenium protects plants against aphids, weevils, cabbage loopers, cabbage root flies, beetles, caterpillars, and crickets due to both deterrence and toxicity.
Abstract: The aim of the present review is to summarize selenium’s connection to pests. Phytopharmaceuticals for pest control, which increase the pollution in the environment, are still widely used nowadays regardless of their negative characteristics. The use of trace elements, including selenium, can be an alternative method of pest control. Selenium can repel pests, reduce their growth, or cause toxic effects while having a positive effect on the growth of plants. In conclusion, accumulated selenium protects plants against aphids, weevils, cabbage loopers, cabbage root flies, beetles, caterpillars, and crickets due to both deterrence and toxicity.

28 citations