Department of Biotechnology

About: Department of Biotechnology is a government organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Silver nanoparticle. The organization has 4800 authors who have published 5033 publications receiving 82022 citations.

Biodegradation of Acetamiprid by Isolated Bacterial Strain Rhodococcus sp. BCH2 and Toxicological Analysis of Its Metabolites in Silkworm (Bombax mori)

Abstract: An acetamiprid degrading bacterial strain that showed confluent growth on a minimal medium containing acetamiprid was isolated by enrichment technique, from the soil contaminated with pesticide. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was used for identification and further the strain was designated as Rhodococcus sp. BCH2 based on BLAST results. The biodegradation of acetamiprid was studied using Rhodococcus sp. BCH2, followed by toxicological evaluation of pesticide and its biodegradation metabolites. Acetamiprid was found to be degraded via formation of N-amidoamide derivative, 1-(6-chloropyridin-3yl)-N-methylmethanamine (m/z = 156) and 6-chloronicotinic acid (m/z = 157). Toxicological analysis was performed with respect to genotoxicity, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation using silkworm (Bombax mori) as a model animal. The studies showed that, the parent compound exerts more toxic effect than its biodegradation metabolites. Rhodococcus sp. BCH2 was a good candidate for faster and effective biodegradation of acetamiprid.

Arctium Species Secondary Metabolites Chemodiversity and Bioactivities.

Abstract: Arctium species are known for a variety of pharmacological effects due to their diverse volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites. Representatives of Arctium species contain non-volatile compounds including lignans, fatty acids, acetylenic compounds, phytosterols, polysaccharides, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, flavonoids, terpenes/terpenoids and volatile compounds such as hydrocarbons, aldehydes, methoxypyrazines, carboxylic and fatty acids, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Arctium species also possess bioactive properties such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review aims to provide a complete overview of the chemistry and biological activities of the secondary metabolites found in therapeutically used Arctium species. Summary of pharmacopeias and monographs contents indicating the relevant phytochemicals and therapeutic effects are also discussed, along with possible safety considerations.

Phylogenetic analysis of haemagglutinin gene deciphering a new genetically distinct lineage of canine distemper virus circulating among domestic dogs in India

Abstract: Canine distemper (CD) is one of the highly contagious and invariably fatal viral diseases of dogs and other carnivores. Despite the widespread use of modified live vaccines to control CD, the prevalence of disease has increased at an alarming rate in recent years. Although a number of factors may be ascribed for vaccine failure, antigenic differences among the vaccine and wild-type strains have gained the interest of researchers. Considering the high genetic variability of haemagglutinin gene (H gene) and its role in eliciting the immune response to canine distemper virus (CDV), we have generated nine full-length CDV H gene sequences from infected dogs including three vaccinated cases. Bayesian analysis was performed using 102 full-length H gene nucleotide sequences over a time frame of 76 years (1940-2016) from 18 countries. The time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of CDV was estimated to be 1696 AD. Phylogenetic reconstruction clustered Indian wild-type viruses into a distinct monophyletic group clearly separated from the previously established CDV lineages. This signifies the presence of a novel genetic variant (proposed as "Lineage India-1/Asia-5") circulating among dog population in India. To investigate the importance of substitutions at amino acid residues 530 and 549 of CDV H protein in determining the host switches from canid to non-canid hosts, we analysed 125 H gene sequences including nine sequences generated in this study. Selection pressure analysis and analysis of amino acid sequences revealed a trend towards adaptation of 549H variants in non-canid hosts although no role of G/E530R/D/N substitution could be identified. This is the first comprehensive study about the nature and ecology of CDV circulating among dog population in India. Outbreaks in vaccinated animals as observed in this study have raised a concern towards the effectiveness of current vaccine strains warranting detailed investigation.

Deprivation of L-Arginine Induces Oxidative Stress Mediated Apoptosis in Leishmania donovani Promastigotes: Contribution of the Polyamine Pathway

Abstract: The growth and survival of intracellular parasites depends on the availability of extracellular nutrients. Deprivation of nutrients viz glucose or amino acid alters redox balance in mammalian cells as well as some lower organisms. To further understand the relationship, the mechanistic role of L-arginine in regulation of redox mediated survival of Leishmania donovani promastigotes was investigated. L-arginine deprivation from the culture medium was found to inhibit cell growth, reduce proliferation and increase L-arginine uptake. Relative expression of enzymes, involved in L-arginine metabolism, which leads to polyamine and trypanothione biosynthesis, were downregulated causing decreased production of polyamines in L-arginine deprived parasites and cell death. The resultant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), due to L-arginine deprivation, correlated with increased NADP+/NADPH ratio, decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, increased lipid peroxidation and reduced thiol content. A deficiency of L-arginine triggered phosphatidyl serine externalization, a change in mitochondrial membrane potential, release of intracellular calcium and cytochrome-c. This finally led to DNA damage in Leishmania promastigotes. In summary, the growth and survival of Leishmania depends on the availability of extracellular L-arginine. In its absence the parasite undergoes ROS mediated, caspase-independent apoptosis-like cell death. Therefore, L-arginine metabolism pathway could be a probable target for controlling the growth of Leishmania parasites and disease pathogenesis.