@article {45946, title = {Towards comprehension of complex chemical evolution and diversification of terpene and phenylpropanoid pathways in Ocimum species}, journal = {RSC Advances}, volume = {5}, year = {2015}, month = {NOV}, pages = {106886-106904}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Ocimum species present a wide array of diverse secondary metabolites possessing immense medicinal and economic value. The importance of this genus is undisputable and exemplified in the ancient science of Chinese and Indian (Ayurveda) traditional medicine. Unlike several other plant species of Artemisia, Salvia, Catharanthus, Taxus, Mentha, etc. that are largely exploited, detailed characterization and identification of important metabolites from Ocimum species remained unexplored. Till date, most of the analyzed Ocimum species are predominantly rich in either phenylpropanoids or terpenoids. Metabolite data suggests domination of a unique set of signature compounds in all species. However, molecular pathways leading to the production, accumulation and metabolism of these compounds are poorly understood. The past few years have witnessed an upsurge in our understanding of the complex and intricately woven secondary metabolic pathways. Such information is generated through systematic analysis and correlation of metabolite profiling with transcriptomics data sets from different Ocimum species. The present review is aimed at integrating our current knowledge to understand the active secondary metabolic pathways, the key players in flux regulation including external stimuli, differential gene expression, transcription factors, microRNAs, enzyme promiscuity, etc. Extensive analysis of available data identifies events that may have contributed to evolve Ocimum species rich with a specific set of metabolites, thus, shedding light on pathway diversification. We believe that a better understanding of the multi-level regulation of intermediates and metabolites will help us harness the inherent diversity of Ocimum species optimally.

}, issn = {2046-2069}, doi = {10.1039/c5ra16637c}, author = {Singh, Priyanka and Kalunke, Raviraj M. and Giri, Ashok P.} } @article {43799, title = {Transcriptional transitions in alphonso mango (Mangifera indica L.) during fruit development and ripening explain its distinct aroma and shelf life characteristics}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {7}, year = {2017}, month = {AUG}, type = {Article}, abstract = {Alphonso is known as the "King of mangos" due to its unique flavor, attractive color, low fiber pulp and long shelf life. We analyzed the transcriptome of Alphonso mango through Illumina sequencing from seven stages of fruit development and ripening as well as flower. Total transcriptome data from these stages ranged between 65 and 143 Mb. Importantly, 20,755 unique transcripts were annotated and 4,611 were assigned enzyme commission numbers, which encoded 142 biological pathways. These included ethylene and flavor related secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways, as well as those involved in metabolism of starch, sucrose, amino acids and fatty acids. Differential regulation ( p-value <= 0.05) of thousands of transcripts was evident in various stages of fruit development and ripening. Novel transcripts for biosynthesis of mono-terpenes, sesqui-terpenes, di-terpenes, lactones and furanones involved in flavor formation were identified. Large number of transcripts encoding cell wall modifying enzymes was found to be steady in their expression, while few were differentially regulated through these stages. Novel 79 transcripts of inhibitors of cell wall modifying enzymes were simultaneously detected throughout Alphonso fruit development and ripening, suggesting controlled activity of these enzymes involved in fruit softening.}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-08499-5}, author = {Deshpande, Ashish B. and Anamika, Krishanpal and Jha, Vineet and Chidley, Hemangi G. and Oak, Pranjali S. and Kadoo, Narendra Y. and Pujari, Keshav H. and Giri, Ashok P. and Gupta, Vidya S.} } @article {43536, title = {Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 protein is downregulated in the placenta of pre-eclamptic women}, journal = {Clinical Proteomics}, volume = {14}, year = {2017}, month = {MAR}, pages = {Article Number: 8}, abstract = {Background: Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 protein (TINAGL1), is a matricellular protein, known to play role in cell adhesion and cell receptor interaction. Research related to TINAGL1 is limited to cell culture and animal models. Demonstration of TINAGL1 as a positive regulator of angiogenesis and its expression in the decidua of postimplantation mouse uterus, prompted us to validate its expression in human placenta during impaired angiogenesis in pre-eclamptic condition. Methods: Placental tissue from normotensive (n = 25) and pre-eclamptic (n = 25) pregnancies were used to study the differentially expressed proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and TINAGL1 protein was validated with Western blotting. Results: A total of 55 protein spots were differentially expressed (fold change > 1.5, p < 0.05), of which 27 were upregulated and 28 were downregulated in the pre-eclamptic placenta. TINAGL1 was found to be downregulated in pre-eclamptic compared to normotensive pregnant women. Conclusion: This is the first study reporting TINAGL1 to be present in human placenta and differentially expressed in pre-eclamptic condition. The functional role of TINAGL1 in association to human pregnancy needs to be explored further.}, doi = {10.1186/s12014-017-9144-2}, author = {Mary, Sheon and Kulkarni, Mahesh J. and Mehendale, Savita S. and Joshi, Sadhana R. and Giri, Ashok P.} } @article {44463, title = {Tripeptides derived from reactive centre loop of potato type II protease inhibitors preferentially inhibit midgut proteases of Helicoverpa armigera}, journal = {Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology }, volume = {95}, year = {2018}, month = {APR }, pages = {17-25}, type = {Journal Article}, abstract = {

Potato type II protease inhibitors (Pin-II PIs) impede the growth of lepidopteran insects by inhibiting serine protease-like enzymes in the larval gut. The three amino acid reactive centre loop (RCL) of these proteinaceous inhibitors is crucial for protease binding and is conserved across the Pin-II family. However, the molecular mechanism and inhibitory potential of the RCL tripeptides in isolation of the native protein has remained elusive. In this study, six peptides corresponding to the RCLs of the predominant Pin-II PIs were identified, synthesized and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against serine proteases of the polyphagous insect, Helicoverpa armigera. RCL peptides with sequences PRN, PRY and TRE were found to be potent inhibitors that adversely affected the growth and development of H. armigera. The binding mechanism and differential affinity of the RCL peptides with serine proteases was delineated by crystal structures of complexes of the RCL peptides with trypsin. Residues P1 and P2 of the inhibitors play a crucial role in the interaction and specificity of these inhibitors. Important features of RCL peptides like higher inhibition of insect proteases, enhanced efficacy at alkaline gut pH, longer retention and high stability in insect gut make them suitable molecules for the development of sustainable pest management strategies for crop protection.

}, keywords = {Helicoverpa armigera, Protease, protease inhibitor, Reactive centre loop peptides}, issn = {9651748}, doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.02.001}, author = {Saikhedkar, Nidhi S. and Joshi, Rakesh S. and Bhoite, Ashwini S. and Mohandasan, Radhika and Yadav, Amit Kumar and Giri, Ashok P.} } @article {45524, title = {Terpene profiling, transcriptome analysis and characterization of cis{\textendash}terpineol synthase from Ocimum}, journal = {Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants}, volume = {25}, year = {2019}, month = {JAN}, pages = {47-57}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Ocimum species produces a varied mix of different metabolites that imparts immense medicinal properties. To explore this chemo-diversity, we initially carried out metabolite profiling of different tissues of five Ocimum species and identified the major terpenes. This analysis broadly classified these five Ocimum species into two distinct chemotypes namely, phenylpropanoid-rich and terpene-rich. In particular, -caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene, camphor, borneol and selinene were major terpenes present in these Ocimum species. Subsequently, transcriptomic analysis of pooled RNA samples from different tissues of Ocimum gratissimum, O. tenuiflorum and O. kilimandscharicum identified 38 unique transcripts of terpene synthase (TPS) gene family. Full-length gene cloning, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of three TPS transcripts were carried out along with their expression in various tissues. Terpenoid metabolite and expression profiling of candidate TPS genes in various tissues of Ocimum species revealed spatial variances. Further, putative TPS contig 19414 (TPS1) was selected to corroborate its role in terpene biosynthesis. Agrobacterium-mediated transient over-expression assay of TPS1 in the leaves of O. kilimandscharicum and subsequent metabolic and gene expression analyses indicated it as a cis{\textendash}terpineol synthase. Overall, present study provided deeper understanding of terpene diversity in Ocimum species and might help in the enhancement of their terpene content through advanced biotechnological approaches.

}, keywords = {Agro-infiltration assay, Metabolite profiling, Ocimum, Terpene synthase, Terpenes, Transcriptome}, issn = {0971-5894}, doi = {10.1007/s12298-018-0612-6}, author = {Anand, Atul and Jayaramaiah, Ramesha H. and Beedkar, Supriya D. and Dholakia, Bhushan B. and Lavhale, Santosh G. and Punekar, Sachin A. and Gade, Wasudeo N. and Thulasiram, Hirekodathakallu V. and Giri, Ashok P.} }