Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle and sheep bel... more Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle and sheep belonging to the genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae. Although the BVDV non-structural N-terminal protease (Npro) acts as an interferon antagonist and subverts the host innate immunity, little is known about its immunogenicity. Hence, we expressed a recombinant BVDV Npro-His fusion protein (28 kDa) in E. coli and determined the humoral immune response generated by it in rabbits. The antigenicity of the Npro protein was confirmed by western blot using anti-BVDV hyperimmune cattle, sheep and goat serum, and anti-Npro rabbit serum. When rabbits were immunized with the Npro protein, a humoral immune response was evident by 4 weeks and persisted till 10 weeks post immunization as detected by ELISA and western blot. Despite Npro-specific antibodies remaining undetectable in 80 serum samples from BVDV-infected sheep and goats, BVDV hyperimmune sera along with some of the field cattle, sheep and goat sera with high BVDV neutralizing antibody titres were found positive for Npro antibodies. Our results provide evidence that despite the low immunogenicity of the BVDV Npro protein, a humoral immune response is induced in cattle, sheep and goats only with repeated BVDV exposure.
Four organic amendments: leaf compost (LC), vegetable compost (VC), poultry manure (PM) and sewag... more Four organic amendments: leaf compost (LC), vegetable compost (VC), poultry manure (PM) and sewage sludge (SSL) applied at four doses (40, 80, 100 and 120 tha(-1)) were evaluated for their effect on the herbage yield, essential oil content and inoculum potential (IP) of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on three varieties of Java citronella, Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Manjusha, Mandakini, and Bio-13). PM applied at 100 t ha(-1) followed by SSL increased the herbage, essential oil content and dry matter yield significantly. Bio-13 performed better and produced the highest herbage, essential oil and dry matter yield. The type and dose of the various organic amendments also significantly influenced the indigenous AMF infectious propagules in soil. Highest number of AMF propagules were recorded in the LC amended plots in all the three varieties. Amongst the varieties, highest native mycorrhizal inoculum was recorded in the Bio-13. Least number of AM infectious propagules were recorded in the Mandakini plants grown in 40 t ha(-1) SSL.
Journal of Computer Science & Systems Biology, 2008
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an enzymatic reaction which follows simple, predictable an... more The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an enzymatic reaction which follows simple, predictable and well understood principles. Selective amplification of nucleic acid molecules, that are initially present in minute quantities, provides a powerful tool for analyzing nucleic acids. In this ...
Gram-positive bacteria, in particular, members of group Bacillus, are among the best-studied expe... more Gram-positive bacteria, in particular, members of group Bacillus, are among the best-studied experimental systems in bacteriology. Research, in Bacillus subtilis is remarkably diverse, including genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and ecology, thus has an enormous impact on both basic and applied biology. Multiple species of Bacillus and Paenibacillus occur in the agricultural fields that can promote the crop health in different ways. Some of these species directly stimulate plant growth either through enhancement in acquisition of nutrients or through stimulation of host plant’s defense mechanisms prior to infection; other species can inhibit or suppress the populations of pathogenic microorganisms and/or pests. Although the distribution, diversity, and population dynamics of these two genera have been widely studied using a variety of techniques, much remains to be learned if we are to improve both basic studies of plant–microbe interactions and bacterial ecology, as well as the efforts to improve agricultural technologies. Biological control, using microorganisms to suppress plant disease, offers a powerful alternative to the use of synthetic chemicals. Many species of Bacillus and related forms are potential biological control agents against various pathogenic microbes. Their spore forming ability makes them an ideal candidate for developing efficient biopesticide products from technological point of view. Many isolates of Bacillus spp. have been developed as biocontrol agents (BCAs) of plant pests and pathogens. However, a greater understanding of their ecology including diversity, distribution, and physiology of this Gram-positive genus will be helpful for identification of new strains to be used as successful BCAs. Development of molecular and genomic tools offers new possibilities for improving the selection, characterization, and management of biological control including modifications of wild-type strains to improve their ability for controlling soilborne diseases.
Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle and sheep bel... more Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle and sheep belonging to the genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae. Although the BVDV non-structural N-terminal protease (Npro) acts as an interferon antagonist and subverts the host innate immunity, little is known about its immunogenicity. Hence, we expressed a recombinant BVDV Npro-His fusion protein (28 kDa) in E. coli and determined the humoral immune response generated by it in rabbits. The antigenicity of the Npro protein was confirmed by western blot using anti-BVDV hyperimmune cattle, sheep and goat serum, and anti-Npro rabbit serum. When rabbits were immunized with the Npro protein, a humoral immune response was evident by 4 weeks and persisted till 10 weeks post immunization as detected by ELISA and western blot. Despite Npro-specific antibodies remaining undetectable in 80 serum samples from BVDV-infected sheep and goats, BVDV hyperimmune sera along with some of the field cattle, sheep and goat sera with high BVDV neutralizing antibody titres were found positive for Npro antibodies. Our results provide evidence that despite the low immunogenicity of the BVDV Npro protein, a humoral immune response is induced in cattle, sheep and goats only with repeated BVDV exposure.
Four organic amendments: leaf compost (LC), vegetable compost (VC), poultry manure (PM) and sewag... more Four organic amendments: leaf compost (LC), vegetable compost (VC), poultry manure (PM) and sewage sludge (SSL) applied at four doses (40, 80, 100 and 120 tha(-1)) were evaluated for their effect on the herbage yield, essential oil content and inoculum potential (IP) of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on three varieties of Java citronella, Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Manjusha, Mandakini, and Bio-13). PM applied at 100 t ha(-1) followed by SSL increased the herbage, essential oil content and dry matter yield significantly. Bio-13 performed better and produced the highest herbage, essential oil and dry matter yield. The type and dose of the various organic amendments also significantly influenced the indigenous AMF infectious propagules in soil. Highest number of AMF propagules were recorded in the LC amended plots in all the three varieties. Amongst the varieties, highest native mycorrhizal inoculum was recorded in the Bio-13. Least number of AM infectious propagules were recorded in the Mandakini plants grown in 40 t ha(-1) SSL.
Journal of Computer Science & Systems Biology, 2008
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an enzymatic reaction which follows simple, predictable an... more The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an enzymatic reaction which follows simple, predictable and well understood principles. Selective amplification of nucleic acid molecules, that are initially present in minute quantities, provides a powerful tool for analyzing nucleic acids. In this ...
Gram-positive bacteria, in particular, members of group Bacillus, are among the best-studied expe... more Gram-positive bacteria, in particular, members of group Bacillus, are among the best-studied experimental systems in bacteriology. Research, in Bacillus subtilis is remarkably diverse, including genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and ecology, thus has an enormous impact on both basic and applied biology. Multiple species of Bacillus and Paenibacillus occur in the agricultural fields that can promote the crop health in different ways. Some of these species directly stimulate plant growth either through enhancement in acquisition of nutrients or through stimulation of host plant’s defense mechanisms prior to infection; other species can inhibit or suppress the populations of pathogenic microorganisms and/or pests. Although the distribution, diversity, and population dynamics of these two genera have been widely studied using a variety of techniques, much remains to be learned if we are to improve both basic studies of plant–microbe interactions and bacterial ecology, as well as the efforts to improve agricultural technologies. Biological control, using microorganisms to suppress plant disease, offers a powerful alternative to the use of synthetic chemicals. Many species of Bacillus and related forms are potential biological control agents against various pathogenic microbes. Their spore forming ability makes them an ideal candidate for developing efficient biopesticide products from technological point of view. Many isolates of Bacillus spp. have been developed as biocontrol agents (BCAs) of plant pests and pathogens. However, a greater understanding of their ecology including diversity, distribution, and physiology of this Gram-positive genus will be helpful for identification of new strains to be used as successful BCAs. Development of molecular and genomic tools offers new possibilities for improving the selection, characterization, and management of biological control including modifications of wild-type strains to improve their ability for controlling soilborne diseases.
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