Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) are involved in binding and trafficking acyl-CoA esters in euka... more Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) are involved in binding and trafficking acyl-CoA esters in eukaryotic cells. ACBPs contain a well-conserved acyl-CoA-binding domain. Their various functions have been characterized in the model plant Arabidopsis and, to a lesser extent, in rice. In this study, genome-wide detection and expression analysis of ACBPs were performed on Elaeis guineensis (oil palm), the most important oil crop in the world. Seven E. guineensis ACBPs were identified and classified into four groups according to their deduced amino acid domain organization. Phylogenetic analysis showed conservation of this family with other higher plants. All seven EgACBPs were expressed in most tissues while their differential expression suggests various functions in specific tissues. For example, EgACBP3 had high expression in inflorescences and stalks while EgACBP1 showed strong expression in leaves. Because of the importance of E. guineensis as an oil crop, expression of EgACBPs was spe...
Particulate (15,000 x g ) fractions from developing seeds of mustard (Sinapis alba), honesty (Lun... more Particulate (15,000 x g ) fractions from developing seeds of mustard (Sinapis alba), honesty (Lunaria annua), and nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) synthesize radioactive very long chain (n9)-(Z)-monounsaturated fatty acids, e.g. gadoleic (20:1). erucic (22:1). and nervonic (24:1) acids from [1-14C ]oleoyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA or from [2-14C]m alonyl-CoA with oleoyl-CoA . Pyridine nucleotides are required for the elongation reactions. Both NADH and NADPH are equally effective for the formation of 20:1, but NADPH is the preferred reductant for the formation of 22:1, which suggest the existence of separate elongase systems. Detergents, such as Triton X-100 and octyl thioglucoside, stimulate the elongation at low concentrations, but they are inhibitory at high concentrations. Partial solubilization of the elongase system using these detergents has been achieved.
Background / Purpose: When a new gene and/or associated protein is discovered, a comprehensive da... more Background / Purpose: When a new gene and/or associated protein is discovered, a comprehensive database of gene family is used to extract maximum amount of information from existing and rapidly growing new genome collections. This database is called Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COGs). This database was developed to classify all conserved genes as per their homologous relationship.As described by Tatusov et al., COGs database is a growing and useful resource to identify genes and groups of orthologs in different species related by evolution (1). Despite the principles, in recent years non-orthologous groups were discovered within the COGs database (2). At the outset of this project, we reviewed literature covering recent findings of non-orthologous groups. This led us to re-assess the database and find a way of curation. Main conclusion: We examined the database for genes within same COG for their lengths. Using nonparametric Bayesian approach and mixture models, we detected errone...
he the ing his the Executive Summary • The policy of a “GM-free Wales ” is not practically feasib... more he the ing his the Executive Summary • The policy of a “GM-free Wales ” is not practically feasible, especially in view of the recent EU approval of GM crops – Wales cannot “go it alone” • The policy is not legally enforceable – as is admitted by some of its original proponents • The policy would not contribute towards enhancing the economic competitiveness of Welsh agriculture • The policy could adversely affect the small number of arable farmers who may wish to grow GM crops by restricting their choice of varieties compared to other farmers in the EU • The policy would not materially assist the organic farming sector
A comparative approach has been used to study the role of several lipid-body-binding proteins in ... more A comparative approach has been used to study the role of several lipid-body-binding proteins in plants and animals. Caleosins are a newly discovered class of calcium-binding lipid-body proteins found in plants and fungi, which we now report to have separate endoplasmic reticulum and lipid-body-associated isoforms. We also compare the lipid-body targeting of oleosin from plants and the core protein of the hepatitis C virus when they were expressed separately in lipid-accumulating animal cell lines. This is a novel and powerful approach to investigating the factors that determine the lipid-body targeting of a wide range of proteins.
When we think about plants, we do not normally imagine them “speaking” to each other. But they do... more When we think about plants, we do not normally imagine them “speaking” to each other. But they do communicate—in many different ways. More than a century ago, the eminent biologist Charles Darwin suggested that plants have a brain-like structure at their root tips! In this case, Darwin’s root-brain hypothesis was wrong, but more modern research shows that plants can communicate. They speak with other plants as well as with animals and even people. They do this primarily using chemicals and sound.
Dioxins are the most toxic known environmental pollutants and are mainly formed by human activiti... more Dioxins are the most toxic known environmental pollutants and are mainly formed by human activities. Due to their structural stability, dioxins persist for extended periods and can be transported over long distances from their emission sources. Thus, dioxins can be accumulated to considerable levels in both human and animal food chains. Along with sediments, soils are considered the most important reservoirs of dioxins. Soil microorganisms are therefore highly exposed to dioxins, leading to a range of biological responses that can impact the diversity, genetics and functional of such microbial communities. Dioxins are very hydrophobic with a high affinity to lipidic macromolecules in exposed organisms, including microbes. This review summarizes the genetic, molecular and biochemical impacts of dioxins on the lipid metabolism of soil microbial communities and especially examines modifications in the composition and architecture of cell membranes. This will provide a useful scientific...
Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) are involved in binding and trafficking acyl-CoA esters in euka... more Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) are involved in binding and trafficking acyl-CoA esters in eukaryotic cells. ACBPs contain a well-conserved acyl-CoA-binding domain. Their various functions have been characterized in the model plant Arabidopsis and, to a lesser extent, in rice. In this study, genome-wide detection and expression analysis of ACBPs were performed on Elaeis guineensis (oil palm), the most important oil crop in the world. Seven E. guineensis ACBPs were identified and classified into four groups according to their deduced amino acid domain organization. Phylogenetic analysis showed conservation of this family with other higher plants. All seven EgACBPs were expressed in most tissues while their differential expression suggests various functions in specific tissues. For example, EgACBP3 had high expression in inflorescences and stalks while EgACBP1 showed strong expression in leaves. Because of the importance of E. guineensis as an oil crop, expression of EgACBPs was spe...
Particulate (15,000 x g ) fractions from developing seeds of mustard (Sinapis alba), honesty (Lun... more Particulate (15,000 x g ) fractions from developing seeds of mustard (Sinapis alba), honesty (Lunaria annua), and nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) synthesize radioactive very long chain (n9)-(Z)-monounsaturated fatty acids, e.g. gadoleic (20:1). erucic (22:1). and nervonic (24:1) acids from [1-14C ]oleoyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA or from [2-14C]m alonyl-CoA with oleoyl-CoA . Pyridine nucleotides are required for the elongation reactions. Both NADH and NADPH are equally effective for the formation of 20:1, but NADPH is the preferred reductant for the formation of 22:1, which suggest the existence of separate elongase systems. Detergents, such as Triton X-100 and octyl thioglucoside, stimulate the elongation at low concentrations, but they are inhibitory at high concentrations. Partial solubilization of the elongase system using these detergents has been achieved.
Background / Purpose: When a new gene and/or associated protein is discovered, a comprehensive da... more Background / Purpose: When a new gene and/or associated protein is discovered, a comprehensive database of gene family is used to extract maximum amount of information from existing and rapidly growing new genome collections. This database is called Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COGs). This database was developed to classify all conserved genes as per their homologous relationship.As described by Tatusov et al., COGs database is a growing and useful resource to identify genes and groups of orthologs in different species related by evolution (1). Despite the principles, in recent years non-orthologous groups were discovered within the COGs database (2). At the outset of this project, we reviewed literature covering recent findings of non-orthologous groups. This led us to re-assess the database and find a way of curation. Main conclusion: We examined the database for genes within same COG for their lengths. Using nonparametric Bayesian approach and mixture models, we detected errone...
he the ing his the Executive Summary • The policy of a “GM-free Wales ” is not practically feasib... more he the ing his the Executive Summary • The policy of a “GM-free Wales ” is not practically feasible, especially in view of the recent EU approval of GM crops – Wales cannot “go it alone” • The policy is not legally enforceable – as is admitted by some of its original proponents • The policy would not contribute towards enhancing the economic competitiveness of Welsh agriculture • The policy could adversely affect the small number of arable farmers who may wish to grow GM crops by restricting their choice of varieties compared to other farmers in the EU • The policy would not materially assist the organic farming sector
A comparative approach has been used to study the role of several lipid-body-binding proteins in ... more A comparative approach has been used to study the role of several lipid-body-binding proteins in plants and animals. Caleosins are a newly discovered class of calcium-binding lipid-body proteins found in plants and fungi, which we now report to have separate endoplasmic reticulum and lipid-body-associated isoforms. We also compare the lipid-body targeting of oleosin from plants and the core protein of the hepatitis C virus when they were expressed separately in lipid-accumulating animal cell lines. This is a novel and powerful approach to investigating the factors that determine the lipid-body targeting of a wide range of proteins.
When we think about plants, we do not normally imagine them “speaking” to each other. But they do... more When we think about plants, we do not normally imagine them “speaking” to each other. But they do communicate—in many different ways. More than a century ago, the eminent biologist Charles Darwin suggested that plants have a brain-like structure at their root tips! In this case, Darwin’s root-brain hypothesis was wrong, but more modern research shows that plants can communicate. They speak with other plants as well as with animals and even people. They do this primarily using chemicals and sound.
Dioxins are the most toxic known environmental pollutants and are mainly formed by human activiti... more Dioxins are the most toxic known environmental pollutants and are mainly formed by human activities. Due to their structural stability, dioxins persist for extended periods and can be transported over long distances from their emission sources. Thus, dioxins can be accumulated to considerable levels in both human and animal food chains. Along with sediments, soils are considered the most important reservoirs of dioxins. Soil microorganisms are therefore highly exposed to dioxins, leading to a range of biological responses that can impact the diversity, genetics and functional of such microbial communities. Dioxins are very hydrophobic with a high affinity to lipidic macromolecules in exposed organisms, including microbes. This review summarizes the genetic, molecular and biochemical impacts of dioxins on the lipid metabolism of soil microbial communities and especially examines modifications in the composition and architecture of cell membranes. This will provide a useful scientific...
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Papers by denis J murphy