Cyanobacteria are photoatutrophic micro-organisms occuring in all photic environments. It is widely accepted that Cyanobacterial type endosymbiont are the ancestor of Chloroplasts in higher plants. Synechocystiae are unicellular, photoautotrophic, facultative glucose-heterotrophic cyanobacteria. They are oxygenic photosynthetic with two photosystems at their disposal, similar to those in Algae and Plants, and they fix atmospheric Nitrogen. Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 grows in the absence of Photosynthesis if a suitable fixed-carbon source such as Glucose is provided. Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 is a unicellular Cyanobacterium with a light-dependent cell cycle and contains six to eight chromosome copies (Ref.1). This strain is easily transformable, and capable of[..]

Cyanobacteria are photoatutrophic micro-organisms occuring in all photic environments. It is widely accepted that Cyanobacterial type endosymbiont are the ancestor of Chloroplasts in higher plants. Synechocystiae are unicellular, photoautotrophic, facultative glucose-heterotrophic cyanobacteria. They are oxygenic photosynthetic with two photosystems at their disposal, similar to those in Algae and Plants, and they fix atmospheric Nitrogen. Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 grows in the absence of Photosynthesis if a suitable fixed-carbon source such as Glucose is provided. Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 is a unicellular Cyanobacterium with a light-dependent cell cycle and contains six to eight chromosome copies (Ref.1). This strain is easily transformable, and capable of[..]

D. psychrophila (Desulfotalea psychrophila) is a sulfate-reducing Gram-negative Delta-proteobacterium that is able to grow at temperatures below 0°C, i.e., psychrophilic and reside mostly in cold arctic marine sediments. The main mode of energy generation in D. psychrophila is sulfate reduction through fermentation. Investigating the biochemical mechanisms of such sulfate-reducing psychrophilic bacteria is vital for understanding the functioning of global biogeochemical cycles. The metabolism of vital amino acids like Glycine, Serine and Threonine acts as one of the many sources that provide carbon or energy to D. psychrophila in form of intermediates like Pyruvate, etc (Ref.1 & 2). During Serine metabolism L-Serine is interconverted into Pyruvate by L-Serine[..]

D. vulgaris (Desulfovibrio vulgaris) is a Gram-negative, anaerobic, non-spore forming, curved rod-shaped bacteria, isolated from soil, animal intestines and feces, and fresh and salt water. The distinguishing characteristics of Desulfovibrio species are that they contain Desulfoviridin, a multimeric-dissimilatory sulfite reductase. D. vulgaris Hildenborough oxidize their energy source to that of Acetate and excrete this as their end product. Desulfovibrio also uses Hydrogen, Lactate, and Pyruvate as electron donors and this genus can grow easily on a Sulfate-Lactate medium in the absence of Oxygen. The biochemical processes like metabolism of Glycine, Seine and Threonine provides Acetate, Lactate and Pyruvate by converting amino acids to Pyruvate. During metabolism[..]

E. carotovora (Erwinia carotovora) is a species of plant pathogenic, Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria which gets its name from carrots, but it affects many other vegetables, including potatoes, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and even some ornamental plants like Iris. The bacterial family Enterobacteriaceae is notable for its well studied human pathogens, including Salmonella, Yersinia, Shigella, and Escherichia spp. However, it also contains several plant pathogens. Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica (Eca) strain SCRI1043 is the causative agent of Soft rot and Blackleg potato diseases (Ref.1). Gram-negative bacteria employ a type of conserved signaling called Quorum Sensing. Quorum Sensing regulates as a switch controlling metabolic[..]

The hair follicle is a three-dimensional tube, composed mainly of epithelial cells that protrude down through the epidermis and dermis of the skin, enveloping at its base the mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla. These hair follicle acts as a sensory organ and immunologic sentinel for the skin. Hairs detect mechanical stimuli above the surface of the skin, and the slightest bend in a hair activates Neuroreceptors in the follicle, relaying important sensory information to the Nervous System. The Langerhans' cells (Dendritic Antigen-Presenting Cells) at the opening of the follicle detect surface pathogens and activate the immune system. The hair follicle has a complex immunologic profile, with immunologically "privileged" matrix at its base, and a complement of[..]

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a small RNA chain (74-93 nucleotides) that converts information contained in mRNA into amino acid sequence. tRNA synthesis involves several steps, including initial transcript synthesis, tRNA precursors maturation and amino acid mediated charging of tRNA molecules. Maturation and charging of tRNA occurs both in cytoplasm as well as nucleus. In all organisms, tRNAs are transcribed in a pre-tRNA form that requires multiple processing steps before the mature tRNA is ready for use in translation (Ref.1).RNA polymerase III catalyses the synthesis of tRNAs in eukaryotic organisms.  Many auxiliary factors work along with RNA POL III enzymes in regulating the transcription. They form a multi protein complex at tRNA genes that helps in polymerase[..]

Cholera is one of the most severe diarrheal diseases that affect humans and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality especially among children in developing countries. It is characterized by numerous, voluminous watery stools, often accompanied by vomiting, and resulting in hypovolemic shock and acidosis. It is caused by certain members of the species Vibrio cholerae which can also cause mild or inapparent infections. Other members of the species may occasionally cause isolated outbreaks of milder Diarrhea whereas others the vast majorities are free-living and not associated with disease. The causative agent of Cholera, Vibrio cholerae, is a Gram-negative highly motile bacterium with a single polar flagellum that inhabits rivers, estuaries or other[..]

Colorectal cancer represents a relatively well-characterized tumorigenesis paradigm and colorectal carcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Colorectal cancer results from the accumulation of genetic alterations. Genomic instability creates a permissive state in which a potential cancer cell is allowed to acquire enough mutations to become a cancer cell. Several forms of genomic instability are common in colon cancer: MSI (Microsatellite Instability), CIN (Chromosome Instability), and chromosome translocations. MSI occurs in approximately 15% of colon cancers and results from inactivation of the MMR (Mismatch Repair) system secondary to either MMR gene mutations or hypermethylation of MMR gene promoters. It promotes tumorigenesis by generating[..]

Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the most enigmatic and aggressive malignant diseases. Neoplasms of the pancreas encompass a wide spectrum of benign and malignant tumors. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the malignant neoplasm of the exocrine duct cells, accounts for more than ninety percent of all pancreatic tumors (Ref.1). Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma evolves from a progressive cascade of cellular, morphological and architectural changes from normal ductal epithelium through pre-neoplastic lesions termed PanIN (Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia). These PanIN lesions are in turn associated with somatic alterations in canonical oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Pancreatic cancer like many other tumors over-expresses the RTKs (Receptor Tyrosine Kinases), EGFR[..]

Gliomas are the most common intracranial malignant tumors in humans, and high-grade Gliomas in particular pose a unique challenge due to their propensity for proliferation and tissue invasion. The invasion of neoplastic cells into healthy brain tissue is a pathologic hallmark of Gliomas and contributes to the failure of current therapeutic modalities (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy). Transformed glial cells share the common attributes of the invasion process, including cell adhesion to ECM (Extracellular Matrix) components, cell locomotion, and the ability to remodel extracellular space. However, Glioma cells have the ability to invade as single cells through the unique environment of the normal CNS (Central Nervous System). The brain parenchyma has a unique[..]

Sertoli-Germ (Spermatid)-cell interactions affect spermatogenesis at the molecular, cellular and biochemical levels. Germ cell movement within the epithelium is vital because germ cells, if induced to release into the tubule lumen prematurely, will be unable to fertilize the ovum. On the other hand, if germ cells are forced to remain attached to the seminiferous epithelium for a period of time longer than necessary to complete their development, they will degenerate and eventually be phagocytosed by Sertoli cells and for this, proper regulation of germ cell migration in the seminiferous epithelium and at blood-testes barrier (abbreviated as BTB) is essential (Ref.1). Spermatid/germ cell and sertoli cell interactions in the testis occur through specialized junctions[..]