The GALNT9, BNC1 and CCDC8 genes are frequently epigenetically dysregulated in breast tumours that metastasise to the brain.

Tumour metastasis to the brain is a common and deadly development in certain cancers; 18-30 % of breast tumours metastasise to the brain. The contribution that gene silencing through epigenetic mechanisms plays in these metastatic tumours is not well understood

Human BRCA1-BARD1 ubiquitin ligase activity counters chromatin barriers to DNA resection

The opposing activities of 53BP1 and BRCA1 influence pathway choice of DNA double-strand break repair. How BRCA1 counters the inhibitory effect of 53BP1 on DNA resection and homologous recombination is unknown. Here we identify the site of BRCA1-BARD1 required for priming ubiquitin transfer from E2~ubiquitin. We demonstrate that BRCA1-BARD1’s ubiquitin ligase activity is required for repositioning 53BP1 on damaged chromatin. We confirm H2A ubiquitylation by BRCA1-BARD1 and show that an H2A-ubiquitin fusion protein promotes DNA resection and repair in BARD1 deficient cells. We show BRCA1-BARD1 function in homologous recombination requires the chromatin remodeler SMARCAD1. SMARCAD1 binding to H2A-ubiquitin, optimal localization to sites of damage and activity in DNA repair requires its ubiquitin-binding CUE domains. SMARCAD1 is required for 53BP1 repositioning and the need for SMARCAD1 in Olaparib or camptothecin resistance is alleviated by 53BP1 loss. Thus BRCA1- BARD1 ligase activity and subsequent SMARCAD1-dependent chromatin remodeling are critical regulators of DNA repair

GIS Based Mapping for a Better Crop Planning for Perumpadappu Block of Ponnani Kole Lands in Kerala

Kole lands are one of the biggest saline, humid tropical wetland ecosystems. It spreads across  Thrissur and Malappuram districts of Kerala state. They serve as a water storage structure during  rainy season. After rains, the stored water is dewatered and circulated in various Kole padasekarams and channels to cultivate paddy. However, the problem is the lack of a proper water management plan resulting in crop loss. The current study is conducted in the Perumpadappu block of Ponnani Kole lands in Malappuram district. In this study, both GIS and Remote sensing technology have been collaborated to plan the crop calendar. The cropping calendar of Ponnai Kole was developed mainly for 37 Kole padashekharams of Perumpadappu block. Data about elevation, transportation, irrigation, weather and soil were collected to arrive at the crop calendar. Together, by adopting participatory rural appraisal methods and local knowledge were integrated. The final crop calendar was wetted with farmers and experts

An unusual mutation in RECQ4 gene leading to Rothmund-Thomson syndrome

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (OMIM #268400) is a severe autosomal recessive genodermatosis: characterised by growth retardation, hyperpigmentation and frequently accompanied by congenital bone defects, brittle hair and hypogonadism. Mutations in helicase RECQ4 gene are responsible for a subset of cases of RTS. Only six mutations have been reported, thus, far and each affecting the coding sequence or the splice junctions. We report the first homozygous mutation in RECQ4 helicase: 2746-2756-delTGGGCTGAGGC in IVS8 responsible for the severe phenotype associated with RTS in a Malaysian pedigree. We report also a 5321 G-->A transition in exon 17 and the updated list of the RECQ4 gene mutations

Effect of native strains of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on growth and yield of Isabgol (Plantago ovata)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth promotion in isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) with native rhizobacteria strains (ISB-2, ISB-5, ISB-8, ISB-9, ISB-10, ISB-125, ISB-15 and ISB-28) isolated from the rhizospheric soils collected from western semi-arid region of India. These isolates were tested for their indole acetic acid production, insoluble phosphate solubilization and ability to promote germination of isabgol seeds under controlled conditions. Three rhizobacterial isolates (IBS-5, IBS-9 and IBS-28) were found promising towards enhancing the growth and yield of isabgol plants. The isolate ISB-5 was identified as Azotobacter vinelandii, ISB-9 as Pseudomonas stutzeri, and ISB-28 as Bacillus aryabhattai based upon their biochemical and molecular characterization. The highest seedling vigour index was recorded for B. aryabhattai (316.52±3.02) followed by A. vinelandii (310.22±7.56) and the lowest seedling vigour was recorded with ISB-10 which was found to be at par with control. The maximum shoot dry weight at harvest was recorded with B. aryabhattai (2.33g) being at par with P. stutzeri and the minimum shoot dry weight was for control. The highest seed yield per plant (0.72 g) was observed with B. aryabhattai followed by A. vinelandii (0.61 g)

Assessment of variability in physical and chemical composition of Cuminum cyminum seeds from arid and semiarid India

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an important spice commodity cultivated under large areas in arid and semiarid India. It has attained a valuable importance due to its immense aromatic, culinary and medicinal values. Due to its very selective dry and cool climate requirement, cumin is mainly being grown in western regions of India. The present study accounts for the variability observed in physical and chemical properties of cumin seed samples collected from cumin growing areas located in the 7 districts of Rajasthan and 5 districts of Gujarat classified under Agro-Ecological Sub Regions (AESR) of India. Quantity of essential oil (EO) in cumin seeds from various districts revealed that the overall EO content ranged between 28.4 to 39.1 g/kg. In Rajasthan, highest EO content was recorded in the cumin samples from Nagaur (38.5 ± 0.37), followed by Jaisalmer (37.4 ± 0.31) and was least in Ajmer (28.6 ± 0.27) whereas, in Gujarat, samples from Patan possessed highest EO content (39.1± 0.17) with least values in Amreli (28.4 ±1.08). The average flavonoid content expressed as mg QE/g seeds was highest in Nagaur (39.72), followed by Amreli (36.03) and lowest in Ajmer district (23.71), similarly the estimated phenol content (mg GAE/g seeds) was maximum in Jalore (73.61), followed by Nagaur (63.77) and least in Amreli district (41.50). The carbohydrates content and total protein content ranged between 15.86-28.88 and 19.30-21.89 per cent respectively. This study also provides basic information in understanding cumin composition and its value as a commodity for business based on interstices parameters reflecting quality assessment for regional produce harvested from India

Mutation analysis of the BRCA1 gene in Malaysian breast cancer patients

Thirty patients with early onset breast cancer or familial breast cancer from Malaysia were analysed for germline mutation in the early onset breast cancer I gene (BRCA1). Direct sequencing of the entire coding region of BRCA1 identified a frameshift mutation, c.5447-5448insC (insC5447) (codon 1776 of exon 21) in a patient aged 32 of the Malay ethnic origin, who had no family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Eight polymorphisms (2201C > T, 2430T > C, P871L, E1038G, K1183R, 4427T > C, S1613G and IVS8-57delT) were identified in the samples tested