African Journal of DNA and Cell Biology

African Journal of DNA and Cell Biology Vol.  2 (3) pp. 118-120, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A basic and fast lysis system for arrangement of genomic DNA from Gram-negative microscopic organisms

*Amine Buttatu, Rueven E. Benatia and Medhi I. Azabal

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences , Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco.

E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 27 February, 2014

Abstract 

A very efficient, simple and economic lysis method for rapid preparation of genomic DNA from Gram-negative bacteria was developed. This method includes a novel step lysis by treatment with carvacrol followed by simple ethanol precipitation. The procedure was realised without using of detergents or enzymes. Moreover, the resultant genomic DNA was in good quantity and quality and can be used successfully for restriction endonucleases digestion, PCR amplification and others types of molecular biology manipulations. 

Key words: Genomic DNA, lysis, carvacrol, Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Erwinia chrysanthemi.

African Journal of DNA and Cell Biology Vol.  2 (3) pp. 114-117, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

City landfill leachates incited chromosome deviations in rodent bone marrow cells

*J. P Olori, Omokiniovo E. Edesiri and Omo-Agege Francis

Cell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 18 February, 2015

Abstract 

This study examined the potential mutagenic effects of raw and simulated leachates from Olushosun municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill using rat bone marrow chromosome aberration assay. Raw leachate obtained directly from the landfill and simulated leachate obtained via the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) category-A extraction procedure were examined for their physical and chemical properties. Rats were intraperitoneally exposed to 1 - 25% concentrations of the leachates for 48 h. The erythroblasts of the bone marrow cells examined post treatment show structural chromoso-mal abnormalities such as breaks, gaps, rings and acentrics. The induction was dose dependent (r = 0.80 and 0.85 for ORL and OSL, respectively). Physico-chemical and heavy metal analysis of the test samples showed that they contained high concentrations of toxic anions and cations that are capable of inducing mutation in living cells. The interaction of these constituents with the genetic material in the bone marrow cells of rat caused the observed chromosome aberrations. Our data indicate that MSW leachates can induce genotoxicity in rat and suggest potential health risk to human populations.

Key words: Municipal landfill leachate, chromosome aberrations, genotoxicity, toxic chemicals, rat.

African Journal of DNA and Cell Biology Vol.  2 (2) pp. 099-113, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Customized cell death or apoptosis: Do animals and plants offer anything in like manner

*Sanjay Yash, B. K Lalie and Johar Muerji Shankar

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 25 January, 2015

Abstract 

Plants, animals and several unicellular eukaryotes use programmed cell death (PCD) for defense and developmental mechanisms. While cell death pathways in animals have been well characterized, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanism of such a strategy in plants. Although, very few regulatory proteins or protein domains have been identified as conserved across all eukaryotic PCD forms, still plants and animals share many hallmarks of PCD, both at cellular and molecular levels. Morphological and biochemical features like chromatin condensation, nuclear DNA fragmentation, and participation of caspase like proteases in plant PCD appear to be similar across the eukaryotic kingdom and in conformity with the process in metazoans as well. Transgenic expression of mammalian anti-and pro-apoptotic proteins in plants has been shown to influence the regulatory pathways of cell death activation and suppression, indicating the existence of functional counterparts of such genes in plants, several of which have now been cloned and characterized to various extents. This suggests that despite differences, there may be a fair level of functional similarity between the mechanistic components of plant and animal apoptosis. Although genome scan of Arabidopsis thaliana seems to rule out the existence of major mammalian apoptotic counterparts in plants, the identification of caspase like proteins and other structural homolgs (metacaspases) together with mildly conserved apoptotic players like Bax-1 inhibitor may seemed to suggest some degree of common grounds both in execution and in the regulation of the cell death phenomenon. The overall review of the available data pertaining to mechanism of PCD in plants primarily supports an ancestral relationship with animal apoptosis rather than any common executional or regulational strategies. The establishment of mechanistic details of the phenomenon in plants is certain to throw up many surprises to necessitate a fresh review of this intriguing phenomenon. Metacaspases and Paracaspases having been ruled out to possess caspase activity is the beginning for this surprise to unfold.

Key words: Programmed cell death, apoptosis, caspases.

African Journal of DNA and Cell Biology Vol.  2 (2) pp. 092-098, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hereditary assorted qualities in Nigerian brinjal eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) as uncovered by irregular enhanced polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

*Oyekunle Akinpelu, Ogunnanmi E. Victoria and Olukoya Olufunmilayo

Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 8 January, 2015

Abstract

The taxonomy of Solanum melongena L., also known as brinjal eggplant, has remained difficult because previous studies to establish genetic relationships among taxa are mainly based on morphological features, which are insufficient to establish genetic affinities. In the present investigation, five highly polymorphic random amplified polymorphic DNA primers were used to describe the genetic similarity and diversity among its accessions in Nigeria. The results show a high level of polymorphism based on the banding patterns among the samples. This indicated a wide and diverse genetic base. Four distinct clusters were equally noticeable at a coefficient of 0.80 from the dendrogram generated. Generally, the grouping pattern clearly indicates that irrespective of variations in fruit traits among samples, they were still grouped together in different clusters with a high similarity coefficient value. This probably showed some genetic relatedness/closeness among the samples concerned. The study also revealed that there is no association between RAPD pattern and the geographic origin of accessions. These agreed with previously published data on the characterization of eggplant. The study disclosed that molecular methods coupled with morphological analyses could make proper classification of S. melongena and other Solanum species in Nigeria possible to achieve.

Key words: Eggplant, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Data, polymorphism, taxonomy.

African Journal of DNA and Cell Biology Vol.  2 (1) pp. 085-091, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

DNA successions and microsatellites loci recount field groundnut infestation via Caryedon serratus Ol.

*Idrissa E. Evra, Ousmane Maal, Safi B. Diome and Lamine I. Sylva

Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Microbiology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Accepted 28 December, 2014

Abstract 

The first infestations of stored groundnuts by the seed-beetle Caryedon serratus were reported in this country at the turn of the 20th century. This bruchid has a wide distribution in Africa, from Senegal to South Africa and in southern Asia. Native hosts of C. serratus in Senegal include Bauhinia rufescens, Cassia sieberiana, Piliostigma reticulatum and Tamarindus indica, all of which belong to the legume subfamily Caesalpinioideae. Molecular marker, DNA sequences and microsatellites loci polymorphism were used to investigate the mechanisms of first groundnut infestation by C. serratus. Sequence analysis of ribosomal DNA nuclear (ITS1) and mitochondrial coding DNA (Cytochrome b) reveal several biotypes in Senegal, with restricted past and/or present gene flow between each other. Samples typically clustered according to host plant, except for groundnut and P. reticulatum, which clustered together. Polymorphic microsatellites loci confirm the allelic proximity between P. reticulatum and groundnut C. serratus. These strains, genetically very close, begin however to diverge but the number of migrants between them keeps relatively important. Historical hypothesis of the first groundnut infestation in West Africa is also debated in this study.

Key words: groundnut, Caryedon serratus, Piliostigma reticulatum, groundnut, infestation, ITS, Cyt. B, DNA sequences, microsatellite loci.

African Journal of DNA and Cell Biology Vol.  2 (1) pp. 077-084, January, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Tending to the issue of level quality exchange from an eating regimen containing hereditarily altered parts into rodent tissues

*Potipher E. Chahine, Naguib R. Sheik and Tamaer . Noujaim

Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Microbiology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 13 December, 2014

Abstract

Geneticall y modified (GM) food crops are considered to have the potential of providing food security especially in developing countries. Scientists have raised concern over the hazards associated with the consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). One of these hazards, which have great controversy reports, is the possible horizontal gene transfer from GM-food or feed to human or animal tissues. Many researches were conducted to investigate the presence of some transgenic sequences in animal tissues fed on GM- crops. Many of the inserted genes in the GM-crops are under the control of the promoter of the Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMVP35S) and produce insecticidal proteins. Health hazards are suggested to accompany the ingestion of this promoter. CaMVP35S can function in a wide range of organisms (plants and animals). It has also been demonstrated that the CaMV-P35S promoter sequence can convert an adjacent tissue- and organ-specific gene promoter into a globally active promoter. The present work was conducted to evaluate the possibility of horizontal gene transfer from a diet containing DNA segments from Cauliflower mosaic virus -35S promoter (CaMVP-35S) to the cells of different organs of rats fed for three months on diets containing genetically modified components. Analysis of the results revealed that: 1) ingested fragments from the CaMV-35S promoter incorporated into blood, liver, and brain tissues of experimental rats, 2) The total mean of transfer of GM target sequences increased significantly by increasing the feeding durations, and 3) The affinity of different transgenic fragments from the ingested GM-diet, to be incorporated into the different tissues of rats varied from one target sequence to the other.

Key words: Genetic modification, transgenic sequences, GM-crops, gene flow, CaMV P-35S.