International Journal of Histology and Cytology

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 283-286, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

GARCINIA KOLA extract reduced lipopolysaccharide activation of macrophages using U937 cells as a model

Tebekeme Okoko¹* and Ibiba F. Oruambo²

¹Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemical Sciences, Niger Delta University, PMB 71, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, River State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author.  E-mail:  [email protected].  Tel. +2348051069342.

Accepted 03 January, 2016

Abstract

The effect of GARCINIA KOLA heckel seed extract on the promonocytic cell line U937 activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. 200 µl of U937 cells maintained in culture at 5 x 10⁵ cells per ml was delivered into wells of a culture plate according to groups. Cells were pre-treated with 20 µl of 100 ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 24, 48, or 72 h in order to transform them to the macrophage form. Following the PMA treatment, some cells were incubated with 100 µg/ml LPS (group C), while others (group D) were treated with 100 µg/ml LPS and 100 µl of 100 µg/ml of the G. KOLA methanolic extract. Other cells (groups A, and B) were incubated with neither LPS nor extract. 24 h later, the supernatants were analysed for the production of TNF-α and IL6 as indices for the activation of macrophages. The results show that the G. KOLA extract reduced the tendency of LPS to activate the cells. However, highest activation of LPS was observed when the cells were incubated with PMA for 48 h prior to the addition of LPS. This suggests that stimulation of U937 cells with PMA is necessary for the production of cytokines and that G. kola possesses considerable immunomodulatory activity.

Key words: Garcinia kola, lipopolysaccharide, phorbol myristate acetate, macrophage, cytokines.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 235-240, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the optimum culture conditions and factors involved in maximum production of glucoamylase

Lagzouli Mohamed¹*, Mennane Zakaria ¹, Aitounejjar Ali², Wafae Senhaji³, Ouhssine Mohamed¹, Elyachioui Mohamed¹, Berny EL Hassan¹ and Jadal Mohamed

¹Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, University IBN TOFAIL, Department of Sciences, BP 133, 14000 Kenitra-Morocco.

²National Institute of Agronomic Researches, INRA, BP: 589 Settat 26000, Morocco.

³Laboratoire de Recherche et d'Analyses Médicales de la Gendarmerie Royale, avenue Ibn Sina-Agdal-Rabat, B.P 8087, 10000, Morocco.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 16 March, 2007

Abstract

Candida famata was isolated from traditional Moroccan sourdough. It exhibited high glucoamylase and biomass production. Starch induces high glucoamylase production C. famata with maximum glucoamylase activity at 5 g/L. Glucose stimulates good production in biomass but strongly inhibits glucoamylase production. Among the sources of nitrogen tested, yeast extract and the (NH₄)₂HPO₄ gave maximum glucoamylase and biomass after 72 h of incubation in liquid medium at 30°C, pH 5 and 105 rpm.

Key words: Glucoamylase, yeast, optimization, biotechnology, Candida famata.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 208-212, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Identification of premeiotic and meiotic mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana through innovative approaches

F. Consiglio¹, C. Conicella¹ , L. Monti¹ and D. Carputo^2*

¹CNR-IGV, Institute of Plant Genetics, Research Division Portici, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, Italy

²DISSPA, Dept. of Soil, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy

*Corresponding author. Tel:  ++39-081-2539225. Fax: ++39-081-7753579. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 09 January, 2015

Abstract

Meiosis is a fascinating and complex phenomenon and, despite its central role in sexual plant reproduction, little is known on the molecular mechanisms involved in this process. We review the progress made in recent years using Arabidopsis thaliana mutants for isolating meiotic genes. In particular, emphasis is given on the description of mutants affecting either the regular commitment to meiosis, or the mechanisms of synapsis, recombination, and cytokinesis. We believe that the isolation of genes affecting some crucial meiotic events may represent the first step towards the practical use of meiotic genes in plant breeding. The introduction of deviations in the meiotic pathway into sexual crops will have important implications for the exploitation of apomixis and sexual polyploidization.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 213-216, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the introduction of β-glucosidase genes into Saccharomyces  cerevisiae

S. Parvez*, Z. Mukhtar, F. Rashid, M.I. Rajoka

National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, P.O. Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 06 February, 2015

Abstract

A β-glucosidase genomic DNA from Cellulomonas biazotea NIAB 442 was isolated and coated onto tungsten microprojectiles for direct transformation of the gene into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Transformation of β-glucosidase into S. cerevisae conferred the ability to hydrolyse esculin and cellobiose, indicating that the gene is expressed in the bombarded yeast.

Key words: Biolistic transformation, β-glucosidase, Cellulomonas biazotea, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.