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Ijaz Ahmed

Publications and source records attributed to Ijaz Ahmed.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Polyphasic taxonomic characterization of Brachybacterium netajii sp. nov., a metabolically versatile bacterium isolated from the river Ganges, India.

A comprehensive polyphasic taxonomic strategy was applied to the systematic characterization of strain DNPG3T, which was isolated from the river Ganges, Hooghly, West Bengal, India. The Gram-positive, halotolerant, heavy-metal-tolerant strain exhibited the ability to degrade p-nitrophenol (PNP). Cellular fatty acid analysis revealed that the predominant components were anteiso-C15:0 (24.61%), C11:0 (21.06%), iso-C16:0 (11.89%), C16:0 (11.58%), and anteiso-C17:0 (11.24%). Notably, the presence of C11:0, C10:0 2-OH as major fatty acids differentiate strain DNPG3T from its closely related members of the genus Brachybacterium. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that B. zhongshanense strain JBT was the closest relative of DNPG3T, sharing 97.08% sequence similarity. Genome-based ANI value calculated using the EzBioCloud server revealed that B. zhongshanense JCM 15471T was the closest genomic relative (85.49%). These values were further substantiated by digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) estimates calculated using the GGDC server. Taxonomic assignment using the GTDB database further indicated that strain DNPG3T constitutes a previously unrecognized species within the genus Brachybacterium. Genome analysis of strain DNPG3T identified eleven genomic islands, along with a rich repertoire of 194 carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) families, comprising 95 glycoside hydrolases and 53 glycosyltransferases. In addition, five biosynthetic gene clusters were detected. Collectively, these genomic features indicate the involvement of horizontal gene transfer events and highlighted the pronounced metabolic versatility of the strain, underscoring its potential for industrial enzyme production and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Pan-genome analysis further indicates that the Brachybacterium pan-genome is open, reflecting substantial genetic diversity and ongoing gene acquisition within the genus. Comprehensive biochemical, physiological, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic analyses supported the assignment of strain DNPG3T to the genus Brachybacterium while clearly distinguishing it from all currently described species within the genus. Accordingly, strain DNPG3T was proposed to represent a novel species, for which the name Brachybacterium netajii sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain was DNPG3T (= MTCC13125T).

India↗

Cdc42-dependent nuclear translocation of non-receptor tyrosine kinase, ACK.

Ras signals for the transformation of mammalian cells are apparently transduced through Rho GTPases. The Rho GTPase family member Cdc42 generates independent signals that regulate the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and the transcription of genes. However, the molecular mechanism of signal transduction from Cdc42 to the nucleus remains to be understood. The non-receptor tyrosine kinases ACK-1 and ACK-2 have been found to bind specifically to Cdc42. In this paper we studied whether ACKs transduce Cdc42 signals to the nucleus directly, or through other cytoplasmic proteins. Using immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis, we found a nuclear localization of ACKs in semi-confluent glioblastoma (U251) cells, as opposed to a cytosolic localization in confluent cells. In agreement with the nuclear localization, a putative nuclear export signal was identified in ACK-1 and ACK-2. Furthermore, the interaction of Cdc42 with ACKs was shown to be essential for the nuclear localization of ACKs. Overexpression of ACK42 (a Cdc42 binding domain of ACK) inhibited cell growth and movement, indicating that Cdc42 signals are transduced to the nucleus through ACKs. This is the first report providing evidence of a novel role for ACKs in transducing Cdc42 signals directly to the nucleus.

Actins↗

Tissue specific expression and immunohistochemical localization of glutathione S-transferase in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: modulation by Momordica charantia (karela) extract.

In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, destruction of pancreatic beta-cell causes an acute shortage of insulin. Increased oxidative stress is believed to be one of the main factors in the etiology and complications of diabetes. In this study we have reported hyperglycemia and glutathione-associated oxidative stress in rats one week after treatment with STZ. In our previous studies, we have reported oxidative stress-related changes in xenobiotic metabolism in tissues from STZ-induced chronic diabetic rats. Here, we demonstrate by immunohistochemistry, that glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes are differentially expressed in the liver, kidney and testis of diabetic rats. The distribution of GST isoenzymes was found to be tissue- and regio-specific. In addition, we have also shown that treatment with an extract of Momordica charantia (karela), an antidiabetic herb, modulates GST expression in diabetic rats and reverts them to the normal distribution as seen in the tissues of control rats. These results suggest that glutathione metabolism and GST distribution in the tissues of diabetic rats may play an important role in the etiology, pathology and prevention of diabetes.

Animals↗

Effects of ovariectomy and hormone replacement on collagen and blood vessels of the urethral submucosa of rats.

Collagen and blood vessels of the urethral submucosa of ovariectomized rats were studied following 28 daily subcutaneous injections of 17-beta estradiol (n=6, group 1), medroxy-progesterone acetate (n=6, group 2), both drugs (n=6, group 3) or vehicle (n= 6, control) and after sham surgery without castration or injection (n=6). Investigations included the immunohistochemistry of estrogen and progesterone receptors and collagen fibres, Western blot analysis of collagen types I and III and counting periurethral vessels by light microscopy. Our results showed positive immunostaining with estrogen, progesterone and collagen types I and III in all samples. Collagen type I and III levels were lower in the controls than in the sham group. The other groups showed increases (2>3>1) over the controls with a relatively higher increase in type III. The type I/III collagen ratio progressively decreased (control>1>2>3) below sham levels. The mean vessel count was significantly lower in control than in sham animals (P<0.00001). However, only estrogen treatment significantly increased the vessel number compared to controls (P=0.04). Our results indicate that estrogen and progesterone, alone or in combination, have an effect on collagen types I and III, and that estrogen has an effect on blood vessels of the urethral submucosa in female rats.

Animals↗

Ca2+ dynamics of thrombin-stimulated rat heart-derived embryonic myocytes: relationship to protein synthesis and cell growth.

Various cell types respond to the serum protease, thrombin, with increased proliferation rates. In non-dividing postnatal mammalian cardiomyocytes, however, thrombin induces cellular hypertrophy. Both growth responses are associated with early Ca2+ signaling. The present study was conducted to characterize Ca2+ dynamics in thrombin stimulated, dividing embryonic cardiomyocytes, and to ascertain whether such dynamics support hypertrophic or hyperplastic growth. H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts responded to thrombin with immediate, large increments in free Ca2+ that arose principally from the release of S(E)R sequestered Ca2+ and that persisted for only a few min. Ca2+ stores were refilled within 1h. Thrombin also increased rates of overall protein synthesis for several hours. This translational up-regulation, which required gene transcription, was abolished if cells were incubated at low extracellular Ca2+ during the first hour with thrombin. The protease conferred protective effects against toxicity resulting from serum deprivation and doxorubicin treatment. However, thrombin induced neither cellular hypertrophy, as is seen with arginine vasopressin, nor hyperplasia, as is observed with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In comparison with vasopressin or PDGF-BB, thrombin promoted brief Ca2+ signaling, little cation movement to the extracellular fluid, and more rapid refilling of the S(E)R. It is concluded that the Ca2+ signaling generated by thrombin and the translational stimulation shown in this report to depend on this Ca2+ signaling are insufficient to sustain a major growth response in these embryonic cardiomyocytes.

Animals↗

Pinworms.

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Antinematodal Agents↗