Absract Archive   June 2010 Full length Article Molecular Docking studies of 3, 17-Disubstituted 2-Alkylestra-1,3,5 (10)-Trien-3-ol Derivatives as Anti-Cancer Drugs with Human Carbonic Anhydrase as TargetAbstract Human Carbonic Anhydrase (hCA) thioesterase domain (TE) is an attractive drug target to treat obesity and cancer. On the basis of the recently published crystal structure of TE domain of hFAS, we performed molecular surface analysis and docking study to characterize the molecular interactions between the enzyme and its various ligands. Surface analysis identified the ligand-binding pocket of TE domain that encompasses the catalytic triad of Ser-197, Hist- 260, As-67 and Asp- 265. Docking of CA, the main biological product of hCA, into this pocket revealed the ligand-binding mode, in which the hydrophobic interactions are the dominant driving forces. The catalytic mechanism of TE domain can also be well explained based on the generated TE- carboxyl complex structure. Moreover, the comparison of the binding modes of five amino acids with chain lengths ranging from 12 to 20 carbons confirmed that the ligand binding pocket of TE domain is a decisive factor in chain length specificity. Since, CAs are an important target involved in many pathologies such as glaucoma, obesity, and tumors, the results obtained could accurately predict the binding affinity of newly designed CA II inhibitors. Furthermore, it is reasonable that this strategy could be profitably used also for the investigation of other CAs. Keywords: Ligands; Molecular docking; Carbonic anhydrase; Anti-cancer; Hydrophilic; Hydrophobic. Authors : Baby Joseph, S.Silja, R.Subhashini and *S.Sujatha * For Correspondence : E mail : sujatharbs@rediffmail.com Full length Article Impact of Process Parameters on Amylase Production by Bacillus sp. in Solid State Fermentation Abstract Amylase producing thermophilic microorganism was isolated from soil collected at Hosur (T. N), India. The isolate was identified as Bacillus sp. and cultivated in submerged fermentation. The optimization of process parameters for enhanced production of the amylase by the isolate was studied in solid state fermentation. The most important factors such as substrate, moisture content, pH, incubation temperature, incubation time and additives (carbon, nitrogen and minerals) that influence the enzyme production were optimized. Maximum enzyme production of 233 U/g DBB was achieved on wheat bran supplemented with glucose, yeast extract, manganous sulfate and moistened with distilled water of pH 7-7.5 at a ratio of 1: 2.5 after 24 h of incubation at 55o C. Key words: Amylase, optimization, process parameters, Bacillus sp. solid state fermentation. Authors : *S. Mrudula and P. Alvin * For Correspondence : E-mail: somamrudula@hotmail.com Full length Article Faster, Simpler, More-specific Methods for Improved Molecular Detection of Sabin 3 Poliovirus Abstract Polioviruses cause a wide spectrum of clinical syndromes ranging from mild fever to respiratory infections, meningitis, encephalitis, and paralytic poliomyelitis and myocarditis. In this study, the reverse transcription–loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for detecting the 5'-UTR gene of Sabin 3 polioviruses. The RT-LAMP assay is a novel method of gene amplification that amplifies nucleic acid with high specificity, efficiency, and rapidity under isothermal conditions with a set of four specially designed primers that recognize the distinct sequences of the target. The whole procedure is very simple and rapid, and amplification can be obtained in less than 1 h by incubating all of the reagents in a single tube with reverse transcriptase and Bst DNA polymerase at 63°C. In addition, the monitoring of gene amplification can also be visualized with the naked eye by using SYBR green I fluorescent dye. Thus, due to easy operation without a requirement of sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel, the RT-LAMP assay reported here is a valuable tool for the rapid detection of S3PV. Keywords: Reverse transcription–loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP); Sabin 3 Poliovirus, RT-LAMP, PCR, Bst DNA polymerase , 5'- Un Translated Region. Authors : *K.Jaianand, P.Gunasekaran, M.Rajkumar and A.K.Sheriff * For Correspondence : Email: jaianand.k@lifecellinternational.com Full length Article PHB and Nanocomposite Production By Coconut Oil Utilizing Native Pseudomonas aeruginosa KSR3 Abstract We describe the characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-producing bacteria isolated from an automobile industry effluent polluted soil. Out of the 25 isolates screened based on a colony staining method with sudan black using PHA detection agar (PDA), seven were found to produce PHB. The isolate showed maximum production, KSR3 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on conventional microbiological methods. Gel permeation chromatography analysis revealed that the average molecular weights of PHB accumulated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa KSR3 are 2.85×105. Thermoplastic nanocomposites were synthesised from these PHB using dioxane and the prepared nanocomposites were characterised using SEM, ATR and NMR. These studies revealed that dioxane PHB gel produced a more satisfactory nanostructure. Keywords: Bioplastics, Fatty acids, Nanofiber, Polyhydroxyalkonates. Authors : *Kasi Murugan1&2, J Pandiarajan, Prabakaran1, Saleh A Al- Sohaibani * For Correspondence : E-mail: murutan@gmail.com Full length Article Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh., A Promising Bioprospecting Fungus For The Production of Exopolysaccharide Abstract Fermentative production of exopolysaccharide by bioprospecting fungus, Aspergillus niger was studied. Sucrose and maltose were used as carbon sources. Polysaccharide production was maximum in 8 & 10% of substrates. Polysaccharide production was increased with increase in growth of mycelium of A. niger in both the substrates. The optimum pH and incubation periods for the maximum production of polysaccharide were pH 7 and 15 days respectively. The polysaccharide produced by A. niger was the polyol of 3,4,6 tri-o-methyl D glucose with b-1-3 glycosidic linkage commonly known as glucan. The polysaccharide produced by this species may be composed of glucose and little amount of galactose and other oligosaccharides. Polarimetric studies revealed that the fractions containing glucose gave laevorotatory values of the optical rotation. Total acidity was maximum in pH 4 and total carbohydrate, reducing sugar was maximum in pH 7, protein and nitrogen values were varied as per experimental conditions. Key words: Aspergillus niger, exopoplysaccharides, bioprospecting Authors : *N.Senthilkumar and S.Murugesan * For Correspondence : E-mail: senthilnj@hotmail.com Review Bioprospecting of Halophilic Bacteria - An Overview Abstract The terrestrial microbes have been receiving great attention in science and industry for thousands of years because they can produce many kinds of bioactive substances. However, little is known about the bioactive substances from extremophiles. Of the extremophiles halophiles are salt loving organisms that inhabit worlds' saline habitats. In recent years, it has been found that bioproducts from halophilic microbes have wide application in holography, spatial light modulators, artificial retina, enzyme technology, anti microbial substances, agriculture, removal of iron and oil from contaminated sites, bioremediation of organic pollutants. Hence, an attempt is made to exploit halophilic/halotolerant bacteria for their application in microbial technology. Keywords: Halophilic bacteria, Bioremediation, Bioplastics, Biosurfactants, Enzymes, Azo dyes. Authors : *C. Arunachalam and S. Bharathi * For Correspondence :E-mail: agro_arun@rediffmail.com Report Biomimetics - Potentials and Applications Abstract Nature has developed materials, objects and processes that function from the macroscale to the nanoscale. These have gone through evolution over 3.8 Gyr. The emerging field of biomimetics allows one to mimic biology or nature to develop nanomaterials, nanodevices and processes. Biomimetics is seen as a path from biology to engineering. The only path from engineering to biology in current use is the application of engineering concepts and models to biological systems. Properties of biological materials and surfaces result from a complex interplay between surface morphology and physical and chemical properties. Hierarchical structures with dimensions of features ranging from the macroscale to the nanoscale are extremely common in nature to provide properties of interest. Molecular-scale devices, superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning, drag reduction in fluid flow, energy conversion and conservation, high adhesion, reversible adhesion, aerodynamic lift, materials and fibers with high mechanical strength, biological self-assembly, antireflection, structural coloration, thermal insulation, self-healing and sensory-aid mechanisms are some of the examples found in nature that are of commercial interest. This is a pathway as yet unformalized, and one that offers the possibility those engineers can also be scientists. This paper provides a broad overview of the various objects and processes of interest found in nature and their applications. Keywords: Biomimetics; Bionics; Biomimicry; Biognosis; Lessons from nature; Nanotechnology. Authors : N. G.Ramesh Babu, *S. Karthikeyan and C. Saravana Kumar * For Correspondence : Email: hod_bt@adhiyamaan.ac.in Short Communication Effect of Bioparameters in The Production of Lipase From Streptomyces aurofaciens Abstract Lipases are enzymes, which are widely used in many industries. The actinomycetes member streptomyces aurofaciens strain was purchase from MTCC 325 (Microbial type culture collection – Chandigarh), which was having lipase coding gene. In the present study, several factors affecting the activity of lipase were investigated. Olive oil was the best substrate for enhancing the enzyme activity. Due to high cost, instead of using olive oil, sunflower oil and palm oil were used as a substrate for lipase production and the enzyme activity was determined by titrimetric method. In this study, olive oil was using as a (standard), while sunflower oil and palm oil as a (test). The maximum lipase activity was achieved at 48 & 24 h of incubation period and the enzyme activity was 47.61 and 52.85U/ml by using sunflower oil and palm oil as a substrate. The incubation period was very short for obtaining maximum lipase by using palm oil than sunflower oil. No significant changes obtained in the pH ranges from 6 to 9. Key words: Streptomyces aurofaciens, Olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, titrimetic method Authors : B.Vishnupriya1, *C.Sundaramoorthi2, M.Kalaivani2, K.Selvam3 * For Correspondence :E-mail: moorthi1978@yahoo.co.in