Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private university located in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, the institution offers 20 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate, four integrated and four research programs. It has campuses in Vellore, Amravati, Bhopal and Chennai.

VIT is one of the top ranked private universities in India according to NIRF, THE and QS Rankings.&nbsp;Govt. of India has recognized&nbsp;VIT, Vellore as an&nbsp;Institution of Eminence. This has allowed VIT to take independent quality initiatives and move up in world ranking.

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VIT University

Department of Biotechnology

Amyloid-A mediated (AA) amyloidosis is the pathogenic byproduct of body’s prolonged exposure to inflammatory conditions. It is described by the aggregation of mutated/misfolded serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) protein in various tissues and organs. Genetic polymorphism G90D is suspected to cause AA amyloidosis, although the causal mechanism remains cryptic. Recent experimental findings insinuate that heparan sulphate (HS), a glycosaminoglycans, exhibits binding with SAA1 to promote its aggregation. To foster the enhanced binding of HS, we computationally determined the pernicious modifications in G90D mutant SAA1 protein. Also, we examined the influence of HS on the dynamic conformation of mutant SAA1 that could potentially succor amyloidosis. Accordingly, the protein-ligand binding studies indicate that upon SNP G90D, SAA1 protein exhibited an augmented association with HS. Further, the simulation of HS bound mutant SAA1 complex delineates an increase in RMSD, Rg, and RMSF. Also, both RMSD and Rg evinced a fluctuating trajectory. Further, the complex showed increase of beta turn in its secondary structural composition. Additionally, the free energy landscape of mutant SAA1-HS complex posits the occurrence of multiple global minima conformers as opposed to the presence of a single global energy minima conformation in native SAA1 protein. In conclusion, the aforementioned conformational ramifications induced by HS on SAA1 could potentially be the proteopathic incendiary behind AA amyloidosis; this incendiary will need to be considered in future studies for developing effective therapeutics against AA amyloidosis. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

World University root node

School of Bio Sciences and Technology

Vellore Campus

Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics

Investigating the pernicious effects of heparan sulfate in serum amyloid A1 protein aggregation: a structural bioinformatics approach

An organism exposed to a plethora of environmental perturbations undergoes proteomic changes which enable the characterization of total proteins in it. Much of the proteomic information is obtained from genomic data. Additional information on the proteome such as posttranslational modifications, protein–protein interactions, protein localization, metabolic pathways, and so on are deduced using proteomic tools which genomics and transcriptomics fail to offer. The proteomic analysis allows identification of precise changes in proteins, which in turn solve the complexity of microbial population providing insights into the microbial metabolism, cellular pathways, and behavior of microorganisms in new environments. Furthermore, they provide clues for the exploitation of their special features for biotechnological applications. Numerous techniques for the analysis of microbial proteome such as electrophoretic, chromatographic, mass spectrometric-based methods as well as quantitative proteomics are available which facilitate protein separation, expression, identification, and quantification of proteins. An understanding of the potential of each of the proteomic tools has created a significant impact on diverse microbiological aspects and the same has been discussed in this review. © 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Journal of Basic Microbiology

Potential of proteomics to probe microbes

In the current study, Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer (SLF) prepared from the combination of two marine algae namely Turbinaria ornata and Ulva reticulata, was investigated on Raphanus sativus (Radish), Phaseolus vulgaris (Green Pea) and Vigna radiata (Mung). The potentiality was evaluated on the basis of seed germination, plant growth and various biochemical criterions in comparison with chemical fertilizer and plants without any supplement. The seeds of V. radiata, P. vulgaris, and R. sativus were supplemented with 5 different SLF concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) and allowed for germination. Seeds of all the plants showed 100% germination with both 80% and 100% SLF concentrations. It has been observed that 100% SLF treated plants was very effective in enhancing growth rate followed by 80% SLF. The root and shoot length, protein, amino acid, amino acid, carbohydrate and phenol concentration of the plants were found to be maximal at 100% SLF. Among the three plants, P. vulgaris has shown remarkable growth and yield followed by R. sativus and V. radiata. Additionally, the SLF also displayed antagonistic activity against plant phytopathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Sclerotium rolfsii and Alternaria solani. The GC-MS analysis of SLF indicated the presence of several bioactive compounds such as cyclopentasiloxane tetradeca-methyl, 3-acetonylcyclopentanone, etc. which are known for its role in plant growth and antifungal activity. The results suggest that the T. ornata and U. reticulata derived SLF could be an effective alternative to chemical fertilizers and warrant further research to investigate its possible use on field. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Department of Bio-Medical Sciences

Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology

Preparation and evaluation of liquid fertilizer from Turbinaria ornata and Ulva reticulata

The effect of macro and micronutrients of media components on lipase production by Bacillus sp. VITL8 was investigated using classical as well as statistical methods. Initially, the carbon source, nitrogen source, inducer and metal ions that affect lipase production were selected using the classical approach. Subsequently, selected nutrients along with other key factors (such as pH, agitation rate, gum acacia and tween 80) were investigated using Placket Burman design. Finally, three significant factors, viz., olive oil, peptone and tween 80 were studied using a 22 full factorial central composite design. Under optimized condition [6% (v/v) of olive oil, 0.7% peptone, 0.9% tween 80 and 25 h of incubation], the enzyme production was found to be 2.2 times higher with an overall enzyme production of 325.0 ± 1.4 U mL−1. Laboratory scale experiment proved that the enzyme could be utilized for pretreatment of food industry effluent rich in fat and oil (dairy, bakery and poultry). The enzyme was capable of hydrolyzing more than 50% of the initial fat present in all these effluents and enabled the reduction in the levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the effluent samples. The study thus reveals the utility of the lipase produced by the halotolerant bacterium Bacillus sp. VITL8 in the pretreatment of industrial effluents contaminated with oil and fat.Highlights Lipase production was enhanced by 2.2-fold using statistical methods One of the few reports on lipase production by a halotolerant bacterium, especially by Bacillus sp. Production of 325.0 ± 1.4 U mL−1 lipase within 25 h by a halotolerant bacterium Pretreatment of food industry effluents using Bacillus sp. VITL8 lipase Improvement in effluent quality within 8 h of treatment. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Optimization of extracellular lipase production by halotolerant Bacillus sp. VITL8 using factorial design and applicability of enzyme in pretreatment of food industry effluents

Background: Nε-acetyl L-α lysine is an unusual acetylated di-amino acid synthesized and accumulated by certain halophiles under osmotic stress. Osmolytes are generally known to protect proteins and other cellular components under various stress conditions. Objective: The structural and functional stability imparted by Nε-acetyl L-lysine on proteins were unknown and hence was studied and compared to other commonly known bacterial osmolytes-ectoine, proline, glycine betaine, trehalose and sucrose. Methods: Effects of osmolytes on the temperature and pH profiles, pH stability and thermodynamic stability of the model enzyme, α-amylase were analyzed. Results: At physiological pH, all the osmolytes under study increased the optimal temperature for enzyme activity and improved the thermodynamic stability of the enzyme. At acidic conditions (pH 3.0), Nε-acetyl L-α lysine and ectoine improved both the catalytic and thermodynamic stability of the enzyme; it was reflected in the increase in residual enzyme activity after incubation of the enzyme at pH 3.0 for 15 min by 60% and 63.5% and the midpoint temperature of unfolding transition by 11°C and 10°C respectively. Conclusion: Such significant protective effects on both activity and stability of α-amylase imparted by addition of Nε-acetyl L-α lysine and ectoine at acidic conditions make these osmolytes interesting candidates for biotechnological applications. © 2020 Bentham Science Publishers.

Protein and Peptide Letters

Nε-acetyl l-α lysine improves activity and stability of α-amylase at acidic conditions: A comparative study with other osmolytes

Nonlinear optical nanoparticles of Zn/Cu/Al2O4 were synthesized by microwave-assisted combustion method with different fuel to oxidizer ratio. And, these nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical techniques to examine their suitability in fascinating applications. XRD results enunciate that the nanoparticle crystallizes in cubic spinel structure. The morphology and quantitative chemical compositions of Zn, Cu, Al and O elements were obtained from SEM with EDAX analysis. The prepared compound was confirmed by FTIR spectrum. The optical energy bandgaps are studied from UV–Vis absorption spectra. The luminescence emission peaks are observed at 371 nm (Violet), 425 nm (violet), 471 nm (blue) and 637 nm (red). In the application point of view from the Z-scan technique, the third order nonlinear optical parameters such as nonlinear refractive index (n2), nonlinear absorption coefficient (β), and third-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ3) of title compound are calculated. For biological application, the antibacterial activities were tested against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, and Vibrio cholera bacterial species by measuring the inhibition zone. Existing results point out that the synthesized Zn/Cu/Al2O4 nanoparticles are possible candidates for photonics devices, optical switches, optical limiting and also for pharmaceutical applications. © 2019 The Author(s)

Department of Analytics

School of Computer Science and Engineering

Physics

School of Advanced Sciences

Chennai Campus

Fulltext

Journal of King Saud University - Science

Effect of fuel content on nonlinear optical and antibacterial activities of Zn/Cu/Al2O4 nanoparticles prepared by microwave-assisted combustion method

Objectives: The human brain is one of the most complicated biological structure in the entire universe. It is incredibly challenging to see how it functions, mainly during scatter-brain, and when diseases occur in human beings. The notable contribution from consultants, academic institutions, researchers, and others have contributed significant findings in the field of neuroscience and made substantial changes in different dimensions. The exploration of the brain is becoming an emerging area due to the rapid advancement of neuroimaging techniques. Methods: Brain disorder is one such significant disease that is very difficult to diagnose, notably, which influence many people worldwide. Results: In this review, we explore various tools and software to construc and analyze brain networks and different brain scanning methods. Further, this study addresses the research work related to brain networks, including various graph theory methods. More specifically, we present the different diagnostics techniques in brain disorders. Conclusion: This review provides a detailed understanding of brain scans, tools, and brain network construction methods. Lastly, applications of complex network theory will contribute new insights about brain structure and function. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

International Journal of Neuroscience

Construction and analysis of brain networks from different neuroimaging techniques

Mangrove endophytic fungi have recently gained attention among researchers as a replacement of mangrove phytoconstituents to protect critically endangered mangrove species. 2,4,6-triphenylaniline (TPA) is an endophytic secondary metabolite isolated from a novel strain Alternaria longipes strain VITN14G derived from mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis to perceive its role in antidiabetic activity. Antidiabetic efficacy of TPA and TPA loaded nanoemulsion formulation (NE) were validated using low dosage (35 mg/kg bw) of streptozotocin (STZ) induced high-fat diet Albino Wistar rats. The diabetic rats were orally administered with TPA (10 mg/kg bw), nano emulsified TPA (10 mg/kg bw) and the standard drug metformin (10 mg/kg bw) respectively once on a daily basis for a period of 48 days. After intervention period, TPA and TPA loaded NE showed controlled blood glucose, significant effect on electrolytes, liver and kidney function test as comparable to standard drug metformin. TPA loaded NE was found to have lesser toxicity on liver, kidney, pancreas and heart than TPA. Moreover, gene expression studies of TPA and TPA loaded NE showed down regulation of PKA and up regulation of AMPK which was similar to the effect of metformin. Therefore, the antidiabetic effect of TPA and TPA loaded NE can be correlated with PKA regulation and vice versa with AMPK regulation. The outcome of this study paves a way to use a natural substitute for existing synthetic antidiabetic drugs. © 2020

Journal of Molecular Liquids

Validation of the antidiabetic potential of isolated and nanoemulsified endophytic fungal metabolite 2,4,6-triphenylaniline through AMPK activation pathway

In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity of Zingiber officinale (ZO), Terminalia chebula (TC) alone, and in combination (ZO:TC-1:4). The presence of major bioactive compounds in ZO (6-gingerol and 6-shogaol) and TC (gallic acid, ellagic acid, and chebulinic acid) were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. The IC50 values of ZO, TC, and ZOTC (1:4) was estimated to be 88.5, 108.5, and 53.5 μg/mL, respectively. The cell death and cytomorphology changes upon treatment were observed. At these concentrations, ZO, TC, and ZOTC showed reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species, and apoptotic activities. It was also reported to downregulate mTOR and hTERT gene expression levels which are the primary genes for cell proliferation and growth. This first report on ZOTC combination has the potential to develop as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer. © 2020, © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.