Biology subjects

Balogun, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Balogun, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Oil Sorption in Kenaf: Mapping and Implications

This study revealed Quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling oil sorption capacity in kenaf which could assist in improving genotypes through marker assisted selection (MAS) for effective oil spill clean-up. Two accessions with extreme sorption capacity were selected and crossed to generate F1 which were selfed for linkage and QTL analyses. The oil sorption capacity of the F2 progeny was determined phenotypically and scored as a morphological marker to allow mapping of the markers associated with oil sorption gene(s). The genomic DNA extraction was carried out using a modified CTAB (cyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide) procedure. Diversity Array Technology Sequence (DArTSeq) platform was used to sequence 96 DNA samples prior to linkage and QTL analyses. Genotypic data were analysed using the JoinMap 4.1 Software to construct a genetic map of F2 segregating populations whereas MapQTL1 was used to detect QTL. The mapping population which included the two parents [NHC5(1) and NHC12(2)] together with 72 F2 progeny were genotyped with selected polymorphic SNP markers. Mapping of markers was performed using the regression mapping algorithm. 18 linkage groups were generated from the linkage analysis with Linkage group 1 (LG1) having the longest map length of 138.93 centimorgan (cM) whereas LG 16 had the shortest map length of 83.05 cM. This genetic map has a total map length of 1888.40 cM giving an average length of 104.91 cM per group and an average of one marker for every 1.39 cM. A total of 3 significant and 8 putative QTL were detected by MQM mapping and interval mapping method.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

BK channel gain-of-function disrupts limb control by suppressing neurotransmission during a critical developmental window

Gain-of-function mutations in BK potassium channels (BK GOF) cause debilitating involuntary limb movements. BK channels modulate action potential shape and neurotransmission in mature neurons, yet some BK GOF mutations also cause neurodevelopmental morbidities. Thus, whether BK GOF impairs limb control by altering the excitation/inhibition of mature motor circuits, or by disrupting their development, remains unclear. To address this issue, we developed a genetic method enabling spatiotemporal control of BK channel expression in neurons of the fruit fly, Drosophila. In concert with high-resolution measurements of limb kinematics, we demonstrate that GOF BK channels act during a narrow neurodevelopmental period to perturb limb control in adult flies. During this period, BK GOF alters synaptic localisation of the key active zone protein Bruchpilot and suppresses excitatory neurotransmission. In a wild-type background, we find that reducing neural activity during neurodevelopment yields similar motor defects to those observed in BK GOF flies. Conversely, enhancing neural excitability during development rescues alterations in limb kinematics in BK GOF flies. Collectively, our results suggest that BK GOF perturbs limb control largely by disrupting activity-dependent aspects of neuronal development.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

A comprehensive survey of coronaviral main protease active site diversity in 3D: Identifying and analyzing drug discovery targets in search of broad specificity inhibitors for the next coronavirus pandemic

Although the rapid development of therapeutic responses to combat SARS-CoV-2 represents a great human achievement, it also demonstrates untapped potential for advanced pandemic preparedness. Cross-species efficacy against multiple human coronaviruses by the main protease (MPro) inhibitor nirmatrelvir raises the question of its breadth of inhibition and our preparedness against future coronaviral threats. Herein, we describe sequence and structural analyses of 346 unique MPro enzymes from all coronaviruses represented in the NCBI Virus database. Cognate substrates of these representative proteases were inferred from their polyprotein sequences. We clustered MPro sequences based on sequence identity and AlphaFold2-predicted structures, showing approximate correspondence with known viral subspecies. Predicted structures of five representative MPros bound to their inferred cognate substrates showed high conservation in protease:substrate interaction modes, with some notable differences. Yeast-based proteolysis assays of the five representatives were able to confirm activity of three on inferred cognate substrates, and demonstrated that of the three, only one was effectively inhibited by nirmatrelvir. Our findings suggest that comprehensive preparedness against future potential coronaviral threats will require continued inhibitor development. Our methods may be applied to candidate coronaviral MPro inhibitors to evaluate in advance the breadth of their inhibition and identify target coronaviruses potentially meriting advanced development of alternative countermeasures.

molecular biology↗