Biology subjects

Shasany, A. K.

Publications and source records attributed to Shasany, A. K..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sugarcane bZIP16 regulates internode elongation by targeting gibberellic acid biosynthesis pathway

Modern sugarcane cultivars are vegetatively propagated interspecific hybrids developed by extensive breeding and selection method to enhance sugar content, culm dimensions, desired plant architecture and disease resistance. Internode length greatly varies among existing sugarcane cultivars which determines culm length, biomass and sugar storage. Molecular factors responsible for this trait remains largely unknown in sugarcane. In this study, we characterized short and long internode sugarcane varieties and elucidated gene regulatory module interplaying with hormonal-network underneath the internodal growth. The genome size, pigment content and juice characteristics of short and long internode varieties differed with each other and correlated with gene expressions pattern. We established tissue and spatial transcriptome dataset, and comparative analyses demonstrated number of genes involved in cell cycle, cell expansion, transcription factors and hormone pathway including bZIP16 are differentially expressed between short and long internode varieties. Biochemical, DNA-protein interactions and molecular evidences revealed that ScbZIP16 inversely related to GA content by repressing transcripts of ent-isokaurene C2/C3-hydroxylase and GA20 Oxidase in sugarcane. The further genetic evidences confirmed role of ScbZIP16 in reducing GA biosynthesis pathway, flowering time and growth in Arabidopsis. This report of ScbZIP16 regulatory module offers a potential candidate for sugarcane improvement programs.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Antibacterial efficacy of Jackfruit rag extract against clinically important pathogens and validation of its antimicrobial activity in Shigella dysenteriae infected Drosophila melanogaster infection model

The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial property of extract derived from a part of the Jackfruit called rag, that is generally considered as fruit waste. Morpho-physical characterization of the Jackfruit rag extract (JFRE) was performed using gas-chromatography, where peaks indicative of furfural; pentanoic acid; and hexadecanoic acid were observed. In vitro biocompatibility of JFRE was performed using the MTT assay, which showed comparable cellular viability between extract-treated and untreated mouse fibroblast cells. Agar well disc diffusion assay exhibited JFRE induced zones of inhibition for a wide variety of laboratory and clinical strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Analysis of electron microscope images of bacterial cells suggests that JFRE induces cell death by disintegration of the bacterial cell wall and precipitating intracytoplasmic clumping. The antibacterial activity of the JFREs was further validated in vivo using Shigella dysenteriae infected fly model, where JFRE pre-fed flies infected with S. dysenteriae had significantly reduced mortality compared to controls. JFRE demonstrates broad antibacterial property, both in vitro and in vivo, possibly by its activity on bacterial cell wall. This study highlights the importance of exploring alternative sources of antibacterial compounds, especially from plant-derived waste, that could provide economical and effective solutions to current challenges in antimicrobial therapy.

microbiology↗