Srivastava, C. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2021

GLIS1 regulates trabecular meshwork function and intraocular pressure and is associated with glaucoma in humans

Chronically elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major risk factor of primary open- angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Dysfunction of the trabecular meshwork (TM), which controls the outflow of aqueous humor (AqH) from the anterior chamber, is the major cause of elevated IOP. Here, we demonstrate that mice deficient in the Kruppel- like zinc finger transcriptional factor GLI-similar-1 (GLIS1) develop chronically elevated IOP. Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological analysis reveal that deficiency in GLIS1 expression induces progressive degeneration of the TM, leading to inefficient AqH drainage from the anterior chamber and elevated IOP. Transcriptome and cistrome analyses identified several glaucoma- and extracellular matrix-associated genes as direct transcriptional targets of GLIS1. We also identified a significant association between GLIS1 variant rs941125 and glaucoma in humans (P=4.73x10-6), further supporting a role for GLIS1 into glaucoma etiology. Our study identifies GLIS1 as a critical regulator of TM function and maintenance, AqH dynamics, and IOP.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Phosphine: an eco-friendly alternative for management of wheat storage insects

Methyl bromide (MB) fumigant has been phased out in many countries honouring Montreal Protocol. Reports on phosphine fumigant efficacy under different ecological zones in India are scanty. Field fumigation trials were conducted on 5 Metric Tons of wheat stacks per replication of a treatment for testing phosphine efficacy against laboratory cultured and resident population of Tribolium castanium, Sitophilus oryzae, and Rhyzopertha dominica. The trials were organized in triplicate including control at two locations with varying climate locations namely, Pithoragarh and Delhi using conventional 56% tablet (2 and 3 tablet/MT) and 77.5% granular (1.0 and 1.5 g phosphine/m3) formulations of Aluminium phosphide (AlP) for 7 and 10-days exposure periods for each dosage. Phosphine concentration was monitored every 24 hours till end of the exposure periods. Insect mortality of laboratory culture and resident infestation was observed as 100% in both the exposure periods using all dosages of phosphine. No emergence of insects was observed till 60 days after treatment at both the locations, indicating mortality of all available life stages of insects during the exposure periods. Minimum effective phosphine concentration for controlling all life stages of S. oryzae, R. dominica and T castaneum was observed 500-600 ppm for 7-days exposure at 25{degrees}-27{degrees}C and humidity 38-45%, at 1.5 g phosphine/m3. Hence, phosphine can be an effective alternative to methyl bromide fumigant for wheat stored grain insects at different climatic conditions.

ecology↗