Biology subjects

Verma, V. K.

Publications and source records attributed to Verma, V. K..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Harnessing genetic variations improving seedling vigor for successful crop establishment in deep sown direct-seeded rice

Improving seedling vigour remains key objective for breeders working with direct-seeded rice (DSR). To understand the genetic control of seedling vigour in deep sown DSR, combined genome-wide association mapping, linkage mapping, fine mapping, RNA-sequencing to identify candidate genes and validation of putative candidate genes was performed. Significant phenotypic variations were observed among genotypes in both F3:4:5 and BC2F2:3 populations. The mesocotyl length showed significant positive correlation with %germination, root and shoot length. The 3.79 Mb region on chromosome 7 reported to be associated with mesocotyl elongation. RNA-seq data and RT-PCR results identified and validated seven potential candidate genes. The potential candidate gene, LOC_Os07g25150 codes for Myb-30-related transcription factor. The LOC_Os07g25150 codes for Myb 30-related transcription factor, LOC_Os07g17689 annotated as protein translation factor, LOC_Os07g17770 as tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, LOC_Os07g15440 as alanyl-tRNA synthetase family protein, LOC_Os07g24100 as retrotransposon protein and the remaining others as expressed proteins. The antagonistic relationship between Myb-30 and ethylene-mediated signalling (EIN-3) in regulating mesocotyl elongation have been observed. The functional characterization and knocking of LOC_Os07g25150 codes for Myb 30-related transcription factor may provide better understanding of the mechanism behind mesocotyl elongation. The four promising introgression lines with longer mesocotyl length, longer root length and semi-dwarf plant height have been identified.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Computational and Molecular Dynamics Simulation ApproachTo Analyze the Impact of XPD Gene Mutation on Protein Stability and Function

XPD acts as a functional helicase and aids in unwinding double helix around damaged DNA, leading to efficient DNA repair. Mutations of XPD give rise to DNA-repair deficiency diseases and cancer proneness. In this study, cancer-causing missense mutation that could inactivate helicase function and hinder its binding with other complexes were analysed using bioinformatics approach. Rigorous computational methods were employed to understand the molecular pathogenic profile of mutation. The mutant model with the desired mutation was built with I-TASSER. GROMACS 5.0.1 was used to evaluate the effect of a mutation on protein stability and function. Of the 276 missense mutations, 64 were found to be disease-causing. Out of these 64, seven were of cancer-causing mutations. Among these, we evaluated K48R mutation in a computational simulated environment to determine its impact on protein stability and function since K48 position was ascertained to be highly conserved and substitution with arginine could impair the XPD activity. Molecular Dynamic Simulation and Essential Dynamics analysis showed that K48R mutation altered protein structural stability and produced conformational drift. Our predictions thus revealed that K48R mutation could impair the XPD helicase activity and affect its ability to repair the damaged DNA, thus augmenting the risk for cancer.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2020

In Vitro Patients Derived Glioma Culture Model: Identification of Aggressive, Drug Resistant Phenotype Among Low-Grade Gliomas

BackgroundClinical management of glioma is crucial irrespective of tumor grade. Despite newer treatment modalities, the prognosis of glioma is abysmal and, survival statistics are not remarkable. In vitro glioma culture is emerging as a standard model to get insight into phenotypic transformation, drug response, and tumor relapse. In this viewpoint, this study established comprehensive patient-specific short-term cultures comprising low-grade, and high-grade glioma, and evaluated their pertinence in the potential disease management. Methods50 patients with MRI diagnosed glioma were recruited for this study. Primary glioma cultures established from fresh surgical tumor tissues, which were then evaluated for their intrinsic growth kinetics, response to temozolomide, and expression profile of Glial-Mesenchymal Transition (GMT) markers along with an oncogenic marker, cMyc. ResultsShort-term glioma culture was successfully established in 40 clinical samples. Glioma culture, irrespective of tumor grade, displayed two distinct patterns of growth kinetics - one with shorter doubling time (high-proliferating) and another group with longer doubling time (low-proliferating). Significant distinctive features were noticed between these two groups in terms of response to temozolomide, the expression pattern of GMT markers and their association with 1p/19q co-deletion and p53 expression. ConclusionOur findings effectively demonstrated the practicality of the development of short-term glioma culture toward a functional approach for personalized medicine. Our study revealed the presence of a highly proliferative, drug-resistant phenotype irrespective of tumor grade. Hence, short-term culture could be an important prognostic tool for predicting patient clinical responses and cue about imminent tumor relapse.

cancer biology↗