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Bangladesh Journal
of Biochemistry, Vol. 2, No.
1, 1-7, June 1996
DETECTION
OF SINGLE COPY HOMOLOGOUS GENOMIC DNA BY THE NON-RADIOACTIVE ENHANCED
CHEMILUMINESCENCE METHOD
Zeba
I. SERAJ, Saleh MAHMOOD, Minufer FARZANA and Umme AMARA
Department of Biochemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
(Received
March 20, 1996)
Abstract
The development
of non-radioactive methods for detection of single copy homologous
sequences in plant or animal genome is of prime importance in developing
countries where monitoring
systems for any radioactive contamination, subsequent decontamination
and waste disposal are poor or non-existent. Here we report differences
and/or similarities between various Oryza sativa L. varieties,
homology and nonhomology between O. Sativa L. and Porteresia
coarctata T. by using a cloned genomic 1.9 kb fragment of
IR 36 rice as a probe. The probe was labeled with fluorescein
and hybridizing bands detected by Amersham’s indirect enhanced chemiluminescene (ECL) method.
The ECL method was also used to check presence/absence of O. sativa
and/or P. coarctata bands in some putative hybrids between
these two genera.
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Bangladesh
Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 2, No. 1, 9-14,
June 1996
PRODUCTION AND ACTIVITY OF
b-1,
3-GLUCANASES DURING GROWTH OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Sabita
Rezwana RAHMAN, Md. Majibur RAHMAN and Naiyyum CHOWDHURY. Department
of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
(Received
April 23, 1996)
Abstract
Two exotic
strains of Saccaharomyces cerevisiae DSM-2155, DSM-1848 and one local
strain (Gp-1) were studied for both intracellular and extracellular
b –1, 3-glucanase production. Local strain GP-1 exhibited maximal
intracellular glucanase activity of 7.9 U/ml and extracellular activity
of 4.0 U/ml, when the initial pH of the medium was 5.0.b–1,3-Glucanase
production was growth associated.
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Bangladesh
Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 2, No. 1, 15-27,
June 1996
SALINITY TOLERANCE AND ACCUMULATION OF NEUROTOXIN AND EXCITATORY AMINO ACIDS IN LATHYRUS
SATIVUS
Rabiul
HOQUE, Muhammad HUSSAIN,
Department of Biochemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural university, Mymensingh.
Yu-Haey KUO and Fernand LAMBEIN
Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry, University of Gent, B 9000 Gent, Belgium
(Received
June 6, 1996)
Abstract
Lathyrus sativus
(Khesari) was grown in the saline coastal zones, sand culture, artificial
saline soils, and liquid nutrient solutions with varying degrees of
salinity. Rate of germination, different growth parameters, the neurotoxin
b-N-oxalyl-L-a,
b-diaminopropionic
acid (ODAP) and some other excitatory amino acids of L.sativus
were studied to evaluate relative salinity tolerance. The rate
of germination of Khesari seed decreased by 10% to 83% in artificial
saline soil with the increase of EC from 3.30 to 12.58 mmohs/cm but
germinating capability and seed viability were retained for at least
25 days. The length of shoot continued to increase significantly with
the rise of salinity in sand culture and the length of shoot root,
number of nodes and 1000 seed weight increased likewise more significantly
in saline liquid nutrient
solution containing NaCl up to 0.4% (W/V). The neurotoxin (ODAP) content
of L. sativus green
shoot and seed decreased with salinity in the field (up to 16.62 mmohs/cm),
that of shoot in artificial saline soils (containing up to 0.1 to
0.5% NaCl and that of green shoot, green pot and embryo in saline
hydroponic media containing up to 0.4% added NaCl). The effect of
higher salinity on L.sativus (more than 0.4% NaCl) grown in hydroponic
nutrient solutions appeared to result from water stress rather than
salinity. Salinity in the field experiment (EC 13.33-EC 16.62) also
reduced ODAP content of shoot and seed and the rate of decrease was
in the shoot. Aspartate content of green shoot top was reduced by
salinity while glutamate content was hardly affected by low salinity
(up to 0.4% NaCl) but enhanced
by higher salinity. L. sativa, like some rare glycophytes,
showed halophillic characteristics by all of its growth parameters
which indicates its fairly high salinity tolerance.
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Bangladesh
Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 2, No. 1, 29-39,
June 1996
THE PROTEASE(S) FROM THE LARVAE OF PULSE BEETLE, CALLOSOBRUCHUS CHINENSIS
Yearul KABIR and Dwaipayan SIKDER
Department of Biochemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
(Received
October 26, 1995)
Abstract
Proteolytic activity
was detected in the larvae of Callosobruchus chinensis insect.
The enzyme had optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 40°C
and it preferentially cleaved peptide derivatives with an arginine
in the P1
position and a hydrophobic amino acid residue in the P2
position. The enzyme was characterized as cysteine protease,
the activity of which was inhibited by Hg+
and activated by EDTA. The protease(s) present in the larvae of C.
chinensis exhibited a unique substrate specificity hydrolyzing both
Z-Phe-Arg-MCA and Pro-phe-Arg-MCA, which are substrate for mammalian
cysteine proteinase, cathepsin B and kallikrein, respectively.
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Bangladesh
Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 2, No. 1, 41-48,
June 1996
EFFECT OF
STORAGE ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOYBEAN OIL
Hossain
U. Shekhar,M. Nazmul ALAM, Zakir
H. HOWLADER, and M. Nazmul HUDA,
Department of Biochemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
M. Amir HOSSAIN
Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), University of Dhaka,
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
(Received
June 17, 1996)
Abstract
To monitor the
long term storage effect (under different conditions) the most commonly
used cooking oil in Bangladesh (soybean) was studied in terms of iodine
value, saponification number, acid value, peroxide value and fatty
acid pattern. The duration of the study was 270 days. It was observed
that during this time iodine value decreased by 30.9%-33.8%, at room
temperature (25-40ºc)
and 18.5%-22.1% at freezing temperature (0-4ºc)from
the initially recorded value. Saponification value increased by 56.8%-72.0%
and 25.5%-38.5% under the two conditions respectively. Acid
value increased by 310%-377% and 144%-292%. Peroxide value increased
by 1192%-1785% and 645%-951%, respectively. It was observed that within
90 days of storage the polyunsaturated fatty acids started decreasing
and the saturated fatty acid started increasing at a high rate.
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Bangladesh
Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 2, No. 1, 49-58,
June 1996
ROLE OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND NEUROMODULATORS IN CARDIOVASCULAR REGULATIONS
M. Khalilur RAHMAN
Department of Biochemistry, University
of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
(Received
January 4, 1995)
Abstract
Neurotransmitters
and neuropeptides are involved in the regulation of nervous function,
emotion, sex, sleep, behaviour, and mood of all higher animals, including
man. They occur simultaneously in the brain as neurotransmitters or
neuromodulators and in plasma as hormones. The direct regulatory interactions
of a given substance in the blood and in the brain are not known clearly,
but some work has been done on these relationships. The present review
briefly discuss the studies on the interrelationship of the brain
biogenic amines with cardiovascular regulation. It has been widely
investigated to reveal the link between brain catecholamines and baroreceptor
reflex control of blood pressure and also in the development of certain
types of experimental hypertension. The role of indolamines is to
be investigated further as serotonin may exhibit both inhibitory
and excitatory effects in the same cell depending on the nature of
stimulation. It is also believed that serotonin of the raphé
nuclei is mainly involved in the descending inhibitory input to sympathetic
ganglion neurons.
It has been shown by many investigators that GABA has inhibitory influence
on cardiovascular function. GABA may also interferes centrally with
peptidergic blood pressure controlling system. In serum of transgenic
mice, the norepinephrine level was reduced and the epinephrine level
was slightly elevated. The brain amygdala is important in the integration
of cardiovascular adaptive changes. The sympathetic division of the
autonomic nervous system acts as an arousal mechanism for the entire
body.
Recent evidence indicates that the effect of substance P on blood
pressure and heart rate in the result of sympathetic neuron system
stimulation. It is possible that vasopressin may operate to interfere
centrally with the baroreceptor reflex, most probably by augmenting
its responsiveness. There is a stimulated brain rennin-angiotensin
system in hypertensive subjects.
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