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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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