Current Science

T. S. Suryanarayanan , R. Uma Shaanker

Abstract

No Abstract.

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Singh Shweta ¹, B. R. Gurumurthy ², M. M. Vasanthakumari ¹, G. Ravikanth ³, S. Dayanandan ⁴, R. Storms ⁴, M. B. Shivanna ⁵, R. Uma Shaanker ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Ecology and Conservation and Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN
2 Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga 577 201, IN
3 Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur PO, Bengaluru 560 064, IN
4 Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics and Biology Department, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec, H4B 1R6, CA
5 Department of Applied Botany, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta, Shivamogga 577 451, IN

Abstract

Nothapodytes nimmoniana Graham (Icacinaceae) is a small tree distributed along a 1600 km mountain range in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in southern India. The stem wood of N. nimmoniana accumulates high concentration (about 0.3% by dry weight) of the anti-cancer alkaloid, camptothecine (CPT). Several endophytic fungi isolated from this plant have been shown to produce camptothecine in vitro. In this study, we examined the diversity and distribution of fungal endophytes of N. nimmoniana along its entire distributional range in the Western Ghats and investigated if the CPT-producing endophytes are restricted to any specific clade. The leaf and stem of N. nimmoniana were sampled from 18 sites along the Western Ghats spanning 8-18°N lat. Endophytes were recovered from all sites with the colonization frequency ranging from 0% to 52% across the sites. One hundred and four endo-phytic fungal isolates were recovered from 118 plants and characterized both morphologically and by sequencing the internally transcribed spacer region of the nuclear rDNA gene. The fungal isolates belonged to 45 species (44 Ascomycetes and one Basidiomycetes). Fusarium and Hypoxylon were the most predominant genera comprising over half of the total isolates. Interestingly, CPT-producing endophytes were not restricted to any specific clade. We discuss these results in the context of the growing interest in endophytic fungi as possible alternative sources of plant secondary metabolites.

Keywords

Camptothecine, Endophytic Fungi, Fungal Diversity and Distribution, Nothapodytes nimmoniana.

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S. Shweta ¹, M. B. Shivanna ², B. R. Gurumurthy ³, R. Uma Shaanker ¹, T. R. Santhosh Kumar ⁴, G. Ravikanth ⁵

Affiliations
1 School of Ecology and Conservation and Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore 560 065, IN
2 Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta, Shimoga 577 451, IN
3 University of Agriculture and Horticulture Sciences, Shimoga 577 204, IN
4 Apoptosis and Cell Signalling, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 014, IN
5 Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur PO, Bangalore 560 064, IN

Abstract

Camptothecine (CPT), a monoterpene indole alkaloid, is a potent inhibitor of eukaryotic topoisomerase I. It is produced by a number of plants, including Notha-podytes nimmoniana (Grahm) Mabb. (Icacinaceae), occurring naturally in the Western Ghats, India. The plant is inhabited by a number of endophytic fungi, many of which have been isolated and shown to pro-duce CPT, in culture, independent of the host. In this article, we examine the sensitivity of endophytic fungi isolated from N. nimmoniana to CPT. Contrary to our hypothesis that these fungi should be resistant to CPT (as they are exposed to host CPT as well as that pro-duced by themselves), we report that these fungi are sensitive and thus inhibited by CPT. We discuss these results in the context of the role of CPT in limiting endophytic fungal growth.

Keywords

Camptothecine, Endophytic Fungi, Nothapo-dytes nimmoniana, Sensitivity and Inhibition.

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R. Uma Shaanker ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Crop Physiology and School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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R. Uma Shaanker ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Crop Physiology and School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru 560 065, IN

Abstract

In the last few months, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) did something remarkable, i.e. launching by far the largest number of satellites (104) at one go, a South Asia Satellite for friends in the country's neighbourhood and finally, the heaviest GSLV Mk III satellite yet in the history of Indian space science. Besides re-asserting its place as a major space power, the launches did a sea of good to the country's image internationally.

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R. Uma Shaanker ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Crop Physiology and School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru-560 065, IN

Abstract

The other day, I was trying to retrieve an article I had seen in Current Science (CS) on impact factor and agricultural science publications. I needed it to support a point I was making in my own manuscript. Knowing that it had appeared in the last 2 or 3 years, I started searching for the article. I had no clue about the author or the title, except that it contained the word 'impact' in its title. I browsed the last 2 or 3 years of CS and even after a few tries, was not able to locate it. The only alternative left with me was to consider knocking-off the reference concerned in my manuscript, though this could considerably weaken my argument.

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G. Ravikanth ¹, M. R. Jagadish ¹, R. Vasudeva ², R. Uma Shaanker ¹, N. A. Aravind ¹

Affiliations
1 Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bengaluru 560 064, IN
2 College of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Sirsi 581 401, IN

Abstract

There has been a growing concern about the increasing number of species that are globally threatened. Developmental projects, and increased dependence on forests both for sustenance and livelihood have rendered many species threatened. In the Indian context, more than 150 species are critically endangered and require immediate intervention to sustain their populations. A number of plant species are destructively extracted solely from the forests. Apart from anthropogenic threats, several species are threatened due to invasive species and climate change. In the light of increasing and continued threats, species recovery is the only viable option for restoring many of them from extinction. Here, we review the existing recovery programmes in the country and suggest a comprehensive approach in the conservation and recovery of many of the critically endangered species. We highlight issues that need to be addressed and discuss strategies for recovering the critically endangered species in the country.

Keywords

Endangered Plants, Ecological Interactions, Genetic Enrichment, Niche Modelling, Species Recovery.

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Megha Hastantram Sampangi-Ramaiah ¹, Ram Vishwakarma ², R. Uma Shaanker ³

Affiliations
1 School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN
2 Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jammu 180 001, IN
3 Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN

Abstract

In this article, we report results of a molecular docking analysis of commonly occurring natural product compounds against COVID-19 6LU7 and 6Y2E proteases. Our results show that several of these compounds have binding affinity against both the COVID-19 proteases, and compare well with a known anti-HIV drug, Saquinavir. Many of the compounds form an integral component of many cuisines, both Indian as well as others. We propose that some of these compounds could be easily and quickly positioned to hold fort against the COVID-19 virus, until of course newer therapies are discovered and detailed studies are taken to empirically validate some of the compounds for their ability to inhibit the virus.

Keywords

Affinity/Binding Energy, COVID-19 Protease, Drug Discovery, Ligands, Natural Products.

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K. M. Manasa ¹, M. M. Vasanthakumari ², K. N. Nataraja ¹, R. Uma Shaanker ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN
2 School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN

Abstract

Endophytic fungi occur ubiquitously in all plants. Though their origin and evolution is enigmatic, they are known to play an important role in plant growth and development. Here we explore the endophytic fungal diversity of a perennial cree ping vine, Ipomea pes-caprae (family Convolulaceae), occurring naturally in the coastal sand dunes of peninsular India. Of the ten endophytes isolated from the plant, Fusarium oxysporum (MH511104) was found to grow even at 2 M NaCl in potato dextrose agar medium. The fungus was able to successfully colonize and impart salinity tolerance to salt -sensitive paddy variety, IR-64. We discuss these results in the context of increasing global interest on endophytes as a possible alternative route to crop i mprovement.

Keywords

Endophytic Fungi, Ipomea pes-caprae, Paddy, Salt Stress.

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R. Uma Shaanker ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Crop Physiology and School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN

Abstract

In his book, The Two Cultures, C. P. Snow, the chemist and writer, laments the fact that the world comprises of ‘Two polar groups: at one pole we have the literary intellectuals, at the other scientists, and as the most representative, the physical scientists. Between the two, a gulf of mutual incomprehension’ exists (The Two Cultures, Cambridge University Press, London, 2012). People of the two dispensation, seem to inhabit entirely different universes. The gulf could be even deeper and catastrophic, if we throw in laymen and clergy with scientists, as was witnessed during the Renaissance period. The most tragic fallout of such divide was of course the unfortunate fate met out to Bruno in 16th century Rome. In hindsight, the fault lines and the different universes, and the polarized views, could be attributed to the belief systems and grammar of life in which one was brought up. Simplistically therefore, had all been schooled similarly, one would not be witness to mutual incomprehension and polarized groups in society. But that is, as said, only simplistically.

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Vikram Aditya ¹, P. S. Sumashini ¹, N. A. Aravind ¹, G. Ravikanth ¹, Chandrashekara Krishnappa ², R. Uma Shaanker ²

Affiliations
1 Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post, Bengaluru 560 064, IN
2 School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN

Abstract

India will surpass China as the world’s most populous country by 2050, with a projected population of 1.67 billion¹. Al-though the rate of population growth has decreased, the total fertility rate of 2.2 will keep India’s population growing for decades². The challenges posed by such increase in population to India’s food security, already under strain from land and resource scarcity, are enormous. Climate change and extreme weather events are already impacting agricultural production, disproportionately affecting vulnerable sections of society through higher food prices, lost livelihood opportunities, adverse health impacts and displacement.

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Anindya Sinha ¹, R. Uma Shaanker ²

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru 560 012, IN
2 University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru 560 065, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

Keywords

No Keywords.

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