Biology subjects

Rathore, S. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Rathore, S. S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Whole-genome and mitogenome based in silico analysis of select Plasmodium and identification of a novel drug molecule against the malaria parasite

Malaria, caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium, is one of the leading causes of death, worldwide, especially in the third world countries of Africa and Asia. Plasmodium does not only infect humans but also reptiles, birds and other mammals. However, they are the secondary hosts for this parasite. The primary host of Plasmodium is female Anopheles mosquitoes. Long term researchers have formulated drugs against this deadly pathogen but the current emergence of multi-drug resistance strains of Plasmodium has created a recurring concern. Identification of new drug molecules and understanding their mechanism of action is an urgent need to combat this battle. However, for that, we need to first understand the genomic strategies taken up by Plasmodium to survive the host immune system. With the advancement of high-throughput sequencing techniques, the whole genomes of Plasmodium have been sequenced which can help us in advancing our strategies against Plasmodium. In this study, we performed a thorough analysis of the genomic features of Plasmodium along with its evolution. This revealed a codon biased co-evolution among the parasite and respective hosts. Reverse ecology and protein-protein interactions were studied among Plasmodium and Homo sapiens revealing a complex biological interaction among them governing the host-parasite interaction as well as drug resistance capability among Plasmodium. The molecular docking and simulation studies have found a new drug-target site within mitogenome coding proteins. Those sites were targeted with Cymbopogonol, a phyto-compound derived from Cymbopogon (Lemongrass). Along with Cymbopogonol few other Cymbopogon derived compounds were also found to be effective as new anti-malarial drug molecules. This is the first report on the effect of Cymbopogon derived compounds on Plasmodium and is open for a clinical trial.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2020

Diversified agroforestry systems improve carbon footprint and farmers livelihood under limited irrigation conditions

Increasing weather aberrations cause frequent crop failure in monoculture cropping system. Specialized crop production systems, where few seasonal crops occupy vast arable lands, resulting in more biotic and abiotic stresses in agri-ecosystem. Therefore a diversified agroforestry systemwas evaluated to ensure resilience underlimited water conditions, with an aim to augment carbon footprint with enhanced productivity and profitability. The study hypothesised that integration of perennial fruits trees with seasonal crops will have benign effect for sequestering more carbon and improving livelihood of the farmers. This is one of the first timesthat arid fruits tress along with leguminous,and other low water requiring crops were studied for improved carbon sequestration, livelihood of the farmers andfor better resilience in production system. The experimental findings showed that arid fruit trees along with leguminous, oilseeds and cash crops resulted in higher profitability and thus improved livelihood of the farmersin arid and semi-arid areas of South Asia. Diversified phalsa-mung bean-potato and moringa-mung bean-potato were the most productive agroforestry system (36.7t/ha and 36.2 t/ha respectively. Under limited irrigation conditions, Karonda (Carisa spp.)-mung bean potato system was found best in improving livelihood with maximum net return of $ 3529.1/ha with higher profitability/day ($ 19.9/day). Phalsa -MB-potato system was also recorded maximum water use efficiency (33.0 kg/ha-mm), whereas density of SOC was in Phalsa-cowpea-mustard (9.10 Mg/ha) and moringa-mung bean -potato AFS (9.16 Mg/ha). Carbon footprint analysis revealed that maximum net C gain was in Phalsa-mung bean -potato system (7030 Carbon equivalent kg CE/ha/year).

ecology↗

bioRxiv2019

Biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae minimize phagocytosis and cytokine expression by macrophage cell line

Infectious bacteria in biofilm mode are involved in many of persistent infections. Owing to its importance in clinical settings many in vitro and in vivo studies have analysed the structural and functional properties of biofilm, its resistance to antibiotic exposure etc. Currently the immune mechanism toward the clearance of biofilm infections is being investigated. K. pneumoniae is one of the major leading causes of biofilm infections on indwelling medical devices. There was no previous literature that demonstrates the interactions of macrophage cells lines and Klebsiella biofilm, as the first report, we investigated the in vitro response of Klebsiella biofilm to phagocytosis and cytokine expression. We developed an in vitro model to study the interactions of Kebsiella biofilm and macrophage. The phagocytosis assay was performed for heat inactivated and live biofilm. A similar phagocytic response against both biofilms were observed when these cells were exposed to RAW 264.7 macrophages. Also, the expressions of TLR2, iNOS, inflammatory cytokines such as IL-{beta}1, IFN-{gamma}, IL-6, IL-12, IL-4, TNF- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 during phagocytosis were analysed. These results collectively demonstrated that the rate of phagocytosis was an average of 15% for both biofilms. Also, when activated macrophage was exposed to heat-inactivated or live biofilms, there was a significant increase in proinflammatory cytokine genes together with expected increase in TLR2 and iNOS. Thus, it is clear that macrophage response against biofilm producing K. pneumoniae results in increase in phagocytic rate and a corresponding increase in inflammatory cytokine gene expression which could be important for clearing K. pneumoniae cells.

immunology↗