@article { author = {Amoozegar, Mohammad Ali and Ghazanfari, Nooshinsadat and Didari, Maryam}, title = {Lead and Cadmium Bioremoval by Halomonas sp., an Exopolysaccharide-Producing Halophilic Bacterium}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {1-11}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24820}, abstract = {Toxic heavy metals, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are widely used in industry and their accumulation in the living tissues may cause serious health problems and ecological hazards. Twenty four moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from saline environments of Iran were used to study their ability to bioremediation of lead and cadmium. Amongst them, a Gram-negative rod shaped bacterium, designated as strain D showed remarkable ability for removal of Pb and Cd and could grow in media supplemented with 5 mM of these toxic heavy metals. Phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicate this strain belongs to the genus Halomonas. Atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy was used to estimate the removal rate of lead and cadmium by bacterial biomass, autoclaved biomass and exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix under different conditions. The strain D could uptake more than 90% and 50% of lead and cadmium, respectively. Biomass showed the best lead removal at pH 3.0- 6.0, 35 °C and 5% NaCl (w/v), while the EPS showed maximum removal at pH 5.0, 35 °C and 10% NaCl (w/v). For cadmium removal by biomass, the best results were obtained at pH 3.0, 25 °C and 1% NaCl (w/v) while the EPS showed the optimal cadmium removal at pH 5.0, 45 °C and 1% NaCl (w/v). The results suggest that halophilic bacteria such as Halomonas sp. could be used for remediation of Pb and Cd in contaminated saline soils and wastes discharge sites}, keywords = {Atomic absorption,bioremediation,Moderate halophiles,Heavy metals}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24820.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24820_babb2bf93dca07352178f1ae5bf65dc2.pdf} } @article { author = {Ghiasi, Seyed Mojtaba and Salmanian, Ali-Hatef and Sharafi, Ali and Kazemi, Ruhollah and Jafari, Mahya and Chinikar, Sadegh and Zakeri, Sedighe}, title = {Molecular Farming, an Effective System for the Production of Immunogenic Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Glycoprotein}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {12-29}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24821}, abstract = {The main aim of this study was to obtain the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) glycoprotein, through either stable transgenic plants or using a transient expression system, and determine the yield, quality and finally the immunogenicity of the plant-made CCHFV glycoprotein in a mouse model. We designed and synthesized a codon-optimized G1/G2 gene from the G1 and G2 parts of the CCHFV glycoprotein by bioinformatic analysis. The synthetic construct was cloned into a plant expression vector and tobacco plants were both transiently and stably transformed. The transgenic plantlets or tobacco-derived hairy roots confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. The intact 98 kDa G1/G2 glycoprotein was produced by a transient expression system at as much as 3.3 mg/kg fresh weight. The recombinant G1/G2 protein was analyzed in stable lines by G1/G2 ELISA and Western blot. The yield in the transgenic hairy root line was significantly higher than that in transgenic tobacco lines. Finally, the immunogenicity of the plant-made G1/G2 glycoprotein was evaluated by its subcutaneous administration in mice when compared with positive and negative controls. This plant-purified G1/G2 protein produced a high titer of anti-CCHFV glycoprotein IgG antibodies in mice.}, keywords = {CCHFV,Molecular farming,Transgenic plant}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24821.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24821_9129fb33b7166fac698a02621096b482.pdf} } @article { author = {Mohammadi, Zeinolabedin and Darvish, Jamshid and Haddad, Farhangh and Ghorbani, Fatemeh}, title = {A Karyological Study of Some Murid Rodents (Rodentia: Muridae) of Iran}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {30-39}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24822}, abstract = {Family Muridae consists of eight genera and 28 species in Iran. This family shows notable variability of karyological features. In this study, karyological data derived from 11 species of 7 genera of this family of Iran are presented and compared with previously published accounts. The included species were: Mus musculus musculus from Gonbad (2n=40, FN=40) and Birjand (2n=40, FN=38), Rattus norvegicus (2n=42), Apodemus uralensis (2n=48), Apodemus avicennicus (2n=48), Apodemus hyrcanicus (2n=48), Apodemus witherbyi (2n=48) from Zanjan and Gorgan, Nesokia indica (2n=42), Meriones libycus (2n=44), Meriones persicus (2n=44), Meriones crassus from Kashmar (2n=54) and Tabas (2n=60), Tatera indica from Zabul (2n=68) and Hoveyzeh (2n=66) and Rhombomys opimus (2n=40).}, keywords = {Iran,Karyology,Muridae,Rodentia}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24822.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24822_56dda92711d382148c0a4343e86126bf.pdf} } @article { author = {Aghdasi, Mahnaz and Fatahi, Samaneh and Sadeghipour, Hamid Reza}, title = {Identification and Characterization of LHCB1 Co-Suppressed Line in Arabidopsis}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {40-49}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24823}, abstract = {To explore the function of light-harvesting complex protein (LHCP) in Arabidopsis growth and development, the Leclere and Bartel seed collection was screened. In this collection randomly cloned cDNAs are expressed under the CaMV35S promoter. A pale green line has been identified and characterized in more details. Analysis of the inserted cDNA in the pale green line showed it encodes LHCB1 proteins. The transcript level of LHCB1 in the selected line was less than that of the wild type (WT) Arabidopsis plant. Characterization of the LHCB1 co-suppressed line was achieved through its comparison with the WT plants when both were grown under normal irradiance. Then several measurements were performed such as: fresh and dry weight, chla, chlb, chla/b ratios and total chlorophyll content, soluble and insoluble sugar contents, total protein level, Hill reaction level and chlorophyll fluorescence. The LHCB1co-suppressed plants showed smaller leaf area with pale green coloration. Suppression of the LHCB1 gene significantly reduced fresh weight, chla, chlb content, total chlorophyll, and the rate of Hill reaction. Soluble and insoluble sugars, total protein, and chlorophyll fluorescence did not show significant differences between this line and WT plants. Meanwhile there was not any significant difference in fluorescence parameters between the WT and LHCB1 co-suppressed line.}, keywords = {Arabidopsis,co-suppressed,growth.,LHCB1,photosynthesis}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24823.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24823_694141e11333dc95323b9700bc89c141.pdf} } @article { author = {Hadi, Faranak and Mousavi, Amir and Salmanian, Ali Hatef and Akbari Noghabi, Kambiz}, title = {Glyphosate Tolerance in Transgenic Canola by a Modified Glyphosate Oxidoreductase (gox) Gene}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {50-58}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24824}, abstract = {The engineering of transgenic canola (Brassica napus L. ) to make tolerance to the broad-spectrum herbicide, glyphosate, is one of the most effective approaches for weed management. Glyphosate inhibits the enzyme EPSPS (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) enzyme which functions in the shikimate pathway and has a key role in biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids required for survival of the plant. Induction of glyphosate tolerance in transgenic canola via introducing mutated epsps to the plant genome has been previously reported. By this strategy, enzyme’s affinity for glyphosate is reduced. Applying glyphosate degrading enzyme of bacterial origin such as glyphosate oxidoreductase (GOX) in combination with a glyphosate-tolerant epsps is the ultimate approach to provide commercial rates of glyphosate tolerance. In this project, a synthetic geneencoding GOX enzyme with plant codon preferences was designed. The structure of the synthetic construct and its mRNA were analyzed by bioinformatic tools. This synthetic gene was subcloned and transformed into canola plant via Agrobacterium mediated transformation in order to investigate the potential roles in increasing glyphosate tolerance. The presence, copy numbers and expression of the transgene were confirmed by PCR, Southern blotting and RT-PCR analyses, respectively. The bioassay with glyphosate challenging showed that the transgenic plant tolerated glyphosate at a concentration of 1.5 mM whereas the non-transformed canola was unable to survive in the presence 0.5 mM glyphosate.}, keywords = {Canola,Glyphosate tolerance,Synthetic gene,Gene optimization,Glyphosate oxidoreductase}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24824.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24824_f197706454cb9dc00c961430ce069df9.pdf} } @article { author = {Kordbacheh, Azar and Rahimian, Hassan}, title = {Annotated Checklist of Rotifers of Tehran Province, Iran, with Notes on New Records}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {59-67}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24825}, abstract = {Despite rapid growth of our knowledge on the phylum Rotifera, only few studies on Iranian rotifers have been carried out. In this paper, we present a checklist of rotifers from the province of Tehran in Iran. In total, 45 species of rotifers (class Eurotatoria) are reported. Most of the recorded species are cosmopolitan in distribution. Cephalodella ventripes, Dicranophorus forcipatus, D. luetkeni, Encentrum cf. putorius, Filinia terminalis, Notommata glyphura, Proales minima, Trichocerca tenuior and Trichotria pocillum are new to Iran’s fauna. Of the rotifer families found, Brachionidae, Lecanidae and Notommatidae were the most diverse. This study can be considered a starting point for rotifer biodiversity research in Iran. More comprehensive studies are required to achieve a reliable understanding of rotifer diversity patterns in the province of Tehran.}, keywords = {Biodiversity,Iran.,rotifer,TEHRAN}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24825.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24825_ea9c83140fb27ad4f8ec92b9285d86f8.pdf} } @article { author = {Moalemi, Razieh and Aghdasi, Mahnaz and Ghanati, Faezeh}, title = {Induction of Phenolic Compounds is Affected by Boron Supply in Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L. ) Cells}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {68-75}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24826}, abstract = {Boron (B) is a non-metal micronutrient which is essential for plants growth and development. Formation of boron complex with cell wall matrix and phenolic compounds is a definite influence of boron in physiological process. It has been suggested that B-toxicity and deficiency may induce excess production of reactive oxygen species thereby promote defense responses by antioxidant enzymes or non-enzymatic compounds e. g. phenolics. Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L. ) is a plant whose range of boron requirement has not been reported yet. On the other hand this plant contains valuable flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids and has exhibited strong total antioxidant activity as well. The present study was therefore undertaken in order to investigate on the effects of different concentrations of boron on phenolic compounds of suspension-cultured marshmallow cells. The cells were grown in a modified MS medium without glycine and boron was supplied in the form of H3BO3 with the concentrations of 0.1, 0.01, and 1mM as control, deficiency and excess concentrations, respectively. Deficiency and excess boron supply increased the amount of pectin-bound cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, benzoic acid and tannic acid. Boron in 1mM concentration increased H2O2 content of the cells, but had no effect on H2O2 content in deficient concentration, compared to the control group. The flavonoid content of the cells treated with 1 and 0.01 mM B was also higher than of the cell under control condition, but both B- deficiency and excess B led to a similar decrease in anthocyanin content.}, keywords = {Althaea officinalis,Anthocyanin,boron,flavonoid,Marshmallow,phenolic compounds}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24826.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24826_8dd1bf71585f839723457b6dc29bd61d.pdf} } @article { author = {Saboora, Azra and Parsiavash, Leila and Moosavi-Nejad1, Zahra}, title = {Purification and Kinetic Properties of Guaiacol Peroxidase in Turnip (Brassica napus var. okapi) Root During Different Growth Stages}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {76-86}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24827}, abstract = {In this study, we present changes of peroxidase (E. C. 1.11.1. 7) activities in the root of Brassica napus var. Okapi during rosette stage until ripening of the fruits. Peroxidase activity was determined seasonally over an eight month period. Results showed that total peroxidase activity in the root was highest in mid June and the lowest activities were observed from time of winter dormancy until the beginning of April at which time morphogenic competence of tissues started to increase. Pattern of isoperoxidase bands on poly acrylamide gels (PAGE) showed that there was six inducible isoforms, named as TPA1, TPB1, TPB2, TPC1, TPC2 and TPC3. The isoform TPC3 was purified and partially characterized. Purification of peroxidase from turnip root was achieved by two ammonium sulphate precipitation steps followed by DEAE-sephadex chromatography. The effects of pH and temperature on enzyme activity were determined with guaiacol as electron donor. Highest activity was obtained at pH 6.0-6.5 and at a temperature of 50 °C. The enzyme was active at pH values below 7.0 even after 24 h and remained active after heat treatment at 70 °C for 30 min. It was inhibited by sodium cyanide rather than sodium azide. Loss of TPC3 peroxidase activity in the extracts of non-senescent root tissues suggests that it might play a role in the senescing process}, keywords = {Brassica napus,DEAE-sephadex chromatography,guaiacol peroxidase,purification,Seasonal changes}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24827.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24827_dd49cbd739bd68a483eb1d861f95bf35.pdf} } @article { author = {Mozdoori, Najmeh and Parchami, Neda and Kazemipour, Nasrin and Alavi, Seyed Mehdi}, title = {Sample Preparation for Secretome Analysis in A*-Type Strains of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the Causal Agent of Asiatic Citrus Canker Disease}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {87-94}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24828}, abstract = {Xanthomonas citri subsp citri (Xcc) is responsible for one of the most destructive diseases of citrus fruits, Asiatic citrus canker. Based on the bacterial host range, the pathogenic forms, A, A*, and Aw have been identified. A*-type strains are not well characterized and they have been reported to differ from other A-type strains on the basis of biochemical and genetic characteristics. In this study, we attempted to develop a medium to mimic in planta conditions for inducing protein secretion of the A*-type strain-NIGEB-088. We also attempted to achieve efficient extraction of Xcc A*-type extracellular proteins, the key mediators of plant-bacterium interaction. Results obtained by this study demonstrate that the m3 (mMM1) can induce Xcc A*-type strains to secret extracellular proteins in amounts detectable by two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). We also show that Pyrogallol red-molybdate methanol (PRMM) is more effective for precipitation of Xcc A*-type secreted proteins than other assessed procedures of protein precipitation, i. e. acetone, TCA, and sodium deoxycholate}, keywords = {Asiatic citrus canker disease,in vitro secretome analysis,secreted protein extraction,Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24828.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24828_069f10e7f41e519c0adc47e23940fbaa.pdf} } @article { author = {Darvish, Jamshid and Rastegar -Pouyani, Eskandar}, title = {Biodiversity Conservation of Reptiles and Mammals in the Khorasan Provinces, Northeast of Iran}, journal = {Progress in Biological Sciences}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {95-109}, year = {2012}, publisher = {University of Tehran Press}, issn = {1016-1058}, eissn = {2228-7833}, doi = {10.22059/pbs.2012.24829}, abstract = {The reptile and mammals fauna of North-East of Iran were investigated and the contraction and fragmentation of some species due to climatic changes and human activities were analyzed. The sampling was carried out in selected stations throughout the Great Khorsan. The results showed that there are approximately 71 reptiles (including 39 species of lizards, 32 snakes and one turtle) and 83 species of mammals. The exact number of vulnerable and threatened reptile and mammal species in Khorasan provinces is not clear, but there are at least 33 reptiles and 10 mammals categorized as threatened species. The distribution and population size of some species has greatly changed during recent years, most probably as a result of recent global warming, i. e. temperature rise, decrease of precipitation, drought and human harmful activities. The human activity in this region, especially urbanization, agricultural activities and cutting of shrubs has caused fragmentation and serious decline of population size in some species and even elimination of some local endemic population of relict species. The conservation of mammals and reptiles in the North-East of Iran demands organized collaborations including education of native people for protection of valuable vertebrate faunae of the area.}, keywords = {Biodiversity,Climatic changes,Conservation,Khorasan,mammals,Reptiles}, url = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24829.html}, eprint = {https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_24829_56d67572e7cc13e0a3e6f5788b307ec2.pdf} }