نشریه یافته های نوین در علوم زیستی
سال هفتم شماره 2 (پیاپی 24، تابستان 1399)

Yarrowia lipolytica, as a good cell factory to speed up the production of plant pharmaceutical components, has been considered to be one of the most important and attractive micro-organisms in recent years, due to its high secretion capacity, limited glycosylation, large range of genetic markers and molecular tools. Naringenin, as a central core of flavonoids production, plays important roles both in plants and in the treatment of different types of human diseases. For this purpose, specific naringenin biosynthesis genes from different origins were selected and introduced after comparative expression profiling in Y. lipolytica. This research indicated that chs plays the main role in the production of naringenin, so the increase copy number of this gene in each construct was investigated. The HPLC results confirmed that the construct with 5 copy numbers of chs resulted in 7.14 fold increase of naringenin extracellular titer to 90.16 mg/L in shake flask cultures. The results reported in this study demonstrated that sufficient knowledge of genes involved in the specific biosynthesis pathway, synthetic gene pathway and using Y. lipolytica as a capable and cheap host could help bioengineers to produce significant amounts of pharmaceutical components.

In this study, the extract of coffee powder for green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles has been used because it is compatibility with the environment and it does not produce any toxic substances in the reaction. Then, the interaction of zinc oxide nanoparticles with calf thymus DNA with various spectroscopic methods such as UV-Visible, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) techniques was investigated. UV-Visible data showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles induced denaturation in DNA in a dose-dependent manner at both the room and physiologic temperatures. Extrinsic fluorescence emission of ethidium bromide (EB) results also showed that the increase of zinc oxide nanoparticles concentrations, decreases the emission intensity of EB. This may be the result of the intercalation of nanoparticles. Also, CD data showed that the synthesized zinc oxide caused structural changes in DNA. Finally, according to our results, it can be concluded that zinc oxide nanoparticles can bind with DNA and induce some structural changes in DNA structure.

Nowadays, the entrance of nanoparticles into high seas has led to toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Copper oxide nanoparticles is among the most widely used nanoparticles. The presence of these nanoparticles in the aquatic environments cause new environmental problems, which indicate the necessity of the examination of the effects of these nanoparticles on the aquatic organisms. The alfalfa plant has antioxidantive and regenerative effects due to its rich content of proteins, vitamin C and flavonoids. In this study, 6 (5 experimental and a control) groups were designed. Koi fish larvae were fed with biomar combined with various percentages of hay (0%, 10% and 20%) and were exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles with two concentrations (0 mg and 200 mg) for 14 days. The average initial length of larvae was 30.4 ± 0.01 mm, their average initial weight was 0.31 ± 0.05 and their age was around 20 dph. The specific growth rate, weight gain, length gain, survival rate and feed conversion ratio were calculated for each group. The results showed a significant higher growth rate in the groupstreated with 10% and 20% of alfalfa, as compared with the control group. In addition, the Cu NPs-treated group with 0% alfalfa rations showed the lowest rate of growth, as compared with the control group. Groups which were exposed to copper nanoparticles while receiving alfalfa-containing rations had growth indices better than the group exposed to copper nanoparticles and fed with 0% alfalfa ration, which indicated the antioxidant properties and growth-promoting effects of alfalfa.

Malathion is one of the commonest type of organophosphate insecticide whose toxicity in human body is mainly considered to result from the induction of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, on the spatial memory and oxidative stress parameters during Malathion poisoning in male Wistar rats. This study was performed on nine groups, each of which consisted of eight male rats. Three days after intra-peritoneal injection of Quercetin, Malathion or a combination of these two drugs, the Moris Water-Maze apparatus was used to measure spatial memory parameters. The hippocampus was sampled and the oxidative stress parameters were measured in this area. Intra-peritoneal injection of Malathion (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced spatial memory parameters (P<0.01) and induced oxidative stress (P<0.001), whereas intra-peritoneal injection of quercetin (50 mg/kg) improved spatial memory in Malathion-poisoned experimental rats (P<0.05). Also, oxidative stress parameters in Malathion-treated groups showed a significant reduction in quercetin treatment (P<0.01). Quercetin was observed to restore the function of spatial memory and the level of oxidative stress parameters of the treated groups with Malathion to the normal level.

Amniotic fluid (AF) is essential for fetal development and maturation during pregnancy. The levels of proteins in AF have been determined in many studies to screen for potential biomarkers of pregnancy-associated abnormalities. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a major AF and plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during the fetal period. APF serum concentrations are commonly used for screening of many syndromes. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) were reported to change gene expression in the embryo and in adults. The aim of this research was to assess the effects of 50hertz/1millitesla EMFs on AFP expression in the AF in the mouse embryo. AF samples were obtained from pregnant mice in gestational days 16 and 18. AFP relative expression was studied by western blotting. The results of this study showed that AFP relative expression increases in the EMF-treated AF as compared with either SHAM or control groups. It is concluded that EMF increases the AFP relative expression in the AF. It is also suggested that EMF may change the AFP expression in the AF by altering the expression of genes, including AFP, and/or by affecting the permeability of blood barriers.

Gentamicin (GM) is an antibiotic widely used against gram-negative infections. However, its clinical application is limited due to its nephrotoxicity. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin. Previous studies showed that Rosa canina L. (RC) fruits possess antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of RC on GM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups and treated as follows: Group 1 (control group) was treated by the oral administration of 1 ml normal saline, Group 2 was treated by a 100 mg/Kg (B.W) dose of GM intraperitoneally, Group 3 was treated by oral administration of 200 mg/Kg (B.W) of RC followed by a 100 mg/Kg (B.W) dose of GM intraperitoneally, Group 4 was treated by oral administration of 400 mg/Kg (B.W) RC followed by a 100 mg/Kg (B.W) of GM intraperitoneally, and Group 5 was treated by oral administration of 400 mg/Kg (B.W) of RC. The nephrotoxicity observed in each group was histopathologically evaluated by light microscopy and biochemically evaluated by measuring the levels of creatinine and urea in the blood serum. The relative weight of kidney in each gentamicin-treated animals in the group 2 was increased in comparison with those in the control group (p<0.05), however, the administration of RC extract decreased the kidney somatic index toward the normal level. While the animals treated with gentamicin showed significantly higher levels of serum urea and creatinine (p<0.001), simultaneous coadministration of GM with a high dose of RC (400 mg/Kg (B.W) ameliorated the biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity, showing the significant decrease in the levels of serum creatinine and urea. In addition, Histomorphological examination showed that the rats treated with GM suffered necrosis and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells, glomerular stasis and inflammatory cell infiltration in renal cortex, while simultaneous administration of RC and GM reduced those histologically damages. It could be concluded that the administration of RC showed a protective effect on the rat kidney by preventing renal damages induced by GM, therefore, the RC-based supplements could be proposed to minimize the GM-induced renal damages.

This study was conducted to understand the morphological variation of four populations of Schizothorax pelzami from Iranian inland waters. For this purpose, a total of 81 specimens were collected from the Bidvaz, Cheshmeh-Ali, Kalat and Aal rivers. After anesthesia, all specimens were fixed into buffered formalin and transferred to the laboratory. Then, the left sides of all individuals were photographed. To extract the body shape data, 14 landmarks-points were defined and digitized on 2D image using TpsDig2 software. To eliminate size, direction and position from data, the Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was performed. Then, PCA, MANOVA/CVA and cluster analysis were used for further investigation. The results showed that there was no significant difference but some overlapping among the studied populations on the basis of PCA analysis was observed. The CVA graph separated the studied populations from on another. The main differences in body shape of the studied populations were related to the position of the snout, the depth of head and body, and the length of caudal peduncle. The observed changes can be considered to be an adaptation to their habitat, which has been influenced by different environmental parameters.

There are different methods to investigate the effects of climatic fluctuations on the biota, two of which, molecular phylogeography and SDM, are the most useful tools to trace the past climate induced modifications on species’ geographic distributions. In this study, seven samples were collected from the species distribution range in Iran for the purpose of measuring the genetic variation within the Iranian spiny-tailed lizards, using cytochrome b. SDM was carried out by 41 presence points and bioclimatic variables for the present and future climatic conditions (by the year 2050), employing the statistical package ‘sdm’ in order to implement the ensemble model. The results of genetic analyses revealed that the specimens from Bastak in Hormozgan Province are distinguishable from all other specimens. Haplotype diversity was calculated as 0.8. The haplotype network illustrated that the central haplotype is located in the central Iranian Plateau. Moreover, the ensemble model predicted that, while the suitable habitats of this species were found to be in the south of Iran and the Iranian Central Plateau in the present climatic conditions, there will be a decrease in the extent of these patches and Baluchistan will be added as a suitable habitat in 2050. Generally, both genetic studies and modeling predictions suggested that the western and southern specimens (Bastak in Hormozgan) were divided according to the separation of their habitats. In addition, based on modeling scenarios in the future, the optimal habitat for the species is located in the central haplotype area.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth and productivity. Since agricultural soils in Iran are predominantly calcareous with very low available Pi content, Pi deficiency has been considered to be a major nutritional constraint for crop production, thus, the application of Pi-fertilizers is essential for satisfactory crop production. The application of Pi-fertilizers contaminates soil and water resources. Therefore, the application of Pi-fertilizers should be reduced through some efficient strategies. The identification of genotypes more tolerant to Pi deficiency is an important low-cost strategy to promote sustainable agriculture in low fertility soils. In this study, the morphological and biochemical responses of five cultivars of common bean (Talash, Mahali Khomein, Sadri, Kosha and Line Ks21191) were evaluated under Pi sufficiency and Pi deficiency. Under Pi-deficient conditions, fresh and dry weights and shoot length were lower while root length was higher in comparison with Pi-sufficient conditions. Under Pi-deficient conditions, the highest and lowest levels of total P were observed in Mahali Khomein and Talash, respectively. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in root and catalase in leave showed remarkable increase under Pi-deficient conditions. In conclusion, Mahali Khomein and Talash were the most and the least Pi-deficient tolerant cultivars, respectively.

The aim of this research was to study the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) on the growth, differentiation, anatomy, and physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) on the basis of a completely randomized design in vitro condition. Seedlings were cultured in MS medium containing four concentrations of FeO NPs (0, 1, 10, and 20 mgl-1). Also, the effect of the different concentrations of FeO NPs on callus formation under two various hormone conditions (0.5mgl-1 2,4D+0.5 mgl-1 BAP or 0.5 mgl-1 BAP+1 mgl-1 Kin) were assessed. The results showed that the application of FeO NPs significantly increased biomass accumulation in both roots and shoots. Moreover, FeO NPs enhanced the concentrations of photosynthesis pigments (chllrophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids). The presence of FeO NPs in culture medium affected callus formation in a hormone-dependent manner. Different concentration of FeO NPs induced the callus formation under 2, 4-D and BAP treatments. However, it did not significantly increase callus formation under the kinitin and 2,4-D. The findings of this research indicated that the application of FeO NPs at optimized doses may improve plant production, especially in vitro condition.

In this study, phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary trends of morphological characters of Astragalus sects. Acanthophace and Aegacantha were studied using nrDNA ITS and rpl32-trnLUAG datasets while Astragalus stocksii was selected as the outgroup. The phylogenetic results indicated the non-monophyly of A. sect. Acanthophace in its current circumscription due to the distant exclusion of A. ovigerus from the core group, and incongruence between nuclear and plastid datasets on the basis of different position of latter species in the resulted phylogenetic trees. Astragalus sect. Aegacantha was also found to not being monophyletic due to the distant position of A. montis-parrowii from the other representatives of the section while accompanying with other spiny Astragalus species. The Optimization of 32 morphological characters on the Bayesian combined tree indicated that some characters were most useful for delimitation of taxa in sections Acanthophace and Aegacantha. The results obtained from the evolution of characters showed that standard blade constriction, legume shape and possessing unilocular pods were of diagnostic importance for the separation of A. ovigerus from other species. The traced characters were in accordance with the phylogenetic position of A. montis-parrowii, which was separated from other members of sect. Aegacantha, as the number of flowers in inflorescences, the presence of peduncle, hairy petal, pandurate standard and constriction of standard that is differentiatiated to claw, the presence of claw in standard and the length difference between keel and wing were different from those in other members of the sect. Aegacantha.

The present study was aimed to investigate foliar anatomy and flower, fruit and seed morphology of three subspecies of Agrimonia eupatoria (i.e. A. eupatoria subsp. eupatoria, A. eupatoria subsp. grandis and A. eupatoria subsp. asiatica) and the species of Aremonia agrimonioides, belonging to the subtribe Agrimoniiae (Rosaceae) in Iran. Firstly, plant specimens were collected and then identified on the basis of relevant references. For anatomical analysis, the cross sections of basal leaves of each taxon were prepared, studied by light microscopy and then photographed by means of a digital camera. For morphological analysis, the flower, achene and seed characters were carefully examined using digital microscopy. To determine the relationships among the taxa, 57 characters were included in the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results supported the classification proposed by Flora Iranica and showed the importance of leaf anatomical, flower, achene and seed morphological characters in separating inter-generic, intraspecific and interspecific relationships among the representatives of subtribe Agrimoniinea in Iran.