Hbxip (Lamtor5) is essential for embryogenesis and regulates embryonic stem cell differentiation through activating mTORC1

Hbxip, also named Lamtor5, has been well characterized as a transcriptional coactivator in various cancers. However, the role of Hbxip in normal development remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrated that homozygous knockout of Hbxip leads to embryonic lethality, with retarded growth around E7.5. Using Hbxip knockout embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we showed that depletion of Hbxip compromises the self-renewal of ESCs, with reduced expression of pluripotency genes, reduced cell proliferation, and decreased colony forming capacity. In addition, Hbxip-/- ESCs are defective in differentiation, particularly ectodermal and mesodermal differentiation. Consistently, Hbxip-/- epiblast fails to differentiate properly, indicated by sustained expression of Oct4 in E8.5 Hbxip-/- epiblast. Mechanistically, in ESCs, Hbxip interacts with other components of the Ragulator complex, which is required for mTORC1 activation by amino acids. Importantly, ESCs depleted of Ragulator subunits, Lamtor3 or Lamtor4, display differentiation defects similar to those of Hbxip-/- ESCs. Moreover, Hbxip-/-, p14-/-, and p18-/- mice, lacking subunits of the Ragulator complex, also share similar phenotypes, embryonic lethality and retarded growth around E7-8. Thus, we conclude that Hbxip plays a pivotal role in the development and differentiation of the epiblast, as well as the self-renewal and differentiation of ESCs, through activating mTORC1 signaling.

ROLE OF MASANUMASIKA PATHYA TO PREVENT GARBHA SHOSHA

Pregnancy is a state of high nutritional demand. The diet taken by the pregnant women is utilised in three ways as said by the classics - For the nourishment of pregnant women, for the production of breast milk and the proper nourishment of the foetus. So, the health and growth of the foetus depend mainly on the diet and nutrition of the mother. With this viewpoint, garbhini paricharya is explained. A condition in our classics has been explained as ‘Garbha Shosha’ where there is retarded growth of the foetus in the womb. ‘Aaharamaapnothi yathaa na garbhaha’ is said as the nidana of garbha shosha by Acharya Charaka which states that this condition arises where the foetus is not provided with a nutritious diet through the mother. Acharya Vagbhata points out that vitiation of ‘Rasavaha Srotas’ happens in the same. Acharya Bhavamishra advised brimhana drugs with mamsarasa in this condition for nutrition. Strict adherence to masanumasika pathya may help in preventing garbha shosha by promoting the growth of the foetus. Keywords: Garbha shosha, Diet, Nutrition, Brimhana, Masanumasika pathya

Detection of Novel Goose Parvovirus Disease Associated with Short Beak and Dwarfism Syndrome in Commercial Ducks

Derzsy’s disease causes disastrous losses in domestic waterfowl farms. A genetically variant strain of Muscovy duck parvovirus (MDPV) and goose parvovirus (GPV) was named novel goose parvovirus (NGPV), which causes characteristic syndrome in young ducklings. The syndrome was clinically characterized by deformity in beaks and retarded growth, called short beaks and dwarfism syndrome (SBDS). Ten mule and pekin duck farms were investigated for parvovirus in three Egyptian provinces. Despite low recorded mortality rate (20%), morbidity rate was high (70%), but the economic losses were remarkable as a result of retarded growth and low performance. Isolation of NGPV was successful on primary cell culture of embryonated duck liver cells with a clear cytopathic effect. Partial gene sequence of the VP1 gene showed high amino acids identity among isolated strains and close identity with Chinese strains of NGPV, and low identity with classic GPV and MDPV strains. To the best of our knowledge, this can be considered the first record of NGPV infections in Egypt.

An Acidic Exopolysaccharide fromHaloarcula hispanicaATCC33960 and Two Genes Responsible for Its Synthesis

A 1.1 × 106 Da acidic exopolysaccharide (EPS) was purified from an extremely halophilic archaeonHaloarcula hispanicaATCC33960 with a production of 30 mg L−1when grown in AS-168 medium, which mainly composed of mannose and galactose with a small amount of glucose in a molar ratio of 55.9 : 43.2 : 0.9. Two glycosyltransferase genes (HAH_1662andHAH_1667) were identified to be responsible for synthesis of the acidic EPS. Deletion of eitherHAH_1662orHAH_1667led to loss of the acidic EPS. The mutants displayed a different cell surface morphology, retarded growth in low salty environment, an increased adhesion, and swimming ability. Our results suggest that biosynthesis of the acidic EPS might act as an adaptable mechanism to protect the cells against harsh environments.