• S Srivastava

      Articles written in Journal of Biosciences

    • Do ribosomal RNAs act merely as scaffold for ribosomal proteins?

      D P Burma A K Srivastava S Srivastava D Dash D S Tewari B Nag

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      Investigations that are being carried out in various laboratories including ours clearly provide the answer which is in the negative. Only the direct evidences obtained in this laboratory will be presented and discussed. It has been unequivocally shown that the interaction between 16S and 23S RNAs plays the primary role in the association of ribosomal subunits. Further, 23S RNA is responsible for the Binding of 5S RNA to 16S.23S RNA complex with the help of three ribosomal proteins, L5, L18, L15/L25. The 16S.23S RNA complex is also capable of carrying out the following ribosomal functions, although to small but significant extents, with the help of a very limited number of ribosomal proteins and the factors involved in protein synthesis: (a) poly U-Binding, (B) poly U-dependent Binding of phenylalanyl tRNA, (c) EF-G-dependent GTPase activity, (d) initiation complex formation, (e) peptidyl transferase activity (puromycin reaction) and (f) polyphenylalanine synthesis. These results clearly indicate the direct involvement of rRNAs in the various steps of protein synthesis. Very recently it has Been demonstrated that the conformational change of 23S RNA is responsible for the translocation of peptidyl tRNA from the aminoacyl (A) site to the peptidyl (P) site. A model has Been proposed for translocation on the Basis of direct experimental evidences. The new concept that ribosomal RNAs are the functional components in ribosomes and proteins act as control switches may eventually turn out to Be noncontroversial.

    • Ultrastructural evidence for the presence of secretory cells in the pineal parenchyma ofHeteropneustes fossilis

      S Srivastava

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      There is an extensive literature dealing with the study of indoles, especially serotonin and melatonin, but with considerably less emphasis on the cells and cell types involved in the synthetic process. In the present electron microscopical investigation of the pineal end vesicle ofHeteropneustes fossilis, pinealocytes have been revealed in the pineal parenchyma characterized with extensive synthetic apparatus viz., rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, lipid droplets, mitochondria and Golgi bodies. Two sub-populations of the pinealocytes are easily distinguishable on the basis of electron opacity and the preponderance of one or other morphological profile: light cells and dark cells. Light cells represent the active phase of secretion while dark cells represent the storage and release phase of secretion. A neuroendocrine role for the pineal body inHeteropneustes fossilis is suggested which may be significant in view of the nocturnal habit of the fish.

    • Influence of continuous light and darkness on the secretory pinealocytes ofHeteropneustes fossilis

      S Srivastava

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      In an earlier study onHeteropneustes fossilis, evidence of secretory activity in the pinealocytes had been demonstrated at the electron microscopic (EM) level and it was found to exist in two phases: a secretory phase (light cells) and a storage phase (dark cells). In the present investigation,H. fossilis was subjected to artificial photoperiods of continuous illumination and continuous darkness for a period of ten days and the effect on the secretory pinealocytes was studied at the EM level. Marked results were observed within the short period of ten days emphasizing the role of environmental photoperiod on the secretory activity of the pinealocytes. During continuous illuminated phase, both light and dark cells were observed: the light cells showed intense secretory activity and dark cells a storage one. During the dark phase both types of cells were present but in different metabolic states and neither of the cells demonstrated synthetic nor storage activity. Light cells were metabolically active but not secretory active and dark cells showed a necrotic condition. Phagocytotic activity of the dark cells was also seen. Intense neural activity was also observed during exposure to both the artificial photoperiods. The results highlight the role of light on the secretory activities of the pinealocytes of the catfish pineal organ.

    • Ni2+-uptake inPseudomonas putida strain S4: a possible role of Mg2+-uptake pump

      V N Tripathi S Srivastava

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      Essential metal ion homeostasis is based on regulated uptake of metal ions, both during its scarcity and abundance.Pseudomonas putida strain S4, a multimetal resistant bacterium, was employed to investigate Ni2+ entry into cells. It was observed that Mg2+ regulates the entry of Ni2+ and by this plays a protective role to minimize Ni2+ toxicity in this strain. This protection was evident in both growth as well as viability. Intracellular accumulation of Ni2+ varied in accordance with Mg2+ concentrations in the medium. It was hypothesized that Ni2+ enters the cell using a broad Mg2+ pump, i.e. the CorA system, as the CorA inhibitor, i.e. Co(III) Hex, also inhibits Ni2+ uptake. This led to the inference that Mg2+-based protection was basically due to competitive inhibition of Ni2+ uptake. We also show that Zn2+ can further regulate the entry of Ni2+

  • Journal of Biosciences | News

      Forthcoming Special issue.


    • To trigger further research on plant mitochondria, the Journal of Biosciences is bringing out a special issue titled "Plant Mitochondria: Properties and Interactions with Other Organelles".


      Plant mitochondria are quite distinct and have unique features, such as a cyanide-insensitive alternate pathway. They also interact with chloroplasts to optimize photosynthetic carbon assimilation.


      Submissions are welcome until 30 July 2023. The contributions can be original articles, short communications, reviews, or mini-reviews on any topic related to plant mitochondria.


      Authors can submit their articles online at https://www.editorialmanager.com/jbsc/default2.aspx

      Posted on April 12, 2023
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      Posted on July 25, 2019

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