Disease relevance of Manihot

• Codelivery of an siRNA designed to target the mRNA encoding the replication-associated protein (AC1) of the geminivirus African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) from Cameroon blocked AC1 mRNA accumulation by approximately 91% and inhibited accumulation of the ACMV genomic DNA by approximately 66% at 36 and 48 h after transfection [1].
• The specific and different roles played by these AC2 and AC4 proteins of cassava geminiviruses in regulating anti-PTGS activity and their relation to synergism are discussed [2].
• We identified a new focus of konzo, an upper motor neuron disease, in a part of western Central African Republic. Interviews and high serum levels of thiocyanate indicate that cyanide exposure from insufficiently processed cassava may cause konzo [3].
• Lactobacillus manihotivorans sp. nov., a new starch-hydrolysing lactic acid bacterium isolated during cassava sour starch fermentation [4].
• A cassava cDNA microarray based on a large cassava EST database was constructed and used to study the incompatible interaction between cassava and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) strain CIO151 [5].

High impact information on Manihot

• The use of cassava as a source of ethanol for fuel depends on finding an efficient source of energy for distillation or an improved method of separating ethanol from water [6].
• We investigated a konzo-affected population in rural Zaire and measured the cyanogen content of cassava flour, determined urinary thiocyanate as an indicator of cyanide intake, and compared blood cyanide concentrations in cases and controls [7].
• The mean blood glucose was similar whether cassava was consumed once daily, more than once daily, or less than once daily [8].
• In vitro binding assays revealed the ability of AC4 of ACMV (A-AC4) but not East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus AC2 to bind single-stranded forms of miRNAs and short interfering RNAs but not double-stranded RNA forms [9].
• As with siRNA-induced reporter gene silencing, the siRNA targeting ACMV AC1 was specific and did not affect the replication of East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus [1].

Chemical compound and disease context of Manihot

• Cytosine methylation inhibits replication of African cassava mosaic virus by two distinct mechanisms [10].
• DNA fragments from promoter regions of the geminivirus, African cassava mosaic virus, were cloned into pG1, a vector based on pUC18, producing transcriptional fusions with the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene and nopaline synthase termination sequence [11].
• CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ataxic polyneuropathy is high in Ososa, Nigeria, but the intake of cassava foods, exposure to cyanide, and levels of thiols, are not related to the occurrence [12].
• Assessment of nutritional status of vitamin B components by plasma or blood levels indicated riboflavin deficiency and possibly thiamine deficiency in Nigerian patients who suffered from tropical ataxic neuropathy and neurologically normal Nigerians who subsisted on predominant cassava diet [13].
• We demonstrate that TYLCV-C C2, like its counterpart in the bipartite begomovirus African cassava mosaic virus, mediates suppression of posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) [14].

Biological context of Manihot

• The G3pdh locus provides high levels of noncoding sequence variation in cassava and its wild relatives, with 28 haplotypes identified among 212 individuals (424 alleles) examined [15].
• Cytochromes P-450 from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) catalyzing the first steps in the biosynthesis of the cyanogenic glucosides linamarin and lotaustralin. Cloning, functional expression in Pichia pastoris, and substrate specificity of the isolated recombinant enzymes [16].
• Furthermore, we determined that the C terminus of AC1 that overlaps with the N terminus of AC2 early viral genes involved in virus replication were the primary targets for ACMV-[CM]-induced PTGS, whereas the C terminus of BC1 was targeted for the East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus [17].
• Tryptophan 128 of hydroxynitrile lyase of Manihot esculenta (MeHNL) covers a significant part of a hydrophobic channel that gives access to the active site of the enzyme [18].
• Mutagenesis of the BC1 and BV1 genes of African cassava mosaic virus identifies conserved amino acids that are essential for spread [19].

Anatomical context of Manihot

• Thyroid T4 and T3 contents of mice on cassava were relatively low compared with mice on Purina diet [20].
• Molecular characterization and expression of a cDNA encoding copper/zinc superoxide dismutase from cultured cells of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) [21].
• Addition of fish oil to a complete diet based on wheat, rye, tapioca, and soybean constituents containing 11 IU vitamin E/kg resulted in increased n-3 PUFA content in egg yolk, mainly due to accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid [22].
• The results show that TrAP activates virion-sense expression strongly both in cassava and tobacco protoplasts, but not in transgenic tobacco plants [23].
• Fetuses collected on day 20 from the group receiving cassava as 80% of the diet showed a low incidence of limb defects, open eye, microcephaly, and growth retardation in the rat [24].

Associations of Manihot with chemical compounds

• The hydroxynitrile lyase from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) (EC 4.1.2.37) catalyzes the decomposition of the achiral alpha-hydroxynitrile acetone cyanohydrin into HCN and acetone during cyanogenesis of damaged plants [25].
• Each cytochrome P-450 metabolizes L-valine as well as L-isoleucine consistent with the co-occurrence of linamarin and lotaustralin in cassava [16].
• The ingestion of cassava in Dich Giao did not cause a major change in thyroid hormone economy even though iodine intake was marginally low; the data suggest that the goitrogenic effect of cassava is easily overcome by supplementary iodine, even when it is ingested irregularly [26].
• Ectopic expression of CYP79D2 from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) in L. japonicus resulted in a 5- to 20-fold increase of linamarin content, whereas the relative amounts of lotaustralin and rhodiocyanoside A/D were unaltered [27].
• Expression of CYP79D2 from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) in Arabidopsis resulted in the production of valine (Val)- and isoleucine-derived glucosinolates not normally found in this ecotype [28].

Gene context of Manihot

• The effect of feeding rats with cassava diet (tapioca) has been investigated with respect to the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and levels of TBARS [29].
• Moreover, a wide range in values of Km (CO2) for the C3 photosynthetic enzyme Rubisco was found among cassava cultivars indicating the possibility of selection for higher affinity to CO2, and consequently higher leaf photosynthesis [30].
• Leaves of cassava and wild Manihot possess elevated activities of the C4 enzyme PEP carboxylase but lack the leaf Kranz anatomy typical of C4 species, pointing to the need for further research on cultivated and wild Manihot to further improve its photosynthetic potential and yield,particularly under stressful environments [30].
• Enough casein was added to all cassava diets to bring protein energy to 8% of the total [31].
• Two libraries were constructed from the cassava clones, TMS 30001, resistant to the cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and the cassava bacterial blight (CBB), and MECU72, resistant to cassava white fly [32].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Manihot

• The nature of the viruses present was determined by using the PCR with primers specific for the coat protein (CP) genes of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) [33].
• Cryopreservation of embryogenic calli of cassava using sucrose cryoprotection and air desiccation [34].
• The results obtained from the factorial experimental design in a column bioreactor showed that an aeration rate of 60 mL/min (3 mL/[g.min]) and 60% initial humidity were optimum, resulting in 265.7 g/kg of dry cassava bagasse citric acid production [35].
• The protein population of cassava root layers was characterized by SDS-PAGE and bidimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [36].
• RT-PCR analysis showed that the MEamy2 gene expression was induced in cassava roots within 2 hours after treatment with GA, but not ABA [37].

References