Vol. No. 104 February 2014 Email: sbcihq@gmail.com http://www.iisc.ernet.in/sbci

OFFICE BEARERS OF SBC(I)- 2014

PRESIDENT

Dr. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay University College of Science, Kolkata

VICE-PRESIDENTS

Dr. Umesh Varshney IISc, Bangalore

Dr. Ch. Mohan Rao CCMB, Hyderabad

Dr. Dwijendra K. Gupta University of Allahabad Allahabad

SECRETARIES

Dr. Sathees C. RaghavanIISc, Bangalore

Dr. Patrick D’SilvaIISc, Bangalore

Dr. S. DayanandaUoH, Hyderabad

TREASURER

Dr. K. N. Balaji IISc, Bangalore

Dear SBC(I) members,

It is a pleasure to communicate with you for conveying good wishes for the year

2014. Allow me to take you through our vibrant journey in the year 2013. The SBC(I) head

quarters has been shifted to the New Biological Sciences building and the present address

is SBC(I), First floor, D wing, New Biological Sciences building, IISc, Bangalore – 12. On

behalf of the SBC(I) family, we would like to thank Prof. P. Balaram, Director, IISc, Prof. V.

Nagaraja, the former President SBC(I) and Prof. D. N. Rao, Chairman, Division of Biological

Sciences, IISc and past Vice President SBC(I) for their efforts towards arranging this space.

It is heartening to note that the membership of the society has crossed 3200 in the year

2013. Though out of 42 local chapters only few are active, five National Conferences have

been organised by the Annamalai, Mumbai, Manipal, Bangalore and the Kolkata chapters.

Besides this, SBC(I), in collaboration with Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha organised a

workshop on “Cancer and Diabetes”, as a part of its outreach programme for the benefit

of under-privileged high school students at Malda, West Bengal under the leadership of

Prof. Tapas Kundu, JNCASR, Bangalore. Around 300 high school students participated

from remote parts of the Malda district. In continuation with our tradition of exposing

our students to advanced scientific sensibilities and cutting edge technological advances

that drive modern scientific research, we have awarded International travel grant to 4

students from JNU (1), IISc (2) and IIT-Bombay (1). Cama memorial travel grant has been

awarded to Dr. D. K. Srivastava, Y. S., Parmar University, Nauni, Solan. SBC(I) fellowship for

young scientists has been awarded to Dr. Niyas Ahamed, Islamia College, Vaniyambadi to

carry out research in CLRI, Chennai. A new poster award which has been named as P. R.

Sudhakaran Best poster award in the field of cell biology/ cell signaling will be instituted

during the 83rd Annual meeting of SBC(I) – 2014 to be organised by the Bhubaneswar

chapter. The two newsletters during the year 2013 published 4 articles, and cartoons

contributed by the student members. Another very important development that occurred

during the year is formalization of new partnership between SBC(I) and Korean Society for

Molecular and Cellular Biology (KSMCB). Both the societies will make reasonable efforts to

encourage direct contact, educational and research cooperation between their members

by inviting speakers and poster presentations at each society; annual meeting and mutual

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promotion and advertisement of annual meeting and official journals. Prof. D. N. Rao, IISc attended the international

conference of KSMCB held during October 9-11, 2013 at Seoul, Korea. A similar partnership programme and an

MOU was also formalized with FEBS. During the 82nd Annual Meeting of SBC(I) held at Hyderabad, Prof. Israel Pecht,

(FEBS Secretary General from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel) and Prof. Felix Weidand from University of

Heidelberg, Germany participated with their team. FEBS also exhibited the different activities of the organization in

the conference. Prof. Felix delivered a lecture in the conference.

University of Hyderabad along with other research organizations from Hyderabad jointly organized the 82nd

Annual Meeting during December 2-5, 2013. Prof. S. Dayananda, School of Life Science, University of Hyderabad,

Organizing Secretary, with his brilliant team successfully conducted the Annual Meet and the International Conference

on Genomes: Mechanism and Function. Around 78 lectures in 15 scientific sessions along with 3 plenary lectures by

eminent scientists were deliberated during the four days. The inaugural function ended with an excellent cultural

programme which included dance production ‘Aapas- an ode to water’ and ‘Aarabhi Violin symphony’. Four oration

awards, P. S. Sharma Memorial award, Prof. M. Shadakshara Swamy Endowment Lecture award, P. A. Kurup Endowment

Award and D. P. Burma Memorial Lecture Award were given respectively to Dr. P. N. Rangarajan, IISc, Dr. J. K. Pal,

University of Pune, Dr. K. Satyamoorthy, Manipal University and Prof. Siddhartha Roy, CSIR-IICB and all of them

delivered the award lectures. On behalf of all the members, we want to thank the SBC(I) members of Hyderabad

chapter and especially to the team led by Prof. Dayananda.

Friends, we shall exchange our thoughts during the year and please do provide your valuable feedback for

making this prestigious organization a model for emphasizing the teaching and research in biochemistry and related

life science areas.

Celebrate your originality.

D. J. Chattopadhyay

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR

83rd ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTS, INDIA

VENUE: National Institute of Science Education and Research,

Bhubaneswar

TENTATIVE DATE: 18-21 December 2014

CONVENOR:

Dr. Abdur RahamanNational Institute of Science Education & Research

Bhubaneswar, Orissa 751 005arahaman@niser.ac.in

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A brief report of 82nd Annual Meeting of Society of Biological Chemists (India), held at University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad

from December 2-5, 2013

With much delight we would like to inform that the Society of Biological Chemists (India), Hyderabad chapter organized the 82nd annual meeting of the society along with an International Conference on Genomes: Mechanism and Function which has a good outcome. The four day long (December 2-5, 2013) program had three parallel sessions on various topics ranging from the Genes, Genetics and Genomes to Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology which included invited and student lectures. Three plenary lectures, one inaugural lecture, four award lectures, six student lectures and seventy one invited talks were delivered by eminent scientists from various prestigious institutions and 450 posters were received for display during the meet. A total of approximately 800 people from all over the country had registered for the programme. The programme started with the welcome address by the Vice Chancellor of University of Hyderabad, Prof. Ram Ramaswamy followed by the opening remarks by D. J. Chattopadhyay, the president of the society. The scientific programme started with inaugural lecture by Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain. The general body meeting was held on the evening of 3rd December, followed by a memorable cultural evening. The four day long scientific feast ended with the valedictory lecture delivered by Dr. Mohan Rao, Director, CCMB, Hyderabad. Dr. Rao also distributed prizes for the best posters award winners. The program concluded with a general vote of thanks and appreciation by the SBC (I) president and the Vice president. The Hyderabad Chapter of SBC(I) thus served as a platform for discussing advances in frontier areas of Biochemical Sciences stimulating interest among young students on this fascinating branch of Science.

S. Dayananda Convener 82nd SBC(I) meeting

NOMINATIONS FOR 2014 SBC (I) AWARD

This year Sreenivasaya Memorial Award, Prof. I. S. Bhatia Award, Prof. A. N. Bhaduri Memorial Lecture Award and A. Krishnamurthy Award (best paper published in Indian Journal) will be given at the annual meeting to be held at Bhubaneswar. Please send the nominations including the date of birth, member status, brief resume of scientific contributions and a list of publications and few selected reprints in five copies of the nominee to:

Hon. SecretarySociety of Biological Chemists, IndiaD- Wing, 1st Floor, New Biological Science buildingIndian Institute of ScienceBangalore 560012Phone : 080- 23601412Email: sbcihq@gmail.com

Complete application should reach SBC(I) office on or before 15th Oct 2014

CRITERIA FOR 2014 AWARDS

SREENIVASAYA MEMORIAL AWARD

Year of Commencement : 1972Frequency : Once in three yearsValue : Rs.10,000/- with a citation

Eligibility: 1. The award is for the best work done in the field of Biochemistry and Allied

Sciences in India2. The recipient of the award should not have completed 50 years before January

1st in the year for which the award is announced.3. The award has to be nominated by life member of the society and no self

nomination is accepted.4. A lecture will be scheduled at the Annual Meeting of SBC(I) and presentation

will be made at that time.

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PROF I. S. BHATIA AWARD

Year of Commencement : 2000Frequency : Once in three yearsValue : Rs.10,000/- with a citationField of research : Original research contributions in Plant Biochemistry Molecular Biology & Allied Sciences

Eligibility1. The Award will be considered for “life time” achievements in the above

disciplines2. The award has to be nominated by life member of the society and no self

nomination is accepted.3. The Awardee should give a lecture at the Annual General Body Meeting of the

Society of Biological Chemists and should have been a member of the Society for at least two years

PROF. A. N. BHADURI MEMORIAL LECTURE

AWARD

Year of Commencement : 2006Frequency : Once in three yearsValue : Rs. 10,000/- with a citation

Eligibility :1. The recipient of the award should be below 50 yrs of age on December 31st of

the year of the award.2. The award is open to all Indian Scientists who hold permanent position in

Universities, public funded Institutes and National laboratories.3. The award is given for Biological Chemistry and Allied sciences, preferably

related to parasitic infections. 4. The award has to be nominated by life member of the society and no self

nomination is accepted.5. A lecture will be scheduled at the Annual Meeting of SBC(I) and presentation

will be made at that time.6. The awards will be given during the Annual Meeting

A. KRISHNAMURTHY AWARD

Year of Commencement : 1976Frequency : AnnuallyValue : Rs. 2,000/- with a citation

Eligibility:1. The recipient of the award should be below 30 years of age on January 1st, of

the year of the award.2. The paper should be in the area of Biological Chemistry and Allied Sciences

and the work should have been carried out in India.3. The paper published in any Indian Scientific Journal in the previous year will

be considered for the award.4. In the case of multiple authorship, the senior author can nominate one of the

authors or could be shared by all the eligible authors.

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Nobel Prize (2013) in Physiology or Medicine for Research on Protein Trafficking, Vesicle Fusion and their Regulation.

Subba Rao Gangi Setty, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, CV Raman Avenue, Bangalore 560012 India. Email: subba@mcbl.iisc.ernet.in

In 2013, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Sudhof for their pioneering work that first revealed the molecular machinery that governs protein sorting, vesicle transport, membrane fusion and protein delivery. These processes are important for several biological phenomena such as insulin secretion and neurotransmission.

Membrane traffic and vesicle fusion:The eukaryotic cell contains many types of membrane bound compartments called ‘organelles’, each with its

own unique membrane composition and biological function. These organelles were well documented during the 1970s in the elegant research carried out by George E. Palade, Albert Claude and Christian de Duve, for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1974). These biologists, besides laying the foundation for the new field of ‘cell biology’ also demonstrated that several of the organelles constitute the canonical pathway of protein secretion. The mechanisms behind protein transport or communication between these organelles were however not clear at that time. About 30 years later, it was the discoveries from the laboratories of Rothman, Schekman and Sudhof that revealed the precise control system for cargo transport (Figures 1 and 2).

Transport of newly made cargo in the cell:The synthesis of glycoproteins starts at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This was demonstrated by Gunter

Blobel (awarded the Nobel Prize in 1999) and his colleagues Peter Walter and Bernhard Dobberstein. They used a cell-free reconstitution system to study the translocation of newly synthesized proteins across the ER membrane (Blobel and Dobberstein, 1975). This was the first step in understanding protein secretion after Palade’s era. James Rothman started his own research by reconstituting the secretory pathway using biochemical methods. His laboratory showed for the first time that proteins are transported in a sequential manner between the Golgi stacks (Balch et al., 1984). In parallel, Randy Schekman started looking at membrane assembly in his new laboratory using yeast genetic approaches. Using electron microscopy, Schekman and his first PhD student Peter Novick found a cluster of small vesicles at the tip of the developing yeast bud. These observations led to the hypothesis that the vesicles originating in the secretory pathway deliver enzymes that help in building the new cell wall. Subsequently, Novick carried out an elegant yeast mutagenesis screen that had two assumptions: that the secretory mutants would be lethal and they would accumulate the secretory proteins intracellularly. These studies identified 23 different temperature sensitive yeast mutants called ‘sec’ mutants defective in secretion (Novick et al., 1980; Novick and Schekman, 1979). In addition, later studies from Schekman’s laboratory showed that these genes function in one of three different transport routes: ER to Golgi, Golgi to PM (plasma membrane) or Golgi to vacuole (Kaiser and Schekman, 1990; Schekman, 2002). In nutshell, these studies provided evidence that secretion is mediated through vesicles and it is regulated by several essential proteins. Meanwhile, Rothman’s laboratory identified, biochemically, two protein factors, NSF (NEM (N-ethylmaleimide) sensitive factor, AAA ATPase) and SNAP (soluble NSF attachment protein) that are also required for transport. Surprisingly, these two components had homologues in yeast, Sec18p and Sec17p respectively, and were present in Novick’s mutagenesis screen. Thus, the discovery of analogous components by these two groups suggested that universal transport machinery exists and it is conserved from yeast to human.

Identification of two different vesicle carriers in the ER and Golgi:In their in vitro reaction mixture, Rothman’s laboratory found small vesicles attached to the rims of the Golgi

membranes. In collaboration with Lelio Orci, Rothman’s laboratory demonstrated that these vesicles have “fuzzy coats”, which are similar but distinct from the clathrin coats of PM vesicles (Figure 1). Later, Rothman’s laboratory isolated these vesicles using a non-hydrolyzable GTP analog in their reaction mixture and identified 7 novel proteins, called COPI coats (Rothman and Orci, 1992). In parallel, Schekman’s laboratory identified a distinct class of ER derived vesicles in yeast mutants that had a block in secretion from ER to Golgi. By reconstituting the ER vesicle budding reaction, Schekman’s laboratory isolated these vesicles and found vesicles composed of several of their known Sec proteins in the form of coat, named COPII (Figure 1)(Kuehn et al., 1998). Later studies identified factors that were required for the recruitment of the coat proteins onto their respective membranes: ARF1 GTPase for COPI and Sar1 GTPase for COPII. Overall, they had shown that coat proteins are an essential component of membrane transport.

SNARE proteins mediate membrane fusion:In the 1980s Rothman’s laboratory observed that inactivation of NSF resulted in the accumulation of uncoated

vesicles associated with the Golgi stacks. This was the first indication of the machinery that is required for vesicles to

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fuse with their target compartment. Further clues came when they found that recruitment of NSF onto the membranes requires the SNAP protein. These results led to the hypothesis that receptors for SNAP called SNAREs (soluble NSF attachment receptor proteins) also exist on the membrane. Further studies from his laboratory showed that SNAP bound selectively to syntaxin (STX), synaptobrevein (VAMP) and NSF in brain cell lysates and that the addition of ATP dissociated these interactions (Sollner et al., 1993). Surprisingly, the above identified proteins were similar to the VAMP (on synaptic vesicles), STX (PM) and SNAP-25 (PM) previously discovered in neurons by Richard Scheller, Thomas Sudhof and Michael Wilson (Figure 2)(Hurst, 2013).

Yet it was not clear how these various proteins mediated membrane fusion. Elegant studies from Cesare Montecucco’s laboratory showed that bacterial toxins (tetanus and botulinum) block the release of neurotransmitter by cleaving the SNAREs on synaptic vesicles via their protease activity. Based on this observation, Rothman proposed the “SNARE hypothesis”, wherein a vesicle containing a specific v-SNARE (v – vesicle) forms a complex with a specific set of t-SNAREs (t- target) on the opposing target membrane and this minimal unit is necessary for membrane fusion (Figure 2)(Malhotra and Emr, 2002). Later Rothman’s laboratory proved this hypothesis by studying the fusion of two different populations of liposomes incubated with the appropriate combination of v- and t-SNAREs. Subsequent research identified several members of the SNARE family that localize to the different cellular compartments. At that time, it was still difficult to explain the role of NSF and SNAP in the fusion reaction. Elegant studies from William Wickner’s laboratory showed that SNAP and NSF are required to unwind the SNARE complex after fusion and allow the SNAREs to proceed to a further round of fusion. Without these proteins the SNARE complex gets stuck on the target membrane (Wickner, 2013). Thus, these studies clearly showed that the specificity of vesicle fusion emerges from minor variations in the molecular machinery that underpins SNARE-based membrane interactions.

Vesicle Fusion is tightly regulated:Even though the fusion machinery involves SNAREs, it was not known how synaptic transmission was coupled

to the electrical activity of the neurons. Elegant work from the laboratory of Thomas Sudhof who received the 2013 Lasker prize (shared with Richard Scheller) showed that secretory vesicle fusion at the synapse is regulated by a calcium sensing protein called synaptotagmin, and that it associates with the SNAREs (Figure 2)(Hurst, 2013; Perin et al., 1990). Further studies from his laboratory showed synaptotagmins not only provide a trigger to synaptic vesicle fusion but also temporarily regulate the synaptic transmission. In addition, Sudhof and his colleagues showed that a SNARE complex interacting protein Munc18 (a homologue of Sec1p in yeast) is a part of the fusion machinery (Figure 2) (Hata et al., 1993; Sudhof and Rothman, 2009). These discoveries on synaptic transmission indicated the complexity and tight regulation of vesicle fusion generally.

Achievements from these studies:These studies clearly helped to establish the field of ‘molecular cell biology’. Novel discoveries from the

laboratories of Rothman, Schekman and Sudhof provided an answer to Palade’s questions about protein transport between the organelles and also enhanced our knowledge of organelle identity, membrane budding and vesicle fusion. In addition, the studies on the mechanism of vesicle fusion underpin our understanding of the neuronal communication at the synapse and regulation of glucose uptake in all cells. A defect in any of these processes is deleterious to the cell and can be the basis of neurological (schizophrenia, autism), immunological (hemophagocytic syndrome) and metabolic (diabetes) disorders.

Questions for the next generation:The key components for vesicle budding, fusion and movement are known. But it is not known how cells maintain

vesicle size and number at steady state and also when stimulated by an extracellular signal. The SNARE partners are known for a few transport steps but not for all. In addition, it is not known how these fusion events can be linked to organelle biogenesis, especially in the case of lysosome-related organelles such as melanosomes, dense granules and other organelles. These questions are open to the post Rothman-Schekman-Sudhof generation of cell biologists.

Acknowledgements: We thank James Rothman, Randy Schekman and Thomas Sudhof and their students and postdocs for their scientific passion, hard work, brilliant experimental design, and for their devotion which led to incredible progress in the post-Palade era of cell biology. We congratulate Rothman, Schekman and Sudhof for winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2013).

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Figure 1. Coat proteins sort different cargo at multiple organelles. Coat proteins are recruited from the cytosol onto the specific membrane domain of an organelle and sort the cargo into distinct vesicles for membrane transport. COPII and COPI coats function at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex respectively. Clathrin functions at multiple places, but interacts with different adaptors at different places. Arrows represents the flow of membrane traffic: black arrows - anterograde transport; orange arrows – retrograde transport; green arrows – transport from PM to lysosomes (L) through early (EE) and late endosomes (LE); and transport of secretory vesicles (SV) towards PM shown separately. TGN, trans-Golgi network.

Figure 2. Synaptic vesicle fusion with the target membrane. Neurotransmitter filled synaptic vesicles (SVs) dock nearer to target PM which will allow VAMP (on SV) interaction with Munc18/Sec1p associated syntaxin and SNAP-25 complex (on PM). During the priming stage, complexin clamps the SNARE complex and prevents membrane fusion. An action potential induced calcium peak triggers synaptotagmin binding to SNARE complex and displaces complexin, which will open the fusion pore.

Nobel Prize Winners of 2013 in the field of Cell Biology:

James E. Rothman

Discovered protein complexes required for intra Golgi protein transport (COPI) and fusion of a vesicle with it’s target membrane (SNARE complex).

He was born in Haverhill (1950), Massachusetts, USA and received his PhD from Harvard Medical School (1976). He was a postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and started his research at Stanford University in California (1978). Rothman has also worked at Princeton University, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute and Columbia University. He joined the faculty of Yale University in New Haven (2008), Connecticut, USA, where he is currently Professor and Chairman in the Department of Cell Biology.

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Randy W. Schekman

Discovered genes encoding proteins that are key regulators of vesicle transport from: ER to Golgi, Golgi to PM and Golgi to lysosome.

He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (1948), USA and studied at the University of California in Los Angeles. He obtained his PhD from Stanford University (1974) under the supervision of Arthur Kornberg (who received Nobel Prize in 1959). Schekman joined the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley (1976), where he is currently Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. He is also an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Thomas C. Sudhof

Discovered proteins that sense calcium ions (Ca2+) and trigger vesicle fusion in nerve cells during neurotransmission.

He was born in Göttingen (1955), Germany and received his MD-PhD (1982) from the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen. He moved to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, USA, as a postdoctoral fellow (1983) with Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein (who shared the Nobel Prize in 1985). Sudhof became an investigator of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1991) and was appointed Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Stanford University in 2008.

References:Balch, W.E., W.G. Dunphy, W.A. Braell, and J.E. Rothman. 1984. Reconstitution of the transport of protein between

successive compartments of the Golgi measured by the coupled incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine. Cell. 39:405-416.

Blobel, G., and B. Dobberstein. 1975. Transfer of proteins across membranes. II. Reconstitution of functional rough microsomes from heterologous components. The Journal of Cell Biology. 67:852-862.

Hata, Y., C.A. Slaughter, and T.C. Sudhof. 1993. Synaptic vesicle fusion complex contains unc-18 homologue bound to syntaxin. Nature. 366:347-351.

Hurst, J.H. 2013. Richard Scheller and Thomas Sudhof receive the 2013 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 123:4095-4101.

Kaiser, C.A., and R. Schekman. 1990. Distinct sets of SEC genes govern transport vesicle formation and fusion early in the secretory pathway. Cell. 61:723-733.

Kuehn, M.J., J.M. Herrmann, and R. Schekman. 1998. COPII-cargo interactions direct protein sorting into ER-derived transport vesicles. Nature. 391:187-190.

Malhotra, V., and S.D. Emr. 2002. Rothman and Schekman SNAREd by Lasker for trafficking. Cell. 111:1-3.

Novick, P., C. Field, and R. Schekman. 1980. Identification of 23 complementation groups required for post-translational events in the yeast secretory pathway. Cell. 21:205-215.

Novick, P., and R. Schekman. 1979. Secretion and cell-surface growth are blocked in a temperature-sensitive mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 76:1858-1862.

Perin, M.S., V.A. Fried, G.A. Mignery, R. Jahn, and T.C. Sudhof. 1990. Phospholipid binding by a synaptic vesicle protein homologous to the regulatory region of protein kinase C. Nature. 345:260-263.

Rothman, J.E., and L. Orci. 1992. Molecular dissection of the secretory pathway. Nature. 355:409-415.

Schekman, R. 2002. Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. SEC mutants and the secretory apparatus. Nature Medicine. 8:1055-1058.

Sollner, T., S.W. Whiteheart, M. Brunner, H. Erdjument-Bromage, S. Geromanos, P. Tempst, and J.E. Rothman. 1993. SNAP receptors implicated in vesicle targeting and fusion. Nature. 362:318-324.

Sudhof, T.C., and J.E. Rothman. 2009. Membrane fusion: grappling with SNARE and SM proteins. Science. 323:474-477.

Wickner, W.T. 2013. Profile of Thomas Sudhof, James Rothman, And Randy Schekman, 2013 Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 110:18349-18350.

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2013 ANNUAL AWARDS

The Society announced the Annual Awards for the year 2013 at its Annual Meeting held at School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad during December 2-5, 2013. This year four awards were given and the Society congratulates all the awardees and wishes them good luck in pursuing their goals. A brief description of the research interest as provided by the awardees is given below:

P. S. SARMA MEMORIAL AWARDProf. P. N. Rangarajan has made key contributions in the areas of eukaryotic

gene expression and infectious diseases. He has successfully commercialized the technology of production of recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine in themethylotrophic yeast, Pichiapastoris. The vaccine is currently being marketed as BEVAC and TRIPVAC-HB by Biological E Limited, Hyderabad and as ELOVAC-B by Indian Immunologicals Limited, Hyderabad. His current research is aimed at understanding the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of the gene encoding alcohol oxidase (AOX), the first enzyme involved in methanol metabolism, whose promoter is widely used for the production of recombinant proteins in P. pastoris. Thus far, he has identified and characterized three novel transcription factors, ZTA1, Mxr1p and ROP. Mxr1p and ROP were shown to function as transcriptional activator and repressor respectively and cross talk between them results in transcriptional interference.

Prof. Rangarajan was the first to initiate research on DNA vaccines in India. He developed a novel combination DNA rabies vaccine formulation which has been patented. He demonstrated for the first time that the potency of a DNA vaccine can be enhanced by the addition of a small quantity of inactivated virus. At present, his laboratory is investigating host gene expression changes induced by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). These studies have led to the identification of several JEV-inducible murine genes including that encoding a novel nuclear noncoding RNA (VINC/NEAT1), which was later shown to be essential for the formation of nuclear paraspeckles.

His long term collaboration with Prof. G. Padmanaban has led to the characterization of all the enzymes of heme biosynthetic pathway in the malaria parasite. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, was shown to possess anti-malarial activity and in combination with artemisinin, it was shown to prevent parasite recrudescence through immunomodulation involving activation of TLR2-mediated innate immune response, leading to enhanced IL-10 production and generation of anti-parasite antibodies. A multi-institutional Phase I human clinical trial of curcumin-artemisinin combination therapy for malaria has been completed recently.

Prof. Rangarajan has received several awards such as the Swarnajayanthi fellowship (DST), National Bioscience award (DBT), Biotech product and process development award (DBT), B. M. Birla Science Prize, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award (CSIR), NASI-Reliance Industries Platinum Jubilee award, TATA Innovation fellowship (DBT) etc. He is a fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad and Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore.

Dr. P. N. RangarajanDept. of Biochemistry,

IISc, Bangalore

Dr. Jayanta K. PalUniversity of Pune, Pune

Prof. M. SHADAKSHARASWAMY ENDOWMENT LECTURE AWARD

Dr. Jayanta K. Pal, Prof. and Head, Department of Biotechnology, University of Pune, developed a strong school of research in the area of regulation of protein synthesis during anemia and other stresses over a period of over 20 years. As a successful scientist and teacher, he has mentored 17 Ph.D. students, well placed in India and abroad. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India and also the Founder Coordinator of the DBT-JRF Program. He has over 65 research papers published in National and International journals, a text book on Molecular Biology for postgraduate students and a US patent (on innovating a single-step simultaneous protein staining procedure for SDS-PAGE and Western blot) to his credit.

Dr. Pal’s pioneering work in generating monoclonal antibodies to the heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) of protein synthesis and cloning of its cDNA has significantly enhanced our understanding of regulation of protein synthesis. His lab discovered

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Epigenetic changes due to DNA methylation in human tumors

Variations manifested within the human genome are responsible for large number of phenotypes, traits and pre-disposition to diseases. Innumerable variations among the individuals are caused by different subsets of changes such as a) structural alterations in DNA sequences (CNVs) and RNA transcripts, b) discrimination between alleles and allelic variations, c) epigenetic alterations, d) promoter polymorphisms and its implications, and e) non-synonymous SNPs. Epigenetics itself comprises of several classes such as a) DNA methylation, b) chromatin architectural changes through post-translational modifications of histones, c) deregulation of miRNAs and d) effects from these compounded by copy number variations (CNVs) in the genome. DNA methylation has been, and still continues to be well-known phenomenon, wherein, a methyl group is added to the 5th position of cytosine followed by guanine. Although DNA methylation occurs in individuals as a norm, the patho-physiological effects of its manifestation are visible only upon distinct changes in gene expression. However, epigenetic variations, and in specific, DNA methylation changes, are reversible thus making it attractive as biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic purposes and as therapeutic tools. Oral, breast and cervical cancers show high incidence and mortality rate in India and his laboratory has been working on identifying bio-signatures of DNA methylation in these cancers. He has been successful in profiling the DNA methylation signatures of cervical cancer, through DNA methylation microarray analysis. Bioinformatic data analysis indicates that there are several alterations necessary for the survival and progression of tumors, some of which, they have been able to validate through bisulfite genomic sequencing of clinical samples. Gene ontology analysis reveals several genes, commonly altered in cervical cancer, which are related to physiological, cellular, developmental and biological pathways, implicated in carcinogenesis. Taking DOC2B (double C2 like domain) gene as an example, they have analyzed the transcriptional and functional behavior in tumor and normal tissues and show it to be a potential tumor suppressor gene in cervical cancer.

D. P. BURMA MEMORIAL LECTURE AWARD

Design and Development of Constrained Peptides as Inhibitors of Protein-Nucleic Acids Interaction

Small molecules form the major part of the drug repertoire today. They are generally targeted against enzymes and receptors. However, it is increasingly becoming clear that these classes of targets are not sufficient to address development of future therapeutics against complex diseases. A new class of target is nucleic acids that participate in protein-nucleic acids interactions. Small molecules are not always suitable for inhibiting this class of targets. Thus, they have undertaken development of constrained peptides as a class of molecules capable of specifically binding to these targets. Hepatitis C is a major public health threat with no satisfactory therapeutic options. They have designed and developed a cyclic peptide that binds viral RNA and stably inhibit viral growth in human liver cells without significant toxicity, paving the way for the next stage of development. In the area of DNA binding peptide, they have designed and synthesized a peptide-based synthetic transcription factor that regulates gene expression specifically within prokaryotic cells and activates transcription in eukaryotic cells. They have established that constrained peptides can be designed to target non-traditional drug targets and be developed as new class of drug leads.

Dr. Siddhartha RoyIICB, Kolkata

P. A. KURUP ENDOWMENT AWARD

Dr. K. Satyamoorthy Manipal University,

Manipal

that HRI could be used as a molecular marker for anemia in rabbits as an animal model. Consequently, a molecular method of prognosis of anemia in humans has been developed in his lab. Further, his group has elucidated the mechanisms of transcriptional and translational regulation of HRI during normal and stress conditions. In a more recent work, independent signaling pathways involved in the concentration-dependent dual response of cells subjected to heavy metals have been unraveled by his research group. His current research is focused on understanding the molecular details of the regulation of protein synthesis in a protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani.

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BEST POSTER AWARDS

The list of recipients for Best Poster Awards at the 82nd Annual General Body Meeting held at Hyderabad during December 2-5, 2013 is as follows:

Name Topic

Wardhan V., NIPGR Catlp1, a putative transcription factor of chickpea (Cicer arietinum l), functions in development and stress tolerance

Samit Sen Santara, IICB Biochemical characterization of novel globin-coupled heme containing sensor soluble adenylatecyclase from Leishmania major

Karan Paul, IISER Exploring the membrane pore-formation mechanism of Vibrio Cholerae cytolysin

T. Swaroopa Rani, Univ. of Hyderabad Dynamic changes in citrus proteome during compatible and non-host interactions with Xanthomonas

Abhijit S. Deshmuch NIAB Dyanimic relocation of ORCI protein to telomeric domains in Plasmodium falciparum

Nishana M, IISc RAG cleavage at non-B DNA structures is controlled by proximity of a V(D)J recombination nonamer: implications in genomic instability

Shahana Mitra, Bose Institute Unraveling the guardian Knot: Raf1 kinase and its chaperone interactome

Aamir Ali, CDFD A novel role of MLL complex in mitosis regulation

Bikash Nath, Tezpur University Rice Husk based ZnO/CeO2/CNF/PANI composite for antifouling and antibacterial applications

Som Dev, JNU Complex regulation of Ferroxidases in neuroblastoma cell by reactive oxygen species: Implication in neuronal iron deposition

B. S. Narasinga Rao Poster Award

Coral Miriam K, VRF Association of copper in human retina and choroid in age related macular degeneration

Nalini Venkatesan, VRF Down-regulation of MiR-532-5p and MiR-486-3p contributes to retinoblastoma tumorigenesis in vitro analysis of their functions using miRNA mimics

D. P. Burma Poster Award

Saurabh Mishra, CDFD Molecular basis of conversion of transcription termination factor NusA into an antiterminator

Vikas Patil and Jagrithi, IISc Exome and transcriptome sequencing of Glioma: investigation of Glioma-derived cell lines.

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26th International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology had covered diversified topics in Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology. The conference covered areas pertaining to protein quality control, organellar remodeling, membrane trafficking, epigenetics and gene regulation, cell signaling, mRNA processing and splicing and yeast biotechnology with emphasis on industrial applications. The talk on mitochondrial protein transport was informative as it summarized the advances made in the field in the past few years. I am also introduced to a new concept that phospholipids composition of organeller membranes plays a critical role in determining their function. The talks provided a glimpse on the mechanism how the phospholipids are synthesized in endoplasmic reticulum are transported and transferred to other organellar membranes and how phospholipids transfer system ensure the correct distribution of phospholipids in the membranes. By performing the mechanistic analysis in yeast, the authors tried to determine how alterations in the assembly process lead to disease conditions such as loss of cell viability, improper DNA maintenance and genome integrity, forming the basis for various forms of cancers. On other hand lectures also stressed on the crucial role of Hsp70 chaperone machinery in the propagation of self-perpetuating amyloid aggregates (prions) in yeast. In summary, the conference highlighted the usage of yeast as a simple model organism to study complex human genetic disorders, understand cellular functions and engineering the microorganism to make industrial processes easier with better yield.

Gautam Pareek, IISc, Bangalore

26th International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology was one of the most diversified conferences in Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology. The week-long conference was subdivided into 9 plenary sessions, 12 workshops and 17 posters sessions and was attended by several distinguished scientists. The conference covered areas pertaining to protein quality control, organellar remodeling, membrane trafficking, epigenetics and gene regulation, cell signaling, mRNA processing and splicing and yeast biotechnology with emphasis on industrial applications. In the field of organellar biogenesis and protein quality control in the cell, there were several talks on mitochondrial and peroxisomal protein transport, biogenesis of iron sulfur cluster proteins, protein folding and prion propagation and degradation of misfolded protein in the cytoplasm. A new role of compartment specific nucleotide exchange factors was proposed to mediate degradation of misfolded protein in cytoplasm and nucleus. On other hand lectures also stressed on the crucial role of chaperone machinery in the propagation of self-perpetuating amyloid aggregates (prions) in yeast and formation of various types of protein aggregates, such as amyloids and by-products of malfunctioning trafficking pathways. In addition there were lectures on assessment of compartmentalization of protein upon stress induction, replicative senescence and its effect on the cellular dynamics, biogenesis and functions of autophagosome and how it is regulated, autophagy with emphasis on mitophagy –its mode of detection and cellular implications, industrial biotechnology where speakers spoke about optimizing ethanol and fatty acids yields in yeast by metabolic engineering of redox and energy metabolism and how to improve genome annotation, DNA assembly, and genome editing for rapid engineering of industrial microbes, mRNA splicing and associated factors and regulation of yeast cell cycle. In summary, the conference highlighted the usage of yeast as a simple model organism to study complex human genetic disorders, understand cellular functions and engineering the microorganism to make industrial processes easier with better yield.

Devanjan Sinha, IISc, Bangalore

Workshop on Cancer & Diabetes (2013)

A workshop on “Cancer and Diabetes” was held at Town Hall, Malda, West Bengal on 21st and 22nd Sept, 2013. About 300 students from schools and colleges of Malda and adjacent districts and teachers, Profs., Doctors participated in that workshop. Eminent scientist Prof. Tapas K. Kundu acted as Scientific Advisor (Mentor) of that workshop. The Workshop was organized by Paschimbanga Vigyan Mancha, Malda in co-operation with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata; The Society of Biological Chemists (India) and Prof. R. U. Kumar, JNCASR, Bangalore.

On 21st Sept 2013 at 10 a.m. the workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Uchhal Bhandra, Principal, Malda Medical College; Mr. Chinmoy Sarkar, DPO, SSM, Malda; Dr. Bidhan Mishra, DDHS; Dr. S.N. Dey, HOD ( Zoology), Baharampur Girl’s college, Murshidabad; Prof. Paritosh Sen, Principal, Gour College, Malda; Dr. Goutam Sarkar, MO, Leprosy; Prof. Satya Ranjan Choudhury, President, PBVM, Maldawere present on the stage. During the Inaugural ceremony, HM of different schools, dignitaries of different spheres of the society were present.

Workshop was started with the read out of the message Prof. Siddhartha Roy, Director, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, as he was unable to attend the workshop but wished all success of the event. In his welcome address, Sunil Das, Secretary of PBVM told about the different aspects of organizing the workshop on

Report on 26th International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology held at Frankfurt,

Germany from 29th August to 3rd September 2013

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“Cancer & Diabetes” at Malda. Dr. Bhadra told about the necessity of such workshops for students & teachers. Sri C. Sarkar, DPO, who was involved from the beginning of this event about five years ago gave emphasis on early detection & development of good habits to prevent these diseases among students & people. Dr. Mishra gave his views on diabetes and indicated how slowly it kills the patient.

Sri Kishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, Minister of Tourism & Chairman, Malda Municipality indicated the negligence of early injury which may turn into Cancer & for the need of routine checkup of diabetes. In his speech Prof. Kundu clarified the motto of workshop, how it will run, how from cell function to therapeutics will disclose among the participants & why this year diabetes was also included in the workshop.

After the speech of Prof Kundu, main workshop was started with the first talk: Genes, Cell Cycle by Sweta Sikdar, Transcription & Disease Laboratory, JNCASR, Bangalore. Second talk was on “Genetics & Epigenetics” by Amit Kr. Behera, JNCASR. About 108 Posters on the topic of the workshop were presented by the participants. The 3rd talk was given by Prof Kundu on “Our genes & Cancer”.

On 22nd Sept 2013 the 4th talk “Cancer: a journey of a thousand miles” by Akshay Bhat. M Sc in Medical Biology. The last talk of the workshop was given by Stephanie Kaypee on “Diabetes: The world Epidemic”.

Lastly president of PBVM, Malda gave his thanks to Prof. Kundu & his associates, dignitaries & participants.

CAMA MEMORIAL TRAVEL GRANT

Scientists attending and presenting a paper in an International Congress or FAOBMB meeting held once in 2 years or at infrequent intervals may apply for the award.

The candidate should be member of SBC(I) for at least two consecutive years.

The candidate should have obtained partial support from other agencies and there should be a proof to that effect.

Society of Biological Chemists (India) awards one advertised travel grant each year in the news letter.

Applicants are invited to respond appropriately to the details informed in the advertisement. The application should reach the following address before 1st April of the year of the award.

Hon SecretarySociety of Biological ChemistsIndian Institute of ScienceBangalore 560 012

FELLOWSHIPS FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

The Society of Biological Chemists has instituted “financial support for research” scheme to support young research workers to carry out short term training/research activities in well established laboratories/ institutions in India. The value of the fellowship is fixed at Rs. 5000/- per term per selected fellow and the total number of fellowships awarded every year will be up to ten.

Terms and Conditions1. Funding Rs. 5,000/- per fellow for periods up to 6-8 weeks.

2. The grant of Rs. 5,000/- will be awarded in the form of Rs. 1,000/- for the fellow as personal maintenance/allowance for a minimum period of 6 weeks and Rs. 4,000/- as contingencies for the purchase of laboratory items including stationery, preparation of reports, photographs and other expenses related to the research work.

3. The Research/Training may be conducted in any of the leading research institutions/ laboratories/universities, with approval from SBC(I).

4. The candidate should be a PhD students or a Postdoctoral fellows, below the age of 32 years at the time of application.

5. SBC(I) Membership is compulsory for eligibility for the fellowship award.

6. The fellowship amount will be released by SBC(I) to the research supervisor by the 2nd or 3rd week of the training program.

7. The application should be forwarded through the investigator-in-charge of the laboratory in which the candidate proposes to undergo training.

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INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS

GUIDELINES FOR AWARDING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS FOR Ph.D STUDENTS BY THE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTS (INDIA)

One travel fellowship of Rs.5,000/- per quarter (four awards per year) will be awarded

* Award period ** Last Date for receipt of application

I Jan- Mar Dec 31 Previous Year

II Apr - June Mar 30

III July- Sept June 30

IV Oct- Dec Sept 30

For example, those who wish to attend an International meeting scheduled to be held during July –Sept’2006 should submit the application by 30 June 2006.

*Award period refers to the period during which the meeting is scheduled to take place.** The Committee will meet on these days to decide on the award

This award is meant for Ph. D students only

The applicant should currently be a member of the SBC(I) and should have been a member for at least two consecutive years.

Here’s is an opportunity to be very Creative and show your Talent!

Put your creations in the form of cartoons, science comics, comic strips, limericks, excerpts from the conference you attended! Anything to do with Science, commentaries on new exciting developments is also welcome.

We are looking for young talents who can contribute to the SBC (I) News letter, which we are planning to bring every few months. Submit your contributions to us and of course the best contribution will be rewarded!

We will accept contributions throughout the year but hurry up to see your contribution in the next News letter.

Don’t wait! Pen down your excellent creative thoughts and reach us at

Society of Biological ChemistsD- Wing, 1st Floor,New Biological Science BuildingIndian Institute of ScienceBangalore 560 012Phone 91-080-23601412, e mail sbcihq@gmail.com

Send us a hard copy by post and a soft copy by e mail

Description: The Cartoon depicts the celebration of 2013 Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine jointly shared by James Rothman, Randy Schekman and Thomas C Sudhof for the discovery of communication of cellular substances and how each cells interact with in the organelles and vesicle trafficking .

Mr. Sounak Sahu, University of Calcutta, Kolkata

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SOCIETY OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTS, INDIAA P P L I C A T I O N F O R M E M B E R S H I P

The SecretarySociety of Biological Chemists, IndiaIndian Institute of ScienceBangalore 560 012Phone: 080-23601412 Email: sbcihq@gmail.com

I wish to become a Student Member/Ordinary Member/Life Member of the Society. I enclose herewith Admission

fee Rs. ............................ + Membership fee Rs. ............................ ( Total Rs............................. ) (Cash/Demand Draft

drawn on ............................................. ) as my membership contribution.

Name .............................................................................................................................................................

Address ..........................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................

(City) ............................................ (State) ............................................ (Zip Code) ..................................................

Email: .........................................................................................................................................................................

Academic Qualification: .............................................................................................................................................

Membership in other professional Societies: ..............................................................................................................

Date Signature

Subscription Membership Admission Total Fee Fee PaymentLife Member Rs. 1500/- Rs. 10/- Rs. 1510/-Ordinary Member Rs. 250/- Rs. 10/- Rs. 260/-Student Member Rs. 200/- Rs. 10/- Rs. 210/-Life Member (FR) 200 USD

1) Admission fee of Rs. 10/- for all categories of members .2) Please send your fees by Bank Demand Draft in the favour of Hon Secretary, Society of Biological Chemists,

India.

If undelivered please return to :Society of Biological Chemists, India D-Wing, 1st FloorNew Biological Science Building Indian Institute of ScienceBangalore - 560 012

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