Browsing by Author "Seni, Sushmita"

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Dynamics of epigenetic control in plants via SET domain containing proteins: Structural and functional insights
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Seni, Sushmita; Singh, Roshan Kumar; Prasad, Manoj
Plants control expression of their genes in a way that involves manipulating the chromatin structural dynamics in order to adapt to environmental changes and carry out developmental processes. Histone modifications like histone methylation are significant epigenetic marks which profoundly and globally modify chromatin, potentially affecting the expression of several genes. Methylation of histones is catalyzed by histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs), that features an evolutionary conserved domain known as SET [Su(var)3-9, E(Z), Trithorax]. This methylation is directed at particular lysine (K) residues on H3 or H4 histone. Plant SET domain group (SDG) proteins are categorized into different classes that have been conserved through evolution, and each class have specificity that influences how the chromatin structure operates. The domains discovered in plant SET domain proteins have typically been linked to protein-protein interactions, suggesting that majority of the SDGs function in complexes. Additionally, SDG-mediated histone mark deposition also affects alternative splicing events. In present review, we discussed the diversity of SDGs in plants including their structural properties. Additionally, we have provided comprehensive summary of the functions of the SDG-domain containing proteins in plant developmental processes and response to environmental stimuli have also been highlighted.
An insight into the roles of regulatory ncRNAs in plants: An abiotic stress and developmental perspective
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Panchal, Anurag; Maurya, Jyoti; Seni, Sushmita; Singh, Roshan Kumar; Prasad, Manoj
Different environmental cues lead to changes in physiology, biochemistry and molecular status of plant's growth. Till date, various genes have been accounted for their role in regulating plant development and response to abiotic stress. Excluding genes that code for a functional protein in a cell, a large chunk of the eukaryotic transcriptome consists of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which lack protein coding capacity but are still functional. Recent advancements in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology have led to the unearthing of different types of small and large non-coding RNAs in plants. Non-coding RNAs are broadly categorised into housekeeping ncRNAs and regulatory ncRNAs which work at transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic levels. Diverse ncRNAs play different regulatory roles in nearly all biological processes including growth, development and response to changing environments. This response can be perceived and counteracted by plants using diverse evolutionarily conserved ncRNAs like miRNAs, siRNAs and lncRNAs to participate in complex molecular regimes by activating gene-ncRNA-mRNA regulatory modules to perform the downstream function. Here, we review the current understanding with a focus on recent advancements in the functional studies of the regulatory ncRNAs at the nexus of abiotic stresses and development. Also, the potential roles of ncRNAs in imparting abiotic stress tolerance and yield improvement in crop plants are also discussed with their future prospects.
Production and cultivation dynamics of millets in India
(John Wiley & Sons, 2024) Yadav, OP; Singh, DV; Kumari, Vandita; Prasad, Manoj; Seni, Sushmita; Singh, Roshan Kumar; Sood, S; Kant, Lakshmi; Rao, B. Dayakar; Madhusudhana, R.; Bhat, B. Venkatesh; Gupta, SK; Yadava, D K; Mohapatra, T
Millets gained a great attention at the global level in 2023 which is celebrated as the “International Year of Millets” to create awareness to eventually promote consumption and production. An attempt is made here to understand the cultivation and production dynamics of millets as influenced by their demand and supply. We also assess challenges and emerging opportunities to make millets more productive, competitive, and relevant to future farming. Millets registered a 60% decline in area and a 200% rise in productivity, but production has remained the same during the last seven decades. The demand of millets decreased as food due to greater incentives (purchasing grain at a pre-determined price) and policies (distribution of grains to the public at a subsidized rate) in favor of wheat and rice. Millets would play a greater role in future agriculture due to challenges posed by climate change, limited water supply, and reduced agro-biodiversity. This would need a much greater intensity of investment in millet research and adequate support as extended to wheat and rice. Increased emphasis on their genetic improvement and agronomic management is required to develop cultivars, using new tools and technologies, with high production potential and adequate environmental adaptation to make millets competitive with other crops. Mainstreaming the nutritional traits in millet breeding is also critically important to develop high-yielding cultivars with improved grain quality traits. Promoting millet consumption would remain the key issue for increasing their demand as food, feed, and industrial raw materials through policies and awareness programs. Strengthening of value chain will help in diversifying agri-food production system and creating an ecosystem for millet promotion.
Targeted lipidome analysis reveals nutritionally enhanced foxtail millet genotypes across diverse grain colours
(Springer Nature Publishing AG, 2026) Ramesh, Palakurthi; Seni, Sushmita; Singh, Roshan Kumar; Pandey, Ashutosh; Prasad, Manoj
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), a small-grained cereal crop, is a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, fibers, and lipids, with lipid content ranging from 1–5% of the total grain composition. Whole grain is an excellent natural source of nutraceutical properties and health-beneficial components that significantly reduce chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Different grain colours in foxtail millet are associated with distinct metabolome composition. However, the relationship between lipid composition and grain colour remains largely unexplored. In this study, a comprehensive metabolomic analysis of eight differently coloured foxtail millet grains led to the identification of 352 distinct metabolites. Among these, 44 metabolites were chemically classified into categories such as fatty acids, steroids, hydrocarbons, benzenes, monoradylglycerols, quinones, and hydroquinones. Linoleic acid was identified as the predominant fatty acid, while lutein emerged as the most abundant carotenoid across all accessions. Gene expression profiling of carotenoid biosynthesis genes revealed significant genotype-specific variations, with SiPSY1, SiPSY2, SiPSY3, SiZDS, SiLCYB, and SiLCYE exhibiting markedly higher expression in the golden yellow genotype SI 101. Furthermore, several unique compounds, including decane 1-iodo, dodecane 4, 6-dimethyl, hexadecane, heptadecane, eicosane, heneicosane, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dotriacontane, 2-methylhexacosane, hexatriacontane, squalene, tetrapentacontane, and tetracosane, were identified in foxtail millet grains. These findings provide valuable insights into the metabolic diversity and the differential accumulation of bioactive compounds in among foxtail millet grains with different colours. The study also assists in selecting foxtail millet genotypes with desirable lipid traits for sustainable crop improvement.