Areas of Interest/Specialization: 

Characterization and regulation of metabolic enzymes / Cell Physiology and Biochemistry

Experience: 

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
I have more than 14 years of teaching experience in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at post-graduation level and more than 22 years of research experience. I obtained my Ph. D. degree working on the effect of isoflavones from Flemingia vestita on selected enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in a cestode parasite. Further, I worked on the effect of isoflavones from F. vestita and Stephania glabra on the purified phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) from the cestode parasite and also from human.

Presently, my research group is focussing on effect of genistein on AMPK-CRTC2 and MAPK-cJun/cFos signalling pathways responsible for PEPCK regulation, which may modulate hepatic gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Further, we are working on the relationship of enzymes of carbohydrate- and lipid- metabolism in human, and plausible effect of phytochemicals on these enzymes in fighting T2DM.

Besides, we are also focusing on regulation of Osteopontin expression via ERRβ and SIRT1) in highly metastasis breast cancer cell lines.

Research Projects

• Evaluation of mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (mGPDH) for its role in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). (DST-SERB, Govt. of India: EMR/2016/001283 dated February 01, 2017)
• Epigenetic status of pro/anti apoptotic activity of age-related genes involved in breast cancer. (DBT, Govt. of India: No. BT/253/NE/TBP/2011 dated May 07, 2012)
• Analysis of molecular signalling proteins and epigenetic factors responsible for regulation of PEPCK expression. (DBT, Govt. of India: No. BT/103/NE/TBP/2010 dated March 16, 2011)
• Comparative Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of PEPCK under the influence of Flemingia vestita-derived phytoestrogen (Genistein). (DBT, Govt. of India: No. BT/PR12828/Med/30/221/2009 dated March 22, 2010)
• Bioprospection for anthelmintic efficacy of some medicinal plants used in traditional medicine system in North-east India. (DST-SERC, Govt. of India: No. SR/FT/L-107 /2004 dated May 04, 2005)

Publications

 27 research articles, 2 review articles, and 3 book chapters  (*corresponding author)

1. Khongsti K., Das B.* (2021) Osteopontin and breast cancer metastasis: possible role of genistein on regulation of osteopontin. Phytomedicine Plus 1(4): 100138 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100138
2. Das B.* (2021) Glucosinolate biosynthesis: role of MAM synthase and its perspectives. Bioscience Reports 41:BSR20211634 https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20211634
3. Tariang K., Khongsti K., Das B.* (2021) Effect of arsenic and lead on glucose level and expression of ERK in air-breathing catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. International Aquatic Research 13:129-137 https://doi.org/ 10.22034/IAR.2021.1923096.1136
4. Khongsti K., Pasupuleti B.G., Das B.*, Bez G.* (2021) 1,2,3-Triazole tethered 1,2,4-trioxane trimer induces apoptosis in metastatic cancer cells and inhibits their proliferation, migration and invasion. Bioorganic Chemistry 112: 104952 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104952
5. Khongsti K., Das K.B., Das B.* (2021) MAPK pathway and SIRT1 are involved in down-regulation of secreted osteopontin expression by genistein in highly metastatic cancer cells. Life Sciences 265: 118787 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118787
6. Das B.*, Dkhar B., Dutta A.K. (2020) Interactions of genistein with AMPK and its effect on PEPCK-C expression in HepG2 cells: a biocomputational study. Pharmacologyonline 3:50-69
7. Pasupuleti B.G., Khongsti K., Das B.*, Bez G.* (2020) 1,2,3-Triazole tethered 1,2,4-trioxanes: Studies on their synthesis and effect on osteopontin expression in MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 186:111908 DOI 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111908
8. Tarianga K., Ramanujam S.N., Das B.* (2019) Effect of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) on glycogen content and on the activities of selected enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. International Aquatic Research 11:253-266 DOI: 10.1007/s40071-019-00234-2
9. Tandon V., Das B.* (2018) Genistein: Is the multifarious botanical a natural anthelmintic too? Journal of Parasitic Diseases 42:151-161 DOI:10.1007/s12639-018-0984-0
10. Dkhar B., Khongsti K., Thabah D., Syiem D., Satyamoorthy K., Das B.* (2018) Genistein represses PEPCK-C expression in an insulin-independent manner in HepG2 cells and in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 119:1953-1970 DOI:10.1002/jcb.26356
11. Ramnath, Dutta A.K., Dkhar B., Tandon V., Das B.* (2017) Biological significance of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in a cestode parasite, Raillietina echinobothrida, and effect of phytoestrogens on the enzyme from the parasite and its host, Gallus domesticus. Parasitology 144:1264-1274 doi:10.1017/S0031182017000518
12. Dutta A.K., Ramnath, Dkhar B., Tandon V., Das B.* (2016) Cloning and expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from a cestode parasite and its solubilization from inclusion bodies using L-arginine. Protein Expression and Purification 125:61-67 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pep.2015.09.004
13. Seenappa V., Das B., Joshi B.M., Satyamoorthy K.* (2016) Context dependent regulation of PEPCK isoforms via promoter DNA methylation and RNA stability in human cells. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 117:2506-2520. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25543
14. Dutta A.K., Ramnath, V. Tandon, Das B.* (2016) Biocomputational analysis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Raillietina echinobothrida, a cestode parasite, and its interaction with possible modulators. Parasitology 143:300-313 doi:10.1017/S0031182015001742
15. Das B., Ramnath, Dutta A.K., Tandon V*. (2015) Differential kinetics at PK/PEPCK branch point in the cestode, Raillietina echinobothrida. Experimental Parasitology 153:151-159 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.03.023
16. Ramnath, Jyrwa D.B., Dutta A.K., Das B., Tandon V.* (2014) Molecular characterization of the Indian poultry nodular tapeworm, Raillietina echinobothrida (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Davaineidae) based on rDNA Internal Transcribed spacer 2 region. Journal of Parasitic Diseases 38:22-26 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-012-0184-2
17. Das B., Tandon V.*, Saxena J.K., Joshi S., Singh A.R. (2013) Purification and characterization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Raillietina echinobothrida, a cestode parasite of the domestic fowl. Parasitology 140:136–146 doi:10.1017/S0031182012001254
18. Das B., Tandon V.*, Lyndem L.M., Gray A.I., Ferro V.A. (2009) Phytochemicals from Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae) and Stephania glabra (Menispermeaceae) alter cGMP concentration in the cestode Raillietina echinobothrida. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C 149:397-403
19. Lyndem L.M., Tandon V.*, Das B. (2008) Anthelmintic efficacy of medicinal plants from Northeast India against hookworms: an in vitro study on Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Pharmacologyonline 3: 697-707
20. Das B., Tandon V.*, Saha N. (2007) Genistein from Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae) enhances NO and its mediator (cGMP) production in a cestode parasite, Raillietina echinobothrida. Parasitology 134: 1457-1463
21. Tandon V., Das B.* (2007) In vitro testing of anthelmintic efficacy of Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae) on carbohydrate metabolism in Raillietina echinobothrida. Methods 42:330-338
22. Das B., Tandon V.*, Saha N. (2006) Effect of isoflavone from Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae) on the Ca2+ homeostasis in Raillietina echinobothrida, the cestode of domestic fowl. Parasitology International 55:17-21
23. Tandon V.*, Chakravarty R, Das B. (2005) Four new species of the genus Lytocestus (Caryophyllidea, Lytocestidae) from Edible Catfishes in Assam and Meghalaya, India. Journal of Parasitic Diseases 29:131-142
24. Tandon V.*, Kar P.K., Das B., Sharma B., Dorjee J. (2005) Preliminary survey of gastro-intestinal helminth infection in herbivorous livestock of mountainous regions of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. Zoos’ Print Journal 20:1867-1868
25. Das B., Tandon V.*, Saha N. (2004) Effects of phytochemicals of Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae) on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and enzymes of gluconeogenesis in a cestode (Raillietina echinobothrida). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C 139:141-146
26. Tandon V.*, Lyndem L.M., Kar P.K., Pal P., Das B., Rao H.S.P. (2004) Anthelmintic efficacy of extract of Stephania glabra and aerial root extract of Trichosanthes multiloba in vitro: two indigenous plants in Shillong, India. Journal of Parasitic Diseases 28:37-44
27. Das B., Tandon V.* and Saha N. (2004) Anthelmintic efficacy of Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae): alterations in glucose metabolism of the cestode, Raillietina echinobothrida. Parasitology International 53:345-350
28. Das B., Tandon V.* and Saha N. (2004) Anthelmintic efficacy of Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae): alteration in the activities of some glycolytic enzymes in the cestode, Raillietina echinobothrida. Parasitology Research 93:253-261
29. Tandon V.*, Das B. and Saha N. (2003) Anthelmintic efficacy of Flemingia vestita (Fabaceae): effect of genistein on glycogen metabolism in the cestode, Raillietina echinobothrida. Parasitology International 52:179-183

Chapters in Books

1. Das B.* and Dutta A. (2018) Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase: a target enzyme in management of helminth parasites? In Advances in medico-veterinary parasitology: an Indian perspective (Eds: Yadav A.K., Tandon V. and Hoti S. L.). 459-474
2. Tandon V., Das B.* and Kumar S. (2017) Proteases of parasitic helminths: their metabolic role in establishment of infection in the host. In Proteases in Hum