EDAS, databases of alternatively spliced human genes

EDAS, a database of alternatively spliced human genes, contains data on the alignment of proteins, mRNAs, and EST. It contains information on all exons and introns observed, as well as elementary alternatives formed from them. The database makes it possible to filter the output data by changing the cut-off threshold by the significance level. The database is accessible at http://www.gene-bee.msu.ru/edas/.     

Level of neuroactive steroids in the brain, and gender-related differences in formation and decrease of conditioned reflex in rats

We investigated gender-related differences in dynamics of the brain sexual steroids during learning and the decrease of conditioned reflex in the modeling experiment. It was revealed that, before training to conditioned reflexes, females manifested a greater anxiety than males. Significant differences between males and females in formation of the conditioned reflex of passive avoidance were not revealed, whereas the conditioned response decrease were by 2-3 days faster in male rats than in females. It was revealed that there was an increase of testosterone content in various structures of the brain, especially in hippocampus and frontal cortex with its constant level in the blood plasma in learning conditioned response of passive avoidance in male adult rats. Also an increased estradiol concentration was found in females' amygdale, while increased value of estradiol was detected in hippocampus and the singular cortex in decrease of the conditioned response of passive avoidance. In blood plasma, the testosterone level was not changed, and the estradiol concentration was reduced significantly after the decreased conditioned reflex. Different dynamics of changes in the levels of sex steroids in the brain and the blood plasma can indicate a probability of their formation in nervous tissue. The correlation analysis confirms the conception about selective involvement of the brain's testosterone and estradiol in the specific structures in realization ofthe learning and memory processes in adult male and female rats.     

Distribution of glyphosate and methylphosphonate catabolism systems in soil bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ochrobactrum anthropi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Achromobacter</Emphasis> sp

Bacterial strains capable of utilizing methylphosphonic acid (MP) or glyphosate (GP) as the sole sources of phosphorus were isolated from soils contaminated with these organophosphonates. The strains isolated from MP-contaminated soils grew on MP and failed to grow on GP. One group of the isolates from GP-contaminated soils grew only on MP, while the other one grew on MP and GP. Strains Achromobacter sp. MPS 12 (VKM B-2694), MP degraders group, and Ochrobactrum anthropi GPK 3 (VKM B-2554D), GP degraders group, demonstrated the best degradative capabilities towards MP and GP, respectively, and were studied for the distribution of their organophosphonate catabolism systems. In Achromobacter sp. MPS 12, degradation of MP was catalyzed by C–P lyase incapable of degrading GP (C–P lyase I). Adaptation to growth on GP yielded the strain Achromobacter sp. MPS 12A, which retained its ability to degrade MP via C–P lyase I and was capable of degrading GP with formation of sarcosine, thus suggesting the involvement of a GP-specific C–P lyase II. O. anthropi GPK 3 also degraded MP via C–P lyase I, but degradation of GP in it was initiated by glyphosate oxidoreductase, which was followed by product transformation via the phosphonatase pathway.     

Effect of brown algae metabolites on the synthesis of O-glycosyl hydrolases by bacteria degrading the thallus of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fucus evanescens</Emphasis>

The effect of fucoidan, extractive substances from Fucus evanescens and the Laminaria cichorioides protein (an inhibitor of endo-1→3-β-D-glucanase) on the degradation of F. evanescens thallus and on the growth of bacteria involved in this process was studied. The complex of O-glycosyl hydrolases and the level of their enzymatic activity in bacteria cultivated under various conditions depended significantly on the composition of the growth medium. The highest taxonomic diversity was observed for bacteria isolated from the thallus degraded in the control medium (sea water). These bacteria were characterized by very low levels of activity of the enzymes degrading polysaccharides (fucoidan, laminaran, and pustulan). In the presence of 1→3-β-D-glucanase inhibitors, the taxonomic diversity of the microorganisms degrading F. evanescens thallus was decreased, and the activity of O-glycosyl hydrolases (particularly, of fucoidan hydrolases) was increased.     

Immunostimulating complexes incorporating Eimeria tenella antigens and plant saponins as effective delivery system for coccidia vaccine immunization

Immunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs) are unique, multimolecular structures formed by encapsulating antigens, lipids, and triterpene saponins of plant origin, and are an effective delivery system for various kinds of antigens. The uses of ISCOMs formulated with saponins from plants collected in Kazakhstan, with antigens from the poultry coccidian parasite Eimeria tenella, were evaluated for their potential use in developing a vaccine for control of avian coccidiosis. Saponins isolated from the plants Aesculus hippocastanum and Glycyrrhiza glabra were partially purified by HPLC. The saponin fractions obtained from HPLC were evaluated for toxicity in chickens and chicken embryos. The HPLC saponin fractions with the least toxicity, compared to a commercial saponin Quil A, were used to assemble ISCOMs. When chicks were immunized with ISCOMs prepared with saponins from Kazakhstan plants and E. tenella antigens, and then challenged with E. tenella oocysts, significant protection was conveyed compared to immunization with antigen alone. The results of this study indicate that ISCOMs formulated with saponins isolated from plants indigenous to Kazakhstan are an effective antigen delivery system which may be successfully used, with low toxicity, for preparation of highly immunogenic coccidia vaccine.     

Microbial degradation of organophosphonates by soil bacteria

Bacteria that can utilize glyphosate (GP) or methylphosphonic acid (MPA) as a sole phosphorus source have been isolated from soil samples polluted with organophosphonates (OP). No matter which of these compounds was predominant in the native habitat of the strains, all of them utilized methylphosphonate. Some of the strains isolated from GP-polluted soil could utilize both phosphorus sources. Strains growing on glyphosate only were not isolated. The isolates retained high destructive activity after long-term storage of cells in lyophilized state, freezing to ?20°C, and maintenance on various media under mineral oil. When phosphorusstarved cells (with 2% phosphorus) were used as inoculum, the efficiency of OP biodegradation significantly increased (1.5-fold).     

Mapping of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with grain quality characteristics of the bread wheat grown under different environmental conditions

The quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with individual characteristics of grain and flour quality in wheat lines grown under contrasting environmental conditions were mapped. Overall, 22 QTL that manifested under contrasting environmental conditions with various significances were detected on 10 chromosomes. Grain hardness and vitreousness were associated with three loci on chromosomes 5D, 6A, and 3A, while the gluten content, with two loci on chromosomes 5B and 7A. Dough extensibility was associated with only one QTL localized in the region of Glu-A1 locus. One of the loci determining flour and dough strengths is located in the region of Gli-B1 and Glu-B3 loci and the rest, in various regions of chromosomes 1B, 5D, and 4B, where no particular genes associated with grain quality have been yet found. The detected QTL can be used in further experiments on genetic control of gluten formation and quality in wheat.     

Structure, biological activity, and enzymatic transformation of fucoidans from the brown seaweeds

Recent advances in the study of fucoidans, biologically active sulfated alpha-L-fucans of diverse structures and synthesized exclusively by marine organisms, are overviewed. Their structure, biological activity, the products of their enzymatic degradation and the different enzymes of degradation and modification are considered.