Determination of nystatin component composition using HPLC and TLC with densitometry]

The component composition of nystatin produced by an improved strain of Streptomyces noursei was determined by HPLC on Milichrom chromatograph (USSR). It was shown that the antibiotic consisted of nystatins A1, A2, A3 and B and admixture substances. The data appeared to be in good agreement with the results of the complex TLC investigation, by using densitometry. The component composition of the samples was evidenced by SIEAP mass spectrometry. Physiochemical and biological characteristics of separate components are presented.     

Genome-wide analysis of across herd <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> <Subscript>st</Subscript> Heterogeneity in holsteinized cattle

To form a reference population necessary for genomic selection of dairy cattle, it is important to acquire information on the genetic diversity of the base population. Our report is the first among the studies on breeding of farm animals to implement Wright’s F-statistics for this purpose. Genotyping of animals was performed using BovineSNP50 chip. In total, we genotyped 499 heifers from 13 breeding farms in the Leningrad region. We calculated Weir and Cockerham’s F_st estimate for all pairwise combinations of herds from breeding farms and the values obtained were in the range of 0.016–0.115 with the mean of 0.076 ± 0.002. Theoretical F_st values for the same pairwise combinations of herds were calculated using the ADMIXTURE program. These values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than Weir and Cockerham’s F_st estimates and fell in the range of 0.063–0.136 with the mean of 0.100 ± 0.001. We discuss the reasons for this discrepancy between the two sets of F_st data. The obtained F_st values were used to identify reliable molecular-genetical differences between the herds. The ADMIXTURE program breaks the pool of 476 heifers into 16 subpopulations, the number of which is close to the number of herds used in the experiment. Results of the comparison between F_st values obtained using SNP markers with published data obtained on microsatellites are in support of the common opinion that microsatellite analysis results in underestimation of F_st values. On the whole, the obtained across-herd F_st values are in the range Fst data reported for cattle breeds. Results of comparison of F_st values with the data on the origin of bulls imported from different countries lead to the conclusion on the expediency of the use of F_st data to assess heterogeneity of the herds. Thus, we have demonstrated that use of F_st data provides the means to assess genetic diversity of cattle herds and is a necessary step in the formation of a reference population for dairy cattle.     

Morphogenetic,Physiological, and Biochemical Features of Lavandula angustifolia at Long-Term Micropropagation In Vitro

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Data on morphogenesis and some physiological and biochemical parameters of explants of five cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. under long-term...     

The Characteristics of Primary Hybrids Obtained in Crosses between Common Wheat from China and Cultivated Rye

Russian Journal of Genetics - The gene pool of winter common wheat from China maintained in the VIR collection is unique in the variety of alleles of the genes of selection-valuable traits and...     

Human anti-DNA secretory immunglobulins A possess endonuclease activity and they are able to cause the destruction of nuclear chromatin in vitro

sIgA possessing ability to hydrolyse plasmid DNA to linear forms was purified from human milk by sequential chromatography on protein A-sepharose, DEAE-Fractogel and DNA-cellulose. It was discovered that incubation of sIgA with nuclei of porcine embryo kidney cells permeabilized by Triton X-100 causes formation of electrophoretically mobile forms of nuclear nucleic acids and inhibition of phosphorylation of nuclear proteins. We suppose that sIgA possessing affinity to DNA and endonuclease activity can cause degradation of cell nuclear chromatin.     

A comparison of the immune response induced by DNA or by an inactivated vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis

BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant plasmid DNA pSVK3-ENS1 and pcDNAI-NS3 containing, respectively, genes E-NS1 and NS3 of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. Antibodies to TBE virus proteins were detected in the blood sera of the immunized animals by the method of the enzyme immunoassay. Though the titers of virus-specific antibodies in the sera of mice immunized with protein vaccines exceeded those registered after immunization with DNA vaccines, essential protective immunity was observed after the use of both vaccines.     

Global diversity of durum wheat Triticum durum Desf. for alleles of gliadin-coding loci

Genetic diversity for the alleles of gliadin-coding loci was studied with 465 durum wheat accessions from 42 countries. A total of 108 alleles were identified for four loci; 60 alleles were described for the first time. Broad diversity of rare gliadin-coding alleles was observed. The highest genetic diversity was characteristic of durum wheat accessions from the Middle East, Trans-Caucasia, the Pyrenean Peninsula, and the Balkans. Two genetically isolated ancient branches of durum wheat were isolated. A “southern” branch included mostly accessions from the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and Trans-Caucasia. A “northern” branch included Russian and Ukrainian durum wheat accessions and varieties obtained on their basis. An additional group included durum wheat accessions that had been obtained in several past decades on the basis of the material of international breeding centers (CIMMYT and ICARDA) and had low genetic diversity.     

Interaction of Plum Pox Virus with Specific Colloidal Gold-Labeled Antibodies and Development of Immunochromatographic Assay of the Virus

Two monoclonal antibodies (mABs) raised against plum pox virus (PPV) were shown to recognize its D, M, and C strains. Conjugates of the antibodies with colloidal gold (CG) nanoparticles averaging 26 nm in diameter were synthesized. The binding constants of PPV with both the native and conjugated mABs were determined using a Biacore X device. The complexes between the CG-mAB conjugates and plum pox virions were examined by means of transmission electron and atomic force microscopy. Using the conjugates with optimal component ratio, an express immunochromatographic assay of PPV was developed with a detection limit of 3 ng/ml and duration of 10 min. The assay was tested for PPV detection in sam- ples of stone fruit tree leaves and demonstrated a good compatibility with the data obtained by “sandwich”-ELISA. The developed assay can be used in the field and applied for monitoring viral infection and for quarantine purposes.     

Changes in the biota of Chany Lake along a salinity gradient

Relationships among salinity and diversity, abundance, biomass of major biological components of Chany Lake (western Siberia, Russia) are examined across a salinity gradient. As salinity increased from 0.8 to 6.4 g l⁻¹, the species richness of aquatic vascular plants decreased from 16 to 2 species, of phytoplankton from 98 to 52 species, and of zooplankton from 61 to 16 species, but changes in species diversity of zoobenthos were negligible. Guest Editor: John M. Melack Saline Waters and their Biota     

Analysis of intraspecific diversity of cultivated emmer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum dicoccum</Emphasis> (Schrank.) schuebl using C-banding technique

Ninety-four lines of Triticum dicoccum isolated from 86 wheat accessions from Vavilov All-Russia Research Institute of Plant Industry (VIR, Russia) and INRA (Clermont-Ferrand, France) germ-plasm collections were studied using C-banding technique. Visual comparison of karyotypes of different accessions was performed to establish genetic relationships and evaluate features inherent for ecological-geographical groups. The level of C-banding polymorphism in the whole sample of tetraploid emmer proved to be relatively low. The diversity within groups was higher than the differences between them. The material studied contained 39 lines carrying 16 different types of chromosomal rearrangements including single and multiple translocations and inversions. The level of translocation polymorphism was comparable with that detected earlier for polyploid wheat species. The frequencies of individual translocation types varied from 18 (T7A:5B) to 1 (nine types). Analysis of the distribution of the most frequent translocations 7A:5B suggested that it has significant adaptive value on the territory of Europe. Similarity of the C-banding patterns of European emmer and the accessions with the same translocation of the Asian origin points to their possible common origin. The occurrence of the same translocation in several T. dicoccoides accessions from Syria and Lebanon may indicate that such forms of wild emmer could have taken part in the origin of cultivate emmer from Western Europe. Similarity of the C-banding patterns of some chromosomes of European emmer and spelt could serve as an indirect evidence of their close genetic relationships.