Isolation of high molecular weight eukaryotic DNA with the use of potassium acetate

The simple technique for isolation of high-molecular eucaryotic DNA has been proposed. It includes cell or nuclei lysates by sodium dodecylsulfate in the presence of pronase, proteins precipitation by potassium acetate, DNA precipitation by ethanol. The DNA isolated by this technique is easily cleaved by restriction endonucleases and can be used for analysis of the unique genes by blot-hybridization. The yield of DNA is similar or somewhat higher than that in case of using the standard methods including phenol extraction or phenol-chloroform extraction.     

Organization of reflex sympathetic influence on rate and force of cardiac contraction]

In acute experiments on 21 cats it was proved that the change of afferent impulse on vagus nerves by means of either freeze-block or electrostimulation of their central ends results in differential reflex influences on rhythm and force of the cardiac contractions caused by sympathetic nervous system. The cut of the lower cardiac nerves may cause 'break-up' of the observed reflex, removing or inverting its ino- or chronotropy component. The given phenomenon was revealed in the experiments with high arterial pressure and with absence of tonic chronotropy influences of the left lower cardiac nerve.     

Age-related characteristics of the distribution and attachment of chordae tendineae to the valves of the human heart

In 50 cardiac preparations of persons of various age (children, teenagers, adolescents, persons of mature and elderly age) distribution of various branches of the tendinous chordae (basic, marginal, commissural, rough zone) and level of their fixation to the ventricular surface of the right and left cusps of the atrioventricular valves have been studied. The tendinous chordae in direction from the apex of the papillary muscles towards the cusps of the atrioventricular valves are divided into the branches of the 2d--9th orders. Total quantity increase of the tendinous chordae is noted in the mature age, especially those of the 1st order in the left ventricle, and their decrease in the elderly age with an increase of the chordae of the 4th, 5th and 6th orders. Single chordae of the 8th and 9th orders can be found in elderly persons. Certain age specificities are revealed in fixation of various tendinous chordae to the cusps of the atrioventricular valves; they are surely connected with functional peculiarities of their different zones, that ensure air-tightness of the atrioventricular openings. There are quantitative differences of the tendinous chordae, fixed to certain cusps of the left (anterior) and right (anterior, posterior) atrioventricular valves; this is evidently connected with the role of the cusps mentioned in the mechanism of the valves closing.     

Site-specific endonucleases LplI and AagI

New site-specific endonucleases LplI and AagI have been isolated from the Lactobacillus plantarum and Achromobacter agile cells, respectively. The enzymes' purification stages included treatment of cell-free extracts with polyethylenimine, fractionation in two-phase system by Albertsson's method, chromatography on blue Sepharose and DEAE-cellulose. The results of cleavage of a 5'-32P-labelled oligodeoxynucleotide duplex by restriction endonucleases LplI and AagI indicate that these enzymes recognize and cut the sequence AT decreases CGAT, being therefore true isoschizomers of the ClaI restriction endonuclease from Caryophanon latum. The L. plantarum strain has 400 fold endonuclease productivity as compared with the ClaI producent and is perspective for preparative isolation of LplI.     

The connection of visual evoked potentials with the subjective differences between emotional expressions of the "schematic face"

Human cortical visual potentials (VEP) were studied to obtain electrophysiological data concerning face discrimination and to compare them with the direct estimates of differences between faces obtained in the previous publications. The present schematic faces varied in curvature of a mouth and/or declination of eyebrows. These features determined the emotional expression of the schematic faces. We recorded the VEP as the response to the instant replacement of one schematic face (referent stimulus) by an other one (test stimulus) rather then to presentation of a single stimulus. Thus we recorded direct electrophysiological differences between schematic faces. A characteristic feature of this approach was the application of the set of functionally connected test stimuli with monotonously increasing values of differences between the referent and test stimuli. In a result of analysis the complex of components P120-N180-P230 in sites O1, O2, P3, P4, T5, T6 was described. Interpeaks amplitudes of the components shows high correlations with subjective differences between the same pairs of stimuli as well as with physical (configurative) differences between stimuli measured as the angles of lines, defining curvature of a mouth and a declination of eyebrows. The highest correlation with subjective estimates of emotional differences between faces was shown by interpeaks amplitudes N180-P230 in sites O1 and P3. In the some time the interpeaks amplitudes P120-N180 in sites O1 and T5 reflected highest correlation between configurative measures and subjective estimates of stimuli differences.     

Amino acids in segment IVS6 and beta-subunit interaction support distinct conformational changes during Ca(v)2.1 inactivation

Ca(v)2.1 mediates voltage-gated Ca2+ entry into neurons and the release of neurotransmitters at synapses of the central nervous system. An inactivation process that is modulated by the auxiliary beta-subunits regulates Ca2+ entry through Ca(v)2.1. However, the molecular mechanism of this alpha1-beta-subunit interaction remains unknown. Herein we report the identification of new determinants within segment IVS6 of the alpha(1)2.1-subunit that markedly influence channel inactivation. Systematic substitution of residues within IVS6 with amino acids of different size, charge, and polarity resulted in mutant channels with rates of fast inactivation (k(inact)) ranging from a 1.5-fold slowing in V1818I (k(inact) = 0.98 +/- 0.09 s(-1) compared with wild type alpha(1)2.1/alpha2-delta/beta1a k(inact) = 1.35 +/- 0.25 s(-1) to a 75-fold acceleration in mutant M1811Q (k(inact) = 102 +/- 3 s(-1). Coexpression of mutant alpha(1)2.1-subunits with beta(2a) resulted in two different phenotypes of current inactivation: 1) a pronounced reduction in the rate of channel inactivation or 2) an attenuation of a slow component in I(Ba) inactivation. Simulations revealed that these two distinct inactivation phenotypes arise from a beta2a-subunit-induced destabilization of the fast-inactivated state. The IVS6- and beta2a-subunit-mediated effects on Ca(v)2.1 inactivation are likely to occur via independent mechanisms.     

The diversity of parasites in the Chinese sleeper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perccottus glenii</Emphasis> Dybowski, 1877 (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) under the conditions of large-scale range expansion

It has been found that the species composition of parasites infesting the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii in water bodies from the nonnative part of its range is more depleted. Here, the phylogenetic distances between parasites exceed those in the native part of the range. It has been revealed that parasitological differences between P. glenii populations from the nonnative and native parts of the range, as well as between populations inside the nonnative part, have similar composition and abundance of the host-specific and euryxenous components in the parasitic fauna. It has been shown that these differences are determined by the genesis of sites from which P. glenii is introduced, as well as the local conditions of the recipient water bodies.     

Platinum Polyoxoniobates Form Adducts with DNA

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Platinum complexes are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in cancer therapy but show significant toxicity to healthy tissues as a side effect....