Modeling the Calcium Signaling in Stomatal Guard Cells under the Action of Abscisic Acid

A theoretical model of calcium signaling is presented that simulates oscillations of cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) in stomatal guard cells under the action of abscisic acid. The model is based on the kinetics of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive calcium channels of endoplasmic reticulum and cyclic ADP-ribose-sensitive calcium channels of the tonoplast. The operation of two energy-dependent pumps—the Ca²⁺-ATPase of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiporter of the tonoplast—is also included in the model. It is shown that the removal of excessive Ca²⁺ from the cytoplasm by the tonoplast Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiporter is the main factor accounting for generation of [Ca²⁺]_cyt oscillations at a wide range of ABA concentrations (0.01–1 M). The long period of [Ca²⁺]_cyt oscillations in plant cells is explained by a slow release from inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-gated calcium channels.     

Light-Dependence of Phospholipase D Activity in Oat Seedlings

The effect of light on the activity of phospholipase D (PLD) in oat (Avena sativa L.) seedlings and the dependence of this enzyme activity on the regime of their illumination were studied. The PLD activity in etiolated seedlings was 1.5–2.0-fold higher than in green plants. The illumination of etiolated seedlings with white light resulted in a decrease in PLD activity to its level in the seedlings grown under light. In contrast, the transfer of green seedlings to darkness enhanced the activity of the enzyme up to its level in etiolated seedlings. The illumination of etiolated seedlings with red light inhibited the PLD as well. It was shown that this photoeffect decreased with seedling aging and correlated with a phytochrome content in plants. Far-red light reversed the effect of red light. The involvement of phytochrome in the control of the PLD activity is discussed.     

Conformationally stable segments in helical structures of polypeptide chains of proteins and their role in high level structures formation

In the work the arguments are presented in favor of the idea on the role of conformationally stable oligopeptides in specific long-distance interactions in phenomena of molecular recognition during various biological processes. Original authors’ and literature data are taken into account. The examples of conformationally stable short oligopeptides participating in alpha-helix and collagen type structures formation are given simultaneously with theoretical approaches. The conformationally stable oligopeptides obtained in the course of PDB bank analysis are discussed. The role of amino acid sequence in collagen helix formation is shown.     

The influence of LIF (Leukemia Inhibitory Factor) on the functional status of R1 mouse embryonic stem cells

The influence of cytokine LIF (Leukemia Inhibitory Factor) on the viability, and proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) (R1 cell line) and their distribution by cell cycle stages has been investigated. LIF (5–20 ng/ml) increased growth of colonies and maintained high proliferative and pluripotent properties of R1 cells. LIF was also involved into the inhibition of spontaneous cell differentiation and apoptotic cell death; it also decreased the rations of S/G₂ + M cell cycle and doubling-time of cell population.     

Cyclic GMP-Binding Activity in Avena sativa Seedlings

Binding of ³H-labeled cyclic GMP (³H-cGMP) to the structural components of subcellular fractions was studied in oat seedlings. The binding was found to depend on the conditions of incubation and illumination of growing plants. In the green seedlings, the binding activity was lower than in the etiolated seedlings. The highest binding was observed in soluble cytosolic fraction where two types of specific sites for cGMP binding (with high and low affinity to the cyclic mononucleotide) were detected. The binding activity was found to increase as a result of red light influence via phytochrome, as well as in the presence of calcium ions and calcium–calmodulin complex.     

Photoregulation of Protochlorophyllide Oxidoreductase and Rubisco Large Subunit Accumulation in Phytochrome A-Deficient Transgenic Tobacco Plants

Some morphogenetic responses, induced by far red (FR) light in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.), were studied. The inhibitory effect of FR irradiation on chlorophyll synthesis in transgenic plants with reduced phytochrome A content was almost absent. Phytochrome A-mediated repression of the por gene was demonstrated with the use of polyclonal antiserum against protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase. Continuous FR light induced the accumulation of Rubisco large subunits in wild-type but not in transgenic tobacco plants. Our data confirm the suggestion that phytochrome A mediates photoregulation of the synthesis of these proteins.     

Photoregulation of the Endogenous cGMP Content in Oat Seedlings

The concentration of cGMP in the tissues of oat (Avena sativaL.) seedlings was shown to depend on seedling age and the light regime of their growth. The level of cGMP in the etiolated seedlings was lower than in the green ones and declined with seedling age. Red and blue light recognized by phytochrome and cryptochrome, respectively, affected the cGMP content. The effectors of cGMP metabolism, guanylin, protoporphyrin IX, and zaprinast, elevated the cGMP content in tissue extracts from oat seedlings.     

Interconnection between the globule architecture and disposition of conformationally stanch oligopeptides in proteins of the same structural family

It has been shown that selective interactions between helical segments of macromolecules can be realized in globular proteins in the segments characterized by the same periodicities of charge distribution, i.e., conformationally stanch oligopeptides (CSOPs). It has been found that in the macromolecules of α-helical proteins, CSOPs are disposed at distances characteristic of direct interactions. For representatives of many structural families of α-type proteins, family-specific disposition of CSOPs is observed. The similar disposition of conformationally stanch segments is not related to amino acid sequence homology but reflects peculiarities of native 3D architectures of protein globules.