Traditional GFP-type cyclization and unexpected fragmentation site in a purple chromoprotein from Anemonia sulcata, asFP595

The purple chromoprotein (asFP595) from Anemonia sulcata belongs to the family of green fluorescent protein (GFP). Absorption and emission spectra of asFP595 are similar to those of a number of recently cloned GFP-like red proteins of the DsRed subfamily. The earlier proposed asFP595 chromophore structure [Martynov, V. I.; et al. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 21012-21016] was postulated to result from an "alternative cyclization" giving rise to a pyrazine-type six-membered heterocycle. Here we report that the asFP595 chromophore is actually very close in chemical structure to that of zFP538, a yellow fluorescent protein [Zagranichny, V. E.; et al. (2004) Biochemistry 43, 4764-4772]. NMR spectroscopic studies of four chromophore-containing peptides (chromopeptides) isolated under mild conditions from enzymatic digests of asFP595 and one chromopeptide obtained from DsRed revealed that all of them contain a p-hydroxybenzylideneimidazolinone moiety formed by Met-65/Gln-66, Tyr-66/67, and Gly-67/68 of asFP595/DsRed, respectively. Two asFP595 chromopeptides are proteolysis products of an isolated full-length polypeptide containing a GFP-type chromophore already formed and arrested at an earlier stage of maturation. The two other asFP595 chromopeptides were isolated as proteolysis products of the purified chromophore-containing C-terminal fragment. One of these has an oxo group at Met-65 C(alpha) and is a hydrolysis product of another one, with the imino group at Met-65 C(alpha). The N-unsubstituted imino moiety of the latter is generated by spontaneous polypeptide chain cleavage at a very unexpected site, the former peptide bond between Cys-64 C' and Met-65 N(alpha). Our data strongly suggest that both zFP538 and asFP595 could be attributed to the DsRed subfamily of GFP-like proteins.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> Uri,a PP1α binding protein,is essential for viability,maintenance of DNA integrity and normal transcriptional activity

Background  

Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is involved in diverse cellular processes, and is targeted to substrates via interaction with many different protein binding partners. PP1 catalytic subunits (PP1c) fall into PP1α and PP1β subfamilies based on sequence analysis, however very few PP1c binding proteins have been demonstrated to discriminate between PP1α and PP1β.     

Current principles in the use of diagnostic coronary angiography

The paper presents current principles in designing diagnostic coronary angiography by taking into account of fundamental achievements in endovascular medicine in diagnosing and treating various heart diseases. Analyzing the world and Russian experience gained, the authors present basic qualitative and quantitative requirements for X-ray contrast study of cardiac vessels to enhance the information value of coronary angiography. They consider necessary diagnostic criteria to be achieved during the study to choose a surgical or endovascular treatment: a type and number of diagnostic film projections, X-ray anatomy of coronary vessels. The present-day accumulated data on X-ray anatomic features of coronary vessels in coronary heart disease are classified. Current classifications of coronary circulation, principles in the development of collateral blood supply, main sources of collaterals, and the specific features of the coronary bed in patients with coronary heart disease are also given.     

Functional organization of the cortico-reticular system of the brain in response to physical loads

An estimation was carried out by factor analysis method of informative value of alpha-like rhythm, EEG theta-rhythm, local cerebral blood filling and oxygen tension (pO2) in estimation of functional state of cerebral structures under submaximal physical loads. Experiments were carried out on 35 rabbits with electrodes chronically implanted in the sensorimotor cortex and reticular formation. The obtained values were processed by a variant of factor analysis--a method of main components. For interpretation of factor loads matrix an orthogonal turn of factor axes was carried out according to varimax criterion. It has been established that informative value of the parameters depends on the brain structure where the given parameters were defined. Dynamics of pO2 and the theta-rhythm mostly influence the changes in other parameters. The states of structures before and during the period of physical load after-effect are mostly characterized by the brain local blood filling and less by the theta-rhythm amplitude.     

Long-term results of chronic occlusion recanalization in patients with coronary heart disease

The study was undertaken to assess the long-term results of recanalization of chronically occluded coronary arteries, by applying drug-eluting stents to patients with coronary heart disease. The study enrolled 585 patients with one-vessel occlusive lesion of one of three great coronary arteries (TIMI 0; occlusion duration, > or = 3 months): 321 patients who underwent successful recanalization of chronic occlusion and further implantation of drug-eluting stents and 264 patients who received drug therapy (a control group). The short- and long-term results of recanalization were investigated. The follow-up averaged 1095 +/- 36 days; reexaminations were made after 1, 2, and 3 years. The direct success rate of recanalization of chronically occluded coronary arteries was 84.9% (321/378). The results of a 3-year follow-up showed the efficiency and expediency of endovascular recanalization of chronic occlusions: the invasively treated patients had the symptoms of angina pectoris and heart failure significantly less frequently, showed higher exercise tolerance and a less need for antianginal therapy, and had a better long-term prognosis.     

Autoimmune disorders in liqvidators 11 years after the Chernobyl accident

We studied long-lasting consequences of the low-doses irradiation on the immune system of 71 clean-up workers who participated in the emergency work after the Chernobyl Plant accident in 1986 and 25 healthy donors from Belarus. In sera of the workers the level of autoantibodies to thyroid gland antigens (thyroglobulin and microsomal fraction of thyroid gland) was increased in 48% of cases, the level of autoantibodies to lens oculis antigen was increased in 44% of cases; the level of circulating immune complexes was elevated in 55%, and the serum level of thyroglobulin in 60% of people. Immunological disorders were found without any definite clinical evidences of diseases and this allows us to consider the examined contingent as a group of risk for the development of autoimmune pathology in the future.