Transport systems for carbonate in the extremely natronophilic cyanobacterium Euhalothece sp

The effect of carbonate concentration, pH of the medium, and illumination intensity on the major physiological characteristics (growth rate and the intensities of CO2 assimilation and oxygen photoproduction) of the natronophilic cyanobacterium Euhalothece sp. Z-M001 have been studied. It was established that the investigated microorganism has at least two transport systems (TS) for CO2, which differ in both the pH optimum and substrate affinity: TS I has a pH, 9.4-9.5 and a K(S) 0.5 of 13-17 mM, whereas TS II has a pH(opt) 9.9-10.2 and a K(S) 0.5 of 600-800 mM. The substrate affinity of these transport systems is several orders of magnitude lower than the substrate affinity of the transport systems of freshwater cyanobacteria. It is suggested that they are unique for extremely alkaliphilic cyanobacteria and reflect their adaptation to the seasonal cycles of the lake hydrochemistry.     

Electron microscopic detection and in situ characterization of bacterial nanoforms in extreme biotopes

The morphology, ultrastructure, and quantity of bacterial nanoforms were studied in extreme biotopes: East Siberia permafrost soil (1-3 Ma old), petroleum-containing slimes (35 years old), and biofilms from subsurface oil pipelines. The morphology and ultrastructure of microbial cells in natural biotopes in situ were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and various methods of sample preparation: ultrathin sectioning, cell replicas, and cryofractography. It was shown that the biotopes under study contained high numbers of bacterial nanoforms (29-43% of the total number of microorganisms) that could be assigned to ultramicrobacteria due to their size (diameter of < or =0.3 microm and volume of < or =0.014 microm3) and structural characteristics (the presence of the outer and cytoplasmic membranes, nucleoid, and cell wall, as well as their division patterns). Seven different morphostructural types of nanoforms of vegetative cells, as well as nanospores and cyst-like cells were described, potentially representing new species of ultramicrobacteria. In petroleum-containing slimes, a peculiar type of nanocells was discovered, gram-negative cells mostly 0.18-0.20 x 0.20-0.30 microm in size, forming spherical aggregates (microcolonies) of dividing cells in situ. The data obtained promoted the isolation of pure cultures of ultramicrobacteria from petroleum-containing slimes; they resembled the ultramicrobacterium observed in situ in their morphology and ultrastructure.     

Interactions of human ribosomal protein S3 with undamaged and damaged DNA

Human S3 protein (hS3) is a structural component of the ribosome, which, in addition to its role in translation, possesses activities typical of some DNA repair enzymes. Recombinant hS3 purified from inclusion bodies and refolded under different conditions was investigated for its ability to bind and cleave oligodeoxyribonucleotide substrates containing different lesions abundant in cellular DNA (apurine/apyrimidine sites, uracil, 8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoadenine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, hypoxanthine). hS3 catalyzed cleavage of apurine/apyrimidine sites through beta-elimination mechanism forming a transient Schiff base covalent intermediate, but did not cleave substrates containing other lesions. Refolding of hS3 in the presence of Fe2+ and S2- ions did not increase its activity, despite the earlier suggestions that this protein could contain an iron-sulfur cluster. Binding of hS3 to DNA ligands containing oxidized and deaminated bases was less efficient than its binding to undamaged DNA. Therefore, the activity of hS3 on apurine/apyrimidine sites is not likely to be involved in the global in vivo DNA repair but could have a role in the repair in some specific locations in the genome.     

Imaging of collaterals and their impact on portal venous flow in patients with liver cirrhosis

When the portal hypertension syndrome occurs, patients with liver cirrhosis develop three major collateral blood flow pathways. These are gastroesophageal, splenorenal, and paraumbilical ones along the recanalized umbilical veins. Only both the splenorenal pathway of blood return from the portal venous system, which considerably reduces portal blood flow volume and the paraumbilical one that increases portal blood flow are of hemodynamic significance.     

Effects of heptapeptide selank on genetically-based and situation-provoked symptoms of depression in behavior in WAG/Rij and Wistar rats, and in BALB/c mice

A synthetic derivative of the endogenous peptide tuftsin heptapeptide selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) possesses an anxiolytic and psychostimulant effect, and represents a working element of a new peptide drug having completed the third phase of the clinical testing as a selective anxiolytic. The neurobiochemical spectrum of selank action combines mechanisms which are characteristics of antidepressants and psychostimulants: activation of the brain monoaminergic systems, dopamine synthesis and turnover, and modulation of the tyrosine hydroxylase activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selank in a new model of inherited (genetically-based) symptoms of depression in behavior of inbred WAG/Rij rats in comparison with its effect on situation-provoked symptoms of depression in behavior of BALB/c mice. Outbred Wistar rats constituted control group. Selank in high doses (1000-2000 microg/kg), after repeated injection counteracted symptoms of depression in behavior of WAG/Rij rats (increased immobilization in the forced swimming test and decreased sucrose intake or preference (anhedonia)). Selank in low doses (100 and 300 microg/kg) after single injection reduced the duration of immobility of BALB/c mice in the forced swimming test, but did not exert significant effect after repeated injection or after injection in high doses (600 and 900 microg/kg). Selank did not affect the level of general locomotor activity and anxiety in WAG/Rij rats, and did not exert substantial effect on the behavior of control Wistar rats. The results demonstrate the presence of antidepressant component in the spectrum of neuropsychotrophyc activity of selank and indicate the higher reliability of a new experimental model of depression (the WAG/Rij rats) as compared to the standard forced swimming test for the determination of antidepressant activity of a pharmacological drug.     

Estimating of changes in the amyloid and prion content of yeast cells

An attempt was made at estimating the overall amyloid content of yeast cells by treating crude cellular lysates with thioflavin T, the agent specifically staining amyloid fibrils. We demonstrated that overproduction of the yeast chaperone Hsp104p, as well as GuHCI treatment of the [PSI+] cells led both to elimination of the [PSI+] factor and to a stable decrease of the overall amyloid content estimated by intensity of fluorescence (IF) of the thioflavin T. At the same time, overexpression of gene SUP35, coding the protein prionizable to [PSI+], led to generation of [PSI+] clones with higher IF of thioflavin T. Cytoduction in the crosses involving PSI factor leads to considerable enhancement of IF; cytoductants with the nucleus of the recipient [psi-] strain not only got [PSI+] factor from the donor strain but also increased their amyloid content. In these model experiments all treatments modifying one of the yeast prions, [PSI+] factor, led to a predictable shift of IF of thioflavin T that behaved like a cytoplasmic hereditary determinant. The data obtained show that IF of thioflavin T staining gives reliable estimates of cellular amyloid content and that mitotically stable shift of IF after a battery of treatments modifying cellular prion set provides quantitative estimate of the input of prionizable protein molecules to the amyloid pool. The combination of thioflavin staining and prionotropic treatments applied here can be possibly used for future attempts of checking yeast strains for cryptic prions.     

Some aspects of the regeneration process carried out by means of pluripotent stem cells

This work is devoted to the vital topic of regeneration by stem cells. Cells-predecessors and differentiated cells can divide a limited number of times (Alberts et al., 1994) and are not capable of providing tissue regeneration throughout the ontogenesis. The tissue renewal during such a long period is impossible without participation of a specialized system responsible for regeneration. The given system is submitted by stem cells which are capable of being differentiated in all types of somatic cells and in a line of germ cells, and also have ability to self-renew during the whole life of an organism. Results of our research suggest that stem cells make up a universal mechanism of regeneration which has been formed during evolution.     

The density of myocardial and pericardial rat mast cells in isoproterenol-induced heart failure

Myocardial mast cells (MC) respond to cardiovascular pathology. The behavior of MC population in myocardium and pericardium of rats has been studied 24 h, 14, 28 and 60 days after two isoproterenol injections (at 24 h intervals). The extent of heart failure has been estimated by supersonic inspection 28 and 60 days after isoproterenol injections. The density of MCs of different degrees of maturity was estimated on paraffin sections stained with Alcian blue--Safranin. The MC density in myocardium of intact and experimental rats was relatively low: from 4 to 6 cells/mm2. The MC density in pericardium of intact rats was several times higher than in myocardium: 48.6 +/- 13.0 cells/mm2. In 24 h and 14 days after isoproterenol injections the pericardial MC density was 1.5 times higher than in control rats (P < 0.05) at the expense of increase in the number of mature MCs with Safranine-positive granules without the increase in the number of immature cells with Alcian blue-positive granules. In 28 days the pericardial MC density was 2 times higher than in intact rats (P < 0.05) at the expense of increase in number of immature and mature cells. In 60 days after isoproterenol injections the pericardial MC density and the ratio of immature and mature cells compared with control did not reach statistical significance. The changes in pericardial MC population corresponded to severity of heart failure according to functional indices. The findings show active reaction of pericardial MCs on myocardium dysfunction that stimulates the maturation of resident immature MCs in pericardium and migration of immature cells to pericardium of damage heart.     

About paired correlation of pi-electrons tissue lipid extracts of animals of different evolutionary levels

With aid of optical methods, the presence of the paired correlations of pi-electrons has been revealed in phospholipids as well as in triacylglyceride molecules. Used for analysis were lipid extracts of individual representatives of animals of various evolutionary levels--cartilaginous and bony fish and mammals differing by the content of unsaturated fatty acids in lipids. It has been established that the necessary condition for formation of electron pairs is interaction of lipid molecules with each other. An opinion is put forward that in the liquid crystal structure of the membrane monolayer there are two zones able to form electron pairs--the zone of location of ester bonds and the zone in the region of double bonds. Besides, the paired correlation in the phospholipid molecule electron system is accompanied by the absence of electric resistance of the membrane monolayer, which provides the monolayer superconductivity at low rates of movement of the "electron fluid". It is to be noted that the very fact of the presence of the electron pair implies transfer of energy by small portions, which does not allow excitation of individual phospholipid molecules in the monolayer and promotes stability of the native membrane. Our data agree with the known statements of A. Pulman and B. Pulman that the life dynamicity is determined by dynamicity of the electron cloud in coupled or partially coupled systems.     

Habitat selection and metapopulation structure: a multi-year study of distribution of the Hodgson's pipit, Anthus Hodgsoni Richm. (Aves, Passeriformes)

Numbers and distribution of the Hodgson's pipit (Anthus hodgson Richm.: Aves, Passeriformes) were studied in the Yenissei middle taiga region over an area of about 450 sq km. Distribution of breeding pairs was mapped on fixed study plots (up to 450 ha in total) annually during 15 years. Habitat properties were described and measured in detail on 53 4-ha homogeneous plots within the area. It is shown by means of multiple regression, an average bird abundance over these plots depends on five habitat features (R2 = 0.74) including development and accessibility of moss cover and absence of a potential competitor, the tree pipit (A. trivialis L.). Correlation with these factors ruterated every year, therefore the average bird abundance was used as an index of habitat favourability. Density deviations from the mean in years of high and low numbers appeared to be closely related to habitat favourability; in particular, the relationship can alter the sign depending on the spatial scale of population structures. Changes in abundance reversely related to favourability in adjacent habitats, according to the prediction of despotic distribution hypothesis (Fretwell, Lucas, 1970), strictly indicating dominance behaviour during selection of a breeding territory. The numbers in larger population groups occupying a patchy habitat complex changed synchronously and proportionally to their average habitat quality. This assumes another mechanism governing the distribution of individuals, requiring no local knowledge and no dominance relationships. Dynamics and distribution of individuals among population groups of different hierarchic ranks agree with investigations on establishing of individual site fixation in birds and allow splitting the process into four consecutive steps. 1. During the juvenile dispersal, birds spread around quite evenly, disregarding of habitat quality. This maintains entirety of the metapopulation and occupation of isolated habitat spots. 2. The juvenile dispersal ends with switching to a search for a nearest site containing potential breeding territories. Such a site gets imprinted as the site for next breeding. According to our data, it covers an area of a few square kilometers. 3. During the pre-breeding period, an individual chooses a territory regarding to the favourability, but dominance of old residents forces it to search around for an empty patch within the imprinted area. As a result, dominance relationships affect both breeding density in best habitats and availability of empty patches. 4. The next years, an individual keeps connection with the breeding site fixed due to site tenacity. Rising of the social status allows the individual to occupy a better territory in future. Thus, a population group proportionate to individually imprinted area, with a concentration of favourable patches in the central part, comprises an elementary structural and functional unit of a metapopulation. Its individual members share the same well-known imprinted area and the social structure in common. Its numbers are regulated by density-dependent dominance relationships. Individuals spread over such groups in proportion to their carrying capacity in density-independent manner. Groups with best habitats can be more profitable at population lows, and less densely populated ones can offer more profit at population tops. Despite this, lack of information restricts profitable movements between them. Hence each group offers the same average fitness to its members.