Polymorphism and Inheritance of Seed Storage Protein in Sunflower

The data on polymorphism and inheritance of the seed storage protein helianthinin are presented. The results of hybrid analysis indicate that in the annual sunflower Helianthus annuus, helianthinin synthesis is controlled by at least three loci: HelA, HelB, and HelC. Codominant alleles controlling different electrophoretic variants of polypeptides were identified at each of the loci. The HelA locus was inherited independently of HelB and HelC in a series of dihybrid crosses. The frequencies of recombination between loci HelB and HelC estimated in F₂ and BC of two crossing combinations were respectively 21.8 and 19.0%. Segregation of the HelC-controlled variants in the progenies from the crosses of cultured sunflower with annual wild species and forms corresponded to that theoretically expected for Mendelian inheritance. The maternal type of helianthinin inheritance was observed in the progenies from the crosses of inbred H. annuus L. lines with perennial diploid and polyploid HelianthusL. species. Altered expression of the HelClocus was detected in some hybrid combinations. These alterations appeared in early (F₁, F₂) hybrid generations and were similar in different hybrid combinations. They did not depend on the perennial paternal species being more influenced by the maternal genotype and by the mode of obtaining hybrids (in an embryo culture or in the field). These results are explained by genomic shock generated by hybridization of genetically incompatible species.     

Growth, adipose, brain, and skin alterations resulting from targeted disruption of the mouse peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta(delta)

To determine the physiological roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta (PPARbeta), null mice were constructed by targeted disruption of the ligand binding domain of the murine PPARbeta gene. Homozygous PPARbeta-null term fetuses were smaller than controls, and this phenotype persisted postnatally. Gonadal adipose stores were smaller, and constitutive mRNA levels of CD36 were higher, in PPARbeta-null mice than in controls. In the brain, myelination of the corpus callosum was altered in PPARbeta-null mice. PPARbeta was not required for induction of mRNAs involved in epidermal differentiation induced by O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The hyperplastic response observed in the epidermis after TPA application was significantly greater in the PPARbeta-null mice than in controls. Inflammation induced by TPA in the skin was lower in wild-type mice fed sulindac than in similarly treated PPARbeta-null mice. These results are the first to provide in vivo evidence of significant roles for PPARbeta in development, myelination of the corpus callosum, lipid metabolism, and epidermal cell proliferation.     

Commercial rearing of the sea cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apostichopus japonicus</Emphasis> in Peter the great bay: Methodical peculiarities and results of the work of a mariculture farm in Sukhodol Bight

Methodical approaches to commercial rearing of sea cucumber at mariculture farms in Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan are discussed. This includes two basic phases, viz., intermediate rearing of underyearlings in cages and sea ranching. The survival rate of juvenile sea cucumbers during intermediate rearing in cages in Sukhodol Bight (Ussuri Bay) was shown to depend on the body size and rearing density of the juveniles and its value varied from 35 to 82%. The survival rate of two-year-old juveniles on artificial reefs reached 85%. Monitoring studies of the bottom sites showed that for the entire period of functioning of the farm, 8 years, a sea cucumber colony with the average distribution density of 1.5 inds/m² was formed on an area of about 30 ha. The harvest of the commercial production of sea cucumbers purchased at hatcheries can be calculated taking the survival rates of juveniles during the first years of their life into account. The calculation of the production of juvenile sea cucumbers picked by collectors was based on an appraisal of the current state of their aggregation (abundance, biomass, and size structure) with use of conservation protection measures (the allowable harvest rate of 6.4%).     

Chromatin morphology and cytokinesis in pleurocapsalean cyanobacteria

By means of differential interference contrast (DIC) and fluorescence microscopy, chromatin morphology and cytokinesis have been described in the cyanobacterium Pleurocapsa sp. CALU 1126 capable of multiple fission (multiple reproduction of the mother cell, the macrocyte, with formation of unique reproductive cells, the baeocytes). Two kinds of chromatin behavior have been revealed in the cell cycle: 1) the formation of numerous chromatin areas before their compartmentalization by multiple fission; 2) chromatin condensation in the phase of binary fission, and chromatin decondensation in growth period. The cytokinetic essence of multiple fission has been shown to consist of successive binary fissions of the macrocyte, while in between the mother cells (pre-baeocytes) do not grow.     

Experimental evaluation of the brucellosis therapeutic vaccine efficacy

Use of antibiotics can't completely solve the problem of brucellosis treatment, especially its chronic forms, because antibacterial preparations do not eliminate main pathogenetic factor of the disease--sensibilization of the macroorganism. It makes actual the question about complex immuno- and antibacterial therapy. Long-term clinical experience proved high effectiveness of a therapeutic brucellosis vaccine. Earlier this preparation was manufactured in Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera in Tbilisi (Georgia). To date new composition of components of the vaccine has been developed, and manufacturing and control methods have been improved. Marked desensitizing effect of the vaccine and its stimulatory action on cellular and humoral immunity has been observed. In 2002 technological normative documentation for manufacturing and use of the vaccine was developed in the Research Institute of Microbiology (Kirov) and production of the vaccine began.     

Development of monoclonal latex diagnostic kit for diphtheria toxin and toxoid detection

Latex diagnostic kit with high specificity and sensitivity of diphtheria toxin and toxoid detection has been developed on the basis of protective monoclonal antibodies to diphtheria toxin and polyacrolein microspheres. Diagnostic kit was stable during 1 year of shelf-life (time of the study).     

Proteomic Markers and Early Prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease

Biochemistry (Moscow) - Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common socially significant neurodegenerative pathology, which currently affects more than 30 million elderly people worldwide....     

Increased LAMP1 Expression Enhances SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Production in Vero-Derived Transgenic Cell Lines

Molecular Biology - Coronaviridae is a family of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses that can cause diseases with high mortality rates. SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV appeared in 2002‒2003 and 2012,...     

Pseudointegricorpus clarireticulatum (Samoilovitch) Takahashi: morphology and ultrastructure

Dispersed tricolpate pollen of Pseudointegricorpus clarireticulatum (Samoil.) Takah. from the Upper Maastrichtian in Zeya-Bureya Basin, Amur (Heilongjiang) River area, Russian Far East/China has been studied with light and electron microscopy. Pollen size, pole outlines and the shape of equatorial projections show some variation within the species. The exine is striate-reticulate, semitectate and columellate. The species is characterised by highly complex structures that have harmomegathic function and include equatorial projections, endexinous thickenings, difference in the thickness of the infratectum, foot layer and endexine throughout the pollen grain, and equatorial furrows. Exine layers taper towards colpi regions while they break abruptly in furrow regions. The furrows could have helped to shed the exine quickly and enabled pollen germination. A non-extended region with a small cavity in the ectexine was observed in the equatorial region. We think that this region is characteristic of most Triprojectate species.