M.BstF5I-4, the forth DNA methyltransferase of BstF5I restriction-modification system from Bacillus stearothermophilus F5

The fourth DNA-methyltransferase of the BstF5I restriction-modification (RM) system from Bacillus stearothermophilus F5 (M.BstF5I-4) was discovered, which modifies the adenine residue within the upper strand of the recognition site 5'-GGATG-3'/5'-CATCC-3'. Thus, unlike other known RM systems, the BstF5I RM system comprises four genes encoding DNA-methyltransferases, three of which possess the same substrate specificity and methylate adenine within the 5'-GGATG sequence. The English version of the paper.     

The Unique FauI Restriction–Modification System: Cloning and Protein Sequence Comparisons

The nucleotide sequence was established for the full-length Flavobacterium aquatile operon coding for the FauI restriction–modification system. The operon is unusual in structure and has the gene order control protein / DNA methyltransferase A / restriction endonuclease / DNA methyltransferase B, other than in the known analogs; the genes are similarly oriented and overlap. On evidence of sequence analysis, both methyltransferases are C5 enzymes, the control protein is similar to that of other restriction–modification systems, and the restriction endonuclease shows low similarity to other enzymes cleaving the DNA upper strand in position 4 or 5 relative to the recognition site.     

Cytochemical characteristics of the neurons of the external geniculate body in the rabbit brain in a period of visual function recovery after deprivation]

To study the properties of the external geniculate body, both neuron protein concentration and content were measured cytophotometrically in the cytoplasm of the above neurons taken from nomal animals and animals transported to normal conditions of illumination only after 2.5 months of visual deprivation, where they were put just after birth. The normalization of protein concentration and content has been observed in the neuron cytoplasm and in the surrounding structures. The magnitude of changes observed was related to the size of the neurons. It is supposed that some portion of neurons may exist in the external geniculate body having different degrees of dependence upon the visual impulsation. Mechanisms of possible rearrangement of the neuron metabolism in the geniculate body during the restoring period are discussed.     

Cortical connectivity in schizophrenic patients with positive and negative symptoms

The paper is dedicated to the problem of disturbed "connectivity" between different cortical areas in schizophrenic patients with the dominance of "negative" and "positive" symptoms. The architecture of cortical connections in high-frequency range of the beta rhythm (beta 2, 20-40 Hz) was studied in three groups of right-handed men: healthy control group (16 subjects) and schizophrenic patients with the dominance of positive (16 subjects) and negative (22 subjects) symptoms assessed by the SAPS and SANS scales. Two versions of the Intracortical Interaction Mapping (IIM) technique of examination of cortical connections were used. In the 1st version, mean connection frequencies in the beta 2-rhythm for each group were analyzed. In the 2nd version, the most typical for a given group connection frequencies were studied. Additionally, since the IIM technique is rather new, coherence function in the beta 2-rhythm calculated by the standard way was also taken into account. The obtained results made it possible to reveal the derangements in the system of cortical interactions in schizophrenic patients.     

Comparison of the Homologous SfeI and LlaBI Restriction–Modification Systems

A fragment containing the SfeI restriction–modification system (RMS) operon was cloned from a Streptococcus faecalis SE72 plasmid. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed its high (99.2%) homology to the operon for Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris W56 LlaBI RMS recognizing the same site, 5"-CTRYAG-3". A substantial difference was that SfeI RMS operon had an additional 198-bp segment in the methylase gene and a larger gene for the putative control protein. No homology was observed between operon-flanking sequences of the two closely related species, suggesting horizontal transfer of the operon.     

The unique FauI restriction-modification system: cloning and comparative analysis of protein structure

The nucleotide sequence was established for the full-length Flavobacterium aquatile operon coding for the FauI restriction-modification system. The operon is unusual in structure and has the gene order control protein gene-DNA methyltransferase A gene-restriction endonuclease gene-DNA methyltransferase B gene, other than in the known analogs. The genes are similarly oriented and overlap. On evidence of sequence analysis, both methyltransferases are C5 enzymes, the control protein is similar to that of other restriction-modification systems, and restriction endonuclease is low-homologous to other enzymes cleaving the DNA upper strand in position 4 or 5 relative to the recognition site.