Radiation injury of the plants in the zone of influence of the accident on Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station (NPS)

Were considered the radiobiological effects in some species of agricultural and wild growing plants in 30-kilometer zone of alienation of Chernobyl nuclear power station and other radionuclide contaminated territories. The particular attention was given to the distance plant reactions: immunity decreasing, genetic consequences, changes in phytocenosis. Was discussed the question of possibility of plant adaptation to conditions of high radiation influence.     

Guanosine and inosine as natural geneprotectors for mice blood cells exposed to X-rays

The radioprotective effects of guanosine and of inosine on bone marrow cells of mice exposed to acute X-rays (1.5 Gy) were studied by using the micronuclear test. The guanosine and inosine (riboxine) decrease the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and significantly recover erythropoiesis. Also, radioprotective effects of the guanosine and of the inosine on the irradiated leucocytes of mice were tested by the alkaline comet assay. Was shown that purine ribonucleosides diminish quantity of DNA damage and activates repair processes in leucocytes under irradiation of blood and animals. The reactive oxygen species induced by ionizing radiation perform essential role in DNA damaging. Using a sensitive method of enhanced chemiluminescence in a peroxidase-luminol-p-iodophenol system for quantitative measurement of hydrogen peroxide and coumarin-3-carboxylic acid for quantitative measurement of hydroxyl radicals we have shown that guanosine and inosine essentially decrease the yield of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals in X-ray-irradiated water. The results obtained indicate that radioprotective properties of guanosine and inosine (riboxine) in the blood cells are operative at the genome level.     

Provision of nestboxes raises the breeding density of Great Tits Parus major equally in coniferous and deciduous woodland

Nestbox provision is a technique used to increase nest-site availability for secondary cavity-nesting birds. However, little is known about the demographic consequences of nestbox provision in different habitat types. To assess how nestbox provision affects the density of hole-nesting birds simultaneously in two contrasting habitats, we compared the breeding density of Great Tits along transects without nestboxes with that in transects where nestboxes were provided. Although the initial density of breeders was considerably higher in the deciduous habitat than in the coniferous habitat, provision of nestboxes increased density by a similar number of additional pairs in each habitat type. Thus, the provision of nestboxes in managed coniferous forests may be as effective in increasing the breeding opportunities of cavity nesters as in deciduous stands. Moreover, previous research showed that pairs in deciduous habitat with nestboxes have consistently lower breeding success than those in coniferous habitat with nestboxes. It is possible that the addition of nestboxes in the preferred habitat increased density to such an extent that density-dependent effects became apparent.     

Correlations between salinity-persistence of ciliate species and their constitutive heat shock protein of 70 kDa contents

Our own studies of alterations in the level of constitutive heat shock protein of 70 kDa family (Hsp70) in freshwater (Paramecium jenningsi), meta-freshwater (Tetrahymena pyriformis) and curyhaline (P. nephridiatum) ciliates acclimated to salt-water and fresh-water medium were reviewed. It has been shown that the level of constitutive Hsp70 content correlates with the salinity-resistance of ciliate species: in P. jenning i it was lower in freshwater, than in marine water, in euryhaline P. nephridiatum it was higher in freshwater, than in marine water, and was more or less stable in T. pyriformis, the ciliate that occupies intermediate position between two mentioned above species according its salinity-resistance. The ecological importance of constitutive heat shock protein level is discussed in the context of salinity adaptations studies.     

Long-lived radicals of amino acids induced by X-ray-radiation are the source of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous medium

The formation of long-lived radicals in the solutions of casein and its hydrolysate with an equimolar mixture of amino acids was compared by measuring the X-ray-induced chemiluminescence. It was shown that free amino acids constituting the protein produce long-lived radicals. It was demonstrated that some amino acids (Leu, Ile, Val, Ser, Trp, Met, Pro, Arg, Gly, Phe) emit light of visible spectrum over a long period of time after the irradiation, which indicates the generation of long-lived radicals of these amino acids. The half-life times of these radicals are several hours. Dissolving irradiated dry amino acids capable of luminescing over a long time gives rise to the formation of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous medium.     

Molecular and cytogenetic approach to the mapping of methylated polymorphic restriction fragments of human rRNA genes

Combined restriction with Bam H I and Sal I (or Hpa II) has revealed Bam H I fragment on a non-transcribed spacer of rRNA genes in one out of four individuals under study. Using Ag-staining and hybridization in situ, chromosome 13p+ enriched by inactive rRNA gene copies was found in the given individual. Since Sal I does not restrict methylated sequences and rRNA genes are repressed by methylation, it is concluded that methylated Banm I-restricted rRNA gene fragments of non-transcribed spacer are localized in chromosome 13p+ of the individual in question.     

Dynamics of tritium content in flood-lands reservoirs of the Pripyat river and cooling pond of the Chernobyl nuclear plant

Tritium content in water from natural and artificial reservoirs within 30-km exclusion zone of the Chernobyl NPP has been determined. The increase of Tritium activity in the involved water reserwous has been registered in May 1994 and April 1995. As supposed the source of the increase, nuclear power plants, equipped with WWER reactors and located in catchment area of Pripyat river.     

From structure and dynamics of protein L7/L12 to molecular switching in ribosome

Based on the (1)H-(15)N NMR spectroscopy data, the three-dimensional structure and internal dynamic properties of ribosomal protein L7 from Escherichia coli were derived. The structure of L7 dimer in solution can be described as a set of three distinct domains, tumbling rather independently and linked via flexible hinge regions. The dimeric N-terminal domain (residues 1-32) consists of two antiparallel alpha-alpha-hairpins forming a symmetrical four-helical bundle, whereas the two identical C-terminal domains (residues 52-120) adopt a compact alpha/beta-fold. There is an indirect evidence of the existence of transitory helical structures at least in the first part (residues 33-43) of the hinge region. Combining structural data for the ribosomal protein L7/L12 from NMR spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography, it was suggested that its hinge region acts as a molecular switch, initiating "ratchet-like" motions of the L7/L12 stalk with respect to the ribosomal surface in response to elongation factor binding and GTP hydrolysis. This hypothesis allows an explanation of events observed during the translation cycle and provides useful insights into the role of protein L7/L12 in the functioning of the ribosome.     

Elongation factor G with effector loop from elongation factor Tu is inactive in translocation

Elongation factors Tu and G (EF-Tu and EF-G) alternately interact with the ribosome during the elongation phase of protein biosynthesis. The function of both factors depends on GTP binding, and the factors are ascribed to a superfamily of G-proteins. All G-proteins contain the effector loop, a structural element that is important for the protein's interaction with its target molecule. In this study the effector loop of EF-G was replaced by the loop taken from EF-Tu. The EF-G with EF-Tu loop has markedly decreased GTPase activity and did not catalyze translocation. We conclude that these loops are not functionally interchangeable since the factors interact with different states of the ribosome.