beta-Actin-derived peptides isolated from acidic extract of rat spleen suppress tumor cell growth.

Twenty-two fragments of beta-actin and beta-actin-related protein were isolated from the acidic extracts of rat spleen tissue. beta-Actin fragments (75-90), (78-89), and (78-88), 0.01-1 microM, decreased live cell number of L929 murine tumor fibroblasts by 80-90%, with maximal cytotoxic effect of 30-40%. The fragments of (78-90) segment and the fragment of beta-actin-related protein (69-77) were less active (inhibitory effect up to 55%, cytotoxic-up to 25%).     

Genome Studies by Means of DNA Markers of the Blackcurrant

Russian Journal of Genetics - The paper provides an overview of foreign and Russian studies of the genus Ribes genome by means of DNA markers. A list of methods for DNA extraction from currants is...     

Ability of translation factors from infected encephalomyocarditis viruses of ascites carcinoma cells to maintain the protein-synthetizing activity of cellular polyribosomes

A highly effective protein-synthesizing system fully dependent on translation factors was isolated from the ascite Krebs-2 carcinoma. The effect of EMC-infection on the ability of these factors to maintain the translation of polyribosomes containing cell mRNA was studied. It was shown that the activity of translation factors of infected cells does not differ from that of non-infected cells in terms of their ability to maintain the protein-synthesizing activity of cell polyribosomes in vitro.     

Preparation of bioindicators for controlling the efficacy of sterilization processes

A test microbe for the control of the efficacy of vacuum steam sterilization was selected. Conditions for the spore cultivation were developed. The optimal bioindicator composition, test microbe loading, nutrient medium, pH indicator, carbohydrates and a carrier were defined.     

Structure containing cellular mRNA in picornavirus infections

The fate of cellular mRNA upon infection of Krebs-2 ascites carcinoma cells with encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus was investigated. The cell mRNA was discovered in a structure with a sedimentation coefficient of about 100S and a buoyant density of 1.50--1.519 g/cm3 during active virus-specific synthesis (3.0--4.0 hr post infection). The template activity of the 100S structure in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system and of mRNA isolated from it was studied and the nature of synthesized products was analyzed. It was shown that the 100S structure seems to be translationally inactive. On the contrary, the RNA isolated from its is functionally active.     

Electron microscopic study of preleptotene-stage oocyte nuclei in the prophase of meiosis in the hen

The morphology of oocyte nuclei at preleptotene and early leptotene stages of meiotic prophase I in the chick embryo was examined by electron microscopy and light cytochemistry. The intrenuclear fibrillar body (IFB) of proteinaceous nature is described. The IFB has a spherical or irregular form and consists of the disoriented fibrils ranging from 3 to 18 nm in diameter and of globules lying along the course of fibrils. The condensed chromatin in the oocyte nuclei at the early--late preleptotene stages and the thread-like chromosomes in the oocyte nuclei at the middle preleptotene--early leptotene stages either closely adjoin to IFB, localized in the centre of the nucleus, or are situated at some distance from it, and then the fibrils or fibrillar filaments are seen between chromosome material and IFB. The chromosomes are attached to IFV by the telomer or interstitial segment. The chromosomes lose the connection with IFB after the attachment of both the telomeres to the nuclear envelope (middle--late leptotene), and IFB removes from the centre of the nucleus to its periphery. It is supposed that IFB represents a nuclear skeleton element and takes part in the spatial organization of the chromosomes in the oocyte nuclei at the early stages of meiotic prophase I.