Expression Analysis of Proteins Encoded by Genes of the tag7/tagL (PGRP-S, L) Family in Human Peripheral Blood Cells

Various types of human blood cells were tested for expression of the Tag7/PGRP-SA and TagL/PGRP-L proteins, which belong to the family of proteins possessing the lysozyme-like peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) domain. Expression regulation by several factors was demonstrated.     

Ethephon- and Jasmonate-Elicited Pathogenesis-Related Ribonucleases in Cultured Ginseng Cells

Cultured ginseng cells (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey strain R-1) produce two proteins exhibiting RNase activity (Pg1 and Pg2), which, on the basis of their amino acid sequences, have been earlier referred to intracellular pathogenesis-related proteins. An immunoenzyme technique for estimation of these proteins was developed. A close correlation was found between the content of these proteins and the RNase activity of the cultured cells. Ethephon and jasmonic acid activated the RNase activity, ethephon being more efficient. Salicylic acid did not activate Pg1 and Pg2; high concentrations of salicylic acid suppressed the RNase activity of the culture. The protein kinase inhibitor, H-7, reduced the content and activity of RNases both in the presence and absence of ethephon. The results obtained permit a suggestion that ethylene and jasmonic acid signaling pathways, which include protein phosphorylation, are involved in the induction of PR-10 proteins.     

Analysis of Deletions in SMN1, SMN2, and NAIPGenes in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients from the Northwestern Region of Russia

Polymerase chain reaction with subsequent SSCP (single-strand DNA conformational polymorphism) and restriction (BselI restriction endonuclease) analyses were used to type the DNA samples of affected individuals and their relatives from 23 Russian families with high risk of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) residing in the northwestern region of Russia. Deletions of exon 7 of the SMN1gene were found in 96% of the individuals examined. The frequency of homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN1gene was 65%. The frequency of homozygous isolated deletion of the SMN1gene exon 7 among the SMA patients was 4.3%. Homozygous deletion of exon 5 of the NAIPgene was found in 22% of SMA patients. In SMA patients, a total of seven deletion types involving the SMN1, NAIP, and SMN2genes were detected. Deletion of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN1gene was the most common mutation associated with SMA in patients from the northwestern Russia.     

Use of electroblotting as a method for preparing samples of proteins and their fragments for microsequencing

Gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate followed by electroblotting was employed in sample preparation for microsequencing proteins and protein fragments. Three types of solid supports were compared: glass fiber filters modified by aminopropyltriethoxysilane or covered with polybrene, and polyvinylidenedifluoride membranes. N-Terminal amino acid sequences of several proteins (Mr 14-140 kDA were determined on a gas-phase sequencer with the standard programme; 20-200 pmoles of the protein can be assayed by this method.     

Chromosome variability in grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) cells transformed with plant Oncogene rolB

The numbers of chromosomes and nucleoli in cultured cells of Vitis amurensis transformed with the rolB oncogene from A. rhizogenes have been studied. In general, the integration of the rolB gene in grape DNA mostly caused the elevation of the level of the chromosome variability, as well as higher numbers of nucleoli in the cultured cells. The possible influence of the observed chromosomal modifications on the productivity parameters of the grape cell cultures is discussed.     

G-proteins have a sequence similar to ganglioside-binding hemagglutinins from the influenza virus

Local homology was found between a conservative region of the family of alpha-subunits of GTP-binding proteins and the ganglioside-binding site of influenza virus hemagglutinins. Both families of proteins have similar patterns of distribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acid residues. GTP-binding proteins and hemagglutinins are proposed to have a common molecular mechanism which underlies their attachment to cell membrane.     

Role of the anticodon in recognition of tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetases

The nucleic acid-protein interactions are considered for mutual recognition of transfer RNAs and cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. The validity of the first recognition hypothesis (1964) which postulated the participation of anticodons in this process has been proved both for prokaryote and eukaryote tRNA species. This conclusion stems from numerous data obtained by means of different methodological approaches. These experimental observations concern the majority of tRNAs belonging to the main structural class of tRNAs with a short variable loop. Structural basis of recognition for some tRNAs (with long variable loop) remains obscure.