Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) polymorphism among Moscow citizens

Recent studies showed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can participate in pathogenesis of various CNS disorders, being connected with proliferation, differentiation, and survival of neurons. In present study, analysis of occurrence rate was performed for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in BDNF gene (rs6267 (A/G) allele A—0.265; rs2049046 (A/T) allele A—0.407; rs11030107 (A/G) allele A—0.872) in randomized selection of Moscow citizens. Linkage disequilibrium of rs6165 and rs2049046 loci was shown. Differences in allele frequencies in studied selection and populations of other regions were discovered.     

The study of the genetic effects in generation of pea plants cultivated during the whole cycle of ontogenesis on the board of RS ISS

Results of studies on growth and development of offspring of two genetically marked dwarf pea lines planted during the whole ontogenesis cycle in the Lada space greenhouse on board of Russian Segment of International Space Station (RS ISS) are presented. The offspring of M1 and M2 plants grown from seeds formed during space flight was examined under conditions of Earth-based. Cultivation. It had been shown that growth and developmental characteristics, frequency of chromosome aberrations in primary root meristem and level of molecular polymorphism revealed in individual plants via RAPD method show no significant differences between offspring of "space-grown" and control seeds.     

Creation of a SCAR Marker in Pea Pisum sativumL. Using RAPD Analysis

A polymorphic 750-bp fragment, RAPD marker, specific to particular pea genotypes (line L-111 and the Nord cultivar) was identified. Using this RAPD marker, SCAR was obtained. SCAR inheritance in the first and second generations was studied and its dominant character was shown.     

RAPD Analysis of Maize Somaclones

The genetic difference between maize line A188 and A188-derived somaclones was assessed via analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). In total, 17 decanucleotide primers used each allowed amplification of 2–17 fragments ranging 200–2000 bp. The RAPD patterns did not differ between individual plants of line A188, which demonstrated again its high genetic homogeneity. The difference between the initial line and the somaclones was high, ranging 64–74%. On evidence of the genetic divergence, the somaclones formed two clusters. The distribution of somaclones between these clusters was consistent with their origin.     

Comparative study of the somatic conjugation of chromosomes in the neural ganglia of male and female Drosophila melanogaster D-32

The frequency of somatic conjugation of the 2nd and 3d chromosome pairs has been analysed in male and female neural ganglia from Drosophila melanogaster larvae D-32 line. The frequency of conjugation found for males was 1.5 times lower than for females. On this basis a supposition concerning less duration of homologous conjugation in males has been put forward. It is suggested that it is due to the differences in space arrangement of homologous chromosomes holding their conjugation.     

Effects of heptapeptide of the tuftsin group with nootropic components of action and piracetam on formation of escape reaction in normal conditions and in conflict situation

In this work we have compared the effect of Tuftsin Group synthetic heptapeptide (TP-1) and Piracetam on learning of avoidance response and its restoring after disturbance provoked by unexpected changes of previously established cause-effect relations in experimental environment. We have pointed out that both of the drugs improve learning but the dynamics is different, namely: Piracetam causes the greatest improvement on the 1st day, meanwhile the Heptapeptide--on the 4th day. Both of them preclude from disturbing avoidance response and this protective action of peptide is more effective.