Taxonomic genetics of methylotrophic yeast genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Komagataella</Emphasis>: New biological species <Emphasis Type="Italic">K. kurtzmanii</Emphasis>

Genetic hybridization analysis revealed that industrially important species Komagataella kurtzmanii has reproductive postzygotic isolation from K. pastoris, K. phaffii, K. populi, K. pseudopastoris, and K. ulmi. Therefore, it represents a new biological species of the genus Komagataella. The genetic data are in perfect agreement with the molecular taxonomy of the genus Komagataella.     

Novel boronated derivatives of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin: synthesis and toxicity for drug-resistant tumor cells

We have developed the synthesis of boronated porphyrins for potential application in cancer treatment, based on the functional derivatives of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin. Boronated amide derivatives starting from 5,10,15,20-tetra(p-aminophenyl)porphyrin and 9-o- and 9-m-carborane carboxylic acid chlorides were prepared. Also, the reaction of 2-formyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin with closo-C-lithium-o- and m-carboranes, as well as with closo-C-lithium monocarbon carborane, yielded neutral and anionic boronated hydroxy derivatives of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin, respectively. Water-soluble forms of neutral compounds were prepared by deboronation of closo-polyhedra with Bu4NF into nido-7,8- and nido-7,9-dicarbaundecaborate anions. Monocarbon carborane conjugated with copper (II) complex of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin was active for a variety of tumor cell lines (IC50 approximately 5 microM after 48-72 h of exposure) but was inert for non-malignant fibroblasts at up to 100 microM. At low micromolar concentrations, this compound caused the death of cells that express P-glycoprotein and other mechanisms of resistance to conventional anticancer drugs.     

Association of polymorphisms of immune response modifier genes with celiac disease and its clinical forms in the Tomsk population

Association of different alleles of immune response modifier genes IL1B (+3953A1/A2), IL1RN (VNTR), IL4 (3′-UTR G/C), IL4RA (I50V), IL12B (1188A/C), and VDR (F/f and B/b) with celiac disease (CD) and its clinical forms was investigated in a family cohort of CD patients from the Tomsk region (N = 139, including 49 probands, i.e., affected children). The control group comprised 129 healthy Russians from Tomsk. A case-control study did not associate any of the polymorphic markers with CD. In a family-based study, the 3′-UTR G/C polymorphism of IL4 was associated with CD (P = 0.024), its atypical form (P = 0.001), and its complications such as osteopenia (P = 0.039) and autoimmune thyroiditis (P = 0.042). IL4RA and VDR polymorphisms I50V and F/f were associated with the typical form of CD (P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). In general, associations with CD phenotypes were shown primarily for polymorphisms of the genes involved in Th2 immunity.     

Some Notes on the Morphology of an Aberrant Actinian (Hexacorallia, Actiniaria) Associated with the Glaucothoe of the Hermit Crab Paguropsis typica Henderson (Anomura, Paguridae)

The planktonic glaucothoe of the Indo-West Pacific hermit crab Paguropsis typica Henderson has an aberrant anthozoan polyp, identified as a nynanthean actinian, attached to the underside of its thorax. The morphology of the anemone is described. The scapus is dumb-bell shaped and exhibits a slit-like mouth opening oriented transverse to the animal's siphonoglyphal plane. The gonads are very well developed, whereas tentacle-like structures or retractor muscles of certain septa are reduced. In the adult stage, Paguropsis typica is associated with the zoanthidean Epizoanthus paguropsides . It is assumed that the actinian is lost at the ecdysis leading to the first "hermit stage" and that P. typica might possibly seize a free Epizoanthus colony and adapt it to its body.     

Tuberculosis: Pathogenesis,immune response,and host genetics

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease that predominantly affects the lungs. The hallmark of tuberculosis infection is the formation of granulomas in the vicinity of infectious foci. Tuberculous granulomas are highly organized bodies with a complex cell composition and well-orchestrated biochemical pathways. Granuloma development plays a dual role. The process restricts the infection dissemination and forms a battlefield for protective immunity but simultaneously may compromise the lung function, threatening host health. The susceptibility to the infection per se, the degree of lung failure, and disease severity are under genetic control. Tuberculosis genetics is complex and poorly understood, but current knowledge indicates that intracellular infections are controlled by a network of biochemical reactions, many of which were not suspected to be involved until recently.     

Modulation of intracellular calcium and proliferative activity of invertebrate and vertebrate cells by ethylene

Background  

Ethylene is a widely distributed alkene product which is formed enzymatically (e.g., in plants) or by photochemical reactions (e.g., in the upper oceanic layers from dissolved organic carbon). This gaseous compound was recently found to induce in cells from the marine sponge Suberites domuncula, an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ level ([Ca²⁺]_i) and an upregulation of the expression of two genes, the potential ethylene-responsive gene, SDERR, and a Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase.     

Sex structure and seed productivity of Mentha canadensis L. from natural flora of Primorye of Russia

The sex structure and seed productivity of Mentha canadensis L. from different climatic regions of Primorye of Russia was studied. We established that M. canadensis is characterized by a homogeneous population structure due to the formation of vegetative clones. The ratio of female and androgynous individuals was 1 : 5, and it is possible that this is a species-specific trait. Both sexual forms produced fruits under conditions of isolation from cross-pollination. We discuss the possibility of apomixis and the influence of climatic conditions on seed productivity and morphometric characteristics of plants.