Ribonuclease binase apoptotic signature in leukemic Kasumi-1 cells

Cytotoxic exogenous RNases triggering apoptotic response in malignant cells have potential as anticancer drugs; surprisingly, detailed characterization of the RNase-induced apoptosis has not been conducted so far. Here we show that a cytotoxic RNase from Bacillus intermedius (binase) induces extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in leukemic Kasumi-1 cells. The experiments were performed using TaqMan Array Human Apoptosis 96-well Plate for gene expression analysis, and flow cytometry. Cytometric studies demonstrated dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, activation of caspases, increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ and decrease of reactive oxygen species levels. We found that expression of 62 apoptotic genes is up-regulated, including 16 genes that are highly up-regulated, and only one gene was found to be down-regulated. The highest, 16 fold increase of the expression level was observed for TNF gene. Highly up-regulated genes also include the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory caspases 1,4. The obtained results suggest that binase induces evolutionary acquired cellular response to a microbial agent and triggers unusual apoptosis pathway.     

On a Finding of the Polyphagous Pest,Coffee Bean Weevil Araecerus fasciculatus (DeG.) (Coleoptera,Anthribidae), in Natural Habitats of Different Regions of Southern Russia

Entomological Review - One specimen of the coffee bean weevil, Araecerus fasciculatus (DeGeer), was found in the region of Sochi on the Black Sea Coast of Krasnodar Territory. In the recent decade...     

Effect of Low-Frequency Pulsed Magnetic Field and Low-Level Laser Radiation on Oxidoreductase Activity and Growth of Fungi—Active Destructors of Polymer Materials

Microbiology - Effect of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field and of low-intensity laser radiation on mycelial fungi actively degrading various polymer materials was studied. These factors had a...     

The Convergence of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis Concepts

Molecular Biology - Advances in the research of molecular factors involved in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, have led to the creation of several pathogenesis concepts of...     

The Generation of Superoxide Radicals by Cardiac Mitochondria and the Antioxidant Effect of the Water-Soluble Form of Ubiquinol-10

Biophysics - We have studied the effect of the water-soluble form of ubiquinol-10 (CoQ10-H2) on the processes of electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and the formation of reactive oxygen...     

The Russian gene pool. Frequency of genetic markers

Frequency distribution of several genetic markers was studied in ethnic Russians from the Moscow, Bryansk, Ryazan', Kostroma, Novgorod, Arkhangel'sk, and Sverdlovsk oblasts and Udmurtiya. Systems AB0, RH, HP, TF, GC, PI, C'3, ACP1, PGM1, ESD, GLO1, 6PGD, and AK were analyzed in most samples. New data on informative polymorphic genetic loci showed that the Russian gene pool mostly displays Caucasoid features. In addition, Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) DYS19, DYS390, and YCAII were analyzed in the Russian samples. STRs of the chromosome are particularly valuable for elucidating ethnogenetic processes in Eastern Europe. Frequency distributions of the Y-chromosomal markers in Russians were intermediate between those of West European populations and eastern Finno-Ugric ethnoses of the Volga region. A marked longitudinal gradient was revealed for frequencies of several molecular markers.     

Qualitative and quantitative variation of serum proteins in fluorosis patients

Comparison between patients with occupational fluorosis, a group of healthy workers, and a sample from the general population revealed differences in concentrations of some polymorphic serum proteins. These differences depended on phenotypes of patients. TF 1-2, PI 1-2, and HP 2-1 patients exhibited a decreased concentration of transferrin (TF), a decreased concentration of proteinase inhibitor (PI), and an increased concentration of haptoglobin (HP), respectively.     

Cytotoxic ribonucleases: molecular weapons and their targets

Many ribonucleases (RNases) are highly cytotoxic. In some cases, they attack selectively malignant cells, triggering apoptotic response, and therefore are considered as alternative chemotherapeutic drugs. Factors that determine the cytotoxicity of RNases, primarily of those of microbial origin, are reviewed here. These factors include catalytic activity, ability to escape natural inhibitors, stability, and efficiency of internalization. The latter is, in turn, determined by positive charge on the molecule and interaction with cell membrane. Cellular targets and molecular determinants of RNases decisive for their cytotoxic action are characterized.     

Population-genetic structure of Chuvashia (from data on eight DNA loci in the nuclear genome)

Population-genetic study of indigenous populations representing three ethnic Chuvash group: highland (Cheboksarsk and Morgaush district), lowland (Kanash district) and mid-lowland (Marposad district). Eight polymorphic DNA loci of the nuclear genome (VNTR/PAH, STR/PAH, VNTR/ApoB, VNTR/DAT1, APF, VNTR/eNOS, IVS6aGATT, and KM.19/PstI) were examined in the population of each district. For each of the four population, we estimated the allele and genotype frequency distributions at each polymorphic system, heterozygosities HS and between-population differences FST. In the combined Chuvash sample, HS = 0.464 and FST = 0.006. Loci VNTR(DAT) and VNTR(ApoB) showed highest between-population differentiation (0.009 < or = FST < or = 0.012), and loci IVS6aGATT, APF, VNTR/eNOS, and D7S23 (KM.19), lowest differentiation (0.001 < or = FST < or = 0.003). Analysis of genetic distances revealed somewhat higher genetic similarity between the Cheboksarsk and Morgaush populations belonging to the highland Chuvash group, whereas the highland Chuvash population from the Marposad district, which belong to the mid-lowland group, was more distant from the former populations.