EGF receptor degrades via the proteasome-dependent pathway in A-431 cells

It is known that a lot of cell receptors degrade by ubiquitine-proteasome pathway. Here we show that degradation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is proteasome-dependent. Treatment of A-431 cells with lactacystine, an inhibitor of proteolytic activities of 26S proteasomes, induces accumulation of the receptor in cells. Incubation of cell lysates with isolated 26S proteasomes leads to diminishing EGF receptor in these cells. Active (tyrosine phosphorylated) EGF receptor is a target of proteolysis by proteasomes.     

Microbiological and biochemical study of lignocompost during succession

The investigation of microbiological succession and changes in the enzymatic activity, temperature, pH, and phytotoxicity of lignin during its composting showed that the addition of a starter culture (a specially developed association of microorganisms) affects degradational succession in the compost pile. The process of composting can be monitored either microbiologically or biochemically, by measuring the activity of some enzymes. The compost is ready for use when the activity of oxidoreductases (particularly polyphenol oxidases) falls and the activity of invertase stabilizes at a certain level.     

Estimation of the efficiency of ERIC-PCR typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for evaluation of the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains

Twenty-four antibiotic-resistant and sensitive strains of M. tuberculosis isolated from different territories of the Irkutsk region (East Siberia) were studied using PCR genotyping by enterobacterial repetitive intergeneric consensus (ERIC). Evolution relationships are illustrated by phylogenetic trees as a result of analysis by UPGMA and ML approaches. It was found that the studied samples belonged to two genetically different groups, both of which included sensitive and resistant strains. The sensitivity of the method was calculated by the Hunter-Gaston index. Based on these data, a probable pattern of emergence and propagation of antibiotic-resistant forms of tuberculosis in the studied region is discussed.     

Binding of aliphatic aldehydes by cornstarch polysaccharides

Binding by cryotextured cornstarch of individual aliphatic aldehydes (C6-C10; saturated or unsaturated) and their mixtures from aqueous solutions has been studied using capillary gas chromatography. The amount of compounds absorbed by the cryotextures depended linearly on the concentration of aldehydes in the original gel. The majority of the compounds under study were bound irreversibly. Aldehydes with low molecular weight were better absorbed by the cryotextures than by granules of intact cornstarch. Data of IR spectrocopy demonstrated that binding to cornstarch polysaccharides decreased the conformational mobility of odorants. The appearance of binding isotherms depended of the extent of aldehyde sorption, suggesting the involvement of multiple mechanisms of binding. The formation of supramolecular complexes through cooperative hydrophobic interactions between aldehydes and cornstarch polysaccharides was the preferential mechanism of the sorption.     

Effect of EGF on the intracellular distribution of heat-shock proteins in A431 cells

The intracellular distribution of hsp70 and hdj1 was studied using immunofluorescent method. In nonstimulated cells hsp70 and hdj1 were observed in the cytoplasm of A431 cells. When 100 ng/ml EGF was added for 15 min, both hsp70 and hdj1 were accumulated in the nuclei. Later on (up to 1 h) hsp70 was exported from the nuclei to be observed mainly in the cytoplasm, whereas hdj1 remained in the nuclei. In cells exposed to tyrphostin AG1478, this inhibitor of tyrosine kinase activity of EGF receptor prevented EGF-dependent accumulation of hsp70 and hdj1 in the nuclei. U73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C activity, induced tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF receptor without EGF stimulation. In cells treated with U73122, both hsp70 and hdj1 were detected in the nuclei of non-stimulated cells. It is concluded that the intracellular distribution of heat shock proteins in A431 cells depends on tyrosine kinase activity of EGF receptor. Here we report for the first time the influence of EGF on the intracellular redistribution of heat shock proteins.     

A Simple Method for Preparation of 18α-Glycyrrhetinic Acid and Its Derivatives

Treatment of 18-glycyrrhizic acid with a methanolic solution of HCl resulted in 1 : 1 mixture of methyl esters of 18- and 18-glycyrrhetinic acids. Benzoylation of the mixture led to methyl esters of 3-benzoyl-18-glycyrrhetinic acid and 3-benzoyl-18-glycyrrhetinic acid, which were separated by chromatography on silica gel. 18-Glycyrrhetinic acid was prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of methyl 3-benzoyl-18-glycyrrhetinate and was further used for the syntheses of 3-keto-18-glycyrrhetinic acid and methyl esters of 18-glycyrrhetinic acid and 3-keto-18-glycyrrhetinic acid.     

Effect of albumin on the Na, K-ATPase activity in the rat erythrocytes during immobilization stress

Immobilisation stress (IMS) led to a 42% decrease in erythrocyte Na, K-ATPase activity in rats. Pre-treatment of the "stressed" erythrocytes with human serum albumin (HSA) and 1-day exposition of the HSA prior to the IMS led to stabilising of enzyme activity at the control level. Absence of inhibiting effect of non-protein supernatants of the blood plasma of stressed rats on enzyme activity of normal erythrocytes was shown in presence of the HSA both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of the HSA protective effect on the Na,K-ATPase activity of erythrocytes in the IMS, is discussed.     

Variations in soil properties upon artificial reforestation in Karelia

Analytic data on the status of Karelian soils at different stages of artificial reforestation (newly logged lands and 7-, 20-, and 40-year-old pine plantations) are discussed. Chemical (pH, saturation with bases, C_total, and N_total), biochemical (composition of carbohydrates), and microbiological (number of microorganisms of the most important ecological–trophic groups) soil properties have been investigated. It has been revealed that the forest litter is modified to the greatest rate after complete forest cutting. In soils formed under young 7-year-old pine plantations, organic-matter destruction becomes more intensive, and mortmass is transformed to a greater rate. The type and intensity of the input of plant debris to the soil vary with tree growth and affect the rate and tendency of organic-matter transformation. It is concluded that the studied soils are regenerated within a 40-year-long period after complete forest cutting.     

Effect of arabinogalactan isolated from Siberian larch on the baking value of soft wheat flour and bread quality

Using additives of arabinogalactan (AG) isolated from Siberian larch, we examined the soft wheat flour quality and quantity of gluten, physical properties of the dough, and quality of finished bread depending on the quantity of the added polysaccharide. In the case of the addition of 1–3% of AG to flour, its content decreases in the final product. An excess amount of AG inhibits yeast growth, which leads to a decrease in bread quality. The optimum addition of AG to flour is 1%, at which the technological properties of flour and dough do not change significantly, but the quality of bread becomes remarkably better; furthermore, arabinogalactan is fully consumed in the course of bread preparation. The use of AG is recommended in the optimum dose for increasing the quality of baked goods.