A Proteomic Approach to Study of the Function of the Sec14P-Like p45 Protein

We undertook a search for proteins interacting with protein p45 using the method of two-hybrid screening in order to determine the function of the Sec14p-like protein p45. A screening of the yeast library of rat lung cDNA allowed the identification of six proteins specifically activating the reporter genes of a two-hybrid system and 21 unlikely protein partners of protein p45. The most likely candidate for the role of a p45 partner is the surfactant protein C (Sftpc). These results and previous studies led us to the hypothesis that protein p45 fulfills its protective function by participating in the biogenesis of cell membranes.__________Translated from Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 3, 2005, pp. 280–287.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Merkulova, Radchenko, Il’nitskaya, Shuvaeva, Lipkin.     

The structural and functional analysis of the surface apparatus in four species of Sarcocystis (Sporozoa, Apicomplexa)

The comparable ultrastructural analysis of the sarcocyst surface apparatus (SSA) was made for four species of Sarcocystis: Sarcocystis muris, S. fusiformis, S. medusiformis, and Sarcocystis sp. from buffalo heart muscles. In all these species, SSA contains a surface membrane, overmembrane complex with glycocalyx, and submembrane complex made of two glycoprotein SSA primembrane layers. SSA makes numerous primary vesicle-like protrusions and pits in between. Some vesicles containing two layers, PM1 and PM2, are pinching off from the totally formed protrusions. Then these vesicles are directed into infected host cell to participate in its degradation. In the SSA pits neither over-, nor submembrane complex is present, the pits being made of the surface membrane only. It is important that fibrillar structures penetrate through the SSA membrane into pits from the host cell. Besides, SSA forms secondary protrusions with different structures in various species of Sarcocystis. They increase the sarcocyst surface and transport different substances along intermediate filaments from the SSA pits membrane to the sarcocyst body. At the same time, deep invaginations are found in the SSA of old sarcocysts. We thought that these structures increased the sarcocyst surface and thus promote to intensify metabolism. This study-defined presence of membranous vesicles in secondary protrusions. According to their structure and localization, the membranous vesicles may be involved in the building of the sarcocyst surface membrane.     

The ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphaenogaster dlusskyana</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) from the Sakhalin amber—the earliest described species of an extant genus of Myrmicinae

The earliest member of an extant ant genus of the subfamily Myrmicinae, Aphaenogaster dlusskyana sp. nov., from the Sakhalin amber (Russia, Middle Eocene, 43–47 Ma) is described. Fossil representatives of the genus Aphaenogaster are critically analyzed and it is proposed to transfer many of these to the fossil morphotaxon Paraphaenogaster. The morphology, distribution, and possible evolutionary trends of the genus Aphaenogaster are reviewed and it is suggested that this genus appeared in the territory currently occupied by the Palearctic not later than the Early Eocene (over 50 Ma). Aphaenogaster dlusskyana can be considered the oldest described representative of an extant genus of the subfamily Myrmicinae, although earlier, as yet undescribed, records of extant genera of Myrmicinae belong to the Early Eocene.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lasius neglectus</Emphasis> Van Loon et al. (Hymenoptera,Formicidae), an Invasive Ant Species in Crimea

Data on distribution of Lasius neglectus Van Loon et al. in Crimea are reported. The structure of foraging areas of 111 monocalic and polycalic colonies, the daily activity rhythm, and the visiting of 26 species of trees by L. neglectus workers were studied; over a third of the visited tree species were conifers. Most colonies of L. neglectus in Crimea are monocalic. No replacement of the 12 native ant species present in the territories of the monocalic and polycalic colonies of L. neglectus was observed. Invasion of L. neglectus to Crimea probably started in the early 1970s.     

Ants of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fallomyrma</Emphasis> Dlussky et Radchenko (Hymenoptera,Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from Late Eocene European Ambers

The extinct monotypic ant genus Fallomyrma was described by Dlussky and Radchenko in 2006 based on workers from Late Eocene Rovno (Ukraine), Scandinavian (Denmark), and Bitterfeld (Germany) ambers. Three new Fallomyrma species from the Rovno amber are here described based on workers: F. anodonta sp. nov., F. marginata sp. nov., and F. robusta sp. nov. A key to all known species of this genus is compiled. The quantity ratios (of the numbers of species and specimens) of Fallomyrma and other amber Myrmicinae genera are considered. The opinion of the autochthonous origin of the Rovno amber is confirmed.     

Introgressive hybridization of chars of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus</Emphasis> as inferred from mitochondrial DNA variation

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in the genus Salvelinus revealed hybrids with S. leucomaenis in S. malma malma populations of the Northern Okhotsk Sea basin. Hybrids of S. m. malma and S. m. krascheninnikovi were found in S. m. malma populations from the Northern Okhotsk Sea basin and Kamchatka. The findings testify to a secondary contact and mtDNA transfer between these species and forms. It was assumed that introgressive hybridization took place both long ago and relatively recently and occurred in one direction: from S. leucomaenis or S. m. krascheninnikovi to S. m. malma.Translated from Genetika, Vol. 40, No. 12, 2004, pp. 1678–1685.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Radchenko.     

The use of an immunoenzyme method for the rapid diagnosis of legionellosis

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for the detection of L. pneumophila antigen in clinical material (sputum, urine, bronchial washings) has been developed. The use of EIA permits the detection of L. pneumophila antigen in the urine of 75-80% of patients during the first week of the disease. The specificity and sensitivity of EIA makes it possible to recommend this method for the rapid diagnosis of L. pneumophila infection.     

Inheritance of greenbug resistance in several forms of grain sorghum and sudangrass

The inheritance of resistance against the Krasnodar population of common greenbug Schizaphis graminum Rond. was analyzed in nine accessions of grain sorghum and sudangrass. The dominant gene of cultivar Capbam (k-455, United States) was effective against some greenbug clones and differed from the Sgr1-Sgr11 resistance genes. The gene was designated as Sgr12. The cultivar Capbam was proposed for use as a differentiator in population genetic studies in S. graminum. The cultivar Sarvasi (k-3852, Hungary) contains not only the dominant Sgr1 gene, but also a recessive gene (most likely Sgr2), which is effective against some greenbug clones. Grain sorghum accessions k-928 and k-929 (Gugara Belaya, western China) each carry two highly effective dominant resistance genes, which differ from Sgr1-Sgr4, Sgr6, Sgr9, and Sgr10. In addition, the resistance genes of accession k-929 differ from the Sgr5 gene. Accession k-928 proved to contain an additional dominant resistance gene, which is expressed in response to some greenbug clones. The gene was designated as Sgr13. Sudangrass accessions k-100 and k-122 (Ukraine) each carry two dominant resistance genes. Accessions k-62, k-99 (Ukraine), and k-96 (Russia) each carry one dominant and one recessive resistance gene. The dominant resistance genes that are expressed in the cultivar Odesskaya 25 (k-122) in response to infestation with some clones from the natural greenbug population were designated as Sgr14 and Sgr15.