Monomers for oligonucleotide synthesis with linkers carrying reactive residues: II. Synthesis of phosphoamidites based of uridine and cytosine and containing a linker with methoxyoxalamide groups in position 2'

A convenient preparative synthesis of 2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine was developed. Starting from 2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine and 2'-amino-2'-deoxycytidine, monomers for the phosphoamidite oligonucleotide synthesis were obtained that carry a linker with methoxyoxalamide groups in position 2'. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2004, vol. 30, no. 3; see also http://www.maik.ru.     

Monomers for Oligonucleotide Synthesis with Linkers Carrying Reactive Residues: II. The Synthesis of Phosphoamidites on the Basis of Uridine and Cytosine and Containing a Linker with Methoxyoxalamide Groups in Position 2′

A convenient preparative synthesis of 2-amino-2-deoxyuridine was developed. Starting from 2-amino-2-deoxyuridine and 2-amino-2-deoxycytidine, monomers for the phosphoamidite oligonucleotide synthesis were obtained that carry a linker with methoxyoxalamide groups in position 2.     

Identification of AGR2 protein, a novel potential cancer marker, using proteomics technologies

A comparative analysis of the proteins in prostate tissues of the patients operated for hyperplasia (n = 7) or cancer (n = 5) was performed aiming to search for protein diagnostic markers. Differences in several minor proteins were detected using two-dimensional electrophoresis according to O'Farrel; among them, an additional protein with a molecular weight of 19 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.0 was observed in four of the cancer cases. Mass spectrometry allowed this protein to be identified as the androgen-induced secreted protein AGR2. The possibility of using AGR2 as a diagnostic marker of prostate cancer is discussed.     

A Relict Rhinesuchid (Amphibia: Temnospondyli) From The Lower Triassic Of South Africa

' Lydekkerina ' putterilli Broom from the Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone (Middle Beaufort Group, South Africa) is shown to be a paedomorphic rhinesuchid ( Broomistega putterilli gen. nov.) rather than a lydekkerinid or juvenile stage of the rhinesuchid Uranocentrodon , as previously presumed. The most conspicuous characters, not related to its paedomorphic condition, include the shape of the parietals and the structure of the parasphenoid body and exoccipitals. The pattern of cranial growth changes in Broomistega has been investigated by comparison of the holotype with two hitherto undescribed immature specimens. For several characters referring to the size and position of the orbits, and re-modelling of the jugal proportions, retarded timing of growth transformations, compared to ontogenetic patterns in Permian rhinesuchids (typified by Muchocephalus ) is demonstrated. Some features of the evolution of the basicranial region of the skull, in the transition from rhinesuchids to more advanced capitosauroids, are re-evaluated. key words : temnospondyls, rhinesuchids, relict, paedomorphosis, growth changes.     

Synthesis of heteroaromatic N-beta-glycosides of N-acetylglucosamine under the conditions of phase transfer catalysis: I. Glucosaminides of 2-oxobenzazoles

Glycosylation of methylbenzoxazolone-2 and benzothiazolone-2 with the full acetate of alpha-D-glucosaminyl chloride in the phase transfer systems investigated (solid-organic solvent and aqueous alkali-organic solvent) regioselectively leads to the corresponding N-beta-D-glucosaminides, which is proved by 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis.     

Identification of the membrane form of phenylalanine hydroxylase from the human liver and characteristics of its subunit composition

Phenylalanine hydroxylase was detected among human liver bioptats and autoptats extracted with 0.4% Triton X-100 from the 105,000 g homogenate fraction. In contrast to the membrane form of the rat liver enzyme, human liver phenylalanine hydroxylase is detected both by its enzymatic activity and immunochemically under non-denaturating conditions. The enzymatic activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase makes 5-15% of that of the cytoplasmic fraction and 20-30% of the amount of antigen in the cytoplasmic fraction and 20-30% of the amount of antigen in the cytoplasmic fraction as can be evidenced from rocket immunoelectrophoresis data. Immunoblotting of proteins performed after denaturating electrophoresis of the membrane and cytoplasmic fractions revealed an antigen band with a similar electrophoretic mobility. The subunit composition of the enzyme in both fractions was characterized by two-dimensional electrophoresis with subsequent immunoblotting. It was found that the membrane fraction of the enzyme is represented only by the L-subunit with Mr of 55 kD, whereas the cytoplasmic fraction, besides the predominant L-subunit, also contains 2H-subunits of the enzyme with Mr = 57 kD. These 2H-subunits differ between themselves as well as from the L-subunit by the pI value.     

Identification of alpha-tropomyosin of the human myocardium by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and sequencing]

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of total cardiac muscle extracts allows the detection of about 200 protein fractions. In preliminary studies the fraction D-10 protein was characterized in terms of relative molecular mass, isoelectric point and quantitative composition as alpha-tropomyosin. The similarity of the protein to human alpha-tropomyosin was confirmed by the results of analysis of the N-terminal sequence of the D-10 protein eluate in a gas-phase sequencer.     

A two-dimensional map of proteins from left ventricle of the human heart

A two-dimensional map of human heart left ventricular proteins for 213 polypeptide fractions has been constructed. A quantitative analysis of variability of the fraction position at 60 selected spots with the use of a CVIT computer system revealed a high reproducibility of the material distribution on electrophoregrams. Differences were found in the protein composition of eight heart muscle atrial and ventricular polypeptide fractions. Left ventricular proteins were shown to be represented by six electrophoretical variants. The methodological peculiarities of construction at the two-dimensional map of heart muscle proteins are discussed.     

Plasma Soluble Prion Protein,a Potential Biomarker for Sport-Related Concussions: A Pilot Study

Sport-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion is a significant health concern to athletes with potential long-term consequences. The diagnosis of sport concussion and return to sport decision making is one of the greatest challenges facing health care clinicians working in sports. Blood biomarkers have recently demonstrated their potential in assisting the detection of brain injury particularly, in those cases with no obvious physical injury. We have recently discovered plasma soluble cellular prion protein (PrP^C) as a potential reliable biomarker for blast induced TBI (bTBI) in a rodent animal model. In order to explore the application of this novel TBI biomarker to sport-related concussion, we conducted a pilot study at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) by recruiting athlete and non-athlete 18 to 30 year-old students. Using a modified quantitative ELISA method, we first established normal values for the plasma soluble PrP^C in male and female students. The measured plasma soluble PrP^C in confirmed concussion cases demonstrated a significant elevation of this analyte in post-concussion samples. Data collected from our pilot study indicates that the plasma soluble PrP^C is a potential biomarker for sport-related concussion, which may be further developed into a clinical diagnostic tool to assist clinicians in the assessment of sport concussion and return-to-play decision making.