Development of target delivery system based on actinomycin class drugs and recombinant alpha-fetoprotein

A recombinant alpha-fetoprotein (rAFP) was obtained in the yeast P. pastoris system, and its functional activity was confirmed. A method for producing polymer particles loaded with dactinomycin was developed, and a conjugate of these nanoparticles with rAFP was synthesized. The efficiency of the obtained conjugate on the HeLa, SKOV3, and MG-63 tumor cells and the absence of toxicity on the normal cells was shown. Experiments in vivo demonstrated a significant increase in the antitumor efficacy of the conjugate at a lower general toxicity as compared to the commercially available dactinomycin.     

Structural-functional study of glycine-and-proline-containing peptides (Glyprolines) as potential neuroprotectors

A synthetic scheme for preparation of (Gly-Pro) _n , (Pro-Gly) _n (n = 2, 3), and (Pro-Gly-Pro) _n (n = 1, 2) peptides was elaborated. The effect of the synthesized peptides and the Gly-Pro and Pro-Gly dipeptides on survival of cultured cells of PC12 rat pheochromocytoma was studied under the conditions of oxidative stress induced by brief incubation of the cells with hydrogen peroxide. Peptides of the general formula (Gly-Pro) _n and the Pro-Gly-Pro peptide at a concentration of 0.2–100 μM were shown to decrease the number of damaged cells. The Gly-Pro peptide was the most active and decreased the number of damaged cells by 49% on average at a concentration of 100 μM.     

Effect of modified DNA and RNA oligonucleotides on telomerase activity and tumor cell survival in vitro

Comparative analysis of the inhibitory effect of modified DNA and RNA oligonucleotides on telomerase activity and tumor cell growth in vitro has been carried out. The study was performed with MCF-7, HeLa, and Mel-10 human cell line extracts. It was shown that PS-TelP5 and PS-TM024 phosphorothioate DNA oligonucleotides inhibited telomerase at nanomolar concentrations and suppressed the growth of tumor cells in vitro.     

Melongoside L and melongoside M,steroidal saponins from Solanum melongena seeds

Two new steroidal saponins, melongoside L and melongoside M, have been isolated from a methanolic extract of Solanum melongena seeds and their structures elucidated.     

High performance liquid chromatography of phospholipids on modified silica gel

A sensitive method for the separation of phospholipids by a HPLC procedure is described. The separation was carried out on a 30 cm prepacked column with aminopropyl bonded silica under isocratic conditions. The effective separation of major phospholipid classes was carried out for less than 5 min. These chromatographic conditions were used for analysis of natural phospholipid mixtures.     

Synapsin I from human brain. Phosphorylation by Ca2+, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase

Synapsin I has been isolated from human brain by a rapid and efficient purification technique, and its phosphorylation by human brain Ca2+, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) has been studied. The inhibitory effect of calmodulin on this process has been demonstrated. It is also found that non-esterified fatty acids and acidic phospholipids are inhibitory for synapsin I phosphorylation by Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.     

Major trends in lipid immunochemistry

Data are presented on immunochemical properties of lipids, the most important group of biologically active substances. Problems on antigenic, immunogenic and adjuvant activities of lipids are considered. A possible use of lipid antigens for diagnosis of different infectious diseases is demonstrated and main principles of their construction are suggested. Data are available on immunogenicity of phospho- and glycolipid mixtures as well as on practical application of the obtained antibodies. Guidelines for the use of immunochemical properties of lipids are outlined.