Molecular-genetic markers in lung cancer diagnostics

The major approaches to different lung cancer marker development are outlined in the review, including genetic, epigenetic, protein, transcryptomic, proteomic, metabolic, and miRNA markers. As far as epigenetic changes are among the earliest events in malignant transformation, methylated markers are thoroughly discussed. Special attention is given to minimally invasive tumor markers, which could be detected in easily accessible biological fluids, because they can be useful for screening and early diagnostics of cancer (before its clinical manifestation) as well as for verification of standard methods of diagnostics. Extracellular nucleic acids, circulating in blood (cirNA), are highlighted as the potential source of material for the early lung cancer diagnostics, prediction of antitumor treatment efficiency, post-treatment monitoring and disease prognosis.     

Physiological and biochemical characteristics of fungi of the genus Penicillium as producers of ergot alkaloids and quinocitrinins

Four cultures of fungi of the genus Penicillium belonging to Furcatum Pitt subgenus, such as P. citrinum Thom, 1910; P. corylophilum Dierckx, 1901; P. fellutanum Biourge, 1923; and P. waksmanii Zaleski, 1927, produced the ergot alkaloids, namely, agroclavine-I, and epoxyagroclavine-I; their N-N-dimers, such as dimer of epoxyagroclavine-I and the mixed dimer of epoxyagroclavine-I and agroclavine-I; and also quinoline metabolites, namely, quinocitrinin A and quinocitrinin B. Physiological and biochemical characteristics of the producers were studied. Optimal conditions for the biosynthesis of metabolome components were determined. Zinc additive to the medium stimulated the biosynthesis of the ergot alkaloids in all cases; citrinin production was increased only in P. citrinum, and that was suppressed in P. corylophinum, P. fellutanum, and P. waksmanii. This testifies that genes of the biosynthesis pathways are located in the different clusters of the producers.     

Methanogenic destruction of (amino)aromatic compounds by anaerobic microbial communities

Destruction of a number of aromatic substrates by anaerobic microbial communities was studied. Active methanogenic microbial communities decomposing aminoaromatic acids and azo dyes into CH4 and CO2 were isolated. Products of primary conversion were found to be 2-hydroxybenzyl and benzyl alcohols gradually transforming into benzoate. It was shown that isolated microbial communities are capable of converting the initial substrates--benzyl alcohol, benzoate, salicylic acid, and golden yellow azo dye--into biogas without a lag-phase but with different velocities. Aromatic and linear intermediates of biodestruction of aromatic amines by obtained enrichment cultures were determined for the first time. Selective effect of aromatic substrates on a microbial community that was expressed in decrease in diversity and gradual change of dominant morphotypes was revealed.     

Ion-exchange properties of cell walls of red seaweed Phyllophora crispa

Research into ion-exchange properties of cell walls isolated from thallus of red seaweed Phyllophora crispa was carried out. Ion-exchange capacity and the swelling coefficient of the red alga cell walls were estimated at various pH values (from 2 to 12) and at constant ionic strength of a solution (10 mM). It was established that behavior of cell walls as ion-exchangers is caused by the presence in their matrix of two types of cation-exchange groups and amino groups. The amount of the functional group of each type was estimated, and the corresponding values of pK(a) were calculated. It can be assumed that ionogenic groups with pK(a) -5 are carboxyl groups of uronic acids, and ionogenic groups with pK(a) -7.5 are carboxyl groups of the proteins. Intervals of pH in which cation-exchange groups are ionized and can take part in exchange reactions with cations in the environment are defined. It was found that protein was a major component of cell wall polymeric matrix because its content was 36%.     

Stability of genetic parameters in Drosophila melanogaster populations from Odessa city

The dynamics of allele frequency of the carboxiesterase gene, the frequency of sex-linked lethal mutations, and recombination events in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from Odesa were studied. All studied estimates were shown to remain unchanged in June, July, and August during the 2009 collection season.     

Genoprotective activities of the oils from leaves and fruits of Fagus orientalis Lipsky

The antimutagenic activities of the oils obtained from leaves and fruits of Fagus orientalis have been shown in experiments with spontaneous and mutagen- and ageing-induced variability. The aberrations of chromosomes in the meristematic cells of the Allium cepa L., Vicia faba L., Triticum aestivum L., and marrow cells of Vistar rats as well as Arabidopsis thaliana gene mutations have been mobilized as experimental tests.     

Studies of stability mechanisms of early embryonal development of fruit fly Drosophila

Living organisms well adapt themselves to changes in the environment and are robust to potential damage such as mutations. The epigenetic mechanism whereby the suppression of phenotypic variation is achieved has been dubbed canalization. This paper summarizes results of research that employed experimental and theoretical approaches to uncover the mechanisms of canalization of variation in expression of segmentation genes.     

Arabidopsis thaliana FIMBRIATA PETIOLES gene, controlling cell division and growth in floral organs

A new mutant, fimbriata petioles (fip), of Arabidopsis thaliana was obtained by chemical mutagenesis. The mutant is characterized by unusual anomalies of floral organs. Clusters of very large cells formed in the distal region of sepals and petals, which created fringed edges of these organs. An analysis of the morphology of the floral organs and leaves of the fip as 1 double mutant revealed a complementary interaction of the ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) and FIMBRIATA PETIOLES (FIP) genes. It was assumed that the FIP gene, together with the AS1 gene, controls cell proliferation, preventing their premature entry into endocycle.