Neuropeptide cycloprolylglycine increases the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in neuronal cells

It was shown for the first time that the endogenous cyclic dipeptide cycloprolylglycine (CPG) at concentrations of 10^–7 and 10^–3 M and piracetam at a concentration of 10^–3 M increased the content of brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the culture of neuronal cells in normal state and under conditions of glutamate and 6-oxydopamine neurotoxicity. This may indicate the possible involvement of BDNF in the mechanism of action of neuropeptide CPG and piracetam.     

Antitumor Activity of Monasnicotinic Acid Isolated from the Fungus Aspergillus cavernicola

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - It has been found that monasnicotinic acid (MNA) isolated from the fungus Aspergillus cavernicola VKM F-906 reduces the proliferation and migration of...     

Fungi of the genus Penicillium as producers of physiologically active compounds (Review)

Fungi of the genus Penicillium isolated from little studied habitats are able to synthesize both previously known and new physiologically active compounds with diverse structures. They include secondary metabolites of alkaloid nature, i.e., ergot alkaloids, diketopiperazines, quinolines, quinazolines, benzodiazepines, and polyketides. We discuss the use of profiles of secondary metabolites for taxonomy purposes. Studying the physicochemical characteristics of producers of biologically active compounds showed that the biosynthesis of alkaloids is initiated on the first days of cultivation and proceeds simultaneously with growth. The cyclic character of alkaloid accumulation was recorded related to the processes of alkaloid biosynthesis, excretion from cells, degradation in culture fluid, and consumption by cells. Synchronic variations in the concentrations of intracellular tryptophan and alkaloids are necessary for the regulation of the optimal quantity of tryptophan necessary for the culture.     

Initiated Oxidation of Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes with Some Functional Nutraceuticals

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Design and research of liposome structures on the basis of soy phosphatidylcholine (PC) as nanocontainers for delivery of various functional nutraceuticals...     

Decrease in expression of human J-chain in lung squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma

Secretory polymeric immunoglobulins (IgA dimers and IgM pentamers) are unique in that, apart from L- and H-chains, they contain J-chains responsible for their oligomerization. These antibodies are part of the local adaptive immune system acting on mucosa membranes of the respiratory and digestive systems as the first protection barrier to potential infectious agents. Secretory polymeric immunoglobulins are produced by highly specific B-cells and actively transported to the surface of mucosa membrane through epithelium cells. Therefore, their synthesis and J-chain content are dependent upon epithelium translocation function and condition that are markedly affected by tumorous transformation. Here, we used RT-PCR and immunoblotting to study of the J-chain content and its mRNA expression level in normal and tumorous tissues in lung squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma at various stages of disease progression.     

Electromagnetic radiation of the terahertz range at the nitric oxide frequency in correction and prophylaxis of functional activity disorders in thrombocytes of white rats under long-term stress

The influence of electromagnetic waves of terahertz range at the frequencies of molecular spectrum o nitric oxide radiation and absorption on functional activity of thrombocytes in white rats under long-term stress has been studied. It has been shown that courses of THzF treatment applied during the stress can prevent and restore disorders in thrombocytes aggregative function. The stress factor does not induce characteristic of stress-reaction disturbances of microcirculation in animals treated with the preventive course of THzF.     

Fungus Penicillium citrinum, isolated from permafrost sediments, as a producer of ergot alkaloids and new quinoline alkaloids quinocitrinines

Quinocitrinines and ergot alkaloids are synthesized by the strain Penicillium citrinum VKM FW-800 as the culture grows. The major part of these secondary metabolites are secreted into the medium. In the phase of growth deceleration, these metabolites were partly absorbed by the producer cells. Zinc ions stimulated both the primary and secondary metabolic processes. Addition of this microelement into the culture medium stimulated biomass accumulation and the synthesis of clavine alkaloids and quinocitrinines.     

The increase in mitochondrial DNA copy number in the tissues of gamma-irradiated mice

Changes in the number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies in the brain and spleen tissues of gamma-irradiated (3 Gy) mice were studied by comparative analysis of the long-extension PCR products of mtDNA (15.9 kb) and a fragment of the cluster nuclear beta-globin gene (8.7 kb) amplified simultaneously in one and the same test-tube within total DNA. The analysis showed that, compared to the nuclear beta-globin gene, an increase in mtDNA copy number (polyploidization) took place in the brain and spleen cells of mice exposed to gamma-radiation. This data led to the suggestion that the major mechanism for maintenance of the mitochondrial genome, which is constantly damaged by endogenous ROS and easily affected by ionizing radiation or other exogenous factors, is the induction of synthesis of new mtDNA copies on intact or little affected mtDNA templates because the repair systems in the mitochondria function at a low level of efficiency.     

The fungus Penicillium variabile Sopp 1912 isolated from permafrost deposits as a producer of rugulovasines

It has been established that relict fungi Penicillium variabile Sopp can synthesize clavine alkaloids, rugulovasines A and B, which are revealed in this species for the first time. Submerged cultivation of the strain-producer revealed several microcycles of conidia formation. The synthesis of alkaloids was also of a cyclic character. The synchronism of cyclic rugulovasine biosynthesis and conidia formation was revealed. Zinc ions stimulated fungal growth but had a negative effect on the biosynthesis of rugulovasines.