Expression of 1-Cys peroxiredoxin in morphogenic and nonmorphogenic tatar buckwheat calli

Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF MS, we identified a protein with a mol wt of 24.5 kD and pI = 7.5 as 1-Cys peroxiredoxin. This protein was present among soluble proteins of morphogenic but not nonmorphogenic calli of tatar buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn). Its expression was evidently related to the presence of proembryonal cell complexes in morphogenic calli.     

The search for and identification of peptides from the moss Physcomitrella patens

The isolation and identification of peptides from the moss Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B.S.G., which has been widely used in recent years as a model for studying plant biology, has been described. It was shown for the first time that protoplasts, the protonemata, and gametophores of Ph. patens contain a variety of peptides. From gametophores, 58 peptides, which are the fragments of 14 proteins, and from the protonemata, 49 peptides, the fragments of 15 proteins, were isolated and identified. It was found that the protonemata and gametophores of Ph. patens, which are the successive stages of the development of this plant, significantly differ from each other in both the peptide composition and the spectrum of precursor proteins of the identified peptides. The isolation of protoplasts during the enzymatic destruction of the protonema cell wall is accompanied by massive degradation of intracellular proteins, many of which are the proteins of the protosynthetic system, which is a characteristic response of higher plants to environmental stress factors. In all, 323 peptides, which are the fragments of 79 proteins, were isolated and identified from moss protoplasts.     

Exploration and identification of Physcomitrella patens moss peptides

In the current study the isolation and identification of Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B.S.G. moss peptides are described. Physcomitrella patens moss is actively used in recent years as a model organism to study the biology of plants. Protoplasts, protonemata and gametophores of the moss are demonstrated for the first time to contain diverse small peptides. From gametophores was isolated and identified 58 peptides that are fragments of 14 proteins, and from protonemata - 49 peptides, fragments of 15 proteins. It was found that the protonemata and gametophores Ph. patens, which are the successive stages of development of this plant, significantly different from each other as a peptide composition and the spectrum of the precursor protein of identified peptides. Isolation of protoplasts of the enzymatic destruction of cell wall protonemata accompanied by massive degradation of intracellular proteins, many of whom are proteins of photosynthesis, which is a characteristic response of plants to stress the impact of environmental factors. A total of moss protoplasts were isolated and identified 323 peptides that are fragments of 79 proteins.     

Proteome analysis of chloroplasts from the moss Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B.S.G.

Intact chloroplasts were prepared from protoplasts of the moss Physcomitrella patens according to an especially developed method. They were additionally separated into stroma and thylakoid fractions. The proteomes of intact plastids, stroma, and thylakoids were analyzed by 1D-electrophoresis under denaturing conditions followed by protein digestion and nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS of tryptic peptides from gel bands. A total of 624 unique proteins were identified, 434 of which were annotated as chloroplast resident proteins. The majority of proteins belonged to a photosynthetic group (21.3%) and to the group of proteins implicated in protein degradation, posttranslational modification, folding, and import (20.6%). Among proteins assigned to chloroplasts, the following groups are prominent combining proteins implicated in metabolism of: amino acids (6.9%), nucleotides (2.5%), lipids (2.2%), carbohydrates (2.4%), hormones (1.5%), isoprenoids (1.25%), vitamins and cofactors (1%), sulfur (1.25%), and nitrogen (1%); as well as proteins involved in the pentose-phosphate cycle (1.75%), tetrapyrrole synthesis (3.7%), and redox processes (3.6%). The data can be used in physiological and photobiological studies as well as in further studies of P. patens chloroplast proteome including structural and functional specifics of plant protein localization in organelles.     

Gravitropic moss cells default to spiral growth on the clinostat and in microgravity during spaceflight

In addition to shoots and roots, the gravity (g)-vector orients the growth of specialized cells such as the apical cell of dark-grown moss protonemata. Each apical cell of the moss Ceratodon purpureus senses the g-vector and adjusts polar growth accordingly producing entire cultures of upright protonemata (negative gravitropism). The effect of withdrawing a constant gravity stimulus on moss growth was studied on two NASA Space Shuttle (STS) missions as well as during clinostat rotation on earth. Cultures grown in microgravity (spaceflight) on the STS-87 mission exhibited two successive phases of non-random growth and patterning, a radial outgrowth followed by the formation of net clockwise spiral growth. Also, cultures pre-aligned by unilateral light developed clockwise hooks during the subsequent dark period. The second spaceflight experiment flew on STS-107 which disintegrated during its descent on 1 February 2003. However, most of the moss experimental hardware was recovered on the ground, and most cultures, which had been chemically fixed during spaceflight, were retrieved. Almost all intact STS-107 cultures displayed strong spiral growth. Non-random culture growth including clockwise spiral growth was also observed after clinostat rotation. Together these data demonstrate the existence of default non-random growth patterns that develop at a population level in microgravity, a response that must normally be overridden and masked by a constant g-vector on earth.     

Neurophysiological markers of traumatic and ischemic pyramidal insufficiency in patients undergoing distraction osteosynthesis

The changes in quantitative electromyographic characteristics have been analyzed in patients suffering from pathologic consequences of stroke or severe traumatic brain injury and undergoing treatment with transosseous distraction osteosynthesis. The specific features of the central nervous system’s response to this surgical treatment have been studied in patients depending on the patient’s age and the etiology and severity of the initial damage of brain structures. The stages and mechanisms of the reactive reorganization of the cerebral cortex duiring rehabilitation with transosseous distraction osteosynthesis in the patients of these nosologic groups are discussed.