Ecological features of cenofloras of subarctic tundras of Siberia

The cenofloras of moss tundras, dryas tundras, and cryophytic grassy bogs of Subarctic Yamal, Taimyr, and Yakutia have been compared in such parameters as activity and species richness of their ecological groups. Comparison of the three cenofloras of subarctic tundras in conditions of heat and moisture has shown that the habitats of Yamal noticeably differ from the habitats of Taimyr and Yakutia. In Yamal, the conditions are warmer in all the habitats except grassy bogs in the zone of typical tundras. Most habitats in Yamal are drier. The hydrothermal conditions of Taimyr and Yakutia are similar. The differences arise as the climate becomes increasingly more continental from west to east.     

Prediction of the three-dimensional structure of aflatoxin of Aspergillus flavus by homology modelling

Aflatoxins are polyketide-derived secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus spp. The toxic effects of aflatoxins have adverse consequences for human health and agricultural economics. The aflR gene, a regulatory gene for aflatoxin biosynthesis, encodes a protein containing a zinc-finger DNA-binding motif. AFLR-Protein three-dimensional model was generated using Robetta server. The modeled AFLR-Protein was further optimization and validation using Rampage. In the simulations, we monitored the backbone atoms and the C-α-helix of the modeled protein. The low RMSD and the simulation time indicate that, as expected, the 3D structural model of AFLR-protein represents a stable folding conformation. This study paves the way for generating computer molecular models for proteins whose crystal structures are not available and which would aid in detailed molecular mechanism of inhibition of aflatoxin.     

Mapping the amino acid properties of constituent nucleoporins onto the yeast nuclear pore complex

Visualization of molecular structures aids in the understanding of structural and functional roles of biological macromolecules. Macromolecular transport between the cell nucleus and cytoplasm is facilitated by the nuclear pore complex (NPC). The ring structure of the NPC is large and contains several distinct proteins (nucleoporins) which function as a selective gate for the passage of certain molecules into and out of the nucleus. In this note we demonstrate the utility of a python code that allows direct mapping of the physiochemical properties of the constituent nucleoporins on the scaffold of the yeast NPC׳s cytoplasmic view. We expect this tool to be useful for researchers to visualize the NPC based on their physiochemical properties and how it alters when specific mutations are introduced in one or more of the nucleoporins. The code developed using Python is available freely from the authors.     

Local floras of the northwestern Putorana Plateau: A comparative analysis

The study has revealed the diversity of vascular plants in two altitudinal belts in the upper reaches of the Kygam, Morgel’, and Lontoko rivers. Life forms and geography and ecology of the floras were analyzed for each vegetative belt. Species compositions of the three local floras were compared. The results showed that the Lontoko goletz and subgoletz belts are floristically different from the Kygam and Morgel’ goletz and subgoletz belts. According to the percentages of latitudinal elements, the Kygam floras are more similar to either Lontoko or Morgel’ floras than the latter are to each other. According to the percentages of species ecological groups and life forms, the Lontoko goletz and subgoletz belts are floristically similar to the Kygam goletz and subgoletz belts and different from the Morgel’ goletz and subgoletz belts.