The Status of the Stock and the Current Fishery for the Atka Mackerel,Pleurogrammus monopterygius (Pallas, 1810), in the Olyutorsky–Navarin Area,Bering Sea

Russian Journal of Marine Biology - The dynamics of the Atka mackerel stock in the Olyutorsky–Navarin area in 1994–2019 is inferred from bottom-trawl surveys, fishery statistics,...     

Multiplex PCR for Identification of Bacterial Pathogens of Infectious Pneumonia

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - A multiplex PCR system has been developed and optimized for rapid detection of the five main pathogens of bacterial pneumonia. The system can be expanded...     

3D-QSAR with CoMFA Model of Prolylendopeptidase Substrates

Abstract

The prolylendopeptidase (PEP) is the proteolytic enzyme, which plays an essential role in the regulation of some processes in central nervous system, such as memory, learning and behavior. It was shown that PEP activity changes at different diseases, like Parkinsons or Alzheimer's diseases, and some PEP inhibitors are used in therapy. At present time the discovery of new types of PEP inhibitors are the actual task.

In this study the structure of PEP active site was analyzed by 3D-QSAR with CoMFA methods using of 12 PEP substrates. The designed pharmacophore model assumes that substrates interact with PEP active site by pyrrolidol ring of proline residue and by hydrogen bonding.

The 3-D-QSAR + CoMFA model of PEP substrates propose that the hydrophobic bonds play the essential role in substrate interaction with enzyme. This model reveals the important steric and electrostatic areas around the molecules and the presence of substituents controls the PEP activity for substrates. Analysis of obtained data allows to assume, that substrate binding in PEP active site causes essential perturbations of substrate structure. This effect mainly depends on chemical nature of the amino acid side chain, located near to proline.     

Observations on post-fire black morel ascocarp development in an Israeli burnt forest site and their preferred micro-sites

Morchella species ascocarps (morels) are sought-after edible mushrooms that exhibit pyrophilous behavior, proliferating in fire-affected soils of certain types of forests. The factors governing fruiting in this habitat are poorly understood. An observational approach was used to determine the spatial distribution on preferred micro-sites of black morel fruiting in a forest after a summer fire, subjected to different post-fire forestry management activities. Clearing the burnt tree stumps from the site, compaction of the burnt soil by heavy machinery (bulldozers) and covering the soil with chopped wood created preferred micro-sites for black morel fruiting. Fewer fruit bodies developed on untouched burnt soil, and almost none on non-burnt soil at the same site. These observations enhance understanding the ecological principles underlying the distribution and abundance of morel ascocarp development in natural habitats; such an understanding could contribute to conservation and management of morel fruiting in the wild.     

Molecular and phylogenetic characterisation of Cryptosporidium from birds

Avian isolates of Cryptosporidium species from different geographic locations were sequenced at two loci, the 18S rRNA gene and the heat shock gene (HSP-70). Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data provided support for the existence of a new avian species of Cryptosporidium infecting finches and a second species infecting a black duck. The identity of Cryptosporidium baileyi and Cryptosporidium meleagridis as valid species was confirmed. Also, C. baileyi was identified in a number of isolates from the brown quail extending the host range of this species.     

A non-calcemic Vitamin D analog modulates both nuclear and putative membranal estrogen receptors in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells

In cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), estradiol-17beta (E2) induced a biphasic effect on DNA synthesis, i.e., stimulation at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations. Additionally, E2 increased the specific activity of creatine kinase (CK) in these cells. Observations that novel protein-bound membrane impermeant estrogenic complexes could elicit inhibition of DNA synthesis, suggested interaction via membranal binding sites. Nevertheless other effects, such as increasing CK activity were only seen with native E2 but not with E2-BSA, thus indicating that the classical nuclear receptor pathway was involved. In the present report, we confirm that human VSMC express both ERalpha and ERbeta. Further, pretreatment of cultured VSMC with the Vitamin D non-calcemic analog JK 1624 F2-2 (JKF) increased ERalpha mRNA (100-200%) but decreased ERbeta mRNA (30-40%) expression as measured by real time PCR. ERalpha protein expression assessed by Western blot analysis increased (25-50%) in parallel, whereas ERbeta protein expression declines (25-55%). Using ovalbumin bound to E2 (Ov-E2) linked to Eu (Eu-Ov-E2), to assess specific membrane binding sites, we observed that membranal binding was down regulated by JKF by 70-80%. In contrast, total cell binding of 3[H] E2, that nearly entirely represents intracellular E2 binding, was increased by 60-100% by the same Vitamin D analog. The results provide evidence that the effects of JKF on ERalpha/ERbeta as well as on membranal versus nuclear binding of estrogen are divergent and show differential modulation.     

Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in captive reptiles

The genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in reptiles was analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. A total of 123 samples were analyzed, of which 48 snake samples, 24 lizard samples, and 3 tortoise samples were positive for Cryptosporidium: Nine different types of Cryptosporidium were found, including Cryptosporidium serpentis, Cryptosporidium desert monitor genotype, Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium parvum bovine and mouse genotypes, one C. serpentis-like parasite in a lizard, two new Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes, and one new Cryptosporidium sp. in tortoises. C. serpentis and the desert monitor genotype were the most common parasites and were found in both snakes and lizards, whereas the C. muris and C. parvum parasites detected were probably the result of ingestion of infected rodents. Sequence and biologic characterizations indicated that the desert monitor genotype was Cryptosporidium saurophilum. Two host-adapted C. serpentis genotypes were found in snakes and lizards.     

VEGF162, a new heparin-binding vascular endothelial growth factor splice form that is expressed in transformed human cells

The splice forms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) differ in biological properties such as the receptor types that they recognize and their interaction with heparan sulfate proteoglycans. We have identified a new VEGF mRNA splice form encoding a VEGF species containing 162 amino acids (VEGF(162)) in human A431 ovarian carcinoma cells. This novel mRNA contains the peptides encoded by exons 1-5, 6A, 6B, and 8 of the VEGF gene. Recombinant VEGF(162) is biologically active. It induces proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo as determined by the alginate bead assay. VEGF(162) binds less efficiently than VEGF(145) but more efficiently than VEGF(165) to a natural basement membrane produced by corneal endothelial cells. VEGF(138), an artificial VEGF form that contains exon 6B but lacks exons 6A and 7, did not bind to this basement membrane at all, indicating that exon 6B probably interferes with the interaction of exon 6A with heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans.