Showing papers in "Molecular Biology in 2004"

[Phylogenetic analysis of alpha-galactosidases of the GH27 family].

Abstract: Amino acid sequence analysis of α-galactosidases and other proteins of glycoside hydrolase family 27 (GH27) allowed isolation of three major subfamilies, 27a–27c. Unique isomalto-dextranase of Arthrobacter globiformis clustered separately. Eukaryotic proteins formed five clusters on a phylogenetic tree of the family. Bacterial GH27 proteins, which are relatively few, did not form stable clusters. A monophyletic origin of the GH27 family was demonstrated with the use of related proteins of the GH36 family. The structure of the active center and evolution of α-galactosidases are discussed.

Methylation of the Promoter Region of the RASSF1A Candidate Tumor Suppressor Gene in Primary Epithelial Tumors

Abstract: The methylation of the promoter CpG island of the RASSF1A tumor suppressor gene in primary tumors of 172 Muscovites with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), breast cancer (BC), or ovarian epithelial tumors (OET) was assayed by means of methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and PCR-based methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme analysis (MSRA). The MSP, MSRA, and previous bisulfite sequencing data correlated significantly with each other (P ≪ 10–6 for Spearman's rank correlation coefficients). By MSP and MSRA, the respective methylation frequencies of the RASSF1A promoter were 86% (25/29) and 94% (50/53) in RCC, 64% (18/28) and 78% (32/41) in BC, and 59% (17/29) and 73% (33/45) in OET. Methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes (HpaII, HhaI, Bsh1236I, AciI) increased the analysis sensitivity and made it possible to establish the methylation status for 18 CpG dinucleotides of the RASSF1A promoter region. With the MSRA data, the density of methylation of the CpG island was estimated at 72% in RCC, 63% in BC, and 58% in OET (the product of the number of CpG dinucleotides and the number of specimens with RASSF1A methylation was taken as 100%). Methylation of the RASSF1A promoter region was observed in 11–35% of the DNA specimens from the histologically normal tissue adjacent to the tumor but not in the peripheral blood DNA of 15 healthy subjects. The RASSF1A methylation frequency showed no significant correlation with the stage, grade, and metastatic potential of the tumor. On the other hand, epigenetic modification of RASSF1A was considerably more frequent than hemizygous or homozygous deletions from the RASSF1A region. These results testify that methylation of the RASSF1A promoter region takes place early in carcinogenesis and is a major mechanism inactivating RASSF1A in epithelial tumors.

[Methylation of the promoter region of the RASSF1A gene, a candidate tumor suppressor, in primary epithelial tumors].

Abstract: Methylation of the promoter CpG-islands of the candidate tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A (3p21.31) was studied in primary tumors of kidney, breast and ovary (172 cases). Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and methyl-sensitive restriction endonuclease digestion followed by PCR (MSRA) were applied. Statistically significant correlation (P << 10(-6)) was shown for the results of the MSP and MSRA, and the data of bisulfite sequencing reported earlier. The frequency of RASSF1A methylation according to MSP and MSRA was 86% (25/29) and 94% (50/53) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 64% (18/28) and 78% (32/41)--in breast carcinoma (BC) samples, and 59% (17/29) and 73% (33/45) in ovarian epithelial tumors (OET), respectively. The use of several methyl-sensitive restriction enzymes (HpaII, HhaI, Bsh12361, AciI) enhanced the sensitivity of MSRA and allowed to analyze methylation status of 18 CpG-pairs in the RASSF1A CpG-island. Density of methylation of the RASSF1A CpG-island was 72% (644/900) in RCC, 63% (361/576) in BC, and 58% (346/594) in OET samples (18 CpG-pairs multiplied to the number of samples shown methylation were assumed as 100%). The RASSF1A gene methylation was also observed in samples of morphologically normal tissues adjacent to corresponding tumors (11-35%), but it was not detected in blood DNAs of healthy donors (0/15). The RASSF1A methylation frequency did not show significant correlation to tumor stage, grade and metastases (P = 0.3-1.0). The RASSF1A gene methylation was observed more frequently than other investigated aberrations--hemi- and homozygous deletions inside or around this gene. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the RASSF1A gene methylation is an early event in the carcinogenesis and one of the dominant ways of its inactivation.

Bacterial and Archaeal S-Layers as a Subject of Nanobiotechnology

Abstract: Many bacteria and archaea have a crystalline surface layer (S-layer), which overlies the cell envelope S-layers each consist of one protein or glycoprotein species Protein subunits of the S-layer noncovalently interact with each other and with the underlying cell-envelope component On average, the S-layer lattice has pores of 2–6 nm and is 5–10 nm high Isolated S-layer proteins recrystallize to form two-dimensional crystalline structures in solution, on a solid support, and on planar lipid membranes Owing to this unique property, S-layers have a broad range of applications This review focuses on the structural features and applications of S-layers and their proteins, with special emphasis on their use in nanobiotechnology

Bioinformatics of genome regulation and structure

Abstract: 1. Computational Genomics.- Nucleosomal DNA Organization: An Integrated Information System.- Using Change in Local DNA Sequence Complexity as a Pointer to the Mechanism of Mutagenesis in Inherited Disease.- Properties of Insertion Regions of Drosophila LTR Retrotransposons.- Compositional Asymmetries and Predicted Origins of Replication of the SaccharomycesCerevisiae Genome.- Revealing and Functional Analysis of tRNA-Like Sequences in Various Genomes.- Type-Specific Features of the Structure of the tRNA Gene Promoters.- Mathematical Tools for Regulatory Signals Extraction.- Argo_Viewer: A Package for Recognition and Analysis of Regulatory Elements in Eukaryotic Genes.- Transcription Regulatory Regions Database (TRRD): Description of Transcription Regulation and the Main Capabilities of the Database.- Sitecon-A Tool for Analysis of DNA Physicochemical and Conformational Properties: E2F/DP Transcription Factor Binding Site Analysis and Recognition.- Local Secondary Structure May Be a Critical Characteristic Influencing Translation of Unicellular Organisms mRNA.- Computer Analysis of miRNA-mRNA Duplexes and Its Application to Predicting Possible Target mRNAS of Arabidopsis.- Correlations between Sequence Features of Yeast Genes Functional Regions and the Level of Expression.- 2. Computational Structural Biology.- Latent Periodicity of Many Domains in Protein Sequences Reflects Their Structure, Function, and Evolution.- Logical Analysis of Data as a Predictor of Protein Secondary Structures.- Structure-Specificity Relationship in Protein-DNA Recognition.- Macromolecular Modeling as a Tool for Expanding Bioinformatics Databases.- Graphic Representation of Equilibrium and Kinetics in Oligopeptides: Time-Dependent Free Energy Disconnectivity Graphs.- Solvent Electrostatic Screening in Protein Simulations.- Pdbsitescan: A Program Searching for Functional Sites in Protein 3D Structures.- A Genetic Algorithm for the Inverse Folding of RNA.- Signal Transduction Pathways Initiated via Cell Surface Receptor CD150: In Silico and in Vitro Analysis.- 3. Computational Evolutionary Biology.- Study of the Specific Contextual Features of Translation Initiation and Termination Sites in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae.- Contribution of Coordinated Substitutions to the Constancy of Physicochemical Properties of ATP-Binding Loop in Protein Kinases.- Sporadic Emergence of Latent Phenotype during Evolution.- Similarity Analysis of Inversion Banding Sequences in Chromosomes of Chironomus Species (Breakpoint Phylogeny).- 4. System Computational Biology.- Integrative Analysis of Gene Networks Using Dynamic Process Pattern Modelling.- Development and Analysis of Models of Genetic and Metabolic Networks and Signal Transduction Pathways in the Genenet System.- Extension of Cell Cycle Gene Network Description Based on Prediction of Potential Binding Sites for E2F Transcription Factor.- Mathematical Simulation of Dynamics of Macrophage Gene Network Activated by Lipopolysaccharides and/or Interferon-g.- Computer Dynamic Modeling of the Gene Network Controlling Intracellular Cholesterol Homeostasis.- An Investigation of the Structural Stability of Drosophila Control Gene Subnetwork in Computer Experiments.- Modeling Plant Development with Gene Regulation Networks Including Signaling and Cell Division.- The Global Operation Modes of Gene Networks Determined by the Structure of Negative Feedbacks.- Statistical Analysis of Microarray Data: Identification and Classification of Yeast Cell Cycle Genes.- References.

Polymorphism of the serotonin 2A receptor gene (5HTR2A) and personality traits

Abstract: The individual variation of temperament features (such as anxiety, neuroticism, harm avoidance) is determined, among other things, by allele polymorphism of genes involved in serotonin metabolism and has earlier been associated with the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene. Polymorphic alleles of the serotonin 2A receptor gene (5HTR2A) were tested for association with personality traits assessed in several tests. The T102C and A1438G polymorphisms were associated with variation in emotionality, activity, and sociability, which are integral characteristics of temperament. With each polymorphism, differences were significant only between heterozygotes and homozygotes. Carriers of T102C genotype A1/A2 displayed a lower level of anxiety-related traits, a higher score on the Hypomania scale, and a lower score on the Social Introversion scale and were assumed to have higher activity and sociability. Carriers of A1438G genotype A/G differed from homozygotes G/G in having a lower level of social introversion and a lower score on the No Close Friends scale, which testified to higher sociability of heterozygotes. Thus, the polymorphic alleles of 5HTR2A proved to be associated with personality traits in mentally healthy people.

Polymorphisms of CYP1B1 and COMT in breast and endometrial cancer

Abstract: CYP1B1 and COMT code for the key enzymes of catecholestrogen biosynthesis and metabolism, and their polymorphisms determine the variation of enzyme activities. RFLP analysis was used to study the allele and genotype frequency distributions of CYP1B1 polymorphisms Arg48Gly, Ala119Ser, and Val432Leu, and COMT polymorphism Val158Met among 210 breast cancer patients, 138 endometrial cancer patients, and 152 healthy women. The COMT polymorphism showed no significant association with breast or endometrial cancer. For the first time, such association was observed for the CYP1B1 polymorphisms. CYP1B1 allele C (Arg48), which codes for the enzyme more active in estradiol 4-hydroxylation, was associated with higher risk of breast (OR = 3.22, CI 2.34–4.43, P = 0.000) and endometrial (OR = 2.43, CI 1.72–3.44, P = 0.000) cancer. Similar data were obtained for CYP1B1 allele G (Ala119): OR = 2.18, CI 1.58–3.01, P = 0.000 in breast cancer and OR = 2.52, CI 1.78–3.56, P = 0.000 in endometrial cancer. Risk of endometrial but not breast cancer was significantly higher in carriers of CYP1B1 genotype Val432/Val. This was explained by stronger estrogen dependence and, consequently, higher estrogen responsiveness of the endometrium as compared with the mammary gland.

The Role of Weak Specific and Nonspecific Interactions in Enzymatic Recognition and Conversion of Long DNAs

Abstract: According to the currently accepted model, enzymes searching for specific recognition sequences or structural elements (modified nucleotides, breaks, single-stranded DNA fragments, etc.) slide at a high rate along DNA. Such sliding is possible only if the enzymes possess sufficiently high affinity for all DNA, sequence notwithstanding. Therefore, significant differences in their affinity for specific and nonspecific DNA sequences are unlikely, and the formation of a complex between an enzyme and its target DNA is not a basic factor of enzyme specificity. To elucidate such factors, we have analyzed many DNA replication, DNA repair, topoisomerization, integration, and recombination enzymes using a number of physicochemical methods, including the method of stepwise increase in ligand complexity developed in our laboratory. It has been shown that high affinity of all studied enzymes for long DNAs is provided by the formation of many weak contacts of the enzyme with all nucleotide units covered by the protein globule. The main role lies in the contact between positively charged amino acid residues and internucleoside phosphate groups; however, the contribution of each contact is very small, and the full contact interface usually resembles that characteristic of interactions between oppositely charged biopolymer surfaces. In some cases, a significant contribution to the affinity is made through hydrophobic and/or van der Waals interactions of the enzymes with nucleotide bases. On the whole, such nonspecific interactions provide for five to eight orders of enzyme affinity for DNA, depending on the enzyme. Specific interactions of enzymes with long DNAs, in contrast to their contacts with small ligands, are usually weak and comparable in efficiency with weak nonspecific contacts. The sum of specific interactions most often provides for approximately one or, rarely, two orders of affinity. According to structural data, DNA binding to any of the investigated enzymes is followed by a stage of DNA conformation adjustment, which includes partial or complete DNA melting, deformation of its backbone, stretching, compression, bending or kinking, eversion of nucleotides from the DNA helix, etc. The full set of such changes is specific for each individual enzyme. The fact that all enzyme-dependent changes in DNA are effected through weak specific (rather than strong) interactions is very important. Enzyme-specific changes in DNA conformation are required for effective adjustment of reacting orbitals to an accuracy of 10°–15°, which is possible only in the case of specific DNAs. A transition from nonspecific to specific DNA leads to an increase in the reaction rate (k cat) by four to eight orders of magnitude. Thus, the stages of DNA conformation adjustment and catalysis proper provide for the high specificity of enzyme action.

Association of Polymorphic Markers of the Antioxidant Enzyme Genes with Diabetic Polyneuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract: The allele and genotype frequency distributions of polymorphic markers of genes coding for antioxidant enzymes were compared for type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with or without diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). The groups (total 180 patients) had nonoverlapping (polar) phenotypes. Group DPN+ included 86 patients with DPN and diabetic record no more than 5 years. Control group DPN– included patients without DPN and diabetic record of at least 10 years. Comparative analysis with Fisher's exact test revealed a significant difference in allele and genotype frequency distributions of the Т(–262)С polymorphic marker of the CAT gene. Polymorphic markers C1167T of the CAT gene, Pro/Leu of the GPX1 gene, 0/+ of the GSTT1 gene, and 0/+ of the GSTM1 gene showed no significant difference in allele or genotype frequency distribution. On this evidence, these markers were not associated with DPN in the sample examined.

[Methylation of the putative tumor suppressor gene, RASSF1A, in primary cervical tumors].

Abstract: Methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease analysis (MSRA) followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used to estimate the methylation level of 13 CpG dinucleotides in the promoter region of the putative suppressor gene RASSF1A (3p21.31) in squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix (SCCs) carrying human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, and related types. Methylation of 3 to 13 CpG pairs has been found in 64% (25 out of 39) tumor DNA samples, 22% (2 out of 9) DNA samples from morphologically normal tissues adjacent to the tumor (P = 0.0306), and two out of three DNA samples from peripheral blood leukocytes of carcinoma patients. These CpG pairs are not methylated in the DNA of leukocytes of healthy donors (0 out of 10). The methylation level of the RASSF1A promoter region studied in tumors of the patients with regional lymph node metastases is significantly higher than in tumors of the patient that have no metastases (P = 8.5 × 10–12). The methylation frequency of gene RASSF1A is two times higher than the frequency of hemi- and homozygous deletions in the chromosome 3 region where the gene is located. The data obtained indicate that methylation is one of the main mechanisms of the RASSF1A gene inactivation in HPV-positive human cervical tumors. The methylation of this gene may be an early event in the genesis of cervical tumors, the methylation level increasing with tumor progression.

[Search for the association of polymorphic markers for genes coding for antioxidant defense enzymes, with development of diabetic polyneuropathies in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus].

Abstract: The allele and genotype frequency distributions of polymorphic markers of genes coding for antioxidant enzymes were compared for type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with or without diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). The groups (total 180 patients) had nonoverlapping (polar) phenotypes. Group DPN+ included 86 patients with DPN and diabetic record no more than 5 years. Control group DPN- included patients without DPN and diabetic record of at least 10 years. Comparative analysis with Fisher's exact test revealed a significant difference in allele and genotype frequency distributions of the T(-262)C polymorphic marker of the CAT gene. Polymorphic markers C1167T of the CAT gene, Pro/Leu of the GPX1 gene, 0/+ of the GSTT1 gene, and 0/+ of the GSTM1 gene showed no significant difference in allele or genotype frequency distribution. On this evidence, these markers were not associated with DPN in the sample examined.

Phylogeographic Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA in the Nogays: A Strong Mixture of Maternal Lineages from Eastern and Western Eurasia

Abstract: Analysis of mtDNA markers in a population of the Nogays (n = 206), the people inhabiting the North Caucasus and speaking a Turkic language of the Altaic linguistic family, has revealed a high level of genetic diversity (H = 0.99). The identified haplotypes include all major West Eurasian haplogroups, with the prevalence of H and U clusters (22 and 21%, respectively), but the percentage of lineages specific for East Eurasian populations is the highest (40%). Some other mtDNA variants in the Nogay population belong to the M1 haplogroups typical of northeastern Africa and U2 characteristic of Indian populations. Thus, components of different origin have contributed to the gene pool of Nogays.

Molecular morphology of eukaryotic class I translation termination factor eRF1 in solution

Abstract: The integral structural parameters and the shape of the molecule of human translation termination factor eRF1 were determined from the small-angle X-ray scattering in solution. The molecular shapes were found by bead modeling with nonlinear minimization of the root-mean-square deviation of the calculated from the experimental scattering curve. Comparisons of the small-angle scattering curves computed for atomic-resolution structures of eRF1 with the experimental data on scattering from solution testified that the crystal and the solution conformations are close. In the ribosome, the distance between the eRF1 motifs GGQ and NIKS must be shorter than in crystal or solution (75 versus 107-112 A). Therefore, like its bacterial counterpart RF2, the eukaryotic eRF1 must change its conformation as it binds to the ribosome. The conformational mobility of eukaryotic and prokaryotic class-1 release factors is another feature making them functionally akin to tRNA.

Genomics of type I diabetes mellitus and its late complications

Abstract: In ethnic Russians, MHC (HLA) was shown to be the major locus determining the predisposition to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). To map the regions linked to T1DM, families with concordant or discordant sib pairs were selected from the Russian population of Moscow. With these families, linkage to T1DM was demonstrated for CTLA4 (IDDM12, 2q32.1-q33), which codes for a T-cell surface antigen, and PDCD2 (IDDM8, 6q25-q27), which is homologous to the mouse programmed cell death activator gene. With polymorphic microsatellites, regions 3q21-q25 (IDDM9) and 10p12.2 (IDDM10) were also linked to T1DM. Case/control and family studies of the polymorphic markers from region 11p13 revealed a new T1DM-associated locus in the vicinity of the catalase gene (CAT); linkage to this locus was not reported earlier for other populations. Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) proved to be associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms Ala(-9)Val (SOD2), Arg213Gly (SOD3), and T(-262)C (CAT) and with a polymorphic microsatellite of the NOS2 promoter. Hence oxidative stress, which results from hyperglycemia, increased mitochondrial production of superoxide radicals, and insufficient activities of antioxidative enzymes, was assumed to play an important part in DPN development in T1DM. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) showed no association with the antioxidative enzyme genes. However, the association was observed for the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of ACE and the ecNOS34a/4b polymorphism of NOS3, two genes involved in controlling vascular tonicity, and for the I/D polymorphism of APOB and the epsilon 2/epsilon 3/epsilon 4 polymorphism of APOE, two genes involved in lipid transport. In addition, polymorphic microsatellites of chromosome 3q21-q25 proved to be closely associated with DN. The tightest association was established for D3S1550, carriers of allele 12 or genotype 12/14 having high risk of DN (OR = 4.85 and 6.25, respectively). Region 3q21-q25 was assumed to contain a major gene determining DN development, while the other DN-associated genes mostly affect the progression of DN.

Studies of α- and βL-Crystallin Complex Formation in Solution at 60°C

Abstract: Studies of molecular mechanisms of chaperone-like activity of α-crystallin became an active field of research over last years However, fine interactions between α-crystallin and the damaged protein and their complex organization remain largely uncovered Complexation between α- and βL-crystallins was studied during thermal denaturation of βL-crystallin at 60°C using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), light scattering, gel-permeation chromatography, and electrophoresis A mixed solution of α- and βL-crystallins at concentrations about 10 mg/ml incubated at 60°C was found to contain their soluble complexes with a mean radius of gyration ∼14 nm, mean molecular mass ∼4 MDa and maximal size over 40 nm In pure βL-crystallin solution, no complexes were observed at 60°C In SAXS studies, transitions in the α-crystallin quaternary structure at 60°C were shown to occur and result in doubling of the molecular weight This suggests that during the temperature-induced denaturation of βL-crystallin it binds with modified α-crystallin or, alternatively, βL-crystallin complexation and α-crystallin modifications are concurrent Estimates of the α-βL-crystallin complex size and relative contents of α- and α-βL-crystallins in the complex suggest that several α-crystallin molecules are involved in complex formation

[Survival strategy of photosynthetic organisms. 1. Variability of the extent of light-harvesting pigment aggregation as a structural factor optimizing the function of oligomeric photosynthetic antenna. Model calculations].

Abstract: In accordance with our concept of rigorous optimization of photosynthetic machinery by a functional criterion, this series of papers continues purposeful search in natural photosynthetic units (PSU) for the basic principles of their organization that we predicted theoretically for optimal model light-harvesting systems. This approach allowed us to determine the basic principles for the organization of a PSU of any fixed size. This series of papers deals with the problem of structure optimization for light-harvesting antennae of variable size controlled in vivo by the light intensity during the growth of organisms, which accentuates the problem of antenna structure optimization because optimization requirements become more stringent as the PSU increases in size. In this work, using mathematical modeling for the functioning of natural PSUs, we have shown that the aggregation of pigments of model light-harvesting antenna, being one of universal optimizing factors, furthermore allows controlling the antenna efficiency if the extent of pigment aggregation is a variable parameter. In this case, the efficiency of antenna increases with the size of the elementary antenna aggregate, thus ensuring the high efficiency of the PSU irrespective of its size; i.e., variation in the extent of pigment aggregation controlled by the size of light-harvesting antenna is biologically expedient.

Gel-Based Microchips: History and Prospects

Abstract: The review describes the history of formation and development of the microchip technology and its role in the human genome project in Russia. The main accent was done on the three-dimensional gel-based microchips developed at the Center of Biological Microchips headed by A.D. Mirzabekov since 1988. The gel-based chips of the last generation, IMAGE chips (Immobilized Micro Array of Gel Elements), have a number of advantages over the previous models. The microchips are manufactured by photoinitiated copolymerization of gel components and immobilized molecules (DNA, proteins, and ligands). This ensures an even distribution of the immobilized probe throughout the microchip gel element with a high yield (about 50% for oligonucleotides). The use of methacrylamide as a main component of the polymerization mixture resulted in a substantial increase of gel porosity without affecting its mechanical properties and stability; this allowed one to work with the DNA fragments of up to 500 nt in length, as well as with quite large protein molecules. At present, the gel-based microchips are widely applied to solve different problems. The generic microchips containing a complete set of possible hexanucleotides are used to reveal the DNA motifs binding with different proteins and to study the DNA–protein interactions. The oligonucleotide microchips are a cheap and reliable diagnostic tool designed for mass application. Biochips have been developed for identification of the tuberculosis pathogen and its antibiotic-resistant forms; of orthopoxviruses, including the smallpox virus; of the anthrax pathogen; and chromosomal rearrangements in leukemia patients. The protein microchips can be adapted for further use in proteo-mics. Bacterial and yeast cells were also immobilized in the gel, maintaining their viability, which opens a wide potential for creating biosensors on the basis of microchips.

Use of 4-Thiouridine and 4-Thiothymidine in Studies on Pyrimidine Nucleoside Phosphorylases

Abstract: The new substrates 4-thiouridine and 4-thiothymidine were proposed for spectrophotometric measurement of the activity of uridine (UP) and thymidine (TP) phosphorylases. At pH 7.5, 4-thiouridine has an absorbance maximum at 330 nm, and the difference in extinction coefficient (Δe) between 4-thiouridine and 4-thiouracil is 3000 М–1cm–1. 4-Thiouridine proved to be a good substrate for UP: the Michaelis (КМ) and catalytic (kcat) constants were estimated respectively at 130 μM and 49 s–1 at 25°C. Even a greater Δe (5000 M–1cm–1 at 336 nm) was observed for the 4-thiothymidine/4-thiothymine pair.

[The effect of Ca2+ ions on DNA compaction in the complex with non-histone chromosomal protein HMGB1].

Abstract: The analysis of absorption and circular dichroism spectra in UV and IR regions showed that Ca2+ ions interact both with the phosphate groups of DNA and with the HMGB1 protein. Not only negatively charged C-terminal part of the protein molecule participates in interaction with metal ions but also its DNA-binding domains. The latter fact leads to the change of the mode of protein-DNA interaction. The presence of Ca2+ ions prevents formation of ordered supramolecular structures, specific for the HMGB1-DNA complexes, though promotes intermolecular aggregation. The structure of the complexes between DNA and the protein HMGB1 lacking C-terminal tail appears to be the most sensitive to the presence of Ca2+ ions. The data obtained allow to conclude that Ca2+ ions do not play a structural role in the HMGB1/DNA complexes and the presence of these ions is not necessary to DNA compaction in such systems.

[Fine structure, expression and polymorphism of the human growth hormone receptor gene].

Abstract: The human growth hormone receptor gene (GHR) is an example of complex transcription units. The gene has a very long 5'-regulatory region and contains multiple alternative 5'-untranslated exons that are spliced to the protein-coding exons. Its transcription is driven by several promoters that reside far upstream of the coding region. The complete nucleotide sequence of the human GHR gene is known. This paper summarizes the data on the human GHR gene structure analysis and mapping of alternative 5'-untranslated exons. The data of the promoter activity assay in the reporter gene transient expression system, as well as the results of studying the potential regulatory role of the short upstream open reading frame located in one of the 5'-untranslated exons are presented. The search for repeated elements in the human GHR gene was done, and several polymorphic markers that can be used in studies of GHR association with various diseases were characterized.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1: A Regulator of Protein–Nucleic Acid Interactions in Processes Responding to Genotoxic Impact

Abstract: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a nuclear protein of higher eukaryotes, specifically detects strand breaks in DNA. The enzyme is activated in the presence of such breaks and synthesizes poly(ADP-ribose) covalently bound to certain proteins, with PARP-1 itself being the main acceptor. This protein is involved in the majority of DNA-dependent processes, including replication, recombination, repair, and cell death (apoptosis and necrosis). Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins is regarded as a mechanism which induces a signal of DNA damage and modulates the function of proteins in response to genotoxic actions. Attention in this review is focused on the role of PARP-1 and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in base excision repair (BER), the main process of DNA break repair. The main putative functions of PARP-1 in this process are also considered, namely, its functions as a factor initiating the BER protein complex, a temporary protector of DNA ends, a factor modulating chromatin structure through poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of histones, and a signal in the mechanism recognizing the degree of DNA damage in the cell.

Type IIE and IIF restriction endonucleases interacting with two recognition sites in DNA

Abstract: Recently, it was revealed that restriction endonucleases widely used in genetic engineering and molecular biology are diverse not only in DNA sequence specificities but also in mechanisms of their interaction with DNA. In the review type IIE and IIF restriction endonucleases which require the simultaneous interaction with two copies of their recognition sequence for effective hydrolysis of DNA are considered. Crystal structures of these enzymes and their complexes with DNA as well as stepwise interaction with DNA, mechanisms of catalysis and enzyme-mediated DNA looping are discussed. A novel type of DNA-protein recognition was found for type IIE endonucleases when two copies of the same DNA sequence specifically interact with two different amino acid sequences and two structural motifs located in one polypeptide chain.

From identification of genomic polymorphism to diagnostic and prognostic markers of human epithelial tumors

Abstract: The review considers the results obtained by several groups in the fields of identification of polymorphic loci in the human genome, localization and analysis of genes associated with epithelial tumors of various origins, and generation of molecular markers of socially important oncological diseases. In the first two cases, work was initiated and supported by the Russian program Human Genome. To find new polymorphic loci in the human genome, di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide repeats were searched for in an ordered cosmid library of chromosome 13, NotI and cosmid clones of chromosome 3, and in brain EST. In total, nine polymorphisms and almost 200 STS were identified. Markers of NotI clones of chromosome 3 were associated with particular genes. Polymorphic loci NL1-024, NL2-007, and EST04896 were employed in analysis of deletions from chromosome 3p in tumor DNA. Deletion mapping of 3p in epithelial tumors of five types revealed six critical regions containing potential tumor suppressor genes. Of these, two were in the distal region of chromosome 3p and four, in region 3p21.3. A significant correlation was observed for the frequency of allelic deletions and the stage and the grade of tumors (P < 0.05). On the strength of these findings, genes of region 3p were associated with both tumor development and progression, and proposed as prognostic markers. Regions LUCA and AP20 (3p21.3) showed a high (90%) frequency of aberrations, including homozygous deletions in almost 20% cases. The peak of allelic deletions from region D3S2409–D3S3667 (600 kb) was statistically valid (P = 10–3). Regions AP20 and D3S2409–D3S3667 (3p21.3) were for the first time associated with tumorigenesis. Clusters of tumor suppressor genes were identified in regions LUCA, AP20, and D3S2409–D3S3667. Methylation of RASSF1A and RAR-beta2 (3p) was associated with early carcinogenesis, and that of SEMA3B, with tumor progression. These findings are useful for early diagnostics and post-surgery prognosis of tumors.

The Effect of Ca2+ Ions on DNA Compaction in the Complex with HMGB1 Nonhistone Chromosomal Protein

Abstract: The analysis of absorption and circular dichroism spectra in UV and IR regions showed that Ca2+ ions interact with the phosphate groups of DNA and the HMGB1 protein. Not only the negatively charged C-terminal part of the protein molecule, but also its DNA-binding domains participate in the interaction with metal ions. The latter leads to a change in the mode of protein–DNA interaction. The presence of Ca2+ ions prevents the formation of ordered supramolecular structures specific for the HMGB1–DNA complexes but promotes intermolecular aggregation. The structure of DNA complexes with the HMGB1 protein lacking the C-terminal tail appeared to be the most sensitive to the presence of Ca2+ ions. These data indicate that Ca2+ ions play no structural role in the HMGB1–DNA complexes, and their presence is not necessary for DNA compaction in such systems.

[Abnormal methylation of p16/CDKN2A AND p14/ARF genes GpG Islands in non-small cell lung cancer and in acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Abstract: Multiplex methylation-sensitive PCR and methylation-specific PCR were employed in studying the methylation of CpG islands in the p16/CDKN2A and p14/ARF promoter and the first exon regions in non-small cell lung cancer (54 samples) and acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (61 samples). Differences in methylation were detected between types of neoplasia as well as between CpG islands studied within the same types of tumors. High level of the p16/CDKN2A first exon CpC island methylation was revealed in non-small cell lung cancer (68%) and in acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (55%) and the CpG island of p14/ARF first exon was nonmethylated in these types of tumors. The methylation of CpG-rich fragments of genes p16/CDKN2A and p14/ARF promoters was analysed. As was found out, CpG islands located in 5' areas of one and the same gene can differ in methylation frequencies. The comparison of sensitivity between methylation-specific PCR and methylation-sensitive PCR used in the methylations studies was carried out.

[oct-genes and oct-proteins].

Abstract: The review considers the functions and properties of Oct proteins, which belong to the POU family of transcription factors, and the roles of the POU and other domains in DNA recognition and interaction with other proteins of the transcription initiation complex. The structure and expression regulation of the oct genes are described with special emphasis on alternative transcription initiation from different promoters and alternative splicing, which result in several protein subforms.

Stem Cells: Properties and Prospective Medical Applications

Abstract: The properties of some stem cells (SCs) that are most interesting in terms of their implications for medicine (embryonic, hematopoietic, and mesenchymal SCs) are considered. SCs are undifferentiated cells capable of both self-maintenance and differentiation into specialized cells. According to their origin, SCs are divided into embryonic and somatic ones. The former can be maintained in vitro for an infinitely long time and can differentiate into all cells of adult organisms. The latter have a limited capacity for differentiation and, probably, a limited proliferative potential. The plasticity of somatic SCs, i.e., their capacity for context-dependent differentiation into “unrelated” cell types, is of considerable therapeutic importance, although some researchers doubt this capacity. It is assumed that most types of SCs differentiate by the stepwise hierarchical maturation mechanism, one of the steps being rapidly proliferating progenitor cells. The use of SCs in medicine is currently at the stage of preclinical trials. Although embryonic SCs are promising for medicine, there are serious limitations of their use in therapy in the near future. However, the first clinical trials have demonstrated that the approaches involving autotransplantation of hematopoietic and mesenchymal SCs are effective for treating ischemia of extremities and the consequences of myocardial infarction. Obviously, the use of SCs in medicine promises dramatic progress in treating many severe diseases.

The Conformational State of Apomyoglobin in the Presence of Phospholipid Vesicles at Neutral pH

Abstract: The conformational state of sperm whale apomyoglobin (apoMb) was studied at neutral pH in the presence of negatively charged vesicles using near and far UV circular dichroism, tryptophan fluorescence, differential scanning microcalorimetry, and fast performance liquid chromatography. Under these conditions, the apoMb structure undergoes transition from its native to an intermediate state. In this state the protein loses its rigid native structure but retains its secondary structure. However, the environment of tryptophan residues remains rather hydrophobic. This intermediate state of apoMb shows properties similar to those of its molten globule state in solution. It is shown that apoMb can bind to negatively charged phospholipid vesicles even at neutral pH. A possible functional role of this intermediate state is discussed.

Diagnostics of Epigenetic Alterations in Hereditary and Oncological Disorders

Abstract: The review considers the epigenetic defects and their diagnostics in several hereditary disorders and tumors. Aberrant methylation of the promoter or regulatory region of a gene results in its functional inactivation, which is phenotypically similar to structural deletion. Screening tests were developed for Prader–Willi, Angelman, Wiedemann–Beckwith, and Martin–Bell syndromes and mental retardation FRAXE. The tests are based on allele methylation analysis by methylation-specific or methylation-sensitive PCR. Carcinogenesis-associated genes (RB1, CDKN2A, ARF14, HIC1, CDH1, etc.) are often methylated in tumors. Tumors differ in methylation frequencies, allowing differential diagnostics. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes occurs in early carcinogenesis, and its detection may be employed in presymptomatic diagnostics of tumors.