The objective of this work was to perform a parallel analysis of activation of the rat anterior hypothalamus cells as judged by c-Fos protein expression, and of the expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) under different influences, i. e., mild stress (handling) and adaptation to it, and intranasal administration of saline and the peptides Vilon (Lys-Glu) and Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly). Changes in the counts of cells positive for c-Fos- and IL-2 proteins were studied in structures of the lateral (LHA) area, anterior (AHN), supraoptic (SO) and paraventricular (PVH) nuclei of Wistar rat hypothalamus. Quantity of the interleukin-2-positive and c-Fos-positive cells was calculated. The findings were: a negative correlation between the activation of cells and the amount of IL-2 in the cells in the hypothalamic structures under study, and the specific patterns of changes in the counts of cells positive for c-Fos and IL-2 under stress and adaptation to stress.

A new approach for the evaluation of oxidizability of proteins and lipids in the same sample of blood plasma was proposed. We tested a method for evaluation of metal-catalyzed oxidation of fibrinogen by the formation of bityrosine cross-links during oxidation detected by the increase in fluorescence at 415 nm. A correlation was revealed between parameters of oxidizability estimated by this marker and carbonyl derivatives (dinitrophenylhydrazine method). Oxidizability of total proteins from whole plasma was compared with oxidizability of plasma lipids (marker malonic dialdehyde). Study of these parameters in patients with coronary heart disease showed that the proposed experimental approach allows us to divide the sample into several subgroups differing in the resistance to oxidative stress. These data can be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

Stress stimuli are known to influence the intensity if immune response. To elucidate the role of central regulating structures in this changes, analysis of activation level of hypothalamic neurons (revealed by quantity of c-Fos-positive cells) was carried out in rats within 2 hours after intravenous LPS injection and after this--impact associated with electric pain stimulation (EPS). The investigation was carried out in 52 male Wistar rats, 200-250 g. The c-Fos protein expression was analyzed with immunohistochemical method. The increase of c-Fos-positive cells number in 2 hours after LPS injection was observed in AFTN, PVH, LHA, VMH, DMH and PH. After electrical pain stimulation, the quantity of c-Fos-positive cells increased in the same structures. Combined application of electric pain stimulation and LPS injection results in diminished activation level in AHN, PVH, LHA and VMH as compared with typical response to single LPS injection without EPS. The EPS suppresses intensity of the immune response induced by injection of LPS (revealed by local hemolysis method with calculation of antibody-forming cells quantity (%) in the rat spleen). Thus the activation level changes of hypothalamic structures (AHN, PVH, LHA, PH) correlate with development of stress-induced immunosuppression, i. e. morphofunctional description of hypothalamic structures activation as revealed by pattern of activated cell alterations in hypothalamic structures during realization of stress-induced changes of immune system responses to antigen injection.

We studied the effect of triphenyldioxane on phase I xenobiotic metabolism enzymes in the liver of rats and rabbits. Total cytochrome P450 content, protein concentration, and catalytic activity of CYP2B, CYP3A, and CYP2C isoforms were measured. Triphenyldioxane significantly increases specific activity of CYP2B and CYP2C in the liver of rats and rabbits, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis of microsomal enzymes in the liver of animals showed that the increase in specific activity of CYP is related to high content of apoenzymes. We showed for the first time that rats and rabbits are characterized by interspecies differences in the induction of cytochrome P450 isoforms under the influence of triphenyldioxane.

The effect of experimental burn trauma (20%) on myeloperoxidase (MPO) and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPO), glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) was studied in unburned skin, epidermis (20 mm from the burned area) and the wound tissue of rats. The most common features were the increase of MPO on the 1st day and a delayed increase of GPO and GST after the 4th day. The additional operations (necrectomy) and lipopolysaccharide administration induced marked inflammatory reaction in skin and epidermis (evaluated by the increase in MPO and GPO/GST activities).

An influence of epimutagen 5-azacitidine on a flower stalk morphogenesis in sugar beet was studied. After the epimutagene treatment the great number of the first- and the third-order branch formation was observed. A higher level of branching completely modified the flower stalk architectonics (generations A0Az0 and A1Az1). A number of the second-order branches in the control and the experimental plants were not distinguished. A new epiphenotype with higher level of branching (generation A0Az0) inherited in daughter generation A1Az1. A flower stalk architectonics was modified because the third-order branches developed in the bract axil instead of flower primordium. A great number of lateral shoot modified a metamer organization of the flower stalk. The metamers on the third-order branches were single-flowered.

This review is devoted to genomic instability in the offspring of parents that were irradiated or treated with chemical mutagens. The evidence is presented, showing high frequency of cancer diseases and instability of the genome of somatic and germline cells in the offspring of radiation-exposed animals. Possible epigenetic mechanisms of these effects are considered, as well as their significance as components of genetic factors of radiation risk for humans.

A new WRKY gene was cloned from Brassica chinensis by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA of BcWRKY was 1175 bp long and contained a 924 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative W-box-binding protein of 308 amino acids. The predicted BcWRKY protein was found to have a potential bipartite nuclear localization sequence (NLS-BP) in its N-terminal region followed by a WRKY DNA-binding domain. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that BcWRKY resembled other WRKY domain-containing proteins from Arabidopsis (AtWRKY18), tobacco (WIZZ), parsley (PcWRKY4) and wild oat (ABF2). Expression of the BcWRKY gene could be induced by salicylic acid (SA), and influenced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 infection and wounding treatment. Our study implies that BcWRKY might have similar functions possessed by other WRKY genes such as inducing the expression of some defense-related genes and increasing plant's disease resistance ability.

The effect of oxidoreductase inducers guaiacol and syringaldazine on the ability of Coriolus hirsutus, Coriolopsis fulvocinerea, Cerrena maxima, and cocultivated Coriolus hirsutus/Cerrena maxima to degrade atrazine in submerged cultures was studied. All the basidiomycetes reduced atrazine concentration with and without syringaldazine or guaiacol. The degree of atrazine degradation was higher in induced cultures (77-98% vs. 68-94% without induction). Of the four cultures, the highest detoxifying potential was observed in Coriolopsis fulvocinerea with and without an inducer (98% with guaiacol), and the lowest was in Cerrena maxima. Inducers decreased the residual atrazine concentration differently in the different cultures. A long-term increase of laccase production was observed in both induced and uninduced cultures, whereas the activity of Mn-peroxidase decreased. The results indicate that laccase plays a larger role in atrazine biodegradation than Mn-peroxidase.

This study is dedicated to the effect of the epimutagen 5-azacytidine on the structure of floral-stalk metameres in sugar beet Beta vulgaris L. Simple phytomeres consist of separate flowers (unianthous plants; UA phenotype), while complex metameres occur in synanthous plants (SA phenotype). Treatment of the synanthous line mcSOAN-5 dramatically reduced the number of flowers on phytomeres as early as in generation zero (A0Az0). For the first time, plants with simple phytomeres were found in this line. The proportion of plants with the SA phenotype in generation A0Az0 was 7.7%. In generation A1Az1, the tendency for reduction of the number of flowers on phytomeres persisted. The proportion of plants with simple phytomeres reached 77%; i.e., the frequency of SA phenotypes in the progeny (A1Az1) increased tenfold in comparison with the parents A0Az0. The high frequency of morphogenetic changes in the floral stalk structure under the influence of the epimutagen suggests that the variability of the UA--SA character in beet populations is of epigenetic rather than mutational nature.

An inhibitor analysis was used for studying the tetrapyrrole role in the regulation of the expression of the nuclear gene encoding a low-molecular-weight protein, a stress plastid light-inducible protein ELIP. 2,2'-Dipyridyl and norflurazon were used as inhibitors. Experiments with dipyridyl demonstrated that tetrapyrroles were involved in the regulation of Elip gene expression, inhibiting it by approximately 50%. Similar results were obtained when there was photodestruction of the chloroplasts, caused by a plant treatment with norflurazon. The results confirm the involvement of the chloroplasts in the regulation of the nuclear gene expression coding for plastid proteins. Tetrapyrroles are important contributors to this process.

The influence of chronic (14 days) administration of 5-HTIA receptors agonist--8-OH-DPAT (0.05 mg/kg, s.c.) and 5-HT(1A) receptors antagonist NAN-190 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) alone or in a combination with 17beta-estradiol (0.5 mg on each animal, i.m.) for on depressive behavior and expression of 5-HT(1A)-, 5-HT(2A)-, 17beta- estradiol receptors mRNAs was estimated in hippocampus in adult ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. The model of depression in rats was carried out in Porsolt test. The measurement of expression of 5-HT(1A)-, 5-HT(2A)-, 17beta-estradiol receptors mRNAs in the hippocampus was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. In Porsolt test 17beta-estradiol in OVX rats reduced time immobility to some extent. 8-OH-DPAT alone significantly decreased time immobility in OVX rats. Chronic 8-OH-DPAT administration in a combination with 17beta-estradiol in OVX females resulted in potentiated antidepressive effect. Simultaneously, 8-OH-DPAT induced significant increase of 5-HT(1A)-, 5-HT(2A)-receptors mRNAs expression and decrease of 17beta-estradiol receptor mRNA expression in hippocampus in OVX rats as compared to the control. The data obtained indicate a close interaction of the ovary hormonal and serotonergic systems of the brain in mechanisms of depression.

Mechanisms of myelotoxic action of Doxorubicin associated with changes in NAD(+)-glycohydrolase/CD38 expression and activity have been assessed. During the acute and subacute exposure of bone marrow cells to Doxorubicin in vivo, expression of CD38 is decreased corresponding to elevation of intracellular and extracellular NAD+ concentrations. These changes are associated with increased susceptibility of hemopoietic cells to the apoptogenic action of Doxorubicin. Possible role of NAD(+)-glycohydrolase/CD38 in the regulation of sensitivity of the cells to the cytotoxic effects of the xenobiotic is discussed.

Bacteria are capable to sense an increase of cell density population and to reply quickly and coordinately by the induction of special sets of genes. This type of the regulation was named Quorum Sensing (QS); it is based on the effect of low-molecular-weight signaling molecules of different nature (autoinducers) which accumulate in the culture at high density of bacterial population and interact with receptor regulatory proteins. QS systems are the global regulators of bacterial genes expression and play a key role in the control of many metabolic processes in cell including the regulation of virulence of bacteria. Here we review the molecular mechanisms of QS systems functioning in bacteria belonging to different taxonomic groups and discuss the potential of QS regulation as a new drug target for the treatment of bacterial infections. At present this approach is accounted as a new alternative strategy of antimicrobial therapy directed on the development of drugs inhibiting QS regulation and active just against pathogenicity of bacteria (antipathogenic drugs). Such a strategy allows to avoid a wide dissemination of resistant forms of pathogenic bacteria and the formation of biofilms increasing in many times the resistance of bacteria to drug preparations.

We studied the effects of cytokine LIF on in vitro development of 2-cell mouse embryos to the late blastocyst stage. LIF at 10 ng/ml enhanced the blastocyst formation and hatching from zona pellucida. When blastocysts were cultivated in a medium with LIF for a longer time, the trophoblast adhesive properties and proliferative activity were enhanced. In the presence of this cytokine, the trophoblast cells were attached to the substrate surface and fulfill the function of a sublayer for growth of the inner cell mass colonies with a high activity of endogenous alkaline phosphatase. Expression of LIF was detected in the oviduct and uterus epithelial tissues from day 1 until day 4 of pregnancy, thus suggesting its involvement in early development. According to the data of cultivation, cytokine LIF enhanced the adhesive properties and functional activity of the trophoblast cells, which is essential for implantation of blastocysts in the uterus.

A method of monitoring the sequential events of IS481 transposition into the ctag site of bvg operon of Bordetella pertussis has been developed. Reproduction of virulent B. pertussis cells in vitro is accompanied by intrachromosomal site-specific IS481 transposition, which, in turn, results in inactivation of bvg operon of the causative agent and cell avirulent state. Avirulent bvg mutants of B. pertussis are incapable of intramolecular IS481 transposition. The frequency of the transposition increases when MgSO4 and nicotinic acid are present the culture medium. In the absence of these modulating factors. IS481 transposition along B. pertussis chromosome is inhibited but not arrested completely. Negative regulation of the bvg-repressed genes of B. pertussis seems to be a mechanism that controls bvg-dependent IS481 transposition.

Exposure to high concentrations of environmental NaCl exerts two stress effects on living cells, increasing the osmotic pressure and the concentration of inorganic ions. Salt stress dramatically suppresses the photosynthetic activity in cells of phototrophic organisms, such as cyanobacteria. During salt adaptation, cyanobacterial cells accumulate osmoprotectors, export excessive Na+ with the help of Na+/H+ antiporters, and actively absorb K+ with the help of K+-transporting systems. These physiological processes are accompanied by induction or suppression of several genes involved in salt adaptation. The review considers the main mechanisms responsible for the resistance of cyanobacterial cells to salt and hyperosmotic stresses. Special emphasis is placed on recent achievements in studying the genetic control of salt resistance and regulation of gene expression during adaptation of cyanobacteria to salt and hyperosmotic stresses.

In vitro experiments showed that O6-benzylguanine (O6-benzG, 0.2 microM) fully inhibited the repair activity of human O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (MGMT) due to the formation of S-benzylcytosine in the protein acceptor site. O6-benzG at concentrations increased many times (up to 800 microM) failed to inhibit the repair activity of the Escherichia coli Ada protein, the structural and functional analog of MGMT. It has been shown for the first time that O6-benzG stimulates the regulatory activity of the Ada protein. In experiments with N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU), the pretreatment of Escherichia coli cells with O6-benzG at a sublethal concentration of 10 microM led to a twofold enhancement of transcription at the Ada-dependent promoter of the alkA gene in control cells and ensured transcription enhanced 1.6-1.7 times at alkA and alkB promoters in cells with the induced "classical" Ada response. Apparently, an increase in the regulatory activity of the Ada protein was associated with the formation of the stable protein molecule having the strong affinity for alkA and alkB promoters after transfer of the benzyl group from O6-benzG to the acceptor site Cys-69 in the N-terminal domain of Ada protein. O6-benzG did not affect the regulative activity of Ada in alternative quasi-adaptive responses to NMU.