Association of VEGF +405 C > G (rs2010963) polymorphism with susceptibility of metabolic syndrome: Cardio-metabolic risk factors and serum Matrix Metaloproteinase-3 concentrations

BACKGROUND: In the present study we investigated the role of +405 VEGF gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and to explore its association with several biochemical risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VEGF +405 single nucleotide polymorphism were genotyped in 150 patients with metabolic syndrome and 50 healthy individuals using the PCR-RFLP method. Serum levels of biochemical variables were assessed by commercial ELISA technique. RESULTS: GC genotype was more prevalent among patients with metabolic syndrome. In GC genotype, patients with metabolic syndrome had higher waist to hip ratio, WHR, triglyceride, and lower high density lipoprotein and alanine aminotransferase concentrations compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that +405 VEGF gene polymorphism was a potent predictor of metabolic abnormalities in patients with metabolic syndrome. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to clarify these associations properly.

Genotoxic properties of hypoglycemic drugs (systematic review)

According to the literature genotoxic properties of about a half of hypoglycemic drugs have not been investigated in accordance with the recommended methodology, and studies of the mutagen-modifying activity of antidiabetic drugs are sporadic. Based on the available published data, it is impossible to conclude about either presence or absence of genotoxic / antigenotoxic potential of antidiabetic drugs. There is evidence of the antimutagenic activity of metformin; in relation to other drugs, studies of mutagen-modifying activity have not been carried out or are represented only by a few articles. Further study of the genotoxic properties of hypoglycemic drugs is required in accordance with modern approaches and requirements, as well as an assessment of their mutagen-modifying activity.

Moderate thermophilic chemoorganoheterotrophic bacterium in surface layer of anthropogenic grounds of industrial estate area of Al-Mafraq, Jordan

Surface of oil-contaminated soil from Industrial Estate of Al-Mafraq city, Jordan, was investigated for the presence of aerobic oil-degrading moderately thermophilic bacteria. A pure culture of spore forming aerobic chemoorganogeterotrophic rod shaped bacterial isolate, designated as strain j3n, was obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain j3n is closely related to gram-positive bacteria of kaustophilus thermoleovorans cluster of Geobacillus genus. Strain j3n grew aerobically with oil, hexadecane, benzoate and acetate. Growth data indicated that utilization of hexadecane but not of oil and benzoate might be under catabolite repression control. Possibility of a regulation of alkane degradation by acetate in aerobic thermophilic gram-positive bacteria of Geobacillus spp. was shown for the first time.

Whole genome approach in conservation biology and its perspectives

Conservation biology aims to maintain biological diversity and to defend species from extinction. The number of endangered species is constantly increasing from year to year, reflecting both a deteriorating situation and an increasing number of studied species. In order to obtain a reliable assessment of the status and conservation planning of threatened species, not only an estimate of current total abundance, but also data on population structure, demographic history, and genetic diversity are needed. The development of new approaches and lower costs of sequencing have made it possible to solve these problems at a level previously inaccessible and have led to the formation of conservation genomics. This review discusses the opportunities and prospects offered by the use of whole genome sequencing in conservation biology, features of sample gathering for sequencing, as well as some features of planning whole genome studies. In addition, emphasis is placed on the importance of the formation of open biobanks of samples and cell cultures at the national level.

Polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 CYP1A1 (Ile462Val) gene in the populations of Balkars and Karachays

BACKGRAUND: Cytochrome P450 is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of phase I xenobiotics, toxins, endogenous hormones and pharmaceuticals. AIM: Is studying the polymorphism of the CYP1A1 gene (Ile462Val, rs1048943) in the Turkic-speaking populations of the central part of the North Caucasus Region (Balkars and Karachays). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed DNA isolated from leukocytes of peripheral venous blood of a total of 177 unrelated Balkars and Karachays (104 Balkars, 73 Karachays). RESULTS: The ethnicity of the studied individuals was established, indicating their ancestors up to the third generation. The method of genotyping was performed by real-time PCR using competing TaqMan probes. As a result: the frequency of the 462Val variant in the sample of Balkars was 8,6% (95% CI 5,2113,33), slightly above the frequency range found in European populations. In the sample of Karachays, the frequency of the 462Val allele was 7,5% (95% CI 9,8213.08), which is the upper limit of values typical for European populations. CONCLUSION: In the Turkic-speaking populations of the central part of the North Caucasus, the CYP1A1 462Val allele occurs with a frequency characteristic of the Near Eastern and European populations.

Modern technologies for the production of vaccines against avian infectious diseases

Vaccination is one of the most effective and versatile ways to prevent infectious diseases. The development of modern technologies makes it possible to obtain vaccines with desired properties. The review presents data on different types of vaccines used for the prevention of infectious diseases of birds. The advantages and disadvantages of traditional attenuated and inactivated vaccines, as well as recombinant vaccines vector, subunit, based on virus-like particles and DNA vaccines are considered. Possibilities of bacterial, yeast, baculovirus and plant systems for the expression of heterologous genes for the production of recombinant vaccines are discussed.

Analysis of the expression of polyamine biosynthesis genes in nodules of the garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) and the effect of exogenous treatment with polyamines on their development

BACKGROUND: Polyamines are acting as signaling molecules during adaptation to stressful environment and as regulators of plant development. In plants, polyamines are represented mainly by putrescine, spermidine and spermine. The concentration of polyamines in symbiotic nodules of some legumes is 510 times higher than in the other organs, which indicates their important role in the formation and functioning of symbiotic nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the expression of genes encoding polyamine biosynthesis enzymes in symbiotic nodules, as well as the effect of exogenous polyamines on the nodule number and the average nodule weight in wild-type SGE plants and symbiotic pea mutants SGEFix-1 (sym40-1) and SGEFix-2 (sym33-3). RESULTS: The comparable expression level of arginine decarboxylase gene (PsADC) was observed in all analyzed nodules, whereas the expression level of ornithine decarboxylase gene (PsODC), was highly increased in nodules of SGEFix-2 (sym33-3) mutant. Treatment of the root system with a 0.1 mM solution of polyamines mixture led to an increase in the average weight of the nodule in wild-type plants and in the SGEFix-2 (sym33-3) mutant plants. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that the main pathway of putrescine synthesis in wild-type pea symbiotic nodules is the arginine pathway, while the ornithine pathway is probably associated with activation of plant defense reactions. Polyamines acting, apparently, through ethylene, affect the functioning of the nodule meristem.

Unique transcriptome features of pea (Pisum sativum L.) lines with differing responses to beneficial soil microorganisms

BACKGROUND: Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) possesses the ability to form beneficial symbioses with various soil microorganisms. However, different pea cultivars, genotypes, and lines gain more or less benefit from these interactions, so the trait named efficiency of interaction with soil microorganisms (EIBSM) was suggested to describe this phenomenon. The molecular mechanisms underlying the manifestation of the EIBSM trait are not properly studied, and only few works focusing on plant responses to combined microbial preparations have been published to date. METHODS: Eight pea lines previously described as contrasting in manifestation of the EIBSM trait were grown in pots with soil under combined inoculation with nodule bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and the transcriptome profiles of the whole root systems of the plants were investigated using 3'MACE RNA sequencing. RESULTS: The relatedness of the lines inferred from the analysis of transcripts SNVs (Single Nucleotide Variants) corresponded to the manifestation of the EIBSM trait: three high-EIBSM lines and three low-EIBSM lines formed two distinct clusters. Thus, the gene expression profiles were compared between these two clusters, which enabled identification of transcriptome signatures characteristic for each group. The lines previously described as high-EIBSM have lower symbiotic activity, and the expression levels of pathogen response genes were elevated compared to the lines with low EIBSM. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that the mechanism of high interaction efficiency may be connected to stricter host control of symbionts, allowing such plants to expend less on the symbioses.

Genetic structure of the water frog (Pelophylax esculentus complex) populations in the south of the Central Russian Upland

BACKGROUND: The water frog (Pelophylax esculentus complex) is hybrid in composition. In view of the fact that a large number of data on the species composition of the water frog and very scarce material on the genetic structure of populations are available in the literature, we aimed to analyze the genetic structure of populations of the water frog in the southern part of the Middle Russian upland, which was one of the refugia for many species during the glacial epoch and the center of dispersion in the postglacial time, based on DNA microsatellite markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 36 local populations. DNA variability was analyzed by multiplex SSR-PCR. Seven loci (Res 14, Res 15, Res 17, Res 22, Rrid059A, Rrid082A, and Rrid171A) were used for amplification. Fragment analysis of PCR products was performed on an ABI PRISM 3500 automated capillary DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, USA). RESULTS: The total number of alleles detected ranged from 13 to 41. The effective number of alleles (Ae) averaged 4.569 0.219, the Chenon index (I) 1.567 0.04, level of expected heterozygosity (Не) 0.68 0.01. According to Wrights model, the greatest contribution to genetic variability is made by the heterogeneity of individuals within populations, some of which are of a hybrid nature (Fis = 0.281 0.069, Fit = 0.413 0.053, Fst = 0.180 0.017). The average indicator of the intensity of gene exchange between populations (Nm) was 1.212 0.142 individuals per generation. The calculation of the effective abundance using the LD method indicates a high level of viability of the studied groups of the frogs. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated a high level of genetic diversity and viability of most of the studied groups, which, due to the intense gene exchange between them, can represent a single panmictic population. The data of the genetic analysis support the active adaptation of P. esculentus complex to living in an urbanized environment.

Genotoxic effect of restraint and stress pheromone on somatic and germ cells of mouse males Mus musculus L.

BACKGROUND: Different stressors affect the genome integrity, but the mechanisms of such action are underexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone marrow and testicular cells of CBA and CD-1 mouse males were used to estimate their genome integrity after stressor action by the comet assay. RESULTS: It is shown here that restraint and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine both increase damaged cell frequency in bone marrow as well as in testes of mouse males. For the first time the effect of immobilization and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine in testicular cells is demonstrated using the comet assay. Both stressors have similar effects in cells of both tissues analyzed. CONCLUSION: Mechanisms of the effects and possible role in microevolution are under discussion.