Population Studies and Molecular Mechanisms of Human Radioadaptive Capabilities: Is It Time to Rethink Radiation Safety Standards?

The evolution of man on Earth took place under conditions of constant exposure to background ionizing radiation (IR). From this point of view, it would be reasonable to hypothesize the existence of adaptive mechanisms that enable the human organism to safely interact with IR at levels approximating long-term natural background levels. In some situations, the successful operation of molecular mechanisms of protection against IR is observed at values significantly exceeding the natural background level, for example, in cancer cells.

Subunits Med12 and Med13 of Mediator Cooperate with Subunits SAYP and Bap170 of SWI/SNF in Active Transcription in .

SAYP and Bap170, subunits of the SWI/SNF remodeling complex, have the ability to support enhancer-dependent transcription when artificially recruited to the promoter on a transgene. We found that the phenomenon critically depends on two subunits of the Mediator kinase module, Med12 and Med13 but does not require the two other subunits of the module (Cdk8 and CycC) or other subunits of the core part of the complex. A cooperation of the above proteins in active transcription was also observed at endogenous loci, but the contribution of the subunits to the activity of a particular gene differed in different loci.

Pharmacological sequestration of mitochondrial calcium uptake protects against dementia and β-amyloid neurotoxicity.

All forms of dementia including Alzheimer's disease are currently incurable. Mitochondrial dysfunction and calcium alterations are shown to be involved in the mechanism of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Previously we have described the ability of compound Tg-2112x to protect neurons via sequestration of mitochondrial calcium uptake and we suggest that it can also be protective against neurodegeneration and development of dementia.

Subunits of the PBAP Chromatin Remodeler Are Capable of Mediating Enhancer-Driven Transcription in .

The chromatin remodeler SWI/SNF is an important participant in gene activation, functioning predominantly by opening the chromatin structure on promoters and enhancers. Here, we describe its novel mode of action in which SWI/SNF factors mediate the targeted action of an enhancer. We studied the functions of two signature subunits of PBAP subfamily, BAP170 and SAYP, in .

Paip2 cooperates with Cbp80 at an active promoter and participates in RNA Polymerase II phosphorylation in Drosophila.

The Paip2 protein is a factor regulating mRNA translation and stability in the cytoplasm. It has also been found in the nuclei of several cell types in Drosophila. Here, we aim to elucidate the functions of Paip2 in the cell nucleus.

The GAGA factor regulatory network: Identification of GAGA factor associated proteins.

The Drosophila GAGA factor (GAF) has an extraordinarily diverse set of functions that include the activation and silencing of gene expression, nucleosome organization and remodeling, higher order chromosome architecture and mitosis. One hypothesis that could account for these diverse activities is that GAF is able to interact with partners that have specific and dedicated functions. To test this possibility we used affinity purification coupled with high throughput mass spectrometry to identify GAF associated partners.

Role of Gene Variants in Interethnic Differences in the Development of Cardio-Metabolic Diseases.

Cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) comprise a cluster of risk factors that contribute to chronic pathological conditions with adverse consequences for cardiovascular function and metabolic processes. A wide range of CMD prevalence rates among different ethnic groups has been documented. In view of accumulated evidence, there is a trend toward increasing CMD prevalence rates in Eastern Europe and Western Asia.