The N-terminal dimerization domains of human and Drosophila CTCF have similar functionality.

Background: CTCF is highly likely to be the ancestor of proteins that contain large clusters of C2H2 zinc finger domains, and its conservation is observed across most bilaterian organisms. In mammals, CTCF is the primary architectural protein involved in organizing chromosome topology and mediating enhancer-promoter interactions over long distances. In Drosophila, CTCF (dCTCF) cooperates with other architectural proteins to establish long-range interactions and chromatin boundaries.

The Role of C1473G Polymorphism in Mouse Triptophan Hydroxylase 2 Gene in the Acute Effects of Ethanol on the c-fos Gene Expression and Metabolism of Biogenic Amines in the Brain.

Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 is a key enzyme in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays an important role in the regulation of behavior and various physiological functions. We studied the effect of acute ethanol administration on the expression of the early response c-fos gene and metabolism of serotonin and catecholamines in the brain structures of B6-1473C and B6-1473G congenic mouse strains differing in the single-nucleotide substitution C1473G in the Tph2 gene and activity of the encoded enzyme. Acute alcoholization led to a significant upregulation of the c-fos gene expression in the frontal cortex and striatum of B6-1473G mice and in the hippocampus of B6-1473C mice and caused a decrease in the index of serotonin metabolism in the nucleus accumbens in B6-1473C mice and in the hippocampus and striatum of B6-1473G mice, as well as to the decrease in the norepinephrine level in the hypothalamus of B6-1473C mice.

[Decrease in the Activity of Striatal-Enriched Protein-Tyrosine-Phosphatase (STEP) in the Brain of Danio rerio Treated with p-Chlorophenylalanine and Pargyline].

Fundamental neurophysiological processes are often studied using Danio rerio fish as a model. A selective inhibitor of striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) reduces serotonin metabolism in the D. rerio brain.

Study of the N-Terminal Domain Homodimerization in Human Proteins with Zinc Finger Clusters.

CTCF belongs to a large family of transcription factors with clusters of C2H2-type zinc finger domains (C2H2 proteins) and is a main architectural protein in mammals. Human CTCF has a homodimerizing unstructured domain at the N-terminus which is involved in long-distance interactions. To test the presence of similar N-terminal domains in other human C2H2 proteins, a yeast two-hybrid system was used.

[Zbtb33 Gene Knockout Changes Transcription of the Fgf9, Fgfr3, с-Мус and FoxG1 Genes in the Developing Mouse Brain].

The transcription factor KAISO is important for proper development of animal embryos. In the cell, KAISO regulates cell division and apoptosis. KAISO is abundant in the central nervous system.

CTCF As an Example of DNA-Binding Transcription Factors Containing Clusters of C2H2-Type Zinc Fingers.

In mammals, most of the boundaries of topologically associating domains and all well-studied insulators are rich in binding sites for the CTCF protein. According to existing experimental data, CTCF is a key factor in the organization of the architecture of mammalian chromosomes. A characteristic feature of the CTCF is that the central part of the protein contains a cluster consisting of eleven domains of C2H2-type zinc fingers, five of which specifically bind to a long DNA sequence conserved in most animals.

[Pargyline and р-Chlorophenylalanine Decrease Expression of Ptpn5 Encoding Striatal-Enriched Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP) in the Mouse Striatum].

Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP), which was initially identified in the striatum, is encoded by the Ptpn5 gene and is expressed in neurons of various structures of the brain. STEP is involved in regulating neuroplasticity, and its expression abnormalities are associated with human neurodegenerative disorders. The STEP inhibitor 8-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3,4,5-benzopentathiepin-6-amine hydrochloride (TC-2153) has been shown to affect the serotoninergic system of the brain.

[Effect of the C1473G Polymorphic Variant of the Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 Gene and Photoperiod Length on the Dopamine System of the Mouse Brain].

A decrease in the light in autumn and winter causes depression like seasonal affective disorders (SAD) in sensitive patients, in which the serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) brain mediator systems are involved. We studied the interaction of the 5-HT and DA brain systems in an experimental SAD model in sexually mature male mice of the congenic B6-1473C and B6-1473G lines with high and low activity of tryptophan hydroxylase 2, a key enzyme of 5-HT synthesis in the brain. Mice of each line (divided into two groups of eight individuals) were kept for 30 days in standard (14 h light/10 h dark) and short (4 h light/20 h dark) daylight.

Effect of Photoperiod and Lethal Yellow Mutation on Depression-Like Behavior and Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines in the Hypothalamus in Mice.

We studied the influence of obesity caused by lethal yellow (A) mutation in the agouti gene, short photoperiod (4/20 h light/darkness), and combination of these factors on depressive-like behavior in the forced swimming test and expression of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus of heterozygous male C57Bl/6-A/a mice and their wild-type littermate controls (C57Bl/6-a/a). It was shown that A mutation as well as short photoperiod increased depressive-like behavior in mice. No effect of the interaction of A mutation and photoperiod on immobility in the forced swimming test was revealed.

Effect of photoperiodic alterations on depression-like behavior and the brain serotonin system in mice genetically different in tryptophan hydroxylase 2 activity.

Reduction of natural illumination in fall/winter months causes seasonal affective disorders (SAD) in vulnerable individuals. Neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the mechanism of SAD. Tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) is the key enzyme of 5-HT synthesis in the brain.

On association of the lethal yellow (A) mutation in the agouti gene with the alterations in mouse brain and behavior.

Lethal yellow (A) mutation causes obesity and type-2 diabetes in mice. Here we studied the effect of the A mutation on the brain and behavior. The experiments were carried out on adult (11-12 weeks old) males of A/a mice and their wild-type littermates (a/a).

C1473G polymorphism in mouse tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene in the regulation of the reaction to emotional stress.

Neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the regulation of stress response. Tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) is the key enzyme of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in the brain. C1473G polymorphism in Tph2 gene is the main factor defining the enzyme activity in the brain of laboratory mice.

Incipient ferroelectricity of water molecules confined to nano-channels of beryl.

Water is characterized by large molecular electric dipole moments and strong interactions between molecules; however, hydrogen bonds screen the dipole-dipole coupling and suppress the ferroelectric order. The situation changes drastically when water is confined: in this case ordering of the molecular dipoles has been predicted, but never unambiguously detected experimentally. In the present study we place separate HO molecules in the structural channels of a beryl single crystal so that they are located far enough to prevent hydrogen bonding, but close enough to keep the dipole-dipole interaction, resulting in incipient ferroelectricity in the water molecular subsystem.

Interplay between aggression, brain monoamines and fur color mutation in the American mink.

Domestication of wild animals alters the aggression towards humans, brain monoamines and coat pigmentation. Our aim is the interplay between aggression, brain monoamines and depigmentation. The Hedlund white mutation in the American mink is an extreme case of depigmentation observed in domesticated animals.

Alterations in pharmacological and behavioural responses in recombinant mouse line with an increased predisposition to catalepsy: role of the 5-HT1A receptor.

Background And Purpose: One important syndrome of psychiatric disorders in humans is catalepsy. Here, we created mice with different predispositions to catalepsy and analysed their pharmacological and behavioural properties.

Experimental Approach: Two mouse lines, B6-M76C and B6-M76B, were created by transfer of the main locus of catalepsy containing the 5-HT1A receptor gene to the C57BL/6 genetic background.

Knockout Zbtb33 gene results in an increased locomotion, exploration and pre-pulse inhibition in mice.

The Zbtb33 gene encodes the Kaiso protein-a bimodal transcriptional repressor. Here, the effects of Zbtb33 gene disruption on the brain and behaviour of the Kaiso-deficient (KO) and C57BL/6 (WT) male mice were investigated. Behaviour was studied using the open field, novel object, elevated plus maze and acoustic startle reflex tests.

[Automatic measurement of special leaning characteristics in mice during the water Morris maze test with inverted light].

The description of the installation with inverted light is given as well as its software EthoStudio, which allows tracking the movements of any color animal in the water Morris maze (WMM) in high definition. The installation is based on the transmitted light technology (inverted light). The software gives possibility to estimate a wide range of learning indices.

Vibrational states of a water molecule in a nano-cavity of beryl crystal lattice.

Low-energy excitations of a single water molecule are studied when confined within a nano-size cavity formed by the ionic crystal lattice. Optical spectra are measured of manganese doped beryl single crystal Mn:Be3Al2Si6O18, that contains water molecules individually isolated in 0.51 nm diameter voids within the crystal lattice.

Spatial learning in the Morris water maze in mice genetically different in the predisposition to catalepsy: the effect of intraventricular treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Hereditary catalepsy in mice is accompanied with volume reduction of some brain structures and high vulnerability to inflammatory agents. Here an association between hereditary catalepsy and spatial learning deficit in the Morris water maze (MWM) in adult mouse males of catalepsy-resistant AKR, catalepsy-prone CBA and AKR.CBA-D13Mit76 (D13) strains was studied.

On the association between lipopolysaccharide induced catalepsy and serotonin metabolism in the brain of mice genetically different in the predisposition to catalepsy.

The study of the interaction between nervous and immune systems in the mechanism of psychopathology is an important problem of neuroscience. Catalepsy (freezing reaction) is a passive defensive strategy in response to threatening stimuli. An exaggerated form of catalepsy is a syndrome of some grave mental disorders.

Quantum Behavior of Water Molecules Confined to Nanocavities in Gemstones.

When water is confined to nanocavities, its quantum mechanical behavior can be revealed by terahertz spectroscopy. We place H2O molecules in the nanopores of a beryl crystal lattice and observe a rich and highly anisotropic set of absorption lines in the terahertz spectral range. Two bands can be identified, which originate from translational and librational motions of the water molecule isolated within the cage; they correspond to the analogous broad bands in liquid water and ice.