Studying the Brain Monoaminergic Systems and Neurotrophic Factors in Minipigs with High and Low Tolerance to the Presence of Human.

Here, we present the first evidence for brain adaptation in pigs tolerant to the human presence, as a behavioral trait favoring domestication. The study was carried out on minipiglets from population bred at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (Novosibirsk, Russia). We compared the behavior, metabolism of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems, and functional activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, as well as neurotrophic markers in the brain of minipigs differing by tolerance to human presence (HT and LT - high and low tolerance).

[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.

'Trojan-Horse' stress-granule formation mediated by manganese oxide nanoparticles.

Exposure to nanomaterials is considered as one of the risk factors for neurodegenerative pathology. inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) absorb intrinsically disordered proteins, many of which are the constituents of stress-granules (SGs). SGs normally form in response to cellular stress and, here, we addressed whether selected inorganic NPs could trigger SGs formation in cells.

Inhibitor of Striatal-Enriched Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, 8-(Trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,4,5-Benzopentathiepin-6-Amine hydrochloride (TC-2153), Produces Antidepressant-Like Effect and Decreases Functional Activity and Protein Level of 5-HT Receptor in the Brain.

The serotoninergic 5-HT receptor is involved in the mechanism of depression and antidepressant drugs action. Earlier we showed that striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) inhibitor - 8-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,4,5-benzopentathiepin-6-amine hydrochloride (TC-2153) affects both the brain serotoninergic system and the brain-derived neurotropic factor that are known to be involved in the psychopathology of depression. In the present study we investigated the effects of chronic TC-2153 administration on behavior in the standard battery of tests as well as the effects of acute and chronic TC-2153 treatment on the brain 5-HT receptors in mice.

Effects of a compound from the group of substituted thiadiazines with hypothermia inducing properties on brain metabolism in rats, a study in vivo and in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to examine how administration of a compound of 1,3,4- thiadiazine class 2-morpholino-5-phenyl-6H-1,3,4-thiadiazine, hydrobromide (L-17) with hypothermia inducing properties affects the brain metabolism. The mechanism by which L-17 induces hypothermia is unknown; it may involve hypothalamic central thermoregulation as well as act via inhibition of energy metabolism. We tested the hypothesis that L-17 may induce hypothermia by directly inhibiting energy metabolism.

Glutamate-system defects behind psychiatric manifestations in a familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 disease-mutation mouse model.

Migraine is a complex brain disorder, and understanding the complexity of this prevalent disease could improve quality of life for millions of people. Familial Hemiplegic Migraine type 2 (FHM2) is a subtype of migraine with aura and co-morbidities like epilepsy/seizures, cognitive impairments and psychiatric manifestations, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). FHM2 disease-mutations locate to the ATP1A2 gene encoding the astrocyte-located α2-isoform of the sodium-potassium pump (α2Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase).

Nine surface plasmon resonance assays for specific protein quantitation during cell culture and process development.

Quantitation of protein is essential during pharmaceutical development, and a variety of methods and technologies for determination of total and specific protein concentration are available. Here we describe the development of a streamlined assay platform for specific quantitation assays using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. A total of nine different assays were developed using similar conditions, of which eight assays were for quantitation of different human blood plasma proteins (IgG, IgG1-4 subclasses, IgA, transferrin, and albumin) from a chromatography-based IgG plasma process.

Role of Na,K-ATPase α1 and α2 isoforms in the support of astrocyte glutamate uptake.

Glutamate released during neuronal activity is cleared from the synaptic space via the astrocytic glutamate/Na(+) co-transporters. This transport is driven by the transmembrane Na(+) gradient mediated by Na,K-ATPase. Astrocytes express two isoforms of the catalytic Na,K-ATPase α subunits; the ubiquitously expressed α1 subunit and the α2 subunit that has a more specific expression profile.

Identification of new M23A mRNA of mouse aquaporin-4 expressed in brain, liver, and kidney.

Aquaporins (AQPs) belong to a transmembrane protein family of water channels that are permeable to water by the osmotic gradient. There are two isoforms of mouse AQP4 - M1 and M23. Their balance in the cell determines water permeability of the plasma membrane.

Functional and molecular interactions between aquaporins and Na,K-ATPase.

The water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is abundantly expressed in astrocytes and provides a mechanism by which water permeability of the plasma membrane can be regulated. Astrocytes play a key role in the clearance of both potassium (K(+)) and glutamate released during neuronal activity. Emerging evidence suggests that AQP4 facilitates K(+) clearance by astrocytes and contributes to recovery of neuronal excitability.

[Genetic analysis and estimation of genetic diversity in east-European breeds of swift hounds (Canis familiaris L.) based on the data of genomic studies using RAPD markers].

The method of polymerase chain reaction with a set of arbitrary primers (RAPD-PCR) was used to describe genetic variation and to estimate genetic diversity in East-European swift hounds, Russian Psovyi and Hortyi Borzois. For comparison, swift hounds of two West-European breeds (Whippet and Greyhound) and single dogs of other breed groups (shepherd, terriers, mastiffs, and bird dogs) were examined. For all dog groups, their closest related species, the wolf Canis lupus, was used as an outgroup.

[Interaction of Bacillus intermedius 7P ribonuclease with ligand-free serum albumin].

The efficiency of the binding of RNase 7P molecules to albumin on cocondensation with the aim of producing the prolonged action forms of the enzyme can be increased by using ligand-free human serum albumin (LFHSA). The CD method showed that LFHSA underwent changes of the cooperative character under the action of acid and urea. On potentiometric titration the number of titrated groups of LFHSA decreased with time.

[Enzymatic and conformational stability of polymeric complexes of alpha-amylase].

The enzymatic and conformational stability of Bacillus subtilis alpha-amylase and its polymeric complexes in acid media and subsequent renaturation in weakly alkaline media were investigated. The following parameters of alpha-amylase secondary structure were determined from circular dichroism spectra: helical units -25%, beta-structures -9%; beta-turns -13%; disordered conformations -53%. After complexation with polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) the alpha-amylase secondary structure did not change, and the tertiary structure underwent only small local changes.

[Conformation properties and enzymatic activity of pancreatic ribonuclease in soluble complexes with sodium dextran sulfate].

Effect of complex formation with dextran sulfate (DS) (substitution degree 1.3, molecular mass 500 thousand) on RNAse enzymic activity. its spatial structure and conformation stability was studied.

[Effect of polymer modification of insulin on its enzymatic hydrolysis and conformation properties].

AI, B29 insulin polymeric derivatives in which the polymeric chains (N-polyvinylimidazole, N-polyvinylpyrrolydone and polyacrylic acid) are bonded to the insulin molecule at one point were synthesized. The hydrolysis of the modified insulin by trypsin is dependent to a great extent on the chemical nature of the modifying polymer and is virtually independent of its molecular weight up to 20 kD. The effect of the modifying polymer manifests itself mainly in a change of the Michaelis constant.

[Effect of the degree of modification of trypsin amino groups with polymers on the enzymatic and conformation properties of the protein].

Trypsin was modified by introducing fragments containing an azo-bond into its molecule by the reaction of free amino groups of the enzyme with an azide of 2,2'-azobisisobutryic acid. Subsequently free-radical polymerization of N-vinyl pyrrolidone was carried out with the high molecular weight initiator obtained. The degree of modification of amino groups in trypsin was n = 6 divided by 12, which distinguishes this type of modification from that earlier proposed by the authors.

[Comprehensive radionuclide evaluation of the general circulation and the uteroplacental circulation in multiple pregnancy].

The paper is concerned with the results of the clinical testing of a combined method of assessment of the greater and uteroplacental circulation in 15 women with plural pregnancy. The method permits the detection of hemodynamic changes without increasing radiation exposure to the mother's body and fetuses, the determination of a type of plural pregnancy (monochorionic or dichorial twins), and the prediction of pregnancy outcome that is very important for the choice of appropriate and timely therapy.

[Synthesis and analysis of des-Met5-[D-Ala2]enkephalinamide analogs].

The effects of N- and C-terminal oligoalanine insertions into des-Met5-[D-Ala2]enkephalin amide (I) on the biological activity and spatial structure were examined. The corresponding analogues were obtained by solid-phase synthesis using Sephadex LH-20 ac a polymeric support. Biological activity was assayed via changes in the pain threshold in the rat, body temperature, and also as affinity for opiate receptors.

[The conformation properties and conformation stability of streptokinase and its polymer derivative].

The properties and conformational stability of the proteinaceous activator of fibrinolysis--native streptokinase--and its derivative obtained by modification with a linear hydrophilic copolymer based on N-vinylpyrrolidone, were studied by the circular dichroism method. It was shown that polymeric modification of streptokinase had no effect on the secondary structure, while the conformational stability of the modified protein to urea was higher than that of the native one. Studies on thermal stability of both native and modified forms of streptokinase showed that the inactivation rate was lower in the modified form as compared to the native one.

[Analysis of the secondary structure of urokinase by the circular dichroism method].

The secondary structure of urokinase with molecular weight 33 000 dalton was studied by the circular dichroism method. The secondary structure parameters were calculated based on the protein reference CD spectra resulted in the following secondary structure parameters: approximately 30% aminoacid residues constitute the alpha-helical regions, the same amount forms the beta-structure and an essential fractions contributes the beta-turns. Conformational stability of urokinase to alkaline pH (up to 11.

[Synthesis of trypsin polymer derivatives with single-point binding of the polymer-modifier and protein].

In order to produce carbon-chain covalent "star-like" conjugates of trypsin, the latter was modified by attachment of fragments containing the reaction-capable azo-bond and then N-vinyl pyrrolidone was polymerized on the resultant high molecular weight initiator. The molecular weight and proteolytic activity of the compounds were determined, and their thermal stability and resistance to autolysis were investigated. It was shown that the trypsin modified by poly-N-vinyl pyrrolidone of different molecular weights acquired greater resistance to autolytic and thermal denaturation.

[Intramolecular modification of azisobutyrylinsulin and the use of the modified hormone for the synthesis of polymeric derivatives].

An intramolecular modification of insulin at the alpha-amino group of glycine (A1) and the epsilon-amino group of lysine (B29) was carried out. The modification resulted in a slight alteration of the insulin secondary structure; the modified hormone possessed a biological activity which was practically identical to that of the natural hormone. Therefore the modified insulin can be used as a high molecular weight physiologically active radical inducer for the synthesis of (A1-B29) polyvinylimidazole derivatives.