ER stress transforms random olfactory receptor choice into axon targeting precision.

Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) convert the stochastic choice of one of >1,000 olfactory receptor (OR) genes into precise and stereotyped axon targeting of OR-specific glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. Here, we show that the PERK arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR) regulates both the glomerular coalescence of like axons and the specificity of their projections. Subtle differences in OR protein sequences lead to distinct patterns of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during OSN development, converting OR identity into distinct gene expression signatures.

Repeated losses of PRDM9-directed recombination despite the conservation of PRDM9 across vertebrates.

Studies of highly diverged species have revealed two mechanisms by which meiotic recombination is directed to the genome-through PRDM9 binding or by targeting promoter-like features-that lead to dramatically different evolutionary dynamics of hotspots. Here, we identify PRDM9 orthologs from genome and transcriptome data in 225 species. We find the complete PRDM9 ortholog across distantly related vertebrates but, despite this broad conservation, infer a minimum of six partial and three complete losses.

Metabolic engineering of Aspergillus oryzae NRRL 3488 for increased production of L-malic acid.

Malic acid, a petroleum-derived C4-dicarboxylic acid that is used in the food and beverage industries, is also produced by a number of microorganisms that follow a variety of metabolic routes. Several members of the genus Aspergillus utilize a two-step cytosolic pathway from pyruvate to malate known as the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) pathway. This simple and efficient pathway has a maximum theoretical yield of 2 mol malate/mol glucose when the starting pyruvate originates from glycolysis.

[Protease and reverse transcriptase genetic polymorphism in HIV type 1 subtype A variants predominating in cis countries].

To define frequencies of drug resistance mutations among HIV-1 variants circulating within the territory of Russia, subtype A HIV-1 nucleotide sequences encoding protease and reverse transcriptase were analyzed. The analysis was carried out in 141 antiretroviral-naive individuals. Low frequency (less than 1%) of primary drug resistance mutations was shown.

[Solcoseryl--new preparation for the pathogenetic treatment of patients with paroxysmal forms of cerebrovascular pathology].

The central goal of the investigation was to study Solcoseryl (SolcoSwitzerland) therapeutic efficacy for patients suffering from early or chronic cerebrovascular diseases complicated with different forms of paroxysms. 29 patients were examined. (14 of them were with vegetovascular dystonia, 7 with discirculatory encephalopathy of degree of 1 and 8 with discirculatory encephalopathy of degree of II).