Theoretical model of mitotic spindle microtubule growth for FRAP curve interpretation.

Background: Spindle FRAP curves depend on the kinetic parameters of microtubule polymerization and depolymerization. The empirical FRAP curve proposed earlier permits determination of only one such dynamic parameter, commonly called the "tubulin turnover". The aim of our study was to build a FRAP curve based on an already known kinetic model of microtubule growth.

Accurate measurement of poleward microtubule flux in the spindle of Drosophila S2 cells.

The spindle microtubule (MT) flux is the continuous translocation of MTs toward the spindle poles caused by MT polymerization at plus ends coupled to depolymerization at minus ends. Poleward flux is observed in both mitotic and meiotic spindles; it is evolutionarily conserved and contributes to the regulation of spindle length and anaphase chromosome movement. MT photobleaching is a tool frequently used to measure poleward flux.

[hrs Gene and Borders of Compartments of Imaginal Wing Disc in Drosophila melanogaster].

Hepatocyte growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs) is an endosome protein involved in the sorting and transport of receptor tyrosine kinases and other proteins (which are absorbed by the cell during endocytosis) from early endosomes to lysosomes. Since receptor tyrosine kinases are important components of different cellular signaling systems, Hrs protein defects can result in the appearance of a number of developmental anomalies. In particular, it was demonstrated that ectopic Hrs expression in the wing kidney results in the disappearance of one or several rows of marginal wing setae in imago (which indicates hrs gene involvement in the development of the disc D/V border).

Mutagenesis testing using the LacZ reporter activity of the reparation gene mus209 in Drosophila melanogaster.

We studied a set of Drosophila melanogaster strains that could be potentially suitable for testing a variety of mutagenic factors. Their genomes contained insertions of the enhancer trap P{lacW} in which the activity of the LacZ reporter is under the control of the reparation genes’ regulatory region. We demonstrated that the beta-galactosidase reporter, which is encoded by insertion of P{lacW} element in the gene mus209, is induced by irradiation in the cells of the salivary glands and wing imaginal discs.

[Morphoecological Aspects of Preimaginal Stages of Development of the Parasitic Wasp Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees, 1834) (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Eulophidae)].

This work is devoted to studying the morphology and biology of preimaginal stages of development of the parasitic wasp Minotetrastichus frontalis. The morphological characteristics of eggs and larvae, the features of interaction of the parasitic wasp with the host (Phyllonorycter issikii), and other biological characteristics were determined. For the species identification of the studied specimens of insects, we performed molecular genetic analysis using a nuclear 28S RNA gene fragment as a molecular marker.