Oligonucleotides-transformers for molecular biology and nanoengineering.

In the present review, numerous experimental and theoretical data describing the properties of non-canonical DNA structures (NSs) are analyzed. NSs (G-quadruplex, i-motif, hairpin, and triplex) play an important role in epigenetic processes (including the genetic variability of viruses), are prone to energetically low-cost conformational transformations and can very effectively be used in the design of nanoscale devices. Numerous experimental data have been analyzed in connection with the so-called oligonucleotides-transformers (nucleotide sequences that able to fold not only into one, but also into several NSs).

Signal transduction in human cutaneous melanoma and target drugs.

Malignant melanoma is an extremely aggressive and metastatic cancer, highly resistant to conventional treatment modalities. Understanding of fundamental mechanisms responsible for its genesis and progression is critical for development of successful chemotherapeutic treatment. It is becoming clear that melanoma results from complex changes in multiple signaling pathways that control cell proliferation and ability to evade the cell death processes.