[Protein transduction domain peptide mediates delivery to the brain via the blood-brain barrier in Drosophila].

Protein transduction domain (PTD)-peptides greatly facilitate the delivery of high molecular weight macromolecules across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This BBB-transport function is highly desirable and helps to enable the development of new therapeutics for treatment of brain disorders. However, the drug discovery process is limited by the generation of a simple and reliable BBB model that is amenable to testing of large number of samples and simultaneously, reproduces the physiological and functional characteristics of the human BBB.

[Studying pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease in a Drosophila melanogaster model: human APP overexpression in the brain of transgenic flies leads to deficit of the synaptic protein synaptotagmin].

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease whose main pathomorphological sign is synapse degeneration in the cortex and hippocampus. Abnormal synaptogenesis precedes amyloidosis and neurodegeneration and correlates with memory impairment during the early clinical phase. Mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene cause familial AD and enhance the secretion of amyloid-beta-protein (Abeta).

[The influence of sodium nitrite on the osmoresistance of Chinese hamster cells].

We have previously demonstrated that incubation of V-79 cells in the medium containing the nitric oxide donor, NaNO2, increases cell resistance to damaging effect of gamma-rays, UV radiation and hyperthermia. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the nitric oxide donor on the sensitivity of V-79 cells to changes in osmomolarity of the medium by adding different amounts of sodium chloride or water. We found that pretreatment of the cells with NaNO2 resulted in a significant increase in the number of growing cells in 48 h after the treatment.

[The influence of nitric oxide inductor (NaNO2) on the sensitivity of Chinese hamster cells to hyperthermia].

Formerly we reported the reduction of sensitivity to gamma- and UV-radiation in Chinese hamster cells of line 90 under the influence of nitric oxide inductor (NaNO2). Of interest was to learn if it possible to reduce the influence of hyperthermia on cells by means of NO inductor. A 1 h long incubation with this NO donor demonstrated an increased survival of cells heated up to 45 degrees C, and a decreased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in these.

[Effect of nitric oxide donor (NaNO2) on the stability of non-transformed and malignant cells to ultraviolet and gamma-radiation].

A decreased sensitivity of the Chinese hamster cells (line V-79) to gamma-radiation under the influence of nitric oxide induction was shown elsewhere. This effect is connected hypothetically with post-radiation reparation of DNA. The investigation of the nitric oxide donor effect on sensitivity of these to UV-radiation is of interest, because this radiation is an important ecological factor of the environment.