[Bacterioferritin: properties, structural and functional organization of the dps gene regulatary region].

The paper considers the properties of bacterioferritin Dps, which is involved in the sequestering of iron ions, forms the ferrihydrite core inside the protein cavity, and functions as a major nucleoid protein. Experimental evidence on the effect of microwave irradiation on the dps gene expression is presented. The structural and functional organization of its regulatory region is analyzed, and the technological prospects of bacterioferritin application for designing new materials with desired properties are discussed.

[Antisense transcription within the hns locus of Escherichia coli].

Scanning the entire genome of E. coli by means of pattern-recognition software PlatProm spotted out more than a thousand of potential start points for antisense transcription. Taking into account possible role of antisense RNAs in the cell regulatory networks, our top-priority interest was focused on the promoter-like sites found within genes of transcription regulators.

[Specificiety of DNA-protein interactions within transcription complexes of Escherichia coli].

Current requirement for description of each new promoter assumes identification of all DNA-protein and protein-protein contacts important for transcription complex formation. Experimental approaches allow estimating which one of seven alternative sigma-subunits is employed for RNA synthesis and verifying transcription dependence on known regulatory proteins. Promoter sequence by itself also contains this information.

[Levels in the structural organization of Escherichia coli promoter DNA].

A number of additional structural elements were identified by statistic analysis of nucleotide sequences in promoters recognized by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Together with canonical hexanucleotides, these elements characterize different levels in the structural organization of promoter DNA. Sequence motifs exhibiting the highest statistical significance, which dominate in the contact regions with RNA polymerase alpha and sigma subunits, are considered as targets for specific interaction with RNA polymerase.

[Distribution and functional significance of A/T tracts in promotor sequences of Escherichia coli].

Distribution of the A/T tracts described in earlier publications in the region extending from nucleotide -250 to +150 relative to the transcription initiation site of gene transcribed regions adjacent to promoter was studied. Upstream of the -35 region a succession of A/T tracts was discovered distributed at a shorter distance one from another than in analogous elements of the transcribed region (1 and 1.5 helix turns, respectively).

[Sequence-determined conformational changes in the coding region of the promoter DNA on transcription complex formation].

Chemical footprinting was used to study the spatial structure of bacteriophage T7 promoter D upon formation of the transcriptionally active complex with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Enzyme binding was shown to induce conformational changes in sites located at positions 43 and 57, several helix turns away from the transcription start. This was the first finding of a structural deformation induced by assembly of the transcription complex.

[Specific modification of the alpha-subunit of Escherichia coli Rna polymerase by monomercuric derivative of fluorescein mercuric acetate].

The method for specific modification of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase by a monomercuric derivative of fluorescein--fluoresceinmonomercuracetate (FMMA)--a specific reagent for SH-groups of proteins is suggested. It is shown, that in conditions of equimolar FMMA/enzyme ratio the fluorescent label interacts preferantially with a single sulfhydryl group in alpha-subunit of RNA polymerase. The mercaptide bonding formation is followed by significant alterations of all spectral parameters of FMMA, but has no effect on the kinetic parameters (KB and k2) of RNA synthesis initiation nor does it lead to inhibition of the total RNA synthesis.

[RNA-synthesizing activity of brain chromatin in rats with experimental alloxan diabetes].

Content of noradrenaline was decreased in neocortex and brain stem of rat brain by 70% and 50%, respectively, and that of serotonin--by 50% in the neocortex after development of the diabetic syndrome. At the same time, the RNA synthesizing ability of brain chromatin from the experimental animals was 3-fold higher as compared with controls. Catecholamines (L-DOPA, dopamine, noradrenaline) activated the RNA synthesis in controls by 40-50%, whereas in the animals with alloxane diabetes the effect was distinctly decreased.

[Effect of catecholamines and serotonin on RNA-synthesizing activity in isolated nuclei and chromatin of the rat brain and liver].

It has been shown that intraperitoneal injections of L-DOPA cause an increase in the matrix activity of chromatin and stimulate the incorporation of [3H]uridine into the nuclear fraction of rat brain cells by 35%. In vitro studies have shown that preincubation of brain chromatin with L-DOPA diminishes the inhibiting effect of actinomycin D on RNA synthesis. It has been found that the rate of RNA synthesis in vitro depends on concentrations of catecholamines (L-DOPA, dopamine, norepinephrine) and serotonin.

[RNA polymerase of a rifampicin-resistant mutant of Escherichia coli has an altered selectivity to phage T7 DNA promoters].

The formation of complexes of RNA polymerases from E. coli W12 and its rpoB409 rifampicin resistant mutant with A1 and D promoters of T7 delta D111 DNA was studied by an abortive RNA synthesis technique. The mutation was shown to affect RNA synthesis initiation at these two promotors differentially so that the efficiency of D promotor utilization is enhanced but the use of A1 promotor is unchanged.

[The role of the beta-subunit of RNA-polymerase in specific recognition of promoters].

The complex formation of T7 DNA with RNA polymerase from E. coli B/r WU-36-10-11-12 (E. coli W12) and its rifampicin resistant mutant with highly pleiotropic effect--rpoB409 was studied.

[Role of RNA polymerase in ensuring fidelity in copying the template during transcription in E. coli].

The heterogeneity of cell size of E. coli WU-36-10-11-12 and its four RNA-polymerase (rif-r) mutants with pleiotropic effect -- rpoB401, rpoB402, rpoB403 and rpoB409 was investigated for the purposeful choice of E. coli mutant with an altered fidelity of transcription.

[Role of the beta-subunits of Escherichia coli RNA-polymerase in the regulation of gene activity].

The DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase from E. coli B/r and its rif-r mutant rpoB409 with pleiotropic effect has been studied. It was shown, that multiple forms of promotor sites in T4- and T7-DNA "early" regions are recognized with different efficiences by RNA-polymerases from E.

[Role of RNA-polymerase in gene activity regulation of E. coli RNA-polymerase mutants with a pleiotropic effect. I. Physiological and biochemical studies].

Four Rifr-mutants of E. coli B/r (rpo B401, rpo B402, rpo B403, rpo B409) which differ from the wild strain in one or more phenotypic properties besides rifampicin resistance were obtained. Transfer of the mutant Rifr-alleles into the parent strain gives the latter all the properties of the mutant.