RecA-dependent or independent recombination of plasmid DNA generates a conflict with the host EcoKI immunity by launching restriction alleviation.

Bacterial defence systems are tightly regulated to avoid autoimmunity. In Type I restriction-modification (R-M) systems, a specific mechanism called restriction alleviation (RA) controls the activity of the restriction module. In the case of the Escherichia coli Type I R-M system EcoKI, RA proceeds through ClpXP-mediated proteolysis of restriction complexes bound to non-methylated sites that appear after replication or reparation of host DNA.

Antibacterial, Antifungal and Algicidal Activity of Phlorotannins, as Principal Biologically Active Components of Ten Species of Brown Algae.

Marine seaweeds synthesize a plethora of bioactive metabolites, of which phlorotannins of brown algae currently attract special attention due to their high antibiotic and cytotoxic capacities. Here we measured the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of several semi-purified phlorotannin preparations of different origins and molecular composition using a set of model unicellular organisms, such as , , etc. For the first time, MIC values were evaluated for phlorotannin-enriched extracts of brown algae of the orders Ectocarpales and Desmarestiales.

RNA-binding protein FXR1 is presented in rat brain in amyloid form.

Amyloids are β-sheets-rich protein fibrils that cause neurodegenerative and other incurable human diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. However, a number of proteins is functional in the amyloid state in various organisms from bacteria to humans. Using an original proteomic approach, we identified a set of proteins forming amyloid-like aggregates in the brain of young healthy rats.

Prions and Non-infectious Amyloids of Mammals - Similarities and Differences.

Amyloids are highly ordered aggregates of protein fibrils exhibiting cross-β structure formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Pathological amyloid deposition is associated with the development of several socially significant incurable human diseases. Of particular interest are infectious amyloids, or prions, that cause several lethal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and can be transmitted from one organism to another.

Screening for amyloid proteins in the yeast proteome.

The search for novel pathological and functional amyloids represents one of the most important tasks of contemporary biomedicine. Formation of pathological amyloid fibrils in the aging brain causes incurable neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Huntington's diseases. At the same time, a set of amyloids regulates vital processes in archaea, prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Action of a basic copolymer of ornithine and leucine on cells of Staphylococcus aureus.

A basic, random copolymer of l-ornithine and l-leucine (OL; molar ratios 1:1) was bactericidal to a sensitive (S) strain of Staphylococcus aureus at low concentration. Resistant cells (R) were selected from the culture medium and, after serial transfers to solutions containing increasing amounts of the polymer, grew well in the presence of very high concentrations of it (1,000 mug/ml). S cells bound much more OL than did R cells, but no difference in binding was shown between separated cell walls or cell membranes of S and R.