[FEATURES OF tRNA GENES AND YOUNG SUBFAMILIES Alu-REPEATS EXPRESSION IN PROLIFERATION AND APOPTOSIS].

Using human U937 cell culture, we studied the expression of the RNA polymerase III-directeci genes--tRNAi(Met)1, tRNA(His) and Alu-repeats belonging to the youngest subfamilies AluY (AluYa5 and AluYb8) - du- ring camptothecin-induced apoptosis. The level of tRNAiMetl increased 1.5-fold, tRNAHis level did not change, and the level of AluY-RNA increased 4-10-fold after 6 hours of CAM treatment compared to control (non-apoptotic) cells.

Methylation levels of SLC23A2 and NCOR2 genes correlate with spinal muscular atrophy severity.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a monogenic neurodegenerative disorder subdivided into four different types. Whole genome methylation analysis revealed 40 CpG sites associated with genes that are significantly differentially methylated between SMA patients and healthy individuals of the same age. To investigate the contribution of methylation changes to SMA severity, we compared the methylation level of found CpG sites, designed as "targets", as well as the nearest CpG sites in regulatory regions of ARHGAP22, CDK2AP1, CHML, NCOR2, SLC23A2 and RPL9 in three groups of SMA patients.

Genome-wide analysis shows association of epigenetic changes in regulators of Rab and Rho GTPases with spinal muscular atrophy severity.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a monogenic disorder that is subdivided into four different types and caused by survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1) deletion. Discordant cases of SMA suggest that there exist additional severity modifying factors, apart from the SMN2 gene copy number. Here we performed the first genome-wide methylation profiling of SMA patients and healthy individuals to study the association of DNA methylation status with the severity of the SMA phenotype.

[Effect of synthetic cyclopentane beta,beta'-triketones on amino acid metabolism in roots of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) seedlings].

Germination of buckwheat seeds in solutions of synthetic mono- and tricyclic cyclopentane-containing beta,beta'-triketones of various concentrations was accompanied by inhibition of seedling root growth and changes in the contents of glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, proline, glutamine, and alanine. The monocyclic triketone also affected the amount of isoleucine. It is likely that the increase in proline content is a nonspecific response significant for enhancing stress tolerance in seedlings.

[Role of the expression of mobile elements sine and the genes directed by RNA polymerase III in the regulation of intracellular processes].

Small non-translated RNA genes directed by RNA polymerase III (class III genes) comprise substantial part of mammal genomes--about 10%. Besides well-known class III genes--5S rRNA, tRNA, 7SL RNA genes, mobile elements SINEs--a number of new RNA polymerase III-directed genes with poorly studied functions was revealed. According to the latest data, different class III genes can have significantly different expression regulation mechanisms.

[Computational search for potential post-translational modification sites in human RNA polymerase III subunits].

The transcription of small stable non-translated RNA genes (class III genes), directed by RNA polymerase III, is strictly regulated in accordance to physiological state of the cell (growth rate, cell cycle stage, apoptosis, etc.) Post-translational modifications of the polymerase may play the important role in class III gene transcription regulation. Using computational programs searching for potential post-translational modifications sites in proteins (MotifScan, NetPhos 2.

[RNA polymerase III transcription apparatus: structure and transcription regulation].

RNA polymerase III is a complex multi-subunit enzyme directing transcription of small stable non-translated RNA genes: tRNAs, 5S rRNA, Alu-RNA, U6 snRNA genes and some others (class III genes). Because of its complexity the enzyme is the worst studied among three forms of eukariotic RNA polymerases, but it draws more attention of the researchers in recent years. The reason is that new data appeared about an essential role of RNA polymerase III RNA products in such important cell processes as growth, proliferation and differentiation.

Small stable RNA level depends on the physiological state of the cell.

The level of 5S rRNA and tRNAi(Met)1 synthesized by RNA polymerase III was investigated in human epidermoid carcinoma cells A431 at different physiological states: low and high proliferation and apoptosis. The real-time RT-PCR method using SYBR Green I was applied to measure certain RNA species in total cellular RNA. The share of 5S rRNA was practically the same in slowly and actively proliferating A431 cells, but increased about 2.

[Use of the real-time RT-PCR method for investigation of small stable RNA expression level in human epidermoid carcinoma cells A431].

Real-time RT-PCR using fluorescence dyes (e.g. SYBR Green I) is currently the most sensitive and precise method for investigation of RNA level and has long been widely used for absolute and relative quantification of mRNA in the cell.

[Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of rna polymerase III holoenzyme are modifications regulating the level of transcription in vitro].

Two subforms of RNA polymerase III-IIIa and IIIb--were identified in human placenta nuclei. These subforms differed in molecular weight of one subunit, and in buoyant density in glycerol concentration gradient. Protein kinase activity, which phosphorylates at least four subunits of RNA polymerase IIIa and three subunits of RNA polymerase IIIb in vitro, was copurified with both the subforms.

[DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I from human placental nuclei].

This paper describes a large-scale method for solubilisation and purification of DNA-dependent RNA-Polymerase I from mature human placenta. The solubilisation method involves homogenization of the whole human placenta, isolation of cell nuclei, sonication of separated nuclei at high ionic strength and ammonium sulfate precipitation. The purification method consists of chromatography of RNA-Polymerase I activity on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and Phosphocellulose P-11, and glycerol-density gradient centrifugation.

[Biogenic amines in the differential diagnosis of erythrocytes].

Free histamine (FH) and free serotonin (FS) were studied fluorometrically in blood serum of 26 patients with genuine polycythemia (GP), 52 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) associated with secondary erythrocytosis (SE) and 29 healthy subjects. On the grounds of the results of the study criteria of GP and COB-related SE were suggested. Diagnosis of GP can be considered valid if content of FH is no more than 3.

[Extracellular DNA of blood after irradiation].

It has been shown that blood extracellular DNA of irradiated rats largely consists of the low-molecular DNA and its oligomers. Molecular masses of oligomers are multiple to molecular mass of monomer fragment with nucleosome size. The low-molecular DNA has linear form.

[The ornithine decarboxylase activity of the epidermis in psoriasis as a biochemical index of the hyperproliferative process].

The mean levels of activity of the key enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase, in epidermis damaged by psoriasis were 6-fold higher than in normal epidermis. In contrast to the literature data, the activity of the enzyme in uninvolved psoriatic epidermis was also 4-fold higher on DNA basis than that in normal human epidermis. The data obtained suggest that determination of the ornithine decarboxylase activity in epidermis might be considered as the enzyme test for measuring of any hyperproliferative process in the skin, including psoriasis.

[The flow cytometry of lymphocyte deoxyribonucleic acid in chronic lympholeukemia].

A study of 140 patients with B-cell chronic lympoheucosis using flow cytometry of DNA of lymphocytes evidences an interrelation between the severity of the clinical course of the disease and state of lymphocyte DNA. The authors propose to distinguish 2 variants of chronic lympholeucosis: accumulative and proliferative. In the former DNA ploidy and kinetics of tumour lymphocytes did not differ from that in the healthy; in the latter--progression of the disease depended on S-phase lymphocyte contact.

[A flow cytometric study of the effect of chemotherapy on the lymphocyte population composition in chronic lympholeukemia].

Results are described of a study of the population and subpopulation composition of lymphocytes in the course of use monochemotherapy (MTS) and polychemotherapy (PCT) in 60 patients with the tumorous form of B-cell chronic lympholeucosis using flow cytometric analysis. It was shown that cytostatic treatment in this form of hemoblastosis results in a reduction of the absolute number of B-lymphocytes due to reduction of general hemocytosis while the relative content of B-cells remained unchanged in MCT and is increased in PCT. A prolonged scheme of PCT is recommended for clinical use that possesses a distinct antitumour effect as compared with MCT and producing a significantly smaller immunosuppressive effect on the T-cell immune system that other schemes of cytostatic therapy.

[The comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of lymphosarcoma of the pharynx].

Modern methods (intrascopic and other instrumental) were used to increase the diagnostic efficiency and extension of the tumour process in 22 patients with lymphosarcoma of the pharynx. Optimal treatment efficacy is achieved in lymphosarcoma of the pharynx by combined use of surgical, radiation (non-traditional course) treatment as well as chemotherapy which is used at early stages as an adjunctive method.

[Natural killer activity--an index of treatment efficacy in patients with acute leukemia].

Treatment results were analyzed in 60 patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leucosis. In 30 patients treatment was carried out with consideration of sensitivity of blast cells to chemotherapeutic agents, in 30 polychemotherapy programs were used. Results indicate that individual choice of agents produced a large number of complete clinico-hematological remissions.

[The characteristics of the humoral interaction of lymphocytes with neutrophilic granulocytes of the peripheral blood in patients with chronic lympholeukemia under the influence of Proper-Myl].

A study of 32 patients with chronic lympholeucosis (CL) revealed a reduction of the number of phagocytosing neutrophil granulocytes and a reduction of production of humoral mediators by lymphocytes that stimulated the phagocytic function of granulocytes. It is shown that treatment by usually used cytostatic agents did not essentially effect the investigated values. Inclusion of proper-myl in the treatment course of patients with chronic lympholeucosis furthered increase of the number of phagocytosing neutrophil granulocytes and an increased production of humoral mediator stimulating the phagocytic activity of granulocytes.

[The effect of immunocorrective therapy on immunity in patients with idiopathic autoimmune cytopenias].

The author studied the effect of immunostimulating (thymalin) and immunodepressive agents (glucocorticoids) on the state of the immune system in 25 patients with idiopathic autoimmune cytopenias. It was established that the treatment favoured correction of disorders of the immune system characteristic of this kind of pathology. The proposed scheme is recommended for clinical employment in patients with idiopathic autoimmune cytopenias.

[Comparative characteristics of membrane bound and cytoplasmic monoamine oxidases in human placenta].

Catalytic and physico-chemical properties of human placental monoamine oxidases (MAO) were studied. Both forms of the enzyme, membrane-bound and soluble, exhibited similar properties: optimal activity at pH8.3, equal rate of inhibition with selective MAO inhibitors, identical substrate specificity (the best substrate--serotonin).

[Biochemiluminescence in the early differential diagnosis of infectious-inflammatory diseases and acute leukemia].

Spontaneous and induced biochemiluminescence (BCL) of blood plasma and hemolysate of erythrocytes was studied in 563 patients with infectious-inflammatory diseases with leukemoid reactions of lymphatic and myeloid type. It was established that infectious-inflammatory diseases are characterized by an increase of induced BCL of blood plasma and erythrocyte hemolysate. Revealed were 11 persons with low values of spontaneous and induced BCL; 10 of them showed later clinico-hematological symptoms of acute leucosis.

[Circulating immune complexes and neutrophilic phagocytic function in patients with idiopathic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura].

The concentration of circulating immune complexes, serum immunoglobulins and state of phagocytic function of neutrophils was studied in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. The patients showed a significant increase of the levels of circulating immune complexes, content of Ig M and Ig G, an increase of the phagocytic activity of neutrophils at the stage of migration, adhesion and absorption of the heterogeneous. The revealed disorders of phagocytic function and destruction of granulocytes at the stage of digestion may be explained by increased load on the phagocytic neutrophils due to the main pathologic process.

[NAD- and NADP-diaphorase activity in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with the B-cell variant of chronic lympholeukemia].

The authors studied the cytotoxic function, activity of NAD- and NADP-diaphorases in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in 57 patients with B-cellular variant of chronic lympholeukoses and found a significant reduction of the natural killer activity of lymphocytes, increased activity of NADP-diaphorase. Reduction of natural killer activity in patients with B-cell variant of chronic lympholeukoses did not depend on the activity of membrane diaphorases in peripheral blood lymphocytes.