[Developing forensic reference database by 18 autosomal STR for DNA identification in Republic of Belarus].

For the Republic of Belarus, development of a forensic reference database on the basis of 18 autosomal microsatellites (STR) using a population dataset (N = 1040), “familial” genotypic dataset (N = 2550) obtained from expertise performance of paternity testing, and a dataset of genotypes from a criminal registration database (N = 8756) is described. Population samples studied consist of 80% ethnic Belarusians and 20% individuals of other nationality or of mixed origin (by questionnaire data). Genotypes of 12346 inhabitants of the Republic of Belarus from 118 regional samples studied by 18 autosomal microsatellites are included in the sample: 16 tetranucleotide STR (D2S1338, TPOX, D3S1358, CSF1PO, D5S818, D8S1179, D7S820, THO1, vWA, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, F13B, and FGA) and two pentanucleotide STR (Penta D and Penta E).

DISTRIBUTION OF RNA-CONTAINING BEE VIRUSES IN HONEY BEE (APIS MELLIFERA) IN SEVERAL REGIONS OF RUSSIA.

In several regions of Russia, broad distribution of RNA-containing bee viruses was found at apiaries of honey bee Apis mellifera using RT-PCR. Detected RNA-containing bee viruses are transferred simultaneously with invasion of mite Varroa destructor and lead to mass bee mortality that results in economic losses in bee breeding. In samples of Varroa destructor, bee viruses DWV and ABPV were found.

[ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FOUR SEROTONIC GENES POLYMORPHISM (5HTTL, 5HT1A, 5HT2A, AND MAOA) AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN WRESTLERS AND CONTROL GROUP].

This study presents the data on the polymorphisms of the serotonin system genes (5-HTTL, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and MAOA) in male and female wrestlers and in the control group. The population genetics analysis of the 5HTTL gene showed the highest frequency of the SS genotype 5-HTTLPR in sportsmen (p = 0.04), as well as the trend toward higher frequency of united genotypes of the locus of 5-HTTLPR VNTR and SNP rs25531--SASA (p = 0.

[Genetic demography of populations of three megalopolises in relation to the problem of creating genetic databases].

Based on data collected from urban residents by questionnaire, the basic parameters of the genetic-demographic structure of populations of the three megalopolises, i.e., Moscow, Kharkov, and Minsk, have been calculated, including the migration coefficients and their dynamics in generations, the radius of the cities migration attraction, the parameters of marriage structure (the proportion ofinterethnic marriages, the level of intraethnic assortative mating, the marital distances), and the gene flow between the ethnic groups.

[Variation of morphophysiological and genetic demographic traits in children with congenital cleft lip and palate].

Medical records and questionnaire data have been used to analyze morphophysiological (the birth weight and length) and genetic demographic (maternal age and marriage structure) traits in a sample of children with orofacial malformations (OMs, cleft palate and/or cleft lip) living in Krasnodar krai, Russia. The sample of children with malformations (including premature infants) differs from the control group in lower birth weight and length and a lower proportion of children with morphophysiological values close to the population average values, as well as a higher family exogamy level estimated on the basis of marriage structure in the parental and preceding generations. The risk of congenital cleft palate and/or cleft lip is considerably increased if the material age is over 35 years or, to a lower degree, if it is under 20 years.

[RT-PCR detection of deformed wing virus in the honey bee Apis mellifera L. in the Moscow Region].

Deformed wing virus (DWV) was first detected in the honey bee Apis mellifera by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCT) in the Moscow Region. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the detected nucleotide sequence of the virus fragment VP2-VP1 of DWV demonstrated that the Russian virus sequence is united in the common cluster with all earlier revealed nucleotide sequences of DWV in the Genbank worldwide, which confirms the previous conclusions that this virus has recently distributed in the honey bee by Varroa destructor mite. It has been shown that the level of homology for all DWV nucleotide sequences is 98%, except for nucleoside sequence of 7D isolate from Turkey (96% homology), 96% homology with Kakugo virus and 84-86% homology with Varroa destructor virus 1; there is a preponderance of insignificant nucleotide substitutions, mainly transitions, which supports the evolutionary propinquity of 3 viruses.

A reference data base on STR allele frequencies in the Belarus population developed from paternity cases.

The study considers data on 15 STR-loci from paternity cases across Belarus districts from 2004 to the beginning of 2006 (set #1, 580 individuals) and since that to the beginning of 2007 (set #2, 530 individuals); the data majorly consist of ethnic Belarusians. No significant difference was found between the sets, as well as between the country districts in which the cases occurred. The allele frequencies obtained are very similar to those based on population survey at common loci.

[Study of the polymorphic markers--the PARK2 and PACRG genes due to the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in two districts of the Republic of Tyva].

Polymerase chain reaction-RFLP was used to distribute two polymorphic markers (SNP) PARK2-e01 (-697) and rs1333955 located at the common promoter site of the PARK2 and PACRG genes in order to reveal assumed associations with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the Barum-Khemchiksky and Ovyursky Districts of the Republic of Tyva. No significant differences were found in the frequencies of these two polymorphic markers between the groups of patients with tuberculosis and healthy individuals, residing in the above districts, and between the total control samples from both districts. The total group of patients with tuberculosis from the two districts from the Republic of Tyva showed a significant surplus of heterozygotes in both study markers, as compared with the group of healthy individuals, which was also observed for the marker rs1333955 in the Barum-Khemchksky District alone.

[Genetic HLA markers associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in the Barum-Khemchiksky District, Republic of Tyva].

Detection of the genetic markers determining a predisposition to pulmonary tuberculosis is a necessary condition for the warranted formation of risk groups in the populations. On this basis, the authors used immunogenetic studies to examine 60 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 96 healthy individuals of Tuvinian nationality, who lived in the Barum-Khemchiksky District, Republic of Tyva. The microlymphocytotoxic test was used to determine class I HLA antigens and polymerase chain reaction was employed to reveal the specificity of class II HLA-DRB1 gene.

A comprehensive population survey on the distribution of STR frequencies in Belarus.

This work develops a detailed STR database from 11 population samples and samples from paternity analyses from different districts of Belarus. The combined data on 2020 individuals form a total database for the country, with the exclusion power of 99.987% based on 11 STR loci.

The Gagauz, a linguistic enclave, are not a genetic isolate.

The Gagauz are a Turkic-speaking group that migrated from Turkey to their present location in the southern part of the Republic of Moldova about 150 years ago. Surrounded by Indo-European-speaking populations, they thus form a linguistic enclave, which raises the following question: to what extent have they remained in genetic isolation from their geographic neighbours? Analyses of mtDNA and Y chromosome variation indicate that despite their linguistic differences, the Gagauz have admixed extensively with neighbouring groups. Our data suggest that there has been more mtDNA than Y chromosome admixture, in keeping with the patrilocal nature of these groups.

[NotI-STS markers for human chromosome 3 are gene markers].

Ninety four NotI-STS markers to seventy two individual NotI clones were developed basing on DNA nucleotide sequences from NotI-"jumping" and "linking" NotI-libraries of human chromosome 3. The localization of NotI-STS markers and their ordering on chromosome was established by combined data of RH-mapping (our data), contig-mapping, cytogenetic mapping and in silico mapping. Performed comparison of NotI-STS DNAs with human genome sequences revealed two gaps in the regions, 3p21.

[Genetic mechanisms of resistance and susceptibility to leukemia in Ayrshire and black pied cattle breeds determined by allelic distribution of gene Bola-DRB3].

In the herds of Ayrshire and Black Pied cattle breeds of Russian selection, comparative analysis of allelic distribution of BoLA-DRB3 was performed in animal groups with different status of persistent lymphocytosis (PL) caused by the bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Alleles were typed by PCR-RFLP. Different spectra of BoLA-DRB3 alleles mediating susceptibility and resistance to leukemia were detected in the studied breeds.

Human chromosome 3: integration of 60 NotI clones into a physical and gene map.

Sequence tagged sites generated for 60 NotI clones (NotI-STSs) from human chromosome 3-specific NotI-jumping and NotI-linking libraries were physically located using PCR screening of a radiation hybrid (RH) GeneBridge4 panel. The NotI map of chromosome 3 was generated using these RH-mapping data and those obtained earlier by FISH and sequencing of the corresponding NotI clones. The sequences of the NotI clones showed significant homologies with known genes and/or ESTs for 58 NotI-STSs (97%).

[Genetic diversity of moose (Alces alces L.) in Eurasia].

Polymorphism of nucleotide sequence of D-loop fragment of the mitochondrial DNA was studied in 20 moose from several local populations on the territory of Eurasia. Three main haplotype variants of D-loop were detected by molecular phylogenetic method, which formed three clusters named European, Asian and American. Intraspecies variation in the length of HVSI of D-loop of the mitochondrial DNA of moose was revealed.

Mitochondrial phylogeography of moose (Alces alces): late pleistocene divergence and population expansion.

We examined phylogeographic relationships of moose (Alces alces) worldwide to test the proposed existence of two geographic races and to infer the timing and extent of demographic processes underpinning the expansion of this species across the Northern Hemisphere in the late Pleistocene. Sequence variation within the left hypervariable domain of the control region occurred at low or moderate levels worldwide and was structured geographically. Partitioning of genetic variance among regions indicated that isolation by distance was the primary agent for differentiation of moose populations but does not support the existence of distinct eastern and western races.

[Brain-specific sequence Hfb1 is part of the 3'-untranslated region of the human complexin 2 gene: new data from in vitro and in silico experiments].

A genomic clone hybridizing with brain-specific sequence Hfb1 was isolated from a chromosome 5 consmid library. Hfb1 proved to correspond to a new gene exon which codes for a large 3'-untranslated region of the mRNA for synaptic protein complexin 2. Together with the 985-nt Hfb1 cDNA (EMBL Y15167) isolated previously from a cDNA library of the frontal cerebral cortex, the primary structure was established for genomic clone Ghfb sized more than 4 kb.

[Polymorphism of cattle prolactin gene: microsatellites, PSR-RFLP].

In the samples of Russian Ayrshire and Gorbatov Red cattle breeds, distribution of frequencies of prolactin (PRL) gene alleles generated due to the presence of polymorphic RsaI site in exon 3 were studied. In the breeds, the frequencies of the B allele of the PRL gene (with RsaI(+) site) detected by the PCR-RFLP method were 14.1 and 8.

[Radiation mapping as one of main methods of creating high resolution maps of human and animal genomes].

Radiation hybrid mapping (RH mapping) is considered as one of the main methods of constructing physical maps of mammalian genomes. In introduction, theoretical prerequisites of developing of the RH mapping and statistical methods of data analysis are discussed. Comparative characteristics of universal commercial panels of the radiation hybrid somatic cells (RH panels) are shown.

[Evolutionarily-conserved gene CKAP2,located in region 13q14.3 of the human genome, is frequently rearranged in various tumors].

The human CKAP2 gene, which is involved in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, was localized via screening the GeneBridge 4 somatic cell radiation hybrid panel by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The CKAP2 gene was mapped between the WI-15460 and WI-3673 markers at the boundary between regions 13q14.3 and 13q21.

[Mapping of EST- and STS-markers in the human genome using a panel fo radiation hybrids].

Ten DNA markers were localized in the human genome by a screening procedure against the radiation hybrid somatic cell panel (GeneBridge 4 RH Panel) using polymerase chain reaction (RH mapping method). DNA markers were developed to nucleotide sequences adjacent to NotI sites of human chromosome 3 (NotI-STS markers) and also to nucleotide sequences of human cDNA (EST markers). Three EST markers mapped (B10164, S16R and 18F5R) were localized in the human genome for the first time.

[Comparative analysis of Ayrshire and Black Pied cattle breeds by histocompatibility markers].

Distribution of BoLA-A antigens and BoLA-DRB3 alleles was studied by means of the microlymphocytotoxic test (BoLA-A) and the PCR-RFLP method (BoLA-DRB3) using restriction endonucleases RSAI, HaeIII, and XhoII in Ayrshire (n = 127) and Black Pied (n = 129) cattle breeds. Comparative analysis of profiles for class I antigens revealed significant differences in the frequencies of antigens W2, W6, W10, W31, W44, W15, and W19 (P > 99%). The studied breeds also differ in the spectrum of BoLA-DRB3 alleles and distribution of their frequencies.

[Features of the distribution of BoLA-A antigens and alleles of the BoLA-DRB3 gene in Black Pied cattle in relation to association with leukemia].

The character of distribution of BoLA class-I antigens was studied in Black Pied cattle populations differing in status in relation to leukemia. Associative relationships of distinct antigens with resistance and susceptibility to leukemia were revealed. Using the statusmetria method, an integral estimate of predisposition to leukemia (Z) was calculated taking into consideration the contribution of each antigen in the immunogenetic status of the animal.