A genetic and molecular study of learning processes in rats.

Using the conditioned feeding reflex model, a polymorphism for the rate of formation of this response was identified in a population of laboratory animals. Selection for high and low rate of the formation of this reflex resulted in significant differences in this character between two strains by the second generation. These differences were maintained in subsequent generations.

An investigation of the effect of antisense RNA gene on bovine leukaemia virus reproduction in cell culture.

A possible approach to control of bovine lymphoproliferative disease caused by bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) may be the development of an "antiviral information immunity" based on the effect of anti-sense RNA (asRNA). A numbers of constructs were obtained, under control of various promotors (herpesvirus thymidine kinase, T-antigen SV40 promoter), carrying as DNA against gene X, the expression product of which is a transactivator of viral transcription from the BLV LTR promotor. As a model system for the analysis of antiviral activity of constructs developed, cloned continuous cell lines of BLV-producing FLK cells were used.

[Nature of the endogenous retrovirus-like particles of the rat liver].

Previously virus-like particles (VLP) with properties resembling retroviruses were isolated from the liver of Wistar rats. Molecular hybridization and CRIA test were used for further analysis of the VLP. The CRIA method showed that VLP preparation lacked antigenic determinants of the major internal protein of C-type virus.

Reverse transcriptase of rat liver associated with the endogenous retrovirus related to the mouse intracisternal A-particles.

Reverse transcriptase activity was found in rat liver enclosed in virus-like particles. Through hybridization with DNA probes of A- and C-type retroviruses and with the help of electron microscopy the virus-like particles have been identified as endogenous retroviruses related to the mouse intracisternal A-particles. Blot hybridization revealed the provirus DNA in the rat genome.

[Mechanism of enzymatic imprinting induced in rats by an early postnatal administration of galactose].

Administration of galactose into young rats within an early postnatal period led to alteration in activity of some enzymes involved in utilization of galactose (galactose-1-phosphaturidyl transferase, galactose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase etc) for a long period of the animals life. This stable alteration in activity of adaptive enzymes was characterized as the enzymatic imprinting. After administration of galactose into neonatal animals synthesis of RNA, matrix activity of chromatin, activities of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and RNA-dependent DNA polymerase were shown to increase in liver tissue of these animals.