Oligonucleotide Microchip for the Identification of Infectious Agents of Reproductive System with Simultaneous Analysis of Determinants of Resistance to Antimicrobial Substances.

We developed a multiplexed DNA microarray-based assay allowing identification of 12 causative agents of reproductive tract infections with the simultaneous detection of 47 genetic determinants of resistance to antimicrobial substances. The microarray was tested on 93 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 32 isolates of Treponema pallidum and 29 samples of Ureaplasma spp./Mycoplasma spp. The N. gonorrhoeae isolates had multiple mutations in the penA, ponA, rpsJ, gyrA, parC, and mtrR genes; their prognostic value significantly increased when combinations of mutations were detected. In the analyzed T. pallidum isolates, single A2058G substitution in the 23S rRNA gene responsible for macrolide resistance was found. DNA sequences of Ureaplasma spp./Mycoplasma spp. were determined as wild type, which was not fully consistent with the results of analysis of their antimicrobial susceptibility.

[Method for automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids and its implementation in microfluidic system].

A method and a microfluidic device for automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids from biological samples have been developed. The method involves disruption of bacterial cells and/or viral particles by combining enzymatic and chemical lysis procedures followed by solid-phase sorbent extraction and purification of nucleic acids. The procedure is carried out in an automated mode in a microfluidic module isolated from the outside environment, which minimizes contact of the researcher with potentially infectious samples and, consequently, decreases the risk of laboratory-acquired infections. The module includes reservoirs with lyophilized components for lysis and washing buffers; a microcolumn with a solid-phase sorbent; reservoirs containing water, ethanol, and water-ethanol buffer solutions for dissolving freeze-dried buffer components, rinsing the microcolumn, and eluting of nucleic acids; and microchannels and valves needed for directing fluids inside the module. The microfluidic module is placed into the control unit that delivers pressure, heats, mixes reagents, and flows solutions within the microfluidic module. The microfluidic system performs extraction and purification of nucleic acids with high efficiency in 40 min, and nucleic acids extracted can be directly used in PCR reaction and microarray assays.

[Development of a biochip for quantitative determination of two forms of prostate specific antigen using internal calibration curve].

Three-dimensional gel-based microchip allowing simultaneous quantitative detection of total (PSAtot) and free (PSAfree) forms of prostate specific antigen in human serum (in a format "one patient-one biochip") was developed. A method, which doesn't require preliminary construction of calibration curves when performing an assay, was applied for quantitative determination of PSAtot and PSAfree. Gel elements with immobilized antigen (PSA) in different concentration, forming an internal calibration curve, were included in a structure of the microchip, in addition to the elements with immobilized antibodies specific against PSAtot and PSAfree. The specialized software "ImaGelAssay" was used for data processing and interpretation. The sensitivity of the assay performed on biochips was 0.3 ng/ml for PSAtot and 0.2 ng/ml for PSAfree. Variation coefficient for the measurements inside one series of microchips didn't exceed 10%. Correlation coefficient between the results of measurements in human sera obtained on biochips and by the standard ELISA method was 0.988 for PSAtot and 0.987 for PSAfree.

[The ATP content of the neutrophils and whole blood in the inhabitants of regions in the Altai Territory subjected to nuclear testing exposure]. / Soderzhanie ATF v neitrofilakh i tsel'noi krovi u zhitelei raionov Altaiskogo kraia, podvergshikhsia vozdeistviiu iadernykh ispytanii.

The bioluminescent method was used in the studies of the influence of ionizing irradiation and/or xenobiotics on the content of ATP in RBC and neutrophils of rats, and in whole blood and neutrophils of 80 examined women of Altai Region exposed to ionizing radiation during a series of nuclear tests in Semipalatinsk in 1949-1965. Deviations from the normal ATP content were measured with due to account of the natural variability of a given metabolite. For rats, deviations from the content of ATP in erythrocytes were short-term, those in neutrophils were long-term. For people, a statistically significant increase in the content of ATP in neutrophils as compared to the control was observed. A non-linear correlation between the content of ATP in neutrophils and the calculated dose of radiation was observed. An increase in the ATP content in whole blood, with regard to the control, was not statistically significant for all groups of examined persons.

[Measurement of ATP in intact Escherichia coli cells, containing recombinant firefly luciferase]. / Izmerenie ATP v intaktnykh kletkakh Escherichia coli, soderzhashchikh rekombinantnuiu liutsiferazu svetliakov.

Recombinant firefly luciferase was expressed in E. coli and its properties inside the intact cells were studied. At low concentrations, antibiotic polymyxin B increases permeability of E. coli cell membrane and concentrations of luciferase substrates inside the cells can thus be varied. Effect of intracellular ATP concentrations on intensity of bioluminescence was studied. Recombinant cells expressing the firefly luciferase gene can be used for investigation of substances which influence synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP inside the cells and cell membrane transport.

[Physicochemical properties of recombinant luciferase from the firefly Luciola mingrelica and its mutant forms]. / Fiziko-khimicheskie svoistva rekombinantnoi liutsiferezy svetliakov Luciola mingrelica i eë mutantnykh form.

Physico-chemical properties of the recombinant L. mingrelica luciferase synthesized by E. coli cells have been studied. The catalytic and spectral properties of recombinant luciferase were similar to those of the native enzyme but the former was less stable in the presence of the additional Cys residue. The mutant forms of L. mingrelica firefly luciferase with point mutations Cys-82-->Ala, Cys-260-->Ala, Cys-393-->Ala and Thr-204-->Asp, have been constructed using the method of site-specific mutagenesis. Mutations Cys-82,260,393-->Ala changed slightly the Km values for ATP and luciferin but did not influence kcat. The Cys-393-->Ala mutant appeared to be more stable in comparison with the native enzyme. Mutation Thr-204-->Asp resulted in a 8-fold increase in the ATP binding constant and in a 2-fold increase in the kcat, thus indicating that Thr-204 may be located in the ATP-binding region of luciferase. Dithiothreitol, ethylene glycol, bovine serum albumin and trehalose had a stabilizing effect on the native, recombinant and mutant luciferases.