[Endomembrane system of fungi: traditional and modern conceptions].

The review is devoted to the endomembrane system in Fungi, which is mostly presented in cell by membrane organelles, taking part in exo- and endocytosis. Main tenets of the modern model of exo- and endocytosis are covered by the example of the apical cells of filamentous fungi. Particular attention is given to studies of endomembrane system, which were carried out by electron microscopy in the last century--the era in science preceding the prevalence of methods of fluorescence microscopy, immune and molecular genetic tagging. Endomembrane organelles, which are described in classical studies, but have not been identified or differentiated from other organelles modern specialists are under consideration. Among these organelles are lomasomes, plasmalemmasomes, membranosomes and myelin-like bodies. Possible reasons for the "loss" of given structures in today's science and its place in modern proposed model of endomembrane system are discussed. In addition, some specific questions are mentioned, namely: the presence of mushroom mycelium endobionts, morphologically similar to endomembrane organelles, and the increase of number of endomembrane structures in bracket fungi, limited in nitrogen nutrition.

[Longevity control in fungi and other organisms. The conception of scales].

The review deals mainly with gerontological processes that occur on the cellular-colonial level of organization in fungi and cellular-tissular level in other organisms. Aging and anti-aging mechanisms operating on these levels of organization can be considered as common ones for all living things. Fungi, as an object with tissular-like organization of thallus, afford a broad spectrum of possibilities as to solving the tasks of general gerontological import. Three basic (chronological, replicative, and cell-suicidal) and several auxiliary mechanisms of aging are singled out, the classification is given of stochastic aging factors accumulating in cells. It is shown that in complex multi-cellular organisms, aging and anti-aging mechanisms operate on the level of interactions between tissues, though in the base of their actions lie the aforesaid conservative basic mechanisms. Preliminary generalized conception of aging--the conception of scales--is put forward that is founded on the model of balanced and non-balanced counteractions between stressful impacts and various mechanisms of aging and anti-aging with different extent of genetic preprogramming. The importance is reaffirmed of mycological gerontology contribution to broadening of inferences on aging nature.

[Assessment of the significance of climatogeographic conditions as health risk factors].

Under the conditions of hot and mountain-continental climate, the morbidity rates in the inhabitants were estimated to be significantly lower than those in young men who had not been acclimatized or adapted to living conditions and in non-acclimatized men. A role of individual physical environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, average and maximum air speed) and integral exposure by the wind chill index (a combined impact of an air speed and ambient temperature) as risk factors to human health was defined, The mountain-continental climate showed a relationship of the influence of these factors to habitation at different altitudes above sea level.

[Evaluation of the influence of physical environmental factors on morbidity among armed forces personnel].

Under the conditions of hot and mountain-continental climate, the morbidity rates were estimated to be significantly lower than those in young men who had not been acclimatized or adapted to living conditions and in non-acclimatized men. A role of individual physical environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, average and maximum air speed) and integral exposure by the wind chill index (a combined impact of an air speed and ambient temperature) as risk factors to human health was defined. The mountain-continental climate showed a relationship of the influence of these factors to habitation at different altitudes.

[Morphogenesis and ultrastructure of basidiomycetes Agaricus and Pleurotus mitochondria].

Mitochondrial morphogenesis in 31 strains of 9 species of Agaricus--A. arvensis Schaeff., A. bisporus (Lange) Imbach, A. bitorquis (Quel.) Sacc., A. campestris L., A. excellens (F. H. Moller) F. H. Moller, A. macrocarpus (F. H. Möller) F. H. Möller, A. silvaticus Schaeff., A. silvicola (Vittad.) Peck, A. xanthodermus Genev--and 2 strains of Pleurotus--P. ostreatus (Jacg.) P. Kumm., P. pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel.--has many common features in mitochondria distribution under favorable growth conditions (type 1) and in reconstruction of chondriom (fission or fragmentation) under unfavorable growth conditions and aging (type 2). The first type of mitochondria distribution was observed in heterokaryotic mycelium of some Agaricus strains and Pleurotus grown in agar medium during 7-14 days, and also in submerged mycelium of some Agaricus strains and Pleurotus. The second type of mitochondria distribution was observed in homokaryotic Agaricus strains under condition of starvation, in aging mycelium (28 days of growth), and in submerged mycelium of most of Agaricus strains. The first type of chondriom consists of small granular mitochondria in the apical cells and long snake-like network in subapical cells, and restores almost completely the mitochondrial network in the aging mycelium cells. The second type of chondriom consists of small granular mitochondria in all cells of mycelium. The surface of chondriom type 2 mitochondrial membrane was usually closely associated with ribosomes and changed crists. Such mycelium cells in A. bisporus strain Bs94 were TUNEL positive. So, the types of mitochondria morphogenesis in the Agaricus and Pleurotus mycelium cells are similar at different time and growth conditions and depend on complex of physiological and biochemical process in the mycelium cells.

[Proteolytic enzymes of the fungi: extracellular proteases of xylotrophic basidiomycetes].

Proteolytic enzymes of the fungi attract attention of investigators due to many reasons among which their large diversity, wide substrate specificity, stability under extreme conditions (pH, temperature) are most important. Their functional significance, including various processes, from hydrolysis of macromolecular substrates under deficiency of nitrogen compounds to initiation and maintenance of pathogenesis, is also very interesting. The present review deals with classification and biochemical properies of extracellular fungal proteinases, their physiological role as well as fields of practical application. Much attention is given to pecularities of extracellular proteinases of xylotrophic basidiomycetes-- an exceedingly important group of the fungi from the point of functioning of biological communities, and their participation in biodestruction of plant waste which are also used as source of food and medicinal preparations. Special attention is focused on regulation of synthesis and secretion of extracellular proteinases of xylotrophic basidiomycetes.