[Characteristics of δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase of the Cold-Water Sponge Halisarca dujardinii].

δ-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) is a key enzyme of the cytoplasmic heme biosynthesis pathway. The primary structure of the ALAD gene, the multimeric structure of the ALAD/hemB protein, and ALAD expression during the annual reproductive cycle were studied in the cold-water marine sponge Halisarca dujardinii. The results implicated the GATA-1 transcription factor and DNA methylation in regulating ALAD expression. Re-aggregation of sponge cells was accompanied by a decrease in ALAD expression and a change in the cell content of an active ALAD/hemB form. Further study of heme biosynthesis and the role of ALAD/hemB in morphogenesis of basal animals may provide new opportunities for treating pathologies in higher animals.

[Structure of Neuroglobin from Cold-Water Sponge Halisarca dujardinii].

The iron-containing protein neuroglobin (Ngb) involved in the transport of oxygen is generally considered the precursor of all animal globins. In this report, we studied the structure of Ngb of the cold-water sponge Halisarca dujardinii. In sponges, the oldest multicellular organisms, the Ngb gene contains three introns. In contrast to human Ngb, its promoter contains a TATA-box, rather than CG-rich motifs. In sponges, Ngb consists of 169 amino acids showing rather low similarity with its mammalian orthologues. It lacks Glu and Arg residues in positions required for prevention of hypoxia-related apoptosis. Nevertheless, Ngb contains both proximal and distal conserved heme-biding histidines. The primary structure of H. dujardinii neuroglobin predicted by sequencing was confirmed by mass-spectrometry analysis of recombinant Ngb expressed in E. coli. The high level of Ngb expression in sponge tissues suggests its possible involvement in the gas metabolism and presumably in other key metabolic processes in H. dujardinii.

The Role of Epibionts of Bacteria of the Genus Pseudoalteromonas and Cellular Proteasomes in the Adaptive Plasticity of Marine Cold-Water Sponges.

It was found that cells of different color morphs of the cold-water marine sponges Halichondria panicea (Pallas, 1766) of the class Demospongiae differ in the content of epibionts of bacteria of the genus Pseudoalteromonas. The sponge cells with elevated levels of epibionts of bacteria of the genus Pseudoalteromonas showed an increased expression of Hsp70 proteins but had a reduced level of the proteasomal catalytic beta 5 subunit, which was accompanied by a change in their activity. Probably, epibionts of bacteria of the genus Pseudoalteromonas may affect the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the cells of cold-water marine sponges and, thereby, ensure their adaptive plasticity.

[A Simple and Efficient Method of Inducing Targeted Deletions in the Drosophila Genome].

Deletion mutagenesis is one of the most efficient approaches to studying gene function. However, conventional methods of inducing targeted mutations in the drosophila genome are time- and labor-consuming. This work proposes a new, simple, and effective method of producing drosophila mutants with gene deletions. The method involves the insertion of I-Scel and I-CreI recognition sites and a fragment homologous to the target sequence into the chromosome region of interest by means of an attB-containing construct, the induction of double-strand DNA breaks by the appropriate meganuclease, and their repair by homologous recombination. The procedure results in a deletion extending from the attP-site to the target locus. A cassette was designed to enable single-step construct production for the deletion of any given genomic region. A set of markers facilitates the selection of recombination events. The efficacy of the proposed technique was confirmed by the induction of a 47-kb deletion containing the qtc gene.

[Analysis of polymorphism at nine nuclear genome DNA loci in maris].

Population genetic survey of the indigenous populations of the Marii El Republic, represented by the two major ethnographic groups of Maris, Meadow (five samples from Morkinsk, Orshansk, Semursk, Sovetsk, and Zvenigovsk districts) and Mountain (one sample from Gornomariisk district) Maris, was carried out. All Mari groups were examined at nine polymorphic DNA loci of nuclear genome, VNTR(PAH) (N = 422), STR(PAH) (N = 152), VNTR(ApoB) (N= 294), VNTR(DAT1) (N = 363), VNTR(eNOS) (N = 373), ACE (N = 412), IVS6aGATT (N = 513), D7S23(KM.19) (N = 494), and D7S8 (N = 366). Allele and genotype frequency distribution patterns were obtained for individual samples and ethnographic groups, as well as for the ethnic group overall. In each of six Mari samples examined, the deficit of heterozygotes was observed, i.e., the mean observed heterozygosity was lower than the expected one. The indices of mean heterozygosity, Hs = 0.455, and interpopulation differentiation, FST = 0.0024, for the Mari gene pool were obtained using a set of DNA markers analyzed. Analysis of the genetic distances and between population differentiation (FST) showed that the main part of genetic diversity in Maris was determined by the differentiation between the populations of Meadow Maris. The contribution of the differences between the ethnographic groups of Mountain and Meadow Maris to the ethnic gene pool was small. It is suggested that the main role in the formation of the Mari gene pool is played by the geographic factor.

[Population-genetic structure of Chuvashia (from data on eight DNA loci in the nuclear genome)]. / Populiatsionno-geneticheskaia struktura chuvashei (po dannym o vos'mi DNK-lokusakh iadernogo genoma).

Population-genetic study of indigenous populations representing three ethnic Chuvash group: highland (Cheboksarsk and Morgaush district), lowland (Kanash district) and mid-lowland (Marposad district). Eight polymorphic DNA loci of the nuclear genome (VNTR/PAH, STR/PAH, VNTR/ApoB, VNTR/DAT1, APF, VNTR/eNOS, IVS6aGATT, and KM.19/PstI) were examined in the population of each district. For each of the four population, we estimated the allele and genotype frequency distributions at each polymorphic system, heterozygosities HS and between-population differences FST. In the combined Chuvash sample, HS = 0.464 and FST = 0.006. Loci VNTR(DAT) and VNTR(ApoB) showed highest between-population differentiation (0.009 < or = FST < or = 0.012), and loci IVS6aGATT, APF, VNTR/eNOS, and D7S23 (KM.19), lowest differentiation (0.001 < or = FST < or = 0.003). Analysis of genetic distances revealed somewhat higher genetic similarity between the Cheboksarsk and Morgaush populations belonging to the highland Chuvash group, whereas the highland Chuvash population from the Marposad district, which belong to the mid-lowland group, was more distant from the former populations.

The geographical and ethnic distribution of the D90A CuZn-SOD mutation in the Russian Federation.

INTRODUCTION: Mutations in the gene encoding the free radical scavenging enzyme CuZn-superoxide dismutase have been associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ninety-eight mutations have been found worldwide in patients with ALS, all but one showing a dominant pattern of inheritance. The exception is the D90A mutation which in Finland, northern Norway and northern Sweden exists with an allele frequency of 1-2.5% and is in these regions associated with ALS inherited as a recessive trait. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study we searched for the D90A CuZn-SOD mutation in different ethnic populations of the Russian Federation and found the D90A mutation not only in locations close to the Scandinavian peninsula but also in remote populations in Asia. CONCLUSION: The finding makes the D90A mutation the most prevalent CuZn-SOD mutation globally and has implications for interpreting the recent reports of D90A-heterozygous ALS patients in North America and Europe.

To the research of the gene pool of the Gagauz population of Moldavia.

Population genetic data on Gagauzes from Moldavia are reported here for the first time. AB0 and Rhesus blood groups, serum protein group (HP, TF, GC) and the red cell enzyme polymorphism PGM1 were determined in 190 Gagauzes. In addition to this the ability to taste PTC was tested. The following allele frequencies were found: AB0*0 = 0.5241, AB0*A = 0.3279, AB0*B = 0.1480; RH*D = 0.6083, RH*d = 0.3917; HP*1 = 0.3544, HP*2 = 0.6456; TF*C1 = 0.7472, TF*C2 = 0.1770, TF*C3 = 0.0730, TF*B = 0.0028; GC*1F = 0.1025, GC*1S = 0.5932, GC*2 = 0.3043; PGM*1+ = 0.5932; PGM*1- = 0.1000, PGM*2+ = 0.2607, PGM*2- = 0.1107. The frequency of the PTC*T allele was found to be 0.5298. These frequencies and genetic distance analyses show that the gene pool of the Gagauzes is similar to that of neighbouring southeastern European populations.

[Genetic factors predisposing to occupational fluorosis]. / Geneticheskie faktory predraspolozhennosti k razvitiiu professional'nogo fliuoroza.

Having analyzed a total amount of all systems, the authors specified the most important genetic markers predisposing to chronic flour intoxication: the patients demonstrated higher frequency of ACP1*A and PGM1*1-alleles, phenotypes of acid phosphatase AA, of phosphoglucomutase 1+1+ and 2+2+, of dry cerumen consistence--d. The results could help to improve criteria of occupational selection and to specify practical recommendations on prophylaxis of chronic fluor intoxication.

[Genetic polymorphism and occupational diseases: results of 10-years studies]. / Geneticheskii polimorfism i professional'nye zabolevaniia: itogi 10-letnikh issledovanii.

The paper presents the results of investigations made at the Laboratory of Environmental Genetics, Medical Genetic Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, to search for the markers of genetic predisposition or resistance to a number of occupational diseases (asbestosis, occupational fluorosis, silicosis, dust-induced bronchitis, bronchial asthma).

[Qualitative and quantitative variation of serum proteins in fluorosis patients]. / Sootnoshenie kachestvennoi i kolichestvennoi izmenchivosti syvorotochnykh belkov pri fliuoroze.

Comparison between patients with occupational fluorosis, a group of healthy workers, and a sample from the general population revealed differences in concentrations of some polymorphic serum proteins. These differences depended on phenotypes of patients. TF 1-2, PI 1-2, and HP 2-1 patients exhibited a decreased concentration of transferrin (TF), a decreased concentration of proteinase inhibitor (PI), and an increased concentration of haptoglobin (HP), respectively.

["Synthetic" maps of the Mari gene pool (from immunobiochemical polymorphism data)]. / "Sinteticheskie" karty genofonda Mari (po dannym ob immunobiokhimiheskom polimorfizme).

Models of geographic distribution of 33 alleles of 10 loci (AB0, TF, GC, PI, HP, AHS, F13B, ACP1, PGM1, GLO1) in the indigenous population of five raions (districts) of Marii El Republic were analyzed by cartographic statistical methods. Based on 33 maps for individual alleles, synthetic maps were constructed; they reflected the general characteristics of the spatial variability of the Mari gene pool. A map of reliability of the synthetic maps was also obtained. This study was the first to use estimates of the reliability of the gene-geographic prognosis for constructing and interpreting the maps of principal components. Synthetic maps of principal components reveal the geography of the main factors that determine the genetic diversity of the Maris. In the map of the first principal component (accounting for 25.5% of the total variation of the Mari gene pool), isolines clearly ran in the latitudinal direction; i.e., the variability exhibited a north-south gradient. The direction of changes reflects the characteristic features of the microevolution of the Mari gene pool, because it differs from the direction of the principal components of in the total Ural gene pool. The second principal component (24.3% of variation) also exhibited a latitudinal gradient in the western part of Marii El. In the eastern part of the republic, isolines drastically change their direction and display a marked west-east gradient. This longitudinal orientation of principal components is characteristic of the Maris in the synthetic maps of the Ural region. Contributions of individual genes in the variation of principal components were analyzed. In proceeding from the geographic space to the space of principal components, it was found that Highland Maris are separated from Meadow Maris not only geographically, but also genetically.

Climate-dependent genetic variation of alpha-2HS-glycoprotein.

We studied the possible effects of climatic factors on the world distribution of alleles determining alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) phenotypes in human populations. New data on AHSG polymorphism in certain ethnic groups of Russia are presented. All available data on the distribution of AHSG gene frequencies in the world (number of populations n = 51) were used to analyze possible correlations between AHSG*2 allele frequencies and seven climatic-geographic parameters. A strong positive correlation was found between AHSG*2 allele frequency and geographic latitude of territories inhabited by the study populations (r = 0.814). The dependence of the AHSG*2 allele distribution in the world on the intensity of ultraviolet radiation (400-315 nm) was estimated at r = -0.826. Such climatic characteristics as the total amount of insolation and the average annual temperature proved to make equal contributions to variation in AHSG*2 allele frequency (r = -0.683 and -0.658, respectively). A computer cartographic model of the AHSG*2 allele distribution in the Old World populations of the Northern Hemisphere was constructed.

[Genogenography of the aboriginal population of Marii El (from data on immunobiochemical polymorphism)]. / Genogeografiia korennogo naseleniia Marii El (po dannym ob immunobiokhimicheskom polimorfizme).

The geographic distribution of the frequencies of genes related to the immunological and biochemical polymorphism was studied in the Maris, who are the indigenous population of the Marii El Republic. Data on the frequencies of 33 alleles of 10 loci (ABO, TF, GC, PI, HP, AHS, F13B, ACP1, PGM1, and GLO1) in five raions (districts) of Marii El were obtained. Computer interpolation maps were constructed for all alleles. The maps allows to predict the distribution of the alleles throughout Marii El. A map of the reliability of the cartographic prediction was drawn. For the first time, the reliability of predicted gene frequencies were taken into account in constructing and interpreting the maps of gene frequencies. For the entire set of the studied genes, parameters of heterozygosity (HS) and gene diversity (GST) were estimated. Cartographic correlation analysis was performed to reveal the relationship between gene frequencies and geographic coordinates. It was found that 42% of the studied genes predominantly correlated with latitude and 9% with longitude. It was assumed that the genetic structure of Mari populations had been mainly determined by latitude-related factors. A map of Nei's genetic distances between the overall Mari gene pool and the local populations revealed a central core, which was close to the "average Mari" gene pool, and a periphery, which was genetically distant from it. Suggestions on the microevolution of the Mari gene pool were advanced. Maps of the genes with the most characteristic genetic relief (ABO*B, ACP*A, TF*D, GC*1F, PI*M2, HP*1F, and F13B*3) are shown. These maps exhibit a high correlation with the maps of principal components.

[Meadow Maris: genes, surnames and migrations]. / Lugovye Mariitsy: geny, familii i migratsii.

The matrices of genetic distances, calculated from the frequencies of surnames and the ABO, TF, GC, PI, HP, ACP1, and PGM1 genes, were compared with one another and with the migration matrix. The correlation coefficient between the "gene" and "surname" matrices was 0.71 +/- 0.35; other correlation coefficients were non-significant.

[Genetic structure of the Mari population and its genetic position in the system of other Finno-Ugrian population groups]. / Geneticheskaia struktura Mariiskoi populiatsii i ee geneticheskoe polozhenie v sisteme drugikh finno-ugorskikh grupp naseleniia.

The genetic structure of the Mari population was studied by genetic markers (ABO, TF, GC, PI, HP, ACP1, PGM1). Nei's GST statistic was 0.0192, showing that 1.92% of the genetic diversity in the Mari population can be attributed to the subdivision effect. Genetic distances between Maris and other Finno-Ugric groups were estimated.

[Population genetic characteristics of highland and meadow Mari. Genetic markers]. / Populiatsionno-geneticheskaia kharakteristika gornykh i lugovykh mariitsev. Geneticheskie markery.

ABO blood groups; serum proteins, including transferring (Tf), group-specific component (Gc), proteinase inhibitor (PI), and haptoglobin (Hp); and erythrocytic enzymes, including acid phosphatase (ACP1) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM1), were studied in two ethnic groups from the Marii EI Republic-Highland and Meadow Mari. The size of populations examined were 111 and 140 individuals, respectively. Data on frequency distribution of phenotypes and genes are reported, and the two populations are compared with respect to allelic frequency. To assess the subdivision of the population, GST was used. Its value was 0.0041.

[Population sturcture of the Gorno-Mariiskii region of the Marii El Republic]. / Populiatsionnaia struktura Gorno-Mariiskogo raiona Respubliki Marii El.

The genetic structure of the population of the Gorno-Mariiskii raion, Marii El Republic, was studied. The population consists of two major groups, highland Mari and Russians. The former constitute the majority of the rural population, and the latter, the majority of the urban one. A marked ethnicity-related marriage assortation was found. The value of random inbreeding was estimated using frequencies of surnames. It varied from 0.00015 to 0.00069 (the weighted average was 0.00026). The local inbreeding (a) for Gorno-Mariiskii raion estimated according to Malecot was 0.00029. The local inbreeding for marriages between Mari (0.0022) was five times higher than for marriages between Russians. The indices of endogamy were 0.84 in the rural population and 0.14 in the urban population. The matrix of genetic distances and its image in the form of genetic landscape suggest a regularly distorted isolation by distance and realized panmixia.