Impact of dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 in memory formation on rats and its possible role in neuronal back remodeling.

The article concerns the problem of molecular mechanisms of memory formation. In this study the effects of polyclonal antibodies to serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) complex and its component dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (DRP2) have been analyzed. Intra-cerebral administration of polyclonal anti-SMAP antibody significantly enhanced elaboration and strengthened memory formation in two complex behavioral conditioned models. At the same time, intra-cerebral administration of anti-SMAP antibody resulted in an increase of the content of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the water-soluble fraction of the hippocampus while intra-cerebral administration of anti-DRP2 antibody caused a decrease in the content of ß-III tubulin (a marker of differentiated neurons) in the hippocampus and in the left parietal cortex of untrained rats. The obtained results indicate that DRP2 might participate in regulation of the processes of back remodeling of mature nerve cells of adult organisms, occurring during training of rats in the behavioral paradigm used in this study under the effects of anti-SMAP and anti-DRP2 antibodies. Conclusion is made that back remodeling (dedifferentiation) of mature nerve cells, apparently, is engaged in memory formation.

DNA integrity-protecting and survival-promoting activity of serotonergic system in sturgeon juveniles and sazans.

The study concerns evaluation of engagement of serotonergic system in the mechanisms of antimutagenic protection and survival under adverse conditions. It is shown that under long-term exposure to oil and industrial pollution, simultaneous sharp increase of mutations level in the erythrocytes and downregulation of serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP; Mekhtiev 2000) in the livers of the sturgeon juveniles (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii persicus) is observed. Mutation level was evaluated by the micronucleus analysis and SMAP level-by the indirect ELISA-test utilizing anti-SMAP immunoglobulins. Intramuscular administration of SMAP leads to significant decrease of micronucleus amount in the erythrocytes of the sturgeon juveniles exposed to sediments polluted with PAH and heavy metals. Pre-conditioning of sazans by low dose of insecticide actara (100 mg/l) leads to upregulation of SMAP and to survival of all the animals in the experimental group, kept under high concentration of actara (400 mg/l), while all animals in the control group succumbed under these conditions. I.m. administration of SMAP prior to putting the sazans into the water containing high levels of actara (400 mg/l), in contrast to controls, leads to their total survival. Participation of serotonergic system in the mechanisms of antimutagenic protection and survival promotion under damaging conditions is concluded.

Chemical contaminants and their effects in fish and wildlife from the industrial zone of Sumgayit, Republic of Azerbaijan.

Sediment from a wetland adjacent to an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Sumgayit contained concentrations of total PAHs, total PCBs, aldrin, biphenyl, chlordane, DDT, mercury, beta-endosulfan, heptachlor, alpha-hexacyclohexane (alpha-HCH), gamma-HCH, and several individual PAH congeners that were elevated relative to published sediment quality guidelines. Chemical analyses of tissues from European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) had increased levels of many of the same chemicals including aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor, alpha-HCH, total PCBs, total PAHs, and mercury, compared to reference turtles. In addition, turtle tissues contained elevated levels of DDD, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and pentachlorobenzene that were not elevated in the sediment sample. Some differences were observed in contaminant levels between European pond turtles and Caspian turtles (Mauremys caspica) taken from the ponds in Sumgayit. Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assays on pond sediments were negative or weakly positive. Micronuclei in European pond turtles were statistically correlated with tissue levels of mercury, heptachlor, DDD, HCB, and trans-nonachlor. Microcosm experiments using Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) showed a positive dose-response relationship between exposure to suspended contaminated pond sediment and acute toxicity. Chemical and biological assays used in this study show the industrial area of Sumgayit is heavily contaminated with a complex mixture of toxic pollutants. Exposure to contaminated sediments produced acute effects in Russian sturgeon, but genotoxic effects appear to be slight.