[A method of quantitative assessment of cytokine gene mRNA expression levels using real-time PCR in homogenous low cell number populations].

We propose a method of quantitative functional activity assessment in cells isolated via sorting on a flow cytometer. We show that cell populations vary in the mRNA expression of cytokine genes immediately after isolation and sorting, while the maintenance of homogenous populations in culture without stimulation results in an increase in these gene mRNA expression. Using the original system, it is now possible to detect mRNA cytokine genes with high sensitivity, starting from 90 cells per specimen. This approach permits genetic and immunogenetic analysis of gene expression with the goal of determining their functions in the in vitro studies.

[Polymorphism of KPI-A genes from plants of the subgenus Potatoe (sect. Petota, Estolonifera and Lycopersicum) and subgenus Solanum].

Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor proteins of group A (KPI-A) are involved in the protection of potato plants from pathogens and pests. Although sequences of large number of the KPI-A genes from different species of cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum) and a few genes from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) are known to date, information about the allelic diversity of these genes in other species of the genus Solanum is lacking. In our work, the consensus sequences of the KPI-A genes were established in two species of subgenus Potatoe sect. Petota (Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigenum--5 genes and Solanum stoloniferum--2 genes) and in the subgenus Solanum (Solanum nigrum--5 genes) by amplification, cloning, sequencing and subsequent analysis. The determined sequences of KPI-A genes were 97-100% identical to known sequences of the cultivated potato of sect. Petota (cultivated potato Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum) and sect. Etuberosum (S. palustre). The interspecific variability of these genes did not exceed the intraspecific variability for all studied species except Solanum lycopersicum. The distribution of highly variable and conserved sequences in the mature protein-encoding regions was uniform for all investigated KPI-A genes. However, our attempts to amplify the homologous genes using the same primers and the genomes of Solanum dulcamarum, Solanum lycopersicum and Mandragora officinarum resulted in no product formation. Phylogenetic analysis of KPI-A diversity showed that the sequences of the S. lycopersicum form independent cluster, whereas KPI-A of S. nigrum and species of sect. Etuberosum and sect. Petota are closely related and do not form species-specific subclasters. Although Solanum nigrum is resistant to all known races of economically one of the most important diseases of solanaceous plants oomycete Phytophthora infestans aminoacid sequences encoding by KPI-A genes from its genome have nearly or absolutely no differences to the same from genomes of cultivated potatoes involved by P. infestans.

[Genetic diversity and evolution of the influenza C virus].

The influenza C virus is spread worldwide and causes diseases of the upper and (less frequently) lower respiratory tract in human. The virus is not pandemic, but it circulates together with pandemic influenza A and B viruses during winter months and has quite similar clinical manifestations. The influenza C virus is also encountered in animals (pigs and dogs) and is known to override the interspecific barriers oftransmssion. The immune system of mammals often fails to recognize new antigenic variants of influenza C virus, which invariably arise in nature, resulting in outbreaks of diseases, although the structure of antigens in influenza C virus in general is much more stable than those of influenza viruses A and B. Variability of genetic information in natural isolates of viruses is determined by mutations, reassortment, and recombination. However, recombination events very rarely occur in genomes of negative-strand RNA viruses, including those of influenza, and virtually have no effect on their evolution. Unambiguous explanations for this phenomenon have thus far not been proposed. There is no proof of recombination processes in the influenza C virus genome. On the contrary, reassortant viruses derived from different strains of influenza C virus frequently appear in vitro and are likely to be common in nature. The genome of influenza C virus comprises seven segments. Based on the comparison of sequences in one of its genes (HEF), six genetic or antigenic lineages of this virus can be distinguished (Yamagata/26/81, Aichi/1/81, Mississippi/80, Taylor/1233/47, Sao Paulo/378/82, and Kanagawa/1/76). However, the available genetic data show that all the seven segments of the influenza C virus genome evolve independently.

[Molecular cloning and expression of genes of Kunitz-type C protease inhibitors from potato].

We cloned the products of polymerase chain reaction of the genome DNA of potato (Solanum tuberosum L., Istrinskii cultivar) and isolated 35 clones, which represent copies of eight genes encoding Kunitz type C proteases. Their nucleotide sequences were established. All the genes were found for the first time and designated as PKPI-C1-PKPI-N8. The gene PKPI-C2, which we had earlier presumed to encode the subtilisin PKSI inhibitor, was cloned into pQE30 vector and then expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The recombinant protein PKPI-C2 underwent spontaneous folding and transformation into a soluble state. We purified it to homogeneity by affinity chromatography. The PKPI-C2 protein efficiently inhibited subtilisin Carlsberg activity and did not act on trypsin, chymotrypsin, or papain.

[Design of an immunochip for separate detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies].

A test kit as an immunochip designed for the diagnosis of hepatic C virus (HCV) has a high sensitivity and specificity. Recombinant HCV antigens were separately immobilized on the activated slides together with internal controls. Serum test results were red by ScanArray Express. K-factor and corresponding value of cut-off were calculated for each antigen and internal controls. Comparative evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of the immunochip was carried out by commercial ELISA test kits and linear blotting analyses on 448 blood samples containing and free from NCV antibodies.

[Cloning of polygalacturonase inhibitor protein genes from Solanum brevidens Fill].

New data were obtained for the Solanum brevidens Fill. nucleotide sequences coding for polygalacturonase inhibitor proteins (PGIPs), which are involved in plant defense against phytopathogenic fungi. Highly degenerate primers directed to the conserved regions of the known PGIP genes of tomato, kiwi, apple, carrot, and grape were used to clone four pgip genes and one pseudogene from the genome of S. brevidens, a species that is closely related to cultivated potato, forms no tubers, is highly resistant to phytopathogens, and is often employed in potato breeding. The sequenced part of the coding region of the new genes is 924 bp and codes for a protein of 308 amino acid residues (without the leader peptide). The genes were designated as pgipSbr1(1), pgipSbr1 (2). pgipSbr2, pgipSbr3, and pgipSbr4. The amino acid sequences of the S. brevidens PGIPs have 90.9-99.4% identity to each other and 94% identity to PGIP of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., another member of the family Solanaceae. The amino acid residues differing between S. brevidens PGIPs were assumed to determine the selectivity of interactions with particular polyglucuronases of phytopathogenic fungi.

[Gastroprotective effects of histamine H2-receptor blockers in Helicobacter-like gastric mucosa lesions].

This study was designed as a comparative experimental analysis of the gastroprotective effects of two H2-blocking agents--famotidine and benzimidazole compound 64--on the model rat stomach Helicobacter-like mucous lesions. Both substances demonstrated dose-dependent gastroprotective effects both on the macro- and microscopic levels. ED50 made up 21.8 mg/kg and 13.5 mg/kg, respectively.

[Cloning a sequence, coding an SKT1 family protease inhibitor from potato]. / Klonirovanie posledovatel'nosti, kodiruiushchei ingibitor proteinaz semeistva SKT1 iz kartofelia.

Seven structurally similar clones from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), cv. Istrinskii genomic DNA were isolated by cloning of the PCR products. It was suggested that five of these clones were the amplified copies of the same gene. Based on comparative and structural analysis of these clones, initial nucleotide structure of the gene was reconstructed. It appeared to be highly homologous (98%) to the already published sequences encoding the proteins belonging to the soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor family (SKTI). Comparison of the results with the previously published data on the SKTI-type proteinase inhibitors from potato of cv. Istrinskii suggests that the gene examined encodes both chains of the earlier described PSPI-21-6.3 protein [9].