Genetic classification of Aegilops columnaris Zhuk. (2n=4x=28, UcUcXcXc) chromosomes based on FISH analysis and substitution patterns in common wheat × Ae. columnaris introgressive lines.

Aegilops columnaris is a tetraploid species originated from Ae. umbellulata (2n=2x=14, UU) and a yet unknown diploid grass species. Although Ae. columnaris possesses some agronomically valuable traits, such as heat and drought tolerance and resistance to pests, it has never been used in wheat breeding because of difficulties in producing hybrids and a lack of information on the relationships between Ae. columnaris and common wheat chromosomes. In this paper, we report the development of 57 wheat - Ae. columnaris introgressive lines covering 8 of the14 chromosomes of Aegilops. Based on substitution spectra of hybrids and the results of FISH analysis of the parental Ae. columnaris line with seven DNA probes, we have developed the genetic nomenclature of the Uc and Xc chromosomes. Genetic groups and genome affinities were established for 11 of 14 chromosomes; the classification of the remaining three chromosomes remains unsolved. Each Ae. columnaris chromosome was characterized on the basis of C-banding pattern and the distribution of seven DNA sequences. Introgression processes were shown to depend on the parental wheat genotype and the level of divergence of homoeologous chromosomes. We found that lines carrying chromosome 5Xc are resistant to leaf rust; therefore, this chromosome could possess novel resistance genes that have never been utilized in wheat breeding.

[Genetic diversity of common wheat varieties at the gliadin-coding loci].

One hundred and fifty Russian and foreign winter common wheat varieties were examined by the PAGE method. A total of 70 alleles were identified at seven gliadin-coding loci. It was demonstrated that 42% of varieties were heterogeneous, i.e., were represented by a number of genotypes, while 52% of varieties were homogeneous. A unique combination of gliadin alleles was typical of 91.3% of examined varieties, while 8.7% of varieties had identical alleles of all gliadin-coding loci and were indistinguishable. Frequent and rare alleles were identified, with the former accounting for 18.6% of all alleles. It was demonstrated that allelic diversity at the Gli-2 loci (47 alleles) was almost twice that at the Gli-1 loci (23 loci) and was determined by the number of rare alleles. New alleles for the winter common wheat, including three alleles of the GliA2 locus and two alleles of the Gli-B2 locus, were determined. A tendency toward a reduction of the genetic diversity level in modern varieties, which was due to the use of identical parental varieties in breeding programs, was identified.

[Comparative analysis of natural and synthetic antimutagens as regulators of gene expression in human cells under exposure to ionizing radiation].

This paper studies the effect of plant peptides of thionine Ns-W2 extracted from seeds of fennel flower (Nigella sativa) and ß-purothionine from wheat germs (Triticum kiharae), as well as a synthetic antimutagen (crown-compound), on the expression of several genes involved in the.control of cellular homeostasis, processes of carcinogenesis, and radiation response in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RD cells), T-lymphoblastoid cell line Jurkat, and blood cells. All of these agents acted as antimutagens-anticarcinogens, reducing the expression of genes involved in carcinogenesis (genes of families MMP, TIMP, and IAP and G-protein genes) in a tumor cell. A pronounced reduction in the mRNA level of these genes was caused by thionine Ns-W2, and the least effect was demonstrated by ß-purothionine. Antimutagens had very little effect on the mRNA levels of the several studied genes in normal blood cells.

[Genetic diversity of modern Russian durum wheat cultivars at the gliadin-coding loci].

The allelic diversity at four gliadin-coding loci was examined in modern cultivars of the spring and winter durum wheat Triticum durum Desf. Comparative analysis of the allelic diversity showed that the gene pools of these two types of durum wheat, having different life styles, were considerably different. For the modern spring durum wheat cultivars, a certain reduction of the genetic diversity was observed compared to the cultivars bred in the 20th century.

[Characterization of the Bellevalia sarmatica (Georgi) woronow populations from Volgograd oblast using molecular genetic identification].

DNA samples obtained from the populations of the Red Data Book species Bellevalia sarmatica (Georgi) Worovow from Volgograd oblast were examined using RAPD and AFLP analyses. DNA marking revealed considerable differences in the levels of interpopulation and intraspecific polymorphism of the Bellevalia. Furthermore, RAPD analysis, despite of lower levels of interpopulation polymorphism identified, made it possible to obtain clearer data on population subdivision upon statistical treatment of the results. The results of this study can be used in developing conservation strategies for maintenance of the species abundance and genetic diversity, as well as in elaborating the criteria for construction genetic collections.

[Nitrates in therapy of effort angina in hypotensive patients]. / Nitraty v terapii stenokardii napriazheniia u bol'nykh s arterial'noi gipotenziei.

A randomized single blind cross-over trial with placebo lead-in has been conducted in 71 anginal patients with arterial hypotension (group 1) and 38 ischemic heart disease patients with normal arterial pressure (group 2) to compare efficacy of therapy with isosorbide dinitrate (ID), sustac-forte (SF), isosorbide dinitrate retard (IDR) and trinitrolong (TN). Paired bicycle exercises revealed that in group 1 patients ID was low effective in 49%, SF--in 61%, IDR was highly effective in 97% and TN--in 96%. In group 1 tolerance to antianginal effect of ID, SF and IDR shown by stress myocardial scintigraphy with Tl-199 developed earlier--in 2-4 weeks in 63-70% patients (versus 22-27% in group 2; p < 0.01). Recovery of ID, SF, IDR effect required prolongation of the drug withdrawal period to 8-16 days (versus 3-5 days in group 2; p < 0.05). TN therapy remained effective for 3 months. Resistance to ID, SF in group 1 was relative and depended on dosage form of nitrates.

[Synthesis of somatostatin in Escherichia coli cells: isolation and characteristics]. / Sintez somatostatina v kletkakh Escherichia coli. Vydelenie i kharakteristika.

A synthetic gene coding for somatostatin-14 (SST) was cloned in plasmid expression vectors in frame with the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene, both genes being divided by a Met residue. The hybrid gene was expressed under the control of the CAT gene promoter (Pcat) or the tryptophan operon promoter (Ptrp). Them fused genes gave insoluble polypeptide products amounting from 5% of the total cellular protein under constitutive biosynthesis conditions (Pcat) to 30% upon induction (Ptrp). SST was liberated from the fused polypeptide by treatment with cyanogen bromide, purified to homogeneity by gel-filtration and reverse phase HPLC, and finally refolded by dilution and air oxidation. The renaturated recombinant SST showed the specific biological and immunological activities of the native peptide.

[Molecular and crystallographic structure of D-11-aza-19-nortestosterone]. / Molekuliarnaia i kristallicheskaia struktura D-11-aza-19-nortestosterona.

Crystal and molecular structure of D-11-aza-19-nortestosterone monohydrate C17H25NO2.H2O (a 8,288(2), b 12,433(2), c 7,570(2) A, beta 90,25(1) degrees; space group P2(1), R 8.3%) has been determined by X-ray analysis. Its comparison with the molecular structure of D-19-nortestosterone showed that the decrease in the hormonal activity upon 11-aza-substitution may be due to difference in chemical properties of imino and methylene groups.

[Conformation of the dienone system of delta 4,9-19-nor-3-ketosteroids from x-ray analysis data and its relation to reception and hormonal activity]. / Konformatsiia dienonovoi sistemy delta 4,9-19-nor-3-ketosteroidov po dannym rentgenostrukturnogo analiza i ee sviaz' s retseptsiei i gormonal'noi aktivnost'iu.

Basing on the data of the X-ray analysis of 2 beta-methylestr-4,9-dien-3-one-17 beta-ol (C19H26O2) and A-ring unsubstituted steroid 4,9-dien-3-ones, the noncomplanarity and flexibility of the conjugated dienone system in these transformed steroids has been demonstrated. The results have been also confirmed by UV spectroscopy. The ability of the dienone system to assume conformations with the out of- plane C3 = O3 and/or C9 = C10 bonds allows the AB-fragment of the steroid molecule to adopt the conformations required for interacting with various receptors. This property may also account for a simultaneous enhancement of several hormonal activities upon such a modification of steroids. The results of the X-ray analysis of 2 beta-methylestra-4,9-dien-3-one-17 beta-ol (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), a 8,543(2), b 9,783(2), c 18,690(7) A, R 8,7%) are presented.

[Natural peptides and their analogs. XXXI. Synthesis and properties of the retro-analog of methionine-5-enkephalin]. / Prirodnye peptidy i ikh analogi. XXXI. Sintez i izuchenie svoistv retroanaloga metionin-5-énkefalina.

The synthesis of retro-analog of methionine-5-enkephalin was performed. This peptide is an isomer of the natural methionine-5-enkephalin, but differs from it by opposite direction of peptide linkages between the amino acid residues. The influence of retro-analog on prolactin secretion was studied both in vivo and in vitro. The retro-analog was found to stimulate the prolactin secretion more effectively than methionine-5-enkephalin.

[Effect of methionine-5-enkephalin retroanalog on gastric secretion]. / Vliianie retroanaloga metionin-5-enkefalina na sekretsiiu zheludka.

Alteration of the enkephalin molecule by means of synthesis of peptide with opposite direction of peptide connections between residues of aminoacids (retro--methionin--5--enkephalin) entailed some changes of its action in respect to activity of the stomach secretory cells in dogs. Thus, for instance, the retroanalogue methionin--5--enkephalin proved to be a more efficient activator of gastric secretion induced with pentagastrin.