[Role of Proteins Interacting with the eRF1 and eRF3 Release Factors in the Regulation of Translation and Prionization].

The review discusses the role that proteins interacting with the translation termination factors eRF1 and eRF3 play in the control of protein synthesis and prionization. These proteins interact not only with each other, but also with many other proteins involved in controlling the efficiency of translation termination, and associate translation termination with other cell processes. The termination of translation is directly related not only to translation re-initiation and ribosome recycling, but also to mRNA stability and protein quality control. This connection is ensured by the interaction of eRF1 and eRF3 with proteins participating in various cell metabolic processes, such as mRNA transport from the nucleus into the cytoplasm (Dbp5/DDX19 and Gle1), ribosome recycling (Rli1/ABCE1), mRNA degradation (Upf proteins), and translation initiation (Pab1/PABP). In addition to genetic control, there is epigenetic control of translation termination. This mechanism is associated with prion polymerization of the Sup35 protein to form the [PSI^(+)] prion. The maintenance of the [PSI^(+)] prion, like other yeast prions, requires the operation of a system of molecular chaperones and protein sorting factors. The review considers in detail the interaction of the translation termination factors with proteins involved in various cellular processes.

Amyloid and Amyloid-Like Aggregates: Diversity and the Term Crisis.

Active accumulation of the data on new amyloids continuing nowadays dissolves boundaries of the term "amyloid". Currently, it is most often used to designate aggregates with cross-ß structure. At the same time, amyloids also exhibit a number of other unusual properties, such as: detergent and protease resistance, interaction with specific dyes, and ability to induce transition of some proteins from a soluble form to an aggregated one. The same features have been also demonstrated for the aggregates lacking cross-ß structure, which are commonly called "amyloid-like" and combined into one group, although they are very diverse. We have collected and systematized information on the properties of more than two hundred known amyloids and amyloid-like proteins with emphasis on conflicting examples. In particular, a number of proteins in membraneless organelles form aggregates with cross-ß structure that are morphologically indistinguishable from the other amyloids, but they can be dissolved in the presence of detergents, which is not typical for amyloids. Such paradoxes signify the need to clarify the existing definition of the term amyloid. On the other hand, the demonstrated structural diversity of the amyloid-like aggregates shows the necessity of their classification.

Carbohydrate metabolism in women with metabolic syndrome with multimodal non-drug correction of menopausal disorders.

PURPOSE OF WORK: To study the effect of non-pharmacological correction on carbohydrate metabolism in women with menopausal disorders against the background of metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 330 women 45-50 years old with menopausal disorders during the menopausal transition and metabolic syndrome (MS) are ranked in 5 groups. Group I used: basic treatment, physiotherapy, balneotherapy, multivitamins and minerals, as well as physiotherapeutic factors (vibration therapy, chromotherapy, melotherapy, aromatherapy, aeroionotherapy). In group II, chromotherapy was excluded from the above methods, in group III - vibration therapy, in group IV physiotherapy was not used, in group V only basic treatment was used. The levels of glucose, serum insulin, and the HOMA-IR index (Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance) were determined. RESULTS: The inclusion of physical factors in the treatment complex significantly improved carbohydrate metabolism. The simultaneous use of all these physical factors allowed the most significant decrease in the HOMA-IR index after 6 months of therapy in patients with mild climacteric syndrome by 56,2 %, in patients with moderate climacteric syndrome by 57,2 %, respectively (p < 0,0001). The decrease in the total Green test score was 55,3 % and 39,9 %, respectively (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSION: Non-drug complex programs with physiotherapy improve carbohydrate metabolism and contribute to the regression of menopausal disorders in women with metabolic syndrome during the menopausal transition. The priority is the simultaneous use of vibration therapy, chromotherapy, melotherapy, aromatherapy and aeroionotherapy.

Sup35NMp morphology evaluation on Au, Si, formvar and mica surfaces using AFM, SEM and TEM.

Prion and some other incurable human neurodegenerative diseases are associated with misfolding of specific proteins, followed by the formation of amyloids. Despite the widespread usage of the transmission electron and of the atomic force microscopy for studing such amyloids, many related methodological issues still have not been studied until now. Here, we consider one of the first amyloids found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, i.e. Sup35NMp, to study the adsorption of monomeric protein and its fibrils on the surface of mica, silica, gold and on formvar film. Comparison of linear characteristics of these units calculated by processing of images obtained by the atomic force, transmission and scanning electron microscopy was carried out. The minimal number of measurements of fibril diameters to obtain the values in a given confidence interval were determined. We investigated the film formed by monomeric protein on mica surface, which veiled some morphology features of fibrils. Besides, we revealed that parts of the Sup35NMp excluded from the fibril core can form a wide "coat". The length of the protein forming the core of the fibrils was estimated.

[Rnq1 protein protects [PSI

The interaction of [PSI^(+)] and [PIN^(+)] factors in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known as the first evidence of prions networks. In [PIN^(+)] cells, Rnq1p prion aggregates work as a template for Sup35p aggregation, which is essential for [PSI^(+)] induction. No additional factors are required for subsequent Sup35p aggregation. Nevertheless, several recent reports provide data that indicate a more complex interplay between these prions. Our results show that the presence of Rnq1p in the cell significantly decreases the loss of [PSI^(+)] prion, which is caused by a double mutation in SUP35 (Q61K, Q62K substitutions in the Sup35 protein). These observations support the existence of interaction networks that converge on a strong linkage of prionogenic and prion-like proteins, and the participation of Rnq1 protein in the maintenance of prion [PSI^(+)].

[Identification of new genes that affect [PSI

Translation termination is an important step in gene expression. Its correct processing is governed by eRF1 (Sup45) and eRF3 (Sup35) proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutations in the corresponding genes, as well as Sup35 aggregation in [PSI^(+)] cells that propagate the prion form of Sup35 lead to inaccurate stop codon recognition and, consequently, nonsense suppression. The presence of stronger prion variants results in the more efficient suppression of nonsense mutations. Previously, we proposed a synthetic lethality test that enables the identification of genes that may influence either translation termination factors or [PSI^(+)] manifestation. This is based on the fact that the combination of sup45 mutations with the strong [PSI^(+)] prion variant in diploids is lethal. In this work, a set of genes that were previously shown to enhance nonsense suppression was analyzed. It was found that ABF1, FKH2, and REB1 overexpression decreased the growth of strains in a prion-dependent manner and, thus, might influence [PSI^(+)] prion toxicity. It was also shown that the synthetic lethality of [PSI^(+)] and sup45 mutations increased with the overexpression of GLN3 and MOT3 that encode Q/N-rich transcription factors. An analysis of the effects of their expression on the transcription of the release factors genes revealed an increase in SUP35 transcription in both cases. Since SUP35 overexpression is known to be toxic in [PSI^(+)] strains, these genes apparently enhance [PSI^(+)] toxicity via the regulation of SUP35 transcription.

[Modification of [PSI+] prion properties by the combination of amino acid changes within Sup35 protein N-domain].

[PSI+] prion is an amyloid isoform of a release factor Sup35p (eRF3). The structure of these protein aggregates remains unclear despite a long term history of prion amyloids investigations. The N-terminal domain of Sup35p (which is responsible for a propagation of prion) shapes superpleated beta-structure, according to modern concepts. Recently we constructed five double mutations within SUP35 sequence encoding the N-terminal prion-forming domain and investigated properties of mutant proteins. Mutations sup35-M1 (YQ46-47KK) and sup35-M2 (QQ61-62KK) lead to [PSI+] prion loss, while other mutant alleles (sup35-M3 QQ70-71KK; sup35-M4 QQ80-81KK; sup35-M5 QQ89-90KK) maintained prion. For the detail analysis of effects of mutant alleles on Sup35p aggregation we characterized propagation and properties of [PSI] prion in yeast strains bearing different mutant allele combinations. The data obtained have refined a supposed organization of beta-sheets forming by different regions of Sup35p prion-forming domain within amyloid. Also we obtained evidences that mutant sup35-M2 and sup35-M4 alleles change structure of prion aggregates. The prion destabilization by these mutations possibly is connected with decrease of heteroaggregate fragmentation by chaperones.