A universal panel of STR loci for the study of polymorphism of the species Canis lupus and forensic identification of dog and wolf.

Commercial panels of microsatellite (STR) loci are intended for DNA analysis of the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and, therefore, when genotyping the Grey wolf (Canis lupus lupus), most markers reveal significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and have a low informative value, which complicates their use in a forensic examination. The aim of this study was to select STR markers that equally effectively reflect population polymorphism in the wolf and the dog, and to create a universal panel for the identification of individuals in forensic science. Based on the study of polymorphisms of 34 STR loci, a CPlex panel of 15 autosomal loci and two sex loci was developed, which is equally suitable for identifying wolfs and dogs. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) between samples revealed significant differentiation values (FST = 0.0828, p < 0.05), which allows the panel to be used for differentiating between wolf and dog samples. For the first time in the forensic examination of objects of animal origin in the Republic of Belarus, population subdivision coefficients (θ-values) were calculated for each of the 15 STR loci of the test system being reported. It was shown that the values of the genotype frequency, when averaged over all studied animals without and with considering the θ-value, differ by three orders of magnitude (3.39 · 10-17 and 4.71 · 10-14, respectively). The use of population subdivision coefficients will provide the researcher with the most relevant results of an expert identification study. The test system was validated in accordance with the protocol of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods. A computational tool was developed to automate the analysis of genetic data on the wolf and dog in the forensic examination; two guides were approved for practicing forensic experts. This methodology is being successfully used in expert practice in investigating cases of illegal hunting, animal abuse and other offenses in the Republic of Belarus.

Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny in Eastern and Western Slavs.

To resolve the phylogeny of certain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups in eastern Europe and estimate their evolutionary age, a total of 73 samples representing mitochondrial haplogroups U4, HV*, and R1 were selected for complete mitochondrial genome sequencing from a collection of about 2,000 control region sequences sampled in eastern (Russians, Belorussians, and Ukrainians) and western (Poles, Czechs, and Slovaks) Slavs. On the basis of whole-genome resolution, we fully characterized a number of haplogroups (HV3, HV4, U4a1, U4a2, U4a3, U4b, U4c, U4d, and R1a) that were previously described only partially. Our findings demonstrate that haplogroups HV3, HV4, and U4a1 could be traced back to the pre-Neolithic times ( approximately 12,000-19,000 years before present [YBP]) in eastern Europe. In addition, an ancient connection between the Caucasus/Europe and India has been revealed by analysis of haplogroup R1 diversity, with a split between the Indian and Caucasus/European R1a lineages occurring about 16,500 years ago. Meanwhile, some mtDNA subgroups detected in Slavs (such as U4a2a, U4a2*, HV3a, and R1a1) are definitely younger being dated between 6,400 and 8,200 YBP. However, robust age estimations appear to be problematic due to the high ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions found in young mtDNA subclusters.

The inhibition of mitochondrial F1-ATPase by 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene.

1,5-Difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene completely inhibits F1-ATPase when it is used at micromolar concentrations and the inhibitor/enzyme molar ratio is equal to 3. The inhibition can be reversed by dithiothreitol treatment. 7-Chloro-4-nitrobenzofurazan treatment of F1-ATPase does not prevent the reaction of the enzyme with 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-induced inhibition is thought to be a result of the modification of a tyrosine residue with pK 9.1.

Liposomes with phosphatidylethanol as a carrier for oral delivery of insulin: studies in the rat.

In this study, phosphatidylethanol formed by phospholipase D catalysed transphosphatidylation of phosphatidylcholine was employed as a component for preparation of liposomal carrier for oral delivery of insulin. Thermotropic behaviour of liposomes from mixtures of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanol, and their resistance to pancreatic phospholipase A(2) catalysed hydrolysis were studied. Three kinds of liposomes with insulin were prepared to examine the pharmacological availability of liposomes with phosphatidylethanol: (i) dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine/dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanol (1:1 w/w) liposomes; (ii) dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine/dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanol/palmitoyl-stearoyl sucrose (1:1:0.2) liposomes; and (iii) liposomes composed of natural phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol (1:1). The resultant liposomes were orally administrated to rats with blood glucose concentration of 270 mg/100 ml in a dose of 12 IU/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected 0.5, 1.5, 3, 5, and 24 h after treatment. Oral administration of all liposomal species resulted in hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia induced by liposomes containing dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanol was attended by a decrease of blood glucose concentration. No correlation between insulin level and glucose concentration in the rat blood after oral administration of phosphatidylinositol-containing liposomes was observed.