АНТИГЕННАЯ АКТИВНОСТЬ КЛЕТОЧНЫХ МЕТАБОЛИТОВ ПРОТОСКОЛЕКСОВ Coenurus cerebralis

The results of the analysis of serums blood of sheep immunized twice intramuscularly by excretes and secrets of cultivated cages of Coenurus cerebralis protoscolex (a cellular antigene), immunoenzyme reaction of ELISA are given. High antigene activity of a cellular antigene is established. Optical density (OD) parameters in ELISA of serums of immunized sheep during experiment (110 days) on the average on group made 2,339 that above those before immunization (0,314) by 7,45 times. The parameters of OD in control group were on the average 0,201–0,251.Приведены результаты анализа сывороток крови овец, иммунизированных двукратно внутримышечно экскретами и секретами культивируемых клеток протосколексов Coenurus cerebralis (клеточный антиген), иммуноферментной реакцией ELISA. Установлена высокая антигенная активность клеточного антигена. Показатели оптической плотности (ОП) в ELISA сы-вороток иммунизированных овец в период эксперимента (110 сут) в среднем по группе составили 2,339, что выше таковых до иммунизации (0,314) в 7,45 раза. В контрольной группе овец показатели ОП были в среднем 0,201–0,251

Regulation of the apoptotic genes in breast cancer cells by the transcription factor CTCF

CTCF is a highly conserved and ubiquitous transcription factor with versatile functions. We previously demonstrated that elevated protein levels of CTCF in breast cancer cells were associated with the specific anti-apoptotic function of CTCF. We used proteomics and microarray approaches to identify regulatory targets of CTCF specific for breast cancer cells. Among the CTCF identified targets were proteins involved in the control of apoptosis. A proapoptotic protein, Bax, negatively regulated by CTCF, was chosen for further investigation. Repression of the human Bax gene at the transcriptional level by CTCF in breast cancer cells was confirmed by real-time PCR. Two CTCF binding sites within the Bax promoter were identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and footprinting. In reporter assays, the Bax-luciferase reporter construct, containing CTCF-binding sites, was negatively regulated by CTCF. In vivo, CTCF occupied its binding sites in breast cancer cells and tissues, as confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Our findings suggest a possible mechanism of the specific CTCF anti-apoptotic function in breast cancer cells whereby CTCF is bound to the Bax promoter, resulting in repression of Bax and inhibition of apoptosis; depletion of CTCF leads to activation of Bax and apoptotic death. CTCF binding sites in the Bax promoter are unmethylated in all cells and tissues inspected. Therefore, specific CTCF interaction with the Bax promoter in breast cancer cells, and the functional outcome, may depend on a combination of epigenetic factors characteristic for these cells. Interestingly, CTCF appears to be a negative regulator of other proapoptotic genes (for example, Fas, Apaf-1, TP531NP1). Conversely, stimulating effects of CTCF on the anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bag-3) have been observed. Taken together, these findings suggest that specific mechanisms have evolved in breast cancer cells to protect them from apoptosis; regulation of apoptotic genes by CTCF appears to be one of the resistance strategies

Современная эпизоотическая ситуация и прогноз по основным гельминтозам животных в Российской Федерации на 2018 год (весна и начало пастбищного сезона)

We had analyzed longstanding meteorological data (precipitation total and average monthly temperature of air, atmosphere relative humidity), pond and feeding ground condition in order to develop prognosis by major helminthiasis of farm livestock within Russian Federation for 2018. Combination of such limiting factors determines the importance of territory zoning for studying the regularity of helminthiasis epidemic processes. Data received in analysis of forms on veterinary medicine accountability for the previous years are taken into account. Obtained results are based on the initial registration of disease and animals mortality, diagnostic testing, on prophylaxis, medicative as well as veterinary and sanitary arrangements, which are held by institutes of state veterinary service and by Veterinary Health Office workers in other households, at enterprises, and also on transport and state boundary. Analysis of epidemic situation suggests that grazing season in 2018 will be unfavorable in relation to transfer of “grazing” helminthiasis.Для разработки прогноза по основным гельминтозам сельскохозяйственных животных в РФ на 2018 год нами были проанализированы многолетние метеорологические данные (сумма осадков и среднемесячные температуры воздуха, относительная влажность воздуха), состояние водоемов и пастбищ. Сочетание таких лимитирующих факторов определяет важность районирования территории для изучения закономерности эпизоотического процесса гельминтозов. Учтены данные, полученные при анализе форм ветеринарной отчетности за предыдущие годы. Полученные результаты основаны на первичной регистрации заболеваний и падеже животных, диагностических исследованиях, на профилактических, лечебных и ветеринарно-санитарных мероприятиях, выполняемых учреждениями государственной ветеринарной сети и работниками ветеринарной службы в иных хозяйствах, на предприятиях, а также на транспорте и государственной границе. Анализ эпизоотической ситуации дает основание предполагать, что пастбищный сезон 2018 года будет неблагоприятным в отношении передачи «пастбищных» гельминтозов

Widespread Expression of BORIS/CTCFL in Normal and Cancer Cells

BORIS (CTCFL) is the paralog of CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor; NM_006565), a ubiquitously expressed DNA-binding protein with diverse roles in gene expression and chromatin organisation. BORIS and CTCF have virtually identical zinc finger domains, yet display major differences in their respective C- and N-terminal regions. Unlike CTCF, BORIS expression has been reported only in the testis and certain malignancies, leading to its classification as a “cancer-testis” antigen. However, the expression pattern of BORIS is both a significant and unresolved question in the field of DNA binding proteins. Here, we identify BORIS in the cytoplasm and nucleus of a wide range of normal and cancer cells. We compare the localization of CTCF and BORIS in the nucleus and demonstrate enrichment of BORIS within the nucleolus, inside the nucleolin core structure and adjacent to fibrillarin in the dense fibrillar component. In contrast, CTCF is not enriched in the nucleolus. Live imaging of cells transiently transfected with GFP tagged BORIS confirmed the nucleolar accumulation of BORIS. While BORIS transcript levels are low compared to CTCF, its protein levels are readily detectable. These findings show that BORIS expression is more widespread than previously believed, and suggest a role for BORIS in nucleolar function

BORIS, a paralogue of the transcription factor, CTCF, is aberrantly expressed in breast tumours

BORIS (for brother of the regulator of imprinted sites), a paralogue of the transcription factor, CTCF, is a novel member of the cancer-testis antigen family. The aims of the present study were as follows: (1) to investigate BORIS expression in breast cells and tumours using immunohistochemical staining, western and real-time RT–PCR analyses and (2) assess potential correlation between BORIS levels in tumours with clinical/pathological parameters. BORIS was detected in all 18 inspected breast cell lines, but not in a primary normal breast cell culture. In 70.7% (41 of 58 cases) BORIS was observed in breast tumours. High levels of BORIS correlated with high levels of progesterone receptor (PR) and oestrogen receptor (ER). The link between BORIS and PR/ER was further confirmed by the ability of BORIS to activate the promoters of the PR and ER genes in the reporter assays. Detection of BORIS in a high proportion of breast cancer patients implies potential practical applications of BORIS as a molecular biomarker of breast cancer. This may be important for diagnosis of the condition and for the therapeutic use of BORIS. The ability of BORIS to activate promoters of the RP and ER genes points towards possible involvement of BORIS in the establishment, progression and maintenance of breast tumours

СОВРЕМЕННАЯ ЭПИЗООТИЧЕСКАЯ СИТУАЦИЯ И ПРОГНОЗ ПО ОСНОВНЫМ ГЕЛЬМИНТОЗАМ ЖИВОТНЫХ В РОССИИ НА 2015 ГОД

The epizootic situation on main animal helminthosis which we have observed in Russian Federation in the period from 1990 to 2014 allows us to come to the conclusion that the development of epizootic process is affected by ecological components such as: conditions of pastures and water reservoirs, weather and climate especially in current pasture season; therefore it is necessary to conduct the antiparasitic treatment. Наблюдения с 1990 по 2014 года за эпизоотической ситуацией в Российской Федерации по основным гельминтозам у животных позволяют сделать заключение, что на течение эпизоотического процесса при гельминтозах влияют экологические компоненты внешней среды: состояние пастбищ и водоемов, погодные и климатические условия, особенно в текущем пастбищном сезоне, что вызывает необходимость проведения противопаразитарных обработок

The Insulator Binding Protein CTCF Positions 20 Nucleosomes around Its Binding Sites across the Human Genome

Chromatin structure plays an important role in modulating the accessibility of genomic DNA to regulatory proteins in eukaryotic cells. We performed an integrative analysis on dozens of recent datasets generated by deep-sequencing and high-density tiling arrays, and we discovered an array of well-positioned nucleosomes flanking sites occupied by the insulator binding protein CTCF across the human genome. These nucleosomes are highly enriched for the histone variant H2A.Z and 11 histone modifications. The distances between the center positions of the neighboring nucleosomes are largely invariant, and we estimate them to be 185 bp on average. Surprisingly, subsets of nucleosomes that are enriched in different histone modifications vary greatly in the lengths of DNA protected from micrococcal nuclease cleavage (106–164 bp). The nucleosomes enriched in those histone modifications previously implicated to be correlated with active transcription tend to contain less protected DNA, indicating that these modifications are correlated with greater DNA accessibility. Another striking result obtained from our analysis is that nucleosomes flanking CTCF sites are much better positioned than those downstream of transcription start sites, the only genomic feature previously known to position nucleosomes genome-wide. This nucleosome-positioning phenomenon is not observed for other transcriptional factors for which we had genome-wide binding data. We suggest that binding of CTCF provides an anchor point for positioning nucleosomes, and chromatin remodeling is an important component of CTCF function