Deinococcus geothermalis: The Pool of Extreme Radiation Resistance Genes Shrinks

Bacteria of the genus Deinococcus are extremely resistant to ionizing radiation (IR), ultraviolet light (UV) and desiccation. The mesophile Deinococcus radiodurans was the first member of this group whose genome was completely sequenced. Analysis of the genome sequence of D. radiodurans, however, failed to identify unique DNA repair systems. To further delineate the genes underlying the resistance phenotypes, we report the whole-genome sequence of a second Deinococcus species, the thermophile Deinococcus geothermalis, which at its optimal growth temperature is as resistant to IR, UV and desiccation as D. radiodurans, and a comparative analysis of the two Deinococcus genomes. Many D. radiodurans genes previously implicated in resistance, but for which no sensitive phenotype was observed upon disruption, are absent in D. geothermalis. In contrast, most D. radiodurans genes whose mutants displayed a radiation-sensitive phenotype in D. radiodurans are conserved in D. geothermalis. Supporting the existence of a Deinococcus radiation response regulon, a common palindromic DNA motif was identified in a conserved set of genes associated with resistance, and a dedicated transcriptional regulator was predicted. We present the case that these two species evolved essentially the same diverse set of gene families, and that the extreme stress-resistance phenotypes of the Deinococcus lineage emerged progressively by amassing cell-cleaning systems from different sources, but not by acquisition of novel DNA repair systems. Our reconstruction of the genomic evolution of the Deinococcus-Thermus phylum indicates that the corresponding set of enzymes proliferated mainly in the common ancestor of Deinococcus. Results of the comparative analysis weaken the arguments for a role of higher-order chromosome alignment structures in resistance; more clearly define and substantially revise downward the number of uncharacterized genes that might participate in DNA repair and contribute to resistance; and strengthen the case for a role in survival of systems involved in manganese and iron homeostasis

Rol' svobodnoradikal'no oposredovannogo okislitel'nogo stressa v razvitii diabeticheskoy polineyropatii

Цель. Изучение некоторых патогенетических механизмов диабетической полинейропатии, а именно взаимосвязи перекисного окисления липидов, активности ферментативной антиоксидантной защиты и гемореологических нарушений у больных сахарным диабетом (СД), имеющих дистальную диабетическую полинейропатию. Материалы и методы. Обследовано 212 больных СД 1 и 2 типа, осложненным дистальной диабетической полинейропатией (ДДПНП) 1 и 2 стадии. Проводилось исследование процессов перекисного окисления (ПОЛ). Определялись диеновые конъюгаты (ДК) и триеновые конъгаты (ТК). Определяли уровнь общих липидов. Для определения деформируемости эритроцитов (ДЭ) был использован метод ригидометрии. Результаты. У больных СД и ДДПНП даже при наличии субкомпенсации гликемии имеет место повышение активности свободнорадикально-опосредованного окислительного стресса, что выражается в накоплении первичных, промежуточных и конечного продукта ПОЛ ? оснований Шиффа. У больных СД даже при небольшой длительности заболевания имеет место нарушение деформируемости эритроцита (ДЭ), что способствует усилению эндоневральной гипоксии. подтверждено наличие отрицательной взаимосвязи между этими двумя характеристиками метаболических и сосудистых нарушений: уровнем холестерина и деформируемости. Выводы. Наши исследования подтверждают механизмы диабетической полинейропатии: усиление окислительного стресса с накоплением промежуточных и конечных продуктов пероксидации, снижение активности ферментативной антиоксидантной защиты. Препараты, ограничивающие активность свободнорадикально-опосредованного окислительного стресса и активизирующие антиоксидантную защиту, являются средствами патогенетической терапии осложнений сахарного диабета, в том числе и полинейропатии

Determination of Main Spectral and Luminescent Characteristics of Winter Wheat Seeds Infected with Pathogenic Microflora

In connection with the constant growth of demand for high-quality food products, there is a need to develop effective methods for storing agricultural products, and the registration and predicting infection in the early stages. The studying of the physical properties of infected plants and seeds has fundamental importance for determining crop losses, conducting a survey of diseases, and assessing the effectiveness of their control (assessment of the resistance of crops and varieties, the effect of fungicides, etc.). Presently, photoluminescent methods for diagnosing seeds in the ultraviolet and visible ranges have not been studied. For research, seeds of winter wheat were selected, and were infected with one of the most common and dangerous diseases for plants—fusarium. The research of luminescence was carried out based on a hardware–software complex consisting of a multifunctional spectrofluorometer “Fluorat-02-Panorama”, a computer with software “Panorama Pro” installed, and an external camera for the samples under study. Spectra were obtained with a diagnostic range of winter wheat seeds of 220–400 nm. Based on the results obtained for winter wheat seeds, it is possible to further develop a method for determining the degree of fusarium infection

Increase of Productivity and Neutralization of Pathological Processes in Plants of Grain and Fruit Crops with the Help of Aqueous Solutions Activated by Plasma of High-Frequency Glow Discharge

In this work, we, for the first time, manufactured a plasma-chemical reactor operating at a frequency of 0.11 MHz. The reactor allows for the activation of large volumes of liquids in a short time. The physicochemical properties of activated liquids (concentration of hydrogen peroxide, nitrate anions, redox potential, electrical conductivity, pH, concentration of dissolved gases) are characterized in detail. Antifungal activity of aqueous solutions activated by a glow discharge has been investigated. It was shown that aqueous solutions activated by a glow discharge significantly reduce the degree of presence of phytopathogens and their effect on the germination of such seeds. Seeds of cereals (sorghum and barley) and fruit (strawberries) crops were studied. The greatest positive effect was found in the treatment of sorghum seeds. Moreover, laboratory tests have shown a significant increase in sorghum drought tolerance. The effectiveness of the use of glow-discharge-activated aqueous solutions was shown during a field experiment, which was set up in the saline semi-desert of the Northern Caspian region. Thus, the technology developed by us makes it possible to carry out the activation of aqueous solutions on an industrial scale. Water activated by a glow discharge exhibits antifungicidal activity and significantly accelerates the development of the grain and fruit crops we studied. In the case of sorghum culture, glow-discharge-activated water significantly increases drought resistance

Upregulation of NETO2 gene in colorectal cancer

Abstract Background Neuropilin and tolloid-like 2 (NETO2) is a single-pass transmembrane protein that has been shown primarily implicated in neuron-specific processes. Upregulation of NETO2 gene was also detected in several cancer types. In colorectal cancer (CRC), it was associated with tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis, and seems to be involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the mechanism of NETO2 action is still poorly understood. Results We have revealed significant increase in the expression of NETO2 gene and deregulation of eight EMT-related genes in CRC. Four of them were upregulated (TWIST1, SNAIL1, LEF1, and FOXA2); the mRNA levels of other genes (FOXA1, BMP2, BMP5, and SMAD7) were decreased. Expression of NETO2 gene was weakly correlated with that of genes involved in the EMT process. Conclusions We found considerable NETO2 upregulation, but no significant correlation between the expression of NETO2 and EMT-related genes in CRC. Thus, NETO2 may be involved in CRC progression, but is not directly associated with EMT