FUNCTIONAL SPECIALIZATION OF DUPLICATED FLAVONOID BIOSYNTHESIS GENES IN WHEAT

Gene duplication followed by subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization is of a great evolutionary importance. In plant genomes, duplicated genes may result from either polyploidization (homoeologous genes) or segmental chromosome duplications (paralogous genes). In allohexaploid wheat Triticum aestivum L. (2n=6x=42, genome BBAADD), both homoeologous and paralogous copies were found for the regulatory gene Myc encoding MYC-like transcriptional factor in the biosynthesis of flavonoid pigments, anthocyanins, and for the structural gene F3h encoding one of the key enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis, flavanone 3-hydroxylase. From the 5 copies (3 homoeologous and 2 paralogous) of the Myc gene found in T. aestivum, only one plays a regulatory role in anthocyanin biosynthesis, interacting complementary with another transcriptional factor (MYB-like) to confer purple pigmentation of grain pericarp in wheat. The role and functionality of the other 4 copies of the Myc gene remain unknown. From the 4 functional copies of the F3h gene in T. aestivum, three homoeologues have similar function. They are expressed in wheat organs colored with anthocyanins or in the endosperm, participating there in biosynthesis of uncolored flavonoid substances. The fourth copy (the B-genomic paralogue) is transcribed neither in wheat organs colored with anthocyanins nor in seeds, however, it’s expression has been noticed in roots of aluminium-stressed plants, where the three homoeologous copies are not active. Functional diversification of the duplicated flavonoid biosynthesis genes in wheat may be a reason for maintenance of the duplicated copies and preventing them from pseudogenization.The study was supported by RFBR (11-04-92707). We also thank Ms. Galina Generalova for technical assistance

Conductance oscillations and zero-bias anomaly in a single superconducting junction to a three-dimensional Bi2Te3Bi_2Te_3 topological insulator

We experimentally investigate Andreev transport through a single junction between an s-wave indium superconductor and a thick film of a three-dimensional $Bi_2Te_3$ topological insulator. We study $Bi_2Te_3$ samples with different bulk and surface characteristics, where the presence of a topological surface state is confirmed by direct ARPES measurements. All the junctions demonstrate Andreev transport within the superconducting gap. For junctions with transparent $In-Bi_2Te_3$ interfaces we find a number of nearly periodic conductance oscillations, which are accompanied by zero-bias conductance anomaly. Both effects disappear above the superconducting transition or for resistive junctions. We propose a consistent interpretation of both effects as originating from proximity-induced superconducting correlations within the $Bi_2Te_3$ topological surface state

Complementary methods for the prevention and treatment of stress-induced mastopathy

The article considers the relationship between stress and diseases of the female reproductive system. A method for the rehabilitation of patients with mastopathy resulting from psycho-emotional stress (stress) based on the use of complementary methods of prevention and medical rehabilitation is proposed

GaAs(111)A and B in hydrazine sulfide solutions : extreme polarity dependence of surface adsorption processes

Chemical bonds formed by hydrazine-sulfide treatment of GaAs(111) were studied by synchrotron photoemission spectroscopy. At the B surface, the top arsenic atoms are replaced by nitrogen atoms, while GaAs(111)A is covered by sulfur, also bonded to underlying gallium, despite the sulfide molar concentration being 103 times smaller than that of the hydrazine. This extreme dependence on surface polarity is explained by competitive adsorption processes of HS- and OH- anions and of hydrazine molecules, on Ga- adsorption sites, which have distinct configurations on the A and B surfaces

Unoccupied topological surface state in Bi2_{2}Te2_{2}Se

Bias voltage dependent scattering of the topological surface state is studied by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy for a clean surface of the topological insulator Bi$_2$Te$_2$Se. A strong warping of constant energy contours in the unoccupied part of the spectrum is found to lead to a spin-selective scattering. The topological surface state persists to higher energies in the unoccupied range far beyond the Dirac point, where it coexists with the bulk conduction band. This finding sheds light on the spin and charge dynamics over the wide energy range and opens a way to designing opto-spintronic devices.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Cs-induced charge transfer on (2x4)-GaAs(001) studied by photoemission

Cesium adsorption on 2x4 GaAs (001) was studied by photoemission and low energy electron diffraction. The different Cs induced changes of the As 3d and Ga 3d core level spectra show that charge transfer is almost complete for Ga surface sites, but is negligible to surface As at a coverage smaller than 0.3 ML. The situation is opposite for a coverage larger than 0.3ML, at which transfer occurs to As but no longer to Ga. Charge transfer to As atoms leads to disordering and destabilization and induces surface conversion from the As-rich surface to the Ga-rich 4x2 one after annealing at a reduced temperature of 450 C

Содержание ламинина в сыворотке крови крыс в условиях высокожировой диеты при коррекции cулодексидом

Background. Increased consumption of animal fat with food contributes to the accumulation of lipids both in the blood and in individual cell structures. Excess fat initiates oxidative stress reactions, which may result in a violation of the structural and functional integrity of cells, in particular, hepatocytes and endotheliocytes. Cytolysis may release specific liver enzymes and activate synthesis of extracellular matrix components, one of the markers of which is a non-collagen glycoprotein laminin.The drug sulodexide, having a pronounced angioprotective, hypolipidemic, and fibrinolytic effects, contributes to restoration of a number of metabolic disorders.Aim. To study the content of lipid metabolism parameters, major enzymes of hepatic cytolysis, and laminin in the blood of rats fed with a high-fat diet against the background of sulodexide administration.Materials and methods. For the study, outbred rats were selected, which were divided into three groups – two experimental groups and one control group. The rats of the first and second experimental groups were fed with a diet with a high content of animal fat (44% of the daily calorie content) for 35 days. In addition, the rats of the second experimental group were daily subcutaneously injected with sulodexide at a dose of 8.5 LRU / kg in terms of the animal’s body weight for 35 days. Starting from day 36 of the experiment, the rats of the control group, as well as the rats of the two experimental groups were fed with a standard diet of the vivarium. The animals were decapitated and blood was taken on day 21, 35, and 60 of the experiment. In the blood serum, the levels of the main lipid metabolism parameters, specific liver enzymes, and laminin were determined.Results. An increase in the body weight of animals and the level of the studied lipid metabolism parameters in the blood serum was revealed. It is likely that the structural integrity of hepatocytes was affected with the release of liver enzymes into the bloodstream and an increase in their content in the blood of rats. In addition, synthesis of extracellular matrix components was activated with an increase in the serum level of laminin, which performs important structural and regulatory functions.Conclusion. The use of sulodexide had a favorable effect on the studied metabolic disorders caused by a high-fat diet. It resulted in the normalization of the synthesis of laminin, one of the major non-collagen proteins of the extracellular matrix.Повышенное поступление животного жира с пищей способствует накоплению липидов как в крови, так и в отдельных клеточных структурах. Излишек жиров инициирует реакции окислительного стресса, следствием которых может явиться нарушение структурной и функциональной целостности клеток, в частности гепатоцитов и эндотелиоцитов. В результате цитолитических процессов возможно высвобождение специфических ферментов печени и активация синтеза компонентов межклеточного матрикса, одним из маркеров которого является неколлагеновый гликопротеин ламинин.Препарат «Сулодексид», обладая выраженным ангиопротекторным, гиполипидемическим, фибринолитическим действием, участвует в восстановлении ряда обменных нарушений.Цель. Изучение содержания показателей липидного обмена, основных ферментов цитолиза гепатоцитов и ламинина в крови крыс при высокожировой диете на фоне коррекции сулодексидом.Материалы и методы. Для исследования были отобраны беспородные крысы, которых разделили на три группы – две опытных и одну контрольную. Крысам первой и второй опытных групп была назначена диета с повышенным содержанием животного жира (44% от суточной калорийности) в течение 35 сут. Крысам второй опытной группы ежедневно в течение 35 сут подкожно вводился сулодексид в дозировке 8,5 ЛЕ/кг в перерасчете на массу тела животного. Крысы всех групп с 36-х сут опыта находились на стандартном рационе вивария. Декапитацию животных и забор крови проводили на 21, 35 и 60-е сут опыта. В сыворотке крови определяли содержание основных показателей липидного обмена, специфических ферментов печени и ламинина.Результаты. Наблюдался рост массы тела животных, увеличение содержания изучаемых показателей липидного обмена в сыворотке крови. Вероятно, затрагивалась структурная целостность гепатоцитов с вымыванием печеньспецифических ферментов в кровяное русло и повышением их содержания в крови крыс. Активировался синтез компонентов внеклеточного матрикса с возрастанием содержания в крови исследуемого неколлагенового белка – ламинина, выполняющего значительную структурную и регуляторную функцию в его организации.Заключение. Применение сулодексида благоприятно повлияло на исследуемые метаболические нарушения, вызванные приемом пищи с повышенным содержанием жира, в том числе привело к нормализации синтеза одного из основных неколлагеновых белков межклеточного матрикса – ламинина