Russian Journal of Genetics
ISSN (print): 0016-6758
Media registration certificate: № ФС 77 - 66718
Founder: Russian Academy of Sciences
Editor-in-Chief: Yankovsky Nikolay Kazimirovich
Number of issues per year: 12
Indexation: RISC, list of Higher Attestation Commissions, CrossRef, White List (level 3)
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Vol 61, No 12 (2025)
ОБЗОРНЫЕ И ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ СТАТЬИ
The Use of Transgenic Plants Expressing Antimicrobial Peptide Genes as a Promising Strategy to Improve Plant Resistance to Phytopathogens
Abstract
Plant diseases significantly reduce crop yields and deteriorate the quality of agricultural products. The review is devoted to the problem of increasing plant resistance to pathogens by creating transgenic plants expressing antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes as one of the strategies for plant disease control. The review summarizes the main economically important plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi and bacteria and describes methods of plant resistance against them. The need to develop new, environmentally friendly plant protection products from the defensive arsenal of the plants themselves, which could be incorporated into an integrated plant defense management instead of/alongside traditionally used chemical pesticides, is emphasized. Plant antimicrobial peptides could become such new biopesticides. The review outlines the main properties of AMPs that make them promising molecules for enhancing crop resistance to phytopathogens and provides numerous examples of transgenic plants developed under laboratory conditions in which incorporated AMP genes improved their resistance to infection. Thus, the described strategy may become an important component of integrated plant disease control strategy against phytopathogens in the future.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):3-19
3-19
Present-Day Computer-Aided Primer Designing Tools for Non-Coding RNA
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of non-coding RNA that play the pivotal role in post-transcriptional regulation of expression of genes involved in the control of fundamental cellular processes. Their high diagnostic yield and predictive value in various human diseases predetermined the need for highly specific design of primers for qualitative analysis of the expression of a variety of microRNA. Designing the primers for qualitative assessment of microRNA expression is a challenge in terms of methodology due to short matrix and high homology between the family members. Quite often conventional tools, initially aimed at longer targets, are not efficient enough when working with shorter sequences of mature microRNA. That is why, specialized platforms have been created that are adapted to unique structural and functional properties of microRNA. These platforms ensure exact design of primers that can be reproduced. Current review considers present-day computer-aided software tools specially developed to design primers for short non-coding RNA with emphasis on their functional characteristics and ability to design primers for most commonly used method of qualitative assessment of microRNA expression – Stem-loop RT-PCR.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):20–30
20–30
Epigenetic Approaches to Diagnosis and Therapy of COVID-19: Features of Differential DNA Methylation Profile as Potential Targets for Therapy by the Method of RNA Interference
Abstract
In this article the role of epigenetic factors, as DNA methylation, in the processes of interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with the human body and in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is being considered. An overview of experimental studies on the use of microRNA to regulate the expression of genes processed during the interaction of the virus with the host body is presented. A potential new strategy in the diagnosis and therapy of COVID-19 and other viral factors using RNA interference is considered.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):31-43
31-43
ОБЩАЯ ГЕНЕТИКА
The Effect of Pharmacological Agents on the Expression of the Genes of the Chaperone GrpE and Co-Chaperone IbpA in Escherichia coli Cells
Abstract
To study the effect of pharmacological agents on the expression of the DnaK chaperone and IbpA co-chaperone genes, two biosensors were used: Escherichia coli MG1655 pGrpE-lux and E. coli MG1655 pIbpA-lux. The luxCDABE operon of the bacterium P. luminescens, substituted for the promoters of the grpE and the ibpA genes correspondingly, serves as a reporter for the expression of these genes. The induction of the expression of the grpE and ibpA genes indicates the ability of the tested compounds to influence protein folding and refolding. 10 of the 12 tested compounds are known pharmacological agents. The fluoroquinoline topoisomerase inhibitors — the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, the cytostatics 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C, as well as the antibacterial agent dioxin — elicited a response in both biosensors, indicating the ability of these substances to influence the structure of both de novo synthesized proteins and proteins functioning in the cell. Rifampicin induced a response only in the pGrpE-lux biosensor, whereas cisplatin and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine induced a response only in the pIbpA-lux biosensor. The cytostatic actinomycin D showed high toxicity to bacteria, which did not allow its activity against chaperones to be registered. 6-Thioguanine did not elicit a response from both biosensors. All these compounds have mutagenic/genotoxic activity. The standard genotoxicants/mutagens 4-NQO and NaN3 induced a response in both biosensors.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):44–53
44–53
ГЕНЕТИКА ЖИВОТНЫХ
Test System for Amplification of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)
Abstract
A PCR system for amplification of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) has been developed, allowing to obtain six overlapping amplicons for sequencing by the NGS method. DNA sequencing of 24 representatives of aquacultured Siberian sturgeon of the Lena origin was carried out. The data on the extremely low diversity of mtDNA in the Lena sturgeon bred in aquaculture conditions have been confirmed. Heteroplasmic regions have been detected in all sequenced samples.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):54–62
54–62
Analysis of mtDNA Haplogroup Variability in Horses of Native Breeds of Russia
Abstract
The article presents the results of studying the hypervariable sequence of the mtDNA D-loop of 205 horses from ten indigenous breeds, including the Buryatskaya, Vyatskaya, Zabaykalskaya, Mezenskaya, Pechorskaya, Priobskaya, Tavdinskaya, Tuvinskaya, Khakasskaya and Yakutskaya populations. A wide range of mtDNA haplotypes and haplogroups (Hd = 95.61) were identified in horses of the studied populations, including original mitotypes and new mitogroups not previously described in other horse breeds. In addition to 17 standard mtDNA groups (A–R), additional phylogenetic clusters were identified in horses of Buryatskaya (T, Y, Z), Vyatskaya (U and Y), Mezenskaya (U), Priobskaya (U, W) and Khakasskaya (Y) breeds. The results obtained demonstrate a certain commonality and originality of the matrilineal structure of the indigenous horse breeds of North-Eastern Eurasia.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):63-71
63-71
Population Genetic Structure of the Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo L. in the Space of Ecological Factors
Abstract
The article presents the results of an analysis of the population-genetic structure by microsatellite loci and modeling of ecological niches in a widespread species, of the Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo L.). It is shown that in the structure of the Demoiselle crane gene pool, three groups were distinguished, confined to different wintering sites of this species: Azov-Black Sea/Chadian; Caspian-Sudanese and Asian-Indian subpopulations, uniting the Trans-Ural, South Siberian, Baikal and Trans-Baikal/ Indian subpopulations. The Demoiselle cranes from the Trans-Ural/Indian subpopulation occupy an intermediate position between the European and the other three Asian subpopulations. An analysis of the ecological differentiation of the Demoiselle crane by temperature, precipitation, and altitude in breeding sites revealed a structure that generally corresponds to that of microsatellite loci, as well as previously obtained data on cytochrome b of mitochondrial DNA. The presented results may indicate a possible role of climatic factors in the formation of the intraspecific genetic structure of the Demoiselle crane due to the restriction of the gene flow that occurs in specific environmental conditions.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):72-81
72-81
ГЕНЕТИКА ЧЕЛОВЕКА
Coevolution of Thermoreceptor Genes of the TRP Family in 15 Populations of the Altai-Sayan Region, Western Siberia and the Far East
Abstract
The analysis of the TRPV3 thermoreceptor gene (rs322937) was carried out in 15 population samples (1503 people) belonging to different language groups living in the regions of the Altai-Sayan Highlands, Western Siberia, the Far East and Canada. The highest frequency of the rare allele was found in the Yakuts (42.9%), and the lowest in the Eskimos (10.7%) and Evenks (10.8%). Deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found in the population of Siberian Tatars. The greatest interpopulation differences were found between the Yakuts and Evenks, and the smallest between the Kazakhs, Telengits and Khakass, Telengits and Tatars, Khakass and Nanai, Tuvans and Northern Altaians. Transassociation of polymorphic loci of the TRPV1, TRPA1, TRPM8 and TRPV3 genes was carried out using the regression analysis method. Of the six pairs, a positive correlation was found in 3: TRPA1/TRPV3, TRPV3/TRPV1 and TRPV1/TRPM8. Thus, the TRPV3 gene studied by us is positively correlated with TRPV1 and TRPA1 and negatively with TRPM8. The results obtained may indicate different selective pressure in different geographical areas determined by climatic factors.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):82-89
82-89
The Role of miR-34a in Predicting the Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Despite the successful use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of cancer, the lack of reliable predictors of response and toxicity leads to premature discontinuation of therapy in some patients due to disease progression or development of adverse events. The study of exosomal microRNAs revealed that miR-34a may serve as a marker of response to therapy: its level increased in patients with positive response to ICI (0.47 ± 0.16 vs. 0.08 ± 0.16 before treatment, p = 0.02), while no changes were observed in non-responders. miR-200 family showed no significant differences. Although the data require confirmation in a larger sample, miR-34a is promising for the development of a prognostic panel of markers in immunotherapy for ccRCC.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):90-99
90-99
МАТЕМАТИЧЕСКИЕ МОДЕЛИ И МЕТОДЫ
Hitchhiking as Indirect Selection. I. Diallelic Loci
Abstract
The indirect pressure of one locus selection on another, neutral locus, is considered. Models of haploid and diploid populations with non-overlapping generations are analyzed. The model of a haploid population is formulated as a system of difference equations linking the values of the concentration of the favorable allele, the concentration of the allele of the neutral locus and the coefficient of linkage disequilibrium of the considered diallelic loci in adjacent generations. Equilibria are considered, and qualitative properties of the dynamics of the genetic state of the population are studied. Under directional selection, the favorable allele monotonically displaces the alternative one. The concentration of the neutral allele can either increase or decrease monotonically. Its ultimate cumulative change is practically insignificant, and the convergence to the limit is much faster than for the favorable allele. These results are illustrated by graphs. Then the model under consideration is approximated by a system of ordinary differential equations, and its analysis confirms the conclusions of the discrete model, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Linkage disequilibrium can first increase and then decrease to zero if the selection coefficient is greater than the recombination one. Otherwise, the convergence to zero is monotonic, and in any case the sign of the disequilibrium does not change. A generalization of the haploid population model is given, allowing for the influence of pairwise random interactions of haplotypes on viability. It leads to equations corresponding to viability selection in a diploid population, where the appearance of a polymorphic stable equilibrium partitions the interval of admissible states (0, 1) into two positively invariant parts, on each of which the dynamics of the allele concentration under selection pressure is monotonic. This allows us to reduce the corresponding problems of the analysis of a diploid population to those already studied in the haploid case.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):100-113
100-113
КРАТКИЕ СООБЩЕНИЯ
New Buckwheat Genotypes Obtained using Heavy Metals in vitro
Abstract
Regenerant forms of common buckwheat were obtained in vitro using copper (47 mg/l) and zinc ions (253–299 mg/l). The differences between the new and original forms were revealed employing ISSR-markers (M1, M2, M7, and M11). Compared to the standard variety, the obtained specimens had higher values of productivity components, including the highest productivity per plant varied from 5.17 to 5.71 g.
Russian Journal of Genetics. 2025;61(12):114-116
114-116