Open Access
Access granted
Subscription Access
Vol 31, No 3 (2016)
- Year: 2016
- Articles: 10
- URL: https://journal-vniispk.ru/0891-4168/issue/view/11048
Reviews
Ecological features, pathogenic properties, and role of Staphylococcus intermedius group representatives in animal and human infectious pathology
Abstract
The paper reports changes in the species nomenclature in the genus Staphylococcus that involve the most pathogenic representatives of the genus, the coagulase-positive staphylococci cluster. To date, this cluster includes six species in addition to Staphylococcus aureus: S. intermedius, S. schleiferi spp. coagulans, S. lutrae, S. hyicus, S. pseudintermedius, and S. delphini. Special attention was given to the representatives of the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG), which encompasses three closely related species, S. intermedius, S. pseudintermedius, and S. delphini, whose hosts are mammals and birds living in close proximity to human beings. The current data on the pathogenicity factors and role of SIG representatives in animal and human infectious pathologies were analyzed. The approaches to species identification, together with ecological and epidemiological features, and antibiotic susceptibility were considered. Specific biological features of S. pseudintermedius, the species most similar to S. aureus, are considered from the perspective of the properties of newly emerging pathogens.
117-124
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as a possible target of an antitumor strategy
Abstract
This review was devoted to the use of the universal component of tumoral stroma (fibroblast activation protein, FAP) as a target of the universal tumor therapy. A tumor is a coevolution system, which includes a microenvironment or reactive stroma differing from the normal tissue in its phenotypic and genotypic features. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which contain the typical marker FAP (serine proteinase with the enzymatic activity of dipeptidyl peptidase and endopeptidase), are important elements of the tumor microenvironment. According to the literature, more than 90% of tumors contain FAP-positive activated fibroblasts. FAP is virtually absent in normal tissues, but it is present in the embryonic and tumor tissues, which makes it a selective and universal target. In this work, basic approaches to affecting CAFs using FAP as a target are discussed. The use of FAP as a target provides an important advantage: its proteolytic activity can be used along with the protein-targeted agents. The main areas of development in the therapeutic use of FAP are discussed in this work.
125-134
The role of FOXA subfamily factors in embryonic development and carcinogenesis of the pancreas
Abstract
Embryonic development and carcinogenesis are controlled by many transcription factors, and regulatory systems involved in embryogenesis of an organ also participate in tumor development in the same organ. The FOX family proteins belong to transcription factors, which play a key role in these processes. The representatives of the FOXA subfamily, being pioneer factors, act at the very early stages of embryonic development by interacting with condensed chromatin and open the way for the expression of formerly silent important transcription factors. The role of these factors in tumor development has not been fully elucidated, although recent studies indicate a significant influence of the FOXA subfamily proteins at the early stages of the tumor development. This review is limited by the description of the role of the FOXA factors in embryogenesis of the pancreas and their significance in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
135-142
A possible role of transthyretin in the biological mechanism of regulatory peptide neuroprotection
Abstract
The peptide preparation semax has been effectively used for therapy of ischemic stroke. However, the mechanisms of its action are insufficiently understood and actively studied. The full-genome analysis of the transcriptome carried out in our recent work demonstrated that under conditions of focal ischemia of rat brain the semax modified the profile of the transcription activity of many genes. In this case, the difference in the transcription levels of the gene encoding the protein transthyretin (Ttr) expression in rats under the pathological conditions of ischemia and in the presence of semax was very high. A high similarity between the effects of Ttr and coupled molecular systems with the semax effects in ischemic stroke allowed us to suggest that the neuroprotection mechanisms of semax (and, possibly, of other neuroprotection mechanisms of semax) may be mediated by Ttr. In this review, we discuss the role of Ttr in the central nervous system and its possible role in the neuroprotection mechanism of semax.
143-148
Experimental Works
Characteristics of fungal strains producing thermostable xyloglucanases from the Russian National Collection of industrial microorganisms
Abstract
Fungal strains possessing xyloglucanase activity have been selected from the microorganisms degrading plant biomass deposited in the Russian National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (VKPM). The thermophilic strains Sporotrichum thermophile VKPM F-972, Myceliophthora thermophila VKPM F-244, and Sporotrichum pruinosum VKPM F-235 produced extracellular xyloglucanases under conditions of submerged cultivation with optimum temperature of 60°C and pH of 5.0. The enzymes retained 88–100 and 79–84% of the initial activity after 1-h incubation at 50° and 60°C, respectively. Thus, strains S. thermophile VKPM F-972, M. thermophila VKPM F-244, and S. pruinosum VKPM F-235 may be used as sources of genes for construction of highly active producers of thermostable xyloglucanases.
149-155
Comparative evaluation of the transgene expression efficiency provided by the model genetic constructs of different structure
Abstract
Comparative evaluation of transgene expression efficiency provided by genetic constructs of different structures is an important stage in the development of new and optimization of existing expression vectors. However, there is no universal approach at present for correct comparison of expression efficiency of vectors of different structure. The goal of this work was to develop an experimental system for comparative evaluation of the expression efficiency provided by nonviral genetic vectors of various size and topology in human cell cultures. This system is based on the gene for the green fluorescence protein used as a reporter, flow cytometry methods for the evaluation of expression levels, and quantitative PCR for the adequate selection of transfection conditions. This system was tested with two model constructs: a linear DNA molecule and a circular plasmid.
156-162
Viral infections in patients with acute respiratory infection in Northwest of Iran
Abstract
Our findings show the importance of influenza virus type A, influenza virus type B, RSV, and adenoviruses associated with ARI in hospitalized patient and the different epidemiological patterns of the viruses in Tabriz, Iran.
163-167
ATP binding leads to autophosphorylation of HSV-1 origin binding protein
Abstract
The tsUL9 gene products exhibit a strongly reduced ATPase function at the nonpermissive temperature, an effect that can be compensated by the addition of unspecific DNA. Here it is demonstrated, that the reduced ATPase activity is caused by altered ATP binding of the tsOBP at the nonpermissive temperature. Furthermore the addition of unspecific DNA to the ATPase reaction not only compensates the ts phenotype at the nonpermissive temperature but also enhances the ATPase activity at the permissive temperature of both wild type and tsOBP. Thereby, the OBP becomes autophosphorylated. Moreover, addition of subgenomic HSV-1 DNA has no further enhancing effect, supporting the inchworm model for the HSV-OBP function.
168-177
Designing a vaccine therapy candidate against Propionibacterium acnes: a bioinformatics approach
Abstract
Acne vulgaris, one of the most common skin diseases, is a multifactorial problem caused by Propionibacterium acnes. Acne therapy has so limitations and dissatisfactions. Here we designed a synthetic construct containing the C-terminal amino acids of the sialidase and also N-terminal amino acids of the Camp factor (the two major virulence factors of P. acnes), and linked these two domains to each other by an appropriate linker. The chimeric gene was synthesized with codon optimization for a prokaryotic host. The mRNA structure of the construct gene and its stability as a protein were analyzed by bioinformatics tools and servers. Then, the immunogenicity, B-cell epitope and MHC binding properties of the chimeric protein were predicted. Our results showed that this fusion protein had separated domains and was stable with high antigencity and immunogenicity properties. We concluded that this structure can generate a potent immune response against acne vulgaris and may be considered as anacne vaccine candidate.
178-186
Identification of genus Campylobacter up to species level using internal features of 16S rRNA gene sequences
Abstract
Introduction: 16S rRNA sequencing of novel isolates is one of the preliminary steps in characterization of bacteria, especially when the isolates are of medical relevance. The genus Campylobacter belongs to Class ε-proteobacteria under the Phylum Proteobacteria. It represents economically important species which are gastrointestinal pathogens in humans and livestock animals. Currently, more than 400 16S rDNA sequences belonging to 28 species of this genus are present in the RDP database. But heterogeneity has led to the misplacement of many of these sequences within wrong species. Also, various sequences belonging to Campylobacter have been deposited as orphans. The current study aimed to explore the internal features of 16S rRNA gene sequences in order to develop methods for identification of Campylobacter up to species level. Methods: 428 16S rRNA sequences of 28 species of Campylobacter were analyzed. 392 sequences (>1200 nucleotides, nts) of 16 species were considered for (i) phylogenetic framework analysis and (ii) in silico restriction digestion. 28 uncharacterized sequences present in the database were also investigated in the present study. Results: Phylogenetic framework analysis allowed the identification of genetic variability within Campylobacter species and helped to segregate certain uncharacterized sequences up to species level. 12 out of the 16 species under study showed homogenous behavior, but heterogeneity was observed between C. jejuni and C. coli and C. helveticus and C. upsaliensis respectively. Unique restriction enzymes were identified for six species. Conclusions: The present approach clearly showed that internal features of 16S rRNA is a useful tool for characterization of novel isolates up to the species level. Studies have revealed that niche overlap and consequent increase in the horizontal gene transfer between C. coli and C. jejuni, due to anthropogenic factors, maybe the reason for their heterogeneous nature. This explains the difficulties faced in segregation of the members of these species. 16S rRNA gene proved to be a viable and excellent marker for characterizing the uncharacterized Campylobacter strains leading to a significant diminution in database redundancy. Further, the approaches used in the study might assist in easier identification of the various Campylobacter sequences present in the database.
187-196