Acta Naturae最新文献

{"title":"Identification of Chalcone Synthase Genes from Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Their Expression Levels in Response to Stress Factors.","authors":"O K Anisimova, A V Shchennikova, E Z Kochieva, M A Filyushin","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27639","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27639","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A plant's defense response involves the accumulation of flavonoids, whose biosynthetic pathway in garlic <i>Allium sativum</i> L. remains not characterized. In this work, we identified eight <i>AsCHS1-8</i> genes of chalcone synthases in the <i>A. sativum</i> genome which presumably catalyze the first stage of flavonoid synthesis in garlic plants. These genes were found to be localized on 4 chromosomes: <i>AsCHS2</i>, <i>6-8</i> contain 1 to 2 introns, whereas <i>AsCHS1</i>, <i>3-5</i> are intronless. The analysis of the organ-specific gene expression profiles revealed significant transcript levels for <i>AsCHS3</i> and <i>8</i>. Only <i>AsCHS8</i> was shown to change its expression level in response to abiotic stressors (salinity, drought, cold) and exogenous phytohormones (abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate). These findings suggest that two out of the eight genes, <i>AsCHS3</i> and <i>8</i>, control flavonoid synthesis during garlic development, with <i>AsCHS8</i> being the most active chalcone synthase gene. The other six genes (<i>AsCHS1</i>, <i>2, 4-7</i>) may be involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in highly specialized cells/tissues/organs or the developmental stages of the garlic plant. Our results on the identification and characterization of garlic chalcone synthase genes <i>AsCHS1-8</i> may facilitate further analysis of the mechanisms that regulate stress adaptation in <i>A. sativum</i> and other <i>Allium</i> species. A plant's defense response involves the accumulation of flavonoids, whose biosynthetic pathway in garlic <i>Allium sativum</i> L. remains not characterized. In this work, we identified eight <i>AsCHS1-8</i> genes of chalcone synthases in the <i>A. sativum</i> genome which presumably catalyze the first stage of flavonoid synthesis in garlic plants. These genes were found to be localized on 4 chromosomes: <i>AsCHS2</i>, <i>6-8</i> contain 1 to 2 introns, whereas <i>AsCHS1</i>, <i>3-5</i> are intronless. The analysis of the organ-specific gene expression profiles revealed significant transcript levels for <i>AsCHS3</i> and <i>8</i>. Only <i>AsCHS8</i> was shown to change its expression level in response to abiotic stressors (salinity, drought, cold) and exogenous phytohormones (abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate). These findings suggest that two out of the eight genes, <i>AsCHS3</i> and <i>8</i>, control flavonoid synthesis during garlic development, with <i>AsCHS8</i> being the most active chalcone synthase gene. The other six genes (<i>AsCHS1</i>, <i>2, 4-7</i>) may be involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in highly specialized cells/tissues/organs or the developmental stages of the garlic plant. Our results on the identification and characterization of garlic chalcone synthase genes <i>AsCHS1-8</i> may facilitate further analysis of the mechanisms that regulate stress adaptation in <i>A. sativum</i> and other <i>Allium</i> species.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 2","pages":"41-51"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12322887/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144793209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effects of Assisted Reproductive Technologies on De Novo Mutations.","authors":"N A Arakelyan, J Vasilevska, E I Rogaev","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27589","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27589","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent advances in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have revolutionized human reproduction, offering hope to millions of couples facing infertility issues. At the same time, concerns persist regarding the potential impact of ART on the genomic integrity of offspring conceived through these techniques. Specifically, questions abound about the effects of these techniques on the incidence of de novo mutations (DNMs), which are genetic alterations that arise spontaneously in the germline or during early embryonic development and are implicated in various human diseases. The extent to which ART directly affects the rate of de novo mutations has been the subject of ongoing debate. This review explores recent studies that have investigated the relationship between ART and DNMs. It underscores the necessity for further research to clarify the clinical implications and long-term consequences of ART.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 2","pages":"4-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12322883/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144793146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Generation of TIL-based Cellular Products for Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Insights and the Challenges.","authors":"D V Kuznetsova, T V Petrova","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27559","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27559","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) are a population of T cells present in tumor tissue and enriched in tumor antigen-specific clones. TILs participate in the adaptive antitumor immune response, which makes them a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy. The concept framing this type of therapy involves the extraction of T cells from a patient's tumor, followed by their in vitro expansion and reinfusion into the same patient in large quantities. This approach enhances the antitumor immune response and allows one to affect cancer cells resistant to other types of treatment. In 2024, the first TIL-based drug was approved for melanoma treatment. The possibility of using TILs for treating other solid tumors is currently being considered, and novel methods aiming to increase the efficiency of generating TIL cultures from tumor tissues in vitro are being developed. However, despite the significant progress achieved in this area, there remain unresolved issues and problems, including the lack of standardized protocols for obtaining, expanding, and cryopreserving TILs, the complexity related to their isolation and the duration of that, as well as insufficient efficiency. Our review focuses on the concept of immunotherapy using TILs, the main stages involved in generating a TIL-based cellular product, associated problems, and further steps in the production of TIL cultures that aim to improve efficiency as relates to production and ensure a wider application of the therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 2","pages":"15-27"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12322888/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144793208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Drosophila Zinc Finger Protein Aef1 Colocalizes with Enhancers and Is Involved in the Transcriptional Regulation of Numerous Genes.","authors":"N E Vorobyeva, J V Nikolenko, A N Krasnov","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27556","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27556","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In our previous studies, we demonstrated that the Drosophila zinc finger protein Aef1 interacts with the SAGA DUB module. The Aef1 binding sites colocalize with the SAGA histone acetyltransferase complex and the dSWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, as well as the origin recognition complex (ORC). Aef1 predominantly localizes with the promoters of active genes (55% of all sites) and can be involved in transcriptional regulation. In this study, we showed that Aef1 binding sites in Drosophila S2 cells, located outside gene promoters, are nucleosome-depleted regions and colocalize with the SAGA, dSWI/SNF, and ORC complexes. Aef1 binding sites colocalize with the CBP protein and the H3K27Ac histone tag, which is considered to be an active enhancer mark. An RNA-Seq experiment was conducted in Drosophila S2 cells, both normal and with RNA interference targeting the Aef1 protein, to study the role played by the Aef1 protein in transcriptional regulation. The Aef1 protein was shown to affect the transcription of 342 genes, more than half of those (178 genes) containing Aef1 at their promoters or enhancers. Hence, we infer that the Aef1 protein is recruited to both promoters and enhancers and is involved, both directly and indirectly, in the regulation of the transcription of the respective genes.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 2","pages":"58-63"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12322892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144793145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combination with a Low Dose of Doxorubicin Further Boosts the Antitumor Effect of SLURP-1 In Vivo and Associates with EGFR Down-Regulation.","authors":"O V Shlepova, M L Bychkov, V O Shipunova, E I Shramova, M A Shulepko, T Y Gornostaeva, E A Kiseleva, I D Kukushkin, V A Kazakov, E A Tukhovskaya, I A Dyachenko, A N Murashev, Z O Shenkarev, S M Deyev, M P Kirpichnikov, E N Lyukmanova","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27526","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32607/actanaturae.27526","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are among the most aggressive types of tumors. They come with a high rate of growth, metastasis, and frequently occurring chemoresistance. Smoking is one of the risk factors for SCC progression, and the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is a promising target for SCC therapy. Human secreted protein SLURP-1 is an auto/paracrine regulator of epithelial homeostasis and a selective negative allosteric modulator of α7-nAChR. Recently, we demonstrated the high efficiency of the therapy based on the recombinant SLURP-1 in controlling SCC cell growth and metastasis <i>in vivo</i>. The anti-tumor effect of SLURP-1 was mediated through interaction with both α7-nAChR and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Cytotoxic antibiotic doxorubicin has been proposed for the SCC therapy; however, its use is limited due to the high toxicity. In this study we investigated the use of an enhanced SLURP-1 dose and of a combination of SLURP-1 with low-dozen doxorubicin for SCC treatment of mice xenografted with squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells. An increased SLURP-1 dose didn't significantly enhance the efficiency of the therapy. However, the combination with doxorubicin further enhanced the anti- tumor activity of SLURP-1 and dramatically suppressed metastasis. The effect from the combined therapy was accompanied by down-regulation of EGFR expression in tumors. Direct inhibition of EGFR activation by SLURP-1 was shown. No toxicity of the combined therapy was encountered. Our data indicate that the combination of SLURP-1 with chemotherapy in lower doses is a promising approach in SCC treatment and should be further studied.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 1","pages":"87-96"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143964211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alterations in the Expression of Proprotein Convertase Genes in Human Esophagus Squamous Cell Carcinomas.","authors":"A A Komissarov, M V Zinovyeva, A V Sass, T V Vinogradova, S I Koshechkin, V V Demkin, I B Zborovskaya, S V Kostrov, I V Demidyuk","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27437","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32607/actanaturae.27437","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Proprotein convertases (PCs) constitute an enzyme family that includes nine highly specific human subtilisin-like serine proteases. It is known that the PCs mRNA levels vary in tumors, and that these proteases are involved in carcinogenesis. Thus, PCs may be considered as potential markers for typing and predicting the course of the disease, as well as potential targets for therapy. We used quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate the expression levels of PC genes in the paired samples of tumor and adjacent normal tissues derived from 19 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. We observed a significant enrichment of <i>PCSK6</i>, <i>PCSK9</i>, <i>MBTPS1</i>, and <i>FURIN</i> mRNAs in the tumor tissue, which may be indication of the involvement of these PCs in the development and progression of esophageal cancers. Additionally, cluster analysis of PC expression alteration patterns in tumor compared to normal adjacent tissues (esophageal and previously analyzed lung tissue samples) revealed a limited set of scenarios for the changes in PC expression. These scenarios are implemented during malignant transformation of lung and esophagus cells, as well as, probably, the cells of other organs. These findings indicate that PC genes may be important markers of human cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 1","pages":"64-70"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143964208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Induction of Chaperone Synthesis in Human Neuronal Cells Blocks Oxidative Stress-Induced Aging.","authors":"E A Dutysheva, L S Kuznetcova, I A Utepova, B A Margulis, I V Guzhova, V F Lazarev","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27531","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32607/actanaturae.27531","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oxidative stress accompanies many pathologies that are characterized by neuronal degradation leading to a deterioration of the disease. The main causes are the disruption of protein homeostasis and activation of irreversible processes of cell cycle disruption and deterioration of cellular physiology, leading to senescence. In this paper, we propose a new approach to combating senescence caused by oxidative stress. This approach is based on the use of a low-molecular inducer of chaperone synthesis, one of the cell protective systems regulating proteostasis and apoptosis. We present data demonstrating the ability of the pyrrolylazine derivative PQ-29 to induce chaperone accumulation in human neuronal cells and prevent oxidative stress-induced aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 1","pages":"29-35"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011188/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143955360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Galanin Reduces Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats with Streptozotocin Diabetes.","authors":"I M Studneva, L I Serebryakova, O M Veselova, I V Dobrokhotov, M E Palkeeva, D V Avdeev, A S Molokoedov, M V Sidorova, O I Pisarenko","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27506","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32607/actanaturae.27506","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Most clinical studies confirm the negative impact diabetes mellitus (DM) has on the course and outcome of cardiovascular complications caused by a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In this regard, the search for new approaches to IRI treatment in diabetic myocardium is of undeniable value. The aim of this work was to study the effect of galanin (G) on the size of myocardial infarct (MI), on mitochondrial functions, and on the energy state in the area at risk (AAR) in rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) subjected to regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Rat G was obtained by solid-phase synthesis using the Fmoc strategy and purified by HPLC. DM1 was induced by streptozotocin administration. Myocardial IRI was modeled by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and subsequent reperfusion. G at a dose of 1 mg/kg was administered intravenously before reperfusion. G decreased MI size and plasma creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) activity in DM rats by 40 and 28%, respectively. G injection improved mitochondrial respiration in saponin-skinned fibers in the AAR: namely, the maximal ADP-stimulated state 3, respiratory control, and the functional relationship between the mitochondrial CK-MB and oxidative phosphorylation. G provided significantly higher ATP levels, total adenine nucleotide pool, and adenylate energy charge of cardiomyocytes. It also reduced total creatine loss in myocardial AAR in DM rats. The results suggest there is a possibility of therapeutic use of G in myocardial IRI complicated by DM1.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 1","pages":"78-86"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143956497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Toxin-Producing Ability of Fusarium Proliferatum Strains Isolated from Grain.","authors":"O P Gavrilova, A S Orina, T Yu Gagkaeva, N N Gogina","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32607/actanaturae.27546","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The widespread fungus <i>Fusarium proliferatum</i> can infect numerous plant species and produce a range of mycotoxins, the amount of which can vary significantly. Twelve <i>F. proliferatum</i> sensu lato strains isolated from six wheat, four oat, and two maize grain samples were analyzed. The strains were identified through a phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences derived from gene fragments of the translation elongation factor EF-1α, β-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II second subunit. The mating types of the strain were determined by allele-specific PCR. Secondary toxic metabolite production by the strains was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). All twelve <i>Fusarium</i> strains formed a distinct clade alongside the <i>F. proliferatum</i> reference strains, thereby confirming the taxonomic identification. Only one idiomorph at the MAT locus in each <i>F. proliferatum</i> strain was found, indicative of heterothallic mating. The frequency of the MAT1-1 idiomorph was double that of the MAT1-2 idiomorph. The active biosynthesis of fumonisins B1 (71-6175 mg/kg), B2 (12-2661 mg/kg), and B3 (6-588 mg/kg), significant beauvericin (64-455 mg/kg), and trace amounts of moniliformin (12-6565 μg/kg) were identified across all examined <i>F. proliferatum</i> strains.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 1","pages":"20-28"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011193/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143962669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pro-inflammatory Cytokines, Ferroptosis, and Cancer.","authors":"A A Vartanian, V S Kosorukov","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32607/actanaturae.27547","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ferroptosis, iron-dependent regulated cell death, is induced by the polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation of membrane phospholipids and is controlled by glutathione peroxidase 4. In recent years, convincing evidence has emerged, demonstrating a close relationship between chemo-, radio-, immuno-, and targeted therapy resistance and ferroptosis resistance. In this review, we discuss the basic principles of ferroptosis in cancer. Considerable attention is paid to the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The main focus is centered on the involvement of the excessive, chronic production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in ferroptosis resistance development in tumors.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 1","pages":"4-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011187/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143951981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}