Acta Naturae最新文献

{"title":"The Distribution and Genetic Variability of Potato Viruses in Russian Regions.","authors":"V O Samarskaya, F A Butyrin, T P Suprunova, N A Spechenkova, M E Taliansky, N O Kalinina","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27830","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27830","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Viral diseases represent an increasingly serious threat for potato production all around the world, including in the Russian Federation, which leads to a significant decrease in potato crop yield, quality, and shelf life. In this study, we carried out screening of potato leaf and tuber samples collected from commercial potato fields to determine the spread of potato viruses in 16 regions of the European part, and two regions in the Ural Federal District, of the Russian Federation. The samples were sequenced, and full-length viral genomes were subsequently assembled <i>de novo</i>. A phylogenetic analysis of the identified virus variants was performed to assess their genetic diversity and possible origin. It has been shown that the most dangerous and economically important potato virus Y (PVY) is widespread and is represented by recombinant variants, NTNa, NTNb, and N-Wi being the most common ones. The second most common virus was potato virus M (PVM), which was frequently encountered in conjunction with potato virus S (PVS). The presence of potato leafroll virus (PLRV), which is recognized as an economically detrimental potato pathogen, along with PVY, has been found in two Russian regions. Mixed infections were detected in at least half of the studied samples, many containing both PVY and PVM (about one-third of all the samples). The data on the evolutionary variability of virus populations lay the groundwork for developing innovative strategies meant to contain a broad range of viruses and their strains using specifically designed double-stranded RNA (dsRNA).</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"18 1","pages":"91-103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13135824/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147831560","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":"Stabilization of Transaminases in Aqueous-Organic Media by Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate: A Case Study of Transaminase from Desulfomonile tiedjei.","authors":"I V Rudina, A K Bakunova, V O Popov, E Yu Bezsudnova","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27820","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27820","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent transaminases are highly efficient biocatalysts for the stereoselective synthesis of chiral amines, which are key building blocks in pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing. Fundamental research on enzymatic transamination includes the classical works of Alexander Braunstein, who discovered the transamination reaction; David Metzler, who studied the spectral properties of PLP-dependent enzymes; Esmond Snell, who investigated the kinetics of PLP-dependent enzymes; as well as studies by other Russian and international researchers. Despite extensive studies on PLP-dependent transaminases, their practical application remains limited. In addition to the unfavorable equilibrium of the transamination reaction and the narrow substrate specificity of transaminases, their stability under manufacturing conditions is a major constraint. Transaminase stability encompasses not only the structural integrity of the protein globule, but also the enzyme's ability to retain the PLP cofactor. PLP dissociation leads to enzyme inactivation and termination of the reaction. Modern biocatalytic processes are predominantly designed for aqueous-organic media to increase the solubility of hydrophobic substrates to hundreds of grams per liter. Under these conditions, the stability of transaminases, as with other enzymes, decreases. In the context of these challenges, this work investigates the efficiency of PLP binding as a factor in stabilizing the active holoenzyme of the transaminase from <i>Desulfomonile tiedjei</i> in various aqueous-organic media. The study analyzes the transaminase stability and catalytic activity in the presence of methanol, DMSO, and Cyrene (up to 20% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>), both in incubation mode and under reaction conditions. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the effect of the amino acid substitution T199Q in the cofactor-binding region on the enzyme's resistance to organic solvents. The present study contributes to addressing the practical problem of stabilizing transaminases in aqueous-organic media. The results also deepen our understanding of the molecular basis of the stability of PLP-dependent enzymes.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"18 1","pages":"83-90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13135825/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147831600","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":"Microglia and Astrocytes in the Lateral Vestibular Nuclei of Mice after Vestibular Stimulation.","authors":"I B Mikheeva, N S Zhuikova, D A Fedorov, O Yu Antonova, L L Pavlik, V I Arkhipov","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27673","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27673","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BALB/C mice were subjected to vestibular loading (rotation in individual containers at a speed of 80 rpm) for 8 h. As a result of this loading, the animals exhibited a decrease in horizontal and vertical locomotor activity, which returned to the control levels after 5 days. An immunohistochemical study of mi croglia and astrocytes in the lateral vestibular nuclei (LVN) revealed elevated levels of protein markers for astrocytes (GFAP) and microglia (Aif1) one hour and 5 days after the stimulation. These changes were indic ative of a gradual development of neuroinflammation in the LVN, which lasted for at least 5 days. Microglia, which appeared in branched shape in control animals, acquired an amoeboid reactive shape after vestibu lar loading. Moreover, expression of the genes coding for these proteins remained at the control level one hour after the stimulation and showed a reduction after 5 days. It is assumed that such a decrease helps re solve the neuroinflammation, preventing it from becoming chronic. Neuroinflammation in the acute phase is known to play a protective role and is required for plastic rearrangements of neuronal and glial networks. Transition to the chronic phase results in neuronal damage. The results of this study would allow one to de termine the period when it is reasonable to use anti-inflammatory therapy to mitigate damage. The applied model of vestibular stimulation allows one to solve problems when studying plastic rearrangements in the brain structures of the vestibular system under high-intensity sensory load.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"18 1","pages":"72-78"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13135830/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147832202","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":"Chiral Chromatographic Analysis of Amino Acids with Pre-column Derivatization by o-Phthalaldehyde: Improving the Determination of Enantiomers Using Ion-Pair Reagents.","authors":"N V Panin, I V Pirogov, D T Guranda, V K Švedas","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27703","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27703","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of effective and accessible methods for the chiral analysis of amino acids is an important scientific and practical necessity. One of the most common and convenient techniques is the chromatographic determination of individual enantiomers of amino acids with preliminary conversion of enantiomers into diastereomers, which can then be separated on conventional achiral columns. We have shown that by adding ion-pair reagents to the eluent and varying their structure, one can regulate the efficiency of a chiral amino acid analysis based on the chromatographic determination and resolution of the diastereomeric isoindoles obtained upon pre-column derivatization of amino acids by o-phthalaldehyde in the presence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine. The use of ion-pair reagents allows one to achieve a better resolution of diastereomeric isoindole peaks, while the analysis time can be reduced by increasing the ionic strength. Hence, adding ionpair reagents and optimizing the mobile phase composition are useful approaches in the engineering of an amino acid chiral analysis, along with the synthesis of new chiral SH compounds and the choice of stationary phases.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 4","pages":"103-109"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755875/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888480","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":"Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in the Pathogenesis of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very Preterm Infants.","authors":"E N Kukaev, A O Tokareva, O A Krogh-Jensen, A A Lenyushkina, N L Starodubtseva","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27623","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27623","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of a symbiotic gut ecosystem is a crucial step in postnatal adaptation. The gut microbiome of very preterm infants is characterized by an overall instability, reduced microbial diversity, and a predominance of Gram-negative Proteobacteria, all factors associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the key bacterial metabolites that are essential for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, supporting immune development, enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, and reducing inflammation. This review examines the role of gut microbiota and SCFAs in neonatal NEC, with a focus on potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Clinical studies have consistently demonstrated a significant decrease in total SCFA levels and individual bacterial metabolites in preterm infants with NEC. This finding has been corroborated by various experimental models. Clarification of the role of SCFAs in NEC pathogenesis, determination of their diagnostic utility, and assessment of the feasibility of developing comprehensive pro- and postbiotic formulations require multi-center, multi-omics investigations that include a large cohort of very preterm infants.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 4","pages":"38-51"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755877/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888505","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":"Whole-Genome Sequencing Uncovers Metabolic and Immune System Variations in Propionibacterium freudenreichii Isolates.","authors":"I D Antipenko, S A Venedyukhina, N P Sorokina, I V Kucherenko, T S Smirnova, G N Rogov, M Yu Shkurnikov","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27764","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27764","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Propionibacterium freudenreichii plays a crucial role in the production of Swiss-type cheeses; however, genomic variability among strains, which affects their technological traits, remains insufficiently explored. In this study, whole-genome sequencing and comparative analysis were performed on five industrial P. freudenreichii strains. Despite their overall high genomic similarity, the strains proved different in gas production and substrate metabolism. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between strain FNCPS 828 and P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii (z-score = 0.99948), with the latter being unable to reduce nitrates but being able to metabolize lactose. The narG gene encoding the nitrate reductase alpha subunit was detected in only one of the five analyzed strains - FNCPS 828 - and in 39% of previously described P. freudenreichii genomes, suggesting its potential as a marker of nitrate-reducing capability. Analysis of 112 genomes showed that the I-G CRISPR-Cas system was present in more than 90% of the strains, whereas the type I-E system was found in approximately 25%. All the five study strains harbored the type I-G system; strain FNCPS 3 additionally contained a complete type I-E system with the highest number of CRISPR spacers, some of which matched previously published bacteriophage sequences. The most prevalent anti-phage defense systems included RM I, RM IV, AbiE, PD-T4-6, HEC-06, and ietAS. These findings highlight the genetic diversity of P. freudenreichii strains, which is of great importance in their industrial applications. The identification of narG as a potential marker of nitrate-reducing activity, along with detailed mapping of CRISPR- Cas systems, boosts opportunities for the rational selection and engineering of starter cultures with tailored metabolic properties and increased resistance to bacteriophages.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 4","pages":"72-82"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755874/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888628","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":"Comprehensive Characterization of Five Lactococcus Strains: From Phenotypic Traits to Genomic Features.","authors":"I D Antipenko, N P Sorokina, I V Kucherenko, E V Kuraeva, E S Masezhnaya, M Yu Shkurnikov","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27747","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27747","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The efficiency of dairy product fermentation directly depends on the properties of the lactic acid bacteria used, particularly on their metabolic activity and resistance to bacteriophages. Therefore, an understanding of the relationships between the genetic and phenotypic traits of industrial strains is of elevated importance. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed five Lactococcus strains widely used in the Russian dairy industry, combining whole-genome sequencing with phenotypic profiling. Despite the fact of genetic similarity among four of the L. lactis strains, we still identified significant differences in their metabolic activity. Comparative structural analysis of previously published genomes of 337 L. lactis and 147 L. cremoris strains revealed species-specific features of the lactose metabolism; in particular, the absence of the lacZ gene in L. cremoris. Notably, prophages were found in three of the studied strains, which was in correlation with their reduced acidification activity. L. lactis FNCPS 51n and 73n strains displayed resistance to all 50 tested bacteriophages, which may be associated with the presence of the AbiB abortive infection system. These findings underscore the importance of integrating genomic and phenotypic analyses when selecting efficient and phage-resistant Lactococcus starters in the dairy industry.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 4","pages":"83-92"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755869/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888473","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 Role of EPFL Peptides in Plant Development and Stress Responses.","authors":"A D Maiboroda, A A Makeeva, R A Azarkina, A S Barashkova, A S Mamaeva","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27675","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cysteine-rich peptides belonging to the EPF/EPFL (epidermal patterning factor/epidermal patterning factor-like) family are common in many plants, from mosses to angiosperms. EPF/EPFL play an important role in morphogenesis: they regulate stomatal patterning, the functioning of the shoot apical and lateral meristems, inflorescence architecture, vascular development, growth of leaf margin, as well as the development of flowers and fruits. Recent studies have indicated that EPFL may be involved in plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress. This review examines the structure, phylogenetic distribution, mechanisms of signal transduction, and functions of the EPF/EPFL peptide family.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 4","pages":"52-63"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755873/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888554","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":"Dimephosphon Radioprotective Properties on the Model of Radiation Injury In Vivo.","authors":"D A Kiseleva, M A Melchenko, O I Yarovaya, N V Basov, A D Rogachev, A G Pokrovsky, N F Salakhutdinov, T G Tolstikova","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27662","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27662","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Radiation therapy is a commonly used cancer treatment modality. However, its application is limited because of its toxicity to healthy tissue. The search for effective radioprotective agents remains one of the key goals of radiation oncology and radiobiology. This study focuses on experimental modeling of radiation injury in animals and the investigation of Dimephosphon radioprotective properties, a drug exhibiting anti-acidotic, antitumor, and antioxidant activities. It was shown that 14-day administration of the drug at a dose of 750 mg/kg after single-dose (5 Gy) irradiation of CD-1 mice resulted in a local radioprotective effect, reducing the severity of the radiation-induced injury to the intestinal epithelium and splenic capsule. The results of metabolomic screening revealed that the levels of the key metabolites responsible for antioxidant properties such as alpha-tocopherol, nicotinamide riboside, N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate, and adenylosuccinate were significantly increased, indicating that the Dimephosphon drug provides enhanced antioxidant protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 4","pages":"93-102"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755876/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888449","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":"Mitophagy in Age-Dependent Neurodegeneration.","authors":"V S Sukhorukov, A V Egorova, A S Romanenko, M S Ryabova, A P Krasilnikova","doi":"10.32607/actanaturae.27674","DOIUrl":"10.32607/actanaturae.27674","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of neuronal damage during aging. The high energy dependence of neurons makes them particularly vulnerable to age-related changes accompanied by oxidative stress and impaired energy metabolism. The maintenance of a pool of functional mitochondria is regulated by mitophagy, which ensures the utilization of damaged organelles, thereby preventing the progression of mitochondrial dysfunction. Brain aging is accompanied by a reduced level of activity of metabolic processes, aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction, and an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. This review highlights the molecular and signaling pathways of mitophagy and its dysregulation during physiological and pathological aging, which is of particular interest for identifying pharmaceutical targets and developing potential therapies for neurodegenerative conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":6989,"journal":{"name":"Acta Naturae","volume":"17 4","pages":"64-71"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12755872/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888619","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}