Abstract The effects of tonoplast and rafts isolated from vacuolar membranes on the import of DNA into mitochondria of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) were studied. It was shown that the addition of rafts isolated from the tonoplast to mitochondria increased 8-fold the activity of the DNA import into mitochondria as compared to the import in the untreated mitochondria.

Abstract— Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are hydrolytic proteins, which cleave fatty acid off the second position (sn-2) of the phospholipid. An increased activity of PLA2 correlates with the course of many different inflammatory processes in the body. For the purpose of diagnosing and predicting pathological processes, systems for detecting the PLA2 activity are being developed. The key component of all

Abstract Extracellular adenosine is a signaling molecule involved in the regulation of physiological processes in a variety of cells, including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). We have shown using microphotometry and Ca2+ probes that the population of MSCs isolated from human adipose tissue contained a small (5–10%) subpopulation of adenosinergic cells. In these cells, A1, A2A, and A2B adenosine receptors

Abstract— Illuminated giant cells of characean algae exhibit membrane excitability as well as the spatial patterns of photosynthesis and transmembrane H+ fluxes. The excitation of plasmalemma under these conditions results in the transient degradation of external alkaline and acid zones and inhibits photosynthesis in the alkaline zones. The generation of action potential in the patterned internodes

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive incurable neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by selective death of the motoneurons of the spinal cord and brain. Currently, ALS is considered as a disease with a wide range of etiological causes, which trigger the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to the development of similar clinical symptoms associated with degeneration

Abstract This study was focused on the problem of regulation of the proinflammatory activity of mast cells through a specific class of protease-activated receptors, PAR1. The study demonstrated for the first time the regulation of the activity of RBL-2H3 cells, mast cell analogues, by a new PAR1 agonist, peptide NPNDKYEPF-amide. It has been shown that the PAR1 agonist peptide, like activated protein

Abstract Biological membranes include various lipids. A heterogeneity of lipid composition can lead to phase separation resulting in the formation of ordered lipid domains, which differ in lipid composition from the other (disordered) part of the membrane. Membrane deformations, which occur at the domain boundary, can affect the lateral distribution of various membrane inclusions. In this paper, in

Abstract The activity of many membrane proteins, such as receptors, ionic channels, transporters, and enzymes, is cholesterol dependent; however, mechanisms of the cholesterol-dependent regulation of protein functions remain obscure. Recent studies suggest that membrane proteins can directly interact with cholesterol owing to the presence of the cholesterol-recognizing amino-acid consensus (CRAC) motifs

Abstract Fluctuations in physiological processes are a key property of biosystems; these fluctuations can play both positive and negative roles in living organisms. In particular, fluctuations in the activity of ion channels can increase sensitivity of the receptors and modulate the activity of neural networks. At the same time, a possible influence of fluctuations on the electrical activity in plants

Abstract— Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and, particularly, exosomes are becoming a promising material for “cell-free therapy” of many pathologic conditions. In the recent years therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been attributed to their secretory factors, including EVs. In this study we aim to investigate how EVs produced by MSCs of different tissue origin can influence myogenesis

Abstract— Internal ultrastructure of the muscle tissue mitochondria of horsehair worm Gordionus alpestris (Nematomorpha) was studied using morphometry. Surface area of the inner mitochondrial membrane per unit of the mitochondrial volume, or surface density of the inner mitochondrial membrane, was measured as a main morphometric parameter. The surface density of the inner mitochondrial membrane of

Abstract Currently, a search for selective antagonists of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, which are required to suppress the steroidogenesis in hormone-dependent tumors and to prevent the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, is carried out. One approach to tackle this problem is the development of low-molecular-weight antagonists of the allosteric site of this receptor, which is located in its transmembrane

Abstract AMPA receptors are the key molecules of excitatory and inhibitory synapses and are involved in synaptic plasticity. Cognitive functions of the brain such as signal perception, processing and analysis of information, memory, storage and exchange of information are reduced when the processes controlling the assembly of AMPA receptors, membrane trafficking and synapse-specific expression are

Abstract Endothelial cells (ECs) line the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, as well as heart chambers, forming the border between the tissues, on the one hand, and blood or lymph, on the other. Such a strategic position of the endothelium determines its most important functional role in the regulation of vascular tone, hemostasis, and inflammatory processes. The damaged endothelium can be both a

Abstract Early sea urchin embryos are sensitive to agonists and antagonists of transmitter receptors, both metabotropic and channel ones. In this work, we studied mechanisms of the cytostatic action of cyproheptadine and haloperidol–antagonists of serotonin 5HT2 receptors and dopamine D2 receptors, respectively. For this purpose, we employed the model of the blockade of the first cleavage division

Abstract Dysfunctions of glomerular podocytes and triggering of apoptotic processes in them are the main molecular causes of diabetic nephropathy and other kidney diseases. Pathogenetic factors causing these dysfunctions of podocytes are hyperglycemia, increased levels of advanced glycation end-products, oxidative stress, increased activity of inflammatory factors, and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Abstract In the present work, the recorded kinetics of chemiluminescence enhanced by coumarin 334 indicated that the complexes of cytochrome c (Cyt) with anionic lipids (Cyt-AL), such as cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidic acid (PA), when added to mitochondrial and cytoplasmic membranes, are capable of catalysing reactions of lipid free radical formation. The effect of Cyt-CL complex was studied on mitochondria

Abstract Gravitational unloading leads to a slow-to-fast shift in the myosin phenotype. The reason for these changes is a decrease in the expression of the genes encoding heavy chains of myosin (MyHC) of the slow type, and an increase in the expression of the genes encoding MyHC of the fast types. Signal cascades such as calcineurin/NFAT and HDAC4/MEF-2D are known to regulate MyHC I gene expression

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is regarded as a promising approach to the treatment of malignant tumors, the effect of which is achieved due to the generation of reactive oxygen species upon irradiation of a photosensitizer with light. Reactive oxygen species cause direct destruction of tumor cells, vascular damage, and activate anti-tumor immunity. Hypoxia of tumor tissue significantly reduces

Abstract The analysis of electron and proton transport in chloroplasts of higher plants has been carried out on the basis of a mathematical model that takes into account the pH-dependent regulation of electron transport and the operation of the ATP synthase. Numerical experiments aimed at simulation of these processes under pseudocyclic electron transport (water–water cycle) have shown good agreement

Abstract The formation of through pores in lipid bilayer membranes occurs in a number of cellular processes and is also applied for biotechnological and biomedical purposes. In the classical theory of pore formation, diffusion of membrane defects in space of radii is considered. When the first pore reaches a critical radius, the membrane irreversibly ruptures. It is usually presumed that the diffusion

Abstract— Having various pathological and molecular subtypes with several causes, breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy amongst women. Neurotransmitters and neuropeptides are triggers responsible for the growth of cancerous cells and metastasis through their specific receptors. These neurotransmitters and neuropeptides include catecholamines, γ-amino butyric acid, acetylcholine, serotonin

Abstract— Under homeostasis states, proliferation, differentiation and function of immune cells are efficiently regulated to not only support the protection against pathogens, but also to prevent the autoimmune attack against self-tissues. It is now authenticated that immune cell activation is engaged with intense alterations in cellular metabolism. Accumulating body of data indicated that alterations

Abstract Cytokinins, classical plant hormones, are recognized by the cell through receptors—hybrid sensor histidine kinases, multidomain transmembrane proteins. The character of the hormonal effect on the cell and the mode of the hormonal signal transduction to the primary targets depends on the subcellular localization of the receptors. Recently, we cloned and investigated a family of cytokinin receptors

Abstract The combined effect of melatonin and cytarabin at low concentration on the cells of acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 was studied. It has been shown that the combined effect of these substances led to a decrease in the number of cells by 70% and the mitotic activity index by 75%. It was found that the combined effect of melatonin and cytarabin also contributed to a decrease in the expression

Abstract Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the key polymer components of the extracellular matrix; it can exert different effects on intracellular signaling depending on its molecular weight. We compared the effects of low (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) HA polymers on the ability of primary astrocytes, glial brain cells, to release into the extracellular medium omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids,

Abstract Using the previously developed rabbit model of perioperative dry eye syndrome (PDES) and quantitative mass spectrometric technique it is shown that the development of corneal erosion under conditions of general anesthesia is associated with changes in the content of inflammatory metabolites, namely, derivatives of linoleic (LA), alpha-linolenic (ALA), and arachidonic (AA) acids in tear fluid

Abstract— Cisplatin is an effective anticancer drug used to treat various types of cancer. The main disadvantage of the drug is its high toxicity. To reduce the toxic effect of cisplatin, we conjugated it with arabinogalactan, which is capable of forming soluble globules and bind poorly soluble pharmacological compounds by confining them inside spheroid globules. In this study, we compared the biological

Abstract— Extracellular ATP is a potent inflammatory mediator and regulator of neutrophil activity in an inflammatory site. The role of ATP in the regulation of bone marrow granulocyte functions remains unexplored. The aim of this work was to study effects of ATP on the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adhesion of bone marrow granulocytes. Changes

Abstract The mechanisms underlying changes in spontaneous release of acetylcholine (ACh) induced by exogenous agonists and antagonists of endocannabinoid receptors were investigated by recording miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) in motor synapses of mouse diaphragm preparations with intracellular microelectrodes. There have not been observed any statistically significant changes either in the membrane

Abstract— In the present study, close spatial relationships between peripheral serotoninergic nerve elements and the musculature of the body in planaria Polycelis tenuis, Schmidtea mediterranea, and Girardia tigrina have been demonstrated using immunocytochemical and histochemical methods and a confocal laser scanning microscopy. Such a localization of serotoninergic neurons and their fibers indicates

Abstract Calcium-permeable kainate (CP-KARs) and AMPA (CP-AMPARs) receptors of the brain neurons are active participants of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release trigger. In this paper, CP-KARs and CP-AMPARs were identified in hippocampal neuroglial culture on 14–17 day of cultivation by a characteristic Ca2+ response to a selective agonist of CP-KARs and CP-AMPARs, domoic acid (DA), and

Abstract— Thrombin is a multifunctional serine protease that attracts the attention of many researchers in particular in connection with a wide range of its effects in the nervous tissue. It is known that the main thrombin receptor is a protease-activated type 1 receptor, the functional activity of which is associated with adapter protein β-arrestin-2. Here we assessed potential involvement of β-arrestin-2

Abstract— Molecular mechanisms initiating the development of atrophic changes in a mammalian postural muscle remain unclear. We have suggested that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may play an important role in the regulation of anabolic and catabolic signaling pathways in postural muscle at the initial stage of mechanical unloading, since skeletal muscle inactivation can lead to changes in the

Abstract The role of histone deacetylases 4/5 (HDAC4/5) in the activation of myogenin and E3 ligases (MuRF1 and MAFbx) under functional unloading of m. soleus was studied. For this purpose, trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, was used in suspended rats. Wistar rats (24 three-month-old males) were divided into three groups (eight in each). One group served as a control (C), the second (HS)

Abstract The affinity of rodent Na+,K+-ATPase α1-subunit to cardiotonic steroids (CTS) is known to be approximately 1000-fold less than the affinity of Na+,K+-ATPase α1-subunit from other mammals. The CTS-resistant isoform of Na+,K+-ATPase α1-subunit (α1R) is expressed in rodent cells, in contrast to the CTS-sensitive isoform of the α1-subunit (α1S), which is expressed in cells of other mammals. Earlier

Abstract Thyroid hormones increase cardiac contractility due to their effect on the Ca2+ homeostasis in cardiomyocytes. Type 2 deiodinase (D2), which provides local synthesis of T3 from T4, is essential for the adaptation of skeletal muscles to aerobic exercise; however, its role in the myocardium has not been explored. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of wheel training on the expression

Abstract— The effects of palmitic acid (PA) and the products of its ω-oxidation–ω-hydroxypalmitic acid (HPA) and α,ω-hexadecanedioic acid (HDA)—on respiration in the absence of ATP synthesis and on the H2O2 generation were studied on isolated liver mitochondria energized by oxidation of succinate. It was shown that HPA stimulates respiration and reduces the difference in electrical potentials (Δψ)

Abstract— A characteristic feature of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in humans and experimental animals is an androgen deficiency, which is usually compensated by using the gonadotropin preparations with the activity of the agonists of the luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). However, the use of gonadotropins is associated with a number of undesirable effects

Abstract— In several types of cells, inhibition of ubiquitous α1-isoform of the Na+,K+-ATPase leads to drastic transcriptomic changes mediated by dissipation of transmembrane concentration gradients of monovalent cations. In the present study, we employed the sharp differences in the affinity of α1- and α3-Na+,K+-ATPase for ouabain to examine the role of α3 isoform in the regulation of intracellular

Abstract— Hypoxic conditions, in addition to effects on the CO2 and O2 transport, may have an impact on various functions of red blood cells (RBCs) including ion and metabolic regulation, oxidative stress induction, and transport of nitrites, ammonia, urea, etc. We used laser diffraction, spectrometry, and flow cytometry for evaluation of responses of RBCs of lower vertebrates and human RBCs to hypoosmotic

Abstract Dodecyltriphenylphosphonium (C12TPP) is a membrane-bound penetrating cation with a delocalized charge widely used for creating and delivering of antioxidants, spin traps, and other chemical probes into mitochondria. The ability of C12TPP to induce permeabilization of the inner membrane of rat liver mitochondria at micromolar concentrations was investigated. It was found that C12TPP in a dose-dependent

Abstract— Stroke is one of the main causes of human death and disability. Occlusion of the cerebral vessels in minutes leads to oxygen and glucose depletion and the infarction of nervous tissue. However, neuroprotectors that can rescue neurons have not been found yet. This review describes the biochemical processes leading to cell death in the ischemic brain and the molecular factors that spread the

Abstract— The involvement of the mitochondrial calcium-dependent NO synthase (mtNOS) in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration has not been sufficiently studied. Moreover, the possible functioning of a mitochondrial signaling system involving mtNOS/guanylate cyclase (GC)/protein kinase G (PKG) and the impact of this system (mtNOS/GC/PKG-SS) on mitochondrial respiration have not yet been analyzed

Abstract— The main goal of this work was a quantitative analysis of the kinetics of the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. For this purpose, a mathematical model was developed for modeling and experimental studies of changes in mitochondria associated with ROS-induced activation of signaling pathways of cell death (apoptosis, necrosis, and

Abstract— The mechanism of the neuroprotective action of α2-adrenergic receptor agonists in a model of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro was investigated. Using fluorescent microscopy, immunostaining, inhibitor analysis, and real-time PCR analysis, we demonstrated that OGD evokes a biphasic [Ca2+]i increase in all cells. Initial Ca2+ impulse in astrocytes and Ca2+ oscillations in neurons were

Abstract Erythrocytes change their micromechanical properties associated with membrane viscoelasticity when they perform the transport function. There is some evidence that this is due to the influence of signaling molecules, including such gasotransmitters as nitrogen oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in microrheology of human erythrocytes