Vol 5, No 2 (2013)

Cover Page

Reviews

Transfer and Expression of Small Interfering RNAs in Mammalian Cells Using Lentiviral Vectors

Lebedev T.D., Spirin P.V., Prassolov V.S.

Abstract

RNA interference is a convenient tool for modulating gene expression. The widespread application of RNA interference is made difficult because of the imperfections of the methods used for efficient target cell delivery of whatever genes are under study. One of the most convenient and efficient gene transfer and expression systems is based on the use of lentiviral vectors, which direct the synthesis of small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), the precursors of siRNAs. The application of these systems enables one to achieve sustainable and long-term shRNA expression in cells. This review considers the adaptation of the processing of artificial shRNA to the mechanisms used by cellular microRNAs and simultaneous expression of several shRNAs as potential approaches for producing lentiviral vectors that direct shRNA synthesis. Approaches to using RNA interference for the treatment of cancer, as well as hereditary and viral diseases, are under active development today. The improvement made to the methods for constructing lentiviral vectors and the investigation into the mechanisms of processing of small interfering RNA allow one to now consider lentiviral vectors that direct shRNA synthesis as one of the most promising tools for delivering small interfering RNAs.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):7-18
pages 7-18 views

Blood Clotting Factor VIII: From Evolution to Therapy

Orlova N.A., Kovnir S.V., Vorobiev I.I., Gabibov A.G., Vorobiev A.I.

Abstract

Recombinant blood clotting factor VIII is one of the most complex proteins for industrial manufacturing due to the low efficiency of its gene transcription, massive intracellular loss of its proprotein during post-translational processing, and the instability of the secreted protein. Improvement in hemophilia A therapy requires a steady increase in the production of factor VIII drugs despite tightening standards of product quality and viral safety. More efficient systems for heterologous expression of factor VIII can be created on the basis of the discovered properties of its gene transcription, post-translational processing, and behavior in the bloodstream. The present review describes the deletion variants of factor VIII protein with increased secretion efficiency and the prospects for the pharmaceutical development of longer acting variants and derivatives of factor VIII.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):19-39
pages 19-39 views

The Evolutionary Pathway of X Chromosome Inactivation in Mammals

Shevchenko A.I., Zakharova I.S., Zakian S.M.

Abstract

X chromosome inactivation is a complex process that occurs in marsupial and eutherian mammals. The process is thought to have arisen during the differentiation of mammalian sex chromosomes to achieve an equal dosage of X chromosome genes in males and females. The differences in the X chromosome inactivation processes in marsupial and eutherian mammals are considered, and the hypotheses on its origin and evolution are discussed in this review.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):40-53
pages 40-53 views

Research Articles

Late Replication of the Inactive X Chromosome Is Independent of the Compactness of Chromosome Territory in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Panova A.V., Nekrasov E.D., Lagarkova M.A., Kiselev S.L., Bogomazova A.N.

Abstract

Dosage compensation of the X chromosomes in mammals is performed via the formation of facultative heterochromatin on extra X chromosomes in female somatic cells. Facultative heterochromatin of the inactivated X (Xi), as well as constitutive heterochromatin, replicates late during the S-phase. It is generally accepted that Xi is always more compact in the interphase nucleus. The dense chromosomal folding has been proposed to define the late replication of Xi. In contrast to mouse pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), the status of X chromosome inactivation in human PSCs may vary significantly. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with a whole X-chromosome-specific DNA probe revealed that late-replicating Xi may occupy either compact or dispersed territory in human PSCs. Thus, the late replication of the Xi does not depend on the compactness of chromosome territory in human PSCs. However, the Xi reactivation and the synchronization in the replication timing of X chromosomes upon reprogramming are necessarily accompanied by the expansion of X chromosome territory.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):54-61
pages 54-61 views

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Transcriptome Profiling in Mice with Genetically Different Susceptibility to Tuberculosis

Skvortsov T.A., Ignatov D.V., Majorov K.B., Apt A.S., Azhikina T.L.

Abstract

Whole transcriptome profiling is now almost routinely used in various fields of biology, including microbiology. In vivo transcriptome studies usually provide relevant information about the biological processes in the organism and thus are indispensable for the formulation of hypotheses, testing, and correcting. In this study, we describe the results of genome-wide transcriptional profiling of the major human bacterial pathogen M. tuberculosis during its persistence in lungs. Two mouse strains differing in their susceptibility to tuberculosis were used for experimental infection with M. tuberculosis. Mycobacterial transcriptomes obtained from the infected tissues of the mice at two different time points were analyzed by deep sequencing and compared. It was hypothesized that the changes in the M. tuberculosis transcriptome may attest to the activation of the metabolism of lipids and amino acids, transition to anaerobic respiration, and increased expression of the factors modulating the immune response. A total of 209 genes were determined whose expression increased with disease progression in both host strains (commonly upregulated genes, CUG). Among them, the genes related to the functional categories of lipid metabolism, cell wall, and cell processes are of great interest. It was assumed that the products of these genes are involved in M. tuberculosis adaptation to the host immune system defense, thus being potential targets for drug development.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):62-69
pages 62-69 views

Peculiarities of the Regulation of Gene Expression in the Ecl18kI Restriction–Modification System

Burenina O.Y., Fedotova E.A., Ryazanova A.Y., Protsenko A.S., Zakharova M.V., Karyagina A.S., Solonin A.S., Oretskaya T.S., Kubareva E.A.

Abstract

Transcription regulation in bacterial restriction–modification (R–M) systems is an important process, which provides coordinated expression levels of tandem enzymes, DNA methyltransferase (MTase) and restriction endonuclease (RE) protecting cells against penetration of alien DNA. The present study focuses on (cytosine-5)-DNA methyltransferase Ecl18kI (M.Ecl18kI), which is almost identical to DNA methyltransferase SsoII (M.SsoII) in terms of its structure and properties. Each of these enzymes inhibits expression of the intrinsic gene and activates expression of the corresponding RE gene via binding to the regulatory site in the promoter region of these genes. In the present work, complex formation of M.Ecl18kI and RNA polymerase from Escherichia сoli with the promoter regions of the MTase and RE genes is studied. The mechanism of regulation of gene expression in the Ecl18kI R–M system is thoroughly investigated. M.Ecl18kI and RNA polymerase are shown to compete for binding to the promoter region. However, no direct contacts between M.Ecl18kI and RNA polymerase are detected. The properties of M.Ecl18kI and M.SsoII mutants are studied. Amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal region of M.Ecl18kI, which performs the regulatory function, are shown to influence not only M.Ecl18kI capability to interact with the regulatory site and to act as a transcription factor, but also its ability to bind and methylate the substrate DNA. The loss of methylation activity does not prevent MTase from performing its regulatory function and even increases its affinity to the regulatory site. However, the presence of the domain responsible for methylation in the M.Ecl18kI molecule is necessary for M.Ecl18kI to perform its regulatory function.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):70-80
pages 70-80 views

Identification of Novel IGF1R Kinase Inhibitors by Molecular Modeling and High-Throughput Screening

Moriev R., Vasylchenko O., Platonov M., Grygorenko O., Volkova K., Zozulya S.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify small molecule compounds that inhibit the kinase activity of the IGF1 receptor and represent novel chemical scaffolds, which can be potentially exploited to develop drug candidates that are superior to the existing experimental anti-IGF1R therapeuticals. To this end, targeted compound libraries were produced by virtual screening using molecular modeling and docking strategies, as well as the ligand-based pharmacophore model. High-throughput screening of the resulting compound sets in a biochemical kinase inhibition assay allowed us to identify several novel chemotypes that represent attractive starting points for the development of advanced IGF1R inhibitory compounds.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):90-99
pages 90-99 views

Factors Affecting Aggregate Formation in Cell Models of Huntington’s Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Lazarev V.F., Sverchinskyi D.V., Ippolitova M.V., Kaznacheyeva A.V., Guzhova I.V., Margulis B.A.

Abstract

Most neurodegenerative pathologies stem from the formation of aggregates of mutant proteins, causing dysfunction and ultimately neuronal death. This study was aimed at elucidating the role of the protein factors that promote aggregate formation or prevent the process, respectively, glyceraldehyde-3-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and Hsp70 molecular chaperone. The siRNA technology was used to show that the inhibition of GAPDH expression leads to a 45–50% reduction in the aggregation of mutant huntingtin, with a repeat of 103 glutamine residues in a model of Huntington’s disease (HD). Similarly, the blockage of GAPDH synthesis was found for the first time to reduce the degree of aggregation of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (G93A) in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The treatment of cells that imitate HD and ALS with a pharmacological GAPDH inhibitor, hydroxynonenal, was also shown to reduce the amount of the aggregating material in both disease models. Tissue transglutaminase is another factor that promotes the aggregation of mutant proteins; the inhibition of its activity with cystamine was found to prevent aggregate formation of mutant huntingtin and SOD1. In order to explore the protective function of Hsp70 in the control of the aggregation of mutant huntingtin, a cell model with inducible expression of the chaperone was used. The amount and size of polyglutamine aggregates were reduced by increasing the intracellular content of Hsp70. Thus, pharmacological regulation of the function of three proteins, GAPDH, tTG, and Hsp70, can affect the pathogenesis of two significant neurodegenerative diseases.

Acta Naturae. 2013;5(2):81-89
pages 81-89 views

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