A Guide to the Russian Academy of Sciences - University of Texas ...

We proposed to demonstrate the increased permeability of malarial-infected
erythrocytes to ODN and to investigate the antimalarial activities of various ODNderivatives.
7. Sector of Medicine Genetics.
Staff:
Anna E. Dikalova, Ph.D., Head of the Sector
Aleksander M. Gonchar, Ph.D.
Irina G. Shabalina, Ph.D.
Larisa N. Kudryashova
Julija V. Ablaeva
Sergey I. Dikalov, Ph.D.
Subjects of Research:
Molecular mechanisms of the development of deseases involving enchanced oxygen
radical generation. The role of free radicals in the increased mutation rate in animal
and plant cells. Molecular basis of somaclonal variation.
General Results 1993-1995:
By selecting and inbreeding Wistar rats which are sensitive (S) or
resistant (R) to the cataractogenic effect of galactose the S and R rat
strains were developed. Intense generation of oxygen radicals and
enhanced lipid peroxidation were revealed in the liver and
myocardium of the S rats. Data were obtained supporting the
hypothesis that enhanced generation of OH-radicals in the S rat cells
is due to the oxidation and autooxidation of the increased amounts
of monosaccharides intensively transported into the rat cells.
Numerous DNA rearrangements were found in the S rat genomes.
Decreased oxidative phosphorilation and the lower respiratory
control ratio were found in liver mitochondria of S rat. Formation of
protein carbonyl groups and membrane fluidity were increased. SOD
and catalase activity were decreased. Tumors, premature aging (low
fecundity, growth retardation and short life-span), cataracts,
cardiomyopathy-like changes in the myocardium, scoliosis are
characteristic of the S rats.
Preliminary data demonstrated that there are groups of patients with
scoliosis, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis in families predisposed
to these diseases which are characterized by a very intense hexose
transport into cells, enhanced free radical generation and lipid
peroxidation.
The high mutation rate in the genome of the plant cells which are grown in
cell suspension or in tissue culture is known as somaclonal
variation. Although extensive documentation of this phenomenon is
available in numerous plant species, the existing data on this subject
do not allow to make unambiguous conclusion about the nature of
somaclonal variation. We advanced the suggestion that culturing of
plant cells in vitro are stressful conditions which may result in the
hyperproduction of oxygen free radicals which in turn react with
DNA and cause the mutations. If it is so, we may regulate the
mutation process using in medium the agents stimulating or
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