1. |
- Bhaskaran, Nimesh, et al.
(author)
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Novel post-translational modifications of Smad2 identified by mass spectrometry
- 2008
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X .- 1644-3632. ; 3:4, s. 359-370
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Smad2 is a crucial component of transforming growth factor-b (TGFb) signaling, and is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation,death and differentiation. Phosphorylation, ubiquitylation and acetylation of Smad2 have been found to regulate its activity. We usedmass spectrometry to search for novel post-translational modifications (PTMs) of Smad2. Peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) indicatedthat Smad2 can be acetylated, methylated, citrullinated, phosphorylated and palmitoylated. Sequencing of selected peptides validatedmethylation at Gly122 and hydroxylation at Trp18 of Smad2. We also observed a novel, so far unidentified modification at Tyr128 andTyr151. Our observations open for further exploration of biological importance of the detected PTMs.
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2. |
- Krzemieniecki, Krzysztof, et al.
(author)
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Targeting of solid tumors and blood malignancies by antibody-based therapies - EGFR-pathway as an example
- 2006
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Versita. - 1895-104X .- 1644-3632. ; 1:2, s. 167-182
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A well-coordinated interaction between extracellular signals and intracellular response forms the basis of life within multicellular organisms, with growth factors playing a crucial role in these interactions. Discoveries in recent years have shown that components of the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) signaling system have frequently been used by cancer cells to autonomously provide survival and proliferation signals. The main focus of this review is the ErbB epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases including ErbB1/EGFR, ErbB2/HER2/neu, ErbB3/HER3, and ErbB4/HER4 as therapeutic targets. Since the ErbB receptor family regulates cell proliferation through the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK) pathway, and cell survival and transformation through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway, pharmacological targeting of these pathways is also discussed. We will also address the clinical studies that have been conducted to evaluate antibody-based therapies mostly on solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. (c) Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. All rights reserved.
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3. |
- Razaghi, Ali, et al.
(author)
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Effects of nitrogen on growth and carbohydrate formation in Porphyridium cruentum
- 2014
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X .- 1644-3632. ; 9:2, s. 156-162
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The microalga Porphyridium cruentum (Rhodophyta) has several industrial and pharmaceutical uses, especially for its polysaccharide production. This study aimed to investigate the influence of nitrogen levels as reflected by altered N:P ratios on the production and content of biomass and carbohydrate. N:P molar ratios were altered in batch cultures to range from 1.6 to 50 using the Redfield ratio of 1:16 as reference. Algal growth (estimated as final cell number, biomass concentration and maximum specific growth rate) was negatively affected at low N:P ratios. The optimal N:P ratio for growth was identified at 35-50, with specific growth rates of 0.19 day(-1) and maximum cell concentrations of 59 center dot 10(8) cells L-1 and 1.2 g dry weight of biomass L-1. In addition, variation in cell size was seen. Cells with larger diameters were at higher N:P ratios and smaller cells at lower ratios. The cellular carbohydrate content increased under reduced nitrogen availability. However, because accumulation was moderate at the lowest N:P ratio, 0.4 g per g dry weight biomass compared to 0.24 at the Redfield ratio of 16:1, conditions for increased total carbohydrate formation were identified at the N:P ratios optimal for growth. Additionally, carbohydrates were largely accumulated in late exponential to stationary phase.
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4. |
- Tonkov, Spassimir, et al.
(author)
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Postglacial vegetation history as recorded from the subalpine Lake Ribno (NW Rila Mts), Bulgaria
- 2013
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X .- 1644-3632. ; 8:1, s. 64-77
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A pollen analysis conducted on a 600 cm core from Lake Ribno (2184 m) in the Northwestern Rila Mountains, supplemented by 13 radiocarbon dates, has revealed the basic stages in its postglacial vegetation dynamics. The lateglacial vegetation, composed of Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae, with stands of Pinus and Juniperus-Ephedra shrubland, dominated in the stadials and partly retreated during the Bolling/Allerod interstadial (14700-12900 cal. yrs. BP). The afforestation in the early Holocene (11600-7800 cal. yrs. BP) started with pioneer Betula forests, with groups of Pinus and Juniperus at mid-high altitudes, and Quercus forests with Tilia, Ulmus, Fraxinus, Corylus below the birch zone. A coniferous belt composed of Pinus sylvestris, P. peuce and Abies was shaped under the conditions of a more humid climate (7800-5800 cal. yrs. BP). The last trees that invaded the study area were Fagus after 4300 cal. yrs. BP and Picea abies after 3400 cal. yrs. BP. Evidence for destructive changes in the vegetation and indications of agricultural and stock-breeding activities (pollen of Triticum, Secale, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex, Juglans) was continuously recorded since the Late Bronze Age (3400-3200 cal. yrs. BP). The postglacial vegetation history in the Northwestern Rila Mountains demonstrated close similarities with that of the Northern Pirin Mountains.
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5. |
- Åkesson, Mikael
(author)
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The genetic structure of the Lithuanian wolf population
- 2013
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X .- 1644-3632. ; 8, s. 440-447
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lithuanian wolves form part of the larger Baltic population, the distribution of which is continuous across the region. In this paper, we evaluate the genetic diversity of the Lithuanian wolf population using mitochondrial DNA analysis and 29 autosomal microsatellite loci. Analysis of the mtDNA control region (647 bp) revealed 5 haplotypes distributed among 29 individuals and high haplotype diversity (0.658). Two haplotypes were distributed across the country, whilst the others were restricted to eastern Lithuania. Analysis of microsatellites revealed high heterozygosity (H-E=0.709) and no evidence for a recent bottleneck. Using detection of first generation migrants, four individuals appeared to assign better with populations genetically differentiated from those resident in Lithuania. These immigrants were males carrying rare mitochondrial haplotypes and were encountered in the eastern part of the country, this indicates that Lithuania is subject to immigration from differentiated populations. Additionally, we did not detect any signs of recent hybridisation with dogs.
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6. |
- Annenkova, Nataliia
(author)
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Phylogenetic relations of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium baicalense from Lake Baikal
- 2013
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X. ; 8:4, s. 366-373
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Freshwater dinoflagellates still remain poorly studied by modern biological methods. This lack of knowledge prevents us from understanding the evolution and colonization patterns of these ecologically important protists. Gymnodinium baicalense is the most abundant, and possibly endemic, planktonic dinoflagellate from the ancient Lake Baikal. This dinoflagellate species blooms in the spring under the ice. This study analyzed the origin of this Baikalian dinoflagellate using three markers (two ribosomal and one mitochondrial DNA). It was found that this species is a true member of the order Gymnodiniales and has close relatives in the glacial melt waters of the Arctic Ocean. It seems that G. baicalense has diversified relatively recently from the arctic marine gymnodinioids. These results shed light on dinoflagellate biogeography and their colonizations in Lake Baikala biodiversity hotspot.
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7. |
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8. |
- Singh, Birendra, et al.
(author)
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Vitronectin in host pathogen interactions and antimicrobial therapeutic applications
- 2011
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X. ; 6:6, s. 973-980
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Vitronectin (Vn) is a multifunctional glycoprotein profusely present in serum and bound to epithelial cell surfaces. It plays an important role in cell migration, tissue repair and regulation of membrane attack complex (MAC) formation. In the last decade the role of Vn has been extensively investigated in eukaryotic signalling and cell migration leading to the possibility of developing novel anticancer drugs. In parallel, several studies have suggested that pathogens utilize Vn in invasion of the host. Here we review the properties of Vn and its role in host-pathogen interactions that might be a future target for therapeutic intervention.
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9. |
- Teneva, I, et al.
(author)
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Phytoplankton community of the drinking water supply reservoir Borovitsa (South Bulgaria) with an emphasis on cyanotoxins and water quality
- 2010
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In: CENTRAL EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X. ; 5:2, s. 231-239
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The phytoplankton diversity, algal biomass, and selected physicochemical parameters were investigated in the drinking water reservoir (Borovitsa) located in the Kardzhali region, Bulgaria. Particular attention was given to Cyanoprokaryota and presence of cyanotoxins in the water samples. Twenty-nine species belonging to six divisions (Cyanoprokaryota, Chlorophyta, Zygnemophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta and Bacillariophyta) were identified. The microscopic examination of the phytoplankton samples showed the dominance of Ankyra judayi, Oocystis lacustris (Chlorophyta) and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Cyanoprokaryota) in July 2006, and Microcystis pulverea, Synechococcus elongatus (Cyanoprokaryota), Radiococcus planktonicus (Chlorophyta) and Melosira varians (Bacillariophyta) in September 2006. A blooming event due to Aphanizomenon flos-aquae was observed in July 2006. The reservoir exhibits a tendency to shift from an oligotrophic environment to a state of mesotrophy. Presence of cyanotoxins such as anatoxin-a, microcystins and saxitoxins were analyzed by HPLC and ELISA methods. Our results demonstrated the presence of anatoxin-a and microcystins (0.09 µg/L) in the raw water samples from July 2006, and saxitoxins (2.5 µg/L) and microcystins (0.18 µg/L) in the raw water samples from September 2006. The study underlines that permanent monitoring programs of Cyanoprokaryota in the reservoirs used as sources of drinking water and toxicity assessments should be implemented. Indirect exposure and transfer of cyanotoxins through food chains must also be considered.
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10. |
- Zubarev, RA, et al.
(author)
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Early life relict feature in peptide mass distribution
- 2010
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In: CENTRAL EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-104X. ; 5:2, s. 190-196
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The molecular mass of a biomolecule is characterized by the monoisitopic mass Mmono and the average isotopic mass Mav. We found that tryptic peptide masses mapped on a plane made by two parameters derived from Mmono and Mav form a peculiar feature in the form of a ‘band gap’ stretching across the whole ‘peptide galaxy’, with a narrow line in the centre. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible reasons for the emergence of such a feature, provided it is not a random occurrence. The a priori probability of such a feature to emerge by chance was found to be less than 1:100. Peptides contributing to the central line have elemental compositions following the rules S = 0; Z = C - (N + H)/2 = 0, which nine out of 20 amino acid residues satisfy. The relative abundances of amino acids in the peptides contributing to the central line correlate with the consensus order of emergence of these amino acids, with ancient amino acids being overrepresented in on-Line peptides. Since linear correlation between Mav and Mmono reduces the complexity of polypeptide molecules, and the turnover rate of less complex molecules should be faster in non-equilibrium abiotic synthesis, we hypothesize that the line could be a signature of abiotic production of primordial biopolymers. The linear dependence between the average isotopic masses and monoisotopic masses may have influenced the selection of amino acid residues for terrestrial life.
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