Parnas-Conference2011-abstracts - BIO
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Parnas-Conference2011-abstracts - BIO
Abstracts of the 8th Parnas Conference Warsaw, Poland August 27–31, 2011 8th Parnas Conference Warsaw, Poland, August 27–31, 2011 Patronage: Minister of Foreign Affairs — Mr. Radoslaw Sikorski Minister of Science and Higher Education — Prof. Barbara Kudrycka Honorary Committee: Prof. Jolanta Barańska — Former President of the Polish Biochemical Society Prof. Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz — Mayor of Warsaw Prof. Michał Kleiber — President of the Polish Academy of Sciences Dr. Henryk Litwin — Ambassador of Poland in Ukraine Ms. Agnieszka Magdziak-Miszewska — Ambassador of Poland in Israel Prof. Markijan Malskyj — Ambassador of Ukraine in Poland Prof. Maciej J. Nałęcz — Director of the Division of Basic & Engineering Sciences, UNESCO Prof. Israel Pecht — Secretary General of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies Mr. Zvi Rav-Ner — Ambassador of Israel to Poland Prof. Lech Wojtczak — Former President of the Polish Biochemical Society Special Guests: Prof. Stefan Angielski Prof. Lyudmila Drobot Prof. Janina Kwiatkowska-Korczak Prof. Piotr Laidler Dr. Barbara Parnasowa Prof. Mathias Sprinzl Scientific Committee: Prof. Andrzej Dżugaj (Poland) — Chairman Prof. Michael Eisenbach (Israel) Prof. Orna Elroy-Stein (Israel) Prof. Ganna Elska (Ukraine) Prof. Leszek Kaczmarek (Poland) Prof. Serhiy Komisarenko (Ukraine) Prof. Sergey Kosterin (Ukraine) Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki (Poland) Prof. Shimon Schuldiner (Israel) Prof. Maciej Żylicz (Poland) Local Organizing Committee Prof. Maria Jolanta Rędowicz — Head Prof. Jolanta Barańska Justyna Karolczak Dr. Joanna Kruszewska Dr. Katarzyna Kwiatkowska Dr. Hanna Nieznańska Iuliia Pavlyk Dr. Paweł Pomorski Dr. Elżbieta Rębas Dr. Oleh Stasyk (Ukraine) Dr. Joanna Szczepanowska Ewa Szczepanik Israela Tishler (Israel) Dr. Urszula Wojda VIII Parnas Conference Warsaw, Poland, August 27–31, 2011 ORGANIZERS Polish Biochemical Society Israel Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Ukrainian Biochemical Society CO-ORGANIZERS Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Prof. Adam Szewczyk, Director International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki, Director Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Prof. Piotr Zielenkiewicz, Director Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw, Prof. Joanna Pijanowska, Dean University of Wrocław, Prof. Marek Bojarski, Rector Main Supporting Institution Supported within 3+ Meeting Programme The Conference was supported by the EU FP7 Project BIO-IMAGINE: BIO-IMAGing in research INnovation and Education, GA No. 264173 8th Parnas Conference Warsaw, Poland, August 27–31, 2011 Dear Participants, WELCOME TO VIII PARNAS CONFERENCE We cordially invite you to participate in the 8th Parnas Conference organized by the Polish Biochemical Society, Ukrainian Biochemical Society and Israel Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Parnas Conferences commemorate the world known Polish biochemist Jakub Karol Parnas. Before the Second World War, J. K. Parnas was a professor of physiological chemistry at University in Lwów (in Polish) or Lviv (in Ukrainian) or Lemberg (in Yiddish). The Parnas' laboratory was a unique place where in a friendly atmosphere young Polish, Ukrainian and Jewish scientists had studied glucose metabolism. The results of their work were highly appreciated as for many years glycolysis was also termed as Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway. The first Parnas Conference was organized in 1996 in Lviv by the Ukrainian and Polish Societies, and since then every two years the Conferences have been organized alternately in Poland and in Ukraine. The coming 8th Parnas Conference will be organized for the first time by the Polish, Ukrainian and Israel biochemists in Warsaw. Welcome to Warsaw to meet in a friendly atmosphere, we hope reminding that of the Parnas' laboratory. Andrzej Dżugaj President of the Polish Biochemical Society Serhiy Komisarenko President of the Ukrainian Biochemical Society Michael Eisenbach President of the Israel Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Warsaw, August 27th 2011. 8th Parnas Conference Warsaw, Poland, August 27–31, 2011 Contents Opening lectures: 1 Keynote Lectures 3 Session 1: & 2: Post-transcriptional regulation 5 Session 3: Bioinformatics for gene expression 19 Session 4: Gene expression and brain disease 25 Session 5: Cell guidance 36 Session 6: Transporters in adaptation to hostile environments 48 Session 7: Protein structure and function 52 Session 8 & 9: Calcium in signalling 83 Index of Authors 95 by Andrzej Dzugaj, Rostislav S. Stoika by Aaron Ciechanover, Ada Yonath, Alexander Wlodawer Chair: Orna Elroy-Stein, Serhiy Komisarenko Chair: Ganna Elska Chair: Leszek Kaczmarek Chair: Michael Eisenbach Chair: Shimon Schuldiner Chair: Maciej Żylicz Chair: Olga Matyshevska, Jacek Kuźnicki This issue of Acta Biochimica Polonica contains author-supplied copy of abstracts not verifed by qualifed reviewers Sponsors and Exhibitors: SIGMA-ALDRICH – main sponsoring company KRZYSZTOF KUCHARCZYK TECHNIKI ELEKTROFORETYCZNE SP. Z O.O. LAB-JOT LABART SP. Z O.O. VWR INTERNATIONAL GROUP SARSTEDT ALAB SP. Z O.O. JOHN WILEY & SONS EURx SP. Z O.O. PERKIN ELMER COMESA POLSKA Conference supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education Opening Lectures O.1 Jakub Karol Parnas Polish biochemist Andrzej Dżugaj Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Wrocław University, Wrocław, Poland e-mail: Andrzej Dzugaj <[email protected]> Jakub Karol Parnas was born in 1884 in Mokrzany, a small village in Galizia, which at that time belonged to AustroHungarian Monarchy. As a result of the WWI, Galizia became part of Poland. Following the Soviet-German agreement this land was turned over to the Soviets. From 1941 to 1944 the land was occupied by Germans and by now it is a part of Ukraine. Parnas studied chemistry at the universities of Berlin, Strasburg, Zurich and Munich where in 1907, he received the Ph.D. He was associate professor at Strasburg University in1913 and professor of physiological chemistry at Lwow University (1920–1941). Lwów (in Polish) or Lviv (in Ukrainian) or Lemberg (in Yiddish) was a very special place. It was the Polish city built on Ukrainian land. In thirties of the last century, the Lwów population comprised of 52% Poles, 30% Jews, 17% Ukrainians and small percentage of other minorities, like Germans, Czechs, Armenians. At that time Lwow was not a peaceful city. Ukrainian Nationalist struggled for free Ukraine and claimed that Lwów should be the Ukrainian city. Jews fought against the increasing wave of the antiSemitism. Poles tried to maintain the status quo. Agents of German Nazi and Soviet Communist were also present trying to destabilize the situation in the city. The Parnas’ laboratory was an unique place where in a friendly atmosphere, young Polish, Ukrainian and Jewish scientists studied glucose metabolism in Vertebrate skeletal muscle cells. In order to follow the fate of the phosphate residue in glucose metabolism, it was necessary to employ the radioactive phosphor 32P which had been successfully used in Parnas laboratory. The quintessential discovery of Parnas and his collaborators was: the breakdown of glucose results in ATP production. A Time Line of the Discovery of Glycolysis hexokinase hexoisomerase 1,6-phosphofructokinase aldolase triosephosphate-isomerase GAPDH dehydrogenase 1,3PDG kinase 3-phosphoglycerate mutase enolase pyruvate kinase Meyerhof 1927 Cori, Cori 1936 Ostern, Guthke, Terszakovec 1936 Meyerhof, Lohmann, Schuster 1936 Meyerhof, Lohmann, Schuster 1936 Warburg, Christian 1939 Bücher 1942 Meyerhof, Kiessling 1935 Meyerhof, Kiessling 1935 Parnas 1934 Two enzymes of glycolysis have been discovered by Parnas and his collaborators. Ostern, Guthke and Tershakowec discovered phosphofructokinase and Parnas himself discovered pyruvate kinase. The results of their work were highly appreciated and for many years glycolysis was also termed as Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway. The good time for Parnas and his collaborators has ended in 1939, when the WWII began. Lwow was occupied by Soviets and became a part of the Soviet Union. Initially, Parnas was respected by Soviet authorities and even became the member of the Soviet Academy of Science and was allowed to continue his research. In 1941, Germans invaded Soviet Union and Parnas was forced to move to Ufa in the central part of Soviet Union. After the WWII, Parnas wanted to go to Polish Republic but Soviet authorities did not allow him to leave the Soviet Union. Instead, in 1947, he was arrested and shortly after, he died in Moscow prison. The circumstances of his death have never been elucidated. Parnas’ students and collaborators were pioneers of biochemistry in Poland. Baranowski and Meybaum-Katzenelebogen in Wrocław, Mozolowski in Gdansk, Mochnacka and Heller in Warsaw. Polish biochemists still remember Jakub Karol Parnas as the outstanding biochemists and the great man and consider him as the Founder of the Polish School of Biochemistry. Abstracts 2 O.2 Parnas Conferences: 1, 2, 3 … Rostislav S. Stoika Institute of Cell Biology, NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine e-mail: Rostyslav Stoyka <[email protected]> Professor Jakub Oskar Parnas was born in Western Ukraine, and he worked for a long time (1920–1941) at the University of its big regional center Lviv (Lvov, Lwow, Lemberg, Leopolis). Parnas is considered to be a father of Polish biochemistry, and he is also one of the founders of biochemistry in Ukraine. It should be stressed that being an outstanding scientist in the field of enzymology of carbohydrate metabolism (Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway) and energy generation, Prof. Parnas belongs to the whole world scientific community. Before the Second World War, Lviv was a very multinational city, and it was reasonable that in Parnas’s research lab scientists of the dominating there Polish, Jewish and Ukrainian communities worked. Prof. Parnas was killed by Stalin’s regime in 1949, and for a long time there were no official celebrations in his honor. Only in 1995, there was a meeting of the President of Polish Biochemical Society Prof. Liliana Konarska, its VicePresident Prof. Jolanta Baranska, known Polish biochemist Prof. Lech Wojtczak, from the Polish side, and Prof. Rostyslav Stoika, the Director of Lviv Division of the Institute of Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, from the Ukrainian side. At that meeting, a decision was taken to put a commemorative plaque devoted to Prof. Parnas on the building of the Department of Biochemistry which he headed at Lviv University. It was proposed by Prof. Stoika that such action should be done at the bilateral UkrainianPolish scientific conference dedicated to Parnas’s memory, and this idea was successfully realized in September 9–11, 1996. At that conference, there was only one scientist from outside Ukraine and Poland — Prof. Simon Shnol who is Prof. Parnas’s scientific “grandson”. Another good idea came to my mind at the closing ceremony of the 1st Parnas conference, when I proposed that Parnas conferences should be organized regularly, once in two years in Ukraine and Poland. That idea was very welcomed, and it successfully works till now. Together with Prof. Stefan Angielsky, in 1998, we have co-organized the 2nd Parnas conference in Gdansk (Poland). It was very successful for two reasons; 1) it coincided with the days of Ukraine in Poland, and 2) around 30 leading biologists from the Western countries (including the USA) participated in that conference. Since that time, Parnas conferences really got to be international ones, and they gained great scientific respect. The 3rd Parnas conference was co-organized by Prof. Rostyslav Stoika (Ukraine) and Prof. Jolanta Baranska, President of Polish Biochemical Society. The international scientific traditions were successfully continued at that Parnas conference. Starting from the 4th Parnas conference, the President of the Ukrainian Biochemical Society, Prof. Serhiy Komisarenko took the leadership as a Ukrainian coorganizer of Parnas conferences, and the best traditions of these conferences were not only preserved but also greatly developed (ex. moving to trilateral organization of Parnas conferences). I would like to acknowledge all people who were with us at the start of Parnas conferences which have really provided an excellent opportunity for initiating collaboration between the biochemists of different countries, and also for gaining new friends. Keynote Lectures K.1 K.2 The ubiquitin proteolytic system — from basic mechanisms thru human diseases and onto drug development Thoughts about the origin of life and antibiotics resistance Aaron Ciechanover Cancer and Vascular Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel e-mail: Aaron Ciechanover <[email protected]> Between the 50s and 80s, most studies in biomedicine focused on the central dogma — the translation of the information coded by DNA to RNA and proteins. Protein degradation was a neglected area, considered to be a non-specific, dead-end process. While it was known that proteins do turn over, the high specificity of the process — where distinct proteins are degraded only at certain time points, or when they are not needed any more, or following denaturation/misfolding when their normal and active counterparts are spared — was not appreciated. The discovery of the lysosome by Christian de Duve did not significantly change this view, as it was clear that this organelle is involved mostly in the degradation of extracellular proteins, and their proteases cannot be substrate-specific. The discovery of the complex cascade of the ubiquitin solved the enigma. It is clear now that degradation of cellular proteins is a highly complex, temporally controlled, and tightly regulated process that plays major roles in a variety of basic cellular processes such as cell cycle and differentiation, communication of the cell with the extracellular environment and maintenance of the cellular quality control. With the multitude of substrates targeted and the myriad processes involved, it is not surprising that aberrations in the pathway have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, certain malignancies and neurodegeneration among them, and that the system has become a major platform for drug targeting. Ada Yonath Department of Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel e-mail: Ada Yonath <[email protected]> Ribosomes, the universal cellular machines, act as polymerases that translate the genetic code into proteins with high efficiency. They posses spectacular architecture accompanied by inherent mobility that facilitate their efficient performance although they are essentially RNA enzymes, thus indicating natural mechanisms to turn an inefficient RNA machine into well performing enzyme. The peptide bond formation site is located within a universal internal symmetrical region connecting all of the remote ribosomal features involved in its functions. The elaborate architecture of this region is capable of positioning both the aminoacylated and peptidyl tRNA substrates in stereochemistry required for peptide bond formation, for substrate-mediated catalysis, and for substrate translocation, hence enabling elongation of nascent proteins. The central location of this region, its connectivity to all of the functional features of the ribosome this region indicates its possible key role in intra-ribosome signaling. Its almost full conservation suggests that it is a remnant of a prebiotic RNA machine that is still functioning in the contemporary ribosome. Adjacent to this site is an elongated tunnel, along which nascent chains progress until they emerge out of the ribosome. This tunnel is involved in gating and chaperoning functions; provides the binding site of the first cellular chaperone that encounters the emerging nascent chain, and hosts a major family of antibiotics that target the ribosome. Analysis of the structure of the pocket hosting these antibiotics hints at a possible pathway in the evolution of the species. 4 Abstracts K.3 Structural biology as a tool for designing drugs against retroviral diseases Alexander Wlodawer Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA e-mail: Alexander Wlodawer <[email protected]> It has been 30 years since the first reports of an epidemic of a new human disease, later called AIDS, have been published. The disease was invariably lethal during the first 15 or so years since its identification, but an unprecedented effort in basic and applied research has led to a development of more than 20 drugs which, in combination, have completely changed the clinical outcome, allowing patients to maintain fairly normal lifespan. This drug development effort was led, to a very large extent, by the success in determining the properties of HIV, the retrovirus responsible for the disease. A very important role was played by structural biology, with the structures of almost all virallyencoded proteins, as well as of some human proteins that play a role in the maintenance of the viral lifecycle, having been solved and made available to drug developers. In particular, the availability of the structures of the three enzymes encoded by the HIV (protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase) played a major role in creation of a variety of very successful drugs that have changed the outcome of the epidemic, at least in the developed world. The success of designing anti-AIDS drugs was a major boost for structure-based drug design in general, and may also be important for the future work on drugs targeting other pathogens, including emerging retroviruses. Session 1 & 2: Post-transcriptional regulation Part I Lectures L1.1 The role of non coding RNA in flowering time regulation Szymon Swiezewski Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Szymon Swiezewski <[email protected]> Transcription generates an extensive array of non-proteincoding RNA(ncRNA), the functional significance of which is mostly unknown. Studies in yeast, humans, drosophila and bacteria have shown that the majority of nucleotides in these genomes are transcribed, generating a mixture of long and short RNAs, most of which are non-coding. This widespread non-coding transcription changes in a complex manner during development and in response to environmental signals. This has led to opposing models: some researchers believe that the vast majority of ncRNA constitutes transcriptional noise, while others suggest that ncRNA is involved in regulating different aspects of genome function and evolution. Although ncRNA have been intensively studied in the last years, many questions remain. It is increasingly accepted that whole genome approaches, though instrumental in discovering the widespread occurrence of non-coding transcription, are less powerful in exploring the numerous molecular mechanisms that these transcripts participate in. L1.2 Regulation of miRNA repression and miRNA turnover in mammalian cells Witold Filipowicz Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland e-mail: Witold Filipowicz <[email protected]> MiRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by causing translational repression, and mRNA deadenylation and degradation. Mechanistic details of how miRNPs repress protein synthesis are still poorly understood. Proteins of the GW182 family represent effector proteins mediating miRNA repression in metazoa. Deletion analysis of the human GW182 protein TNRC6C and Drosophila dGW182 revealed that their C-terminal fragments encompassing PAM2 and RRM domains, but also including other sequences, act as most potent mediators of both translational repression and mRNA decay. However, other domains of GW182 proteins also have potential to mediate the repression. MiRNA-mediated translational repression is a reversible process in mammalian cells. We previously demonstrated that target mRNAs containing AU-rich regulatory elements (AREs) in the 3’UTR, can be relieved from miRNA repression in response to different forms of cellular stress, The derepression required binding of the ELAV family protein HuR to the mRNA 3’UTR. Using an in vitro system with recombinant miRISC and purified HuR and its mutants, we demonstrate that HuR, by oligomerizing along RNA, leads to displacement of miRISC from RNA, even when miRISC is positioned at a distance from the primary HuRbinding site. We are also investigating function and turnover of miRNAs in retinal and non-retinal rodent neurons. In collaboration with the laboratory of Botond Roska of the FMI, we found that levels of the sensory neuron-specific miR-182/183/96 cluster, and miR-204 and miR-211, are down-regulated in mouse retina during dark adaptation and up-regulated during light adaptation, with rapid miRNA decay and increased transcription being responsible for the respective changes. We found that miRNAs in non-retinal neurons also turn over much faster than in non-neuronal cells. miRNA turnover in neuronal cells may be subject to complex activity-dependent regulation. Blocking action potentials with tetrodotoxin or blocking glutamate receptors prevented rapid turnover of miRNAs in neurons. 6 Abstracts L1.3 Oral presentations MicroRNAs play a dominant role in cellular processes O1.1 Noam Shomron Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel e-mail: Noam Shomron <[email protected]> A central gene regulatory mechanism, present in all animals, is regulation by small non-coding RNAs termed microRNAs. MicroRNAs control gene expression by binding to mRNA targets and leading them to facilitated mRNA degradation and translation inhibition. Currently there are hundreds of reported human microRNAs predicted to control at least half of the human transcriptome. MicroRNAs were observed to be important for a diverse range of biological processes such as differentiation and development, and to play a pivotal role during human pathogenesis. I will present our computational and experimental efforts in deciphering modes of microRNA biogenesis; global and specific regulation of target genes by microRNAs; and, novel functions microRNAs play in the cellular context. Overall our team effort leads to a deeper understanding of small RNAs in the development of diseases in order to generate a significant impact on clinical reality. Thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TRα) regulates heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1)-dependent alternative splicing of tumor suppressor CEACAM1 in human renal cancer Hanna Kędzierska, Agnieszka PiekielkoWitkowska, Anna Wojcicka, Alicja Nauman The Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Hanna Kędzierska <[email protected]> Objectives: CEACAM1 is a tumor suppressor whose expression is disturbed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Alternative splicing of CEACAM1 pre-mRNA results in two splice variants: the long (L) and short (S) one, due to inclusion or exclusion of exon 7, respectively. This process is regulated by a splicing factor, hnRNPA1, which promotes exon 7 exclusion. Previous studies revealed impaired expression of thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) in ccRCC. Aim of this study was to check whether disturbed alternative splicing of CEACAM1 is due to aberrant action of TRs. Methods: ccRCC cell line UOK 171 was transfected with siRNA negative control or siRNA directed against TRα. Silencing of TRα was confirmed by real-time PCR. UOK 171 cells and 12 matched-pair ccRCC tumor-control samples were used for analysis of hnRNP A1 expression (by real-time PCR) and splicing pattern of CEACAM1 (by reverse-transcription PCR, gel electrophoresis and densitometric scanning of gel bands). CEACAM1-L expression was measured by real-time PCR. Results: Silencing of TRα resulted in significant 31% reduction of hnRNP A1 expression (P<0.0001) and in altering ratio of CEACAM1 splice isoforms, favoring the expression of 1L. The expression of hnRNP A1 in ccRCC tumor samples was significantly, 47% increased in comparison with control samples (P<0.05). In contrast, the expression of CEACAM1-L isoform was reduced by 28% in tumor samples in comparison with controls (P<0.05). There was strong correlation between the expression of hnRNPA1 and CEACAM-1L isoform in tumor and control samples (r=0.7649, p<0.05). Conclusion: TRα affects alternative splicing of CEACAM1 via regulated expression of splicing factor hnRNP A1. Disturbed alternative splicing of CEACAM1 in ccRCC possibly results from altered expression of hnRNP A1. This is the first report showing that thyroid hormone receptor can directly influence the process of alternative splicing. Acknowledements The work supported by the Polish National Centre for Science, Grant NN401532140. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 O1.2 Dynamics of single mRNP nucleocytoplasmic transport through the nuclear pore in living cells Part II Lectures L2.1 Amir Mor, Shimrit Suliman, Rakefet Ben-Yishay, Sharon Yunger, Yehuda Brody, Yaron Shav-Tal MicroRNA control in the immune system and deregulation in immune pathologies Bar-Ilan University, The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology, Ramat Gan, Israel Klaus Rajewsky e-mail: Amir Mor <[email protected]> The flow of genetic information in eukaryotic cells occurs via nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation of mRNAs. Knowledge of in vivo mRNA export kinetics through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) remains poor in comparison to protein transport. In this study, we established a mammalian system that allowed the real-time visualization and analysis of single mRNA-protein complexes (mRNPs) during export. Using a transcription-inducible system, large mRNPs were followed during nucleoplasmic travels and NPC translocation. The in vivo rates of mRNP transport and export were quantified and compared. Bulk mRNP average travel-times from transcription to the NPC occurred within a long-minute time-frame, with no pileup at the NPC. Export inhibition demonstrated that mRNA-NPC interactions were independent of ongoing export. mRNP export was rapid (~0.5 sec) and kinetically faster than nucleoplasmic diffusion. The nucleoplasmic transport dynamics of intron-containing and intronless mRNAs were similar, yet the presence of an intron did increase export efficiency. Our results provide visualization on the single mRNP level of the various steps in gene expression within the nuclear environment, the interchromatin tracks through which mRNPs move, and demonstrate the kinetics of mRNPNPC interactions and translocation. 7 Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital, and Immune Disease Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA e-mail: Klaus Rajewsky <[email protected]> While miRNAs usually regulate the expression of target proteins only over a narrow range of concentrations, they exert critical roles in the control of both hematopoietic development and the functional activities of the cells of the immune system. Likewise, small changes in miRNA concentrations as well as miRNA deficiencies can lead to dramatic disease phenotypes ranging from fatal autoimmunity to hematopoietic malignancies. This is in line with the many human disease syndromes caused by genetic haploinsufficiency; in addition, any given miRNA has many target proteins, which may be coordinately involved in the control of cellular signaling pathways. I will discuss gene targeting approaches in the mouse, which have been instrumental in the elucidation of the functional impact of miRNA control in the immune system in vivo. These approaches have also led to the identification of key targets of miRNA control, but at the same time revealed its enormous complexity, eluding classical genetic analysis. Abstracts 8 L2.2 Oral presentations CTCF and its testis specific paralog BORIS in shaping of epigenome in cancer O2.1 Dmitri Loukinov Laboratory of Immunopathology, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA MicroRNA-directed allelic exclusion in immunoglobulin gene loci e-mail: Dmitri Loukinov <[email protected]> Volodymyr A. Halytskiy CTCF recently earned the title of “master weaver of the genome” in appreciation of its versatile and multifunctional interaction with genetic elements. The CTCF protein contains an11 zinc finger DNA recognition domain flanked with N- and C-termini of about equal size. The CTCF gene is exceptionally conserved throughout evolution from Drosophila to human; conservation from mice to men is over 95% identity on the amino acid level. Depending on the genomic context CTCF acts as a transcriptional repressor or activator, is implicated as a part of hormonedependent composite silencers, plays an important role at least in some enhancers and is capable of forming intraand inter-chromosomal loops via its intrinsic property to form di- and multi-mers. BORIS appeared relatively late in evolution by duplication of the CTCF gene and became strictly germ cell specific only in mammals. BORIS evolved rapidly and conservation between mice and men is high in the zinc-finger DNA recognition domain and significant in N-terminus, but is insignificant in the C-terminus. In humans, and perhaps other mammals, BORIS is expressed in multiple (at least two dozen) alternatively spliced isoforms and the significance of those will be discussed. BORIS is expressed also in embryonic stem cells and is frequently detected in various cancers. As a target for immunotherapy, BORIS has been shown to be safe and successful in elimination of cancer in rodent models. The role of BORIS in germ cell development and in tumorigenesis will be discussed based on phenotype of knock-out animals and genome-wide ChIP-seq. Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Molecular Immunology Department, Ukraine Acknowledgements This work was supported by intramural funding from NIAID/NIH e-mail: Volodymyr Halytskiy <[email protected]> According to hypothesis of microRNA-directed DNA methylation, some microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in allelic exclusion [1]. The precursors of these miRNAs should be transcribed from sequences that undergo allelic exclusion. Mature miRNAs can directly hybridize with complementary DNA untwisted during the transcription, thereafter involving DNA methyltransferases in de novo methylation of cytosine within DNA targets. Nevertheless, RNA polymerase movement along transcribing sequence must release DNA from miRNAs bound to it. Therefore, miRNA can initiate DNA methylation in allele, which is less actively read by RNA polymerase, whereas the concentration of miRNA transcribed from only one allele is insufficient to overcome the level above which the silencing of this allele can be initiated. As a result, repression affects all but one allele that exists in the cell. Recently we have predicted that immunoglobulin gene loci contain miRNAs responsible for allelic exclusion [2]. In silico search in miRNA database miRBase shows that genes of four human miRNAs – miR-4539, miR-4507, miR-4538, miR-4537 – are clustered within immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IGH@) of chromosome 14, position 106325653-106323741. This cluster is located in a spacer between sequences encoding last J-fragment and first exon of Cμ-fragment on the same strand (negative). Also, miRNA candidate sequence AB019440.1 is transcribed from positive strand in V-fragments region of IGH@. The gene of another human miRNA, miR-650, is found within immunoglobulin lambda chain locus (IGL@) on positive strand of chromosome 22, position 2316527023165365. This gene overlaps exon 1 of IGLV2-8-001 gene and intron 1 of the gene encoding large intergenic non-coding RNA (lincRNA) D87024.2. Six miRNA candidate sequences – snoU13.380, D86994.2, D86994.1, D87015.1, D86998.1 and D87024.1 – are also transcribed from sequences located in IGL@. Therefore, localization of miRNAs genes in immunoglobulin gene loci corresponds with the predictions from hypothesis of miRNA-directed allelic exclusion. Furthermore, each mature sequence of miR-650, miR-4539, miR-4507, miR-4538 and miR-4537 contains 2-4 C(N)G sites, which are complementary to DNA methylation sites. Also, exons of above miRNA candidate sequences contain several C(N)G sites. These facts confirm that miRNAs can cause allelic exclusion through methylation of complementary DNA sequences. References 1. Halytskiy VA (2008) Cell Tissue Biol 2: 97-106. 2. Halytskiy VA, Komisarenko SV (2009) Biopolymers and Cell 25: 12-26. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 O2.2 Posters T-domain of diphtheria toxin may retard maturation of endosomes P1_2.1 Andrii Labyntsev, Natalia Korotkevich, Elizaveta Yurchenko, Andrii Kaberniyk, Denys Kolibo Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the NASU, Molecular Immunology department, Ukraine e-mail: Andrii Labyntsev <[email protected]> Diphtheria toxin (DT) is the main pathogenicity factor of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Toxin consists of three domains: C-domain (corresponds to the fragment A [SbA]), T-domain and R-domain (the last two constitute the fragment B [SbB]). R-domain (Rd) mediates binding of DT to its surface receptor proHB-EGF, which promotes clathrin-mediated endocytosis of the toxin-receptor complex. Lowering the luminal pH of the endosome vesicles triggers partial unfolding of T-domain and its anchoring into the endosomal membrane. Thereafter T-domain mediates translocation of C-domain into the cell cytosol and then C-domain inactivates translation factor eEF2, which leads to the inhibition of cellular protein biosynthesis and cell death. Today, the mode of DT action is well characterized, but there remain some unclear aspects of the toxin cell entry, particularly C-domain translocation mechanism. In order to study the role of T-domain in the process of the toxin entry into the cell we have constructed two recombinant fluorescent DT-derived proteins (mCherry-SbB and EGFP-Rd). Both proteins have C-domain replaced by fluorescent protein (EGFP or mCherry) and one lacks the T-domain (EGFP-Rd). Flow cytometric analysis showed strong binding of both proteins to the toxin sensitive cell line Vero, but their titration curves revealed lower affinity of EGFP-Rd to the proHB-EGF, which may be associated with the absence of T-domain. Simultaneous internalization process of these proteins into Vero cells was visualized via confocal microscopy. After 15 minutes of the observation both proteins were localized in endosomes, but some differences in their trafficking were observed: mCherrySbB was localized at the near-membrane region of the cell, whereas EGFP-Rd moved deeply into the cell. EGFP-Rd was localized in lysosome-like structures after 45 minutes, whereas mCherry-SbB still remained in endosomes and only after 60–75 minutes mCherry-SbB was colocalized with EGFP-Rd in lysosome-like structures. Based on these data we suggest that difference in the intracellular traffic of these proteins was due to the presence of the DT Tdomain in mCherry-SbB protein. After anchoring into the endosomal membrane the T-domain may act as a proton channel, suchwise it may retard maturation of the endosome. Presumably, retarding maturation of endosomes is one of the uninvestigated functions of T-domain, which may promote more efficient translocation of C-domain into the cellular lumen. 9 Single non-coding transcript could participate in antisense regulation of ASCL1 gene family Alexandra Yu. Filatova1, Andrey V. Marakhonov1, Ancha Baranova1,2, Mikhail Yu. Skoblov1 1Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Russian Academy of Medical Science, Russian Federation; 2George Mason University, Molecular and Microbiology Department, USA e-mail: Filatova Alexandra <[email protected]> Examination of the phenomenon of antisense regulation of gene expression is urgent as recent years it has been demonstrated that some natural antisense transcripts play an important role in sense genes expression including those which are involved in pathogenesis of a number of diseases. However, the functions and the mechanism of antisense regulation are not enough studied nowadays. Lately in our laboratory in silico search of overlapping clusters of EST relating to opposite DNA strands has been conducted. We chose a cluster with a gene ASCL1 (Achaete-Scute Complex-Like homolog 1 [Drosophila]) among the obtained cases. Protein ASCL1 belongs to a family of transcription factors, which contain HLH (helix-loophelix)-domain responsible for DNA binding. It was found that it played a role in the neuronal commitment and differentiation. This cluster is also of particular interest because of its possible role in contributing to progression of tumors as ASCL1 highly expresses in medullary thyroid cancer, neuroendocrine tumors of lung and other malignant neoplasms. Based on the analysis of EST obtained from the dbEST we suggested a hypothesis about the existence of natural antisense transcript to ASCL1 gene. This hypothesis was proved experimentally using quantitative PCR. Then we identified 3′- and 5′-ends of this transcript using RACEPCR. The further in silico analysis of a cluster indicated that there were four ASCL1-homologous genes in human genome, i. e.: ASCL2, ASCL3, ASCL4, ASCL5. It is notable that ASCL2 and ASCL4 are validated, while ASCL3 and ASCL5 are only predicted genes. We identified that mRNA sequence of the genes ASCL2 and ASCL4 had significant regions with high homology which were overlapped with the predicted asASCL1 antisense transcript, whereas ASCL3 and ASCL5 had similar overlapping with less length and homology. It is worth pointing out that the overlapping regions of all mRNA contain a sequence which encodes a conserved and common for all ASCL proteins HLH-domain. On the basis of these facts we made a hypothesis that a whole gene family could be trans-antisense regulated by one antisense transcript with different effciency for each of its members depending on homology level of an antisense transcript and mRNA sequence of genes. The work aimed to examine and to prove experimentally this phenomenon is in progress. Abstracts 10 P1_2.2 P1_2.3 Orchestrating myogenesis: microRNAs processing is influenced by Heme Oxygenase-1 in myocytes PPM1A a key player in wound healing and inflammation Maciej Cieśla, Magdalena Kozakowska, Anna Stefańska, Klaudia Skrzypek, Oleksandr Yagensky, Agnieszka Łoboda, Józef Dulak, Alicja Józkowicz Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonain University, Kraków, Poland e-mail: Maciej Cieśla <[email protected]> Myoblasts are precursor cells in myogenesis. Pathologies in their maturation may lead to development of skeletal muscles derived tumor called rhabdomyosarcoma. Differentiation of myoblasts can be regulated by microRNAs. We investigated the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the cytoprotective enzyme, on microRNAs biogenesis including class of myocyte specific miRNAs (myo-miRs) in terms of myoblast maturation and proliferation. Experiments were performed on murine immortalized myoblast cell line C2C12, stably transduced with retroviral vectors to express luciferase/GFP reporter genes and overexpress HO-1 and on human rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines of embryonal and alveolar origin. High level of HO-1 activity in C2C12 cells potently inhibited the myoblast differentiation, as indicated by reduced formation of myotubes, diminished activity of creatine phosphokinase, and decreased expression of myogenic regulatory factors, such as MyoD, myogenin and myo-miRs (miR-1, miR-133a, miR-133b, and miR-206). Accordingly, rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines of more aggressive phenotype were characterized by higher amounts of HO-1. Interestingly SDF-1, which levels are dependent on HO-1 exhibits effect on myo-miRs, similar to that of HO-1 overexpression. Higher amounts of HO-1 driven by viral vectors or from endogenous pathways lead to decreased levels of enzymes indispensible for miRNA processing such as DGCR8, Dicer or lin28. Following this finding we find that levels of total mature and precursor miRNAs are decreased in HO-1 overexpression. Finally, transfection with myo-miRs leads to reversal of HO-1 effect on myocytes differentiation. Thus, HO-1 is an important factor regulating microRNA biogenesis and influencing myocytes differentiation in possibly SDF-1 and myo-miRs dependent pathway. Z. Dvashi1, M. Shohat1, H. Jacobi1, D. Ben-Meir1, R. Ashery-Padan2, A. Solomon3, M. Rosner3, S. Lavi 1Department of Cell Research and Immunology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; 2Human Genetics Faculty of medicine,Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; 3Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel e-mail: zeev Dvashi <[email protected]> Protein phosphatase magnesium dependent 1A (PPM1A), formerly PP2Ca, belongs to the metal-dependent serine threonine protein phosphatase family and is highly conserved in evolution. PPM1A plays a significant role in many cellular processes such as cell cycle, apoptosis, tumorigenesis and differentiation through diverse signaling pathways, including p38 MAP Kinase, AMP-Kinase, JNK, TGF-beta, WNT etc. Due to the lack of a specific inhibitor the physiological role of PPM1A is a riddle. We have therefore generated a conditional PPM1A knockout mouse using the Cre-LoxP system. PPM1A was recently reported to be the negative regulator of Smads in the TGF-beta response that controls wound healing. In view of the high expression of PPM1A in the mouse eye we used the cornea to study its role in wound healing. In vivo, using corneal epithelial debridement, we observed aberrant corneal healing. Interestingly, though PPM1A ablation did not affect the proliferation of the corneal epithelial cells their migration ability in the cornea of the KO mice was reduced, causing slower and impaired wound healing. In vitro, using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and corneal fibroblast cultures we have demonstrated that the absence of PPM1A slowed down the migration of the fibroblasts thus leading to attenuated wound healing. The cells displayed increased TGF-β response in the PPM1A KO cells. Unexpectedly, the kinetics of Smad3 phosphorylation, in response to TGF-β was similar in the WT and KO fibroblasts. Still, the KO cells displayed enhanced p38 activation suggesting that PPM1A downregulates TGF-β signaling by terminating p38 activation. Finally, we have shown a novel role for PPM1A in the regulation of inflammation. Using the alkali burn model we have found severe inflammation in the KO mice that prevented healing. The role of PPM1A in wound healing and inflammation through its control of signaling pathway engaged in these responses will be discussed. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P1_2.4 P1_2.5 Mitotic modulation of translation elongation factor 1 leads to hindered tRNA delivary to ribosomes Sequence motifs engaged in the regulation of rosR transcription in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii Gilad Sivan, Ranen Aviner, Orna Elroy-Stein Monika Janczarek, Teresa UrbanikSypniewska, Anna Skorupska Tel Aviv Univeristy, Dept of Cell Research & Immunology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Israel e-mail: Orna Elroy-Stein <[email protected]> Translation elongation in eukaryotes is mediated by the concerted actions of elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) that delivers aminoacylated-tRNA to the ribosome, elongation factor 1B (eEF1B) complex that catalyzes the exchange of GDP to GTP on eEF1A, and eEF2 that facilitates ribosomal translocation. Here we present evidence in support of a novel mode of translation regulation by hindered tRNA delivery during mitosis. A conserved consensus phosphorylation site for the mitotic kinase CDK1 on the catalytic delta subunit of eEF1B (termed eEF1D) is required for its post-translational modification during mitosis, resulting in lower affinity to its substrate eEF1A. This modification is correlated with reduced availability of eEF1A-tRNA complexes, as well as reduced delivery of tRNA to and association of eEF1A with elongating ribosomes. This mode of regulation by hindered tRNA delivery, although first discovered in mitosis, may represent a more globally-applicable mechanism employed under other physiological conditions that involve down-regulation of protein synthesis at the elongation level. References Sivan G et al. (2007) Mol Cell Biol 27: 6639-6646. Sivan G, Elroy-Stein O (2008) Cell Cycle 7: 741-744. Sivan G et al. (2011) J Biol Chem, in Press. 11 Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of M. Curie-Skłodowska, Lublin, Poland e-mail: Monika Janczarek <[email protected]> The rosR gene encodes a transcriptional regulator with a C2H2 type zinc-finger motif involved in positive regulation of EPS synthesis in R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii. In silico sequence analysis of the 450-bp long rosR upstream region revealed the presence of several inverted repeats of different lengths (named IR1 to IR6), among these IR5 was the longest, with 12-bp inverted repeats. Moreover, motifs with significant identity to consensus sequences recognized by PhoB and LysR-type proteins associated with phosphateand flavonoid-dependent gene regulation in R. leguminosarum were identified in this region. We established that rosR expression was driven from two separate promoters: the distal strong P1 promoter and the proximal, weaker, P2, and two rosR transcripts of different lengths were identified. These transcripts contained 273-base and 240-base long 5’-untranslated regions (5’-UTR), respectively. Such long upstream regions have often been described as target sites for the regulation of gene expression. The inverted repeats IR1, IR2, and IR3 were located upstream of the two transcriptional start sites TS1 and TS2, suggesting that they are potential target sites for the action of regulatory proteins. The IR4 motif was located between TS1 and TS2, and the IR5 and the IR6 were located below TS2. Secondary structure analysis of the rosR RNA transcripts initiated at TS1 and TS2 revealed the presence of several additional sequences, which stabilized their structures, especially in the upper part of both transcripts. Three stem structures were generated from the first 120 nucleotides of transcript 1 with a total energy of –41.4 kcal/mol. These included inverted repeats IR5, which were located on the top of this structure. This sequence also played a significant role in stabilizing the upper part of the secondary structure of the shorter transcript 2. Within the first 90 nt of the transcript 2, a structure containing two stems was formed with a total energy of –27.9 kcal/mol. Site-directed mutagenesis of IR4 indicated that dominant role of this motif was the repression of rosR transcription. Acknowledgements This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, grant no. N N303 092234. Abstracts 12 P1_2.6 P1_2.7 Interaction of the fragile X mental retardation protein with MMP-9 mRNA in neurons Expression of pleiotropic regulatory genes in streptomycetes Aleksandra Janusz1, Jacek Miłek1, Małgorzata Perycz2, Leszek Kaczmarek1, Magdalena Dziembowska1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Warsaw, Poland; 2International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Aleksandra Janusz <[email protected]> Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) is an RNA binding protein highly expressed in the brain, implicated in RNA transport and in the control of local translation. Fmr1 KO mice have immature filopodia-like dendritic spines, increased MMP-9 protein level and activity. Treatment with minocycline, that inhibits MMP-9 causes spine maturation in KO mice, which implies a role for MMP-9 in Fragile X Syndrome. It has been shown that MMP-9 mRNA and protein are present at the postsynaptic sites of dendritic spines and that MMP-9 is activated in response to synaptic stimulation. MMP-9 mRNA contains G quartet, a sequence pattern found in mRNAs targeted by FMRP. We have used synaptoneurosomal fraction to precipitate FMRP-mRNA complexes and we found that MMP-9 mRNA is specifically co-immunoprecipitated with FMRP protein. By double in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence we have visualized MMP-9 mRNA and FMRP protein in rat hippocampal neurons and found the colocalization of MMP-9 mRNA with FMRP protein. After stimulation of hippocampal neurons with DHPG (mGluR5 agonist) and bicuculline, we observed mobilization of MMP-9 mRNA and FMRP containing granules from cell soma to the dendrites. We have also found that the colocalization of MMP9 mRNA and FMRP protein in granules markedly decreases after DHPG stimulation. We have confirmed that FMRP and MMP9 mRNA shift to the polyribosomal fractions upon glutamate stimulation. Overall, we postulate that MMP-9 mRNA associates with FMRP in neurons and is transported to the dendrites. Dmytro Klymyshin1,2,3, Maria Rabyk1, Maria Honchar2, Victor Fedorenko1 1Ivan Franko National University of L’viv, Deptartment of Genetics and Biotechnology, Ukraine; 2Institute of Animal Biology, Deptartment of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Ukraine; 3Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Deptartment of Biochemistry, Ukraine e-mail: Dmytro Klymyshin <[email protected]> Streptomycetes are an abundant source of novel secondary metabolites with a range of biological activities that may ultimately find application as anti-cancer agents or other pharmaceutically useful compounds. The activation of antibiotic biosynthesis is genetically controlled at several levels. Pleiotropic regulatory genes exert their control over two or more antibiotics in the same organism. Streptomyces ghanaensis is a producer of the phosphoglycolipid antibiotic moenomycin A (MmA) — the only natural product known to directly target the extracellular peptidoglycan glycosyltransferases involved in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Analysis of moe cluster shows that genes moeE5 and moeO5 control the first steps of MmA biosynthesis. Both aforementioned genes are accompanied by putative promoters, which should be the primary targets for different transcriptional regulators. The influence of regulators on these promoters was assessed with the help of titration of promoters. For this purpose we generated S. albus R1moe38-5+ and S. ghanaensis strains carrying multicopy plasmid pSOK101 with moeE5p and moeO5p promoters. LC-MS analysis showed significant changes in moenomycin production upon introduction of promoters, which point to the presence of transcriptional activators. A pleiotropic regulatory gene wblAgh was disrupted in S. ghanaensis. Obtained strain produces not only increased amount of MmA, but shows severe changes in morphology of S. ghanaensis. Expression of pleiotropic regulatory genes in heterological hosts is an effective approach in overproduction of clinically important drugs. Here we focus on the regulation of secondary metabolism in S. peucetius (doxorubicin producer), S. nogalater (nogalamycin producer) and S. echinatus (aranciamycin producer) strains. Pleiotropic regulatory genes lndYR, afsS, relA, absA2 were cloned from different streptomycetes and used to improve production of anthracyclines. Our data shows that amplification of relA gene conferred overproduction of antibiotics in the host strains. The production of novel unidentified compound was observed in the case of S. nogalater harboring lndYR gene. Expression of lndYR in S. peucetius also had a dramatic effect on the sporulation of this strain. This gene is required for sporulation and also influenced the production of doxorubicin. It was found that expression of absA2 decreased production of nogalamycin in S. nogalater. Expression of afsS in S. peucetius, S. nogalater and S. echinatus had no significantly changes on antibiotics production. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P1_2.8 P1_2.9 The possible role of miRNA in OTA-triggered changes in LLC-PK1 kidney tubular cells Novel non-protein-coding natural antisense transcript AFAP1AS participates in regulation of AFAP1 expression Anna Stachurska1, Christine Boesch-Saadatmandi2, Magdalena Kozakowska1, Gerald Rimbach2, Alicja Jozkowicz1, Jozef Dulak1, Agnieszka Loboda1 1Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Krakow, Poland; 2Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Kiel, Germany e-mail: Agnieszka Loboda <[email protected]> Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxin produced mainly by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillum verrucosum with potential carcinogenic activity. We hypothesized that in kidney tubular epithelial cells (LLC-PK1) 24h stimulation with OTA may affect expression of various miRNAs. Among others we found out that expression of miR-132 was upregulated after OTA delivery. One of its possible targets is nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), which was decreased by OTA in our studies. Nrf2 overexpression by the use of adenoviral vectors diminished OTAenhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well as OTA-inhibited cell proliferation and viability. Moreover, Nrf2 overexpression reduced OTA-elevated mRNA of profibrotic transforming growth factor β-2 (TGFβ2) via reduction of ROS level. Thus, is seems that drop in Nrf2, which may be caused by induction of miR-132, is crucial in toxic effect of OTA. We also demonstrated that expression of miR-122 was increased by OTA. This miRNA was reported to diminish expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme involved in heme degradation. Additionally, erythropoietin (Epo), which is important for kidney biology, is one of the possible targets of miR-122. We found that expression of Epo and HO-1 was decreased by OTA and Nrf2 overexpression attenuated this diminishment. Still, it is possible that miR-122 may mediate these effects. Another miRNAs, which may modulate HO-1 expression, are miR-200b/c. We showed that expression of miR-200b was reduced whereas of miR-200c was elevated by OTA. We also detected OTA-evoked induction of p53 expression, which is known to regulate miR-200c. miR-200c may also affect expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Other miRNAs upregulated by OTA, which binding sites are present within VEGF sequence, are miR29b/c. We observed diminishment of VEGF expression by OTA connected with attenuation of expression of SP-1 and hypoxia inducible factor-2 α (HIF-2α). Still, alterations in miR-29b/c and miR-200c evoked by OTA may also be responsible in these changes. Taken together, these results suggest the importance of alterations in Nrf2 and miRNAs expression in toxicity of OTA. Still, the role of miRNAs in OTA-triggered effects needs further examination. Acknowledgements Supported by grants No. N N401 297835 and No. N N301 033440 (Ministry of Science and Higher Education). The Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology is a beneficiary of grants No: POIG.02.01.0012 064/08, POIG 01.01.02-00-109/09, POIG.02.02.00-014/08 and 01.01.02-00-069/09. 13 Andrey V. Marakhonov1, Peter E. Prokhorov1, Ancha Baranova1,2, Mikhail Yu. Skoblov1 1Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Russian Academy of Medical Science, Russian Federation; 2George Mason University, Molecular and Microbiology Department, USA e-mail: Andrey Marakhonov <[email protected]> Sequencing of human genome revealed the paradox: the complexity in organism’s organization does not correspond to the number of its genes. Now it is generally accepted that increasing complexity in organization is concerned with complication of the regulation of gene expression, including antisense regulation, rather than with an increase in number of genes. Antisense regulation is a widespread but not well-understood mechanism of regulation of gene expression. Despite its abundance, only few experimentally validated regulatory models of antisense regulation in human genome have been described. These data pointed out that different mechanisms exist. Functional study of natural antisense transcripts remains actual. Recently we have carried out a whole genome in silico search of cis-antisense clusters of transcripts in human. The created database revealed a significant number of sense–antisense pairs consisting of one EST cluster expressed predominantly in normal tissues and another cluster with tumor-specific expression. The role of antisense transcripts in the carcinogenesis warrants functional research. Here we describe and characterize an antisense mRNA AFAP1AS overlapping human AFAP1 gene. AFAP1 encodes for an actin filament binding protein, which serves as an adaptor protein interacting with actin filaments what leads to structure and integrity. It also is able to relay signals from receptor tyrosine kinases through PKCα to Src protein kinase. Moreover AFAP1 participates in Src-dependent SRE/AP-1 transcriptional activation. It has been shown that AFAP1 is overexpressed in prostate cancer and contributes to tumorigenic growth. We hypothesized that the transcription of antisense mRNA AFAP1AS may lead to suppression of sense AFAP1 gene expression and eventually to a compensatory restraint of the Src mitogenic signaling pathway. The consequences of AFAP1AS expression are unlikely to be supported by natural selection in the tumor cell population. To study the intriguing phenomenon of tumor-specific AFAP1AS antisense expression we performed detailed in silico analysis of AFAP1AS sequences, determined potential open reading frames, and experimentally quantified this transcript and its sense partner in normal and tumor human tissues. Also we performed comparative genomic analysis between several mammalian species. Furthermore we cloned both antisense transcript and sense gene into expression vectors and carried out functional analysis in human cell cultures. Abstracts 14 P1_2.10 P1_2.11 Phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) is a determinant of pancreatic tumorigenesis Plasmid-transcribed shRNA in contrast to siRNA, activate NFκB signaling pathway and differentially modulate melanoma cell survival Avigail Dreazen1, Shlomit Avraham1, Abed Khalaileh2,4, Areej A. S. Khatib3, Gideon Zamir4, Yuval Dor2, Oded Meyuhas1 1The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jerusalem, Israel; 2The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Jerusalem, Israel; 3Bethlehem University, Palestinian Authority; 4Hadassah Medical Center, Department of Experimental Surgery, Jerusalem, Israel e-mail: Oded Meyuhas <[email protected]> Mice, whose rpS6 cannot be phosphorylated due to Ser>Ala replacement of all phosphorylatable residues (rpS6P-/-), exhibit a small-size phenotype of their β-cells and impaired glucose tolerance. Contrarily, transgenic mice, whose β-cells overexpress myr-Akt1 (Akttg), display a significant increase in both the number and size of their β-cells accompanied by improved glucose tolerance. A cross between Akttg and rpS6P-/- mice has established the dominance of the growth stimulating effect of Akt1 over the growth defect resulting from rpS6 phosphorylation deficiency. Interestingly, however, in addition to their large size, β-cells in Akttg mice tend to undergo transformation with the development of insulinoma, concomitantly with a selective rpS6 phosphorylation in this tumor. The causal relationship between these two variables has become evident by the fact that insulinoma was detected in none of 12 Akttg/rpS6P-/- mice. Intrigued by the possibility that phospho-rpS6 might exert a pro-oncogenic activity, we examined the involvement of rpS6 phosphorylation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). To this end, pellets of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) were implanted into pancreas head of mice. Like in the case of the endocrine pancreas, rpS6P-/- mice were protected from the development of PDA and its precursor lesions. Notably, PDA often involves somatic activation of K-Ras oncogene, which has also been implicated in various DMBA-induced tumors. In order to examine the role of rpS6 phosphorylation in the context of K-Ras-induced tumorigenicity, we crossed rpS6P-/- mice with PDX1-Cre; K-RasLSLG12V mice. The latter strain expresses an activated K-Ras variant (K-rasG12V) in all cells of pancreatic lineage, causing the widespread development of precursor lesions for PDA. Histopathological analysis has demonstrated that K-Rasinduced tumorigenicity is suppressed in rpS6P-/- mice. In an attempt to study the mechanism underlying the protumorigenic effect of rpS6 phosphorylation, we infected immortalized WT and rpS6P-/- MEFs with myr-Akt expression vector. Our results indicate that rpS6 phosphorylation deficiency inhibited colony formation in soft agar, relative to the number counted in WT cells, concomitantly with increased cell death. Taken together, these results imply that phosphorylated rpS6 displays a cell-autonomous prooncogenic activity. References 1. Tuttle RL et al. (2001) Nat Med 7: 1133-1137. 2. Guerra C et al. (2003) Cancer Cell 4: 111-120. Kavita Ramji1,2, Dorota Kulesza1,2, Bozena Kaminska1 1Laboratory of Transcription Regulation, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Kavita Ramji <[email protected]> Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) are transcription factors phosphorylated in response to extracellular ligands that activate cytokine receptor signaling. Compelling evidence demonstrate a critical role of activated Stat3 in malignant transformation and tumour progression. One of the aims of this project was to deregulate STAT3 signaling by silencing its expression and study the interplay between STAT3 and other transcription factors such as the nuclear factor-kappaB (NFκB). NFκB activation may suppress the apoptotic potential of chemotherapeutic agents and contribute to drug resistance in cancer cells. We developed plasmid-transcribed small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) which specifically down-regulated the STAT3 expression in transiently transfected human melanoma WM239 cells. The STAT3-shRNA and NFκBLuc plasmids were efficiently co-transfected in melanoma cells using lipofectamine. Western blotting was carried out to ensure the silencing of STAT3, while the effect on NFκB activation was inspected by measuring the luciferase activity and western blotting for phosphorylated inhibitor IκB. Results show that silencing of STAT3 in melanoma cells influence the activity of NFκB transcription factor as determined using both the NFκB reporter luciferase assay and western blotting for P-IκB, however similar data was also obtained for the negative control shRNA. Interestingly, such NFκB activation did not occur when cells were transfected with various siRNA. Furthermore, silencing with specific shRNA-STAT3, compared to siRNA, affected survival of melanoma cells (as demonstrated using MTT metabolism test). Lack of reduction in cell viability in melanoma cells depleted of STAT3 with siRNA suggests that the expression of this transcription factor is not essential for basal survival. Our data suggest that shRNASTAT3 silencing may induce non-specific or off-target effects related to plasmid transcribed shRNA. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P1_2.12 P1_2.13 Can p53 secure the genomic fidelity of iPS cells? miRNA pharmacogenomics: pharmacogenomics genes demonstrate varying perceptibility to microRNA regulation Noa Rivlin, Ran Brosh ,Tirosh Shapira, Rachel Sarig, Yael Assia, Yoav Shezer, Alina Molchadsky, Naomi Goldfinger, Varda Rotter Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel e-mail: varda rotter <[email protected]> p53 deficiency enhances the efficiency of somatic cell reprogramming to a pluripotent state. As p53 is usually mutated in human tumors and many mutated forms of p53 gain novel activities, here we studied the influence of mutant p53 on somatic cell reprogramming. Our data indicate a novel gain-of-function property for mutant-p53, which markedy enhanced the efficiency of the reprogramming process compared to p53 deficeincy. Importantly, this novel activity of mutant p53 induced alterations in the characteristics of the reprogrammed cells; while p53-knockout cells reprogrammed with only Oct4 and Sox2 maintained their pluripotent capacity in vivo, reprogrammed cells expressing mutant p53 lost this capability, and gave rise to malignant tumors. This novel gain-of-function of mutant p53 is not attributed to its effect on proliferation, as both p53-knockout and mutant p53 cells displayed similar proliferation rates. In addition, we demonstrate an oncogenic activity of Klf4, as its overexpression in either p53-knockout or mutant p53cells induced aggressive tumors. Overall, our data show that reprogrammed cells with the capacity to differentiate into the three germ layers in vitro can form malignant tumors, suggesting that in genetically unstable cells such as those in which p53 is mutated, reprogramming may result in the generation of cells with malignant tumorforming potential. Reference Sarig S et al. (2010) J Exp Med 207: 2127-2140. 15 Jakob L. Rukov1,2, Roni Wilentzik1, Jeppe Vinther2, Noam Shomron1 1Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel; 2University of Copenhagen, Department of Biology, Copenhagen, Denmark e-mail: Jakob Rukov <[email protected]> Pharmacogenomics studies how individual differences in genome and transcriptome composition affects drug efficacy and toxicity. While genomic indicators are intensively scrutinized, the effects of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression remain largely unexplored. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate expression of the majority of animal genes, including many genes involved in drug efficacy. Consequently, differences in miRNA expression between individuals could be an important factor contributing to differential drug response. By combining data on pharmacogenomics-related genes (as annotated by the Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base; PharmGKB) and computationally predicted as well as experimentally verified miRNA targets, we have studied the regulatory potential of miRNAs in pharmacogenomics. We describe variations in miRNA perceptibility to miRNA regulation across functional groups and gene families of pharmacogenomics-related genes. We have furthermore collected associations of miRNAs, genes and drugs (what we term miRNA pharmacogenomic sets) in a database named Pharmaco-miR and are currently implementing Pharmaco-miR as a web server, to allow searches on which specific drugs may be affected by miRNAs. Pharmacogenomics genes can be divided into drug target genes termed pharmacodynamic (PD) genes and genes involved in drug metabolism and transport termed pharmacokinetic (PK) genes. To further investigate the regulatory potential of miRNAs in pharmacogenomics, we have examined the potential regulation by miRNAs of PK and PD genes. Our analysis identify a striking difference in the level of miRNA regulation between PK and PD genes, with the former having less than half predicted conserved miRNA binding sites compared with the latter. Importantly, this finding is reflected in a highly significant difference in the shift in expression levels of PD versus PK genes following depletion of miRNAs. Our study emphasizes an intrinsic difference between PK and PD genes and suggests that miRNA regulation of PD genes will turn out to be important for the efficacy of many drugs. Abstracts 16 P1_2.14 P1_2.15 Role of HO-1 in alterations evoked by ochratoxin A in expression of miRNAs and its target genes Large-scale identification of microRNAs in transcriptomic data Anna Stachurska1, Christine Boesch-Saadatmandi2, Agnieszka Witalisz1, Gerald Rimbach2, Alicja Jozkowicz1, Jozef Dulak1, Agnieszka Loboda1 1Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Krakow, 2 Poland; Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Kiel, Germany e-mail: Anna Stachurska <[email protected]> Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme involved in heme degradation, is claimed to play an important role in kidney pathology, mostly due to its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant properties. One of the nephropathic agents, ochratoxin A (OTA) was previously suggested to affect HO-1. We injected mice with different level of HO-1 (HO-1+/+, HO-1+/-) and without HO-1 (HO-1-/-) i.p. with OTA every other day for 20 days and then analyzed the expression of specific miRNAs and its target genes. HO-1-/- mice were more prone to OTA toxicity as we observed ~40% mortality in these animals. Expression of miRNAs connected with fibrosis was affected by OTA delivery, eg. miR-155, modulating inflammation and TGFβ2 signaling, was diminished by OTA in HO-1+/+ and HO-1+/- but not HO-1-/- mice. Additionally, expression of miR-200b/c was decreased after OTA delivery in HO-1+/+ and HO-1+/- but not HO-1-/- mice. Concomitantly, miR-29a/b/c and miR-192 were reduced in all groups of animals. We also analyzed expression of factors connected with fibrosis development and we found out that some of OTA-evoked alterations were HO-1-dependent. Additionally, p53 signaling, regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, was elevated after OTA delivery. Expression of p21 and miR-34a, known to be modulated by p53, was upregulated in all OTA-treated animals with the lowest effect in HO-1-/- mice. Moreover, we observed OTA-evoked drop of expression of miR-93 connected with angiogenesis. Concomitantly, OTA strongly decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), known to be regulated by miR93, in all animals tested. We also detected reduced VEGF level in sera of HO-1+/+ and HO-1+/- but not HO-1-/mice treated with OTA. Additionally, we observed that HO-1-/- mice had lower basal expression of VEGF. We isolated and cultured primary renal proximal tubular cells (PTC) from HO-1+/+ and HO-1-/- mice, as VEGF in kidney is produced mostly by glomeruli and tubuli. We found out diminished expression of VEGF in PTC from HO-1-/mice with simultaneous elevated level of miRNAs known to regulate VEGF – miR-29b/c and miR-200b. Taken together, toxic effect of OTA towards kidney may be connected with changes in miRNA expression. Still, the role of miRNAs in elevated susceptibility of HO-1-/- mice to OTA needs further examination. Acknowledgements Supported by grants No. N N401 297835 and No. N N301 033440 (Ministry of Science and Higher Education). The Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology is a beneficiary of grants No: POIG.02.01.00-12 064/08, POIG 01.01.02-00-109/09, POIG.02.02.00014/08 and 01.01.02-00-069/09. Michal Szczesniak, Izabela Makałowska Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Poland e-mail: michal Szczesniak <[email protected]> microRNAs are small RNA molecules, acting as posttranscriptional regulators ofgene expression in Eukaryotes. The regulation might be through translational repression ormRNA degradation. The genes under miRNA control are involved in a number of processes,including development and response to stress. miRNA expression has also been implicatedin numerous disease states. It is therefore important to develop methods for effective miRNAsearch, both through experimental and computational approaches. As laboratory tests tendto be time-consuming and costly (though necessary to provide experimental evidence formiRNA), starting with computational approaches is exceedingly helpful there.We have developed an algorithm for miRNA search in ESTs on the basis of maturemiRNA sequence conservation i.e. similarity with known miRNAs. In contrast to otheralgorithms designed to search for conserved miRNAs, it has several additional features,including the usage of deep sequencing data (whenever available) alongside EST sequencesor double-check of secondary structure of miRNA precursor.The algorithm has been incorporated into a bioinformatic pipeline and appliedfor miRNA search in ESTs belonging to 210 plant and 212 animal species. This led toidentification of more than 10 000 miRNA candidates. Most of the candidates have neverbeen predicted before using other tools and also dozens of species have been consideredin miRNA search for the first time there. On the other hand, the tool shows high efficacyin ‘discovering’ already known miRNAs. The predicted miRNAs can be viewed anddownloaded from our database. It is also possible to run miRNA search in userprovided setof EST sequences. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 17 P1_2.16 P1_2.17 Unintended consequences of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) transformation MYH11 and NDE1: potential sense– antisense pair in human Maria Szwacka1, Renata Zawirska-Wojtasiak2, Michał Gośliński2, Aleksandra Twardowska3 Victoria A. Serzhanova1, Andrey V. Marakhonov1, Anna V. Baranova1,2, Mikhail Yu. Skoblov1 1Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznań, Poland; 3Jan Wierzchoń and Partners Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, Poland 1Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Russian Academy of Medical Science, Russian Federation; 2George Mason University, Molecular and Microbiology Department, USA e-mail: serzhanova victoria <[email protected]> e-mail: Maria Szwacka <[email protected]> Methods used in modern agriculture to improve plant traits have the potential to generate unintended effects unrelated to the target traits. These methods include plant genetic transformation. Transgene DNA integrated into the plant genome could modify their expression pattern. The transgene could be expressed in an unexpected manner through interactions with various epigenetic mechanisms with the result in production of unintended gene products. Unintended processes may result in the formation of new metabolites or altered levels of existing metabolites. The potential occurrence of unintended effects is currently one of the concerns being raised regarding the application of recombinant DNA techniques in the production of foods. The present report aims to point out the scale of unintended effects in transgenic cucumber plants and attempts to indicate factors that contributed to observed effects. Unintended changes in chemical composition of transgenic cucumber plants expressing thaumatin II gene from the West African shrub Thaumatococcus daniellii Benth are the main focus of this report. Also factors that influence level of thaumatin II gene expression in transgenic cucumber plants are discussed. Antisense regulation of gene expression is widespread in eukaryotes. Mechanisms of this type of regulation are different. Some of them are realized on the transcriptional level, others work on the posttranscriptional level. But today there is small data about this type of regulation. So biological function and mechanisms of antisense transcripts interactions still remain unclear. We performed a computational analysis of human genes, associated with carcinogenesis. Consequently we chose a pair of protein-coding human genes MYH11 and NDE1, which potentially are sense–antisense partners. Both genes are located on short arm of 16 chromosome and are oppositely oriented. Region of overlap consists of last exon of NDE1 (9 exon) and 3 exons of MYH11 (29–31). Length of overlap of sense and antisense transcripts is 479 b. p. MYH11 encodes a smooth muscle myosin belonging to the myosin heavy chain family. This protein functions as a major contractile protein, converting chemical energy into mechanical forces through the hydrolysis of ATP. It has been shown that the pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 produces a chimeric transcript with CBFB. This chromosomal rearrangement is associated with acute myeloid leukemia [1]. NDE1 encodes a member of the nuclear distribution E (NudE) family of proteins. This protein plays an essential role in microtubule organization, mitosis and neuronal migration. Chromosomal aberrations, which involve locus of NDE1, produce a chimeric transcript with PDGFRb and are associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia [2]. Analysis of transcription level of MYH11 and NDE1 was performed in number of human tissues and eukaryotic cell lines. As a result we revealed that transcripts of both genes were presented in most tissues and cell lines in various expression level ratios. On the basis of quantitative estimation of expression level of gene pair we made a conclusion about contribution of NDE1 and MYH11 genes to antisense regulation of each other and propose a potential mechanism of such negative antisense regulation. References 1. Van der Reijden BA et al. (2010) Leukemia 24: 857-859. 2. La Starza R et al. (2007) Leukemia 21: 830–833. Abstracts 18 P1_2.18 P1_2.19 Implications of microRNA 5p and 3p strand switching Revealing functional RNA processing products from RNA-seq data Harel Zalts, Noam Shomron Marek Żywicki, Kamilla Bąkowska-Żywicka, Norbert Polacek Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel Division of Genomics and RNomics, Innsbruck Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria e-mail: Harel Zalts <[email protected]> MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of ~22 nt non-coding RNAs, which serve as central factors in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation. In the process of miRNA biogenesis, the RNAse III enzyme, Dicer, cleaves the hairpin-shaped precursor miRNA to generate an intermediate short double-stranded RNA designated ‘5p’ or ‘3p’. In most cases, only one of these strands operates as the biologically active miRNA, while its’ cognate opposite strand, is mostly degraded. Recent evidence, however propose a functional role in gene regulation for several oppositestrand miRNAs as well, based upon their conservation and their varying expression. Although 5’ thermodynamics is known to strongly affect strand bias in several invertebrates and plants, it does not correlate well in mammals, and the biological mechanism, which influences the alternating 5p/3p ratio, is still unclear. Here, based on experimental evidence, such as real-time PCR and deep-sequencing, combined with computational analysis, we have grouped miRNAs according to their strand expression and strand switching between 5p and 3p forms. We present our findings that indicate features of miRNA subgroups, the effect on their potential targets when strand switching occurs, and a set of targets selected to be regulated by both strands of a miRNA. Overall we see that 5p/3p switching might play an additional regulatory role for controlling genes by miRNAs. e-mail: Marek Zywicki <[email protected]> After the results of the pilot ENCODE project suggesting that up to 90% of the human genome is actively transcribed [1], the importance of RNA molecules which does not encode proteins (noncoding RNAs – ncRNAs) became unquestionable. The main difficulity in identification and characterization of novel ncRNAs is caused by their complex biogenesis, which often include multiple processing steps [2]. Thus, current methods are focused on identification of novel transcription units rather then on ncRNA species per se. We have addressed this challenge by developing a computational pipeline named APART (Automated Pipeline for Analysis of RNA Transcripts), which in combination with adequate preparation of cDNA library is able to detect a processing events within the longer RNA precursors. The analysis can be fulfilled in a fully automated fashion, starting with raw sequence reads and include genome mapping, contig assembly and annotation. One of the main advantages of APART is a unique way of handling of repeat-derived sequence reads. It enables the identification of expression of distinct loci of the same gene on one hand and removal of the redundancy caused by spurious matching of the reads to non-relevant short repeated sequence fragments dispersed across the genome on the other. We have applied the APART analysis on the sequencing data obtained from a cDNA library of short RNAs associated with yeast ribosomes under different stress conditions. Within the 174 contigs assembled, we have identified 131 putative processing products of distinct origin, including intergenic regions, mRNAs, tRNAs rRNAs and snoRNAs. The most surprising was to observe the snoRNA-derived small RNAs to be associated with the ribosoms in the cytoplasm. Those small RNAs are believed to be localized speciffically within the nucleolus and to be involved in ribosomal RNA maturation. In order to verify the results we have performed a series of experiments, including northern blot analysis and others, which confirmed the cytoplasmic localization of APART-predicted snoRNA fragments and their association with translating ribosomes. Similar experiments have confirmed the differential stress-dependent processing of tRNAs and rRNAs which has been predicted by APART. The result suggest the existance of a new layer of modulation of gene expression, which is fulfilled by alternative processing of the transcripts. Acknowledgement The work was supported with the GenAU grant from Austrian Ministry of Science and Research no. D-110420-012-012. References 1. Birney E et al. (2007) Nature 447: 799-816. 2. Peng WT et al. (2003) Cell 113: 919-933. Session 3: Bioinformatics for gene expression Lectures L3.2 L3.1 Specific peptides facilitate metagenomic analysis The methods of structural and computational biology in study of fidelity of gene expression M. Tukalo1, O. Kovalenko1, K. Boyarshin1, A. Raevskyi1, G. Yaremchuk1, I. Kriklivyi1, S. Cusack2 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; 2EMBL, Grenoble Outstation, Grenoble, France e-mail: Mykhaylo Tukalo <[email protected]> The fidelity of translation is dependent on the specificity of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs). But in some cases aaRS unable reliably discriminate amino acids with similar structures. To overcome this problem some aaRSs have specific editing activities that clear the wrong amino acid: misactivated noncognate amino acids (pre-transfer editing) or mischarged tRNA (post-transfer-editing). Both reactions are depend on a tRNA cofactor and required translocation to the editing site located in the separate domain. In this work we have studied molecular mechanisms of editing by synthetases from two different classes: Thermus thermophilus leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRSTT) from class I and Enterococcus fecalis prolyl-tRNA synthetase (ProRSEF) from class II. Crystal structures of the LeuRSTT revealed that the same site in CP1 domain can bind analogues of both pre- and post-transfer editing substrates. To define the possibility of pre-transfer editing in the editing site and mechanism of editing we have used biochemical, X-ray crystallography methods and methods of molecular dynamics. We have shown that editing of norvaline by LeuRSTT occurs mainly through post-transfer pathway. We prove the existence of tRNA-independent pre-transfer editing (hydrolysis of norvalyl-adenylate), which occurs in the editing domain. For class II ProRSEF we have found that pre-transfer editing against alanine occurs in the synthetic center of enzyme in the presence of tRNAPro. Crystal structures of the editing domains of LeuRSTT and ProRSEF have been used as the platforms for intensive alanine scanning mutagenesis of the key elements of the deacylation activity for that type of enzymes. In fact, we have failed to identify catalytic residues for hydrolysis within the active sites. At the same time the role of the tRNA A76 hydroxyls in ester hydrolysis has been tested and the tRNA-assisted mechanisms of post-transfer editing by leucyl- and prolyl-tRNA synthetase are proposed. David Horn School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel e-mail: David Horn <[email protected]> Specific Peptides (SPs) are deterministic amino-acid motifs, extracted from Swiss-Prot data, that serve as sequence markers for enzymatic functionality. When found on large strings of genomic or proteomic origin SPs provide quick enzymatic annotations. Using the criterion of coverage length (overall number of amino-acids in consistent SP hits) ≥ 7 to provide EC annotations at levels 3 or 4, we specify the biochemical function of an enzyme on the basis of its sequence. This method has been applied to Sargasso Sea Data uncovering 220K enzymes among 1 M protein sequences, and providing an enzymatic spectrum of the metagenome. A user-friendly tool that displays occurrences of SPs on any protein sequence that is presented as a query, together with the EC assignments due to these SPs, is available at http://adios.tau.ac.il/DME11.html. Recently SP usage has been extended to direct search on short reads. By collecting all short reads where SPs of a given EC can be located, an estimate is provided for the abundance of its relevant genes, thus generating an enzymatic spectrum of its genomic or metagenomic source. Moreover, some of its taxonomic decomposition can be deciphered using a subset of SPs belonging to aaRS enzymes. A subset of SPs facilitates the task of taxa counting in metagenomic data. Using a list of 4000 SPs of length ≥ 9, belonging to a subset of EC:6.1.1. aaRS enzymes that are single genes in bacterial genomes, we identify their occurrences on given lists of short reads or contigs. Identifying the largest number of reads associated with one SP, we propose an algorithm that constructs a minimal number of fused strings that differ from each other, thus serving as estimates for the different genes that could have led to the observed reads or contigs. Short reads lead to bounds on numbers of families, while long reads or contigs lead to lower-bound estimates of numbers of strains and species. Abstracts 20 L3.3 Oral presentations Application of bioinformatics in pharmacogenomic research O3.1 Michal Korostynski, Marcin Piechota, Jaroslaw Dzbek, Wiktor Mlynarski, Ryszard Przewlocki Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology PAS, Krakow, Poland e-mail: Michal Korostynski <[email protected]> The therapy of psychotic, depressive and anxiety disorders is related to cellular and molecular mechanisms in the brain regions controlling motivation, mood and emotions. It is believed that psychotropic drugs regulate gene transcription and translation of new proteins that are required for treatment-induced plastic changes and readaptation of the target neural systems. The aim of our research is to investigate genetic networks regulated in the brain, in response to psychoactive drugs from various clinical and pharmacological classes. We applied whole-genome microarray profiling to evaluate time-course (4 time points) of transcriptome alterations following the drug treatment (18 drugs). The gene expression data were stored in a data integration system, based on MySQL in the data layer, Java in the logic layer and AJAX (GWT) in the presentation layer. Implemented tools allow for the identification of drug-specific genomic signatures and drug-regulated transcriptional modules. Further inspection and visualization of the signatures is possible using multidimensional data analysis (PCA), coexpression analysis and heatmaps. Transcriptional modules were identified by hierarchical clustering using the metric of distance between nodes on the whole transcriptome correlation tree. The tree was built as minimal spanning tree using a Pearson correlation between the expression profiles. Using the bioinformatic tools we reveal drug-regulated gene expression networks in the brain that are formed by inducible transcriptional networks, as for example group of CREB/SRF-dependent genes that appears to be related to drug-induced neuronal activity. The observed alterations are connected to various drug-receptor interactions and pharmacological effects of the drugs on dopamine, serotonin and histamine systems. New candidate genes and novel transcriptional variants with drug and time specific gene expression profiles were identified. Acknowledgements This work was supported by MSHE grants: POIG DeMeTer 3.1, IUVENTUS Plus and NN405274137. Changes in gene expression profile in primary culture of rat hepatocytes treated with interferon alpha Andriy Kuklin1, Bogdan Tokovenko1, Nataliya Makogon2, Barbara Jarząb3, Maria Obolenskaya1 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ukraine; 2Institute of Physiology, Ukraine; 3Marie Skłodowska-Curie Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Poland e-mail: Bogdan Tokovenko <[email protected]> Interferon alpha (IFN-α) is a cytokine of innate immune system. IFN-α is widely used in clinical practice for antiviral and anticancer therapy. Nowadays IFN-α in combination with ribavirin is the most effective therapy for viral hepatitis and associated hepatocellular carcinoma. The majority of former and current investigations of IFN-α effects on liver cells are conducted on transformed cell lines arguably stressing its importance in treatment of liver cancer but clearly omitting physiological relevance. In this work, we aimed to determine the pure response of hepatocytes to IFN-α. We cultivated primary rat hepatocytes and treated them during 3 and 6 hours with 250u/ml IFN-α — dose similar to the IFN-α concentration observed during liver regeneration (LR). The gene expression profile was assayed with Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 microarrays. Inhouse bioinformatics analysis included custom Bioconductor pipeline, computational identification of transcription factor binding sites, pathways and GO enrichment analysis using 3rd-party tools. 124 genes with the fold change greater than 2 were defined as differentially expressed. Validation with real-time qPCR confirmed high correspondence with the results of microarray experiment. Differentially expressed genes were attributed, substantially, to GO categories related to “immune response”, but considerable enrichment was also observed in GO category “modification dependent protein degradation” pointing to IFN-α activated catabolic processes. We have analyzed whether the differential expression occurs as a result of activation of Jak/STAT, Jak/STAT/ISGF3 and p38 signaling pathways involved in IFN-α response. For this purpose we conducted the search of appropriate transcription factor binding sites for STATs (1, 3, 4, 5, 6), ISGF3, IRF1, CREB1, CEBP, NFκB, Max/Myc, MEF2A/C, NFAT, SP1, ELK1 within promoter regions of differentially expressed genes. Our results support the activation of multiple signaling pathways and corresponding transcription factors by IFN-α. The signaling pathways Jak/STAT, Jak/STAT/ISGF3 and p38 are represented in descending order according to the extent of their involvement in IFN-α response. Majority of differentially expressed genes contained binding sites for more than one of the transcription factors listed above, which may be a base for more precise regulation of gene expression, activated by IFN-α, where each transcription factor makes certain contribution to the activation of transcription. Current work is the first step towards elucidation of IFN-α role in the triggering of LR. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 O3.2 Posters Structure-based characterization of GntR superfamily regulators of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) P3.1 Olga Tsypik, Nestor Zaburannyy, Bohdan Ostash, Viktor Fedorenko Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Lviv, Ukraine e-mail: Olga Tsypik <[email protected]> Streptomycetes are soil-living bacteria with a complex life cycle. Members of this genus have large genomes and the ability of producing a broad spectrum of biologically active substances, in particular, many known antibiotics. The genome of the main model strain, Streptomyces coelicolor, contains more than 20 secondary metabolite gene clusters and 965 regulatory genes. Given the fact that streptomycetes are of enormous industrial importance (production of antibiotics and other products), it is essential to further elucidate regulatory mechanisms of metabolic and morphological differentiation in this taxon. One of the most abundant and widely distributed groups of transcriptional factors in actinobacteria is the GntR superfamily of regulators. They regulate numerous processes of primary metabolism and cell differentiation. The S. coelicolor genome encodes 60 putative GntR-like regulatory proteins (GntRs) but, so far, no exhaustive classification of this regulators has been undertaken. We use comparative genomic analysis to describe and characterize the putative GtnRs. Regulators of this superfamily possess a conserved N-terminal domain involved in the DNA binding and a quite diverse, heterogenous C-terminal domain involved in effector binding and/or oligomerization. Based on diversity of C-terminal domain, GntRs are divided into a few families with conserved secondary structure. The sequence analysis of these regulators showed distinguishable predicted secondary structure features. The majority of these proteins represent features of FadR, HutC, MocR and YtrA subfamilies. Several GntRs show additional secondary structure elements, suggesting a possible origin of new subfamily within GntR superfamily. Using the reciprocal BLAST search, we identify that 12 GntRs have the orthologs in all sequenced to date Streptomycetaceae genomes and suggest that they are the most important for morphogenesis and/or secondary metabolism. Since the expression of many genes for GntRs is autoregulated, we’ve tried to find potential operator sites of GntRs by analyzing the upstream regions of these genes. Most of the examined promoters do not possess operators inferred for each GntR subfamily from in silico analysis of non-actinomycete GntRs. New operators are proposed for the studied genes. Further identification and verification of these sites is needed to underpin the functional roles of the studied genes. 21 Comparison of binding of 44 transcription factors to putative regulatory regions identified by histone modifications, open chromatin and conservation Jakub Lenart, Bozena Kaminska, Michal Dabrowski# The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Laboratory of Transcription Regulation, Department of Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland #presenting author e-mail: Michał Dąbrowski <[email protected]> We designed and implemented a database, named TRAM (Transcription Regulatory Areas and Motifs database), unifying representation of the data from Ensembl schemas relevant for cis-regulation (funcgen, compara and core) to the analysis layer. Among the key features of TRAM are pre-computed data on pairwise overlap on the genomic sequence of putative regulatory areas of different types, in several different cell types. Here, we report analysis of pairwise overlap among 41 histone modifications, 44 transcription factors (TFs), two markers of open chromatin, and regions of sequence conservation from two algorithms. We focused on the overlap between the chip-seq data for the 44 transcription factors represented in funcgen v.60 and the remaining putative regulatory regions. We found that the binding of TFs is highest in regions of histone modifications associated with active promoters (H3K4me2-3, H3K9ac, Pol II), high in the regions of modifications associated with active enhancers (H3K27ac) and in cis-RED promoters; and low in the regions associated with poised enhancers (H3K27me1-3). We report a notable difference between the high binding of TFs to the regions of open chromatin identified by DNaseseq and lower binding to the regions identified by FAIRE. TF binding to the regions identified by sequence conservation was lower than to the regions identified experimentally. Interestingly, it was also low for the 400 VISTA enhancers verified experimentally, confirming that enhancer occupancy by TFs is cell and developmental stage specific. The highest conservation of the same feature localization in different cell types was found for the markers of active promoters (H3K4me2-3) and insulators (CTCF); intermediate conservation for regions identified by Dnase1 (but not FAIRE) and markers of active enhancers (H3K27ac); whereas localization of histone markers of poised enhancers (H3K27me1-3), as well TFs binding was variable among the different cell types. To conclude: TF binding correlates well with regions of regulatory activity computationally predicted from gene expression data. TF binding is higher, and more conserved across cell types, in promoters than in enhancers. Regions of open chromatin identified by Dnase1 are more enriched in TF binding than regions identified by FAIRE. Abstracts 22 P3.2 P3.3 Genomegems: evaluation of genetic variability from deep sequencing data Analysis of consequently changed signaling pathways — a novel method for analyzing microarray data Adi Givati1,2*, Sharon Ben-Zvi1,2*, Noam Shomron2 1Tel-Aviv University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel ; 2Tel-Aviv University, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel *equal contribution e-mail: Adi Givati <[email protected]> Deep Sequencing (also known as Next Generation Sequencing or Massive Parallel Sequencing) is a revolutionary method that allows myriad amounts of short DNA fragments to be read simultaneously. Deep Sequencing of the human genome for detection of disease-causing mutations possesses great challenges. In particular, organizing the great amount of sequences generated so that mutations, which might possibly be biologically relevant, are easily identified is a difficult task. Yet, for this assignment only limited automatic tools exist. GenomeGems comes to gap this need by evaluating variability in Deep Sequencing generated genetic data in a simple tabular depiction, graphical representation and visualization for comparing multiple sequencing datasets. GenomeGems integrates well with the UCSC Genome Browse in order to create an annotated display of the genetic changes in the acquired data. As such, via automatic, clear and accessible presentation of processed Deep Sequencing data, our tool aims to facilitate ranking of genomic variance calling. GenomeGems runs on a local PC and is freely available at http://www.tau. ac.il/~nshomron/GenomeGems. Jakub Mieczkowski*, Karolina SwiatekMachado*, Bozena Kaminska Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland *equal contributors e-mail: Jakub Mieczkowski <[email protected]> Signaling pathways belong to a complex system of communication that governs cellular processes. They represent signal transduction from an extracellular stimulus via a receptor to intracellular mediators, as well as intracellular interactions. Perturbations in signaling cascade often lead to detrimental changes in cell function and they are a major cause of many diseases, including cancer. Identification of deregulated pathways may advance understanding of complex diseases and lead to improvement of therapeutic strategies. We propose Analysis of Consistent Signal Transduction (ACST), a novel method for analysis of signaling pathways. Our method incorporates information regarding pathway topology, as well as data on the position of every gene in each pathway. To preserve gene-gene interactions we use a subject sampling permutation model to assess the significance of pathway perturbations. We applied our approach to four independent datasets of global gene expression profiling (vulvar epithelial neoplasia and endometriosis versus control and 2 sets of colorectal cancers-controls). The results of ACST, as well as three other methods used to analyze signaling pathways (SPIA, SEPEA and the maxmean), are presented in the context of biological significance and repeatability. We show that our method is characterized by biologically meaningful results, as well as strong repeatability between similar, yet independent, datasets. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P3.4 P3.5 LEF1 and TCF7L2 are candidates for terminal selectors of thalamic neurons Bio-evaluation of novel heterocyclic 4-thiazolidone derivatives designed for targeting Bcl-XL antiapoptotic protein Andrzej Nagalski1, Michal Dabrowski2, Jacek Kuznicki1, Marta B. Wisniewska1 1International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, 2Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland Poland; e-mail: Andrzej Nagalski <[email protected]> The concept of ‘terminal selectors’ that regulates terminal differentiation gene batteries (Hobert et al., 2010, Trends Neurosci), is an attractive way to envisage the role of master transcription factors in establishing characteristics of specific neuronal populations. We have recently shown that β-catenin, a cofactor of LEF1/TCF transcription factors, is constantly nuclear specifically in the thalamus and regulates expression of Cacna1g encoding an ion channel that is responsible for specific properties of thalamic neurons (Wisniewska et al., 2010, J Neurosci). We put a hypothesis that LEF1/TCF factors are terminal selectors of neurons of the thalamus. Using Real Time PCR, we quantified expression level of genes encoding LEF1/TCF factors during postnatal thalamic development and observed that Lef1 and Tcf7l2 fulfill the most fundamental criterion for terminal selector genes, i.e. the maintained expression throughout the life of a neuron. Immunohistochemical analysis of β-catenin, LEF1 and TCF7L2 proteins in the adult mouse brain revealed the presence of these proteins in majority (although not all) of thalamic nuclei. In parallel we defined thalamic regions of unique and correlated gene expression, using the Anatomic Gene Expression Atlas (AGEA) from Allen Brain Atlas. AGEA characterizes the multi-scale spatial relationship in the mouse brain as derived from gene expression data without a prior knowledge of classical anatomy. Then we collected 200 genes for each defined region using AGEA Gene Finder and visually inspected for false positives. The final lists were further used to search for overrepresented cis-regulatory elements in the gene promoters. We analyze LEF1/ TCF binding sites, and other sites for transcription factor presents in defined gene expression regions. 23 R. R. Panchuk1, V. V. Chumak1,2, D. Ya. Havrylyuk3, R. B. Lesyk3, R. S. Stoika1,2 1Institute of Cell Biology, NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine; 2Ivan Franko Lviv National University, Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine; 3Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine e-mail: Rostyslav Panchuk <[email protected]> Due to poor efficiency of classic cancer chemotherapy, more efforts are given to design of novel drugs, targeting tumor-specific vulnerabilities. In silico investigations have revealed that novel heterocyclic 4-thiazolidone derivatives can be used as effective inhibitors of Bcl-XL-Bax dimerization, thus, enhancing apoptotis in tumor cells. More than 5 000 compounds were synthesized at Lviv National Medical University and pre-screened in vitro at National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, USA). We have selected three compounds – Les-3120, Les-3166 and Les-3372 – that possessed the highest cytotoxicity towards tumor cells. Docking studies for their interactions with Bcl-XL were performed using OpenEye software and protein Bcl-XL structure (code 1YSI) taken from Protein Data Bank. Western-blot analysis of signaling apoptotic pathways induced by these compounds in Jurkat T-leukemia cells has shown that different side chemical groups of thiazolidone molecules can determine specific mechanism of apoptosis (mitochondrial, receptor-mediated or caspase-independent) that was induced in tumor cells. Taking into account the results of our in vitro, in vivo and in silico studies, it was decided to combine in one compound two drug molecules that belong to Les-3120 and Les-3372. Earlier, we found that molecular mechanisms of pro-apoptotic action of these molecules was totally different. As a result of such approach, two novel isomeric molecules were synthesized — Les-3661 and Les-3713 differing only in a place of substitution of phenylpyrazoline side group. While 2-substituted thiazolidone Les-3713 demonstrated modest cytotoxic activity (IC50=5 μM), antitumor potential of Les-3661 (4-subsituted thiazolidone) was increased more than 10 times (IC50=1 μM) reaching a potential of gold chemotherapy standard – doxorubicin (IC50=0.5 μM). Les-3661 acted towards target cells not only much quicker (3 h) comparing to Les-3120 (12 h). It also specifically cleaved initiator procaspases-9 and -10 involved in mitochondrial and receptor-mediated apoptosis, correspondingly. It is hypothesized that such “hybrid” molecule possesses not only tenfold elevated cytotoxicity, but combines potentials of two distinct apoptotic pathways available in its predecessors. In vivo studies of Les-3661 action towards murine NK/Ly lymphoma known by Bcl-XL over-expression, revealed its high therapeutic potential combined with low toxicity in the experimental mice (LD50=600 mg/kg). Thus, novel thiazolidones can be proposed for design of anticancer drugs targeting Bcl-XL protein, and, thus, possessing high selectivity towards tumor cells. Abstracts 24 P3.6 P.3.7 Identification of transcription factor STAT3 target genes and epigenetic modifications in glioma cells using whole genome chromatin immunoprecipitation Short peptide sequences inhibit prokaryotic translation Piotr Przanowski1, Marcin Kruczyk2,3, Karolina SwiatekMachado1, Jakub Mieczkowski1, Michal Dabrowski1, Claes Wadelius4, Jan Komorowski2,4, Bozena Kaminska1 1Laboratory of Transcription Regulation, Nencki Institute, Warsaw, Poland; 2ICM-Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland; 3Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Warsaw, Poland; 4Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden e-mail: Piotr Przanowski <[email protected]> Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor constitutively activated in diverse human tumors (including gliomas) and contributing to malignant transformation, tumor progression and resistance to apoptosis. Screening of small molecules inhibitors (caffeic acid derivatives) targeting Jak2/STAT3 signaling revealed inhibition of proliferation and induction of cell death, suggesting a pivotal role of STAT3 in glioma survival. Global gene expression profiling revealed modulation of numerous genes as a result of treatment and hundreds of genes were identified as potential STAT3 targets, however a small fraction of those genes was proven to be direct STAT3 targets. We mapped the genome-wide occupancy of active, phospho-STAT-3 and epigenetic modifications (H3K4me3; H3K27me3) in glioma cells by hybridization of immunoprecipitation-enriched genomic DNA to promoter microarrays (3x720K RefSeq Promoter microarrays, NimbleGen) or analysis by massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-Seq). Furthermore, putative STAT binding sites and motifs were identified computationally in a genome-wide study. Data from H3K4me3 chromatin immunoprecipitation was intersected with the data on STAT3 ChIP-chip. This analysis identified a list of 800 genes which promoters have both STAT3 binding site and H3K4me3 modification suggesting these are actively transcribed genes. Gene Ontology analysis revealed several groups of genes, including a few interesting and expected groups such as inflammatory response, cell migration, cell differentiation, positive regulation of cell proliferation, regulation of blood vessel size. The data from STAT3 and H3K4me3 study were also intersected with three sets of expression data: a set identifying genes differentiating C6 glioma cells from nontransformed glial cells and two sets of microarrays data from C6 glioma cells treated with inhibitors of JAK/STAT signaling. From this analysis we obtained a list of 250 genes which are likely to be STAT3 transcriptional targets. The most interesting hits, representing new identified STAT3 targets, are verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by qPCR. Acknowledements Studies supported by Foundation of Polish Science, International PhD Projects (MPD) program (PP, MK) and a grant N301 239536 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (JK). Sharon Penias Navon, Tali Schwartzman, Noam Adir Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Technion — Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel e-mail: <[email protected]> The ribosome is a highly conserved nucleoprotein machine whose function is to translate information encoded in an mRNA into a protein. All nascent polypeptides must pass through the ribosomal exit tunnel. The tunnel is lined with chemical groups which can potentially interact with the growing polypeptide, thus potentially arresting translation. We hypothesized that the incidence of certain short amino sequence might be reduced by evolutionary pressure, since these short amino acid sequences could form strong interactions with the ribosomal exit tunnel leading to translational arrest and loss of cell viability. The existence of many complete proteomes has afforded us the ability to search for sequences that exist at frequencies below their expected frequency (based on each amino acids total usage in the proteome). We have used “reverse bioinformatics” and indeed identified such highly under-represented sequences (URSs) in the proteome of E. coli and other organisms. When these URSs were experimentally incorporated into a protein expressed in E. coli, the rate of translation of the URS embedded protein, was radically diminished, both in vivo and in vitro. In addition we found that the presence of these URSs in one protein also inhibits the translation of other proteins in vitro, indicating that the rate of ribosome recycling is also inhibited. Arrest of ribosome translation by the protein containing URSs also inhibits the translation of other proteins in vivo, to an extent that causes cell death. We thus propose that knowledge of the chemical attributes of the URSs may lead to the development of a completely novel class of antibiotics. We also propose that the identification of factors lacking from an organisms, using reverse bioinformatics can be a new and useful tool for understanding the overall physiology of the organism. Session 4: Gene expression and brain disease Lectures L4.2 L4.1 RNA in pathogenesis and experimental therapy of polyglutamine diseases Cholinergic-mediated microRNA control of hnRNPs A/B regulates cortical alternative splicing and neural functioning Amit Berson1, Galit Shaltiel1, Shahar Barbash1, Yael Goll1, Geula Hanin1, Keren Ofek1, Maya Ketzef2, Yehudit Gnatek2, Alon Friedman2, Hermona Soreq1 1The Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Neuroscience and Institute of Life Sciences, Department of Biological Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel; 2Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel e-mail: Hermona Soreq <[email protected]> Genetic studies link neurodegeneration to inherited errors in RNA metabolism. Here, we report cholinergic-mediated alternative splicing errors in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD entorhinal cortices presented impaired exon exclusions, selectively reduced hnRNP A/B splicing regulators and increased levels of the hnRNP A/B-targeted miRNA-211. Supporting functional relevance, hnRNP A/B knockdown in mice induced memory and electrocorticographic impairments, dendrite and synapse loss and splicing abnormalities. In-vivo neurotoxin-mediated destruction of cholinergic neurons, but not APP or Tau mutagenesis caused cortical AD-like decrease in hnRNP A/Bs and reduced exon exclusions. Inversely, cholinergic excitation increased hnRNP A/B levels, suppressed miR-211 and elevated the cholinergic enhancer miRNA-132 which was drastically reduced in the AD cortex. Furthermore, suppressing miR-132 elevated miR-211 in primary neurons whereas miR-211 did not change miR-132. Our findings uncover hierarchical cholinergic and miRNA-mediated hnRNP A/B loss and consequent RNA metabolism impairments as novel targets for interference with sporadic neurodegenerative processes. A. Mykowska, A. Fiszer, M. Wojciechowska, W. J. Krzyzosiak Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland e-mail: Wlodzimierz Krzyzosiak <[email protected]> Mutant transcripts containing expanded untranslated CUG repeats are well documented pathogenic agents in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). The mutant RNA sequesters the MBNL1 splicing factor and causes misregulation of the alternative splicing of multiple genes that are linked to clinical symptoms of the disease. Here we show that alternative splicing defects are also caused by translated CAG repeats present in transcripts from mutant genes implicated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and Huntington’s disease (HD) as well as by untranslated CAG repeats. We propose that alternative splicing deregulation by mutant CAG repeats may contribute to the pathological features of polyglutamine disorders. We also demonstrate selective targeting of mutant HD transcripts, in the presence of their normal alleles and other human mRNAs containing CAG repeats, by RNA interference reagents. This selectivity may lead to promising therapeutic modalities for HD and other polyglutamine disorders. Abstracts 26 L4.3 Oral presentations Intersectins and neurodegenerative diseases O4.1 Alla Rynditch, Liudmyla Tsyba, Mykola Dergai, Dmytro Morderer, Inessa Skrypkina, Oleksii Nikolaienko, Oleksandr Dergai, Sergii Kropyvko Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Department of Functional Genomics, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Alla Rynditch <[email protected]> The rich binding capability of the multidomain, adaptor and scaffolding proteins of intersectin (ITSN) family has linked them to multiple functions such as clathrin-mediated endocytosis, mitogenic signalling, actin cytoskeleton rearrangements and apoptosis. One of these family members, ITSN1, is characterized by high level of expression in neurons. ITSN1 gene is mapped to chromosome 21 in the Down syndrome (DS) critical region. Abnormalities of ITSN1 expression were associated with the endocytic anomalies reported in Down syndrome brains, early stages of Alzheimer’s disease as well as with neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease. DS neurons are characterized by enlarged early endosomes as well as enlarged early endosomes are the earliest neuropathological alterations identified in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. In order to highlight the role of ITSN1 gene in neurons, we studied its expression in normal and pathological brains as well as analyzed the composition of ITSN1-containing protein complexes in neurons. We have identified neuronspecific alternative splicing of microexon 20 that affects the structure and binding abilities of the SH3A domain of ITSN1. Structure modelling and mutational analysis revealed that the insertion encoded by the microexon shifts negatively charged amino acid residues towards the interaction interface within the n-Src loop of the SH3A domain. This event leads to dramatic change of the SH3A domain binding properties, in particular to increasing the binding affinity to endocytic proteins dynamin and synaptojanin. In contrary, binding affinity of neuron-specific SH3A domain for to Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos1 and E3 ubiquitin-ligase Cbl has decreased. Analysis of ITSN1-containing protein complexes revealed novel neuron-specific ITSN1 protein partners: stable tubule-only polypeptide/MAP6 microtubule-associated protein 6 (STOP/MAP6) and synapsin. STOP/MAP6 regulates microtubule stability and is involved in generation of synaptic plasticity, which is thought to be a molecular background of learning and memory. Moreover, STOP knockout mice were proposed to be used as an animal model of schizophrenia. Since both, ITSN1 and STOP, are implicated in functioning of synapses and associated with mental disorders, further investigations of their interactions are of particular interest. The neurotrophic factors mRNA expression in U87 glioma cells and its regulation by hypoxia and ischemic conditions are dependent from ERN1 gene function O. V. Hubenya1, D. O. Minchenko1,2,3, A. P. Kharkova1, M. Moenner3, O. H. Minchenko1,3 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; 2Department of Pediatrics, Bohomoletz National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine; 3INSERM U920 Molecular Mechanisms of Angiogenesis Laboratory, University Bordeaux 1, Talence, France e-mail: Olena Hubenya <[email protected]> Gliomas are characterized by diffuse infiltrative growth in the surrounding brain parenchyma, which precludes complete surgical resection and is responsible for local recurrences. Endoplasmic reticulum to nuclei-1 (IRN1) is a central mediator of the endoplasmic reticulum stress. Blockade of ERN1 transduction pathways in experimental tumor models suggests that its activity is linked to the neovascularization process. The main goal of this work is to study the role of neurotrophic factors in malignant gliomas progression under the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum to nuclei-1 signaling pathways as well as the effect of hypoxia and ischemic conditions on the expression of several genes encoded the neurotrophic factors. We have shown that the expression levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and PRNP (prion protein) are increased but NPDC1 (neural proliferation, differentiation and control), PSEN1 (presenilin) and SLC1A1 (neuronal epithelial high affinity glutamate transporter) – decreased in glioma cells with suppressed activity of endoplasmic reticulum to nuclei-1. It was also shown that hypoxia is induced the expression levels of BDNF, NPDC1, PNPLA6 (neuropathy target esterase) and SLC1A1 in control glioma cells, but in glioma cells with suppressed activity of endoplasmic reticulum to nuclei-1 – NPDC1 and PSEN1 only. At the same time, the expression levels of PRNP and SLC1A1 is decreased in these genetically modified cells. Glutamine deprivation condition leads to increase the expression levels of PSEN1 and PRNP in both cell types, however the expression levels of PNPLA6 is increased in control glioma cells and decreased in cells with suppressed activity of endoplasmic reticulum to nuclei-1. We have also shown that glucose deprivation condition leads to increase the expression levels of PRNP, PNPLA6 and SLC1A1 in control glioma cells and to decrease the expression levels of NPDC1, BDNF, PNPLA6 and SLC1A1 in genetically modified cells. Thus, our results showed that blockade of the activity of endoplasmic reticulum to nuclei-1 signaling enzyme changes the expression levels of neurotrophic factors and modulate effect of hypoxia and ischemia on these genes expression. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 O4.2 Posters Identification of novel targets of stat3 transcription factor in glioma cells P4.1 Karolina Swiatek-Machado, Michal Dabrowski, Jakub Mieczkowski, Piotr Przanowski, Alicja Adach Kilon, Bozena Kaminska Activation of transcription factor NFκB in malignant and nonmalignant glioma cell lines Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland Joanna Bem, Magdalena Tyburczy, Bozena Kaminska e-mail: Karolina Swiatek-Machado <[email protected]> Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor constitutively activated in diverse human tumors, including gliomas and contributing to malignant transformation, tumor progression and resistance to apoptosis. Using microarray techniques, hundreds of genes have been identified as potential STAT3 targets, however the small fraction of these genes have been proven to be direct STAT3 targets. Here we report identification of novel, direct STAT3 target genes using microarray techniques, computational methods for the genome-wide identification of transcription factor binding sites and chromatin immunoprecipitation. We determined global changes in gene expression in C6 glioma cells treated for 24 h with either DMSO (control) or 25 μM the inhibitor of JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. The analysis revealed that inhibition of JAK/STAT3 signaling significantly modulates expression of numerous genes involved in many different biological processes such as inflammatory response, apoptosis, signal transduction, proliferation, but also RNA processing or lipid metabolism. Next, we analyzed promoter regions of differentially expressed genes. First, we searched for conserved non coding region between human and rat genome using the global alignment program. Next, we found putative STATs binding sites within conserved non-coding regions using MathInspector, which take advantages of positional weight matrices. Phylogenetic conservation between rat and human sequences was used to select the binding sites most likely to be functional. For further validation we selected 12 genes with at least two putative binding sites within the promoter regions. All of the tested sites were bound by STAT3 in C6 glioma cells, as assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Altogether, our results demonstrate identification of a group of novel STAT3 targets, shed light on complexity of a genetic network regulated by JAK/STAT3 signaling in glioma cells and its functions. Acknowledgements The study was supported by grant N N405 621938 from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (BK). 27 Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Joanna Bem <[email protected]> NF-κB (Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) is knownto be one of the most important inflammation regulators. It plays a key role inautoimmune diseases and cancer development. NF-κB regulates transcription of avariety of genes including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and manyothers. Correlation between increased Akt phosphorylation and high levels of NFκB activityin malignant gliomas has been reported. We recently reported that inhibition of NFκBtranscriptional activity by inhibitors ofPI-3K/Akt signaling or the NFκB inhibitor - BAY11-7082, affects MMP-2 expression and impairs glioma invasion (Kwiatkowska et al., 2011). Elucidating mechanisms of NFκB activation and its role in different glioma typeswould increase our understanding of brain tumor invasion. Inactive NF-κB is bound toIκB (nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor) andretained in cytoplasm. A few pathways of NF-κB activation have been characterized.The classical pathway involves phosphorylation of IκB by IκB kinases (IKK-β, IKK-γ) that leads to its degradation by a proteasome complex. NF-κB is released andtranslocates to the nucleus, where it can regulate expression of target genes.Our aim was to elucidate if there are differences in NF-κB regulation in malignantglioma and nonmalignant cell lines. First, the relative expression of (IKK-β, IKK-γ) was determined in various established and primary glioma cell lines by quantitativePCR. The activity of NF-κB was further determined in transfected cells using NF-κB binding site -driven reporter luciferase gene using a dual light reporter luciferaseassay. We found that the expression of IKK-β and IKK-γ varies between malignantglioma versus nonmalignant cells Those differences were corroborated by variouslevels of NF-κB transcriptional activity in malignant gliomas and nonmalignantcells. Our data show that in malignant gliomas NF-κB activity is higher than innonmalignant tumors (SEGA — subependymal giant cell astrocytoma) and innormal human astrocytes. It corresponds to the levels of phospho-IκB detected byimmunoblotting. The classical activation pathway is likely involved in this process. Inmalignant and nonmalignant cell lines, NF-κB activity corresponds to the expressionof IKK-β and IKK-γ kinases. Abstracts 28 P4.2 P4.3 Lymphocytes from SAD patients display cell cycle alterations, unlike lymphocytes from FAD patients Nanoparticles for delivery of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases to the brain as means to ameliorate consequences of ischemic cell death Emilia Bialopiotrowicz1,2, Bozena Kuzniewska1, Neli Kachamakova-Trojanowska1, Jacek Kuznicki1,2, Urszula Wojda1 1International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Warsaw, Poland; 2Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Emilia Bialopiotrowicz <[email protected]> Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common age-related dementia characterized by progressive neuronal loss. About 95% of AD cases occur sporadically and have unknown etiology (SAD), whereas the remaining familial AD cases (FAD) are mostly caused by autosomal dominant mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS1) gene. PS1 is the main enzymatic component of gamma-secretase complex responsible for release of toxic beta-amyloid from its amyloid precursor protein (APP). Growing evidence suggests that in AD neurons re-enter the G1 cell cycle phase, which leads to cell death. Since some alterations in AD are seen also in peripheral cells, we checked if cell cycle changes occur in AD lymphocytes. The study involved immortalized lymphocytes derived from a group of Polish patients: 8 FAD subjects with distinct PS1 mutations, 18 SAD patients, and 34 age-matched individuals. Our PCR arrays experiments showed that 43% of the 90 investigated cell cycle genes were down-regulated in SAD, whereas 4% were up-regulated comparing to controls. Interestingly, 19% of the cell cycle genes were differentially expressed in the SAD versus FAD. Most significant changes in the expression referred to the genes engaged in the G1/S control. Therefore we assessed the levels of key proteins involved in the G1/S transition with immunobloting. The most striking difference we found regarded p21 protein, which was significantly elevated in SAD comparing to control and FAD lymphocytes. Furthermore, our FACS analysis demonstrated that alterations in the cell cycle genes expression and p21 increase observed for SAD lymphocytes were accompanied by increased % of cells in G1 phase and decreased % of cells in S phase. Using FACS cell cycle analysis after nocodazole treatment and pulse chase BrdU labeling we showed that observed G1 arrest in SAD cells was a consequence of G1 phase prolongation and S phase shortening. Moreover, we found that the observed cell cycle changes were independent on gamma-secretase activity. Our data demonstrate that cell cycle abnormalities are common for SAD, but not for FAD lymphocytes. Thus, this study brings to light differences in the mechanisms of FAD and SAD pathogenesis. Furthermore, these results indicate that human lymphocytes sustain a useful model for further analyzes of AD pathogenesis and for the development of new diagnostic methodologies targeting cell cycle proteins, such as p21. Mayank Chaturvedi1,2, Bojja Sreedhar2, Leszek Kaczmarek1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Inorganic & Physical Chemistry Division, India e-mail: Mayank Chaturvedi <[email protected]> Introduction: Enhanced expression and activities of matrix metalloprotease (MMPs) have been observed under numerous pathologic conditions. Therefore inhibition of MMPs is considered as a potential therapeutic target. After cerebral ischemia it has been shown that there is a marked increase of MMP-9 expression which has been implicated in breakdown of Blood brain barrier (BBB). Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloprotinase-1 (TIMP-1) is a 28 KDa endogenous inhibitor of MMP-9. Objectives: In this study we plan to deliver TIMP-1 using PLGA Nanoparticles across BBB and investigate whether this can be an effective strategy to prevent BBB disruption after ischemia and ameliorate ischemic cell death. Methods: In order to get TIMP-1, the protein was cloned in pCMV plasmid with a Histag at C terminal. The plasmid was expressed in HEK 293T Cell lines and isolated using Cobalt based affinity column followed by dialysis. TIMP-1 loaded PLGA nanoparticles were synthesized by multiple emulsion and solvent evaporation method and coated with Tween 80 for BBB delivery. Results: TIMP-1 was characterized using western blot, reverse zymography, gelatinase assay and protein sequencing. PLGA NPs were analysed by using SEM, DLS, PDI, Zeta potential, protein loading and drug release. The mean size of NPs as measured using SEM was found to be 90.2 ± 5 nm. The mean hydrodynamic diameter of NPs as measured by DLS was 330 nm. The zeta potential of TIMP-1NPs was 7.78 ± 2.5 mV. The encapsulation efficiency of TIMP-1 in NPs was 71 ± 5.1% (n=3); i.e., 71% of the added protein was entrapped into NPs. The release of TIMP-1 from NPs was sustained, with 17.1 ± 1.4% of release in 24 h, 65.1 ± 1.1% in 1 wk. At present the formulation is being tested for BBB penetration, MMP-9 inhibition and neuroprotection in vivo. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P4.4 P4.5 Cyclosporine A-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress triggers autophagy of malignant glioma cells A novel approach of gene delivery in cortex and hippocampus of mouse brain to study mmp-9 gene regulation in depolarized neurons Iwona Ciechomska, Bozena Kaminska Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Iwona Ciechomska <[email protected]> Autophagy is a self-digestion process allowing cell survival during starvation but functions also as an alternative death mechanism under certain conditions. Autophagy is accompanied by the progressive formation of vesicle structures from autophagosomes to autophagolysosomes, and involves both autophagy effectors (Atg proteins) and regulators (i.e. mTOR - mammalian target of rapamycin is a negative regulator). Malignant gliomas are highly resistant to available therapies which induce apoptosis, thus induction of the alternative cell death is an attractive strategy. We demonstrate that cyclosporine A (CsA, an immunophilins/ calcineurin inhibitor) induces cell death with some apoptotic features but also accompanied by the appearance of numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles, immunostained for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy markers. The induction of ER stress in glioma cells by CsA was evidenced by detection of unfolded protein response activation (phosphorylation of PERK) and accumulation of ER stress associated proteins (BIP and CHOP). Upon CsA treatment several autophagy features were observed: formation of the acidic vesicular organelles, increase in punctuate GFP-LC3 (microtubule-associated protein light-chain 3) and LC3-II accumulation. Decrease of phosphorylation 4E-BP1, p70-S6K1, and its downstream target molecule S6 ribosomal protein suggests that CsA affects mTOR signaling. Salubrinal, which protect cells from ER stress, partially blocked CsA-induced decrease of p70-S6K1 and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation, and accumulation of LC3-II. It suggests that ER stress was primary to CsA-induced autophagy. Surprisingly, selective silencing of Atg1, Atg5 or Atg7 increased the level of active caspases 3, 7 and PARP degradation in CsA-treated cells. Our results demonstrate that CsA induces both apoptosis and autophagy in malignant glioma cells via induction of ER stress and inhibition of mTOR/ p70-S6K1 pathway, however autophagy is cytoprotective in this context. Acknowledgements Studies supported by grant N N301 092036 from The Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. 29 Krishnendu Ganguly, Emilia Rejmak, Michał Stawarski, Leszek Kaczmarek Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Krishnendu Ganguly <[email protected]> Understanding of the molecular underpinnings of gene regulation during depolarization-driven synaptic plasticity is a major challenge of modern neuroscience. MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase), is a crucial enzyme that helps in transient alteration of neuronal circuits by affecting extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The molecular mechanism behind mmp-9 gene transcription during depolarization of brain neurons in vivo is poorly understood. Notably, presently available in vitro reporter assay-based systems for gene regulation do not simulate adequately the gene regulation that occurs in the brain. Therefore, this study was directed to develop a strategy to study the transcriptional regulation of mmp-9 gene in mouse brain neurons in response to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure. The transcriptional response of mmp-9 gene was determined by real time based quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization. Furthermore, wild type and mutated versions of mmp-9 reporter gene in both plasmid and BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) vectors were introduced into the brain by means of electroporation. Both the reporter gene transcripts and proteins levels were increased in PTZ-induced brain neurons. In conclusion, this is the first effort by which we studied the in vivo transcriptional regulation of mmp-9 gene by reporter based assay system, during synaptic plasticity driven by depolarization of mammalian brain neurons. Abstracts 30 P4.6 P4.7 The effects of antiepileptic agents on fusion of synaptic vesicles in cellfree model of exocytosis and the role of cholesterol in this process Changes in homocysteine thiolactone disposition and neurotoxicityin bleomycin hydrolase (Blmh) and paraoxonase 1 (Pon1) knock-out mice Vitaliy Gumenyuk1, Tamara Kuchmerovska2, Irene Trikash1 Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 1Department of Neurochemistry and 2Department of Biochemistry of Vitamines and Coenzymes, Ukraine e-mail: Vitaliy Gumenyuk <[email protected]> The neurochemical mechanisms underlying seizure-associated dysfunctions of central nervous system are multiple and poorly understood. The antiepileptic drugs which directly or non-directly attenuate brain dysfunction can use to restore the balance between the excitation and inhibition of neurons. To elucidate the effects of ethosuximide, sodium valproate, and gabapentin on the exocytosis process the calcium-dependent fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs) in cell-free model system was investigated. All studies were carried out on SVs isolated from rat brains. Membrane fusion was assayed with the fluorescence probe R18. To estimate the role of membrane cholesterol in synaptic vesicle fusion the cholesterol content in membrane was modulated by methyl-β-cyclodextrin used as a cholesterol binding agent. It has been found that all studied antiepiepileptic agents increase the Ca2+- and Mg2+/ATP-dependent SVs fusion. The 20 % reduction of membrane cholesterol leads to decrease of the rate of calcium-triggered fusion of homotypic membranes of SVs that indicates the disturbances in function of proteins driving this process. At the same time, the reduction of cholesterol level in SVs membrane did not change the ability of antiepileptic drugs to enforce the fusion process. These findings suggest that antiepileptic drugs are capable to bind to SVs proteins which are not located in cholesterol rich lipid microdomains. Thus, it was shown that SVs proteins can be the functional targets for the action of ethosuximide, sodium valproate, and gabapentin in regulation of exocytosis in the nerve terminals. This may be the basis for further studies of new antiepileptic drugs action at the level of SVs proteins and SVs fusogenic activity. Kamila Borowczyk1, Joanna Tisonczyk1, Hieronim Jakubowski1,2 1UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Newark, NJ, USA; 2Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland e-mail: Hieronim Jakubowski <[email protected]> Genetic or nutritional disorders in methionine metabolism increase homocysteine (Hcy) editing by methionyl-tRNA synthetase, which generates Hcy-thiolactone and is linked to cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Hcy-thiolactone has the ability to form isopeptide bonds with protein lysine residues, which generates toxic N-Hcy-proteins with autoimmunogenic, prothrombotic, and amyloidogenic properties. Bleomycin hydrolase (Blmh) and paraoxonase 1 (Pon1) have the ability to hydrolyze Hcy-thiolactone in vitro. To determine physiological roles of Blmh and Pon1, we studied Hcy-thiolactone disposition and neurotoxicity in mice with inactivated Blmh and Pon1 genes. We found that endogenous Hcy-thiolactone and N-Hcy-protein levels were elevated in Blmh-/- and Pon1-/- mice compared with wild type animals. Exogenous Hcy-thiolactone, injected intraperitoneally, was hydrolyzed less effectively by Blmh/- than by Pon1-/- and wild type mice. We also found that Blmh-/- and Pon1-/- mice were more sensitive to Hcythiolactone neurotoxicity than wild type animals. Taken together, these findings indicate that Blmh and Pon1, by hydrolyzing Hcy-thiolactone and minimizing protein Nhomocysteinylation, protect against Hcy-thiolactone neurotoxicity in mice. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P4.8 P4.9 Co-regulation of expression of NFκB-dependent genes by the HSF1 transcription factor Identification of signal transduction pathways re-programming macrophages into tumor supportive cells — on the missing link between inflammation and cancer Patryk Janus1, Magdalena Kalinowska-Herok1, Małgorzata Pakuła-Cis2, Wojciech Pigłowski1, Katarzyna Szołtysek1, Adam Makuchowski3, Marek Kimmel3, Piotr Widłak1 1Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland; 2University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark; 3Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland e-mail: Patryk Janus <[email protected]> NFκB- and HSF1-dependent pathways are essential components of cellular responses to stress. They play the major role in pathogenesis of serious human diseases, including cancer and response to therapeutic treatments. Both of these transcription factors regulate several genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, immune and inflammatory responses. Here we aimed to identify NFκB-dependent genes which expression is affected by the active HSF1. Activation of the NFκB pathway and expression of NFκBdependent genes was analyzed in U2-OS human osteosarcoma cells stimulated with TNFα cytokine. Cells were either preconditioned with hyperthermia to activate endogenous HSF1 or engineered to express a constitutively active form of HSF1 in the absence of heat shock. The expression of NFκB-dependent genes was analyzed by quantitative RTPCR, using both NFκB-pathway-oriented PCR-Array and gene-specific reactions. Binding of HSF1 to promoters of NFκB-dependent genes was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) with anti-HSF1 Ab (genes with hypothetical sites of HSF1 binding were pre-selected based bioinformatics analysis). We found that hyperthermia resulted in a general blockade of activation of the NFκB signaling and expression of NFκB-dependent genes. In marked contrast, the presence of constitutively active HSF1 did not block TNFα-induced activation of the NFκB pathway and general expression of the NFκB-dependent genes in the absence of the heat shock. However, the presence of HSF1 affected expression of several specific NFκB-dependent genes activated by TNFα. Four of these genes, namely TNFA, IL-6, FASLG, AGT, contained functional binding sites for HSF1 in their promoter regions. We concluded that expression of several NFκB-dependent genes is modulated by HSF1-dependent mechanisms. Some of these genes could be co-regulated by HSF1 in the direct mechanism due to the binding of HSF1 transcription factor to their promoter regions. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, grants N514 411936, PBZ-MNiI-2/1/2005 and by the European Community from the European Social Fund within the RFSD-2 project. 31 Bozena Kaminska, Konrad R. Gabrusiewicz, Pawel Wisniewski, Aleksandra Ellert-Miklaszewska, Maciej Lipko, Michal Dabrowski, Magdalena Kijewska, Beata Kaza, Malgorzata Porycka Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Laboratory of Transcription Regulation, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Bozena Kaminska <[email protected]> Malignant tumors benefit from support from the surrounding tumor microenvironment composed of tumorassociated fibroblasts, leukocytes, bone marrow-derived cells, blood and lymphatic vascular endothelial cells. The microenvironment provides essential cues to the maintenance of cancer stem cells/cancer initiating cells, rare cells which contribute to tumor propagation and the immunosuppressive tumor milieu. Tumor-infiltrating macrophages and immunomodulatory mediators present in the tumor microenvironment polarize host immune response toward specific phenotypes impacting tumor progression. Aggressive human brain tumors (glioblastomas) contain numerous glioma-infiltrating macrophages, which abundance correlates with malignancy and poor patient prognosis. Using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, we demonstrated an early accumulation of activated microglia followed by accumulation of blood derived macrophages in experimental murine EGFP-GL261 gliomas. Those cells acquire the alternative phenotype, as evidenced by evaluation of the production of ten pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines and expression profiling of 28 genes in magnetically-sorted CD11b+ cells from tumor tissues. In vitro studies revealed that glioma cells secrete soluble factors which convert primary microglial cultures into amoeboid cells supporting glioma invasiveness, while attenuating inflammatory responses. Global gene expression profiling of microglial cultures, stimulated either by glioma-conditioned medium or by a classical inflammation inducer — lipopolysaccharide (LPS), revealed different patterns of gene induction, and activation of distinct signaling amd metabolic pathways. Proteomic analysis of glioma-conditioned medium using HPLC fractionation followed by a tandem massspectrometry identified two activating proteins which are small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoprotein family members. Interference with ligand binding to integrins using a blocking RDG peptide or gene silencing in glioma cells, abolished microglial activation induced by gliomaconditioned medium and their influence on glioma invasion. These data provide strong evidence on the identity of signals which direct tumor-related inflammation and tumor progression. Acknowledgements Studies supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education grant N N301 7862 (BK). Abstracts 32 P4.10 P4.11 A role of osteopontin — a small integrinbinding ligand in glioma pathology M. Kijewska, M. Sielska, A. Ellert-Miklaszewska, K. Gabrusiewicz, B. Kaminska Expression of HIF mediates endogenous neuroprotection of hippocampal neurons during the ischemic and anoxic precondition Laboratory of Transcription Regulation, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland Anastasiia M. Maistrenko, Irina V. Lushnikova, Maxim M. Orlovsky, Victor E. Dosenko, Galina G. Skibo e-mail: Magdalena Kijewska <[email protected]> Tumor-associated macrophages represent the major component of the stroma of many tumors, including gliomas, and their high content correlates with malignancy and poor patient prognosis. We have demonstrated that glioma cells release soluble factors which induce accumulation and a non-inflammatory activation of brain macrophages associated with pro-invasive function of these cells. Proteomic analysis of glioma-conditioned medium (G-CM) revealed that one of these factors is Osteopontin (OPN, known as secreted phosphoprotein 1 — SPP1), a metastasis-associated small integrin-binding ligand and a N-linked glycoprotein family member. OPN was highly overexpressed in rat and some human glioma cells when compare to non-transformed astrocytes. To evaluate the role of OPN in glioma biology, we constructed plasmids encoding shRNA against OPN (shOPN) or negative control shRNA (shNeg). We obtained C6 glioma cells stable transfected with indicated plasmids. The silencing of OPN in shOPN clones was confirmed on RNA and protein level. Silencing of OPN had no impact on cell proliferation and survival. To evaluate the role of OPN in glioma invasiveness we performed Matrigel invasiveness assay. We demonstrate that silencing of OPN diminished invasiveness of glioma cells and abolished the pro-invasive effects of microglia co-cultured with glioma cells. To follow the role of OPN in glioma pathology in vivo, we injected shOPN and shNeg C6 cell clones into the striatum of Wistar rats. Tumor volumes and microglia and lymphocytes infiltration into the tumor were evaluated. Our studies indicate that tumor-derived OPN may be a crucial factor mediating interactions between glioma and tumor-associated brain macrophages and is involved in glioma pathogenesis. Acknowledgements The study was supported by grant GP2908 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Department of Cytology, Ukraine e-mail: Anastasiia Maistrenko <[email protected]> Brief anoxia or episodic hypoxic preconditioning can enhance a brain resistance to subsequent prolong ischemia. However, a little is known about events occurring in the time frame between anoxic preconditioning (APC) and subsequent formation of ischemic resistance. Existing reports in this area are predominantly focused on APC morphological features, in particular, the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, neurogenesis or survival of the neurons. Although it has been shown that hypoxia may induce extensive injury to susceptible brain neurons, it does not necessarily follow that such injury results in neuronal death, but rather a marked impairment of brain functioning, such as behaviours, stress response, learning and memory. Thus while APC could protect brain from hypoxic/ischemic injury, the mechanisms of this action require further investigations. Recent investigations indicate that mechanisms of such stimulated endogenous neuroprotection are related to the family of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), however there are still little data concerning the role of HIF family members in hippocampus — a brain structure, highly sensitive to oxygen deficiency. We have used the model of cultured hippocampal slices and single-cell quantitative RT-PCR to study HIF-1α and HIF-3α mRNA expression following triple 5-min mild anoxia, 30-min oxygen-glucose deprivation and their combination. The viability was evaluate with PIstaining. We also tested the effects of HIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibition with 2,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid diethyl ester pre-treatment followed by a 30-min oxygen-glucose deprivation. It was found that neuronal damage induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation was accompanied by a significant decrease in both HIF-1α and HIF-3α mRNA levels in CA1 but not CA3 neurons. Anoxia preconditioning did not affect cell viability and HIF mRNA levels but applied before oxygen-glucose deprivation prevented neuronal damage and suppression of HIF-1α and HIF-3α mRNA expression. It was also found that effects of the prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor were similar to anoxia preconditioning. These results suggest that anoxia preconditioning increases anti-ischemic neuronal resistance which to a certain extent correlates with the changes of HIF-1α and HIF-3α expression. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P4.12 P4.13 β-catenin is constitutively present in the nuclei of postmitotic thalamic neurons due to WNT-independent mechanism Loss of snap29 impairs endocytic recycling and cell motility Katarzyna Misztal1, Marta B. Wisniewska1, Mateusz Ambrozkiewicz1, Jacek Kuznicki1,2 1International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, 2Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland Poland; e-mail: Katarzyna Misztal <[email protected]> Wnt activation promotes β-catenin accumulation upon inhibition of β-catenin degradation. Stabilized β-catenin translocates to the nucleus where it triggers transcription of the Lef1/Tcf target genes. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for nervous system development as well as division and maturation of neuronal progenitors in adult brain. We showed recently that nuclear β-catenin is abundant in vivo in non-dividing neurons of adult thalamus, where it is involved in gene transcription of CACNA1G gene (Wisniewska et al., 2010, J Neurosci). Here we demonstrate spontaneous accumulation of β-catenin in 40% of cultured thalamic neurons and lack of such accumulation in cortical neurons. This phenomenon does not depend on soluble factors produced by glia or cortical neurons, since neither conditioned medium of cortical cells nor glial cells coculture affect the number of β-catenin positive cells. This suggests that nuclear localization of β-catenin in thalamic neurons is not a consequence of paracrine stimulation. We also observed that Wnt receptor inhibitor DKK1 and dnDVL3 had no major effect on the number of β-catenin positive thalamic neurons. Thus, autocrine WNT stimulation is not responsible for nuclear β-catenin accumulation in these neurons. We analyzed expression of APC, AXIN1 and GSK3β that are involved in degradation of β-catenin and detected lower level of APC and GSK3β in thalamus when compared to cortex and hippocampus. Reduced levels of these proteins were also observed in cultured thalamic neurons compared with cortical cultures. Finally, pulsechase experiments confirmed that cytoplasmic β-catenin turnover was slower in thalamic neurons than in cortical neurons. Our observations support an idea that β-catenin accumulation is an intrinsic feature of thalamic neurons, independent of cellular environment of thalamic neurons and Wnt stimulation, but associated with low levels of proteins involved in β-catenin labeling for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Acknowledgements This work is supported by ”Health-Prot” Grant no 229676 and Polish MNiSW Grant no 4245/B/P01/2010/38 and 1917/B/P01/2010/39. 33 Debora Rapaport1, Yevgenia Lugassy4, Eli Sprecher2,3,4, Mia Horowitz1 Tel Aviv University, 1Department of Cell Research and Immunology, 2Sackler Faculty of Medicine, 3Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, 4Technion, Center for Translational Genetics, Israel e-mail: Debora Rapaport <[email protected]> Intracellular membrane trafficking depends on the ordered formation and consumption of transport intermediates and requires that membranes fuse with each other in a tightly regulated and highly specific manner. Intracellular trafficking of membrane receptors dictates the kinetics and magnitude of signal transduction cascades. Membrane anchored SNAREs assemble into SNARE complexes that bring membranes together to promote fusion. SNAP29 is a ubiquitous synaptosomal-associated SNARE protein localized in intracellular membranes. Loss of functional SNAP29 results in CEDNIK syndrome (Cerebral Dysgenesis, Neuropathy, Ichthyosis and Keratoderma) causing abnormalities in epidermal differentiation and in corpuscallosum accompanied by cortical dysplasia. Using fibroblast cell lines derived from CEDNIK patients, we show that SNAP29 mediates endocytic recycling of transferrin and β1-integrin. Impaired β1-integrin recycling affected cell motility, as reflected by changes in cell spreading and wound healing. Our results emphasize the importance of SNAP29 mediated membrane fusion in endocytic recycling and in cell motility. Abstracts 34 P4.14 P4.15 Identification of a novel CD150 isoform in tumors of central nervous system CD150 — a new marker for tumors of the central nervous system Olga Romanets1, 2, Mariya Yurchenko1, Tatyana Malysheva3, Aleksander Taranin4, Branka Horvat2, Svetlana P. Sidorenko1 Svetlana P. Sidorenko1, Olga Romanets1,2, Mariya Yurchenko1, Yuriy A. Zozulya3, Tatyana A. Malysheva3, Alexander M. Najakshin4, Alexander V. Taranin4, Branka Horvat2 1R. E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology Oncology and Radiobiology of NAS of Ukraine, Department of Cell regulation, Kyiv, Ukraine; 2INSERM U758-ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France; 3Romodanov Institute of Neurosurgery of AMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; 4 Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Novosibirsk, Russia e-mail: Olga Romanets <[email protected]> CD150 receptor (IPO-3/SLAM) is a member of CD2 family within the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is expressed on thymocytes, activated T and B lymphocytes, dendritic cells and monocytes. However, it is still little known about CD150 expression in non-lymphoid cells, especially in tumors. The aim of our work was to study the expression of CD150 in human glioma cell lines and in primary tumors of central nervous system (CNS). Using reverse transcriptase reaction, followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with several pairs of specific primers to the CD150 extracellular, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, we showed differential expression of the gene among human glioma cell lines. The A172 cell line highly expressed mRNA for full transmembrane form of CD150, but the protein production was not detected in these cells. We found a low level of CD150 mRNA expression in the U87, U343, NCH89 and NCH92 cell lines. Expression of CD150 at the protein level was observed in fixed U87, U343, NCH89, NCH92 and TE671 cell lines using immunofluorescent staining. However, FACS analysis did not reveal CD150 on the surface of live cells. All studied glioma cell lines were not sensitive to the infection with wild type measles virus (which uses CD150 as entry receptor) in contrast to laboratory strain of measles virus (which uses CD46 as receptor as well). These results showed that CD150 is absent on the surface of the human glioma cells. Sequencing of the RT-PCR fragments from the U87 cell line revealed an unusual CD150 transcript containing an 83 bp insert between exons for the transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions of the full-length mRNA. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the insert was derived from a previously unrecognized exon located 511 bp downstream of the exon for the transmembrane region. The exon designated Cyt-new is flanked with canonical AG/GT splice sites. The use of the Cyt-new exon results in the reading frame shift in the exons Cyt1-Cyt3 and production of an isoform with cytoplasmic tail lacking any known signaling motifs. Specific primers for this novel CD150 isoform were designed and used for study its expression in cell lines of different origin, primary human CNS tumors and human normal brain. Taken together, we found a novel CD150 isoform that is expressed in malignant cells of central nervous system tumors. 1Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology Oncology and Radiobiology of NAS of Ukraine, Department of cell regulation, Kyiv, Ukraine; 2INSERM U758-ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France; 3Romodanov Institute of Neurosurgery of AMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; 4Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Novosibirsk, Russia e-mail: Svetlana Sidorenko <[email protected]> The big progress was made in characterization of tumorassociated markers in central nervous system (CNS), which helps to identify cell of origin and the level of tumor cell differentiation. The efforts are focused now on new marker disclosure for routine immunohistochemical diagnostics, evaluation of invasiveness and tumor cell proliferation rate, prediction of treatment outcome and possible targets for therapy. CD150, encoded by the SLAMF1 gene, is a dualfunction receptor, expressed in hematopoietic system and involved in immune regulation. Four isoforms of CD150 were identified: trans-membrane (mCD150), secreted that lacks transmembrane region, cytoplasmic, lacking the leader sequence and a variant membrane CD150 with truncated cytoplasmic tail. CD150 is one of two identified receptors for measles virus (MV) and binds hemagglutinin of both wild-type (wt) and vaccine MV strains. MV holds promise as a novel oncolytic agent in the treatment of tumors of CNS, but expression of wild type measles virus receptor CD150 was not reported on cells of the nervous system yet. Our immunohistochemical studies of primary human CNS tumors (108 cases) revealed CD150 expression in diffuse astrocytoma (66.7% of analyzed cases), anaplastic astrocytoma (81.3%), glioblastoma (88.9%), ependymoma (66.7%) and anaplastic ependymoma (75.0%). Expression of CD150 in different regions of human normal brain was not observed. Immunostaining of all samples with the antibodies to GFAP, nestin and CD68 validated the CD150 expression in the malignant cells. The majority of tested glioblastoma cell lines also expressed CD150, however we did not detect its expression on the cell surface and cells were resistant to MVwt infecton. To find which splice isoforms of CD150 were expressed by glioblastoma cells we performed RT-PCR and 3’RACE of CD150 mRNA, from the cell line U87. A variety of aberrant and normal mCD150 transcripts were found of which one contained a previously unrecognized 83 bp exon downstream of the exon for the transmembrane region. The exon insertion caused the reading frame shift and translation of a novel isoform with alternative cytoplasmic tail. Thus, we show that CD150 is frequently expressed in CNS tumors. Further studies will clarify the biological significance of CD150 isoforms expression in CNS tumors and validate the potential use of this marker in differential diagnostics and targeted therapy. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 35 P4.16 P4.17 Crosstalk between NFκB- and p53dependent signaling pathways in HCT116 colon carcinoma cells Expression of pro-epileptic protease Matrix Metalloproteinases 9 is regulated by DNA methylation during epileptogenesis Katarzyna Szołtysek1, Patryk Janus1, Adam Makuchowski2, Marek Kimmel2, Piotr Widłak1 Katarzyna Zybura-Broda1, Renata Amborska1, Leszek Kaczmarek1, Marcin Rylski2 1Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland; 2Silesian University of Technology; Gliwice, Poland 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Warsaw, Poland; 2The Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Department of Clinical Cytology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Katarzyna Szołtysek <[email protected]> e-mail: Katarzyna Żybura-Broda <[email protected]> Signaling pathways that depend on NFκB and p53 transcription factors are essential elements of cellular responses to stress. Both factors participate in regulation of a network of genes involved in control of the cell cycle, DNA repair, apoptosis, immune response and inflammation. Here we aimed to analyze the interference between these signaling pathways at the level of expression of selected NFκB- and p53-dependent genes. Experiments were performed using human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells in two congenic lines either containing or lacking transcriptionally competent p53. Cells were incubated with TNFα cytokine to activate NFκB, and/or exposed to ultraviolet/ionizing radiation to activate p53 pathway; both factors were used in two different time combinations: stimulation with TNFα was placed either 3 hours before or 6 hours after irradiation. Activation of the NFκB and p53 pathways was monitored by Western-blot detection of selected proteins (IκBα, p53, p21, MDM2, PTEN, PARP, AKT). Expression of selected p53-dependent genes (MDM2, p21/WAF1, PTEN, NOXA) and NFκBdependent genes (BCL3, NFKBIA, NFKB1, REL, IL1A, IL8, TNFA, TNFAIP3, JUN, LTA) was assessed by quantitative QRT-PCR; p53-dependeant genes were analyzed 6, 12 and 24 hours after irradiation while NFκB-dependent genes were analyzed 1 and 6 hours after stimulation with TNFα. We observed that radiation-induced activation of p53dependent genes was affected in cells with activated NFκB: UV-induced expression of p53-dependent genes was further up-regulated by either mode of stimulation with TNFα. TNFα-stimulated activation of expression of NFκB dependent genes was different in cells with different status of p53. Irradiation of p53-competent cells before stimulation with TNFα resulted in down-regulation of analyzed NFκB-dependent genes. Our data revealed interference between regulation of p53-dependent genes and activation of NFκB signaling and between regulation of NFκB-dependent genes and activation of p53 signaling. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Grant NN 301 264536. Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) acts pro-epileptically, stimulating aberrant synaptic plasticity occurring during epileptogenesis. Here, we have studied epigenetic changes occurring on Mmp-9 proximal promoter during pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptogenesis in the rat hippocampus. Rats received multiple intraperitioneal injections of pentylenetetrazole in non-seizure inducing doses, what led to a precipitation of seizures and to a gradual progression in their strength and duration. We have shown that MMP-9 activity and expression of MMP-9 mRNA are gradually upregulated during PTZ-dependent epileptogenesis in the hippocampus. Moreover, using Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and Methylation Specific PCR (MSP) we have demonstrated that the induction of MMP-9 gene expression is associated with a progressive demethylation of its proximal promoter. It’s probably performed by DNA demethylase Gadd45β, which increasingly binds to the proximal Mmp-9 promoter in vivo during PTZ-induced kindling. Accordingly, our results imply that important epigenetic mechanism — active DNA demethylation, play an essential role in a regulation of MMP-9 expression during development of epilepsy. Session 5: Cell guidance Lectures L5.2 L5.1 Mechanisms of axonal guidance and degeneration during development Robust information processing in bacterial chemotaxis Victor Sourjik ZMBH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany e-mail: Victor Sourjik <[email protected]> Bacterial chemotaxis has been extensively used as a relatively simple model system of environmental signal processing, to gain general insights into evolutionary optimization of biological networks. One of the central questions in quantitative analyses of cell signalling is how optimal function of the network is achieved under conditions of constant perturbations that are experienced by any biological system. In our analysis of chemotaxis as a model system, we could show that most of the pathway features can be indeed explained by the evolutionary selection for high response sensitivity and robust signal processing under conditions of such intra- and extracellular perturbations as stochastic ligand binding, stochastic variation in the levels of signalling proteins and variations in temperature. Even in this simple system, perturbations are almost perfectly compensated by the robust pathway topology and by the specific regulation of chemotaxis genes, to ensure extremely efficient and robust sensing of chemoeffector gradients over large span of concentrations. Erez Romi, Zohar Schoenmann, Adi Minis, Liat Haklai-Topper, Irena Gokhman, Avraham Yaron Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel e-mail: Avraham Yaron <[email protected]> During development, the basic wiring of the nervous system is established by connecting trillions of neurons to their target cells. To reach their correct targets, neurons extend axons that are guided by cues in the extracellular environment. The talk I will describe our studies on two aspects of the somatosensory system development: the mechanisms of axonal guidance and axonal elimination. In the first part I will focus on developmental control of the Semaphorins receptor complex through ecto domain cleavage by a protease of the ADAM family. In the second part on I will concentrate on the intra cellular pathways the mediate axonal destruction. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 L5.3 Oral presentations A cellular module for singlemolecule sensitivity in sperm O5.1 U. Benjamin Kaupp Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Molecular Sensory Systems, Germany e-mail: U. Benjamin Kaupp <[email protected]> Sperm of the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata respond to a single molecule of chemoattractant released by eggs. The mechanism underlying this extreme sensitivity is unknown. Crucial signaling events include the synthesis of the intracellular messenger guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP), the ensuing membrane hyperpolarization due to the opening of K+-selective cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNGK) channels, and Ca2+ entry through unknown Cav channels. Calibrated photolysis of caged cGMP shows that ≤45 cGMP molecules are required for a single-molecule response. This corresponds to a change in the total cGMP concentration of 45 nM in the flagellum. The changes in free cGMP concentration might be much smaller due to buffering by cGMP-binding sites on phosphodiesterase. The CNGK channel can respond to such small cGMP changes because it is exquisitely sensitive to cGMP (K1/2= 25 nM) and activated in a non-cooperative fashion. The structure of the CNGK channel differs from that of classical CNG channels of photoreceptors and olfactory neurons. These channels form heterotetramers composed of different subunits. In contrast, like voltage-activated Cav and Nav channels, the CNGK polypeptide consists of four homologous repeat sequences. Each repeat harbors all the functional motifs of a classical CNG channel subunit. Disabling each of the four cyclic nucleotide-binding sites through mutagenesis revealed that binding of a single cGMP molecule to repeat 3 was sufficient to activate the CNGK channel. Thus, CNGK has developed an activation mechanism that is different from that of classical CNG channels, which requires the cooperative binding of several ligands and operates in the micromolar rather than the nanomolar range. At nanomolar concentrations and in small compartments such as cilia, when only few molecules are available, the simultaneous binding of several ligand molecules to the same channel is a rare event; thus cooperative activation would impair rather than enhance channel sensitivity. This study provides a framework that might be also relevant for pheromone signaling in vertebrates and insects. 37 Are energy complexes associated with the switch-motor complex of bacterial flagella? Gabriel Zarbiv1, Hui Li2, Amnon Wolf1, Gary Cecchini3, S. Roy Caplan1, Victor Sourjik2, Michael Eisenbach1 1The Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Biological Chemistry, Israel; 2Universität Heidelberg, Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie, Germany; 3University of California, Molecular Biology Division, Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, California, USA e-mail: Gabriel Zarbiv <[email protected]> The switch-motor complex at the base of bacterial flagella powers flagellar rotation and acts as a gearbox that switches the direction of the rotation. Recently we found that the electron-transport protein, fumarate reductase (FRD), forms a 1:1 complex with the switch protein FliG and that this interaction is essential for flagellar assembly and function [1]. The functional association of FRD with the switch raised the question of whether additional energy-linked enzymes are associated with the switch-motor complex. We addressed this question by first comparing the ATP synthase activity and respiratory activity between two membrane preparations isolated from Escherichia coli: a preparation of vesicles enriched with membrane areas adjacent to the flagellar motor and a preparation deficient in such areas. We found that ADP phosphorylation, ATP hydrolysis, and respiration from NADH to oxygen were all higher near the motor. We, therefore, investigated whether the enzyme FoF1 ATP synthase (responsible for the first two activities) and NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NDHI, involved in the third activity) interact with the switch-motor complex. The findings were positive for both enzymes. For FoF1 ATP synthase, the major evidence involved in vivo demonstration that the level of the β subunit of FoF1 ATP synthase radically affects flagellar behavior, and that this subunit binds to FliG at the switch both in vivo and in vitro. For NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, the evidence involved in vivo and in vitro demonstration of association of the NuoCD subunit of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase to each of the three switch proteins. The functional interaction of so many proteins with FliG suggests the existence of energy complexes in bacteria, associated with the flagella and required for their function. Further studies are required to reveal the structure and function of these putative energy complexes and to address intriguing questions that emerge from these findings. Reference 1.Cohen-Ben-Lulu GN et al (2008) EMBO J 27: 1134-1144. Abstracts 38 O5.2 Posters The molecular mechanism of lectininduced signal transduction in leukocytes under diabetes mellitus P5.1 M. Zdioruk, I. Brodyak, N. Sybirna Hyperactivation is a component of human sperm chemotaxis Ivan Franko Lviv National University, Lviv, Ukraine Leah Armon, Michael Eisenbach e-mail: Mykola Zdioruk <[email protected]> Changes in the morphofunctional state of leukocytes causing disturbances to their interaction with vassal endothelia are regarded as an etiological precondition for the development of diabetic complications and chronic diseases, deteriorating physical health of diabetics. Our previous research has shown that lectin-induced leukocyte aggregation in healthy donors and type 1 diabetics decreases considerably after being treated with wortmannin, selective uncompetitive inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3’-kinase, which participates in key signal ways in the cell. It was also noted that wortmannin slows down chemotaxis, which testifies to participation in chemokine-induced cell migration. Furthermore, it was proved that PI-3’-kinase and its lipidic products play an mportant role in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and cell mobility. The overall aim of our research was to reveal the dynamics of translocation between the cytosolic leukocyte fractions of p85α/PI-3’-kinase regulatory subunit when the cell aggregation was induced by means of lectins with different carbohydrate-binding specificity affected by wortmannin. Diabetes-associated hyperglycaemia leads to the transition of leukocytes to the preactivated state, which, to a great extent, is caused by PI-3’-kinase and translocation into cytoskeletal sites, mediating integrin-dependent cell focal adhesion. The following lectins were lymphocyte aggregation modulators: MAA — maackia amurensis lectin, and WGA — wheat germ lectin. It was found out that signal transduction caused by the linkage between sialospecific lectins and carbohydrate determinants of leukocyte membrane glycoconjugates was mediated through phosphatidylinositol-3’kinase way. The research revealed that the cell response under diabetes mellitus, which was registered as the translocation of PI-3’kinase enzyme regulatory subunit caused by lectin induction on neutrophils and mononuclear of MAA, SNA and WGA lectins, differed in intensity and duration which may be connected with changes in the number or structure of plasma glycoprotein receptors. The Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Biological Chemistry, Israel e-mail: Leah Armon <[email protected]> When mammalian spermatozoa become capacitated they acquire, among other activities, chemotactic responsiveness and the ability to exhibit occasional events of hyperactivated motility — a vigorous motility type with large amplitudes of head displacement. Although a number of roles have been proposed for this type of motility, its function is still obscure. Here we provide evidence suggesting that hyperactivation is part of the chemotactic response. By analyzing tracks of spermatozoa swimming in a spatial chemoattractant gradient we found that, in such a gradient, the level of hyperactivation is significantly lower in a chemotactically responsive sperm population than in a non-responsive population or in the no-gradient control. In a temporal chemoattractant gradient produced by photorelease of progesterone, roughly one third of the cells responded, the response being a delayed turn. Most of the turns involved hyperactivation events or an even more intense response in the form of flagellar arrest. These results suggest that the function of hyperactivation is to cause a rather sharp turn during the chemotactic response of capacitated cells. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P5.2 P5.3 Auxin’s production ability of rhizobia and phythopathogenic bacteria in vitro The influence of Angiotensin II and Relaxin 2 on the cell proliferation in prostate cancer cell lines Liudmyla Dankevich1, Natalia Leonova2, Igor Dragovoz3 1Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the NASU, Department of Phytopatogenic Bacteria, Ukraine; 2Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the NASU, Department of General and Soil Microbiology, Ukraine; 3Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the of the NASU, Department of Antibiotics, Ukraine e-mail: Liudmyla Dankevych <[email protected]> Hormones and hormone-like substances play not only role of intracellular signals in plants, but also mediate interactions between macro- and microorganisms. Therefore, microorganisms associated with the plants are able to synthesize plant hormones themselves. Plant’s growth substances, produced by phytopathogenic bacteria, determine the development of the initial stages of pathogenesis, leading to plant’s infection. At the same time hormones play a regulative role in initiation of symbiotic relationships between plants and rhizobia. In microbe-plant’s integration auxins play an important role, as it’s mainly responsible for the cell elongation, division and tissues differentiation. That is why, the subject of our study was a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the ability of some rhizobial and pathogenic bacterial strains to produce auxins in vitro. The objects of research were effective B. japonicum UKM B-6018 B. japonicum UKM B-6035 and low effective B. japonicum 21110 strains of rhizobia. We also used typical representatives of pathovars: P. syringae pv. pisi 9177, P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola B-1123, P. savastanoi pv. glycinea 8571, “P. lupini” 8531, P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi 9174, P. syringae pv. syringae B-1027 of phythopathogenic bacteria. Detection of exogenous auxins was performed by high resolution TLC. All strains of rhizobia contain next exogenous auxins: indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-carboxylic acid. It should be noted that the synthesis of these auxins was higher in effective strains to comparison with the low effective rhizobial strain. It was shown the ability of rhizobial strains to produce abscisic acid (ABA). Level of ABA synthesis in culture medium of effective rhizobia strains was higher to comparison with low nodules forming strain. These results corresponded with published, according to which the ABA is a signaling molecule that controls the metabolic processes in the nodules of legumes. In comparison to rizobia strains all pathogenic bacteria strains produce a lot of auxins: the indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-carboxylic acid complex, indole-3-carboxylaldehyde, hydrazine indole-3acetic acid. Perhaps, the synthesis of a so wide spectrum of auxins by phytopathogenic bacteria associated with it’s influence on plant cell growing by elongation and more effective pathogen penetration in plant’s tissues. We also detected the ability to synthesize ABA by phytopathogenic bacteria strains. The highest level of ABA was founded in classical polyphages — P. syringae pv. syringae B-1027, which could induce disease more than 50 plant’s species. 39 Kamila Domińska, Agnieszka Wanda Piastowska, Anna Gajos-Michniewicz, Tomasz Ochędalski Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland e-mail: Kamila Domińska <[email protected]> It is common knowledge that sex steroid hormones regulate a wide range of prostatic metabolic functions. An increasing number of in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that also local hormones, such as angiotensin and relaxin may influence the proliferation, differentiation, migration and metabolic activity of prostate cells. The both of peptides are present in human seminal plasma at concentration higher than found in blood. The results of many study reported that same processes, for instance inflammation or carcinogenesis involve changes in particular elements of the renin-angiotensin system and relaxin system. Nevertheless, the role of Ang II and Rel-2 peptides in prostate physiology and pathology is still not well known. We examined the relationship between angiotensin, relaxin and prostate cancer induction and progression. The weakly tumorigenic prostate cancer cells LNCaP and aggressively tumorigenic cells PC3 we used as models of early stage androgen-dependent prostate cancer and late androgenindependent stage disease, respectively. The cell viability was measured using the easy and safe colorimetric method based on the reduction of tetrazolium salts by viable cells (WST-1). As an indicator of cell proliferation we using BrdU Assay, based on the detection of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into DNA during the S-phase of cell cycle. Finally, we compared the changes in expression levels of AT1, AT2 and LGR7, LGR8 receptors, before and after peptides treatment (Western Blot). Our dates clearly indicate that Ang II and Rel-2 can regulate cell viability and proliferation in prostate cancer lines. However, the biological properties of this peptides are associated with the hormonal status and invasion potential of examined cells. Our study demonstrated as well that the influence of Ang II and Rel-2 on prostate cells can proceed also by ability to modify the levels of receptors: AT1, AT2 and LGR7, LGR8. In conclusion, the clinical potential of manipulating the angiotensin and relaxin system, seems promising in the treatment prostate cancer. Acknowledgments The study was supported by the Grant no. NN 403 208 139 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland Abstracts 40 P5.4 P5.5 The influence of μ-opioid receptor agonist and antagonist peptides on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) Kinetic characteristic of amino acid derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinone action on Na+, K+-activated Mg2+-ATP hydrolysis depending of coldblooded Ewa Fiedorowicz#, Małgorzata Iwan#, Bartłomiej Kocbach Chair of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Poland #equal contribution e-mail: Ewa Fiedorowicz <[email protected]> Milk is one of the main source of biologically-active peptides that may function as regulatory substances called food hormones. After passing the gut-blood barrier, the μ-opioid receptor agonist and antagonist peptides may become the new factors influencing various functions of the human organism. The aim of the conducted research was to determine the influence of μ-opioid receptor agonist peptides: human and bovine β-casomorphin-7 (h/bBCM7) and antagonistic peptides: casoxin-6 and –D (CXN6/D) on proliferation and cytokine secretion of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The PBMCs proliferation was measured by the use of the BrdU test, which assesses the DNA synthesis activity and the WST1 test which assesses the activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase enzymes. The influence of all the investigated peptides on secretion of IL-4, IL-8, IL-13 and IFN-γ was determined by the use of the ELISA tests. Incubating the cells with the peptides has not caused any changes to their enzymatic activity, which has been proved by a WST-1 test. When using a BrdU test, however, it has been observed that there appear changes to proliferation of PBMCs correlated to amounts of bromodeoxyuridine incorporated into the cellular DNA. Moreover, changes to secretion of IL-4 and IL-13 by the cells under the influence of agonists were detected, as well as changes to secretion of IFN-gamma under the influence of all the examined substances. The obtained results provide information on immunomodulatory effects of food-derived opioid peptides, which may be of clinical significance especially in the case of allergic diseases in newborns. Anastasiya Heneha1, Marta Bura1, Svitlana Mandzynets1, Dmytro Sanagurski1, Volodymyr Novikov2 1Lviv National University of Ivan Franko, Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Ukraine; 2National University “Lviv Politechnic”, Biotechnology of Biologically Active Substances, Ukraine e-mail: Anastasiya Heneha <[email protected]> The substances with structure quinone ring and amino acid residues are interested today. New synthesized substance amino acid derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinone have low toxicity, showing antyhypoxic, anticonvulsant effects. Its can be used in the pharmaceutical industry as drug component with cerebroprotective action. It doesn’t clear cellular mechanisms of influence of substances on biological systems. We used cold-blooded animal embryos (Misgurnus fossilis L.) in synchronous stages of blastomere division as a suitable model for these studies. Previous results demonstrate ultrastructural changes in blastomeres with alanine and aspartic derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinone in the first hours of embryo development revealed: destructive changes hyaloplasm density and inner membrane of mitochondria, partial destruction smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, increasing the number of lysosomes. We shown that the aminoacid derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinone (alanine, asparagine, glutamine) can act as inhibitors. These substances can cause dose-related changes in activity Na+, K+-ATPase embryos during early embryogenesis. The aim of this study was to establish a possible molecular mechanism action of new synthesized substances. We analyzed the kinetic parameters of ATP hydrolysis investigated enzyme system of active transport of Na+ and K+. We used the system of Dixon coordinate for kinetic analysis of ATPase activity. We shown that the investigated substances inhibit ATP hydrolysis by competitive inhibition type. This suggests direct interaction of molecules of amino acid derivatives with catalytic center of ATPase. Linearization of the concentration dependence (potassium salt of 2-α-alanin derivatives of 1,4-naphtoquinone) rate of Na+, K+-depended ATP hydrolysis in embryonic Hill coordinate was found a negative cooperativity (Hill coefficient of <1), that indicate inhibition of transport cycle enzyme molecule by interaction with the studied substance. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 41 P5.6 P5.7 Effective application of novel polymeric nanocomposites for delivery of anticancer drugs at in vivo treatment of murine LPS activates motility of macrophages governed by actin cytoskeleton reassembly Rostyslav Horbay1, Natalia Boiko2, Yelyzaveta Shlyakhtina2, Natalia Mitina3, Anna Ryabtseva3, Olexander Zaichenko3, Rostyslav Stoika2 1Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine; 2Institute of Cell Biology, NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine; 3Lviv National State University, Lviv, Ukraine e-mail: Rostyslav Horbay <[email protected]> We found that a single dose (50 µg) of vinblastine (Vbl) injected to C57-black mice with implanted NK/Ly lymphoma increased to 43% a ratio of tumor cells of bigger size (giant (average diameter equaled 15.4 µm)equaled 15.4 µm), while the parental tumor cell diameter equaled 12.7 µm. The third Vbl injection led to an increase in the ratio of giant lymphoma cells to 83% with average diameter 19.5 µm. When Vbl was conjugated with novel polymeric nanocomposites, a single dose of this drug increased the number of giant lymphoma cells to 85% with average diameter 28 µm. In the last case, the diameter of individual tumor cells in Vbl treated mice achieved 85 µm. It was shown that 10 times lower dose of Vbl (5 µg) delivered by the nanocarriers induced an appearance of tumor cells of average size of 17 µm, and their ratio achieved 53%. Giant cell cycle arrested tumor cells are known to be more resistant to cytostatic and cytotoxic treatments, and can spend weeks in such state (Wheatley, 2008). After the chemotherapeutic action stops, these cells can reenter cell cycle and give rise to daughter cells which possess an inherited resistance to anticancer drug. Vbl was shown to arrest cells in G2/M phase, and these cells could later enter apoptosis, mitotic catastrophe, or return to cell cycling. We found that conjugation of Vbl with the nanocarriers considerably increased cytostatic effect of this drug. We also demonstrated that pre-treatment with Vbl (either free or with nanocarrier) significantly increased tumor cell sensitivity to cytotoxic action of doxorubicin (Dx) conjugated with nanocomposites and injected in 0.1 mg/kg dose. The combined action of two drugs (Vbl and Dx) caused an increase in cell size (27.5 µm), as well as in ratio of giant cells (86%), and significantly decreased the amount of tumor cells. Lymphoma bearing mice treated with Vbl with the nanocarrier or treated with free Vbl and then with Dx immobilized on the nanocarrier, survived while the mice treated with only free Vbl died. We hypothesize that Vbl delivered by the nanocarrier might affect drug resistant NK/Ly cells, probably, due to better action of the drug towards these cells. As a result, tumor cells became more sensitive to the action of Dx. Study of other potential mechanisms of more efficient anticancer action of Vbl delivered to tumor cells by the developed nanocarriers is in progress. Galyna Kleveta1,2, Natalia Sybirna1, Andrzej Sobota2, Katarzyna Kwiatkowska2 1Ivan Franko Lviv National University, Department of Biochemistry, Lviv, Ukraine; 2Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Waesaw, Poland e-mail: Galyna Kleveta <[email protected]> Lipopolysacharide (LPS) is a bacterial component which upon infection induces accumulation of macrophages in tissues and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to sepsis. The aim of these studies was to examine molecular mechanisms governing LPS-stimulated motility of macrophages. We found that macrophage-like J774 cells exposed to 100 ng/ml LPS underwent polarization concomitant with translocation of CD14 and TLR4, LPS receptors, toward the leading edge of the cells. To estimate colocalization of the two receptors, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated on enlarged confocal sections through the leading lamella; the coefficient was in the range of 0.5 with 1 as the maximal value, indicating significant but transient character of the interaction between CD14 and TLR4. This interaction triggered an accumulation of actin filaments and PI(4,5)P2 at the leading edge of cells, with PI(4,5)P2 being visualized by means of GFP-fused PH domain of phospholipase C. Fractionation of Triton X-100 cell lysates revealed that after 20 min, 100 ng/ml LPS induced polymerization of cytoskeletal actin filaments by 50%. This microfilament population appeared at the expense of actin monomers and short filaments composing the plasma membrane skeleton of unstimulated cells. The peak of actin polymerization coincided with maximal elongation of LPS-stimulated cells and formation of ruffles, features typical of motile cells. During 20 min of LPS action the length of cells increased 1.5-fold and the amount of cells with ruffles doubled. Simultaneously, in LPS-stimulated cells an increase of phosphorylation of two actin-regulatory proteins, paxillin at tyrosine 118 by 80% and N-WASP at serine 484/485 by 20%, was detected. Protein phosphorylation and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton were diminished by PP2, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases of the Src family. Our data indicate that LPS-stimulated motility of macrophages is driven by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton controlled by Src family kinases and PI(4,5)P2. An inhibition of leukocyte motility can provide a means to limit the inflammatory reactions toward LPS. Abstracts 42 P5.8 P5.9 A new open reading frame of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encoding a protein likely involved in the regulation of Pol II transcription Tyrosine kinases of the Src family participate in activation of macrophages by LPS Piotr Kowalec, Anna Chełstowska, Anna Kurlandzka Kinga Borzęcka, Andrzej Sobota, Kazimiera Mrozińska, Katarzyna Kwiatkowska Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Laboratory of Plasma Membrane Receptors, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Piotr Kowalec <[email protected]> e-mail: Katarzyna Kwiatkowska <[email protected]> Sister chromatid cohesion complex is responsible for accurate segregation of chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the complex is composed of three core proteins Scc1/Mcd1, Smc2 and Smc3, and the Irr1/Scc3 protein whose role is poorly understood. All these proteins are evolutionarily conserved. It is becoming evident that Irr1p and its mammalian homologues participate not only in chromosome segregation but also in the regulation of transcription serving as transcription co-activators. In the heterozygous diploid strain irr1‑1/ IRR1, bearing one wild-type and one non-functional allele, we found a significant decrease of transcription concerning ca. 30 genes. These genes were identified by microarray and RT-PCR analyses. To identify proteins which may be involved in transcription regulation by Irr1p we performed a two-hybrid assay with C-terminal part of Irr1p as bait. We identified a prey clone carrying a fragment of chromosome IV. According to data bases, this region contains two open reading frames which encode vaguely characterized hypothetical proteins. By de novo sequencing we identified, however, a single 1183 amino acids-long ORF. In a genome-scale genetic analysis (Constanzo et al., 2010) deletion of a fragment of this ORF interacted genetically with numerous proteins involved in transcription and chromatin remodeling. In an independent two-hybrid assay we found another Irr1p interactor, involved in chromatin remodeling. We identified new interactors of this protein involved in the regulation of transcription — subunits of the mediator complex. Mediator is recruited to enhancer regions by activator proteins and associates with RNA polymerase II. Since deletion of any of the new Irr1p interactors-encoding genes causes chromosome segregation errors we believe that we found links between transcription and chromosome segregation. Upon infection with Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates macrophages and neutrophils leading to life-threatening sepsis. Double knock-out mice of hck and fgr genes encoding two protein tyrosine kinases of the Src family gained resistance to lethal doses of LPS, which suggests that these kinase can be crucial for stimulation of cells by LPS. The aim of these studies was to establish an engagement of Src tyrosine kinases in stimulation of macrophages by LPS. We found that an exposure of J774 and RAW264 macrophage-like cells to 100 ng/ml LPS induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins including those in the range of 70–50 kDa. Among these proteins we identified paxillin/Hic-5 which underwent phosphorylation at Tyr118 residue. Phosphorylation of paxillin/Hic-5 increased two-fold at 20 min of cell stimulation with LPS and returned to its basal level within 1 h of LPS action. Paxillin/Hic-5 interact, among others, with kinases of the Src family. Inhibition of the activity of these kinases with PP2 led to an inhibition of phosphorylation of paxillin/Hic-5 and concomitant inhibition of LPS-stimulated motility of cells. To analyze an engagement of Lyn, one of the major kinases of the Src family in macrophages, in LPS-induced protein phosphorylation we analyzed activity of the kinase, reflected by phosphorylation of its Tyr396 residue. To our surprise we found that activity of Lyn was inhibited shortly after exposure of cells to 100 ng/ml LPS. At 20 min of LPS action, phosphorylation of Tyr396 was reduced by 40% and remained at this level during 1 h of LPS stimulation. This Lyn inactivation was also seen in cells serumstarved prior to LPS stimulation. After overexpression of Lyn WT and stimulation of cells with LPS, an inhibition of the kinase activity indicated by dephoshorylation of Tyr396 was detected, similarly as found in mock transfected cells Our data suggest that activity of some of the kinases of the Src family is required for LPS-induced phosphorylation of proteins, including that of paxillin/Hic-5. However, Lyn kinase of the family does not seem to be engaged in these events as its activity is inhibited in LPS-treated cells. References Costanzo M et al. (2010) Science 327: 425-431. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P5.10 P5.11 EGF and Herceptin influence on proliferation, adhesion and glucose consumption of tumor cells MCF-7 Beta-catenin functions in embryonic and postnatal heart formation K. Nepyyvoda, K. Lavrova, L. Garmanchuk, L. Ostapchenko Educational and Scientific Centre “Institute of Biology” of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Department of Biochemistry, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Khrystyna Nepyyvoda <[email protected]> Aim: to investigate proliferation, adhesion and glucose consumption of tumor cells MCF-7 under the action of EGF and Herceptin. Methods: MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cells were cultured in DMEM medium (Sigma, USA) supplemented with 10% FBS (Sigma, USA) at the standard conditions. Tumor cells were incubated with EGF (obtained from submandibular mouse glands) and Herceptin (Roshe, France) during 72 h. Proliferation was determined using MTT-test and analyzed on flow cytofluorimeter. Adhesion was evaluated after staining of cells with crystal violet. The level of glucose in the incubation medium were analyzed using standard kits (Philisit Diagnostics, Ukraine). Results: It was shown that proliferation of tumor cells MCF-7 amplified for 49% (p<0.05) by incubation with EGF, while Herceptin caused decrease of this index on 16% compared with control. Adhesion of MCF-7 cells under the action of EGF increased on 47% (p<0.05) compared with control, whereas Herceptin did not cause significant changes of studied parameter. There also were identified changes in the consumption of glucose by tumor cells as a result of incubation with test agents. Thus, under the influence of EGF the level of glucose consumption by MCF-7 decreased 36% (p<0.05), while under the action of Herceptin this setting increased 32% (p<0.05) compared with control. Thus, we showed opposing effects of EGF and Herceptin, which is an anti-idiotype toward EGF, on tumor cells MCF-7, in particular on the proliferative activity, adhesion, as well as the level of glucose consumption. 43 Оksana О. Piven1, Іgor E. Коsteskii1, Larysa L. Маcewicz1, Glenn Radice2, Lubov L. Lukash1 1Іnstitute of Molecular Biology and Genetic, Humans Genetics Department, Ukraine; 2Jefferson Medical College, USA e-mail: Oksana Piven <[email protected]> The adherens junction (Ajs) provides strong cell-cell adhesion, which is mediated by the cadherin/catenin complex via linkage to the actin cytoskeleton. In addition, members of the cadherin/catenin complex play important roles in cell signalling. One of the member of Ajs, β-catenin is necessary for zygotic, blastocyst development throws its adhesive and signaling function. Loss of zygotic β-catenin allows normal blastocyst development results ethality. These phenomena are not caused by the loss of cell–cell adhesion, which is maintained by plakoglobin, but because of a deficiency in canonical Wnt signalling. Inhibition of Wnt signalling is required for early cardiogenesis. Conversely, β-catenin signalling is required for the septation of cardiac chambers. Aims: Requirement of β-catenin for embryo and postnatal heart development. Result: In our investigations, we have demonstrated that ablation of β-catenin after embryonic day 5.5 (after chamber specification) does not lead to lethality, probably due to functional redundancy of β-catenin by plakoglobin, similar to that found in the adult heart. For studying how the ablation of β-catenin reflected on postnatal heart formation and function we crossed β-cateninflox/+, αMHC-Cre mice with β-cateninflox/flox. Genotyping of β-catenin newborn mice revealed that homozygous mutant mice are underrepresented, suggesting that some mice may be dying in utero, probably at late gestation. Thus, only 10% of mice born had a genotype of Cre-αMHC+, β-cateninflox/β-cateninflox, and 33.3% of these mice were dead. In these experiments we obtained 20% heterozygous animals (genotype Cre+, β-catflox/-) and 16.6% of these heterozygotes were born dead. Abstracts 44 P5.12 P5.13 Impact of izatison on nucleic metabolism of wheat sprouts Stem cell-like properties of CD133+ cell subpopulation of mouse and human colon cancer cell lines — a potential target for novel anti-cancer therapies Olena Martynenko1, Tamara Kyrylenko1, Andriy Stepanyugin1, Nadezhda AdamchukChala2, Dmytro Plodnik3, Anatoliy Potopalsky1 1Institute Ukraine; 2Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of of Botanics, NAS of Ukraine; 3National University of Food Technologies, Ukraine e-mail: Dmytro Plodnik <[email protected]> Developed technologies of controlled plant growing using effects of various moderating external factors, e.g., Izatison (Iz) — antivirus, antitumor and antibacterial preparation — explain the necessity to study mechanisms through which these factors affect plant organisms. The goal of this research was to study how Iz affects the state of genetic apparatus of plant cells using RNA/DNA analysis and electronic microscopy of apikal meristem cells nuclei. We used wheat sprouts in the experiments: the wheat seeds were treated with Iz for 1 hour prior to planting in the sand. We were studying the effect of this chemical factor on changes in the indicators of nucleic gomeostasis (RNA & DNA) in plants every day for 20 days. Based on the obtained data we calculated the RNA/DNA ratio, which is a multifunctional characteristic of cells that also reflects the intensity of nucleic metabolism process (NMP). As a result of the experiment we established that one-time treatment of seeds with Iz led to changes in NMP of experimental sprouts in almost all time periods of the study. These changes were in opposite direction for experimental versus control sprouts. The minimum value of RNA/ DNA ratio was 2.8–3.9 for all studied samples except for control samples of 5-days plants with the ratio of 11.5. The maximum levels of intensity observed in NMP of control sprouts attained 16.0 (by day 4), 14.0 (by day 6) and 12.3 (by day 10), whereas in the experimental samples these numbers ranged from 14.7 (by day 5) to 11.1 (by day 17). Specifically, we found that NMP switches on later in treated plants as compared to control ones, however, its level was merely identical to the level of control plants. Further, we show that under the effect of Iz in the process of wheat sprouts development, increases and decreases in the intensity of NMP were accompagnied by corresponding changes in ultrastructural organization of wheat meristem cells and their nuclei. In sum, the obtained data show the sensitivity of wheat cells genetic apparatus to the effect of Iz. The study of biological effects of Iz continues. References are available from authors. Małgorzata Przybyszewska1, Agnieszka Kotlarz1, Ewa Bielczyk2, Joanna Miłoszewska1, Halina Trembacz1, Paweł Swoboda1, Agnieszka Lipiec1, Beata Grygalewicz1, Marzena Biernacka1, Andrzej Kutner3, Sergiusz Markowicz1 1Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center - Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland; 2University of Warsaw, Department of Cytology, Poland; 3Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland; e-mail: Małgorzata Przybyszewska <[email protected]> CD133/Prominin-1 is proposed as a stem cell surface marker that can be used to identify and isolate cells of cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype in a number of human and mouse tumors and tumor-derived cell lines. We have previously identified a minor CD133+ cell subpopulation in CT-26 mouse colon cancer cell line by flow cytometry. A proportion of CD133+ cells among CT-26 cells in vitro decreased after exposure to cytoreductive drug doxorubicin followed by exposure to tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib. We developed a two-step therapy to target in vivo CT-26 cells resistant to doxorubicin by a subsequent treatment of mice with imatinib. Such therapy inhibited growth of CT26 tumors in mice more efficiently than treatment with doxorubicine or with imatinib alone. In this study we evaluated properties of mouse CD133+ CT-26 colon cancer cells and human CD133+ HT-29 adenocarcinoma cells with a high expression of glycosylated AC133 epitope of CD133 protein. Such subpopulations are potential targets for therapy aimed to eliminate cancer stem-like cells. CD133+ cells were isolated using MACS Microbead system to test their growth potential, clonogenicity, migration, and resistance to cytostatic drugs. A clonogenic and growth potential of CT-26 cell fraction enriched in CD133+ cells was at least two times higher than that of non-separated CT-26 cells, but decreased to the control level after two/three weeks of culture. CT-26 cells overexpress receptors associated with stem-like phenotype, i.e. PDGFRA and B; the molecular targets of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and therefore are sensitive to imatinib treatment. Imatinib decreased viability of CD133+ CT-26 cells measured in the MTT assay and reduced their capability to migrate from spheroids in vitro. Percentage of CD133+ cells decreased following treatment of HT-29 cells with 5’FU in vitro. HT-29 cells pre-treated with 5’FU were separated to CD133+ and CD133- cell fractions. Cell growth and clonogenicity of CD133+ cell fraction were significantly higher as compared to CD133- cell fraction. It suggests that cells responsible for cell repopulation and cancer recurrence after exposure to conventional anti-cancer drugs are found preferentially among HT-29 and CT-26 cells expressing AC133 epitope of CD133. Therefore such pre-selected subpopulation of CD133+ cells will be used in further studies to search for drugs targeting CSC directly or inducing CSC differentiation to reduce their drug resistance. Acknowledgements Supported by Grant MNISW NN402139738. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P5.14 P5.15 Low-level laser irradiation effect on membrane-related processes in loach embryo cells Effect of low intensity diod laser irradiation towards normal and transformed fibroblast cell lines Myroslava Romaniuk, Oksana Neofita, Natalia Holovchak, Maria Dyka, Dmytro Sanahursky L. Rudavska1,2, I. Novitskyi1, O. Kluchivska3, R. Stoika3 Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Department of Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Lviv, Ukraine e-mail: Myroslava Romaniuk <[email protected]> Recently, in clinical practice is commonly used laser irradiation. However, its mechanism of action remains at the hypothesis. Biological membranes play an important role not only in maintaining ionic homeostasis of the cell but also participate in regulation of cell division, cell proliferation and development of the organism, and is the center of morphogenetic processes of early development. The cell changes depends of the state of the membrane and process lipid oxidation of membrane components. We researched the impact of laser irradiation on lipid peroxidation and membrane transport properties, include the functioning of Na+,K+-ATPase in loach embryo cells. The useful model for our issue is a loach embryo cell during early embryogenesis. We noted that lipid peroxidation (LPO) to get maximum level on stage 2 blastomers with laser irradiation and it is 130%. We found that laser irradiation provides low energy stimulation to cells, which results in increased activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) on stage 64 blastomers at 170%, following 5 min irradiation. When on stage 2 blastomers the laser irradiation following 1 min leads to decrease activity of the this enzyme on 12.3% compared with control. Laser irradiation can cause Na+,K+-ATPase dysfunction through the intensification of LPO in membrane. We noted laser irradiation exposure at 1 min and 5 min on stage 2 blastomers of embryos leads to decrease membrane enzyme activity on 63.70% and 58.94% compared with control respectively. Our results extend the notion of probable mechanisms of action at laser irradiation membrane-related processes, including the functioning of Na+,K+-ATPase and membrane lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection of organism. The aim next our study was to establish whether laser irradiation is able to cause changes in compounds membrane proteins. For control on the dynamics of fractions membranes proteins of the embryo using method PAAG electroforesis with SDS and β-mercaptoethanol. 45 1Lviv National Medical University; 2Lviv Regional Military Hospital; 3Institute of Cell Biology, NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine e-mail: Lidiya Rudavska <[email protected]> Application of laser irradiation in industry and medicine is rapidly growing. Effect of low intensity laser light interaction with human skin fibroblast has been studied by using nano-probes with emission of He–Ne laser [1]. An enhancement of cell proliferation dependent on the energy dose of laser irradiation was found. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Diod 810 nm laser emission towards proliferation of the fibroblast lines differing in the level of malignant transformation. Methods: The effect of Iridex IQ 810 multifunctional laser system on the population of normal (ВALB 3T3) and transformed (L929) murine fibroblast lines was studied. The cells were irradiated under different exposure schemes: 1) irradiating cells with micropulse mode (22 impulses were applied with 200 milliseconds each); 2) continuous laser emission was applied with 2000 and 1000 mW power). During the next seven days after laser irradiation, cytomorphometric study (counting the number of alive and dead cells, and evaluating metabolic potential of cells by using MTT-test) was performed. Results: During the first 2 days after laser irradiation, there were no significant differences in the proliferation activity of two fibroblast cell lines subjected to either micropulse or continuous laser emission. On the third day, cell cultures treated with continuous laser emission mode demonstrated higher amount of alive cells in comparison to cell cultures exposed to the micropulse laser irradiation, although, in general, micropulse laser treatment was less damaging for the fibroblastic cells. There was no significant difference in proliferative activity between cell cultures treated with either 1000 mW or 2000 mW modes, but in both cases such activity on the fifth day was higher than in control (untreated) cell cultures. In general, the laser-enhanced proliferative activity of normal (ВALB 3T3) was higher than such activity of the malignant transformed (L929) murine fibroblast line. The results of MTT-testing of the treated cells confirmed this dynamics. Conclusion: Diod 810 nm laser irradiation enhances proliferation of both normal (ВALB 3T3) and transformed (L929) murine fibroblast lines. This effect is more pronounced in normal cell cultures. Micropulse laser emission is less damaging for cells than continuous laser irradiation. Acknowledgements 1. Gopalendu Pal et al. (2007) J Photochem Photobiol B: Biol 86: 252–261. Abstracts 46 P5.16 P5.17 Influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on GJP-43 gene and connexin-43 protein expression in experimental models of ischemia-reperfusion and diabetes mellitus MGST1 downregulation increases PC12 cells susceptibility to oxidative stress A. Shysh1, A. Zhukovska1, J. Radosinska2, B. Bacova2, N. Tribulova2, V. Dosenko1, A. Moibenko1 1Bogomoletz 2Institute Institute of Physiology, Kyiv, Ukraine; for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia e-mail: Anzhela Shysh <[email protected]> Background: Many studies indicate that dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have cardioprotective properties. It is not clear still whether n-3 PUFAs have beneficial effects on connexin-43 (Cx43) expression, the major gap junctions cardiac protein, crucial for cell-to-cell communication and functioning of the heart. The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of n-3 PUFAs on Cx43 protein and GJP-43 gene expression in the condition of experimental myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and diabetes mellitus. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: the control group including intact rats, and the group receiving n-3 PUFAs in diet (0.1 mg/kg for 4 weeks). The isolated hearts of animals from both groups were exposed to global 20 min lasting ischemia followed by 40 min reperfusion (I/R). Model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats was used and n-3 PUFAs diet was applied on the 3rd day after STZ injection for 4 weeks. Results: In hearts undergoing I/R n-3 PUFAs treatment resulted in increased expression of total myocardial Cx43 protein by 14.8 % compared with control. Moreover, n-3 PUFAs elevated GJP-43 (to a code connexin 43) mRNA expression in 2.27 folds in rats hearts. In addition, n-3 PUFAs elevated mRNA expression of fatty acid transport protein (FATP) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) genes in 2.25 and 8.4 folds respectively in adult rats tissues. In diabetic hearts the total level of Cx43 protein and its phosphorylated forms were increased, while application of n-3 PUFA normalized Cx43 expression as well as its phosphorylated forms. Conclusions: Results indicate that omega-3 PUFAs stimulate GJP-43 mRNA expression most likely via stimulation of PPAR target genes expression likewise to FATP and IL-1ra. Application of n-3 PUFAs modulation of Cx43 protein expression and suppression of diabetes-induced hyper-phosphorylatation of Cx43 may be beneficial for protection of cell-to-cell communication and heart function. Acknowledgements Supported by SRDA SK-UA-0022-09 grants. Monika Sobczak, Tomasz Boczek, Ludmila Zylinska Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University, Lodz, Poland e-mail: Monika Sobczak <[email protected]> Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) belongs to the superfamily of Membrane Associated Proteins in Eicosanoid and Glutathione Metabolism (MAPEG) enzymes. It constitutes about 3% of reticulum endoplasmic membrane proteins and approximately 5% in the outer mitochondrial and plasma membranes. MGST1 possesses a glutathione transferase as well as peroxidase activity, and it plays an important role in the cellular protection. The aim of our study was to analyse of MGST1 role on cell function using a stable-transfected PC12 lines with suppressed MGST1 (PC12_M). Real-time PCR and Western blot assays confirmed decline of MGST1 expression. Also an immunocytochemical staining showed its lowered amount in PC12_M line. The first morphological changes in PC12_M cells we observed after 48 hours, including larger tendency to grow in clusters, irregular shape of bodies and short neurites outgrowth. Moreover, flow cytometry analyses revealed a higher percentage of necrotic cells. To elucidate the role of MGST1 in protection against oxidative stress, we studied the cytotoxic action of hydrogen peroxide on viability of PC12 cell lines using WST assay. After treatment with 1mM of hydrogen peroxide for 24, 48 and 72 h the viability of PC12_M decreased more significantly than in control cells.These results indicate on unique role of MGST1 in the cell resistance to the stress conditions. In addition, it suggests that MGST1 activity cannot be compensated by other glutathione transferases. Acknowledgements Supported by the grant 502-03/6-086/502-64-003 from the Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P5.18 P5.19 Effects of silver nanoparticles on some parameter of rabbit’s granulose cells and its ability to promote the maturation of rabbit’s oocytes in vitro Changes of the levels of reactive oxygen species in cells exposed to ionizing radiation Syrvatka1, Hevkan1, Y. Slyvchuk1, V. J. I. I. I. G. O. Milovanova2, O. J. Yrkiv1, O. V. Shtapenko1, S. V. Fyodorova1, I. O. Matuha1, I. I. Rozgoni1 1Institute of Animal Biology NAAS, Department Ukraine; 2Taras Shevchenko National University Biochemistry, Ukraine of Biotechnology, of Kyiv, Department of e-mail: Vasyl Syrvatka <[email protected]> Among antibacterial agents, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have the greatest toxic effect against multi-resistant gramnegative and gram-positive bacteria, viruses, fungi and some protozoa. It is used in different fields of medicine since years, e.g. as prophylaxis of infection diseases, in wound healing or in biomaterials. However, it’s little known about influence of AgNPs on oocyte-granulosa cell interactions at oocytes maturation to metaphase II. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml) AgNPs (size 5 nm) in cultural medium on ability of rabbits granulosa cells to promote the maturation of oocytes, some biological functions (proliferation, synthesis of progesterone) and same biochemical parameters of cultural medium (lactate dehydrogenase activity, concentration of total protein, albumin, Ca, P, glucose and cholesterol) in oocyte-granulosa culture system after 24 hours of in vitro cultivation. Oocytes and granulosa cells were collected from ovaries of slaughtered rabbits. Maturation media consisted of TCM 199 supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, FCS, FSH, LH, estradiol, gentamicin and different concentration of AgNPs. 20 oocytes of high quality and 106 granulosa cells/ ml were seeded in cultural dish and kept in maturation medium in CO2 incubator at 38oC. After 24 hours of cultivation culture medium was sampled to determinate some biochemical parameters using commercial kits. Number of viability granulose cells was counted after Trypan blue staining. Oocytes maturation was evaluated for the presence of first polar body using Giemsa stain. The results showed the concentration-dependent effect AgNPs on granulosa cell proliferation and some biochemical parameters. There were no significant difference in all measured findings between 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 µg/ml AgNPs in medium. However, concentration of 10 µg/ml AgNPs impacted changes in some biochemical parameters (increasing of lactate dehydrogenase activity and concentration of total protein, albumin and Ca) compare without AgNPs in culture medium. There were no significant differences among all investigated concentrations of AgNPs on rate of rabbit’s oocytes maturation. The data obtained from given study showed that silver nanoparticles in concentration 0.01-1 µg/ml had no toxic effect on granulosa cells and oocyte maturation in vitro. Concentration, higher that 1 µg/ml influences changes in some biochemical parameters. 47 Artur Cieślar-Pobuda1, Yuriy Saenko2, Magdalena Skonieczna1, Sebastian Student1, Joanna Rzeszowska-Wolny1 1Biosystems Group, Institute of Automatic Control, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland; 2Center of Nanotechnology, Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk, Russian Federation e-mail: Artur Cieślar-Pobuda <[email protected]> The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the key events in the response of cells to exposure to ionizing radiation, but it may occur also in response to other stressing factors. ROS induced directly by radiation are short-lived, but ROS levels can increase further in the later stages of the cellular response to radiation, even hours or days after exposure. Significant differences are observed between cell types in the levels and time of appearance of these second ROS waves. Increased levels of ROS in irradiated cells are important because they can influence many cellular processes and cause different types of damage to cellular macromolecules. Here we present results of experiments in which ROS levels, DNA damage, mitochondrial potential, and mitochondrial mass were measured at different time after exposure of human lymphoblastoid (K562), melanoma (Me45) and fibroblast (NHDF) cell lines to 4 or 12 Gy of ionizing radiation. Intracellular ROS were measured by flow cytometry using the probe 2,7-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), and mitochondrial membrane potential and mass were assayed by methods using tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and 10-nonyl bromide acridine orange (NAO), respectively. The poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) activity was inhibited with NU-1025 inhibitor. In experiments aiming to study the influence of mitochondrial status on ROS levels, rotenone was used to inhibit the mitochondrial respiratory chain. In all cell lines, exposure of cells to Xrays caused an accumulation of ROS, increased levels of DNA strand breaks and, except for Me45 cells, a cell cycle block in the G2 phase. A 30–40% increase in ROS level was observed in melanoma cells immediately after irradiation, which persisted for the next 48 hours. A rise in ROS level was observed in K562 cells only during the first minutes after irradiation, and then the level decreased and a second ROS wave occurred 12–48 hours later. This second increase of ROS level was accompanied by an increase of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and could be diminished by inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and surprisingly increased by the inhibition of PARP-1 activity in first minutes after irradiation. The changes of ROS levels observed in irradiated cells seem to be a common phenomenon with cell type specificity, and may play a role in the global response of cell populations to radiation. The first steps of DNA damage repair which engage PARP-1 activation may influence further ROS induction steps however the mechanism remains unclear. Session 6: Transporters in adaptation to hostile environments Lectures L6.2 L6.1 Mechanism and selectivity in the bacterial Na+/H+ antiporter On the molecular mechanism of the AcrB RND-efflux pump Klaas Martinus Pos Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Germany e-mail: Klaas Pos <[email protected]> AcrAB-TolC is the major efflux protein complex in Escherichia coli extruding a vast variety of antimicrobial agents from the cell. The functional unit of inner membrane component AcrB is a homotrimer and the monomers adopt three different conformations designated loose (L), tight (T) and open (O). It is postulated that the AcrB monomers cycle consecutively through these three conformational stages in a concerted fashion, from L to T to O and back to L, much in analogy to the functional rotation observed for the synthesis of ATP by the F1FO-ATPase. For the asymmetric AcrB homotrimer, binding of drugs has been shown in the T monomer at an internal hydrophobic binding pocket. The initial drug binding step and the transport towards the internal periplasmic drug binding site in the T conformation presumably mediated by an intrinsic tunnel system has been elusive thus far due to the lack of high resolution AcrB/drug co-crystal structures. Here we report high resolution structures (2.0–2.25 Å) of AcrB/DARPin complexes with bound minocyclin or doxorubicin. The binding and release of drugs has its structural basis in large conformational changes of the periplasmic porter domain implied to be energized by protonation and deprotonation events in the transmembrane domain. The four functionally essential transmembrane residues D407, D408, K940 and R971 constitute a proton relay network in the AcrB membrane domain. The presence of ordered waters exhibited by the high resolution structures allows us to deduce a pathway for proton-transfer. Isaiah T. Arkin The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Department of Biological Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmund J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem, Israel e-mail: Isaiah Arkin <Israel. [email protected]> Na+/H+ antiporters are found in all kingdoms of life and are essential for maintaining salt and pH homeostasis. Therefore the solved structure of NhaA from E. coli provides a unique opportunity to investigate the mechanism of this central protein family. Using experimental and computational analyses we provide a model for the mechanism and cation selectivity of the protein. The mechanism of the protein is based on two adjacent Asp residues. One serves as the Na+ binding site, while the other controls the alternating accessibility of the protein. Together we show how the two residues act in concert to pump the cation at the expense of two protons. Secondly, we show that the mechanism of selectivity amongst cations in the protein is unexpected. Specifically, all alkali cations are capable of binding the protein despite the fact that only Li+ and Na+ are transported, thereby distinguishing between futile and productive binding. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 L6.3 Oral presentations Molecular mechanism of betaine transport and stress regulation by the Na+-coupled symporter BetP O6.1 Christine Ziegler Department Structural Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany e-mail: Christine Ziegler <[email protected]> Na+-coupled The symporter BetP, a member of the Betaine-Choline-Carnitine-Transporter (BCCT) family catalyzes uptake of the osmolyte betaine in Corynebacterium glutamicum. BetP also senses hyperosmotic stress and regulates its own activity according to the stress level. Four X-ray structures of BetP in different conformations reveal the translocation pathway of sodium and betaine towards the cytoplasm. While the coordination of the conserved high affinity sodium binding site was shown by structural and functional studies, the location of a second Na+ binding site that varies in transporters sharing the LeuT-fold was predicted based on symmetry consideration between the inverted repeats and confirmed by mutagenesis studies. Moreover, the binding order of betaine and the two sodium ions during secondary transport was determined. Furthermore structural and functional data on single point mutants of BetP that exhibit changed substrate and cosubstrate specificity elucidate the coupling mechanism in BetP. BetP adjusts its transport rate according to the external osmotic conditions. The stress stimulus sensed by BetP is the cytoplasmic K+ concentration, which increases immediately with increasing external osmolality. BetP regulates activity only when it is trimeric as shown by mutagenesis and functional analysis. X-ray structures and electron microscopy data revealed that intra-trimeric interactions between protomers lock individual protomers in distinct conformations of the catalytic and regulatory cycle as observed by a pronounced conformational asymmetry within the BetP trimer. Specific lipid-protein interactions play an additional role in transport activation and regulation. Negatively charged POPG lipids are bound to the hydrophobic central cavity of the trimer and to functional important scaffolds of one protomer contributing to the observed conformational asymmetry. X-ray structures of BetP in K+-activated conformations reveal a sophisticated regulatory mechanism in which lipids participate in the formation of K+ binding sites. 49 Heterogeneous expression of the human sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter 2b in ovarian cancer and normal ovaries M. A. Shyian1, 2, V. S. Gryshkova1, O. I. Kostianets1,2, V. V. Filonenko1, R. G. Kiyamova1 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, Department of Cell Signaling, Ukraine; 2Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Maksym Shyian <[email protected]> Recently, sodium dependent phosphate transporter NaPi2b was revealed as potential marker for breast, thyroid, lung and ovarian cancer. In vivo, NaPi2b is involved in maintenance of phosphate homeostasis and mutations or aberrant expressions of its gene (SLC34A2) are associated with several diseases including cancer. However, data about NaPi2b mRNA expression in different types of tumors and correspondent normal tissues are controversial and restricted. The main purpose of this study was to estimate the SLC34A2 gene expression in normal ovary and different types of ovarian tumors. We investigated SLC34A2 gene expression level in normal ovarian tissues and different histomorphological types of ovarian tumors (papillary serous, endometrioid, unspecified adenocarcinoma tumors, benign tumors) using realtime PCR analysis. It was found that SLC34A2 gene was highly expressed in well-differentiated endometrioid and papillary serous tumors, but was not expressed in lowdifferentiated tumors, benign tumors and in most normal tissues. mRNA expression of SLC34A2 in serouse and endometrioid ovarian tumors accurately correlated with protein expression that was detected in these tumor samples by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry in our previous investigation. Immunohistochemical analysis of ovarian cancer samples confirmed that NaPi2b expresses predominantly in well-differentiated ovarian carcinomas at the cytoplasmic membrane of more differentiated cancer cells, but in some cases NaPi2b in ovarian cancer cells was also observed in cytoplasm and nucleus, where its role is completely unclear and needs to be further investigated. Analysis of SLC34A2 gene expression according to tumor differentiation level (poor- and well-differentiated) showed that SLC34A2 tends to increased level of gene expression in well differentiated tumors and decreased level in poor differentiated tumors. Better differentiated tumors usually have lower neoplastic grade and therefore have better prognosis. It is possible that the molecular pathways leading to low grade (welldifferentiated) tumors require the expression of SLC34A2. Thus, upregulation of SLC34A2 gene expression in welldifferentiated cells of ovarian tumors may reflect cell differentiation processes during ovarian cancerogenesis and could serve as a potential marker for ovarian cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Abstracts 50 O6.2 Posters Regulation of amino acid/carnitine transporter B0,+ (ATB0,+) by protein kinase C P6.1 Łukasz Samluk1, Magdalena Czeredys1, Krzysztof Skowronek1,2, Katarzyna A. Nałęcz1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Łukasz Samluk <[email protected]> Plasma membrane transporter B0,+ (ATB0,+) transports neutral and basic amino acids, as well as carnitine (with low affinity) in a Na/Cl-dependent way, being a member of a superfamily coded by SLC6 genes, containing neurotransmitters, amino acids and osmolytes transporters, whose activity can be modulated post-translationally. There are 2 potential protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation sites within ATB0,+ amino acid sequence, therefore the possibility of post-translational regulation of ATB0,+ by this kinase were investigated with PKC activator (phorbol-12-myristate13-acetate, PMA) and inhibitor (bisindolylmaleimide, BIS II). The experiments were performed both, in the primary culture of rat astrocytes and HEK 293 cells overexpressing rat ATB0,+ after transfection with p3xFLAG-CMV/ B0,+ vector containing cloned SLC6a14 gene tagged with 3xFLAG coding sequence at a C-terminus of the fusion protein. Immunoprecipitation experiments with anti-B0,+ antibodies (astrocytes) and anti-FLAG antibodies (HEK 293 cells overexpressing B0,+) demonstrated in B0,+ presence of phosphoserine, the amount of which augmented after PMA, a process reversed after BIS II pretreatment. An increase of phosphoserine amount was correlated with higher rate of [3H]leucine transport, both in astrocytes and HEK 293 cells and the sensitivity of leucine accumulation to arginine as well as to Na+ and Cl- removal confirmed functioning of ATB0,+. Biotinylation of plasma membrane proteins, followed by purification with Avidin Agarose Resin demonstrated an increased amount of ATB0,+ in plasma membrane after PKC activation, without any change of the total amount of the transporter. This observation, together with an increased Vmax of leucine transport, point to activation of ATB0,+ due to its phosphorylation by PKC by a process of trafficking to plasma membrane from a pre-existing intracellular pool. All the effects observed after PMA treatment indicate an involvement of classical and/ or novel isoform(s) of PKC, the identity of which has been under investigation. Acknowledgements Work supported by grant 4427/B/P01/38 from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and by the statutory funds of the Nencki Institute. [1,2-3H(N)]cholesterol redistribution and sodium-dependent glutamate uptake in cholesterol-enriched rat brain nerve terminals Roman Sivko, Natalia Krisanova, Tatiana Borisova Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, NAS of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine e-mail: T Borisova <[email protected]> The effects of the complex of cholesterol acceptor methylbeta-cyclodextrin (MCD) with cholesterol, which enriched the plasma membrane by cholesterol, and MCD alone on the activity of sodium-dependent glutamate transporters were assessed in rat brain synaptosomes. MCD did not alter membrane integrity, the addition of 10 mM MCD from the both side of planar lipid bilayer did not change the transmembrane current in 100 мМ NaCl. It was shown that the application of the complex 15 mM MCD-cholesterol (1:0.2) increased the level of cholesterol in rat brain nerve terminals from 0.7 ± 0.04 mmol/mg of protein to 1.4 ± 0.08 mmol/mg of protein (P≤0.05, n=4). The application of 15 mM MCD alone decreased the level of cholesterol in synaptosomes by ~25%. Using [1,2-3H(N)]cholesterol, we demonstrated that the treatment of nerve terminals with complex MCD-[1,23H(N)]cholesterol (1:0.2) (following by depletion of the complex from the incubation media by washing of the synaptosomal preparation) accompanied with the transfer of [1,2-3H(N)]cholesterol from the plasma membrane to synaptic vesicles. The level of [1,2-3H(N)]cholesterol in synaptic vesicle fraction consisted of ~20% from total amount of synaptosomal radioactivity. Thus, extra cholesterol was redistributed between the plasma membrane and intracellular membranes of nerve terminals. It was shown that the initial velocity of L-[14C]glutamate uptake was increased from 2.5 ± 0.3 nmol × min–1 × mg of protein–1 to 3.5 ± 0.3 nmol × min-1 × mg of protein –1 during application of the complex MCD-cholesterol (1:0.2) (P≤0,05, n=8), whereas decreased two times after the treatment with MCD alone. Thus, cholesterol is a potent endogenous modulator, which can modulate glutamate uptake processes. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 51 P6.2 P6.3 Permeability coefficient determination of bovine erythrocytes for glycerol and DMSO Research of dogs’ bone marrow cells safety after cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen Olga Denysova,1 Larisa Vodopyanova,1 Gennadiy Zhegunov1, Johannes M. Nitsche2 Larisa Vodopyanova1, Olga Denysova2 1Department of Biochemistry, Kharkov State Veterinary Academy, Mala Danilovka, Dergachy district, Kharkov region, Ukraine; 2Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA 1Department of Physiology, Kharkov State Zooveterinary Academy, Malaya Danilovka, Kharkov region, Ukraine; 2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kharkov State Zooveterinary Academy, Malaya Danilovka, Kharkov region, Ukraine e-mail: Larisa Vodopyanova <[email protected]> e-mail: Olga Denysova <[email protected]> Insofar as cryoprotectant molecules must enter erythrocytes to be effective, quantitative understanding of the permeability of the cell membrane to these molecules has long been key to the mechanistic understanding of their function. This talk describes a novel revisitation of permeability determinations by osmotic shock, in which: (i) crenation occurs essentially instantaneously upon immersion of erythrocytes in a concentrated cryoprotector solution, followed by slow membrane penetration of the cryoprotector over a specific period Dt, and (ii) hemolysis occurs upon subsequent removal of the erythrocytes from the concentrated cryoprotector solution and immersion in saline if Dt was long enough for so much cryoprotector to have entered that the final osmotically equilibrated cell volume exceeds the mechanical threshold of the membrane. Classical approaches rely on a separate experiment to determine the “critical” threshold volume at which 50 percent of erythrocytes undergo hemolysis. We instead introduce a probability distribution for cumulative percentage hemolysis as a function of cell volume with an adjustable width parameter. Both the cryoprotector permeability coefficient and the width of the distribution are determined in a self-contained manner from best fits to osmotic shock data alone expressed in terms of percentage hemolysis as a function of permeation time Dt. We find that the initial crenation apparently renders erythrocytes more fragile and makes the critical volume applicable to the actual osmotic shock experiment smaller than usually determined separately. The new, more self-consistent data analysis yields permeablities smaller than classical determinations by up to an order of magnitude. We demonstrate our procedure with reference to glycerol and DMSO membrane permeability for bovine and equine erythrocytes at various temperatures between 0 and 37oC. Mechanistic conclusions are suggested by comparing our results with a detailed new critical assessment of the intrinsic permeability properties of bilayer membranes. Long-term storage of bone marrow cells (BMC) has remained an actual problem in contemporary cryobiology and transplantology. The methods for BMC cryopreservation of any animals have not been developed yet. However, the low temperature conservation of BMC of domestic animals are the necessary stage of biomaterial storage before transplantation to treat diseases connected with haemopoesis disorder. The aim of the investigation was to study the properties and to work out the cryopreservation methods for dogs’ BMC. The task was to study the efficacy of cryoprotectants (glycerol, Me2SO, PEG m.m.400) during dogs’ BMC freezing. Incubation of dogs’ BMC at low temperature (4oC) with cryoprotective solutions during 30 minutes reduces the viability not so much. Glycerol in all used concentrations was non effective for freezing. Cells cryopreserved with PEO400 had better viability rate and Me2SO was the most effective among cryoprotectors used. 7% Me2SO solution had a better effect on almost all types of dogs’ BMCs. On the basis of the results obtained we can make the following conclusions: dogs’ BMC cryopreservation with PEO-400 and Me2SO saves cells in the cryopreservation process. Me2SO is a more effective cryoprotertant, as the cell content remains on proper level in cells influenced by the influence of incubation and freezing-thawing. The 7% Me2SO occurred to be the most efficient among the used cryoprotectants solutions. Indeed, the long-term storage of dogs’ bone marrow cells is one of the biggest challenges faced by researchers working in the field of cell transplantation in veterinary and the driving force for continuing research that aims to extend cryopreservation technology. Session 7: Protein structure and function Lecture L7.2 L7.1 Hsp100 proteins — disaggregating chaperone machines CG methylation and depletion Marek Wojciechowski, Honorata Czapinska, Matthias Bochtler International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB), Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Matthias Bochtler <[email protected]> DNA methylation occurs in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but in different forms and with different functions. In prokaryotes, methylation is very diverse. Mechanistically, the modification can affect the N4 or C5 of cytosine or N6 of adenine, in a wide variety of sequence contexts. Functionally, DNA methylation plays a role in restriction-modification systems for genome defense, in DNA repair for the distinction of parental and daughter strand, and also in the control of bacterial lifestyle. Some features of DNA methylation are conserved in primitive eukaryotes, but in higher eukaryotes, particularly vertebrates, methylation is predominantly reduced to the C5 methylation of cytosine in a single sequence context (CG, or more traditionally CpG). Its main role is the epigenetic control of DNA state, in crosstalk with appropriate histone modifications. For eukaryotic organisms that feature pronounced CG methylation, it is known that this sequence is not only important, but also rare: in fact, the actual number of CGs is about fourfold lower than statistically expected. In my talk, I will discuss the mechanistic connection between methylation and the depletion of target sequences and I will address the generality of the link across the kingdoms of life. Krzysztof Liberek1, Szymon Ziętkiewicz1, Natalia Litwińczuk1, Alicja Kochanek1, Ewa Morawiec1, Wojciech Potocki1, Magdalena Ślusarz2, Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło2 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, and 2Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland e-mail: Krzysztof Liberek <[email protected]> The chaperone protein network controls both initial protein folding and subsequent maintenance of proteins in the cell. Many factors leading to unfolding and misfolding of proteins eventually result in protein aggregation. Stress imposed by high temperature was one of the first aggregation-inducing factors studied, and remains one of the main models in this field. With protein aggregation occurring in response to heat exposure, the cell needs chaperones to control and counteract the aggregation process. Elimination of aggregates can be achieved by solubilization of aggregates and either refolding of the liberated polypeptides or their proteolysis. Here we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which Hsp100 chaperones in cooperation with Hsp70, Hsp40 and small Hsps chaperones liberate and refold polypeptides trapped in protein aggregates. Analysis of homology models obtained by us for Hsp100 chaperones (Hsp104 from S. cerevisiae and ClpB from E. coli) suggests the presence of characteristic network of ionic interactions between the first ATPase domain (NBD1) and the coiled-coil M subdomain that is characteristic for disaggregating chaperones. To test the importance of this structural aspect we have designed a series of point mutations. Mutants intended to disrupt ionic interactions resulted either in inactive proteins or in proteins that display unexpected biochemical properties. These include increase of ATPase activity, significant increase of in vitro substrate renaturation rate and partial independence on Hsp70 chaperone in refolding process. The increased activities paradoxically result in serious growth impediment and rapid loss of mutant Hsp104-encoding plasmids in yeast cells. We were able to suppress those effects by introducing complementary changes that restore particular salt bridges within suggested network. Therefore we propose the presence of novel structural aspect of disaggregating Hsp100’s that is responsible for regulation of the disaggregating/ refolding activity. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 L7.3 Oral presentations Structural aspects of PR10 protein — ligand interactions O7.1 Mariusz Jaskolski Department of Crystallography, Faculty of Chemistry, A. Mickiewicz University and Center for Biocrystallographic Research, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland 53 The effect of macromolecular crowding on DNA replication: A structure-function study Barak Akabayov, Charles C. Richardson e-mail: Mariusz Jaskolski <[email protected]> Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Pathogenesis-related proteins of class 10 (PR10) are uniquely found in plants where they are associated with stress-related processes. Despite their abundance and existence in many variants, their precise biochemical role remains unknown. However, their structure is well studied and defines a canonical PR10 fold consisting of a sevenstranded antiparallel β-sheet gripped over a long C-terminal α-helix, with a huge cavity (up to 4500 Å3) enclosed between these main structural elements. On the other hand, we have shown that plant proteins identified as specific binders of plant hormones from the cytokinin group (CSBP) belong to the same structural class despite very low sequence similarity. Cytokinins regulate plant development and senescence processes and are also involved in plant response to stress. We were able to show that trans-zeatin, a classic cytokinin hormone, is bound in the internal cavity of mung bean CSBP not in one but in at least three different, highly specific ways. Following this discovery, we have been able to show that also classic PR10 proteins (from yellow lupine) can bind both natural and synthetic cytokinin hormones. Others have shown that the proteins are capable of binding a wide range of different ligands, including the non-physiological (in plants) deoxycholate, which however shows resemblance to plant hormones from the brassinosteroid group. We also found out that a PR10 protein from St John’s wort is most likely and contrary to expectations not a hypericin-synthesizing enzyme but that it can bind in its internal cavity such exotic ligands as PEG molecules. Recently we have made the most puzzling discovery, showing that CSBP from lucerne can bind with very high specificity a completely unrelated hormone, gibberellic acid, from a diterpenoid group. Gibberellins are extremely important plant hormones regulating processes of cell growth and division. We have thus a very perplexing situation, where proteins that are regarded to be specific binders of specific ligands (CSBP) bind also other physiological ligands with what can be called structural specificity, and that structurally related proteins with unknown function bind a broad range of diversified ligands. These observations force us to rethink the notion of molecular recognition between a ligand and its binding protein. e-mail: Barak Akabayov <[email protected]> Enzymatic activities in vivo occur in a highly crowded and confined environment mainly composed of protein and nucleic acid macromolecules. A crowded environment: 1) enhances the apparent concentration of the measured macromolecule, 2) leads to desolvation of water molecules around the proteins, 3) decrease degrees of freedom for diffusion and molecular hopping of proteins on their DNA substrates, and 4) enhances binding equilibria and catalytic activities of those macromolecules. However, the effect of macromolecular crowding on the structure of the proteins involved is poorly understood. We have characterized the effect of molecular crowding on DNA replication using the replication system of bacteriophage T7 as a model system. We probe the structural effects that are involved in a crowded environment using small angle X-ray scattering. Our results show the consequences of macromolecular crowding on DNA replication mediated by the T7 replisome. Abstracts 54 O7.2 Posters Changes in human ednothelial cell proteom caused by N-homocysteinylated proteins P7.1 Joanna Suszynska-Zajczyk1, Magdalena Łuczak1, Łukasz Marczak1, Edyta Gendaszewska-Darmach2, Tomasz Twardowski1, Hieronim Jakubowski1,3 1Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland; 2Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; 3University of Medicine and Dentristy, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, International Center for Public Health, Newark, NJ, USA e-mail: Joanna Suszyńska-Zajczyk <[email protected]> Homocysteine (Hcy) is a focus of scientific inquiry in the context of human diseases. Elevated plasma Hcy, termed hyperhomocysteinemia, caused by genetic defects in Hcy metabolism, leads to pathological changes in many organs and premature death due to cardiovascular complications [1]. Hcy is formed from dietary protein methionine as a by-product of biological methylation reactions. If not removed by transsulfurattion and transmethylation reactions, Hcy becomes toxic to human cells. A mechanism involving the conversion to Hcy-thiolactone (HTL) in the error editing pathway catalyzed by methionyl-tRNA synthetase [2] and indirect incorporation into protein by a post-translational modification of protein lysine residues (N-homocysteinylation) [3] contributes to Hcy toxicity. Protein N-homocysteinylation affects protein structure and function [3], causes cellular toxicity, elicits autoimmune response leading to the generation of antibodies against N-Hcy-proteins[4], and prothrombotic N-Hcy-fibrinogen [5]. To determine how HTL affects human endothelium, we studied cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which are frequently used as a model of vascular cells and are known to efficiently metabolize Hcy to HTL and generate N-homocysteinylated proteins (N-Hcyprotein). Protein extracts were analyzed using 2-dimensional IEF/SDS/PAGE electrophoresis, followed by MALDITOF analysis. In HUVECs treated with HTL (0.5-5mM) for 24h, we found 24 differential proteins. Expression of most of them decreased and only expression of vimentin, UCHL1 and TXNDC5 protein increased. In HUVECs incubated with N-Hcy-FBS we recognised 34 differential proteins. We observed changes in the levels of protein expression dependent on the extent of FBS modification. After incubation with N-Hcy-FBS modified in the highest extent, the protein expression level was similar to the control. Chlorine intracellular channel protein I and dnaK-type molecular chaperone demonstrated other pattern. Many of the proteins whose expression levels were affected by HTL or N-Hcy-FBS are known to play role in an apoptosis. This result suggest high toxicity of the protein N-homocysteinylation to the endothelium. References 1. Mudd SH et al. (2001) The metabolic and molecular bases of inherited disease, 8th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2007-2056. 2. Jakubowski H (1997) J Biol Chem 272: 1935-1942. 3. Jakubowski H (1999) FASEB J 13: 2277-2283. 4. Undas A et al. (2004) Stroke 35: 299-304. 5. Jakubowski H (2008) J Physiol Pharmacol 59 (Suppl 9): 155-167. Characterization of the interaction between Hsp70’s SBD and a ligand Itzhaq Azoulay, Esther Nachliel, Yossi Tsfadia, Abdussalam Azem Tel Aviv University, Department of Biochemistry, Tel Aviv, Israel e-mail: Itzhaq Azoulay <[email protected]> Molecular chaperones of the 70 kDa Heat Shock Protein family (HSP70) are present in all organisms, and have an essential roles in a wide range of inter cellular functions such as folding of nascent proteins targeting into different compartments of the cell and preventing their aggregation, these actions are coupled with ATP binding and hydrolysis. Its two functional domains are the 44 kDa Nucleotide Binding Domain (NBD), which responsible for the binding of the ATP and its hydrolysis, and the 26 kDa Substrate Binding Domain (SBD) is responsible for the binding and the releasing of polypeptide chains. In the ATP state the peptide substrate exhibits low affinity to the HSP70, while in the ADP state the substrate has high affinity to the SBD. The chosen model in this study was the Escherichia coli Hsp70, the DnaK, focusing on the SBD domain (PDB entry 1dkx). The structure consists of two sub domains: a β sandwich domain containing the hydrophobic cavity to which the NRLLLTG heptapeptide is bound, and a α helical segments followed after, that sit on top of it, and also known as lid. By using Molecular dynamics we have characterized the properties of the interaction of the peptides with the protein. Several simulations with different initial conditions of the SBD complex were carried out, in order to investigate the effect of electrical charge upon binding, and determine the lid’s role of the binding. Our interesting findings would be shown in the poster. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.2 P7.3 Protein and carbohydrate composition of the exopolymeric matrix as the main factor in the thionic bacteria biofilm formation Life and death of proteins destined to the intermembrane space of mitochondria Mariia Boretska, Andryi Ostapchuk, Irina Kozlova Zabolotny Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Ukraine e-mail: Maria Boretska <[email protected]> Microbial populations on the solid surfaces are capable to form highly organized structures — biofilms. Major role in these biofilms has the exopolymer matrix — the polymer structure in which cells are immersed. Studying the biofilms formed by corrosion bacteria is needed to develop ways to protect large-scale metal structures as the primary site of microbial influence corrosion. The objective of our study was to investigate the composition of exopolymer complex and structural features of biofilm formatted by acidophobic bacteria Thiobacillus thioparus on the mild steel surface. We used an Albersheim method for allocating monosaccharide composition (analysis was performed on GC-MS system Agilent 6890N/5973 inert), Bradford method, the method of confocal laser scanning microscopy (LSM Pascal 5, Carl Zeiss, Germany). The greatest variety of monosaccharide composition of the samples is presented in association matrix biofilms (rhamnose, xylose, ribose and galactose were present only in samples of biofilms associated culture) were showed that. To visualize the carbohydrate part of the matrix was chosen lectin ConA + FITC (Sigma) is specific to glucose (the predominant monosaccharide), for cells visualization — DAPI (Sigma). The biofilm formed by the associative culture in an average of 40 mkm thick, the surface is more uniform in comparison with the biofilm’s monocultures it was shown. Localization of cells for both mono- and for the associative cultures was above matrix, the localization of carbohydrates - from the bottom. Specific production of exopolymers associated culture was 2.5 times more than for the monoculture. The study of the matrix protein composition of mono- and associated cultures thionic bacteria showed that the method of Bradford supported by microscopic observations (Thiazine Red was used to visualize the protein components of the matrix). It is shown the number of protein components of associative biofilms more than in monoculture (almost than 20 times), the location of protein structures has been mainly in the center of the matrix as one of main factor of creating of biofilm’s structure. Obviously, associated culture is able to produce more exopolymers and its characterization such as quantity and localization of the proteins and carbohydrates provides a powerful, dangerous and corrosive biofilms, formed by acidophobic thiobacteria. 55 Piotr Bragoszewski, Agnieszka Gornicka, Agnieszka Chacinska International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Piotr Bragoszewski <[email protected]> Nearly all mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytosol and translocated into the organelle. Many of them have signal presequences that are proteolytically removed by specific peptidases upon their selective import into one of mitochondrial compartments: the matrix, the inner membrane or the intermembrane space (IMS). Also various types of non-cleavable targeting and sorting signals exist. This variety of signals is matched by the specific import pathways and translocases that recognize the signals and direct the precursor proteins into a final destination within mitochondria. Many IMS proteins share a coiled coil-helixcoiled coil-helix (CHCH) domain, which is stabilized by the formation of disulfide bonds within characteristic cysteine motifs. Upon synthesis and release to the cytoplasm these proteins stay reduced. Once the IMS precursor proteins enter the IMS via the protein channel formed by the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane TOM, they are recognized and oxidized by the mitochondrial IMS import and assembly machinery MIA. The majority of the cysteine-containing proteins are relatively small, typically smaller than 20 kDa. It is likely that such small proteins can traverse freely through the TOM complex (or other pores) in the outer membrane of mitochondria. Subsequently, the oxidative folding catalyzed by MIA is required to trap them in the IMS. In our project, we aim to understand the fate of IMS proteins under the conditions of oxidative folding restrictions. The conditional mutants of two essential components, Mia40 and Erv1, do not accumulate the precursor proteins in mitochondria that results in their death under restrictive conditions. We undertook a systematic analysis of the MIA substrate proteins to categorize them into two major classes: the proteins found in the cytosol or destroyed under the conditions of oxidative folding failure. This study forms a basis for the identification of mechanisms involved in the biogenesis of mitochondrial proteins and their influence on cellular protein homeostasis. Abstracts 56 P7.4 P7.5 Antistreptokinase antibodies prevent inhibition of platelet reactivity Adaptor protein Ruk/cin85 regulates NGF-dependent neuronal differentiation Nataliia Burlova-Vasilieva, Oleksiy Savchuk, Ludmila Ostapchenko Nadiya Byts, Lyudmyla Drobot Educational and Scientific Centre “Institute of Biology” of National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, Department of Biochemistry, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Nataliia Burlova <[email protected]> Objective: to investigate platelet reactivity under thrombolytic theraphy. Methods: ADP-inducible platelet aggregation, anti-Sk (streptokinase) antibodies and plasminogen activators inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) were determined by light transmission aggregometry Elisa and Western Blot respectively. Results: Sk and heparin inhibited АDP-inducible platelet aggregation by 30% in AMI patients. Next day after heparin canceling the platelet aggregation returned to the initial high level. PAI-1 activity in blood plasma of AMI patients exceeded the rate of relatively healthy donors by 200%. Heparin canceling didn’t prevent normalization of inhibitor activity. Anti-Sk antibodies were not detected in rabbit study population before and 7 days after Sk administration. Sk infusion increased PAI-1 level in rabbit platelet fraction from 41±5 ng/ml (baseline) to 95.8±7.4 ng/ml. ADP-inducible platelet aggregation in rabbit platelet rich plasma did not increase the baseline level and was inhibited by Sk in dosedependent manner. Sk in a concentration of 16 mkg/ml was associated with significantly reduced aggregation rate. ADP-inducible platelet aggregation peaked at 7 weeks after intravenous administration of Sk and approached 81±5%, considerably exceeding the baseline value (46±7%). The titers of anti-Sk antibody were 1:100. Inhibition effect of Sk on ADP-dependent platelet aggregation was not observed. Sk in concentration of 16 mkg/ml and 32 mkg/ml caused insignificant increment of aggregation rate. Platelet fraction treated with Sk released free and complex forms of PAI-1. Conclusion: We suggest that Sk influence platelet reactivity not only through plasmin and Sk-antibody complex formation, but also interacting with Anti-Sk antibodies attached to the platelet surface. Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Nadiya Byts <[email protected]> Despite extensive investigations of Cbl-interacting protein of 85 kDa (Ruk/CIN85) in receptor trafficking and cytoskeletal dynamics, little is known about its functions in central nervous system. Previous studies showed that the specific isoforms of adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 are expressed in central nervous system and reported their function in dopamine receptor endocytosis in striatal neurons. Here we investigated the role of Ruk/CIN85 in NGF-induced differentiation and neurite outgrowth. PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells were used as a model. We found that upon chronic NGF treatment the pattern of Ruk/CIN85 isoforms expression is changed in wild type PC12 cells as well as in PC12 cells stably overexpressing GFP-tagged Ruk/CIN85. While the levels of Ruk/CIN85 150 kDa isoform were increased, the middle 56 kDa isoform was downregulated and no changes in full-length 85 kDa isoform levels were observed. It is known that the activation of NGF/TrkA pathway leads to the transient expression of inhibitor of differentiation (ID1) gene, which is necessary for axonal elongation of immature neuron. In PC12 cells that overexpress Ruk/CIN85 the elevation of ID1 upon NGF treatment was almost undetectable. Moreover, the overexpression of GFP-tagged Ruk/CIN85 in PC12 cells inhibited NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. In conclusion, our data indicate that adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 is involved in neuronal differentiation and NGF-dependent signalling. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 57 P7.6 P7.7 Differential ubiquitination and degradation of intersectin 1 isoforms Shb scaffold mediates interaction between adaptor ITSN1 and viral protein LMP2A Mykola Dergai, Oleksandr Dergai, Olga Novokhatska, Liudmila Tsyba, Inessa Skrypkina, Alla Rynditch Oleksandr Dergai1 , Mykola Dergai1 , Inessa Skrypkina1, Liudmyla Matskova2, Liudmyla Tsyba1, Gosta Winberg2, Alla Rynditch1 Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NASU, Kiev, Ukraine e-mail: Mykola Dergai <[email protected]> Intersectin 1 is an evolutionarily conserved adaptor protein implicated in endocytosis, exocytosis, propagation and attenuation of mitogenic signal and cell survival. Its role also was shown in nervous system functioning and development. Possible role of ITSN1 in Alzheimer and Huntington`s diseases and Down syndrome was demonstrated. Despite intense study of ITSN1 nothing is known about posttranslational regulation of this adaptor protein. Here we present investigation of ubiquitination of ITSN1 isoforms. We studied major intersectin isoform in nonneuronl cells — ITSN1-s and recently identified shortest known isoform ITSN1-22a. It was shown that ITSN1-s undergoes monoubiquitination whereas ITSN1-22a is multiply ubiquitinated. Ubiquitination of ITSN1 isoforms is dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis and is not affected by mitogen starvation/stimulation. AIP4 ubiquitin ligase provides posttranslational regulation of ITSN1 isoforms. Moreover, another ubiquitin ligase Cbl modifies ITSN1-22a additionally. It is noteworthy that ubiquitin ligase activity of Cbl impact on association of ITSN1-s and ITSN1-22a isoforms in vivo. ITSN1-22a isoform undergoes combined mode of ubiquitination. It is polyubiquitinated on its specific C-terminal domain (CTD) and is monoubiquitinated on the N-terminal part common for ITSN1-s and ITSN1-22a isoforms. Polyubiquitination results in instability of ITSN1-22a in vivo in comparison to ITSN1-s and causes proteosomal degradation of ITSN1-22a. Furthermore, overexpression of ITSN1-22a causes enhanced degradation of ITSN1-s in HEK293 cells. Thus, ITSN1 isoforms are differentially ubiquitinated and degraded. 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics NAS of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine; 2Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden e-mail: Oleksandr Dergai <[email protected]> Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus familyp. EBV is associated with a number of human malignancies, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the epithelial cell malignancy nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Only restricted set of viral genes is expressed within latent phase: LMP1, LMP2A, LMP2B, EBNAs and EBERs. Latent membrane proteins are key players in infected cells transformation. But little is known about mechanism governing internalization of LMP2A from plasma membrane and trafficking through cells compartment. The aim of current work is to identify protein-protein interaction that allows latent membrane proteins to get access to the host endocytic machinery. Here we report interaction between viral protein LMP2A and endocytic adaptor intersectin 1. Our immunoprecipitation data evidenced about complex formation between LMP2A and ITSN1 in vivo in different cell types. SH3-domains of ITSN1 were sufficient to precipitate LMP2A in vitro. Mutational analysis of LMP2A was undertaken to map sites of interaction with ITSN1. Interaction between LMP2A and ITSN1 was found to be a superposition of interaction of SH3domains of ITSN1 with -PXXP- motives of LMP2A and tyrosin-phosphorylated ITAM-motives of LMP2A with SH2-domain of adaptor protein Shb that binds simultaneously ITSN1 and LMP2A. Shb was shown to be phosphorylated and activated by Syk kinase in this complex. Moreover it was found negative cooperativity of Syk engagement to complex of ITSN1 and LMP2A. Current findings provide new data about LMP2A-driving signalosome assembly and functioning. Abstracts 58 P7.8 P7.9 Expression, purification and evaluation ATPase activity of four essential tellurite resistance proteins SCA14 mutations affect the intramolecular clamp between the c1 domain and carboxyl-terminus of pkc-gamma Vinh Phu Hoang, Silvia Vávrová, Lenka Valkovičová, Mahesh Madyagol, Jan Turňa Justyna Jezierska1, Joachim Goedhart2, Jan T. Westerink3, Eric A. Reits3, Dineke S. Verbeek1 Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic 1Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands; 2Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 3Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands e-mail: Vinh Phu Hoang <[email protected]> This work is focused on many years of tellurite operon study in clinical strain Escherichia coli KL53. The main objective of our work is to study tellurite operon at the the protein level. In our previous work we studied this at the DNA level. We created a precise bioinformatics analysis of all essential Ter proteins (TerBCDE) to find their cell localization. We focused mainly on protein TerC as only putative trans membrane protein with regard to analysis of its membrane segments. The TerC protein has been predicted as innermembrane protein with 9 transmembrane domains. The BLAST search of this protein sequence showed that 80–85% of homology was assessed with the H(+)-transporting ATPase Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785, cation-transporting ATPase Lactobacillus johnsonii ATCC 33200 and sodium/proton antiporter, CPA1 family Sulfurimonas autotrophica DSM 16294. We prepared recombinant plasmids harboring cloned ter genes to express and isolate proteins. We found out that C terminus of these proteins is crucial to maintain their original function. We also determined ATPase activity of Ter proteins. Activity of purified TerC protein was 30 times higher than ATPase activity in cell lysate of E. coli K12 and 65 times higher than activity in B. subtilis and 51 times higher than in Pseudomonas FH2. We also revealed ATPase activity of TerB protein which was 2.4 times lower than ATPase activity of TerC. To compare with ATPase activity in E. coli K12 it is 12 times higher and 27 times higher than B. subtilis and 21 times higher than in Pseudomonas FH2. Proteins TerDE have no ATPase activity. e-mail: Justyna Jezierska <[email protected]> Spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 (SCA14) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease, caused by mutations in PRKCG encoding for protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ). Most of the known mutations are missense mutations and are concentrated in the diacylglycerol (DAG)-binding C1B subdomain, which is important for PKCγ protein translocation and proper function. PKCγ is abundantly expressed in Purkinje cells (PCs) and has been shown to regulate the morphological development of PCs and motor learning functions and participates in various cell functions, including cell growth, differentiation and maintaining oxidative homeostasis. PKCγ undergoes a complicated activation cycle to be able to perform its kinase function. In order to effectively transduce extracellular signals, PKCγ proteins must be properly primed and positioned for optimal downstream signalling. Perturbations in their phosphorylation state, conformation or localization can disrupt kinase signalling and lead to altered physiological states, such as ataxia. We previously showed that SCA14 mutations in the C1B subdomain of PKCγ enhance translocation to the cell membrane upon phorbol ester stimulation due to an open protein conformation. However, the increased translocation kinetics did not result in an increased kinase activity, but the mutant PKCγ proteins showed decreased kinase function causing aberrant MAPK signalling. Our recent findings reveal that SCA14 mutant PKCγ has an open Cterminus, which causes the enhanced accessibility of C1B for DAG. As a consequence, the C-terminus of mutant PKCγ was shown to bind more efficiently to the kinase PDK1. The mutant PKCγ proteins are not efficiently degraded, and therefore subsequently accumulate in the insoluble fraction of cells. In conclusion, we show that SCA14 mutations affect the intra-molecular clamp between the C1 domain and the C-terminus of PKCγ leading to altered protein conformation affecting its degradation. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.10 P7.11 Calcium binding protein S100A6 (calcyclin) in Wharton’s jelly – localization and interacting partners Does the lack of GRHL1 activity increase the chance of skin cancer development? Ewelina Jurewicz1, Irena Kasacka2, Edward Bańkowski2, Anna Filipek1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland e-mail: Ewelina Jurewicz <[email protected]> Wharton’s jelly, a connective tissue in the umbilical cord, is composed of high amount of extracellular matrix and of a very low number of cells (myofibroblasts mainly) (Ferguson & Dodson, 2009). The mechanical properties of Wharton’s jelly, mainly elasticity, protect the umbilical vessels from compression and absence of this tissue around the umbilical arteries is associated with fetal death (Kulkarni et al., 2007). The S100A6 protein binds calcium ions and belongs to the S100 protein family (Leśniak et al., 2009). Originally S100A6 was isolated from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in our laboratory (Kuźnicki & Filipek, 1987). Under normal conditions high expression of S100A6 is found in fibroblasts and epithelial cells (Kuźnicki et al., 1992) and interestingly its expression is characteristic for tissues which are specific for pregnancy such as deciduas (Thordarson et al., 1991). In the present work we show that S100A6 is present in human umbilical cord. The use of Phenyl-Sepharose chromatography served to obtain a fraction enriched in S100A6 in relation to the bulk of proteins contained in this tissue. Further investigation revealed that S100A6 was present both in the walls of the umbilical cord vessels (artery and vein) and in the surrounding Wharton’s jelly. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the presence of S100A6 in the umbilical cord. An intensive immunoreaction for S100A6 was observed in Wharton’s jelly, both in the cytoplasm of myofibroblasts and in the extracellular matrix. Affinity chromatography performed on S100A6 resin indicated that Wharton’s jelly contains some proteins which could bind to S100A6. Thus, our results might suggest the involvement of the S100A6 protein in intra- and extracellular signaling pathways in this tissue. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grant N N301 293637 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland to A.F. and by statutory funds from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. References Ferguson VL, Dodson RB (2009) Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 144 (Suppl 1): S108-S113. Kulkarni ML, Matadh SP, Ashok C, Pradeep N, Avinash T, Kulkarni MA (2007) Ind J Ped 74: 787-789. Kuźnicki J, Filipek A (1987) Biochem J 247: 663-667. Kuźnicki J, Kordowska J, Puzianowska M, Woźniewicz BM (1992) Exp Cell Res 200: 425-430. Leśniak W, Słomnicki PŁ, Filipek A (2009) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 390: 1087-1092. Thordarson G, Southard JN, Talamantes F (1991) Endocrinology 129: 12571265. 59 Agnieszka Kikulska, Michał Mlącki, Tomasz Wilanowski Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Agnieszka Kikulska <[email protected]> Grainyhead-like (GRHL) family consists of highly conserved homologs of Drosophila Grainyhead (GRH) transcription factor. In mice, GRHL3 maintains the integrity of skin barrier formation through the regulation of transglutaminase 1. In Drosophila melanogaster, GRH controls the expression of DOPA decarboxylase which serves analogous function preserving the integrity of fly cuticle. Given the conserved role of GRHL in maintaining epithelial integrity, it is noteworthy that the evolutionary origin of GRHL family appears coincident with evolutionary origin of the epithelium. GRHL1 is normally active in the developing epidermis and hair follicles. Mice lacking this factor display an abnormal hair coat (defective hair anchoring) and reduced expression of desmoglein 1, a member of the desmosomal cadherin family and a direct target of GRHL1 regulation. It is still uncertain whether GRHL1 is involved in skin cancer development induced by UV radiation and what is the role of GRHL1 in skin barrier formation. The main goal of my research is to investigate skin cancer formation in Grhl1-deficient mice upon exposure to UV radiation. Experiments are performed on mice with three different Grhl1 genotypes: wild type, heterozygous and null. Grhl1 knock-out mice were generated in the Royal Melbourne Hospital (Australia) using genetic engineering methods. These animals were provided to us under a Material Transfer Agreement. Consensus DNA binding sequence of GRHL1 transcription factor is already known, which makes it possible to predict its putative targets genes that are linked to skin cancer development. My research is likely to discover novel signal transduction pathways that are relevant to skin cancer formation. I will utilize various molecular biology, histological and bioinformatics methods. References Wilanowski T et al. (2008) EMBO J 27: 886-897. Auden A. et al. (2006) Gene Expr Patterns 6: 964-970. Ting SB. et al. (2005) Science 308: 411-413. Boglev Y et al. (2011) Dev Biol 349: 512-522. Wilanowski T et al. (2002) Mech Dev 114: 37-50. Abstracts 60 P7.12 P7.13 ERK1/2 is dephosphorylated by a novel phosphatase — CacyBP/SIP Soluble form of heparin-binding EGFlike growth factor promotes EGF receptor intracellular traffic distinct from the lysosomal degradation and receptor recycling Ewa Kilanczyk1, Slawomir Filipek2, Anna Filipek1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Ewa Kilanczyk <[email protected]> ERK1/2 kinase-dependent signaling pathways are involved in diverse cellular functions including gene expression, proliferation, differentiation etc. The activity of ERK1/2 kinase is regulated by phosphatases, among them there is MKP-3 phosphatase the association of which with ERK2 is highly specific and results in down-regulation of ERK2 kinase activity. Recently we have found that ERK1/2 binds to the CacyBP/SIP protein (Kilanczyk et al., 2009) and in this work we examined whether CacyBP/SIP might demonstrate phosphatase activity toward ERK1/2 kinase. We have found that CacyBP/SIP indeed dephosphorylates ERK1/2. The Km and Vmax values established for a standard phosphatase substrate, p-NPP, are 16.9±3.6 mM and 4.3±0.4 μmol/min, respectively. The CacyBP/SIP phosphatase activity was decreased by okadaic acid (IC50 = 45 nM). These experimental results were supported by a theoretical analysis which revealed important sequence similarities between CacyBP/SIP and the phosphatase-like proteins as well as certain MAP kinase phosphatases. We also found that decreased ERK1/2 activity in the nuclear fraction of NB2a cells after CacyBP/SIP overexpression results in a lower level of β-catenin which suggests that CacyBP/SIP, through dephosphorylation of ERK1/2, may affect β-catenin degradation and cell differentiation. Altogether our results show that CacyBP/SIP, as a phosphatase, might play a role as a new negative modulator of ERK1/2 kinase and that, in consequence, this protein might be implicated in differentiation of NB2a cells. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants: N N401 057837 to E.K. from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland and by statutory funds from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. Natalia Korotkevich, Andrii Labyntsev, Alla Honcharenko, Denis Kolibo, Serhiy Komisarenko Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the NASU, Molecular Immunology Department, Ukraine e-mail: Natalia Korotkevich <[email protected]> Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family growth factors. It has high affinity for heparin and heparan sulfate. HB-EGF precursor is synthesized as type I transmembrane protein (pro-HBEGF), which is cleaved by proteases resulting in shedding of soluble HB-EGF (sHB-EGF). sHB-EGF acts as mitogenic signal through the EGF receptor (EGFR). The ligand binding to EGFR results in EGFR activation and recycling or further lysosomal degradation of ligand-receptor complex. On the other hand, EGF binding to EGFR could promote EGFR nuclear translocation. In nucleus EGFR acts as transcription factor able to activate genes required for highly proliferating activities. But, the probable role of HB-EGF as a ligand of EGFR in this process is still unclear. HB-EGF has some peculiar properties comparing to other EGF family members. HB-EGF belongs to a heparin binding ligands, which implies that proteoglycans may also be involved in translocation complex. In addition, some other important questions remain to be answered, e.g. does the nuclear translocation complex consist of both ligand and receptor, or EGFR is active on its own, and whether EGFR kinase activity is required? In this work we focused on the investigation of the ability of sHB-EGF to induce EGFR nuclear importation. We have demonstrated that sHB-EGF induced EGFR internalization and its further intracellular importation into the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum via retrograde movement. Increasing amount of EGFR in the nuclear fraction of sHB-EGF treated cells was observed, which implies that sHB-EGF could induce EGFR nuclear importation. In addition we demonstrated that the translocation complex consisted of both ligand and receptor. It has been also shown that addition of EGFR kinase inhibitor — AG1478 dramatically increased EGFR internalization. These data indicate that EGFR kinase plays an important role in induction of intracellular internalization process. We found here the new sHB-EGF activity, its ability to induce EGFR nuclear importation. We suggest that sHB-EGF is an essential element of translocation complex and is required for maintaining EGFR in active conformation. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.14 P7.15 PPAR-gamma modulation influences EPC functions Association of phosphoglycerate mutase with glycolytic complex regulates energy production in cancer cells Jerzy Kotlinowski1, Anna Grochot-Przęczek1, Magdalena Kozakowska1, Ewa Zuba-Surma1, Rafał Derlacz2,3, Józef Dulak1, Alicja Józkowicz1 61 Wojciech Kowalski1, Dominika Nocoń1, Andrzej Gamian2, Dariusz Rakus1 1Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Krakow, Poland; 2Adamed Ltd, R&D Department, Pieńków, Poland; 3University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Department of Metabolic Regulation, Warsaw, Poland 1Department of Animal Molecular Physiology, Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland; 2Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland e-mail: Jerzy Kotlinowski <[email protected]> In contrast to normal, differentiated cells, cancer cells rely on glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen. It has been hypothesized, based on in vitro experiments, that the association of the glycolytic enzymes, especially enzymes of triose phosphate metabolism, in a metabolic complex leads to efficient degradation of glucose to lactate. Here we provide a strong evidence that in cancer cells, all the enzymes of triose phosphate metabolism, from aldolase to pyruvate kinase consecutively, function as a macromolecular complex and that disruption of this complex inhibits lactate release and ATP synthesis in glycolytic pathway. Results of our experiments indicate that composition of the complex and modulation of glycolytic flux is affected by elevated lactate concentration and by glucose deprivation which regulates association of the phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM) C-terminal region with the complex. High concentration of exogenous lactate not only disrupts the glycolytic complex and inhibits ATP synthesis, but also affects nuclear localization of PGAM and ceases cell proliferation. The studies unraveling the nuclear function of PGAM and the components of signaling pathway linking energetic metabolism with proliferative machinery are in progress. Our results open new insight into the role of metabolic complexes in the cancer cell biology and might provide new prospects for the cancer disease treatment using lowmolecular weight competitors which destabilize the glycolytic complex. PPARγ nuclear receptor is a target for thiazolidinediones (TZD), the commonly used insulin sensitisers. Besides improving insulin action and normalising glycemia in diabetic patients TZD can also improve some functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Although activation of PPARγ was shown to be beneficial for EPC both in vitro and in vivo more experiments must be performed to demonstrate pathways involved in this actions. Our aim was to find expression changes in diabetic and healthy EPC and check how modulation of PPARγ activity affects EPC biology. Experiments were performed on the 12-weeks old wild type (wt) and diabetic (db/db) mice. For in vivo tests EPC were characterised as the CD45-/KDR+/Sca-1+ cells, whereas in vitro studies bone marrow population enriched in EPC (approx. 600 times) was used. Importantly, percentage of CD45-/KDR+/Sca-1+ cells was significantly reduced by 40–80% in the bone marrow of diabetic mice in comparison to wt (in db/db only 0.0003% of all cells were EPC). Reduction related to blood glucose levels suggested that diabetes influences the number of EPC according to its severity. These defect was partially or fully reversed by an oral application of rosiglitazone 10 mg/kg, for 14 or 28 days, respectively. We observed a similar trend for CXCR4+ cells in bone marrow: a reduction in db/db animals and stimulation upon rosiglitazone treatment. Although EPC number was reduced by 40% in blood of db/db mice the oral rosiglitazone administration did not change it. Furthermore, in in vitro assays, EPC isolated from db/db mice displayed impaired migratory and angiogenic potential. Migration of db/db cells was decreased by 50%, whereas ability to form tubes on matrigel by 40%. Importantly, in both tests functions of diabetic EPC were restored by rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L, 24 h) in a PPARγ-dependent manner. Next, based on the EPC transcriptome analysis we found that proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) was one of the strongest downregulated gene in db/db cells (7-fold decrease). Since PRG4 stimulates proliferation and survival of hemangioblasts we tried to induce its expression in vitro by rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L, 24 h) stimulation. We observed 2.5 fold PPARγ dependent induction in PRG4 expression both in wt and diabetic EPC. Thus, PPARγ is an important regulator of EPC biology and its induction may be used to improve the EPC functions. e-mail: Wojciech Kowalski <[email protected]> Abstracts 62 P7.16 P7.17 Actin polymerization by lysenin Phosphorylation of p66Shc under oxidative stress in fibroblasts of NARP patients Edward A. Czuryło, Natalia Kulikova, Andrzej Sobota Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Natalia Kulikova <[email protected]> Lysenin is a 33.5kDa protein isolated from coelomic fluid of an earthworm Eisenia foetida. It interacts with lipids, specifically recognizing sphingomyelin. It also causes longlasting (more than 30 min) contraction of isolated rat aorta strips. The mechanism underlying induction of contraction as well as the biological action of lysenin in animals has not been clarified. Our studies of the effect of lysenin on the ATPase activity of regulated actomyosin system has shown that addition of lysenin resulted in the abolishment of caldesmon inhibition and further activation of the ATPase activity up to the level of its activation by tropomyosin. This effect was observed at very low molar ratios of actin to lysenin. Pelleting of reconstituted smooth muscle actomyosin system with or without lysenin revealed that lysenin did not induce dissociation of the filament constituents. Moreover, previous electron microscopic observations have shown that addition of lysenin to F-actin resulted in filament cross-linking. Thus it may be assumed that the abolishment of caldesmon inhibitory properties is related to the suppression of caldesmon effect on the actin filament structure. It has been suggested that lysenin invokes structural changes in the F-actin helix favoring the ATP hydrolysis by myosin and suppressing the effect of caldesmon on the actin filament structure. To understand the process of G-actin polymerization at addition of lysenin we have performed studies of stoichiometric ratio of actin–lisenin interaction. Pelleting of actin with lysenin followed by the subsequent Western blotting analysis has shown that actin binds lysenin with the 1000:1 ratio. Therefore it may be suggested that lysenin changes actin conformation at the same time preventing the binding of next lysenin molecules. Magdalena Lebiedzinska1, Agnieszka KarkucinskaWieckowska2, Jan M. Suski1,3, Gyorgy Szabadkai4, Grzegorz Wilczyński1, Jakub Wlodarczyk1, Maciej Pronicki2, Jerzy Duszynski1, Paolo Pinton3, Mariusz R. Wieckowski1 1Department of Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Department of Pathology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland; 3Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section of General Pathology, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Inflammation (ICSI) and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara; Italy; 4University College London, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Consortium for Mitochondrial Research, London, United Kingdom e-mail: Magdalena Lebiedzińska <[email protected]> In our previous studies we have shown that p66Shc, the adaptor protein regulating mammalian lifespan is involved in pathology associated with oxidative stress observed in cases of mitochondrial disorders. Affected mitochondrial respiratory chain generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which activates phosphorylation of p66Shc at serine 36, what in turn triggers further ROS production in mitochondria and may lead to serious cell damage or apoptosis. Activation of p66Shc phosphorylation also contributes to decrease of antioxidants enzymes levels. However, inhibition of p66Shc phosphorylation decreased ROS production and improved antioxidant defense [1]. Thus we examined whether p66Shc phosphorylation depends on the type of defect and if the decrease of ROS level also attenuates p66Shc phosphorylation. In fibroblasts of NARP patients, respiratory chain is working properly, and the oxidative stress results from hyperpolarization of inner mitochondrial membrane. In these fibroblasts abnormalities in bioenergetic parameters and antioxidant defense, together with high level of carbonylated proteins, lipid accumulation and affected mitochondrial structure and motility are observed. Interestingly, in cells of NARP patients we observe strong induction of p66Shc serine 36 phosphorylation pathway. Also in this cellular model, inhibition of p66Shc phosphorylation, similarly to antioxidants treatment, led to a decrease in superoxide anion production and to an increase in antioxidant enzymes levels. Our data suggest that serine 36 p66Shc phosphorylation is an important factor contributing to cell damage in cases of mitochondrial dysfunction (i.e. associated with ATP synthase defect). Both, inhibition of kinase phophorylating p66Shc (PKCβ) and antioxidants treatment result in decreased level of ROS, restrain phosphorylation of p66Shc and its pro-oxidative function. Reference 1. Lebiedzinska M et al. (2010) Biochim Biophys Acta – Bioenergetics 1797: 952-960. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 63 P7.18 P7.19 Dissecting the function of the ArfGAP2/3 proteins in the COPI trafficking machinery Evaluation of horizontal gene transfer from genetically modified plants to bacteria Lena Lifshitz1, Irit Pevzner1, Joelle Bigay2, Anna Parnis1, Dan Cassel1 Mahesh Madyagol, Vinh Phu Hoang, Stanislav Stuchlík, Jan Turňa 1Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Israel; 2Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis et CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, France Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic e-mail: Lena Lifshitz <[email protected]> From yeast to mammals, two types of GTPase activating proteins, ArfGAP1 and ArfGAP2/3, control GTP hydrolysis on the small G protein Arf1 at the Golgi apparatus. Although functionally interchangeable, they display little similarity outside the catalytic GAP domain. ArfGAP1 is controlled by membrane curvature through its ALPS (amphipathic lipid packing sensor) motifs, whereas Golgi targeting of ArfGAP2 depends on heptameric protein complex named coatomer, the building block of the COPI coat. Using a reporter fusion approach and in vitro assays, we identified several functional elements in ArfGAP2/3. We show that the Golgi localization of ArfGAP3 depends on a central basic stretch. This region interacts directly with coatomer, which we found essential for the catalytic activity of ArfGAP3 on Arf1-GTP. In order to further understand the role of ArfGAPs in the COPI system we are performing detailed analysis of the interactions between the GAP2/3 and COPI constituents at the molecular and structural level. e-mail: Mahesh Madyagol <[email protected]> Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is today recognized as being the most important factor for the rapid global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. One of the main concerns regarding the use of GM food in human and animal nutrition is the effect that newly introduced sequences may have on the organism. Public and scientific concerns about the environmental and food safety of genetically modified (GM) crops overshadow the potential benefits offered by crop biotechnology to improve food quality. The main objective of this work is to quantify the risk of horizontal gene transfer from from the GM plants to (GMOs), and food derived thereof, to the bacterial microflora. For studying potential gene transfer we have chosen CP4 EPSPS (5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase) gene from Round Ready maize (Monsanto) chromosome. The CP4 EPSPS enzyme is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids in microorganisms and plants. It is the target of the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate. During our earlier studies of HGT of the CP4 EPSPS gene from GM maize through gastrointestinal tract to bacteria living in animal gut we have observed a functional truncated CP4 EPSPS gene form present in bacteria. This truncated CP4 EPSPS gene was cloned into the T7 expression vector pET-28b(+) along with native full-length CP4 EPSPS. We have tested the truncated form of CP4 EPSPS indetail and carried a comparative study with native full-length CP4 EPSPS. We have expressed, purifed and characterized both forms of CP4 EPSPS synthases. We have studied enzyme activity of both forms of purified CP4 EPSPS proteins. We have found that both enzymes shown positive for both forms of CP4 EPSPS. This will help to decide that some truncated forms of CP4 EPSPS could confer full function of native full-length CP4 EPSPS and these findings also should be taken into account in risk assessment of possible HGT from GM plants. Abstracts 64 P7.20 P7.21 Energy metabolism in cells with glycogen branching enzyme deficiency Dominika Malinska, Malgorzata Bejtka, Joanna Szczepanowska, Jerzy Duszynski Cannabidiol inhibits expression and constitutive signaling of Kaposi’s sarcomaassociated G protein-coupled receptor and induces programmed cell death Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes, Warsaw, Poland Yehoshua Maor1,3, Jinlong Yu1, Paula M. Kuzontkoski1, Bruce J. Dezube2, Xuefeng Zhang1, Jerome E. Groopman1 e-mail: Dominika Malinska <[email protected]> Glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD IV) results from mutation in the GBE1 gene encoding a glycogen branching enzyme. The disease manifests itself by dysfunctions of liver, skeletal muscle and nervous system. The hallmark of GSD IV are intracellular aggregates of linear glycogen molecules, which are characterized by poor water solubility and high damage potential towards intracellular structures. Additionally, the efficiency of glucose release from such abnormal glycogen is strongly impaired, which may lead to energetic imbalance in the cell. It is not clear to which extent the disruption of glucose metabolism contributes to the cell injuries occurring in GSD IV and, on the other hand, how much it results from a mechanical damage due to presence of intracellular glycogen aggregates. In our study we compare energy metabolism of fibroblasts with functional GBE and with GBE deficiency (cell lines derived from GSD IV patients as well as cells with suppressed expression of GBE). The preliminary data will be presented regarding mitochondrial morphology, respiratory parameters as well as growth and survival rate of the cells under different accessibility of substrates for glycolysis and for the oxidative phosphorylation. 1Division of Experimental Medicine and 2Department of Hematology and Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; 3 Institute of Drug Research, Medical Faculty of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel e-mail: Yehoshua Maor <[email protected]> Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is the most common neoplasm caused by Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also termed human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). It is prevalent among the elderly in the Mediterranean, inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa, and among immunocompromised individuals like organ transplant recipients and AIDS patients. The virus encodes for several gene products that function like cytokines and chemokines. Of special interest is the KSHV G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR), which by its constitutive activity can alter key signaling pathways and cell functions, implicating these pathways in the initiation of the neoplasm. Cannabidiol (CBD), a plant-derived cannabinoid, exhibits promising anti-tumor effects without inducing psychoactive side effects. In this study we investigated the effects of CBD both on the infection of endothelial cells by KSHV, and on the growth of KSHV-infected endothelium, an in vitro model for the transformation of normal endothelium to Kaposi’s sarcoma. We found that while CBD did not affect the efficiency of KSHV infection of endothelium, this cannabinoid reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis in KSHV-infected endothelial cells. CBD appeared to have these effects by inhibiting the expression of KSHV viral G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR), the chemokine growth-regulated protein alpha (GROα), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3), and the VEGFR-3 ligand vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC). Our study suggests that CBD may be a novel agent for the treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 65 P7.22 P7.23 Recombinant perfringolysin O, a useful probe for cholesterol detection The influence of elevated level of homocysteine on human placental function Ewelina Marszałek, Piotr Koprowski, Andrzej Sobota Olga P. Martsenyuk1, Berthold Huppertz2 , Kateryna L. Romanets1, Maria Y. Obolenskaya1 Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Ewelina Marszałek <[email protected]> Cholesterol is one of major lipids in mammalian cells and is essential for plasma membrane structure and function. Cholesterol content and distribution in cells are strongly regulated by de novo synthesis as well as by endocytic uptake from media. Disturbances in these processes affect cholesterol deposition in lysosomes, evoking neurodegenerative diseases, such as Niemann-Pick type C disease. To detect cholesterol deposits in lysosomes we prepared a recombinant toxin, perfringolysin O, which interacted specifically with the lipid. Perfringolysin O (PFO) from Clostridium perfringens is a member of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins. These toxins are responsible for life-threatening pathogenicity of a number of bacteria. The toxins bind to plasma membrane cholesterol and induce cell lysis. Due to selective interaction with cholesterol, PFO can be used as a probe to visualize or even quantitate cholesterol in cell membranes. We decided to optimize production of a fusion protein of PFO and glutathione transferase (GST). To avoid potential secretion of the toxin, the open reading frame of PFO was modified in such a way that it lacked sequence for first 29 amino acids that serve as a leader peptide. We mutated the only cystein, Cys459 to alanine, since this modification was shown to be responsible for toxin inactivation. On the other hand, we introduced new cystein in position 397 to facilitate fluorophore modification of PFO. The codon bias of PFO gene was optimized for Escherichia coli expression and the gene was synthesized by a commercial vendor. The gene was subcloned from pUC57 to pGEX4T vector for expression of N-terminal GST fusion protein. The protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 cells and purified by GSH-agarose. The produced PFO, when incubated with erythrocytes, induced hemolysis at 50 pg/ml. Incubated with liposomes composed of different lipids the recombinant protein bound to vesicles containing cholesterol. In the result of interaction with cholesterol-containing membranes oligomers of PFO were formed, as demonstrated by SDS/ PAGE analysis. Altogether, the presented data indicate that the prepared recombinant PFO can be used as a probe to detect and visualize cholesterol in cells. Reference Flanagan JJ et al. (2009) Biochemistry 48: 3977-3987. 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; 2Department of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria e-mail: Olga Matsenyuk <[email protected]> Background: Elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy) increases the risk of placental insufficiency, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia and developmental defects of the fetus. Hcy is an aminothiol which is remethylated to methionine by methionine synthase or transsulfurated to cysteine by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). The lack of CBS makes tissues more sensitive to Hcy and causes its accumulation leading to hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy). The goal of our study was to examine the influence of hHcy on the placental functions — proliferation and apoptosis and on the ability of transsulfuration pathway to protect the tissue from the adverse effect of Hcy. Objectives: Placental samples were obtained from the I (8–10 weeks) and the III (38–40 weeks) trimesters of gestation, three samples from each term. Explants were cultivated in DMEM/F12 in the presence of 20, 40, 80 µM Hcy with or without 20 nM folic acid for 48h at 37°C and 5% CO2, 5% oxygen. Ki-67 positive nuclei of cytotrophoblast cells and the square of M30 positive regions were counted and related to the villous circumference and the square, correspondingly. The expression, localization and enzymatic activity of CBS were examined by RT-PCR, WB, IHC and incorporation of [14C]serine residue into cystathionine. Results: The proliferation index is higher (4.2 vs 0.7) and the apoptotic index is lower (0.8 vs 1.5) in the explants from the I trimester in comparison with the III one. Hcy induces concentration-dependent down-regulation of proliferation index and up-regulation of the apoptotic one. The apoptotic changes are more pronounced in the explants from the III trimester. The highest concentration of Hcy (80 mkM) induces the separation of syncytiotrophoblast from cytotrophoblast. The expression of CBS gene at RNA and protein levels and the catalytic acidity of the protein (~50 mU/mg protein) were ascertained for the first time. The CBS protein was localized in trophoblast and stroma cells of villous chorion. The elevated concentrations of Hcy induce upregulation of CBS content. Conclusion: The elevated level of homocysteine provokes the disbalance between the proliferation and apoptotic processes in human placenta. We speculate that the presence of CBS and its activation under mild hHcy provides the evidence that placenta has metabolic resources to withstand the elevation of Hcy and maintain redox homeostasis via transsulfuration pathway. Abstracts 66 P7.24 P7.25 The activity of adenosine deaminase in erythrocytes and leukocytes is normal even in cases of neoplastic pathology Grainyhead-like 1 (GRHL1) transcription factor in development of skin cancers Elena M. Bakurova, Kseniya O. Mironova, Tatiyana V. Moroz, Berta G. Borzenko National Medical University of M. Gorkiy, Department of Biochemistry, Ukraine e-mail: Ksenia Mironova <[email protected]> Biochemist Otto Varburg concluded that tumours are more frequent in the tissues poorly supplied with oxygen, and actually, normal cells are transformed into malignant ones due to the oxygen lack. It has been proved at present that the duration of the relapse-free period depends on the oxygen starvation of the tumor while cancers characterized with pO less than 10 mm Hg are expected to relapse earlier, it also depends, to great extent, on the severity of anemia. Dysmetabolic processes inside the blood cells lead to the cells dysfunction, they also impact cancer capacity to progress. Our task was to determine the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA), it being the enzyme of adenosine catabolism in erythrocytes and leukocytes in patients with stomach cancer, lung cancer. ADA deficiency in lymphocytes is known to lead to the development of severe combined immunodeficiency. Under simultaneous estimation there was also a sorption capacity of the erythrocytes membranes as well as the reaction of the blast transformation (stimulation index) of lymphocytes. The examination included 15 patients with lung cancer T3-4N1-nM0, 30 patients with stomach cancer T3-4N1-nM0, 40 healthy volunteers. Spectrophotometric method has been applied in the process of the study. Decrease of ADA activity in lymphocytes to 19.02±2.33 nmol/min·mg in stomach cancer and 26.93+5.89 nmol/min·mg in lung cancer to be compared to 51.79±8.09 nmol/min·mg in control (p<0.01) while the index of lymphocytes stimulation decreased from 65.44±2.4 nmol/min·mg in control to 16.38±2.33 nmol/ min·mg in cancer (p<0.001). The activity of the enzyme in erythrocytes was also reliably lower than in the control, respectively 5.65±1.29 nmol/min·mg in stomach cancer and 5.84±2.78 nmol/min·mg in lung cancer to be compared to 20.04±2.78 nmol/min·mg in the control (p<0.01). It has also been specified a decrease of sorption activity of erythrocytes membrane in the patients. Thus the rate of correlation between sorting mean molecules on the erythrocytes membrane and free-moving in the plasma molecules is 4.23±1.13 in stomach cancer and 5.41±0.55 in lung cancer to be compared to 9.68±1.22 (p<0.05). To sum it up, the decrease of ADA activity was accompanied with the decrease of lymphocytes stimulation index as well as the drop of sorption activity, so it had a direct correlation to cells dysfunction. Michał Mlącki, Agnieszka Kikulska, Tomasz Wilanowski Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Michał Mlącki <[email protected]> GRH family of proteins is an ancient family of transcription factors which has appeared in evolution in early unicellular ancestor of animals, choanoflagellates, and fungi. In extant animals, as evolutionary distinct as insects and man, they are involved in regulation of development, functioning, regeneration of epidermal barrier and in other processes. Grainyhead (GRH) is a Drosophila melanogaster’s protein that has been identified as a key regulator of exoskeleton development, as it has been shown to induce expression of main cuticular cross-linking enzyme DOPA-decarboxylase (Ddc). In addition, by regulating Fasciclin 3 and Coracle, this transcription factor is also involved in forming septate junctions between embryonic epidermal cells. Mutant flies are not able to hatch because of flimsy cuticle. In mammals there are three homologs of GRH — Grainyhead-like 1/2/3 (GRHL1/2/3). All of them are highly expressed in mice epidermis and appear to be crucial for the maintenance of this organ. GRHL3 was shown to regulate the expression of transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1) which in mammalian skin performs a cross-linking function analogous to that of Ddc in the fly. GRHL1 regulates expression of keratinocytes’ cell junction component — desmosomal cadherin desmoglein 1 (Dsg 1). Knock-out mutations of GRHL2 and GRHL3 ale lethal in mice. Mutant embryos do not develop proper epidermal barrier and die shortly before birth because of extensive water loss. Only GRHL1 knock-out mice are viable but they also have some minor epidermal defects — delay in coat growth, hair loss in older mice and palmoplantar keratoderma. There are some premises that suggest not yet investigated roles of GRHL proteins in carcinogenesis — GRHL2 regulates overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) during immortalization of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and GRHL3 is a responsive gene in the TNFα signaling pathway and stimulates migration of endothelial cells. Mechanisms of involvement of the factors in carcinogenesis have not yet been studied. I would like to present results of my investigation on role of GRHL1 transcription factor in development and progression of epidermal carcinomas. References Auden A (2006) Gene Expr Patterns 6: 964-970. Boglev Y, Wilanowski T et al. (2011) Dev Biol 349: 512-522. Ting SB (2005) Science 308: 411-413. Wilanowski T (2008) EMBO J 27: 886-897. Wilanowski T (2002) Mech Dev 114: 37-50. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 67 P7.26 P7.27 Secondary structure of SsoII-like (Cytosine-5)-DNA methyltransferases N-terminal region determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy Interaction of endocytic adaptor intersectin 1 with microtubule stabilizer STOP, which is involved in synaptic transmission Molochkov1, Ryazanovaa2, Nikolay V. Alexandra Yu. Lyudmila A. Abrosimovaa3, Elena A. Kubarevaa4 1Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of NMR Research Biosystems, Russia; 2Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Chemistry Department, and A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical-Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia e-mail: Nikolay Molochkov <[email protected]> Abstract: (Cytosine-5)-DNA methyltransferase SsoII (M.SsoII) has a long N-terminal region (1–71 residues) preceding the sequence with conservative motifs, which are characteristic for all DNA methyltransferases of such kind. The presence of this region provides M.SsoII capability to act as a transcription regulatorin SsoII restrictionmodification system. To perform its regulatory function, M.SsoII binds specifically to a 15-mer inverted repeat in the promoter region of SsoII restriction-modification system genes. In the present work, properties of the protein Δ(72–379)M.Ecl18kI are studied, which is a deletion mutant of the SsoII like DNA methyltransferase M.Ecl18kI and is homologous to M.SsoII N-terminal region. Δ(72– 379)M.Ecl18kI capability to bind specifically a DNA duplex containing the regulatory site is demonstrated. However, such a binding takes place only in the presence of high protein excess relative to DNA, which couldindicate an altered structure in the deletion mutant in comparison with the full length M.SsoII. Circular dichroismspectroscopy demonstrated that Δ(72–379)M.Ecl18kI has a strongly pronounced secondary structure and contains 32% α-helices and 20% β-strands. Amino acid sequences alignment of M.SsoII N-terminal region and transcription factors of known spatial structure is made. An assumption is made how α-helices and β-strands are arranged in M.SsoII N-terminal region. Dmytro Morderer1, Oleksii Nikolaienko1, Inessa Skrypkina1, Liudmyla Tsyba1, Volodymyr Cherkas2, Alla Rynditch1 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Functional Genomics, Ukraine; 2Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Department of General Physiology of Nervous System, Ukraine e-mail: Dmytro Morderer <[email protected]> ITSN1 is one of the candidate genes to be involved in development of Down syndrome phenotype as well as in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This gene encodes multifunctional evolutionally conserved adaptor protein intersectin 1, which is implicated in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, as well as in actin nucleation and mitogenic signaling. ITSN1 is characterized by high level of expression in neurons. Moreover, several ITSN1 alternative splicing events occurring predominantly in neuronal cells were reported. These data suggest that intersectin 1 could play an important role in neuronal functioning. In order to determine the composition of neuronal intersectin 1-related protein complexes we performed search for novel intersectin 1 neuron-specific interacting partners. For this purpose, we performed GST pull-down assay with mouse brain lysate using intersectin 1 SH3 domains as a bait. Bound proteins were subjected to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis. For the SH3A domain of intersectin 1 a band of 125 kDa was observed. It was identified as STOP (stable tubule-only polypeptide). This protein is a main factor that determines Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated microtubule cold and drug stability and also takes part in generation of synaptic plasticity. Since glial cells contain STOP isoforms with smaller molecular weight; we concluded that STOP is neuron-specific binding partner of intersectin 1. To confirm these results we performed several independent experiments. GST pull-down assay revealed that STOP can bind the SH3A and with less affinity the SH3C and SH3E domains. Intersectin 1–STOP complexes were coimmunoprecipitated from mouse brain lysate using anti-STOP and anti-ITSN1-EH2 antibodies. Finally, we determined subcellular localization of these proteins in rat primary hippocampal neurons using both fluorescent antibodies and recombinant FP-tagged proteins. We found that intersectin 1 and STOP partially co-localize both in cell body and in neurites. Additional experiments will be performed to elucidate functional meaning of this interaction. Acknowledgements This work was supported by The State Fund for Fundamental Researches and Joint Project Programme of European Scientific Unions “Early Stages of Human Oncological, Autoimmune and Neurodegenerative Diseases”. Abstracts 68 P7.28 P7.29 In vitro effect of pH and cadmium on malic enzyme from herring sperm from the Gulf of Gdansk — similarities in structure and activity profiles under adverse conditions Thermodynamics of molecular recognition of mRNA 5’ cap by yeast eukaryotic initiation factor 4E Natalia Niedźwiecka, Edward F. Skorkowski Gdansk University Biological Station, Laboratory of Comparative Biochemistry and Ecotoxicology, Gdansk, Poland e-mail: Natalia Niedźwiecka <[email protected]> Introduction: Our knowledge about the enzymes expression and theirs properties in fish spermatozoa is very inconspicuous. The overall tertiary structures of these malic enzymes are similar, but there are still some differences that may be significant for catalysis and regulation of the enzyme. ME usually exists as tetramer. It catalyzes the reaction of malate decarboxylation to form pyruvate in the presence of divalent cations like Mn2+ or Mg2+ and NAD+ or NADP+ coenzyme. NADH or NADPH is generated in this reaction. The kinetic properties of malic enzyme from Baltic herring sperm have been not previously described. Baltic herring is a common species which is exposed on high dose of cadmium and other hazardous substances. The mechanism of cadmium toxicity is still not yet established. Material and Methods: Milt was collected from mature male herring (Clupea harengus membras) specimens from the Gulf of Gdansk. The malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.39) from spermatozoa was purified by chromatography on DEAESepharose, Red Agarose and Sepharose 6B. Malic enzyme activity was calculated spectrophotometrically by observing the appearance of NADPH at 340 nm at 30°C (E mM 340 = 6.22 for NADPH in 1 cm light path quartz cell) and by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The malic enzyme was dissociated in buffers with different pH values and also after incubation with cadmium. Samples were analyzed using native electrophoresis and, after cross-linking, SDS/ PAGE electrophoresis. Results: 1. Effect of the range of pH 4.5–8 on malic enzyme activity was studied spectrophotometrically. The results shows that the optimum pH for NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme was 7 and 7.5 (for NADP and NAD respectively). 2. The native page electrophoresis results confirm that the native malic enzyme exists as active tetramer. The intensity of tetramer band decreases with the decrease of pH. 3. In low pH ME tetramers partially dissociate to dimers (observed in pH 5) and monomers (pH <5). 4. Similar gel profiles were observed in the case of malic enzyme incubated with 2 mM cadmium. The activity of malic enzyme decreases in a time-dependent manner and tetramer dissociation can be observed. Katarzyna Kiraga-Motoszko1, Anna Niedzwiecka1,2, Anna Modrak-Wojcik1, Janusz Stepinski1, Edward Darzynkiewicz1, Ryszard Stolarski1 1University of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Division of Biophysics, Warsaw, Poland; 2Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Biological Physics, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Anna Niedźwiecka <[email protected]> Molecular mechanisms underlying the recognition of the mRNA 5’ terminal structure called “cap” by the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) are crucial for capdependent translation. To gain a deeper insight into how the yeast eIF4E interacts with the cap structure, isothermal titration calorimetry and the van’t Hoff analysis based on intrinsic protein fluorescence quenching upon titration with a series of chemical cap analogs were performed, providing a consistent thermodynamic description of the binding process in solution. Equilibrium association constants together with thermodynamic parameters revealed similarities and differences between yeast and mammalian eIF4Es. The yeast eIF4E complex formation was enthalpydriven and entropy-opposed for each cap analog at 293 K. A non-trivial isothermal enthalpy-entropy compensation was found, described by a compensation temperature, Tc = 411±18 K. For a low affinity analog, 7-methylguanosine monophosphate, a heat capacity change was detected, ΔCp°= +5.2±1.3 kJ ∙ mol-1∙K-1. The charge-related interactions involving the 5’-5’ triphosphate bridge of the cap and basic amino acid side chains at the yeast eIF4E cap-binding site were significantly weaker (by ΔΔH°vH of about +10 kJ ∙ mol-1) than those for the mammalian homologs, suggesting their optimization during the evolution. Acknowledgements The work was supported by N N301 267137; N N301 035936, N N301 096339 and the HHMI 55005604. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.30 P7.31 Estrogen receptors expression and clinical peculiarities of breast cancer Functional diversity of intersectin family adaptor proteins Olga Shatova, Igor Sedakov, Igor Zinkovych Olga Novokhatska1, Mykola Dergai1, Oleksandr Dergai1, Liudmyla Tsyba1, Inessa Skrypkina1, Jacques Moreau2, Alla Rynditch1 Donetsk National Medical University named after M. Gorkiy, Biochemistry Department, Ukraine e-mail: Shatova Olga <[email protected]> Rate of distant metastases (M1) and positive nodes status (N1-N2) was analyzed in the moment of hospitalization of 1916 patients with breast cancer, including of 1309 with estrogen receptor-positive tumors. In 25 patients the level in the blood serum of some enzymes of exchange of carbohydrates and nucleosides was determined. It was shown that probability of distant metastases was significant higher at estrogen-negative tumors of women at the small sizes (T1-2) of tumor or at the stored menstrual function. Opposite, the metastases in regional lymphatic nodes were more frequently registered among women in a premenstrual period and with the expression of estrogen receptors. High levels of serum adenosine deaminase 13.7±2.9 nmol/min ∙ mg (as compared with 9.5±3.2 nmol/ min ∙ mg, р=0.045) and lactate dehydrogenase 3.2±0.15 nmol/min ∙ mg (as compared with 3.0±0.2 nmol/min ∙ mg, р=0.023), combining with the low serum activity of thymidine phosphorylase 18.5±5.7 nmol/min ∙ mg (as compared with estrogen receptor-negative – 10.6±1.4 nmol/min ∙ mg) can be indirect index of absence of estrogen receptors. 69 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics NASU, Department of Functional Genomics, Ukraine; 2Jacques Monod Institute, Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Development, France e-mail: Novokhatska Olga <[email protected]> Mitogenic signalling from receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is tightly linked to endocytosis that regulates the fidelity of signal transduction. Intersectins (ITSN1 and ITSN2) are evolutionarily conserved adaptors implicated in the earliest stages of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. However, their increased levels lead to distinct effects on signal transduction. Overexpression of ITSN1 has mitogenic effect whereas high expression level of ITSN2 is associated with prolonged disease-free survival during breast cancer. A role for ITSN1 was also shown in Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s neurodegenerative diseases and Down syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare these two highly related adaptor molecules functionally. For this, we investigated subcellular distribution of ITSNs, their binding properties towards interaction partners and regulation via posttranslational modifications. Immunofluorescent analysis together with coimmunoprecipitation showed that endogenous ITSN1 and ITSN2 significantly colocalized in HEK293 cells and formed a complex in vivo. In vitro binding assay revealed no interaction between ITSN1 and ITSN2 coiled-coil regions capable of dimerization. This data suggest that association of ITSNs is not mediated by their direct interaction but rather depend on the N-terminal EH domains responsible for the intracellular localization. To investigate whether differences of ITSNs lie in their binding specificity we compared protein interactions of these adaptors. Seven well-established protein partners of ITSN1 were tested for binding to ITSN2. In addition, three novel binding partners for ITSNs were identified. Interaction data showed that all protein partners tested are common for ITSNs. However, binding of ITSN2 to signalling proteins Cbl, CIN85 and Sema6A was mediated by partially distinct interaction domains. Investigation of posttranslational modifications of ITSNs revealed that both proteins are monoubiquitilated. ITSN2 in contrast to ITSN1 specifically underwent tyrosine phosphorylation. The level of phosphorylation did not depend on inhibition of endocytosis but was reduced in serumstarved cells. Obtained data showed that ITSN1 and ITSN2 differ in their binding properties and posttranslational regulation. Further investigation is needed to distinguish the precise roles of ITSN1 and ITSN2 in cell processes. Abstracts 70 P7.32 P7.33 Novel DNA-binding protein from Nanoarchaeum equitans Kin4-M binds all kinds of nucleic acids Expression and purification of recombinant Paramecium Rab7 proteins Marcin Olszewski, Jan Balsewicz, Marta Nowak, Józef Kur Gdańsk University of Technology, Department of Microbiology, Gdańsk, Poland e-mail: Marcin Olszewski <[email protected]> Nanoarchaeum equitans is the only known representative of Archaea phylum Nanoarchaeota and stands out as one of the tiniest known living organism. What is more it has smallest genome, which is only 490.885 base pairs long. It is also one of the most compact genomes. According to predictions about 95% of the DNA encodes proteins or stable RNA. Nanoarchaeum equitans lacks genes for most vital metabolic pathways including lipid, cofactor, amino acid, or nucleotide biosynthesis. However contrary to most known organisms with reduced genome has a full set of enzymes involved in DNA replication, repair and recombination, one of which is a single-stranded DNA binding protein. To date four nanoarchaeal proteins have been identified: tRNA splicing endonuclease, reverse gyrase, neelaredoxin and family B DNA polymerase. Interestingly all of them possess unusual features. Sequence analysis of Nanoarchaeum equitans SSB protein indicates that it may also fit the trend. We report the identification and characterization of SSB from Nanoarchaeum equitans Kin4-M. NeqSSB is one of the largest known SSB proteins consisting 243 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 27.78 kDa. It is functional as a monomer with encoding one singlestranded DNA binding domain (OB-fold), which is the smallest and consists of 75 amino acids residues only. Nanoarchaeum SSB is the completely new kind structure of SSB protein. SSBs proteins identified to date are homotetramers or homodimers and theirs OB-fold have about 100 amino acids residues. In fluorescence titrations with poly(dT), NeqSSB protein binds single-stranded DNA with a binding site size about 42 nt per monomer. In addition, a unique feature is the high protein binding capacity of RNA and DNA, both linear and circular. The half-lives of NeqSSB was 5 min at 100°C. These results showed that Nanoarchaeum SSB as the first characterized SSB with ability to binding all kinds of nucleic acids is thermostable SSB protein with unique structure, offering an attractive alternative for other SSB proteins in their applications for molecular biology techniques. Magdalena Osińska, Kamil Kobyłecki, Krzysztof Skowronek, Elżbieta Wyroba Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Magdalena Osińska <[email protected]> Recent data indicate that changes in post-translational modification represent rapid routes to the sub- and neofunctionalization of duplicated genes (Amoutzias et al. 2010). Recombinant proteins may be useful tool in studies of such modifications and we expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) Rab7 proteins encoded by Paramecium octaurelia rab7a and rab7 paralogous genes. Although the Rab7a and Rab7b proteins are exhibiting 97.6% amino acid sequence identity, they differ in their expression, properties and function. Up to now liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed eight identical phosphorylated residues in both these proteins: S17, S23, S71, T34, T40, T63, Y77 and Y89. In 2D gel electrophoresis two immunoreactive spots were identified for Rab7b at pI~6.34 and ~6.18 and only one spot for Rab7a of pI~6.34 suggesting post-translational modification of Rab7b. In order to elucidate this problem the constructs of the native Rab7a and Rab7b proteins as well as of their two variants undergoing putative unique modifications were created by the site directed mutagenesis and were subcloned into expression vectors pPR-IBA2 for Streptag and pET28 Novagene for (His)6 tag. Prior to this step full coding sequences of both genes were synthesized to replace TAG encoding glutamine in Paramecium in order to prevent termination of the protein translation in E.coli. All the constructs were sequenced to prove their correctness. By changing the conditions of both the cultivation of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) bearing the expression vectors and the induction of lac operon (time, temperature, IPTG concentration) the efficient overproduction and purification of Rab7a-Strep and Rab7b (His)6-tagged recombinant proteins was achieved. The effectiveness of these procedures was confirmed by double immunodetection (Western Blot) using two sets of specific antipeptide antibodies recognizing Strep or His tag and the Rab7a or Rab7b proteins, respectively. This was followed by mass spectrometry that brought the evidence of required amino acid sequence of the recombinant proteins. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grant N N303 615038 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.34 P7.35 The impact of adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 in the maintenance of cancer stem cell phenotype The effect of Sgt1 phosphorylation on its nuclear translocation N. Byts, A. Fedoseenko, G. Pasichnyk, A. Basaliy, A. Samoylenko, L. Drobot Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Ganna Pasichnyk <[email protected]> Introduction: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are tumor cells with a self-renewal activity and ability to generate new heterogeneous tumors. Several mechanisms are involved in the development and maintenance of CSCs phenotype such as increased NF-κB signalling, overexpression of membrane transporters (ABCG2 etc.) as well as the expression of several membrane markers. Nevertheless, the impact of adaptor proteins in the regulation of CSCs biological responses remains mostly unknown. It was shown that adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 is involved not only in the control of the normal cell homeostasis but is implicated in the mechanisms of malignant transformation of mammalian cells and as a result might serve as a molecular marker of carcinogenesis. Here we investigated the possible role of adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 in the development of phenotypic and functional features of CSCs. Methods: All experiments were carried on human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cell line. Either wild type MCF-7 cells or MCF-7 cells with stable overexpression of Ruk/ CIN85 were used. Toluidine blue staining that can discriminate between stem/early breast progenitor cells (“pale” stained cells) and more differentiated epithelium cells (“darker” stained cells) was used for analysis of MCF-7 adherent and suspension cells according to Cioce et al. (2010) Cell Cycle 9: 2878-2887. The activation of transcription factor NF-κB was analyzed using appropriate luciferase gene reporter construct. MCF-7-derived mammosheres were cultured on low-adhesive plastic in growth factor-supplemented medium. The expression of CD44 surface marker was analyzed in CSC-like subpopulations by Western blotting. Results: We demonstrated that relatively high percentage of suspension cells as compared to adherent cells were stained pale with Toluidine blue. Interestingly, the number of “pale” stained cells positively correlated with the level of Ruk/CIN85 expression. When subjected to a mammoshere forming conditions floating MCF-7 cells with Ruk/CIN85 overexpression quickly developed mammosheres. Overexpression of Ruk/CIN85 also leads to the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB and elevated expression of CD44 surface marker. These features are known to be typical for CSCs. Conclusion: Briefly, the data obtained indicate the potential regulatory role of adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 in the development of CSC-like phenotype in breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. 71 Wiktor Prus 1, Magdalena Zabka1, Paweł Bieganowski2, Anna Filipek1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Mossakowski Medical Research Center PAS, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Wiktor Prus <[email protected]> Sgt1 (suppressor of G2 allele of Skp1) is a conserved protein present in yeast, plant and mammalian cells. Sgt1 interacts with several ligands such as Skp1 [1], members of the S100 family [2] and some heat shock proteins such as Hsp90 or Hsp70 [3]. Interestingly, the binding of S100A6 with Sgt1 inhibits the Sgt1-Hsp90 complex formation [4]. Since it was shown that the Sgt1 protein has co-chaperone properties [5] and that it translocates to the nucleus after heat shock [6], in this work we examined the influence of phosphorylation on Sgt1 translocation. The theoretical analysis and in vitro kinase assay revealed that Sgt1 is phosphorylated at the C-terminus by casein kinase II [2]. To check the influence of Sgt1 phosphorylation we prepared non-phosphorylable (S249A, S299A, S249/299A) or phosphorylation-mimic (S299D) mutants of human Sgt1. Human Sgt1 containing serine 299 is a homolog of yeast Sgt1 containing serine at position 361 [7]. Non-phosphorylable Sgt1 mutants were then overexpressed in HEp-2 cells and afterwards cells were heat shocked. We have found that after heat shock the non-phosphorylable S299A, but not the phosphorylation-mimic S299D, mutant of Sgt1 translocates to the nucleus more efficiently than wild type Sgt1. Additionally, we revealed that S100A6 is required for translocation of the non-phosphorylable Sgt1 mutant and that S100A6 also translocates to the nucleus after heat shock. To elucidate the role of S100A6 and Hsp90 in Sgt1 translocation we checked the binding of Sgt1 with these two ligands. Our results indicate that non-phosphorylated Sgt1 binds S100A6 stronger and Hsp90 weaker than wild type Sgt1. This suggests that S100A6-Ca2+-mediated Sgt1 dephosphorylation promotes its nuclear translocation most likely due to the disruption of the Sgt1-Hsp90 complex. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants N N301 293637 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland to A.F. and by statutory funds from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. Reference 1. Kitagawa et al. (1999) Mol Cell 4: 21-33. 2. Nowotny et al. (2003) J Biol Chem 278: 26923-26928. 3. Lee et al. (2004) J Biol Chem 279: 16511-16517. 4. Spiechowicz et al. (2007) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 357: 1148–1153. 5. Zabka et al. (2008) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 370: 179-183. 6. Prus, Filipek (2009) Amino Acids 2010 Mar 6. [Epub ahead of print]. 7. Bansal et al. (2009) J Biol Chem 284: 18692-18698. Abstracts 72 P7.36 P7.37 Two different regions of the fibrin coiled-coil domain important for fibrin protofibril lateral association Adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 forms complex with prolyl hydroxylase-2 influencing hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha stability Nikolay A. Pydiura, Eduard V. Lugovskoy, Evgeniy M. Makogonenko, Serhiy V. Komisarenko Anatoly Samoylenko1, Nina Kozlova1, Nadiya Byts1, Thomas Kietzmann2, Lyudmyla Drobot1 O. V. Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Protein Structure and Function, Ukraine 1Palladin Institute of Biochemisry, Laboratory of Cell Signalling, Kyiv, Ukraine; 2University of Oulu, Department of Biochemistry, Oulu, Finland e-mail: Nikolay Pydiura <[email protected]> e-mail: Anatoliy Samoylenko <[email protected]> Previously we obtained fibrin-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) FnI-3C and synthetic peptide imitating fibrin(ogen) a. a. sequence Bbeta L121-V138 that inhibit the lateral stage of fibrin polymerization. The exposition of the epitope (Bbeta M118-V134) for fibrin-specific mAb FnI-3C is a result of FpA cleavage from fibrin(ogen) molecule [1]. This testifies that desAA fibrinogen molecule after FpA cleavage undergoes structural changes which permit protofibril lateral association. We performed a bioinformatical analysis and structural modelling of the human fibrin molecule to investigate this process. Dynamical properties of the 3D models of human fibrinogen and fibrin X fragments were analyzed with the help of the method of correlation molecular dynamics in package CONCOORD 2.1. Analysis of the alpha, beta and gamma interchain interactions shows the differences in the spatial organization of coiled-coil domain between fibrinogen and fibrin X fragments. Coiled-coil region of fibrin fragment X molecule proved to have 40% greater RMSF compared to fibrinogen, reflecting an increase in molecular flexibility. At the same time coiled-coil region containing Bbeta M118-V138 fragment showed less critical change in RMSF – 10% increase. The part of this domain including Bbeta M118-V138 is less stiff then the rest of coiled-coil domain. It contains the unstructured gamma chain region T68-M78 and plasmin sensitive sites. We more accurately identified the “hinge” regionin the Bbeta with the center at amino acid residues Q129-V133 according to chain beta. Our results testify that coiled-coil domain plays a crucial role in the process of fibrin protofibril lateral association. Analysis of the structural localization of point mutations gives us the reason to distinguish 2 different regions of the coiled-coil domain of fibrin molecule important for protofibril lateral association. First is the structurally important “hinge” fragment in the middle of coiled-coil region, containing Bbeta M118-V138. Such factors as mutations in conserved position or interaction with antibody or peptide changing the structure and thus flexible properties of this region lead to impairment of protofibril lateral association. Second – the “functional” region surface of which is important for fibrin protofibril lateral association. This region is located in the D-part of the coiled-coil domain. Tumor hypoxia is a well-known microenvironmental factor that influences cancer progression and resistance to cancer treatment. This involves multiple mechanisms of which the best-understood ones are mediated through transcriptional gene activation by the hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs). Among a plethora of biological effects, HIFs may contribute to invasion and metastasis by inducing the expression of components of the plasminogen activation system including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). A recent study has shown that the adaptor/scaffold protein Ruk/ CIN85, which plays an important role in apoptosis, adhesion, invasion and downregulation of receptor tyrosine kinases, is involved in the hypoxic response (Samoylenko et al., 2010). Thereby, Ruk/CIN85 induced PAI-1 expression via enhancing the protein levels of the HIF-1 α-subunit. The HIFα-subunit abundance is primarily regulated on the levels of protein stability and activity by iron- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, the HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) and asparaginyl hydroxylases. To investigate whether Ruk/CIN85 may interfere with HIF-1α stabilization or transactivation, the cells were co-transfected with the luciferase reporter construct pG5-E1B-Luc that contains 5 copies of a Gal4 response element and vectors allowing expression of fusion proteins consisting of the Gal4-DNA binding domain (Gal4) and either HIF-1α N-terminal (NTAD) or C-terminal (TADC) transactivation domains along with the Ruk/CIN85 expression vector. It was found that Ruk/CIN85 interfered with the prolyl hydroxylationdependent HIF-1α protein destabilisation but not with asparaginyl hydroxylation-dependent HIF-1α transactivation. By continuing to unravel the mechanisms by which Ruk/ CIN85 increases HIF-1α levels we next investigated whether Ruk/CIN85 may interact directly with PHDs. By using co-immunoprecipitation and GST “pull down” assays it was demonstrated that Ruk/CIN85 forms complex with PHD2. When different fragments of Ruk/CIN85 protein fused to GST were investigated by “pull down” assay it was found that SH3 domains of Ruk/CIN85 are responsible for Ruk/CIN85-PHD2 interaction. On the other hand, it was shown by in vitro hydroxylation assay that Ruk/CIN85 is not hydroxylated directly by PHD-2. In conclusion, the Ruk/CIN85-PHD interplay may provide the unique opportunity to regulate PHD enzymatic activity, resulting in distinct modulation of HIF activity under hypoxia and normoxia. References 1. Lugovskoy EV et al. (2009) Thromb Res 123: 765-770. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.38 P7.39 The role of PKD1 and PKD2 protein kinases in regulation of gastric tumor cell biology Novel application of the advanced mass spectrometry approaches to characterize acetylation of CheY, a response regulator in chemotaxis of Escherichia coli Mariana Yu. Shabelnik1, Larisa M. Kovalevska1, Mariya Yu. Yurchenko1, Larisa M. Shlapatska1, Yuriy Rzepetsky2, Svetlana Sidorenko1 1R.E.Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology NASU, Kiev, Ukraine; 2 Institute of cell biology NASU, Lviv, Ukraine e-mail: Mariana Shabelnik <[email protected]> Protein kinase D (PKD) genes are ubiquitously expressed in different human tissues. Recently the differential expression of PKD genes was found in tumors of different histogenesis. These protein kinases could be activated by growth factors, antigen stimulation and oxidative stress, the processes that usually are observed during tumor progression. PKDs regulate cell-cell contacts by affecting cell adhesion. These kinases are involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and also participate in epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Nevertheless, the role of different PKD isoforms in these processes in normal and malignant cells is not completely clarified. That is why studies of differential expression and activity of PKD1 and PKD2 in the context of tumor invasiveness and prognosis could be of interest for translational research in oncology. The aim of our research was to study the role of PKD1 and PKD2 protein kinases in regulation of gastric tumor cell biology. For this we developed a model system based on gastric adenocarcinoma сell line AGS. AGS cells were transfected with human PKD1 or PKD2 in pcDNA3.1 plasmid or empty vector. After selection with G418 we received a stable sublines, which were used for comparative analysis in MTT and proliferation assays, and also tests for cell migration and survival. Q-PCR analysis with specific primers showed that in AGS cell line the level of PKD1 expression was lower than PKD2. Moreover, PKD1 was not detectable in these cells on protein level. The AGS transfection with PKD1 decreased about two times the level of PKD2 expression on mRNA level. PKD1 transfection led to inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and survival; however, adhesive properties of cells were increased. The PKD2 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation, migration and survival, but reduced cell adhesion. Our data will help to evaluate the significance of PKD1 and PKD2 differential expression in primary gastric adenocarcinomas. This will contribute to the development of new approaches for differential diagnostics of tumors and identification of a novel targets for therapy, and also help to reveal the prognostic factors for the prediction of clinical outcome. 73 Tevie Mehlman1, Bassem Ziadeh1, Gabriel Simon2, Atim Atte Enyenihi3, Milana Fraiberg4, Michael Eisenbach4, Roman Zubarev3, Alla Shainskaya1 1Weizmann Institute of Science, Biol MS Facility, Israel; 2Washington University in St. Louis, USA; 3Karolinska Institutet, Molecular Biometry Lab, Sweden; 4Weizmann Institute of Science, BiolChem Department, Israel e-mail: Alla Shainskaya <[email protected]> CheY, the response regulator of bacterial chemotaxis, transduces the chemotactic signal from receptor supramolecular complex to the switch element in flagellar-motor to generate clockwise rotation of bacteria. The rotation is regulated by two covalent modifications of CheY – phosphorylation and acetylation. Recently we showed that CheY undergoes in-vitro acetylation by a) acetyl-CoA synthetasecatalyzed transfer of acetyl groups from acetate to CheY and b) autocatalyzed transfer from AcCoA [1–3]. Our goal now was separation and quantitation of the heterogeneous pools of chemically acetylated CheY using mass spectrometry (MS) approaches. To separate acetylated species, CheY was resolved by native PAGE and by ion-exchange chromatography. Gel bands excised from Native Blue Gels and fractions were subjected to proteolytic digestion, followed by LC-ESI-MS/MS on Orbitrap-XL for identification of acetylated residues and Protomap quantitation. Top-down MS analyses were performed using a Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap Velos instrument and Q-TRAP-4000. Previously we showed that the acetylation sites of non-treated CheY and CheY after in-vitro, in vivo and auto acetylation are mostly clustered at the C-terminus of the protein, with lysine residues 91, 92, 109, 119, 122 and 126 being the main acetylation sites. Chemical acetylation extends acetylation to the N-terminal lysine residues 4, 7 and 26 being additional sites for acetylation. We assume that the result of the chemical acetylation is an incremental increase in the extent of acetylation of the same lysine residues. To prove this assumption we applied recently described Protomap Approach [4], modified so to enable relative quantitation of the acetylation sites, distributed among 11 Lysine residues in the CheY sequence. Implementing Top-Down approach we achieved HPLC separation of heavily acetylated CheY species, up to 11 AcLys, and their MS analysis. To our knowledge it is the first aattempt to apply complex MS studies for the analysis of CheY acetylation. These findings may have far reaching implications for the structure–function relationship of CheY a key protein, involved in a signal transduction to generate clock-wise rotation of bacteria. References 1. Barak R, Eisenbach M (2004) J Mol Biol 342: 383-401. 2. Barak R, Eisenbach M (2006) J Mol Biol 359: 251-265. 3. Liarzi O, Eisenbach M (2010) Mol Microbiol 76: 932-943. 4. Dix M, Simon GM, Cravatt BF (2008) Cell 134: 679-691. Abstracts 74 P7.40 P7.41 Autophagy inhibition promotes cell death in the human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 Study of a functional role of KCTD-family proteins Galyna Y. Shuvayeva1, Oxana B. Groholska1, Nataliya I. Igumentseva1, Ciro Isidoro2, Oleh V. Stasyk1 Мikhail Yu. Skoblov1, Andrey V. Marakhonov1, Anna V. Baranova1,2 1Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Department of Cell Signaling, Lviv, Ukraine; 2Amedeo Avogadro University, Department of Medical Science, Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Nanobioimaging, Novara, Italy 1Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russia; 2Molecular and Microbiology Department, George Mason University, USA e-mail: Mikhail Skoblov <[email protected]> e-mail: Galyna Shuvayeva <[email protected]> Autophagy is a major mechanism of cellular protein and organelle recycling, induced in response to nutrient starvation or metabolic stress. The role of autophagy in cancer progression and in response to various therapies is a topic of debate in biomedical science. Recently we showed that single amino acid arginine (ARG) deprivation strongly induces autophagic response in the human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells, highly resistant to this metabolic stress. ARG deprivation achieved with recombinant ARG-degrading enzymes is currently considered as anticancer therapy. On the model of SKOV3 cells, we addressed the question, whether autophagy modulation may enhance potential of this therapy. We examined cell viability upon autophagy inhibition or overinduction in ARG-free medium, and ability to restore proliferation upon ARG resupplementation. Antimalarial and potential anticancer drug chloroquine (CQ) was utilized as autophagy inhibitor, whereas resveratrol (RV) was applied as autophagy inducer. We demonstrated that RV did not affect SKOV3 cells viability upon ARG deprivation. However, inhibition of autophagy with CQ decreased cell viability under ARG deprivation and dramatically affected cell proliferation upon ARG resupplementation. Transcriptional silencing of autophagic protein Beclin 1, required for the initiation of autophagy, led to a similar phenotype. These results suggest an important role of autophagic process for maintaining SKOV3 cell viability upon ARG deprivation. Thus, autophagy may serve as a prosurvival mechanism upon single amino acid restriction providing the recycling of ARG from preexisting proteins. Although ovarian carcinomas were not considered as potentially sensitive to the therapy based on ARG deprivation, it was recently reported that tumor relapses after treatment with platinum compounds concomitantly become sensitive to ARG deprivation due to the loss of the expression of ARG biosynthetic enzyme, argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS). Our results point at potential efficacy of the combinational approach based on ARG deprivation and autophagy inhibition as a second line therapy for such difficult to cure ovarian carcinomas. Studying the causes of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, we found several protein-coding genes. One of the interesting candidates for the role of tumor suppressor gene was KCNRG. Bioinformatic analysis showed that its amino-acid sequence contains the T1 domain responsible for protein-protein interactions through tetramerization. Genome search revealed 27 other human genes with T1domain, which groups them into a family of KCTD-proteins. We have hypothesized that the KCNRG disrupts the assembly of tetramers of potassium channels, also possessing the T1 domain. We have shown that the KCNRG protein inhibits voltage-dependent potassium currents in cells of prostate carcinoma LnCaP, and stable over-expression of the gene KCNRG leads to suppression of proliferation and increased apoptosis in model cell lines of prostate carcinoma LnCaP, multiple myeloma RPMI-8226 and in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. This proves that the KCNRG gene has tumor suppressor properties. Despite the high degree of similarity with other KCNRGlike proteins, KCTD5 protein in solution does not form tetramers, but pentamers, whereas the tetramers are very unstable. Interestingly, the KCTD5 protein actively interacts with other proteins (non-potassium channels) through its C-terminal module, as well as through other epitopes. For the rest of the members of this family information about their interaction is scarce. We carried out the analysis of literature on KCNRG-like proteins and analyzed the participation of each unique members of the KCTD-family proteins in various signaling cascades and cell systems. In functional terms, family of KCTD proteins is quite diverse. In order to understand the function of KCNRG-like proteins and their interaction with potassium channels, we conducted a multiple alignment of amino-acid sequences of N-termini (with the T1 domain) and C-termini of KCTD proteins family. Also, we performed expression analysis to reveal groups of KCNRG-like proteins and potassium channels which co-expressed in the same type of tissues. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.42 P7.43 Hpy188I–DNA pre- and post-cleavage complexes — snapshots of the GIY-YIG nuclease mediated catalysis Does CacyBP/SIP dimerization modulate ERK2 activity? Monika Sokolowska1,2, Honorata Czapinska1,2, Matthias Bochtler1,2,3 1International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany; 3Schools of Chemistry and Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK e-mail: Matthias Bochtler <[email protected]> The GIY-YIG nuclease domain is present in all kingdoms of life and has diverse functions. It is found in the eukaryotic flap endonuclease and Holliday junction resolvase Slx1Slx4, the prokaryotic nucleotide excision repair proteins UvrC and Cho, and in proteins of selfish genetic elements. Here we present the structures of the ternary pre- and post-cleavage complexes of the type II GIY-YIG restriction endonuclease Hpy188I with DNA and a surrogate or catalytic metal ion, respectively. Our structures suggest that GIY-YIG nucleases catalyze DNA hydrolysis by a single substitution reaction. They are consistent with a previous proposal that a tyrosine residue (which we expect to occur in its phenolate form) acts as a general base for the attacking water molecule. In contrast to the earlier proposal, our data identify the general base with the GIY and not the YIG tyrosine. A conserved glutamate residue (Glu149 provided in trans in Hpy188I) anchors a single metal cation in the active site. This metal ion contacts the phosphate proS oxygen atom and the leaving group 3’-oxygen atom, presumably to facilitate its departure. Taken together, our data reveal striking analogy in the absence of homology between GIY-YIG and ββα-Me nucleases. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants No. N N 518497639 from the Polish Ministry of Education and Science and BK 214/Rau1/2011 from the Silesian University of Technology, Supported by the European Community from the European Social Fund within RFSD 2 project. Reference Sokolowska M, Czapinska H, Bochtler M (2011) Nucleic Acids Res 39: 1554-1564. Epub 2010 Oct 8. 75 Agnieszka M. Topolska1, Walter J. Chazin2, Anna Filipek1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2 Vanderbilt University, Center for Structural Biology, Nashville, TN, USA e-mail: Agnieszka Topolska <[email protected]> CacyBP/SIP was originally discovered as a S100A6 (calcyclin) binding partner [1] and then as a Siah-1 interacting protein [2]. Up to now the role of CacyBP/SIP is not clear but it has been suggested that it might be involved in cell cytoskeleton rearrangement (via interaction with tubulin and actin) or signaling pathways leading to cell differentiation (via binding to ERK1/2 kinases) [3, 4]. It has been shown that CacyBP/SIP dephosphorylates ERK2 and that the C-terminus of CacyBP/SIP (residues 178-229) is responsible for interaction with ERK2 [5]. Theoretical analysis of the C-terminus of CacyBP/SIP showed the presence of two α-helices: H-A (residues 189203) and H-B (residues 203-219). Since in helix B there is a universal sequence responsible for interaction with kinases, called KIM (Kinase Interaction Motif), it seems that residues 203-219 of CacyBP/SIP are involved in CacyBP/SIP–ERK2 interaction. Theoretical analysis of the N-terminal CacyBP/SIP fragment revealed that it has very similar structure to the C-terminus (two α-helices) and also contains KIM sequence. In this work we studied CacyBP/SIP dimerization and its effect on the interaction with ERK2. By cross-linking experiment using NB2a cell extract we found that CacyBP/ SIP indeed forms dimer which is present both in cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. However, a higher amount of the dimeric form is present in the nuclear fraction. Also, it seems that formation of CacyBP/SIP dimer is associated with stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Presence of the CacyBP/SIP dimer was confirmed by sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium experiments. Theoretical analysis of CacyBP/SIP model indicates that monomers interact through their N-terminal domains. Our hypothesis is that CacyBP/SIP dimer formation might occlude the N-terminal KIM sequence and in consequence might inhibit the interaction with ERK2 and phosphatase activity of CacyBP/SIP. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the European Union through the European Regional Developmental Fund within the scope of the International PhD Studies in Neurobiology (MPD4-502) and by statutory funds from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. References 1. Filipek A, Wojda U (1996) Biochem J 320: 585–587. 2. Matsuzawa S, Reed JC (2001) Mol Cell 7: 915-926. 3. Schneider G et al. (2010) Biochim Biophys Acta 1803: 1308-1317. 4. Kilanczyk E et al. (2009) Biochem Biophys Res Comm 380: 54-59. 5. Kilanczyk E et al. (2011) Biochem Biophys Res Comm 404: 179-183. Abstracts 76 P7.44 P7.45 Cloning, expression and antimicrobial activity of the human cathelicidin LL-37 Palmitoylcarnitine affects localization of growth associated protein GAP-43 in plasma membrane subdomains of NB-2a cells Csaba Tóth, Roland Pálffy, Stanislav Stuchlík, Ján Turňa Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, Bratislava, Slovakia e-mail: Csaba Toth <[email protected]> Antimicrobial peptides are evolutionarily conserved components of the innate immune response and they can be found among all classes of life. These peptides are able to kill Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, mycobacteria, enveloped viruses, fungi and even transformed or cancerous cells. They possess a variety of antimicrobial activities ranging from membrane permeabilization to action on a range of cytoplasmic targets. Therefore they are excellent candidates for the development of novel therapeutic agents and complements to conventional antibiotic therapy since fighting dangerous microbes has become increasingly difficult because many bacterial strains have become resistant to antibiotics. Among the AMPs, LL-37 is a very promising candidate for its possible clinical application as agent for the treatment of numerous diseases. LL-37 is a cationic, amphipathic α-helical peptide and it is the only AMP from the cathelicidin family found in human. It is mainly expressed in myeloid cells, where it is located in specific granules, but it was also described in inflamed skin, testis, wound fluid, lung epithelia, sweat and saliva. Apart from its’ wide spectrum of bactericidal activity, LL-37 also plays an important role in the regulation of the inflammatory response, neutralization of LPS and the promotion of wound healing. As the therapeutical and commercial importance of these peptides is rising, simple expression and purification systems will be needed for their large-scale production. We have designed and prepared a cost-effective and efficient expression system for the production of LL-37 in fusion with ketosteroid isomerase in E. coli cells. After the purification and activation of the peptide, we have tested its’ biological activity on various pathogens. Keywords: antimicrobial peptides, cathelicidins, LL-37, biological activity Karolina Tułodziecka, Katarzyna A. Nałęcz Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Karolina Tułodziecka <[email protected]> Palmitoylcarnitine, synthesized in the cell from palmitoylCoA and L-carnitine, is known to be an intermediate of fatty acid metabolism, anyhow, some other physiological functions have been ascribed as well to this long-chain acylcarnitine. In neuroblastoma NB-2a cells, characterized by negligible β-oxidation, palmitoylcarnitine was observed to promote differentiation and to affect signal transduction pathways, in particular activation and localization of protein kinase C (PKC). Palmitoylcarnitine was also observed to increase palmitoylation of several proteins, including growth associated protein GAP-43, whose expression augments during differentiation of neural cells. GAP-43 undergoes two reversible post-translational modifications, phosphorylation by PKC (a process decreased in the presence of palmitoylcarnitine) and palmitoylation (stimulated by palmitoylcarnitine), which should promote anchoring in plasma membrane microdomains. Since the phosphorylated form of GAP-43 is capable of binding phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), the present study has been focused on a possible effect of palmitoylcarnitine on localization in plasma membrane, when comparing its reversed influence on GAP-43 modifications. Solubilization of membranes in the presence of Triton X-100, followed by sucrose gradient centrifugation and Western blot analysis allowed the detection of GAP-43 presence in the floating fractions (rafts). Long-term (96h) palmitoylcarnitine treatment of NB-2a cells was shown to promote appearance of GAP-43 in rafts, a process completely reversed by β-methylcyclodextrin, a cholesterol binding agent, while there was no change upon sequestration of PIP2 with neomycin. A direct interaction with raft proteins (caveolin-1, flotillin-1) was excluded by immunoprecipitation, while immunocytochemistry analysis showed a possibility of a small fraction of GAP-43 interacting with PIP2 in microdomains not containing cholesterol, a phenomenon not affected, however, by palmitoylcarnitine. Treatment with bromopalmitate (inhibitor of protein acyltransferases) did not reverse the effect of palmitoylcarnitine and did not remove GAP-43 from the raft fractions. These observations point to palmitoylation of GAP-43 as a non-reversible modification, leading to localization of this protein in microdomains of plasma membrane rich in cholesterol, different, however, from microdomains in which PIP2 is present. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 77 P7.46 P7.47 Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of recombinant ADH from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Uncoordinated expression of the elongation factor 1 subunits in human lung carcinomas Pavol Utekal1, Stanislav Stuchlik1, Pavol Kois2, Jan Turna1 M. Veremieva1, V. Zakcharychev2, B. Negrutskii1, A. El’skaya1 1Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Molecular Biology, Bratislava, Slovak Republic; 2Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Bratislava, Slovak Republic 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics NASU, Laboratory of Protein Biosynthesis, Kiev, Ukraine; 2P. Schupik Kiev National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education UMH, Kiev, Ukraine e-mail: Maryna Veremieva <[email protected]> e-mail: Pavol Utekal <[email protected]> C-6 aldehydes and alcohols contribute to the fresh green odor in plants and are widely used in perfumes and in food technology. Important member of this family is trans-2hexenol. It can be produced by transformation of trans2-hexenal which is extracted from plant tissue. Carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes and alcohols are reduced by chemical methods in industry but it is not appropriate for production of compounds used in food industry. Therefore, in recent decades biocatalysis is used for these purposes. The enzymes suitable for reduction of aldehydes are oxidoreductases, which catalyze the reduction of carbonyl groups of aldehydes and alcohols. The most suitable enzyme from this class is alcoholdehydrogenase (ADH), which is the last enzyme involved in lipoxygenase pathway in several species of higher plants, which converts natural trans-2-hexenal to trans-2-hexenol. In this work we have focused on the cloning, expression, purification and characterization of the enzyme activity of recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcoholdehydrogenase I produced in Escherichia coli as a host. Keywords: trans-2-hexenol, biocatalysis, alcoholdehydrogenase Translation elongation complex eEF1H comprises the subunits responsible for GTP-dependent delivery of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosome (eEF1A) and for providing GDP/GTP exchange in the eEF1A molecule (eEF1Bαβγ complex). Cancer-induced increase of mRNAs coding for some subunits of eEF1 in different types of cancer was reported previously, however, the related changes in the level of corresponding proteins were rarely investigated. We have compared the expression of mRNAs and corresponding subunits of eEF1 in 25 clinical lung adenocarcinoma specimens by Northern blot and Western blot analyses. Elevated expression of mRNAs was observed in 44% cancer samples while increase in protein amount was detected in 52% cases. Unexpectedly, the alterations in the mRNAs and corresponding proteins levels were found to be uncoordinated when analyzed in the same tumor samples. To determine whether the eEF1 components change their cell localization in cancer tissues the immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Perinuclear localization of eEF1A and eEF1Bα was found in the normal and cancerous lung tissues. eEF1Bβ was present in the perinuclear region of normal lung tissue, however, it was detected in the nucleus of cancerous lung tissue. Nuclear staining of eEF1Bγ was found in both normal and cancerous specimens. Also, the intracellular distribution of the eEF1 subunits in the lung carcinoma A549 cell line was investigated by Western blot analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. Surprisingly, in cultivated cells all components of the eEF1 complex demonstrated both nuclear and cytoplasmic localization. The non-coordinated expression and nuclear localization of some eEF1 components in cancer cells indicate that the release of individual subunits from the complex might be of specific cancer-related importance beyond its established role in protein biosynthesis. Abstracts 78 P7.48 P7.49 Posttranslational modifications of CacyBP/SIP under normal and pathological conditions Molecular dynamics and substrate docking studies on paraoxonase 1 Urszula Wasik1, Beata Jastrzebska1, Serge Weis2, Grazyna Niewiadomska1, Anna Filipek1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2WagnerJauregg Hospital, Linz, Austria e-mail: Urszula Wasik <[email protected]> The CacyBP/SIP protein was discovered as a S100A6 binding partner (Filipek & Wojda, 1996) and later as the Siah1 interacting protein (Matsuzawa & Reed, 2001). The role of CacyBP/SIP is not clear but it has been suggested that CacyBP/SIP is involved in cytoskeleton rearrangement through its interaction with actin and tubulin (Schneider et al., 2007 and 2010), and in cell signaling pathways since it has been shown recently that CacyBP/SIP has phosphatase activity toward ERK1/2 kinase (Kilanczyk et al., 2009 and 2011). To elucidate the cellular role of CacyBP/ SIP in this work we studied its posttranslational modifications (PTMs). We also checked the effect of S100A6 on the level of various CacyBP/SIP forms. By applying 2D electrophoresis we found that in neuroblastoma NB2a cells the CacyBP/SIP protein might undergo phosphorylation by protein kinase C. Treatment of NB2a cell extract with alkaline phosphatase resulted in disappearance of acidic forms of CacyBP/SIP and appearance of its basic forms. The same result was obtained when the extract from differentiated NB2a cells, in which the level of S100A6 increases, was used. Moreover, the same alterations in the isoelectric point of CacyBP/SIP forms were caused by S100A6 overexpression. The influence of S100A6 on CacyBP/SIP phosphorylation by casein kinase II was checked in an in vitro experiment and again S100A6 was found to inhibit this phosphorylation. Since CacyBP/SIP is highly expressed in brain and its translocation from dendrites to the neuronal cell body during aging was observed, we checked CacyBP/SIP forms in neurodegeneration. We performed 2D electrophoresis on brain extract from thauopatic mice and from AD patients. In both cases the ratio between the two major forms of CacyBP/SIP was similar but it differed from control groups. Altogether, our results indicate that CacyBP/SIP undergoes PTMs that affects its isoelectric point and that the level of different CacyBP/SIP forms might change due to pathological conditions. At present, we focus on the identification of the phosphorylation site in the CacyBP/SIP molecule and on identification of other PTMs by mass spectrometry. References This work was supported by grants N N303 548439 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland to AF, Wista Laboratories Ltm and by statutory funds from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. Grzegorz Wieczorek1, Moshe Ben-David1, Clifford Felder1, Yacov Ashani1, Dan Tawfik2, Israel Silman3, Joel L. Sussman1 1Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Structural Biology, Israel; 2Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Biological Chemistry, Israel; 3Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Neurobiology, Israel e-mail: Grzegorz Wieczorek <[email protected]> Paraoxonase (PON1) is a Ca+2-dependent enzyme that is found in mammalian sera in which it is associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. Although its biological function(s) remain(s) to be established, it is believed to fulfill anti-oxidative and anti-atherosclerotic roles. It displays promiscuous specificity, acting on organophosphates (OPs), esters and lactones, and there is substantial evidence that the latter are its physiological substrates. Its ability to hydrolyze OPs raised the possibility that it could serve as a bioscavenger that could provide protection against OP nerve agent intoxication, and be used for decontamination of both nerve agent and insecticide OPs, which attack human and insect acetylcholinesterases (AChEs), respectively. The activity of wild-type (wt) PON1 towards OP nerve agents is too low to provide protection. Consequently, directed evolution has been used, together with mutagenesis of specific amino acid residues based on structural data obtained by X-ray crystallography, to enhance the catalytic activity of PON1 towards nerve agents, as well as its stereospecific preference for the chiral forms of the OPs that are preferentially active on AChE. Despite the fact that substantial enhancement of the bioscavenger activity of wt PON1 has thus been achieved, open questions remain concerning the mechanism of action of PON1 both on OPs and on its other substrates, and the mode of binding of substrates and inhibitors at the active site. We are complementing the experimental studies by molecular docking protocols and by molecular dynamics. The preliminary results of these studies will be presented. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.50 P7.51 Chemical phosphorylation of thymidylate synthase on histidine residue(s) Crystal structure of human muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase mutant E69Q in T conformation Piotr Wilk1, Zbigniew Zieliński1, Tomasz Ruman2, Wojciech Rode1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland; 2Rzeszów University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszów, Poland e-mail: Piotr Wilk <[email protected]> Thymidylate synthase (TS; EC 2.1.1.45) catalyzes the C(5) methylation of 2’-deoxyuridylate (dUMP) in a concerted transfer and reduction of the one-carbon group of N5,10methylenetetrahydrofolate, and with concomitant production of dihydrofolate and thymidylate. As the sole de novo source of thymidylate synthesis in cells, it is a target in anticancer, antiviral, antifungal and antiprotozoan chemotherapy. Potential phosphorylation of TS protein was first shown in 1997 after incubation of rat hepatoma cells with 32P labeled ATP (Samsonoff et al., 1997, J Biol Chem 272: 1328113285). Recently, phosphorylated residues were determined on both endogenous and recombinant eukaryotic TS. Phosphorylated fractions (separated by MOAC; constituted always ~1% of total protein) of purified preparations of recombinant enzyme from various sources were studied by 31P-NMR, allowing to determine involvement of phosphate groups in acid-labile phosphoramidate bond with histidine residue. Comparison of histidine-phosphorylated TSs with the corresponding fractions of non-phosphorylated protein showed a significant influence of this posttranslational modification on enzymes catalytic (decreasing Vmax) and non-catalytic (enabling mRNA translation repressing) properties (Frączyk et al., 2009, Pteridines 20: 137-142). Our current studies are aimed at obtaining of histidinephosphorylated TS quantities sufficient for crystallographic trials. With no histidine kinase capable of TS phosphorylation known, chemical reaction with potassium phosphoramidate (KPA) was employed. After optimization of reaction conditions, recombinant mouse TS protein was confirmed by 31P-NMR analysis to undergo phosphorylation on histidine residue(s). The apparent phosphorylation level was similar to that found in recombinant protein expressed in bacterial cells, and comparative studies showed the chemical modification to influence the enzyme’s properties in a way similar to that observed for recombinant TS phosphorylated in bacteria. Conditions are being sought enabling localization of the modification(s) by MS analyses and crystallization of phosphorylated protein. 79 Marek Zarzycki1, Robert Kolodziejczyk2,3, Ewa Maciaszczyk4, Robert Wysocki4, Mariusz Jaskolski2,5, Andrzej Dzugaj1 1Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Poland; 2Department of Crystallography, A. Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland; 3Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography Group, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki; 4Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland; 5Institute of Plant Biology, University of Wroclaw, Poland e-mail: Marek Zarzycki <[email protected]> Human fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase is an allosteric enzyme that is regulated by different ligands. There are two known isozymes in human tissues – liver isozyme (the key enzyme of gluconeogenesis), which is regulated by fructose-2,6bisphosphate, and its muscle counterpart (participating in glycogen synthesis) regulated by calcium ions. AMP being an allosteric inhibitor of both inhibits muscle isozyme with I0.5 35 to 100 times lower than liver one – the reason of which still remains obscure. In our studies leading to the explanation of the main differences in regulation of those two isozymes we have shown that only one residue in position 69 regulates sensitivity towards calcium ions Zarzycki et al (2007) FEBS Lett. 581: 1347-1350. As a consequence of this finding we have crystallized and solved the structure of E69Q muscle isozyme mutant, that became insensitive to calcium ions, but preserved all other kinetic properties resembling liver isozyme. We present here two crystal structures with and without fructose-6-phosphate (the product of the catalytic reaction) both being in complex with AMP. The binding pattern of muscle isozyme toward AMP is quite similar to the corresponding pattern of the liver isozyme and the T conformations of both isozymes are nearly the same. The product and the AMP binding sites are compared with the corresponding sites in human and porcine liver FBPases. Abstracts 80 P7.52 P7.53 Three-dimensional structure and function of human immunoglobulin G subclasses Structural analysis of the second catalytic cysteine half-domain (SCCH) from mouse ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 based on NMR data in solution Vladimir P. Zaviyalov1, Sergey N. Ryazantsev2, Vladimir M. Tischenko3 1University 2University of Turku, Department of Chemistry, Turku, Finland; of California, Department of Biological Chemistry, Los Angeles, USA; 3Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia e-mail: Vladimir Zaviyalov <[email protected]> Pro-inflammatory activity of IgG is initiated by the binding of two or more molecules of IgG to the surface of the target cell, followed by multivalent interaction between the IgG and complemen (Clq) or cell FcγR. C1q and FcγR show marked differences in their reactivity towards human IgG subclasses. The hIgG1 and hIgG3 are essentially equivalent in their abilities to activate the classical complement cascade (CCC). However, neither hIgG2 nor hIgG4 have been convincingly shown to activate the CCC. 3D structure of the hIgG2 Mat has been studied by us using single-particle 3D reconstruction and negative staining approach. Model of the 3D structure of hIgG2 was created at resolution of 1.78 nm. Molecule is asymmetrical so that one Fab is in close interaction with CH2 domains and hinge region; another Fab is located at some distance from Fc, there is some weak electron density connecting Fab with Fc; Fc shape is deformed possible due close interaction with Fab. The side view of the molecule shows that long axes of Fabs are nearly perpendicular to the long axis of Fc (“tripod-like” shape). Model is in great agreement with the data of difference scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fluorescent measurements obtained by us for a few myeloma hIgG2 as well as with other data previously obtained for hIgG2. It may explain why C1q- and FcγR-binding sites are less accessible in the hIgG2 and therefore it less effective or even lack of main pro-inflammatory activities. The EM studies of the hIgG3 revealed that the extremely long hinge region of this subclass exists under physiological conditions in a compact globule-like form. The DSC shows that the melting of a globule-like form of the hIgG3 hinge is a cooperative process. The ‘two-state’ model accepted for small globular proteins well describes the transition. Thus, in the hIgG3 molecule the core hinge folds into the 13th globular domain. The globular form of the hinge affects the conformation of CH2 domains that correlates with less effective inhibition of the CCC activation by the hIgG3 compact form. Thus, the 13th globular domain modulates the hIgG3 effector functions. The new insights gained by us into the molecular anatomy of hIgG subclasses are important not only for the understanding of molecular physiology of immune response but also for creation a new generation of therapeutic human antibodies. Emilia A. Lubecka1, Krzysztof Kazimierczuk2, Anna Zawadzka-Kazimierczuk2, Jan Stanek2, Krystian Stodus3, Jerzy Ciarkowski1, Wiktor Kozminski2, Igor Zhukov3,4,5 1Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland; 2Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 3Intitute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Warsaw, Poland; 4Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljublljana, Slovenia; 5EN-FIST Center of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia e-mail: Igor Zhukov <[email protected]> Proteins degradation by ubiquitin-proteosome pathway require jointed action of three enzymes responsible for ubiquitin-activation (E1), conjugation (E2) and ligation (E3). Second catalytic cysteine half-domain (SCCH) is a 276 amino acid residues long fragment of mouse ubiquitinactivating E1 enzyme contained catalytic cysteine. It was shown that the catalytic domain consist two autonomously folded half-domains – first catalytic cysteine half-domain (FCCH) and second catalytic cysteine half-domain (SCCH) [1]. Moreover, both half-domains formed stable 3D structures available in pdb databank as 2V31 and 1Z7L, respectively. Unfortunately, in spite of existence structural data the initial stages of ubiquitin-activation process are still not understood in details [2]. NMR spectroscopy is a good method for detail characterization of enzyme functioning from both structural and dynamical point of view [3]. In presented work we demonstrated initial structural analysis of SCCH half-domain from the mouse E1 enzyme in solution based on backbone and side chains chemical shifts. The backbone sequencespecific assignments were achieved on 2H,13C,15N-triple labeled recombinant SCCH using standard heteronuclear 3D NMR experiments [4]. Side chains assignments were obtained from analysis 4D 13C,15N-edited NOESY-HSQC and 4D HCCH-TOCSY data sets acquired with arbitrary sampling in evolution time space [5]. That data sets were processed with additionally suppression mathematical artifacts by on-grid algorithm [6]. All NMR experiments were recorded at 298 K on Varian VNMRS 800 NMR spectrometer equipped with cryogenic probeheads with inverse detection. Structural analysis is performed by TALOS+ and CS23D programs and will be presented in detail on a poster. Acknowledgments This work is financially supported by the grant from Polish Ministry of Higher Education N N301 318539 as well as European FP7 projects EastNMR (contract no. 228461) and BioNMR (contract no. 261863) inside of transnational access programs. EL has financial support from European Erasmus exchange program. References Szczepanowski RH et al. (2005) J Biol Chem 280: 22006-22011. Lee I, Schindelin H (2008) Cell 134: 268-278. Bhabha G et al. (2011) Science 332: 234-238. Lubecka E et al. (2011) Euromar 2011 (Frankfurt am Main, Germany, August 21–25), Book of Abstracts. Kazimierczuk K et al. (2007) J Magn Reson 188: 344-356. Stanek J, Kozminski W (2010) J Biomol NMR 47: 65-77. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P7.54 P7.55 Mitochondrial protein import: a structurefunction analysis of the TIM23 complex Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in b lymphocytes Keren Zohary, Lada Gevorkyan Airapetov, Abdussalam Azem L. M. Koval, O. Yu. Lykhmus, S. V. Komisarenko, M. V. Skok Tel Aviv University, Department of Biochemistry, Tel Aviv, Israel e-mail: L. M. Koval <[email protected]> e-mail: Keren Zohary <[email protected]> The mitochondrion is under the control of two genetic systems – its own genome, and that of the cell nucleus. However, only 8 proteins are encoded by the mitochondrial genome while approximately 1000 mitochondrial proteins are nucleon encoded, synthesized in the cytosol and then imported into the mitochondria. The recognition and sorting of nucleon encoded mitochondrial preproteins are mediated by four protein translocases: TOM (Translocase of the Outer Membrane), SAM (Sorting and Assembly Machinery), TIM22 (Translocase of the Inner Membrane) and TIM23. The latter mediates mainly the import of proteins that are translocated into the matrix. The TIM23 complex is a hetero-oligomeric complex that is composed of two sub complexes — the import motor (PAM complex) and a core complex that consists of the integral membrane proteins: Tim23, Tim17, Tim50 and Tim21. It is suggested that, during import, the inter-membrane space (IMS) domains of Tim23 and Tim50 interact and form one complex. The goal of this study is a structure-function analysis the Tim23-Tim50 interaction. For this purpose, we have purified the IMS domains of Tim23 and Tim50 and studied the interaction between them using Surface Plasmon Resonance and cross-linking. Using site directed mutagenesis, we have been able to detect amino acids that most likely participate in the formation of the Tim23-Tim50 complex. Furthermore, we have found that introducing the mutations into yeast caused a growth defective phenotype when compared with the wild type. 81 Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, Kyiv, Ukraine B lymphocytes express nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) involved in regulating their development and activation (Koval et al., 2008, Int J Biochem Cell Biol 40: 980990). However, the molecular mechanisms of nAChR immunoregulating activity remain a question. In addition, the role of some nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes is not completely understood. We investigated the exposure of a9-containing nAChR subtype in B lymphocytes of the spleen and peritoneal cavity of C57Bl/6 mice and the involvement of a4b2, a7 and a9(a10) nAChRs in B lymphocyte activation. By means of flow cytometry, a7 nAChRs were found in about 60%, while a4b2 and a9(a10) nAChRs in about 10% and 20% of spleen B lymphocytes, respectively. The increased level of both a7 and a9(a10) nAChR subtypes was found in marginal zone B lymphocytes in the spleen and in B1 cells from peritoneal cavity. Then we established that a4b2 and a7, but not a9(a10) nAChRs, were up-regulated upon B lymphocyte activation in vitro. Flow cytometry and sandwich ELISA studies demonstrated that a7 and a9(a10) nAChRs are coupled to CD40, whereas a4b2 nAChR is coupled to IgM. By using knockout mice and selective ligands of nAChR subtypes we showed, that B lymphocytes of both a7-/- and b2-/- mice responded to anti-CD40 stronger than those of the wildtype mice, whereas the cells of b2-/- mice responded to anti-IgM worse than those of the wild-type or a7-/- mice. Inhibition of a7 and a9(a10) nAChRs with methyllicaconitine resulted in considerable augmentation of CD40-mediated B lymphocyte proliferation in cells of all genotypes; stimulation of a4b2 nAChRs with epibatidine increased the IgMmediated proliferation of the wild-type and a7-/-, but not b2-/- cells. Inhibition of a9(a10) nAChRs with a-conotoxin PeAI exerted weak stimulating effect on CD40-mediated proliferation. Neither of nAChR ligands used influenced IgM to IgG class switch of B lymphocytes stimulated with anti-CD40 plus IL-4. Conclusions: (1) Mouse B lymphocytes express a4b2, a7 and a9(a10) nAChR subtypes, which regulate mitogenic pathways of B lymphocyte activation. (2) a4b2 nAChR is the minor subtype in mature B lymphocytes; it is co-localized with the BCR (IgM) and produces a stimulatory IgMrelated effect; (3) a7 nAChR is the major subtype of mature B lymphocytes; it is co-localized with CD40 and fulfills inhibitory CD40-related function; (4) a9(a10) nAChR is a “reserve” receptor, which partly compensates the absence of a7 nAChR in a7-/- cells; (5) Both a7 and a9(a10) nAChRs represent the ancient regulatory system of natural memory immune response of B1 and marginal zone B cells. Abstracts 82 P7.56 P7.57 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in monocytic, astrocytic and lymphoid cells studied by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy 2’-5’-Oligoadenylates and their analogs as modulators of activity of protein kinases Olena M. Kalashnyk, Olena Yu. Lykhmus, Maryna V. Skok Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast synaptic transmission in muscles and autonomic ganglia and regulate dopamine release in the brain. They are also expressed in many non-excitable cells where their functions are less understood. The aim of our work was to compare the subunit composition of nAChRs expressed in the cells of astrocytic (U373), monocytic (U937) and lymphoid (Daudi) origin, found either intracellularly or on the plasma membrane, and to reveal whether these receptors can be internalized with specific antibodies. By using nAChR subunit-specific antibodies in flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, we have found that glioblastoma U373 cells contained a lot of intracellular α3 and α7 nAChRs, which were also found on the plasma membrane. In contrast, U937 cells did not express α3 subunits on the plasma membrane but have a lot of intracellular α3 nAChRs; also they contained significant level of intracellular α4 nAChRs, which appeared on the membrane after certain period of cell cultivation. Daudi cells expressed α3, α4 and α7 nAChRs found both on the membrane and intracellularly. The binding of fluorescently labeled antibody raised against the whole extracellular domain of α7 subunit (1-208) resulted in receptor internalization in all cell lines examined. As expected, the fastest and most effective internalization was observed in monocytes U937: the antibodies were found under the membrane in 5 min after their binding and a widespread network of intracellular vesicles was formed during an hour. Astrocytes (U373) internalized the bound antibody in 15 min after its binding; the vesicles didn’t merge to form large intracellular structures. In contrast, lymphocytes (Daudi) demonstrated very weak and slow internalization: the first antibody clusters tending to move under the membrane were observed in one hour after the antibody binding. The results obtained demonstrate that non-excitable cells of monocytic, astrocytic and lymphoid origin express different sets of nAChR subtypes; the export of certain subtypes to the plasma membrane varies upon cultivation. The ability of studied cells to internalize the antibody-bound receptors is also different that may account for their different resistance to nAChR-specific autoimmune attacks. Zenovii Yu. Tkachuk, Olexander V. Kozlov, Igor Ya. Dubey, Larysa V. Tkachuk e-mail: Zenovii Yu. Tkachuk <[email protected]> It is known that protein kinases are key mediators of various cellular reaction. We have previously shown that “core” 2’-5’A3 form complexes with some proteins and change their conformation. The mechanism of action of “core” oligoadenylates is not completely explored. In this study we tried to find direct evidence of the ability of “core” 2’-5’-oligoadenylates to modulate the activity of kinases (PKs): FGFR, TIE2, ROCK1, Aurora, JNK1, CK2, ASK. PKs activity was determined using peptide substrate RRREEETEEE and labeled ATP. 2’-5’А3 and its analogs were found to have diverse, inhibiting as well as stimulating, effects on the activity of protein kinases. In most cases the 3’-epoxy analog 2’-5’epoА3 showed more pronounced stimulating activity as compared to the natural 2’-5’А3. The highest inhibiting activity demonstrated 2’-5’aminoА3 analog containing the residue of 8-aminoadenosine. The curves of titration of Aurora protein kinase with 2’-5’А3 and 2’-5’epoА3 show no linear dependence on oligoadenylate concentration and are V- or W-like shaped. 2’-5’epoА3 analog demonstrated more pronounced inhibition effect on Aurora characterized by high activity in broader range of concentrations. The inhibitory effect of 2’-5’А3 and 2’-5’epoА3 depends on ATP concentration. The IC50 values for oligoadenylates were determined from the titration curves. Since the curves are V- or W-shaped, there are IC50 values obtained at lower and higher concentrations. The IC50 at low concentration area for natural 2’-5’A3 was 19.3 µМ, while for the epoxy-derivative it was 11.6 µМ in the presence of 100 µМ ATP. At higher concentrations, the IC50 for 2’-5’A3 was found to be 23.8 and for 2’-5’epoA3 85 µМ, respectively. Possible mechanism of biological action of oligoadenylates is suggested where the binding of 2'-5'А3 and its analogs to protein kinases results in the conformational changes which lead to the modification of enzymatic activity. This suggestion is supported by the character of action of tested compounds on protein kinases since not only inhibition but also stimulation of enzymes occurs. So in this study we have managed to find direct evidence of the ability of “core” 2’-5’-oligoadenylates to modulate the activity of protein kinases and thus to affect various cellular processes. Sessions 8 & 9: Calcium in signalling Part I Lectures L8.1 L8.2 Ca2+ signalling in macro- and microvessels L. Borisova AMPA receptor trafficking in spinal dorsal horn neurons under inflammatory pain Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK Nana Voitenko Although it has long been recognized that macro-and microvessels have different mechanisms controlling their mechanical behaviour, underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. The aim of the present work was to investigate Ca2+ signalling in the smooth muscle cells (SMC) of macrovessels and all branches of microvessels in situ using Nipkow disc based confocal imaging system. The effects of central (phenylephrine, PE) and local (endothelin-1, ET-1) factors on Ca2+ signalling in SMC of rat tail artery and all branches of terminal arterioles (TA) have been investigated. SMC of artery responded to PE with generation of the complex Ca2+ transient which consisted of the initial spike followed by the sustained plateau component superimposed by asynchronous Ca2+ oscillations. This complex Ca2+ transient was associated with the generation of force which consisted of the initial phasic followed by the sustained tonic components. In SMC of TA, PE induced asynchronous Ca2+ waves causing regional vasomotion. ET-1 (1–10 nM) had no effect on Ca2+ signalling in SMC of tail artery but induced asynchronous Ca2+ oscillations in SMC of TA with the frequency being the highest in the SMC of the terminal branchings. Removal of external Ca2+ for 60 min abolished Ca2+ transients in SMC of tail artery but had no effect on agonist induced Ca2+ oscillations in SMC of TA. Inhibition of RyR channels by ryanodine (50 µM) had little effect on the sustained component but fully abolished the initial spike component and asynchronous Ca2+ oscillations of the complex Ca2+ transient in SMC of tail artery, however in SMC of TA it had no effect on Ca2+ oscillations induced by either PE or ET-1. Inhibition of IP3R channels by 2-APB blocked Ca2+ oscillations in SMC of macro-and microvessels but had little effect on sustained component of the complex Ca2+ transient in SMC of tail artery. Inhibition of SERCA pump by CPA (20 µM) blocked Ca2+ oscillations in SMC of macro- and microvessels causing sustained elevation of baseline Ca2+ in SMC of macro- but not microvessels. The data obtained suggest that there is a significant difference in the mechanisms controlling Ca2+ signalling between SMC of macro- and microvessels. In macrovessels Ca2+ signalling involves Ca2+ release from the SR mediated by both RyR and IP3R channels and Ca2+ entry via receptor- and store-operated Ca2+ channels while in SMC of the microvessels it is controlled by Ca2+ release from the SR mediated exclusively by IP3R channels. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine e-mail: Nana Voitenko <[email protected]> AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are responsible for the majority of excitatory synaptic transmission and play a critical role in synaptic plasticity in the mammalian CNS. In adult mammalian CNS, most AMPARs have low Ca2+ permeability because GluR2 subunit is fully edited throughout development and widely expressed. However, AMPAR Ca2+ permeability in adult CNS is not static. It can be modified dynamically by neuronal activity, sensory experience, and neuronal insults via changes in trafficking, expression, and RNA editing of the GluR2 subunit. We reported recently that synaptic AMPAR subunit GluR2 is internalized in dorsal horn neurons of the spinal cord during the maintenance period of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced persistent inflammatory pain. This internalization depends on spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) protein kinase C α (PKCα) activation and is causally linked to pain hypersensitivity during the maintenance period of persistent inflammatory pain. We have also shown that CFA-induced inflammation causes an increase in functional expression of extrasynaptic AMPARs in rat substantia gelatinisa neurons during the maintenance rather than development of persistent pain. This increase, revealed as a significant enhancement of AMPA-induced membrane currents and [Ca2+]i transients, was observed only in neurons characterized by an intrinsic tonic firing properties; whereas no changes were observed in neurons exhibiting a strong adaptation. The increase was also accompanied by an enhancement of surface GluR1 expression and of the total amount of cobalt-positive neurons indicating an increase in a pool of GluR2-lacking AMPARs in extrasynaptic plasma membrane. Our recent results show that PKCα inhibition by both AS ODN and Chelerythrine (intrathecal administration) attenuate CFA-induced increases in the calcium permeability of synaptic AMPA receptors in the superficial dorsal horn neurons. Concomitantly, such inhibition resulted in major anti-hyperalgesic effects, suggesting that PKCα plays a major pronociceptive role in chronic pain states. Taken together, the results provide direct evidence linking dorsal horn PKCα to pain perception and suggest that it may offer a specific molecular target for the treatment of pain. Acknowledgements This work was supported by NASU Biotechnology grant (N.V). e-mail: Ludmila Borisova <[email protected]> Abstracts 84 L8.3 Oral presentations Calcium signaling in normal and transformed T-cells, possible ways of modification O8.1 Olga P. Matyshevska Kyiv Taras Shevchenko University, Department of Biochemistry, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Olga Matyshevska <[email protected]> Changes in the level of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) provide calcium signals of different kinetics, amplitude and subcellular localization (derived either from external medium or from internal stores) which in integration with other signaltransduction cascades are shown to control not only cell proliferation, but apoptosis, cell transformation and tumorigenesis. Remodelling of Ca2+-signalling and Ca2+ buffering is supposed to reduce Ca2+-dependent ROS production, to diminish resultant toxicity and to avoid Ca2+-dependent apoptotic pathways in cells with sustained transformed phenotype. The recent data concerning apoptotic signals that induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER ) — mitochondrial Ca2+ flux and their modification during cancer are analysed. In the present study the comparative evaluation of the resting [Ca2+]i and Ca2+-release from ER and mitochondrial pools in both normal T-cells, derived from Wistar rat thymus, and transformed T-cell lines (Jurkat, L1210, MT-4) was done using indo-1, thapsigargin, CCCP in normal and Ca2+-free medium in order to identify the capacity of Ca2+ buffering system components and the possible targets for controlling Ca2+-dependent pathways of trasformed cells resistance to apoptosis. Recent progress in nanobiotechnology have arised interest in biomedical application of fullerenes C60 — spherical carbon nanostructures, able to penetrate into the cells, to accommodate inside hydrophobic regions of cell membranes and to generate ROS with almost 100% quantum yield after UV/Vis irradiation. We have demonstrated that combined action of fullerenes C60 and irradiation in λ=320–600 nm diapason is followed by cell death due to activation of apoptotic mitochondrial pathway in transformed, but not in normal T-cells. The effects of fullerenes C60 in nonexcited state and after photoexcitation on Ca2+-permeability of plasma and ER membranes, intracellular ROS production and Ca2+-buffering are analysed. Ca2+- and Mg2+-induced changes of membrane potential of smooth muscle mitochondria Natalia Kandaurova, Lidiya Babich, Sergiy Shlykov, Sergiy Kosterin O.V. Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine e-mail: Kandaurova Natalia <[email protected]> Mitochondrial membrane potential is important factor for calcium accumulation in mitochondria. On the other hand cations are able to regulate the accumulation of Ca2+ in mitochondria. There can be no doubt about the importance of investigation of mitochondrial membrane potential regulation by the physiologically important cations — Ca2+ and Mg2+. Myometrium mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation. To determine purity, preparations of mitochondria were stained using NAO (Ex 488 nm, Em 525 nm, 100 nM). In all preparations analyzed, more than 95% of the events were NAO-positive. The changes of membrane potential of isolated smooth muscle mitochondria were studied using flow cytometry analysis and potentialsensitive fluorescent dye TMRM (Ex 488 nm, Em 590 nm, 100 nM). Registration of the membrane potential was done in the incubation medium containing (mM): 20 Hepes (рН=7.4), 250 sucrose, 0.1 Pi (K+-phosphate buffer, рН=7.4), 0.5 MgCl2, and 5 sodium succinate. It was shown, that Ca2+ (100 µM) addition to the incubation medium induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization. The preliminary presence in the incubation medium of the Ca2+-uniporter inhibitor – ruthenium red (10 µM) – partly prevented Ca2+-induce depolarization. Ca2+ accumulation in the mitochondria matrix activates Ca2+ efflux through the H+/Ca2+ exchanger and led to the elevation of H+ concentration in the matrix, that is, to the mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation. So, Ca2+-induce depolarization could be explained by Са2+/Н+exchanger activation which functioning lead to membrane potential dissipation. At the presence of Mg2+ (3 mM) and ATP (3 mM), Ca2+ addition did not cause depolarization. Suggestion has been made that in this case ATP-synthase acts in the opposite direction as Н+-pump and prevents mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation. Mg2+ (7 mM) addition to the incubation medium induced mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization. In the case of protonophore CCCP (1 µM) preliminary presence in incubation medium, Mg2+ addition did not lead to membrane potential hyperpolarization. Also it was shown that Mg2+ (7 mM) preliminary presence in incubation medium didn’t protect mitochondria from Ca2+-induced depolarization. Thus it was shown that Ca2+ and Mg2+ are able to change the polarization level of the smooth muscle mitochondria inner membrane. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 O8.2 Inhibitory properties of calixarenes relative to ion-transporting АТРase of myometrium cells plasma membrane. Kinetic and structural analysis Alexandr A. Shkrabak, Tatiana O. Veklich, Alexandr V. Bevza Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NASU, Muscle Biochemistry Department, Ukraine e-mail: Alexandr Shkrabak <[email protected]> By now a great attention of scientists is paid to calixarenes as original molecular platforms which are perspective for designing of biologically-active compounds. Calixarenes are macrocyclic oligophenolic compounds and some of them posses bactericidal, antiviral, antitumoral, antithrombotic activity, they practically have no toxic action on cells. In our previous investigation carried out on the suspension of myometrium cell plasma membranes we found that calixarenes such as С-107, C-99 and C-97 effectively inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase and did not influence on activity of other membrane-bound АТРases. Considering further development conception about mechanisms of inhibition of the plasma membrane Na+,K+-ATPase of uterus cells by this calixarenes we have more thoroughly investigated the influence of these compounds and their structural analogs on the Nа+,K+-АТРase activity. It was shown that calixarene C-107, inhibiting Na+,K+-ATPase, did not considerably change the kinetic parameters (Km, nH) of reaction velocity dependence on concentration of substrate and activation ions (Mg, Na+, K+. Therefore, we can conclude that inhibitory action of calixarene C-107 on Na+,K+-ATPase has uncompetitive character relative to ATP, Mg, Na+, K+ and, perhaps, interaction of calixarene C-107 with enzyme leads to decrease of enzyme turnover number. It was also shown that this calixarene increased twice the affinity of the enzyme towards the sodium pump conventional inhibitor - ouabain. It was carried out the computer modeling of the calixarene C-107 interaction with Na+,K+-ATPase and shown the probable site of calixarene association with enzyme. The influence on Na+,K+-АТРase of calixarenes which differ from the calixarenes C-97 and C-99 only some substituents on the upper and lower rim of macrocycle was analyzed. This investigation let us establish functional groups which are important for inhibitory properties of calixarenes. The inhibition of Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase activity of uterus cell plasma membrane by calixarene C-90 has been shown. This influence is selective relative to other ATPases of plasma membrane and quite effective — the apparent constant of inhibition was 20.2 ± 0.5 µM. We consider that these calixarenes are perspective for creation of pharmaceuticals in order to regulate muscle contractility. Acknowledgements We are thankful to corresponding members of NASU V.I. Kalchenko and S.O. Kosterin for helpful discussion and scientific cooperation. 85 Part II Lectures L9.1 Neuronal store-operated calcium entry pathway as a novel therapeutic target for Huntington’s disease treatment Ilya B. Bezprozvanny University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA e-mail: Ilya Bezprozvanny <[email protected]> Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion within Huntingtin (Htt) protein. In the phenotypic screen we identified a class of quinazoline-derived compounds which delayed a progression of a motor phenotype in transgenic Drosophila HD flies. We found that the store-operated calcium (Ca2+) entry (SOC) pathway activity is enhanced in neuronal cells expressing mutant Htt and that the identified compounds inhibit SOC pathway in HD neurons. The same compounds exerted neuroprotective effects in glutamate-toxicity assays with YAC128 MSN primary cultures. We demonstrated a key role of TRPC1 channels in supporting SOC pathway in HD neurons. We concluded that the TRPC1-mediated neuronal SOC pathway constitutes a novel target for HD treatment and that the identified compounds represent a novel class of therapeutic agents for treatment of HD and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders. Abstracts 86 L9.2 L9.3 Intracellular calcium dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease Neuronal calcium signaling mediated by calmyrin proteins Brian J. Bacskai Urszula Wojda MassGeneral Instituted for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, USA International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Brian Bacskai <[email protected]> e-mail: Urszula Wojda <[email protected]> Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the deposition of senile plaques in the brain resulting in toxicity that ultimately leads to neural network disruption. Intracellular calcium is a tightly regulated second messenger whose activation leads to numerous downstream events, including cell death. It has long been postulated that dysregulation of calcium homeostasis plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease, however, this has not been demonstrated directly. We used multiphoton microscopy of a genetically encoded calcium reporter in the intact brains of living mouse models of AD. With single cell, and single spine resolution, we measured calcium concentrations quantitatively. We found that resting calcium in wildtype mice was tightly regulated at a value of ~80nM. These levels were increased in neurons in APP mice with cortical plaques. The elevated calcium levels in neurons (calcium overload) depended to some extent on the proximity to individual senile plaques. However, even far from plaques, calcium overload was detected in ~20% of neurites, revealing a selectively vulnerable population of cells in the cortex. The neuronal calcium overload was not observed in transgenic mice expressing mutant human presenilin alone. Likewise, the calcium overload was correlated both with the loss of spino-dendritic compartmentalization important for synaptic coordination and the morphological correlates of neurodegeneration. These data reveal for the first time disruptions in calcium homeostasis in neurons in the living brain of mouse models of AD. Together, the results demonstrate that the aberrant intracellular calcium levels in the brain provide insight into the pathophysiology of AD and suggest that specific manipulation of calcium levels may be a productive avenue for Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics. Ca2+ signals are sensed and transmitted to cellular effectors by multiple Ca2+-binding proteins, including such EF-hand family members as calmodulin, calcineurin B, and a group of neuronal calcium sensors (NCSs). The EF-hand Ca2+sensors transduce various Ca2+-encoded information based on differences in their localization, Ca2+ affinity, and specific interactions with protein ligands. Calmyrins sustain a novel subfamily of the EF-hand Ca2+-sensors, mostly similar to the NCSs. Genes encoding calmyrins were identified from invertebrates to human by genomic research and structural comparisons. In human four genes encode calmyrins (CaMy1–CaMy4). We have characterized CaMy1 and its closest homolog CaMy2 proteins in human and rat brains and found that Ca2+-binding, localization in brain neurons, and interaction partners differentiate these two members of the CaMy subfamily [1] CaMy1 seems to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [2, 3]. We found CaMy1 in senile plaques in brains of AD patients and characterized CaMy1 interaction with AD-associated presenilin 2 [3, 4]. Moreover, we identified a novel ligand of CaMy1 in human brain, microtubule-destabilizing factor SCG10 (stathmin2), which is involved in neuronal growth and regeneration. Our results indicate that CaMy1 via SCG10 couples Ca2+ signals with the dynamics of microtubules during neuronal outgrowth [5]. Search for protein ligands of CaMy2 resulted in identification of SNARE proteins that are essential for the vesicular traffic between the cell membrane and the Golgi compartment. Colocalization, coimmunoprecipitation, and functional assays point to CaMy2 involvement in SNAREmediated intracellular trafficking in neurons. These studies reveal novel, distinctive Ca2+-signaling functions of CaMy1 and CaMy2 in neurons and point to CaMy1 role in AD pathogenesis. References 1. Blazejczyk et al. (2009) Arch Biochem Biophys 487. 2. Sutcliffe et al. (2011) J Neuroscie Res 89. 3. Bernstein et al. (2005) Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 4. Blazejczyk et al. (2006) Biochim Biophys Acta – Mol Basis Dis 1762. 5. Sobczak et al. (2011) Biochim Biophys Acta – Mol Cell Res 1813. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 Oral presentations O9.2 O9.1 Presynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors serve as a trigger of ROS production in axon terminals FBPase stabilizes mitochondrial function in cardiomiocytes Michal Pirog, Agnieszka Gizak, Dariusz Rakus Department of Animal Molecular Physiology, Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland e-mail: Michał Piróg <[email protected]> A growing body of evidence suggests that muscle fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) is involved in regulation of cell mortality and survival. However, its precise role in these processes remained unknown. We show that, in HL-1 cardiomyocytes, inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) or elevation of cellular Ca2+results in translocation of muscle FBPase to mitochondria, which is correlated with morphological changes of the organelles. In vitro experiments demonstrate that FBPase reduces the rate of calcium-induced mitochondrial swelling and affects ATP synthesis. Mass spectrometry reveals that interaction partners for FBPase are a set of mitochondrial proteins involved in regulation of volume and energy homeostasis, such as ATP synthase subunit alpha, ADP/ATP translocase and voltage-dependent anion channel 2. Taken together, we show that muscle FBPase plays a role in cellular stress response and might constitute a novel link between cardiac hypertrophic signalling and cell survival. We propose a mechanism in which GSK3-inhibition and calcium-stimulated association of FBPase with mitochondria helps to adapt cardiomyocytes to Ca2+overload during prolonged, high-intensity exercise training without progression to cardiac failure and death. Our results might provide new prospects for cardiac failure treatment. 87 Olga Krupko, Alla Tarasenko, Nina Himmelreich Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Department of Neurochemistry, Ukraine e-mail: Olga Krupko <[email protected]> There is a large body of evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are important signaling molecules underlying mammalian learning and memory. Specifically, ROS production has been shown to be required for a form of synaptic plasticity called long-term potentiation (LTP) and for biochemical signal transduction cascades that are believed to underlie LTP and memory formation. We are particularly interested in presynaptic modulatory systems that selectively alter the release of glutamate as well as of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as GABA. We studied whether cortical and hippocampal axon terminals would respond to activation of presynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors by increasing the intensity of ROS production. Glutamate receptors activation was triggered by specific agonists of glutamate receptors: glutamate, NMDA and kainate. Evaluation of ROS production was performed with fluorogenic compound H2DCF-DA. We have revealed an augmented ROS generation by nerve terminals after the application of glutamate, NMDA and kainate, and this process could be significantly attenuated by antagonists of NMDA and kainate receptors, MK-801 and CNQX respectively. The intensity of ROS production as spontaneous as evoked by the glutamate receptor activation depended on a type of energetic fuel and was higher in conditions favoring to generation of NADPH, e.g. when axon terminals consumed glucose. Consumption of pyruvate led to a significant decrease of ROS production, and this effect of pyruvate appeared to be only partially due to its scavenger activity. Kainate as a stimulant of ROS production was much more potent than NMDA, especially when pyruvate served as a fuel. DPI, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, effectively blocked the production of ROS. Together, these findings suggest the important role of NADPH oxidase in ROS production evoked by activation of presynaptic glutamate receptors. With regard to data from the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle hypothesis, presynaptic kainate receptors could be considered as a main trigger of ROS production in axon terminals, when they preferably consume lactate/pyruvate. Abstracts 88 Posters P8_9.2 P8_9.1 Potassium channels as major determinants of neuronal excitability Neuritogenesis in PMCA2 or PMCA3reduced PC12 cell lines is accompanied by alterations in CaM, GAP43 and MAP kinases Tomasz Boczek1, Bozena Ferenc1, Michalina Kosiorek2, Slawomir Pikula2, Ludmila Zylinska1 1Medical University of Lodz, Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Lodz, Poland; 2Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Tomasz Boczek <[email protected]> Ca2+ is a potent second messenger triggering nearly all cellular processes. However, in order to sustain proper functioning of the cell, Ca2+ homeostasis must be tightly controlled. The fundamental element of Ca2+ extruding systems is Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA), maintaining the cytosolic concentration of Ca2+ at nanomolar range. From 4 main isoforms of PMCA, PMCA2 and PMCA3 are found in excitable cells including PC12 cell line. These isoforms differ by affinity to calmodulin (CaM), a strong activator of PMCA. Function of CaM is regulated by GAP43 that serves as a reservoir of CaM, but not CaM/Ca2+ complex. Thus, changes in Ca2+ concentration constitute a signal stimulating the release of CaM from CaM/GAP43 complex, making CaM available for its intracellular targets. We have previously shown that suppression of PMCA2 or PMCA3 in PC12 cell line induced morphological changes similar to the early stages of neuritogenesis. Here we present some aspects of a molecular background for this phenomenon. Using qPCR and immunodetection techniques we detected that in both PMCA2 or PMCA3-reduced lines a raise in total CaM was associated with stimulation of expression of calmI and calmII genes. We also found a higher amount of mRNA and GAP43 protein, however its phosphorylation level declined in relation to the control cells. Double staining revealed significant changes in distribution of GAP43 and CaM between control, PMCA2- and PMCA3-reduced cell lines. Since a rise in [Ca2+]c can also activate MAP kinase family members, participating in the transmission of signals, as a next step we examined changes in their content by immunoblotting technique. PMCA2 or PMCA3 reduction did not affect p38 MAPK amount, but p-p38 MAPK was diminished. In contrast, a total amount of JNK declined without changes in its phosphorylation. Whereas ERK1/2 proteins increased in both PMCA-reduced cell lines, the p-ERK1 decreased to a half in comparison to the control cells, but p-ERK2 amount was similar in all examined lines. Our data point to a functional importance of PMCA2 and PMCA3 isoforms in differentiation of PC12 cells and highlight a relation between PMCA composition and regulation of various signaling pathways. Acknowledgements Supported by grants 502-03/6-086/502-64-003 and 503/6-086-02/50301 from the Medical University of Lodz, Poland. N. A. Bogdanova1, E. V. Dolgaya2, I. S. Magura3 , N. Kh. Pogorelaya4, V. A. Yavorsky5, E. A. Lukyanets6 Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Department of General Physiology, Ukraine e-mail: Nataliia Bogdanova <[email protected]> Potassium (K+) channels are the most diverse class of ion channels, and are important for regulating neuronal excitability and signaling activity in a variety of ways. They are major determinants of membrane excitability, influencing the resting potential of membranes, wave forms and frequencies of action potentials, and thresholds of excitation. Potassium channels fulfill important function in many signal transduction pathways in the nervous system. Complex processing and integration of the signals observed in neurons are facilitated by a diverse range of the gating properties of the ion channels in this cell type, particularly of the voltage-gated K+ channels (Kv). A distinctive combination the of K+ channels endows neurons with a broad repertoire of the excitable properties and allows each neuron to respond in a specific manner to a given input at a given time. The properties of many K+ channels can be modulated by second messenger pathways activated by neurotransmitters and other stimuli. K+ channels are among the most frequent targets of the actions of several signaling system. Voltage-gated K+ cannels exist as macromolecular complexes able to integrate a plethora of cellular signals that fine tune channel activities. Specificity of information is generally encoded by the kinetics of action potential frequency, duration, bursting, and summation. If longer term modifications in firing patterns are required, the cell may alter the transcriptional expression of ion channel genes for diverse functions. The number of K+ channel genes is relatively large; however, the diversity of endogenous K+ current phenotypes observed from various excitable cells is much greater. Additional processes such as alternative splicing, posttranslational modification, and heterologus assembly of pore-forming subunits in tetramers contribute to extend the functional diversity of the limited repertoire of K+ channel gene products. Even greater diversity can be achieved through interactions between K+ channel proteins and accessory proteins. Keywords: potassium channels, neuronal excitability, signaling activity. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 P8_9.3 P8_9.4 Altered glutamate transport and the development of synaptopathy Mitochondria express alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors involved in Ca2+ buffering and apoptosis Tatiana Borisova, Roman Sivko, Natalia Krisanova Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS of Ukraine, Department of Neurochemistry, Ukraine e-mail: Tatiana Borisova <[email protected]> The study was focused on the analysis of the changes in the key characteristics of glutamatergic neurotransmission: (1) Na+-dependent glutamate uptake by rat brain nerve terminals; (2) the extracellular level and tonic release of glutamate, i.e., parameters, which are important for spontaneous activity of the brain; and (3) stimulated by depolarization of the plasma membrane exocytotic (Ca2+-dependent) and transporter-mediated (Ca2+-independent) release of glutamate under different experimental conditions. Two model systems were used to investigate the alterations in glutamate transport and the experiments were carried out on: (*) nerve terminals of rats subjected to hypergravity in the cranio-caudal direction and (**) cholesterol-deficient nerve terminals that were obtained after the treatment with cholesterol-depleting agent, methyl-b-cyclodextrin (MCD). The changes in uptake, unstimulated/stimulated release and the ambient level of L-[14C]glutamate were found in both experimental models. Interrelations between uptake, tonic release and the ambient level of the neurotransmitter were determined under conditions of hypergravity and cholesterol deficiency. Analysing stimulated by depolarization release of glutamate under hypergravity, it was shown a decrease in Ca2+-dependent and an increase in Ca2+-independent release of glutamate that was a result of partial decrease in the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles, and thus the redistribution of glutamate between the vesicular and cytosolic pools. In the model of cholesterol deficiency, different mechanisms underlying changes in glutamate transport were found in the presence and after washing of MCD from synaptosomes. Dissipation of the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles was a cause for additional suppression of glutamate transporter activity, an increase in tonic, Са2+independent release and ambient level as well as dramatic decrease in exocytotic release of glutamate from nerve terminals in the presence of MCD in the incubation media. The treatment of isolated synaptic vesicles by complex MCD-cholesterol, which enriched membranes with cholesterol, increased the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles that augmented their ability to accumulate neurotransmitter and efficiency of synaptic transmission. Based on the experimental data obtained from the models of hypergravity and cholesterol-deficiency, different mechanisms and conceptual scheme of the development of synaptopathy, i.e. synaptic dysfunction and impairment of synaptic transmission, were proposed. 89 Galyna L. Gergalova1, Olena Yu. Lykhmus1, Olena M. Kalashnyk1, Lyudmyla M. Koval1, Victor I. Tsetlin2, Sergiy V. Komisarenko1, Maryna V. Skok1 1Palladin Institutre of Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Immunology, Ukraine; 2Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Molecular Bases of Neurosignalization Department, Russia e-mail: Galina Gergalova <[email protected]> Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors composed of α7 subunits (α7 nAChRs) are expressed in both neurons and nonexcitable cells to mediate fast synaptic transmission, survival and anti-inflammatory signaling. Here we show for the first time that functional α7 nAChRs are present in mitochondria. Purified mouse liver mitochondria bound α7 nAChR-specific antibodies and α-cobratoxin; the binding was decreased in mitochondria of α7-/- mice. In U373 cell line the bound α7-specific antibody was co-localized with mitochondria outer membrane translocase-specific antibody, while in liver mitochondria lysate α7 nAChR was co-captured with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC). Both the VDAC inhibitor and α7 nAChR agonists acetylcholine, choline and PNU-282987 impaired intramitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation. Similarly to VDAC inhibitor, choline decreased mitochondria cytochrome c release stimulated with CaCl2 and its effect was attenuated with α7-specific antagonist methyllicaconitine (MLA). Choline effective dose (10 μM) was in the range of its inhibitory concentrations, while MLA stimulated cytochrome c release in the absence of nAChR agonists or Ca2+. These data demonstrate that α7 nAChRs expressed in mitochondria outer membrane regulate the VDAC-mediated Ca2+ transport and mitochondrial permeability transition in ion channel-independent manner. This finding discovers a novel mechanism regulating mitochondria-driven apoptosis by non-canonical mode of α7 nAChR functioning. Abstracts 90 P8_9.5 P8_9.6 Localization and role of S100A6, a calcium binding protein, in differentiating epidermis Effect of mutations in presenilin-1 gene on ER calcium release in Alzheimer’s disease Agnieszka Graczyk, Wiesława Leśniak Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Laboratory of Calcium Binding Proteins, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Agnieszka Graczyk <[email protected]> S100A6 is a small (10 kDa), Ca2+-binding protein belonging to the S100 protein family characterized by the presence of two EF-hand structures. S100A6 is expressed mainly in fibroblasts and epithelial cells including keratinocytes that build the epidermis. Furthermore, its gene is located on chromosome 1q21 in a gene cluster known as EDC (Epidermal Differentiation Complex) which is formed by genes expressed at different stages of epidermal differentiation [1]. For those reasons we decided to investigate the localization and role of S100A6 during epidermal differentiation. Epidermis is a multilayered skin epithelium that provides the external impermeable and resistant skin barrier. Epidermal keratinocytes undergo a well defined differentiation process which is to a great extent regulated by calcium ions [2]. In our studies we used a spontaneously immortalized, non-transformed human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, and employed two models of keratinocyte differentiation: 1) HaCaT cells cultured in media with different calcium concentrations and 2) organotypic 3D co-cultures in which HaCaT cells are grown on collagen-embedded fibroblasts that provide them with growth factors and enable to form epidermal-like, multilayered structures and to differentiate. Using western blot, RT-PCR, Q-RT-PCR and immunocyto- or immunohistochemistry we evaluated the expression of marker proteins (keratin 14, loricrin, involucrin) in the two differentiation models. We have assessed the level of S100A6 and of S100A8, another protein of the S100 family, at different stages of epidermal differentiation. Finally we have established HaCaT cells stably transfected with shRNA for S100A6. These cells are currently tested in keratinocyte culture models in order to check whether diminished S100A6 level can influence the process of epidermal differentiation. Acknowledgements This work was supported by statutory funds from the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. References 1. Mischke BP et al. (1996) J Invest Dermatol 106: 989–992. 2. Elias PM et al. (2002) J Invest Dermatol 119: 1128-1136. Anna Jaworska1, Joanna Gruszczyńska-Biegała1, Aleksandra Szybińska1, Tomasz Węgierski1, Kamran Honarnejad2, Jochen Herms2, Jacek Kuźnicki1,3 1International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Center of Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany; 3Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Anna Jaworska <[email protected]> Calcium dyshomeostasis is one of the factors involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mutations in presenilin-1 gene (PS1), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane integral protein are linked to the early onset, familiar form of Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). These mutations disturb calcium release from ER store as well as store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). However, the exact mechanism of this process remains unclear. We believe that disturbed calcium homeostasis may be the primary cause of AD pathology. Because of that, our goal is to find a chemical compound, which could restore the normal calcium level and therefore act as an AD drug. We have investigated calcium release from different ER calcium channels in cortical neurons from transgenic mice overexpressing human mutant presenilin-1. To do that, we performed calcium imaging using ratiometric calcium dye Fura-2AM. Our preliminary data showed increased calcium release from ER in neurons with PS1 mutation in comparison to neurons obtained from mouse overexpressing wild type PS1. We have also checked calcium response of immortalized lymphocyte B lines derived from FAD patients bearing PS1 mutations by stimulating them with different ER calcium mobilizing agents. We were able to see calcium response to 4-Cmc, which in higher concentrations acts as SERCA-pump inhibitor and RyRs agonist. We have found increased calcium release from ER in lymphocytes from two family members bearing PS1 S170F mutation. After the initial screening of the library of chemical compounds, we were able to select the most promising hits and we plan to check their effectiveness on above mentioned AD models. He hope, that our findings will take us one step forward in establishing an effective AD treatment. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 91 P8_9.7 P8_9.8 Alternative signaling pathways compensate Rho-kinase inhibition in glioma C6 cells New role of neuron-specific PMCA isoforms? Jaroslaw Korczynski1, Anna Wasik2, Katarzyna Sobierajska3, Wojciech Brutkowski1, Pawel Pomorski1, Wanda Klopocka1 1Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw, Department of Biochemistry; 2Department of Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 3Medical University of Lodz, Department of Molecular and Medical Biophysics, Lodz, Poland e-mail: Jarosław Korczyński <[email protected]> Signaling pathways related to Rho family proteins control actin cytoskeleton dynamics mainly by regulating the activity of two actin binding proteins: cofilin and myosin II. We have found that the effect of Rho-kinase activity inhibition can be reversed by activation of P2Y2 receptor in glioma C6 cells. In current study we attempt to answer the following question: what signaling pathways induced by P2Y2 receptor activation are involved in compensation of changes caused by Rho-kinase inhibition? To evaluate molecular mechanism of this compensation, activity of two actin-binding proteins: cofilin and myosin II, was studied in glioma C6 cells. We have observed that ROCK inhibition decreases cofilin and myosin II phosphorylation and causes changes in the distribution of examined proteins. We revealed, however that stimulation of P2Y2 nucleotide receptor in such cells induces cofilin and myosin II phosphorylation. The myosin light chain phosphorylation stimulates actomyosin activity and cell contractility while cofilin phosphorylation inactivates this protein and stabilizes actin network. We have observed that complete renormalization of glioma C6 cells with blocked Rho-kinase required increasing the level of phosphorylated both: cofilin and myosin II. We confirmed that myosin light chain phosphorylation is increased by calcium dependent MLCK activated by calcium signaling mediated by Gq-protein. We suggest also that Go-mediated Rac activation and Rac/PAK/LIMK pathway is responsible for cofilin phosphorylation. Activation of this pathway requires however interactions between P2Y2 receptors and αVβ5 integrins what is impossible in nonadherent cells or in calcium-free environment. Antoni Kowalski, Ludmiła Żylińska, Elżbieta Rębas Medical University of Lodz, Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Lodz, Poland e-mail: Elżbieta Rębas <[email protected]> GABA-shunt is a metabolic pathway that consists of three enzymes. Glutamate decarboxylase (present in two isoforms: GAD65 and GAD67) is found in cytosol and catalyzes the synthesis of neurotransmitter GABA from glutamate. Remaining two enzymes — GABA-aminotransferase (GABA-T) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) are present in mitochondria and responsible for conversion of GABA to TCA-cycle intermediate — succinate. Thus, GABA can be used by cells as a support for energetic metabolism. Apart from neurons, GABA is synthesized in endocrine cells, in which it regulates both the production and secretion of hormones. In previous study we had examined if GABA-shunt enzymes activity and expression is dependent on calcium homeostasis in rat anterior pituitary GH3 cell line. Now we focused on PC12 (pheochromocytoma) pseudoneuronal cells, derived from rat adrenal medulla. We obtained stably transfected cell lines with suppressed expression of plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA) isoforms 2 or 3, which are specific primarily for excitable cells. Enzymes activities were measured with spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. Expression was measured using on mRNA and protein level. Our results confirm these previously obtained from GH3 cells. In both examined types of cells PMCA2 can play a great role in regulation of GABA-shunt. Reduced expression of this calcium pump isoform resulted in significant decrease of GAD and mitochondrial part of the pathway. Moreover, suppression of PMCA3 caused significant increase in GAD65 isoform, which is known for synthesizing GABA for neurotransmisson. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education grant N N401 076337 and Medical University of Lodz grants 50216-810 and 503-6086-2. Abstracts 92 P8_9.9 P8_9.10 Epothilone B — mechanism of action in human ovarian cancer cells Matrix metalloproteinases secrecion without affecting the intracellular Ca2+ level in HT29 cell line activated by thymosin β4 Aneta Rogalska, Agnieszka Marczak, Arkadiusz Gajek, Marzena Szwed, Zofia Jóźwiak 1Institute of Biophysics, Department of Thermobiology, Lodz, Poland e-mail: Aneta Rogalska <[email protected]> Epothilones are a new group of compounds with mechanisms of action similar to taxanes. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer activity of epothilone B (Epo B) in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Paclitaxel, from group of taxanes was used for comparison. We measured the level of apoptotic and necrotic cells by double staining with Hoechst 33258 and propidium iodide (PI). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and content of intracellular calcium in cells exposed to Epo B were studied using specific probes: DCFH2-DA (2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) and Fluo-4 NW Calcium Assay Kits, respectively. The experiments were performed in the presence and absence of an antioxidant, N‑acetylcysteine (NAC). The cytotoxic activity of the drugs was determined by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2,5 diphenylotetrazolium bromide) test. We idicated that epothilone B was considerably more cytotoxic towards SKOV-3 cells than paclitaxel. Its IC50 concentrations (27.5 nM) was lower four times than that of paclitaxel (126.2 nM). Epo B, induced both apoptosis and necrosis in the SKOV-3 cells and this process was mediated by ROS. We were demonstrated that ROS and Ca2+ may act as common signals to regulate apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. The increased intracellular levels of free Ca2+ initiated a cascade of events leading to cell injury and apoptosis. Drugs induced in the tested cells an increase in the intracellular free calcium during the first 48 h following the treatment. Maximal increase in the level of calcium in SKOV-3 cells, was observed 24 h after treatment with EpoB (20%) and 48 h upon incubation with PTX (56%). Free radical scavenger, NAC, markedly reduced drugs-induced changes. The ROS production was observed after 2h of incubation with Epo B, but the highest level (118±3.1% in comparison to the control) was noted after 24h. Our results suggest that Epo B manifest higher antitumor activity against SKOV-3 cells than paclitaxel, but their mechanisms of cell death induction are similar. Anna Selmi1, Mariusz Malinowski2, Radoslaw Bednarek1, Czeslaw S. Cierniewski1,2 1Department of Molecular and Medical Biophysics, 2Medical University of Lodz, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Lodz, Poland e-mail: Anna Magdalena Selmi <[email protected]> Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), the most ubiquitously expressed member of b-thymosins family, induces diverse pleiotropic extracellular effects, and is now recognized as the potent regenerative peptide in a variety of tissues. It acts as an effective angiogenic factor with anti-inflammatory properties that promotes both endothelial and keratinocyte migration into cutaneous wounds. However, it is still uncertain which functions of the Tβ4, the intracellular and/or extracellular, has greater importance for its biological activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the stimulatory effect of Tβ4 on cancer cells tested in HT29 cells transfected with pEGFP-N1-Tb4 with those treated with Tβ4 added extracellularly. Our data show that in both experimental settings, Tβ4 induces synthesis and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases such MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9. Interestingly, in contrast to other agonists, Tβ4 added extracellularly does not affect the intracellular Ca2+ level indicating that its effect does not involve activation of the cell membrane receptors which facilitate entry of Ca2+ in response to stimulation. As the major G-actin-sequestering protein in cells, Tβ4 regulates and controls polymerization of actin and thus can affect the motility of cells. However, transfection of HT29 cells with the Tβ4 mutant deprived of the actin binding sequence (pEGFP-N1-Tß4(KLKKTET/7A)) resulted in the same extent of HT29 stimulation as that produced by the wild type Tβ4 indicating that interference with actin polymerization is not involved in this mechanism. In conclusion, our data suggest that stimulation of HT29 cells by Tβ4 is mediated predominantly by the intracellular receptors that do not involve actin polymerization or the Ca2+ influx and mobilization. Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 93 P8_9.11 P8_9.12 NARP mutation and lack of mtDNA trigger mitochondrial biogenesis which can be modulated by selenite supplementation Large-conductance potassium channel opener NS1619 affects calcium homeostasis in muscle and non-muscle cells Marta Wojewoda, Jerzy Duszyński, Joanna Szczepanowska Antoni Wrzosek1, Agnieszka Łukasiak2, Adam Szewczyk1 Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Warsaw, Poland 1Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Department of Biophysics, University Warsaw of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: Marta Wojewoda <[email protected]> Mutation within the mitochondrial genome such as the T8993G substitution associated with a severe disease (Neuropathy, Ataxia and Retinitis Pigmentosa, NARP) and loss of mtDNA (Rho0 cells) lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and subject cells to chronic mitochondrial stress associated with elevation of intracellular calcium levels and ROS overproduction. Under such conditions, mitochondria-tonucleus (retrograde) signaling triggers adaptive changes in the expression of multiple nuclear genes what can alter the program of mitochondrial biogenesis. Since we found that ROS and calcium levels were altered in human osteosarcoma NARP and Rho0 cells, we hypothesised that ROS and calcium could be implicated in the retrograde signaling from the mitochondria to the nucleus in these cells. We previously found that selenite lowered ROS and calcium levels in NARP cybrids and Rho0 cells. Therefore, we suggested that selenite could also exert the modulatory effect on mitochondrial biogenesis in these cells. e-mail: Antoni Wrzosek <[email protected]> It is well documented that potassium channels openers have cytoprotective properties in models of cell injury especially in protection of ischemia-reperfusion induced cell damage. It is suggested that usage of the potassium channel openers also could be a protective pharmacological strategy against cell dysfunction. The large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (BKCa channels) opener NS1619 is one of the widely considered compounds to have a protective effect in neurons and cardiomyocytes during the ischemiareperfusion events. It was shown that NS1619 acts on coronary circulation, mitochondrial function, especially on mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial respiration in cultured EA.hy 926, H9C2 and C2C12 cell lines. We have found that NS1619 caused changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in cultured H9C2, C2C12 and EA.hy926 cell lines as measured using fura-2 fluorescence ratiometric method. The main aim of the study was to find the mechanisms and sources of Ca2+ elevation caused by NS1619 in different type of the cells. The main source of intracellular calcium is sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ ER). To test the effect of NS1619 on SR the rat cardiac and skeletal muscle SR vesicles were isolated and fluorimetric methods were used to measure the SERCA pump activity and Ca2+ uptake by the isolated SR vesicles. We have found that SR Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by NS1619 at the concentrations as low as 10 μM with half-maximal inhibition seen at approximately 40 μM. The BKCa channels opener NS1619 has also a profound effect on SERCA pump activity in the concentration-dependent manner which correlates with decreasing in Ca2+ uptake into SR vesicles. The NS1619 inhibition of SERCA pump caused shift in the enzyme affinity for calcium and ATP to the higher concentration. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the large-conductance potassium channels opener NS1619 affects intracellular calcium homeostasis by interaction with SR. Our results showed that NS1619 pleiotropic actions, at least in part, may be triggered by the NS1619-induced modulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis caused by inhibition of SERCA pump in studied cells lines. Acknowledgements This study was supported by the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology and Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education (793/N-DAAD/2010/0). Abstracts 94 P8_9.13 P8_9.14 The effect of PMCA2 or PMCA3 suppression on MAPK signaling pathways during PC12 cells differentiation Influence of a Fenugreek extract on Ca755 mouse mammary carcinoma growth, polyamines level and expression of protein products of some genes in tumor cells Tomasz Boczek, Monika Sobczak, Bozena Ferenc, Ludmila Zylinska Medical University of Lodz, Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Lodz, Poland e-mail: Ludmila Zylinska <[email protected]> Transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ and subsequent activation of downstream signaling cascades trigger neuronal differentiation. The plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) plays an important role in maintaining low cytosolic Ca2+ by extruding it from the cytoplasm across the plasma membrane. Four isoforms of PMCA have been detected. PMCA2 and PMCA3 appear to be neuronspecific while PMCA1 and PMCA4 are ubiquitously represented. We have previously shown that dibutyryl-cAMP differentiated PC12 cell with reduced level of PMCA2 or PMCA3 exhibited mild but sustained increase in basal [Ca2+]c. Because Ca2+ is known to be a regulator of differentiation process, we investigated the effect of disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis on MAPK signaling cascades aswell as the expression of MAPK-targeted transcription factors. Using antibodies recognizing total protein content or its phosphorylated form, we found that diminished level of neuro-specific PMCAs contributed to decrease in p38 MAPK activation. Interestingly, in line with reduced level of PMCA2, ERK2 was highly active during the differentiation process whereas reduction of PMCA3 caused late activation of this kinase. PMCA3 suppression also affected ERK1 activation. No dramatic alteration between modified and control line were detected for JNK. Modifications in MAPK signaling pathways activity were accompanied by diverse changes in mRNA level of MAPK-targeted transcription factors. Using microarray approach, we found that expression of kcnh8, myc, cebpa, jun and mef2c was stimulated in both modified lines. Except jun, an increase in mRNA level of these genes was much more remarkable in line with reduced PMCA3 than PMCA2. Suppression of neuro-specific PMCAs differentially affected max expression. While PMCA3-depleted cells exhibited significant increase in mRNA level of this gene, PMCA2 reduction resulted in nearly 4-time decline in max expression. Moreover, the expression of 2 unique genes (sp1and stat1) was detected in PMCA2-reduced cells and also 2 genes (nfatc2 and creb1) in PMCA3-suppressed line. Our data indicate on relationship between PMCAs composition and regulation of signaling cascades and possible PMCAs role in regulation of transcription during PC12 cells differentiation. Acknowledgements Supported by the grants 502-03/6-086/502-64-003 and 503/6-08602/503-01 from Medical University of Lodz. Veronika Zhylenko1,2, Oleg Klenov2, Sophia Zaletok2 1Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University of Kyiv, Educational and Scientific Centre “Institute of Biology”, Department of Biochemistry, Kyiv, Ukraine; 2R. E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology NAS of Ukraine, Department of Tumor Growth Biochemistry, Ukraine email: Veronika Zhylenko <[email protected]> Search for plant agents with anticancer properties is of current importance. Literary data and our own experiments show that Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) has growth-inhibiting activity as to some kinds of experimental tumors. It is known that polyamines (PA) — putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spn) — are required for growth, proliferation and differentiation of normal and tumor cells. High PA level have been reported in many kinds of cancer and, because of this, it was proposed as a biomarker of cancer growth. The aim: to study antitumor effect of a Fenugreek extract on the Ca755 mammary carcinoma in mice, PA content, expression of the NF-κB transcription factor and protein products of the NF-κB-dependent genes in the tumor cells. Materials and methods: Experiments were carried out on the mature C57Bl/6 female mice with subcutaneously grafted Ca755 mammary carcinoma. The animals in experimental group were administered with the mix of Fenugreek extract powder (250 mg/kg of body mass) and standard mash from the day of tumor grafting up to sacrifice. PA content in the tumor tissue was evaluated by the high pressure liquid chromatography, expression of proteins – by Western-blotting. Results: Consumption of the Fenugreek extract led to significant inhibition of Ca755 carcinoma growth in mice, essential decrease of Put content, decreased levels of Spn and Spd and weak increase of Spn acetylated forms in cancer tissue versus the control animals. Also, consumption of the Fenugreek extract led to decreased level of expression of the p50-subunit of the NF-κB transcription factor in the nuclei of the tumor cells. Level of the p65 subunits was also decreased but inessentially. Dramatic (almost 3-fold) increase of level of p53 protein expression and decreased c-myc protein expression were revealed in tumor cells. Conclusions: Thus, these results show that extract of the Fenugreek can affect different pathways of proliferation control, including activation of the NF-κB transcription factor and the regulation of PA metabolism. Index A Abrosimovaa L.A. Adamchuk-Chala N. Adir N. Airapetov L.G. Akabayov B. Amborska R. Ambrozkiewicz M. Arkin I.T. Armon L. Ashani Y. Ashery-Padan R. Assia Y. Aviner R. Avraham S. Azem A. Azoulay I. P7.26 P5.12 P.3.7 P7.54 O7.1 P4.17 P4.12 L6.2 P5.1 P7.49 P1_2.3 P1_2.12 P1_2.4 P1_2.10 P7.1, P7.54 P7.1 B Babich L. Bacova B. Bacskai B.J. Bakurova E.M. Balsewicz J. Bańkowski E. Baranova A. Baranova A.V. Barbash S. Basaliy A. Bąkowska-Żywicka K. Bednarek R. Bejtka M. Bem J. Ben-David M. Ben-Meir D. Ben-Yishay R. Ben-Zvi S. Berson A. Bevza A.V. Bezprozvanny I.B. Bialopiotrowicz E. Bieganowski P. Bielczyk E. Biernacka M. Bigay J. Bochtler M. Boczek T. Boesch-Saadatmandi C. Bogdanova N.A. Boiko N. Boretska M. Borisova L. Borisova T. Borowczyk K. Borzenko B.G. Borzęcka K. Boyarshin K. Bragoszewski P. Brody Y. Brodyak I. Brosh R. Brutkowski W. Bura M. Burlova-Vasilieva N. Byts N. O8.1 P5.16 L9.2 P7.24 P7.32 P7.10 P1_2.1, P1_2.9 P1_2.17, P7.41 L4.1 P7.34 P1_2.19 P8_9.10 P7.20 P4.1 P7.49 P1_2.3 O1.2 P3.2 L4.1 O8.2 L9.1 P4.2 P7.35 P5.13 P5.13 P7.18 L7.1, P7.42 P5.17, P8_9.1, P8_9.13 P1_2.14, P1_2.8 P8_9.2 P5.6 P7.2 L8.2 P6.1, P8_9.3 P4.7 P7.24 P5.9 L3.1 P7.3 O1.2 O5.2 P1_2.12 P8_9.7 P5.5 P7.4 P7.34, P7.37, P7.5 C Caplan S.R. Cassel D. Cecchini G. Chacinska A. Chaturvedi M. O5.1 P7.18 O5.1 P7.3 P4.3 Chazin W.J. Chełstowska A. Cherkas V. Chumak V.V. Ciarkowski J. Ciechanover A. Ciechomska I. Cierniewski C.S. Cieśla M. Cieślar-Pobuda A. Cusack S. Czapinska H. Czeredys M. Czuryło E.A. P7.43 P5.8 P7.27 P3.5 P7.53 K.1 P4.4 P8_9.10 P1_2.2 P5.19 L3.1 L7.1, P7.42 O6.2 P7.16 D Dabrowski M. Dankevich L. Darzynkiewicz E. Denysova O. Dergai M. Dergai O. Derlacz R. Dezube B.J. Dolgaya E.V. Domińska K. Dor Y. Dosenko V.E. Dragovoz I. Dreazen A. Drobot L. Dubey .I.Y. Dulak J. Duszyński J. Dvashi Z. Dyka M. Dzbek J. Dziembowska M. Dżugaj A. O4.2, P3.1, P3.4, P3.6, P4.9 P5.2 P7.29 P6.2, P6.3 L4.3, P7.31, P7.6, P7.7 L4.3, P7.31, P7.6, P7.7 P7.14 P7.21 P8_9.2 P5.3 P1_2.10 P5.16, P4.11 P5.2 P1_2.10 P7.34, P7.37, P7.5 P7.57 P1_2.14, P1_2.2, P1_2.8, P7.14 P7.17, P7.20, P8_9.11 P1_2.3 P5.14 L3.3 P1_2.6 O.1, P7.51 E Eisenbach M. El’skaya A. Ellert-Miklaszewska A. Elroy-Stein O. Enyenihi A.A. O5.1, P5.1, P7.39 P7.47 P4.10, P4.9 P1_2.4 P7.39 F Fedorenko V. Fedoseenko A. Felder C. Ferenc B. Fiedorowicz E. Filatova A.Y. Filipek A. Filipek S. Filipowicz W. Filonenko V.V. Fiszer A. Fraiberg M. Friedman A. Fyodorova S.V. O3.2, P1_2.7 P7.34 P7.49 P8_9.1, P8_9.13 P5.4 P1_2.1 P7.10, P7.12, P7.35, P7.43, P7.48 P7.12 L1.2 O6.1 L4.2 P7.39 L4.1 P5.18 G Gabrusiewicz K. Gajek A. Gajos-Michniewicz A. P4.9, P4.10 P8_9.9 P5.3 Abstracts 96 Gamian A. Ganguly K. Garmanchuk L. Gendaszewska-Darmach E. Gergalova G.L. Givati A. Gizak A. Gnatek Y. Goedhart J. Gokhman I. Goldfinger N. Goll Y. Gornicka A. Gośliński M. Graczyk A. Grochot-Przęczek A. Groholska O.B. Groopman J.E. Gruszczyńska-Biegała J. Grygalewicz B. Gryshkova V.S. Gumenyuk V. P7.15 P4.5 P5.10 O7.2 P8_9.4 P3.2 O9.1 L4.1 P7.9 L5.2 P1_2.12 L4.1 P7.3 P1_2.16 P8_9.5 P7.14 P7.40 P7.21 P8_9.6 P5.13 O6.1 P4.6 H Haklai-Topper L. Halytskiy V.A. Hanin G. Havrylyuk D.Y. Heneha A. Herms J. Hevkan I.I. Himmelreich N. Hoang V.P. Holovchak N. Honarnejad K. Honchar M. Honcharenko A. Horbay R. Horn D. Horowitz M. Horvat B. Hubenya O.V. Huppertz B. L5.2 O2.1 L4.1 P3.5 P5.5 P8_9.6 P5.18 O9.2 P7.19, P7.8 P5.14 P8_9.6 P1_2.7 P7.13 P5.6 L3.2 P4.13 P4.14, P4.15 O4.1 P7.23 I Igumentseva N.I. Isidoro C. Iwan M. P7.40 P7.40 P5.4 J Jacobi H. Jakubowski H. Janczarek M. Janus P. Janusz A. Jarząb B. Jaskolski M. Jastrzebska B. Jaworska A. Jezierska J. Józkowicz A. Jóźwiak Z. Jurewicz E. P1_2.3 O7.2, P4.7 P1_2.5 P4.16, P4.8 P1_2.6 O3.1 L7.3, P7.51 P7.48 P8_9.6 P7.9 P1_2.2, P1_2.8, P1_2.14, P7.14 P8_9.9 P7.10 K Kaberniyk A. O2.2 Kachamakova-Trojanowska N. P4.2 Kaczmarek L. P1_2.6, P4.3, P4.5, P4.17 Kalashnyk O.M. P7.56, P8_9.4 Kalinowska-Herok M. P4.8 Kaminska B. O4.2, P1_2.11, P3.1, P3.3, P3.6, P4.1, P4.10, P4.4, P4.9 Kandaurova N. O8.1 Karkucinska-Wieckowska A. P7.17 Kasacka I. P7.10 Kaupp U.B. L5.3 Kaza B. P4.9 Kazimierczuk K. P7.53 Ketzef M. L4.1 Kędzierska H. O1.1 Khalaileh A. Kharkova A.P. Khatib A.A.S. Kietzmann T. Kijewska M. Kikulska A. Kilanczyk E. Kilon A.A. Kimmel M. Kiraga-Motoszko K. Kiyamova R.G. Klenov O. Kleveta G. Klopocka W. Kluchivska O. Klymyshin D. Kobyłecki K. Kocbach B. Kochanek A. Kois P. Kolibo D. Kolodziejczyk R. Komisarenko S.V. Komorowski J. Koprowski P. Korczynski J. Korostynski M. Korotkevich N. Kosiorek .M. Kosterin S. Kostianets O.I. Kotlarz M.P.A. Kotlinowski J. Koval L.M. Kovalenko O. Kovalevska L.M. Kowalec P. Kowalski A. Kowalski W. Kozakowska M. Kozlov .O.V. Kozlova I. Kozlova N. Kozminski W. Kriklivyi I. Krisanova N. Kropyvko S. Kruczyk M. Krupko O. Krzyzosiak W.J. Kubarevaa E.A. Kuchmerovska T. Kuklin A. Kulesza D. Kulikova N. Kur J. Kurlandzka A. Kutner A. Kuznicki J. Kuzniewska B. Kuzontkoski P.M. Kuźnicki J. Kwiatkowska K. Kyrylenko T. Kоsteskii І.E. P1_2.10 O4.1 P1_2.10 P7.37 P4.10, P4.9 P7.11, P7.25 P7.12 O4.2 P4.16, P4.8 P7.29 O6.1 P8_9.14 P5.7 P8_9.7 P5.15 P1_2.7 P7.33 P5.4 L7.2 P7.46 O2.2, P7.13 P7.51 P7.13, P7.36, P7.55, P8_9.4 P3.6 P7.22 P8_9.7 L3.3 O2.2, P7.13 P8_9.1 O8.1 O6.1 P5.13 P7.14 P7.55, P8_9.4 L3.1 P7.38 P5.8 P8_9.8 P7.15 P1_2.2, P1_2.8, P7.14 P7.57 P7.2 P7.37 P7.53 L3.1 P6.1, P8_9.3 L4.3 P3.6 O9.2 L4.2 P7.26 P4.6 O3.1 P1_2.11 P7.16 P7.32 P5.8 P5.13 P3.4, P4.12, P4.2 P4.2 P7.21 P8_9.6 P5.7, P5.9 P5.12 P5.11 L Labyntsev A. Lavi S. Lavrova K. Lebiedzinska M. Lenart J. Leonova N. Lesyk R.B. Leśniak W. Li H. Liberek K. Lifshitz L. Lipiec A. Lipko M. Litwińczuk N. Loukinov D. Lubecka E.A. Lugassy Y. Lugovskoy E.V. O2.2, P7.13 P1_2.3 P5.10 P7.17 P3.1 P5.2 P3.5 P8_9.5 O5.1 L7.2 P7.18 P5.13 P4.9 L7.2 L2.2 P7.53 P4.13 P7.36 Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 Lukash L.L. Lukyanets E.A. Lushnikova I.V. Lykhmus O.Y. P5.11 P8_9.2 P4.11 P7.55, P7.56, P8_9.4 Ł Łoboda A. Łuczak M. Łukasiak A. P1_2.2, P1_2.8, P1_2.14 O7.2 P8_9.12 M Maciaszczyk E. Madyagol M. Magura .I.S. Maistrenko A.M. Makałowska I. Makogon N. Makogonenko E.M. Makuchowski A. Malinowski M. Malinska D. Malysheva T.A. Mandzynets S. Maor Y. Marakhonov A.V. Marczak A. Marczak Ł. Markowicz S. Marszałek E. Martsenyuk O.P. Martynenko O. Matskova .L. Matuha I.O. Matyshevska O.P. Mehlman T. Meyuhas O. Mieczkowski J. Milovanova G.O. Miłek J. Miłoszewska J. Minchenko O.H. Minchenko D.O. Minis A. Mironova K.O. Misztal K. Mitina N. Mlącki M. Mlynarski W. Modrak-Wojcik A. Moenner M. Moibenko A. Molchadsky A. Molochkov N.V. Mor A. Morawiec E. Morderer D. Moreau J. Moroz T.V. Mrozińska K. Mykowska A. Mаcewicz L.L. P7.51 P7.19, P7.8 P8_9.2 P4.11 P1_2.15 O3.1 P7.36 P4.16, P4.8 P8_9.10 P7.20 P4.14, P4.15 P5.5 P7.21 P1_2.1, P1_2.17, P1_2.9, P7.41 P8_9.9 O7.2 P5.13 P7.22 P7.23 P5.12 P7.7 P5.18 L8.3 P7.39 P1_2.10 O4.2, P3.3, P3.6 P5.18 P1_2.6 P5.13 O4.1 O4.1 L5.2 P7.24 P4.12 P5.6 P7.11, P7.25 L3.3 P7.29 O4.1 P5.16 P1_2.12 P7.26 O1.2 L7.2 L4.3, P7.27 P7.31 P7.24 P5.9 L4.2 P5.11 N Nachliel E. Nagalski A. Najakshin A.M. Nałęcz K.A. Nauman A. Navon S.P. Negrutskii B. Neofita O. Nepyyvoda K. Niedzwiecka A. Niedźwiecka N. Niewiadomska G. Nikolaienko O. Nitsche J.M. Nocoń D. Novikov V. Novitskyi I. Novokhatska O. P7.1 P3.4 P4.15 O6.2, P7.45 O1.1 P.3.7 P7.47 P5.14 P5.10 P7.29 P7.28 P7.48 L4.3, P7.27 P6.2 P7.15 P5.5 P5.15 P7.31, P7.6 Nowak M. 97 P7.32 O Obolenskaya M.Y. Ochędalski T. Ofek K. Olszewski M. Orlovsky M.M. Osińska M. Ostapchenko L. Ostapchuk A. Ostash B. O3.1, P7.23 P5.3 L4.1 P7.32 P4.11 P7.33 P5.10, P7.4 P7.2 O3.2 P Pakuła-Cis M. Pálffy R. Panchuk R.R. Parnis A. Pasichnyk G. Perycz M. Pevzner I. Piastowska A.W. Piechota M. Piekielko-Witkowska A. Pigłowski W. Pikula S. Pinton P. Pirog M. Piven О.О. Plodnik D. Pogorelaya N.K. Polacek N. Pomorski P. Porycka M. Pos K.M. Potocki W. Potopalsky A. Prokhorov P.E. Pronicki M. Prus W. Przanowski P. Przewlocki R. Pydiura N.A. P4.8 P7.44 P3.5 P7.18 P7.34 P1_2.6 P7.18 P5.3 L3.3 O1.1 P4.8 P8_9.1 P7.17 O9.1 P5.11 P5.12 P8_9.2 P1_2.19 P8_9.7 P4.9 L6.1 L7.2 P5.12 P1_2.9 P7.17 P7.35 O4.2, P3.6 L3.3 P7.36 R Rabyk M. Radice G. Radosinska J. Raevskyi A. Rajewsky K. Rakus D. Ramji K. Rapaport D. Reits E.A. Rejmak E. Rębas E. Richardson C.C. Rimbach G. Rivlin N. Rode W. Rodziewicz-Motowidło S. Rogalska A. Romanets K.L. Romanets O. Romaniuk M. Romi E. Rosner M. Rotter V. Rozgoni I.I. Rudavska L. Rukov J.L. Ruman T. Ryabtseva A. Ryazanovaa A.Y. Ryazantsev S.N. Rylski M. Rynditch A. Rzepetsky Y. Rzeszowska-Wolny J. P1_2.7 P5.11 P5.16 L3.1 L2.1 O9.1, P7.15 P1_2.11 P4.13 P7.9 P4.5 P8_9.8 O7.1 P1_2.14, P1_2.8 P1_2.12 P7.50 L7.2 P8_9.9 P7.23 P4.14, P4.15 P5.14 L5.2 P1_2.3 P1_2.12 P5.18 P5.15 P1_2.13 P7.50 P5.6 P7.26 P7.52 P4.17 L4.3, P7.27, P7.31, P7.6, P7.7 P7.38 P5.19 98 Abstracts S Saenko Y. Samluk Ł. Samoylenko A. Sanagurski D. Sanahursky D. Sarig R. Savchuk O. Schoenmann Z. Schwartzman T. Sedakov I. Selmi A. Serzhanova V.A. Shabelnik M.Y. Shainskaya A. Shaltiel G. Shapira T. Shatova O. Shav-Tal Y. Shezer Y. Shkrabak A.A. Shlapatska L.M. Shlyakhtina Y. Shlykov S. Shohat M. Shomron N. Shtapenko O.V. Shuvayeva G.Y. Shyian M.A. Shysh A. Sidorenko S.P. Sielska M. Silman I. Simon G. Sivan G. Sivko R. Skibo G.G. Skoblov M.Y. Skok M.V. Skonieczna M. Skorkowski E.F. Skorupska A. Skowronek K. Skrypkina I. Skrzypek K. Slyvchuk Y.I. Sobczak M. Sobierajska K. Sobota A. Sokolowska M. Solomon A. Soreq .H. Sourjik V. Sprecher E. Sreedhar B. Stachurska A. Stanek J. Stasyk O.V. Stawarski M. Stefańska A. Stepanyugin A. Stepinski J. Stodus K. Stoika R.S. Stolarski R. Stuchlík S. Student S. Suliman S. Suski J.M. Sussman J.L. Suszynska-Zajczyk J. Swiatek-Machado K. Swiezewski S. Swoboda P. Sybirna N. Syrvatka V.J. Szabadkai G. Szczepanowska J. Szczesniak M. Szewczyk A. Szołtysek K. Szwacka M. Szwed M. Szybińska A. Ś P5.19 O6.2 P7.34, P7.37 P5.5 P5.14 P1_2.12 P7.4 L5.2 P.3.7 P7.30 P8_9.10 P1_2.17 P7.38 P7.39 L4.1 P1_2.12 P7.30 O1.2 P1_2.12 O8.2 P7.38 P5.6 O8.1 P1_2.3 L1.3, P1_2.13, P1_2.18, P3.2 P5.18 P7.40 O6.1 P5.16 P4.14, P4.15, P7.38 P4.10 P7.49 P7.39 P1_2.4 P6.1, P8_9.3 P4.11 P1_2.1, P1_2.17, P1_2.9, P7.41 P7.55, P7.56, P8_9.4 P5.19 P7.28 P1_2.5 O6.2, P7.33 L4.3, P7.27, P7.31, P7.6, P7.7 P1_2.2 P5.18 P5.17, P8_9.13 P8_9.7 P5.7, P5.9, P7.16, P7.22 P7.42 P1_2.3 L4.1 L5.1, O5.1 P4.13 P4.3 P1_2.14, P1_2.8 P7.53 P7.40 P4.5 P1_2.2 P5.12 P7.29 P7.53 O.2 , P3.5, P5.15, P5.6 P7.29 P7.19, P7.44, P7.46 P5.19 O1.2 P7.17 P7.49 O7.2 O4.2, P3.3, P3.6 L1.1 P5.13 O5.2, P5.7 P5.18 P7.17 P7.20, P8_9.11 P1_2.15 P8_9.12 P4.8, P4.16, P1_2.16 P8_9.9 P8_9.6 Ślusarz M. L7.2 T Taranin A.V. Tarasenko A. Tawfik D. Tischenko V.M. Tisonczyk J. Tkachuk L.V. Tkachuk Z.Y. Tokovenko B. Topolska A.M. Tóth C. Trembacz H. Tribulova N. Trikash I. Tsetlin V.I. Tsfadia Y. Tsyba L. Tsypik O. Tukalo M. Tułodziecka K. Turňa J. Twardowska A. Twardowski T. Tyburczy M. P4.14, P4.15 O9.2 P7.49 P7.52 P4.7 P7.57 P7.57 O3.1 P7.43 P7.44 P5.13 P5.16 P4.6 P8_9.4 P7.1 L4.3, P7.6, P7.7, P7.27, P7.31 O3.2 L3.1 P7.45 P7.8, P7.19, P7.44, P7.46 P1_2.16 O7.2 P4.1 U Urbanik-Sypniewska T. Utekal P. P1_2.5 P7.46 V Valkovičová L. Vávrová S. Veklich T.O. Verbeek D.S. Veremieva M. Vinther .J. Vodopyanova L. Voitenko N. P7.8 P7.8 O8.2 P7.9 P7.47 P1_2.13 P6.2, P6.3 L8.1 W Wadelius C. Wasik A. Wasik U. Weis S. Westerink J.T. Węgierski T. Widłak P. Wieckowski M.R. Wieczorek G. Wilanowski T. Wilczyński G. Wilentzik R. Wilk P. Winberg G. Wisniewska M.B. Wisniewski P. Witalisz A. Wlodarczyk J. Wlodawer A. Wojcicka A. Wojciechowska M. Wojciechowski M. Wojda U. Wojewoda M. Wolf A. Wrzosek A. Wyroba E. Wysocki R. P3.6 P8_9.7 P7.48 P7.48 P7.9 P8_9.6 P4.16, P4.8 P7.17 P7.49 P7.11, P7.25 P7.17 P1_2.13 P7.50 P7.7 P3.4, P4.12 P4.9 P1_2.14 P7.17 K.3 O1.1 L4.2 L7.1 L9.3, P4.2 P8_9.11 O5.1 P8_9.12 P7.33 P7.51 Y Yagensky O. Yaremchuk G. P1_2.2 L3.1 Parnas Conference Warsaw 2011 Yaron A. Yavorsky V.A. Yonath A. Yrkiv O.J. Yu J. Yunger S. Yurchenko E. Yurchenko M.Y. L5.2 P8_9.2 K.2 P5.18 P7.21 O1.2 O2.2 P4.14, P4.15, P7.38 Z Zabka M. Zaburannyy N. Zaichenko O. Zakcharychev V. Zaletok S. Zalts H. Zamir G. Zarbiv G. Zarzycki M. Zaviyalov V.P. Zawadzka-Kazimierczuk A. Zawirska-Wojtasiak R. Zdioruk M. Zhang X. Zhegunov G. Zhukov I. Zhukovska A. Zhylenko V. Ziadeh B. Ziegler C. Zieliński Z. Ziętkiewicz S. Zinkovych I. Zohary K. Zozulya Y.A. Zubarev R. Zuba-Surma E. Zybura-Broda K. P7.35 O3.2 P5.6 P7.47 P8_9.14 P1_2.18 P1_2.10 O5.1 P7.51 P7.52 P7.53 P1_2.16 O5.2 P7.21 P6.2 P7.53 P5.16 P8_9.14 P7.39 L6.3 P7.50 L7.2 P7.30 P7.54 P4.15 P7.39 P7.14 P4.17 Ż Żylińska L. Żywicki M. P5.17, P8_9.1, P8_9.8 , P8_9.13 P1_2.19 99