Gliomas are brain tumors originating from glial cells and their precursor cells. In spite of currently used therapy, patient survival remains very poor. The main reason for dismal prognosis is the high level of tumor recurrence because of resistance to different ways of treatment. Currently, it is believed that glioma development is connected with the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor-initiating cells. The theory of hierarchal tumor structure is now commonly accepted. It accounts for characteristics of these cells, namely, the capability of self-renewal and differentiation into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. Moreover, these cells bear multiple genetic lesions typical of cancer cells. Thus, the presence of these cells after surgery and further treatment allows the tumor to recur. The data obtained in recent years confirm the important role of CSCs in the development of tumor resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. In this review, we present general information about classification and treatment of gliomas and consider results of research connected with the influence of radiation therapy. Some authors show that DNA repair enables CSCs to survive even after treatment. To sum up, it is shown that DNA repair contributes to the development of tumor resistance to ionizing radiation. In addition, our work confirms the hypothesis that inhibition of DNA repair processes in these cells leads to tumor sensitization to radiotherapy.

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor, involved in the regulation of hundreds of genes. In the absence of any ligand, GR resides in the cytoplasm where it is sequestered in a multimeric chaperone complex consisting of hsp90, hsp70, p23, Hop, FKBP51, FKBP52, etc. As part of this multiprotein complex, GR undergoes conformational changes that allow glucocorticoid hormone binding. Upon ligand binding, GR dissociates from chaperon complex and translocates into the nucleus, where it interacts with specific DNA sequences (GREs) in the regulatory regions of target genes and modulates their expression. Then unliganded GR is exported to the cytoplasm, completing the nuclear-cytoplasmic cycle. Recent evidence suggests that, in addition to this cycle, chromatin and chaperone GR cycles exist within the nuclei. The chromatin cycle implies repeated interactions of ligand-bound GR with GREs in the chromatin context lasting for few seconds. The chaperone cycle starts after dissociation of the hormone–receptor complex, when GR binds to the nuclear chaperone machinery. As a result, its hormone-binding affinity is regained. Upon hormone binding, GR releases from chaperon complex and binds to GREs again. It is assumed that the chaperone cycle is mainly responsible for prolonged GR retention in nuclei (half-life within 8–12 h upon steroid withdrawal). In this review, we summarize and critically analyze the published data on chromatin and intranuclear chaperone GR cycles.

Maternal RNAs accumulated during oocyte maturation are required not only for zygote formation but also for supporting the first embryonic cell divisions until embryo genome activation. Essential stages of transcriptome analysis include adaptation of RNA extraction procedures and characterization of the RNA expression profile. Ovaries of domestic birds represent an adequate model for exploration of RNA accumulation during oogenesis. In the present study, we optimized methods of RNA extraction from chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) oocyte cytoplasm and nucleoplasm and characterized changes in profiles of long and short RNAs during oocyte growth. Cytoplasmic RNA fractions contained 28S and 18S ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), small RNAs, and long RNAs heterogeneous in size. The profiles of total RNA from growing oocyte nuclei were dominated by low molecular weight RNAs corresponding in size to transport RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, and short regulatory RNAs. Importantly, oocyte nuclei from chicken egglaying females demonstrated trace amounts or absence of 28S and 18S rRNA, which was due to inactivation of the only nucleolar organizer. Three groups of short RNAs differing in size (from 20 to 40 nucleotides) were recognized in chicken oocytes. They might correspond to short regulatory RNA classes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that short RNAs were accumulated in the cytoplasm during oocyte growth. We suggest that short RNAs accumulated in avian oocyte cytoplasm are involved in the regulation of genome functions at early embryogenesis stages.

Tracing of transmission routes and identification of pathogen sources are important issues in preventive measures aimed at controlling human and animal infectious diseases. A fast and accurate method for bacterial strain identification (genotyping) allows scientifically sound planning of preventive schemes. Despite the existence of numerous bacterium genotyping techniques, there is still room for developing a unified typing approach that would be applicable to a variety of bacterial species. The aim is to develop a genotyping method allowing identification of E. coli strains circulating at Russian chicken farms. The method is based on the earlier proposed idea of double digestion and selective labeling of DNA restriction fragments (DDSL). Bacterial genomic DNA is simultaneously digested with two restriction enzymes and labeled with biotinylated deoxynucleoside triphosphates with the presence of DNA polymerase. The enzymes are chosen in silico for each bacterial species so that a limited number of DNA fragments be generated for subsequent separation in conventional agarose gel. After implementation of the study with E. coli isolates, adequate reproducibility and high discriminatory power of the technique were demonstrated. This approach was previously applied to genotyping other pathogenic bacterial species. The advantages of the proposed technique are the short turn-around time of analysis and easy availability of reagents and equipment. Transmission of a pathogen among chicken within one farm and existence of slightly different E. coli genotypes in various organs of the same individual were observed. Bacterial isolates obtained from any organ except the intestine were suitable for genotyping. Chicken intestine contains endogenous E. coli strains, which hamper the interpretation of genotyping data obtained for a set of isolates. Thus, our work demonstrates the potential of the DDSL method for genotyping field E. coli isolates in the context of molecular epizootology.

Genomic selection is a direction of breeding in which the value of an animal is predicted from DNA markers evenly covering the entire genome. This review summarizes information on modern trends in the genomic selection of dairy cattle and on application of reproductive technologies to the improvement of breeding process. The main trends in the development of genomic selection include improvement of the accuracy of breeding value estimations by combination of reference populations; use genotyping of cows in breeding programs; imputation of genotypes for absent SNPs with low marker density microarrays, and prediction of animal genotypes from the genotypes of relatives. Genomic selection can be even more profitable in combination with up-to-date reproductive biotechnologies: semen sexing, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, ovum pick-up followed by in vitro fertilization, embryo genotyping, cloning of best breeders, etc. In programs of dairy cattle genomic selection, biotechnological procedures with gametes and embryos allow improvement of a variety of parameters determining breeding efficacy: selection intensity, accurate breeding value assessment, and generation interval. Successful methods for embryo genotyping for numerous markers after biopsy at the morula or blastocyst stage are based on whole genome amplification of embryo DNA. Eventually, these achievements will provide grounds for new approaches to the reduction of generation interval, selection of elite cows, reduction of inbreeding rate, etc.

Despite high research interest, the systematics and taxonomy of mammalian genus Canis are among the most convoluted and controversial: species boundaries are blurred and incongruent with any existing species concept, while genetic differences between species are low. I provide an overview of existing controversies, the most recent findings, and taxonomic possibilities, and recommend the most practical and well-substantiated solutions. The genus boundaries have to be changed, with two African jackals (C. adustus & C. mesomelas) moved to a separate genus Lupulella. The systematic status of taxa occurring in eastern North America has caused much argument; most recent data indicate that Algonquin (C. lycaon lycaon) and Red (C. l rufus and recently exterminated subspecies) Wolves originate from ancient hybridization and should be considered a separate species, while two other populations are of more recent hybrid origin. The systematic position, intraspecific classification, origin and taxonomy of Dog (C. familiaris) are particularly controversial. It has been alternatively classified as a subspecies of Gray Wolf (C.lupus), a subspecies of Dingo (C. dingo), or a full species (C. familiaris) with Dingo as a subspecies. Analysis of available data shows that Dog should be classified as a full species with four subspecies, since its origin from a common ancestor with modern Gray Wolf has likely predated its domestication (contrary to the most popular view), and interbreeding between Dog and Gray Wolf in the wild is limited. It is possible that never-domesticated Dog populations have survived in southeastern Asia until very recently, or even exist today.

Our overview of the global practice of breeding chinchillas systematizes information about performance and reproduction conditions that determine the profitability of fur farms. Captive chinchillas are polygamous and polyestrous. Seasonal differences in the organosomatic indexes, the number of spermatozoids in males, and the duration of the sexual cycle of females predetermine preservation of the seasonal habit of reproduction. Chinchillas retain their reproductive ability for 15 years. To save offspring, it is important to avoid premature mating of females younger than 6 months. Although 10–16 follicles ripen in the ovary of a chinchilla female, their average annual fecundity is 2.2–4 puppies per year. In accordance with the natural annual rhythm, a female chinchilla typically produces two litters, being able to have 1-3 litters annually. The interval between whelpings depends on photoperiod, illumination, and age of females. Too frequent whelpings exhaust the female organism and reduce its period of reproduction. Litter size is affected by the genotype and conformation of animals, as well as by paratypic factors acting during pregnancy and whelping. Proper selection of females and males is essential for fecundity improvement. To improve the fecundity of chinchillas, use of reproductive technologies is recommended, including electroejaculation, sperm cryopreservation, estrus induction, hormonal stimulation of ovulation, and others. The profitability of commercial breeding of chinchillas is dependent largely on the improvement of both qualitative (color) and quantitative (fecundity) traits, which is important for Russian fur farming.

The influence of gene mutations encoding coat color on parameters of reactive oxygen species (RO S) generation and neutralization in six organs of the mink (Neovison vison) was evaluated. The study was conducted with standard dark brown (+/+), monorecessive royal pastel (b/b) and silver-blue (р/р), and direcessive sapphire (a/a р/р) mutant minks. It was found that the functioning of both RO S generation and neutralization systems was genotypespecific. The direcessive sapphire (a/a р/р) combination induced high levels of antioxidant enzymes’ activities as well as of thiobarbituric acid-reactive products (TBА-RPs), characterizing lipid peroxidation level. In heart tissue, coat color mutations exerted modulating effects on both RO S generation and the level of low-molecular-weight antioxidants. The royal pastel (b/b) genotype showed the highest level of RO S generation, and the sapphire (a/a р/р), the lowest (statistically significant difference from standard). Coat color mutations modulate the dintensity of RO S generation and neutralization in lung tissue. On the one hand, royal pastel (b/b) in comparison with standard dark brown (+/+) decreases the total level of RO S generation, and on the other hand, it increases the level of generation of superoxide anion-radicals. Cluster analysis, presented in a combined dendrogram, showed that royal pastel (b/b) and sapphire (a/a р/р) minks, the farthest from standard (+/+), had the greatest modulating effects. It is reasonable to suggest that such effects contributed to the genetic plasticity of American mink in the course of colonization of North America and then during mink introduction in Northern Eurasia and South America.

Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), are ubiquitous in genomes of eukaryotes, including plant genomes. The structure and location of SSR loci determine their potential as molecular genetic markers and may have impact on the potential function of microsatellites in important biological processes. Identification and study of the distribution of SSR loci in gene-rich regions of the bread wheat genome and development of novel SSR markers based on these data are of practical interest, being important for the study of bread wheat genome organization. Bread wheat BACclone sequences containing homoeologous WFZP genes that control spikelet development served as the base for the identification and localization of SSR loci in generich regions of chromosomes 2AS, 2BS, and 2DS. It was found that di- and trinucleotide motifs were predominant. The most common dinucleotide motifs were AG and GA/TC. They were distributed in noncoding regions of genes, transposable elements (TEs) and unannotated sequences. Most identified trinucleotide motifs were associated with transposable elements. Homoeologous SSR loci were found in either genes or unannotated sequences. Comparison of these loci showed that the divergence in their structure was caused both by changes in repeat number and nucleotide substitutions. New SSR markers were developed and mapped. On the genetic maps of chromosomes 2A, 2B и 2D, they collocated with the WFZP-A-B-D genes. Thus, they can be used for gene tagging in molecular research and in marker-assisted selection.

To protect bread wheat from pathogens and, in particular, rust diseases, introgressive resistance genes located in alien translocations are commonly used. However, their application in practical breeding demands prebreeding studies. They reveal effects of translocations on the adaptive properties of plants, performance indices, yield, and the quality of the final product. For this purpose, we studied the L653 and L654 near-isogenic lines of spring bread wheat cultivar Dobrynya, resistant to leaf rust and carrying the combination of translocations 7DS • 7 DL-7Ae#1L + 2AL • 2AS-2MV#1, which host genes Lr19/Sr25 from Agropyron elongatum (Host.) P. B. and Lr37/Sr38/ Yr17 from Aegilops ventricosa Tausch. The recipient cv. Dobrynya and standard cv. Favorite were used as references. Phytopathological tests showed that L653 and L654 were highly resistant to Puccinia triticina at all stages of plant development and to Puccinia graminis race Ug99 + Lr24 (TTKST), but they were moderately susceptible to the Saratov population of this pathogen. The prebreeding research of lines L653 and L654 showed that the combination of 7 DS • 7 DL-7Ae#1L + 2AL • 2AS-2MV#1 translocations: (1) prolonged the seedling emergence –heading time by 7 days and increased the mean plant height by 10 cm; (2) did not affect lodging resistance or 1000 kernel weight; (3) affected grain yield in neither drought years nor years of leaf rust outbreaks; (4) reduced plant adaptation to abrupt vegetation condition changes; (5) reduced gluten amount without affecting its strength, dough tenacity, tenacity : extensibility ratio, flour strength, bread volume, or bread porosity. Thus, the combination of 7DS • 7 DL-7Ae#1L + 2AL • 2AS-2MV#1 translocations in the genotype of spring bread wheat cv. Dobrynya determines high resistance to leaf rust and stem rust race Ug99 + Lr24 (TTKST), being neutral with regard to agronomic performance indices.

The need for new donors of resistance to aggressive race Ug99 of Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. et Henn has arisen because the pest approaches the territory of Russian Federation. Identification of seventeen known Sr genes was performed with use of molecular markers in six sources of resistance to stem rust race Ug99. They included five common wheat lines and Donskaya Polukarlikovaya cv. The investigated accessions carried genetic material of alien species (Aegilops speltoides, Aе. triuncialis, Secale cereale). We used molecular markers associated with effective genes to race Ug99: Sr2, Sr22, Sr24, Sr25, Sr26, Sr32, Sr35, Sr36, Sr39, Sr40, Sr44, Sr47, and with genes that were ineffective but protected wheat cultivars against local pathogen populations: Sr9a, Sr15, Sr17, Sr19 and Sr31. On the grounds of the analysis of molecular markers the presence of two to seven known Sr genes was postulated in analyzed wheat lines :Sr2, Sr36, Sr39, Sr40, Sr44, Sr47 and Sr15 in line 113/00i-4; Sr22, Sr32, Sr44, Sr9a, Sr17 and Sr19 in line 119/4-06rw; Sr24, Sr36, Sr40, Sr47, Sr15, Sr17 and Sr31 in line GT 96/90; Sr22, Sr44, Sr32 and Sr15 in line 9/00w; Sr22 and Sr44 in line 141/97w. Genes Sr32 and Sr44 effective against Ug99 and ineffective genes Sr9a, Sr17 and Sr19 were identified in Donskaya Polukarlikovaya cv. The accessions studied may be recommended as donors of resistance to race Ug99 in wheat breeding programs.

Since 1912, durum wheat breeding in the Middle Volga region has passed several stages. Acceleration of the breeding process was observed during the period of joining gene pools from Bezenchuk (the Middle Volga region), Kharkov (Ukraine) and Saratov (the Lower Volga region), when the level of varietal adaptivity and productivity increased to the greatest extent. In this regard, the aim of our research was the evaluation of the impact of original parental genotypes on the building of the hereditary base of cultivars, as well as the demonstration of the formation and evolution of co-adaptive gene blocks of durum wheat in the Middle Volga region. To fulfil the tasks, diallelic analysis of yield elements, homeostatic characteristics of the trait “grain weight per plant” and cluster analysis of the pedigrees of modern cultivars were applied. The study showed that the process of durum wheat breeding was followed by the building of a co-adaptive gene block encrypting elements of plant performance and their homeostatic regulation by means of step-by-step evolution. Dominant genes with additive effects and maximal expression under drought and high temperatures prevailed in the structure of the polygenic system of co-adaptive block of modern cultivars. At the recent stage of breeding (1989–2013), germplasm development in the majority of cultivars bred at the Samara Research Institute of Agriculture occurred under strong influence of the Saratov gene pool, but it did not hamper the gene pool clustering according to germplasm similarity. The resulting clusters of varieties differed in the contribution of the “Saratov germplasm” to their heredity. This contribution was considered as weak (cluster A), moderate (cluster B) and strong (cluster C), corrected for different contributions of germplasms from other wheat accessions. The main inference from the results of the investigation is that at the modern stage it is necessary to extend the genetic basis of original material for durum wheat breeding in the Middle Volga region.

Currently, more than 70 % of maize is used for food and fodder; therefore, grain quality improvement can increase its nutritive and energy value. Deficiency of two essential amino acids (lysine and tryptophan) significantly reduces the nutritional quality of maize proteins. However, in comparison to conventional maize varieties, opaque2 (o2) mutants have greater contents of lysine and tryptophan in their endosperm proteins and their bioavailability is better. The aim of the study was identification of maize accessions with high-quality protein. A collection of maize accessions of various ecogeographical origins was studied by molecular methods. This approach was expected to improve maize breeding efficiency. We collected 54 maize genotypes differing in grain quality performance. Amplification with three specific markers to the opaque-2 gene (phi057, phi112 and umc1066) revealed homozygous recessive o2 genotypes, associated with improved nutritional quality of the protein. UREA-PAG electrophoresis of zein proteins was used for Quality Protein Maize (QPM) identification. In addition to the mutant o2 allele, QPM contains genetic modifiers that convert starchy endosperm of o2 mutant to the hard vitreous phenotype. The selected QPM accessions are of interest for maize breeding programs aimed at grain quality improvement. The use of the markers to o2 and modifier genes accelerates the development of QPM varieties and significantly reduces the labor and financial costs of their production.

October 2015 marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Ivan V. Michurin. As a scientist and plant breeder, he made a significant improvement of many varieties of fruit, berry, and flowers. He developed methods of plant breeding, promoted gardening to the north and east of Russia, including Siberia. He introduced some new berry species as Actinidia and black chokeberry and was the first in the country who used dwarf and semi dwarf stocks of apples. Michurin initiated the mass movement of fancier gardeners and horticulture experimenters in USSR who changed and significantly extended the species and geographic ranges of fruit and berry cultivation in Russia. He not only made a vast collection of species and varieties of fruit plants from around the world but also organized their involvement and widespread use in the breeding by hybridization, including interspecific crosses. He created some new artificial interspecific hybrids such as Cerapadus (cherry and bird cherry hybrid), and others. Michurin created 132 cultivars. Eleven of them are not only cultivated but also included in the “National Register of Protected Plant breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation”. Michurin, having lived a long productive life, did not come to the time when he was not only declared “the great nature transformer”, but also “appointed” creator of “Michurin’s theory”, so-called “Creative Darwinism”. However, thirty years later, scientists, though rarely, but still tried to separate his name from Lysenkoism and rehabilitate the scientist.