[Polymorphism of the bphA genes in bacteria destructing biphenyl/chlorinated biphenils].

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants. Biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase (BDO) is a key enzyme that determines the range of PCBs oxidized by a bacterial strain. BDO subunit α (BphA1) plays an essential role in substrate recognition and binding. The genes for dioxygenases that hydroxylate aromatic rings were screened and analyzed phylogenetically. Genes found in biphenyl-oxidizing Rhodococcus erythropolis strains G12a, B7b, and B106a proved to be similar to the published nucleotide sequences of the Rhodococcus sp. HA99 and R04 and Novosphingobium aromaticivorans F199 bphA1 genes, which code for the α-subunits that do not belong to the biphenyl/toluene dioxygenase (B/TDO) family. PCB-destructing R. ruber P25 was found to possess a unique bphA1 gene, which clusters together with the phenylpropionate dioxygenase (PPDO) α-subunits of Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 and Frankia sp. EuI1c. The deduced amino acid sequences of the genes were analyzed. The amino acids of the BDO active site in R. wratislaviensis P1, P12, P13, and P20 (bphA1 genes of the B/TDO family) were identical to those of the active PCB degrader R. jostii RHA1. The Rhodococcus strains in question were shown to be active toward both orthoand parachlorinated ring of 2,4'-dichlorobiphenyl. The α-subunit amino acids responsible for the substrate specificity of the enzyme in Pseudomonas sp. S9, S13, S210, S211, and S212 (B/TDO family) were the same as in P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707. The Pseudomonas strains were active toward the para-chlorinated ring of 2,4'-dichlorobiphenyl. The results of screening bacterial strains for bphA1 can be used to identify the biotechnologically promising PCB destructors.

[Using IRAP markers for analysis of genetic variability in populations of resource and rare species of plants].

Species-specific LTR retrotransposons were first cloned in five rare relic species of drug plants located in the Perm' region. Sequences of LTR retrotransposons were used for PCR analysis based on amplification of repeated sequences from LTR or other sites of retrotransposons (IRAP). Genetic diversity was studied in six populations of rare relic species of plants Adonis vernalis L. by means of the IRAP method; 125 polymorphic IRAP-markers were analyzed. Parameters for DNA polymorphism and genetic diversity of A. vernalis populations were determined.

[Genetic variation in Ural populations of the rare plant species Adenophora lilifolia (L.) DC. inferred from ISSR markers].

The genetic variation in four populations of Adenophora lilifolia (L.) DC., a rare plant species of the Perm region, was analyzed using 56 ISSR markers. The characteristics of DNA polymorphism and population genetic diversity were determined. These data demonstrate a high level of DNA polymorphism (P95 = 82.14%). The studied A. lilifolia populations are weakly differentiated; the intrapopulation variation is the main contributor to the genetic variation.

[Analysis of DNA polymorphism in a relict Uralian species, yellow foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora Mill.), using RAPD and ISSR markers].

Genetic polymorphism of the Uralian relict plant species, yellow foxglove Digitalis grandiflora Mill. (family Scrophulariaceae), was examined using RAPD and ISSR techniques. A total of 149 RAPD and 74 ISSR markers were tested. The indices characterizing polymorphism and genetic diversity were calculated. The data obtained pointed to a high level of genetic variation of D. grandiflora (P95 = 65%). The cenopopulation examined was weakly differentiated with most of genetic diversity accounted by within-population differentiation.