[Investigation of the amino acid sequences of open reading frames of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complete genome with the use of the protein family pattern bank Prof_Pat].

The new version of protein family patterns bank Prof_Pat 1.16 was used to investigate 3924 amino acid sequences of open reading frames of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv. The similarity to proteins with the known function was confirmed for 2772 amino acid sequences. Possible functions for 44 thus far unidentified sequences of open reading frames were determined.

[Construction of an expression plasmid vector for accomplishing in vivo delivery of recombinant biologically active proteins. 2. Synthesis of HBcAG in a vaccine strain of Salmonella choleraesuis]. / Konstruirovanie ékspressionnogo plazmidnoto vektora dlia osushchestvleniia dostavki in vivo rekombinantnykh biologicheski aktivnykh belkov. 2. Sintez HBcAg v vaktsinnom shtamme Salmonella choleraesuis.

The capacity of a previously described plasmid vector pAZ to deliver bioactive proteins to targets in vivo has been studied. This vector molecule has a strong constitutive promoter, is extremely stable in cells of vaccinal S. choleraesuis strain, and encodes the synthesis of marker protein beta-galactosidase which helps monitor the vector's fate in the host. The gene encoding hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) has been inserted into pAZ under its constitutive promoter. The resultant recombinant plasmid p19-24 has been used to transform Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli and S. choleraesuis) cells. Transformed cells produce immunologically active HBcAg. p19-24 was stable in S. choleraesuis cells during their culturing and during this strain persistence in mice. Triple oral immunization of rabbits in a dose of 1 x 10(9) S. choleraesuis cells TC177 induced the production of virus-specific antibodies. Successful transformation of cells of another vaccinal strain S. abortus ovis by this plasmid extends the potentialities of the vector. The results demonstrate good prospects of using pAZ vector for the construction of live oral vaccines.

[Isolation and study of recombinant strains of Salmonella typhimurium SL 7207, producing HBcAG and HBcAG-HBs]. / Poluchenie i issledovanie rekombinantnykh shtammov Salmonella typhimurium SL 7207, produtsiruiushchikh HBcAg i HBcAg-HBs.

Recombinant strains producing hepatitis B virus (HBcAg) core protein and chimeric core protein exposing on its surface the major immunogenic epitope of HBsAg (HBcAg-HBs) were constructed on the base of attenuated S. typhimurium SL 7202 strain. The resultant Salmonella strains produced proteins which were capable of self-assembly into virus-like particles and showed antigenic properties of both core and surface hepatitis B proteins. A single rectal immunization with recombinant S. typhimurium induced humoral and cellular immune response to HBcAg and HBsAg. Specific anti-HBcAg were detected in animal sera and intestinal tissues, which indicated the formation of specific mucosal immunity.

[Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6): current status]. / Virus gerpesa 6-go tipa (HHV-6): sovremennoe sostoianie voprosa.

Molecular, biological, and immunological studies on the recently identified human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) suggest that the virus is involved in the etiology of at least several lymphoproliferative diseases. Furthermore, HHV-6 may be an important cofactor in the pathogenesis of several other diseases, including cervical carcinoma, oral carcinoma, multiple sclerosis, and HIV infection. Analyzing the data available in the literature shows it necessary to conduct systematic investigations and to emphasize the importance of the problem for national public health.