Category Archives: Uncategorized
Extramitochondrial ATP modulates Са(2+) signaling in myometrial mitochondria
L. G. Babich*, S. G. Shlykov, A. I. Panchenko, S. O. Kosterin
Department of Muscle Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry,
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: babich@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 16 September 2025; Revised: 21 October 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
It was postulated that mitochondria are sensors and effectors of ATP synthesis. Our results suggest that ATP may play a role as an intracellular signaling molecule. We have shown that the baseline Ca2+ concentration in the mitochondrial matrix increased in the presence of ATP or MgATP in the incubation media of isolated mitochondria. Activation or inhibition of both the respiration and Ca2+ uniporter activity, as well as the removal of Mg2+ from the incubation medium, or addition of A438079, an antagonist of plasma membrane P2X7 receptors, followed by the addition of ATP did not affect the ATP-induced increase of matrix baseline Ca2+ concentration. These results showed that extramitochondrial ATP modulates Ca2+ signaling in mitochondria independently of the Ca2+ uniporter and the respiratory chain activity. In the presence of UTP or MgUTP instead of ATP or MgATP, an increase of the matrix baseline Ca2+ concentration was not observed indicating that the studied effects are selective for ATP.
GABA-ergic system in the experimental diabetes
H. L. Hayrapetyan, N. Kh. Khachatryan, R. R. Balagyozyan,
V. R. Balagyozyan, S. S. Mardanyan*, A. A. Antonyan
Department of Metabolism of Adenylic Compounds,
H. Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry of Armenian NAS, Yerevan, Armenia;
*e-mail: biochem@biochem.sci.am
Received: 09 September 2025; Revised: 22 October 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, neurotransmitter and concurrently trophic factor in the non-neuronal peripheral tissues. GABA is involved in the pathophysiology of endocrine disorders, in particular, diabetes mellitus (DM). This review summarizes the effects of GABA-ergic system components on the development of experimental diabetes induced in laboratory animals. The beneficial effect of GABA-associated amino acids mixtures in the DM treatment is discussed.
Cancer stem cells in recurrence and therapy resistance: biological insights and emerging therapeutic strategies
Y. Tamilselvi*, P. Velmurugan, K. Sivasubramanian
Centre for Materials Engineering and Regenerative Medicine,
Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, India;
*e-mail: pughazselvi@gmail.com
Received: 12 May 2025; Revised: 29 September 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a resilient subset of tumor cells, able to evade immune detection and rapidly proliferate, are responsible for the metastasis, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance observed across various cancers. Recent research has concentrated on understanding the molecular networks that support CSCs immune evasion, self-renewal, and adaptability. Signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, JAK-STAT) and surface markers (CD44, CD133, ALDH1) that characterize CSC behaviour are compiled in this review. We highlight the expanding usefulness of omics technologies, such as CRISPR functional genomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and spatial proteomics, in determining vulnerabilities unique to CSCs and guiding tailored treatment plans.
Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard: from Drosophila genetics to the discovery of genetic control of embryonic development
M. V. Grigorieva*, V. M. Danilova, S. V. Komisarenko
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
*e-mail: mvgrigorieva@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 27 October 2025; Revised: 21 November 2025;
Accepted: 28 November 2025; Available on-line: 23 December 2025
The article presents Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard – a distinguished researcher in genetics and developmental biology whose studies have profoundly advanced our understanding of how genes in a fertilized egg determine the formation of the embryo. When Nüsslein-Volhard and her colleagues began their experiments with Drosophila melanogaster, this model organism was already widely used in genetic research. However, her approach was innovative: instead of merely observing mutations, she systematically induced thousands of them to identify the genes controlling the earliest stages of development. Her research demonstrated that the development of living organisms is governed by specific genes that can be identified, studied, and even modified. In 1995, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, together with Eric Wieschaus and Edward B. Lewis, for the discovery of the genetic mechanisms controlling embryonic development. This became a turning point in developmental biology: similar genes were later found in frogs, fish, mice – and even in humans – convincingly demonstrating the evolutionary commonality of the genetic pathways that determine morphogenesis.
Benzofuran thiazole derivative complexation with polymeric nanoparticles enhances reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential in murine lymphoma cells
Ya. R. Shalai1*, A. V. Salamovska1, M. V. Ilkiv1, B. O. Manko1,
Yu. V. Ostapiuk2, N. E. Mitina3, O. S. Zaichenko3, A. M. Babsky1
1Biology Faculty, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine;
2Chemistry Faculty, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine;
3Department of Organic Chemistry, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine;
*e-mail: Yaryna.Shalay@lnu.edu.ua
Received: 01 August 2025; Revised: 17 September 2025;
Accepted: 28 November 2025; Available on-line: 23 December 2025
The development of new anticancer drugs aimed at the inhibition of mitochondria functioning in tumor cells is a promising approach to cancer treatment. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of benzofuran derivative N-(5-benzyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide (BF1) and its complex with polymer nanoparticles based on polyethylene glycol (PEG-PN) on mitochondrial membrane potential in cells of NK/Ly lymphoma grafted in ascite form in mice. Relative values of mitochondrial potential at different exposure times were recorded using the fluorescent dye tetramethylrhodamine. Fluorescence microscopy showed a significant decrease in mitochondrial potential after 30 and 60 min of cells incubation with the BF1-PEG-PN complex but not with unconjugated BF1. After 120 min of incubation, a decrease in the studied parameter was observed under the action of both BF1 alone and its complex with PEG-PN. The data obtained showed that a possible mechanism of cytotoxic action of the BF1 complex with PEG-PN involves early mitochondria depolarization in lymphoma cells.
Therapeutic potential of topical autologous angiostatin application in managing tuberculosis-related corneal injury: a case report
N. Greben1*, I. Gavryliak1, V. Bilous2,
V. Korsa2, A. Tykhomyrov2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine;
2Department of Enzyme Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, Kyiv, Ukraine;
*e-mail: nkgreden@ukr.net
Received: 03 June 2025; Revised: 17 September 2025;
Accepted: 28 November 2025; Available on-line: 29 December 2025
Ocular tuberculosis (TB) is a vision-threatening condition that frequently manifests as corneal neovascularization and stromal keratitis, which triggers a cascade of inflammatory and hypoxia-driven responses. Conventional therapeutic approaches, including corticosteroids and antimicrobial agents, often fail to halt disease progression. Here, we report a case of a 50-year-old patient diagnosed with TB-associated keratitis, unresponsive to standard treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the alternative therapeutic strategy involving topical administration of angiostatin, a natural anti-angiogenic polypeptide derived from the autologous plasminogen. Solution of angiostatin fragment containing the first three kringle domains (K1-3) was applied in a two doses of eye drops (~15 μg per administration) five times daily for 2 months, with a cumulative exposure of approximately 4.5 mg. Treatment efficacy was monitored using both standard ophthalmologic assessments and non-invasive biochemical indicators such as the levels of hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9), fibrinogen/fibrin (Fg/Fb) and lactoferrin measured the in tear fluid across treatment time points (Day 0, 14, and 61) using Western blot analysis. The high intensity of HIF-1 α, VEGF and MMP-9 expression, Fg/Fb accumulation and the presence of low-molecular-weight fragments of lactoferrin were detected in the tear fluid prior to the treatment. Following angiostatin therapy, the patient exhibited marked regression of corneal neovascularization and restoration of corneal transparency, complemented with normalization of HIF-1α, VEGF, and MMP-9 levels, reduced Fg/Fb accumulation and the presence of intact lactoferrin in the tear fluid. The data obtained demonstrated a multifactorial mechanism of angiostatin action that extends beyond classical anti-angiogenic pathways. The convergence of clinical and molecular indicators of recovery underscores the potential of angiostatin application as a safe and effective therapeutic alternative for managing corneal complications in ocular TB, particularly in cases resistant to conventional treatment.
The fatty acid composition of cell lipids in walnut bacterial pathogens
M. I. Zarudniak, L. A. Dankevych*, I. P. Tokovenko, V. P. Patyka
D. K. Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology,
*e-mail: ldankevich@ukr.net
Received: 23 April 2025; Revised: 25 September 2025;
Accepted: 28 November 2025; Available on-line: 23 December 2025
Walnut (Juglans regia) is the most economically important and widespread nut crop in Ukraine. As bacterial diseases of walnut can reduce the yield of this culture by up to 40%, the monitoring of pathogens in a given crop and their identification are extremely important. The fatty acid composition of cell lipids is used in the taxonomy of plant pathogenic bacteria. The objective of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition of cell lipids of Agrobacterium, Xanthomonas, and Pseudomonas collection strains that can actually infect walnut, and those isolated from affected walnut trees in different regions of Ukraine. Fatty acid methyl esters were obtained by two different methods of extraction, with the use of 5% acetyl chloride in methanol at 100°C for 4 h, or 1.5% sulfuric acid in methanol at 80°C for 1 hour. Fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system. According to the found similarity of the fatty acid composition, the strains isolated from the affected walnut were related to representative collection strains of A. tumefaciens, X. arboricola and P. syringae. It should be noted that during the isolation of fatty acids with the use of 1.5% solution of H2SO4 in methanol, the amount of individual saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the studied strains decreased and almost all hydroxyl acids, identified as a key taxonomic markers, disappeared in comparison with the using of 5% solution of acetyl chloride in methanol at the hydrolysis stage.
Isolation and characterization of collagenase-active preparation from Rapana venosa salivary glands
V. A. Toptikov*, Ye. A. Shesterenko, Yu. A. Shesterenko
Medical Biotechnology and Enzymology Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine,
A.V. Bogatsky Physico-Chemical Institute, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Odesa;
*e-mail: v.a.toptikov@gmail.com
Received: 02 July2025; Revised: 28 August 2025;
Accepted: 28 November 2025; Available on-line: 23 December 2025
Collagenases have found practical applications in both medicine and the food industry, but the search for novel collagenase sources remains an active area of studies. Rapana, a predatory mollusk that primarily feeds on bivalves rich in connective tissue, has emerged as a potential source of collagenolytic enzymes. This study aimed to isolate collagenase-active preparation from Rapana venosa salivary glands and characterize its properties. The salivary gland extract was purified by acetone precipitation followed by ammonium sulfate treatment. Electrophoresis was performed by the Laemmli protocol under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. Proteolytic activity was determined spectrophotometrically using collagen or gelatin as a substrate. The preparation consisted of five protein fractions and exhibited enzymatic polymorphism. A 13.8-fold purification of collagenase activity was achieved, at least 22% of total proteins displayed collagenolytic activity, while 88% showed gelatinolytic activity. The optimum of preparation activity was found in acidic (pH 4.5) and alkaline (-9.5) ranges, with thermal optimum at 46°C. At room temperature, about 90% of activity was maintained for 8 h. Serine protease inhibitors did not affect enzyme activity, metal ion chelators completely inhibited it. Reducing agents enhancing SH-groups increased enzyme activity, disulfide bond regeneration or SH-group modification decreased it. The data obtained showed that the collagenase-active enzyme preparation from Rapana venosa salivary glands consists mainly of metalloproteinases and cysteine proteases, exhibiting high stability.