BULLETIN of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. BIOSCIENCE Series

Assessment of the effectiveness of ITS markers in DNA barcoding of Betula species in the Kazakh Altai

2024-11-08T08:32:37+00:00

This study investigates the effectiveness of ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) DNA barcoding markers for identifying and differentiating eight species of Betula within the Kazakh Altai flora: Betula glandulosa, B. pendula, B. pubescens, B. rotundifolia, B. rezniczenkoana, B. tianschanica, B. microphylla, and B. kirghisorum. By extracting and sequencing DNA from herbarium specimens, the study focuses on assessing the genetic diversity and resolving phylogenetic relationships among these Betula species, many of which have close morphological similarities that can complicate traditional taxonomy. The results reveal that ITS markers provide clear genetic differentiation between these species, highlighting the effectiveness of ITS in distinguishing even closely related species within the Betula genus. Analysis using the Neighbor-Joining method showed two primary clusters, aligning well with known phylogenetic sections, Apterocaryon and Betula, which are established classifications within the genus. Furthermore, the study offers the first ITS sequence data for two species, B. rezniczenkoanaand B. kirghisorum, contributing new genetic information to the NCBI database. These findings are crucial for ongoing conservation efforts, given the ecological and environmental pressures facing native Betula species in the Kazakh Altai. By providing reliable molecular markers, this research supports future studies on species distribution, genetic diversity, and conservation planning within this biodiverse and ecologically sensitive region.

Induced RNA interference and its impact on potato virus amplification in plants

2025-03-12T11:19:41+00:00

Viral diseases in potato crops, especially Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), Potato virus M (PVM), and Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), are particularly difficult to control and represent an important problem for worldwide agriculture. In this study, we assessed the antiviral potency of RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR/Cas13 technologies in lowering viral titers and preventing pathogenesis.

Potato plants were inoculated with individual and combined viral pathogens and subsequently treated with constructs containing gRNA, sense, and antisense sequences used for both RNAi and Cas13-mediated degradation of the viral RNA. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was utilized to measure RNA levels, and disease progression was observed for three weeks. Expression of Cas13 was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and Western blot. Results of the RNAi constructs lowered levels of viral RNA up to 85% for PVY and 78% for PLRV. CRISPR/Cas13 constructs yielded even greater suppression rates (≥90% in some treatments) with marked symptom alleviation. Synergistic effects of constructs targeting multiple targets were observed with the greatest decreases in viral loads and disease severity. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05) between treated and control plants. This research demonstrates that RNAi and CRISPR/Cas13 can enhance potato resistance to viral infections. Providing a scalable, transgene-free approach to disease control, these methods contribute to sustainable agriculture and global food security.

Rose leaf roller Archips rosana L. as a pest of Sievers apple tree in Iley Alatau

2024-06-05T07:26:40+00:00

This article contains new information on the phenology of the Archips rosana L. The purpose of the study is to determine the phenological features and identify vulnerable stages of rose leaf roller development. The practical significance lies in the fact that these studies will allow us to find out more detailed understanding of the ecological adaptation of this species to local habitat conditions, which subsequently contributes to the management of populations of this insect pest. The research was conducted on the territory of the Ile-Alatau State National Natural Park. The material was obtained by the authors during two field seasons, 2018-2019. The research methods are classical entomological methods, such as trapping males and females using an entomological net, semi-stationary accounting at monitoring sites, and growing leaf rollers by cultivating larvae in the entomology laboratory of the Institute of Zoology. As a result of the research, the phenological features of the rose leaf roller in these territories were clarified. The influence of temperature and relative humidity (%) on the development of the rose leaf roller, Archips rosana L., in 2018 and 2019 has been studied. During the study, vulnerable stages of development were identified - the stage of larvae of 1-2 ages, which appear in the studied territories from the second decade of April to the first decade of May.

Macrophytes of the Floodplain swamps of the Akmola Region

2025-03-18T10:26:01+00:00

This paper presents the results of the research on macrophytes of floodplain swamps of the coastal territories of the Aktastinka River and wetlands of Aktasty village, located in Arshalinsky district, Akmola region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The inventory revealed the floristic composition of the Aktastinka village locality and the coastal territory. Along with species diversity, the main representatives of macrophytes of the bog flora were identified, represented by 8 hydrophytes – Phragmites australis, Carex rostrata, Typha angustifolia, Ranunculus repens L., Triglochin maritimum L., Stratiotes aloides L., Utricularia vulgaris L., Lemna minor L., etc. In the flora of the study area, four types of plant communities were found, with the dominance of representatives of the following families: Poaceae, Typhaceae, Cyperaceae, Ranunculaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Butomaceae, and Lentibulariaceaespanning several kilometres. Comparative analysis of macrophyte floras at four different sites illustrated similarity between phytocenoses. The plant flora of the study area includes 105 species belonging to 65 general and 38 families. Dicotyledonous plants are represented by 78 species, monocotyledones plants by 27 species. The ratio of dicotyledons to annuals was 1:2.9. On average, each genus is represented by 2.3 species, species saturation of families is characterised by the average index, and is 9.5.

A novel non-paralytic botulinum neurotoxin type A for chronic pain management in animal models

2025-03-12T11:27:08+00:00

Botulinum neurotoxin is one of the most potent biological toxins known, capable of causing severe paralysis by blocking neurotransmitter release. The use of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) has grown beyond its traditional application for muscle overactivity disorders, now being explored for the treatment of various chronic pain conditions such as chronic migraine (CM) and painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). This article aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of a newly engineered botulinum neurotoxin molecule, el-iBoNT, in animal models of CM and PDPN pain. Utilizing the innovative SpyCatcher–SpyTag protein conjugation method, we successfully produced functional botulinum neurotoxin molecules with significantly reduced paralytic effects compared to the native toxin. In both CM and PDPN models, a single administration of el-iBoNT resulted in substantial pain relief, alleviating both mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. The findings demonstrate that el-iBoNT holds promise as an effective therapeutic agent for managing chronic pain in these conditions. Additionally, the reduced paralytic activity of el-iBoNT suggests a safer profile compared to traditional BoNT therapies. Overall, this research supports the potential of el-iBoNT as a novel treatment option for chronic pain, offering a promising alternative to existing pain management strategies, particularly those that rely on opioids, which often carry the risk of dependency and severe side effects.

Monitoring the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii in a multidisciplinary hospital in Astana

2025-03-26T13:12:27+00:00

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most dangerous hospital-acquired infections, leading to death in patients with weakened immune systems, especially in intensive care units. Many strains resist carbapenems, the "antibiotics of last resort," making treatment extremely difficult. In this regard, the frequency of isolation and the level of resistance of A. baumannii strains in patients of the pediatric cardiac surgery department (PCSD) and the department of anesthesiology, resuscitation, and intensive care (DARIC) for the period 2015 to 2022 were studied. A retrospective analysis of the results of bacteriological culture of various biomaterials for the isolation of pathogenic flora taken from adult patients hospitalized in DARIC and PCSD patients over 8 years, with determination of antibiotic sensitivity was carried out. A total of 8696 clinical isolates were recovered, of which A. baumanniiaccounted for 629 cases, primarily from DARIC (203) and PCSD (426). Identification was carried out on a microbiological analyzer "Vitek 2 - Compact" (bioMerieux, Marcy I'Etoile, France). Antimicrobial activity was studied by the method of minimum inhibitory concentrations ("Vitek 2 - Compact"). Isolate distribution analysis shows a significant difference in the detection rate of A. baumannii in DARIC and PCSD: 13.5% in DARIC versus 5.8% in PCSD. Antibiotic resistance analysis revealed an increase in resistance to all antibiotics used, particularly in DARIC, where resistance to levofloxacin was 93.3%, meropenem 92.8%, gentamicin 90.6%, ciprofloxacin 89.7%, and imipenem 86.1%. PCSD also recorded an increase in resistance, but within 27%. Thus, the comparative analysis of the frequency of isolation of A. baumannii in DARIC units was higher than in PCSD. An increase in resistance to all tested antibiotics was noted in DARIC and PCSD units, except for colistin.

Modification of Plant Genomes by Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing: Delivery of Exogenous DNA

2025-03-26T14:54:59+00:00

The article reviews data on the development and improvement of methods for delivering exogenous DNA fragments into the genomes of various plant species in the postgenomic era of biology. The features of exogenous DNA delivery, depending on the stage of plant cell cultivation in vitro are presented. The emphasis is placed on the development of methods that ensure the delivery of expression cassettes into plant cell genomes in planta, excluding the disintegration of plant tissues to cell cultures with subsequent restoration of transformant plants, i.e., bypassing the in vitro stage. Data are presented on the success of the floral dip method for both model plants Arabidopsis thaliana, and some other species that are representatives of six families of higher plants. Data are presented on the demand for the floral dip method in connection with the growing interest in plant modification by genome editing methods.

Role of anthocyanins in plant resistance to virus

2025-03-14T11:48:46+00:00

Viral infections pose a serious threat to crop production in Kazakhstan and worldwide, negatively affecting the growth, development, and productivity of agricultural crops. Under conditions of multiple stresses, such as drought, extreme temperatures, soil salinity, and pathogen damage, viruses aggravate physiological changes in plants, disrupting their metabolic pathways and reducing resistance to adverse factors. Particular attention is paid to the effect of viral infections on the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, important compounds involved in plant defense mechanisms. In this work, it was shown that infection with tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) caused more damage to the middle leaves of the model plant compared to other leaves, and the upper leaves stopped developing. In addition, necrosis was observed in the middle leaves, which led to further programmed cell destruction (PCD). Moreover, infection with the TBSV virus led to a significant increase in hydrogen peroxide levels and accumulation of anthocyanins in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. These changes indicate a disturbance in the redox balance and activation of defense reactions in response to viral infection. The findings highlight the importance of studying the interaction of viruses with plants to develop strategies to improve crop resistance to viral infections and other stress factors.

Endogenous purines as natural ligands of the A2B adenosine receptor

2025-03-29T14:37:55+00:00

Endogenous purines are essential regulators of various physiological functions, including immune response, inflammation, and neurotransmission. While adenosine has long been considered the primary ligand for adenosine receptors, recent evidence suggests that other purines may also interact with these receptors, particularly the A_2B adenosine receptor (A_2BAR). This study investigates the potential role of endogenous purines as natural ligands of A_2BAR using molecular docking. The results demonstrate a high binding affinity of purines for A_2BAR, suggesting their functional relevance in receptor-mediated signaling. Additionally, A_2BAR plays a crucial role in immune regulation by influencing T-cell differentiation and cytokine production. Modulating its activity through endogenous purines may have significant implications for inflammation-related diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings provide new insights into the purinergic control of the adenosinergic system and highlight the potential of targeting A_2BAR in therapeutic strategies. However, further studies, including in vitro and in vivo experiments, are necessary to confirm the physiological relevance of these interactions. This research expands our understanding of purinergic signaling and opens new avenues for the development of pharmacological interventions aimed at modulating immune and inflammatory responses.