Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration and Ageing

• For the first time we have shown that not only glucose but also a product of its metabolism – glycogen – is responsible for reducing life span of nematodes. The role of AMP-protein kinase (AMPK) in regulating life span of C.elegans has been investigated.
• We have demonstrated the effect of the natural AICAR nucleotide that increases average life span of C.elegans and D. melanogaster from 9 to 22%. We have proposed a DNA reparation model based on aging shift of RNA polymerase from the location DNA damage with participation of UvrD and DksA protein factors and ppGpp alarmone.
• Our researchers have shown human recombinant stress protein (Hsp70) positively affects cognitive characteristics of animals (mice) when administered chronically and intranasally. Chronic administration of Hsp70 to both old and young animals reliably increases quality and duration of their lives, and this effect is only observed in males.
• We have shown that when nematodes of different lines are used analysis of amyloidogenic and toxic qualities of isoAbeta(1-42) and pS8-Abeta(1-42) active in Alzheimer's disease in comparison with native Abeta(1-42) researched isoforms of beta-amyloid interact with endogenous Abeta molecules in a different manner and are able to either accelerate or slowdown their aggregation in organisms of nematodes – as a result modifying neurotoxic effects changing average life span of nematodes.

Implemented results of research: We have obtained three patents for our inventions: «A genetic structure for expression of functionally active stress protein (Hsp70) with mutated glycosylation sites for eukaryotic expression systems», «A geroprotector for model animals», «Genetic structure pHsp70 for expression of the main human stress proteins in milk of transgenic animals».

Education and career development:

• 1 doctoral dissertation and 7 candidate dissertations have been defended.
• 7 postgraduates and young scientists from other organizations have completed internships at the Laboratory.

Collaborations:

New York University School of Medicine (USA), National Institutes of Health (USA), Institute of Cell Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences: joint research and publications