Alterations in the expression level of the MYC gene are often found in the cells of various malignant tumors. Overexpressed MYC has been shown to stimulate the main processes of oncogenesis: uncontrolled growth, unlimited cell divisions, avoidance of apoptosis and immune response, changes in cellular metabolism, genomic instability, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Thus, controlling the expression of MYC is considered as an approach for targeted cancer treatment. Since c-Myc is also a crucial regulator of many cellular processes in healthy cells, it is necessary to find ways for selective regulation of MYC expression in tumor cells. Many recent studies have demonstrated that non-coding RNAs play an important role in the regulation of the transcription and translation of this gene and some RNAs directly interact with the c-Myc protein, affecting its stability. In this review, we summarize current data on the regulation of MYC by various non-coding RNAs that can potentially be targeted in specific tumor types.

The Altai falcon from Central Asia always attracted the attention of humans. Long considered a totemic bird in its native area, modern falconers still much appreciated this large-bodied and mighty bird of prey due to its rarity and unique look. The peculiar body characteristics halfway between the saker falcon (Falco cherrug) and the gyrfalcon (F. rusticolus) triggered debates about its contentious taxonomy. The weak phylogenetic signal associated with traditional genetic methods could not resolve this uncertainty. Here, we address the controversial evolutionary origin of Altai falcons by means of a genome-wide approach, Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing, using sympatric eastern sakers falcons, allopatric western saker falcons and gyrfalcons as outgroup. This approach provided an unprecedented insight into the phylogenetic relationships of the studied populations by delivering 17,095 unlinked SNPs shedding light on the polyphyletic nature of Altai falcons within eastern sakers. Thus we concluded that the former must correspond to a low taxonomic rank, probably an ecotype or form of the latter. Also, we found that eastern sakers are paraphyletic without gyrfalcons, thus, these latter birds are best regarded as the direct sister lineage of the eastern sakers. This evolutionary relationship, corroborated also by re-analyzing the dataset with the inclusion of outgroup samples (F. biarmicus and F. peregrinus), put eastern sakers into a new light as the potential ancestral genetic source of high latitude and altitude adaptation in descendent populations. Finally, conservation genomic values hint at the stable genetic background of the studied saker populations.

Результаты апробирования методики восстановления популяции балобана путём подсадки в естественные гнёзда птенцов, выращенных в питомнике (с результатами GPS/GSM-трекинга слётков)

Популяционная структура ареала степного орла и предварительные данные по генетическому разнообразию его популяций и статусу подвидов

The expression of the Igf-1 gene in mouse liver at different stages of development of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrozamine—from the initial diffuse tissue dysplasia and nodular hyperplasia to the development of multiple adenomas and carcinoma—has been analyzed. It was marked that the level of Igf-1 expression in all liver neoplasms decreased; it increased only in the liver tissue surrounding the carcinoma. The dependence of Igf-1 expression on inflammatory processes accompanying tumor growth was analyzed on the model of acute liver damage by diethylnitrozamine. It was established that the level of Igf-1 expression in liver tissue under acute damage in sexually mature mice was the same as in the control group. By the means of semiquantitative evaluation of the products of two Igf-1 splice isoforms—locally active (Mgf) and circulating (Igf-1v4)—it has been shown that the amount of mRNA of both isoforms in hepatocellular carcinoma was lower, and in tissue surrounding the tumor higher, than in the samples of the control group. At the same time, the proportion of transcripts of isoforms was stable.

The cartilaginous fishes (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) are one of the oldest groups of lower vertebrates, which in recent decades have been subjected to severe negative human impacts (overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, etc.). Many shark species are caught in virtually unregulated and uncontrolled fisheries and processed into food and other products. The Pacific spadenose shark Scoliodon macrorhynchos is subject to intensive fishing in most of species’ range. At the same time, its abundance in Chinese waters is declining, while stocks around island of Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) and off the coast of Sarawak (Borneo, Malaysia) show signs of overfishing. This species, along with other members of the Carcharhinidae family, is listed in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and NT (Near Threatened) on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. Recently, a new pet product, dried eviscerated specimens of S. macrorhynchos, supplied from China, has appeared in some Russian online shops. An examination of the dried sharks purchased from the online shop revealed that they were all immature specimens, exacerbating the already threatened state of the species' populations. Eliminating further threats to S. macrorhynchos will require a ban on fishing for undersized specimens, improvement of the national fisheries management, monitoring of population status, and increased control of international trade by CITES.