Vol 9, No 3 (2011)

Early stages of human embryo development are characterized by an extremely high incidence of reproductive losses. Genomic mutations are the main contributing factor in this phenomenon. However, a significant part of miscarriages cannot explained by current genetic or cytogenetic concepts. A possible impact of abnormalities of the epigenetic genome organization into etiology of reproductive wastages is discussed in the current review. Characteristics of aberrant epigenetic modifications, ontogenetic and molecular mechanisms of their appearance are given in the light of genomic imprinting. 

ADH1B and ALDH2 genes are coding for key alcohol metabolism enzymes. Both allele ADH1B*Arg48His and ALDH2*504Lys are associated with lower alcohol consumption level. The allele frequencies were determined for rather few populations of Russia. The article presents аn updated review on the allele frequencies worldwide including the data for populations of Russia which were determined by our lab in recent years. Possible role of factors influencing the peculiarities of ADH1B*48His and ALDH2*504Lys allele frequencies geographic distribution are being discussed. 

Formation of the cultured flora resulted in a decrease of plant symbiotic potential based on interactions with beneficial microorganisms. This decrease leads to transformation of plant micro-symbionts into the non-adaptive forms caused by: а) blocking the selection in favor of mutualistic strains; б) horizontal gene transfer in the microbial communities resulted in formation of virulent “symbiotic cheaters”. Mathematical simulation suggests that these tendencies may be overcome by formation of the optimal population structures in symbiotic system which should possess a high integrity and specificity of partners’ interactions as well as by a tolerance to the invasions of non-active aboriginal strains from the local soil populations. 

Red rice is the worst field weed in all rice-cultivation areas. Early diagnosis of red rice in primary seed breeding program is an overriding task, which solution directly influences the quality of the rice seeds. Red and red-brown colors of pericarp are determined by two loci at least: Rc and Rd, expressing in conjunction with the Rc gene. In this study we have developed an intragenic codominant molecular marker for the Rc gene and tested it with contrasting as to the seed colour rice varieties examined feature. The efficacy of the marker has been shown for 1142 families of rice, each sample containing 120 plants. 

The methodology is suggested for analyzing the variability and heredity in super-organism genetic systems of different complexity ranging from two-component plant-microbe and animal-microbe symbiosis to the endosymbiotic and soil microbial communities. The approaches based on symbiogenetics and metagenomics may be used for development of highlyproductive ecologically sustainable agrocenoses based on the substitution of agrochemicals (mineral fertilizers, pesticides) by the microbial preparations. A possibility is emphasized to use the natural analogs of agrocenoses for development of models to implement the directed construction and improvement of productivity in the sustainable agricultural systems.