Departments Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Nucleoproteins

A. N. Belozersky Research Instituteof Physico-Chemical Biology MSU

  2. A. N. Belozersky Research Institute, MSU, Russia
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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Nucleoproteins

Leader: Andrey B. Vartapetian

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Nucleoproteins was established in 1969 by Prof. Alexey A. Bogdanov, Academician of The Russian Academy of Sciences. Since 2003, the Department has been headed by Prof. Andrey B. Vartapetian.
The research focus of the Department teams is in the field of molecular and cellular biology. Investigations are aimed at the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death, protein biosynthesis, cell signaling, and plant-pathogen interactions.
Research areas
We are investigating:
  • Molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death in plants and the role of death proteases in this process;
  • The inter-relation of proliferation, apoptosis, and stress responses in mammalian cells;
  • Mechanisms of translation initiation and its regulation in mammalian cells, including non-canonical (cap-independent) initiation utilized by viral mRNAs;
  • Basic and applied aspects of plant-pathogen interactions and of signaling functions of methanol in plant and human life.
Research results
Mechanisms of programmed cell death in plants
Programmed cell death (PCD) in animals and plants display both common features and important distinctions. Plants lack caspases that are key proteases involved in apoptosis in animals. We have identified plant proteolytic enzymes as a plant counterpart of caspases and named these novel proteases ‘phytaspases’ (Chichkova et al., Plant Cell 2004; EMBO J. 2010). Though being structurally distinct from caspases, phytaspases share aspartate cleavage specificity (Galiullina et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2015) and a role in PCD analogous to that of caspases.

The most striking distinction of phytaspases is their dynamic localization that is dependent on vesicular membrane trafficking. After being constitutively processed/activated and secreted from healthy plant cells (Chichkova et al., EMBO J. 2010), phytaspases utilize clathrin-mediated endocytosis to re-enter cells committed to cell death (Trusova et al., J. Exp. Bot. 2019).

Several protein targets of phytaspases were identified. These studies have uncovered a role for phytaspases in mediating defense signaling in plants through precursor processing and maturation of the wound hormone systemin (Beloshistov et al., New Phytol. 2018). Thus, phytaspases appear to possess multiple functions.


Regulatory proteins
Results in other directions are coming soon.
Educational activities
  • Lecture and practical courses on Genetic Engineering for students of the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics (MSU).
  • The Department accommodates the Research and Educational Center “Physico-Chemical and Molecular Biology” of the Belozersky Institute.
  • Post- and under-graduate students of the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics (MSU) perform research projects in the laboratories of the Department.
Grants and projects
  • Russian Foundation for Basic Research;
  • grants Grants for young scientists from the President of the Russian Federation;
  • Grants from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science;
  • Grant from the Moscow City Government;
  • Grant from The Royal Society (UK);
  • Financial support from Bayer Innovation GmbH (Germany)
Awards
State Prize of the Russian Federation in Science and Technology (I.Shatsky, 1986; Y.Dorokhov, 1994), State Young Scientist Prize (А.Vartapetian, 1982), European Academy Prize (S.Dmitriev, 2005; D.Andreev, 2007; I.Terenin, 2009), Russian Academy of Sciences Medal for Young Scientists (S.Dmitriev, 2008).
Laboratories We are investigating the molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death (PCD) in plants via identification and characterization of specific death proteases – phytaspases. We are elucidating properties of phytaspases, their targets, and roles played by these enzymes in healthy and dying plant cells.
In human cells, the mechanism of activation of the p53 tumor suppressor in response to mitochondrial dysfunction is being studied. We are investigating anti-apoptotic and proliferation-related properties of the nuclear human protein Prothymosin alpha.  
Laboratory is concerned with mechanisms of translation in eukaryotes and translational control. Main directions: cap-independent translation initiation of viral and cellular mRNA in mammalian cells, regulatory mechanisms using 5'- and 3'-UTR, functions of initiation factors of translation etc.
  The lab works in two main directions: (i) molecular mechanisms of cell-to-cell movement in the plants and its role in viral and bacterial pathogenesis; (ii) signal function of methanol in plant and human life.		  

 

Articles

  • Andreev Dmitry E., Shatsky Ivan N.(2025) A Portrait of Three Mammalian Bicistronic mRNA Transcripts, Derived from the Genes ASNSD1, SLC35A4, and MIEF1. Biochemistry (Moscow), >>
  • Loughran Gary, Andreev Dmitry E., Terenin Ilya M., Namy Olivier, Mikl Martin, Yordanova Martina M., McManus C.Joel, Firth Andrew E., Atkins John F., Fraser Christopher S., Ignatova Zoya, Iwasaki Shintaro, Kufel Joanna, Larsson Ola, Leidel Sebastian A., Ma(2025) Guidelines for minimal reporting requirements, design and interpretation of experiments involving the use of eukaryotic dual gene expression reporters (MINDR). Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, >>
  • Rubtsova Maria, Mokrushina Yuliana, Andreev Dmitry, Poteshnova Maria, Shepelev Nikita, Koryagina Mariya, Moiseeva Ekaterina, Malabuiok Diana, Prokopenko Yury, Terekhov Stanislav, Chernov Aleksander, Vodovozova Elena, Smirnov Ivan, Dontsova Olga, Gabibov A(2025) A Luciferase-Based Approach for Functional Screening of 5′ and 3′ Untranslated Regions of the mRNA Component for mRNA Vaccines. VACCINES, >>
  • Galiullina R.A., Pigidanov A.A., Safronov G.G., Trusova S.V., Teplova A.D., Golyshev S.A., Serebryakova M.V., Kovaleva I.E., Litvinova A.V., Chichkova N.V., Vartapetian A.B.(2025) Retrograde transport of tobacco phytaspase is mediated by its partner, Tubby-like F-box protein 8. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Lezzhov Alexander A., Atabekova Anastasia K., Chergintsev Denis A., Lazareva Ekaterina A., Solovyev Andrey G., Morozov Sergey Y.(2025) Viroids and Retrozymes: Plant Circular RNAs Capable of Autonomous Replication. Plants, >>
  • Lezzhov Alexander A., Atabekova Anastasia K., Chergintsev Denis A., Solovyev Andrey G., Morozov Sergey Y.(2025) Expression of the Nicotiana benthamiana Retrozyme 1 (NbRZ1) Genomic Locus. Plants, >>
  • Andreev Dmitri E., Tierney Jack A.S., Baranov Pavel V.(2024) Translation Complex Profile Sequencing Allows Discrimination of Leaky Scanning and Reinitiation in Upstream Open Reading Frame-controlled Translation. Journal of Molecular Biology, >>
  • Atabekova Anastasia K., Lazareva Ekaterina A., Lezzhov Alexander A., Golyshev Sergei A., Skulachev Boris I., Morozov Sergey Y., Solovyev Andrey G.(2024) Defense Responses Induced by Viral Movement Protein and Its Nuclear Localization Modulate Virus Cell-to-Cell Transport. Plants, >>
  • Torosian T.A., Barsukova A.I., Chichkova N.V., Vartapetian A.B.(2024) Phytaspase Does Not Require Proteolytic Activity for Its Stress-Induced Internalization. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Хатьков И.Е., Абдулхаков С.Р., Алексеенко С.А., Амелина И.Д., Андреев Д.Н., Артамонова Е.В., Бакулина Н.В., Бесова Н.С.(2023) Российский консенсус по диагностике, лечению и профилактике рака желудка. Злокачественные опухоли, >>
  • Shestakova Ekaterina D., Tumbinsky Roman S., Andreev Dmitri E., Rozov Fedor N., Shatsky Ivan N., Terenin Ilya M.(2023) The Roles of eIF4G2 in Leaky Scanning and Reinitiation on the Human Dual-Coding POLG mRNA. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Galiullina R.A., Chichkova N.V., Safronov G.G., Vartapetian A.B.(2023) Characterization of Phytaspase Proteolytic Activity Using Fluorogenic Peptide Substrates. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), >>
  • Galiullina R.A., Dyugay I.A., Vartapetian A.B., Chichkova N.V.(2023) Purification of Phytaspases Using a Biotinylated Peptide Inhibitor. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), >>
  • Teplova Anastasia D., Pigidanov Artemii A., Serebryakova Marina V., Golyshev Sergei A., Galiullina Raisa A., Chichkova Nina V., Vartapetian Andrey B.(2023) Phytaspase is Capable of Detaching the Endoplasmic Reticulum Retrieval Signal from Tobacco Calreticulin-3. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Atabekova Anastasia K., Golyshev Sergei A., Lezzhov Alexander A., Skulachev Boris I., Moiseenko Andrey V., Yastrebova Daria M., Andrianova Nadezda V., Solovyev Ilya D., Savitsky Alexander P., Morozov Sergey Y., Solovyev Andrey G.(2023) Fine Structure of Plasmodesmata-Associated Membrane Bodies Formed by Viral Movement Protein. Plants, >>
  • Chergintsev Denis A., Solovieva Anna D., Atabekova Anastasia K., Lezzhov Alexander A., Golyshev Sergei A., Morozov Sergey Y., Solovyev Andrey G.(2023) Properties of Plant Virus Protein Encoded by the 5′-Proximal Gene of Tetra-Cistron Movement Block. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Atabekova Anastasia K., Solovieva Anna D., Chergintsev Denis A., Solovyev Andrey G., Morozov Sergey Y.(2023) Role of Plant Virus Movement Proteins in Suppression of Host RNAi Defense. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Shestakova Ekaterina D., Smirnova Victoria V., Shatsky Ivan N., Terenin Ilya M.(2023) Specific Mechanisms of Translation Initiation in Higher Eukaryotes: The eIF4G2 Story. RNA, >>
  • Uchenunu Oro, Zhdanov Alexander V., Hutton Phillipe, Jovanovic Predrag, Wang Ye, Andreev Dmitry E., Hulea Laura, Papadopoli David J., Avizonis Daina, Baranov Pavel V., Pollak Michael N., Papkovsky Dmitri B., Topisirovic Ivan(2022) Mitochondrial complex IV defects induce metabolic and signaling perturbations that expose potential vulnerabilities in HCT116 cells. FEBS open bio, >>
  • Andreev Dmitry E., Loughran Gary, Fedorova Alla D., Mikhaylova Maria S., Shatsky Ivan N., Baranov Pavel V.(2022) Non-AUG translation initiation in mammals. Genome Biology, >>
  • Zhdanov Alexander V., Golubeva Anna V., Yordanova Martina M., Andreev Dmitry E., Ventura-Silva Ana Paula, Schellekens Harriet, Baranov Pavel V., Cryan John F., Papkovsky Dmitri B.(2022) Ghrelin rapidly elevates protein synthesis in vitro by employing the rpS6K-eEF2K-eEF2 signalling axis. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, >>
  • Fedorova Alla D., Kiniry Stephen J., Andreev Dmitry E., Mudge Jonathan M., Baranov Pavel V.(2022) Thousands of human non-AUG extended proteoforms lack evidence of evolutionary selection among mammals. Nature communications, >>
  • Andreev Dmitry E., Niepmann Michael, Shatsky Ivan N.(2022) Elusive Trans-Acting Factors Which Operate with Type I (Poliovirus-like) IRES Elements. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Larionova Tatyana D., Bastola Soniya, Aksinina Tatiana E., Anufrieva Ksenia S., Wang Jia, Shender Victoria O., Andreev Dmitriy E., Kovalenko Tatiana F., Arapidi Georgij P., Shnaider Polina V., Kazakova Anastasia N., Latyshev Yaroslav A., Tatarskiy Victor (2022) Alternative RNA splicing modulates ribosomal composition and determines the spatial phenotype of glioblastoma cells. Nature Cell Biology, >>
  • Fedorova Alla D., Kiniry Stephen J., Andreev Dmitry E., Mudge Jonathan M., Baranov Pavel V.(2022) Thousands of human non-AUG extended proteoforms lack evidence of evolutionary selection among mammals. Nature communications, >>
  • Andreev DE, Loughran G., Fedorova AD, Mikhaylova MS, Shatsky IN, Baranov PV(2022) Non-AUG translation initiation in mammals. Genome Biology, >>
  • Atabekova Anastasia K., Lazareva Ekaterina A., Lezzhov Alexander A., Solovieva Anna D., Golyshev Sergei A., Skulachev Boris I., Solovyev Ilya D., Savitsky Alexander P., Heinlein Manfred, Morozov Sergey Y., Solovyev Andrey G.(2022) Interaction between Movement Proteins of Hibiscus green spot virus. Viruses-Basel, >>
  • Lezzhov Alexander A., Morozov Sergey Y., Tolstyko Eugene A., Atabekova Anastasia K., Chergintsev Denis A., Solovyev Andrey G.(2022) In-Plant Persistence and Systemic Transport of Nicotiana benthamiana Retrozyme RNA. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Solovyev Andrey G., Atabekova Anastasia K., Lezzhov Alexander A., Solovieva Anna D., Chergintsev Denis A., Morozov Sergey Y.(2022) Distinct Mechanisms of Endomembrane Reorganization Determine Dissimilar Transport Pathways in Plant RNA Viruses. Plants, >>
  • Lazareva Ekaterina A., Atabekova Anastasia K., Lezzhov Alexander A., Morozov Sergey Y., Heinlein Manfred, Solovyev Andrey G.(2022) Virus Genome-Based Reporter for Analyzing Viral Movement Proteins and Plasmodesmata Permeability. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), >>
  • Smirnova Victoria V., Shestakova Ekaterina D., Nogina Daria S., Mishchenko Polina A., Prikazchikova Tatiana A., Zatsepin Timofei S., Kulakovskiy Ivan V., Shatsky Ivan N., Terenin Ilya M.(2022) Ribosomal leaky scanning through a translated uORF requires eIF4G2. Nucleic Acids Research, >>
  • Andreev D.E., Baranov P.V., Milogorodskii A., Rachinskii D.(2021) A deterministic model for non-monotone relationship between translation of upstream and downstream open reading frames. Mathematical Medicine and Biology, >>
  • Andreev Dmitry E., Smirnova Victoriya V., Shatsky Ivan N.(2021) Modifications of Ribosome Profiling that Provide New Data on the Translation Regulation. Biochemistry (Moscow), 86, №9, 1095-1106, 2021 DOI: 10.1134/S0006297921090054. Biochemistry (Moscow), >>
  • Teplova A.D., Serebryakova M.V., Galiullina R.A., Chichkova N.V., Vartapetian A.B.(2021) Identification of Phytaspase Interactors via the Proximity-Dependent Biotin-Based Identification Approach. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, >>
  • Beloshistov RE, Dreizler K., Galiullina RA, Tuzhikov AI, Serebryakova MV, Reichardt S., Shaw J., Taliansky ME, Pfannstiel J., Chichkova NV, Stintzi A., Schaller A., Vartapetian AB(2018) Phytaspase-mediated precursor processing and maturation of the wound hormone systemin. New Phytologist, >>
  • Schaller A., Stintzi A., Rivas S., Serrano I., Chichkova NV, Vartapetian AB, Martinez D., Guiamet JJ, Sueldo DJ, van_der_Hoorn RAL, Ramirez V., Vera P.(2018) From structure to function – a family portrait of plant subtilases. New Phytologist, >>

Laboratories

Staff