Laboratory of Nucleic Acid-Protein Interactions
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Nucleoproteins
Laboratory was founded in Department of Plant Virus Biochemistry as a group (1975) and then was moved into Department of Nucleoprotein Chemistry and Biochemistry (2009).
The members of the laboratory: head of laboratory, DrSci prof. Yuri L. Dorokhov; senior researcher, DrSci Тatiana V. Komarova; graduate students N.M. Ershova and K. Kamarova, attached researcher of the Russian Academy of Sciences E.V. Sheshukova, students of the Chemical faculty and Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics of Lomonosov Moscow State University.
The main directions of scientific research
1. A nested alternative open reading frame in the genome of plants (gene matryoshka).
2. Creation of genetically modified organisms suitable for use as producers of pharmacologically valuable proteins.
3. Study of molecular mechanisms of intercellular transport in plants and its role in viral and bacterial pathogenesis.
4. Investigation of genetic control of metabolism of endogenous formaldehyde and methanol in humans.
Main scientific results for the last 5 years
1. On the example of the organization of a gene that codes for the homologue of the Kunitz peptidase inhibitor in the plants of the Solanaceae family, suggests a new concept of the term "gene", when a nested alternative open reading frame can control the maternal gene.
2. A new experimental functional model of intercellular transport is created, based on the discovery of the important role of methanol in plant life and its participation in: (a) control of genes regulating plant resistance to abiotic and biotic factors; (b) the transmission of a signal from the plant to the plant leading to the mobilization of plant protective reactions; (c) intercellular transport of macromolecules; (d) creating conditions favorable for the reproduction of viruses; (e) creating conditions that prevent bacterial colonization.
3. It is proved that methanol can also serve as a signal molecule in animals and humans and stimulate the activity of specific genes. Human genes sensitive to methanol and participating in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, whose transcription is altered by changing the activity of ADH, are revealed.
4. The technological basis of effective production of vaccines and antibodies in a plant is developed, based on the revealed regularities of nuclear-cytoplasmic and intercellular transport of macromolecules in a plant.
5. Effective production of anti-cancer drugs, phytotrustumab and phytopertuzumab aimed at the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer has been established.
Awards and Prizes
Yu.L. Dorokhov
1994 - laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology.
T.V. Komarova
2011-2012 - Scholarship of Moscow State University for talented students young teachers and scientists;
2011 - O.V. Deripaska grant to talented students, graduate students and a young scientist at Lomonosov Moscow State University;
2012 - winner of the contest of talented students, post-graduate students and young scientists of Lomonosov Moscow State University founded by O.V. Deripaska;
2012 - L'Oréal-Unesco scholarship "For women in science"
2012 - the prize of the European Academy;
2012 - finalist of the 37th competition of scientific works of young scientists of Lomonosov Moscow State University;
2012-2014 - a scholarship of the President of the Russian Federation for young scientists;
2014 - Prize of the Moscow Government to young scientists.
E.V. Sheshukova
2014 - Winner of the program "UMNIK" - "Participant of the Youth Scientific and Innovation Contest"
2015 - Prize of the Moscow government to young scientists
2015 - Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Teaching and tutoring
In the laboratory, students and graduate students of the Moscow State University FBB are trained and make term papers, diplomas and PhD works.
The members of the laboratory: head of laboratory, DrSci prof. Yuri L. Dorokhov; senior researcher, DrSci Тatiana V. Komarova; graduate students N.M. Ershova and K. Kamarova, attached researcher of the Russian Academy of Sciences E.V. Sheshukova, students of the Chemical faculty and Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics of Lomonosov Moscow State University.
The main directions of scientific research
1. A nested alternative open reading frame in the genome of plants (gene matryoshka).
2. Creation of genetically modified organisms suitable for use as producers of pharmacologically valuable proteins.
3. Study of molecular mechanisms of intercellular transport in plants and its role in viral and bacterial pathogenesis.
4. Investigation of genetic control of metabolism of endogenous formaldehyde and methanol in humans.
Main scientific results for the last 5 years
1. On the example of the organization of a gene that codes for the homologue of the Kunitz peptidase inhibitor in the plants of the Solanaceae family, suggests a new concept of the term "gene", when a nested alternative open reading frame can control the maternal gene.
2. A new experimental functional model of intercellular transport is created, based on the discovery of the important role of methanol in plant life and its participation in: (a) control of genes regulating plant resistance to abiotic and biotic factors; (b) the transmission of a signal from the plant to the plant leading to the mobilization of plant protective reactions; (c) intercellular transport of macromolecules; (d) creating conditions favorable for the reproduction of viruses; (e) creating conditions that prevent bacterial colonization.
3. It is proved that methanol can also serve as a signal molecule in animals and humans and stimulate the activity of specific genes. Human genes sensitive to methanol and participating in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, whose transcription is altered by changing the activity of ADH, are revealed.
4. The technological basis of effective production of vaccines and antibodies in a plant is developed, based on the revealed regularities of nuclear-cytoplasmic and intercellular transport of macromolecules in a plant.
5. Effective production of anti-cancer drugs, phytotrustumab and phytopertuzumab aimed at the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer has been established.
Awards and Prizes
Yu.L. Dorokhov
1994 - laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology.
T.V. Komarova
2011-2012 - Scholarship of Moscow State University for talented students young teachers and scientists;
2011 - O.V. Deripaska grant to talented students, graduate students and a young scientist at Lomonosov Moscow State University;
2012 - winner of the contest of talented students, post-graduate students and young scientists of Lomonosov Moscow State University founded by O.V. Deripaska;
2012 - L'Oréal-Unesco scholarship "For women in science"
2012 - the prize of the European Academy;
2012 - finalist of the 37th competition of scientific works of young scientists of Lomonosov Moscow State University;
2012-2014 - a scholarship of the President of the Russian Federation for young scientists;
2014 - Prize of the Moscow Government to young scientists.
E.V. Sheshukova
2014 - Winner of the program "UMNIK" - "Participant of the Youth Scientific and Innovation Contest"
2015 - Prize of the Moscow government to young scientists
2015 - Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Teaching and tutoring
In the laboratory, students and graduate students of the Moscow State University FBB are trained and make term papers, diplomas and PhD works.
Articles
- 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, >>
- 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, >>
- 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, >>
- 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, >>
- 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.), >>
- 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, >>