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P element is a DNA transposon, known to spread in genome using transposase activity. Its activity is tissue-specific and normally observed at high temperatures within 24°C to 29°C. Here, we present a predicted RNA secondary structure domain of P element pre-mRNA which could potentially regulate the temperature sensitivity of the P element activity. In canonical P elements, the structure is a small hairpin with double-helical part interrupted by a symmetric loop and a mismatch. In M type P elements, the A.A mismatch is substituted by an A-U base pair, stabilizing the structure. The hairpin structure covers the region involving the IVS-3 5′ splice site and both pseudo-splice sites F1 and F2. While the IVS-3 and F1 binding sites of U1 snRNA are located in the double-stranded part of the structure, the F2 site is exposed in the hairpin loop. The formation of this structure may interfere with landing of U1 snRNA on IVS-3 site, while F2 is positioned for the interaction. Alignment of P element sequences supports the proposed existence of the hairpin, showing high similarity for this region. The hairpin structure, stable at low temperatures, may prevent correct IVS-3 splicing. Conversely, temperature-induced destabilization of the hairpin structure may result in the splicing at the proper IVS-3 splice site. Taking into account the increasing amount of data demonstrating the important influence of RNA folding on phenotypes determined by alternative splicing a model for possible regulation of the activity of mobile elements by pre-mRNA secondary structure seems intriguing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation has been discovered in Drosophila only recently. Current evidence indicates that de novo methylation patterns in drosophila are maintained in a different way compared to vertebrates and plants. As the genomic role and determinants of DNA methylation are poorly understood in invertebrates, its link with several factors has been suggested. In this study, we tested for the putative link between DNA methylation patterns in Drosophila melanogaster and radiation or the activity of P transposon. Neither of the links were apparent from the results, however, we obtained some hints on a possible link between DNA methylation pattern and genomic heterogeneity of fly lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibody responses to the recombinant analogs of Mycobacterium bovis antigens rMPB63 and rMPB83, as well as to tuberculin PPD, were determined in 96 bovine blood serum specimens. A statistical approach based on the approximation with multiple Gaussian curves with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was proposed for analysis of the distribution of antibody levels to the studied antigens. The results demonstrate that the recombinant MPB63 and MPB83 antigens along with the traditionally used PPD are appropriate for designing the test kits for diagnosing bovine tuberculosis at a herd level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]