2024 Issue №1

In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in AMP research, revealing the potential of these compounds as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Due to the diverse mechanisms of action and a wide range of antibacterial activity, AMP provides new opportu­nities for preventing and treating multidrug-resistant infections by creating foods with anti­microbial properties, new antimicrobial biologically active additives and medicines.

This study aimed to create, characterise and classify a new AMP. The DRAMP proteo­mic database was used to design the AMP, and the Peptide Ranker was utilised to predict biological activity (http://distilldeep.ucd.ie/PeptideRanker). The peptide was identified with the help of the EROP-Moscow database (http://erop.inbi.ras.ru/index.html), and its physio-chemical properties were studied using the APD, DRAMP and PepCalc databases (http://pepcalc.com). The research resulted in the design of a new AMP consisting of 11 ami­no acid residues with the following percentages: Val, Ala, Trp, Gly, Pro, Tyr, Glu, His, Lys by 9 % and Arg by 18 %. The total hydrophobic ratio in the peptide, determined by APD, is 27 %; the total net charge is +2.25. Its molecular formula is C64H96N21O15S0, with protein binding potential (Boman index) at 3.44 kcal/mol. The peptide can form an alpha helix. The resulting peptide can be classified as a synthesised cationic hydrophobic alpha-helical antimi­crobial polypeptide.

Subarctic Russian rivers tend to have swampy watersheds with a high content of hydro­gen ions and humic substances. These conditions are favourable for the formation of bioavail­able mercury. Thus, even background mercury concentrations can pose a danger to aquatic organisms. The Northern Dvina River attracts particular attention regarding mercury pollu­tion due to the presence of pulp and paper mills in the area. These mills have historically uti­lised mercury in their production processes.

This study aims to analyse the mercury content in commercially important fish species living in the mouth of the Northern Dvina River. The content and distribution of mercury in tissue samples of various fish species were determined to provide insight into components of the mercury cycle in the study area. Lower mercury levels in pristine areas of the Russian subarctic showed the role of aquatic organisms as indicators of the biogeochemical cycle of mercury migration in northern freshwater areas. This study provides new scientific data on the levels of mercury found in fish from the Northern Dvina, particularly those in its estuary zone affected by the pulp and paper industry. The content and distribution of mercury were characterised using the most common fish species as an example. The difference was shown between mercury accumulation in different conditions and areas, with an analysis of relevant factors carried out.