Background: The history of human populations occupying the plains and mountain ridges separating Europe from Asia has been eventful, as these natural obstacles were crossed westward by multiple waves of Turkic and Uralic-speaking migrants as well as eastward by Europeans. Unfortunately, the material records of history of this region are not dense enough to reconstruct details of population history. These considerations stimulate growing interest to obtain a genetic picture of the demographic history of migrations and admixture in Northern Eurasia.

Results: We genotyped and analyzed 1076 individuals from 30 populations with geographical coverage spanning from Baltic Sea to Baikal Lake. Our dense sampling allowed us to describe in detail the population structure, provide insight into genomic history of numerous European and Asian populations, and significantly increase quantity of genetic data available for modern populations in region of North Eurasia. Our study doubles the amount of genome-wide profiles available for this region. We detected unusually high amount of shared identical-by-descent (IBD) genomic segments between several Siberian populations, such as Khanty and Ket, providing evidence of genetic relatedness across vast geographic distances and between speakers of different language families. Additionally, we observed excessive IBD sharing between Khanty and Bashkir, a group of Turkic speakers from Southern Urals region. While adding some weight to the ""Finno-Ugric"" origin of Bashkir, our studies highlighted that the Bashkir genepool lacks the main ""core"", being a multi-layered amalgamation of Turkic, Ugric, Finnish and Indo-European contributions, which points at intricacy of genetic interface between Turkic and Uralic populations. Comparison of the genetic structure of Siberian ethnicities and the geography of the region they inhabit point at existence of the ""Great Siberian Vortex"" directing genetic exchanges in populations across the Siberian part of Asia. Slavic speakers of Eastern Europe are, in general, very similar in their genetic composition. Ukrainians, Belarusians and Russians have almost identical proportions of Caucasus and Northern European components and have virtually no Asian influence. We capitalized on wide geographic span of our sampling to address intriguing question about the place of origin of Russian Starovers, an enigmatic Eastern Orthodox Old Believers religious group relocated to Siberia in seventeenth century. A comparative reAdmix analysis, complemented by IBD sharing, placed their roots in the region of the Northern European Plain, occupied by North Russians and Finno-Ugric Komi and Karelian people. Russians from Novosibirsk and Russian Starover exhibit ancestral proportions close to that of European Eastern Slavs, however, they also include between five to 10 % of Central Siberian ancestry, not present at this level in their European counterparts.

Conclusions: Our project has patched the hole in the genetic map of Eurasia: we demonstrated complexity of genetic structure of Northern Eurasians, existence of East-West and North-South genetic gradients, and assessed different inputs of ancient populations into modern populations.

Tuberculosis is a global healthcare challenge. Host genetic factors were proven to modify risk of the disease. Genome-wide association studies revealed a number of loci associated with TB in different populations. However, no systematic analysis of genetic bases of susceptibility to different clinical stages, such as primary TB and reactivation, was carried out. We set out to validate the results of GWASs in Russians of West Siberia with a consideration of primary and secondary TB. We chose 45 SNP from five large GWASs and genotyped 445 healthy individuals and 323 TB patients including 74 with primary TB and 249 with reactivation. We found that the rs7821565 and rs40363 SNPs were associated with primary TB in Russians (p = 0.019 and 1.4e − 3, respectively), while rs10515787 and rs2837857 were associated with secondary TB (p = 1.2e − 3 and 0.039, respectively). The results suggest genetic basis of primary and secondary TB differs.

Background: Copy Number Variation (CNV) of the human CNTN6 gene (encoding the contactin-6 protein), caused by deletions or duplications, is responsible for severe neurodevelopmental impairments, often in combination with facial dysmorphias. Conversely, deleterious point mutations of this gene do not show any clinical phenotypes. The aim of this study is to generate mice carrying large deletions, duplications and inversions involving the Cntn6 gene as a new experimental model to study CNV of the human CNTN6 locus.

Results: To generate large chromosomal rearrangements on mouse chromosome 6, we applied CRISPR/Cas9 technology in zygotes. Two guide RNAs (gRNAs) (flanking a DNA fragment of 1137 Mb) together with Cas9 mRNA and single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODN) were microinjected into the cytoplasm of 599 zygotes of F1 (C57BL x CBA) mice, and 256 of them were transplanted into oviducts of CD-1 females. As a result, we observed the birth of 41 viable F0 offspring. Genotyping of these mice was performed by PCR analysis and sequencing of PCR products. Among the 41 F0 offspring, we identified seven mice with deletions, two animals carrying duplications of the gene and four carrying inversions. Interestingly, two F0 offspring had both deletions and duplications. It is important to note that while three of seven deletion carriers showed expected sequences at the new joint sites, in another three, we identified an absence of 1-10 nucleotides at the CRISPR/Cas9 cut sites, and in one animal, 103 bp were missing, presumably due to error-prone non-homologous end joining. In addition, we detected the absence of 5 and 13 nucleotides at these sites in two F0 duplication carriers. Similar sequence changes at CRISPR/Cas9 cut sites were observed at the right and left boundaries of inversions. Thus, megabase-scale deletions, duplications and inversions were identified in 11 F0 offspring among 41 analyzed, i.e., approximately 25% efficiency. All genetically modified F0 offspring were viable and able to transmit these large chromosomal rearrangements to the next generation.

Conclusions: Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we created mice carrying megabase-scale deletions, duplications, and inversions involving the full-sized Cntn6 gene. These mice became founders of new mouse lines, which may be more appropriate experimental models of CNV in the human 3p26.3 region than Сntn6 knockout mice.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the association between the polymorphism and expression patterns of multiple drug resistance genes (MDR) in breast cancer (BC).

Materials and methods: The MDR gene expression levels were measured in tumor tissues of 106 breast cancer patients using quantitative real-time PCR. Affymetrix CytoScan™ HD Array chips were used to assess genotypes. Pairwise correlation analysis for ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCG2 gene expression levels was carried out to reveal co-expression clusters. Associations between SNPs of MDR genes and their preoperative expression levels were assessed using analysis of covariance adjusting for covariates.

Results: The SNPs associated with the expression of the ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCG2 genes before NAC were detected. In addition, 21 SNPs associated with the expression of four ABC-transporter genes and involved in the expression regulation were identified. Validation in an independent sample confirmed the association between the MDR cluster genes and 11 SNPs.

Conclusions: Four MDR genes: ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCG2 were shown to form the functional expression cluster in breast tumor. Further studies are required to discover precise mechanisms of the cluster regulation, thereby providing new approaches and targets to combat the development of the MDR phenotype during chemotherapy.

Recently, genetic markers rs10503253 and rs2616984 in the CUB and Sushi multiple domains-1 (CSMD1) gene have been reported to be associated with schizophrenia and cognitive functions in genome-wide association studies. We examined the associations of the above SNPs with cognitive performance evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool in a cohort of the normal elderly from the Russian population. Significant association of rs2616984 genotypes with the MoCA scores was found using nonparametric analysis. No association of rs10503253 with MoCA scores was observed using both parametric and nonparametric statistics. Significant combined effect of two-locus CSMD1 genotypes on MoCA scores was demonstrated by median test. Allele ""A"" and genotype ""AA"" of rs2616984 were significantly associated with the lower MoCA scores in comparison of 1st and 4th quartiles of MoCA total score distribution. The results suggest that genetic variants in CSMD1 gene are likely a part of genetic component of cognitive performance in the elderly.

Aripiprazole treatment in schizophrenic patients was previously associated with lower or normalized prolactin levels. Genetic variants in cytochrome P450 (CYP) (CYP2D6), dopamine receptor (DRD2, DRD3) and serotonin receptor (HTR2A, HTR2C) genes were previously associated with antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinaemia. Our aim was to evaluate whether aripiprazole affects prolactin secretion and its relationship with pharmacogenetics. Thirty-one healthy volunteers receiving a 10-mg single oral dose of aripiprazole were genotyped for 12 polymorphisms in CYP2D6, DRD2, DRD3, HTR2A and HTR2C genes by qPCR. Aripiprazole and dehydro-aripiprazole plasma concentrations were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. Prolactin concentrations of the 31 volunteers taking aripiprazole and 12 volunteers receiving ibuprofen were determined by ELISA. Prolactin concentrations after ibuprofen intake were considered as control, since it is known to cause no effect. Prolactin concentrations were slightly higher in the aripiprazole group compared to the ibuprofen group. All prolactin pharmacokinetic parameters were higher in females than in males. CYP2D6 poor and intermediate metabolizers had notably higher prolactin Cmax and AUC0-12 than normal and ultrarapid metabolizers. The DRD3 rs6280 polymorphism affected prolactin levels: volunteers carrying Ser/Ser genotype had significantly lower prolactin levels than volunteers carrying the Gly allele. Furthermore, HTR2C rs3813929 C/C homozygotes had significantly lower prolactin levels than T allele carriers. Nevertheless, aripiprazole did increase prolactin levels compared to ibuprofen.

Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U is among the initial maternal founders in Southwest Asia and Europe and one that best indicates matrilineal genetic continuity between late Pleistocene hunter-gatherer groups and present-day populations of Europe. While most haplogroup U subclades are older than 30 thousand years, the comparatively recent coalescence time of the extant variation of haplogroup U7 (~16-19 thousand years ago) suggests that its current distribution is the consequence of more recent dispersal events, despite its wide geographical range across Europe, the Near East and South Asia. Here we report 267 new U7 mitogenomes that - analysed alongside 100 published ones - enable us to discern at least two distinct temporal phases of dispersal, both of which most likely emanated from the Near East. The earlier one began prior to the Holocene (~11.5 thousand years ago) towards South Asia, while the later dispersal took place more recently towards Mediterranean Europe during the Neolithic (~8 thousand years ago). These findings imply that the carriers of haplogroup U7 spread to South Asia and Europe before the suggested Bronze Age expansion of Indo-European languages from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe region.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding single-strand RNAs that regulate gene expression. There are an increasing number of studies highlighting the important role of microRNAs in development and progression of cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerotic lesions of arteries. Here we review the available data on the association of microRNA expression with instability of atherosclerotic plaques in model animals and in humans. We emphasis data on miR-21, -100, -127, -133, -143/145, -221/222, and -494 because they were analyzed in more than one study. We discuss the possibility of using microRNAs in diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis and its complications.

Numerous studies demonstrated an importance of cytochrome P-450 epoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acids metabolism for the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EH). The present study was designed to investigate whether common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of CYP2C gene subfamily such as CYP2C8 (rs7909236 and rs1934953), CYP2C9 (rs9332242), and CYP2C19 (rs4244285) are associated with susceptibility to EH in Russian population. A total of 816 unrelated Russian individuals comprising 425 EH patients and 391 normotensive controls were included into the study. Genotyping of SNPs was performed using the MassARRAY 4 system. SNP rs7909236 of CYP2C8 was significantly associated with increased risk of EH (OR adjusted for sex and age was 2.99 95% CI 1.39-6.44, P = 0.005). SNPs rs1934953 CYP2C8 and rs4244285 of CYP2C19 showed association with EH risk but at a borderline statistical significance (P ≤ 0.04). Combination of genotypes CYP2C8 rs7909236 TT and CYP2C19 rs4244285 GG was associated with increased EH risk (OR 3.34 95%CI 1.48-7.51, P = 0.004). Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis showed that the levels of CYP2C8 mRNA were significantly correlated with SNP rs7909236 (P = 0.01). in silico functional prediction analysis revealed the functionality of majority of investigated SNPs. Thus, genes of CYP2C subfamily are important genetic determinants of susceptibility to essential hypertension in Russians.

L-ficolin encoded by FCN2 gene is a crucial factor of defence against infection in humans. We studied the prevalence of the two common variants (rs17549193 and rs7851696) in aboriginal and alien populations of the Taymyr-Dolgan-Nenets region of Krasnoyarskiy Kray, East Siberia, Russia (Nenets, Dolgans, Nganasans, Russians). We found a decreased prevalence of the rs17549193*T allele in all aboriginal populations as compared to Russians. Also, its frequency was the lowest in the Nenets among the studied populations, while frequency of the rs7851696*T allele was increased in this population. The results suggest that the Arctic populations of East Siberia are characterised by specificity of genetic make-up responsible for the activity of L-ficolin. Clinical and epidemiological studies are required to discover if these genetic features correlate with the infant infectious morbidity in East Siberian populations.

Проведено исследование ассоциаций полиморфных локусов, расположенных в генах (TCF4, VRK2, NOTCH4, ZNF804A, AGBL1, RELN, ZFP64P1, KCNB2, CSMD1, CPVL, NRIP1) и межгенных участках (SLCO6A1/LINCOO491, LOC105376248/LOC105376249, SPA17/NRGN) с предрасположенностью к шизофрении в русской популяции Сибирского региона. По данным полногеномных ассоциативных исследований (GWAS) эти маркеры показали ассоциации с риском развития шизофрении и нарушениями когнитивных способностей. В результате нашей работы были подтверждены ассоциации полиморфных вариантов rs2247572 гена KCNB2 и rs2616984 гена CSMD1, а также rs12807809 межгенного участка SPA17/NRGN с риском развития шизофрении. Выявлено, что генотип GG по полиморфному варианту rs2616984 гена CSMD1 статистически значимо чаще встречается у больных, чем в контроле (OR = 1.73; CI: 1.14-2.62; р = 0.0337). Установлено, что частота генотипа ТТ полиморфного маркера rs2247572 гена KCNB2 была статистически значимо ниже у больных, чем в группе контроля (OR = 0.41; CI: 0.20-0.87; р = 0.0485), то же самое было отмечено для частоты генотипа CT полиморфного локуса rs12807809 межгенного участка SPA17/NRGN (OR = 0.70; CI: 0.53- 0.94; р = 0.0464).

В контексте исследования генетических причин исключительно редкой сочетаемости атопической бронхиальной астмы (БА) и туберкулеза (ТБ) проведен ассоциативный анализ полиморфизма генов IL1B, IL8, IL10, TNF, TNFRSF1B, CXCL10 у 713 индивидов, проживающих на территории г. Томска и Томской области. Выявлена ассоциация полиморфизма гена CXCL10 rs56061981 с развитием ТБ. Установлена ассоциация полиморфного варианта IL10 rs1800872 с развитием, как БА, так и ТБ легких. Таким образом, полученные данные свидетельствуют в пользу значимости гена IL10 в развитии БА и ТБ, которые требуют дальнейших исследований сигнального пути IL10 для уточнения возможной роли в развитии «обратной» коморбидности между инфекционными и аллергическими болезнями.

Проведен анализ структуры генофонда хакасcких родов (сеоков) по маркерам Y-хромосомы. Результаты анализа частот гаплогрупп и YSTR-гаплотипов свидетельствуют, что хакасские сеоки являются родственными объединениями, в большинстве случаев имеющими одного родоначальника по мужской линии. Показано, что мужская часть генофонда хакасов структурирована, прежде всего, по родовому принципу. Для подавляющего большинства образцов установлена тесная генетическая близость представителей одного сеока.

Болезнь Паркинсона - одно из наиболее тяжелых и распространенных нейродегенеративных заболеваний. Подавляющее большинство случаев заболевания представлено спорадической формой мультифакторной природы. Важную роль в развитии болезни Паркинсона играет генетическая предрасположенность. Цель исследования - изучение ассоциаций полиморфизмов гена COMT, кодирующего фермент катаболизма дофамина катехол-О-метилтрансферазу, с болезнью Паркинсона. Материал и методы. Обследовано 232 пациента с диагнозом «болезнь Паркинсона» и 127 здоровых лиц русской популяции Сибирского региона. В качестве материала для исследования была использована венозная кровь. Проведено генотипирование семи однонуклеотидных полиморфизмов (rs4680, rs6269, rs4633, rs4818, rs769224, rs165774, rs174696) гена COMT. Статистическая обработка результатов проводилась при помощи программы SPSS 17.0. Результаты. Выявлена достоверная ассоциация полиморфизма rs165774 с болезнью Паркинсона, что подтверждает роль полиморфных особенностей гена катехол-О-метилтрансферазы в патофизиологических процессах при болезни Паркинсона.

В связи с все более частым использованием новейших технологий секвенирования в различных областях научной и медицинской деятельности назрела необходимость стандартизации качества исследований, а также подходов к биоинформатической обработке получаемых данных. Представленный проект руководства является первым документом в Российской Федерации, регламентирующим интерпретацию результатов, полученных методами массового параллельного секвенирования (MPS), и определяющим необходимые качественные и количественные характеристики результатов MPS. Руководство - результат совместной работы специалистов различных областей: биоинформатиков, врачей лабораторных генетиков и врачей-генетиков. Оно предназначено для специалистов, работающих с технологиями MPS, а его основной целью является унификация подходов к интерпретации и контроль качества получаемых результатов.