"Molecular mechanisms of vision" (Prof. P.P.Philippov, Dr. I.I.Senin). The most prominent result in this direction is the discovery and elucidation of the function of a photoreceptor Ca2+-binding protein, recoverin. At present the subject of research is the system rhodopsin - rhodopsin kinase - recoverin reconstituted from natural and recombinant proteins.

"Molecular mechanisms of paraneo-plastic diseases and early diagnostics of the lung carcinoma" (Prof. P.P.Philippov, Dr. I.I.Senin, Dr. N.K.Tikhomirova). Early stages of a severe and widespread human tumor, small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) could be accompanied by appearance of antibodies against recoverin in the patients blood and by loss of their eyesight (syndrome named "can-cer-associated retinopathy" (CAR). The aim of the research is to investigate molecular mechanisms of CAR and to create a test-system for early diagnostics of SCLC. Hu-antigen, another potential cancer marker is in the area of interest of the Department as well.

"Molecular mechanisms of steroid signal transduction" (Dr. L.L.Ignatenko). The subject of studies is the transmembrane signal transduction mediated by receptors of steroid hormones. Applied goal of the work is the creation of a test-system for determination of steroid receptor status in patients with diseases in female sexual sphere.

1. Dizhoor A.M., Ray S., Kumar S., Niemi G., Spencer M., Brolley D., Walsh K.A., Philipov P.P., Hurley J.B., Stryer L. Recoverin: a calcium sensitive activator of retinal rod guanylate cyclase Science (1991) 251, 915-918.

2. Ray S., Zozulya S., Niemi G.A., Flaherty K.M., Brolley D., Dizhoor A.M., McKay D.B., Hurley J., Stryer L. Cloning, expression, and crystallization of recoverin, a calcium sensor in vision. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1992) 89, 5705-5709.

3. Dizhoor A.M., Ericsson L.H., Johnson R.S., Kumar S., Olshevskaya E., Zozulya S., Neubert T.A., Stryer L., Hurley J.B., Walsh K.A. The NH2 terminus of retinal recoverin is acylated by a small family of fatty acids. J. Biol. Chem. (1992) 267, 16033-16036.

4. Dizhoor A.M., Chen C.K., Olshevskaya E., Sinelnikova V.V., Phillipov P., Hurley J.B. Role of the acylated amino terminus of recoverin in Ca(2+)-dependent membrane interaction. Science (1993) 259, 829-832.

5. Senin I.I., Dean K.R., Zargarov A.A., Akhtar M., Philippov P.P. Recoverin inhibits the phosphorylation of dark-adapted rhodopsin more than it does that of bleached rhodopsin: a possible mechanism through which rhodopsin kinase is prevented from participation in a side reaction.Biochem. J. (1997) 321, 551-555.