Biology subjects

Vinogradova, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Vinogradova, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Neurophysiological mechanisms of immersive virtual reality influence segmental motor reflexes

Immersive virtual reality (VR) technologies are being increasingly applied in clinical settings, physiotherapy, and neurorehabilitation due to their potential to modulate neurophysiological functions. However, the mechanistic basis of VRs effects on human motor systems, especially the impact of emotionally charged VR experiences on segmental spinal reflex excitability, remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of immersive VR stimulation with different emotional tones, the Jendrassik maneuver, and transcranial magnetic stimulation on spinal motor center excitability in healthy adults. H-reflex and M-response amplitudes in the soleus muscle were measured during tibial nerve stimulation under control conditions, during the Jendrassik maneuver, subthreshold magnetic stimulation, and while participants viewed VR videos evoking fear, excitement, or relaxation. The experimental design randomized condition order for each participant. The principal finding was that emotionally salient VR content, particularly scenes inducing fear, produced clear lateralized effects on the spinal motor system. Specifically, inhibitory effects on reflex excitability were observed in the dominant limb, while facilitatory changes occurred in the non-dominant limb. These patterns suggest that immersive VR may differentially engage descending modulatory systems, influencing both sympathoadrenal and corticospinal pathways. In contrast, traditional neuromodulatory interventions did not alter reflex parameters compared to control. The results highlight the unique multimodal influence of immersive VR on sensorimotor regulation and support its incorporation into advanced neurorehabilitation protocols.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Studying of RNA-protein interactions between a mutant form of glycyl-tRNA synthetase associated with neurodegenerative diseases and IRES type I.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are the main enzymes of protein biosynthesis. Human glycyl-tRNA synthetase, in addition to the main function of amino acid transfer to the corresponding tRNA molecules, is also involved in the initiation of IRES I translation. All members of the enterovirus genus have this type of IRES. It is also known that the presence of point mutations in aaRS leads to the occurrence of diseases in which peripheral nerves are affected. One such disorder of the nervous system is the incurable neurodegenerative disorder Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). The most studied enzyme whose mutations cause CMT is glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS). In this work, we tested the ability of various mutant forms of glycyl-tRNA synthetase associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome to form a stable complex with IRES I. It turned out that neither catalytic activity nor the ability to form a dimer are necessary for the interaction of GlyRS with IRES.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2019

An activity-guided map of electrophile-cysteine interactions in primary human immune cells

Electrophilic compounds originating from nature or chemical synthesis have profound effects on immune cells. These compounds are thought to act by cysteine modification to alter the functions of immune-relevant proteins; however, our understanding of electrophile-sensitive cysteines in the human immune proteome remains limited. Here, we present a global map of cysteines in primary human T cells that are susceptible to covalent modification by electrophilic small molecules. More than 3000 covalently liganded cysteines were found on functionally and structurally diverse proteins, including many that play fundamental roles in immunology. We further show that electrophilic compounds can impair T cell activation by distinct mechanisms involving direct functional perturbation and/or ligand-induced degradation of proteins. Our findings reveal a rich content of ligandable cysteines in human T cells, underscoring the potential of electrophilic small molecules as a fertile source for chemical probes and ultimately therapeutics that modulate immunological processes and their associated disorders.

immunology↗