Academic literature on the topic 'Cryptic elements'

The tCUP cryptic constitutive promoter was discovered in the tobacco genome by T-DNA (transfer DNA) tagging with a promoterless GUS–nos gene. Here, we show that the portion of the tCUP sequence containing a variety of cryptic gene regulatory elements is related to a new family of moderately repetitive sequences (102 copies), the RENT (repetitive element from Nicotiana tabacum) family. The RENT family is found only in certain Nicotiana species. Five RENT elements were cloned and sequenced. The RENT elements are a minimum of 5 kb in length and share 80–90% sequence similarity throughout their length. The 5' termini are the same in the isolated RENT family members and are characterized by a conserved border sequence (TGTTGA(T or C)ACCCAATTTT(T or C)). The 3' ends of RENT sequence similarity vary in location and sequence. The tCUP cryptic promoter originated from a unique truncated RENT element that interrupts a phytochelatin synthase-like gene that may have undergone rearrangements prior to or resulting from T-DNA insertion. No evidence was found for expressed coding regions within the RENT elements; however, like the cryptic gene regulatory elements within the tCUP sequence, the isolated RENT elements possess promoter activity and translational enhancer activity.Key words: cryptic promoter, Nicotiana, T-DNA, translational enhancer, repetitive element.

Abstract A weakly active maize Suppressor-mutator (Spm-omega) element is able to heritably activate cryptic Spm elements in the maize genome. The spontaneous activation frequency, which is 1-5 x 10(-5) in the present genetic background, increases by about 100-fold in the presence of an Spm-omega and remains an order of magnitude above the background level a generation after removal of the activating Spm-omega. Sectorial somatic reactivation of cryptic elements can be detected phenotypically in kernels. Selection of such kernels constitutes an efficient selection for plants with reactivated Spm elements. Analysis of the reactivation process reveals that it is gradual and proceeds through genetically metastable intermediates that exhibit different patterns of element expression during plant development. Newly reactivated elements tend to return to an inactive form. However, the probability that an element will remain in a heritably active state increases when the element is maintained in the presence of an active Spm element for several generations.

This minireview summarizes our current knowledge about archaeal genetic elements in the hyperthermophilic order Thermococcales in the phylum Euryarchaeota. This includes recent work on the first virus of Pyrococcus, PAV1, the discovery of novel unique virus morphotypes in hot deep-sea environments, and preliminary observations on novel cryptic plasmids. We also review the work accomplished over the last 5 years in the development of genetic tools for members of the Pyrococcus and Thermococcus genera, mainly in our laboratories.

The genetic mechanism underlying the developmental regulation of the maize Suppressor-mutator element has been analyzed by molecular and genetic techniques. The element is subject to inactivation by a negative, epigenetic mechanism that results in the methylation of C residues in the vicinity of the element's transcription start site. Fully methylated elements are genetically and transcriptionally silent (cryptic), while hypomethylated elements are active. Partially methylated elements, designated programable, exhibit a variety of developmental expression programs. The element encodes a positive regulatory gene product which activates element expression and promotes reprograming of the element by interfering with methylation of the element's 5′ end.Key words: maize transposable element, Suppressor-mutator element, developmental regulation.

Since the 1970s, several dsRNA viruses, including Radish yellow edge virus, Raphanus sativus virus 1, Raphanus sativus virus 2, and Raphanus sativus virus 3, have been identified and reported as infecting radish. In the present study, in conjunction with a survey of seed-borne viruses in cultivated Brassica and Raphanus using the dsRNA diagnostic method, we discovered 3 novel cryptoviruses that infect Brassica and Raphanus: Raphanus sativus partitivirus 1, which infects radish (Raphanus sativus); Sinapis alba cryptic virus 1, which infects Sinapis alba; and Brassica rapa cryptic virus 1 (BrCV1), which infects Brassica rapa. The genomic organization of these cryptoviruses was analyzed and characterized. BrCV1 might represent the first plant partitivirus found in Gammapartitivirus. Additionally, the evolutionary relationships among all of the partitiviruses reported in Raphanus and Brassica were analyzed.

The first intron of the early region 3 from adenovirus type 2 contains a cryptic 5' splice site, Dcr1, 74 nucleotides downstream from the natural site D1. The cryptic site can be activated when the natural site is inactivated by mutagenesis. To investigate the basis for selection between a natural and a cryptic 5' splice site, we searched for cis-acting elements responsible for the exclusive selection of the natural site. We show that both the relative intrinsic strength of the sites and the sequence context affect the selection. A 120-nucleotide segment located at the 3' end of exon 1 enhances splicing at the proximal site D1; in its absence the two sites are used according to their strength. Thus, three cis-acting elements are involved in the silencing of the cryptic site: the sequence of D1, the sequence of Dcr1, and an upstream exonic sequence. We show that the exonic element folds, in solution, into a 113-nucleotide-long stem-loop structure. We propose that this potential stem-loop structure which is located 6 nucleotides upstream of the exon 1-intron junction is responsible for the preferential use of the natural 5' splice site.

A spontaneous act is done because of a sudden urge to do something. I am interested in creating a space that exists with the purpose of hosting opportunities and action that are not predefined. My point of departure is a green area in Axelsberg where I have created a proposal for a type of public space, that differs from current ones. In my process I have actively worked with the site by physically being there to experience it. I have transformed the space in various ways both by combining improvisational and performative techniques with more planned actions. Afterwards, I have analyzed and learned from people’s reactions and behaviors towards the changes.

Cryptic elements of proteins are not visible in unbound structures but become apparent in ligand/substrate-bound structures. These binary states of cryptic elements in protein structures can impact important aspects of proteins such as substrate recognition, catalytic mechanism and are also utilized for drug-design against difficult protein targets. The thesis explores distinct facets of cryptic elements in different proteins through a combination of experimental and computational approaches. More specifically, while addressing a problem specific to a given protein, the work presented in the thesis shows how cryptic elements of that protein assist in finding a solution. Targeting cryptic sites for drug-design provides an attractive option for proteins not tractable by classical binding sites. However, owing to their hidden nature, it is difficult to identify cryptic sites. Use of small glycols as probe molecules to identify cryptic sites in proteins is demonstrated through crystallography experiments, molecular dynamics simulations, protein dataset construction and analysis. The study suggests the use of small glycols in both experimental as well as computational methods to identify cryptic sites in proteins, thus facilitating drug-design for undruggable and/or difficult protein targets and expanding the druggable proteome. Abrin is an extremely cytotoxic ribosome inactivating protein. Abrin A-chain (ABA) inactivates eukaryotic ribosomes leading to cell death. The crystal structures of apo-ABA and ABA complexed with substrate analogs were determined in order to study ABA’s substrate binding and catalytic mechanism. The analyses of ABA-substrate analog crystal structures show the presence of “two binding pockets" feature not apparent in unbound-ABA structure, making it a cryptic feature of ABA and sheds light on aspects of substrate recognition by ABA. Catalytic water was clearly located in ABA-Adenine crystal structure but was not observed in unbound-ABA crystal structure, making it another cryptic feature of ABA structure and was used to explain the catalytic mechanism of ABA. A monoclonal antibody (mAb) D6F10 is known to neutralize the toxicity of abrin. The structures of ABA-Adenine complex and ribosome were used to construct ABA-Ribosome complex. A 3D homology model of variable region (Fv) of mAb D6F10 was generated and was docked with apo-ABA structure to obtain computational model of ABA-D6F10 Fv complex. Structural superposition of ABA common to ABA-D6F10 Fv and ABA-Ribosome complexes reveals steric hindrance as the primary mechanism by which mAb D6F10 neutralizes abrin. Furthermore, crystal structure of fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of mAb D6F10 at 1.95 Å resolution was determined. Crystal structure based glycan analysis of mAb D6F10 Fc confirmed the presence of speculated terminal galactose on glycans of mAb D6F10 Fc fragment thereby pointing to the proposed model of abrin neutralization at 1:100 molar ratio of abrin:D6F10. Rv0731c, a protein from human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is annotated as putative S-adenosyl-L-methionine(SAM)-dependent methyltransferase. A high resolution crystal structure of Rv0731c at 1.63 Å was determined and bioinformatics was used to predict its biological function. The structural analysis of Rv0731c revealed a conserved carboxy-terminal SAM binding domain and a methyl-accepting substrate binding domain similar to that of the leucine carboxyl methyltransferases from human and yeast. In apo-Rv0731c, the substrate binding site is occluded by a flexible loop-helix flap segment and substrate binding may displace the flap revealing the site thereby making it a cryptic feature of Rv0731c and sheds light on the features of substrate recognition by Rv0731c

In this chapter we study the mysteries and secrecy in Greco–Roman antiquity. The cults of Mithras and Isis as mysteries and revelations to their initiates, as well as the “Mithras Liturgy” and magical elements of the ascent, are examined. Secret groups have tripartite social structures. There is evidence for secret societies in Ancient Judaism other than Essenes and Therapeutae. The identification of the Qumran covenanters and of the Essenes is explored. We look at cryptic writing and secrecy within groups. The role of women in some groups is discussed. Past discoveries of Dead Sea manuscripts and documents are outlined.

AbstractMutations affecting constitutive splice donor sites (5′ss) are among the most frequent genetic defects that disrupt the normal splicing process. Pre-mRNAsplicing requires the correct identification of a number of cis-acting elements in an ordered fashion. By disrupting the complementarity of the 5′ss with the endogenous small nuclear RNA U1 (U1 snRNA), the key component of the spliceosomal U1 ribonucleoprotein, 5′ss mutations may result in exon skipping, intron retention or activation of cryptic splice sites. Engineered modification of the U1 snRNA seemed to be a logical method to overcome the effect of those mutations. In fact, over the last years, a number of in vitro studies on the use of those modified U1 snRNAs to correct a variety of splicing defects have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. Furthermore, recent reports on its applicability in vivo are adding up to the principle that engineered modification of U1 snRNAs represents a valuable approach and prompting further studies to demonstrate the clinical translatability of this strategy.Here, we outline the design and generation of U1 snRNAs with different degrees of complementarity to mutated 5′ss. Using the HGSNAT gene as an example, we describe the methods for a proper evaluation of their efficacyin vitro, taking advantage of our experience to share a number of tips on how to design U1 snRNA molecules for splicing rescue.

Abstract In CRYPTO 2008, 1 year earlier than Gentry’s pioneering “bootstrapping” technique for the first fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) scheme, Ostrovsky and Skeith III had suggested a completely different approach towards achieving FHE. They showed that the $$\mathsf {NAND}$$ operator can be realized in some non-commutative groups; consequently, homomorphically encrypting the elements of the group will yield an FHE scheme, without ciphertext noise to be bootstrapped. However, no observations on how to homomorphically encrypt the group elements were presented in their paper, and there have been no follow-up studies in the literature. The aim of this paper is to exhibit more clearly what is sufficient and what seems to be effective for constructing FHE schemes based on their approach. First, we prove that it is sufficient to find a surjective homomorphism $$\pi :\widetilde{G} \rightarrow G$$ between finite groups for which bit operators are realized in G and the elements of the kernel of $$\pi $$ are indistinguishable from the general elements of $$\widetilde{G}$$. Secondly, we propose new methodologies to realize bit operators in some groups G. Thirdly, we give an observation that a naive approach using matrix groups would never yield secure FHE due to an attack utilizing the “linearity” of the construction. Then we propose an idea to avoid such “linearity” by using combinatorial group theory. Concretely realizing FHE schemes based on our proposed framework is left as a future research topic.

This chapter summarizes global patterns and mechanisms of both ecological and historical crustacean biogeography resulting in the contemporary species distributions described over the past decades. In the pelagic realm, hydrographic features such as ocean currents, physical depth profiles, and latitudinal temperature gradients are major structuring elements, as well as selection pressure exerted by the environment and species interactions, which have resulted in speciation over evolutionary time. Benthic crustacean distributions are additionally constrained longitudinally by continental barriers and submarine features such as ridges and seamounts. The main biogeographic patterns of both benthic and pelagic crustaceans are described for all ocean basins and the polar regions, of which the Indian Ocean is the least well studied. The Copepoda and Decapoda are generally represented with the highest number of described species, followed by Amphipoda and Isopoda. Life cycles with pelagic larvae (e.g., decapods and stomatopods) increase dispersal and enable wide distributions, while a lack of dispersive larvae promotes endemism in benthic forms (e.g., amphipods). Restricted regions with high species richness and endemism, such as the “coral triangle” (the Indo-Australian Archipelago), the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, represent important biodiversity hotspots. Endemics are also suitable markers for past earth history events. Only a few studies cover the biogeography of crustacean taxa in all of the world’s oceans, but a few exceptions exist for decapods, amphipods, and isopods. Although the world’s oceans have been reasonably well studied for crustacean distribution and diversity, species complexes and cryptic species lacking morphological diagnostic features leave us with a large number of unconsolidated taxa. Emerging molecular tools may be able to assist with refinement of nomenclature and hence increase the resolution of crustacean biogeography in the future.

The article publishes vault 197 excavated in 2002 with burials from the end of the 4th — the first half of the 5th century from the burial ground at Luchistoe. The design of crypt 197, the elements of the funerary rite recorded in it, the details of the costume and decorations are typical for the Alanian population of the Southwestern Crimea. A burial of a warrior with the tip of a spear or a dart was found in the crypt. The warriors buried at the burial ground near Luchistoe were armed with swords (short or long), or stabbing weapons. Judging by the accompanying grave goods, the warriors armed with swords belonged to the elite, while the spearmen were ordinary members of the community.

Abstract This chapter describes the lives of Spinoza’s grandparents and great-grandparents in Portugal, the small town of Vidigueira and the Alentejo region where they lived, the role of the Portuguese Inquisition and its tribunal at Évora, as well as the status and circumstances of the Portuguese “New Christians” generally and why crypto-Judaism was more prevalent among them than among the New Christians in Spain. It also describes the element of political subversion in the secret culture of the Marranos, the role of Dom António, Prior of Crato, and the emigration of Spinoza’s family to Nantes and the status of the Portuguese New Christians in late sixteenth-century France.

This chapter discusses how Mario Bava opted color for his film Blood and Black Lace (6 donne per l'assassino), which he had also done in his previous horror films. It talks about Bava's employment of Eastmancolor for the saturated colour compositions of his Gothic movies that drove the colour consultants on set to distraction. It also illustrates the context in which the characters moved in Blood and Black that ended up looking like a non-place, both baroque and abstract, that brought together elements typical of the Gothic genre. The chapter describes Blood and Black Lace's labyrinthine atelier of death as a modern-day subsidiary of Gothic's castles, with crypt, secret passages, curtains fluttering in the night, and mannequins instead of suits of armour. It also looks into the insistence of shapes that move with mechanical regularity that represented Blood and Black Lace's microcosm, where the distinction between human and nonhuman becomes uncertain, fleeting, and deceptive.

Between 1999 and 2015 an archaeological research of the interior and the immediate vicinity of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the island of Ostrów Tumski in Poznań was con- ducted. This hall church, whose consecration took place in 1448, is part of the architecture style connected with the workshops of Master Builder Hinrich Brunsberg. Interestingly, the traceries of the study church windows correspond to similar elements from the churches in Brandenburg and Chojna (Brunsberg’s work). But the fragments of Gothic pinnacles from the gable (according to written sources) were probably built by Lorek from Kościan. Also, the tracery decoration at the western portal of the Poznań cathedral, which was discovered during the post-war renovation works, confirms the presence of a similar façade decoration of the Poznań cathedral to that in Brandenburg. What is more, a fleuron found in the church of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the island of Ostrów Tumski is analogous to the same decorative element of the town hall in Tangermünde. This suggests that the workshops associated with that master builder, most probably participated in the rebuilding of the Poznań cathedral at the turn of the century (XIV/XV) and in the designing of the St Mary’s Church, which was completed after Brunsberg’s death. The archaeological research included the cemetery that was operational from the 2 nd half of the 15 th century to the end of the 18 th century, during which time, the deceased were buried inside the church. It was also where remains of several brick tombs/crypts were discovered. The youngest burial is an ossuary found in the middle of the nave, which contains bones moved there from the cathedral in 1784-1785. The brick and stone wall enclosing the cemetery was built in 1465-1466. Originally, the church and the cemetery were situated on a small hill, the slopes of which were reinforced.

Sinorhizobium meliloti are agriculturally valuable species of soil bacteria that form nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with alfalfa plants. Global climate changes lead to an increase of agricultural areas subjected to salinity. Current knowledge about about high-salt stress impact on soil saprophitic root nodulated microsymbionts of legumes is weakly studied and rhizobia gene pool responsible for salt tolerance are fragment and far from clear. An increase of bacteria nonspecific resistance (immune status) to unfavorable stress factors can occur through the induction of defense mechanisms like restrictionmodification systems and CRISPR/cas systems which are aimed to protect bacteria cells from bacteriophages widespread in soil microbiome. The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of the megaplasmid pSymA in the formation of ecological genome of S. meliloti, which is related to stress tolerance and to determine the location of elements of adaptive immune systems protecting root nodule bacteria against external foreign DNA. The analysis was done on 11 genes, products of which involved in response to ion stress and synthesis of osmoprotectors. It was found that 6 out of 11 genes were found in the genomes of all analyzed S. meliloti strains, while it was not a case for other 5 genes. It was found that, unlike chromosome, megaplasmid I of S. meliloti accumulated copies of 4 from 5 genes, except kdpA gene, which is represented by a single copy and localized on megaplasmid I in all so far studied strains. It was predicted that closest phylogenetic relatives of genes whose products are involved in response to ion stress as well in synthesis of osmoprotectors are homologous genes of closely related S. medicae species. The exception was for betI2, for which the closest phylogenetic relative was homologous gene of Klebsiella pneumonia, and another exception is kdpA gene introduced onto megaplasmid-I from actinobacteria. Regarding elements of immune systems it was revealed that nonsymbiotic plasmids of S. meliloti harbored incomplete elements of RMS-I, -II, and - III systems, while the 4 complete RMS-IV systems were detected on a single plasmid. It was found out that corresponding methylases had similarities with similar enzymes detected in nitrogen-fixing strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Mezorhizobium sp., Bradyrhizobium sp. CRISPR sequences were not detected on megaplasmid-I, while they were on chromosome, megaplasmid-II and on cryptic plasmids. So, it was concluded that megaplasmid-I of S. meliloti are enriched in copies of genes related to osmotic stress tolerance, but it role in immune status of rhizobia is requested further elucidation.

The aim of this paper is to elaborate in more detail, through a brief explanation of the basic elements, the essence of the functioning of blockchain technology, which is a prerequisite and basis for the emergence and functioning of smart contracts, as a modern alternative to using conventional contracts. The nature of the connection between these two concepts points out the differences between conventional and smart contracts, defines the advantages that smart contracts have over the conventional ones, and thus contributes to a more complete understanding of the concept of smart contracts. In this paper we will try to explain how to use the benefits of block chain technology in many other areas of human activity, such as creating and exchanging crypto currencies, exchanging securities, things, documents, real estate, gems or other goods, on the example of smart contracts. In general, these advantages relate to the elimination of the need for intermediaries (in this case, lawyers and notaries), the reduction of the possibility of fraud and increasing the level of security in performing various types of legal transactions as well as acquiring full confidence in the accuracy and correctness of various types of records due to inability to change once stored and from a large number of equal partners, verified transactions.

Between 2013 and 2015, Arcadia University in partnership with the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology and the University of Catania undertook new excavation campaigns in the Catacombs of St. Lucy at Siracusa. The research focuses on some very problematic parts of Region C of the complex, including Oratory C, the so-called Pagan Shrine and Crypt VI. These areas document most effectively the long life of this Christian hypogeum, which incorporated previous structures and artefacts related to the Greek period and continued to be used until the Middle Ages. During the excavation an array of 3D digital techniques (3D scanning, 3d Modelling, Image-based 3D modelling) was used for the daily recording of the archaeological units, but also to create high-resolution virtual replicas of certain districts of the catacombs. Furthermore, the same techniques were applied to support the study of certain classes of materials, such as frescoes and marble architectural elements that could otherwise only be studied in the dark environment of the catacombs, making the visual analysis of such complex artifacts difficult and sometimes misleading, not to mention that the frequent use of strong sources of light for study can also endanger them. The virtual archaeology research undertaken at the Catacombs of St. Lucy represents the first systematic application of 3D digital technologies to the study of such a special archaeological context in Sicily.

В статье исследуется проблема проникновения и адаптации выходцев из сармато-аланского окружения в крупные города Азиатского Боспора во 2–3 вв. н. э. Проникновение алан на территорию к востоку от Меотиды относится к середине 1 в. н. э. С 70–80 гг. аланы стали соседями Боспорского царства на востоке и источником постоянной агрессии для поселений и городов его азиатской части. Письменные источники дают основания думать, что военные конфликты Боспора и меотийских алан, начавшиеся в 80-е гг., завершились мирным соглашением сторон (не без участия Рима) к 140-м гг. Его результатом стал династический брак боспорского царя (вероятно, Реметалка) и некой аланской принцессы. Косвенные данные позволяют предполагать, что это событие случилось после 138 г. и, возможно, было санкционировано Антонином Пием. Во второй четверти 2 – второй четверти 3 вв. н. э. в Фанагории, Гермонассе и Горгиппии засвидетельствованы группы сармато-аланских имен. Их носители являлись гражданами городов (в пользу чего свидетельствуют их полные имена) во втором или третьем поколениях. Наряду с именами в этих городах отмечены находки сармато-аланских тамг с нижней частью в форме «трезубца» (рис. 2). Они известны, главным образом, в пределах территории Боспорского царства. Очевидно, что в каждом из крупных городов Азиатского Боспора проживала определенная сармато-аланская «группировка», которой руководил, как можно предполагать, представитель знати, владевший одной из тамг, нижняя часть которой имела форму «трезубца». Обращает на себя внимание хронологическое совпадение династического брака Реметалка и новых сармато-аланских имен в надписях городов Азиатского Боспора. Наибольшее число их отмечено в Горгиппии. Здесь просматривается совпадение с ономастической ситуацией в Танаисе, где также примерно с середины 2 в. н. э. надписи фиксируют целую группу «новых» сармато-аланских имен. Наличие в городах Азиатского Боспора групп сармато-аланских имен коррелируются с несколькими тамгами, принадлежащими представителям знатных семей (рис. 2–5). Эти люди играли заметную роль в социально-политической и военной жизни Боспора. Они занимали высокие должности в государственных органах власти во второй половине 2 – первой половине 3 вв. н. э. Отчетливо сознавая недостаток в источниках, все же автор статьи считает возможным предложить следующую реконструкцию проникновения выходцев из сармато-аланского мира в социальный организм Боспорского государства. Не исключено, что вместе с аланской принцессой в Пантикапей прибыл отряд всадников-алан, который возглавляли родственники принцессы либо представители других знатных аланских семей. Тамги указывают на представителей трех семей, восходящих к одному роду (нижняя тамга в форме «трезубца»). Появление этого контингента на Боспоре было обусловлено не только необходимостью сопровождать будущую супругу боспорского царя, но и, быть может, одним из условий брачного договора (предоставление отрядов всадников). После заключения брачного союза Реметалк весьма предусмотрительно распорядился этой военизированной группировкой. Какую-то часть всадников он, возможно, оставил в Пантикапее (на это указывают находки бронзовых поясных наконечников с тамгами в некрополе), другую часть во главе с представителями трех знатных аланских семей он направил в Танаис для усиления обороноспособности города после его разгрома в середине 2 в. н. э. Позднее, в правление Савромата II или Рескупорида II, кто-то из членов этих семей оказался в Горгиппии, видимо, также с целью руководства или укрепления военных сил в этой части царства. В правление Савромата II выходцы из этих семей заняли высокое положение в Фанагории и Гермонассе. Участие в частных ассоциация городов было одним из путей социализации эмигрантов и не-граждан в боспорских городах. В Фанагории и, что особенно заметно, в Горгиппии, как и в Танаисе, потомки выходцев из сармато-аланского мира во втором или третьем поколениях выступают членами частных ассоциаций. Их имена уже присутствуют в списках граждан городов. В данном случае речь идет о потомках рядовых всадников-алан. Вполне реалистичным представляется как один из путей варварского проникновения – установление родственных связей с боспорской элитой. Видимо, таким образом можно объяснить погребение двух воинов-сарматов (судя по их тамгам) в склепах аристократической семьи из Горгиппии. Следствием деятельности знатных представителей сармато-аланских семей и их сородичей стало возрастание их роли в военной и административно-политической жизни Боспора со второй половины 2 в. н. э. The article deals with the problem of penetration and adaptation of immigrants of the Sarmato-Alanian world into cities of the Asian Bosporos in the 2nd – 3rd centuries AD. The Alans penetrated to the eastern shore of the Maeotis in the middle of the 1st century AD. After 70–80 AD the Alans became the eastern neighbors of the Bosporan kingdom and raided permanently towns and settlements located in its Asian part. The written sources make us suggest that the military conflicts between Bosporos and the Maiotian Alans which started in the 80-s terminated in a peace treaty in the 140-s (with the participation of Rome). It resulted in a dynastic marriage (possibly of king Rhoimetalkes) with some Alanian princess. Indirect evidence suggests that the event took part after 138 AD and was possibly sanctioned by Antoninus Pius. In the first quarter of the 2nd – second quarter of the 3rd century in Phanagoria. Hermonassa and Gorgippia groups of Sarmatian and Alanian names are testified. Their owners were citizens (their full names are demonstrated it) in the second or the third generation. Along with the names the cities provided finds of Sarmato-Alanian tamgas with characteristic ‘trident-shaped’ lower elements (fig. 2). These are known mainly by finds from the territory of the Bosporan kingdom. Evidently, in each of the large cities of the Asian Bosporos there were groups of Sarmato-Alanian population headed by a nobleman, the owner of one of those trident-shaped tamgas. Noteworthy is the chronological coincidence between the dynastic marriage of Rhoimetalkes and the appearance of new Sarmato-Alanian names in inscriptions from the cities of the Asian Bosporos. Most of them originate from Gorgippia. There is a coincidence with the onomastic situation in Tanais where from the middle of the 2nd century also new groups of Sarmato-Alanian names appear in inscriptions. The presence in the cities of the Asian Bosporos of these names are correlated with a number of tamgas belonging to noble families (fig. 2–5). The role of those people in the social, political and military life of Bosporos was prominent. In the second half of the 2nd – first half of the 3rd century they occupied important offices in the cities. Clearly admitting the lack of information in our sources the author dares to suggest the following reconstruction for the process of penetration of the Sarmatians and Alans into the social structure of the Bosporan kingdom. It is quite possible that along with the Alanian princess some unit of equestrian Alans arrived in Pantikapaion, commanded by her relatives or other noblemen. The tamgas point to the presence of three families related to one clan (the trident-shaped element in the tamgas). Those Alans could act as a retinue for the bride of the king, or their arrival was fixed among the terms of the marriage contract. After his wedding Rhoimetalkes found a reasonable use for this military unit. Some of them he settled in Panticapaion (which is testified by finds of bronze belt tips with tamgas from the necropolis), another group headed by representatives of three noble families he sent to Tanais, to ensure the Н. В. Завойкина 74 defensive power of the city which had suffered in the middle of the 2nd century. Later, in the reign of Sauromates II or Rhescuporis II some members of these families came to Gorgippia, possibly also to improve its military power. In the reign of Sauromates II these people rose to high offices in Phanagoria and Hermonassa. Their participation in the private associations of the cities was one of the ways allowing non-citizens to penetrate within local urban societies. In Phanagoria and especially in Gorgippia as well as in Tanais the descendants of Alanian warriors in the 2nd or the 3rd generation figure as members of private associations. Their names are already included in the lists of citizens. In this case they are not necessarily noblemen but ordinary warriors. Marriage ties with the Bosporan elite helped to obtain citizenship. It could explain the burial of two Sarmatian warriors (judging by their tamgas) in the crypts of aristocratic families of Gorgippia. The activity of Alanian nobles and their relatives ensured the confirmation of their position in military, political and administrative life of the Bosporan kingdom beginning the 2nd half of the 2nd century AD.