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Draft:Mikhail Prokofiev

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Mikhail Alekseevich Prokofiev
Minister of Education of the USSR
In office
24 December 1966 – 20 December 1984
Prime MinisterAlexei Nikolayevich Kosygin
Nikolai Aleksandrovich Tikhonov
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded bySergey Georgievich Shcherbakov
Minister of Education of the Russian SFSR
In office
4 May 1966 – 24 December 1966
Preceded byEvgeni Ivanovich Afanasenko
Succeeded byAlexander Ivanovich Danilov
Personal details
Born18 November [O.S. 5 November] 1910
Voskresenskoye, Yukhnovsky Uyezd, Smolensk Governorate, Russian Empire[1]
DiedApril 29, 1999(1999-04-29) (aged 88)
Moscow, Russia
PartyCommunist Party of the Soviet Union (since 1941)
Alma materMSU Faculty of Chemistry
Occupationbioorganic chemist, educator, statesman
AwardsOrder of Lenin
Order of the Patriotic War
Order of the Red Banner of Labour
Order of the Red Star
Order of the Badge of Honour
Medal "For Labour Valour"

Mikhail Alekseevich Prokofiev (Russian: Михаил Алексеевич Прокофьев; 18 November [O.S. 5 November] 1910, Voskresenskoe, Smolensk Governorate[1] — 29 April 1999, Moscow) — soviet and russian bioorganic chemist, educator, public figure, and statesman. Minister of Education of the USSR from 1966 to 1984.

A member of the Communist Party since 1941. Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1971–1986). Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 7th–11th convocations (1966–1989) from Kalinin Oblast[2]. Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union (1966). Full Member of the USSR Academy of Pedagogical Sciences (1967). Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1991). Honorary Professor of Moscow State University (1994).

He made a significant contribution to the development of school education and chemistry in the USSR. He was awarded orders and medals for his achievements in science and education, and was the author of numerous scientific works and textbooks on bioorganic chemistry.

Biography

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He was born into a peasant family in the village of Voskresenskoye (now Tyomkinsky District, Smolensk Oblast). His father, Alexei Ivanovich, worked at factories near the village from 1904 and died in 1924. His mother, Alexandra Vasilyevna, was a brigade leader in a kolkhoz until 1938.

In 1923 he moved to Moscow, where his uncle lived. During his school years, he showed an interest in the natural sciences, especially chemistry. He graduated from a nine-year school with a focus on chemistry in 1927. From 1928 he was a pioneer leader, and from 1929 as a press operator at a chemical plant.

He graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry of Moscow State University (1930–1935). From 1935 to 1937 he served in the Soviet Army. In 1937–1940 he studied in the postgraduate program at the Research Institute of Chemistry at Moscow State University, after which he defended his thesis “Synthesis of α-amino-β-hydroxy acids and their dehydration” (scientific advisor: Prof. M. M. Botvinnik)[3].

From December 1940 to October 1941 he served as Deputy Director of the MSU Research Institute of Chemistry.

In October 1941 he volunteered for the front and served in the navy as head of the department of the People's Commissariat. He was demobilized in 1946.

From 1946 he was a senior researcher and deputy director of the Research Institute of Chemistry at Moscow State University. In 1951 he became deputy minister, and from 1959 to 1966 he served as First Deputy Minister of Higher and Secondary Education of the USSR.

In 1963 he defended his doctoral dissertation, “The Chemistry of Nucleosides, Nucleotides, and Polyribonucleotides” (based on a collection of work in the form of a scientific report). In 1965 he organized and headed the Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds at Moscow State University and became head of the dissertation committee for the specialty “Chemistry of Natural and Physiologically Active Substances".

From 1966 to 1989 he served as a Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and from 1971 to 1986 as a member of the CPSU Central Committee. In May 1966 he became Minister of Education of the RSFSR, and from December of the same year the first Union Minister of Education, a post he held until 1984.

After leaving his ministerial post, he returned to scientific and pedagogical work, took part in the development of chemical education, supported young scientists and teachers, and maintained an active scientific and public life well into his later years.

He died on 29 April 1999 in Moscow and was buried at Vagankovo Cemetery[4].

Scientific works and their significance

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Synthesis and properties of amino acid derivatives of nucleic acids

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In the late 1940s Mikhail Alekseevich Prokofiev began research in the field of nucleotide and oligonucleotide chemistry, as well as their amino acid derivatives.

In 1950, together with Z.A. Rumyantseva, he published a paper[5] on the synthesis of pyridylamino acids — analogues of nucleamino acids in which the sugar-phosphate backbone is replaced by an amino acid. In 1957, together with Z.A. Shabarova and N.I. Sokolova, he studied[6][7] amino acid derivatives of nucleosides.

Pyrimidylamino acids and their peptides were subjected to particularly detailed research. Their reactions involving the carboxyl group, the amino group, and the pyrimidine ring were studied. Peptides containing pyrimidine amino acids as N- and C-terminal fragments were synthesized. The possibility of converting pyrimidine derivatives into acyclic amino acids — in particular, aspartic acid — was demonstrated.

A general method was also developed for converting acyclic amino acids into pyrimidine derivatives, based on the condensation of aliphatic ω-ureido- and ω-guanido-α-amino acids with β-dicarbonyl compounds. The existence of close interrelationships between pyrimidines and α-amino acids in biological systems was confirmed. These relationships are most clearly revealed when studying their metabolic pathways, as well as through the isolation of pyrimidylamino acid compounds from natural sources.

In 1970 he published the results of his research on phosphoramide-type nucleopeptides and proposed a model of enzymatic synthesis of bonds between oligodeoxyribonucleotides.

Methods of ligation and synthesis of oligonucleotides

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Under Prokofiev’s guidance, a foundation was laid for the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides both in solution and on a polymer support. The chemical ligation method was developed for the synthesis of not only natural but also genetically modified oligonucleotides.

In 1977, he published[8] the results of a study on the reverse transcription of phage RNA using synthetic heteropolymer primers.

The next stage was the transition from monomeric structures to oligomeric ones. The first step in these studies was the synthesis of oligomers; the research proceeded in two directions: improving solution-phase synthesis and developing a solid-phase method for producing oligomers. In collaboration with a research group from Novosibirsk, an automated oligonucleotide synthesizer was constructed.

The properties of the solid phase were optimized[9]. The most promising material proved to be a preparation obtained by modifying polystyrene, which had been grafted by a radical method onto the surface of a polytetrafluoroethylene matrix. Anchor groups linking the polymer to the nucleic fragment were optimized. Various technological approaches to elongating the oligonucleotide chain were studied, protective groups were selected, and principles were established for cleaving synthesized substances from the solid phase, as well as for their separation and purification.

The principles of the solid-phase method for oligonucleotide synthesis were extended to the synthesis of modified compounds. Many important oligonucleotides have been synthesized by this method, including a dodecanucleotide homologous to positions 5–16 of tRNAVal, an octanucleotide complementary to a region of the intercistronic area of R17 bacteriophage RNA, a hexadeoxynucleotide complementary to a promoter region of the RNA polymerase of the same bacteriophage and others[10].

A template-based method for polynucleotide synthesis was developed[11]. It was found that spatially proximate phosphoramidate and oxy groups of modified nucleotides are capable of forming an internucleotide bond without the participation of enzymes.

Nucleopeptides were discovered and isolated from natural sources: RNA from pancreas, E. coli ribosomes, rabbit reticulocytes, extracts of Bac. brevis and others. In E. coli ribosomes peptides are linked to 23S RNA via a phosphoramidate bond through N-terminal residues of Ala, Glu, and Asp. The biological role of secondary RNA structures was demonstrated.

His work laid the foundation for the study of the structure and functions of protein–nucleic acid complexes. In collaboration with co-authors, he established the mechanism of DNA ligase action and established patterns in the biosynthesis of viral and plasmid DNA, as well as certain viral RNAs.

Organization of science and education

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In addition to his scientific work, Prokofiev was renowned for his achievements in the organization of education. Under his supervision, about 100 candidate and more than 10 doctoral dissertations were defended. Many of his students became leading specialists in the field of biochemistry and bioorganic chemistry.

He initiated reforms in the education system with the aim of raising the scientific level of curricula and introduced a differentiated approach to teaching, particularly in chemistry and biology. He actively participated in the creation of educational publications for schoolchildren and teachers, such as the “Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Young Chemist”[12] and the “Schoolchild’s Encyclopedia”[13].

Interesting facts

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  • Besides his scientific and pedagogical work, Prokofiev showed a strong interest in the history of science and philosophy, which was reflected in his lectures and publications, where he aimed not only to impart knowledge but also to cultivate a holistic worldview in his students.
  • Prokofiev was known for his passion for cross-country skiing — he regularly went on ski outings, which helped him maintain his health and productivity over many years.
  • He loved the theater and attended performances constantly, not only on weekends but also during the week, noting that “theater is a source of new energy!”
  • He followed a strict principle: never discuss work at home.
  • The daughter of M.A. Prokofiev — Marina Mikhailovna Dolgaya (born 1936, Candidate of Chemical Sciences) — studied in the same class as Academician A.A. Bogdanov, a student of Prokofiev.
  • His granddaughter, Oksana Igorevna Dolgaya, is a candidate of pedagogical sciences and a senior researcher at the Laboratory of Comparative Pedagogy, Institute of Content and Methods of Education.

Legacy

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Commemorative plaque at the A. N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow
  • In 2000, a commemorative plaque honoring M.A. Prokofiev and Z.A. Shabarova was installed at the A.N. Belozersky Research Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology.
  • In 2017 scientific and practical conferences and an international symposium were held in Moscow to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Prokofiev’s birth, where his scientific and pedagogical legacy was discussed.
  • Also in 2017 articles and a book dedicated to Prokofiev’s biography and contributions to education were published, and films about educational figures, including him, were shown at a scientific film festival.
  • In 2023 the Academy of the Ministry of Education of Russia opened a classroom named after M.A. Prokofiev, the first Minister of Education of the USSR.

Publications

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  • Прокофьев М.А., Румянцева З.А. Синтез пиридиламинокислот // Доклады Академии наук СССР. 1950. Т. 75. С. 399-403. (Prokofiev M.A., Rumyantseva Z.A. Synthesis of pyridyl amino acids // Doklady Akademii Nauk. 1950. Vol. 75, pp. 399–403.)
  • Шабарова З.А., Соколова Н.И., Прокофьев М.А. Аминоацильные производные нуклеозидов // Журнал общей химии. 1957. Т. 27. С. 2891-2897. (Shabarova Z.A., Sokolova N.I., Prokofiev M.A. Aminoacyl derivatives of nucleosides // Zhurnal obshchey khimii. 1957. Vol. 27, pp. 2891–2897.)
  • Шабарова З.А., Прокофьев М.А. Исследования в области нуклеопептидов фосфоамидного типа // Современные проблемы органической химии. Москва: Издательство МГУ, 1970. С. 345-390. (Shabarova Z.A., Prokofiev M.A. Studies on phosphoramidate-type nucleopeptides // Sovremennye problemy organicheskoi khimii. Moscow: Moscow State University Press, 1970. pp. 345–390.)
  • Shabarova Z.A., Prokofiev M.A. A model of enzymatic synthesis of the internucleotide bond between oligodeoxynucleotides // FEBS Letters, 1970, Vol. 11, pp. 237–240.
  • Frolova L.Yu., Metelev V.G., Ratmanova K.I., Smirnov V.D., Shabarova Z.A., Prokofiev M.A., Berzin V.M., Jansone I.V., Gren E.J., Kisselev L.L. Reverse transcription of phage RNA and its fragment directed by synthetic heteropolymeric primers // Nucleic Acid Research, 1977, Vol. 4, pp. 2145–2159.
  • Долинная Н.Г., Громова Е.С., Ильина Е.В., Сергеева Н.Ф., Шабарова З.А., Прокофьев М.А. Изучение комплементарных комплексов, образованных олигодезоксирибонуклеотидами различной длины // Биоорг. химия. 1975. В. 9. С. 1296-1302. (Dolinnaya N.G., Gromova E.S., Ilina E.V., Sergeeva N.F., Shabarova Z.A., Prokofiev M.A. Study of complementary complexes formed by oligodeoxyribonucleotides of different lengths // Bioorganicheskaya khimiya. 1975. Vol. 9, pp. 1296–1302.)
  • Громова Е.С., Долинная Н.Г., Смирнов В.В., Шабарова З.А., Прокофьев М.А. Конформация амидов олигодезоксиадениловых кислот и свойства их комплексов с полиуридиловой кислотой // Биоорг. химия. 1975. В. 12. С. 1716-1727. (Gromova E.S., Dolinnaya N.G., Smirnov V.V., Shabarova Z.A., Prokofiev M.A. Conformation of oligodeoxyadenylic acid amides and properties of their complexes with polyuridylic acid // Bioorganicheskaya khimiya. 1975. Vol. 12, pp. 1716–1727.)
  • Прокофьев М.А. Проблемы демократизации высшей школы в Советском Союзе. Москва, 1958, 26 с. (Prokofiev M.A. Problems of democratization of higher education in the Soviet Union. Moscow, 1958, 26 pp.)
  • Прокофьев М.А. Доклад министра просвещения РСФСР о задачах органов народного образования. Москва: Просвещение, 1966, 31 с. (Prokofiev M.A. Report of the Minister of Education of the RSFSR on the tasks of the institutions of public education. Moscow: Prosveshchenie, 1966, 31 pp.)
  • Прокофьев М.А. Советская школа на современном этапе. Москва: Педагогика, 1971, 61 с. (Prokofiev M.A. The Soviet school at the present stage. Moscow: Pedagogika, 1971, 61 pp.)
  • Прокофьев М.А., Кожевников Е.М., Журавлева М.И. Народное образование в СССР. Москва: Педагогика, 1985, 448 с. (Prokofiev M.A., Kozhevnikov E.M., Zhuravleva M.I. Public Education in the USSR. Moscow: Pedagogika, 1985, 448 pp.)

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b Now Tyomkinsky District, Smolensk Oblast, Russia.
  2. ^ "List of deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 11th convocation". Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  3. ^ "Prokofiev, M. A. (1940). Synthesis of α-amino-β-hydroxy acids and their dehydration [Candidate's dissertation, Lomonosov Moscow State University]". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  4. ^ "The grave of M.A. Prokofiev". Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  5. ^ "Prokofiev, M. A., & Rumyantseva, Z. A. (1950). Synthesis of pyridylamino acids. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR, 75, 399–403". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  6. ^ "Shabarova, Z. A., Sokolova, N. I., & Prokofiev, M. A. (1957). Aminoacyl derivatives of nucleosides. Zhurnal obshchey khimii, 27, 2891–2897". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  7. ^ "Shabarova, Z. A., & Prokofiev, M. A. (1970). A model of enzymatic synthesis of the internucleotide bond between oligodeoxynucleotides. FEBS Letters, 11, 237–240". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  8. ^ "Frolova, L. Yu., Metelyev, V. G., Ratmanova, K. I., Smirnov, V. D., Shabarova, Z. A., Prokofiev, M. A., & others. (1977). Reverse transcription of phage RNA and its fragment directed by synthetic heteropolymeric primers. Nucleic Acids Research, 4(7), 2145–2160". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  9. ^ "Smirnov, V. D., Gorkun, A. F., Purmal, A. A., Veiko, V. P., Shabarova, Z. A., & Prokofyev, M. A. (1984). Solid-phase synthesis of modified oligonucleotides. Doklady Akademii Nauk, 275(1)". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  10. ^ "Smirnov, V. D., Metelyev, V. G., Shabarova, Z. A., & Prokofyev, M. A. (1976). Synthetic oligonucleotides as a tool for studying natural structures and processes. Bioorganicheskaya khimiya, 2(3)" (PDF). Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  11. ^ "Smirnov, V. D., Druptsa, V. L., Ivanovskaya, M. G., Shabarova, Z. A., & Prokofyev, M. A. (1982). DNA-like duplexes containing repeats. V. Chemical template synthesis of polynucleotides containing 3′,5′-pyrophosphate internucleotide linkages. Doklady Akademii Nauk, 265(1)". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  12. ^ "Prokofiev, M. A., & Stantso, V. V. (1982). Encyclopedic dictionary of young chemists: For middle and upper school age. Pedagogika". Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  13. ^ "Prokofiev, M. A., et al. (1975). Encyclopedia of schoolchildren: Inorganic chemistry. Sovetskaya Entsiklopediya". Retrieved December 1, 2025.

Literature

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  • М.А. Прокофьев: человек, ученый, государственный деятель: 100 лет со дня рождения. М., 2011 (M.A. Prokofiev: The Man, the Scientist, the Statesman: On the 100th Anniversary of His Birth. Moscow, 2011).
  • О жизни и о себе: заметки к воспоминаниям / М.А. Прокофьев. — Москва: РУДН, 2024. — 270 с (About Life and About Myself: Notes for Memoirs / M.A. Prokofiev. — Moscow: RUDN, 2024. — 270 pp.).
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