Article
Physiology
Beth A. McNally, Amber E. Plante, Andrea L. Meredith
Summary: Daily regulation of BK channel activity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is dependent on the type of Ca2+ channels, with LTCCs playing a major role during the day and less so at night. SCN neurons lack a specific subtype of Ca2+ channels responsible for BK current activation, suggesting a complex interplay between different LTCC subtypes.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paolo Zuccolini, Loretta Ferrera, Alessia Remigante, Cristiana Picco, Raffaella Barbieri, Sara Bertelli, Oscar Moran, Paola Gavazzo, Michael Pusch
Summary: This research investigated the effect of DCPIB on pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and melanoma and found that DCPIB directly targeted BK channels and increased intracellular Ca2+ levels. These findings are important for the development of DCPIB-based modulators of ion channels and membrane proteins in the future.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Antonio Michelucci, Luigi Sforna, Angela Di Battista, Fabio Franciolini, Luigi Catacuzzeno
Summary: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly brain tumor that invades healthy brain tissue through cell migration and invasion. The precise nature of the K+ channels involved in cell volume regulation in this type of tumor has remained uncertain. This study found that hypotonic-induced cell swelling in GBM U87-MG cells triggers the opening of calcium-activated K+ channels, particularly BKCa and IKCa, which play a key role in the regulatory volume decrease following hypotonic shock.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Zachary Niday, Bruce P. Bean
Summary: BK calcium-activated potassium channels have complex kinetics due to being activated by both voltage and cytoplasmic calcium. Activation and deactivation of BK channels during action potentials determine their functional role in regulating firing patterns. BK current mainly depends on calcium entry through voltage-dependent calcium channels, with BK current activating a short delay after calcium current during action potentials.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shunsuke Ando, Hiroya Mizutani, Makoto Muramatsu, Yumiko Hagihara, Hiroki Mishima, Rubii Kondo, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Yuji Imaizumi, Hisao Yamamura
Summary: This study investigates the role of SKCa and IKCa channels in regulating spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in rat pinealocytes. The results show that SKCa channels, but not IKCa channels, contribute to the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations. The activity of SKCa2 channels plays a crucial role in controlling cytosolic Ca2+ signaling and melatonin production in the pineal gland.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guohui Zhang, Xianjin Xu, Zhiguang Jia, Yanyan Geng, Hongwu Liang, Jingyi Shi, Martina Marras, Carlota Abella, Karl L. Magleby, Jonathan R. Silva, Jianhan Chen, Xiaoqin Zou, Jianmin Cui
Summary: Researchers have discovered a compound, BC5, that interacts with the CTD-VSD interface and specifically modulates the Ca2+ dependent activation mechanism. BC5 can activate the channel in the absence of Ca2+ binding, but Ca2+ binding inhibits BC5 effects. This study reveals the importance of the CTD-VSD interaction in the Ca2+ activation mechanism and provides insights for allosteric agonists to modulate BK channel activation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Ancaten-Gonzalez, Ignacio Segura, Rosangelina Alvarado-Sanchez, Andres E. Chavez, Ramon Latorre
Summary: BK channels are large conductance potassium channels that play crucial roles in regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic communication in the brain. Their dysfunction has been implicated in various neurological disorders. Here, we discuss the physiological importance of BK channels and their contribution to the pathophysiology of different neurological disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shuai Guo, Zhenhui Chen, Peng-Sheng Chen, Michael Rubart
Summary: Ondansetron inhibits hSK2 currents even under altered ionic conditions, potentially showing antiarrhythmic effects.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Willy Carrasquel-Ursulaez, Ignacio Segura, Ignacio Diaz-Franulic, Felipe Echeverria, Yenisleidy Lorenzo-Ceballos, Nicolas Espinoza, Maximiliano Rojas, Jose Antonio Garate, Eduardo Perozo, Osvaldo Alvarez, Fernando D. Gonzalez-Nilo, Ramon Latorre
Summary: This study demonstrates that two arginines in the transmembrane segment S4 function as the gating charges of BK channels, and the energy landscape of gating particles is tuned by a network of salt bridges in the voltage sensor domain (VSD). Unlike Kv channels, the charge movement in BK seems limited to a small displacement of the guanidinium moieties of R210 and R213.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Taro Koya, Masaya Watanabe, Hiroyuki Natsui, Takahide Kadosaka, Takuya Koizumi, Motoki Nakao, Hikaru Hagiwara, Rui Kamada, Taro Temma, Toshihisa Anzai
Summary: This study found that inhibiting nNOS can increase the inducibility of atrial arrhythmia, and a specific SK channel blocker called apamin can reverse the increased inducibility of arrhythmia. Apamin can mitigate the abbreviation of APD without altering Ca2+ transient, suggesting an underlying mechanism of posttranslational modification of SK channels.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ramesh C. Mishra, Barry D. Kyle, Dylan J. Kendrick, Daniyil Svystonyuk, Teresa M. Kieser, Paul W. M. Fedak, Heike Wulff, Andrew P. Braun
Summary: The study showed that endothelial-dependent vasodilation is impaired in patients with Type 2 Diabetes, but treatment with SKA-31 can improve this condition by enhancing vasodilatory responses, possibly through improved endothelial Ca2+ mobilization.
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jinhong Wei, Wenting Guo, Ruiwu Wang, John Paul Estillore, Darrell Belke, Yong-Xiang Chen, Alexander Vallmitjana, Raul Benitez, Leif Hove-Madsen, S. R. Wayne Chen
Summary: The physiological significance of PKA phosphorylation of RyR2 in the heart is still poorly understood. Recent structural studies have shown that the PKA phosphorylation site S2030 in RyR2 is located within a pathway that is important for the termination of Ca2+ release. We investigated the impact of S2030 mutations on Ca2+ release termination in cells and generated a mouse model to study the role of S2030 in a physiological setting.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ning-Ping Foo, Yu-Fan Liu, Ping-Ching Wu, Chung-Hsi Hsing, Bu-Miin Huang, Edmund-Cheung So
Summary: This study found that MDZ suppressed the current density of I-K(DR) in a concentration-, time-, and state-dependent manner in Jurkat T-lymphocytes, and affected immune-regulating cytokine expression in LPS/PMA-treated human T lymphocytes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kenichi Goto, Takanari Kitazono
Summary: Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance. The upregulation of Ca2+-activated Cl- channel TMEM16A and the increased activity of NKCC1 in hypertension can increase vascular contractility and elevate blood pressure.
Article
Pathology
Dan Feng, Yan-Yan Guo, Wen Wang, Lin-Feng Yan, Ting Sun, Qing-Qing Liu, Guang-Bin Cui, Hai-Yan Nan
Summary: This study investigates the activity of BKCa channels in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit SO and its correlation with [Ca2+]i and protein phosphorylation. The results show that decreased BKCa channel activity in the HC group is associated with [Ca2+]i overload and reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of the BKCa a-subunit. It also reveals a negative feedback mechanism between BKCa channels and L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in regulating [Ca2+]i. These findings provide important insights into the physiological and pathologic mechanisms regulating BKCa channel activity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Rosa Patruno, Giuseppe Passantino, Carmelo Laface, Antonella Tinelli, Alfredo Zito, Roberta Ruggieri, Francesco Luposella, Pietro Gadaleta, Mariarita Laforgia, Luca Lacitignola, Michele Ammendola, Girolamo Ranieri, Nicola Zizzo
Summary: The study focused on the correlation among microvascular density (MVD), endothelial area (EA), and Ki-67 proliferative index in tissue samples from cats affected by post-injection fibrosarcomas, aiming to demonstrate that cats may be a useful animal model for studying human diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Michele Ammendola, Giuseppe Curro, Carmelo Laface, Valeria Zuccala, Riccardo Memeo, Francesco Luposella, Mariarita Laforgia, Nicola Zizzo, Alfredo Zito, Donato Loisi, Rosa Patruno, Lucia Milella, Ippazio Ugenti, Mariangela Porcelli, Giuseppe Navarra, Cosmo Damiano Gadaleta, Girolamo Ranieri
Summary: This study found that tissue parameters increased from adjacent normal tissue to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue, and mast cells are strongly associated with angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer. The results suggest potential novel antiangiogenetic approaches for pancreatic cancer therapy.
Article
Parasitology
Rossella Panarese, Roberta Iatta, Riccardo Paolo Lia, Giuseppe Passantino, Stefano Ciccarelli, Floriana Gernone, Andrea Zatelli, Domenico Otranto
Summary: Two cats infected with Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens were clinically examined, with one showing microfilaraemia due to D. repens and the other showing abnormalities in white blood cells due to D. immitis. Both cats were found to be infected with the respective filarial parasites, indicating a common occurrence of dirofilarial infection in the local feline population in southern Italy.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luca Lacitignola, Rossella Samarelli, Nicola Zizzo, Elena Circella, Claudia Acquafredda, Marzia Stabile, Roberto Lombardi, Francesco Staffieri, Antonio Camarda
Summary: Large numbers of wild animals are injured in road traffic accidents each year. This study focused on red foxes with chronic head trauma and utilized CT scans to diagnose lesions and assess prognostic judgment. The mean survival time for foxes in the study was approximately 290 days, with common cranial vault lesions and observations of midline shift and hydrocephalus.
Article
Cell Biology
Rosa Scala, Fatima Maqoud, Nicola Zizzo, Giuseppe Passantino, Antonietta Mele, Giulia Maria Camerino, Conor McClenaghan, Theresa M. Harter, Colin G. Nichols, Domenico Tricarico
Summary: The study found that SUR2[A478V] mutation in mice impairs KATP channel modulation by MgATP, more significantly in SUR2(AV/AV), leading to muscle weakness and atrophy in different skeletal muscle phenotypes.
Article
Orthopedics
D. Scaturro, F. Vitagliani, M. Napolitano, G. Pasta, G. Passantino, F. Arcuri, S. Siragusa, M. Vecchio, G. L. Mauro
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of kinesiotaping in the healing process of muscle hematomas in patients with hemophilia. The results showed that kinesiotaping, in combination with functional rehabilitation and CO2 laser therapy, significantly improved hematoma diameter, thickness, pain, and number of days of replacement therapy.
MLTJ-MUSCLES LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giuseppe Passantino, Emilio Sassi, Ilaria Filippi, Valerio Serata, Antonella Tinelli, Nicola Zizzo
Summary: This study describes a case of mesothelioma in a horse, providing important insights into the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The article suggests that mesothelioma is likely caused by environmental factors and horses can serve as valuable biological indicators. The correct diagnosis and differential diagnostics can be achieved using various methods, offering ante-mortem support to clinicians.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fatima Maqoud, Nicola Zizzo, Marcella Attimonelli, Antonella Tinelli, Giuseppe Passantino, Marina Antonacci, Girolamo Ranieri, Domenico Tricarico
Summary: Elevated expression of Sur2A subunit found in renal and breast tumors. ABCC9, KCNJ11, and KCNJ8 genes upregulated in cancers, while ABCC8 gene downregulated. Pharmacovigilance and omics data support Kir6.1/2-Sur2A/B subunits as drug target in breast/renal cancers and C.S.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Adriana Trapani, Stefano Castellani, Lorenzo Guerra, Elvira De Giglio, Giuseppe Fracchiolla, Filomena Corbo, Nicola Cioffi, Giuseppe Passantino, Maria Luana Poeta, Pasqualina Montemurro, Rosanna Mallamaci, Rosa Angela Cardone, Massimo Conese
Summary: We have successfully formulated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing dopamine (DA) and grape-seed-derived proanthocyanidins (GSE) for Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment. The combination of GSE and DA has a synergistic effect in reducing PD-related oxidative stress. Two methods of DA/GSE loading were studied, and it was found that coencapsulating GSE resulted in smaller SLN size and higher cellular uptake compared to adsorbing GSE onto preformed DA containing SLNs.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Luca Lacitignola, Alberto Crovace, Giuseppe Passantino, Francesco Staffieri
Summary: This study compared the burst pressure, number of activations, and histological evaluation of swine small intestinal loops transected by different devices. The results showed that Caiman12 and Ligasure Atlas had comparable mechanical capabilities and intestinal closure as stapler, but Caiman12 required only one activation to complete the transection.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Luca Lacitignola, Annarita Imperante, Rodrigo Trisciuzzi, Nicola Zizzo, Alberto Maria Crovace, Francesco Staffieri
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the sealing quality of swine small intestine using different laparoscopic radiofrequency vessel sealing devices compared to golden standard closure technique. Results showed that RFVS-1 and RFVS-3 devices provided suitable intestinal sealing, while HS and RFVS-2 should not be considered for intestinal sealing.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Luca Lacitignola, Laura Fracassi, Caterina Di Bella, Nicola Zizzo, Giuseppe Passantino, Antonella Tinelli, Alberto Maria Crovace, Francesco Staffieri
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic gastropexy using absorbable fixation straps in dogs. The procedure was found to be safe and effective with minimal complications. Ultrasound examination confirmed persistent adhesion, and the new technique is expected to have a short learning curve.
VETERINARY SURGERY
(2021)