Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mahvash A. Goolam, Alice P. Brown, Kimberly T. Edwards, Karen J. Gregory, Katie Leach, Arthur D. Conigrave
Summary: The calcium-sensing receptor plays a crucial role in regulating human calcium and mineral metabolism by sensing extracellular Ca2+. Mutations in the receptor can impair its function and calcium sensitivity, and receptor asymmetry may contribute to the underlying mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xia Yao, Shuai Gao, Jixin Wang, Zhangqiang Li, Jian Huang, Yan Wang, Zhifei Wang, Jiaofeng Chen, Xiao Fan, Weipeng Wang, Xueqin Jin, Xiaojing Pan, Yong Yu, Armando Lagrutta, Nieng Yan
Summary: The study reveals the molecular basis for the physical and pharmacodynamic interaction of sofosbuvir and amiodarone on the scaffold of Cav channels.
Review
Physiology
Sahil Zaveri, Ujala Srivastava, Yongxia Sarah Qu, Mohamed Chahine, Mohamed Boutjdir
Summary: Ca2+ plays a crucial role in excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac myocytes, and dysfunctional Ca2+ regulation can lead to altered contraction force and cardiac arrhythmias. The entry of Ca2+ into cardiomyocytes is mainly mediated by L-type Ca2+ channels, with Ca(v)1.3 being implicated in sinoatrial and atrioventricular node dysfunction as well as atrial fibrillation. Understanding the functional and molecular pathways of Ca(v)1.3 in the heart may help develop targeted therapeutic interventions for these arrhythmias.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Moshe Katz, Suraj Subramaniam, Orna Chomsky-Hecht, Vladimir Tsemakhovich, Veit Flockerzi, Enno Klussmann, Joel A. Hirsch, Sharon Weiss, Nathan Dascal
Summary: CaV1.2 channels play a crucial role in regulating cardiac muscle contraction, with 0-AR increasing contraction by enhancing calcium influx through these channels via PKA activation. A recent study identified Rad as essential for PKA regulation of CaV1.2, revealing two distinct pathways of PKA modulation of CaV1.2: Rad dependent and Rad independent.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tamim Kawakibi, Niharika Bala, Lauren P. Liu, Louis A. Searcy, Nancy D. Denslow, Abdel A. Alli
Summary: We hypothesized that actin cytoskeleton proteins, various lipids regulated by cathepsin B, and kinases regulated by lipids would be down-regulated in the kidney of cathepsin B knockout mice. Our results showed that the expression and proteolysis of actin cytoskeleton proteins and specific lipids were significantly reduced in the kidney cortex membrane fractions of cathepsin B knockout mice. In addition, protein kinase C activity was lower in the kidney cortex of cathepsin B knockout mice compared to wild-type mice.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Margot C. DeBaker, Eric H. Mitten, Timothy R. Rose, Ezequiel Marron Fernandez de Velasco, Runbo Gao, Anna M. Lee, Kevin Wickman
Summary: This study found that RGS6 protein negatively regulates inhibitory G protein signaling pathways in VTA dopamine neurons in mice and has a sex-dependent positive influence on binge-like alcohol consumption in adult mice.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arsalan Yousuf, Xiaosa Wu, Anuja R. Bony, Mahsa Sadeghi, Yen-Hua Huang, David J. Craik, David J. Adams
Summary: alpha O-Conotoxin GeXIVA, derived from the venom of marine snail Conus generalis, has analgesic activity and acts on GABA(B) receptors, indicating a potential important receptor target for mediating analgesia. The peptide has different structural isomers, with the bead isomer being the most potent at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Lien D. Nguyen, Tom T. Fischer, Barbara E. Ehrlich
Summary: The study demonstrated that the InsP3R calcium pathway and impaired neuronal morphology are the mechanisms underlying paclitaxel-induced chemobrain, with lithium and PKC inhibitors identified as potential agents for preventing chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Omar Rafael Aleman, Nancy Mora, Carlos Rosales
Summary: Human neutrophils express two unique antibody receptors for IgG, Fc gamma RIIa and Fc gamma RIIIb, which are capable of initiating distinct cellular functions. Fc gamma RIIa induces an increase in L-selectin expression and phagocytosis, while Fc gamma RIIIb promotes actin polymerization, activation of beta 1 integrins, and formation of neutrophils extracellular traps (NET) more efficiently.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Caifeng Shao, Jiaxue Dong, Mingwei Zhao, Shenhao Liu, Xue Wang, Yang Yu, Lingyan Fang, Ziying Zhu, Qian Chen, Xu Xiao, Wei-Ning Zhang, Kun Yang
Summary: By combining cell type-specific optogenetics and whole cell recordings on mouse acute hippocampal slices, the study compared the GABA release from cholecystokinin-expressing (CCK) and parvalbumin-expressing (PV) interneurons onto CA1 pyramidal neurons. The results provide direct evidence that GABA(B) receptors differentially modulate GABA release from CCK and PV interneurons.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fatma Tugce Dalkir, Fatma Aydinoglu, Nuran Ogulener
Summary: This study investigated the role of RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) and PKC in the inhibitory effect of L-cysteine/hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway on carbachol-induced contraction in mouse bladder smooth muscle. L-cysteine and H2S reduced the contractions, and ROCK and PKC inhibitors also decreased the contractions, suggesting an interaction between L-cysteine/H2S and the RhoA/ROCK pathway. The inhibitory effect of L-cysteine on ROCK-1, pMYPT1, and pMLC20 levels was reversed by PAG, indicating that CSE-generated H2S mediates the inhibition.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chelsea A. Crossley, Vishaal Rajani, Qi Yuan
Summary: Calcium plays a crucial role in various cellular processes and signaling pathways in the human body. L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), such as voltage-gated calcium channels, are essential for neurotransmitter release, synaptic integration, and plasticity in the nervous system. Dysfunction of LTCCs has been implicated in aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), making them a promising target for AD treatment. However, the mechanisms by which LTCCs contribute to AD are still not fully understood due to their complexity. This review provides an overview of the structure, function, and modulation of LTCCs, highlighting the potential of targeting molecular pathways that up-regulate LTCCs as a more effective approach in AD, considering the diverse physiological functions of LTCCs and the limited success of LTCC blockers in clinical studies.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chelsea A. Crossley, Vishaal Rajani, Qi Yuan
Summary: Calcium is essential for various signaling pathways and cellular processes in the human body. L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) play a critical role in the nervous system, mediating neurotransmitter release, synaptic integration, and plasticity. Dysfunction of LTCCs has been linked to aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), making them a potential target for AD treatment. However, the mechanisms by which LTCCs contribute to AD are still unclear. This review provides an overview of the structure, function, and modulation of LTCCs, suggesting that targeting molecular pathways that up-regulate LTCCs may be a more promising approach in AD.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Hariharan Subramanian, Viacheslav O. Nikolaev
Summary: The rate of calcium cycling and calcium transient amplitude are critical for efficient heart contraction and relaxation. Altered calcium-handling proteins in heart failure can be restored through the regulation of cAMP/PKA, with AKAPs playing a key role in this process. Targeting AKAPs shows potential in improving defective calcium cycling, and important studies have identified their regulatory roles in cardiac myocyte calcium handling.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Papazoglou, Muhammad Imran Arshaad, Christina Henseler, Johanna Daubner, Karl Broich, Juergen Hescheler, Dan Ehninger, Britta Haenisch, Marco Weiergraeber
Summary: Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) play a crucial role in neurotransmitter release, dendritic resonance phenomena, and gene expression regulation. HVA and LVA Ca2+ channels are involved in learning, memory, and theta oscillation. The impairment of T-type Ca2+ channels and GABA receptors in the septohippocampal system may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yang He, Jun Tang, Meng Zhang, Junjie Ying, Dezhi Mu
Summary: This study investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of human placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) transplantation in a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The results showed that hPMSCs transplantation reduced apoptosis and improved long-term neurological prognosis. Furthermore, the downregulation of Sema 3A/NRP-1 expression and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway played a key role in the protective effects of hPMSCs.
Article
Neurosciences
Emily L. Isenstein, Edward G. Freedman, Jiayi Xu, Ian A. DeAndrea-Lazarus, John J. Foxe
Summary: This study evaluated electrophysiological discrimination of parametric somatosensory stimuli in healthy young adults to understand how the brain processes the duration of tactile information. The results showed that participants did not electrophysiologically discriminate between 100 and 115 ms, but they exhibited distinct electrophysiological responses when the deviant stimuli were 130, 145, and 160 ms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tactile sensitivity in different clinical conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Juliana R. Souza, Ludmila Lima-Silveira, Daniela Accorsi-Mendonca, Benedito H. Machado
Summary: This study demonstrates that A2A receptors play a crucial role in modulating synaptic transmission in the NTS neurons and are required for the enhancement of glutamatergic transmission observed under short-term sustained hypoxia conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Miki Hashizume, Rina Ito, Rie Suge, Yasushi Hojo, Gen Murakami, Takayuki Murakoshi
Summary: The basolateral amygdaloid complex (BLA) is closely involved in the formation of emotional memories, including both aversive memory and contextual fear memory. Acute sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts the acquisition of tone-associated fear memory in juvenile rats, but has no significant effect on contextual fear memory. Slow network oscillation in the amygdala contributes to the formation of amygdala-dependent fear memory in relation to sleep.
Article
Neurosciences
Qunxian Wang, Shipeng Guo, Dongjie Hu, Xiangjun Dong, Zijun Meng, Yanshuang Jiang, Zijuan Feng, Weihui Zhou, Weihong Song
Summary: GSDME plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by regulating the switch from apoptosis to pyroptosis and participating in neuroinflammatory response. Knockdown of GSDME has been shown to improve cognitive impairments, indicating that GSDME could be a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.