Article
Neurosciences
Kuan-Ming Chiu, Tzu-Yu Lin, Ming-Yi Lee, Cheng-Wei Lu, Su-Jane Wang
Summary: The diterpenoid alkaloid lappaconitine found in Aconitum species has been shown to reduce the excessive release of glutamate in the brain, providing a potential therapeutic option for neurodegenerative disorders. Lappaconitine inhibits glutamate release by reducing Ca2+ influx through R-type Ca2+ channels and suppressing the protein kinase A cascade in rat cerebral cortex nerve terminals.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Guendalina Olivero, Francesca Cisani, Danilo Marimpietri, Daniela Di Paolo, Maria Cristina Gagliani, Marina Podesta, Katia Cortese, Anna Pittaluga
Summary: The study revealed that exosomes may be actively released from presynaptic nerve terminals and that this release is regulated by calcium ions.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kuan-Ming Chiu, Ming-Yi Lee, Cheng-Wei Lu, Tzu-Yu Lin, Su-Jane Wang
Summary: Inhibiting glutamate release in the brain, a phenylenthanoid glycoside known as plantainoside D (PD) isolated from Plantago asiatica L., was found to inhibit the release of glutamate and increase cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. This inhibitory effect was prevented by blocking glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles and chelating extracellular Ca2+, but was unaffected by a nontransportable inhibitor of glutamate transporters. The inhibitory effect of PD on glutamate release was associated with voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) and blocked by a Ca2+ channel blocker and a protein kinase C inhibitor, while it was eliminated by inhibitors of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and ryanodine receptor channels.
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
Gui-Lan Chen, Bo Zeng, Hongni Jiang, Nikoleta Daskoulidou, Rahul Saurabh, Rumbidzai J. Chitando, Shang-Zhong Xu
Summary: An elevated level of circulating homocysteine is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but lowering therapy has unsatisfying clinical benefits. Researchers investigated the roles of calcium influx through TRPC channels and the regulation by Hcy-copper complexes. Hcy increased calcium influx in vascular endothelial cells through the activation of TRPC4 and TRPC5, which were regulated by extracellular divalent copper and Hcy. Hcy-copper complexes significantly regulated endothelial cell functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ozge D. Ozcete, Tobias Moser
Summary: This study investigated the transfer function of synapses in inner hair cells, finding that differences in voltage dependence and release site coupling can affect synaptic transmission, contributing to the functional diversity of spiral ganglion neurons. The reported mechanism may help sensory cells and neurons in general to diversify signaling, even in nearby synapses.
Article
Cell Biology
Camille S. Wang, Lisa M. Monteggia, Ege T. Kavalali
Summary: Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is tightly regulated within a presynaptic bouton, involving evoked, spontaneous, and baseline signals derived from multiple sources. These signals have non-overlapping domains within the synapse and interact through synaptic vesicle turnover.
Article
Biology
Anamika Dayal, Monica L. Fernandez-Quintero, Klaus R. Liedl, Manfred Grabner
Summary: Research shows that while DHPR Ca2+ influx is not essential for EC coupling, it plays a significant role in other muscle physiological and developmental pathways. Two genetically engineered mouse models carrying Ca2+ non-conducting DHPRs had contradictory results, highlighting the importance of studying the permeability and selectivity properties of DHPR(N617).
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gang Zhong, Huiping Long, Fei Chen, Yin Yu
Summary: In this study, oxoglaucine was found to attenuate progression of deterioration and pathological changes in osteoarthritis by activating autophagy and inhibiting calcium influx. It suppressed expression of proinflammatory and apoptosis-related proteins, prevented matrix degradation in OA chondrocytes, and blocked Ca2+ influx while up-regulating autophagic markers. Oxoglaucine shows potential as a candidate drug for OA treatment.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng-Wei Lu, Chen-Jung Lin, Pei-Wen Hsieh, Kuan-Ming Chiu, Ming-Yi Lee, Tzu-Yu Lin, Su-Jane Wang
Summary: This study investigates the role of HFP034, a synthesized anthranilate derivative, in the central glutamatergic system. The results show that HFP034 inhibits excessive release of glutamate and has neuroprotective effects. The study suggests that the inhibitory effect of HFP034 is achieved through the suppression of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels and PKC/MARCKS pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noushin Ahmadpour, Meher Kantroo, Jillian L. Stobart
Summary: Astrocytes play crucial roles in the brain by modulating microdomain calcium events, which are diverse and complex in nature. These events are regulated by different signaling mechanisms and can impact synaptic activity, blood flow, and even behaviors. Rapid microdomain calcium events in astrocytes are linked to local neuronal circuit activity, highlighting their importance in brain function.
Review
Neurosciences
Byoung Ju Lee, Che Ho Yang, Seung Yeon Lee, Suk-Ho Lee, Yujin Kim, Won-Kyung Ho
Summary: The coupling distance between VGCCs and synaptic vesicles determines the VGCC dependence of spontaneous release at synapses, with tightly coupled synapses showing significant VGCC contribution while loosely coupled synapses have minimal VGCC involvement.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tiago Rodrigues, Silvia Piccirillo, Simona Magi, Alessandra Preziuso, Vyctoria dos Santos Ramos, Tiziano Serfilippi, Monia Orciani, Marcela Maciel Palacio Alvarez, Ivarne Luis dos Santos Tersariol, Salvatore Amoroso, Vincenzo Lariccia
Summary: Spatial and temporal control of calcium levels is crucial for cell activities. Na+/Ca2+ exchangers (NCXs) play a role in maintaining calcium homeostasis and supporting cellular metabolism. Preserving a timed and balanced NCX activity has therapeutic potential for various diseases.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco Sadras, Teneale A. Stewart, Melanie Robitaille, Amelia A. Peters, Priyakshi Kalita-de Croft, Patsy S. Soon, Jodi M. Saunus, Sunil R. Lakhani, Sarah J. Roberts-Thomson, Gregory R. Monteith
Summary: The role of calcium signalling pathways in inducing CAF phenotype has not been fully explored. A CAF model was generated by stimulating normal human mammary fibroblast cells with TGF beta 1, leading to altered calcium influx pathways. Upregulation of VGCCs Ca(V)1.2 and Ca(V)3.2 was observed in both the model and patient-derived breast CAFs, and inhibiting these channels impaired CAF activation. Targeting calcium signalling in breast CAFs could have a therapeutic potential.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chin-Meng Ko, Chee-Kin Then, Yen-Kuang Lin, Yu-Ming Kuo, Shing-Chuan Shen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of far-infrared (FIR) on lead-induced renal damage and found that FIR mitigated the damage by modulating calcium influx and optimizing mitochondrial function, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic approach for lead toxicity in the kidneys.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)