Review
Microbiology
Eduardo Villalobo, Gabriel Gutierrez, Antonio Villalobo
Summary: Calcium is a universal second messenger that plays a key role in cellular signaling. Calmodulin is a small protein that binds calcium ions and controls many essential aspects of cell physiology. In Paramecium, calmodulin is involved in regulating cilia function and enzyme activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ignacio Vega-Vasquez, Pedro Lobos, Jorge Toledo, Tatiana Adasme, Andrea Paula-Lima, Cecilia Hidalgo
Summary: The hippocampus, an important brain region for synaptic plasticity and memory formation, expresses the RyR3 channel isoform in dendritic spines of rat primary hippocampal neurons. In contrast, the RyR2 isoform is mainly expressed in the neuronal body and neurites but absent from dendritic spines. This asymmetric distribution may play a crucial role in hippocampal neuronal function, particularly in regulating synaptic plasticity and memory processes.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Virology
P. Sanjai Kumar, Anukrishna Radhakrishnan, Tathagata Mukherjee, Somlata Khamaru, Soma Chattopadhyay, Subhasis Chattopadhyay
Summary: This review highlights the importance of Ca2+ in diverse viruses and the role of Ca2+-conducting TRP channels in viral pathophysiology. TRP channels play a crucial role in various viral life-cycle events and may act as a target for antiviral therapeutics.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shuai Xiong, Hui Xiao, Meng Sun, Yunjie Liu, Ling Gao, Ke Xu, Haiying Liang, Nan Jiang, Yuhui Lin, Lei Chang, Haiyin Wu, Dongya Zhu, Chunxia Luo
Summary: This study found that the expression and function of the BEST1 channel increased within the peri-infarct region from 8 to 48 hours after ischemic stroke in mice. Interfering with BEST1 protein expression or inhibiting channel function showed neuroprotective effects and improved motor functional deficits. Pharmacological inhibition of BEST1 during 6-72 hours post-ischemia prevented the expansion of infarct volume and exacerbation of neurological functions.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zheng Fang Yang, Pankaj Panwar, Ciaran R. McFarlane, Wietske E. Tuinte, Marta Campiglio, Filip Van Petegem
Summary: Junctophilins (JPH) are proteins that connect the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic or sarcoplasmic reticulum, facilitating communication between proteins in different membranes. This study presents crystal structures of two JPH isoforms, revealing their importance in muscle excitation-contraction coupling. Various mutations in JPH2 and the L-type calcium channel affect their interaction and have been linked to cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmia, respectively.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Joel Nieto-Felipe, Alvaro Macias-Diaz, Jose Sanchez-Collado, Alejandro Berna-Erro, Isaac Jardin, Gines M. Salido, Jose J. Lopez, Juan A. Rosado
Summary: Store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is essential for maintaining intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and regulating cellular functions. STIM and Orai proteins mediate SOCE, which is initiated by activation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors. STIM proteins sense the decrease in endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ concentration and activate plasma membrane Ca2+ channels formed by Orai proteins. STIM1/Orai-mediated Ca2+ signals finely regulate the activity of various transcription factors and influence multiple signaling events and cellular functions.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Wenli Dai, Sneha Kesaraju, Christopher R. Weber
Summary: Healthy cardiac conduction relies on coordinated electrical activity of distinct populations of cardiomyocytes. Disruption of cell-cell conduction can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, with genetic factors potentially playing a major role in the development of atrial fibrillation by disrupting calcium handling mechanisms. Further research into how genetic alterations can trigger arrhythmias provides insights into the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Megan S. Valentine, Judith Van Houten
Summary: Holotrichous ciliates, such as Paramecium, swim by beating their cilia, which are controlled by ion channels. This control not only affects swimming speed and direction, but also helps cells sense and avoid dangerous environments.
JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Toshiko Yamazawa, Takuya Kobayashi, Nagomi Kurebayashi, Masato Konishi, Satoru Noguchi, Takayoshi Inoue, Yukiko U. Inoue, Ichizo Nishino, Shuichi Mori, Hiroto Iinuma, Noriaki Manaka, Hiroyuki Kagechika, Arkady Uryash, Jose Adams, Jose R. Lopez, Xiaochen Liu, Christine Diggle, Paul D. Allen, Sho Kakizawa, Keigo Ikeda, Bangzhong Lin, Yui Ikemi, Kazuto Nunomura, Shinsaku Nakagawa, Takashi Sakurai, Takashi Murayama
Summary: The study shows that an oxolinic acid-derivative RyR1 inhibitor can effectively prevent and treat various malignant hyperthermia (MH) and heat stroke mouse models.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
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)
Article
Oncology
Enrique Perez-Riesgo, Elena Hernando-Perez, Veronica Feijoo, Sendoa Tajada, Lucia Nunez, Carlos Villalobos
Summary: In colorectal cancer (CRC), the activation of c-Myc oncogene leads to overexpression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key enzyme in polyamine synthesis. The ODC suicide inhibitor DFMO can potentially be used as a treatment for CRC. Our study showed that DFMO can reverse the remodeling of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and the changes in the transcription of Ca2+ transport-related genes in CRC cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Reva, David A. DiGregorio, Denis S. Grebenkov
Summary: The paper introduces an analytical solution for exploring dynamic stochastic reaction-diffusion problems, considering important statistical features of calcium ion diffusion, buffering, and binding/unbinding reactions with a calcium sensor for synaptic vesicle fusion simultaneously. The kinetics of unbinding are shown to significantly impact submillisecond sensor occupancy probability. This analytical tool allows systematic exploration of the influence of various biophysical parameters on molecular interactions within cells, serving as a building block for more generalized cell signaling simulators.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco F. De-Miguel
Summary: This review discusses the calcium-dependent release of transmitters and peptides in neurons, focusing on the somatic release of serotonin by the leech Retzius neuron. It highlights the cooperative actions of different calcium sources, including L-type channels, ryanodine receptors, and IP3 receptors, in inducing exocytosis. The article also notes the disadvantage of the calcium-releasing endoplasmic reticulum near the plasma membrane in hindering vesicle transport and increasing the energy cost of release.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Gleitze, Andrea Paula-Lima, Marco T. Nunez, Cecilia Hidalgo
Summary: Iron plays a crucial role in the physiological function of biological systems, particularly in the development of normal cognitive functions in the brain, but its deregulation can lead to neuronal damage and death. Ferroptosis, a newly described iron-dependent cell death pathway, differs morphologically, biochemically, and genetically from other types of cell death. It involves iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, depletion of the endogenous antioxidant glutathione, and altered mitochondrial morphology.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Benjamin R. Rost, Jonas Wietek, Ofer Yizhar, Dietmar Schmitz
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the presynaptic applications of optogenetic tools, discussing the challenges, limitations, and future directions. Optogenetic actuators enable precise control of presynaptic functions, such as light-mediated neurotransmitter release, presynaptic inhibition, induction of synaptic plasticity, and manipulation of individual components of the presynaptic machinery.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)