Review
Oncology
Gulimirerouzi Fnu, Georg F. Weber
Summary: Cancer metastasis is associated with alterations in calcium, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium, and chloride homeostasis. Various drug candidates aimed at reversing these changes are in different stages of testing, with challenges including differences among tumor types and potential side effects from affecting healthy cells as well as transformed cells.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tulay Turk, Murat Olgac Kangal
Summary: This study used chlorination technique to extract potassium chloride from potassium feldspar ore in Turkey, and determined the most suitable and economical additive through testing different salts. The results showed that a mixture of CaCl2 and NaCl achieved higher efficiency in potassium dissolution.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Alicia R. L. Saavedra, Juan D. Rios-Mera, Alexander Iman, Jessy Vasquez, Erick Saldana, Raul Siche, Fernando Tello
Summary: The study found that a reduction of 50% in NaCl content can be achieved without affecting the parameters of the burgers, and calcium chloride (CaCl2) is more compatible with the product at 50% substitution for NaCl. The research highlights the importance of first studying NaCl reduction and then incorporating NaCl substitutes.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Lais Campelo Mendes, Gabriela Magnolia Melo Viana, Ana Leonor Abrahao Nencioni, Daniel Carvalho Pimenta, Emidio Beraldo-Neto
Summary: The scorpion family Buthidae includes arthropods whose venom contains diverse biomolecules, including neurotoxins that target ion channels in cell membranes. Disturbances in ion channel activity can lead to channelopathies, causing a range of diseases. Scorpion peptides offer potential as resources for developing drugs that specifically target ion channels. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ion channels, scorpion toxins, and potential areas for future research, emphasizing the significance of scorpion venom in discovering novel drugs for treating channelopathies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Enling Zhan, Jie Jiang, Ying Wang, Kexin Zhang, Tao Tang, Yiqu Chen, Zhongqiang Jia, Qiuxia Wang, Chunqing Zhao
Summary: This study identified a homolog Shisa gene in the two-spotted spider mite and functionally examined its role as the auxiliary subunit of GABARs. Electrophysiological assays confirmed the formation of a functional GABA-activated channel in Xenopus laevis oocytes. These findings contribute to the understanding of invertebrate Shisa and its involvement in inhibitory transmission.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jie Liu, Xuewei Li, Ning Xu, Huirong Han, Xiangling Li
Summary: Proteinuria is a common manifestation of kidney diseases and is associated with renal dysfunction, disease progression, and increased mortality. Ion channels play a significant role in the mechanisms underlying proteinuria and offer potential therapeutic targets for treating and delaying the progression of kidney diseases.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chiara Capitani, Ginevra Chioccioli Altadonna, Michele Santillo, Elena Lastraioli
Summary: Despite improvements in treatment, lung cancer continues to be a major global health problem. Adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype, while Small Cell Lung Cancer is the most challenging and difficult to treat. The standard care for these patients involves surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The search for novel biomarkers that can aid in diagnosis and therapy is crucial.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marbella Quinonez, Marino DiFranco, Fenfen Wu, Stephen C. Cannon
Summary: Recurrent episodes of weakness in periodic paralysis are caused by intermittent loss of muscle fibre excitability. Retigabine, a potassium channel opener, can prevent the episodic loss of force and enhance recovery in mouse models of HypoPP. The protection and rescue effects of retigabine are well within the therapeutic window.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Noushin Mohammadifard, Faezeh Moazeni, Fatemeh Azizian-Farsani, Mojgan Gharipour, Elham Khosravi, Ladan Sadeghian, Asieh Mansouri, Shahin Shirani, Nizal Sarrafzadegan
Summary: This study examined the effect of genetic variation in salt taste receptors on dietary salt intake and blood pressure in the Iranian population. It found that certain genotypes were associated with higher sodium consumption and diastolic blood pressure. These genetic variations may be related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk in this population.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Nowicka-Bauer, Monika Szymczak-Cendlak
Summary: Sperm motility is closely linked to the sensitivity and specificity of ion channels, with different ion channels interacting to ensure timely and efficient fertilization. The activation and modulation of these channels play key roles in regulating sperm motility in animals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Elaine A. dos Santos, Alline Emannuele C. Ribeiro, Aryane R. Oliveira, Maria Lucia G. Monteiro, Eliane T. Marsico, Marcelo Morgano, Marcio Caliari, Manoel S. Soares Junior
Summary: Substituting NaCl with KCl in cooked spam-like products made from mechanically separated tilapia meat had effects on various quality characteristics, such as increased weight loss, fat and water exudation, and decreased hardness. Substitution levels between 15% to 45% showed higher sensory acceptance, with 15% substitution being the most suitable for optimal technological characteristics.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Xuejun Yin, Ellie Paige, Maoyi Tian, Qiang Li, Liping Huang, Jie Yu, Anthony Rodgers, Paul Elliott, Yangfeng Wu, Bruce Neal
Summary: The SSaSS study found that potassium-enriched salt can have definitive effects on cardiovascular outcomes and death. By quantifying the amount of potassium-enriched salt used, researchers were able to estimate the impact on risk reduction and the potential for population-wide scale-up. The results showed that even a partial replacement of regular salt with potassium-enriched salt can deliver significant health gains.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Valentin K. Gribkoff, Raymond J. Winquist
Summary: Several mutations to members of CNS potassium channel families are associated with rare forms of neonatal onset epilepsy or syndromes with epilepsy characteristics. These mutations significantly increase the probability of generalized seizure disorders and can result in more severe developmental syndromes. Efforts to target these syndromes through pharmacological or genetic modulation have been made.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Mary M. Murphy, Carolyn G. Scrafford, Leila M. Barraj, Xiaoyu Bi, Kelly A. Higgins, Lee-Ann Jaykus, Nga L. Tran
Summary: This study evaluated the potential impact of replacing sodium chloride with potassium chloride on sodium and potassium intakes in the US population. Results showed that the replacement strategy could effectively reduce sodium intake while maintaining potassium intake within recommended levels.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Bingqian Wang, Xiaopeng Li, Ning Yu, Liang Yang, Chengrui Nan, Lisi Guo, Zongmao Zhao
Summary: This study found that the expression levels of alpha 2 delta 1 and TSP1/2 in brain tissues can be altered by ICH, which in turn affects synapse formation and functional recovery.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
William J. Brackenbury
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between lecture capture usage and examination performance of undergraduate students, finding no significant correlation between the two. However, recorded disability and non-UK nationality were identified as potential factors predicting poorer performance. This suggests that lecture capture may not have a significant impact on academic performance at higher education institutions.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Anna Simon, Ming Yang, Joanne L. Marrison, Andrew D. James, Mark J. Hunt, Peter J. O'Toole, Paul M. Kaye, Miles A. Whittington, Sangeeta Chawla, William J. Brackenbury
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2020)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Theresa K. Leslie, Lotte Bruckner, Sangeeta Chawla, William J. Brackenbury
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Osbaldo Lopez-Charcas, Piyasuda Pukkanasut, Sadanandan E. Velu, William J. Brackenbury, Tim G. Hales, Pierre Besson, Juan Carlos Gomora, Sebastien Roger
Summary: Aberrant expression of Na-V channels in cancer cells promotes aggressive behavior, suggesting that they could be potential pharmacological targets for anticancer treatments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mia A. Shandell, Alina L. Capatina, Samantha M. Lawrence, William J. Brackenbury, Dimitris Lagos
Summary: This study reveals the impact of the ionic tumor microenvironment on immune checkpoint protein expression and function. The inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) has been found to regulate the activity of the immune checkpoint protein indoleamine-pyrrole 2',3'-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). Cardiac glycosides like ouabain and digoxin inhibit IDO1 activity by increasing intracellular Na+ levels, resulting in the down-regulation of IDO1 mRNA and protein levels. The knockdown of ATP1A1, the alpha 1 subunit of NKA, enhances the effect of cardiac glycosides on IDO1 expression.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Theo Issitt, Laura Wiggins, Martin Veysey, Sean T. Sweeney, William J. Brackenbury, Kelly Redeker
Summary: Volatile compounds in human breath can reflect the inner workings of the body, but the identification of breath biomarkers remains inconsistent and conflicting. This study grouped volatile organic compounds into chemical functional groups to improve biomarker discovery. The results show that using targeted functional volatile biomarkers, rather than individual compounds, can improve accuracy and success in diagnostic research and application.
JOURNAL OF BREATH RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Andrew D. James, Theresa K. Leslie, Joshua D. Kaggie, Laura Wiggins, Lewis Patten, John Murphy O'Duinn, Swen Langer, Marie-Christine Labarthe, Frank Riemer, Gabrielle Baxter, Mary A. McLean, Fiona J. Gilbert, Aneurin J. Kennerley, William J. Brackenbury
Summary: In this study, the diagnostic and treatment-monitoring potential of sodium (Na-23) MRI in breast cancer was demonstrated. The researchers found elevated sodium concentration in tumor regions compared to non-tumor regions, and combining Na-23 MRI with other imaging measurements improved the accuracy of tumor classification. This novel MRI method also showed superior sensitivity in assessing treatment response compared to traditional methods.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jodie R. Malcolm, Natasha K. Leese, Philippa Lamond-Warner, William J. Brackenbury, Robert J. White
Summary: Transcription of tRNA genes is tightly regulated by RNA polymerase III (Pol III), but dysregulated Pol III transcription is widely observed in cancers, with ER alpha acting as a key driver in breast cancer. ER alpha interacts with hundreds of tRNA genes, not only in MCF-7 cells, but also in primary human breast tumours and distant metastases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander S. Haworth, Samantha L. Hodges, Alina L. Capatina, Lori L. Isom, Christoph G. Baumann, William J. Brackenbury
Summary: The beta 1 subunit of the voltage-gated Na+ channel plays a crucial role in alpha subunit function in breast cancer cells. It is cleaved by secretases, releasing extracellular and intracellular domains, and gamma-secretase may be important in breast cancer. The ICD of beta 1 is necessary and sufficient to increase Na+ current at the plasma membrane.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Theo Issitt, Sean T. Sweeney, William J. Brackenbury, Kelly R. Redeker
Summary: Volatile compounds in breath can be used to diagnose and monitor medical conditions, but conflicting results have limited the adoption of this diagnostic approach. This study presents a novel method for volatile sampling from breath, using multi-time-point analysis and ambient air subtraction to effectively measure compound flux as a proxy for active metabolism. This approach could be used for biomarker discovery and diagnosis of diseases.
Review
Neurosciences
Theresa K. Leslie, William J. Brackenbury
Summary: Cancers of epithelial origin, including breast, prostate, cervical, gastric, colon, and lung cancer, are responsible for a significant number of deaths worldwide. Recent research has shown that these tumors have abnormally high concentrations of Na+ ions, which may be due to elevated intracellular [Na+]. This abnormal sodium regulation in cancer cells is associated with poor clinical outcomes and provides opportunities for targeted therapy.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Caroline Fairhurst, Fabiola Martin, Ian Watt, Martin Bland, Tim Doran, William J. Brackenbury
Summary: Antiepileptic and antiarrhythmic drugs that inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels have been shown to reduce tumor growth and metastasis in preclinical studies. This retrospective cohort study investigated the association between the use of voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitors and survival in patients with breast, bowel, and prostate cancer. The results showed that exposure to VGSC inhibitors was associated with increased cancer-specific mortality, while exposure to class 1c and 1d antiarrhythmics was associated with improved survival.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura Wiggins, Alice Lord, Killian L. Murphy, Stuart E. Lacy, Peter J. O'Toole, William J. Brackenbury, Julie Wilson
Summary: CellPhe is a pattern recognition toolkit that enables unbiased characterization of cellular phenotypes within time-lapse videos. It imports tracking information from multiple algorithms and provides automated recognition and removal of erroneous cell boundaries. It also offers a variety of feature selection and classification algorithms.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Andrew D. D. James, Katherine P. P. Unthank, Isobel Jones, Nattanan Sajjaboontawee, Rebecca E. E. Sizer, Sangeeta Chawla, Gareth J. O. Evans, William J. J. Brackenbury
Summary: Intracellular Ca2+ signaling and Na+ homeostasis are closely related, with alterations in one ion concentration affecting the other. Elevated intracellular Na+ concentration is observed in breast tumors and aberrant Ca2+ signaling plays a key role in cancer processes. This study investigates the effects of Na+ depletion on intracellular Ca2+ handling in metastatic breast cancer cell lines.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ming Yang, William J. Brackenbury
Summary: Rapid fluctuations in plasma membrane potential (V-m) play a crucial role in both electrically excitable and nonexcitable cells. In tumors, V-m regulation through ion channels has therapeutic potential, affecting cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, immune infiltration, and pH regulation. Clinical trials with ion channel-modulating compounds and pulsed electric fields are underway. This article provides an update on the functional significance of V-m regulation in tumors and highlights ongoing research and future therapeutic opportunities.
Article
Cell Biology
Dominic Tscherrig, Rajesh Bhardwaj, Daniel Biner, Jan Dernic, Daniela Ross-Kaschitza, Christine Peinelt, Matthias A. Hediger, Martin Lochner
Summary: Changes in Ca2+ levels regulate many physiological functions, and the endoplasmic reticulum is the major Ca2+ store in cells. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a refilling process that involves protein-protein interactions between Ca2+ sensing STIM in the ER and Orai proteins in the plasma membrane, forming selective Ca2+ channels. Abnormal SOCE is associated with diseases and cancers, making STIM and Orai important therapeutic targets. Novel GSK-7975A-based molecular probes have been developed for studying SOCE in different cells and settings.
Article
Cell Biology
Nicola Fameli, Cornelis van Breemen, Klaus Groschner
Summary: The study provides evidence for the importance of junctional membrane architecture in cellular function. Through modeling and prediction, it is shown that nano-scale membrane spacing plays a crucial role in junctional ER Ca2+ refilling and signaling efficiency. Additionally, interactions between Ca2+ and the phospholipid membrane surface are suggested to support interfacial Ca2+ transport and receptor targeting. This research introduces a new concept in pathophysiology.
Article
Cell Biology
Satomi Ohtsuka, Yumi Miyai, Hiroyuki Mima, Masaki Magari, Yoichi Chiba, Futoshi Suizu, Hiroyuki Sakagami, Masaki Ueno, Hiroshi Tokumitsu
Summary: This study characterized the splice variants of mouse CaMKKI3/2 and found that CaMKKI3-3 and I3-3x were functionally active and likely to be bona fide CaMKIV kinases involved in the regulation of spermiogenesis.