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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Beata Modzelewska, Krzysztof Drygalski, Hady Razak Hady, Aleksandra Kielczewska, Andrzej Chomentowski, Krzysztof Korycinski, Paulina Gluszynska, Tomasz Kleszczewski
Summary: This study reveals that resveratrol induces relaxation in human gastric smooth muscle through BKCa channels independently of nitric oxide signaling pathways. Resveratrol shows potential as a new drug or health supplement for treating gastrointestinal dyspepsia and other gastric hypermotility disorders, warranting further extensive clinical studies.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
A. Rodriguez Basso, A. Carranza, V. M. Zainutti, H. Bach, S. B. Gorzalczany
Summary: The study demonstrated the significant effectiveness of Minthostachys verticillata in treating digestive disorders by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation-related gene expression, as well as protecting intestinal goblet cells.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gonzalo Ferreira, Axel Santander, Romina Cardozo, Luisina Chavarria, Lucia Dominguez, Nicolas Mujica, Milagros Benitez, Santiago Sastre, Luis Sobrevia, Garth L. Nicolson
Summary: Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels are important for maintaining membrane potential and potassium homeostasis. These channels have various subtypes and can be regulated by molecules found in nutrients, such as phosphoinositols, polyamines, and Mg2+. Changes in Kir channels can affect metabolism and the ability to absorb nutrients and electrolytes. The study of nutrigenomics of ion channels is crucial for understanding how diet and nutrients can impact ion channel function, expression, and lead to pathological conditions that affect diet and electrolyte intake.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiao-Yu Liu, Ling-Ling Qian, Ru-Xing Wang
Summary: This review summarizes the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the regulation of vascular tone, specifically through its interaction with different vascular potassium channels. Studies have shown that H2S plays a key role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases and physiological vascular homeostasis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Alice Mett, Izhar Karbat, Michael Tsoory, Shachar Fine, Shachar Iwanir, Eitan Reuveny
Summary: The GIRK1 subunit plays a crucial role in neuronal processes such as spatial learning and memory, locomotion, and depotentiation following LTP, as demonstrated through studies on YFP-GIRK1 and GIRK1-null mice.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maximilian D. Lyon, Juan J. Ferreira, Ping Li, Shweta Bhagwat, Alice Butler, Kelsey Anderson, Maria Polo, Celia M. Santi
Summary: Sperm cells undergo a complex maturation process after ejaculation, including a hyperpolarization of the cell membrane potential. The ion channel responsible for this process, SLO3, was first cloned in 1998 and has since been studied for its role in sperm maturation and fertility. Recent evidence suggests that SLO3 is more widely expressed in some fish species and is rapidly evolving with low conservation between closely related species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan J. Ferreira, Chinwendu Amazu, Lis C. Puga-Molina, Xiaofeng Ma, Sarah K. England, Celia M. Santi
Summary: Depolarization of the myometrial smooth muscle cell (MSMC) resting membrane potential is crucial for the transition from a quiescent to a contractile state in the uterus, with a coupled system between the Na+-activated K+ channel (SLO2.1) and the non-selective Na+ leak channel (NALCN) playing a key role. The activation of SLO2.1 by Na+ entering through NALCN leads to potassium efflux and membrane hyperpolarization, while a decrease in SLO2.1/NALCN activity induces membrane depolarization and triggers Ca2+ entry for contraction. The close proximity of NALCN and SLO2.1 in human MSMCs allows for functional regulation of membrane potential, cell excitability, and uterine contractility.
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
Neurosciences
Eric A. Bancroft, Martha De La Mora, Gauri Pandey, Sara M. Zarate, Rahul Srinivasan
Summary: Parkinson's disease is associated with increased levels of S100B and its overexpression accelerates the loss of dopaminergic neurons. The study found that S100B can alter the activity of dopamine neurons, providing important insights into the pathophysiology of early Parkinson's disease.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monika Richter-Laskowska, Paulina Trybek, Domenico Vittorio Delfino, Agata Wawrzkiewicz-Jalowiecka
Summary: Potassium channels are integral proteins responsible for the transport of K+ ions through biological membranes. They are important drug targets due to their physiological roles in membrane potential regulation and cell signaling. Flavonoids, a group of biologically active substances found in plants, have been shown to modulate potassium channels and exert beneficial effects on human health. This article presents the current knowledge on the modulation of potassium channels by flavonoids and discusses the potential implications of these changes. It also suggests future research directions in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Annarosa Arcangeli, Claudia Duranti, Jessica Iorio, Elena Lastraioli
Summary: Potassium channels, especially hERG1, play crucial roles in gastrointestinal tumors. hERG1 is frequently expressed in tumors and precancerous lesions of the GI tract and has different impacts on tumor progression based on the tumor type. In precancerous lesions, hERG1 acts as a progression factor, while in advanced cancers it represents a negative prognostic factor. However, in neuroendocrine cancers, hERG1 is a positive prognostic factor. hERG1 in GI tumors can function both as a true channel and in a non-conductive way by forming complexes with different proteins.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Alanah Varricchio, Andrea J. Yool
Summary: This review evaluates the potential therapeutic value of targeting specific combinations of membrane proteins in glioblastoma, which are known to contribute to cell migration and invasiveness. By simultaneously targeting these proteins, it may be possible to exploit the vulnerabilities of glioblastoma cells while minimizing damage to healthy brain cells. Optimizing target selection and doses could lead to innovative methods for controlling the spread of pathological brain tumors and improving the success of current treatments.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Vikram Joshi, Peter R. Strege, Gianrico Farrugia, Arthur Beyder
Summary: Mechanosensation is crucial for gastrointestinal function, with various cell types in the GI tract sensing and transducing mechanical forces into physiological responses. Mechanosensitive cells like sensory neurons and smooth muscle cells play important roles in detecting and responding to mechanical stimuli. This process involves mechano-gated and mechanosensitive ion channels, contributing to rapid mechanotransduction responses.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anu Tyagi, Tofayel Ahmed, Shi Jian, Saumya Bajaj, Seow Theng Ong, Stephanie Shee Min Goay, Yue Zhao, Igor Vorobyov, Changlin Tian, K. George Chandy, Shashi Bhushan
Summary: This study reports two structures of the human voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 – apo-Kv1.3 and dalazatide-Kv1.3. Both structures are in an activated state and show remarkable rearrangements in the selectivity filter. In apo-Kv1.3, the aromatic residue Y447 adopts a unique position diverging from other K+ channels, while in dalazatide-Kv1.3, binding of dalazatide narrows the selectivity filter and stabilizes Y447 in a position similar to other K+ channels. These structural changes play a crucial role in Kv1.3's transition into the drug-blocked state.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Brie M. Reid, Rachael Horne, Bonny Donzella, Jake C. Szamosi, Christopher L. Coe, Jane A. Foster, Megan R. Gunnar
Summary: Early adverse care has long-term impacts on physical and mental health, and there may be a link between gut microbiota and immune alterations.
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Owen D. Luo, Bryce Kwiecien-Delaney, Patrick Martin, Jane A. Foster, Michelle M. Sidor
Summary: This study found that neonatal mice exposed to immune challenge exhibited sexually-dimorphic responses, with male mice showing altered reactivity to swim stress and female mice showing increased neurogenesis in the dorsal hippocampus. These results suggest that exposure to immune challenge during critical developmental periods leads to long-term sexually-dimorphic alterations in stress reactivity and adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Victoria S. Marshe, Malgorzata Maciukiewicz, Anne-Christin Hauschild, Farhana Islam, Li Qin, Arun K. Tiwari, Etienne Sibille, Daniel M. Blumberger, Jordan F. Karp, Alastair J. Flint, Gustavo Turecki, Raymond W. Lam, Roumen Milev, Benicio N. Frey, Susan Rotzinger, Jane A. Foster, Sidney H. Kennedy, James L. Kennedy, Benoit H. Mulsant, Charles F. Reynolds, Eric J. Lenze, Daniel J. Muller
Summary: The study investigated the genetic architecture of antidepressant response in older adults with depression using genome-wide approaches, identifying potential genetic variants and risk factors that may influence treatment outcomes. The findings highlighted the importance of genes related to protein degradation pathways, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease in late-life depression remission, suggesting a link between vascular dysfunction and successful treatment outcomes.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Grace Teskey, Evdokia Anagnostou, Deepali Mankad, Sharon Smile, Wendy Roberts, Jessica Brian, Dawn M. E. Bowdish, Jane A. Foster
Summary: Systemic inflammation may exacerbate behaviors characteristic of ASD in children, as higher levels of circulating cytokines have been observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies have shown that markers of intestinal permeability and acute phase proteins are associated with more severe behavioral phenotypes in young children with ASD.
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saumeh Saeedi, Corina Nagy, Pascal Ibrahim, Jean-Francois Theroux, Marina Wakid, Laura M. Fiori, Jennie Yang, Susan Rotzinger, Jane A. Foster, Naguib Mechawar, Sidney H. Kennedy, Gustavo Turecki
Summary: This study demonstrated that changes in peripherally isolated neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEV) can serve as clinically accessible biomarkers for antidepressant treatment response, characterized by smaller size and enriched brain function-related miRNAs.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Giorgia Caspani, Gustavo Turecki, Raymond W. Lam, Roumen V. Milev, Benicio N. Frey, Glenda M. MacQueen, Daniel J. Muller, Susan Rotzinger, Sidney H. Kennedy, Jane A. Foster, Jonathan R. Swann
Summary: Caspani et al. demonstrate sex-specific plasma lipoproteins that can predict response to common antidepressants. They find that lipoproteins of the same class but different in size and density have unique associations with depression and treatment response, emphasizing the importance of evaluating lipoprotein subclasses in depression research.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Amanda K. Ceniti, Wegdan R. Abdelmoemin, Keith Ho, Yudi Kang, Franca Placenza, Rachel Laframboise, Venkat Bhat, Jane A. Foster, Benicio N. Frey, Raymond W. Lam, Roumen Milev, Susan Rotzinger, Claudio N. Soares, Rudolf Uher, Sidney H. Kennedy
Summary: The study examines the experiences and satisfaction levels of Canadian mental health care users and providers with remote care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of participants expressed satisfaction with remote care, highlighting the convenience and speed of provision. However, all groups were least satisfied with therapeutic rapport. The use of video-based platforms and attention to visual cues were associated with higher user satisfaction. Most participants reported a likelihood of continuing to use remote care after the pandemic.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jane A. Foster, Glen B. Baker, Serdar M. Dursun
Summary: Understanding the role of the immune system and gut microbiome in major depressive disorder is crucial for improving treatment and prevention strategies. Interventions targeting gut microbes have shown promise in preclinical studies and may hold potential for treating MDD, but large clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness. Further research on the gut microbiome-immune system-brain axis is necessary to uncover new treatment targets and improve outcomes for individuals with MDD.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giorgia Caspani, Miranda Green, Jonathan R. Swann, Jane A. Foster
Summary: The interaction between the immune system and the brain is crucial for neuronal development. The gut microbiota plays a critical role in immune system development and function. This study found that in the absence of T-cells, the developmental trajectory of the gut microbiota and the host's metabolic profile were altered.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Darren J. Fernandes, Shoshana Spring, Christina Corre, Andrew Tu, Lily R. Qiu, Christopher Hammill, Dulcie A. Vousden, T. Leigh Spencer Noakes, Brian J. Nieman, Dawn M. E. Bowdish, Jane A. Foster, Mark R. Palmert, Jason P. Lerch
Summary: This study used magnetic resonance imaging to explore the neuroanatomical differences in genetically modified mice with immune system dysfunction. The findings revealed significant and heterogeneous effects on the brains of male and female mice. By imaging the whole brain and using Bayesian hierarchical modeling, patterns within the phenotype were identified, with certain brain structures being more likely to be affected by immune dysfunction. A brain-behavior relationship was also discovered, with neuroanatomy endophenotypes clustering according to anxiety-like behavior phenotypes reported in literature.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Helena K. Kim, Gwyneth Zai, Daniel J. Mueller, Muhammad Husain, Raymond W. Lam, Benicio N. Frey, Claudio N. Soares, Sagar Parikh, Roumen Milev, Jane A. Foster, Gustavo Turecki, Faranak Farzan, Benoit H. Mulsant, Sidney H. Kennedy, Shreejoy J. Tripathy, Stefan Kloiber
Summary: This study explores the relationship between the endocannabinoidome and major depressive disorder (MDD), and identifies lower methylation levels of the DAGLA gene as a potential marker for treatment outcomes in MDD. Further research is needed to explore the significance of DAGLA methylation in MDD treatment.
PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cassandra Francella, Miranda Green, Giorgia Caspani, Jonathan K. Y. Lai, Kelly C. Rilett, Jane A. Foster
Summary: Decades of research have established the important role of microbiota-brain communication in behavior and brain function. This study investigated the impact of postnatal stress on microbe-brain interactions and behavior in mice. The results revealed that T-cell deficiency and stress were associated with changes in microbiota diversity and composition, as well as alterations in behavior. Integrated analysis identified key bacterial taxa that may be crucial for brain development. These findings contribute to our understanding of the influence of genetic and environmental factors on gut microbiota and their effects on neurodevelopment and behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Farzad Mohammadi, Miranda Green, Emma Tolsdorf, Karine Greffard, Mickael Leclercq, Jean-Francois Bilodeau, Arnaud Droit, Jane Foster, Nicolas Bertrand, Iwona Rudkowska
Summary: This study compared the effects of consuming 2-3% industrially originated trans-fatty acids (I-tFAs) and ruminant trans-fatty acids (R-tFAs) on gut microbiome and fecal metabolite profiles in mice. Results showed that TPA intake decreased the abundance of Staphylococcus sp55 but increased Staphylococcus sp119. EA intake also increased the abundance of Staphylococcus sp119 but decreased Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Lachnospiraceae, and Clostridium sensu stricto 1. Fecal short-chain fatty acids were increased after TPA while decreased after EA after 7 and 28 days. This study highlights the distinct effects of TPA and EA on specific microbial taxa and fecal metabolite profiles.
Article
Immunology
Cherise R. Chin Fatt, J. David Farrar, Manish K. Jha, Abu Minhajuddin, Taryn Mayes, Jane A. Foster, Madhukar H. Trivedi
Summary: This study utilized mass cytometry to explore the cellular mechanisms underlying immune dysregulation in adolescents with recent suicidal behavior. The findings suggest distinct immune dysfunctions in suicidal adolescents compared to healthy controls.
BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, & IMMUNITY - HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wolfgang Marx, Melissa Lane, Meghan Hockey, Hajara Aslam, Michael Berk, Ken Walder, Alessandra Borsini, Joseph Firth, Carmine M. Pariante, Kirsten Berding, John F. Cryan, Gerard Clarke, Jeffrey M. Craig, Kuan-Pin Su, David Mischoulon, Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, Jane A. Foster, Patrice D. Cani, Sandrine Thuret, Heidi M. Staudacher, Almudena Sanchez-Villegas, Husnain Arshad, Tasnime Akbaraly, Adrienne O'Neil, Toby Segasby, Felice N. Jacka
Summary: Nutritional psychiatry research suggests that healthy dietary patterns may play a role in depression onset and symptom management. The mechanisms of action are complex, multifaceted, and interact with each other, not restricted to any single biological pathway.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
