Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pia C. Burboa, Mariela Puebla, Pablo S. Gaete, Walter N. Duran, Mauricio A. Lillo
Summary: Microcirculation homeostasis depends on channels permeable to ions and small molecules, and the Connexin and Pannexin large-pore channel proteins play a vital role in regulating vascular tone and intercellular communication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ka-Lok Li, Sze-Wan Shan, Fang-Yu Lin, Choi-Ying Ling, Nga-Wai Wong, Hoi-Lam Li, Wei Han, Chi-Ho To, Chi-Wai Do
Summary: The study found that melatonin has a significant impact on the secretion of aqueous humor in porcine ciliary epithelium. It stimulates the movement of Cl- and fluid from pigmented cells to non-pigmented cells through the activation of MT3 receptors, thereby increasing aqueous humor secretion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuan Jiang, Biao Lu, Wei Zhang, Yoel P. Ohayon, Feiyang Feng, Shijie Li, Nadrian C. Seeman, Shou-Jun Xiao
Summary: This study demonstrates the formation of planar 2D lattices and tubular structures in DNA nanostructures by designing different tile cores and varying inter-tile distances. By using streptavidin and biotin labeling techniques, the inside and outside surfaces of the tubes can be characterized to determine the tile conformation with addressable faces. Integration of the intrinsic curvature of the tiles with arm twist allows the generation of DNA tubes with right- or left-handed chirality.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Joyce Lin, Anand Abraham, Sharon A. George, Amara Greer-Short, Grace A. Blair, Angel Moreno, Bridget R. Alber, Matthew W. Kay, Steven Poelzing
Summary: Many cardiac pathologies are associated with reduced gap junction coupling. The relationship between the phenotype and functional expression of the connexin gap junction family of proteins is controversial. Low gap junction coupling can be explained by ephaptic coupling theory and can also increase intracellular charge accumulation, resulting in faster transmembrane potential rate of change during depolarization. Studies suggest that conduction reserve is more dependent on ephaptic coupling than charge accumulation during gap junction uncoupling.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Stefan Dhein, Aida Salameh
Summary: The heart relies on gap junction channels to maintain cell-cell coupling for efficient and rapid electrical conduction. Connexin expression and gap junction localization play crucial roles in modulating cardiac electrical properties, ultimately affecting cardiac stability and function.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Micah W. W. Yoder, Nathan T. T. Wright, Maegen A. A. Borzok
Summary: The intercalated disk in the heart is a structure composed of adherens junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions, which provide mechanical stability and electrical synchronization. Calpain proteases, regulated by calcium homeostasis, play an important role in regulating the components of the intercalated disk. This review examines the role of calcium in calpain function, how calpains regulate the activity of specific proteins in the intercalated disk, and the molecular mechanisms behind calpain dysregulation and its impact on heart diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kiel G. Ormerod, Anthony E. Scibelli, J. Troy Littleton
Summary: The Drosophila neuromuscular system has been used to study synaptic development and function, but little is known about specific synaptic alterations on neuromuscular transduction and muscle contractility. Studies show that larval muscle contraction force increases with motoneuron stimulation frequency and duration, with plasticity between 5 and 40 Hz. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations of Ca2+ regulation components affect muscle contraction strength and timing. Identification of a FMRFa peptide and its signaling pathway dramatically improves muscle performance, showcasing Drosophila as a model for studying excitation-contraction coupling.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Fei Huang, Zhizhao Deng, Qian Zhang, Zheng Zhang, Xianlong Li, Weiqi Zeng, Yanling Wang, Ziqing Hei, Dongdong Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the role of connexin32 (Cx32) in liver graft injury and reveals its mechanism of action. Cx32 can regulate multiple signaling pathways to reduce liver graft injury, and it can also exacerbate liver graft injury through the transfer of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Fuqiang Wu, Zhao Yao
Summary: Transition of firing modes via synapse is crucial in neural coding. The dynamics of a neuron-like junction in Josephson junction is explored using a capacitor, nonlinear resistor and supercurrent component. The biophysical mechanism of neuron-like excitability is interpreted using frequency-current curve and bifurcation plane. A coupled model with memristive synapse is proposed to replace synaptic coupling for information exchange, resulting in induced multiple modes controlled by the memristive synapse and synchronized firing states.
NONLINEAR DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga Tarasiuk, Elisa Ballarini, Elisabetta Donzelli, Virginia Rodriguez-Menendez, Mario Bossi, Guido Cavaletti, Arianna Scuteri
Summary: This study investigates the interaction mechanisms between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neurons, revealing the presence of gap junctions and tunneling nanotubes between MSCs and neurons in direct co-cultures. MSCs were found to donate mitochondria to neurons and enhance neuronal survival through cell communication. Additionally, administration of extracellular vesicles derived from direct co-cultures increased neuronal survival.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hongmei Zhu, Qianqian Jia, Yanyan Zhang, Dongming Liu, Diqi Yang, Li Han, Jianguo Chen, Yi Ding
Summary: It is still unclear how ovarian hormones affect goat lactation by regulating cell-cell junctions. This study reveals that ovarian hormones can elevate the expression of cell-cell junction proteins, which may affect intercellular space and molecule transportation between goat mammary epithelial cells. The results suggest that ovarian hormones may play a role in regulating milk production by influencing the expression of cell-cell junction proteins between mammary epithelial cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia M. Lucero, Lucas Marambio-Ruiz, Javiera Balmazabal, Juan Prieto-Villalobos, Marcelo Leon, Paola Fernandez, Juan A. Orellana, Victoria Velarde, Juan C. Saez, Gonzalo Gomez
Summary: This study found that the activation of Cx43 hemichannels and inhibition of cell-cell coupling during inflammation may contribute to oxidative stress and damage of mesangial cells through the RhoA/ROCK pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Rachael P. Norris
Summary: New research has uncovered a novel mechanism for intercellular organelle transfer mediated by Cx43 gap junctions, in which whole organelles including mitochondria and endosomes are incorporated into double-membrane vesicles.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Rodriguez-Sinovas, Jose Antonio Sanchez, Laura Valls-Lacalle, Marta Consegal, Ignacio Ferreira-Gonzalez
Summary: Connexins are transmembrane proteins that are crucial for cardiac physiology, facilitating electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes. Beyond cell-to-cell communication, connexins also play roles in cell death and survival, with additional functions such as opening of hemichannels and involvement in cardioprotection and cell growth. In-depth exploration of connexin biology sheds light on their implications in various aspects of cardiac pathophysiology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Lucila Babio, P. Mark Lokman, Erin L. Damsteegt, Ludovic Dutoit
Summary: Through comparing the transcriptomes at different stages of eel ovaries, this study found that specific genes encoding cell junction proteins may play a role in regulating Vtg uptake. The expression changes of key proteins supported the mechanical barrier hypothesis, and the endocytic pathway was found to be up-regulated during Vtg uptake. The study also provided new sequence data for A. australis.