Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shivani Choudhary, Melanie Abongwa, Sudhanva S. Kashyap, Saurabh Verma, Gunnar R. Mair, Daniel Kulke, Richard J. Martin, Alan P. Robertson
Summary: In this study, a GluCls subunit from Brugia malayi was cloned and its pharmacological properties were investigated. The results showed that the receptor was regulated by the natural ligand L-glutamate and ivermectin, and had dual effects when exposed to nodulisporic acid. Furthermore, the unique pharmacological characteristics of this GluCls subunit could explain the variation in drug sensitivities observed in different nematode parasites.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mark D. Kaji, Jennifer D. Noonan, Timothy G. Geary, Robin N. Beech
Summary: The study revealed that MOX inhibits wild-type C. elegans GLC-2 receptors approximately 10 times more potently than IVM, with greater maximal inhibition of glutamate activation. Mutations in amino acid residues can alter the actions of IVM and MOX, highlighting differences in their receptor-level pharmacology.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hannah J. Loghry, Noelle A. Sondjaja, Sarah J. Minkler, Michael J. Kimber
Summary: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by filarial nematodes including Brugia malayi. Current control strategies rely on mass drug administration programs, but established infections are incurable. This study found that parasite-derived galectins have immunomodulatory effects and induce immune phenotypes consistent with chronic LF infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Damien M. O'Halloran
Summary: Glutamate-gated chloride channels are a protein family that are activated by glutamate and serve as targets for antiparasitic drugs. Analysis of a database of predicted glutamate-gated chloride subunit genes from various nematode species revealed patterns of gene count and sequence diversity.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Shivani Choudhary, Sudhanva S. Kashyap, Richard J. Martin, Alan P. Robertson
Summary: This article summarizes the recent advances in nematode ion channel pharmacology, including the updates on different channel types and their pharmacological properties. By comparing the differences in ion channel composition and resulting pharmacology in different nematodes, the importance of pursuing species-specific drug target research is emphasized.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kai-Feng Shen, Xiao-Lin Yang, Guo-Long Liu, Gang Zhu, Zhong-Ke Wang, Xian-Jun Shi, Ting-Ting Wang, Zhi-Feng Wu, Sheng-Qing Lv, Shi-Yong Liu, Hui Yang, Chun-Qing Zhang
Summary: The study revealed that ClC-mediated current was increased in the hippocampal neurons of chronic TLE mice. Application of chloride channel blockers NPPB and DIDS reduced the current and increased inhibitory synaptic transmission in TLE mice. These drugs also decreased seizure frequency and the average power of ictal high-frequency oscillations in TLE mice.
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
Immunology
Laudine M. C. Petralia, Angela van Diepen, Dieu-Linh Nguyen, Lena A. Lokker, Erliyani Sartono, Sasisekhar Bennuru, Thomas B. Nutman, Kenneth Pfarr, Achim Hoerauf, Samuel Wanji, Jeremy M. Foster, Cornelis H. Hokke
Summary: Parasitic nematodes cause chronic disablement in humans worldwide. Current diagnostics for surveillance of filarial diseases have limitations, and improved assays are needed. We studied the glycan antigens of the parasite Brugia malayi and found that they triggered IgG responses. Our findings suggest potential for developing disease-specific diagnostics for filarial disease control.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Kaetlyn T. Ryan, Nicolas J. Wheeler, Isaac K. Kamara, Hailey Johnson, Judith E. Humphries, Mostafa Zamanian, John D. Chan
Summary: Macrocyclic lactones are commonly used to treat parasitic roundworm infections, but their activity against parasitic flatworms has not been thoroughly studied. Ivermectin, a prototypical macrocyclic lactone, is known to be ineffective against flatworms. However, other macrocyclic lactones may have antiparasitic activity on flatworms. In this study, an automated imaging assay combined with measurement of lactate levels was used to screen 21 macrocyclic lactones against adult schistosomes. Several macrocyclic lactones were identified to cause paralysis and lack of lactate production in vitro, but further testing in mice did not show a reduction in worm burden.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Boyuan Huang, Ye Yu, Fengyuan Zhang, Yuhang Liang, Shengyao Su, Mei Zhang, Yuan Zhang, Changjian Li, Shuhong Xie, Jiangyu Li
Summary: A mechanically gated transistor has been developed, abandoning electric gating and utilizing strain-induced flexoelectric polarization to modulate carrier concentration and mimic Piezo channels for artificial tactile perception. This concept can be easily adapted to various semiconducting materials, promoting the fusion between mechanics and electronics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Benjie Li, Ying Yan, Guangkai Yao, Ling Zhang, Fei Lin, Hanhong Xu
Summary: A series of novel pyrazoloquinazolines were synthesized, and pyrazoloquinazoline 5a was found to have high insecticidal activity against the diamondback moth without cross-resistance to fipronil. Electrophysiological experiments suggested that 5a acts on the GABAR and GluCl. The potency of 5a on PxGluCl was 15-fold higher than fipronil, explaining the lack of cross-resistance. Downregulation of PxGluCl transcription significantly enhanced the insecticidal activity of 5a on the diamondback moth.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Declan Manning, L. Fernando Santana
Summary: The authors of this study present an approach using functionalized nanobodies to reduce the activity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels associated with beta(1) subunits and facilitate their removal from the surface membrane of neurons and muscle.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xi Sun, Wenjuan Hua, Kunkun Wang, Jiajia Song, Bin Zhu, Xiwu Gao, Pei Liang
Summary: The frequent use of insecticides has caused insecticide resistance, which poses a threat to global agricultural production. This study identified a novel mutation in the glutamate-gated chloride channel of the diamondback moth, which is responsible for its resistance to the insecticide abamectin. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of abamectin resistance and lay the groundwork for the development of new molecular detection methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Roger K. Prichard
Summary: Heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis and transmitted by mosquitoes, is a lethal disease in dogs and cats. Prevention primarily relies on macrocyclic lactones, with resistance to these drugs being an important issue that requires better testing methods for confirmation and surveillance of resistance levels. Additional research and development of new classes of heartworm preventives are needed to combat the spread of resistance and further disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zongyao Zhou, I-Chun Chen, Lubna M. Rehman, Ammar M. Aboalsaud, Digambar B. Shinde, Li Cao, Yuting Zhang, Zhiping Lai
Summary: Inspired by natural light-gated ion channels, an artificial light-gated ion channel membrane was developed using conjugated microporous polymers. Through precise control of pore size and thickness on a molecular level, the membrane exhibited uniform pore size and highly sensitive light-switchable response for reversible ion transport.