Search results for "CHANNELS"
showing 10 items of 411 documents
Zinc accelerates respiratory burst termination in human PMN
2021
The respiratory burst of phagocytes is essential for human survival. Innate immune defence against pathogens relies strongly on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the NADPH oxidase (NOX2). ROS kill pathogens while the translocation of electrons across the plasma membrane via NOX2 depolarizes the cell. Simultaneously, protons are released into the cytosol. Here, we compare freshly isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to the granulocytes-like cell line PLB 985. We are recording ROS production while inhibiting the charge compensating and pH regulating voltage-gated proton channel (HV1). The data suggests that human PMN and the PLB 985 generate ROS via a general mechanism,…
Bax inhibitor-1 is likely a pH-sensitive calcium leak channel, not a H+/Ca2+ exchanger.
2014
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a key role in the synthesis, folding, and sorting of proteins, and disturbances of this delicate system can cause cell death. The ER also serves as the major intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) store, and release of Ca(2+) from this store controls diverse cellular functions. At the interface of both these functions of the ER is Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1), an evolutionarily conserved multifunctional protein that mediates Ca(2+) efflux from the ER and protects against ER stress. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how BI-1 might mediate Ca(2+) efflux from the ER. Chang et al. present structural evidence that a bacterial homolog of BI-1, BsYetJ, is a pH…
HPLC demonstration that an all Trp--Phe replacement in gramicidin A results in a conformational rearrangement from beta-helical monomer to double-str…
1995
We have taken advantage of our previously reported high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) strategy to investigate the conformational behavior of the optically reversed gramicidin M (gM-), an analog of gramicidin A with all tryptophans replaced by phenylalanines, in different model membranes. It is quantitatively demonstrated for the first time that once inserted in the lipid environment, gM- (unlike the native peptide) undergoes a conformational transition from beta-helical monomers to thermodynamically stable double-stranded dimers. This transition is faster the higher the incubation temperature and can be neatly observed in both small unilamellar phospholipid vesicles and lysophos…
Relaxant and antiadrenergic effects of ranolazine in human saphenous vein.
2019
Abstract OBJECTIVES Ranolazine improves vascular function in animal models. We evaluate the effects of ranolazine on vascular function and adrenergic response in human saphenous vein. METHODS Rings from 53 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were mounted in organ baths. Concentration–response curves to ranolazine were constructed in rings precontracted with phenylephrine, endothelin-1, vasopressin, KCl and the thromboxane A2 analogue U-46619. In rings precontracted with phenylephrine, relaxation to ranolazine was tested in the absence and presence of endothelial factors inhibitors, K+ channel blockers and verapamil. The effects of ranolazine on frequency–response and concent…
TRPV1 channels in nitric oxide-mediated signalling: insight on excitatory transmission in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons
2022
Nitric oxide (NO) is a fascinating signalling molecule implicated in a plethora of biological functions, especially at the synaptic level. Exploring neurotransmission in the hippocampus could be instrumental in the individuation of putative targets for nitric-oxide mediated neuromodulation, especially in terms of the potential repercussions on fundamental processes i.e. synaptic plasticity and excitability-related phenomena. Among these targets, endovanilloid signalling constitutes an object of study since Transient Receptors Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channels possess a NO-sensitive gate modulating its activation. Also, NO has been referred to as a mediator for numerous endocannabinoid effec…
Solution NMR structure of aD,L-alternating oligonorleucine as a model of ?-helix
2001
beta-Helix structures are of particular interest due to their capacity to form transmembrane channels with different transport properties. However, the relatively large number of beta-helices configurations does not allow a direct conformational analysis of beta-helical oligopeptides. A synthetic alternating D,L-oligopeptide with twelve norleucines (XIIMe) has been used as a model to get insight in the conformational features of beta-helix structures. The spatial configuration of XIIMe in solution has been determined by NMR. An extensive set of distances (nuclear Overhauser effect) and dihedral (J coupling constants) constraints have been included in molecular dynamics calculations. The NMR…
Optical state engineering, quantum communication, and robustness of entanglement promiscuity in three-mode Gaussian states
2006
We present a novel, detailed study on the usefulness of three-mode Gaussian states states for realistic processing of continuous-variable quantum information, with a particular emphasis on the possibilities opened up by their genuine tripartite entanglement. We describe practical schemes to engineer several classes of pure and mixed three-mode states that stand out for their informational and/or entanglement properties. In particular, we introduce a simple procedure -- based on passive optical elements -- to produce pure three-mode Gaussian states with {\em arbitrary} entanglement structure (upon availability of an initial two-mode squeezed state). We analyze in depth the properties of dist…
Atomic teleportation via cavity QED and position measurements: efficiency analysis
2008
We have recently presented a novel protocol to teleport an unknown atomic state via cavity QED and position measurements. Here, after a brief review of our scheme, we provide a quantitative study of its efficiency. This is accomplished by an explicit description of the measurement process that allows us to derive the fidelity with respect to the atomic internal state to be teleported.
Direct Top-Quark Width Measurement at CDF
2010
7 páginas, 2 figuras, 2 tablas.-- CDF Collaboration: et al.
Oligophenylenevinylenes in Spatially Confined Nanochannels: Monitoring Intermolecular Interactions by UV/Vis and Raman Spectroscopy
2008
Perhydrotriphenylene-based channel-forming inclusion compounds (ICs) and thin films made of polyphenylenevinylene (PPV)-type oligomers with terminal alkoxy groups are investigated and compared in a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Interchromophore interactions and host-guest interactions are elucidated by UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The impact of the local environment of the chromophore on the optical and photophysical properties is discussed in light of quantum-chemical calculations. In stark contrast to thin films where preferential side-by-side orientation leads to quenching of photoluminescence (PL) via non-emissive traps, the ICs are found to be attractive materials f…