Search results for "Potential"

Novel cationic solid-lipid nanoparticles as non-viral vectors for gene delivery.

2007

In this paper, the suitability of novel cationic solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as a nonviral transfection agent for gene delivery was investigated. SLN were produced by using the microemulsion method and Compritol ATO 888 as matrix lipid, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide as charge carrier and Pluronic F68 as surfactant. Obtained nanoparticles were approximately 120 nm in size and positively charged, with a zeta potential value equal to +45 mV in twice-distilled water. Cationic SLN were able to form stable complexes with DNA and to protect DNA against DNase I digestion. The SLN-DNA complexes were characterized by mean diameter and zeta potential measurements. In vitro studies on human l…

Cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis by cajanin stilbene acid from Cajanus cajan in breast cancer cells

2015

Abstract Background: The low abundant cajanin stilbene acid (CSA) from Pigeon Pea ( Cajanus cajan ) has been shown to kill estrogen receptor α positive cancer cells in vitro and in vivo . Downstream effects such as cell cycle and apoptosis-related mechanisms have not been analyzed yet. Material and methods: We analyzed the activity of CSA by means of flow cytometry (cell cycle distribution, mitochondrial membrane potential, MMP), confocal laser scanning microscopy (MMP), DNA fragmentation assay (apoptosis), Western blotting (Bax and Bcl-2 expression, caspase-3 activation) as well as mRNA microarray hybridization and Ingenuity pathway analysis. Results: CSA induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis …

Cellular physiology of the neonatal rat cerebral cortex.

2003

The early development of the cerebral cortex is characterized by neurogenesis, neuronal migration, cellular differentiation and programmed cell death. Cajal-Retzius cells, developing cortical plate neurons and subplate cells form a transient synaptic circuit which may serve as a template for the formation of cortical layers and columns. These three neuronal cell types show distinct electrophysiological properties and synaptic inputs. Endogenous or exogenous harmful disturbances during this developmental period may lead to the preservation of early cortical circuits, which may act as trigger zones for the initiation of pathophysiological activity.

Odorant binding changes the electrical properties of olfactory receptors at the nanoscale

2021

Olfactory receptors (ORs) comprise the largest multigene family in the vertebrates. They belong to the class A (rhodopsin-like) family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are the most abundant membrane proteins, having widespread, significant roles in signal transduction in cells, and therefore, they are a major pharmacological target. Moreover, ORs displayed high selectivity and sensitivity towards odorant detection, a characteristic that raised the interest for developing biohybrid sensors based on ORs for the detection of volatile compounds. The transduction of odorant binding into cellular signaling by ORs is not well understood and knowing its mechanism would enable developin…

Multifaceted effects of oligodendroglial exosomes on neurons: impact on neuronal firing rate, signal transduction and gene regulation.

2014

Exosomes are small membranous vesicles of endocytic origin that are released by almost every cell type. They exert versatile functions in intercellular communication important for many physiological and pathological processes. Recently, exosomes attracted interest with regard to their role in cell–cell communication in the nervous system. We have shown that exosomes released from oligodendrocytes upon stimulation with the neurotransmitter glutamate are internalized by neurons and enhance the neuronal stress tolerance. Here, we demonstrate that oligodendroglial exosomes also promote neuronal survival during oxygen–glucose deprivation, a model of cerebral ischaemia. We show the transfer from…

Cadmium and mitochondria

2009

The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) a pollutant associated with several modern industrial processes, is absorbed in significant quantities from cigarette smoke, water, food and air contaminations. It is known to have numerous undesirable effects on health in both experimental animals and humans, targeting kidney, liver and vascular system. The molecular mechanism accounting for most of the biological effects of Cd are not well-understood and the toxicity targets are largely unidentified. The present review focuses on important recent advances about the effects of cadmium on mitochondria of mammalian cells. Mitochondria are the proverbial powerhouses of the cell, running the fundamental biochemical…

Transcriptional regulation and energetics of alternative respiratory pathways in facultatively anaerobic bacteria

1998

Abstract The facultatively anaerobic Escherichia coli is able to grow by aerobic and by anaerobic respiration. Despite the large difference in the amount of free energy that could maximally be conserved from aerobic versus anaerobic respiration, the proton potential and Δg ′ Phos are similar under both conditions. O 2 represses anaerobic respiration, and nitrate represses fumarate respiration. By this the terminal reductases of aerobic and anaerobic respiration are expressed in a way to obtain maximal H + e − ratios and ATP yields. The respiratory dehydrogenases, on the other hand, are not synthesized in a way to achieve maximal H + e − ratios. Most of the dehydrogenases of aerobic respirat…

Electrokinetic Properties which Control the Coagulation of Silicate Cement Suspensions during Early Age Hydration

1998

The coagulation of cement particles during early age hydration has been previously identified as the first step of the setting and hardening of cement pastes. By hydrating Ca3SiO5and a silicate-rich clinker under controlled conditions, a correlation between the coagulation of the suspensions and the electrokinetic properties of particles is established. The zeta potential, and hence the surface charge, of particles in suspension depends on the calcium content of the medium. At low concentrations of Ca2+, the zeta potential of Ca3SiO5particles, calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H), and clinker is negative (<−30 mV) and the suspensions are well dispersed. A strong coagulation occurs at intermedia…

The electrophysiology of adenosine in the mammalian central nervous system

1991

Gray Matter NG2 Cells Display Multiple Ca2+-Signaling Pathways and Highly Motile Processes

2011

NG2 cells, the fourth type of glia in the mammalian CNS, receive synaptic input from neurons. The function of this innervation is unknown yet. Postsynaptic changes in intracellular Ca(2+)-concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) might be a possible consequence. We employed transgenic mice with fluorescently labeled NG2 cells to address this issue. To identify Ca(2+)-signaling pathways we combined patch-clamp recordings, Ca(2+)-imaging, mRNA-transcript analysis and focal pressure-application of various substances to identified NG2-cells in acute hippocampal slices. We show that activation of voltage-gated Ca(2+)-channels, Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA-receptors, and group I metabotropic glutamate-receptors provo…