Search results for "adenosine"

Structural and Functional Basis for Understanding the Biological Significance of P2X7 Receptor

2020

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) possesses a unique structure associated to an as yet not fully understood mechanism of action that facilitates cell permeability to large ionic molecules through the receptor itself and/or nearby membrane proteins. High extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels—inexistent in physiological conditions—are required for the receptor to be triggered and contribute to its role in cell damage signaling. The inconsistent data on its activation pathways and the few studies performed in natively expressed human P2X7R have led us to review the structure, activation pathways, and specific cellular location of P2X7R in order to analyze its biological relevance. The ATP-…

8-N(3)-3'-biotinyl-ATP, a novel monofunctional reagent: differences in the F(1)- and V(1)-ATPases by means of the ATP analogue.

2001

A novel photoaffinity label, 8-N(3)-3'-biotinyl-ATP, has been synthesized. The introduction of an additional biotin residue is advantageous for easy detection of labeled proteins. This could be first tested by reaction with the F(1)-ATPase from the thermophilic bacterium PS3 (TF(1)). UV irradiation of TF(1) in the presence of 8-N(3)-3'-biotinyl-ATP results in a nucleotide-dependent binding of the analogue in the noncatalytic alpha and the catalytic beta subunits of TF(1), demonstrating the suitability of this analogue as a potential photoaffinity label. Reaction with the V(1)-ATPase, however, led to labeling of subunit E, which has been suggested as a structural and functional homologue of …

Multiple Decay Mechanisms and 2D-UV Spectroscopic Fingerprints of Singlet Excited Solvated Adenine-Uracil Monophosphate

2016

The decay channels of singlet excited adenine uracil monophosphate (ApU) in water are studied with CASPT2//CASSCF:MM potential energy calculations and simulation of the 2D-UV spectroscopic fingerprints with the aim of elucidating the role of the different electronic states of the stacked conformer in the excited state dynamics. The adenine 1La state can decay without a barrier to a conical intersection with the ground state. In contrast, the adenine 1Lb and uracil S(U) states have minima that are separated from the intersections by sizeable barriers. Depending on the backbone conformation, the CT state can undergo inter-base hydrogen transfer and decay to the ground state through a conical …

The nuclear autoantigen La/SS-associated antigen B: One gene, three functional mRNAs

1997

Transcription of the gene encoding for the nuclear autoantigen La resulted in three mRNA forms. A promoter switching combined with an alternative splicing pathway replaced exon 1 with either exon 1´ or exon 1´´. The exon 1´´ donor splice site was located 4 nts downstream of the exon 1´ donor splice site. All three La mRNA forms were expressed in all the tissues analysed including peripheral blood lymphocytes, liver, fetal spleen, cultured primary endothelial cells, and mouse LTA cell lines permanently transfected with the human La gene. Both the exons 1´ and 1´´ had unusual structures. They contained GC-rich regions and an oligo(U)-tail of 23 uridine residues. Moreover, they encoded for thr…

Mapping of a binding site for ATP within the extracellular region of the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor beta-subunit.

1997

Using 2,8,5'-[H-3]ATP as a direct photoaffinity label for membrane-bound nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) from Torpedo marmorata, we have identified a binding site for ATP in the extracellular region of the beta-subunit of the receptor. Photolabeling was completely inhibited in the presence of saturating concentrations of nonradioactive ATP, whereas neither the purinoreceptor antagonists suramin, theophyllin, and caffeine nor the nAChR antagonists alpha-bungarotoxin and d-tubocurarine affected the labeling reaction. Competitive and noncompetitive nicotinic agonists and Ca2+ increased the yield of the photoreaction by up to 50%, suggesting that the respective binding sites are allost…

Inhibition of Eimeria tenella CDK-related kinase 2: From target identification to lead compounds.

2010

Apicomplexan parasites encompass several human- and animal-pathogenic protozoans such as Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Eimeria tenella. E. tenella causes coccidiosis, a disease that afflicts chickens, leading to tremendous economic losses to the global poultry industry. The considerable increase in drug resistance makes it necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies against this parasite. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are key molecules in cell-cycle regulation and are therefore prominent target proteins in parasitic diseases. Bioinformatics analysis revealed four potential CDK-like proteins, of which one—E. tenella CDK-related kinase 2 (EtCRK2)—has already been charact…

Preparation of monolithic polymer-magnetite nanoparticle composites into poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) tubes for uses in micro-bore HPLC sepa…

2021

[EN] This paper describes the fabrication of a novel microbore monolithic column modified with magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) prepared in a poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (EFTE) tubing, and its application as stationary phase for the chromatographic separation of phosphorylated compounds. In order to obtain the composite column, a two-step procedure was performed. The formation of a glycidyl methacrylate-based monolith inside the activated ETFE tube was firstly carried out. Then, two incorporation approaches of MNPs in monoliths were investigated. The generic polymer was modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) to be subsequently attached to MNP surfaces. Alternatively, AP…

2013

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a key contributor to the morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Regulatory Foxp3(+) CD4(+) T cells (Treg) suppress conventional T cell activation and can control GvHD. In our previous work, we demonstrate that a basic mechanism of Treg mediated suppression occurs by the transfer of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to responder cells. Whether this mechanism is relevant for Treg mediated suppression of GvHD is currently unknown. To address this question, bone marrow and T cells from C57BL/6 mice were transferred into lethally irradiated BALB/c recipients, and the course of GvHD and survival were monitore…

Ythdf is a N6‐methyladenosine reader that modulates Fmr1 target mRNA selection and restricts axonal growth in Drosophila

2021

Abstract N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) regulates a variety of physiological processes through modulation of RNA metabolism. This modification is particularly enriched in the nervous system of several species, and its dysregulation has been associated with neurodevelopmental defects and neural dysfunctions. In Drosophila, loss of m6A alters fly behavior, albeit the underlying molecular mechanism and the role of m6A during nervous system development have remained elusive. Here we find that impairment of the m6A pathway leads to axonal overgrowth and misguidance at larval neuromuscular junctions as well as in the adult mushroom bodies. We identify Ythdf as the main m6A reader in the nervous system,…

Electrophysiological Analysis of Effects of Exogenous and Endogenous Adenosine in Hippocampal Slices

1988

Little doubt remains that adenosine serves a modulatory role in the nervous system (Sattin and Rail, 1970; Shimizu and Daly, 1970; Fredholm and Hedqvist, 1980; Phillis and Wu, 1981; Stone, 1981; Daly et al., 1984; Dunwiddie, 1985). While electrophysiologically active concentrations of adenosine have been found in the extracellular fluid, the source and control of the levels of this active adenosine are unclear. There are indications that adenosine is released (or coreleased) from synaptic endings, fulfilling a typical transmitter role (Burnstock, 1975, 1981; Nagy et al., 1986). A synaptic hyperpolarization in autonomic neurons has been identified as an adenosine-mediated potential (Akasu et…