Search results for "calcium"
showing 10 items of 1740 documents
BAX inhibitor-1 is a Ca(2+) channel critically important for immune cell function and survival.
2015
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves as the major intracellular Ca(2+) store and has a role in the synthesis and folding of proteins. BAX (BCL2-associated X protein) inhibitor-1 (BI-1) is a Ca(2+) leak channel also implicated in the response against protein misfolding, thereby connecting the Ca(2+) store and protein-folding functions of the ER. We found that BI-1-deficient mice suffer from leukopenia and erythrocytosis, have an increased number of splenic marginal zone B cells and higher abundance and nuclear translocation of NF-κB (nuclear factor-κ light-chain enhancer of activated B cells) proteins, correlating with increased cytosolic and ER Ca(2+) levels. When put into culture, purifie…
SERCA and P-glycoprotein inhibition and ATP depletion are necessary for celastrol-induced autophagic cell death and collateral sensitivity in multidr…
2019
Multidrug resistance (MDR) represents an obstacle in anti-cancer therapy. MDR is caused by multiple mechanisms, involving ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which reduces intracellular drug levels to sub-therapeutic concentrations. Therefore, sensitizing agents retaining effectiveness against apoptosis- or drug-resistant cancers are desired for the treatment of MDR cancers. The sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump is an emerging target to overcome MDR, because of its continuous expression and because the calcium transport function is crucial to the survival of tumor cells. Previous studies showed that SERCA inhibitors exhibit anti-c…
Leaf and Root Extracts from Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) Promote Apoptotic Death of Leukemic Cells via Activation of Intracellular Calcium and…
2017
Phytochemical studies are seeking new alternatives to prevent or treat cancer, including different types of leukemias. Campomanesia adamantium, commonly known as guavira or guabiroba, exhibits pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities. Considering the anticancer potential of this plant species, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antileukemic activity and the chemical composition of aqueous extracts from the leaves (AECL) and roots (AECR) of C. adamantium and their possible mechanisms of action. The extracts were analyzed by LC-DAD-MS, and their constituents were identified based on the UV, MS, and MS/MS data. The AECL and AECR s…
Elastin-derived peptide VGVAPG affects the proliferation of mouse cortical astrocytes with the involvement of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), peroxi…
2019
Abstract During aging and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, elastin molecules are degraded and elastin-derived peptides are released into the brain microenvironment. Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly (VGVAPG) is a repeating hexapeptide in the elastin molecule. It is well documented that the peptide sequence binds with high affinity to elastin-binding protein (EBP) located on the cell surface, thereby transducing a molecular signal into the cell. The aim of our study was to investigate whether EBP, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparγ) are involved in VGVAPG-stimulated proliferation. Primary astrocytes were maintained in DMEM/F12 medium without ph…
RPGR protein complex regulates proteasome activity and mediates store-operated calcium entry
2018
Ciliopathies are a group of genetically heterogeneous disorders, characterized by defects in cilia genesis or maintenance. Mutations in the RPGR gene and its interacting partners, RPGRIP1 and RPGRIP1L, cause ciliopathies, but the function of their proteins remains unclear. Here we show that knockdown (KD) of RPGR, RPGRIP1 or RPGRIP1L in hTERT-RPE1 cells results in abnormal actin cytoskeleton organization. The actin cytoskeleton rearrangement is regulated by the small GTPase RhoA via the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. RhoA activity was upregulated in the absence of RPGR, RPGRIP1 or RPGRIP1L proteins. In RPGR, RPGRIP1 or RPGRIP1L KD cells, we observed increased levels of DVl2 and DVl3 pr…
Spectrophotometric analysis of crown discoloration following the use of silver nanoparticles combined with calcium hydroxide as intracanal medicament
2017
Background Optimal antibacterial efficacy of intracanal medicaments containing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) has been well documented. However, concerns remain regarding the effect of Ag-NPs on tooth color. This study aimed to assess the effects of calcium hydroxide (CH) mixed with Ag-NPs as intracanal medicaments on tooth color. The effect of location of application of medicament on the degree of discoloration was evaluated as well. Material and Methods Fifty extracted single-rooted, single-canal human teeth with straight roots, no caries, no cracks or fractures were collected and accessed. After cleaning and shaping of the root canals, the teeth were randomly divided into two experimental…
Oxidative modification impairs SERCA activity in Drosophila and human cell models of Parkinson's disease
2021
DJ-1 is a causative gene for familial Parkinson's disease (PD) with different functions, standing out its role against oxidative stress (OS). Accordingly, PD model flies harboring a mutation in the DJ-1β gene (the Drosophila ortholog of human DJ-1) show high levels of OS markers like protein carbonylation, a common post-translational modification that may alter protein function. To increase our understanding of PD pathogenesis as well as to discover potential therapeutic targets for pharmacological intervention, we performed a redox proteomic assay in DJ-1β mutant flies. Among the proteins that showed increased carbonylation levels in PD model flies, we found SERCA, an endoplasmic reticulum…
Effects of in-office bleaching on human enamel and dentin. Morphological and mineral changes
2017
Abstract Background The effects of HP-based products upon dental enamel and dentin are inconclusive. Aim To evaluate changes in micromorphology and composition of calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) in enamel and dentin after the application of 37.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and 35% carbamide peroxide (CP) Methods Crowns of 20 human teeth were divided in two halves. One half was used as control specimen and the other as experimental specimen. The control specimens were kept in artificial saliva, and the experimental specimens were divided into four groups (n = 5 each): group 1 (enamel HP for 45 min); group 2 (dentin HP for 45 min); group 3 (enamel CP for 90 min); and group 4 (dentin CP for 90 min)…
Anti-erosive effect of calcium carbonate suspensions
2018
Background This study aimed to investigate the ability of different concentrations of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) suspensions to control enamel surface loss. Material and methods Seventy-five enamel slabs were embedded, ground and polished in a pneumatic grinder-polisher machine. Reference areas were created with UPVC tape and the specimens were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 15) for exposure to hydrochloric acid solution to simulate gastric juice (0.01 M, pH 2) for 2 minutes. The samples were then exposed to suspensions containing 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 mmol/L CaCO3 for 1 minute. Artificial saliva was used as control. The samples were subjected to a total of five erosive cycles…
Odor-induced electrical and calcium signals from olfactory sensory neurons in situ
2018
Electrophysiological recording and optical imaging enable the characterization of membrane and odorant response properties of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the nasal neuroepithelium. Here we describe a method to record the responses of mammalian OSNs to odorant stimulations in an ex vivo preparation of intact olfactory epithelium. The responses of individual OSNs with defined odorant receptor types can be monitored via patch-clamp recording or calcium imaging.