Search results for "ionophore"
showing 10 items of 38 documents
Influence of negative allosteric cooperativity in cation transport.
1992
Abstract The bis-macrocyclic ether5 seems to have a negative allosteric cooperativity and is able to transport double the amount of Na+ and K+ cations as monocyclic systems. This compound could be used as a simple model of the plasma membrane Na+−K+ ATPase which actively pumps Na+ out and K+ into the cell, respectively.
Induced hyperactivity in boar spermatozoa and its evaluation by computer-assisted sperm analysis.
2004
Hyperactivity, a form of sperm motility characterized by vigorous flagellar movements, has been proposed as essential for fertilization in mammals. The objective of the present study was to establish a method for inducing hyperactivityin vitroin boar spermatozoa and to define threshold values to differentiate between hyperactive and non-hyperactive spermatozoa by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) as a prerequisite for analyzing the energy metabolism during hyperactivity. In TALP-HEPES medium, non-frozen boar spermatozoa were stimulated to hyperactivity by 50 μmol l−1Ca2+within 15 min at 37 °C if 5 μmol l−1of the Ca2+ionophore A23187 was present. If 25% seminal plasma was present, boar…
Bis-cyclohexyl-crown-ethers as allosteric carriers
1992
Abstract Several bis-cyclohexyl-crown-ethers have been synthesized and used as carriers for alkaline cations. These compounds should all show negative allosteric cooperativity, but only 1 exhibits an odd cation transport behavior across the liquid organic membranes.
Specific stabilization of the 4F7 molecule on dendritic cells by contact allergens.
1996
Our laboratory has recently developed the monoclonal antibody 4F7 which recognizes a molecule on dendritic cells in the dermis of mice that is upregulated after application of contact allergens in vivo. Furthermore, this antibody detects an antigen on dendritic cells in spleen, lymph nodes and colon. In order to study the influence of contact allergens on the surface expression of the 4F7 molecules on dendritic cells, FACScan analysis of splenic dendritic cells was carried out after in vitro application of contact allergens. Freshly isolated splenic dendritic cells were found to be positive for 4F7, 33D1, N418 (CD11c) and MHC class II. After overnight culture the expression of the dendritic…
Anti-Inflammatory Triterpenes from Pistacia terebinthus Galls
2002
From the galls of Pistacia terebinthus we obtained an extract that proved to be effective against chronic and acute inflammation. Now we report on the isolation and identification of three triterpenes: two tirucallane-type lanostanoids and one oleanane, which we have identified as masticadienonic acid (1), masticadienolic acid (2), and morolic acid (3), respectively. All of them showed effectiveness on the mouse ear inflammation induced by repeated applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and on the phospholipase A2-induced foot paw edema. The pharmacological activity of the compounds was ratified by a histological study of the ear samples. In addition, they inhibited leukotrien…
All-Solid-State Ag+-ISE Based on [2.2.2]p,p,p-Cyclophane
2001
All-solid-state ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) based on two ionophores with similar structure, i.e., [2.2.2] p,p,p-cyclophane and [2.2.2]m,p,p-cyclophane, were prepared and investigated. The ion-selective membranes were composed of the corresponding ionophore (1 %), potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate (0.5 %), 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (65–66 %), and PVC (33 %). The ion-selective membrane was placed on top of a layer of the conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), working as ion-to-electron transducer. The resulting all-solid-state ISEs were conditioned in 0.01 M AgNO3 and investigated as Ag+-ISEs. The results show that [2.2.2] p,p,p-cyclophane is much more select…
A 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetrahydroxamate podand based on the 1-oxypiperidine-2-one (1,2-PIPO−) chelate. Self-assembly into a supramolecular ionop…
2014
An octadentate tetrahydroxamic calix[4]arene podand incorporating 1-hydroxypiperidine-2-one (1,2-PIPOH) binding units has been designed as a specific chelator for tetravalent metal cations like Zr4+ or Hf4+. This receptor, which can be considered as the first ever abiotic ligand possessing only cyclic six-membered hydroxamate groups, has been synthesized and characterized in its tetraprotonated form (1H4). Contrary to expectation, however, this new chelator did not form a 1 : 1 complex upon reaction with M(acac)4 (M = Zr and Hf; acac = acetylacetonate), but rather self-assembled into a dimeric species of 2 : 2 stoichiometry. The latter could be characterized in solution by mass spectrometry…
Efficient, non-toxic anion transport by synthetic carriers in cells and epithelia.
2016
Transmembrane anion transporters (anionophores) have potential for new modes of biological activity, including therapeutic applications. In particular they might replace the activity of defective anion channels in conditions such as cystic fibrosis. However, data on the biological effects of anionophores are scarce, and it remains uncertain whether such molecules are fundamentally toxic. Here, we report a biological study of an extensive series of powerful anion carriers. Fifteen anionophores were assayed in single cells by monitoring anion transport in real time through fluorescence emission from halide-sensitive yellow fluorescent protein. A bis-(p-nitrophenyl)ureidodecalin shows especial…
Regulation of motility of cells from marine sponges by calcium ions
1996
Sponges are known not to contain muscle and nerve cells. Since sponge cells are characterized by high motility we determined the effect of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) on their motility. Addition of the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin to dissociated cells from the marine sponge Suberites domuncula caused in Ca(2+)-containing artificial seawater (ASW) an increase in motility from 0.2 micron/min (absence of the ionophore) to 3.7 microns/min (presence of ionomycin). When the experiments were performed in Ca(2+)-free medium, no effect of ionomycin could be observed. In parallel experiments the changes of [Ca2+]i using the dye Fura-2 were measured. The experiments revealed that ion…
Protective effect of paraoxonase-2 against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis is lost upon disturbance of calcium homoeostasis
2008
PON2 (paraoxonase-2) is a ubiquitously expressed antioxidative protein which is largely found in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). Addressing the cytoprotective functions of PON2, we observed that PON2 overexpression provided significant resistance to ER-stress-induced caspase 3 activation when the ER stress was induced by interference with protein modification (by tunicamycin or dithiothreitol), but not when ER stress was induced by disturbance of Ca2+ homoeostasis (by thapsigargin or A23187). When analysing the underlying molecular events, we found an activation of the PON2 promoter in response to all tested ER-stress-inducing stimuli. However, only tunicamycin and dithiothreitol resulted i…