"The little engine that could": voltage-dependent Na(+) channels and the subthalamic nucleus

The most effective treatment for late-stage Parkinson's disease is to electrically stimulate the subthalamic nucleus (STN) at high frequencies. Why this strategy works is unclear. The work by Do and Bean shows that the Na channels in STN neurons have distinctive features--like resurgence--that regulate their spiking behavior, providing new insights into the mechanism of DBS.     

Differential expression of the "B" subunit of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in bovine tissues.

The B subunit is one of two nucleotide-binding polypeptides found in all members of the vacuolar class of H(+)-translocating ATPases. We have isolated aDNA clone encoding the bovine brain B (58 kDa) subunit and have deduced its amino acid sequence. The bovine brain amino acid sequence is 99% identical to a partial cDNA reported from human brain. Northern blot analysis of RNA isolated from bovine tissues and a bovine kidney cell line reveals that two messages of approximately 3.2 and 2.0 kilobases (kb) are expressed in all tissues examined except brain, where only the 3.2-kb message can be detected. Northern blotting of RNA isolated from human fibroblast and human lung tumor cell lines reveals that three messages of approximately 6.0, 3.2, and 2.0 kb are expressed, whereas only the 3.2-kb message is expressed in a human brain tumor cell line. This is the first demonstration of tissue-specific expression of multiple forms of a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase subunit. We have also isolated a partial cDNA clone from bovine brain which appears to encode an isoform of the B subunit. The deduced amino acid sequence is 82% identical to the major bovine brain B subunit sequence; it does not hybridize with either the 3.2- or 2.0-kb message on Northern blot. Southern blot analysis of bovine genomic DNA with probes derived from both isolated cDNAs indicates that the bovine B subunit is encoded by a multigene family.     

A single gene encodes the catalytic "A" subunit of the bovine vacuolar H(+)-ATPase.

We have previously demonstrated that the 73-kDa (A) subunit of the bovine coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase possesses a nucleotide binding site required for catalytic activity (Arai, H., Berne, M., Terres, G., Terres, H., Puopolo, K., and Forgac, M. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 6632-6638). Here we report the cDNA sequence of the coding region of the bovine brain A subunit. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with those previously reported for the A subunits of vacuolar ATPases from lower eukaryotes, plants, and archaebacteria reveals significant homology, especially in sequences implicated in nucleotide binding. The message encoding the bovine brain A subunit is relatively large, approximately 4.6 kilobases; Northern blotting of RNA isolated from rat brain and human brain tumor cells reveals a message of similar size. Northern analysis of several bovine tissues indicates that only one message for this subunit is expressed. Southern blot analysis of bovine genomic DNA indicates that the bovine A subunit is encoded by a single gene.     

Functional analysis of an Arabidopsis T-DNA "knockout" of the high-affinity NH4(+) transporter AtAMT1;1

NH(4)(+) acquisition by plant roots is thought to involve members of the NH(4)(+) transporter family (AMT) found in plants, yeast, bacteria, and mammals. In Arabidopsis, there are six AMT genes of which AtAMT1;1 demonstrates the highest affinity for NH(4)(+). Ammonium influx into roots and AtAMT1;1 mRNA expression levels are highly correlated diurnally and when plant nitrogen (N) status is varied. To further investigate the involvement of AtAMT1;1 in high-affinity NH(4)(+) influx, we identified a homozygous T-DNA mutant with disrupted AtAMT1;1 activity. Contrary to expectation, high-affinity (13)NH(4)(+) influx in the amt1;1:T-DNA mutant was similar to the wild type when grown with adequate N. Removal of N to increase AtAMT1;1 expression decreased high-affinity (13)NH(4)(+) influx in the mutant by 30% compared with wild-type plants, whereas low-affinity (13)NH(4)(+) influx (250 microM-10 mM NH(4)(+)) exceeded that of wild-type plants. In these N-deprived plants, mRNA copy numbers of root AtAMT1;3 and AtAMT2;1 mRNA were significantly more increased in the mutant than in wild-type plants. Under most growth conditions, amt1;1:T-DNA plants were indistinguishable from the wild type, however, leaf morphology was altered. However, when grown with NH(4)(+) and sucrose, the mutant grew poorly and died. Our results are the first in planta evidence that AtAMT1;1 is a root NH(4)(+) transporter and that redundancies within the AMT family may allow compensation for the loss of AtAMT1;1.     

A model for coupling of H(+) and substrate fluxes based on "time-sharing" of a common binding site

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain an array of membrane transport systems maintaining the cellular homeostasis. Some of them (primary pumps) derive energy from redox reactions, ATP hydrolysis, or light absorption, whereas others (ion-coupled transporters) utilize ion electrochemical gradients for active transport. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanism of coupling in some of these systems. In many cases carboxylic residues are essential for either binding or coupling. Here we suggest a model for the molecular mechanism of coupling in EmrE, an Escherichia coli 12-kDa multidrug transporter. EmrE confers resistance to a variety of toxic cations by removing them from the cell interior in exchange for two protons. EmrE has only one membrane-embedded charged residue, Glu-14, which is conserved in more than 50 homologous proteins. We have used mutagenesis and chemical modification to show that Glu-14 is part of the substrate-binding site. Its role in proton binding and translocation was shown by a study of the effect of pH on ligand binding, uptake, efflux, and exchange reactions. The studies suggest that Glu-14 is an essential part of a binding site, which is common to substrates and protons. The occupancy of this site by H(+) and substrate is mutually exclusive and provides the basis of the simplest coupling for two fluxes.     

生物酶法催化瓦伦西亚烯生成圆柚酮

在体外,利用野生型CYP450BM-3对瓦伦西亚烯进行催化,酶-底物复合物催化NADPH氧化的速率为31±1.0 nmol(nmol P450)-1min-1,但催化产物中没有检测到圆柚酮的生成。突变体R47L/Y51F/F87A与底物复合物催化NADPH氧化的速率高于野生型,为79±6.5 nmol(nmol P450)-1min-1,并在催化产物中检测到圆柚酮的生成,但其产物选择性较差,圆柚酮的含量仅占总产物的6.8%。与此同时,检测了另一个突变体A74G/F87V/L188Q对瓦伦西亚烯的催化效果,发现其与底物复合物对NADPH的氧化速率与突变体R47L/Y51F/F87A相当,但产物中圆柚酮的比率更高,达8.0%。     

Human "Orchestrator" CD11b(+) B1 Cells Spontaneously Secrete Interleukin-10 and Regulate T-Cell Activity

Immune regulation produced by B cells has been attributed to production and secretion of interleukin (IL)-10, which is a characteristic of mouse B1 cells. In view of the widespread clinical use of B-cell depletion therapies in autoimmune and malignant diseases, it is important to monitor the function and fate of regulatory B cells. However, there is no consensus regarding the phenotypic identity of human IL-10(+) B cells. Here we show that human CD11b(+) B1 cells, one of two recently described subpopulations of B1 cells, spontaneously produce IL-10 and suppress T-cell activation. In view of the capacity of these B cells to either stimulate T-cell proliferation or suppress T-cell activation, CD11b(+) B1 cells are considered to be capable of orchestrating elements of immune responsiveness and thus are termed "orchestrator B1 cells," or "B1orc," whereas CD11b(-) B1 cells that primarily secrete antibody are termed "secretor B1 cells," or "B1sec."     

Total synthesis of (+)-albicanol and (+)-albicanyl acetate.

The drimane sesquiterpenes, (+)-albicanol (2) and (+)-albicanyl acetate (3), were synthesized from an optically active bicyclic diol [(+)-1] that had been obtained via the recently developed optical resolution of a general synthetic intermediate for drimane sesquiterpenes. The crucial step in the previous syntheses was markedly improved by the modified Wittig methylenation of a silyloxy ketone (7). The high overall yield (77% in 4 or 5 steps from (+)-1) by this total synthesis makes it possible to synthesize the other biologically active drimane sesquiterpenes.     

(+)-Pinpollitol: A di-O-methyl d-(+)-chiro-inositol from Pinus radiata

(+)-Pinpollitol, a new cyclitol recently isolated from the pollen of Pinus radiata, was found in the needles of this species. (+)-Pinpollitol was found to be a di-O-methyl ether Of d-(+)-chiro-inositol, and tentative isomeric structures have been proposed for the cyclitol. (+)-Pinpollitol is the first di-O-methyl inositol to be found in a gymnosperm and is one of only three di-O-methyl inositols yet found in nature.     

A chiron approach to the total synthesis of cytotoxic (+)-muricatacin and (+)-5-epi-muricatacin from d-ribose

A chiron approach strategy toward the total synthesis of (+)-muricatacin and (+)-5-epi-muricatacin starting from commercially available and inexpensive d-ribose through the key intermediate (S)-5-((R)-1-hydroxyallyl)furan-2(5H)-one has been disclosed.     

Rapid turnover of the "functional" Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger in cardiac myocytes revealed by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide approach

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) were used in combination with transient functional expression of the cardiac Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) to correlate suppression of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange function with down-regulation of NCX1 protein expression. In a de-novo expression system (Sf9 cells), a decrease in both, NCX1 mRNA and protein after AS-ODN application was paralleled by diminished NCX1 activity, a typical hallmark of a true "antisense effect". Although AS-ODN uptake was also efficient in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes, in whole-cell extracts of these cells treated with AS-ODNs, the amount of NCX1 protein determined in a quantitative binding assay remained almost unchanged, despite a prompt loss of NCX1 function. Immunocytochemical staining of myocytes revealed that most of the immunoreactivity was not localized in the plasma membrane, but in intracellular compartments and was barely affected by AS-ODN treatment. These results indicate that the "functional half-life" of the NCX1 protein in the plasma membrane of neonatal cardiac myocytes is surprisingly short, much shorter than reported half-lifes of about 30 h for other membrane proteins.     

K(+) and Na(+) effects on the gelation properties of kappa-Carrageenan

The effects of K(+), Na(+) ions and their mixture on the conformational transition and macroscopic gel properties of kappa-Carrageenan system have been studied using different experimental techniques. The macroscopic gelation properties of kappa-Carrageenan were found to be dependent upon cosolute type. Indeed, a more ordered and strong gel was obtained in the presence of K(+) with respect to Na(+) ions. The gel properties obtained using mixtures of two cosolutes are shown to depend on the [K(+)]/[Na(+)] ratio.