Personal recollections of 40 years in photosynthesis research*

The major theme of my work in photosynthesis has been electron transport in green plant thylakoids. In particular, we investigated the properties and the role of the NADP-reducing flavoprotein and its possible function in cyclic electron transport, the regulation by protons of electron transport, and the redox system of ascorbate and monodehydroascorbate (the ascorbate free radical). The function of this system in providing ATP in the stoichiometric amount needed for carbon assimilation, and the regulation of the alternative transfer of electrons to NADP and to the ascorbate free radical were among the achievements of my collaborators and myself. Specifically, the early conviction that cyclic phosphorylation was essential part in photosynthesis was shattered as far as higher plants are concerned, and replaced by a modified Mehler reaction providing additional ATP to run the Calvin cycle. The situation seems to be different in unicellular green algae, where quantitatively much l arger changes of the relative size of Photosystem (PS) I and PS II antennae during the so-called state transitions have been reported, and these seem to be associated with a high activity of cyclic electron transport in state 2. Beyond the science, the friendly interactions with so many persons around the world sharing my interest in photosynthesis and in other aspects of human life have been most rewarding.     

Personal recollections on the discovery of the ryanodine receptors of muscle

The intracellular Ca²⁺ release channels are indispensable molecular machinery in practically all eukaryotic cells of multicellular animals. They serve a key role in cell signaling by way of Ca²⁺ as a second messenger. In response to a signaling event, the channels release Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores. The resulting rise in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration triggers the cell to carry out its specialized role, after which the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration must be reduced so that the signaling event can again be repeated. There are two types of intracellular Ca²⁺ release channels, i.e., the ryanodine receptors and the inositol triphosphate receptors. My focus in this minireview is to present a personal account, from the vantage point our laboratory, of the discovery, isolation, and characterization of the ryanodine receptors from mammalian muscle. There are three isoforms: ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1), first isolated from rabbit fast twitch skeletal muscle; ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), first isolated from dog heart; and ryanodine receptor 3 (RyR3), first isolated from bovine diaphragm muscle. The ryanodine receptors are the largest channel structures known. The RyR isoforms are very similar albeit with important differences. Natural mutations in humans in these receptors have already been associated with a number of muscle diseases.     

Telomeres in the '80s: a few recollections

Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak were recently recognized with the Lasker award for their work on telomerase and the role of this enzyme in cellular proliferation. Vicki Lundblad reflects on the excitement as these experiments were unfolding.     

人生七十忆往事

刘耕陶教授是我国著名的药理学家、中国工程院院士。他致力于中药的理论研究 ,取得多项成果 ,特别是在新药研制和开发上 ,成绩卓著。刘教授理论联系实际和勇于创新的精神 ,值得学习韩济生院士约我为《生理科学进展》撰写一篇“刊头专文” ,我一生平淡 ,无多可述 ,最后还是鼓起勇气 ,勉强写此拙文 ,回忆往事 ,与读者交流