Drosophila Bestrophin-1 Currents Are Regulated by Phosphorylation via a CaMKII Dependent Mechanism

Cell swelling induced by hypo-osmotic stress results in activation of volume-regulated anion channels (VRAC) that drive a compensatory regulatory volume decrease. We have previously shown that the Best1 gene in Drosophila encodes a VRAC that is also activated by increases in intracellular Ca²⁺. The role of Best1 as a VRAC has recently been independently confirmed by the Clapham lab in an unbiased RNAi screen. Although dBest1 is clearly a volume-regulated channel, its mechanisms of regulation remain unknown. Here we investigate Drosophila Best1 (dBest1) regulation using the Drosophila S2 cell model system. Because dBest1 activates slowly after establishing whole-cell recording, we tested the hypothesis that the channel is activated by phosphorylation. Two experiments indicate that phosphorylation is required for dBest1 activation: nonspecific protein kinase inhibitors or intracellular perfusion with the non-hydrolyzable ATP analog AMP-PNP dramatically reduce the amplitude of dBest1 currents. Furthermore, intracellular perfusion with ATP-γ-S augments channel activation. The kinase responsible for dBest1 activation is likely Ca²⁺/calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMKII), because specific inhibitors of this kinase dramatically inhibit dBest1 current activation. Neither specific PKA inhibitors nor inactive control inhibitors have effects on dBest1currents. Our results demonstrate that dBest1 currents are regulated by phosphorylation via a CaMKII dependent mechanism.     

Acinetobacter pneumonia: a review

Acinetobacter species are becoming a major cause of nosocomial infections, including hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Acinetobacter species have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics over the past several years and currently present a significant challenge in treating these infections. Physicians now rely on older agents, such as polymyxins (colistin), for treatment. This paper reviews the epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of this emerging pathogen.     

High-field 1H NMR studies of prostaglandin H2 and its decomposition pathways

Prostaglandin H2 displays at 500 MHz a detailed 1H-NMR in which all methylene groups are non-equivalent in C6D6 solution. The spectrum was assigned by analogy to isosteric structures. The dissymmetric perturbation and steric hindrance of the bicyclo [2.2.1] core caused by the side-chains provides a rationale for the selective fragmentations which PGH2 undergoes. Purified PGH2 is considerably more robust than previous literature accounts suggest. The following transformations were monitored by 1H-NMR: 1) O-O bond cleavage by Ph3P , 2) aqueous media fragmentation to PGE2 and PGD2, 3) base catalyzed fragmentation to ketoaldehydes , and 4) thermolysis attempts.