scholarly journals All-atom Simulations Uncover the Molecular Terms of NKCC1 Transport Mechanism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Janoš ◽  
Alessandra Magistrato
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Physiological Mechanism ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Enhanced Sampling ◽  
Ions Transport ◽  
Cation Chloride Cotransporters ◽  
Charged Ions ◽  
Positively Charged

The secondary-active Na-K-Cl Cotransporter 1 (NKCC1), member of the Cation Chloride Cotransporters (CCC) family, ensures the electroneutral movement of Cl-, Na+, K+ ions across cellular membranes. NKCC1 regulates Cl- homeostasis and cell volume, handling a pivotal role in transepithelial water transport and neuronal excitability. Aberrant NKCC1 transport is hence implicated in a variety of human diseases (hypertension, renal disorders, neuropathies, cancer). Building on the newly-resolved NKCC1 cryo-EM structure, all-atom enhanced sampling simulations unprecedentedly unlock the mechanism of NKCC1-mediated ions transport, assessing the order and the molecular basis of its interdependent ions translocation. Our outcomes strikingly advance the understanding of the physiological mechanism of CCCs transporters and disclose a key role of CCC-conserved asparagine residues, whose side-chain promiscuity ensures the transport of both negatively and positively charged ions along the same translocation route. This study sets a conceptual basis to devise NKCC-selective inhibitors to treat diseases linked to Cl- dishomeostasis.

scholarly journals Structural studies of duck δ2 crystallin mutants provide insight into the role of Thr161 and the 280s loop in catalysis

2004 ◽  
Vol 384 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana M. SAMPALEANU ◽  
Penelope W. CODDING ◽  
Yuri D. LOBSANOV ◽  
May TSAI ◽  
G. David SMITH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Site ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
Cycle Enzyme ◽  
Substrate Complex ◽  
Enzyme Substrate ◽  
Catalytically Active ◽  
Urea Cycle Enzyme ◽  
Positively Charged

δ Crystallin, a taxon-specific crystallin present in avian eye lenses, is homologous to the urea cycle enzyme ASL (argininosuccinate lyase). Although there are two δ crystallin isoforms in duck lenses, dδc1 (duck δ1 crystallin) and dδc2 (duck δ2 crystallin), only dδc2 is catalytically active. Previous structural studies have suggested that residues Ser283 and His162 in the multi-subunit active site of dδc2/ASL are the putative catalytic acid/base, while the highly conserved, positively charged Lys289 is thought to help stabilize the carbanion intermediate. The strict conservation of a small hydroxy-containing residue (Thr or Ser) at position 161 adjacent to the putative catalytic base, as well as its proximity to the substrate in the S283A dδc2 enzyme–substrate complex, prompted us to investigate further the role this residue. Structures of the active T161S and inactive T161D dδc2 mutants, as well as T161D complexed with argininosuccinate, have been determined to 2.0 Å resolution. The structures suggest that a hydroxy group is required at position 161 to help correctly position the side chain of Lys289 and the fumarate moiety of the substrate. Threonine is probably favoured over serine, because the interaction of its methyl group with Leu206 would restrict its conformational flexibility. Residues larger than Thr or Ser interfere with substrate binding, supporting previous suggestions that correct positioning of the substrate's fumarate moiety is essential for catalysis to occur. The presence of the 280s loop (i.e. a loop formed by residues 270–290) in the ‘open’ conformation suggests that loop closure, thought to be essential for sequestration of the substrate, may be triggered by the formation of the carbanion or aci-carboxylate intermediates, whose charge distribution more closely mimics that of the sulphate ion found in the active-site region of the inactive dδc1. The 280s loop in dδc1 is in the closed conformation.

scholarly journals Dysregulation of Astrocyte–Neuronal Communication in Alzheimer’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7887
Author(s):  
Carmen Nanclares ◽  
Andres Mateo Baraibar ◽  
Alfonso Araque ◽  
Paulo Kofuji
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Ionic Homeostasis ◽  
Neuronal Communication ◽  
Structural Support

Recent studies implicate astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, their role in pathogenesis is poorly understood. Astrocytes have well-established functions in supportive functions such as extracellular ionic homeostasis, structural support, and neurovascular coupling. However, emerging research on astrocytic function in the healthy brain also indicates their role in regulating synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability via the release of neuroactive substances named gliotransmitters. Here, we review how this “active” role of astrocytes at synapses could contribute to synaptic and neuronal network dysfunction and cognitive impairment in AD.

scholarly journals Species-Specific Regulation of TRPM2 by PI(4,5)P2 via the Membrane Interfacial Cavity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4637
Author(s):  
Daniel Barth ◽  
Andreas Lückhoff ◽  
Frank J. P. Kühn
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Complete Inactivation ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Inside Out ◽  
Positively Charged

The human apoptosis channel TRPM2 is stimulated by intracellular ADR-ribose and calcium. Recent studies show pronounced species-specific activation mechanisms. Our aim was to analyse the functional effect of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2), commonly referred to as PIP2, on different TRPM2 orthologues. Moreover, we wished to identify the interaction site between TRPM2 and PIP2. We demonstrate a crucial role of PIP2, in the activation of TRPM2 orthologues of man, zebrafish, and sea anemone. Utilizing inside-out patch clamp recordings of HEK-293 cells transfected with TRPM2, differential effects of PIP2 that were dependent on the species variant became apparent. While depletion of PIP2 via polylysine uniformly caused complete inactivation of TRPM2, restoration of channel activity by artificial PIP2 differed widely. Human TRPM2 was the least sensitive species variant, making it the most susceptible one for regulation by changes in intramembranous PIP2 content. Furthermore, mutations of highly conserved positively charged amino acid residues in the membrane interfacial cavity reduced the PIP2 sensitivity in all three TRPM2 orthologues to varying degrees. We conclude that the membrane interfacial cavity acts as a uniform PIP2 binding site of TRPM2, facilitating channel activation in the presence of ADPR and Ca2+ in a species-specific manner.

scholarly journals Does the Interaction between Local and Systemic Inflammation Provide a Link from Psychology and Lifestyle to Tissue Health in Musculoskeletal Conditions?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7299
Author(s):  
David M. Klyne ◽  
Mary F. Barbe ◽  
Greg James ◽  
Paul W. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Systemic Inflammation ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Tissue Level ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Local Inflammation ◽  
Musculoskeletal Conditions ◽  
Tissue Biology ◽  
Mind And Body

Musculoskeletal conditions are known to involve biological, psychological, social and, often, lifestyle elements. However, these domains are generally considered in isolation from each other. This siloed approach is unlikely to be adequate to understand the complexity of these conditions and likely explains a major component of the disappointing effects of treatment. This paper presents a hypothesis that aims to provide a foundation to understand the interaction and integration between these domains. We propose a hypothesis that provides a plausible link between psychology and lifestyle factors with tissue level effects (such as connective tissue dysregulation/accumulation) in musculoskeletal conditions that is founded on understanding the molecular basis for interaction between systemic and local inflammation. The hypothesis provides plausible and testable links between mind and body, for which empirical evidence can be found for many aspects. We present this hypothesis from the perspective of connective tissue biology and pathology (fibrosis), the role of inflammation locally (tissue level), and how this inflammation is shaped by systemic inflammation through bidirectional pathways, and various psychological and lifestyle factors via their influence on systemic inflammation. This hypothesis provides a foundation for new consideration of the development and refinement of personalized multidimensional treatments for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.

scholarly journals From Capsids to Complexes: Expanding the Role of TRIM5α in the Restriction of Divergent RNA Viruses and Elements

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 446
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Rose ◽  
Stephanie J. Spada ◽  
Rebecca Broeckel ◽  
Kristin L. McNally ◽  
Vanessa M. Hirsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Hiv 1

An evolutionary arms race has been ongoing between retroviruses and their primate hosts for millions of years. Within the last century, a zoonotic transmission introduced the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1), a retrovirus, to the human population that has claimed the lives of millions of individuals and is still infecting over a million people every year. To counteract retroviruses such as this, primates including humans have evolved an innate immune sensor for the retroviral capsid lattice known as TRIM5α. Although the molecular basis for its ability to restrict retroviruses is debated, it is currently accepted that TRIM5α forms higher-order assemblies around the incoming retroviral capsid that are not only disruptive for the virus lifecycle, but also trigger the activation of an antiviral state. More recently, it was discovered that TRIM5α restriction is broader than previously thought because it restricts not only the human retroelement LINE-1, but also the tick-borne flaviviruses, an emergent group of RNA viruses that have vastly different strategies for replication compared to retroviruses. This review focuses on the underlying mechanisms of TRIM5α-mediated restriction of retroelements and flaviviruses and how they differ from the more widely known ability of TRIM5α to restrict retroviruses.

On the molecular basis of pyruvate kinase deficiency II. Role of thiol groups in pyruvate kinase from pyruvate kinase-deficient patients

1974 ◽  
Vol 334 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Th.J.C. Van Berkel ◽  
G.E.J. Staal ◽  
J.F. Koster ◽  
J.G. Nyessen ◽  
L. van Milligen-Boersma
Keyword(s):  
Pyruvate Kinase ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Thiol Groups ◽  
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
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