NaCl-dependent expression of amiloride-blockable Na+ channel in Xenopus oocytes

1992 ◽  
Vol 262 (2) ◽  
pp. G244-G248 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Asher ◽  
D. Singer ◽  
R. Eren ◽  
O. Yeger ◽  
N. Dascal ◽  
...  

RNA was isolated from chicken lower intestine (both colon and coprodeum) and injected into Xenopus oocytes. 22Na+ fluxes measured after 1-4 days demonstrated the induction of an amiloride-blockable pathway. The Na+ transporter expressed by the exogenous RNA had a high affinity to amiloride (inhibitory constant less than 0.1 microM), but was insensitive to ethylisopropyl amiloride, i.e., it is likely to be the apical Na+ channel. Functional channels were readily expressed in oocytes injected with RNA derived from chickens fed a low-NaCl diet. On the other hand, no channel activity was detected in oocytes injected with RNA isolated from chickens fed a high-NaCl diet. Thus the previously reported regulation of transport by the dietary NaCl intake involves modulations in the level of mRNA that codes either for the Na+ channel or a posttranscriptional regulator of the channel.

2002 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Magistretti ◽  
Angel Alonso

The gating properties of channels responsible for the generation of persistent Na+ current (INaP) in entorhinal cortex layer II principal neurons were investigated by performing cell-attached, patch-clamp experiments in acutely isolated cells. Voltage-gated Na+-channel activity was routinely elicited by applying 500-ms depolarizing test pulses positive to −60 mV from a holding potential of −100 mV. The channel activity underlying INaP consisted of prolonged and frequently delayed bursts during which repetitive openings were separated by short closings. The mean duration of openings within bursts was strongly voltage dependent, and increased by e times per every ∼12 mV of depolarization. On the other hand, intraburst closed times showed no major voltage dependence. The mean duration of burst events was also relatively voltage insensitive. The analysis of burst-duration frequency distribution returned two major, relatively voltage-independent time constants of ∼28 and ∼190 ms. The probability of burst openings to occur also appeared largely voltage independent. Because of the above “persistent” Na+-channel properties, the voltage dependence of the conductance underlying whole-cell INaP turned out to be largely the consequence of the pronounced voltage dependence of intraburst open times. On the other hand, some kinetic properties of the macroscopic INaP, and in particular the fast and intermediate INaP-decay components observed during step depolarizations, were found to largely reflect mean burst duration of the underlying channel openings. A further INaP decay process, namely slow inactivation, was paralleled instead by a progressive increase of interburst closed times during the application of long-lasting (i.e., 20 s) depolarizing pulses. In addition, long-lasting depolarizations also promoted a channel gating modality characterized by shorter burst durations than normally seen using 500-ms test pulses, with a predominant burst-duration time constant of ∼5–6 ms. The above data, therefore, provide a detailed picture of the single-channel bases of INaP voltage-dependent and kinetic properties in entorhinal cortex layer II neurons.


2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (21) ◽  
pp. 3795-3803 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Di Nardo ◽  
R. Gareus ◽  
D. Kwiatkowski ◽  
W. Witke

Profilins are a conserved family of proteins participating in actin dynamics and cell motility. In the mouse, two profilin genes are known. Profilin I is expressed universally at high levels, while profilin II is expressed mainly in the brain. Here we describe the occurrence of two mouse profilin II isoforms, A and B, which are derived by alternative splicing. They are identical through residue 107 of the protein, but then have distinct C-terminal sequences. Profilin IIA binds to poly-L-proline and actin with high affinity similar to profilin I. Profilin IIB on the other hand does not bind to actin and the affinity for poly-L-proline is greatly diminished. However, tubulin was found to bind to GST-profilin IIB, and in vivo GFP-profilin IIB was recruited to spindles and asters during mitosis in HeLa cells. Our results indicate unexpected diversity in the functions of the profilin family of proteins, and suggest that in mouse profilin IIA is intimately involved in actin dynamics, while profilin IIB associates with other cytoskeletal components.


2000 ◽  
Vol 345 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy J. FARR ◽  
Sarah J. CODDINGTON-LAWSON ◽  
Peter M. SNYDER ◽  
Fiona J. MCDONALD

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) regulates Na+ absorption in epithelial tissues including the lung, colon and sweat gland, and in the distal nephrons of the kidney. When Na+-channel function is disrupted, salt and water homoeostasis is affected. The cytoplasmic regions of the Na+-channel subunits provide binding sites for other proteins to interact with and potentially regulate Na+-channel activity. Previously we showed that a proline-rich region of the α subunit of the Na+ channel bound to a protein of 116 kDa from human lung cells. Here we report the identification of this protein as human Nedd4, a ubiquitin-protein ligase that binds to the Na+-channel subunits via its WW domains. Further, we show that WW domains 2, 3 and 4 of human Nedd4 bind to the α, β and γ Na+-channel subunits but not to a mutated β subunit. In addition, when co-expressed in Xenopus oocytes, human Nedd4 down-regulates Na+-channel activity.


1991 ◽  
Vol 274 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Benech ◽  
A Galina ◽  
L de Meis

Previously [Inesi & de Meis (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 5929-5936] it was shown that dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO) increases the amount of Ca2+ accumulated by sarcoplasmic-reticulum vesicles. This effect was related to a decrease in the enzyme affinity for ADP from less than 20 microM to 1 mM. In the present work the apparent affinity of the ADP-sensitive phosphoenzyme for ADP was determined by measuring the rate of ATP synthesis in vesicles previously loaded with Ca2+, at different pH values and in the presence and absence of Me2SO (20%, v/v) and KCl. In all conditions tested, addition of Me2SO never promoted an increase of the apparent Km for ADP to a value higher than 25 microM. ADP inhibits the phosphorylation of the enzyme by Pi. Two components, with Ki values of 80 microM and 8 mM, were detected when vesicles previously loaded with Ca2+ were used. The high-affinity component (Ki 80 microM) was abolished after addition of Me2SO to the medium. Empty vesicles, on the other hand, exhibited only the low-affinity component (Ki 8 mM). During ATP synthesis in a totally aqueous medium, there was a decrease in the phosphoenzyme formed by Pi, after addition of 80-100 microM-ADP to the medium. In the presence of Me2SO this decrease was smaller. The sum of the fractions of phosphoenzyme formed by ATP and by Pi during Ca2+ uptake was higher in the presence of Me2SO than in a totally aqueous medium. Me2SO decreased the passive efflux of Ca2+ measured in the presence of 0.1 mM-Pi and 0.1 mM-MgCl2. In a totally aqueous medium the same decrease was observed when Pi and MgCl2 concentrations were raised to 4 mM. These data suggest that ADP binds to two different enzyme conformations. The binding to one of these conformations (*E) inhibits the phosphorylation of the enzyme by Pi, increases the efflux of Ca2+ and decreases the amount of Ca2+ accumulated by the vesicles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-223
Author(s):  
Irena Živković ◽  
Lina Muhandes ◽  
Vladimir Petrušić ◽  
Rajna Minić ◽  
Ljiljana Dimitrijević

Natural, polyreactive, low-affinity antibodies are known to play an important role not only in the immediate defense against pathogens, but also in shaping the acquired immune response. On the other hand, antigen specific, high-affinity antibodies can affect the balance of natural antibodies and lead to autoimmune diseases. In this study, we have analyzed the changes that occur in the IgM and IgG pool of natural antibodies after immunization with split or whole virion influenza vaccine. For this purpose, "in-house" developed ELISAs were used. The subjects were divided, according to the vaccination status, into those who had been immunized with the influenza vaccine in previous years and those who had been immunized for the first time. The analysis indicated that the pool of natural antibodies was not impaired by the immunization, evidenced by the lack of changes in any of the groups, and that certain fluctuations were induced in order to maintain the homeostasis of the immune system.


1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 249-254
Author(s):  
A.M. Silva ◽  
R.D. Miró

AbstractWe have developed a model for theH2OandOHevolution in a comet outburst, assuming that together with the gas, a distribution of icy grains is ejected. With an initial mass of icy grains of 108kg released, theH2OandOHproductions are increased up to a factor two, and the growth curves change drastically in the first two days. The model is applied to eruptions detected in theOHradio monitorings and fits well with the slow variations in the flux. On the other hand, several events of short duration appear, consisting of a sudden rise ofOHflux, followed by a sudden decay on the second day. These apparent short bursts are frequently found as precursors of a more durable eruption. We suggest that both of them are part of a unique eruption, and that the sudden decay is due to collisions that de-excite theOHmaser, when it reaches the Cometopause region located at 1.35 × 105kmfrom the nucleus.


Author(s):  
A. V. Crewe

We have become accustomed to differentiating between the scanning microscope and the conventional transmission microscope according to the resolving power which the two instruments offer. The conventional microscope is capable of a point resolution of a few angstroms and line resolutions of periodic objects of about 1Å. On the other hand, the scanning microscope, in its normal form, is not ordinarily capable of a point resolution better than 100Å. Upon examining reasons for the 100Å limitation, it becomes clear that this is based more on tradition than reason, and in particular, it is a condition imposed upon the microscope by adherence to thermal sources of electrons.


Author(s):  
K.H. Westmacott

Life beyond 1MeV – like life after 40 – is not too different unless one takes advantage of past experience and is receptive to new opportunities. At first glance, the returns on performing electron microscopy at voltages greater than 1MeV diminish rather rapidly as the curves which describe the well-known advantages of HVEM often tend towards saturation. However, in a country with a significant HVEM capability, a good case can be made for investing in instruments with a range of maximum accelerating voltages. In this regard, the 1.5MeV KRATOS HVEM being installed in Berkeley will complement the other 650KeV, 1MeV, and 1.2MeV instruments currently operating in the U.S. One other consideration suggests that 1.5MeV is an optimum voltage machine – Its additional advantages may be purchased for not much more than a 1MeV instrument. On the other hand, the 3MeV HVEM's which seem to be operated at 2MeV maximum, are much more expensive.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reimer Kornmann

Summary: My comment is basically restricted to the situation in which less-able students find themselves and refers only to literature in German. From this point of view I am basically able to confirm Marsh's results. It must, however, be said that with less-able pupils the opposite effect can be found: Levels of self-esteem in these pupils are raised, at least temporarily, by separate instruction, academic performance however drops; combined instruction, on the other hand, leads to improved academic performance, while levels of self-esteem drop. Apparently, the positive self-image of less-able pupils who receive separate instruction does not bring about the potential enhancement of academic performance one might expect from high-ability pupils receiving separate instruction. To resolve the dilemma, it is proposed that individual progress in learning be accentuated, and that comparisons with others be dispensed with. This fosters a self-image that can in equal measure be realistic and optimistic.


Author(s):  
Stefan Krause ◽  
Markus Appel

Abstract. Two experiments examined the influence of stories on recipients’ self-perceptions. Extending prior theory and research, our focus was on assimilation effects (i.e., changes in self-perception in line with a protagonist’s traits) as well as on contrast effects (i.e., changes in self-perception in contrast to a protagonist’s traits). In Experiment 1 ( N = 113), implicit and explicit conscientiousness were assessed after participants read a story about either a diligent or a negligent student. Moderation analyses showed that highly transported participants and participants with lower counterarguing scores assimilate the depicted traits of a story protagonist, as indicated by explicit, self-reported conscientiousness ratings. Participants, who were more critical toward a story (i.e., higher counterarguing) and with a lower degree of transportation, showed contrast effects. In Experiment 2 ( N = 103), we manipulated transportation and counterarguing, but we could not identify an effect on participants’ self-ascribed level of conscientiousness. A mini meta-analysis across both experiments revealed significant positive overall associations between transportation and counterarguing on the one hand and story-consistent self-reported conscientiousness on the other hand.


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