Vacuole fragmentation depends on a novel Atg18-containing retromer-complex.

The yeast PROPPIN Atg18 folds as a β-propeller with two binding sites for phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) and PtdIns(3,5)P at its circumference. Membrane insertion of an amphipathic loop of Atg18 leads to membrane tubulation and fission. Atg18 has known functions at the PAS during macroautophagy, but the functional relevance of its endosomal and vacuolar pool is not well understood.

Glycinergic Transmission in the Presence and Absence of Functional GlyT2: Lessons From the Auditory Brainstem.

Synaptic transmission is controlled by re-uptake systems that reduce transmitter concentrations in the synaptic cleft and recycle the transmitter into presynaptic terminals. The re-uptake systems are thought to ensure cytosolic concentrations in the terminals that are sufficient for reloading empty synaptic vesicles (SVs). Genetic deletion of glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2) results in severely disrupted inhibitory neurotransmission and ultimately to death.

Analysis of the protein composition of the spindle pole body during sporulation in Ashbya gossypii.

The spores of fungi come in a wide variety of forms and sizes, highly adapted to the route of dispersal and to survival under specific environmental conditions. The ascomycete Ashbya gossypii produces needle shaped spores with a length of 30 μm and a diameter of 1 μm. Formation of these spores relies on actin and actin regulatory proteins and is, therefore, distinct from the minor role that actin plays for spore formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Inhibitory glycinergic neurotransmission in the mammalian auditory brainstem upon prolonged stimulation: short-term plasticity and synaptic reliability.

Short-term plasticity plays a key role in synaptic transmission and has been extensively investigated for excitatory synapses. Much less is known about inhibitory synapses. Here we analyze the performance of glycinergic connections between the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) and the lateral superior olive (LSO) in the auditory brainstem, where high spike rates as well as fast and precise neurotransmission are hallmarks.

Development of a fluorescence resonance energy transfer peptide library technology for detection of protease contaminants in protein-based raw materials used in diagnostic assays.

Protease impurities in raw materials used in enzyme immunoassays can impair assay performance. This risk may be greatly decreased if incoming protein-based raw materials are controlled for protease impurities or if protease inhibitors are used in the assay formulations. As many different proteases might occur in protein raw materials, it is desirable to have a general test for protease contamination.

Cav1.3 calcium channels are required for normal development of the auditory brainstem.

Within the Ca(v)1 family of voltage-gated calcium channels, Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)1.3 channels are the predominant subtypes in the brain.