Presynaptic development is controlled by the core active zone proteins CAST/ELKS.

Key Points: CAST/ELKS are positive regulators of presynaptic growth and are suppressors of active zone expansion at the developing mouse calyx of Held. CAST/ELKS regulate all three Ca 2 subtype channel levels in the presynaptic terminal and not just Ca 2.1.

Ca2.1 α Subunit Expression Regulates Presynaptic Ca2.1 Abundance and Synaptic Strength at a Central Synapse.

The abundance of presynaptic Ca2 voltage-gated Ca channels (Ca2) at mammalian active zones (AZs) regulates the efficacy of synaptic transmission. It is proposed that presynaptic Ca2 levels are saturated in AZs due to a finite number of slots that set Ca2 subtype abundance and that Ca2.1 cannot compete for Ca2.

CAST/ELKS Proteins Control Voltage-Gated Ca Channel Density and Synaptic Release Probability at a Mammalian Central Synapse.

In the presynaptic terminal, the magnitude and location of Ca entry through voltage-gated Ca channels (VGCCs) regulate the efficacy of neurotransmitter release. However, how presynaptic active zone proteins control mammalian VGCC levels and organization is unclear. To address this, we deleted the CAST/ELKS protein family at the calyx of Held, a Ca2.

A novel region in the Ca2.1 α subunit C-terminus regulates fast synaptic vesicle fusion and vesicle docking at the mammalian presynaptic active zone.

In central nervous system (CNS) synapses, action potential-evoked neurotransmitter release is principally mediated by Ca2.1 calcium channels (Ca2.1) and is highly dependent on the physical distance between Ca2.

Heterologous expression of NaV1.9 chimeras in various cell systems.

SCN11A encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.9, which deviates most strongly from the other eight NaV channels expressed in mammals. It is characterized by resistance to the prototypic NaV channel blocker tetrodotoxin and exhibits slow activation and inactivation gating.

A de novo gain-of-function mutation in SCN11A causes loss of pain perception.

The sensation of pain protects the body from serious injury. Using exome sequencing, we identified a specific de novo missense mutation in SCN11A in individuals with the congenital inability to experience pain who suffer from recurrent tissue damage and severe mutilations. Heterozygous knock-in mice carrying the orthologous mutation showed reduced sensitivity to pain and self-inflicted tissue lesions, recapitulating aspects of the human phenotype.

Polyphasic bacterial community analysis of an aerobic activated sludge removing phenols and thiocyanate from coke plant effluent.

Biological purification processes are effective tools in the treatment of hazardous wastes such as toxic compounds produced in coal coking. In this study, the microbial community of a lab-scale activated sludge system treating coking effluent was assessed by cultivation-based (strain isolation and identification, biodegradation tests) and culture-independent techniques (sequence-aided T-RFLP, taxon-specific PCR). The results of the applied polyphasic approach showed a simple microbial community dominated by easily culturable heterotrophic bacteria.

[Surgical treatment of idiopathic megacolon].

The authors discuss own experience in diagnosis and surgical treatment of 32 patients with idiopathic megacolon. Three surgical techniques were compared: 1) partial excision of the colon, 2) nearly complete excision of the colon with cecum-rectal anastomosis, and 3) total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Basing on the authors' own experience and available literature the third approach is recommended as the most appropriate in the treatment of the persistent, chronic constipation accompanying idiopathic megacolon.

Long-term results of jejunoileostomy for extreme obesity.

The results of jejunoileostomy performed on 130 extremely obese patients in 1972-1982 are presented. The mean preoperative body weight was 130.9 kg.

[Morphological assessment of the adaptation process in the small intestine after jejunoileostomy for extreme obesity].

The paper presents the author's experiments performed for examining the morphological adaptation in the intestinal loop, preserved for the food passage after jejunoileostomy for extreme obesity. Macro-, micro-, and ultramicroscopic examinations were carried out in 20 patients. A characteristic elongation and hypertrophy of the active intestinal loop, thickening of its wall (especially mucosa), hypertrophy and elongation of the intestinal villi as well as reduction of the mucous cells could be observed.

[Concentration of the trace elements after jejunoileostomy in extreme obesity (author's transl)].

Jejunoileostomy has been performed for several years in extreme obesity and leads to a decrease of several microelements in blood serum. Mainly zinc, copper, and calcium are concerned. But the increasing adaptation of the active parts of the short bowel within a few months is followed by extensive normalization of the other disturbances after jejunoileostomy.