Characterization of the interaction between the Sec61 translocon complex and ppαF using optical tweezers.

The Sec61 translocon allows the translocation of secretory preproteins from the cytosol to the endoplasmic reticulum lumen during polypeptide biosynthesis. These proteins possess an N-terminal signal peptide (SP) which docks at the translocon. SP mutations can abolish translocation and cause diseases, suggesting an essential role for this SP/Sec61 interaction.

Study of an Antarctic thermophilic consortium and its influence on the electrochemical behavior of aluminum alloy 7075-T6.

Common alloys used for the manufacture of aircrafts are subject to different forms of environmental deterioration. A major one is corrosion, and there is a strong body of evidence suggesting that environmental microorganisms initiate and accelerate it. The development of an appropriate strategy to reduce this process depends on the knowledge concerning the factors involved in corrosion.

Mechanical properties of BiP protein determined by nano-rheology.

Immunoglobulin Binding Protein (BiP) is a chaperone and molecular motor belonging to the Hsp70 family, involved in the regulation of important biological processes such as synthesis, folding and translocation of proteins in the Endoplasmic Reticulum. BiP has two highly conserved domains: the N-terminal Nucleotide-Binding Domain (NBD), and the C-terminal Substrate-Binding Domain (SBD), connected by a hydrophobic linker. ATP binds and it is hydrolyzed to ADP in the NBD, and BiP's extended polypeptide substrates bind in the SBD.

DNA Staining Method Based on Formazan Precipitation Induced by Blue Light Exposure.

DNA staining methods are very important for biomedical research. We designed a simple method that allows DNA visualization to the naked eye by the formation of a colored precipitate. It works by soaking the acrylamide or agarose DNA gel in a solution of 1x (equivalent to 2.

Prolonged ATR activation induces Ca1.2 channel internalization in rat cardiomyocytes.

The cardiac L-type calcium channel is a multi-subunit complex that requires co-assembling of the pore-forming subunit Ca1.2 with auxiliary subunits Caαδ and Caβ. Its traffic has been shown to be controlled by these subunits and by the activation of various G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR).

New visible and selective DNA staining method in gels with tetrazolium salts.

DNA staining in gels has historically been carried out using silver staining and fluorescent dyes like ethidium bromide and SYBR Green I (SGI). Using fluorescent dyes allows recovery of the analyte, but requires instruments such as a transilluminator or fluorimeter to visualize the DNA. Here we described a new and simple method that allows DNA visualization to the naked eye by generating a colored precipitate.