A role for the Val291 residue within the transmembrane domain 2 in diltiazem- and TMB-8 [3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester]-mediated 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3A receptor regulations.

Previous reports have shown that diltiazem and TMB, calcium channel antagonists, inhibit 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3A (5-HT(3A)) receptor-mediated currents (I(5-HT)) in cell lines and in heterologously expressed Xenopus oocytes. In the present study, we sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying diltiazem- and TMB-induced 5-HT(3A) receptor regulations. We used the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique to investigate the effect of diltiazem and TMB on 5-HT-mediated ion currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing wild-type or 5-HT(3A) receptors harboring mutations in the gating pore region of transmembrane domain 2 (TM2).

Effects of ginsenosides, active ingredients of Panax ginseng, on development, growth, and life span of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The backbone structure of ginsenosides, active ingredients of Panax ginseng, is similar with that of sterol, especially cholesterol. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is one of free living nematodes and is well-established animal model for biochemical and genetic studies.