Protein Structure Prediction with High Degrees of Freedom in a Gate-Based Quantum Computer.

Protein folding, which traces the protein three-dimensional (3D) structure from its amino acid sequence, is a half-a-century-old problem in biology. The function of the protein correlates with its structure, emphasizing the need to study protein folding to understand the cellular and molecular processes better. While recent AI-based methods have shown significant success in protein structure prediction, their accuracy diminishes with proteins of low sequence similarity.

Estrogen receptor-alpha mediates estrogen protection from angiotensin II-induced hypertension in conscious female mice.

It has been shown that the female sex hormones have a protective role in the development of angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertension. The present study tested the hypotheses that 1) the estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) is involved in the protective effects of estrogen against ANG II-induced hypertension and 2) central ERs are involved. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in female mice with the use of telemetry implants.

Frequency-dependent depression of exocytosis and the role of voltage-gated calcium channels.

Synaptic vesicle exocytosis in primary cultures of baroreceptor neurons is reduced during high-frequency stimulation. Calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) is a key step in neurotransmitter release. With the help of FM2-10, a marker of synaptic vesicle recycling, the present study investigates the differential contribution of several VGCC subtypes to exocytosis in neuronal processes and how this contribution is altered at high frequencies.

Sex differences in the development of angiotensin II-induced hypertension in conscious mice.

Sex has an important influence on blood pressure (BP) regulation. There is increasing evidence that sex hormones interfere with the renin-angiotensin system. Thus the purpose of this study was to determine whether there are sex differences in the development of ANG II-induced hypertension in conscious male and female mice.

Estrogen receptor-alpha mediates estrogen facilitation of baroreflex heart rate responses in conscious mice.

Estrogen facilitates baroreflex heart rate responses evoked by intravenous infusion of ANG II and phenylephrine (PE) in ovariectomized female mice. The present study aims to identify the estrogen receptor subtype involved in mediating these effects of estrogen. Baroreflex responses to PE, ANG II, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were tested in intact and ovariectomized estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERalphaKO) with (OvxE+) or without (OvxE-) estrogen replacement.

Frequency dependence of synaptic vesicle exocytosis in aortic baroreceptor neurons and the role of group III mGluRs.

Synaptic transmission between baroreceptor afferents and the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) is essential for reflex regulation of blood pressure. High frequency stimulation of the afferents in vivo leads to a decrease in synaptic strength and is generally attributed to reduction in presynaptic neurotransmitter release. It has been hypothesized that during high frequency stimulation glutamate a major neurotransmitter at the baroreceptor afferent terminals inhibits its own release via presynaptic group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs).

Effects of salt rich diet in the obese Zucker rats: studies on renal function during isotonic volume expansion.

Obese Zucker rats (OZR) are hyperinsulenemic, hyperglycemic and dyslipidemic and develop salt dependent hypertension. Since salt sensitivity is considered to be due to impaired handling of renal sodium excretion, these studies were conducted in the obese and lean Zucker rats (LZR) anesthetized with Inactin to evaluate renal function under basal conditions and during acute isotonic fluid volume expansion (VE). Mean Arterial blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), renal blood flow(RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were not significantly different between the lean Zucker rats fed normal diet or that fed salt rich diet(8% NaCI).

17 beta-Estradiol inhibits angiotensin II activation of area postrema neurons.

It is well established that the area postrema, as a circumventricular organ, is susceptible to modulation by circulating hormones and peptides. Furthermore, activation of the area postrema has been shown to modulate central neurons involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function and blood pressure. In particular, the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (ANG II) has been shown to inhibit baroreflex regulation of heart rate and increase sympathetic outflow and blood pressure via activation of area postrema neurons.

Estrogen modulation of baroreflex function in conscious mice.

It has been suggested that estrogen modulates baroreflex regulation of autonomic function. The present study evaluated the effects of estrogen on baroreflex regulation of heart rate in response to changes in blood pressure with phenylephrine (PE), ANG II, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in a conscious mouse model. Males and ovariectomized females with (OvxE+) and without (OvxE-) estradiol replacement chronically implanted with arterial and venous catheters were used in these studies.

Role of the area postrema in angiotensin II modulation of baroreflex control of heart rate in conscious mice.

This study reports the effects of angiotensin II (ANG II), arginine vasopression (AVP), phenylephrine (PE), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on baroreflex control of heart rate in the presence and absence of the area postrema (AP) in conscious mice. In intact, sham-lesioned mice, baroreflex-induced decreases in heart rate due to increases in arterial pressure with intravenous infusions of ANG II were significantly less than those observed with similar increases in arterial pressure with PE (slope: -3.0 +/- 0.

Expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 in autonomic cell groups of the medulla oblongata of the rat.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the medulla oblongata have been suggested to have a functional role in the regulation of cardiovascular baroreflexes. The present study examines the localization of mGluR8 autonomic nuclei of the medulla of the rat. mGluR8 immunoreactivity was observed in the cell bodies and/or processes of the dorsolateral, interstitial, medial, intermediate, ventral, ventrolateral, subpostremal, commissural, parvicellular and gelatinosus subnuclei of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS).