Folding of G Subunits: Implications for Disease States.

G-proteins play a central role in signal transduction by fluctuating between "on" and "off" phases that are determined by a conformational change. cAMP is a secondary messenger whose formation is inhibited or stimulated by activated G or G subunit. We used tryptophan fluorescence, UV/vis spectrophotometry, and circular dichroism to probe distinct structural features within active and inactive conformations from wild-type and tryptophan mutants of G and G.

Lithium in Medicine: Mechanisms of Action.

In this chapter, we review the mechanism of action of lithium salts from a chemical perspective. A description on how lithium salts are used to treat mental illnesses, in particular bipolar disorder, and other disease states is provided. Emphasis is not placed on the genetics and the psychopharmacology of the ailments for which lithium salts have proven to be beneficial.