Identification and characterization of a calmodulin binding domain in the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase from Trypanosoma equiperdum.

The plasma membrane Ca-ATPase (PMCA) from trypanosomatids lacks a classical calmodulin (CaM) binding domain, although CaM stimulated activities have been detected by biochemical assays. Recently we proposed that the Trypanosoma equiperdum CaM-sensitive PMCA (TePMCA) contains a potential 1-18 CaM-binding motif at the C-terminal region of the pump. In the present study, we evaluated the potential CaM-binding motifs using CaM from Trypanosoma cruzi and either the recombinant full length TePMCA C-terminal sequence (P14) or synthetic peptides comprising different regions of the C-terminal domain.

Blood pressure, magnesium and other mineral balance in two rat models of salt-sensitive, induced hypertension: effects of a non-peptide angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist.

The renin-angiotensin system is critically involved in regulating arterial blood pressure (BP). Inappropriate angiotensin type-1 receptor activation by angiotensin-II (Ang-II) is related to increased arterial BP. Mg has a role in BP; it can affect cardiac electrical activity, myocardial contractility, and vascular tone.