Heterogeneity of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca store determines colocalization with mitochondria.

Contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria play a pivotal role in cell signaling, and the interaction between these organelles is dynamic and finely regulated. We have studied the role of ER Ca concentration ([Ca]) in modulating this association in HeLa and HEK293 cells and human fibroblasts. According to Manders' coefficient, ER-mitochondria colocalization varied depending on the ER marker; it was the highest with ER-Tracker and the lowest with ER Ca indicators (Mag-Fluo-4, erGAP3, and G-CEPIA1er) in both HeLa cells and human fibroblasts.

Reorganization of Hydration Water of DPPC Multilamellar Vesicles Induced by l-Cysteine Interaction.

The aim of this study is to analyze the consequences of water redistribution on the structure and stability of phospholipid bilayers induced by cysteine (Cys). This interaction is studied with 1,2-dipalmitoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multilamellar vesicles in gel (30 °C) and liquid crystalline (50 °C) state; experimental studies were performed by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polar head sites of the lipid molecules to which water can bind are identified by competition with compounds that form hydrogen bonds, such as Cys.

Determination of the main solid-state form of albendazole in bulk drug, employing Raman spectroscopy coupled to multivariate analysis.

Albendazole (ALB) is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic, which exhibits two solid-state forms (Forms I and II). The Form I is the metastable crystal at room temperature, while Form II is the stable one. Because the drug has poor aqueous solubility and Form II is less soluble than Form I, it is desirable to have a method to assess the solid-state form of the drug employed for manufacturing purposes.

Molecular cloning and expression of a GABA receptor subunit from the crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

Molecular cloning has introduced an unexpected, large diversity of neurotransmitter hetero- oligomeric receptors. Extensive research on the molecular structure of the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAR) has been of great significance for understanding how the nervous system works in both vertebrates and invertebrates. However, only two examples of functional homo-oligomeric GABA-activated Cl(-) channels have been reported.

Influence of sociodemographic characteristics on human mobility [corrected].

Human mobility has been traditionally studied using surveys that deliver snapshots of population displacement patterns. The growing accessibility to ICT information from portable digital media has recently opened the possibility of exploring human behavior at high spatio-temporal resolutions. Mobile phone records, geolocated tweets, check-ins from Foursquare or geotagged photos, have contributed to this purpose at different scales, from cities to countries, in different world areas.

Ab-initio and DFT calculations on molecular structure, NBO, HOMO-LUMO study and a new vibrational analysis of 4-(Dimethylamino) Benzaldehyde.

The experimental and theoretical study on the molecular structure and a new vibrational analysis of 4-(Dimethylamino) Benzaldehyde (DMABA) is presented. The IR and Raman spectra were recorded in solid state. Optimized geometry, vibrational frequencies and various thermodynamic parameters of the title compound were calculated using DFT methods and are in agreement with the experimental values.

Golgi study of medium spiny neurons from dorsolateral striatum of the turtle Trachemys scripta elegans.

Comparative anatomy has shown similarities between reptilian and mammalian basal ganglia. Here the morphological characteristics of the medium spiny neurons (MSN) in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) of the turtle are described after staining them with the Golgi technique. The soma of MSN in DLS showed three main forms: spherical, ovoid, and fusiform.

Orientation of the calcium channel beta relative to the alpha(1)2.2 subunit is critical for its regulation of channel activity.

Background: The Ca(v)beta subunits of high voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels control the trafficking and biophysical properties of the alpha(1) subunit. The Ca(v)beta-alpha(1) interaction site has been mapped by crystallographic studies. Nevertheless, how this interaction leads to channel regulation has not been determined.

Functional characterization and neuronal modeling of the effects of childhood absence epilepsy variants of CACNA1H, a T-type calcium channel.

Sequencing of the T-type Ca2+ channel gene CACNA1H revealed 12 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were found only in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) patients. One SNP, G773D, was found in two patients. The present study reports the finding of a third patient with this SNP, as well as analysis of their parents.

Functional impact of alternative splicing of human T-type Cav3.3 calcium channels.

Low-voltage-activated T-type (Cav3) Ca2+ channels produce low-threshold spikes that trigger burst firing in many neurons. The CACNA1I gene encodes the Cav3.3 isoform, which activates and inactivates much more slowly than the other Cav3 channels.

Cloning of a novel one-repeat calcium channel-like gene.

We describe the cloning of a cDNA from a human testis library that encodes a novel protein with similarity to one repeat of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (Ca(v)). Northern and dot blot analyses indicate that the novel Ca(v)-like gene is expressed predominantly in testis and at lower levels in many other tissues. Heterologous expression of the Ca(v)-like protein did not lead to the induction of any detectable ionic current and failed to modify intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations.

Alternative splicing of the rat Ca(v)3.3 T-type calcium channel gene produces variants with distinct functional properties(1).

Molecular diversity in T-type Ca(2+) channels is produced by expression of three genes, and alternative splicing of those genes. Prompted by differences noted between rat and human Ca(v)3.3 sequences, we searched for splice variants.