Publications by authors named "K Woll"

Background: As the primary Ca release channel in skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), mutations in type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) or its binding partners underlie a constellation of muscle disorders, including malignant hyperthermia (MH). In patients with MH mutations, triggering agents including halogenated volatile anaesthetics bias RyR1 to an open state resulting in uncontrolled Ca release, increased sarcomere tension, and heat production. Propofol does not trigger MH and is commonly used for patients at risk of MH.

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As the primary Ca release channel in skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), mutations in the type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) or its binding partners underlie a constellation of muscle disorders, including malignant hyperthermia (MH). In patients with MH mutations, exposure to triggering drugs such as the halogenated volatile anesthetics biases RyR1 to an open state, resulting in uncontrolled Ca release, sarcomere tension and heat production. Restoration of Ca into the SR also consumes ATP, generating a further untenable metabolic load.

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Calcins are peptides from scorpion venom with the unique ability to cross cell membranes, gaining access to intracellular targets. Ryanodine Receptors (RyR) are intracellular ion channels that control release of Ca from the endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum. Calcins target RyRs and induce long-lived subconductance states, whereby single-channel currents are decreased.

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Propofol, one of the most commonly used intravenous general anesthetics, modulates neuronal function by interacting with ion channels. The mechanisms that link propofol binding to the modulation of distinct ion channel states, however, are not understood. To tackle this problem, we investigated the prokaryotic ancestors of eukaryotic voltage-gated Na channels (Navs) using unbiased photoaffinity labeling (PAL) with a diazirine derivative of propofol (AziP), electrophysiological methods, and mutagenesis.

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Ca-release channels are giant membrane proteins that control the release of Ca from the endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum. The two members, ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IPRs), are evolutionarily related and are both activated by cytosolic Ca. They share a common architecture, but RyRs have evolved additional modules in the cytosolic region.

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