DMNP as an Effective Cage for Ln: A Spectroscopic and Thermodynamic Study.

Dimethoxynitrophenyl-EDTA (DMNP) is a popular calcium cage that is frequently used to investigate the role of Ca in signaling processes . Lanthanides have been used in Ca biomimetics due to similarities in coordination properties of Ln and Ca that may enable fluorescence and NMR studies of functional and structural properties of Ca binding proteins. In this study, we show that Tb, Eu, and Nd bind strongly to DMNP in a 1:1 ratio.

Distinct mechanism of Tb and Eu binding to NCS1.

Lanthanides have been frequently used as biomimetic compounds for NMR and fluorescence studies of Ca binding proteins due to having similar physical properties and coordination geometry to Ca ions. Here we report that a member of the neuronal calcium sensor family, neuronal calcium sensor 1, complexes with two lanthanide ions Tb and Eu. The affinity for Tb is nearly 50 times higher than that for Ca ( = 0.

Nanomolar affinity of EF-hands in neuronal calcium sensor 1 for bivalent cations Pb2+, Mn2+, and Hg2.

Abiogenic metals Pb and Hg are highly toxic since chronic and/or acute exposure often leads to severe neuropathologies. Mn2+ is an essential metal ion but in excess can impair neuronal function. In this study, we address in vitro the interactions between neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS1) and divalent cations.

Tobacco Industry Branding Strategies and Its Influence on Young Adults.

Every year, tobacco industries are spending millions of dollars targeting youths and non-smokers with tactful advertisements and promotion, which has impact on early initiation, increasing overall smoking rate and further upsurge the disease and early death. The study aimed to explore the tobacco industry's branding strategies that influences youth to early initiation of tobacco in Bangladesh. This study was a cross-sectional design with mixed method approach and implemented during March - December 2019.