Dipeptidyl peptidase-like protein 6 (DPP6) is an auxiliary subunit of the Kv4 family of voltage-gated K(+) channels known to enhance channel surface expression and potently accelerate their kinetics. DPP6 is a single transmembrane protein, which is structurally remarkable for its large extracellular domain. Included in this domain is a cysteine-rich motif, the function of which is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContext: Aldosterone production in the adrenal zona glomerulosa is mainly regulated by angiotensin II, [K(+)], and ACTH. Genetic deletion of subunits of K(+)-selective leak (KCNK) channels TWIK-related acid sensitive K(+)-1 and/or TWIK-related acid sensitive K(+)-3 in mice results in primary hyperaldosteronism, whereas mutations in the KCNJ5 (potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 5) gene are implicated in primary hyperaldosteronism and, in certain cases, in autonomous glomerulosa cell proliferation in humans.
Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the role of KCNK3, KCNK5, KCNK9, and KCNJ5 genes in a family with primary hyperaldosteronism and early-onset hypertension.
Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be a useful model system for the genetic analysis of ethanol-associated behaviors. However, past studies have focused on the response of the adult fly to large, and often sedating, doses of ethanol. The pharmacological effects of low and moderate quantities of ethanol have remained understudied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKCNJ5 mutations were recently described in primary hyperaldosteronism (PH or Conn's syndrome). The frequency of these mutations in PH and the way KCNJ5 defects cause disease remain unknown. A total of 53 patients with PH have been seen at the National Institutes of Health over the last 12 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdult Drosophila melanogaster has long been a popular model for learning and memory studies. Now the larval stage of the fruit fly is also being used in an increasing number of classical conditioning studies. In this study, we employed heat shock as a novel negative reinforcement for larvae and obtained high learning scores following just one training trial.
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