Endocannabinoid regulation of inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels.

The inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1 (KCNJ2) is an important regulator of resting membrane potential in both excitable and non-excitable cells. The functions of Kir2.

Identification and Characterization of the Interaction Between the Methyl-7-Guanosine Cap Maturation Enzyme RNMT and the Cap-Binding Protein eIF4E.

The control of RNA metabolism is an important aspect of molecular biology with wide-ranging impacts on cells. Central to processing of coding RNAs is the addition of the methyl-7 guanosine (mG) "cap" on their 5' end. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E directly binds the mG cap and through this interaction plays key roles in many steps of RNA metabolism including nuclear RNA export and translation.

A new whole-cell biocatalyst for sulfur dioxide filtering and degradation.

In this study, the interaction of the magnetotactic bacterium with sulfite compounds and their potential to degrade SO was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), molecular emission cavity analysis (MECA) and ion-exchange chromatography (IEC). This biofilter was able to degrade SO up to 22281 mg m by disproportionation reaction and the formation of S and SO with ≥99% efficiency. Designed biofilter was able to restart the initial performance at least after seven cycles if it was used at 14-day intervals.

Introducing a bioelectrochemical method for highly selective enumeration of magnetotactic bacteria.

In this study, we employed an electrochemical (potentiometric) method to enumerate magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) during its coupling with iodometric titration to obtain a selective, precise and rapid counting system. Oxygen was considered as an important factor for the orientation and movement of MTB towards the magnet-modified indicator electrode. In the direct potentiometry, a linear correlation was detected between potentiometric response and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations.

Evaluation of the Bioactive Potential of Secondary Metabolites Produced by a New Marine Species Isolated from the Persian Gulf.

Background: In the present work, a newly isolated marine bacterium, sp. MP76, from coastal area of Persian Gulf around Bushehr province, Iran, was identified with the ability to produce bioactive compounds.

Methods: The pigment production was optimized by changing carbon and nitrogen sources in bacterial growth media at 28° and 220 for 5 days.

Purification, Characterization and Mechanistic Evaluation of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides Derived from Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit.

The synthetic Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have side effects and hence demands for natural ACE inhibitors have been rising. The aim of this study is to purify and introduce natural ACE inhibitors extracted from Zizyphus jujuba fruits. Proteins from Zizyphus jujuba were lysed by trypsin, papain and their combination.

Influence of different amino acid groups on the free radical scavenging capability of multi walled carbon nanotubes.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with a series of amino acids (lysine, arginine, cysteine, histidine, and aspartic acid) by sonication. Surface functional groups of the treated MWCNTs were investigated by infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated the formation of various amino acid functionalities on the MWCNT surface, as well as the improved dispersion of MWCNTs in water.