Efficacy of ensitrelvir against SARS-CoV-2 in a delayed-treatment mouse model.

Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the aetiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a devastating worldwide health concern. Development of safe and effective treatments is not only important for interventions during the current pandemic, but also for providing general treatment options moving forward. We have developed ensitrelvir, an antiviral compound that targets the 3C-like protease of SARS-CoV-2.

Single Molecule Fluorescence Imaging Reveals the Stoichiometry of BKγ1 Subunit in Living HEK293 Cell Expression System.

Large conductance Ca-activated K (BK) channels are ubiquitously expressed in plasma membrane of both excitable and non-excitable cells and possess significant physiological functions. A tetrameric complex of α subunit (BKα) forms a functional pore of BK channel. The properties of BK channel, such as voltage-dependence, Ca sensitivity and pharmacological responses, are extensively modulated by co-expressing accessory β subunits (BKβ), which can associate with BKα in one to one manner.

Involvement of the γ1 subunit of the large-conductance Ca-activated K channel in the proliferation of human somatostatinoma cells.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) occur due to the abnormal growth of pancreatic islet cells and predominantly develop in the duodenal-pancreatic region. Somatostatinoma is one of the pNETs associated with tumors of pancreatic δ cells, which produce and secrete somatostatin. Limited information is currently available on the pathogenic mechanisms of somatostatinoma.

Roles of LRRC26 as an auxiliary γ1-subunit of large-conductance Ca-activated K channels in bronchial smooth muscle cells.

In visceral smooth muscle cells (SMCs), the large-conductance Ca-activated K (BK) channel is one of the key elements underlying a negative feedback mechanism that is essential for the regulation of intracellular Ca concentration. Although leucine-rich repeat-containing (LRRC) proteins have been identified as novel auxiliary γ-subunits of the BK channel (BKγ) in several cell types, its physiological roles in SMCs are unclear. The BKγ expression patterns in selected SM tissues were examined using real-time PCR analyses and Western blotting.