Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 in Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

Neuropathic pain (NP) affects approximately 4 million people in the United States with spinal cord injury (SCI) being a common cause. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an integral role in mediating inflammatory responses, cellular signaling, cell migration, extracellular matrix degradation and tissue remodeling and repair. As such, they are major components in the pathogenesis of secondary injury within the central nervous system.

Extracellular loops and ligand binding to a subfamily of Family A G-protein-coupled receptors.

GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) are a large family of structurally related proteins which mediate their effects by coupling to G-proteins. The V(1a)R (V(1a) vasopressin receptor) is a member of a family of related GPCRs that are activated by vasopressin {AVP ([Arg(8)]vasopressin)}, OT (oxytocin) and related peptides. These receptors are members of a subfamily of Family A GPCRs called the neurohypophysial peptide hormone receptor family.

An audit of footwear for patients with leg bandages.

Brenda King conducted an audit to identify how many patients do not have adequate footwear as a consequence of wearing bandages and dressings on their feet and legs, and discusses the impact this has on quality of life.

The N-terminal juxtamembrane segment of the V1a vasopressin receptor provides two independent epitopes required for high-affinity agonist binding and signaling.

It is fundamentally important to define how agonist-receptor interaction differs from antagonist-receptor interaction. The V1a vasopressin receptor (V1aR) is a member of the neurohypophysial hormone subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Using alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the N-terminal juxtamembrane segment of the V1aR, we now establish that Glu54 (1.