Temperature-dependent contractility of rat tunica dartos muscle: Contribution of cold, menthol-sensitive TRPM8.

Tunica dartos smooth muscle (TDSM) lies beneath the scrotal skin, and its contraction leads to scrotum wrinkling upon cooling. However, neither the nature of TDSM cold-sensitivity nor the underlying molecular sensors are well understood. Here we have investigated the role of cold/menthol-sensitive TRPM8 channel in TDSM temperature-dependent contractility.

Complex modulation of Ca(v)3.1 T-type calcium channel by nickel.

Nickel is considered to be a selective blocker of low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channel. Recently, the Ni(2+)-binding site with critical histidine-191 (H191) within the extracellular IS3-IS4 domain of the most Ni(2+)-sensitive Cav3.2 T-channel isoform has been identified.

Patterns of expression of TSC-22 protein in astrocytic gliomas.

Aim: To evaluate expression patterns of protein product of putative tumor suppressor gene TSC-22 in human astrocytic tumors by immunohistochemical approach.

Methods: Plasmid pET-23d-TSC22 was constructed for the expression of human TSC-22 protein in bacterial system, and polyclonal rabbit antibodies against recombinant TSC-22 were produced. Immunohistochemical analysis of TSC-22 and GFAP expression with the use of anti-human-TSC-22- and anti-human-GFAP-antibodies was performed on histological slides of astrocytic tumors.

Molecular cloning of CoA Synthase. The missing link in CoA biosynthesis.

Coenzyme A functions as a carrier of acetyl and acyl groups in living cells and is essential for numerous biosynthetic, energy-yielding, and degradative metabolic pathways. There are five enzymatic steps in CoA biosynthesis. To date, molecular cloning of enzymes involved in the CoA biosynthetic pathway in mammals has been only reported for pantothenate kinase.