Gap junctions provide a communication pathway between adjacent cells. They are formed by paired connexons that reside in the plasma membrane of their respective cell and their activity can be modulated by the bilayer composition. In this work, we study the dynamic behavior of a Cx26 connexon embedded in a POPC lipid bilayer, studying: the membrane protein interactions and the ion flux though the connexon pore. We analyzed extensive atomistic molecular dynamics simulations for different conditions, with and without calcium ions. We found that lipid-protein interactions were mainly mediated by hydrogen bonds. Specific amino acids were identified forming hydrogen bonds with the POPC lipids (ARG98, ARG127, ARG165, ARG216, LYS22, LYS221, LYS223, LYS224, SER19, SER131, SER162, SER219, SER222, THR18 and TYR97, TYR155, TYR212, and TYR217). In the presence of calcium ions, we found subtle differences on the HB lifetimes. Finally, these MD simulations are able to identify and explain differential chlorine flux through the pore depending on the presence or absence of the calcium ions and its distribution within the pore.
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Acta Bioeng Biomech
September 2024
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
: The synthesis of fluoridated apatite consists of several stages, among which the heat treatment has a significant impact on the physical and chemical properties. The present study aims to elucidate the influence of two different sintering methods on fluoride-substituted apatite properties. : For this purpose, a two F-substituted apatites were produced by heat treatment in different ways called "rapid sintering" and "slow sintering".
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Medical 3D Printing Center, Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China.
Stem cell implantation holds promise for enhancing bone repair, but risks of pathogen transmission and malignant cell transformation should not be ignored. Compared to stem cell implantation, recruitment of endogenous stem cells to injured sites is more critical for in situ bone regeneration. In this study, based on the acidic microenvironment of bone injury, an HG-AA-SDF-1α composite hydrogel with a dual-control intelligent switch function is developed by incorporating stromal cell-derived factor (SDF-1α), arginine carbon dots (Arg-CDs), and calcium ions (Ca) into the oxidized hyaluronic acid/gelatin methacryloyl (HG) hydrogel.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Clin Pediatr Dent
December 2024
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Background And Objective: During the last 200 years, there have been many changes in the way of performing endodontic treatment. The increased demand from patients for saving their teeth has led to the development of various innovative equipment and advances in the field of material sciences. Thus, the standard protocol of endodontic treatment has undergone several modifications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProtein Sci
February 2025
Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Proteins' flexibility is a feature in communicating changes in cell signaling instigated by binding with secondary messengers, such as calcium ions, associated with the coordination of muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and gene expression. When binding with the disordered parts of a protein, calcium ions must balance their charge states with the shape of calcium-binding proteins and their versatile pool of partners depending on the circumstances they transmit. Accurately determining the ionic charges of those ions is essential for understanding their role in such processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant Physiol Biochem
January 2025
Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, College of Agriculture, GuangXi University, Nanning, 530004, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Science Education/College of Agriculture, Nanning, 530004, China; Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, Nanning, 530004, China. Electronic address:
Aluminium (Al)-induced programmed cell death (PCD) is thought to be a main cause of Al phytotoxicity. However, the underlying mechanism by which Al induces PCD in plants is unclear. In this study, we characterized the function of AhASRK1 (Aluminum Sensitive Receptor-like protein Kinase1), an Al-induced LRR-type receptor-like kinase gene.
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