Restricted binding of a model protein on CN nanosheets suggests an adequate biocompatibility of the nanomaterial.

Recently, CN, a carbon nitride nanomaterial, has attracted great attention in many scientific fields due to its outstanding properties. Specifically, this nanomaterial has displayed non- or low-toxicity in biological systems suggesting its excellent biocompatibility and biosafety. Nevertheless, few studies address the structural consequences from the direct interaction between CN and biomolecules that could imply the physical origin of its bio-effect, particularly from the molecular level.

Inhibitory Mechanism of the Isoflavone Derivative Genistein in the Human Ca3.3 Channel.

Regulation of cellular excitability and oscillatory behavior of resting membrane potential in nerve cells are largely mediated by the low-voltage activated T-type calcium channels. This calcium channel family is constituted by three isoforms, namely, Ca3.1, Ca3.

Partial Denaturation of Villin Headpiece upon Binding to a Carbon Nitride Polyaniline (CN) Nanosheet.

Carbon nitride polyaniline (CN) nanosheets, since their recent successful synthesis, have been explored for biomedical applications. However, a thorough study of their interaction with biomolecules is still largely missing. Here, by using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we identified the mechanistic determinants of the interaction between a CN nanosheet and the prototypical protein villin headpiece (HP35).

Substrate-selective protein ectodomain shedding by ADAM17 and iRhom2 depends on their juxtamembrane and transmembrane domains.

The metalloprotease ADAM17 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17) regulates EGF-receptor and TNFα signaling, thereby not only protecting the skin and intestinal barrier, but also contributing to autoimmunity. ADAM17 can be rapidly activated by many stimuli through its transmembrane domain (TMD), with the seven membrane-spanning inactive Rhomboids (iRhom) 1 and 2 implicated as candidate regulatory partners. However, several alternative models of ADAM17 regulation exist that do not involve the iRhoms, such as regulation through disulfide bond exchange or through interaction with charged phospholipids.

Characterization of an engineered water-soluble variant of the full-length human mu opioid receptor.

A water-soluble variant of the transmembrane domain of the human mu opioid receptor (wsMOR-TM) was previously characterized. This study explored whether the full-length version of the engineered water-soluble receptor, (wsMOR-FL), could be overexpressed in and if it would retain water solubility, binding capability and thermostability. wsMOR was over-expressed and purified in BL21(DE3) cells (EMD/Novagen) as we reported previously for the wsMOR-TM.

Modeling and Structural Characterization of the Sweet Taste Receptor Heterodimer.

Sweet taste receptor, a heterodimer belonging to the class C G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family and composed of the T1R2 and T1R3 subunits, is responsible for the perception of natural sugars, sweet proteins, various d-amino acids, as well as artificial sweeteners. Despite the critical importance of the sweet receptor not only in mediating gustation but also in its role in the food industry, the architecture of the T1R2-T1R3 complex and the mechanism by which extracellular stimuli induce conformational changes that are propagated to the intracellular milieu, i.e.

Epidermal Growth Factor Potentiates Migration of MDA-MB 231 Breast Cancer Cells by Increasing NaV1.5 Channel Expression.

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is the result of dysregulation of various signaling pathways in mammary epithelial cells. The mortality rate in patients suffering from breast cancer is high because the tumor cells have a prominent invasive capacity towards the surrounding tissues. Previous studies carried out in tumor cell models show that voltage-gated ion channels may be important molecular actors that contribute to the migratory and invasive capacity of the tumor cells.

Scalable processing and capacity of Si microwire array anodes for Li ion batteries.

Unlabelled: Si microwire array anodes have been prepared by an economical, microelectronics compatible method based on macropore etching. In the present report, evidence of the scalability of the process and the areal capacity of the anodes is presented. The anodes exhibit record areal capacities for Si-based anodes.