Newest Articles
Comparing ion transport in TMEM16A and TMEM16FThe I-V relation of the TMEM16A channel is linear, whereas that of the TMEM16F scramblase is outwardly rectifying. Nguyen et al. show that rectification of TMEM16A is regulated by the charge of residue 584 but that rectification of TMEM16F is affected by aromatic residues at the equivalent position.
Loss of ENH alters tension development in myocardiumEnigma Homologue (ENH) is a Z-disc protein whose loss causes cardiomyopathy, but whose function in muscle mechanics is poorly understood. Gregorich et al. show that ENH affects tension redevelopment in mouse myocardium, possibly by altering cross-bridge cycling kinetics or the compliance of the Z-disc.
Calcium leak drives mitochondrial biogenesisSkeletal muscle oxidative capacity and fatigue resistance can be improved with endurance training, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Ivarsson et al. find that the signaling pathway that increases fatigue resistance in muscle is triggered by a mild Ca2+ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Structural correlates of agonist action in AChRsThe structural changes that underlie ligand activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors remain unclear. Using computational tools, Tripathy et al. show that the distance between a nitrogen in the agonist and the center of the neurotransmitter binding pocket provides a good estimate of agonist affinity, efficacy, and efficiency.
Agonist efficiency of receptorsReceptors convert agonist-binding energy into conformational change. Nayak et al. describe a new agonist trait, efficiency, as the fraction of binding energy transformed into the mechanical work of conformational change and suggest that it is a general attribute of agonist action at receptor-binding sites.
Co-ion driven transporter kineticsAlthough high-resolution structures are now available for many ion-coupled, or secondary, transporters, the mechanisms by which coupling is achieved remain to be determined. Lolkema and Slotboom derive new mathematical models that can be used to analyze transport data and determine kinetic mechanisms.
P2X receptor intracellular terminiThe intracellular amino and carboxyl termini of the P2X1 receptor associate to form a cytoplasmic cap on the open state. Fryatt et al. use cysteine-reactive cross linking and molecular modeling to demonstrate structural organization of the intracellular termini in the apo and desensitized states.
Current Issue
January 7, 2019
Volume 151, No. 1
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Reviews & Opinions
- Investigating an epileptogenic mutation
JGP study examines how a mutation in KCNQ3 affects channel behavior.
- How a mutation undermines cardiac function
JGP paper explores how a mutated troponin T causes cardiac hypertrophy.
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Strange et al. review recent advances in our understanding of the molecular and structural basis of volume-regulated anion channel function within the framework of classical biophysical and physiological studies.