Newest Articles
Mechanotransduction in the trabecular meshworkThe trabecular meshwork (TM) plays a fundamental role in intraocular pressure regulation, but its mechanotransduction pathway is poorly understood. Yarishkin et al. show that the mechanosensing channel TREK-1 regulates TM membrane potential, pressure sensitivity, calcium homeostasis, and impedance.
Tropomyosin dynamics on F-actinThe detachment of myosin from actin is associated with tropomyosin adopting a blocked or closed state, but the mechanism is unclear. Using MD simulations, Kiani et al. show that tropomyosin undergoes spontaneous transitions on the F-actin surface toward blocked or closed positions.
3-Cl-DPA is an activator of cardiac troponinCardiac troponin activators could be beneficial in systolic heart failure. Tikunova et al. demonstrate that, unlike previously known calcium sensitizers, the small molecule 3-chlorodiphenylamine does not activate isolated cardiac troponin C but instead activates the intact troponin complex.
The intrinsic ligand mechanism in hERG K channelsAn intersubunit interaction between the N-terminal PAS domain and C-terminal cyclic nucleotide binding homology domain (CNBHD) regulates slow deactivation in hERG potassium channels. By mutating the intrinsic ligand, Codding and Trudeau disrupt slow deactivation and prevent the PAS-CNBHD interaction.
Weak hydrogen bonds in the active site of a rhomboid proteaseRhomboid proteases are membrane-integrated enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds in the transmembrane domains of protein substrates. Gaffney and Hong experimentally determine interaction energies between active site residues to reveal weak coupling, which may explain the slow proteolysis mediated by GlpG.
Different agonists promote distinct TRPV1 open statesTRPV1 is a polymodal ion channel that can be activated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), resulting in pain. Here we show that TRPV1 activation by LPA promotes a distinct open state with a different single-channel conductance from that induced by capsaicin.
GxTx detains voltage sensors at restGuangxitoxin-1E (GxTx) is a peptide from tarantula venom that binds to Kv2.1 voltage sensors and inhibits channel activity. Tilley et al. investigate the allosteric mechanism of GxTx and show that it stabilizes the resting state of voltage sensors and limits opportunities for the pore to open.
Current Issue
November 5, 2018
Volume 150, No. 11
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Reviews & Opinions
- Electrical coupling and its channels
Harris explores the development of our current understanding of electrical coupling between cells and the channels that mediate it, highlighting the contributions of the Journal of General Physiology.
- The structure of Orco and its impact on our understanding of olfaction
Zufall and Domingos discuss the significance of the recent structure of the insect odorant co-receptor Orco to the field of olfaction.
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Kobertz comments on the family of “silent” Kv2-related regulatory subunits and a new study investigating their assembly idiosyncrasies.