The role of divalent cations in controlling amphibian lens membrane permeability; The mechanisms of toxic cataracts

1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J.C. Jacob ◽  
G. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Permeability ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Amphibian Lens

Fine structure of the heterochromatin of the kangaroo rat Dipidomys ordii, and examination of the possible role of actin and myosin in heterochromatin condensation

1976 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-477
Author(s):  
D.E. Comings ◽  
T.A. Okada
Keyword(s):  
Constitutive Heterochromatin ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Random Coils ◽  
Type Complex ◽  
Kangaroo Rat ◽  
Thin Section Electron Microscopy ◽  
Section Electron ◽  
Liver Nuclei ◽  
The Brain

Biochemical studies have suggested that some actin and myosin may be present in the nucleus. This raises the possibility that heterochromatin condensation might be the result of an actin-myosin rigour type complex. Since ATP dissociates actin and myosin, this possibility could be examined by determining the effect of ATP on heterochromatin condensation. Thin-section electron microscopy showed large amounts of condensed constitutive heterochromatin in the kidney nuclei and somewhat less in the liver nuclei of the kangaroo rat, Dipidomys ordii. Surprisingly, there were some nuclei in the brain which contained no condensed heterochromatin despite the fact that this genome is composed of 50% satellite DNA. Although washing kidney nuclei with solutions of 10 mM Tris-ATP caused marked decondensation of the heterochromatin, when they were washed with Mg-ATP the heterochromatin was more condensed than in the controls. This suggests the decondensation by Tris-ATP is due to its ability to chelate divalent cations and provides no support for condensation of heterochromatin being the result of myosin-actin interaction. Despite being decondensed, the chromatin fibres of heterochromatin were distinct from those of euchromatin. The heterochromatin formed rod-like 19-5 nm fibres, the euchromatin formed random coils of 11-0-nm fibres.

scholarly journals Role of divalent cations, pH, cytoskeleton componentes and surface charge on the adhesion of Trichomonas vaginalis to a polystyrene substrate

1987 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Costa e Silva Filho ◽  
Cezar Antonio Elias ◽  
Wanderley de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Surface Charge ◽  
Incubation Time ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Polystyrene Beads ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Adhesion Index

The process of adhesion of three different strains of Trichomonas vaginalis to a polystyrene substrate was analysed. The process of adhesion was dependent on the time of incubation and the pH of the phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) in which the parasites were suspended. The highest indices of adhesion were observed after an incubation time of 60 min at pH 6.6. The adhesion index increased when the parasites were incubated in the presence of culture media or when Ca++ or Mg++ was added to the PBS solution, whereas cytochalasin B, trypsin or neuraminidase reduced adhesion. Incubation of the parasites in the presence of poly-L-lysine facilitated the process of adhesion. Incubation of the parasites or polystyrene beads in the presence of poly-L-lysine led to important changes in their surface charge.

Extracellular divalent cations in excitation–contraction coupling: hypertonic solution effects

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-445
Author(s):  
Isao Oota ◽  
Isao Kosaka ◽  
Torao Nagai ◽  
Hideyo Yabu
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Hypertonic Solution ◽  
Excitation Contraction Coupling ◽  
Contraction Coupling ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Fibers ◽  
Membrane Bound

It is the purpose of this article to point out that the membrane-bound Ca plays an important role in excitation–contraction (E–C) coupling of skeletal muscle fibers and that other divalent cations are unable to substitute for this role of membrane-bound Ca.

scholarly journals A Model for Predicting Cation Selectivity and Permeability in AMPA and NMDA Receptors Based on Receptor Subunit Composition

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampath Kumar ◽  
Sanjay S. Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Ion Selectivity ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Subunit Composition ◽  
Receptor Subunit ◽  
Cation Selectivity ◽  
Subunit Stoichiometry ◽  
Ampa And Nmda Receptors

Glutamatergic AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors are implicated in diverse functions ranging from synaptic plasticity to cell death. They are heterotetrameric proteins whose subunits are derived from multiple distinct gene families. The subunit composition of these receptors determines their permeability to monovalent and/or divalent cations, but it is not entirely clear how this selectivity arises in native and recombinantly-expressed receptor populations. By analyzing the sequence of amino acids lining the selectivity filters within the pore forming membrane helices (M2) of these subunits and by correlating subunit stoichiometry of these receptors with their ability to permeate Na+ and/or Ca2+, we propose here a mathematical model for predicting cation selectivity and permeability in these receptors. The model proposed is based on principles of charge attractivity and charge neutralization within the pore forming region of these receptors; it accurately predicts and reconciles experimental data across various platforms including Ca2+ permeability of GluA2-lacking AMPARs and ion selectivity within GluN3-containing di- and tri-heteromeric NMDARs. Additionally, the model provides insights into biophysical mechanisms regulating cation selectivity and permeability of these receptors and the role of various subunits in these processes.

A Lepidopteran Saline: Effects of Inorganic Cation Concentrations on Sensory, Reflex and Motor Responses in a Herbivorous Insect

1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. DE G. WEEVERS
Keyword(s):  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Herbivorous Insect ◽  
Muscle Action ◽  
Photometric Analysis ◽  
Action Current ◽  
Inorganic Cation ◽  
Muscle Action Potential ◽  
Muscle Receptors ◽  
Synthetic Media

1. The inorganic cations in the haemolymph of Antheræa pernyi larvae and pupae were analysed by flame photometry. 2. Synthetic media based on these analyses were compared with haemolymph in their effects on the muscle action potential and on the response of the dorsal muscle receptors to a standard stretch. 3. The best match with haemolymph was obtained in all cases with concentrations of divalent cations considerably below the values found by flame photometric analysis. Binding to haemolymph proteins is probably not the major factor responsible for lowering the ionic activities of calcium and magnesium. 4. The role of magnesium in neuromuscular transmission is discussed. It is concluded that in phytophagous Lepidoptera this ion may carry a proportion of the muscle action current.

The role of sodium chloride in the process of induction by lithium chloride in cells of the Rana pipiens gastrula

Development ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-396
Author(s):  
Lester G. Barth ◽  
Lucena J. Barth
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Rana Pipiens ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Sodium Ions ◽  
Monovalent Cations ◽  
High Concentration

A study of the effects of a series of monovalent cations, Li+, Na+ and K+, and a series of divalent cations, Mn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, upon small aggregates of cells taken from the presumptive epidermis of Rana pipiens gastrulae revealed that these ions induce nerve and pigment cells (Barth, 1965). The effectiveness of both series of ions as inductors was similar to their effects on decreasing the electrophoretic mobility of DNA as determined by Ross & Scruggs (1964). When it was found that sucrose in glass-distilled water also would induce nerve and pigment cells the role of ions as inductors came under closer scrutiny. A study of the nature of the induction by sucrose revealed that a relatively high concentration of sodium ions was necessary in the culture medium used after sucrose treatment (Barth, 1966).

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