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Department of Pharmacology

 
Read more at: A polymorphism in the 5′ untranslated region of ERCC5 determines effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapeutics

A polymorphism in the 5′ untranslated region of ERCC5 determines effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapeutics


Read more at: A new art to treating osteoarthritis pain?

A new art to treating osteoarthritis pain?


Read more at: Mapping the neuroethological signatures of pain, analgesia, and recovery in mice.

Mapping the neuroethological signatures of pain, analgesia, and recovery in mice.

Ongoing pain is driven by the activation and modulation of pain-sensing neurons, affecting physiology, motor function, and motivation to engage in certain behaviors. The complexity of the pain state has evaded a comprehensive definition, especially in non-verbal animals. Here, in mice, we used site-specific electrophysiology to define key time points corresponding to peripheral sensitivity in acute paw inflammation and chronic knee pain models. Using supervised and unsupervised machine learning tools, we uncovered sensory-evoked coping postures unique to each model.


Read more at: Evolving Accelerated Amidation by SpyTag/SpyCatcher to Analyze Membrane Dynamics

Evolving Accelerated Amidation by SpyTag/SpyCatcher to Analyze Membrane Dynamics

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>SpyTag is a peptide that forms a spontaneous amide bond with its protein partner SpyCatcher. This protein superglue is a broadly useful tool for molecular assembly, locking together biological building blocks efficiently and irreversibly in diverse architectures. We initially developed SpyTag and SpyCatcher by rational design, through splitting a domain from a Gram‐positive bacterial adhesin.


Read more at: Golgi anti-apoptotic proteins are evolutionarily conserved ion channels that regulate cell death in plants

Golgi anti-apoptotic proteins are evolutionarily conserved ion channels that regulate cell death in plants

<h4>ABSTRACT</h4> Programmed cell death regulates developmental and stress responses in eukaryotes. Golgi anti-apoptotic proteins (GAAPs) are evolutionarily conserved cell death regulators. Human and viral GAAPs inhibit apoptosis and modulate intracellular Ca 2+ fluxes, and viral GAAPs form cation-selective channels. Although most mammalian cell death regulators are not conserved at the sequence level in plants, the GAAP gene family shows expansion, with five paralogues ( AtGAAP1-5 ) in the Arabidopsis genome.


Read more at: Convergent activation of Ca2+ permeability in two-pore channel 2 through distinct molecular routes.

Convergent activation of Ca2+ permeability in two-pore channel 2 through distinct molecular routes.

TPC2 is a pathophysiologically relevant lysosomal ion channel that is activated directly by the phosphoinositide PI(3,5)P2 and indirectly by the calcium ion (Ca2+)-mobilizing molecule NAADP through accessory proteins that associate with the channel. TPC2 toggles between PI(3,5)P2-induced, sodium ion (Na+)-selective and NAADP-induced, Ca2+-permeable states in response to these cues.


Read more at: Dysregulation of ADAM10 shedding activity in naked mole‐rat fibroblasts is due to deficient phosphatidylserine externalization

Dysregulation of ADAM10 shedding activity in naked mole‐rat fibroblasts is due to deficient phosphatidylserine externalization

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The naked mole‐rat (NMR, <jats:italic>Heterocephalus glaber</jats:italic>) is of significant interest to biogerontological research, rarely developing age‐associated diseases, such as cancer. The transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 is upregulated in certain cancers and CD44 cleavage by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) regulates cellular migration. Here we provide evidence that mature ADAM10 is expressed in NMR primary skin fibroblasts (NPSF), and that ionomycin increases cell surface ADAM10 localization.


Read more at: Regulation of store-operated Ca2+ entry by IP3 receptors independent of their ability to release Ca2.

Regulation of store-operated Ca2+ entry by IP3 receptors independent of their ability to release Ca2.

Loss of endoplasmic reticular (ER) Ca2+ activates store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) by causing the ER localized Ca2+ sensor STIM to unfurl domains that activate Orai channels in the plasma membrane at membrane contact sites (MCS). Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism by which the inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), an ER-localized IP3-gated Ca2+ channel, regulates neuronal SOCE.


Read more at: Neuroactive changes in the bowel of patients with IBS on low FODMAP diet: another piece of the puzzle.

Neuroactive changes in the bowel of patients with IBS on low FODMAP diet: another piece of the puzzle.


Read more at: Post-inflammatory Abdominal Pain in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease During Remission: A Comprehensive Review.

Post-inflammatory Abdominal Pain in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease During Remission: A Comprehensive Review.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often experience ongoing pain even after achieving mucosal healing (i.e., post-inflammatory pain). Factors related to the brain-gut axis, such as peripheral and central sensitization, altered sympatho-vagal balance, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, and psychosocial factors, play a significant role in the development of post-inflammatory pain.