Researchers describe atomic-size 'sorter' that performs vital cellular function
...he selectivity filter of the channel that only the potassium ion can use to cross the cell membrane. In the sam...ctivity filter also occupies a unique place in the potassium ion channel. The overall protein consists of four subunits, like four staves of a barrel. Inside the...Link to our ancient past is confirmed in potassium channel research
... on the structure and function of molecules called potassium channels, which are essential to how the brain works. When potassium channels open and close, they control the flow of potassium ions across cell membranes. The current ...Science's Top Ten: nanoscale computing circuits named top scientific advance of 2001
...ed helium BECs for the first time, and lithium and potassium condensates also debuted. Scientists made strides in manipulating this new state of matter as well, imploding an atomic supernova ("bose nova"), stirring up whirlpool-like structures in the condensates, and trapping BEC clusters to create the first "...Images reveal how body regulates salt uptake in cells
...his colleagues solved the crystal structure of the potassium ion channel. Potassium, which carries a positive c...nnel has a completely different structure from the potassium ion channel. While the potassium ion channel has one large single pore with a water-filled, pyramid-...Another transmembrane protein structure solved by Rockefeller scientists
Chloride ion channel strikingly different from potassium kin "Why did nature come up with such a structur...on channels. A cousin to the chloride channel, the potassium ion channel, was structurally solved by MacKinnons group in 1998. Numerous existing drugs are known ...Making plants better lovers: Scientists find gene responsible for reproductive success in plants
...researchers have discovered that the presence of a potassium ion channel in pollen increases reproductive succe...covered that the Arabidopsis gene, SPIK, encodes a potassium ion channel that is found specifically in pollen. Potassium ion channels play crucial roles in a va...Physics tip sheet #4 March 13, 2002
...ture has a channel down the center that fills with potassium ions and has electronic properties like those of a semiconductor. Wires such as these may form the basis for nanoelectronics. Preprint: http://www.arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0203139 3) Measuring gravity changes with atom interferometers J. M. McGuirk,...Enzyme once thought harmful to Alzheimers patients now appears key to future treatment
...n reducing specific voltage- and calcium-dependent potassium conductances. Furthermore, these actions of galanin are specific to cholinergic and not GABAergic. Conclusion On the basis of galanin-induced inhibition of ACh release, it has been hypothesized that the increased galanin innervation of cholinergic ...Study of vision disorder leads to discovery of new family of ion channels
...els are structurally diverse, unlike, for example, potassium channels, in which it is possible in many cases to recognize far flung family members through similarities [among the proteins], said HHMI investigator Jeremy Nathans , who along with Hopkins colleague and HHMI investigator King-Wai Yau were senio...NYU biologists develop better way to 'silence' neurons
...Drosophila by directing the expression of modified potassium channel genes. Potassium channels act as the brak...mation. They reasoned that expression of modified potassium channels could be used to attenuate such moment-to-moment changes in electrical activity. The team...Three studies released this week shed new light on eating nuts for good health
...164 calories and provides vitamin E, magnesium and potassium - dietary components identified in the study that may contribute to reduced heart attack risk. In addition, almonds pack plenty of protein, healthful monounsaturated fat, dietary fiber, calcium and zinc. Previous studies have shown that eating a ha...Acorda Therapeutics begins Phase 3 trials of Fampridine-SR for chronic spinal cord injury
...drug restores nerve conduction by blocking exposed potassium channels in demyelinated nerve processes, or axons. Fampridine-SR is also in Phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate safety and efficacy in the treatment of symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). In previous SCI clinical trials, administratio...Is the American public at increased risk for food poisoning?
... food components. They include whole wheat flour, potassium chloride, thiamine, vitamin A (too little), raw eggplant, raw egg whites, iron supplements, caffeine (iron), magnesium (renal), and raw cabbage (iodine) Presenting Food Poisoning is Donald J. Cannon, PhD, from Quest Diagnostics Inc., Teterboro, New ...CWRU scientists reveal how magnesium works on ion channels important for regulating blood pressure
... treat heart failure and stroke. Calcium activated potassium channels are important microscopic pathways in the...hat when magnesium is applied to calcium-activated potassium channels, these channels will open. We know from literature that the opening of these channels can r...Gene variant increases risk of cardiac arrhythmia for African-Americans
...ple with a risk of arrhythmia should monitor their potassium levels to ensure that they remain in the normal range and take beta-blockers to stabilize the heartbeat. In beginning their search for polymorphisms (gene variants) that might contribute to arrhythmia, Keating and his colleagues started with the gene...Scientists identify gene variant associated with arrhythmia in African Americans
...her factors such as certain medications, low blood potassium known as hypokalemia, or structural heart disease, the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias is increased, according to the researchers. Keating, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, and study co-authors conclude that the gene variant, wh...First biologic pacemaker created by gene therapy in guinea pigs
...cells, a particular channel maintains a balance of potassium that makes it more difficult for them to "fire," s... The Hopkins scientists figured that altering this potassium balance might allow heart cells to regain the ability to fire without being triggered. Others had di...University of Maryland research reveals true target of calcium channel blockers
.... The researchers also used high concentrations of potassium to isolate the function of voltage-gated channels that were not blocked by high magnesium. "We were surprised when our research showed that the calcium channel blockers work on the store-operated channels," says Dr. Blaustein. "We repeated this agai...Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
...tah State, USA Facilitated transport of sodium or potassium chloride across vesicle membranes using a ditopic salt-binding macrobicycle Bradley D. Smith, Notre Dame, USA From central to planar chirality, the first example of atropenantioselective cycloetherification Jieping Zhu, CNRS, France Articles B...Climate change surprise: High carbon dioxide levels can retard plant growth, study reveals
...n by another mineral nutrient such as phosphorous, potassium or something else we hadn't been measuring." A new five-year experiment is underway at the Jasper Ridge site to analyze potential limiting nutrients in the soil along with microbial-plant interactions and the molecular biology of the vegetation. Po...