Cleavage of 6-mer oligoribonucleotides by the dinuclear Zn2+ complex of 1,3-bis[(1,5,9-triazacyclododecan-3-yl)oxymethyl]benzene (L1) and the trinuclear Zn2+ complex of 1,3,5-tris[(1,5,9-triazacyclododecan-3-yl)oxymethyl]benzene (L3) has been studied. The dinuclear complex cleaves at sufficiently low concentrations ([(Zn2+)2L1] < or = 0.1 mmol L(-1)) the 5'NpU3' and 5'UpN3' bonds (N = G, C, A) ...

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is responsible for generating circadian rhythms in mammals, and GABA is the predominant neurotransmitter in the SCN. Properties of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) responses in SCN neurons were examined in acutely prepared hypothalamic slices from 3- to 8-wk-old rats with the use of whole cell voltage-clamp techniques. Zn2+ reduced the ampl...

Nitric oxide (NO) is both an important regulatory molecule in biological systems and a toxic xenobiotic. Its oxidation products react with sulfhydryl groups and either nitrosylate or oxidize them. The aerobic reaction of NO supplied by diethylamine NONOate (DEA-NO) with pig kidney LLC-PK1 cells and Zn-proteins within the isolated proteome was examined with three fluorescent zinc sensors, zinqui...

Recent data have indicated that the divalent cation Zn2+ can selectively block central neuronal excitation mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The present experiments were conducted to determine the action of Zn2+ at the single-channel level. Outside-out membrane patches were prepared from cultured murine cortical neurons. Glutamate, 3 microM, in the presence of 5 microM glycine ...

P1B-ATPases are decisive for metal accumulation phenotypes, but mechanisms of their regulation are only partially understood. Here, we studied the Cd/Zn transporting ATPases NcHMA3 and NcHMA4 from Noccaea caerulescens as well as AhHMA3 and AhHMA4 from Arabidopsis halleri. Protein biochemistry was analyzed on HMA4 purified from roots of N. caerulescens in active state. Metal titration of NcHMA4 ...

In several recent studies, proteomics analyses suggest that increase of ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1) is cardio-protective. However, direct evidence for this effect has not yet been obtained. Thus, the current study aimed to determine this effect and the mechanism underlying this effect. The results showed that overexpression of UQCRC1 protected H9c2 cardiac cells aga...

ASPND1 and ASPF2 are immunodominant antigens from Aspergillus nidulans and A. fumigatus, respectively, that are readily synthesized in infections in the human host, as demonstrated by their reactivity with more than 80% of sera from patients with aspergilloma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. We demonstrate here that both antigens are exclusively produced under situations of low bioav...

A PVC-based membrane of 12-crown-4 exhibits good response for Zn2+ in a wide concentration range (7.08  10-5-1.00  10-1 M) with a non-nernstian slope of 20.5 mv per decade of concentration of Zn2+. The response time of sensor is <10 s and the membrane can be used for more than 3 months without observing any divergence. In addition, the proposed sensor exhibits very good selectivity for Zn2+ o...

Properties of solid phases formed during the oxidation of EDTA by permanganate in a high-pH, high-ionic strength solution, and the retention of Cu2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ by them were examined. Morphologically, the solids were agglomerates of particles with sizes <100 nm. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis indicated that these particles were birnessite. Its precipitation was accompanied by ...

Recent studies have demonstrated an important role for T-type Ca2+ channels (T-channels) in controlling the excitability of peripheral pain-sensing neurons (nociceptors). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of T-channels in nociceptors are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that reducing agents as well as endogenous metal chelators sensitize C-type dorsal root gangli...