A facile supported liquid membrane (SLM) system for the selective and efficient transport of silver ion is introduced. The SLM used is a thin porous polyvinyldifluoride membrane impregnated with hexathia-18-crown-6 (HT18C6) dissolved in nitrophenyloctyl ether. HT18C6 acts as a specific carrier for the uphill transport of Ag+ ion as its picrate ion paired complex through the SLM. In the presence...

Angiogenesis is tightly regulated through the binding of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) to their receptors (VEGFRs). In this context, we showed that human VEGFR1 domain 2 crystallizes in the presence of Zn2+, Co2+ or Cu2+ as a dimer that forms via metal-ion interactions and interlocked hydrophobic surfaces. SAXS, NMR and size exclusion chromatography analyses confirm the formation ...

Ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA VTA) neurons are important for the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse such as ethanol and nicotine. We have previously shown that M-current (IM) regulates the excitability of DA VTA neurons. Zinc (Zn2+) contributes to the regulation of neuronal excitation as a neuromodulator. In the present study, we investigated zinc effect on the properties of IM and the...

The disposed wastes of zinc industries contain large amounts of heavy metals such as Pb2+ and Cd2+. These elements are considered as hazardous elements to human beings and other organisms. This study aims at introducing the fungal isolates that evolved to be compatible with waste deposits during the time and can absorb Pb2+ and Cd2+ions. During the spring and autumn in 2011, eight samples of se...

Phytochelatin synthases (PCS) catalyze phytochelatin (PC) synthesis from glutathione (GSH) in the presence of certain metals. The resulting PC-metal complexes are transported into the vacuole, avoiding toxic effects on metabolism. Legumes have the unique capacity to partially or completely replace GSH by homoglutathione (hGSH) and PCs by homophytochelatins (hPCs). However, the synthesis of hPCs...

Copper is an essential trace element that may serve as a signaling molecule in the nervous system. Here we show that extracellular Cu2+ is a potent inhibitor of BK and Shaker K+ channels. At low micromolar concentrations, Cu2+ rapidly and reversibly reduces macrosocopic K+ conductance (G(K)) evoked from mSlo1 BK channels by membrane depolarization. GK is reduced in a dose-dependent manner with ...

In this research, graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized by tannic acid to produce GO-TA and fabricate a novel functionalized graphene oxide/ polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous as an adsorbent in order to remove two hazardous heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The results showed that the composite adsorbent can properly adsorb Pb2+ and Cd2+ metal cations, due to having the numerous potential...

A better understanding of the resistance mechanisms used by the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 could guide attempts to develop this organism for use in bioremediation. This bacterium exhibits extraordinary resistance to arsenate. Possible mechanisms include exclusion from the cell, intraand extra-cellular binding, and potential interactions with proteins such as metallothioneins, whi...

The study of heavy metal speciation is of interest for the evaluation of their ecotoxicological risk. Free heavy metal ion concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Cd2+ were studied at different soil to soil solution ratio (SSR) to discuss metal bioavailability and toxicity in circumstance. The samples were collected from two farmed soils, impacted by a cadmium rich zinc deposit, Guizhou, China. ...

Background. The catalytic activity of enzymes, which is their most important characteristic, can change significantly under the influence effectors, for example, metal ions, and subject special studies that are biochemistry, biotechnology, medicine, other branches science. Usually, enzymes in presence metals assessed by rate enzymatic reaction. However, conducting such experimental studies, esp...