Starved cells of Candida utilis accumulated Zn2+ by two different processes. The first was a rapid, energy- and temperature-independent system that probably represented binding to the cell surface. The cells also possessed an energy-, pH-, and temperature-dependent system that was capable of accumulating much greater quantities of the cation than the binding process. The energy-dependent system...

The ionotropic receptors including nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR), y-aminobutyric acid type A and C (G A B A a/c), serotonin (5HT-3) and glycine receptors (GlyR) all comprise the cys-loop receptor family. A pentameric configuration is adopted by these receptors featuring a large extra cellular domain, four transmembrane (M) spanning domains and an intracellular compartment primarily contribute...

The effects of divalent cations (Zn2+, Cd2+, Ca2+, Mg2+) on the cytosol androgen receptor were determined by sedimentation into sucrose gradients. At low ionic strength (25 mM KCl, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.4), Zn2+ (200 microM total, which calculates to 130 nM free Zn2+ in 10 mM mercaptoethanol) causes a shift in the sedimentation coefficient of the rat Dunning prostate tumor (R3327H) cytosol receptor ...

Overactivation of glutamate receptors and subsequent deregulation of the intraneuronal calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels are critical components of the injurious pathways initiated by cerebral ischemia. Another hallmark of stroke is parenchymal acidosis, and we have previously shown that mild acidosis can act as a switch to decrease NMDAR-dependent neuronal loss while potentiating the neuronal loss medi...

Intracellular free zinc concentration ([Zn2+]i) is very important for cell functions, and its excessive accumulation is cytotoxic. [Zn2+]i can increase rapidly in cardiomyocytes because of mobilization of Zn2+ from intracellular stores by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, ROS have been proposed to contribute to direct and/or indirect damage to cardiomyocytes in diabetes. To address these...

Addition of 0.5-2.0 mM zinc (Zn2+) to proliferating Tetrahymena cultures in 2% proteose peptone (PP) medium induced varying lag periods (~1⁄2-4 h) before proliferation resumed at almost normal (0.5, 0.75 mM) or decreased rates (1, 1.5, 2 mM). Initially cells in 1 mM Zn2+ moved slowly whereas in higher concentrations a dose-dependent number of cells ceased to move exhibiting rocking movements; t...

The activity of leukocyte alkaline phosphatase is inhibited by a number of amino acids, most notably cysteine and histidine. The mechanism of this inhibition involves chelation of Zn2+ by the amino acids, as indicated by the complete reversal of the inhibition by added Zn2+. The concentrations of amino acids and Zn2 required to affect the enzyme activity are such that their interaction might re...

The performance of olive stone activated carbon (OSAC) for sorption of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions was investigated via batch technique. OSAC materials were prepared under different physially activation conditions. Olive stone waste was physically activated with N2 gas and steam gas at 900oC at 3.5h hold time (OSAC-3) was choice as the best one for Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ removal. Characterization for...

Recent discoveries in zinc biology provide a new platform for discussing the primary physiological functions of mammalian metallothioneins (MTs) and their exquisite zinc-dependent regulation. It is now understood that the control of cellular zinc homeostasis includes buffering of Zn2+ ions at picomolar concentrations, extensive subcellular re-distribution of Zn2+, the loading of exocytotic vesi...

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), a novel class of ligand-gated cation channels activated by protons, are highly expressed in peripheral sensory and central neurons. Activation of ASICs may play an important role in physiological processes such as nociception, mechanosensation, and learning-memory, and in the pathology of neurological conditions such as brain ischemia. Modulation of the activi...