Neurotransmitter:sodium symporters (NSSs) mediate reuptake of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft and are targets for several therapeutics and psychostimulants. The prokaryotic NSS homologue, LeuT, represents a principal structural model for Na(+)-coupled transport catalyzed by these proteins. Here, we used site-directed fluorescence quenching spectroscopy to identify in LeuT a substrate-...

Sodium coupled cotransporters of the five-helix inverted repeat (5HIR) superfamily use an alternating access mechanism to transport a myriad of small molecules across the cell membrane. One of the primary steps in this mechanism is the conformational transition from a state poised to bind extracellular substrates to a state that is competent to deliver substrate to the cytoplasm. Here, we const...

Angiotensin II (ANG II) increases thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) activity both acutely and chronically. ANG II has been implicated as a switch that turns WNK4 from an inhibitor of NCC into an activator of NCC, and ANG II's effect on NCC appears to require WNK4. Chronically, ANG II stimulation of NCC results in an increase in total and phosphorylated NCC, but the role of ...

Beneficial effects of locomotor training on the functional recovery after complete transection of the spinal cord indicate that in chronic spinal animals spontaneous recovery processes are enhanced and shaped by the training. The mechanisms of that use-dependent improvement are still not fully understood. This review tackles three aspects of this issue: (1) neurochemical attributes of functiona...

During the reaction between 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)hexahydro-s-triazine and hydrogen sulphide, the principle by-product is the organic sulphide 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)dithiazine. It can be determined by a novel, portable, field-capable ion mobility spectrometry method described herein and enables the "degree spent" to be determined. Dependant upon the level of carbon dioxide in the produced gas, ...

Modulation of intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl(-)](i)) plays a fundamental role in cell volume regulation and neuronal response to GABA. Cl(-) exit via K-Cl cotransporters (KCCs) is a major determinant of [Cl(-)](I); however, mechanisms governing KCC activities are poorly understood. We identified two sites in KCC3 that are rapidly dephosphorylated in hypotonic conditions in cultured c...

During early development, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) depolarizes and excites neurons, contrary to its typical function in the mature nervous system. As a result, developing networks are hyperexcitable and experience a spontaneous network activity that is important for several aspects of development. GABA is depolarizing because chloride is accumulated beyond its passive distribution in thes...

The reactivation of the Hill reaction in C 0 2-depleted broken chloroplasts by various concen­ trations of bicarbonate was measured in the absence and in the presence o f photosystem II herbicides. It appears that these herbicides decrease the apparent affinity o f the thylakoid membrane for bicarbonate. Different characteristics o f bicarbonate binding were observed in chloroplasts o f triazin...

We define a level for a large class of Lorentzian Kac-Moody algebras. Using this we find the representation content of very extended A D−3 and E 8 (i.e. E 11) at low levels in terms of A D−1 and A 10 representations respectively. The results are consistent with the conjectured very extended A 8 and E 11 symmetries of gravity and maximal supergravity theories given respectively in hep-th/0104081...

Hyperosmotic stress initiates adaptive responses, including phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) and concomitant activation of Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter (NKCC). Because the small GTPase Rho is a key regulator of MLC phosphorylation, we investigated 1) whether Rho is activated by hyperosmotic stress, and if so, what the triggering factors are, and 2) whether the Rho/Rho kinase (ROK) pathwa...