2,105 research outputs found
Exact renormalization group equation for the Lifshitz critical point
An exact renormalization equation (ERGE) accounting for an anisotropic
scaling is derived. The critical and tricritical Lifshitz points are then
studied at leading order of the derivative expansion which is shown to involve
two differential equations. The resulting estimates of the Lifshitz critical
exponents compare well with the calculations. In the case
of the Lifshitz tricritical point, it is shown that a marginally relevant
coupling defies the perturbative approach since it actually makes the fixed
point referred to in the previous perturbative calculations
finally unstable.Comment: Final versio
The Expanding Social Network of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors: TARPs and Other Transmembrane Auxiliary Subunits
Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) underlie rapid, excitatory synaptic signaling throughout the CNS. After years of intense research, our picture of iGluRs has evolved from them being companionless in the postsynaptic membrane to them being the hub of dynamic supramolecular signaling complexes, interacting with an ever-expanding litany of other proteins that regulate their trafficking, scaffolding, stability, signaling, and turnover. In particular, the discovery that transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs) are AMPA receptor auxiliary subunits that are critical determinants of their trafficking, gating, and pharmacology has changed the way we think about iGluR function. Recently, a number of novel transmembrane proteins have been uncovered that may also serve as iGluR auxiliary proteins. Here we review pivotal developments in our understanding of the role of TARPs in AMPA receptor trafficking and gating, and provide an overview of how newly discovered transmembrane proteins expand our view of iGluR function in the CNS
Investigating the biochemical signatures and physiological roles of the FMO family using molecular phylogeny
Group B flavin-dependent monooxygenases are employed in swathes of different physiological functions. Despite their collectively large substrate profile, they all harness a flavin-based C4a-(hydro)peroxy intermediate for function. Within this class are the flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), representing an integral component within the secondary metabolism of all living things – xenobiotic detoxification. Their broad substrate profile makes them ideal candidates for detoxifying procedures as they can tackle a range of compounds. Recent studies have illustrated that several FMOs, however, have unique substrate profiles and differing physiological functions that implicate new roles within secondary and primary metabolism. Herein this article, by employing phylogenetic approaches, and inspecting structures of AlphaFold generated models, we have constructed a biochemical blueprint of the FMO family. FMOs are clustered in four distinct groups, with two being predominantly dedicated to xenobiotic detoxification. Furthermore, we observe that differing enzymatic activities are not constricted to a ‘golden’ set of residues but instead an intricate constellation of primary and secondary sphere residues. We believe that this work delineates the core phylogeny of the Group B monooxygenases and will prove useful for classifying newly sequenced genes and provide directions to future biochemical investigations.</p
Investigating the biochemical signatures and physiological roles of the FMO family using molecular phylogeny
Group B flavin-dependent monooxygenases are employed in swathes of different physiological functions. Despite their collectively large substrate profile, they all harness a flavin-based C4a-(hydro)peroxy intermediate for function. Within this class are the flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), representing an integral component within the secondary metabolism of all living things – xenobiotic detoxification. Their broad substrate profile makes them ideal candidates for detoxifying procedures as they can tackle a range of compounds. Recent studies have illustrated that several FMOs, however, have unique substrate profiles and differing physiological functions that implicate new roles within secondary and primary metabolism. Herein this article, by employing phylogenetic approaches, and inspecting structures of AlphaFold generated models, we have constructed a biochemical blueprint of the FMO family. FMOs are clustered in four distinct groups, with two being predominantly dedicated to xenobiotic detoxification. Furthermore, we observe that differing enzymatic activities are not constricted to a ‘golden’ set of residues but instead an intricate constellation of primary and secondary sphere residues. We believe that this work delineates the core phylogeny of the Group B monooxygenases and will prove useful for classifying newly sequenced genes and provide directions to future biochemical investigations.</p
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