13 research outputs found
A novel mitochondrial Kv1.3-caveolin axis controls cell survival and apoptosis
The voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 plays an apparent dual physiological role by participating in activation and proliferation of leukocytes as well as promoting apoptosis in several types of tumor cells. Therefore, Kv1.3 is considered a potential pharmacological target for immunodeficiency and cancer. Different cellular locations of Kv1.3, at the plasma membrane or the mitochondria, could be responsible for such duality. While plasma membrane Kv1.3 facilitates proliferation, the mitochondrial channel modulates apoptotic signaling. Several molecular determinants of Kv1.3 drive the channel to the cell surface, but no information is available about its mitochondrial targeting. Caveolins, which are able to modulate cell survival, participate in the plasma membrane targeting of Kv1.3. The channel, via a caveolin-binding domain (CDB), associates with caveolin 1 (Cav1), which localizes Kv1.3 to lipid raft membrane microdomains. The aim of our study was to understand the role of such interactions not only for channel targeting but also for cell survival in mammalian cells. By using a caveolin association-deficient channel (Kv1.3 CDBless), we demonstrate here that while the Kv1.3-Cav1 interaction is responsible for the channel localization in the plasma membrane, a lack of such interaction accumulates Kv1.3 in the mitochondria. Kv1.3 CDBless severely affects mitochondrial physiology and cell survival, indicating that a functional link of Kv1.3 with Cav1 within the mitochondria modulates the pro-apoptotic effects of the channel. Therefore, the balance exerted by these two complementary mechanisms fine-tune the physiological role of Kv1.3 during cell survival or apoptosis. Our data highlight an unexpected role for the mitochondrial caveolin-Kv1.3 axis during cell survival and apoptosis
Polarimetry of binary systems: polars, magnetic CVs, XRBs
Polarimetry provides key physical information on the properties of
interacting binary systems, sometimes difficult to obtain by any other type of
observation. Indeed, radiation processes such as scattering by free electrons
in the hot plasma above accretion discs, cyclotron emission by mildly
relativistic electrons in the accretion shocks on the surface of highly
magnetic white dwarfs and the optically thin synchrotron emission from jets can
be observed. In this review, I will illustrate how optical/near-infrared
polarimetry allows one to estimate magnetic field strengths and map the
accretion zones in magnetic Cataclysmic Variables as well as determine the
location and nature of jets and ejection events in X-ray binaries.Comment: 26 pages, 16 figures; to be published in Astrophysics and Space
Science Library 460, Astronomical Polarisation from the Infrared to Gamma
Rays, Editors: Mignani, R., Shearer, A., S{\l}owikowska, A., Zane,
PrevalĂȘncia da sĂndrome de burnout em trabalhadores de enfermagem de um hospital de grande porte da RegiĂŁo Sul do Brasil
Adaptação intercultural para portuguĂȘs europeu do questionĂĄrio "Conocimiento del Paciente sobre sus Medicamentos" (CPM-ES-ES)
Lethal effects on different marine organisms, associated with sedimentâseawater acidification deriving from CO2 leakage
Enhanced heat tolerance of viral-infected aphids leads to niche expansion and reduced interspecific competition
Gonadal cycle of Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) in Pampean streams (Southern Neotropical Region)
Biological impacts of ocean acidification: a postgraduate perspective on research priorities
Research into the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on marine organisms has greatly increased during the past decade, as realization of the potential dramatic impacts has grown. Studies have revealed the multifarious responses of organisms to OA conditions, indicating a high level of intra- and interspecific variation in speciesâ ability to accommodate these alterations. If we are to provide policy makers with sound, scientific input regarding the expected consequences of OA, we need a broader understanding of these predicted changes. As a group of 20 multi-disciplinary postgraduate students from around the globe, with a study focus on OA, we are a strong representation of ânext generationâ scientists in this field. In this unique cumulative paper, we review knowledge gaps in terms of assessing the biological impacts of OA, outlining directions for future research