Distinct interactions between actin and essential myosin light chain isoforms

Binding of the utmost N-terminus of essential myosin light chains (ELC) to actin slows down myosin motor function. In this study, we investigated the binding constants of two different human cardiac ELC isoforms with actin. We employed circular dichroism (CD) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy to determine structural properties and protein-protein interaction of recombinant human atrial and ventricular ELC (hALC-1 and hVLC-1, respectively) with {alpha}-actin as well as {alpha}-actin with alanin-mutated ELC binding site ({alpha}-actin(ala3)) as control. CD spectroscopy showed similar secondary structure of both hALC-1 and hVLC-1 with high degree of {alpha}-helicity. SPR spectroscopy revealed that the affinity of hALC-1 to {alpha}-actin (KD = 575 nM) was significantly (p<0.01) lower compared with the affinity of hVLC-1 to {alpha}-actin (KD = 186 nM). The reduced affinity of hALC-1 to {alpha}-actin was mainly due to a significantly (p<0.01) lower association rate (kon: 1018 M(-1)s(-1)) compared with kon of the hVLC-1/{alpha}-actin complex interaction (2908 M(-1)s(-1)). Hence, differential expression of ELC isoforms could modulate muscle contractile activity via distinct {alpha}-actin interactions

Optical responses and photodegradation resistance of forest-based fillers incorporated into polyurethane biofoams.

ISNaPol

Evaluation of the predisposition and clinical impact of BK virus replication in kidney transplant patients

ABSTRACT The BK virus (BKV) produces a subclinical kidney infection in immunocompetent individuals. However, viremia may occur in kidney transplant patients with ongoing immunosuppression. BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVN) has no specific treatment and is a leading cause of organ transplant loss. In this study, we evaluated the predisposition and the clinical impact of BKV replication in kidney transplant patients during post-transplant monitoring in a reference institution in Brazil. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data generated during routine outpatient follow-up were retrospectively collected. BK viremia was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Of the 553 participants, 7.4% (n = 41) presented BKV replication. Of these, 16 (39%) lost their kidney graft and interstitial nephritis was identified on kidney biopsy in 50% of the cases. Among the evaluated variables, only the use of the immunosuppressant mycophenolate sodium was identified as a risk factor for viremia (OR 7.96; 95% CI 2.35 to 26.98). The graft survival estimate in BKV-positive patients was significantly reduced (24.8% vs. 85.6%) after 10 years of transplantation. We concluded that defining predisposing factors remains an important challenge for the prevention and control of BKV activity following kidney transplantation, especially considering the development of BKVN and its strong effect on graft maintenance

Ahnak is critical for cardiac Ca(v)1.2 calcium channel function and its beta-adrenergic regulation

Defective L-type Ca2+ channel (I(CaL)) regulation is one major cause for contractile dysfunction in the heart. The I(CaL) is enhanced by sympathetic nervous stimulation: via the activation of beta-adrenergic receptors, PKA phosphorylates the alpha1C(Ca(V)1.2)- and beta2-channel subunits and ahnak, an associated 5643-amino acid (aa) protein. In this study, we examined the role of a naturally occurring, genetic variant Ile5236Thr-ahnak on I(CaL). Binding experiments with ahnak fragments (wild-type, Ile5236Thr mutated) and patch clamp recordings revealed that Ile5236Thr-ahnak critically affected both beta2 subunit interaction and I(CaL) regulation. Binding affinity between ahnak-C1 (aa 4646-5288) and beta2 subunit decreased by approximately 50% after PKA phosphorylation or in the presence of Ile5236Thr-ahnak peptide. On native cardiomyocytes, intracellular application of this mutated ahnak peptide mimicked the PKA-effects on I(CaL) increasing the amplitude by approximately 60% and slowing its inactivation together with a leftward shift of its voltage dependency. Both mutated Ile5236Thr-peptide and Ile5236Thr-fragment (aa 5215-5288) prevented specifically the further up-regulation of I(CaL) by isoprenaline. Hence, we suggest the ahnak-C1 domain serves as physiological brake on I(CaL). Relief from this inhibition is proposed as common pathway used by sympathetic signaling and Ile5236Thr-ahnak fragments to increase I(CaL). This genetic ahnak variant might cause individual differences in I(CaL) regulation upon physiological challenges or therapeutic interventions

InCl3/NaClO: A reagent for allylic chlorination of terminal olefins

Indium trichloride promotes the chlorination of terminal olefins in the presence of sodium hypochlorite with good results. Carvone was chosen as a model compound to examine some of the general features of this reaction, such as stoichiometry, temperature, reaction time and product conversion. Treatment of beta-pinene with sodium hypochlorite in the presence of indium trichloride resulted in a facile rearrangement to selectively yield perillyl chloride, which is an important precursor for C-7 oxygenated limonenes