Degradation of human aquaporin 0 by m-calpain

AbstractOpacities (cataracts) in the lens of the eye are a leading cause of preventable blindness. Aquaporins function as water channels, and the C-terminus is postulated as a regulatory domain. The C-terminal domain of aquaporin 0 (AQP0) develops numerous truncation sites during lens aging. The purpose of the present experiment was to determine if the calcium-activated protease m-calpain (EC 3.4.22.17) was responsible for truncation of human AQP0. AQP0 was isolated from young human donors, incubated with recombinant m-calpain, and the cleavage sites on the released peptides were determined by on-line electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. We found that four cleavage sites on human AQP0 could be tentatively assigned to m-calpain. This is the first evidence for possible calpain activity in human lens. Because the cause(s) of 17 other cleavage sites was unknown, the data also suggested that other, as yet unknown, proteases or non-enzymatic mechanisms are more active than calpain in human lens

An assessment of environmental conditions in bedrooms of contemporary low energy houses in Scotland

This paper describes the monitored environmental conditions in the bedrooms of 26 low energy houses in Scotland, include both naturally ventilation and houses with MVHR systems. The context of the paper is the performance gap that is emerging between design predictions and actual performance of housing, and this paper focuses on the environmental performance of bedrooms. Bedrooms are of particular interest as they are the spaces in which occupants have the greatest exposure to the indoor environment, and in which conditions are relatively constant. The study indicates that ventilation is generally poor in these spaces and that both temperature and humidity frequently exceed accepted parameters for comfort and health. Increased window opening is a mitigating factor, but effects are limited by overall ventilation strategies

Environmental Assessment of Domestic Laundering

Environmental Assessment of Domestic Laundering EPSRC Contract: EP/G00028X/1 . TECHNICAL REPORT PROJECT MODULE 1: PART A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS OF MEARU HOUSING SURVEY 22 case studies monitored over 2 weeks, drawn from survey total of 100 households PREFACE The underlying aim of PM 1 was to explore the range of environmental impacts arising from domestic laundering, the initial survey of 100 households yielding at least 20 volunteers for more in-depth monitoring over a 2-week period, and both providing an adequate range of demography and house type, as well as facilities and habits relative to their washing, drying and ironing. Parallel with PM 1, PM 2 has been conducting a series of laboratory tests on common existing finishing materials found within housing, specifically in order to define moisture buffering potential for passive drying (as well as other ‘wet’ activities), this information adding to the modelling capability of PM 3. PM 3 is also able to draw on typical laundering scenarios from PM1 using a limited range of house types, with iterative modelling to explore the influence of key variables for whole-house ‘as found’ and ‘improved’ situations, as well as for ‘quarantined’ drying cupboards. The findings summarised below are elaborated in Parts C and D relative to the survey findings, in particular the in-depth data from the 22 specific case studies detailed in Part B. This is the technical data which helped inform the publication:Design Guide: Healthy Low Energy Home Laundering, MEARU, 2011,ISBN: 978-0-9571595-0-