Kv7 Channels Can Function without Constitutive Calmodulin Tethering

M-channels are voltage-gated potassium channels composed of Kv7.2-7.5 subunits that serve as important regulators of neuronal excitability. Calmodulin binding is required for Kv7 channel function and mutations in Kv7.2 that disrupt calmodulin binding cause Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions (BFNC), a dominantly inherited human epilepsy. On the basis that Kv7.2 mutants deficient in calmodulin binding are not functional, calmodulin has been defined as an auxiliary subunit of Kv7 channels. However, we have identified a presumably phosphomimetic mutation S511D that permits calmodulin-independent function. Thus, our data reveal that constitutive tethering of calmodulin is not required for Kv7 channel function

Specific antitumor activities of natural and oxovanadium(IV) complexed flavonoids in human breast cancer cells

The structure–activity relationships of the natural flavonoids quercetin, chrysin and silibinin have revealed that they meet the key structural requirements for killing tumor cells. When the structures of these three flavonoids are modified by complexation using the oxovanadium(IV) cation their cytotoxic properties in human breast cancer cell lines are enhanced. Breast epithelial cells are used to determine the selectivity of these compounds. The mechanisms of action of the flavonoids and the oxovanadium(IV) cation in the MDA-MB231 cell line seem to be different to the apoptotic mechanisms of cell death exerted by the oxovanadium(IV) complexes. These results showed the mechanisms of the antitumoral effect of these complexes, making them promising compounds for cancer treatment.Fil: Naso, Luciana Gissella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Varcarcel, Maria. Innoprot SL; EspañaFil: Villace, Patricia. Innoprot SL; EspañaFil: Roura Ferrer, Meritxell. Innoprot SL; EspañaFil: Salado, Clarisa. Innoprot SL; EspañaFil: Ferrer, Evelina Gloria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Williams, Patricia Ana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; Argentin

Design, synthesis and biological characterization of novel activators of the TrkB neurotrophin receptor

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