Ion channel in the spotlight

Ion channel activity drives ion channel expression.

Acid-sensing ion channel 1a regulates the survival of nucleus pulposus cells in the acidic environment of degenerated intervertebral discs

Objective(s): Activation of acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is responsible for tissue injury caused by acidosis in nervous systems. But its physiological and pathological roles in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) are unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ASIC1a regulates the survival of NPCs in the acidic environment of degenerated discs. Materials and Methods: NPCs were i...

Paleoclimate in the spotlight

weather and an increase in rare extreme events will have a negative effect on coffee production and the millions of farmers and their families which depend on the crop for their livelihoods. Most of these smallholder farmers live on the edge of viable existence, and any unpredictable change in circumstances can push them into poverty. " In a separate effort supported by Earthwatch, the Institut...

Ion permeation through neuronal nAChR ion channel

Alzheimer’s dementia is related to loss of inter-neuron communication by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) at post synaptic neurons, and successful therapy approaches rely e.g. on modulations of response signals initiated by ion flux through the receptor integrated ion channel. We have evaluated Umbrella Sampling (US) and Steered Molecular Dynamics (SMD) pulling for calculation of the p...

Ion Channel-Target Toxicology

The saying " use poison as an antidote to poison " has long been considered the spirit of traditional Chinese medicine and herbalism since Ming Dynasty and has indicated the medical values of toxins arising from venomous animals, plants, microbes, or synthetic chemicals. A well-known physician Sir P. M. Latham (1789–1875) once defined the relationship between poisons and medicines as " oftentim...