While chemical forms of cell-to-cell communication are well recognized to coordinate bacterial populations, electrical signaling has been relatively ignored. Humphries et al. show that Bacillus subtilis biofilms utilize potassium production to attract far away, motile cells of even phylogenetically distant species by altering their membrane potential.

What is the moving part that switches an ion channel's current on and off? In this issue of Neuron del Camino and Yellen (2001) exploit scanning cysteine mutagenesis and sulfhydryl reagents to show that the intracellular end of the S6 helices forms a mechanical gate for the Shaker potassium channel.

Hoff, Smith and Winkler (1) found that dogs with anuria secondary to nephrectomy or to ureteral ligation die from cardiac arrest due to autointoxication with potassium. Potassium, derived from the breakdown of the animal's own tissues, can apparently neither be excreted nor stored, and gradually accumulates until a concentration sufficient to cause cardiac arrest is attained. A clinical state s...

The etiology of common idiopathic epileptic syndromes is genetically determined, but the complex pattern of inheritance suggests an epistatic interaction of several susceptibility genes. Mutations in over 70 genes now define biological pathways leading to rare monogenic forms of epilepsy in humans and animals. Recognizing the molecular basis of an ion-channel disease has provided new opportunit...

The etiology of common idiopathic epileptic syndromes is genetically determined, but the complex pattern of inheritance suggests an epistatic interaction of several susceptibility genes. Mutations in over 70 genes now define biological pathways leading to rare monogenic forms of epilepsy in humans and animals. Recognizing the molecular basis of an ion-channel disease has provided new opportunit...

The structural unit of the title compound, [K(C(6)H(3)N(2)O(4))(C(6)H(4)N(2)O(4))(H(2)O)(2)](n), consists of one potassium cation, one hydrogen pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxyl-ate anion, one pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid mol-ecule and two water mol-ecules; this is twice the asymmetric unit, since the potassium cation lies on an inversion centre. Each anion or acid mol-ecule is linked to two potassium ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Normal cochlear function depends on maintaining the correct ionic environment for the sensory hair cells. Here we review recent literature on the cellular distribution of potassium transport-related molecules in the cochlea. RECENT FINDINGS Transgenic animal models have identified novel molecules essential for normal hearing and support the idea that potassium is recycled in...

The results of the theoretical graphical analysis decomposition sulfuric and phosphoric acids from mass wastes production – slag, accumulated reserves which are industrial importance in terms quantity, presented. A representative sample slag Kainar LLP was obtained for research. research showed that main products slag's stage a solution acid with concentration 14-17% P2O5 cake precipitate conta...