Membrane transport in insect epithelia appears to be energized through proton-motive force generated by the vacuolar type proton ATPase (V-ATPase). However, secondary transport mechanisms that are coupled to V-ATPase activity have not been fully elucidated. Following a blood meal, the female mosquito regulates fluid and ion homeostasis through a series of characteristic behaviors that require b...

Loss of ion homeostasis plays a central role in pathogenesis of ischemic cell damage. Ischemia-induced perturbation of ion homeostasis leads to intracellular accumulation of Ca2+ and Na+ and subsequent activation of proteases, phospholipases, and formation of oxygen and nitrogen free radicals. This signal transduction cascade results in long-term functional and structural changes in membrane an...

Normal vision depends, in part, on the combined refractive powers of the cornea and crystalline lens to permit adequate focusing of light onto the retina. Such refractive function requires that the cornea remain transparent, a requirement that is met provided that corneal hydration, i.e., deturgescence, is maintained within specific physiological limits. Maintenance of corneal deturgescence is ...

Regeneration of sulfuric acid and ammonia from ammonium sulfate by bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) coupling with stripping ammonia by air-blowing was studied. The result showed that it was feasible to regenerate sulfuric acid and ammonia from ammonium sulfate solution using this method. Empirical models to describe the ion and water transport behaviors through anion exchange membrane fo...

Transition metals are essential components of important biomolecules, and their homeostasis is central to many life processes. Transmembrane transporters are key elements controlling the distribution of metals in various compartments. However, due to their chemical properties, transition elements require transporters with different structural-functional characteristics from those of alkali and ...

P-type ATPases are a large family of membrane proteins that perform active ion transport across biological membranes. In these proteins, the energy-providing ATP hydrolysis is coupled to ion transport of one or two ion species across the respective membrane. The pump function of the investigated pumps is described by a so-called Post-Albers cycle. Main features of the pumping process are (1) a ...