A team of researchers has captured the first high-resolution 3D images of RyR1 calcium channels in muscle cells, revealing synchronized opening and the role of neighboring channels. The study may explain mechanisms behind serious muscle diseases, such as malignant hyperthermia and congenital myopathies.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University mapped six major conformations of a membrane protein related to learning, memory and fear behavior. The findings provide a blueprint for designing new drugs to inhibit this channel in cases of stroke.
Researchers found that the skin relies on TRPM8 sensor for cold detection, while internal organs primarily use TRPA1 sensor. This difference explains variations in external and internal cold perception, and has implications for understanding thermal homeostasis and pathologies related to cold sensitivity.
A recent study by Sora Shin has identified a shared brain circuit that contributes to both aggression and self-harm in individuals with a history of early-life trauma. The research found that pain, including emotional pain, can serve as a gateway for these behaviors to emerge.
Schisandrin A, a natural compound found in traditional Chinese medicine, relaxes pig coronary arteries and blocks calcium channels to prevent heart attacks. The study suggests that schisandrin A could be a novel approach to preventing coronary artery spasms and reducing the risk of ischemic heart disease.
Researchers discovered bombesin-like peptides in the body can trigger contractions in the vas deferens, a muscular tube carrying sperm in the male reproductive system. The peptides likely act through a specific receptor to induce contractions.
Researchers at Linköping University pinpointed the exact location of a specific calcium channel fine-tuning pain signals. This knowledge can be used to develop drugs for chronic pain that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
Researchers studied how epithelial cells sense small changes in their environment using ion channels. They found that even small movements can trigger rapid intracellular calcium changes via mechanosensitive cation channels, which play a key role in touch sensation and other physiological functions.
Researchers found that calcium channel blockers can reverse symptoms of myotonic dystrophy in animal models, a potential new treatment for the disease. The study suggests that targeting the calcium channel could improve muscle function and health, offering hope for patients with this debilitating condition.
Researchers identified Benidipine as a compound promoting the death of cigarette smoke-induced senescent lung cells, improving lung emphysema. The dihydropyridine family of calcium channel blockers constitutes a new class of senolytics that could improve lung diseases.
A pregnant patient with severe vasospastic angina successfully carried a healthy baby to full term after starting treatment with calcium channel blockers. The case highlights the importance of careful diagnosis and treatment, which can alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.
Researchers have identified a small molecule that reverses four types of chronic pain in animal studies without troublesome side effects. The compound, CBD3063, binds to the inner region of a calcium channel, indirectly regulating its activity and reducing neurotransmitter release.
A study by researchers from National Institutes of Health and Glasgow University found that amlodipine does not activate calcium channels, contradicting earlier concerns. The medication remains a recommended first-line treatment for high blood pressure, reducing deaths from hypertension.
A large UK Biobank study of 427,000 adults found that calcium channel blocker use was associated with an increased prevalence of glaucoma. The study suggests that calcium channel blockers may be a modifiable risk factor for glaucoma through a mechanism that is independent of intraocular pressure.
A new study finds that targeting the ORAI1 calcium channel may provide a promising approach to treating oral cancer. The study reveals that activating this channel causes an influx of calcium into cancer cells, leading to increased pain sensitivity.
The Venus flytrap uses special heat receptors in its sensory hairs to detect and respond to rising temperatures, protecting its vital snap traps from damage. This allows the plant to continue hunting for food after a fire has ravaged its surroundings.
Imperial researchers have imaged Piezo1 channels in human cells and organs, revealing their role in regulating blood pressure, respiration, bladder control, and the immune system. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of their role in fundamental physiological processes and potentially new drug targets for diseases.
Researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine found that calcium sensor MICU1 regulates mitochondrial ultrastructure, governing inner and outer mitochondrial membrane structure. This discovery provides a framework for understanding cellular energetics and cell death, with implications for diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a genetic mutation that causes lethal arrhythmia in humans. The study found that a novel variant of the CALM2 gene produces robust arrhythmogenicity in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a way to deactivate mosquito sperm, preventing them from swimming to or fertilizing eggs. This breakthrough could help control populations of Culex mosquitoes that transmit infectious diseases like encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
A remote hypertension program, operated by Mass General Brigham, successfully supported patients through the COVID-19 pandemic in achieving their blood pressure goals. Participants who enrolled during the pandemic reached and maintained their goal blood pressures an average of two months earlier than in the pre-pandemic period.
Researchers at Okayama University discovered genes and proteins responsible for the rapid contraction of axopodia in Heliozoa, a group of eukaryotes. The study identified key players in microtubule disruption, including katanin p60, kinesin, and calcium signaling proteins.
Researchers at John Innes Centre found that amino acid waves, not calcium waves, mediate plant responses to stress. Glutamate released from wounds triggers a wave of calcium responses in plant tissues.
The study found that plants have a transport route for calcium ions into their mitochondria, which is essential for signal transmission. The researchers also discovered a link between calcium ion transport and the regulation of the plant hormone jasmonic acid, which controls defense against herbivores and senescence.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that mutant variants of the RyR1 calcium channel protein are more sensitive to heat than normal proteins, leading to a cycle of activation that can cause malignant hyperthermia. This finding provides new insight into the condition and could lead to preventive and treatment strategies.
Rensselaer researchers propose a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries by using calcium ions. The new technology has shown promising results in terms of performance and cost efficiency.
Neuroscientists have uncovered the step-by-step process of how calcium channels accumulate at active zones in neurons, a critical component of synaptic transmission. The study reveals that alpha2delta plays a key role in regulating Cac levels, and its function has important clinical effects on conditions such as epilepsy and nerve pain.
Researchers found that tendons, not muscles, are the key site where increased mechanosensitivity translates to better running and jumping capabilities. High expression of the calcium-ion channel mechanoreceptor coincided with wider tendons composed of larger collagen fibrils.
Research suggests that EMFs can cause Alzheimer's disease by building up calcium levels in brain cells. This increase leads to changes in the brain, which develop conditions for Alzheimer's. The study highlights the importance of reducing EMF exposure to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's.
The John Innes Centre researchers identified the role of the signaling protein CaM2, which regulates calcium channels and shapes calcium signals. This led to accelerated calcium frequency, earlier signaling with bacteria, and enhanced root nodule symbiosis in engineered legume roots.
Researchers have identified an important element for electrical communication in plants: the ion channel TPC1. The study reveals how this channel is switched on and off, controlling electrical excitation in plant cells. Understanding TPC1-dependent processes can help better understand similar mechanisms in animal cells.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered that mysterious protein clusters on neurons play a critical role in activating gene transcription and allowing neurons to produce crucial proteins. The clusters, known as calcium-signaling hotspots, are highly conserved across species and enable the process of excitation-transcription coupling.
Scientists have identified a dual-control system that regulates the release and recycling of synaptic vesicles, enabling precise signal transmission. Calcium channels Ca2 and Ca1 are spatially segregated, with Ca2 required for exocytosis and Ca1 enhancing endocytosis, demonstrating separate control of these processes.
A new study successfully treated flies displaying behavioral problems linked to schizophrenia-associated genes using common anti-psychotics. The research identified two key genes, Rim and CACNA1A/CACNA1B, which are involved in neurotransmitter release and electrical signaling in neurons.
Researchers discovered a critical subunit, CatSper1, in winning sperm's racing stripes that helps control mobility and navigation. Sperm with intact channels advance further in the reproductive tract, while those without are eliminated.
Starting RASi lowers KRT risk while maintaining similar cardiovascular risks as CCB in advanced CKD patients. This nationwide study suggests RASi may slow kidney disease progression and offer cardiovascular protection.
A new study reveals a protein called OSCA1.3 forms a channel that triggers calcium entry into plant cells, triggering the closure of stomata as a defense response to pathogens. This finding is crucial for understanding plant immune mechanisms and could lead to more resilient crops.
Plant researchers have identified the calcium channel responsible for stomatal closing, a crucial defense mechanism against pathogens. This discovery has the potential to engineer pathogen-resistant crops by allowing plants to 'close their gates' when threatened.
A research team has revealed that Ca2+ activities mediated by mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels regulate the pathfinding of growing brain vessels in larval zebrafish. This process is critical for proper patterning of the vasculature, but its underlying mechanism remained unknown.
A study suggests that a single point mutation in the Cav1.2 channel, G406R, may explain the mechanism of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The mutation causes abnormal calcium overload leading to heart problems and spontaneous gene activation, resulting in uncontrolled long-term dysregulations.
A new study led by Penn State finds that LCCBs can cause vascular remodeling, reducing blood flow and increasing pressure. This damage can lead to an increased risk of heart failure in patients taking the medication.
A team of researchers has discovered a new role for a tiny linker in regulating transmembrane ion channels, which could lead to new targets for drugs and treatment in conditions such as hypertension and autism. The study found that the linker plays a more active sensing role than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered a crucial connection between calcium, energy production, and cardiolipin in heart muscles affected by Barth syndrome. This understanding may lead to new insights into the disease's symptoms and treatment options.
A study published in Gastroenterology identified a genetic defect in the calcium channel TRPV6 as a cause of early-onset chronic pancreatitis. The researchers found that the absence of this gene led to inflammation and fibrotic changes in the pancreas, paving the way for new therapeutic interventions.
A new study reveals that a key protein in controlling high blood pressure behaves differently in males and females. In female mice, the protein Kv2.1 contracts blood vessels, while in male mice, it dilates them. This difference has significant implications for developing tailored treatment strategies for hypertension in men and women.
A new ion channel in bacteria has been identified, filling a missing link in the evolutionary history of mammalian calcium channels. The discovery provides insight into the universal mechanism of calcium selectivity in both mammals and bacteria.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Columbia University discovered that a protein called Rad dampens the activity of voltage-gated calcium channels, which are responsible for heart contraction. When adrenaline stimulates these channels, Rad releases, increasing channel activity and heart beating.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that CaV3.1 channels lead to excessive calcium influx, impairing beta cell function and glucose homeostasis. This hyperactivation is a critical pathogenic mechanism in diabetes development.
A new mechanism has been discovered for the development of Parkinson's disease, which could lead to a more targeted therapy. Researchers have found that excessive calcium influx through specific ion channels, Cav2.3 channels, contribute significantly to the disease.
Researchers found that inflammation amplifies neurite growth in neurons involved in thermal sensations, leading to increased pain hypersensitivity. Cav2.2 calcium channel genes play a key role in this process, promoting thermosensitive neuronal activity and sensory nerve outgrowth.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have identified a new target regulating mitochondria during stress, which could lead to a new approach to treating conditions such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and neurodegeneration. The discovery highlights the role of MCUB in mitigating calcium overload in injured heart tissue.
Researchers have discovered the structure of a ring-shaped doorkeeper in the TRPML2 ion channel, which controls its interaction with calcium ions. The pH value determines whether calcium ions can open or block the channel, regulating their transport across cellular membranes.
Researchers discovered that presynaptic active zones can accommodate additional calcium channels, increasing synaptic strength and overturning previous thinking on channel dominance. This finding opens up a new avenue of research for treating neurological disorders.
Researchers found that a protein pair, STIM1 and ORAI, control cellular calcium signals through structural changes. The discovery lays groundwork for novel treatments to manipulate aberrant calcium signaling in the immune system.
A research team led by Professor Byung-Chang Suh has observed the dynamic combination of alpha 1 and beta subunits in calcium channels, revealing competitive replacement and stability. This breakthrough enables precise control of calcium ion inflow inside cells and opens a new horizon for treating high blood pressure and brain diseases.
Researchers have gained fresh insights into how kidney stones form using cryo-electron microscopy to capture the 3D structure of an ion channel protein called TRPV5. The study reveals a unique mechanism of TRPV5 inhibition that could be useful for finding novel binding partners and drug discovery.
A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory helps explain why strong synapses are stronger. The team found that strong active zones have higher calcium ion channels and more of the protein Bruchpilot, which clusters these channels, maximizing signal transmission. By studying how strong synapses dev...
Researchers found that Galectin-1 can lower blood pressure by reducing activity of L-type calcium channels in arteries. This discovery offers a novel approach to treating hypertension, potentially with minimal side effects.
A research team at Hokkaido University has discovered the key receptor molecule that enhances the infection of the influenza A virus. The Ca2+ channel is the critical component, and blocking it with calcium channel blockers can significantly suppress IAV infections.
Scientists have created a system to control gene expression with high precision using light, enabling potential treatments for cardiovascular disorders and regenerative medicine. The CaRROT system can turn genes on and off in specific locations within the genome, potentially driving stem cell differentiation into desired organs.