Human body detects potentially damaging stimuli by specialized sensory nerve endings in the skin, the nociceptors. Their membranes are equipped with ion channels, molecular sensors, coding the outside stimuli into the trains of action potentials and conducting them to the higher brain centers. The most prominent group of transduction ion channels is the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family followed by ion channels responsible for generation and conduction of action potentials from the periphery to the brain, the voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). Understanding the mechanisms how particular stimulus is encoded and processed is of particular importance to find therapeutics for various types of pain conditions. We characterized the properties of VGSC subtypes NaV1.9 and NaV1.8 at high temperatures. We showed that NaV1.9 undergo large increase in current with increasing temperatures and significantly contribute to the action potential generation in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are sodium channels activator toxins causing ciguatera fish poisoning, a disease manifested by sensory and neurological disturbances. We elucidated the mechanism of CTX- induced cold allodynia, a pathological phenomenon where normally innocuous cool temperatures are perceived as pain. We...

TRPA1 is a thermosensitive ion channel from the ankyrin subfamily of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) receptors. These proteins play essential roles in the transduction of wide variety of environmental and endogenous signals. TRPA1, which is abundantly expressed in primary nociceptive neurons, is an important transducer of various noxious and irritant stimuli and is also involved in the detection of temperature changes. Similarly to other TRP channels, TRPA1 is comprised of four subunits, each with six transmembrane segments (S1-S6), flanked by the cytoplasmic N- and C-terminal ends. In native tissues, TRPA1 is supposed to be regulated by multiple phosphorylation sites that underlie TRPA1 activity under physiological and various pathophysiological conditions. Using mutational approach, we predicted and explored the role of potential phosphorylation sites for protein kinase C in TRPA1 functioning. Our results identify candidate residues, at which phosho-mimicking mutations affected the channel's ability to respond to voltage and chemical stimuli, whereas the phospho-null mutations to alanine or glycine did not affect the channel activation. Particularly, we identify the serine 602 within the N-terminal ankyrin repeat domain 16, the substitution of which to aspartate completely abolished the TRPA1...

TRPA1 is a thermosensitive ion channel from the family of TRP (transient receptor potential) receptors. In primary sensory neurons, TRPA1 is an important transducer of painful stimuli, where it contributes to detection of noxious, irritant and inflammatory compounds of endogenous and exogenous origin. The major activation mode of TRPA1 is covalent modification of N-terminal cysteines or lysines by electrophilic compounds. The potency of the electrophilic agonists is increased by voltage dependency of the TRPA1 channel, which contributes substantially during membrane depolarization. To date, the role of several cysteine residues in the N- terminus has been demonstrated. However, the functional role of six cysteines in the transmembrane domain is still unknown. The first part of the thesis focuses on the functional role of the transmembrane cysteines in the activation of human TRPA1 channel. Our results indicate that these sites do not mediate reactive-electrophile-induced activation but four of the six cysteines substantially contribute to voltage-dependent gating of the channel and two participate in calcium-dependent modulation of TRPA1. In the second part of this thesis we aim to explore the proximity of two specific charged residues, located in the linker between the fourth and the fifth...

Du, Juan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-134). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Kwan Hiu Yee. / "June 2006." / 2+ in the title is superscript. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-150). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Attempts were made to determine the pore properties, such as permeability, rectification and voltage-dependent block, of the putative TRPV4-TRPC1 channel. We demonstrated that this putative TRPV4-TRPC1 heterotetrameric channels displays distinct property different (although not drastically different) from TRPV4 homotetrameric channel with regard to I-V relation, kinetics of cation current, cations permeability and rectification properties. Together, the data from FRET and functional studies both suggest that heterologous expression of TRPV4 and TRPC1 can produce functional TRPV4-TRPC1 heterotetrameric channel. / Hemodynamic blood flow is one of most important physiological factors that control vascular tone. Flow shear stress acts on the endothelium to stimulate the release of vasodilators such as nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors, causing endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. In many cases, a key early signal in this flow-induced vascular dilation is Ca2+ influx in endothelial cells in response to flow. There is intense interest in searching for the molecular identity of the channels that mediate flow-induced Ca2+ influx. The present study aimed at identifying an interaction of TRPV4 with TRPC1, and investigating functional role of such a complex in flow-induced Ca2+ influx / In functional study, flow elicited a [Ca2+]i rise in TRPV4-expressing HEK cells. Co-expression of TRPC1 with TRPV4 markedly prolonged this [Ca2+]i transient, and it also enabled this [Ca2+]i transient to be negatively modulated by protein kinase G (PKG). Furthermore, this [Ca2+]i rise was inhibited by an anti-TRPC1 blocking antibody T1E3 and a dominant negative construct TRPC1Delta567-793. Physical interaction of TRPV4 with TRPC1 and functional role of such a complex were also found in the primary cultured rat mesenteric artery endothelial cells (MAECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). A TRPC 1-specific siRNA was used to knock-down TRPC1 protein levels in HUVECs. Interestingly, this siRNA not only reduced the magnitude of flow-induced [Ca2+]i rise, but also accelerated the decay of flow-induced [Ca2+]i transient. Pressure myograph was used to investigate the functional role of such a complex in flow-induced vascular dilation. T1E3 also decreased flow-induced vascular dilation. Thogether, the data from endothelial cells are consistent with those in overexpressed HEK cells, supporting the notion that TRPC 1 interacts with TRPV4 to prolong the flow-induced[Ca2+]i transient, and that TRPV4-TRPC1 complex plays an important role in flow-induced vascular dilation. / In summary, my study demonstrated that TRPV4 is capable of assembling with TRPC1 to form a functional TRPV4-TRPC1 heteromeric channel. TRPV4-TRPC1 heteromeric channel can rapidly translocate to the plasma membrane after Ca 2+ depletion in intracellular stores. This TRPV4-TRPC1 heteromeric channel plays an important role in flow-induced endothelial Ca2+ influx and its associated vascular relaxation. / Ion channels are delivered to the plasma membrane via vesicle trafficking. Thus the vesicle trafficking is a key mechanism to control the amount of TRP channel proteins in the plasma membrane, where they perform their function. TRP channels in vivo are often composed of heteromeric subunits. However, up to the present, there is lack of knowledge on trafficking of heteromeric TRP channels via vesicular translocation. In the present study, we examined the effect of Ca2+ store depletion on the translocation of TRPV4-TRPC1 heteromeric channels to the plasma membrane. Experiments using total internal fluorescence reflection microscopy (TIRFM) and biotin surface labeling showed that depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores triggered a rapid translocation of TRPV4-TRPC1 channel proteins into the plasma membrane. Fluorescent Ca2+ measurement and patch clamp studies demonstrated that store Ca2+ depletion augmented several TRPV4-TRPC1 complex-related functions, which include store-operated Ca2+ influx and cation current as well as 4alpha-PDD-stimulated Ca2+ influx and cation current. The translocation required stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1). Furthermore, TRPV4-TRPC1 complex is more favorably translocated to the plasma membrane than TRPC1 or TRPV4 homomers. Similar mechanisms were identified in native endothelial cells, where the TRPV4-TRPC I complex is a key component mediating flow-induced Ca2+ influx and subsequent vascular relaxation. / With the use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), co-immunoprecipitation and subcellular colocalization methods, it was found that TRPC1 interacts physically with TRPV4 to form a heteromeric channel complex. In addition, our experimental results indicate that C-terminal and N-terminal domains of both channels are required for their interaction. / Ma, Xin. / Adviser: Yao Xiaodiang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-121). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Six new structural parameters £rB, £pB, £rC, £pC, £rS, and £pS are proposed to enhance the side chain actions in protein structures. Programs for calculating these new parameters based on phi and psi torsion angles vector algebra calculation method are established. A bivariate model with von Mises marginal distributions are applied to establish models of phi and psi in protein class Ophiophagus hannah neurotoxins and alpha-bungarotoxins respectively. 11 global structural parameters include phi and psi torsion angles, bond lengths of C-N, C-O, C£\ -C, and N-C£\, and bond angles of C-N-C£\, C£\-C-N, C£\-C-O, N-C£\-C, and O-C-N are considered to classify long alpha-neurotoxins by Ward's cluster method and LIBSVM program package. Those global structural parameters of loop II Trp residues of alpha-neurotoxins are discussed.

No description available.

Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, die brunststimulierende Wirkung des synthetisch hergestellten Gonadorelin[5-His, 6-Asp, 7-Trp, 8-Lys] (International Nonproprietary Name: Peforelin), das in dem Präparat Maprelin® XP10 enthalten ist, bei abgesetzten pluriparen Sauen zu prüfen. Im ersten Versuchsabschnitt wurde die zweckmäßige Dosierung ermittelt. Im zweiten Versuchsabschnitt wurde die Wirkung von Maprelin® XP10 mit der einer eCG- und einer Placebobehandlung verglichen. Die Bedingungen waren für die Versuchstiere in beiden Versuchsabschnitten homogen (etwa vierter Wurf, Säugezeit vier Wochen, Brunstkontrolle zweimal täglich in Anwesenheit eines geschlechtsaktiven Ebers, zweimal täglich sonographische Ovaruntersuchung, duldungsorientierte Besamung einmal täglich). In der Dosisfindungsstudie, in die 88 Tiere einbezogen wurden, erwies sich die Dosierung von 150 µg Peforelin, 24 Stunden nach dem Absetzen appliziert, als zweckmäßig zur Brunststimulation. Andere getestete Varianten (100 µg 24 Stunden, 150 µg 0 Stunden, 150 µg 48 Stunden, 187,5 µg 24 Stunden, 255 µg 24 Stunden nach dem Absetzen) waren hierzu weniger geeignet. In der Untersuchung zur klinischen Wirksamkeit wurden die 313 einbezogenen Tiere in drei Gruppen aufgeteilt und erhielten 24 Stunden nach dem Absetzen pro Tier 150 µg Peforelin (Gruppe I), 800 IE eCG (Gruppe II) oder 2 ml physiologische NaCl-Lösung als Placebo (Gruppe III). Zur Befunderhebung an den Ovarien wurden die Tiere zweimal täglich sonographisch untersucht. Die Östrusrate nach der Peforelin-Behandlung war derjenigen nach eCG-Injektion gleichwertig (95,1 bzw. 96,3 %), beide waren der Placebobehandlung signifikant überlegen (80,6 %). In die weiteren Auswertungen wurden nur Tiere mit Brunstbeginn bis zum siebten Tag nach dem Absetzen einbezogen. Das Absetz-Östrus-Intervall betrug 100,5, 94,2 bzw. 104,1 Stunden in den Gruppen I, II bzw. III. In der Brunstdauer und dem Intervall vom Östrusbeginn bis zur Ovulation unterschieden sich die drei Gruppen nicht. Die durchschnittliche Follikelgröße war in allen drei Gruppen zum Zeitpunkt des Absetzens 4 mm und zum Zeitpunkt der ersten Duldung 6 mm. Die Ovulationen fanden sowohl nach eCG als auch nach Maprelin® XP10 zwischen dem Mittag des sechsten (13.00 h) und der Nacht des siebten Tages (1.00 h) nach dem Absetzen statt. Bei der sonographischen Trächtigkeitsuntersuchung in der vierten Woche post inseminationem waren 100,0, 99,0 bzw. 97,6 % in den Gruppen I, II bzw. III positiv. Die Trächtigkeitsrate betrug 96,9, 97,1 bzw. 91,6 % in den Gruppen I, II bzw. III. Die Abferkelrate ergab 92,2, 93,4 und 73,8 % in den Gruppen I, II und III. Das Abferkelergebnis war in allen drei Gruppen gleich (11,7, 12,0 bzw. 11,6 insgesamt geborene Ferkel in den Gruppen I, II bzw. III). Es wurde eine negative Korrelation zwischen der Dauer des Absetz-Östrus-Intervalls und der Brunstdauer bzw. dem Intervall vom Östrusbeginn bis zur Ovulation nachgewiesen. Darüber hinaus korrelierten die Brunstdauer und das Intervall Östrusbeginn bis Ovulation positiv miteinander. In allen drei Gruppen stand die Follikelgröße bei der ersten Duldung in positiver Korrelation mit der Länge des Absetz-Östrus-Intervalls. Nach längerer Säugezeit kamen die Sauen tendenziell und in der Gruppe I signifikant früher in die Brunst als nach kürzerer Laktation. Weitere überprüfte potentielle Einflussfaktoren hatten weder auf den Brunsteintritt noch auf die erzielten Wurfgrößen oder andere Parameter Auswirkungen. Mit der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurde erstmals die Wirksamkeit des synthetisch hergestellten Peforelin zur Brunststimulation bei abgesetzten pluriparen Sauen nachgewiesen. Inwieweit das Präparat für diese Indikation auch bei primiparen Sauen oder Jungsauen wirksam eingesetzt werden kann, bleibt weiteren klinischen Prüfungen vorbehalten.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(薬学) / 甲第18213号 / 薬博第803号 / 新制||薬||237(附属図書館) / 31071 / 京都大学大学院薬学研究科生命薬科学専攻 / (主査)教授 金子 周司, 教授 髙倉 喜信, 教授 竹島 浩 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM