Functional Studies of Channelomics

There is a vast array of studies investingating the function of “membrane channels”, these frequently combine the patch clamp technique with pharmacology. The process by which membrane channel function is altered by drugs and biochemicals is termed “channel modulation”. Functional channelomic studies also includes study of diseases resulting from their mis-function. Such a disease is termed a channelopathy.

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Technologies of Channelomics

In principle, channelomics uses most of technologies of biochemistry or proteomics, however, perhaps the most important technology almost uniquely developed for channelomics is the patch clamp branch of electrophysiology.

What is Channelomics

Channelomics is a newly emerging term for the study of membrane channels, that is; ion channels and porins. It is therefore a branch of physiology, biophysics and pharmacology. The term is not used widely and it is therefore perhaps questionable as to whether it will catch on. Channelomics particularly includes study of the gene expression, structure and function of ion channels.

Mouse studies of Apolipoprotein

Most relevant information regarding mouse APOB homologue, mApoB, has come from mouse studies. Mice overexpressing mApoB have increased levels of LDL "bad cholesterol" and decreased levels of HDL "good cholesterol" [1]. Mice containing only one functional copy of the mApoB gene show the opposite effect, being resistant to hypercholesterolemia. Mice containing no functional copies of the gene are not viable

What is Stuctural Studies

Structure and functional studies of membrane channels are closely linked, but perhaps the most famous recent work studying the structure of ion channels is the paper by Doyle et al. 1998, which led to the Nobel Prize for physiology for Prof Roderick MacKinnon. A

What is TRPM

TRPM is a family of transient receptor potential ion channels where the "M" stands for "melastatin".[1] Functional TRPM channels are believed to form tetramers.[2] Unlike the TRPC and TRPV sub-families, TRPM subunits do not contain N-terminal ankyrin repeat motifs but, rather, contain entire functional proteins in their C-termini. TRPM6 and TRPM7, for example, contain functional ?-kinase segments, which are a type of serine/threonine-specific protein kinase.

Pentose

A pentose is a monosaccharide with five carbon atoms. They either have an aldehyde functional group in position 1 (aldopentoses), or a ketone functional group in position 2 (ketopentoses). The aldopentoses have three chiral centres ("asymmetric carbon atoms") and so 8 different stereoisomers are possible. The aldehyde and ketone functional groups in these carbohydrates react with neighbouring hydroxyl functional groups to form intramolecular hemiacetals or hemiketals, respectively. The resulting ring structure is related to furan, and is termed a furanose. The ring spontaneously opens and closes, allowing rotation to occur about the bond between the carbonyl group and the neighbouring carbon atom —

Inherited antithrombin deficiency

The incidence of inherited antithrombin deficiency has been estimated at between 1:2000 and 1:5000 in the normal population, with the first family suffering from inherited antithrombin deficiency being described in 1965.[35][36] Subsequently it was proposed that the classification of inherited antithrombin deficiency be designated as either type I or type II, based upon functional and immunochemical antithrombin analyses.[37] Maintenance of an adequate level of antithrombin activity, which is at least 70% that of a normal functional level is essential to ensure effective inhibition of blood coagulation proteases.[38] Typically as a result of type I or type II antithrombin deficiency, functional

Structure of 5 HT3 receptor

As with other ligand gated ion channels, the 5-HT3 receptor is composed of five subunits pseudo symmetrically arranged about a central ion conducting pore. These subunits are proteins encoded by the HTR3A, HTR3B, HTR3C, HTR3D, and/or HTR3E genes. Functional channels may be comprised of five identical 5-HT3A subunits (homopentameric) or a mixture of 5-HT3A and one of the other four 5-HT3B,[3][4][5] 5-HT3C, 5-HT3D, or 5-HT3E subunits (heteropentameric).[6] It appears that only the 5-HT3A subunits form functional homopentameric channels. All other subunit subtypes must heteropentamerize with 5-HT3A subunits to form functional channels.

Biological role of sequence conservation

Sequence similarities serve as evidence for structural and functional conservation, as well as of evolutionary relationships between the sequences. Consequently, comparative analysis is the primary means by which functional elements are identified. Among the most highly conserved sequences are the active sites of enzymes and the binding sites of a protein receptors.

Genetics of HslVU

Both proteins are encoded on the same operon within the bacterial genome. Unlike many eukaryotic proteasomes, which have several different peptide substrate specificities, hslV has a specificity similar to that of chymotrypsin; hence it is inhibited by proteasome inhibitors that specifically target the chymotrypsin site in eukaryotic proteasomes.[3] Although the HslVU complex is stable on its own, some evidence suggests that the complex is formed in vivo in a substrate-induced manner due to a conformational change in the hslU-substrate complex that promotes hslV binding.[4] HslV and hslU genes have also been identified in some eukaryotes, although these also require the constitutively

Tetrose

A tetrose is a monosaccharide with 4 carbon atoms. They either have an aldehyde functional group in position 1 (aldotetroses) or a ketone functional group in position 2 (ketotetroses). The aldotetroses have two chiralatrial centres ("asymmetric carbon atoms") and so 4 different stereoisomers are possible. The naturally occurring aldotetroses are: D-Erythrose D-Threose

Functional Polymorphisms

Six variable sites, including four polymorphisms and five common haplotypes have been identified in the human PR gene .[5] One promoter region polymorphism, +331G/A, creates a unique transcription start site. Biochemical assays showed that the +331G/A polymorphism increases transcription of the PR gene, favoring production of hPR-B in an Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell line.[6] Several studies have now shown no association between progesterone receptor gene +331G/A polymorphisms and breast or endometrial cancers.[7][8] However, these follow-up studies lacked the sample size and statistical power to make any definitive conclusions, due to the rarity of the +331A SNP. It is currently unknown which

What is GGT1

Gamma-glutamyltransferase 1, (GGT1) also known as CD224 (Cluster of Differentiation 224 ), is a human gene.[1] Human gamma-glutamyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of the glutamyl moiety of glutathione to a variety of amino acids and dipeptide acceptors. This heteroduplex enzyme is composed of a heavy chain and a light chain, which are derived from a single precursor protein, and is present in tissues involved in absorption and secretion. This enzyme is a member of the gamma-glutamyltransferase protein family, of which many members have not yet been fully characterized. This gene encodes several transcript variants; studies suggest that many transcripts of this gene

What is KCNS3

Potassium voltage-gated channel, delayed-rectifier, subfamily S, member 3, also known as KCNS3, is a human gene.[1] Voltage-gated potassium channels form the largest and most diversified class of ion channels and are present in both excitable and nonexcitable cells. Their main functions are associated with the regulation of the resting membrane potential and the control of the shape and frequency of action potentials. The alpha subunits are of 2 types: those that are functional by themselves and those that are electrically silent but capable of modulating the activity of specific functional alpha subunits. The protein encoded by this gene is not functional

Functional chewing gum

Functional gum is the name given to types of chewing gum which impart some practical function instead of, or in addition to, the usual enjoyment provided by a traditional chewing gum as a confectionery product. Examples of this include Nicotine gum which is used to aid smoking cessation, so-called "dental gum" made by toothpaste manufacturers that provide some of the benefits of tooth brushing, caffeinated gum to help alertness and even Think Gum which designers say they believe may enhance mental functioning. It could be argued that most gum (at least the mint varieties) provides some function in that they

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