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Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Jan 2018Gap junction channels facilitate the intercellular exchange of ions and small molecules. While this process is critical to all multicellular organisms, the proteins that... (Review)
Review
Gap junction channels facilitate the intercellular exchange of ions and small molecules. While this process is critical to all multicellular organisms, the proteins that form gap junction channels are not conserved. Vertebrate gap junctions are formed by connexins, while invertebrate gap junctions are formed by innexins. Interestingly, vertebrates and lower chordates contain innexin homologs, the pannexins, which also form channels, but rarely (if ever) make intercellular channels. While the connexin and the innexin/pannexin polypeptides do not share significant sequence similarity, all three of these protein families share a similar membrane topology and some similarities in quaternary structure. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
Topics: Animals; Connexins; Gap Junctions; Humans; Ion Transport
PubMed: 28559187
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.05.016 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Aug 2022Ion transport under nanoconfined spaces is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and plays an important role in the energy conversion and signal transduction processes of... (Review)
Review
Ion transport under nanoconfined spaces is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and plays an important role in the energy conversion and signal transduction processes of both biological and artificial systems. Unlike the free diffusion in continuum media, anomalous behaviors of ions are often observed in nanostructured systems, which is governed by the complex interplay between various interfacial interactions. Conventionally, nanoionics mainly refers to the study of ion transport in solid-state nanosystems. In this review, to extent this concept is proposed and a new framework to understand the phenomena, mechanism, methodology, and application associated with ion transport at the nanoscale is put forward. Specifically, here nanoionics is summarized into three categories, i.e., biological, artificial, and hybrid, and discussed the characteristics of each system. Compared with nanoelectronics, nanoionics is an emerging research field with many theoretical and practical challenges. With this forward-looking perspective, it is hoped that nanoionics can attract increasing attention and find wide range of applications as nanoelectronics.
Topics: Diffusion; Ion Transport; Ions; Nanostructures
PubMed: 35723422
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200534 -
American Journal of Physiology. Lung... Nov 2017Maintenance of normal epithelial ion and water transport in the lungs includes providing a thin layer of surface liquid that coats the conducting airways. This airway... (Review)
Review
Maintenance of normal epithelial ion and water transport in the lungs includes providing a thin layer of surface liquid that coats the conducting airways. This airway surface liquid is critical for normal lung function in a number of ways but, perhaps most importantly, is required for normal mucociliary clearance and bacterial removal. Preservation of the appropriate level of hydration, pH, and viscosity for the airway surface liquid requires the proper regulation and function of a battery of different types of ion channels and transporters. Here we discuss how alterations in ion channel/transporter function often lead to lung pathologies.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Humans; Ion Channels; Ion Transport; Lung; Mucociliary Clearance; Respiratory Mucosa
PubMed: 29025712
DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00285.2017 -
WormBook : the Online Review of C.... Dec 2014The facilitated movement of ions across cell membranes can be characterized as occurring through active (ATP-dependent), secondary active (coupled), or passive transport... (Review)
Review
The facilitated movement of ions across cell membranes can be characterized as occurring through active (ATP-dependent), secondary active (coupled), or passive transport processes. Each of these processes is mediated by a diverse group of membrane proteins. Over the past fifteen years, studies of membrane transport in C. elegans have benefited from the fact that worms are anatomically simple, easily and economically cultured, and genetically tractable. These experimental advantages have been instrumental in defining how membrane transport processes contribute to whole organism physiology. The focus of this review is to survey the recent advances in our understanding of membrane transport that have arisen from integrative physiological approaches in the nematode C. elegans.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Calcium Signaling; Cell Membrane; Ion Transport
PubMed: 25536490
DOI: 10.1895/wormbook.1.174.1 -
Clinical & Experimental Optometry Nov 2002Aqueous humour (AH) is an important intraocular fluid responsible for the supply of nutrients to and removal of metabolic wastes from the avascular tissues of the eye.... (Review)
Review
Aqueous humour (AH) is an important intraocular fluid responsible for the supply of nutrients to and removal of metabolic wastes from the avascular tissues of the eye. It is also indispensable for the maintenance of the optical properties of the eye. The fluid dynamics of AH are frequently associated with the potentially blinding disease called glaucoma. Pharmacological treatment of glaucoma generally aims to lower the intraocular pressure by reducing AH formation. However, the mechanism underlying the formation of AH is still not well understood. Understanding the mechanism of AH formation and its regulation is paramount to develop rational and target specific drugs for the treatment of glaucoma. It is now generally believed that AH is formed mostly by active transport of ions and solutes across the ciliary epithelium. Many studies have been carried out in the past half a century to understand these transport processes. In the past several years, new information has emerged and a comprehensive review of these new developments is necessary. This review covers the ion transports in the ciliary epithelium, including the possible roles of sodium, chloride and bicarbonate ions as the driving forces. It also examines the current ionic models for AH formation and its regulation from a cellular transport perspective.
Topics: Animals; Aqueous Humor; Ascorbic Acid; Biological Transport, Active; Ciliary Body; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Ion Pumps; Ion Transport; Pigment Epithelium of Eye
PubMed: 12452784
DOI: No ID Found -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Apr 2023
Topics: Ion Transport; Thermodynamics
PubMed: 37055402
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01361-3 -
Physiological Reviews Oct 2012SPAK (Ste20-related proline alanine rich kinase) and OSR1 (oxidative stress responsive kinase) are members of the germinal center kinase VI subfamily of the mammalian... (Review)
Review
SPAK (Ste20-related proline alanine rich kinase) and OSR1 (oxidative stress responsive kinase) are members of the germinal center kinase VI subfamily of the mammalian Ste20 (Sterile20)-related protein kinase family. Although there are 30 enzymes in this protein kinase family, their conservation across the fungi, plant, and animal kingdom confirms their evolutionary importance. Already, a large volume of work has accumulated on the tissue distribution, binding partners, signaling cascades, and physiological roles of mammalian SPAK and OSR1 in multiple organ systems. After reviewing this basic information, we will examine newer studies that demonstrate the pathophysiological consequences to SPAK and/or OSR1 disruption, discuss the development and analysis of genetically engineered mouse models, and address the possible role these serine/threonine kinases might have in cancer proliferation and migration.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ion Transport; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 23073627
DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2012 -
Science China. Life Sciences Jan 2015Store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) controls intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and regulates a wide range of cellular events including proliferation, migration and... (Review)
Review
Store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) controls intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and regulates a wide range of cellular events including proliferation, migration and invasion. The discovery of STIM proteins as Ca(2+) sensors and Orai proteins as Ca(2+) channel pore forming units provided molecular tools to understand the physiological function of SOCE. Many studies have revealed the pathophysiological roles of Orai and STIM in tumor cells. This review focuses on recent advances in SOCE and its contribution to tumorigenesis. Altered Orai and/or STIM functions may serve as biomarkers for cancer prognosis, and targeting the SOCE pathway may provide a novel means for cancer treatment.
Topics: Calcium; Calcium Signaling; Humans; Ion Transport; Neoplasms; Prognosis
PubMed: 25481035
DOI: 10.1007/s11427-014-4774-3 -
Kidney International May 1995
Review
Topics: Animals; Capillary Permeability; Cell Membrane Permeability; Ion Transport; Kidney Glomerulus; Membrane Potentials
PubMed: 7637253
DOI: 10.1038/ki.1995.178 -
American Journal of Respiratory Cell... Dec 2021
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Ion Transport; Pulmonary Alveoli
PubMed: 34348088
DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0270ED