Issues

The kidneys regulate transport of Na⁺ and K⁺ in complex ways to maintain the overall economies of both ions simultaneously.

Ca²⁺ release–activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channels mediate store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) in many nonexcitable cells. In contrast to the CRAC channel subunit ORAI1, its homologue ORAI3 is dispensable for SOCE in lymphocytes and macrophages and not essential for immune cell function.

Epithelial Na⁺ channels are major regulators of fluid volumes and ultimately blood pressure in terrestrial vertebrates. We found that the amounts of protein comprising these channels in the kidneys and colons of rats and mice exceed what is required to explain the transport of Na⁺ by these tissues. This excess may facilitate regulation of the channels.

PIEZO1, a mechanically gated ion channel, transduces mechanical cues in neural stem cells. Here, we show the impact of Piezo1 knockout on neural development in vivo and find that cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid membrane composition are regulated by Piezo1.

Using a novel assay chamber to inject myosin light chain phosphatase during laser trap measurements, tonic smooth muscle force maintenance is observed at the myosin molecular level, marking an important step toward elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the latch state.

Compared to the “ventricular” essential myosin light chain MLC1sb/v, the longer and more positively charged MLC1sa present in slow-twitch M. soleus fibers decelerates actin filament gliding on β-myosin molecules presumably by a decreased dissociation rate from actin filaments.

Piezo2 is a membrane protein that activates in response to mechanical signals and plays key roles in humans. Lipids in the membrane such as cholesterol and phosphoinositides modulate Piezo2’s function. We used computational simulations of Piezo2 in a realistic mammalian membrane to investigate how lipids interact with Piezo2.