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Full-Text Articles in Biochemistry
Biometal-Induced Structural Consequences Of Α-Synuclein – The Parkinson’S Disease Protein, Dinendra L. Abeyawardhane
Biometal-Induced Structural Consequences Of Α-Synuclein – The Parkinson’S Disease Protein, Dinendra L. Abeyawardhane
Theses and Dissertations
The pre-synaptic protein α-Synuclein (αS) is often linked to the pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD), an age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Lewy bodies, the cytopathological hallmarks of PD, are found to be rich in aggregates of misfolded αS protein. Metal dyshomeostasis has also been linked to PD due to the accumulation of iron in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and diminished copper levels reported in this same region. Metal dyshomeostasis in the brain coupled with oxidative stress can enhance the aggregation of αS. Recently, it was confirmed that mammalian αS is universally acetylated at the N-terminus, a common post-translational modification in …
Electrostatic Networks And Mechanisms Of Δph-Dependent Gating In The Human Voltage-Gated Proton Channel Hv1, Ashley L. Bennett
Electrostatic Networks And Mechanisms Of Δph-Dependent Gating In The Human Voltage-Gated Proton Channel Hv1, Ashley L. Bennett
Theses and Dissertations
The structure of the voltage-gated proton (H+) channel Hv1 is homologous to the voltage sensor domain (VSD) of tetrameric voltage-gated Na+, K+ and Ca2+ channels (VGCs), but lacks a pore domain and instead forms a homodimer. Similar to other VSD proteins, Hv1 is gated by changes in membrane potential (V), but unlike VGCs, voltage-dependent gating in Hv1 is modulated by changes in the transmembrane pH gradient (DpH = pHo - pHi). In Hv1, pHo or pHi changes shift the open probability (POPEN)-V relation by ~40 mV per …
Probing Allosteric, Partial Inhibition Of Thrombin Using Novel Anticoagulants, Stephen S. Verespy Iii
Probing Allosteric, Partial Inhibition Of Thrombin Using Novel Anticoagulants, Stephen S. Verespy Iii
Theses and Dissertations
Thrombin is the key protease that regulates hemostasis; the delicate balance between procoagulation and anticoagulation of blood. In clotting disorders, like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, procoagulation is up-regulated, but propagation of clotting can be inhibited with drugs targeting the proteases involved, like thrombin. Such drugs however, have serious side effects (e.g., excessive bleeding) and some require monitoring during the course of treatment. The reason for these side effects is the mechanism by which the drugs’ act. The two major mechanisms are direct orthosteric and indirect allosteric inhibition, which will completely abolish the protease’s activity. Herein we sought an …