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Ca 2+ /calmodulin dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) is a multifunctional, serine-threonine protein kinase that is activated in the presence of increased intracellular calcium ( Ca 2+ ).CaMKIV is a potent medi-ator of Ca 2+ induced gene expression, primarily through its ability to phosphorylate and activate transcrip-tion factors such as CREB. CaMKIV-dependent activation of CREB is a key event in...
Through the evolution of multicellular organisms, calcium has emerged as the preferred ion for intracel-lular signalling. It now occupies a pivotal role in many cell types and nowhere is it more important than in neurons, where it mediates both the relaying and long-term storage of information. The latter is a process that enables learning and memory to be formed and requires the activation of gene...
The known roles for calcium-binding proteins in developmental signaling pathways are reviewed. Current information on the calcium-binding characteristics of three classes of cell-surface developmental signaling proteins (EGF-domain proteins, cadherins and integrins) is presented together with an overview of the intra-cellular pathways downstream of these surface receptors. The developmental roles...
In this chapter various aspects of apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) influenced by calcium as a mediator of signal transduction have been reviewed. Attention has been focused on recently described calcium-binding proteins such as ALG-2 or on a new calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase, the death asso-ciated protein kinase or DAP-kinase. Both play a central role in apoptotic processes. Calcineurin,...
The annexins are a family of proteins that bind anionic phospholipid surfaces in a Ca 2+ -dependent manner (general reviews include Raynal & Pollard 1994, Swairjo & Seaton 1994, Seaton 1996, Mollenhauer, 1997). Due to this functional property, individual annexins have been discovered independently by numerous labo-ratories with diverse experimental goals. Ca 2+ characteristically causes the...
The effect of calcium supplementation on absorption and retention of cadmium in the suckling period was evaluated in Wistar rat pups of both sexes. Animals were maintained in the litters with the mother rats and supplemented with 1%, 3% or 6% calcium (as CaHPO4×2H2O) in cow's milk by artificial feeding from day of birth 6 through 14. All rats were exposed to cadmium (as CdCl2×H2O) either orally or...
A new hypothesis describing the role of the redox inactive Ca2+ ion in the expression of physiological oxidative damage is described. The hypothesis is based on the optimization of the chelation characteristics of iron complexes for pro-oxidant activity. In a previous investigation it was found that an excess of ligand kinetically hindered the Fenton reaction activity of the FeII/IIIEDTA complex (Bobier...
Zinc and calcium ions play important roles in the biosynthesis and storage of insulin. Insulin biosynthesis occurs within the β-cells of the pancreas via preproinsulin and proinsulin precursors. In the golgi apparatus, proinsulin is sequestered within Zn2+- and Ca2+-rich storage/secretory vesicles and assembled into a Zn2+ and Ca2+ containing hexameric species, (Zn2+)2(Ca2+)(Proin)6. In the vesicle,...
Lanthanum ion (La3+) was generally regarded as calcium antagonist and was used as calcium channel blocker. However, its potential biological effects on cells were poorly understood. In the present work, it was found that La3+ could induce rapid extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in both HeLa cells and NIH 3T3 cells, but different mechanisms were involved. At a concentration...
On the basis of the evidence of the enhanced susceptibility to kainate-induced seizures in young rats fed a zinc-deficient diet for 4 weeks, the relationship between zinc release from hippocampal neuron terminals and seizure susceptibility was studied in young rats fed the zinc-deficient diet for 2 weeks. Timm’s stain, with which histochemically reactive zinc in the presynaptic vesicle is detected,...
The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic efficacies of combined use of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) with calcium and ascorbic acid in the treatment of mild to moderately lead-intoxicated mice. Female albino mice were exposed to lead by drinking water contaminated with 0.1% (moderate lead exposure) or 0.05% (mild lead exposure) lead acetate. After the cessation of lead exposure,...
Bismuth is used for multiple industrial purposes and in the treatment of several gastrointestinal diseases. Untoward effects of bismuth include anemia, which could, in theory, result from suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis. Hallmarks of eryptosis are cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface. Phosphatidylserine-exposing cells are rapidly...
Pathophysiological changes in the prostate take the form of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa). In prostate, zinc is particularly important to its normal functioning, especially in terms of the consequences of hormone disturbance. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, and Se in the prostate dependent on the character of patological changes...
Hexavalent (VI) chromium is a global contaminant with cytotoxic activity. Chromium (VI) induces oxidative stress, inflammation, cell proliferation, malignant transformation and may trigger carcinogenesis and at the same time apoptosis. The toxic effects of chromium (VI) at least partially result from mitochondrial injury and DNA damage. Erythrocytes lack mitochondria and nuclei but may experience...
Magnesium is one of the most important regulatory cation involved in several biological processes. It is important for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of several vital ocular tissues such as cornea, lens and retina. The magnesium content of lens, especially in its peripheral part, is higher than that in aqueous and vitreous humor. Magnesium has also been shown to play critically...
Metals bind to the bacterial cell wall, yet the binding mechanisms and affinity constants are not fully understood. The cell wall of gram positive bacteria is characterized by a thick layer of peptidoglycan and anionic teichoic acids anchored in the cytoplasmic membrane as lipoteichoic acid or covalently bound to the cell wall as wall teichoic acid. The polyphosphate groups of teichoic acid provide...
Calcium ions (Ca2+) are indispensable for life and are involved in important physiological actions, which makes maintaining a constant level of blood Ca2+ essential. Ca2+ is mainly stored in bones which serve as a reservoir and its homeostasis is modulated by various hormones. Human calcitonin (hCt) is a small peptide hormone that exerts its physiological effect on Ca2+ metabolism by means of osteoclast-mediated...
Lithium is an essential trace element, widely used in medicine and its application is often long-term. Despite beneficial effects, its administration can lead to severe side effects including hyperparathyroidism, renal and thyroid disorders. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of lithium and/or selenium treatment on magnesium, calcium and silicon levels in rats’ organs as well...
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