HEIRS's Zhu:W [3 articles]

Abstract

Ca2+-Camodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is expressed in many mammalian cells, with the d isoform predominantly expressed in cardiomyocytes. Previous studies have shown that inhibition of CaMKII protects cardiomyocytes against b1-adrenergic receptor (b1AR) mediated apoptosis. However, it is unclear whether activation of CaMKII is sufficient to cause cardiomyocyte apoptosis on its own and whether CaMKII signaling is important in heart muscle cell apoptosis mediated by other stimuli. In the present study, we specifically enhanced or suppressed CaMKII activity using adenoviral ...

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spinal N-methyl d-aspartate receptors play an important role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, and administration of N-methyl d-aspartate receptor antagonists can attenuate this hyperpathia. Ifenprodil is an antagonist selective for N-methyl d-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B) subunits. Several researches have reported effective analgesia of ifenprodil in animal models of neuropathic pain. We extended this work to include chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglia (CCD). METHODS: The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency tests were used to ...

Abstract

Protein kinase C (PKC) modulates the function of the capsaicin receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). This modulation manifests as increased current when the channel is activated by capsaicin. In addition, studies have suggested that phosphorylation by PKC might directly gate the channel, because PKC-activating phorbol esters induce TRPV1 currents in the absence of applied ligands. To test whether PKC both modulates and gates the TRPV1 function by direct phosphorylation, we used direct sequencing to determine the major sites of ...