Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cations”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The lethal hit stage of mouse T and non-T cell-mediated cytolysis: differences in cation requirements and characterization of an analytical "cation pulse" method.

We investigated in detail the cation requirements of two different systems of mouse cell-mediated cytolysis in vitro, at their recognition, post-recognition hit and target cell disintegration stages. In T cell-mediated cytolysis, respectively Mg++ or Ca++, Ca++, and no cations, were required. In non-T cell-mediated hemolysis, respectively no cations, Mg++, and no cations, were required. Two main conclusions can be drawn. First, the cation requirements are different from one system to the other especially at the post-recognition hit stage, which strongly suggests the existence of differences between both systems as to the actual mechanism of lysis. Second, the cation requirements are different within each system from one step to another. This formed the basis of a step-by-step analysis of the lytic process, leading to the characterization of a cation pulse method for the experimental isolation and further study of the post-recognition hit stage of cell-mediated cytolysis.

Animals↗

The intermediate dense line of the myelin sheath is preferentially accessible to cations and is stabilized by cations.

Biophysical studies have shown that the narrow slit between the turns of the myelin leaflet includes a water space lined by strongly negative, fixed charges on the faces of the myelin leaflet. The accessibility of this slit to a marker should depend largely on the interaction between the marker charges and the surface charges on the myelin leaflet. This premise was explored in vitro by comparing the redistribution of anionic ferritin with highly cationized ferritin under a variety of experimental conditions. Cationized ferritin stained the basal lamina and penetrated it. It also bound to Schwann cell membranes, and it entered mesaxons and lodged between myelin lamellae. There was evidence of facilitated particle redistribution due to attractive forces between the cationized ferritin particles and the membrane surfaces. Anionic ferritin did not enter sheaths under identical experimental conditions. Additional experiments reconfirmed X-ray spectrographic data on a loosening of lamellar coherence upon elution of Ca2+ and recompaction of myelin by small amounts of Ca2+. If cationic ferritin was substituted for Ca2+ in these experiments, it also caused recompaction of myelin which had been loosened by previous Ca2+ elution. The cationic ferritin particles sandwiched between the recompacted myelin lamellae. These observations show that the slit between the turns of the myelin leaflet is preferentially accessible to cations, that cations can redistribute along it and that their presence is important for maintaining myelin periodicity. They also throw light on the significance of wide-spaced myelin in pathological conditions.

Animals↗

Selectivity of alkali cation influx across the plasma membrane of oat roots: cation specificity of the plasma membrane ATPase.

Influx of alkali cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+)) across plasma membranes of cells of excised roots of Avena sativa cv. Goodfield was selective, but different, in the absence and in the presence of 1 mm CaSO(4). Ca(2+) reduced the influx rates of all of the alkali cations-especially Na(+) and Li(+). Transport selectivity changed as the external concentrations of the alkali cations increased.Plasma membrane ATPase, purified from Avena sativa roots, was differentially stimulated by alkali cations. This specificity, however, was not altered by Ca(2+) or the external cation concentrations. A close correspondence existed between the relative influx rates of K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) and the relative stimulation of the ATPase by these cations. A similar correspondence did not occur for Na(+) and Li(+).Selective cation transport in oat roots could result, in part, from the specificity of the plasma membrane ATPase, but other factors such as specific carriers or porters or differential diffusion rates must also be involved.

Journal Article↗

Transport of divalent cations: cation exchange capacity of intact xylem vessels.

The cation exchange capacity of the intact xylem vessels in cut shoots of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus spec.) has been determined. The cation exchange capacity is independent of the cation concentration in the transpiration stream, and is equal for Ca and Co. The high value of the cation exchange capacity (0.6 to 1 x 10(-7) equivalents per square centimeter vessel wall surface) leads to the hypothesis that the porous structure of the vessel wall, and not only the inner vessel wall surface, acts as a cation exchanger.Differences between anion ([(32)P]phosphate, [(45)Ca]EDTA(2-), [(115)Cd(m)]-EDTA(2-)), and cation ([(45)Ca](2+), [(115)Cd(m)](2+)) movement are explained in terms of transport with the transpiration flux or by exchange reactions. The competition between exchange sites and natural or synthetic ligands for the divalent cations is discussed.

Journal Article↗

Cation-induced histamine release from a synthetic weak (carboxylic) cation exchanger resin (IRC-50) and from isolated mast cell granules show identical kinetics.

Comparative studies between synthetic weak cation exchanger resins and rat mast cell granules have shown that the cation-induced release of histamine from both materials follows the kinetics characteristic of cation exchange. Since also cation-induced release of amines from chromaffin granules in vitro and chromaffin cells in vivo, as also nerve granules of peripheral and central neurons, run according to cation exchange kinetics, cation exchange might be a general principle in the storage and release of biogenic amines.

Animals↗

High-capacity cation-exchange column for enhanced resolution of adjacent peaks of cations in ion chromatography.

One of the advantages of ion chromatography [Anal Chem. 47 (1975) 1801] as compared to other analytical techniques is that several ions may be analyzed simultaneously. One of the most important contributions of cation-exchange chromatography is its sensitivity to ammonium ion, which is difficult to analyze by other techniques [J. Weiss, in: E.L. Johnson (Ed.), Handbook of Ion Chromatography, Dionex, Sunnyvale, CA, USA]. The determination of low concentrations of ammonium ion in the presence of high concentrations of sodium poses a challenge in cation-exchange chromatography [J. Weiss, Ion Chromatography, VCH, 2nd Edition, Weinheim, 1995], as both cations have similar selectivities for the common stationary phases containing either sulfonate or carboxylate functional groups. The task was to develop a new cation-exchange stationary phase (for diverse concentration ratios of adjacent peaks) to overcome limitations experienced in previous trails. Various cation-exchange capacities and column body formats were investigated to optimize this application and others. The advantages and disadvantages of two carboxylic acid columns of different cation-exchange capacities and different column formats will be discussed.

Amines↗

Mutations in novel organic cation transporter (OCTN2), an organic cation/carnitine transporter, with differential effects on the organic cation transport function and the carnitine transport function.

Novel organic cation transporter (OCTN2) is an organic cation/carnitine transporter, and two missense mutations, L352R and P478L, in OCTN2 have been identified as the cause for primary carnitine deficiency. In the present study, we assessed the influence of these two mutations on the carnitine transport function and the organic cation transport function of OCTN2. The L352R mutation resulted in a complete loss of both transport functions. In contrast, the P478L mutation resulted in a complete loss of only the carnitine transport function but significantly stimulated the organic cation transport function. Studies with human OCTN2/rat OCTN2 chimeric transporters indicated that the carnitine transport site and the organic cation transport site were not identical. Because carnitine transport is Na(+)-dependent whereas organic cation transport is Na(+)-independent, we investigated the possibility that the P478L mutation affected Na(+) binding. The Na(+) activation kinetics were found to be similar for the P478L mutant and wild type OCTN2. We then mutated nine different tyrosine residues located in or near transmembrane domains and assessed the transport function of these mutants. One of these mutations, Y211F, was found to have differential influence on the two transport activities of OCTN2 as did the P478L mutation. However, the Na(+) activation kinetics were not affected. These findings are of clinical relevance to patients with primary carnitine deficiency because whereas each and every mutation in these patients is expected to result in the loss of the carnitine transport function, all of these mutations may not interfere with the organic cation transport function.

Animals↗

Tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current of rat nodose neurones: monovalent cation selectivity and divalent cation block.

1. Monovalent cation selectivity and divalent cation sensitivity of the tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant Na+ current in dissociated adult rat nodose ganglion neurones were investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. 2. The TTX-resistant Na+ current was isolated using ion substitution and pharmacological agents. Under these conditions, the current reversal potential shifted 52 mV per tenfold change in external [Na+]. 3. Inorganic and organic monovalent cation permeability ratios (Px/PNa) were determined from changes in reversal potential and the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. The Px/PNa values determined by the former method were HONH3+, 1.38; Li+, 1.00; H2NNH3+, 0.66; NH4+, 0.28; CH3NH3+, less than 0.13; K+, less than 0.13; Rb+, less than 0.12; Cs+, less than 0.10; (CH3)4N+, less than 0.10. The values determined by either method agreed within 10%. 4. The effects of Cd2+, Co2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+ on the TTX-resistant Na+ current were analysed from peak-conductance values. These ions shifted the activation of the current to more positive potentials and decreased the maximal conductance. At 3 mM concentrations, Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ decreased the maximal conductance 64.6, 50.7, 25.0 and 20.3%, respectively. 5. The results indicate that: (a) the monovalent cation selectivity of the TTX-resistant Na+ current is similar to that of the TTX-sensitive Na+ current in other tissues; and (b) the TTX-resistant Na+ current is less sensitive to divalent cations than the Ca2+ current in these neurones. These observations suggest that the structure determining the monovalent cation permeability of the TTX-resistant Na+ current is similar to that of the TTX-sensitive Na+ current in other tissues, and that the channels carrying the TTX-resistant Na+ current are distinct from those responsible for the Ca2+ current.

Action Potentials↗

A monovalent cationic conductance that is blocked by extracellular divalent cations in Xenopus oocytes.

1. Native Xenopus oocytes were voltage clamped and exposed to Ringer solutions containing low concentrations of divalent cations. Oocytes, held at -60 mV, developed a reversible non-inactivating smooth inward current (Ic) associated with an increase in membrane conductance. 2. Ic was selectively carried by cations (Na+, K+), indicating that the current was not the result of a non-specific membrane breakdown, but was due instead to removal of a blocking effect of divalent cations on a specific population of endogenous ionic channels located in the oocyte membrane. 3. The blocking effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were voltage dependent, implying action at a binding site within the pore of the cationic channel. For example, the half-maximal inhibition (IC50) of Ic by Ca2+ was 61 microM in oocytes held at -60 mV and 212 microM in oocytes held at 0 mV. 4. The Ic channels could be unblocked by depolarization of the membrane even in the presence of physiological concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+. The unblocking of the channels was observed as a slowly developing outward current. 5. The novel cationic current was substantially reduced following in vitro maturation of oocytes by treatment with progesterone (10 microM, 4-5 h). 6. The physiological role of Ic channels remains to be elucidated. Nonetheless, their characteristics explain the ionic basis of the sensitivity of oocytes to reductions in extracellular divalent cations and raise the possibility that the channels play a role in calcium homeostasis.

Animals↗

Functional characteristics and membrane localization of rat multispecific organic cation transporters, OCT1 and OCT2, mediating tubular secretion of cationic drugs.

We have isolated a kidney-specific organic cation transporter, rat OCT2, which is distinct from rat OCT1 (Okuda M, Saito H, Urakami Y, Takano M and Inui K (1996) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 224:500-507). In our study, the functional characteristics and membrane localization of OCT1 and OCT2 were investigated by uptake studies using MDCK cells transfected with rat OCT1 or OCT2 cDNA (MDCK-OCT1 or MDCK-OCT2) and immunological studies. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake by both MDCK-OCT1 and MDCK-OCT2 cells was markedly elevated when TEA was added to the basolateral medium, but not to the apical medium. Efflux of TEA from MDCK-OCT1 and MDCK-OCT2 cells was not changed by extracellular pH from 5.4 to 8.4, whereas TEA uptake by both transfectants was decreased by acidification of extracellular medium. Apparent Km values for TEA uptake by MDCK-OCT1 and MDCK-OCT2 cells were 38 and 45 microM, respectively. Although various hydrophilic organic cations such as 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, cimetidine, quinidine, nicotine, N1-methylnicotinamide and guanidine markedly inhibited TEA uptake by both MDCK-OCT1 and MDCK-OCT2 cells, there were no significant differences in the apparent inhibition constants (Ki) against these organic cations between both transfectants. Furthermore, immunological studies using a polyclonal antibody against OCT1 revealed that OCT1 was expressed in the basolateral membranes but not in the brush-border membranes of the rat kidney. These results suggested that both OCT1 and OCT2 are basolateral-type organic cation transporters with broad substrate specificities, mediating tubular secretion of cationic drugs.

Animals↗

Ligand and cation binding are dual functions of a discrete segment of the integrin beta 3 subunit: cation displacement is involved in ligand binding.

The alpha IIb beta 3 integrin binds Arg-Gly-Asp-containing (RGD-containing) ligands in a cation-dependent interaction. A fourteen amino acid sequence, beta 3 (118-131), and an antibody to it, inhibited ligand binding functions of alpha IIb beta 3, and a 1:1 stoichiometric beta 3 (118-131)-RGD complex was detected by mass spectroscopy. Cation binding to beta 3 (118-131) was demonstrated by terbium luminescence and mass spectroscopy. Notably, ligand displaced cation from the beta 3(118-131) peptide and also from purified alpha IIb beta 3. Thus, beta 3 (118-131), a highly conserved region in integrin beta subunits, binds both ligand and cation. Formation of a ternary complex between cation, ligand, and receptor, with subsequent displacement of cation from beta 3 (118-131) and a second site within the receptor, may be central to the mechanism of ligand recognition by integrins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rat taste nerve responses to salts carrying cations of large molecular size; are the taste responses to the salts induced by cation transport across apical membranes of taste cells?

1. The responses of rat chorda tympani nerve to various salts carrying cations of large molecular size which have small permeability were measured. 2. Salts carrying polyvalent cations such as Fe3+ or La3+ elicited much larger responses than NaCl or KCl. 3. Ammonium chloride derivatives having methyl or ethyl groups and salts carrying other organic cations of large molecular size elicited the responses comparable to that induced by NH4Cl or NaCl. 4. It was suggested that the taste responses to the salts carrying the cations of large molecular size are induced not by the cation transport but by adsorption of the cations on the membranes.

Animals↗

Cation radius effects on the helix-coil transition of DNA. Cryptates and other large cations.

Most polyelectrolyte theories of the effect of ions on the thermal melting of DNA assume that the predominant influence of the cations comes through their charge. Ion size and structure are treated, for analytic convenience, as negligible variables. We have examined the validity of this assumption by measuring the melting temperature of calf thymus DNA as a function of salt concentration with four univalent cations of different hydrated radii. These are K+ (3.3 A), (n-Pr)4N+ (4.5 A), (EtOH)4N+ (4.5 A), and C222-K+ (5 A). C222-K+ is a complex of cryptand C222 with K+. With K+ as the sole cation, Tm varies linearly with the log of ionic strength over the range 0.001-0.1 M. With all the K+ sequestered by an equimolar amount of C222, Tm is depressed by 10-20 degrees C and the slope of Tm vs. ionic strength is lower. At low ionic strength, an even greater reduction in Tm is achieved with (n-Pr)4N+; but the similar-sized (EtOH)4N+ gives a curve more similar to K+. Theoretical modeling, taking into account cation size through the Poisson-Boltzmann equation for cylindrical polyelectrolytes, predicts that larger cations should be less effective in stabilizing the double helix; but the calculated effect is less than observed experimentally. These results show that valence, cation size, and specific solvation effects are all important in determining the stability of the double-helical form of DNA.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds↗

Cation binding and thermostability of FTHFS monovalent cation binding sites and thermostability of N10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from Moorella thermoacetica.

Formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) from the thermophilic homoacetogen, Moorella thermoacetica, has an optimum temperature for activity of 55-60 degrees C and requires monovalent cations for both optimal activity and stabilization of tetrameric structure at higher temperatures. The crystal structures of complexes of FTHFS with cesium and potassium ions were examined and monovalent cation binding positions identified. Unexpectedly, NH(4)(+) and K(+), both of which are strongly activating ions, bind at a different site than a moderately activating ion, Cs(+), does. Neither binding site is located in the active site. The sites are 7 A apart, but in each of them, the side chain of Glu 98, which is conserved in all known bacterial FTHFS sequences, participates in metal ion binding. Other ligands in the Cs(+) binding site are four oxygen atoms of main chain carbonyls and water molecules. The K(+) and NH(4)(+) binding site includes the carboxylate of Asp132 in addition to Glu98. Mutant FTHFS's (E98Q, E98D, and E98S) were obtained and analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry to examine the effect of these mutations on the thermostability of the enzyme with and without added K(+) ions. The addition of 0.2 M K(+) ions to the wild-type enzyme resulted in a 10 degrees C increase in the thermal denaturation temperature. No significant increase was observed in E98D or E98S. The lack of a significant effect of monovalent cations on the stability of E98D and E98S indicates that this alteration of the binding site eliminates cation binding. The thermal denaturation temperature of E98Q was 3 degrees C higher than that of the wild-type enzyme in the absence of the cation, indicating that the removal of the unbalanced, buried charge of Glu98 stabilizes the enzyme. These results confirm that Glu98 is a crucial residue in the interaction of monovalent cations with FTHFS.

Aspartic Acid↗

Cation-pi interactions with a model for the side chain of tryptophan: structures and absolute binding energies of alkali metal cation-indole complexes.

Threshold collision-induced dissociation techniques are employed to determine bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of mono- and bis-complexes of alkali metal cations, Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+, with indole, C8H7N. The primary and lowest energy dissociation pathway in all cases is endothermic loss of an intact indole ligand. Sequential loss of a second indole ligand is observed at elevated energies for the bis-complexes. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G level of theory are used to determine the structures, vibrational frequencies, and rotational constants of these complexes. Theoretical BDEs are determined from single point energy calculations at the MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) level using the B3LYP/6-31G* geometries. The agreement between theory and experiment is very good for all complexes except Li+ (C8H7N), where theory underestimates the strength of the binding. The trends in the BDEs of these alkali metal cation-indole complexes are compared with the analogous benzene and naphthalene complexes to examine the influence of the extended pi network and heteroatom on the strength of the cation-pi interaction. The Na+ and K+ binding affinities of benzene, phenol, and indole are also compared to those of the aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan to elucidate the factors that contribute to the binding in complexes to the aromatic amino acids. The nature of the binding and trends in the BDEs of cation-pi complexes between alkali metal cations and benzene, phenol, and indole are examined to help understand nature's preference for engaging tryptophan over phenylalanine and tyrosine in cation-pi interactions in biological systems.

Cations↗

Selective disulfide bond cleavage in gold(I) cationized polypeptide ions formed via gas-phase ion/ion cation switching.

Gaseous multiply protonated disulfide-linked peptides have been subjected to reactions with AuCl2(-) ions to explore the possibility of effecting cation switching of Au+ for two protons and to determine whether cationization by Au+ ions affords selective dissociation of disulfide linkages. The incorporation of Au+ into several model disulfide-linked peptides proved to be straightforward. The primary ion/ion reaction channels were proton transfer, which does not lead to Au+ incorporation, and attachment of AuCl2(-) ions to the polypeptide cation, which does incorporate Au+. Fragmentation of the attachment product, the extent of which varied with peptide and charge state, led to losses of one or more molecules of HCl and, to some extent, cleavage of polypeptides at the disulfide linkage into its two constituent chains. Collisional activation of the intact metal-ion-incorporated peptides showed cleavage of the disulfide linkage to be a major, and in some cases exclusive, process. Cations with protons as the only cationizing agents showed only small contributions from cleavage of the disulfide linkage. These results indicate that Au+ incorporation into a disulfide-linked polypeptide ion is a promising way to effect selective dissociation of disulfide bonds. Cation switching via ion/ion reactions is a convenient means for incorporating gold and is attractive because it avoids the requirement of adding metal salts to the analyte solution.

Cations↗

Compensation of steric demand by cation-pi interactions, cobaltocenium cations as guests in tetraurea calix[4]arene dimers.

The affinities of ferrocene (2) and the cobaltocenium cation (3+), which have roughly the same size and differ in their charge, towards the inner cavity of the dimeric capsule formed by tetraurea calix[4]arene (1) were studied in C2D4Cl2 solutions. While 3+, which occupies more than 75% of the internal volume of the dimer, is readily encapsulated this is not the case for 2. This is probably due to cation-pi interactions, which operate only between 3+ and the aromatic rings of the calix[4]arene dimer. We found that the affinity of the cobaltocenium cation is higher than that of the tropylium cation (4+) and is only 2-3 times less than that of the tetraethylammoniun cation (5+). From the variable temperature 1H NMR spectra of this capsule, the free energy of activation at 298 K (deltaGdouble dagger(298K)) for the reorientation of the hydrogen bonded belt between the two parts of the dimer could be determined by total line shape analysis for the aromatic protons of the calixarene. The value of 14.3 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-1) for the dimeric capsules of 3+ PF6- is very similar to the free activation energy found for dimeric capsules of 1 with 4+ PF6- and 5+ PF6- in C2D4Cl2. It becomes significantly lower, if PF6- is replaced by BF4-. We also found that ten times more DMSO is needed to disrupt the capsule 1 x 3+ x 1 than the corresponding 1 x 1 dimer containing benzene as guest. This demonstrates again the importance of the cation-pi interactions for the stability of such hydrogen-bonded dimeric capsules.

Calixarenes↗

Role of intracellular cationic liposome-DNA complex dissociation in transfection mediated by cationic lipids.

The cationic lipid-mediated gene transfer process involves sequential steps: internalization of the cationic lipid-DNA complexes inside the cells via an endocytosis-like mechanism, escape from endosomes, dissociation of the complex, and finally entry of free DNA into the nucleus. However, cationic lipid-DNA complex dissociation in the cytoplasm and the ability of the subsequently released DNA to enter the nucleus have not yet been demonstrated. In this report we showed, using confocal laser scanning analysis, that microinjection of a double fluorescent-labeled cationic lipid-pCMV-LacZ plasmid complex into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells results in efficient complex dissociation. However, the released DNA did not enter the nucleus, and no significant transfection could be detected. In contrast, nuclear microinjection of the cationic lipid-pCMV-LacZ plasmid complex resulted in efficient complex dissociation and transfection of all the cells. Taken together, the data suggest that intracellular dissociation of the cationic lipid-DNA complex is not a limiting step for transfection as previously thought.

Amidines↗