Viewpoints:

Dispatches from the Frontlines of Research - edited by John W. Nelson

Edward Perez-Reyes

Paradoxical Role of T-type Calcium Channels in Coronary Smooth Muscle
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 16-18. [Summary] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Efrain C. Azmitia

Serotoninergic Chemoreceptive Neurons: A Search for a Shared Function
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 18-21. [Summary] [Full Text] [PDF]  

R E V I E W S:

Shawn M. Ferguson and Randy D. Blakely

The Choline Transporter Resurfaces: New Roles for Synaptic Vesicles?
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 22-37. [Summary] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cognitive processes require the proper function of cholinergic neurons, as does signal transmission at neuromuscular junctions. Indeed, the increased synthesis and output of acetylcholine (ACh) can ameliorate diseases involving impaired cholinergic activity. Once released into the synapse, ACh is quickly hydrolyzed, thus terminating the ACh activation of postsynaptic receptors. Further release of ACh requires the reuptake of choline, mediated by the choline transporter (CHT) at presynaptic neurons, which is the rate-limiting step in the production of acetylcholine. Subsequent to choline reuptake, ACh is efficiently produced by choline acetyltransferase and put into synaptic vesicles by the vesicular ACh transporter. Knowing how CHT function is regulated may lead to intelligently designed interventions to mitigate deficient cholinergic function.

Harald H. Sitte, Hesso Farhan, and Jonathan A. Javitch

Sodium-Dependent Neurotransmitter TRANSPORTERS: OLIGOMERIZATION as a Determinant of Transporter Function and Trafficking
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 38-47. [Summary] [Full Text] [PDF]  

The protein-protein interactions that underlie the functions of a variety integral membrane proteins are becoming increasingly appreciated for their relevance to signal transduction pathways. It now appears that the sodiumdependent reuptake of synaptic neurotransmitters is also a system where the oligomerization of membrane polypeptides (i.e., of the sodium-dependent neurotransmitter transporters) has proven essential to protein functionality. In some instances, oligomerization appears to be crucial to the trafficking of transporter proteins prior to their localization within the plasma membrane. These new insights have implications in the treatment of psychoneurological disorders, and may moreover underscore oligomerization as a quality control mechanism in vesicular packaging and secretory pathways.

Marco I. González and Michael B. Robinson

Protein KINASE C–Dependent Remodeling of Glutamate Transporter Function
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 48-58. [Summary] [Full Text] [PDF]  

The fact that protein kinases regulate the enzymatic activities of many proteins is nothing new; however, in the case of protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated regulation of glutamate transport, the complexities of control (activation and attenuation) suggest a previously underappreciated mechanism by which disposition of this ubiquitous neurotransmitter might be controlled. PKC directly or indirectly regulates the transcription, membrane trafficking, and possibly the intrinsic activity of many glutamate transporter subtypes. It appears that PKC has differential effects on neuronal and glial glutamate transporters, increasing the activity a neuronal transporter and decreasing the activity of a glial transporter. Finally, many of these effects may depend on accessory proteins and the array of PKC isozymes present in any given cell type. The ability to remodel glutamate clearance within minutes may provide a mechanism that complements the dynamic changes in glutamate receptor function that are thought to accompany learning and memory.

D E P A R T M E N T S:

Speaking of Pharmacology:

Sue P. Duckles and Harry Smith

Going Legit: MI Now Indexed in PubMed
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 1. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Reflections:

Science in the cultural context

Stanley Scheindlin

COPOLYMER 1: An Off-Beat Drug Development Story
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 6-9. [Full Text] [PDF]  

CrossTalk:

Interviews with people in the world of pharmacology

Michael Gottesman: Purely Academic
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 10-15. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Beyond the Bench:

Representations of pharmacology and science in the media

Rebecca Anderson

The Drug that Came in from the Cold
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 60-61. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Net Results:

Sites of interest on the World Wide Web

Sites of interest on the World Wide Web—edited by Rick Neubig
Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 62. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Outliers:

Cartoon

Mol. Interv. 2004 4: 68. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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