Point Mutations of Nicotinic Receptor α1 Subunit Reveal New Molecular Features of G153S Slow-Channel Myasthenia

Slow-channel congenital myasthenic syndromes (SCCMSs) are rare genetic diseases caused by mutations in muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits. Most of the known SCCMS-associated mutations localize at the transmembrane region near the ion pore. Only two SCCMS point mutations are at the extracellular domains near the acetylcholine binding site, α1(G153S) being one of them. In this work, a combination of molecular dynamics, targeted mutagenesis, fluorescent Ca²⁺ imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology has been applied to G153S mutant muscle nAChR to investigate the role of hydrogen bonds formed by Ser 153 with C-loop residues near the acetylcholine-binding site. Introduction of L199T mutation to the C-loop in the vicinity of Ser 153 changed hydrogen bonds distribution, decreased acetylcholine potency (EC₅₀ 2607 vs. 146 nM) of the double mutant and decay kinetics of acetylcholine-evoked cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ rise (τ 14.2 ± 0.3 vs. 34.0 ± 0.4 s). These results shed light on molecular mechanisms of nAChR activation-desensitization and on the involvement of such mechanisms in channelopathy genesis.     

Investigation of the structure of a melt and molecular dynamics of ortho- and pyrophosphates by Raman spectroscopy

Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 55, No. 4, pp. 535–540, October, 1991.     

Chronoamperometric studies in an ammonia citrate electrolyte for the deposition of a nickel-molybdenum alloy

Dependences of the current and the chemical composition of cathodic deposits on the electrolysis time are studied in an ammonia-citrate electrolyte for the deposition of a nickel-molybdenum alloy in potentiostatic conditions. At potentials less negative than ?0.93 V, no nickel-molybdenum alloy deposition occurs and in the course of electrolysis there is observed a decrease in the current, which is connected with the blocking of the electrode surface by the formed molybdenum oxides. In the region of potentials of deposition of a nickel-molybdenum alloy there is realized the following shape of a time dependence of the current. Within the first few seconds of the electrolysis process, the current somewhat decreases. Then there occurs its increase, which is connected with the alloy deposition on the cathode. In the course of electrolysis there occurs a decrease in the molybdenum content in the cathodic deposit.     

Comparative study of holographic recording in cholesteric and nematic azo-containing side-chain polymers

For the first time a comparative study of holographic recording in planarly oriented films of nematic and cholesteric azobenzene-containing polymers was performed. The influence of temperature and light intensity on the values of diffraction efficiencies of holographic gratings was investigated. The kinetics of grating relaxation at different temperatures was studied. It was shown that the helical supramolecular structure of cholesteric copolymer causes a significant decrease of the diffraction efficiency in comparison with the one observed for the nematic state of the homopolymer.     

Heat-resistant foamed organoplastics based on a combination of polyimide felt, polyimide binders, and montmorillonite nanoparticles

A series of foamed organoplastics based on a combination of foamed fully aromatic polyimide binders and Arimid T polyimide felt were prepared. New composite foamed organoplastics reinforced with montmorillonite nanoparticles were prepared using commercially available aromatic monomers.     

High-frequency magnetoimpedance in nanocomposites

The transmission of millimeter-range electromagnetic waves (30–50 GHz) through a magnetic nanocomposite thin film exhibiting tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) is calculated. The relative change of transmission coefficient in an applied magnetic field due to the magnetorefractive effect is approximately linear with TMR and strongly depends on nanocomposite resistivity and film thickness. The obtained results are in a good agreement with experiment.