Transmembrane Signal Transduction in Two-Component Systems: Piston, Scissoring, or Helical Rotation?
BIOESSAYS
Authors: Gushchin, Ivan; Gordeliy, Valentin
Abstract
Allosteric and transmembrane (TM) signaling are among the major questions of structural biology. Here, we review and discuss signal transduction in four-helical TM bundles, focusing on histidine kinases and chemoreceptors found in two-component systems. Previously, piston, scissors, and helical rotation have been proposed as the mechanisms of TM signaling. We discuss theoretically possible conformational changes and examine the available experimental data, including the recent crystallographic structures of nitrate/nitrite sensor histidine kinase NarQ and phototaxis system NpSRII:NpHtrII. We show that TM helices can flex at multiple points and argue that the various conformational changes are not mutually exclusive, and often are observed concomitantly, throughout the TM domain or in its part. The piston and scissoring motions are the most prominent motions in the structures, but more research is needed for definitive conclusions.
A Preliminary Investigation for Standardization of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Mucuna pruriens (Kapikaccu): An Important Drug Used to Treat Parkinson's Disease in Ayurveda
JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES NU
Authors: Swamy, Gangadhara; Holla, Rajendra; Rao, Suresh R.
Abstract
Establishment of standardization for the Ayurvedic formulations is most important for its chemical compounds, biological action, and its quality reassurance in production and manufacturing of traditional herbal medicines. As most of the drugs are standardized, drug companies are using substitute drugs instead of true drugs. So, to make finest superiority drugs it is necessary to validate raw drugs. Observing the existing trend in mind, hydroalcoholic extract of Mucuna pruriens seeds (HAMP) was subjected to standardize the procedures for phytochemical tests. The separation of bioactive substances from HAMP was performed using both manual methods and high-profile thin layer chromatography. From the current study, it is revealed that the seed contains alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins, which gave the medicine numerous therapeutic properties.