BKCa-Cav channel complexes mediate rapid and localized Ca2+-activated K+ signaling

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels (BKCa) are dually activated by membrane depolarization and elevation of cytosolic calcium ions (Ca2+). Under normal cellular conditions, BKCa channel activation requires Ca2+ concentrations that typically occur in close proximity to Ca2+ sources. We show that BKCa channels affinity-purified from rat brain are assembled into macromolecular complexes with the voltage-gated calcium channels Cav1.2 (L-type), Cav2.1 (P/Q-type), and Cav2.2 (N-type). Heterologously expressed BKCa-Cav complexes reconstitute a functional "Ca2+ nanodomain" where Ca2+ influx through the Cav channel activates BKCa in the physiological voltage range with submillisecond kinetics. Complex formation with distinct Cav channels enables BKCa-mediated membrane hyperpolarization that controls neuronal firing pattern and release of hormones and transmitters in the central nervous system.     

Biogenic potassium salt particles as seeds for secondary organic aerosol in the Amazon

The fine particles serving as cloud condensation nuclei in pristine Amazonian rainforest air consist mostly of secondary organic aerosol. Their origin is enigmatic, however, because new particle formation in the atmosphere is not observed. Here, we show that the growth of organic aerosol particles can be initiated by potassium-salt-rich particles emitted by biota in the rainforest. These particles act as seeds for the condensation of low- or semi-volatile organic compounds from the atmospheric gas phase or multiphase oxidation of isoprene and terpenes. Our findings suggest that the primary emission of biogenic salt particles directly influences the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei and affects the microphysics of cloud formation and precipitation over the rainforest.     

Compartmentalized control of skin immunity by resident commensals

Intestinal commensal bacteria induce protective and regulatory responses that maintain host-microbial mutualism. However, the contribution of tissue-resident commensals to immunity and inflammation at other barrier sites has not been addressed. We found that in mice, the skin microbiota have an autonomous role in controlling the local inflammatory milieu and tuning resident T lymphocyte function. Protective immunity to a cutaneous pathogen was found to be critically dependent on the skin microbiota but not the gut microbiota. Furthermore, skin commensals tuned the function of local T cells in a manner dependent on signaling downstream of the interleukin-1 receptor. These findings underscore the importance of the microbiota as a distinctive feature of tissue compartmentalization, and provide insight into mechanisms of immune system regulation by resident commensal niches in health and disease.     

Comment on "Nonreciprocal light propagation in a silicon photonic circuit"

We show that the structure demonstrated by Feng et al. (Reports, 5 August 2011, p. 729) cannot enable optical isolation because it possesses a symmetric scattering matrix. Moreover, one cannot construct an optical isolator by incorporating this structure into any system as long as the system is linear and time-independent and is described by materials with a scalar dielectric function.     

Seizure activity in dogs is associated with enhanced TIMP-2 expression of microglia

In the pathogenesis of epilepsy aberrant synaptic plasticity plays an important role. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) are responsible for nervous tissue remodelling resulting in synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS) and might therefore be crucially involved in epileptogenesis. To assess the potential pathogenetic role of microglial MMPs and TIMPs in seizure induction, twenty-four dogs suffering from different intracranial diseases with and without seizure activity were comparatively examined. Microglial cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and their expression profiles of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-13, MMP-14, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) were examined via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Interestingly, a significant up-regulation of TIMP-2 expression was found for the first time in dogs suffering from seizures. In conclusion, microglial TIMP expression might be involved in seizure generation.     

The effect of wind on foraging activity of the tenebrionid beetle Lepidochora discoidalis in the sand dunes of the Namib Desert

The foraging activity of the tenebrionid beetle, Lepidochora discoidalis, was studied in the sand dunes of the Namib Desert. The surface activity of this beetle species was found to be correlated both with time of day and wind speed. Higher numbers were observed on the dune surface between 17:00–19:00 h when wind speeds were consistently higher than 9 m/s. Noise and vibrations in the dune sand were found to be highly dependent on wind speed. Wind blowing at speeds higher than 5 m/s lifts the surface sand grains and generates vibrations in the sand. The peak frequency of these vibrations is in the range of 700–1000 Hz. The vibrational amplitude at the peak frequency is on average 40 dB higher at those wind speeds when the beetles are active compared to lower wind speeds. The results indicate that wind is an important cue for these beetles and can be perceived by buried beetles through substrate vibrations.     

Periglacial transport distance of Pb derived from small-scale ore veins in the Rhenish Slate Mountains

The spatial extent of metal contamination caused by small-scale ore veins is increased by periglacial solifluction. Our objectives were (1) to examine the spatial distribution of Pb in cover beds that migrated over Pb ore veins, (2) to calculate the transport distance of ore-derived Pb, and (3) to determine controls on the transport distance.We examined six transects (320-775 m long) in the Rhenish Slate Mountains in West Germany. The transects included four west-exposed and two east-exposed slopes with inclinations between 2-20°. All transects were forest-covered and located at 280-450 m above sea level. Soils were Dystric Cambisols and Stagnic Luvisols. Samples of 120 B horizons developed in the sediments of the last ice age (Wuerm) were analyzed for total Pb concentrations and partly also ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios. The Pb concentrations ranged from 20 to 135 mg kg^− 1. The spatial Pb distribution suggested that 14 (out of 18) sampling points showing local Pb concentration maxima contained Pb from ore veins upslope. With a two-end-member-mixing model using ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb isotope ratios of the ore (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio: 1.1828) as one end member and of the native substrate (a mixture of slate and loess; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio: 1.2254 ± 0.0072) as the other we confirmed that the 14 Pb peaks originated from the ore, because they contained 76-100% of ore-derived Pb. By the use of a geographic information system, the transport distance of this Pb was determined to range between 30 and 110 m. Silt concentrations (Pearson r = − 0.69) and the relief curvature (Cramér's V = 0.60) were major controls on the transport distance. Our study demonstrates that Pb ore veins can increase native soil Pb concentrations in soil derived from the periglacial drift of the last ice age (Wuerm) up to a distance of more than 100 m.