Proton transport

Proton conductors are essential functional materials with a wide variety of potential applications in energy storage and conversion. In order to address the issues of low proton conductivity and poor stability in conventional proton conductors, a simple and valid ion-exchange method was proposed in this study for the introduction of stable and ultrahigh proton conductivity in layered rare earth hydroxides (LRHs). Test analyses by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction revealed that the exchange of H2 PO4 - not only does not disrupt the layered structure of LRHs, but also creates more active proton sites and channels necessary for proton transport, thereby creating a high-performance proton conductor (LRH-H2 PO4 - )...

Pathogenic variants in SLC6A8, the gene which encodes creatine transporter SLC6A8, prevent creatine uptake in the brain and result in a variable degree of intellectual disability, behavioral disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder), epilepsy, and severe speech and language delay. There are no treatments to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes for creatine transporter deficiency (CTD). In this spotlight, we summarize recent advances in innovative molecules to treat CTD, with a focus on dodecyl creatine ester, the most promising drug candidate...

Strict homeostatic control of pH in both intra- and extracellular compartments of the brain is fundamentally important, primarily due to the profound impact of free protons ([H+ ]) on neuronal activity and overall brain function. Astrocytes, crucial players in the homeostasis of various ions in the brain, actively regulate their intracellular [H+ ] (pHi ) through multiple membrane transporters and carbonic anhydrases. The activation of astroglial pHi regulating mechanisms also leads to corresponding alterations in the acid-base status of the extracellular fluid...

Folates are essential to the maintenance of normal life activities in almost all organisms. Proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT), belonging to the major facilitator superfamily, is one of the three major folate transporter types widely studied in mammals. However, information about plant PCFTs is limited. Here, a genome-wide identification of maize PCFTs was performed, and two PCFTs, ZmMFS_1-62 and ZmMFS_1-73, were functionally investigated. Both proteins contained the typical 12 transmembrane helixes with N- and C-termini located in the cytoplasm, and were localized in the plasma membrane...

The development of membranes with rapid and selective ionic transport is imperative for diverse electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems, including fuel cells and flow batteries. However, the practical application of membranes is significantly hindered by their limited conductivity and stability under strong alkaline conditions. Herein, a unique composite membrane decorated with functional Cu2+ cross-linked chitosan (Cts-Cu-M) is reported and their high hydroxide ion conductivity and stability in alkaline flow batteries are demonstrated...

Escherichia coli uptake potassium ions with the coupling of proton efflux and energy utilization via proton FO F1 -ATPase. In this study contribution of formate hydrogen lyase (FHL) complexes in the proton/potassium fluxes and the formation of proton conductance (CM H+ ) were investigated using fhlA mutant strain. The proton flux rate (JH+ ) decreased in fhlA by ∼ 25 % and ∼70 % during the utilization of glucose and glycerol, respectively, at 20 h suggesting H+ transport via or through FHL complexes...

Water often serves as both a reactant and solvent in electrocatalytic reactions. Interfacial water networks can affect the transport and kinetics of these reactions, e.g., hydrogen evolution reaction and CO2 reduction reaction. Adding cosolvents that influence the hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) environment, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), has the potential to tune the reactivity of these important electrocatalytic reactions by regulating the interfacial local environment and water network. We investigate interfacial H-bonding networks in water-DMSO cosolvent mixtures on gold surfaces by using surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations...

Partial resistance to multiple biotrophic fungal pathogens in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is conferred by a variant of the Lr67 gene, which encodes a hexose-proton symporter. Two mutations (G144R, V387L) differentiate the resistant and susceptible protein variants (Lr67res and Lr67sus). Lr67res lacks sugar transport capability and was associated with anion transporter-like properties when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Here, we extended this functional characterization to include yeast and in planta studies...

More than 300 membranes make up the SLC family of transporters, utilizing an ion gradient or electrochemical potential difference to move their substrates across biological membranes. The SLC16 gene family contains fourteen members. Proton-linked transportation of monocarboxylates can be promoted by the transporters MCT1, which the SLC16A1 gene family encodes. Glycolysis is constitutively up-regulated in cancer cells, and the amount of lactate produced as a result is correlated with prognosis. Further speaking, SLC16A1 plays an essential role in controlling the growth and spread of tumors, according to mounting evidence...

Aspartate/alanine exchange transporter (AspT) is a secondary transporter isolated from the lactic acid bacterium Tetragenococcus halophilus D10 strain. This transporter cooperates with aspartate decarboxylase to produce proton-motive force through decarboxylative phosphorylation. A method that successfully analyzes the AspT mechanism could serve as a prototype for elucidating the substrate transport mechanism of other exchange transporters; therefore, the purpose of this study was to search for conditions that improve the thermal stability of AspT for 3D structure analysis...

Drought is a major global challenge in agriculture that decreases crop production. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) interfaces with drought stress in plants; however, a mechanistic understanding of the interaction between GABA accumulation and drought response remains to be established. Here we showed the potassium/proton exchanger TaNHX2 functions as a positive regulator in drought resistance in wheat by mediating cross-talk between the stomatal aperture and GABA accumulation. TaNHX2 interacted with glutamate decarboxylase TaGAD1, a key enzyme that synthesizes GABA from glutamate...

Enzalutamide is an oral androgen receptor signaling inhibitor utilized in the treatment of men with prostate cancer. It is a moderate inducer of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, and a strong inducer of CYP3A4. It was also shown to be a mild inhibitor of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein in patients with prostate cancer. Enzalutamide is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2C8. The risk of enzalutamide drug interactions arises primarily when it is coadministered with other drugs that interact with these CYPs, including CYP3A4...

The development of conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) presents a unique challenge in materials chemistry because it is unclear how to dope them. Here, we demonstrate that the inclusion of pendant amines on hexahydroxytriphenylene linkages results in two-dimensional (2D) polycrystalline frameworks Cu3 (HHTATP)2 , isostructural to its Cu3 (HHTP)2 parent, and exhibits the highest electrical conductivity of 1.21 S/cm among 2D MOFs featuring CuO4 metal nodes. Moreover, the bulk material can be treated with acid, resulting in a protonation-dependent increase in the conductivity...

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) is the major sugar-producing crop in Europe and Northern America, as the taproot stores sucrose at a concentration of around 20%. Genome sequence analysis together with biochemical and electrophysiological approaches led to the identification and characterization of the TST sucrose transporter driving vacuolar sugar accumulation in the taproot. However, the sugar transporters mediating sucrose uptake across the plasma membrane of taproot parenchyma cells remained unknown. As with glucose, sucrose stimulation of taproot parenchyma cells caused inward proton fluxes and plasma membrane depolarization, indicating a sugar/proton symport mechanism...

INTRODUCTION: Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors are cornerstones in the treatment of Hormone Receptor (HR) positive and Human Epidermal Growth factor (HER2) negative metastatic breast cancer. Given their widespread use in the metastatic setting and emerging use in the adjuvant setting, studying the drug-drug interactions (DDI) of these medications is of utmost importance. AREAS COVERED: This review provides key background information on the CDK4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib...

In the study, we report an in situ corrosion and mass transport monitoring method developed using a radionuclide tracing technique for the corrosion study of 316L stainless steel (316L SS) in a NaCl-MgCl2 eutectic molten salt natural circulation loop. This method involves cyclotron irradiation of a small tube section with 16 MeV protons, later welds at the hot leg of the molten salt flow loop, generating radionuclides 51 Cr, 52 Mn, and 56 Co at the salt-alloy interface. By measuring the activity variations of these radionuclides at different sections along the loop, both the in situ monitoring of the corrosion attack depth of 316L SS and corrosion product transport and its precipitation in flowing NaCl-MgCl2 molten salt are achieved...

Iron (Fe) needs to be delivered to different organs and tissues of above-ground parts for playing its multiple physiological functions once it is taken up by the roots. However, the mechanisms underlying Fe distribution are poorly understood. We functionally characterized OsOPT7, a member of oligo peptide transporter family in terms of expression patterns, localization, transport activity and phenotypic analysis of knockdown lines. OsOPT7 was highly expressed in the nodes, especially in the uppermost node I, and its expression was upregulated by Fe-deficiency...

BACKGROUND: Cyclotron-based proton therapy systems utilize the highest proton energies to achieve an ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) for FLASH radiotherapy. The deep-penetrating range associated with this high energy can be modulated by inserting a uniform plate of proton-stopping material, known as a range shifter, in the beam path at the nozzle to bring the Bragg peak within the target while ensuring high proton transport efficiency for UHDR. Aluminum has been recently proposed as a range shifter material mainly due to its high compactness and its mechanical properties...

Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment as it not only directly kills cancer cells but also induces immunogenic cell death. However, the chemotherapeutic efficacy was strongly restricted by the acidic and hypoxic tumor environment. Herein, we have successfully formulated PLGA-based nanoparticles concurrently loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), hemoglobin (Hb) and CaCO3 by a CaCO3 -assisted emulsion method, aiming at the effective treatment of TNBC. We found that the obtained nanomedicine (DHCaNPs) exhibited effective drug encapsulation and pH-responsive drug release behavior...

The design of single-component organic compounds acting as efficient solid-state proton conduction (SSPC) materials has been gaining significant traction in recent times. Molecular design and controlled self-assembly are critical components in achieving highly efficient SSPC. In this work, we report the design, synthesis, and self-assembly of an organic macrocyclic aza-crown-type compound, P2Mac, which complements synthetic ease with efficient SSPC. P2Mac is derived from the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (PDC) framework and contains polar amide and amine residues in its inner region, while aromatic residues occupy the periphery of the macrocycle...