Computational modeling motivated by recent experiments clarifies biophysical mechanisms generating the rhythm and amplitude of breathing at the level of neurons and brain circuits in mammals.
Challenging a widespread model, biophysical and electrophysiological experiments suggest a new mechanism whereby complexins inhibit neurotransmitter release through electrostatic repulsion between their accessory helix and the membranes.
C-terminal phosphorylation of the lipid phosphatase PTEN drives a reduction in membrane affinity and leads to a more compact conformation that involves a C2 domain-tail interaction.
A new biophysical model enables the reconciliation of ultrastructural and tissue level measurements on parameters affecting intercellular communication, and provides novel functional insight into experimental findings.
Microbial genetics and biophysical analyses provide insight into an evolutionarily conserved bile salt receptor complex used by pathogenic bacteria to sense their environment.
An ensemble of conserved G2-quadruplex structures in the untranslated regions of messenger RNAs from genes in the polyamine bioysynthesis pathway sense polyamine levels and regulate polyamine synthesis in cells.
Resting-state capillary blood flow and oxygenation are more homogeneous in the deeper cortical layers, underpinning an important mechanism by which the microvascular network adapts to an increased local oxidative metabolism.
Competition between adhesive and tensile forces regulates axon fasciculation, thus introducing a new role of mechanical tension in the development of neural networks.
Auxiliary subunits Neto1 and Neto2 regulate the GluK1 receptor targeting to excitatory silent synapses through different molecular mechanisms and also modify receptor biophysics through distinct mechanisms.
Imaging experiments and simulations reveal that the biophysical mechanism for force generation needed to engulf a forespore is based on coordinated cell wall synthesis and degradation.