| 1. |
- Ückert, S., et al.
(författare)
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Expression and distribution of key proteins of the endocannabinoid system in the human seminal vesicles
- 2018
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Ingår i: Andrologia. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0303-4569. ; 50:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The endocannabinoid system (ECS), comprising the cannabinoid receptors (CBR), their ligands, and enzymes controlling the turnover of endocannabinoids, has been suggested to be involved in male reproductive function. As information is scarce on the expression of the ECS in human male reproductive tissues, this study aimed to investigate by means of molecular biology (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence the expression and distribution of CB1 and CB2, GPR55 (an orphan G protein-coupled receptor that recognises cannabinoid ligands) and FAAH (isoforms 1 and 2) in the human seminal vesicles (SV). The specimens expressed PCR products corresponding to CB1 (66 bp), CB2 (141 bp), GPR55 (112 bp), FAAH1 (260 bp) and FAAH2 (387 bp). Immumohistochemistry revealed dense expression of CB1, CB2 and GPR55 located to the pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium and varicose nerves (also characterised by the expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide). Cytosolic staining for FAAH1 and FAAH2 was seen in cuboidal cells of all layers of the epithelium. No immunoreactivity was detected in the smooth musculature or nerve fibres. CB1, CB2, GPR55, FAAH1 and FAAH2 are highly expressed in the human SV. Considering their localisation, the ECS may be involved in epithelial homeostasis, secretory function or autonomic mechano-afferent signalling.
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| 2. |
- Lindahl, Lina, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Alcohols enhance the rate of acetic acid diffusion in S. cerevisiae: biophysical mechanisms and implications for acetic acid tolerance
- 2018
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Ingår i: Microbial Cell. - : Shared Science Publishers OG. - 2311-2638. ; 5:1, s. 42-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microbial cell factories with the ability to maintain high productivity in the presence of weak organic acids, such as acetic acid, are required in many industrial processes. For example, fermentation media derived from lignocellulosic biomass are rich in acetic acid and other weak acids. The rate of diffusional entry of acetic acid is one parameter determining the ability of microorganisms to tolerance the acid. The present study demonstrates that the rate of acetic acid diffusion in S. cerevisiae is strongly affected by the alcohols ethanol and n-butanol. Ethanol of 40 g/L and n-butanol of 8 g/L both caused a 65% increase in the rate of acetic acid diffusion, and higher alcohol concentrations caused even greater increases. Molecular dynamics simulations of membrane dynamics in the presence of alcohols demonstrated that the partitioning of alcohols to the head group region of the lipid bilayer causes a considerable increase in the membrane area, together with reduced membrane thickness and lipid order. These changes in physiochemical membrane properties lead to an increased number of water molecules in the membrane interior, providing biophysical mechanisms for the alcohol-induced increase in acetic acid diffusion rate. nbutanol affected S. cerevisiae and the cell membrane properties at lower concentrations than ethanol, due to greater and deeper partitioning in the membrane. This study demonstrates that the rate of acetic acid diffusion can be strongly affected by compounds that partition into the cell membrane, and highlights the need for considering interaction effects between compounds in the design of microbial processes.
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