The gB cytodomain appears to restrict fusion, because point or truncation mutations within it increase the extent of fusion (syn selleck kinase inhibitor mutations). Previously, we showed that the hyperfusion phenotype correlated with reduced membrane binding in gB syn truncation mutants and proposed

that membrane binding was important in regulating fusion. Here, we extended our analysis to three syn point mutants: A855V, R858H, and A874P. These mutations produce local conformational changes, with some affecting membrane interaction, which suggests that while syn mutants may deregulate fusion by somewhat different mechanisms, maintaining the wild-type (WT) conformation is critical for fusion regulation. We further show that the presence of a membrane is necessary for the cytodomain to achieve its fully folded conformation and propose that the membrane-bound form of the cytodomain represents its native conformation. Taken together,

our data suggest that the cytodomain of gB regulates fusion by a novel mechanism in which membrane interaction plays a key role.”
“In rodents, insufficient adenosine produces behavioral and physiological symptoms consistent Staurosporine with several comorbidities of autism. In rodents and humans, stimuli postulated to increase adenosine can ameliorate these comorbidities. Because adenosine is a broad homeostatic regulator of cell function and nervous system activity, increasing adenosine’s influence might be a new therapeutic target for autism with multiple beneficial effects.

This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Neurodevelopmental Disorders’. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Medication nonadherence is a 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase major problem in psychiatry. Introduction of implantable psychiatric medication could alleviate the need to take daily medication, significantly decreasing the rate of nonadherence. This survey assessed psychiatric health care professionals’ opinions regarding implants. An email was sent to potential participants including an explanation of the study and a link to an online survey. Email

addresses of faculty in the Department of Psychiatry were obtained from websites of United States medical schools. To assess which provider characteristics were most important in consideration of implants, logistic regression models were employed. For assessing which patient characteristics were associated with providers’ opinions, logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations tested associations between patient factors and implant decision. Eighty-six percent of respondents supported implants for a subset of patients. Four provider characteristics influenced support for implants including type of work, caseload, percent of patients with schizophrenia and percent of patients with bipolar disorder. Seven patient characteristics significantly influenced provider opinions including illness severity, length of illness, medication compliance, diagnosis, type of medication, family support, and patient age.