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The ocular lens is an important determinant of overall vision quality whose refractive and transparent properties change throughout life. The lens operates an internal microcirculation system that generates circulating fluxes of ions, water and nutrients that maintain the transparency and refractive properties of the lens. This flow of water generates a substantial hydrostatic pressure gradient which is regulated by a dual feedback system that uses the mechanosensitive channels TRPV1 and TRPV4 to sense decreases and increases, respectively, in the pressure gradient. This regulation of water flow (pressure) and hence overall lens water content, sets the two key parameters, lens geometry and the gradient of refractive index, which determine the refractive properties of the lens. Here we focus on the roles played by the aquaporin family of water channels in mediating lens water fluxes, with a specific focus on AQP5 as a regulated water channel in the lens. We show that in addition to regulating the activity of ion transporters, which generate local osmotic gradients that drive lens water flow, the TRPV1/4‐mediated dual feedback system also modulates the membrane trafficking of AQP5 in the anterior influx pathway and equatorial efflux zone of the lens. Since both lens pressure and AQP5‐mediated water permeability (PH2O${P_{{{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{O}}}}$) can be altered by changes in the tension applied to the lens surface via modulating ciliary muscle contraction we propose extrinsic modulation of lens water flow as a potential mechanism to alter the refractive properties of the lens to ensure light remains focused on the retina throughout life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mice, the contraction of the ciliary muscle via the administration of pilocarpine reduces the zonular tension applied to the lens and activates the TRPV1-mediated arm of a dual feedback system that regulates the lens' hydrostatic pressure gradient. In the rat lens, this pilocarpine-induced reduction in zonular tension also causes the water channel AQP5 to be removed from the membranes of fiber cells located in the anterior influx and equatorial efflux zones. Here, we determined whether this pilocarpine-induced membrane trafficking of AQP5 is also regulated by the activation of TRPV1. Using microelectrode-based methods to measure surface pressure, we found that pilocarpine also increased pressure in the rat lenses via the activation of TRPV1, while pilocarpine-induced removal of AQP5 from the membrane observed using immunolabelling was abolished by pre-incubation of the lenses with a TRPV1 inhibitor. In contrast, mimicking the actions of pilocarpine by blocking TRPV4 and then activating TRPV1 resulted in sustained increase in pressure and the removal of AQP5 from the anterior influx and equatorial efflux zones. These results show that the removal of AQP5 in response to a decrease in zonular tension is mediated by TRPV1 and suggest that regional changes to PH2O contribute to lens hydrostatic pressure gradient regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cataract and presbyopia are the leading cause of vision loss and impaired vision, respectively, worldwide. Changes in lens biochemistry and physiology with age are responsible for vision impairment, yet the specific molecular changes that underpin such changes are not entirely understood. In order to preserve transparency over decades of life, the lens establishes and maintains a microcirculation system (MCS) that, through spatially localized ion pumps, induces circulation of water and nutrients into (influx) and metabolites out of (outflow and efflux) the lens. Aquaporins (AQPs) are predicted to play important roles in the establishment and maintenance of local and global water flow throughout the lens. This review discusses the structure and function of lens AQPs and, importantly, their spatial localization that is likely key to proper water flow through the MCS. Moreover, age-related changes are detailed and their predicted effects on the MCS are discussed leading to an updated MCS model. Lastly, the potential therapeutic targeting of AQPs for prevention or treatment of cataract and presbyopia is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical properties of the bovine lens have been shown to be actively maintained by an internal microcirculation system. In the mouse lens, this water transport through gap junction channels generates an intracellular hydrostatic pressure gradient, which is subjected to a dual feedback regulation that is mediated by the reciprocal modulation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid channels TRPV1 and TRPV4. Here we test whether a similar feedback regulation of pressure exists in the bovine lens and whether it regulates overall lens optics. Lens pressure was measured using a microelectrode/pico-injector-based pressure measurement system, and lens optics were monitored in organ cultured lenses using a laser ray tracing system. Like the mouse, the bovine lenses exhibited a similar pressure gradient (0 to 340 mmHg). Activation of TRPV1 with capsaicin caused a biphasic increase in surface pressure, while activation of TRPV4 with GSK1016790A caused a biphasic decrease in pressure. These biphasic responses were abolished if lenses were preincubated with either the TRPV1 inhibitor A-889425 or the TRPV4 inhibitor HC-067047. While modulation of lens pressure by TRPV1 and TRPV4 had minimal effects on lens power and overall vision quality, the changes in lens pressure did induce opposing changes to lens geometry and its gradient of refractive index that effectively kept lens power constant. Hence, our results suggest that the TRPV1/4-mediated feedback control of lens hydrostatic pressure operates to ensure that any fluctuations in lens water transport, and consequently water content, do not result in changes in lens power and therefore overall vision quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the functionality of the lens water channels aquaporin 1 (AQP1; epithelium) and AQP0 (fiber cells) is well established, less is known about the role of AQP5 in the lens. Since in other tissues AQP5 functions as a regulated water channel with a water permeability (PH2O) some 20 times higher than AQP0, AQP5 could function to modulate PH2O in lens fiber cells. To test this possibility, a fluorescence dye dilution assay was used to calculate the relative PH2O of epithelial cells and fiber membrane vesicles isolated from either the mouse or rat lens, in the absence and presence of HgCl2, an inhibitor of AQP1 and AQP5. Immunolabeling of lens sections and fiber membrane vesicles from mouse and rat lenses revealed differences in the subcellular distributions of AQP5 in the outer cortex between species, with AQP5 being predominantly membranous in the mouse but predominantly cytoplasmic in the rat. In contrast, AQP0 labeling was always membranous in both species. This species-specific heterogeneity in AQP5 membrane localization was mirrored in measurements of PH2O, with only fiber membrane vesicles isolated from the mouse lens, exhibiting a significant Hg2+-sensitive contribution to PH2O. When rat lenses were first organ cultured, immunolabeling revealed an insertion of AQP5 into cortical fiber cells, and a significant increase in Hg2+-sensitive PH2O was detected in membrane vesicles. Our results show that AQP5 forms functional water channels in the rodent lens, and they suggest that dynamic membrane insertion of AQP5 may regulate water fluxes in the lens by modulating PH2O in the outer cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaporins (AQPs), by playing essential roles in the maintenance of ocular lens homeostasis, contribute to the establishment and maintenance of the overall optical properties of the lens over many decades of life. Three aquaporins, AQP0, AQP1 and AQP5, each with distinctly different functional properties, are abundantly and differentially expressed in the different regions of the ocular lens. Furthermore, the diversity of AQP functionality is increased in the absence of protein turnover by age-related modifications to lens AQPs that are proposed to alter AQP function in the different regions of the lens. These regional differences in AQP functionality are proposed to contribute to the generation and directionality of the lens internal microcirculation; a system of circulating ionic and fluid fluxes that delivers nutrients to and removes wastes from the lens faster than could be achieved by passive diffusion alone. In this review, we present how regional differences in lens AQP isoforms potentially contribute to this microcirculation system by highlighting current areas of investigation and emphasizing areas where future work is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serum amyloid A protein is one of the major reactants in the acute-phase response. Using representational difference analysis comparing RNA from normal and involuting quarters of a dairy cow mammary gland, we found an mRNA encoding the SAA3 protein (M-SAA3). The M-SAA3 mRNA was localized to restricted populations of bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs). It was expressed at a moderate level in late pregnancy, at a low level through lactation, was induced early in milk stasis, and expressed at high levels in most MECs during mid to late involution and inflammation/mastitis. The mature M-SAA3 peptide was expressed in Escherichia coli, antibodies made, and shown to have antibacterial activity against E. coli, Streptococcus uberis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results suggest that the mammary SAA3 may have a role in protection of the mammary gland during remodelling and infection and possibly in the neonate gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lens water transport generates a hydrostatic pressure gradient that is regulated by a dual-feedback system that utilizes the mechanosensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels, TRPV1 and TRPV4, to sense changes in mechanical tension and extracellular osmolarity. Here, we investigate whether the modulation of TRPV1 or TRPV4 activity dynamically affects their membrane trafficking. Mouse lenses were incubated in either pilocarpine or tropicamide to alter zonular tension, exposed to osmotic stress, or the TRPV1 and TRPV4 activators capsaicin andGSK1016790A (GSK101), and the effect on the TRPV1 and TRPV4 membrane trafficking in peripheral fiber cells visualized using confocal microscopy. Decreases in zonular tension caused the removal of TRPV4 from the membrane of peripheral fiber cells. Hypotonic challenge had no effect on TRPV1, but increased the membrane localization of TRPV4. Hypertonic challenge caused the insertion of TRPV1 and the removal of TRPV4 from the membranes of peripheral fiber cells. Capsaicin caused an increase in TRPV4 membrane localization, but had no effect on TRPV1; while GSK101 decreased the membrane localization of TRPV4 and increased the membrane localization of TRPV1. These reciprocal changes in TRPV1/4 membrane localization are consistent with the channels acting as mechanosensitive transducers of a dual-feedback pathway that regulates lens water transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterization of several new phosphorus-containing partially lower rim substituted derivatives of 5,11,17,23-tetra(t-butyl) calix(4)arene (I) and 5,11,17,23-tetra(t-octyl)calix(4)arene (II), namely 5,11,17,23-tetra(t-butyl)-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-bis(diphenylphosphinoyl-oxy) calix(4)arene (IV); 5,11,17,23-tetra(t-butyl)-25-hydroxy-26,27,28-tris(tetramethyldiamido-phosphinoyl-oxy) calix(4)arene (Vb); 5,11,17,23-tetra(t-butyl)-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-bis(dimethyl-phosphinoyl-methoxy) calix(4)arene (VI); 5,11,17,23-tetra (t-octyl)-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-bis(dimethyl-phosphinoyl-methoxy) calix(4)arene (VII) are reported. The structure of the synthesized calix(4)arene derivatives are identified and confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 13C, 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as and X-ray crystallographic analysis of 5,11,17,23-tetra(t-butyl)-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-bis(dimethyl-phosphinoyl-methoxy) calix(4)arene VI. According to the NMR spectra, all calix(4)arenes are in cone conformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of K2PtCl4 with 3-amino-5-methyl-5-phenylhydantoin (amphh, L) and KI in aqueous ethanol yields dark violet crystals of a binuclear platinum(II) complex. The molecular structure of the complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group [image omitted] with a = 8.458(3), b = 11.016(2), c = 16.249(3) (Å), α = 94.630(14), β = 100.63(2), γ = 108.55(4)° and Z = 2. The structure consists of [K2L4]2+ cations and [Pt2I6]2- anions bridged by K-I bonds to form quasi-one-dimensional chains along the b axis. Chains are linked by K+ ··· π(Ph) interactions and N-H ··· O hydrogen bonds. The complex is compared with data for related structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The title compound, C16H9NO4, also known as the 3-benzoylpyridinium betaine of squaric acid, exhibits a dipolar electronic ground-state structure with a positively charged pyridinium fragment and a negatively charged squarate moiety. In the molecule, the two aromatic rings are twisted by 56.03 (2)° relative to one another. The three-dimensional packing of the molecules is stabilized by C—H··O· short contacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, NH4+·C4HO4−·H2O, the hydrogen squarate anions and water molecules are arranged to form planes almost parallel to bc. The ammonium cations are located between these planes and cross-link them in the a direction by means of an extensive network of hydrogen bonds. There are two symmetry-independent sets of cations and anions. One of the hydrogen squarate anions and one of the ammonium cations are situated on a twofold axis and the H atoms of these moieties are disordered over the symmetry-related sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, C6H12NO5P, was synthesized as an inter­mediate phase in a search for new N-(phosphono­methyl)glycine derivatives. The mol­ecules are held together by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b axis in the crystal structure. The observed mol­ecular structure is compared with that calculated by the density functional theory method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structures of four cyclo­alkane­spiro-4′-imidazolidine-2′,5′-dithiones, namely cyclo­pentane­spiro-4′-imidazolidine-2′,5′-dithione {systematic name: 1,3-diaza­spiro­[4.4]­nonane-2,4-dithione}, C7H10N2S2, cyclo­hexane­spiro-4′-imidazolidine-2′,5′-dithione {systematic name: 1,3-diaza­spiro­[4.5]decane-2,4-dithione}, C8H12N2S2, cyclo­heptane­spiro-4′-imidazolidine-2′,5′-dithione {systematic name: 1,3-diaza­spiro­[4.6]undecane-2,4-dithione}, C9H14N2S2, and cyclo­octane­spiro-4′-imidazolidine-2′,5′-dithione {systematic name: 1,3-di­aza­spiro­[4.7]dodecane-2,4-dithione}, C10H16N2S2, have been determined. The three-dimensional packing in all of the structures is based on closely similar chains, in which hydantoin moieties are linked through N—H⋯S hydrogen bonding. The size of the cyclo­alkane moiety influences the degree of its deformation. In the cyclo­octane compound, the cyclo­octane ring assumes both boat–chair and boat–boat conformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound [systematic name: 1′-amino­cyclo­hexane­spiro-4′-imidazole-2′,5′(3′ H,4′ H)-dione], C8H13N3O2, has been synthesized and was found to crystallize in two different structures, both monoclinic and both with the same P21/ c space group. In the first structure, there are two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit, one of which uses all of its hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors and forms undulating layers, while the other forms chains propagating perpendicular to the layers. In the second structure, there is only one independent mol­ecule and the packing is based on a chain structure mediated by hydrogen bonding between the hydantoin moieties and further grouped into hydro­philic layers separated by layers of the hydro­phobic cyclo­hex­yl groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]