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Xiao C, Sun Y, Huang H, Yue X, Song Z, David T, Xu S. Cellular communication among smooth muscle cells: The role of membrane potential via connexins. J Theor Biol 2024; 576:111627. [PMID: 37977477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Communication via action potentials among neurons has been extensively studied. However, effective communication without action potentials is ubiquitous in biological systems, yet it has received much less attention in comparison. Multi-cellular communication among smooth muscles is crucial for regulating blood flow, for example. Understanding the mechanism of this non-action potential communication is critical in many cases, like synchronization of cellular activity, under normal and pathological conditions. In this paper, we employ a multi-scale asymptotic method to derive a macroscopic homogenized bidomain model from the microscopic electro-neutral (EN) model. This is achieved by considering different diffusion coefficients and incorporating nonlinear interface conditions. Subsequently, the homogenized macroscopic model is used to investigate communication in multi-cellular tissues. Our computational simulations reveal that the membrane potential of syncytia, formed by interconnected cells via connexins, plays a crucial role in propagating oscillations from one region to another, providing an effective means for fast cellular communication. Statement of Significance: In this study, we investigated cellular communication and ion transport in vascular smooth muscle cells, shedding light on their mechanisms under normal and abnormal conditions. Our research highlights the potential of mathematical models in understanding complex biological systems. We developed effective macroscale electro-neutral bi-domain ion transport models and examined their behavior in response to different stimuli. Our findings revealed the crucial role of connexinmediated membrane potential changes and demonstrated the effectiveness of cellular communication through syncytium membranes. Despite some limitations, our study provides valuable insights into these processes and emphasizes the importance of mathematical modeling in unraveling the complexities of cellular communication and ion transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Xiao
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China.
| | - Yishui Sun
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom.
| | - Huaxiong Huang
- Research Center for Mathematics, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research and Application for Data Science, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519088, China; Laboratory of Mathematics and Complex Systems, MOE, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, China; Department of Mathematics and Statistics York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Xingye Yue
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.
| | - Zilong Song
- Math and Statistics Department, Utah State University, Old Main Hill, Logan , UT 84322, USA.
| | - Tim David
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand.
| | - Shixin Xu
- Zu Chongzhi Center for Mathematics and Computational Sciences (CMCS), Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, 215316, China.
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Prochnow N, Hoffmann S, Dermietzel R, Zoidl G. Replacement of a single cysteine in the fourth transmembrane region of zebrafish pannexin 1 alters hemichannel gating behavior. Exp Brain Res 2012; 199:255-64. [PMID: 19701745 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-009-1957-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2008] [Accepted: 07/18/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pannexin1 (Panx1) is a novel candidate for an electrical synapse protein in the retina. At present Panx1 is considered to function as a hemichannel. Since information about the gating properties of Panx1 channels to date rely on blocker pharmacology, we have begun to establish a structural context of channel function starting with site directed mutagenesis of cysteine residues in transmembrane domains of Panx1. Dye uptake and whole cell voltage clamp recordings of transfected N2a cells demonstrate that zfPanx1 forms voltage activated hemichannels with a large unitary conductance in vitro. The function of this channel was significantly reduced following mutation of a single cysteine residue (C282W) in the fourth transmembrane region. This result suggests a role of this domain in gating of the Panx1 hemichannel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Prochnow
- Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany.
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3
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Good ME, Nelson TK, Simon AM, Burt JM. A functional channel is necessary for growth suppression by Cx37. J Cell Sci 2011; 124:2448-56. [PMID: 21693589 PMCID: PMC3124374 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.081695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin 37 (Cx37) profoundly suppresses the proliferation of rat insulinoma (Rin) cells by unknown mechanisms. To determine whether a functional pore domain is necessary for Cx37-mediated growth suppression, we introduced a mutation that converted threonine 154 into alanine (T154A). Like other connexins mutated at the homologous site, Cx37-T154A localized to appositional membrane but failed to form functional channels and exerted a dominant-negative effect on coexpressed wild-type Cx37 or Cx43. Unlike the wild-type protein, Cx37-T154A did not suppress the proliferation of Rin cells and did not, with serum deprivation, result in cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, progression through the cell cycle was unaffected by expression of Cx37-T154A. These results indicate that a pore-forming domain that is able to form functional channels is essential for the anti-proliferative, cell-cycle arrest and serum-sensitivity effects of Cx37, and furthermore that the normally localized C-terminal domain is not sufficient for these effects of Cx37.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda E. Good
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, PO Box 245051, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Tasha K. Nelson
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, PO Box 245051, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Alexander M. Simon
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, PO Box 245051, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Janis M. Burt
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, PO Box 245051, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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Varadaraj K, Kumari SS, Mathias RT. Transgenic expression of AQP1 in the fiber cells of AQP0 knockout mouse: effects on lens transparency. Exp Eye Res 2010; 91:393-404. [PMID: 20599966 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2010.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Revised: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Mutations and knockout of aquaporin 0 (AQP0) result in dominant lens cataract. To date, several functions have been proposed for AQP0; however, two functions, water permeability and cell-to-cell adhesion have been supported by several investigators and only water channel function has been readily authenticated by in vitro and ex vivo studies. Lens shifts protein expression from the more efficient AQP1 in the equatorial epithelial cells to the less efficient water channel, AQP0, in the differentiating secondary fiber cells; perhaps, AQP0 performs a distinctive function. If AQP0 has only water permeability function, can the more efficient water channel AQP1 transgenically expressed in the fiber cells compensate and restore lens transparency in the AQP0 knockout (AQP0(-/-)) mouse? To investigate, we generated a transgenic wild-type mouse line expressing AQP1 in the fiber cells using alphaA-crystallin promoter. These transgenic mice (TgAQP1(+/+)) showed increase in fiber cell membrane water permeability without any morphological, anatomical or physiological defects compared to the wild type indicating that the main purpose of the shift in expression from AQP1 to AQP0 may not be to lessen the membrane water permeability. Further, we transgenically expressed AQP1 in the lens fiber cells of AQP0 knockout mouse (TgAQP1(+/+)/AQP0(-/-)) to determine whether AQP1 could restore AQP0 water channel function and regain lens transparency. Fiber cells of these mice showed 2.6 times more water permeability than the wild type. Transgene AQP1 reduced the severity of lens cataract and prevented dramatic acceleration of cataractogenesis. However, lens fiber cells showed deformities and lack of compact cellular architecture. Loss of lens transparency due to the absence of AQP0 was not completely restored indicating an additional function for AQP0. In vitro studies showed that AQP0 is capable of cell-to-cell adhesion while AQP1 is not. To our knowledge, this is the first report which uses an animal model to demonstrate that AQP0 may have an additional function, possibly cell-to-cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Varadaraj
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY 11794-8661, USA.
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5
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Gap junctions in inherited human disease. Pflugers Arch 2010; 460:451-66. [PMID: 20140684 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-010-0789-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2009] [Revised: 01/05/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJ) provide direct intercellular communication. The structures underlying these cell junctions are membrane-associated channels composed of six integral membrane connexin (Cx) proteins, which can form communicating channels connecting the cytoplasms of adjacent cells. This provides coupled cells with a direct pathway for sharing ions, nutrients, or small metabolites to establish electrical coupling or balancing metabolites in various tissues. Genetic approaches have uncovered a still growing number of mutations in Cxs related to human diseases including deafness, skin disease, peripheral and central neuropathies, cataracts, or cardiovascular dysfunctions. The discovery of a growing number of inherited human disorders provides an unequivocal demonstration that gap junctional communication is crucial for diverse physiological processes.
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Varadaraj K, Kumari SS, Patil R, Wax MB, Mathias RT. Functional characterization of a human aquaporin 0 mutation that leads to a congenital dominant lens cataract. Exp Eye Res 2008; 87:9-21. [PMID: 18501347 PMCID: PMC2504491 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2008.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2008] [Revised: 03/28/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aquaporin (AQP) transmembrane proteins facilitate the movement of water across the plasma membrane. In the lens, AQP0 is expressed in fiber cells and AQP1 in the epithelium. Recently, two individuals were identified with congenital polymorphic autosomal dominant cataract, due to a single nucleotide base deletion mutation in the lens AQP0. The deletion modified the reading frame resulting in the addition of a premature stop codon. In the present study, we examined the water permeability properties, trafficking and dominant negative effects as well as cytotoxicity due to the mutant AQP0 (Delta213-AQP0) protein. The membrane water permeability (P(w)) of Delta213-AQP0 expressing oocytes (14+/-1 microm/s) was significantly lower than those expressing WT-AQP0 (25+/-3 microm/s). P(w) of water injected control oocytes was 13+/-2 microm/s. Co-expression of WT-AQP0 with Delta213-AQP0 significantly lowered the P(w) (18+/-3 microm/s) compared to WT-AQP0. With or without the EGFP tag, WT-AQP0 protein localized in the plasma membranes of oocytes and cultured cells whereas Delta213-AQP0 was retained in the ER. Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) showed that WT-AQP0 partly localized with the co-expressed Delta213-AQP0. Co-localization studies suggest that the mutant AQP0 gained its dominant function by trapping the WT-AQP0 in the ER through hetero-oligomerization. Incubating the cells with chemical chaperones, namely, TMAO and DMSO, did not correct the folding/trafficking defects. Cell death in the Delta213-AQP0 expressing cells was due to necrosis caused by the accumulation of Delta213-AQP0 protein in the ER in cytotoxic proportions. The data show that replacement of the distal end of the 6th TM domain and the C-terminal domain of AQP0 due to the deletion mutation resulted in the impairment of cell membrane P(w), localization of the mutant protein in the ER without trafficking to the plasma membrane, and cytotoxicity due to the accumulation of the mutant protein. Cataracts in patients with this mutation might have resulted from the above mentioned consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Varadaraj
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of NY, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8661, USA.
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Varadaraj K, Kumari SS, Mathias RT. Functional expression of aquaporins in embryonic, postnatal, and adult mouse lenses. Dev Dyn 2007; 236:1319-28. [PMID: 17377981 PMCID: PMC2534140 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin 0 (AQP0) and AQP1 are expressed in the lens, each in a different cell type, and their functional roles are not thoroughly understood. Our previous study showed that these two AQPs function as water transporters. In order to further understand the functional significance of these two different aquaporins in the lens, we investigated their initiation and continued expression. AQP0 transcript and protein were first detected at embryonic stage (E) 11.25 in the differentiating primary fiber cells of the developing lens; its synthesis continued through the adult stage in the secondary fiber cells. Low levels of AQP1 expression were first seen in lens anterior epithelial cells at E17.5; following postnatal day (P) 6.5, the expression gradually progressed towards the equatorial epithelial cells. In the postnatal lens, the increase in membrane water permeability of epithelial cells and lens transparency coincides with the increase in AQP1 expression. AQP1 expression reaches its peak at P30 and continues through the adult stage both in the anterior and equatorial epithelial cells. The enhancement in AQP1 expression concomitant with the increase in the size of the lens suggests the progression in the establishment of the lens microcirculatory system. In vitro and in vivo studies show that both aquaporins share at least one important function, which is water transport in the lens microcirculatory system. However, the temporal expression of these two AQPs suggests an apparently unique role/s in lens development and transparency. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the expression patterns of AQP0 and AQP1 during lens development and differentiation and their relation to lens transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kulandaiappan Varadaraj
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8661, USA.
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Beahm DL, Oshima A, Gaietta GM, Hand GM, Smock AE, Zucker SN, Toloue MM, Chandrasekhar A, Nicholson BJ, Sosinsky GE. Mutation of a conserved threonine in the third transmembrane helix of alpha- and beta-connexins creates a dominant-negative closed gap junction channel. J Biol Chem 2005; 281:7994-8009. [PMID: 16407179 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m506533200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Single site mutations in connexins have provided insights about the influence specific amino acids have on gap junction synthesis, assembly, trafficking, and functionality. We have discovered a single point mutation that eliminates functionality without interfering with gap junction formation. The mutation occurs at a threonine residue located near the cytoplasmic end of the third transmembrane helix. This threonine is strictly conserved among members of the alpha- and beta-connexin subgroups but not the gamma-subgroup. In HeLa cells, connexin43 and connexin26 mutants are synthesized, traffic to the plasma membrane, and make gap junctions with the same overall appearance as wild type. We have isolated connexin26T135A gap junctions both from HeLa cells and baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells. By using cryoelectron microscopy and correlation averaging, difference images revealed a small but significant size change within the pore region and a slight rearrangement of the subunits between mutant and wild-type connexons expressed in Sf9 cells. Purified, detergent-solubilized mutant connexons contain both hexameric and partially disassembled structures, although wild-type connexons are almost all hexameric, suggesting that the three-dimensional mutant connexon is unstable. Mammalian cells expressing gap junction plaques composed of either connexin43T154A or connexin26T135A showed an absence of dye coupling. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, these mutants, as well as a cysteine substitution mutant of connexin50 (connexin50T157C), failed to produce electrical coupling in homotypic and heteromeric pairings with wild type in a dominant-negative effect. This mutant may be useful as a tool for knocking down or knocking out connexin function in vitro or in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek L Beahm
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
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Valiunas V, Bechberger JF, Naus CCG, Brink PR, Goldberg GS. Nontransformed cells can normalize gap junctional communication with transformed cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 333:174-9. [PMID: 15936725 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.05.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2005] [Accepted: 05/17/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate that the Src kinase can augment gap junctional communication between cells derived from homozygous null Cx43 knockout mice. The total conductance between Src transformed cells was nearly twice that of nontransformed cells. In addition, the unitary conductance of the majority of single channel events between transformed cells was about 35% greater than that of nontransformed cells. Analysis showed that both nontransformed and transformed cells expressed at least two populations of channels, suggesting that Src increased junctional conductance by up-regulating one population and/or by increasing the unitary conductance of another population of channels. Interestingly, the conductance displayed by heterologous pairs of transformed and nontransformed cells resembled that of nontransformed cells. The majority of single channel events between heterologous pairs shifted back to lower conductances that were exhibited by nontransformed cells. Thus, nontransformed cells can effectively "normalize" the conductance of gap junction channels expressed by adjacent tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginijus Valiunas
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Basic Science Tower L6, Health Science Complex, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 11794-8661, USA.
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Puljung MC, Berthoud VM, Beyer EC, Hanck DA. Polyvalent cations constitute the voltage gating particle in human connexin37 hemichannels. J Gen Physiol 2004; 124:587-603. [PMID: 15504903 PMCID: PMC2234009 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.200409023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2004] [Accepted: 10/04/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins oligomerize to form intercellular channels that gate in response to voltage and chemical agents such as divalent cations. Historically, these are believed to be two independent processes. Here, data for human connexin37 (hCx37) hemichannels indicate that voltage gating can be explained as block/unblock without the necessity for an independent voltage gate. hCx37 hemichannels closed at negative potentials and opened in a time-dependent fashion at positive potentials. In the absence of polyvalent cations, however, the channels were open at relatively negative potentials, passing current linearly with respect to voltage. Current at negative potentials could be inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the addition of polyvalent cations to the bathing solution. Inhibition could be explained as voltage-dependent block of hCx37, with the field acting directly on polyvalent cations, driving them through the pore to an intracellular site. At positive potentials, in the presence of polyvalent cations, the field favored polyvalent efflux from the intracellular blocking site, allowing current flow. The rate of appearance of current depended on the species and valence of the polyvalent cation in the bathing solution. The rate of current decay upon repolarization depended on the concentration of polyvalent cations in the bathing solution, consistent with deactivation by polyvalent block, and was rapid (time constants of tens of milliseconds), implying a high local concentration of polyvalents in or near the channel pore. Sustained depolarization slowed deactivation in a flux-dependent, voltage- and time-independent fashion. The model for hCx37 voltage gating as polyvalent block/unblock can be expanded to account for observations in the literature regarding hCx37 gap junction channel behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Puljung
- Department of Neurobiology, Pharmacology, and Physiology, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Bennett MVL, Contreras JE, Bukauskas FF, Sáez JC. New roles for astrocytes: gap junction hemichannels have something to communicate. Trends Neurosci 2003; 26:610-7. [PMID: 14585601 PMCID: PMC3694339 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2003.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions are clusters of aqueous channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjoining cells. Each cell contributes a hemichannel, or connexon, to each cell-cell channel. The cell-cell channels are permeable to relatively large molecules, and it was thought that opening of hemichannels to the extracellular space would kill cells through loss of metabolites, collapse of ionic gradients and influx of Ca(2+). Recent findings indicate that specific non-junctional hemichannels do open under both physiological and pathological conditions, and that opening is functional or deleterious depending on the situation. Most of these studies utilized cells in tissue culture that expressed a specific gap junction protein, connexin 43. Several such examples are reviewed here, with a particular focus on astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V L Bennett
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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