割石さん：
Nature Volume 471: Crystal structure of metarhodopsin II
The author reported structures of rhodopsin which is activated at meta II state. Although rhodopsin has been extensively researched, rhodopsin activated at that stage is difficult to find. I think that is why this paper have been published on the Nature. I am interested in how did they capture so transient state of metarhodopsin II.
Nature Volume 472: Molecular regulation of sexual preference revealed by genetic studies of 5-HT in the brains of male mice
5-HT is short name of neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine. People usually called it as serotonin which is thought to be various functions such as regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, as well as muscle contraction. However, it is first to hear that 5-HT has different function for determining sexual preference from that mentioned the above. A new amazing finding that 5-HT and serotonergic neurons in the adult brain regulate mammalian sexual preference has been revealed.
須藤さん：
PNAS Volume 107: Opn5 is a UV-sensitive bistable pigment that
couples with Gi subtype of G protein
The author analyzed the molecular properties of Opn5 and revealed that chicken Opn5 (cOpn5m) is not a retinal photoisomerase but a UV-sensitive GPCR that couples with Gi-type G protein. Also, they suggest that the human eye and brain have the potential ability to receive UV light through Opn5.
PNAS Volume 108: Biogenesis of the pore architecture of a voltage-gated potassium channel.
Although the structure of potassium channel and mechanism for selectivity have been proposed, research about potassium channel is still underway and also popular. They have promote one new height for K+ channel research. To my surprise, For the pore domain of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, they proposed the possibility that the first stages of pore formation occur in the very earliest steps of protein biosynthesis prior to oligomerization of the transmembrane core. We spread our comprehensive scope about K+ channel due to above conclusion.