Do distinct functional properties of the TAP subunits coordinate the nucleotide-dependent transport cycle?
Our findings indicate that ATP binding to TAP1 is the initial step in energizing the transport process and support the view that ATP hydrolysis at one TAP chain induces ATP binding at the other chain; this leads to an alternating and interdependent catalysis of both NBDs. Furthermore, our data suggest that the peptide-mediated undocking of MHC class I is linked to the transport cycle of TAP by conformational signals arising predominantly from TAP1.
Prehospital endotracheal intubation is associated with an increased mortality in completely comatose trauma patients (GCS = 3). Although the exact reasons for this remain unclear, these results support other studies and suggest the need for future research and re-appraisal of current policies for prehospital intubation in these severely traumatized patients.