This week’s articles identify a surprising role for dopamine outside the nervous system and a cryptic binding pocket that promotes leak currents through a potassium channel.
IMMUNOLOGY
Dopamine in the immune system
Papa et al. found that the release of dopamine by follicular helper T cells promotes the formation of synapses with B cells, which in turn stimulates the B cells to produce antibodies (see also Qi).
BIOCHEMISTRY
Stabilizing channel leak
Lolicato et al. identified a cryptic binding pocket in a two-pore potassium channel through which small-molecule activators promote leakiness of the channel.
