Background: cGMP-dependent protein kinases utilize their leucine zipper (LZ) domains to bind interacting proteins in an isotype-specific manner. Results: Structural and biophysical analysis reveals residues for the PKG II-Rab11b interaction. Conclusion: PKG II utilizes an electroneutral surface on the LZ domain to bind Rab11b. Significance: This is the first structure of PKG bound to one of its interacting proteins.

cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) Iα is a central regulator of smooth muscle tone and vasorelaxation. The N-terminal leucine zipper (LZ) domain dimerizes and targets PKG Iα by interacting with G-kinase-anchoring proteins. The PKG Iα LZ contains C42 that is known to form a disulfide bond upon oxidation and to activate PKG Iα. To understand the molecular details of the PKG Iα LZ and C42–C42′ disulfide bond, we determined crystal structures of the PKG Iα wild-type (WT) LZ and C42L LZ. Our data demonstrate that the C42–C42′ disulfide bond dramatically stabilizes PKG Iα and that the C42L mutant mimics the oxidized WT LZ structurally.

Background  Although the lack of vision insurance coverage has been linked to adverse vision outcomes, Canada still has a patchwork system that provides poor or no coverage to many of its residents.  Data and methods  We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2005, 2008, 2013-2014) and logistic regressions to describe the extent to which Ontario residents reported insurance coverage for corrective eyewear after the delisting of routine eye examinations for healthy adults in 2004; and, to examine associations between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, self-reported health and insurance coverage for corrective eyewear.  Results  We found important socioeconomic differences in the reporting of corrective eyewear insurance. Lower-SES adults were more likely to have reported public corrective eyewear coverage, whereas higher-SES adults and older adults were more likely to have reported private coverage. Overall, lower-SES adults and older adults were substantially less likely to have reported any corrective eyewear coverage. Adults and older adults in poorer health had lower odds of having reported private coverage for corrective eyewear. Relative to 2005, adults had higher odds of having reported public coverage, while older adults had lower odds of having reported public coverage for corrective eyewear in 2013 and 2014.  Interpretation Our findings reinforce the limits of the current patchwork insurance system for eye care and eyewear in Ontario. The substantial socioeconomic differences in the reporting of corrective eyewear insurance, as well as the low coverage in older adults, particularly among the poor and unhealthy, are of concern.

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