bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a Ca2(+)-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule in endothelial cells.
Authors: Heimark R L , Degner M , Schwartz S M
Published: May 2004

Confluent cultures of aortic endothelial cells contain two different cell-cell adhesion mechanisms distinguished by their requirement for calcium during trypsinization and adhesion. A hybridoma clone was isolated producing a monoclonal antibody Ec6C10, which inhibits Ca2(+)-dependent adhesion of endothelial cells. There was no inhibition of Ca2(+)-independent adhesion of endothelial cells and only a minor effect on Ca2(+)-dependent adhesion of smooth muscle cells. Immunoblotting analysis shows that the antibody Ec6C10 recognizes a protein in endothelial but not epithelial cells with an apparent molecular weight of 135,000 in reducing conditions and 130,000 in non-reducing conditions. Monoclonal antibody Ec6C10 reacts with an antigen at the cell surface as shown by indirect immunofluorescence of confluent endothelial cells in a junctional pattern outlining the cobblestone morphology of the monolayer. Removal of extracellular calcium increased the susceptibility of the antigen recognized by antibody Ec6C10 to proteolysis by trypsin. The role of the Ca2(+)-dependent cell adhesion molecule in organization of the dense peripheral microfilament band in confluent endothelial cells was examined by adjusting the level of extracellular calcium to modulate cell-cell contact. Addition of the monoclonal antibody Ec6C10 at the time of the calcium switch inhibited the extent of formation of the peripheral F-actin band. These results suggest an association between cell-cell contact and the peripheral F-actin band potentially through the Ca2(+)-dependent CAM.
Gene expression in visceral endoderm: a comparison of mutant and wild-type F9 embryonal carcinoma cell differentiation.
Authors: Rogers M B , Watkins S C , Gudas L J
Published: May 2004

We have examined the abundance and cell specificity of several mRNAs that are regulated during the retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells to visceral endoderm. The experiments confirmed the multistep nature of this process by demonstrating the expression of the ERA-1/Hox 1.6 message within 6 h after RA addition; the expression of messages specific for the extracellular matrix proteins laminin B1 and B2, and collagen IV(alpha 1) between days 4 and 12; and the expression of two visceral endoderm markers, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and H19, by days 8-15. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that the collagen IV(alpha 1) mRNA is restricted to the outer cell layer of F9 cell aggregates regardless of the presence or absence of RA. Laminin B1 and B2 mRNAs are concentrated in the outer cell layer of RA-treated aggregates although significant levels of message are also observed within the interior cells of the aggregates. Unexpectedly, AFP mRNA is detectable in only a subset of the outer cells of F9 cell aggregates grown 15 d in the presence of RA. The results obtained from wild-type F9 cells were compared with those from a mutant F9 cell line, RA-5-1, which was previously shown to synthesize collagen IV containing six- to ninefold less 4-hydroxyproline than that in wild-type F9 cells. RA-5-1 cells exhibit four- to sixfold less of the mRNAs encoding two visceral endoderm proteins, AFP and H19, than wild-type F9 cells after RA treatment of RA-5-1 aggregates. RA-5-1 cells, however, do exhibit an RA-associated increase in the level of ERA-1/Hox 1.6 mRNA within 6 h after adding RA. Although the collagen IV protein level is similar in wild-type F9 and RA-5-1 aggregates, the collagen IV(alpha 1) message level is 6-20-fold greater in aggregates of mutant cells than in aggregates of wild-type cells. Moreover, in situ hybridizations showed that this message is evenly distributed throughout the RA-5-1 aggregates rather than restricted to the outer cell layers as it is in wild-type F9 aggregates. These results suggest that abnormal collagen IV expression and localization are associated with decreased expression of the visceral endoderm markers, AFP and H19, in RA-5-1 cell aggregates.
Developmental regulation of mammary-derived growth inhibitor expression in bovine mammary tissue.
Authors: Kurtz A , Vogel F , Funa K , Heldin C H , Grosse R
Published: May 2004

The cDNA for a previously described growth inhibitor, designated as mammary-derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) (Grosse, R., and P. Langen. 1989. In Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. In press) has been cloned from a plasmid library which was derived from terminally differentiated bovine mammary gland. Sequencing of the cDNA showed an open reading frame coding for a protein of 133 amino acids. In six positions differences were found between the sequence determined from the cDNA and that determined previously by amino acid sequence analysis. Northern blot analysis revealed abundant MDGI mRNA in the terminally differentiated mammary gland, whereas in virgin gland, liver or pancreas transcripts were not expressed. By use of in situ hybridization technique transcription of MDGI in the developing bovine mammary gland was analyzed. Increasing amounts of MDGI mRNA were detected in the epithelial cells of embryonic mammary rudiment, in the epithelium of developing lobules and in terminal parts of ducts and lobuloalveolar epithelial cells of differentiated glands. There was a geographical gradient of MDGI mRNA concentration in bovine mammary gland reaching a maximum in the proximal parts of the tissue. An immunohistochemical analysis with different polyclonal and peptide directed antibodies against MDGI confirmed the in situ hybridization data with respect to the tissue-specific and differentiation-dependent MDGI expression in bovine mammary gland. The results suggest a close relationship between MDGI transcription and developmental processes in the normal bovine mammary gland.
In vivo analyses of integrin beta 1 subunit function in fibronectin matrix assembly.
Authors: Darribère T , Guida K , Larjava H , Johnson K E , Yamada K M , Thiery J P , Boucaut J C
Published: May 2004

Early development of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl is accompanied by a process of progressive fibronectin (FN) fibrillogenesis. FN begins to assemble into fibrils on the inner surface of the blastocoele roof at the early blastula stage and progressively forms a complex extracellular matrix. We have analyzed the mechanisms of FN-fibril formation under normal and experimental conditions in vivo with the following probes: iodinated FN, fluorescein-labeled FN, synthetic peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) cell surface recognition sequence of FN, and polyclonal antibodies against both beta 1 subunit of the amphibian FN receptor and the cytoplasmic domain of beta 1 subunit. We report that in living embryos, exogenous labeled mammalian FN injected into the amphibian blastocoele undergoes FN-fibril formation in spatiotemporal patterns similar to those of endogenous FN. This indicates regulation of fibrillogenesis by the cell surface rather than by changes in the type of FN. Fibrillogenesis is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner both by the GRGDS peptide and monospecific antibodies to amphibian integrin beta 1 subunit. Furthermore, when injected intracellularly into uncleaved embryos or into selected blastomeres, antibodies to the cytoplasmic domain of integrin beta 1 subunit produce a reversible inhibition of FN-fibril formation that follows early cell lineages and cause delays in development. Together, these data indicate that in vivo, the integrin beta 1 subunit and the RGD recognition signal are essential for the proper assembly of FN fibrils in early amphibian development.
Drosophila fasciclin I is a novel homophilic adhesion molecule that along with fasciclin III can mediate cell sorting.
Authors: Elkins T , Hortsch M , Bieber A J , Snow P M , Goodman C S
Published: May 2004

Fasciclin I is a membrane-associated glycoprotein that is regionally expressed on a subset of fasciculating axons during neuronal development in insects; it is expressed on apposing cell surfaces, suggesting a role in specific cell adhesion. In this paper we show that Drosophila fasciclin I is a novel homophilic cell adhesion molecule. When the nonadhesive Drosophila S2 cells are transfected with the fasciclin I cDNA, they form aggregates that are blocked by antisera against fasciclin I. When cells expressing fasciclin I are mixed with cells expressing fasciclin III, another Drosophila homophilic adhesion molecule, the mixture sorts into aggregates homogeneous for either fasciclin I- or fasciclin III-expressing cells. The ability of these two novel adhesion molecules to mediate cell sorting in vitro suggests that they might play a similar role during neuronal development.
Primary sequence and heterologous expression of nuclear pore glycoprotein p62.
Authors: Starr C M , D'Onofrio M , Park M K , Hanover J A
Published: May 2004

The major nuclear pore protein p62 is modified by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine and functions in nuclear transport. We have cloned, sequenced, and expressed the full-length rat p62 cDNA. The rat p62 mRNA is 2,941 nucleotides long and encodes a protein of 525 amino acids containing 30% serine and threonine residues. The amino acid sequence near the amino-terminus contains unique tetrapeptide repeats while the carboxy-terminus consists of a series of predicted alpha-helical regions with hydrophobic heptad repeats. Heterologous expression of rat p62 in African Green Monkey Kidney COS-1 cells and CV-1 cells was detected using a species-specific antipeptide serum. When transiently expressed in COS-1 cells, rat p62 binds wheat germ agglutinin and concentrates at the spindle poles during mitosis. In CV-1 cells cotransfected with rat p62 cDNA and SV40 viral DNA, rat p62 associates with the nuclear membrane without interfering with the nuclear transport of SV40 large T antigen. The ability to express p62 in tissue culture cells will facilitate analysis of the role of this pore protein in nuclear transport.
Sec2 protein contains a coiled-coil domain essential for vesicular transport and a dispensable carboxy terminal domain.
Authors: Nair J , Müller H , Peterson M , Novick P
Published: May 2004

SEC2 function is required at the post-Golgi apparatus stage of the yeast secretory pathway. The SEC2 sequence encodes a protein product of 759 amino acids containing an amino terminal region that is predicted to be in an alpha-helical, coiled-coil conformation. Two temperature-sensitive alleles, sec2-41 and sec2-59, encode proteins truncated by opal stop codons and are suppressible by an opal tRNA suppressor. Deletion analysis indicates that removal of the carboxyl terminal 251 amino acids has no apparent phenotype, while truncation of 368 amino acids causes temperature sensitivity. The amino terminal half of the protein, containing the putative coiled-coil domain, is essential at all temperatures. Sec2 protein is found predominantly in the soluble fraction and displays a native molecular mass of greater than 500 kD. All phenotypes of the temperature-sensitive sec2 alleles are partially suppressed by duplication of the SEC4 gene, but the lethality of a sec2 disruption is not suppressed. The sec2-41 mutation exhibits synthetic lethality with the same subset of the late acting sec mutants as does sec4-8 and sec15-1. The Sec2 protein may function in conjunction with the Sec4 and Sec15 proteins to control vesicular traffic.
Studies on the mechanisms of autophagy: maturation of the autophagic vacuole.
Authors: Dunn W A
Published: May 2004

Data presented in the accompanying paper suggests nascent autophagic vacuoles are formed from RER (Dunn, W. A. 1990. J. Cell Biol. 110:1923-1933). In the present report, the maturation of newly formed or nascent autophagic vacuoles into degradative vacuoles was examined using morphological and biochemical methods combined with immunological probes. Within 15 min of formation, autophagic vacuoles acquired acid hydrolases and lysosomal membrane proteins, thus becoming degradative vacuoles. A previously undescribed type of autophagic vacuole was also identified having characteristics of both nascent and degradative vacuoles, but was different from lysosomes. This intermediate compartment contained only small amounts of cathepsin L in comparison to lysosomes and was bound by a double membrane, typical of nascent vacuoles. However, unlike nascent vacuoles vet comparable to degradative vacuoles, these vacuoles were acidic and contained the lysosomal membrane protein, lgp120, at the outer limiting membrane. The results were consistent with the stepwise acquisition of lysosomal membrane proteins and hydrolases. The presence of mannose-6-phosphate receptor in autophagic vacuoles suggested a possible role of this receptor in the delivery of newly synthesized hydrolases from the Golgi apparatus. However, tunicamycin had no significant effect on the amount of mature acid hydrolases present in a preparation of autophagic vacuoles isolated from a metrizamide gradient. Combined, the results suggested nascent autophagic vacuoles mature into degradative vacuoles in a stepwise fashion: (a) acquisition of lysosomal membrane proteins by fusing with a vesicle deficient in hydrolytic enzymes (e.g., prelysosome); (b) vacuole acidification; and (c) acquisition of hydrolases by fusing with preexisting lysosomes or Golgi apparatus-derived vesicles.
Cytoplasmic pH of Dictyostelium discoideum amebae during early development: identification of two cell subpopulations before the aggregation stage.
Authors: Furukawa R , Wampler J E , Fechheimer M
Published: May 2004

Development of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum is initiated by the removal of nutrients, and results in formation of a mature fruiting body composed of two cell types, the stalk and spore cells. A considerable body of evidence supports the hypothesis that cytoplasmic pH may be an essential regulator of the choice to differentiate in either the prestalk or prespore pathway. We have devised methods for measurement and analysis of intracellular pH in developing Dictyostelium amebae in order to assess directly the potential role of cytoplasmic pH in regulating the pathway of differentiation. The intracellular pH of single D. discoideum amebae during development and in intact slugs has been measured using the pH-sensitive indicator pyranine in a low light level microspectrofluorometer. We have used the ATP-mediated loading method to introduce pyranine into these cells. Cells loaded by the ATP method appear healthy, have no detectable defects in development, and exhibit a similar population distribution of intracellular pH to those loaded by sonication. The intracellular pH of populations comprised of single amebae was found to undergo a transient acidification during development resulting in a bimodal distribution of intracellular pH. The subpopulations were characterized by fitting two gaussian distributions to the data. The number of cells in the acidic intracellular pH subpopulation reached a maximum 4 h after initiation of development, and had returned to a low level by 7 h of development. In addition, a random sample of single amebae within a slug had a median intracellular pH of 7.2, nearly identical to the median pH (7.19) of similarly treated vegetative cells. No gradient of intracellular pH along the anterior to posterior axis of the slug was detected. Our data demonstrate the existence of two distinct subpopulations of cells before the aggregation stage of development in Dictyostelium, and offers support for the hypothesis that changes in intracellular pH contribute to development in D. discoideum.
Generation and characterization of Dictyostelium cells deficient in a myosin I heavy chain isoform.
Authors: Jung G , Hammer J A
Published: May 2004

Motile activities such as chemotaxis and phagocytosis, which occur in Dictyostelium cells lacking myosin II, may be dependent upon myosin I. To begin to explore this possibility, we have engineered a disruption of the Dictyostelium myosin I heavy chain (DMIHC) gene described recently (Jung, G., C. L. Saxe III, A. R. Kimmel, and J. A. Hammer III. 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 86:6186-6190). The double-crossover, gene disruption event that occurred resulted in replacement of the middle approximate one-third of the gene with the neomycin resistance marker. The resulting cells are devoid of both the 3.6-kb DMIHC gene transcript and the 124-kD DMIHC polypeptide. DMIHC- cells are capable of chemotactic streaming and aggregation, but these processes are delayed. Furthermore, the rate of phagocytosis by DMIHC- cells is reduced, as assessed by growth rate on lawns of heat-killed bacteria and on the initial rate of uptake of FITC-labeled bacteria. Therefore, this Dictyostelium myosin I isoform appears to play a role in supporting chemotaxis and phagocytosis, but it is clearly not required for these processes to occur. Using a portion of the DMIHC gene as a probe, we have cloned three additional Dictyostelium small myosin heavy chain genes. Comparison of these four genes with three genes described recently by Titus et al. (Titus, M. A., H. M. Warrick, and J. A. Spudich. 1989. Cell Reg. 1:55-63) indicates that there are at least five small myosin heavy chain genes in Dictyostelium. The probability that there is considerable overlap of function between these small myosin isoforms indicates that multiple gene disruptions within a single cell may be necessary to generate a more striking myosin I- phenotype.
Actin assembly in electropermeabilized neutrophils: role of intracellular calcium.
Authors: Downey G P , Chan C K , Trudel S , Grinstein S
Published: May 2004

Assembly of microfilaments involves the conversion of actin from the monomeric (G) to the filamentous (F) form. The exact sequence of events responsible for this conversion is yet to be defined and, in particular, the role of calcium remains unclear. Intact and electropermeabilized human neutrophils were used to assess more directly the role of cytosolic calcium [( Ca2+]i) in actin assembly. Staining with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-phallacidin and right angle light scattering were used to monitor the formation of F-actin. Though addition of Ca2+ ionophores can be known to induce actin assembly, the following observations suggest that an increased [Ca2+]i is not directly responsible for receptor-induced actin polymerization: (a) intact cells in Ca2(+)-free medium, depleted of internal Ca2+ by addition of ionophore, responded to the formyl peptide fMLP with actin assembly despite the absence of changes in [Ca2+]i, assessed with Indo-1; (b) fMLP induced a significant increase in F-actin content in permeabilized cells equilibrated with medium containing 0.1 microM free Ca2+, buffered with up to 10 mM EGTA; (c) increasing [Ca2+]i beyond the resting level by direct addition of CaCl2 to permeabilized cells resulted in actin disassembly. Conversely, lowering [Ca2+]i resulted in spontaneous actin assembly. To reconcile these findings with the actin-polymerizing effects of Ca2+ ionophores, we investigated whether A23187 and ionomycin induced actin assembly by a mechanism independent of, or secondary to the increase in [Ca2+]i. We found that the ionophore-induced actin assembly was completely inhibited by the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) antagonist LY-223982, implying that the ionophore effect was secondary to LTB4 formation, possibly by stimulation of phospholipase A2. We conclude that actin assembly is not mediated by an increase in [Ca2+]i, but rather that elevated [Ca2+]i facilitates actin disassembly, an effect possibly mediated by Ca2(+)-sensitive actin filament-severing proteins such as gelsolin. Sequential actin assembly and disassembly may be necessary for functions such as chemotaxis.
Gelsolin-actin interaction and actin polymerization in human neutrophils.
Authors: Howard T , Chaponnier C , Yin H , Stossel T
Published: May 2004

The fraction of polymerized actin in human blood neutrophils increases after exposure to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fmlp), is maximal 10 s after peptide addition, and decreases after 300 s. Most of the gelsolin (85 +/- 11%) in resting ficoll-hypaque (FH)-purified neutrophils is in an EGTA resistant, 1:1 gelsolin-actin complex, and, within 5 s after 10(-7) M fmlp activation, the amount of gelsolin complexed with actin decreases to 42 +/- 12%. Reversal of gelsolin binding to actin occurs concurrently with an increase in F-actin content, and the appearance of barbed-end nucleating activity. The rate of dissociation of EGTA resistant, 1:1 gelsolin-actin complexes is more rapid in cells exposed to 10(-7) M fmlp than in cells exposed to 10(-9) M fmlp, and the extent of dissociation 10 s after activation depends upon the fmlp concentration. Furthermore, 300 s after fmlp activation when F-actin content is decreasing, gelsolin reassociates with actin as evidenced by an increase in the amount of EGTA resistant, 1:1 gelsolin-actin complex. Since fmlp induces barbed end actin polymerization in neutrophils and since in vitro the gelsolin-actin complex caps the barbed ends of actin filaments and blocks their growth, the data suggests that in FH neutrophils fmlp-induced actin polymerization could be initiated by the reversal of gelsolin binding to actin and the uncapping of actin filaments or nuclei. The data shows that formation and dissociation of gelsolin-actin complexes, together with the effects of other actin regulatory proteins, are important steps in the regulation of actin polymerization in neutrophils. Finally, finding increased amounts of gelsolin-actin complex in basal FH cells and dissociation of the complex in fmlp-activated cells suggests a mechanism by which fmlp can cause actin polymerization without an acute increase in cytosolic Ca++.
Identification of actin filaments in the rhabdomeral microvilli of Drosophila photoreceptors.
Authors: Arikawa K , Hicks J L , Williams D S
Published: May 2004

The phototransductive microvilli of arthropod photoreceptors each contain an axial cytoskeleton. The present study shows that actin filaments are a component of this cytoskeleton in Drosophila. Firstly, actin was detected in the rhabdomeral microvilli and in the subrhabdomeral cytoplasm by immunogold labeling with antiactin. Secondly, the rhabdomeres were labeled with phalloidin, indicating the presence of filamentous actin. Finally, the actin filaments were decorated with myosin subfragment-1. The characteristic arrowhead complex formed by subfragment-1 decoration points towards the base of the microvilli, so that the fast growing end of each filament is at the distal end of the microvillus, where it is embedded in a detergent-resistant cap. Each microvillus contains more than one actin filament. Decorated filaments extend the entire length of each microvillus and project into the subrhabdomeral cytoplasm. This organization is comparable to that of the actin filaments in intestinal brush border microvilli. Similar observations were made with the photoreceptor microvilli of the crayfish, Procambarus. Our results provide an indication as to how any myosin that is associated with the rhabdomeres might function.
Molecular genetics of Drosophila alpha-actinin: mutant alleles disrupt Z disc integrity and muscle insertions.
Authors: Fyrberg E , Kelly M , Ball E , Fyrberg C , Reedy M C
Published: May 2004

We have isolated a Drosophila melanogaster alpha-actinin gene and partially characterized several mutant alleles. The Drosophila protein sequence is very similar (68% identity) to those of chicken alpha-actinin isoforms, but less closely related (30% identity) to Dictyostelium alpha-actinin. The gene is within subdivision 2C of the X chromosome, coincident with 15 lethal (1)2Cb mutations. At least four alleles, l(1)2Cb1, l(1)2Cb2, l(1)2Cb4, and l(1)2Cb5 are interrupted by rearrangement breakpoints and must be null. In all four cases, hemizygous mutants complete embryogenesis and do not die until the second day of larval growth, signifying that either the role of alpha-actinin in nonmuscle cells is redundant or that a distinct and only distantly related gene encodes the non-muscle isoform. Allelic but less severely affected fliA mutants are apparently due to point mutations, and develop into adults having thoracic muscle abnormalities. EM of mutant muscles reveals that Z discs and myofibrillar attachments are disrupted, whereas epithelial "tendon" cells are less affected. We discuss these phenotypes in the light of presumed in vivo alpha-actinin functions.
Neuroblast mitosis in dissociated culture: regulation and relationship to differentiation.
Authors: DiCicco-Bloom E , Townes-Anderson E , Black I B
Published: May 2004

Although neuron generation is precisely regulated during ontogeny, little is known about underlying mechanisms. In addition, relationships between precursor proliferation and the apparent sequence of developmental processes, including cell migration, neurite elaboration, transmitter expression and synaptogenesis remain unknown. To address these issues, we used a fully defined neuronal cell culture system derived from embryonic rat sympathetic ganglia (DiCicco-Bloom, E., and I. B. Black. 1988. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 85:4066-4070) in which precursors enter the mitotic cycle. We now find that, in addition to synthesizing DNA, neuroblasts also underwent division in culture, allowing analysis of developmental relationships and mitotic regulation. Our observations indicate that mitotic neuroblasts expressed a wide array of neuron-specific characteristics including extension of neuritic processes with growth cones, elaboration of neurotransmitter enzyme, synthesis and transport of transmitter vesicles and organization of transmitter release sites. These data suggest that neuroblasts in the cell cycle may simultaneously differentiate. Consequently, the apparent sequence of ontogenetic processes is not an immutable, intrinsic neuronal program. How, then, are diverse developmental events coordinated? Our observations indicate that neuroblast mitosis is regulated by a small number of epigenetic factors, including insulin and EGF. Since these signals also influence other processes in developing neurons, epigenetic regulation normally may synchronize diverse ontogenetic events.
Membrane channel formation by the lymphocyte pore-forming protein: comparison between susceptible and resistant target cells.
Authors: Persechini P M , Young J D , Almers W
Published: May 2004

The assembly of pores by the pore-forming protein (perforin) of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer cells on the membranes of different cell lines was studied. Using the patch clamp technique in the whole cell configuration, we measured the conductance increase induced by perforin in susceptible cell lines as well as in resistant CTL lines (CTLLs). The results showed that although the amplitudes of the first observed conductance steps produced in both cell types were comparable, CTLLs required at least 10-fold higher doses of perforin to form membrane pores. Outside-out patches excised from CTLL-R8, on the other hand, appeared to be more susceptible to channel formation by perforin than intact cells, as lower doses were able to induce conductance increases. Once channels were induced in CTL membranes, however, their conductances (greater than 1 nS) were indistinguishable from the ones obtained in susceptible cell lines. Fluorescence measurements with quin-2 showed that perforin induced rapid increases in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in susceptible EL4 cells. In marked contrast, a perforin dose 60-120-fold higher than the minimal dose required to elicit Ca2+ changes in EL4 cells was not able to induce any measurable Ca2+ increase in CTLL-R8. The data suggest that the resistance of CTLs to lysis mediated by their own mediator perforin is at least in part due to their ability to avoid pore formation by this protein. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon is not yet understood, but the observation that outside-out patches excised from CTLL-R8 are more susceptible to channel formation by perforin than intact cells raises the possibility that an intracellular mechanism may be involved.
Scrapie prion proteins accumulate in the cytoplasm of persistently infected cultured cells.
Authors: Taraboulos A , Serban D , Prusiner S B
Published: May 2004

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a sialoglycoprotein anchored to the external surface of cells by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol moiety. During scrapie, an abnormal PrP isoform designated PrPSc accumulates, and much evidence argues that it is a major and necessary component of the infectious prion. Based on the resistance of native PrPSc to proteolysis and to digestion with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C as well as the enhancement of PrPSc immunoreactivity after denaturation, we devised in situ immunoassays for the detection of PrPSc in cultured cells. Using these immunoassays, we identified the sites of PrPSc accumulation in scrapie-infected cultured cells. We also used these immunoassays to isolate PrPSc-producing clones from a new hamster brain cell line (HaB) and found an excellent correlation between their PrPSc content and prion infectivity titers. In scrapie-infected HaB cells as well as in scrapie-infected mouse neuroblastoma cells, most PrPSc was found to be intracellular and most localized with ligands of the Golgi marker wheat germ agglutinin. In one scrapie-infected HaB clone, PrPSc also localized extensively with MG-160, a protein resident of the medial-Golgi stack whereas this colocalization was not observed in another subclone of these cells. Whether the sites of intracellular accumulation of PrPSc are limited to a few subcellular organelles or they are highly variable remains to be determined. If the intracellular accumulation of PrPSc is found in the cells of the central nervous system, then it might be responsible for the neuronal dysfunction and degeneration which are cardinal features of prion diseases.
An alternative leukocyte homotypic adhesion mechanism, LFA-1/ICAM-1-independent, triggered through the human VLA-4 integrin.
Authors: Campanero M R , Pulido R , Ursa M A , Rodríguez-Moya M , de Landázuri M O , Sánchez-Madrid F
Published: May 2004

The VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) integrin is the only member of the VLA family expressed by resting lymphoid cells that has been involved in cell-cell adhesive interactions. We here describe the triggering of homotypic cell aggregation of peripheral blood T lymphocytes and myelomonocytic cells by mAbs specific for certain epitopes of the human VLA alpha 4 subunit. This anti-VLA-4-induced cell adhesion is isotype and Fc independent. Similar to phorbol ester-induced homotypic adhesion, cell aggregation triggered through VLA-4 requires the presence of divalent cations, integrity of cytoskeleton and active metabolism. However, both adhesion phenomena differed at their kinetics and temperature requirements. Moreover, cell adhesion triggered through VLA-4 cannot be inhibited by cell preincubation with anti-LFA-1 alpha (CD11a), LFA-1 beta (CD18), or ICAM-1 (CD54) mAb as opposed to that mediated by phorbol esters, indicating that it is a LFA-1/ICAM-1 independent process. Antibodies specific for CD2 or LFA-3 (CD58) did not affect the VLA-4-mediated cell adhesion. The ability to inhibit this aggregation by other anti-VLA-4-specific antibodies recognizing epitopes on either the VLA alpha 4 (CD49d) or beta (CD29) chains suggests that VLA-4 is directly involved in the adhesion process. Furthermore, the simultaneous binding of a pair of aggregation-inducing mAbs specific for distinct antigenic sites on the alpha 4 chain resulted in the abrogation of cell aggregation. These results indicate that VLA-4-mediated aggregation may constitute a novel leukocyte adhesion pathway.
The activation dependent adhesion of macrophages to laminin involves cytoskeletal anchoring and phosphorylation of the alpha 6 beta 1 integrin.
Authors: Shaw L M , Messier J M , Mercurio A M
Published: May 2004

Macrophages require activation with either PMA (Mercurio, A. M., and L. M. Shaw. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 107:1873-1880) or interferon-gamma (Shaw, L. M., and A. M. Mercurio. 1989. J. Exp. Med. 169:303-308) to adhere to a laminin substratum. In the present study, we identified an integrin laminin receptor on macrophages and characterized cellular changes that occur in response to PMA activation that facilitate laminin adhesion. A monoclonal antibody (GoH3) that recognizes the integrin alpha 6 subunit (Sonnenberg, A., H. Janssen, F. Hogervorst, J. Calafat, and J. Hilgers. 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:10376-10383) specifically inhibited adhesion to laminin-coated surfaces. This antibody precipitated an alpha 6 beta 1 heterodimer (Mr 130/110 kD) from 125I surface-labeled macrophages. The amount of radiolabeled receptor on the cell surface did not increase after PMA activation. Thus, the induction of laminin adhesion cannot be attributed to de novo or increased surface expression of alpha 6 beta 1. By initially removing the Triton X-100-soluble fraction of macrophages and then disrupting the remaining cytoskeletal framework, we observed that 75% of the alpha 6 beta 1 heterodimer on the cell surface is anchored to the cytoskeleton in macrophages that had adhered to a laminin substratum in response to PMA. Significant cytoskeletal anchoring of this receptor was not observed in macrophages that had adhered to fibronectin or tissue culture plastic, nor was it seen in nonadherent cells. PMA also induced phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha 6 subunit, but not the beta 1 subunit. Phosphorylated alpha 6 was localized to the cytoskeletal fraction only in macrophages plated on a laminin substratum. In summary, our results support a mechanism for the regulation of macrophage adhesion to laminin that involves specific and dynamic matrix integrin-cytoskeletal interactions that may be facilitated by integrin phosphorylation.
The alpha 1/beta 1 and alpha 6/beta 1 integrin heterodimers mediate cell attachment to distinct sites on laminin.
Authors: Hall D E , Reichardt L F , Crowley E , Holley B , Moezzi H , Sonnenberg A , Damsky C H
Published: May 2004

This study was undertaken to determine the roles of individual alpha/beta 1 integrin heterodimers in promoting cellular interactions with the different attachment-promoting domains of laminin (LN). To do this, antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit or to specific integrin alpha subunits were tested for effects on cell attachment to LN, to elastase fragments E1-4 and E1, derived from the short arms and core of LN's cruciform structure, and to fragment E8 derived from the long arm of this structure. The human JAR choriocarcinoma cells used in this study attached to LN and to fragments E1 and E8. Attachment to E1-4 required a much higher substrate coating concentration, suggesting that it is a poor substrate for JAR cell attachment. The ability of cells to attach to different LN domains suggested the presence of more than one LN receptor. These multiple LN receptors were shown to be beta 1 integrin heterodimers because antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit inhibited attachment of JAR cells to LN and its three fragments. To identify the individual integrin alpha/beta 1 heterodimers that mediate interactions with these LN domains, mAbs specific for individual beta 1 heterodimers in human cells were used to study JAR cell interactions with LN and its fragments. An anti-alpha 6/beta 1-specific mAb, GoH3, virtually eliminated cell attachment to E8 and partially inhibited attachment to E1 and intact LN. Thus the major alpha 6/beta 1 attachment domain is present in fragment E8. An alpha 1/beta 1-specific mAb (S2G3) strongly inhibited cell attachment to collagen IV and partially inhibited JAR attachment to LN fragment E1. Thus, the alpha 1/beta 1 heterodimer is a dual receptor for collagen IV and LN, interacting with LN at a site in fragment E1. In combination, the anti-alpha 1- and anti-alpha 6-specific antibodies completely inhibited JAR cell attachment to LN and fragment E1. Thus, the alpha 1/beta 1 and alpha 6/beta 1 integrin heterodimers each function as LN receptors and act together to mediate the interactions of human JAR choriocarcinoma cells with LN.
Transforming growth factor-beta and the initiation of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in the rat femur.
Authors: Joyce M E , Roberts A B , Sporn M B , Bolander M E
Published: May 2004

We have investigated the ability of exogenous transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) to induce osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, critical events in both bone formation and fracture healing. Daily injections of TGF-beta 1 or 2 into the subperiosteal region of newborn rat femurs resulted in localized intramembranous bone formation and chondrogenesis. After cessation of the injections, endochondral ossification occurred, resulting in replacement of cartilage with bone. Gene expression of type II collagen and immunolocalization of types I and II collagen were detected within the TGF-beta-induced cartilage and bone. Moreover, injection of TGF-beta 2 stimulated synthesis of TGF-beta 1 in chondrocytes and osteoblasts within the newly induced bone and cartilage, suggesting positive autoregulation of TGF-beta. TGF-beta 2 was more active in vivo than TGF-beta 1, stimulating formation of a mass that was on the average 375% larger at a comparable dose (p less than 0.001). With either TGF-beta isoform, the dose of the growth factor determined which type of tissue formed, so that the ratio of cartilage formation to intramembranous bone formation decreased as the dose was lowered. For TGF-beta 1, reducing the daily dose from 200 to 20 ng decreased the cartilage/intramembranous bone formation ratio from 3.57 to zero (p less than 0.001). With TGF-beta 2, the same dose change decreased the ratio from 3.71 to 0.28 (p less than 0.001). These data demonstrate that mesenchymal precursor cells in the periosteum are stimulated by TGF-beta to proliferate and differentiate, as occurs in embryologic bone formation and early fracture healing.
Epithelium-dependent extracellular matrix synthesis in transforming growth factor-beta 1-growth-inhibited mouse mammary gland.
Authors: Silberstein G B , Strickland P , Coleman S , Daniel C W
Published: May 2004

Exogenous transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1) was shown in earlier studies to reversibly inhibit mouse mammary ductal growth. Using small plastic implants to treat regions of developing mammary glands in situ, we now report that TGF-beta 1 growth inhibition is associated with an ectopic accumulation of type I collagen messenger RNA and protein, as well as the glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate. Both macromolecules are normal components of the ductal extracellular matrix, which, under the influence of exogenous TGF-beta 1, became unusually concentrated immediately adjacent to the epithelial cells at the tip of the ductal growth points, the end buds. Stimulation of extracellular matrix was confined to aggregations of connective tissue cells around affected end buds and was not present around the TGF-beta 1 implants themselves, indicating that the matrix effect was epithelium dependent. Ectopic matrix synthesis was specific for TGF-beta 1 insofar as it was absent at ducts treated with other growth inhibitors, or at ducts undergoing normal involution in response to endogenous regulatory processes. These findings are consistent with the matrix-stimulating properties of TGF-beta 1 reported for other systems, but differ in their strict dependence upon epithelium. A possible role for endogenous TGF-beta 1 in modulating a mammary epithelium-stroma interaction is suggested.
Protein phosphatase type-1, not type-2A, modulates actin microfilament integrity and myosin light chain phosphorylation in living nonmuscle cells.
Authors: Fernandez A , Brautigan D L , Mumby M , Lamb N J
Published: May 2004

Dynamic reorganization of the actin microfilament networks is dependent on the reversible phosphorylation of myosin light chain. To assess the potential role of protein phosphatases in this process in living nonmuscle cells, we have microinjected the purified type-1 and type-2A phosphatases into the cytoplasm of mammalian fibroblasts. Our studies reveal that elevating type-1 phosphatase levels led to the rapid (within 30 min) and fully reversible disassembly of the actin microfilament network as determined by immunofluorescence analysis. In contrast, microinjection of equivalent amounts of the purified type-2A phosphatase had no effect on actin microfilament organization. Metabolic labeling of cells after injection of purified phosphatases was used to analyze changes in protein phosphorylation. Concomitant with the disassembly of the actin microfilaments induced by type-1 phosphatase, there was an extensive dephosphorylation of myosin light chain. No such change was observed when cells were injected with type-2A phosphatase. In addition, after extraction of fibroblasts with Triton X-100, the type-1 phosphatase could be specifically localized by immunofluorescence to a fibrillar network of microfilaments. Furthermore, neutralizing type-1 phosphatase activity in vivo by microinjection of an affinity-purified antibody, prevented the reorganization of actin microfilaments that we had previously described following injection of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These data support the notion that type 1 and type-2 phosphatases have distinct substrate specificity in living cells, and that type-1 phosphatase plays a predominant role in the dephosphorylation of myosin light chain and thus in the modulation of actin microfilament organization in vivo in intact nonmuscle cells.
Co-assembly of plasma and cellular fibronectins into fibrils in human fibroblast cultures.
Authors: Peters D M , Portz L M , Fullenwider J , Mosher D F
Published: May 2004

Exogenous plasma and endogenous cellular fibronectins on the surface of cultured fibroblasts and in extracellular matrix fibrils were colocalized by fluorescent and high voltage immunoelectron microscopy. Fibroblast cultures grown in the presence or absence of cycloheximide were incubated with exogenous plasma fibronectin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. A monoclonal antibody specific for the EIIIA sequence of cellular fibronectin was used to detect cellular fibronectin. A rabbit antifluorescein antibody identified fluoresceinated plasma fibronectin. In cultures incubated in the presence of cycloheximide, plasma fibronectin was bound to the cell surface and was assembled into extracellular fibrils. In cultures grown in the absence of cycloheximide, plasma and cellular fibronectins were observed in the same matrix fibrils and in the same locations on the cell surface. There was not, however, random admixture of the two proteins.
Characterization of a maternal type VI collagen in Xenopus embryos suggests a role for collagen in gastrulation.
Authors: Otte A P , Roy D , Siemerink M , Koster C H , Hochstenbach F , Timmermans A , Durston A J
Published: May 2004

We characterized a novel extracellular matrix element that is present in the earliest developmental stages of Xenopus laevis, and is recognized by an mAb 3D7. Based on amino acid composition, breakdown patterns by bacterial collagenases, and the molecular weights of the components of the antigen (240, 200, and 140 kD), we found it very similar to mammalian collagen type VI. The antigen is evenly distributed in unfertilized eggs. Shortly after fertilization, it becomes localized intracellularly in the periphery of the cleaving embryo as well as in the extracellular spaces. During gastrulation, the antigen was localized in the cells lining the blastopore and in the extracellular space between the two cell layers, in the presumptive archenteron. When Fab elements of the 3D7 antibody were added to the culture medium, gastrulation was blocked, suggesting a role for the antigen in gastrulation movements.
Isolation of a functional vesicular intermediate that mediates ER to Golgi transport in yeast.
Authors: Groesch M E , Ruohola H , Bacon R , Rossi G , Ferro-Novick S
Published: May 2004

We have used an in vitro assay that reconstitutes transport from the ER to the Golgi complex in yeast to identify a functional vesicular intermediate in transit to the Golgi apparatus. Permeabilized yeast cells, which serve as the donor in this assay, release a homogeneous population of vesicles that are biochemically distinct from the donor ER fraction. The isolated vesicles, containing a post-ER/pre-Golgi form of the marker protein pro-alpha-factor, were able to bind to and fuse with exogenously added Golgi membranes. The ability to isolate fusion competent vesicles provides direct evidence that ER to Golgi membrane transport is mediated by a discrete population of vesicular carriers.
The relationship between antigen concentration, antigen internalization, and antigenic complexes: modeling insights into antigen processing and presentation.
Authors: Singer D F , Linderman J J
Published: May 2004

Native antigen is processed and subsequently presented on the surface of antigen-presenting cells, an important step in the elicitation of an immune response. The early events of antigen processing and presentation include: ingestion of a native antigen, intracellular degradation to expose an antigenic peptide fragment, binding of this fragment with an MHC class II molecule, and display of this newly formed complex on the cell surface. Through the development of a mathematical model, a set of mathematical equations which describes the time-dependent appearance, disappearance, and movement of individual molecules, quantitative insight can be gained into the pathways and rate-limiting steps of antigen presentation. The credibility of the model has been verified by comparison to literature data. For example, it has been shown experimentally that macrophages require 60 min for effective antigen presentation, whereas B cells require 6-8 h. The mathematical model predicts these presentation times and identifies the difference in the cell's respective pinocytic rates and sizes as important parameters. B cells capture antigen in their environment through nonspecific fluid-phase pinocytosis as well as by binding antigen to their surface immunoglobulin, allowing receptor-mediated uptake. Uptake of antigen via receptor-mediated endocytosis has been reported to require 1,000-fold less antigen than uptake via nonspecific pinocytosis. The mathematical model clearly predicts this decrease in concentration. The model also makes quantitative predictions for the number of MHC class II-antigen complexes needed to produce T cell stimulation.
Development of a cell-free system to study the membrane assembly of photosynthetic proteins of Rhodobacter capsulatus.
Authors: Troschel D , Müller M
Published: May 2004

A cell-free translation system from the facultatively photoheterotrophic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus is described. Synthesis of two proteins of the bacterium's photosynthetic apparatus (light-harvesting complex B870 alpha and beta) was performed by SP6 polymerase transcription of the subcloned genes, isolation of the mRNA and translation in vitro using a cell-free extract of R. capsulatus cells. The integration of these proteins in vitro into added intracytoplasmic membrane vesicles (ICM) is demonstrated. Without addition of ICM approximately 70% of the synthesized B870 proteins were soluble. If, however, ICM were present during synthesis, the majority of the soluble protein was found to associate with the membranes. The membrane-associated polypeptides could be solubilized only by detergent treatment but could not be extracted by treatment at alkaline pH (Na2CO3), suggesting that the proteins had been firmly inserted into the lipid bilayer. Moreover, the B870 alpha and beta proteins that integrated in vitro into ICM were also found to associate with pigment ligands and to assemble into a native reaction center/B870 complex. The native conformation of this complex isolated from ICM by Triton fractionation was demonstrated by microspectral analysis of the bound pigments.