bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lamin A, lamin B, and lamin B receptor analogues in yeast.
Authors: Georgatos S D , Maroulakou I , Blobel G
Published: May 2004

Previous studies have shown that turkey erythrocyte lamin B is anchored to the nuclear envelope via a 58-kD integral membrane protein termed p58 or lamin B receptor (Worman H. J., J. Yuan, G. Blobel, and S. D. Georgatos. 1988. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 85:8531-8534). We now identify a p58 analogue in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Turkey erythrocyte lamin B binds to yeast urea-extracted nuclear envelopes with high affinity, associating predominantly with a 58-kD polypeptide. This yeast polypeptide is recognized by polyclonal antibodies against turkey p58, partitions entirely with the nuclear fraction, remains membrane bound after urea extraction of the nuclear envelopes, and is structurally similar to turkey p58 by peptide mapping criteria. Using polyclonal antibodies against turkey erythrocyte lamins A and B, we also identify two yeast lamin forms. The yeast lamin B analogue has a molecular mass of 66 kD and is structurally related to erythrocyte lamin B. Moreover, the yeast lamin B analogue partitions exclusively with the nuclear envelope fraction, is quantitatively removed from the envelopes by urea extraction, and binds to turkey lamin A and vimentin. As many higher eukaryotic lamin B forms, the yeast analogue is chemically heterogeneous comprising two serologically related species with different charge characteristics. Antibodies against turkey lamin A detect a 74-kD yeast protein, slightly larger than the turkey lamin A. It is more abundant than the yeast lamin B analogue and partitions between a soluble cytoplasmic fraction and a nuclear envelope fraction. The yeast lamin A analogue can be extracted from the nuclear envelope by urea, shows structural similarity to turkey and rat lamin A, and binds to isolated turkey lamin B. These data indicate that analogues of typical nuclear lamina components (lamins A and B, as well as lamin B receptor) are present in yeast and behave as their vertebrate counterparts.
Primary structure analysis of an integral membrane glycoprotein of the nuclear pore.
Authors: Wozniak R W , Bartnik E , Blobel G
Published: May 2004

The complete primary structure of an integral membrane glycoprotein of the nuclear pore was deduced from the cDNA sequence. The cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 204,205 D containing a 25-residue-long signal sequence, two hydrophobic segments that could function as transmembrane segments, and 13 potential N-linked oligosaccharide addition sites. Endoglycosidase H reduces the molecular mass by approximately 9 kD suggesting that not all of these 13 sites are used. We discuss possible models for the topology of this protein in the pore membrane as well as a possible role in the formation of pores and pore complexes.
Reconstitution of an endosome-lysosome interaction in a cell-free system.
Authors: Mullock B M , Branch W J , van Schaik M , Gilbert L K , Luzio J P
Published: May 2004

A cell-free model for the transfer of endocytosed material to lysosomes is described. Rat liver late endosomes, loaded in vivo with radiolabeled ligand by intravenous injection shortly before killing the animal, showed a specific interaction with lysosomes when incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of cytosol and an ATP regenerating system. The location of the ligand, generally asialofetuin, was analyzed by isopycnic centrifugation on Nycodenz gradients. Appearance of radiolabel in the lysosomal position on such gradients was maximal after approximately 30 min at 37 degrees C and required the provision of undamaged cytosol, lysosomes, and an ATP regenerating system. It could not be accounted for by nonspecific bulk aggregation of membranes. Transfer occurred only from late endosomes; radiolabel in early endosomes was unaffected. Digestion of the asialofetuin, as shown by the appearance of TCA-soluble radioactivity, occurred on incubation at 37 degrees C and was increased by the provision of an ATP regenerating system.
Evidence that aggregation of mouse sperm receptors by ZP3 triggers the acrosome reaction.
Authors: Leyton L , Saling P
Published: May 2004

In the mouse, considerable evidence indicates that initial sperm binding to the zona pellucida (ZP) is mediated by ZP3. In addition, this same glycoprotein is also responsible for inducing the acrosome reaction (AR). Whereas the O-linked oligosaccharides of ZP3 appear to mediate sperm-ZP binding, the portion of ZP3 bearing AR activity has not been defined. To try to understand the bifunctional role of ZP3 (binding and AR inducing activities), we have examined the hypothesis that ZP3 aggregates sperm receptor molecules. By analogy with findings in a variety of other extracellular signal transducing systems, including receptors for growth factors and insulin, this aggregation event could initiate the cascade resulting in the AR. To test this hypothesis, we have generated monospecific polyclonal antibodies against ZP2 and against ZP3, and examined the effects of these probes on capacitated sperm incubated in the absence or presence of various ZP protein preparations. For some experiments, we have used proteolytic fragments of ZP3, a preparation known to retain specific binding, but not AR-inducing, activity. We show here that capacitated mouse sperm, incubated with ZP glycopeptides, displayed ARs when incubated subsequently with anti-ZP3 IgG; ARs did not occur when parallel sperm samples were incubated with anti-ZP2 IgG or with anti-ZP3 Fab fragments. When capacitated sperm were treated successively, with (a) ZP3 glycopeptides, (b) anti-ZP3 Fab fragments, and (c) goat anti-rabbit IgG, ARs occurred in the majority of sperm. An alternative approach to examine this hypothesis used ZP proteins obtained from tubal eggs treated previously with bioactive phorbol diester (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate [TPA]). This preparation arrests capacitated sperm in an intermediate state of the AR. We demonstrate here that these sperm can be induced to undergo a complete AR by subsequent treatment with anti-ZP3 IgG. Together, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis under examination, and suggest that the aggregation of sperm molecules recognized by ZP3 glycopeptides or by TPA-treated ZP is sufficient to trigger the events that occur during acrosomal exocytosis.
Lipid recycling between the plasma membrane and intracellular compartments: transport and metabolism of fluorescent sphingomyelin analogues in cultured fibroblasts.
Authors: Koval M , Pagano R E
Published: May 2004

We examined the metabolism and intracellular transport of the D-erythro and L-threo stereoisomers of a fluorescent analogue of sphingomyelin, N-(N-[6-[(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino] caproyl])-sphingosylphosphorylcholine (C6-NBD-SM), in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) fibroblast monolayers. C6-NBD-SM was integrated into the plasma membrane bilayer by transfer of C6-NBD-SM monomers from liposomes to cells at 7 degrees C. The cells were washed, and within 10-15 min of being warmed to 37 degrees C, C6-NBD-SM was internalized from the plasma membrane to a perinuclear location that colocalized with the centriole and was distinct from the lysosomes and the Golgi apparatus. This perinuclear region was also labeled by internalized rhodamine-conjugated transferrin. C6-NBD-SM endocytosis was not inhibited when the microtubules were disrupted with nocodazole; rather, the fluorescent lipid was distributed in vesicles throughout the cell periphery instead of being internalized to the perinuclear region of the cell. The metabolism of C6-NBD-SM to other fluorescent sphingolipids at 37 degrees C and its effect on C6-NBD-SM transport was also examined. To study plasma membrane lipid recycling, C6-NBD-SM was first inserted into the plasma membrane of CHO-K1 cells and then allowed to be internalized by the cells at 37 degrees C. Any C6-NBD-SM remaining at the plasma membrane was then removed by incubation with nonfluorescent liposomes at 7 degrees C, leaving cells containing only internalized fluorescent lipid. The return of C6-NBD-SM to the plasma membrane from intracellular compartments upon further 37 degrees C incubation was then observed. The half-time for a complete round C6-NBD-SM recycling between the plasma membrane and intracellular compartments was approximately 40 min. Pretreatment of cells with either monensin or nocodazole did not inhibit C6-NBD-SM recycling.
Conformational change of rabbit aminopeptidase N into enterocyte plasma membrane domains analyzed by flow cytometry fluorescence energy transfer.
Authors: Gorvel J P , Mishal Z , Liegey F , Rigal A , Maroux S
Published: May 2004

Membrane vesicle preparations are very appropriate material for studying the topology of glycoproteins integrated into specialized plasma membrane domains of polarized cells. Here we show that the flow cytometric measurement of fluorescence energy transfer used previously to study the relationship between surface components of isolated cells can be applied to membrane vesicles. The fluorescein and rhodamine derivatives of a monoclonal antibody (4H7.1) that recognized one common epitope of the rabbit and pig aminopeptidase N were used for probing the oligomerization and conformational states of the enzyme integrated into the brush border and basolateral membrane vesicles prepared from rabbit and pig enterocytes. The high fluorescent energy transfer observed in the case of pig enzyme integrated into both types of vesicles and in the case of the rabbit enzyme integrated into basolateral membrane vesicles agreed very well with the existence of a dimeric organization, which was directly demonstrated by cross-linking experiments. Although with the latter technique we observed that the rabbit aminopeptidase was also dimerized in the brush border membrane, no energy transfer was detected with the corresponding vesicles. This indicates that the relative positions of two associated monomers differ depending on whether the rabbit aminopeptidase is transiently integrated into the basolateral membrane or permanently integrated into the brush border membrane. Cross-linking of aminopeptidases solubilized by detergent and of their ectodomains liberated by trypsin showed that only interactions between anchor domains maintained the dimeric structure of rabbit enzyme whereas interactions between ectodomains also exist in the pig enzyme. This might explain why the noticeable change in the organization of the two ectodomains observed in the case of rabbit aminopeptidase N does not occur in the case of pig enzyme.
Biogenesis of peroxisomes: immunocytochemical investigation of peroxisomal membrane proteins in proliferating rat liver peroxisomes and in catalase-negative membrane loops.
Authors: Baumgart E , Völkl A , Hashimoto T , Fahimi H D
Published: May 2004

Treatment of rats with a new hypocholesterolemic drug BM 15766 induces proliferation of peroxisomes in pericentral regions of the liver lobule with distinct alterations of the peroxisomal membrane (Baumgart, E., K. Stegmeier, F. H. Schmidt, and H. D. Fahimi. 1987. Lab. Invest. 56:554-564). We have used ultrastructural cytochemistry in conjunction with immunoblotting and immunoelectron microscopy to investigate the effects of this drug on peroxisomal membranes. Highly purified peroxisomal fractions were obtained by Metrizamide gradient centrifugation from control and treated rats. Immunoblots prepared from such peroxisomal fractions incubated with antibodies to 22-, 26-, and 70-kD peroxisomal membrane proteins revealed that the treatment with BM 15766 induced only the 70-kD protein. In sections of normal liver embedded in Lowicryl K4M, all three membrane proteins of peroxisomes could be localized by the postembedding technique. The strongest labeling was obtained with the 22-kD antibody followed by the 70-kD and 26-kD antibodies. In treated animals, double-membraned loops with negative catalase reaction in their lumen, resembling smooth endoplasmic reticulum segments as well as myelin-like figures, were noted in the proximity of some peroxisomes. Serial sectioning revealed that the loops seen at some distance from peroxisomes in the cytoplasm were always continuous with the peroxisomal membranes. The double-membraned loops were consistently negative for glucose-6-phosphatase, a marker for endoplasmic reticulum, but were distinctly labeled with antibodies to peroxisomal membrane proteins. Our observations indicate that these membranous structures are part of the peroxisomal membrane system. They could provide a membrane reservoir for the proliferation of peroxisomes and the expansion of this intracellular compartment.
Fibroblasts transfected with Torpedo acetylcholine receptor beta-, gamma-, and delta-subunit cDNAs express functional receptors when infected with a retroviral alpha recombinant.
Authors: Claudio T , Paulson H L , Green W N , Ross A F , Hartman D S , Hayden D
Published: May 2004

Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor (AChR) alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-subunit cDNAs were each stably introduced into muscle and/or fibroblast cell lines using recombinant retroviral vectors and viral infection, or using SV-40 vectors and DNA-mediated cotransfection. The expressed proteins were characterized in terms of their molecular mass, antigenicity, posttranslational processing, cell surface expression, stability in fibroblasts, stability in differentiated and undifferentiated muscle cells, and ability (of alpha) to bind alpha-bungarotoxin (BuTx). We demonstrated that the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta polypeptides acquired one, one, two, and three units of oligosaccharide, respectively. If all four subunits were expressed in the same cell, fully functional cell surface AChRs were produced which had a Kd for BuTx of 7.8 X 10(-11) M. In contrast, subunits expressed individually were not detected on the surface of fibroblasts and the Kd for BuTx binding to individual alpha polypeptides was only approximately 4 X 10(-7) M. The half-lives of the alpha, gamma, and delta subunits at 37 degrees C were all found to be quite short (approximately 43 min), while the half-life of the beta subunit was found to be even shorter (approximately 12 min). The unique half-life of the beta subunit suggests that it might perform a key regulatory role in the process of AChR subunit assembly. One stable fibroblast cell line was established by transfection that expressed beta, gamma, and delta subunits simultaneously. When this cell line was infected with a retroviral alpha recombinant, fully functional cell surface AChRs were produced. The successful expression of this pentameric protein complex combining transfection and infection techniques demonstrates one strategy for stably introducing the genes of a heterologous multisubunit protein complex into cells.
Interactions of cytoplasmic granules with microtubules in human neutrophils.
Authors: Rothwell S W , Nath J , Wright D G
Published: May 2004

Ultrastructural and functional studies of degranulation responses by human neutrophils have suggested that microtubules (MTs) have a role in the intracellular transport of neutrophil granules. We have found that granule-MT complexes can be isolated from disrupted taxol-treated (1.0 microM) neutrophils, visualized by electron microscopy, and quantified in terms of granules per MT length. After incubation of neutrophils with the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), granule-MT complex formation was found to be increased two- to threefold. Enhanced binding of granules to MTs was detectable within 30 s of fMLP stimulation and was dependent on the concentration of fMLP. Incubation of cells with dibutyryl cAMP inhibited this fMLP-stimulated granule-MT complex formation in a dose-responsive fashion. These granule-MT interactions could be reproduced in a cell-free system with neutrophil granules isolated by density gradient centrifugation and MTs polymerized from phosphocellulose-purified tubulin. Furthermore, reconstituted granule-MT interactions were found to be modulated by ATPase inhibitors. Sodium orthovanadate increased granule-MT interactions in a concentration-dependent manner, while AMP-PNP, a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue, and N-ethylmaleimide decreased or eliminated these interactions. In addition, we found that a MT-activated ATPase could be recovered from intact neutrophil granules by salt extraction, and that extracts enriched in this ATPase contained a polypeptide of between 115 and 120 kD which binds ATP and is immunologically related to kinesin. These studies demonstrate that cytoplasmic granules interact with MTs in human neutrophils in a regulated stimulus-responsive manner, and they suggest that such interactions may involve an MT-based, ATPase-dependent, vesicle translocation system as has been demonstrated in other types of cells.
The distribution, abundance and subcellular localization of kinesin.
Authors: Hollenbeck P J
Published: May 2004

An antiserum which binds kinesin specifically on Western blots was used to determine the distribution and abundance of chicken kinesin by correlated immunoblotting and immunolocalization. Quantitative immunoblotting showed that the abundance of kinesin varied widely in different cell and tissue types, from 0.039% of total protein in epidermal fibroblasts to 0.309% in sympathetic neurons; of the types examined, only red blood cells lacked detectable kinesin. The molar ratio of tubulin/kinesin varied over a narrower range. To analyze the intracellular distribution of kinesin, cultured fibroblasts were fractionated by sequential extraction with saponin-, Triton X-100-, and SDS-containing buffer. Quantitative blotting of the resulting cell fractions indicated that 68% of fibroblast kinesin is in soluble form, 32% is membrane- or organelle-associated, and none is detectable in cytoskeletal fractions. To visualize this distribution, cells treated by the same extraction protocol were immunofluorescently stained with antikinesin and antitubulin. Without extraction, kinesin staining was located throughout cultured neurons and fibroblasts. However, when fibroblasts were extracted with saponin or Brij 58 before fixation, subsequent staining revealed that the remaining kinesin fraction was colocalized with interphase microtubules, but not with mitotic spindles. Prefixation extraction with Triton abolished antikinesin staining. These data suggest that kinesin may play a role in tubovesicular movement but provide no evidence for a role in mitosis.
Ultrastructural visualization of cytoskeletal mRNAs and their associated proteins using double-label in situ hybridization.
Authors: Singer R H , Langevin G L , Lawrence J B
Published: May 2004

We have been able to visualize cytoskeletal messenger RNA molecules at high resolution using nonisotopic in situ hybridization followed by whole-mount electron microscopy. Biotinated cDNA probes for actin, tubulin, or vimentin mRNAs were hybridized to Triton-extracted chicken embryo fibroblasts and myoblasts. The cells were then exposed to antibodies against biotin followed by colloidal gold-conjugated antibodies and then critical-point dried. Identification of mRNA was possible using a probe fragmented to small sizes such that hybridization of several probe fragments along the mRNA was detected as a string of colloidal gold particles qualitatively and quantitatively distinguishable from nonspecific background. Extensive analysis showed that when eight gold particles were seen in this iterated array, the signal to noise ratio was greater than 30:1. Furthermore, these gold particles were colinear, often spiral, or circular suggesting detection of a single nucleic acid molecule. Antibodies against actin, vimentin, or tubulin proteins were used after in situ hybridization, allowing simultaneous detection of the protein and its cognate message on the same sample. This revealed that cytoskeletal mRNAs are likely to be extremely close to actin protein (5 nm or less) and unlikely to be within 20 nm of vimentin or tubulin filaments. Actin mRNA was found to be more predominant in lamellipodia of motile cells, confirming previous results. These results indicate that this high resolution in situ hybridization approach is a powerful tool by which to investigate the association of mRNA with the cytoskeleton.
The 110-kD protein-calmodulin complex of the intestinal microvillus (brush border myosin I) is a mechanoenzyme.
Authors: Mooseker M S , Coleman T R
Published: May 2004

The 110-kD protein-calmodulin complex (110K-CM) of the intestinal brush border serves to laterally tether microvillar actin filaments to the plasma membrane. Results from several laboratories have demonstrated that this complex shares many enzymatic and structural properties with myosin. The mechanochemical potential of purified avian 110K-CM was assessed using the Nitella bead motility assay (Sheetz, M. P., and J. A. Spudich. 1983. Nature (Lond.). 303:31-35). Under low Ca2+ conditions, 110K-CM-coated beads bound to actin cables, but no movement was observed. Using EGTA/calcium buffers (approximately 5-10 microM free Ca2+) movement of 110K-CM-coated beads along actin cables (average rate of approximately 8 nm/s) was observed. The movement was in the same direction as that for beads coated with skeletal muscle myosin. The motile preparations of 110K-CM were shown to be free of detectable contamination by conventional brush border myosin. Based on these and other observations demonstrating the myosin-like properties of 110K-CM, we propose that this complex be named "brush border myosin I."
Novel tyrosine kinase substrates from Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells are present in the membrane skeleton.
Authors: Glenney J R , Zokas L
Published: May 2004

We have previously reported the production of monoclonal antibodies directed against phosphotyrosine, which is the modification induced by many oncogene products and growth factor receptors. One of these antiphosphotyrosine antibodies (py20) was used in affinity chromatography to isolate phosphotyrosine (PY)-containing proteins from Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts (RSV-CEFs). Mice were immunized with these PY-proteins for the production of monoclonal antibodies to individual substrates. Fifteen antibodies were generated in this way to antigens with molecular masses of 215, 76, 60, and 22 kD. Antibodies to individual substrates were used to analyze the subcellular location in normal and RSV-CEFs. Antibodies to the 215- and 76-kD antigen stained focal contacts when used in immunofluorescence microscopy while anti-22-kD protein antibodies resulted in punctate staining concentrated in the margins of cells and in parallel arrays. Both distributions were altered in transformed cells. When cells were extracted with nonionic detergent under conditions that stabilize the cytoskeleton, 50% of the 76-kD protein and greater than 90% of the 22-kD protein fractionated with the cytoskeleton. This study offers a new approach to both the identification of membrane skeletal proteins in fibroblasts and changes that occur upon transformation by an activated tyrosine kinase.
Expression of fibroblast growth factor by F9 teratocarcinoma cells as a function of differentiation.
Authors: Braunhut S J , Gudas L J , Kurokawa T , Sasse J , D'Amore P A
Published: May 2004

F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells treated with retinoic acid (RA) and dibutyryl cAMP (but2 cAMP) differentiate into embryonic parietal endoderm. Using heparin-affinity chromatography, endothelial cell proliferation assays, immunoprecipitation, and Western analysis with antibodies specific for acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), we detected biologically active FGF in F9 cells only after differentiation. A bovine basic FGF cDNA probe hybridized to 2.2-kb mRNAs in both F9 stem and parietal endoderm cells and to a 3.8-kb mRNA in F9 stem cells. A genomic DNA probe for acidic FGF hybridized to a 5.8-6.0-kb mRNA in both F9 stem and parietal endoderm cells, and to a 6.0-6.3-kb mRNA only in parietal endoderm cells. Although these FGF mRNAs were present in the stem cells, we could find no evidence that F9 stem cells synthesized FGFs, whereas differentiated F9 cells synthesized both acidic and basic FGF-like proteins. We conclude that biologically active factors with properties characteristic of acidic and basic FGF are expressed by F9 parietal endoderm cells after differentiation. Differentiating embryonic parietal endoderm thus may serve as a source of FGF molecules in the developing blastocyst, where these factors appear to play a central role in subsequent embryogenesis.
In vitro and in vivo association of transforming growth factor-beta 1 with hepatic fibrosis.
Authors: Czaja M J , Weiner F R , Flanders K C , Giambrone M A , Wind R , Biempica L , Zern M A
Published: May 2004

Despite extensive efforts, little progress has been made in identifying the factors that induce hepatic fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been shown to enhance collagen production, therefore its role in hepatic fibrosis was investigated. Treatment of cultured hepatic cells with TGF-beta 1 increased type I procollagen mRNA levels 13-fold due to post-transcriptional gene regulation. When two animal models of hepatic fibrosis, murine schistosomiasis and CCl4-treated rats, were examined, they both exhibited increased levels of TGF-beta 1 gene expression at times that somewhat preceded the increase in collagen synthesis. In contrast, in murine schistosomiasis, mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 peaked early in the fibrogenic process. Immunohistochemical analysis showed TGF-beta 1 to be present in normal mouse liver and to be markedly increased in mice infected with schistosomiasis. TGF-beta 1 appeared in the hepatic parenchyma, primarily in hepatocytes. These findings strongly suggest a role for TGF-beta 1 in a pathophysiological state.
Laminin induces the stable expression of surface galactosyltransferase on lamellipodia of migrating cells.
Authors: Eckstein D J , Shur B D
Published: May 2004

We have previously shown that cell surface galactosyltransferase (GalTase) mediates cell spreading and migration on basal lamina matrices by binding N-linked oligosaccharide substrates within laminin. In this study we have examined the distribution and expression of cell surface GalTase during mesenchymal cell migration on various extracellular matrices. Antisera raised against affinity-purified beta 1,4 GalTase, as well as anti-GalTase Fab fragments, inhibited cell migration on laminin-containing matrices, whereas under identical conditions, anti-GalTase IgG had no effect on the rate of cell migration on fibronectin substrates. Cells migrating on laminin had three times the level of surface GalTase, assayed by 125I-antibody binding and by direct enzyme assay, than similar cells migrating on fibronectin. On the other hand, total cellular GalTase, assayed either enzymatically or by Northern blot analysis, was similar when cells were grown on laminin or fibronectin. The laminin-dependent increase in surface GalTase was due to its expression onto the leading and trailing edges of migrating cells in association with actin-containing microfilaments assayed by double-label indirect immunofluorescence. On stationary cells, surface GalTase levels were low, but as cells began to migrate on laminin GalTase became polarized to the growing lamellipodia. GalTase was not detectable on lamellipodia or filopodia when cells migrated on fibronectin substrates. These results show that laminin-containing matrices induce the stable expression of GalTase onto cell lamellipodia and filopodia where it mediates subsequent cell spreading and migration. Since fibronectin was unable to induce GalTase expression onto lamellipodia, these studies also suggest that the extracellular matrix can selectively influence which intracellular components are maintained on the cell surface.
The fibronectin receptor is organized by extracellular matrix fibronectin: implications for oncogenic transformation and for cell recognition of fibronectin matrices.
Authors: Roman J , LaChance R M , Broekelmann T J , Kennedy C J , Wayner E A , Carter W G , McDonald J A
Published: May 2004

Cells interact with extracellular fibronectin (FN) via adhesive fibronectin receptors (FNRs) that are members of the very late antigens (VLAs) subgroup of the integrin family. In stationary fibroblasts, the FNR is highly organized and distributed identically to extracellular FN fibrils. However, in highly migratory neural crest cells and embryonic somatic fibroblasts, this organization is lost and the FNR appears diffuse. Similarly, oncogenic transformation typically leads to disorganization of the FN receptor and loss of matrix FN. Two models can account for these observations. First, the FN matrix may organize the FN receptor at extracellular matrix contacts on the cell surface. Motile cells not depositing FN matrices thus lack organized receptors. Alternatively, as the FNR is required for optimal FN matrix assembly, (McDonald, J. A., B. J. Quade, T. J. Broekelmann, R. LaChance, K. Forseman, K. Hasegawa, and S. Akiyama. 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 272:2957-2967; Roman, J. R. M. LaChance, T. J. Broekelmann, C. J. R. Kennedy, E. A. Wayner, W. G. Carter, J. A. McDonald. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 108:2529-2543) and has putative cytoskeletal links, it could be organized from within the cell helping to position newly forming FN fibrils. To study this question, we developed peptide antibodies specifically recognizing the alpha 5 subunit of the FNR. Using these antibodies, we examined the organization of FN and of the FNR in normal, matrix assembly inhibited, and SV40-transformed human fibroblasts. On FN-coated substrates, the FNR is found in focal contacts rather than diffusely on the basal cell surface, suggesting FNR interaction with intracellular components. However, when FN fibrils are deposited, the FNR is co-distributed with these fibrils. Preventing FN matrix assembly prevents organization of the FNR. Moreover, when fibroblasts with well established FN matrices and co-distributed FNR are incubated briefly with monoclonal antibodies that block FNR binding to FN, the FNR is no longer co-distributed with the FN matrix. Thus, the FN receptor is organized in fibrils on the cell surface in response to extracellular FN. Because exogenous FN restores a FN matrix and receptor organization to SV40-transformed cells, the diffuse FN receptor phenotype appears to be related to loss of the FN matrix rather than to impaired FNR function. These results explain diffusely distributed FNRs in migratory neural crest and embryonic fibroblasts lacking well organized FN matrices and emphasize the existence of separate but related systems controlling FN deposition and recognition by receptor-armed cells.
A calsequestrin-like protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of the sea urchin: localization and dynamics in the egg and first cell cycle embryo.
Authors: Henson J H , Begg D A , Beaulieu S M , Fishkind D J , Bonder E M , Terasaki M , Lebeche D , Kaminer B
Published: May 2004

Using an antiserum produced against a purified calsequestrin-like (CSL) protein from a microsomal fraction of sea urchin eggs, we performed light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical localizations on sea urchin eggs and embryos in the first cell cycle. The sea urchin CSL protein has been found to bind Ca++ similarly to calsequestrin, the well-characterized Ca++ storage protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle cells. In semi-thin frozen sections of unfertilized eggs, immunofluorescent staining revealed a tubuloreticular network throughout the cytoplasm. Staining of isolated egg cortices with the CSL protein antiserum showed the presence of a submembranous polygonal, tubular network similar to ER network patterns seen in other cells and in egg cortices treated with the membrane staining dye DiIC16[3]. In frozen sections of embryos during interphase of the first cell cycle, a cytoplasmic network similar to that of the unfertilized egg was present. During mitosis, we observed a dramatic concentration of the antibody staining within the asters of the mitotic apparatus where ER is known to aggregate. Electron microscopic localization on unfertilized eggs using peroxidase-labeled secondary antibody demonstrated the presence of the CSL protein within the luminal compartment of ER-like tubules. Finally, in frozen sections of centrifugally stratified eggs, the immunofluorescent staining concentrated in the clear zone: a layer highly enriched in ER and thought to be the site of calcium release upon fertilization. This localization of a CSL protein within the ER of the egg provides evidence for the ability of this organelle to serve a Ca++ storage role in the regulation of intracellular Ca++ in nonmuscle cells in general, and in the regulation of fertilization and cell division in sea urchin eggs in particular.
Functional sorting of actin isoforms in microvascular pericytes.
Authors: DeNofrio D , Hoock T C , Herman I M
Published: May 2004

We characterized the form and distribution of muscle and nonmuscle actin within retinal pericytes. Antibodies with demonstrable specificities for the actin isoforms were used in localization and immunoprecipitation experiments to identify those cellular domains that were enriched or deficient in one or several actin isoforms. Living pericyte behavior was monitored with phase-contract video microscopy before fixation to identify those cellular areas that might preferentially be stained with either of the fluorescent antiactins or phallotoxins. Antibody and phallotoxin staining of pericytes revealed that nonmuscle actin is present within membrane ruffles, pseudopods, and stress fibers. In contrast, muscle actin could be convincingly localized in stress fibers, but not within specific motile areas of pericyte cytoplasm. To confirm and quantitatively extend the results obtained by fluorescence microscopy, nonionic and ionic detergents were used to selectively extract the motile or immobilized (stress fiber-containing) regions of biosynthetically labeled pericyte cytoplasm. Immunoprecipitated actins that were present within these discrete cellular domains were subjected to isoelectric focusing in urea-polyacrylamide gels before fluorographic analysis. Scanning laser densitometry of the focused actins could not reveal any detectable alpha-actin within those beta- and gamma-actin-enriched motile regions extracted with nonionic detergents. Moreover, when pericyte stress fibers are completely dissolved by ionic detergent lysis, three actin isoforms can be quantified to be present in a ratio of 1:2.75:3 (alpha:beta:gamma). These biochemical findings on biosynthetically labeled and immunoprecipitated pericyte actins confirm the fluorescent localization studies. While the regulatory events governing this actin sorting are unknown, it seems possible that such events may play important roles in controlling cell shape, adhesion, or the promotion of localized cell spreading.
Molecular interactions in paracrystals of a fragment corresponding to the alpha-helical coiled-coil rod portion of glial fibrillary acidic protein: evidence for an antiparallel packing of molecules and polymorphism related to intermediate filament structure.
Authors: Stewart M , Quinlan R A , Moir R D
Published: May 2004

We have expressed in Escherichia coli a fragment of c-DNA that broadly corresponds to the alpha-helical coiled-coil rod section of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and have used the resultant protein to prepare paracrystals in which molecular interactions can be investigated. An engineered fragment of mouse GFAP c-DNA was inserted into a modified version of the E. coli expression vector pLcII, from which large quantities of a lambda cII-GFAP rod fusion protein were prepared. A protein fragment corresponding to the GFAP rod was then obtained by proteolysis with thrombin. Paracrystals of this material were produced using divalent cations (Mg, Ca, Ba) in the presence of a chaotrophic agent such as thiocyanate. These paracrystals showed a number of polymorphic patterns that were based on a fundamental pattern that had dyad symmetry and an axial repeat of 57 nm. Analysis of both positive and negative staining patterns showed that this fundamental pattern was consistent with a unit cell containing two 48-nm-long molecules in an antiparallel arrangement with their NH2 termini overlapping by approximately 34 nm. More complicated patterns were produced by stacking the fundamental pattern with staggers of approximately 1/5, 2/5, and 1/2 the axial repeat. The molecular packing the unit cell was consistent with a range of solution studies on intermediate filaments that have indicated that a molecular dimer (i.e., a tetramer containing four chains or two coiled-coil molecules) is an intermediate in filament assembly. Moreover, these paracrystals allow the molecular interactions involved in the tetramer to be investigated in some detail.
Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the Chlamydomonas gene coding for radial spoke protein 3: flagellar mutation pf-14 is an ochre allele.
Authors: Williams B D , Velleca M A , Curry A M , Rosenbaum J L
Published: May 2004

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii flagellar motility mutant pf-14 fails to assemble radial spokes because of a deficiency for assembly-competent radial spoke protein 3 (Huang, B., G. Piperno, Z. Ramanis, and D. J. L. Luck. 1981. J. Cell Biol. 88:80-88). Here, we raise an antiserum to protein 3 and use it to isolate the corresponding structural gene from an expression library. Southern blot analysis indicates that the gene is single copy and has not undergone major rearrangement in mutant pf-14 cells. Northern blot analysis suggests that wild-type amounts of an apparently normal 2.3-kb transcript accumulate in mutant cells during flagellar regeneration. When this mutant RNA is hybrid selected and translated in vitro, however, it produces a slightly truncated polypeptide 3 with an altered charge. The mutant protein 3 fails to assemble into pf-14 flagella and is maintained within a cytoplasmic pool of unassembled radial spoke polypeptides, as indicated by immunoblot analysis of proteins from whole cells and isolated axonemes using antisera to several radial spoke polypeptides. Interestingly, amounts of the mutant protein are greatly diminished relative to other spoke components. Complete genomic and cDNA nucleotide sequences were determined, and the pf-14 mutation was identified. It is a C-to-T transition near the 5' end of the protein coding region, which changes codon 21 to the ochre termination signal UAA. The size and charge of the mutant protein, and its reduced levels in cells, suggest that it is produced by relatively inefficient translational initiation as codon 42. The unphosphorylated isoform of radial spoke protein 3 is identified, and the sequence similarities between intervening sequences of the radial spoke protein 3 gene and a conserved intervening sequence of the two Chlamydomonas beta-tubulin genes (Youngblom, J., J. A. Schloss, and C. D. Silflow. 1984. Mol. Cell. Biol. 4:2686-2696) are reported.
Characterization of 125I-tissue plasminogen activator binding to cerebellar granule neurons.
Authors: Verrall S , Seeds N W
Published: May 2004

Mouse cerebellar cells in culture secrete tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) into the culture medium. Fibrin overlays have shown tPA to be associated with granule neurons in these cultures. This cell associated tPA can be displaced by extensive washing of the cells or by a brief lowering of the pH (less than 4), which leads to a loss of fibrinolytic activity by the cells. Incubation of these fibrinolytically inactive cells with exogenously added murine tPA leads to the restoration of the fibrinolytic activity, indicating the presence of tPA binding sites on these granule neurons. Using 125I-tPA, the binding to cerebellar granule neurons is rapid, saturable, specific, high affinity (Kd = 50 pM) and reversible. Both murine and human tPA compete with 125I-tPA for binding, with both murine and human urokinase (uPA) as well as human thrombin and plasminogen fail to compete. Neither the catalytic site nor the carbohydrate moiety of tPA appear to be involved in the binding, since both diisopropyl-fluorophosphate-treated tPA and endoglycosidase-H-treated tPA compete with 12I-tPA for binding. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor does not compete well with tPA for binding even at a 10:1 molar excess, suggesting that the epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domain of tPA may not be involved in the binding mechanism. Autoradiography and antibody immunofluorescence show the specific tPA binding is to granule neurons in these cultures. Thus, granule neurons possess tPA receptors on their surface, where this protease binds retaining is functional activity and may play a role in cell and axon migration.
The use of retinoic acid to probe the relation between hyperproliferation-associated keratins and cell proliferation in normal and malignant epidermal cells.
Authors: Kopan R , Fuchs E
Published: May 2004

When cells from normal human epidermis and from the human squamous cell carcinoma line SCC-13 were seeded on floating rafts of collagen and fibroblasts, they stratified and underwent terminal differentiation. Although the program of differentiation in SCC-13 cells was morphologically abnormal, the cultures resembled normal epidermal raft cultures by expressing the terminal differentiation-specific keratins, K1/K10, and by restricting their proliferative capacity to the basal-like cells of the population. In addition, the differentiating cells of both normal and SCC-13 raft cultures expressed keratins K6 and K16, which are not normally expressed in epidermis, but are synthesized suprabasally during wound-healing and in various epidermal diseases associated with hyperproliferation. While the behavior of normal and SCC-13 rafts was quite similar when they were cultured over normal medium, significant biochemical differences began to emerge when the cultures were exposed to retinoic acid. Most notably, while the SCC-13 cultures still stratified extensively, they showed a marked inhibition of both abnormal (K6/K16) and normal (K1/K10) differentiation-associated keratins, concomitantly with an overall disappearance of differentiated phenotype. Surprisingly, the reduction in K6/K16 in retinoid-treated SCC-13 cultures was not accompanied by a decrease in cell proliferation. Using immunohistochemistry combined with [3H]thymidine labeling, we demonstrate that while the expression of K6 and K16 are often associated with hyperproliferation, these keratins are only produced in the nondividing, differentiating populations of proliferating cultures. Moreover, since their expression can be suppressed without a corresponding decrease in proliferation, the expression of these keratins cannot be essential to the nature of the hyperproliferative epidermal cell.
Inhibition of endothelial cell movement by pericytes and smooth muscle cells: activation of a latent transforming growth factor-beta 1-like molecule by plasmin during co-culture.
Authors: Sato Y , Rifkin D B
Published: May 2004

When a confluent monolayer of bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells is wounded with a razor blade, endothelial cells (ECs) spontaneously move into the denuded area. If bovine pericytes or smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are plated into the denuded area at low density, they block the movement of the ECs. This effect is dependent upon the number of cells plated into the wound area and contact between ECs and the plated cells. Antibodies to transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) abrogate the inhibition of BAE cell movement by pericytes or SMCs. TGF-beta 1, if added to wounded BAE cell monolayers, also inhibits cell movement. When cultured separately, BAE cells, pericytes, and SMCs each produce an inactive TGF-beta 1-like molecule which is activated in BAE cell-pericyte or BAE cell-SMC co-cultures. The activation appears to be mediated by plasmin as the inhibitory effect on cell movement in co-cultures of BAE cells and pericytes is blocked by the inclusion of inhibitors of plasmin in the culture medium.
Mechano-chemical control of human endothelium orientation and size.
Authors: Shirinsky V P , Antonov A S , Birukov K G , Sobolevsky A V , Romanov Y A , Kabaeva N V , Antonova G N , Smirnov V N
Published: May 2004

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) were grown on elastic silicone membranes subjected to cyclic stretch, simulating arterial wall motion. Stretching conditions (20% amplitude, 52 cycle/min) stimulated stress fiber formation and their orientation transversely to the strain direction. Cell bodies aligned along the same axis after the actin cytoskeleton. EC orientation response was inhibited by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin (10(-5) M), which caused stress fiber disassembly and the redistribution of F-actin to the cortical cytoplasm. Preoriented EC depleted of stress fibers by forskolin treatment retained their aligned state. Thus, stress fibers are essential for the process of EC orientation induced by repeated strain, but not for the maintenance of EC orientation. The monolayer formed by EC grown to confluence in conditions of intermittent strain consisted of uniform elongated cells and was resistant to deformation. In contrast, the monolayer assembled in stationary conditions was less compliant and exposed local denudations on initiation of stretching. When stretched in the presence of 10(-5) M forskolin it rapidly (3-4 h) reestablished integrity but gained a heterogeneous appearance since denuded areas were covered by giant cells. The protective effect of forskolin was because of the stimulation of EC spreading. This feature of forskolin was demonstrated while studying its action on EC spreading and repair of a scratched EC monolayer in conventional culture. Thus mechanical deformation and adenylate cyclase activity may be important factors in the control of endothelium morphology in human arteries.
SPARC, a secreted protein associated with cellular proliferation, inhibits cell spreading in vitro and exhibits Ca+2-dependent binding to the extracellular matrix.
Authors: Sage H , Vernon R B , Funk S E , Everitt E A , Angello J
Published: May 2004

SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) is a Ca+2-binding glycoprotein that is differentially associated with morphogenesis, remodeling, cellular migration, and proliferation. We show here that exogenous SPARC, added to cells in culture, was associated with profound changes in cell shape, caused rapid, partial detachment of a confluent monolayer, and inhibited spreading of newly plated cells. Bovine aortic endothelial cells, exposed to 2-40 micrograms SPARC/ml per 2 x 10(6) cells, exhibited a rounded morphology in a dose-dependent manner but remained attached to plastic or collagen-coated surfaces. These round cells synthesized protein, uniformly excluded trypan blue, and grew in aggregates after replating in media without SPARC. SPARC caused rounding of bovine endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells; however, the cell lines F9, PYS-2, and 3T3 were not affected. The activity of native SPARC was inhibited by heat denaturation and prior incubation with anti-SPARC IgG. The effect of SPARC on endothelial cells appeared to be independent of the rounding phenomenon produced by the peptide GRGDSP. Immunofluorescence localization of SPARC on endothelial cells showed preferential distribution at the leading edges of membranous extensions. SPARC bound Ca+2 in both amino- and carboxyl-terminal (EF-hand) domains and required this cation for maintenance of native structure. Solid-phase binding assays indicated a preferential affinity of native SPARC for several proteins comprising the extracellular matrix, including types III and V collagen, and thrombospondin. This binding was saturable, Ca+2 dependent, and inhibited by anti-SPARC IgG. Endothelial cells also failed to spread on a substrate of native type III collagen complexed with SPARC. We propose that SPARC is an extracellular modulator of Ca+2 and cation-sensitive proteins or proteinases, which facilitates changes in cellular shape and disengagement of cells from the extracellular matrix.