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Biomedical subjects

D Drenckhahn

Publications and source records attributed to D Drenckhahn.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Intercalated cells as a probable source for the development of renal oncocytoma.

Renal oncocytoma is a distinct type of epithelial tumor said to arise from the collecting duct system. Here we show that in nine of ten oncocytomas the tumor cells expressed an analog of the erythrocyte anion exchanger band 3. In the normal kidney band 3 is confined to the basolateral surface of the majority of intercalated cells which comprise up to 50% of the cortical collecting duct epithelium. Carbonic anhydrase c is another protein abundant in intercalated cells, and this was also expressed in six of the ten oncocytomas investigated. Immunoreactivity specific for band 3 and carbonic anhydrase c was not detected in any of the 20 renal cell carcinomas examined. At favourable section planes direct transitions between normal collecting ducts and oncocytic tubules were observed. These findings suggest that oncocytomas may develop from intercalated cells of the collecting duct epithelium.

Adenoma↗

Organization of the actin filament cytoskeleton in the intestinal brush border: a quantitative and qualitative immunoelectron microscope study.

In the present study we have used immunogold labeling of ultrathin sections of the intact chicken and human intestinal epithelium to obtain further insight into the molecular structure of the brush-border cytoskeleton. Actin, villin, and fimbrin were found within the entire microvillus filament bundle, from the tip to the basal end of the rootlets, but were virtually absent from the space between the rootlets. This suggests that the bulk of actin in the brush border is kept in a polymerized and cross-linked state and that horizontally deployed actin filaments are virtually absent. About 70% of the label specific for the 110-kD protein that links the microvillus core bundle to the lipid bilayer was found overlying the microvilli. The remaining label was associated with rootlets and the interrootlet space, where some label was regularly observed in association with vesicles. Since the terminal web did not contain any significant amounts of tubulin and microtubules, the present findings would support a recently proposed hypothesis that the 110-kD protein (which displays properties of an actin-activated, myosin-like ATPase) might also be involved in the transport of vesicles through the terminal web. Label specific for myosin and alpha-actinin was confined to the interrootlet space and was absent from the rootlets. About 10-15% of the myosin label and 70-80% of the alpha-actinin label was observed within the circumferential band of actin filaments at the zonula adherens, where myosin and alpha-actinin displayed a clustered, interrupted pattern that resembles the spacing of these proteins observed in other contractile systems. This circular filament ring did not contain villin, fimbrin, or the 110-kD protein. Finally, actin-specific label was observed in close association with the cytoplasmic aspect of the zonula occludens, suggesting that tight junctions are structurally connected to the microfilament system.

Actinin↗

Bacterial exotoxins and endothelial permeability for water and albumin in vitro.

Effects of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytotoxin on the permeability of an endothelial monolayer were studied. Porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells were grown on a polycarbonate membrane, mounted in a chamber, and exposed to a continuous hydrostatic pressure of 10 cmH2O. On application of this trans-endothelial pressure, endothelial monolayer became "sealed," i.e., the filtration rate for water decreased and the reflection coefficient for albumin increased, reaching a plateau after 1-2 h. Sealed monolayer had a hydraulic conductivity of 2.1 X 10(-6) cm.s-1.cmH2O and an albumin reflection coefficient of 0.73. Permeability of the monolayer was increased on addition of an excess of EDTA and reversed on readdition of calcium. Within 60-90 min after addition of 1 microgram/ml alpha-toxin, the filtration rate increased 75-fold, and the albumin reflection coefficient dropped to 0.20. These changes in permeability were accompanied by cell retraction and formation of large intercellular gaps between endothelial cells. Effects of alpha-toxin were abolished by preincubation with neutralizing antibodies and by inhibitors of calmodulin function. Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytotoxin (25 and 50 micrograms/ml) also increased the permeability of the endothelial monolayer, but it was only about one-third as effective as alpha-toxin.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Colocalization and coprecipitation of ankyrin and Na+,K+-ATPase in kidney epithelial cells.

Interactions between integral proteins of the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton may be important for localizing certain membrane proteins in a nonrandom fashion at specialized domains of the cell surface. Here, we show that ankyrin, the key protein for the linkage of the erythrocyte anion exchanger (band 3) to the spectrin-based membrane cytoskeleton, is also present in kidney distal tubular cells where ankyrin is precisely colocalized with Na+,K+-ATPase. Both proteins are confined to the basolateral plasma membrane and are absent from the apical membrane, the junctional complex and the membrane surface that contacts the basal lamina. Purified Na+,K+-ATPase of sheep and pig kidney contains a binding site for erythrocyte ankyrin as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation experiments. A band 3-like binding site for ankyrin is likely, since binding of ankyrin to Na+,K+-ATPase could be inhibited in a competitive fashion by the isolated cytoplasmic domain of erythrocyte band 3.

Animals↗

Targeting of phosphomannosyl-deficient arylsulfatase A to lysosomes of I-cell fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts from I-cell disease, a genetically-determined lysosomal storage disease, are shown to contain large amounts of phase-dense lysosomes. These lysosomes accumulated acridine orange and were specifically labeled with antibodies to arylsulfatase A. In normal skin fibroblasts the number of arylsulfatase-containing lysosomes was considerably lower. By immunocytochemistry, metabolic labeling and enzyme assay, the arylsulfatase A in I-cell fibroblasts was shown to be synthesized, stored and secreted at a level that was several-fold higher than that present in heterozygous I-cell or normal fibroblasts. Arylsulfatase A in I-cell fibroblasts differed from arylsulfatase in normal fibroblasts by the absence of endoglycosidase H-sensitive phosphorylated oligosaccharides. These findings indicate that arylsulfatase A in I-cells is targeted to lysosomes by a mechanism that does not appear to involve the phosphorylated mannose marker.

Cell Line↗

Identification and subcellular location of talin in various cell types and tissues by means of [125I]vinculin overlay, immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry.

In the present study, we have examined the cellular and subcellular distribution of talin in several tissues of the chicken. By immunocytochemistry, Western Blot analysis and [125I]vinculin overlay, talin was demonstrated in most of the main tissues and cell types of the body. Corresponding to the property of talin to bind to the fibronectin receptor, talin was found to be confined to the site of the plasma membrane that abuts the extracellular matrix in various types of mesenchymal and epithelial cells. In the central nervous system talin was almost exclusively confined to cells of the connective tissue, i.e., blood vessels and the connective tissue sheaths. No evidence was obtained for the association of talin with any type of intercellular junction. In nonadhering cells such as circulating platelets and leukocytes, talin displayed a diffuse distribution throughout the cytoplasm. These findings suggest a general role for talin in certain aspects of cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural organization of contractile and cytoskeletal proteins in glomerular podocytes of chicken, rat, and man.

By immunoelectron microscopy the podocyte foot processes of the rat and human kidney have been shown to contain three major proteins of the contractile apparatus in muscle, i.e., actin, myosin, and the Z-line protein, alpha-actinin. Gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis of isolated glomeruli suggests that these proteins constitute an important part of the total glomerular protein contents. In the chicken kidney, the plasmalemmal portion of the foot processes that abuts the glomerular basement membrane was specifically labeled with antibodies against chicken gizzard vinculin and talin, two proteins thought to be important for the linkage of actin filaments to the lipid bilayer and to the receptor for fibronectin and laminin. Such a linkage may not only be important for the attachment of actin filaments to the plasma membrane, but could also be of functional significance for restricting the fibronectin-laminin receptor in its lateral diffusion in the plane of the lipid bilayer and to localize it at the basis of the podocytic foot processes. Assuming that actin, myosin, and alpha-actinin are arranged in a way that would allow the foot processes to generate contractile force this filament system might help the glomerular capillaries to resist the high intraluminal hydrostatic pressure as well as to actively modify the surface area for filtration. Vimentin and tubulin, the main protein subunits of intermediate filaments and microtubules, respectively, were confined to the podocyte cell body and the major processes but were virtually absent from the foot processes. This suggests that both proteins and their polymers are not important for the structure and function of the foot processes.

Actinin↗

Demonstration of prostatic-type acid phosphatase in non-lysosomal granules in the crypt epithelium of the human duodenum.

Human prostatic-type of acid phosphatase has been demonstrated by biochemical methods to be expressed in a number of cells and tissues in addition to the prostate gland. However, the function of this activity is unknown, nor has the enzyme been convincingly localized at the cellular level in any non-prostatic tissues. Using biochemical and immunocytochemical methods, we demonstrate that human intestinal epithelium contains both a lysosomal and prostatic type of acid phosphatase. The prostatic-type enzyme is present only in the epithelium of the crypts and to a lesser extent in the transitional zone at the base of the villi, in contrast to the widely-distributed lysosomal type. The prostatic enzyme is contained in granules that do not react with anti-lysosomal acid phosphatase and are probably secretory in nature.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Band 3 is the basolateral anion exchanger of dark epithelial cells of turtle urinary bladder.

The turtle urinary bladder serves as a model for collecting duct functions in the mammalian kidney. The epithelium of both the turtle bladder and the mammalian collecting duct can generate a steep gradient for H+ ions between blood and urine. Secretion of H+ into the urine is coupled to a basolateral efflux of HCO-3 that appears to be exchanged mainly against Cl-. Here we show that approximately 80% of the dark cells of the bladder contain a 110,000 relative molecular weight (Mr) analogue of the turtle erythrocyte anion exchanger, band 3. The band 3 analogue is confined to the basolateral cell surface and is absent from the apical membrane. A minor population of the dark cells (approximately 20%), which have been previously suggested to represent reverse cells that are involved in HCO-3 secretion rather than absorption, appears not to express a band 3-like anion exchanger, at either the apical or the basolateral membrane. The bladder band 3 protein is colocalized with actin and isoforms of ankyrin (200,000 Mr) and spectrin (230,000 Mr) along the basolateral membrane. Linkage of band 3 via ankyrin to the spectrin-actin lattice may restrict this anion exchanger to the basolateral membrane surface. In view of our previous observation of a band 3-like anion exchanger in the collecting duct epithelium of the rat kidney, these findings point to a common molecular basis for acid-base transport in the mammalian collecting duct and the reptilian urinary bladder.

Animals↗

Immunochemical characterization of a band 3-like anion exchanger in collecting duct of human kidney.

Poly- and monoclonal antibodies have been prepared against the cytoplasmic domain (43 kDa) and the 17-, 20-, and 35-kDa fragments of the membrane-spanning domain of the human erythrocyte anion exchanger, band 3. The antibodies were used to localize and further characterize analogues of band 3 in the human kidney. We report here that the basolateral membrane of intercalated cells of the connecting tubules and collecting ducts contains an analogue of band 3 that appears to be highly homologous to the erythrocyte anion exchanger. This band 3-like protein is probably important for reabsorption of bicarbonate in the collecting duct system and thus for acidification of the forming urine. The band 3-like protein of the intercalated cells contain immunoreactive sites of both the cytoplasmic domain and the three major fragments of the membrane-spanning domain of erythrocyte band 3. Although no immunological differences were detected between the membrane-spanning domains of band 3 in erythrocytes and intercalated cells, there are at least three sites along the cytoplasmic domain of kidney band 3 that differ from erythrocyte band 3 in either amino acid composition or posttranslational modifications. The main kidney analogue of band 3 that contains epitopes of the cytoplasmic domain as well as the 17- and 35-kDa membrane-spanning domain of erythroid band 3 is a polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 100-110 kDa. Further immunoreactive polypeptides at approximately 180, approximately 140, approximately 38, approximately 25-30 kDa that were detected at lower stringency and higher sensitivity of the immunoblotting procedure may be members of a multigene family that encodes a series of related proteins.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

Polarized distribution of Mr 210,000 and 190,000 analogs of erythrocyte ankyrin along the plasma membrane of transporting epithelia, neurons and photoreceptors.

In the present study we have examined several types of nucleated cells with respect to the occurrence and subcellular distribution of ankyrin. In red blood cells ankyrin links and integral membrane protein, the anion channel (band 3), to the subplasmalemmal cytoskeleton which is comprised largely of spectrin and actin. Since nucleated cells also contain spectrin and other constituents of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton it is possible that in nonerythroid cells ankyrin is also important for connecting membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton. We show here that membrane fractions of rat brain and various types of rat epithelial cells contain analogs of ankyrin at Mr 210,000 and 190,000 that are immunologically related to human erythrocyte ankyrin. In transporting epithelial cells, such as epithelia of the intestine, pancreas, prostate or kidney (various species) the analogs of ankyrin are confined to the basolateral plasma membrane and are absent from the apical membrane. In neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system and in photoreceptors of the retina, ankyrin was found restricted to the membrane of the cell body and axons and was not detected by immunostaining along the afferent processes (dendrites, photoreceptor inner and outer segments). Linkage of integral membrane proteins via ankyrin to the spectrin-based membrane cytoskeleton may provide a molecular basis for restricting the lateral mobility of certain membrane proteins and localizing them in a nonrandom or polarized fashion at specialized domains of the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Localization of phosphorylase kinase subunits at the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.

Molecular structures related to phosphorylase kinase have been localized by light and electron microscopy in tissue sections of rabbit skeletal muscle employing polyclonal antibodies directed against the holoenzyme as well as monoclonal antibodies specific for its alpha-, beta- or gamma-subunits. In frozen sections of prefixed muscle fibres both known major regions of glycogen deposition, the intermyofibrillar space and the perinuclear area, are stained predominantly. In sections of unfixed muscle in which cytosolic phosphorylase kinase was removed by extensive washes prior to immunostaining the immunolabel is mainly associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This membrane location is further confirmed by immunoblot analysis of proteins solubilized from isolated SR with Triton X-114. Employing monoclonal antibodies two membrane proteins are identified as the alpha- and beta-subunits of phosphorylase kinase by Western blots. Immunoprecipitates reveal also the gamma-subunit; the delta-subunit, i.e., calmodulin, is enriched with the solubilized enzyme. It proves that a SR membrane associated form of holophosphorylase kinase exists in muscle. Functionally, this kinase might be involved in phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol present on the SR Ca2+ transport ATPase and thereby might play a role in regulation of Ca2+ transport.

Animals↗

Restriction of the human kidney band 3-like anion exchanger to specialized subdomains of the basolateral plasma membrane of intercalated cells.

In this study, the kidney analog of the erythrocyte anion exchanger, band 3, served as the first example of an anion translocating membrane protein in a nucleated cell type to be localized at the ultrastructural level. Kidney band 3 was found to be confined to the basolateral membrane of the intercalated cells in the human collecting duct. The immunogold label displayed a striking non-uniform distribution along the basolateral plasma membrane with a preferential concentration at pleated areas of the membrane surface. The pleated portions are suggested to represent specialized subdomains to which the band 3 analog might be restricted by linkage via ankyrin to the spectrin-based membrane cytoskeleton. The immunolabel did not extend apically to the level of the zonula adherens and zonula occludens indicating that tight junctions might not be important for maintaining the polarized distribution of this integral membrane protein. Association of antibody label with the rough endoplasmic reticulum and other types of cytoplasmic membranes indicate pathways in the biosynthesis and degradation of this anion exchanger.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

Vascular endothelial stress fibres: their potential role in protecting the vessel wall from rheological damage.

Confluent monolayers of endothelial cells from the umbilical vein were exposed to two different levels of shear stress, 2 dyn/cm2 (low arterial value) and 0.5 dyn/cm2 (venous levels) for 60 and 120 min. A dramatic increase in stress fibres was only observed at arterial levels of shear stress while venous levels of shear stress had no significant effect on the stress fibre system. In view of our observation that the stress fibres can contract it is suggested that the induced stress fibres can exert tension to resist the shear forces of blood flow and thus prevent the endothelium from hydrodynamic damage or detachment. Thus stress fibre formation may be an important mechanism to prevent the vascular wall from pathologic stimuli which are thought to initiate arteriosclerosis.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Elongation of actin filaments is a diffusion-limited reaction at the barbed end and is accelerated by inert macromolecules.

We used a fluorescence method to measure the rate constants for the elongation of pyrene-labeled actin filaments in a number of different solvents. The absolute values of the rate constants were established by electron microscopy. Using glycerol, sucrose, or ethylene glycol to vary the solution viscosity, the association rate constant (k+) was 10(7) M-1 s-1 viscosity-1 (in centipoise). Consequently, plots of 1/k+ versus viscosity are linear and extrapolate to near the origin as expected for a diffusion-limited reaction where the rate constant approaches infinity at zero viscosity. By electron microscopy, we found that this inhibitory effect of glycerol is almost entirely at the fast growing, barbed end. For the pointed end, plots of 1/k+ versus viscosity extrapolate to a maximum rate of about 10(6) M-1 s-1 at zero viscosity, so that elongation at the pointed is not limited by diffusion. In contrast to these small molecules, polyethylene glycol, dextran, and ovalbumin all cause a concentration (and therefore viscosity)-dependent increase in k+. At any given viscosity, their effects are similar to each other. For example, at 3 centipoise, k+ = 2.2 X 10(7) M-1 s-1. We presume that this is due to an excluded volume effect that causes an increase in the thermodynamic activity of the actin. If the proteins in the cytoplasmic matrix have a similar effect, the association reactions of actin in cells may be much faster than expected from experiments done in dilute buffers.

Actins↗

Co-clustering of denatured hemoglobin with band 3: its role in binding of autoantibodies against band 3 to abnormal and aged erythrocytes.

Precipitates of hemoglobin, termed Heinz bodies, occur in a fraction of erythrocytes after removal of the spleen and are also observed in aged erythrocytes. This implies that precipitates of hemoglobin might play a particular role in senescent cell recognition. By using immunofluorescence microscopy, evidence is presented in splenectomized patients and in several patients with unstable (mutant) hemoglobins that membrane-attached Heinz bodies are associated with both clusters of the anion channel, band 3, and clusters of surface-bound immunoglobulins (IgG). In 75% of the cases of unstable hemoglobin, such as sickle cell anemia or hemoglobin Köln disease, the level of cell-bound IgG (measured by 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A) was increased severalfold above the level found in healthy controls. Immunoblot analysis identified the major fraction of cell-bound IgG to be directed to band 3. These observations indicate copolymerization of denatured hemoglobin with the cytoplasmic domain of band 3, which may cause band 3 to form clusters. These clusters probably serve as thermodynamically favored binding sites for autoantibodies in serum, which promote elimination of the erythrocytes by the immune system. Thus, erythrocytes may be removed from circulation when hemoglobin begins to denature and the cells begin to fail in their main function of oxygen transport.

Adolescent↗

Stress fibers in the splenic sinus endothelium in situ: molecular structure, relationship to the extracellular matrix, and contractility.

In the present study, we investigated structural and functional aspects of stress fibers in a cell type in situ, i.e., the sinus endothelium of the human spleen. In this cell type, stress fibers extend underneath the basal plasma membrane and are arranged parallel to the cellular long axis. Ultrastructurally, the stress fibers were found to be composed of thin actin-like filaments (5-8 nm) and thick myosin-like filaments (10-15 nm X 300 nm). Actin filaments displayed changes in polarity (determined by S-1-myosin subfragment decoration), which may allow a sliding filament mechanism. At their plasmalemmal attachment sites, actin filaments exhibited uniform polarity with the S-1-arrowhead complexes pointing away from the plasma membrane. Fluorescence microscopy showed that the stress fibers have a high affinity for phalloidin and antibodies to actin, myosin, tropomyosin, and alpha-actinin. Vinculin was confined to the cytoplasmic aspect of the plasmalemmal termination sites of stress fibers, while laminin, fibronectin, and collagens were located at the extracellular aspect of these stress fiber-membrane associations. Western blot analysis revealed polypeptide bands that contained actin, myosin, and alpha-actinin to be major components of isolated cells. Exposure of permeabilized cells to MgATP results in prominent changes in cellular shape caused by stress fiber contraction. It is concluded that the stress fibers in situ anchored to cell-to-extracellular matrix contacts can create tension that might allow the endothelium to resist the fluid shear forces of blood flow.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗