Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D M Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to D M Phillips.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

N-Terminal acetyl-peptides from two calf thymus histones.

1. The same N-terminal peptide was isolated from two major calf thymus histone fractions, F2al and F2a2. 2. The structure of the peptides is N-acetylseryl-glycyl-arginine, and the yields account for most of the N-acetyl groups previously found in these histones. 3. Some other peptides not giving a ninhydrin reaction were also investigated.

Animals↗

Giant centriole formation in Sciara.

Although somatic tissues of Sciara contain 9-membered centrioles, germ line tissues develop giant centrioles with 60-90 singlet tubules disposed in an oval array. Some 9-membered centrioles still may be seen in second instar spermatogonia. Each of these centrioles is associated with a larger "daughter" or secondary centriole at right angles to it. Most centrioles of second instar spermatogonia consist of 20-50 singlet tubules arranged in an oval, sometimes associated with an even larger secondary centriole. The more recently formed centriole of a pair is distinguishable from its partner by a concentric band of electron-opaque material inside its tubules. If a pair of centrioles at right angles to each other is pictured as a "T" formed by two cylinders, the secondary centriole is always the stem of the T; the primary centriole is the top. The two centrioles are oriented at the pole of the mitotic spindle so that the tubules of the primary centriole are parallel to the spindle axis. Each daughter cell receives a pair of centrioles and, during interphase, each of these centrioles gives rise to a new daughter centriole. A Golgi area of characteristic morphology is found in association with centrioles shortly after two new ones have formed. We conclude that in Sciara a centriole may give rise to a daughter morphologically different from itself. Whether the daughter is a 9-membered or giant centriole depends on the tissue type and stage of development.

Cell Division↗

Observations on spermiogenesis in the fungus gnat Sciara coprophila.

Although 9-membered centrioles are found in somatic tissues of Sciara, the centriole which lies at the spindle pole of the second meiotic division in male Sciara is composed of a row of approximately 70 short tubules in an oval array. Shortly after telophase of this unequal division, in the daughter cell destined to undergo spermiogenesis, microtubules become confluent with the tubules of the centriole. These tubules have the same density as other cytoplasmic microtubules after glutaraldehyde-OsO(4) fixation and, like them, are not preserved with OsO(4) fixation. As the centriole, now with approximately 70 attached, posteriorly directed, doublet tubules, migrates from the polar to the apolar end of the nucleus to take a final position in an oval groove which forms in the nuclear envelope, the tubules lengthen and become demonstrable after OsO(4) fixation and more electron opaque than other cytoplasmic microtubules following glutaraldehyde-OsO(4) fixation. Later, a singlet tubule appears peripherally to each doublet of the oval and 4 "arms" develop at specific sites on the tubules. Posteriorly, where the oval of tubules becomes discontinuous and forms a spiral, the arrangement of arms is different and the singlet tubules are lacking. Dense solid bodies develop inside this odd flagellum and become enclosed by a smooth double membrane. A single mitochondrial derivative has three components: a central area of homogeneous, moderately electron-opaque, proteinaceous material; a peripheral ring of cristae; and a crystalloid which is specifically oriented with respect to the flagellar tubules.

Cell Division↗

Fine structure of Sciara coprophila sperm.

Though the fagellum of Sciara sperm arises from a blepharoplast and is characterized by doublet tubules with arms, it differs markedly from the familiar type of flagella in the number and arrangement of its tubules. The axial filament complex in sperm from the testis of Sciara consists of approximately 70 doublet tubules, each with an associated singlet tubule. Near the nucleus these tubules are displaced in an oval array. Posteriorly the oval breaks and coils from one free end so that the axial filament complex at posterior levels has the form of a spiral. The singlet tubules do not extend the full length of the sperm but terminate in order from inside the spiral. Farther posteriorly the axial filament complex reverses the direction of coiling, and the doublets terminate from outside the spiral. Four arms are specifically positioned on the singlet and doublet tubules. A single mitochondrial derivative extends most of the length of the sperm; it consists of a large mass of proteinacious material, a crystalloid located adjacent to the axial filament complex, and peripheral cristae. In the female genital tract, sperm undergo gross morphological changes which include sloughing of practically all the mitochondrial material except the crystalloid, repositioning of the crystalloid, and uncoiling and subsequent recoiling of the axial filament complex into a different configuration. From analysis of serial sections it was determined that the orientation of arms, when the axial filament is viewed from base to tip, is the same as in conventional flagella.

Cell Division↗

Cysteine in calf-thymus histones.

1. Calf-thymus histones contain cysteine, which is present almost entirely in the arginine-rich fraction F3 to the extent of about 1mole in 15000g. weight of the histone. 2. The cysteine in fraction F3 is readily available to thiol reagents and the protein yields an approximately equivalent amount of cysteic acid on oxidation with performic acid.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic fine structure of Sciara salivary glands. I. Secretion.

Cells from the anterior segment of the salivary glands of Sciara coprophila were found to synthesize and secrete into the gland lumen three morphologically distinct types of granule: 1) A large, electron-lucid granule, up to 1 micro in diameter, staining only faintly with pH 2 fast green and the PAS reaction; 2) an ellipsoid granule of moderate density, strongly fast green and PAS positive; and 3) a small spherical granule of high electron density. The cells contained numerous Golgi areas, up to an estimated 8,000 per cell. Evidence is presented for the transfer of material from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi areas via small vesicles. Three types of Golgi areas were distinguishable, each containing intercisternal material resembling one of the three types of secretion granule. Patterns of secretion granule synthesis varied with the developmental stage of the larva as determined by counts of eye spots in the eye anlage. Lucid granules were most abundant in the youngest larvae, and decreased in abundance as larvae grew older, becoming virtually absent in prepupae. The small, dense granules were present in all gland cells, but became more prevalent in older larvae and prepupae. Ellipsoid granules were only occasionally present, and were independent of larval stage. It is suggested that lucid granules are digestive in function, since their abundance correlates with feeding patterns. Other granules may produce the external slime coating of the larvae, and also the mucoprotein component of the pupal cocoon.

Animals↗

Effects of gossypol on rat Sertoli and Leydig cells in primary culture and established cell lines.

In order to evaluate the direct effect of gossypol on testicular cells, we used primary cultures of rat Leydig and Sertoli cells. No alteration in Leydig cell survival, morphology, or testosterone production was seen during three days of culture with up to 3 microgram/ml gossypol. With higher concentrations (3 to 7 microgram/ml) of gossypol, there was a reduction in cell survival but no change in androgen secretion. In contrast, there was a marked change in Sertoli cell morphology after five days of gossypol treatment. Large vacuoles and electron dense granules appeared in the cytoplasm, but these effects were reversed within six days of removing gossypol from the medium. There was a significant decrease in androgen binding protein (ABP) secretion by Sertoli cells in the presence of gossypol. We also tested the effect of gossypol on the growth of three established cell lines. Two Sertoli-derived cell lines, TM4 and TR-ST, were more sensitive than a Leydig-derived cell line (TM3). These results suggest that, of the somatic cell types in the testis, the Sertoli cells are most sensitive to gossypol.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Tubules in semen of infertile patients. Case report.

Numerous groups of small tubules were observed in the semen of two infertile patients. These structures were about 80 nm in diameter and could be observed within larger concentric tubules. They did not resemble typical microtubules, and did not appear similar to unit membrane.

Adult↗