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Biomedical subjects

F L Margolis

Publications and source records attributed to F L Margolis.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Cell suspensions from rat olfactory neuroepithelium: biochemical and histochemical characterization.

Cell suspensions were generated from rat olfactory epithelium by digestion with collagenase and hyaluronidase followed by gentle mechanical disruption. These cell suspensions excluded nigrosin dye and synthesized RNA, protein and carnosine from radiolabeled precursors. Sustentacular cells, repiratory epithelial cells and olfactory neurons but not basal cells could be identified by phase-contrast microscopy. Sedimentation of these cell suspensions at unit gravity in discontinuous gradients of buffered bovine serum albumin resulted in partial separation of the various cell types as indicated by the distribution of several biochemical markers. Olfactory marker protein and carnosine synthetase activity were found in the upper gradient fractions, while carnosinase activity was present predominantly in the lower gradient fractions. Cellular localization of olfactory neuron marker protein and non-neuronal S-100 protein by immunoperoxidase staining of gradient-fractionated cells indicated that neuronal cells were only partially separated from non-neuronal cells by our fractionation techniques. Evaluation of gradient fractionated cells by histochemical staining for carbohydrates demonstrated that secretory Bowman's gland cells were quite efficiently separated from neurons. This study demonstrates the ease with which cell suspensions may be produced from the olfactory epithelium, and emphasizes the importance of utilizing both biochemical and histochemical approaches in studies of mixed populations of cells, particularly when the purity of the cell fractions is a consideration.

Animals↗

Ligand binding studies in the mouse olfactory bulb: identification and characterization of a L-[3H]carnosine binding site.

Binding sites for the dipeptide L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) have been detected in membranes prepared from mouse olfactory bulbs. The binding of L-[3H]-carnosine was saturable, reversible and stereospecific and had a Kd of about 770 nM. The stereospecific binding of L-carnosine represented about 30% of the total binding at pH 6.8, and decreased markedly with increasing pH. Binding was stimulated by calcium, unaffected by zinc, magnesium or manganese and inhibited by sodium and potassium. Carnosine binding was sensitive to trypsin and phospholipases A and C, but not to neuraminidase. Nystatin and filipin, which interact with membrane lipids, also interferred with binding. Some peptide analogues of carnosine were potent inhibitors of binding, but a variety of drugs serving as potent inhibitors in other binding systems had no effect on carnosine binding. Carnosine binding to mouse olfactory bulb membranes was 15-fold higher than that seen in membranes prepared from cerebral hemispheres, 5-fold higher than that seen in membranes prepared from cerebral hemispheres, 5-fold higher than in cerebellum membranes and 3-fold higher than in membranes from spinal medulla and the olfactory tubercle-lateral olfactory tract area. Binding sites for 6 other radiolabeled receptor ligands were also detected in bulb membranes. Peripheral deafferentation of the olfactory bulbs by intranasal irrigation with ZnSO4 led to a loss greater than 90% of the L-[3H]carnosine binding in 4--5 days with much smaller losses in binding of the other 6 ligands over a 180-day observation period. This initial loss of carnosine binding after denervation was due to a loss of binding site stereo-specificity followed by a loss of binding sites. The characteristics of the carnosine binding site in olfactory bulb fulfil 6 of the 7 criteria considered relevant for a functional receptor.

Animals↗

Denervation of the primary olfactory pathway in mice. V. Long-term effect of intranasal ZnSO4 irrigation on behavior, biochemistry and morphology.

Intranasal irrigation of mice with 0.17 M ZnSO4 solution results in the immediate and total loss of the ability to find a buried food pellet. This anosmia persists for 6 weeks in at least 80% of the treated mice and for 4 months in half of the animals. This marked behavioral effect is matched by a long-term reduction of the levels of carnosine synthesis and transport in the primary olfactory pathway. These biochemical parameters are virtually undetectable at two weeks after treatment and even at one year after treatment do not exceed 5-10% of average control values. Light microscopic observations of tissues of the primary olfactory pathway at various times after treatment are consistent with these observations and indicate a substantial destruction of the olfactory epithelium with subsequent atrophy of the olfactory bulb. At very long intervals after treatment, some receptor regeneration is apparent with accompanying reinnervation of the olfactory bulb. Estimates from microscopy and biochemistry suggest that much less than 10% of the normal complement of functioning receptor cells is adequate to give apparently normal food-finding behavior.

Alanine↗

Denervation in the primary olfactory pathway of mice. IV. Biochemical and morphological evidence for neuronal replacement following nerve section.

Unilateral olfactory nerve section was performed in the mouse. Three biochemical markers of the olfactory chemoreceptor neurons: carnosine, carnosine synthetase activity and the olfactory marker protein, were measured in the olfactory bulb and epithelium. Parallel observations were made by light microscopy as well as at the ultrastructural level. The specific biochemical markers decrease rapidly in both bulb and epithelium and reach a minimum by the end of the first week after surgery. They then slowly return to 80% of control values by one month. Carnosinase activity in epithelium was essentially unaffected. These biochemical observations coincide temporally with the onset of degenerative changes seen morphologically, in both the bulb and epithelium. The degenerative changes persist for up to two weeks in the bulb and for about one week in the epithelium. At this time basal cell division and differentiation begins in the epithelium with subsequent regrowth of olfactory axons into the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb with ther reappearance of olfactory axon terminals. The temporal coincidence of these biochemical and morphological observations suggests they are manifestations of the same process, and is consistent with the idea that the olfactory chemoreceptor neurons are perhaps unique in being able to be replaced from undifferentiated stem cells.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemistry of the olfactory marker protein.

The olfactory marker protein has been localized, by means of immunohistochemical techniques in the primary olfactory neurons of mice. The olfactory marker protein is not present in the staminal cells of the olfactory neuroepithelium, and the protein may be regarded as indicative of the functional stage of the neurons. Our data indicate that the olfactory marker protein is present in the synaptic terminals of the olfactory neurons at the level of the olfactory bulb glomeruli. The postsynaptic profiles of both mitral and periglomerular cells are negative.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of rat olfactory marker protein.

The olfactory marker protein was isolated and characterized from rat olfactory bulbs. Its properties and those of the olfactory marker protein isolated from the mouse are described. The rat protein was less acidic (pI = 5.0) than the mouse protein (pI = 4.7). However, the amino acid compositions were very similar: in both proteins arginine plus lysine accounted for 13 mol% and glutamate plus aspartate for 30 mol% of the total residues. Molecular weights of both proteins estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis were indistinguishable and estimated to be 16,500. The molecular weight of the native rat olfactory marker protein estimated by gel filtration techniques was 30,000, which is identical to the molecular weight of the native mouse and garfish olfactory marker proteins. This suggested a dimeric structure. The purified rat and mouse proteins behaved like species of 35,000 molecular weight on gel filtration.

Amino Acids↗

Denervation in the primary olfactory pathway of mice. III. Effect on enzymes of carnosine metabolism.

Carnosine (beta-Ala-L-His) is localized within the receptor neurons of the primary olfactory system. Carnosine synthetase, the enzyme responsible for its synthesis, is found in the primary olfactory pathway of the mouse at activities higher than that found in other body tissues and brain regions. Carnosinase, the degradative enzyme, is present at high activities, only in the olfactory epithelial portion of this pathway. Peripheral deafferentation or central denervation cause a selective decrease in the activity of carnosine synthetase in the reciprocal portion of the primary olfactory system implying specific localization within the receptor neurons. These data are consistent with a role for the dipeptide carnosine in olfactory neural transmission.

Animals↗

Carnosine in the primary olfactory pathway.

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is present in mouse olfactory bulbs and nasal olfactory epithelium at concentrations exceeding that previously reported for any brain region of any species. After peripheral deafferentation, carnosine concentrations in the olfactory bulbs decrease to less than 10 percent that of normal, while other amino compounds are unaffected. Carnosine appears to be highly localized to the primary olfactory pathway.

Amino Acids↗

A brain protein unique to the olfactory bulb.

Soluble extracts from several regions of the mouse brain manifested regionally specific protein band patterns on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In particular, one protein band appeared to occur uniquely in the olfactory bulb extracts where it was a quantitatively significant constituent of the soluble protein extract. This protein was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified protein has a minimum molecular weight of about 20,000 by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Precipitating antiserum prepared against this protein reacted only with the purified protein or with extracts of olfactory bulb, and not with extracts of other mouse tissues or brain regions. Quantitative immunoprecipitation assays indicate that this specific protein represents 1% of the total soluble protein in the mouse olfactory bulb. Soluble extracts of olfactory bulbs from several rodent species gave reactions of identity by agar gel diffusion with the antiserum to the mouse protein. It is suggested that this protein is an example of selective genetic expression within the central nervous system.

Ammonium Sulfate↗