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Biomedical subjects

I Pastan

Publications and source records attributed to I Pastan.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

The visualization of fluorescent proteins in living cells by video intensification microscopy (VIM).

A highly sensitive television camera (silicon intensifier target) has been combined with fluorescence microscopy to examine living cultured cells. This system is termed Video Intensification Microscopy (VIM). By using very small amounts of excitation light, one limits the damage to living cells from excessive illumination and is able to visualize fluorescence probes for periods up to 24 hr without bleaching. With VIM, the cellular uptake and fate of two rhodamine-labeled proteins, concanavalin A and alpha2 macroglobulin, have been followed for up to 24 hr. These proteins were first located in endocytic vesicles with a low phase density. Later, at 24 hr, alpha2 macroglobulin was located in phase-dense structures, probably secondary lysosomes. Both the fluorescent endocytic vesicles and lysosomes were observed to undergo saltatory motion. VIM combined with fluorescence promises to have a widespread application in the study of the behavior of living cells.

Cell Line↗

Identification of a transformation-specific protein induced by a Rous sarcoma virus.

Using antisera obtained from rats bearing Schmidt-Ruppin strain Rous sarcoma virus-induced tumors, we have idnetified a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 56,000 daltons and an isoelectric point of 6.3 in extracts of chick embryo fibroblasts transformed by a wild-type nondefective Rous sarcoma virus (Schmidt-Ruppin strain). This protein was not found in cells infected by trnasformation-defective mutants with either a partial or complete deletion of the src gene, nor in cells infected by a nontransforming avian leukosis virus. The 56,000 dalton molecular weight protein was found to be synthesized at both the permissive and nonpermissive temperatures in cells infected by either of two conditionallethal mutants that are temperature-sensitive in cell transformation. The amount of this protein, however, accumulated in cells infected by these temperature-sensitive mutants, relative to the structural polypeptides, differed significnatly from that seen with the nondefective virus. Pulsechase experiments indicate that the protein is extremely unstable, with a half-life of about 20 min, and does not serve as a precursor to any of the detectable virion polypeptides. Furthermore, incubation of the rat antiserum with purified, disrupted virus did not affect its immunoreactivity to this particular protein. We conclude that this 56,000 dalton molecular weight protein is a nonstructural protein specific to cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗

Collection of insulin, EGF and alpha2-macroglobulin in the same patches on the surface of cultured fibroblasts and common internalization.

We have used video intensification microscopy to observe fluorescent derivatives of insulin, epidermal growth factor and alpha2-macroglobulin added to Swiss 3T3-4 cells. At 4 degrees C, each of these polypeptides binds diffusely to specific receptors on the cell surface. When the cells are warmed to 23 or 37 degrees C, the bound insulin epidermal growth factor or alpha2-macroglobulin rapidly forms patches on the cell surface and is internalized. Using fluorescein-labeled alpha2-macroglobulin and rhodamine-labeled derivatives of insulin and epidermal growth factor, we show that all three polypeptides are internalized within the same vesicles by a common pathway. The mechanism for the internalization of these molecules is discussed.

Cell Line↗

Quantitative determination of the lateral diffusion coefficients of the hormone-receptor complexes of insulin and epidermal growth factor on the plasma membrane of cultured fibroblasts.

Fluorescent derivatives of insulin and epidermal growth factor bound to 3T3 mouse fibroblasts are mobile on the cell surface, with similar diffusion coefficients, D approximately (3--5) x 10(-10) cm2/sec at 23 degrees C. Increasing the temperature to 37 degrees C results in rapid receptor immobilization. The immobilization is attributed to aggregation of hormone-receptor complexes, their internalization, or a combination of both processes.

Azides↗

Construction of a recombinant bacterial plasmid containing a chick pro-alpha2 collagen gene sequence.

A recombinant plasmid containing chick pro-alpha2 collagen gene sequences has been constructed and cloned in Escherichia coli. Using partially purified collagen mRNA as template, we synthesized double-stranded DNA by the successive action of reverse transcriptase (RNA-directed DNA nucleotidyltransferase) from avian myeloblastosis virus and the Klenow A fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I. From this complex mixture of double-stranded DNAs, a specific 200-base-pair restriction fragment was generated by cleavage with the restriction endonucleases BamHI and EcoRI. These enzymes also make unique cuts in the plasmid vector pBR322. The restriction fragment was inserted into pBR322 via these BamHI and EcoRI sites and cloned in E. coli chi1776. The cloned recombinant plasmid was shown to contain pro-alpha2 collagen DNA by its specific hybridization to chick pro-alpha2 collagen mRNA, as assayed in an in vitro translation system. Thus, a clone containing pro-alpha2 collagen DNA was constructed without first obtaining highly purified collagen mRNA.

Animals↗

Direct visualization of binding, aggregation, and internalization of insulin and epidermal growth factor on living fibroblastic cells.

We have studied in detail the binding of fluorescent derivatives of insulin and epidermal growth factor to 3T3 fibroblasts. We have used two types of fluorescent analogues of insulin and epidermal growth factor: highly fluorescent derivatives which have seven to eight rhodamine molecules or fluorescent derivatives which have a single rhodamine molecule per one molecule of insulin or epidermal growth factor. Both types of analogue retained substantial binding affinity as determined by radioreceptor assays and biological activity. The cells labeled with the fluorescent analogues were visualized with a sensitive video intensification microscopic system that enabled us to directly observe the location of the fluorescent hormone on the surface and within the living fibroblasts. We found that both insulin and epidermal growth factor initially bound diffusely to the cell surface and, at 4 degrees , remained dispersed. Within a few minutes at 23 degrees or 37 degrees the hormone-receptor complexes aggregated into patches that could be readily removed by trypsin but not by excess native hormone. The hormone-receptor complexes, which were initially mobile in the plane of the membrane, become immobilized later as the consequence of the receptor aggregation or internalization. Within approximately 30 min at 37 degrees , much of the labeled hormone was found within the cell in endocytic vesicles that moved about in the cytoplasm in a saltatory manner. The aggregation and immobilization of the hormone-receptor complexes could be due to either hormone-hormone interactions on the cell membrane or a hormone-induced conformational change in the hormone-receptor complex. Aggregation and internalization of hormone-receptor complexes could be associated with certain aspects of hormone action, hormone degradation, down regulation of receptors, or negative cooperativity of hormone binding.

Cell Line↗

Ultrastructural antibody localization of alpha2-macroglobulin in membrane-limited vesicles in cultured cells.

We have been developing a procedure for localizing intracellular antigens in cultured cells, by using peroxidase-labeled antibodies, that allows good morphologic preservation. Although useful, our previous technique did not preserve the morphology of membranes, and the location of the peroxidase reaction product was difficult to establish. In this paper, we report major improvements on the basic technique that markedly enhance the quality of localization and of morphology. Saponin is used to permeabilize membranes without destroying their morphology. The amount of reaction product is enhanced with a peroxidase-antiperoxidase label. The clarity of morphologic detail and contrast of reaction product density are increased by using postsectioning staining with the osmium/thiocarbohydrazide/osmium and uranyl acetate/lead citrate procedures. We have applied this technique to the ultrastructural localization of alpha2-macroglobulin and demonstrated that it is localized in membrane-limited vesicles. We have also used this method to improve the preservation of structures for localization by fluorescence microscopy.

Cell Line↗

Cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of the actin-binding protein filamin.

Filamin is a high molecular weight protein that binds to actin filaments in cells. It is found in large amounts in several different cells and tissues, including smooth muscle, fibroblasts, platelets, and macrophages. It is immunologically related to the previously described macrophage high molecular weight actin-binding protein but clearly different from erythrocyte spectrin. Filamin is a phosphoprotein; it is phosphorylated in vivo in intact tissues and cells. It can be phosphorylated in vitro with endogenous kinases; cyclic AMP stimulates this phosohorylation. Furthermore, the purified protein can be phosphorylated by purified cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. In smooth muscle homogenates, the stimulation of filamin phosphorylation by cyclic AMP is specific. Cyclic GMP and Ca2+ do not increase its phosphorylation, although they do stimulate phosphorylation of other proteins.

Actins↗

Mutants of mouse fibroblasts altered in the synthesis of cell surface glycoproteins. Preliminary evidence for a defect in the acetylation of glucosamine 6-phosphate.

We hve reported the isolation and preliminary biochemical characterization of two mutants of mouse fibroblasts selected for a decrease incell-to-substrate adhesion (Pouysségur, J., and Pastan, I. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73, 544-548). We attributed the adhesive defect of these mutants (AD6 and AD8) to the absence of iodinatable cell surface proteins. This study demonstrates that a defect in glycoprotein synthesis is the biochemical basis for the reduction in proteins exposed at the outer surface of the mutant cells. When D-glucosamine or L-fucose was used as radioactive precursor, analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a decrease in the labeling of all the glycoproteins of both clones. This decrease in glycoprotein labeling was not due to a defect in D-glucosamine uptake, since this precursor was taken up at a higher rate in the mutants than in the wild type. In spite of this high uptake, the rate of D-glucosamine incorporation into macromolecules was decreased by 60% and the carbohydrate content of membranes (mannose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and sialic acid) from clone AD6 was diminished by 40 to 60%. When the various cell lines were labeled for 1 to 3 h with glucosamine and the acid-soluble pool analyzed, the wild type cells were found to accumulate UDP-N-acetylhexosamine as the major component. In contrast, clones AD6 and AD8 accumulated glucosamine 6-phosphate as the major component. This last finding suggests that there is a block in the N-acetylation of glucosamine 6-phosphate in both instants. This suggestion is supported by the finding that feeding the mutant cells 10 mM N-acetylglucosamine reverts them to the wild type phenotype (Pouysségur, J., Willingham, M. and Pastan, I. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., in pressy. In wild type cells all of the iodinatable proteins of the cell surface have the same mobility as the glycoproteins when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We conclude that the early block in glycoprotein synthesis accounts for the reduction in iodinatable surface proteins in the mutant cells.

Acetyltransferases↗

Regulation of intracellular calcium in chick embryo fibroblast: calcium uptake by the microsomal fraction.

The total membrane fraction of a chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) homogenate accumulates calcium in an energy-dependent manner. This activity can be dissociated into azide-sensitive and azide-insensitive components. The azide-sensitive component of calcium uptake is believed to represent mitochondrial calcium uptake. The azide-insensitive component of calcium uptake is enhanced by the presence of a calcium trapping agent such as oxalate, and cannot utilize, ADP, inorganic phosphate and a Krebs cycle substrate to support uptake. The distribution of the azide-insensitive calcium uptake in subcellular fractions suggests that this uptake occurs in other than mitochondrial membranes. The membranes most likely to contribute to the azide-insensitive component of calcium uptake are the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. A microsomal preparation from CEF cells is essentially devoid of the azide-sensitive calcium uptake activity. This microsomal activity is similar in characteristics to the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle. However the specific activity of CEF microsomal calcium uptake system is much less than that found in the skeletal muscle system. The transport of calcium by these membranes provide a mechanism for the regulation of cytosol calcium levels and may play a role in the control of movement and growth of cultured cells.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Microfilament bundles and cell shape are related to adhesiveness to substratum and are dissociable from growth control in cultured fibroblasts.

The distribution of microfilament bundles in cells was examined using antibodies to fibroblast myosin and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. There is no correlation between the presence of bundles of microfilaments and normal growth control. A normal cell line (Balb/c 3T3) cultured on a poorly adhesive substratum showed no microfilament bundles. Similarly, a mutant cell line (AD6) with normal growth, but a rounded shape due to defective adhesiveness to substratum, showed no bundle formation. On the other hand, two transformed cell lines with a flat morphology (Swiss SV3T3 and Balb MSV-85) showed extensive bundle formation. When a transformed cell line with poor adhesiveness (MC5-5) was treated with CSP (a major surface glycoprotein of normal cells) which increases adhesiveness to substratum, the cells formed extensive microfilament bundles without any decrease in growth. We conclude that the distribution of microfilament bundles is related to adhesiveness to substratum and cell shape but not to growth properties.

Acetylglucosamine↗