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PubMed1982

Characterization of right-side-out membrane vesicles rich in (Na,K)-ATPase and isolated from dog kidney outer medulla.

When purified on a sucrose gradient, basolateral membranes from dog kidney outer medulla are found to be very rich in (Na,K)-ATPase; about 50% of the membrane protein is comprised of this enzyme. (Na,K)-ATPase activity is activated 3- to 5-fold by detergent treatment, and this has been previously attributed to the impermeable vesicular nature of the membranes. Porcine trypsin inactivates only that fraction of (Na,K)-ATPase activity seen without detergent, consistent with a right-side-out orientation of membrane vesicles; the trypsin sensitivity and detergent activation of [3H]ouabain binding in the presence of Na+ + Mg2+ + ATP or Mg2+ + Pi are also consistent with this hypothesis. Using nearly isosmotic Hypaque density gradient centrifugation a population of impermeable right-side-out membrane vesicles (H1) is separated from a leaky population (H2). (Na,K)-ATPase activity in the H1 population is 20-fold activated by detergent and insensitive to porcine trypsin. The vesicle volume is 2.4 microliters/mg, and monovalent cations passively equilibrate with the intravesicular volume on a time scale of 5-30 min. Very rapid ouabain sensitive 22Na efflux from the vesicles is observed when ATP is photolytically released from intravesicular caged ATP.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Adsorption of DNA and electric fields decrease the rigidity of lipid vesicle membranes.

The adsorption of calf-thymus DNA-fragments of 300 +/- 50 base pairs (bp) to the outer membrane monolayer of unilamellar lipid vesicles in the presence of Ca2+ ions has been quantified by the standard method of chemical relaxation spectrometry using polarized light. The vesicles of radius a = 150 +/- 45 nm are prepared from bovine brain extract type III containing 80-85% phosphatidylserine (PS) and palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) in the molar ratio PS : 2POPC; total lipid concentration [L(t)] = 1 mM in 1 mM HEPES buffer, pH 7.4 at T = 293 K (20 degrees C). The turbidity relaxations of vesicle suspensions, at the wavelength lambda = 365 nm at two characteristic electric field strengths are identified as electroelongation of the whole vesicle coupled to smoothing of thermal membrane undulations and membrane stretching, and at higher fields, to membrane electroporation (MEP). The elongation kinetics indicates that the DNA adsorption renders the membrane more flexible and prone to membrane electroporation (MEP). Remarkably, it is found that the Ca-mediated adsorption of DNA (D) decreases both, bending rigidity kappa and stretching modulus K, along an unique Langmuir adsorption isotherm for the fraction of bound DNA at the given Ca concentration [Ca(t)] = 0.25 mM. The characteristic chemo-mechanical parameter of the isotherm is the apparent dissociation equilibrium constant K(D,Ca) = 100 +/- 10 microM (bp) of the ternary complex DCaB of DNA base pairs (bp) and Ca binding to sites B on the outer vesicle surface. Whereas both kappa and K decrease in the presence of high electric fields (E), the key parameter K(D,Ca) is independent of E in the range 0 < or = E/(kV cm(-1)) < or = 40.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1986

Subcellular and submitochondrial localization of phospholipid-synthesizing enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Using highly enriched membrane preparations from lactate-grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, the subcellular and submitochondrial location of eight enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of phospholipids was determined. Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase and phosphatidylglycerolphosphate synthase were localized exclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane, while phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase activity was confined to microsomal fractions. The other five enzymes tested in this study were common both to the outer mitochondrial membrane and to microsomes. The transmembrane orientation of the mitochondrial enzymes was investigated by protease digestion of intact mitochondria and of outside-out sealed vesicles of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Glycerolphosphate acyltransferase, phosphatidylinositol synthase, and phosphatidylserine synthase were exposed at the cytosolic surface of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Cholinephosphotransferase was apparently located at the inner aspect or within the outer mitochondrial membrane. Phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, on the cytoplasmic side of the outer mitochondrial membrane, and in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Inner membrane activity of this enzyme constituted 80% of total mitochondrial activity; inactivation by trypsin digestion was observed only after preincubation of membranes with detergent (0.1% Triton X-100). Total activity of those enzymes that are common to mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum was about equally distributed between the two organelles. Data concerning susceptibility to various inhibitors, heat sensitivity, and the pH optima indicate that there is a close similarity of the mitochondrial and microsomal enzymes that catalyze the same reaction.

CDP-Diacylglycerol-Inositol 3-Phosphatidyltransfer↗

PubMed1975

Surface distribution of the fatty acid side chains of phosphatidylethanolamine in mixed phospholipid vesicles.

A method has been developed for the selective determination of the fatty acid side chain distribution associated with the amino containing phospholipids located in the inner and outer surfaces of membranes. Using sonicated phosphatidylethanolamine/phosphatidylcholine vesicles as a model, the analysis consists of selective labeling of the outer surface amino groups with the membrane impermeable reagent 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid. Outer and inner surface phosphatidylethanolamine fractions are separated by thin-layer chromatography. Analysis of methyl esters derived from these two fractions, by gas-liquid chromatography, yields the fatty acid side chain distribution. Our results show that there is no mol fraction dependence of the incorporation of any specific fatty acid side chains of egg yolk phosphatidylethanolamine into the vesicle or any preferential distribution of these side chains in the inner or outer vesicle surface. The surface distribution of the egg yolk phosphatidylethanolamine molecules in these vesicles appears to be determined by the head group packing requirements and not the fatty acid side chain composition.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed1987

Precise localization of an overproduced periplasmic protein in Escherichia coli: use of double immuno-gold labelling.

The subcellular localization of beta-lactamase produced by a secretion-cloning vector pIN-III was studied by immunolabelling of frozen thin sections of Escherichia coli. Using double immuno-gold detections and internal reference proteins, it is shown here that beta-lactamase encoded by this vector can be exported and that its overproduction leads to aggregation within the periplasm. This aggregation induces the appearance of electron-dense areas immunolabelled by the antiserum directed against the beta-lactamase at the external side of the cytoplasmic membrane. The overproduced enzyme is also secreted to the medium in vesicles budding from the outer membrane of lpp strains.

Escherichia coli↗

PubMed2005

Indirect evidence of submicroscopic pores in giant unilamellar [correction of unilamelar] vesicles.

Formation of pore-like structures in cell membranes could participate in exchange of matter between cell compartments and modify the lipid distribution between the leaflets of a bilayer. We present experiments on two model systems in which major lipid redistribution is attributed to few submicroscopic transient pores. The first kind of experiments consists in destabilizing the membrane of a giant unilamellar vesicle by inserting conic-shaped fluorescent lipids from the outer medium. The inserted lipids (10% of the vesicle lipids) should lead to membrane rupture if segregated on the outer leaflet. We show that a 5-nm diameter pore is sufficient to ease the stress on the membrane by redistributing the lipids. The second kind of experiments consists in forcing giant vesicles containing functionalized lipids to adhere. This adhesion leads to hemifusion (merging of the outer leaflets). In certain cases, the formation of pores in one of the vesicles is attested by contrast loss on this vesicle and redistribution of fluorescent labels between the leaflets. The kinetics of these phenomena is compatible with transient submicroscopic pores and long-lived membrane defects.

Lipid Bilayers↗

PubMed1990

Effect of pH on Na(+)-dependent phosphate transport in renal outer cortical and outer medullary BBMV.

The influence of pH on sodium-phosphate cotransport was determined in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) isolated from outer cortical and outer medullary tissue of porcine kidneys. Two transport systems are apparent in outer cortical brush-border vesicles, and one process is apparent in outer medullary vesicles at all pH values. The apparent maximum uptake rate (Vmax) of the low-affinity system in outer cortex vesicles decreased from 8.3 +/- 1.7 to 3.2 +/- 0.05 nmol.mg protein-1.min-1 with pH change of 8.0 to 6.0, and the high-affinity process changed from 1.3 +/- 0.2 to 0.1 +/- 0.01 nmol.mg protein-1.min-1. The respective affinity values (Km) also decreased 5.5 +/- 0.9 to 0.6 +/- 0.01 mM and 0.08 +/- 0.005 to 0.01 +/- 0.005 mM, respectively, with acidification. In outer medullary vesicles a decrease in pH diminished the apparent Km, 0.28 +/- 0.03 to 0.02 +/- 0.003 mM, and mean Vmax from 3.0 +/- 0.07 to 0.5 +/- 0.1 nmol.mg protein-1.min-1. The mean KNaD values were 22.1 +/- 4.2 mM in outer cortical vesicles (low-affinity system) and 58.7 +/- 7.2 mM in outer medullary vesicles (high-affinity system) and were not altered by pH, suggesting that H+ does not affect the sodium interactive site. The data suggest that the vesicles prepared from outer cortical and outer medullary tissue possess distinctive sodium-phosphate transporters that are sensitive to external H+ concentrations.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Mitochondrial outer membrane contains a protein producing nonspecific diffusion channels.

Vesicles permeable to sucrose, but not to high molecular weight dextrans, were produced when fragments of mitochondrial outer membrane obtained from rat liver or mung bean seedlings were fused with liposomes of soybean phospholipids. By using this reconstitution assay, the channel-forming protein in the mung bean mitochondria was identified as protein(s) with an apparent molecular weight of 30,000 through differential detergent extraction and centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient. The channel was nonspecific, and allowed the diffusion of saccharides of up to 2000 to 8000 daltons.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

A new set of vesicles in Giardia lamblia.

In the present study it was demonstrated the existence of a new set of membrane-bounded vesicles in Giardia lamblia. They were found in dividing and non-dividing trophozoites studied by routine transmission electron microscopy, freeze-fracture and Thiéry's technique. Encysting cells were not studied. These vesicles appear different to the previously reported components of the Giardia endomembranous system, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosome-like peripheral vesicles (PV), and the encystation-specific vesicles (ESV) that appear during trophozoite differentiation into cysts. They measure 100-150 nm in diameter, and thus are smaller than the peripheral vesicles, and the encystation-specific vesicles (ESV). They were found in clusters, scattered throughout the cytoplasm, but preferentially located close to the nuclei, axonemes, median bodies, and ER profiles. These internal vesicles are roughly spherical, and their contents present different electron densities and are more electrondense than those of the peripheral vesicles. They appeared to be budding from the outer nuclear membrane envelope. These cytoplasmic vesicles were found only in cells with very good fixation. Only few cells in the same preparation exhibited these vesicles.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Acyl chain unsaturation and vesicle curvature alter outer leaflet packing and promote poly(ethylene glycol)-mediated membrane fusion.

The poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-induced fusion of sonicated, unilamellar vesicles (SUV) and large, unilamellar vesicles (LUV) composed of a variety of phosphatidylcholine species was compared using two assays for the mixing and leakage of internal vesicle contents. In the first [Lentz et al. (1992) Biochemistry, 31, 2643], disodium 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (ANTS) fluorescence is quenched by co-encapsulated N,N'-p-xylylenebis(pyridinium bromide) (DPX). For this assay, interference by the fluorescence of impurities in PEG demands that the PEG content of the sample be reduced by dilution before measurements are taken. The second assay [Viguera et al. (1993) Biochemistry, 32, 3708] monitors the fluorescence of Tb3+ complexed with dipicolinic acid (DPA) directly in concentrated PEG solutions. The two assays gave identical fusion profiles for egg PC SUVs treated with increasing concentrations of PEG, demonstrating that fusion occurs in the dehydrated state in the presence of PEG and does not require dilution. Comparison of results obtained with lipid species of varying degrees of unsaturation incorporated into either SUV or LUV suggested that acyl chain unsaturation and high membrane curvature combine to favor fusion of pure phosphatidylcholine membranes. There was a clear correlation between the fluorescence lifetime or the order parameter of the membrane probe 1-(4-trimethylammonium)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) in different membranes and the concentration of PEG needed to induce fusion of these membranes. However, the ratios of TMA-DPH lifetimes measured in D2O versus H2O buffers were the same for different lipid species, indicating that probe penetration was not very different for different lipid species. The results suggest that the combined effect of high membrane curvature and extensive chain unsaturation is an enhanced rate of lipid motion in the upper region of the bilayer, reflective of decreased packing density in the outer leaflet of unsaturated SUV bilayers, probably allowing for enhanced water penetration leading to an enhanced probability of fusion.

Diphenylhexatriene↗

PubMed1986

Acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa.

Human spermatozoa were allowed to undergo the acrosome reaction in vitro by incubation in media with or without reagents known to accelerate the onset of the acrosome reaction. The first observable change before the acrosome reaction was a partial decondensation of the acrosomal matrix. This was followed by invaginations of the outer acrosomal membrane alone or of both the plasma and outer acrosomal membranes, which resulted in formation of many vesicles within the acrosomal cap. Subsequently, the plasma and outer acrosomal membranes fused, but the fusion was seldom seen in the acrosomal cap region. On the other hand, fusion of the two membranes was observed consistently at the anterior end of the equatorial segment of the acrosome. Soon after the membranes over the acrosomal cap disappeared, many vesicles, which were originally within the cap, were seen on or in the vicinity of the inner acrosomal membrane. These vesicles dispersed eventually, leaving the inner acrosomal membrane completely exposed. Thus the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa seems to proceed in a way somewhat different from that in spermatozoa of most other species, although the end result of the reaction is the same.

Acrosome↗

PubMed1993

Identification of two unique polypeptides from dog kidney outer cortex and outer medulla that exhibit different Na+/D-glucose cotransport functional properties.

The cloned Na+/D-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 and an additional recently isolated human kidney cDNA Hu14/K15 belong to a family of similar cotransport proteins including the Na(+)-dependent nucleoside and Na(+)-dependent myo-inositol carrier SMIT1. For the present study we used two different polyclonal antibodies raised against the amino acid sequence 402-420 (Ab-E) and 565-574 (Ab-P) of SGLT1 to probe brush-border membrane fractions from different regions (outer cortex-->outer medulla) of dog kidney. In Western blots both Ab-E and Ab-P react specifically (peptide blockable) with two distinct bands migrating on SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions at 75.5 kDa and 72.5 kDa. The higher molecular mass polypeptide is greatly enriched (13:1) in outer cortex and diminishes progressively towards outer medulla, whereas the lower molecular mass band is barely detectable in outer cortex but is enriched in outer medulla (4:1). Brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) prepared from the same outer cortical and outer medullary regions that were probed with Ab-E and Ab-P exhibit strikingly different Na+/D-glucose functional transport behavior. The Na+/D-glucose cotransport activity in outer cortical BBMV is a low-affinity system with Km = 5.98 +/- 1.01 mM, Vmax = 13.05 +/- 0.55 nmol/mg protein per min, and with 1:1 Na+:D-glucose stoichiometry. Outer medulla BBMV exhibit high-affinity Km = 0.27 +/- 0.03 mM Vmax = 0.97 +/- 0.04 nmol/mg protein per min and 2:1 Na+:D-glucose stoichiometry. Comparison of SGLT1, Hu14/K15, SNST1 and SMIT indicates that Ab-E could cross react with all four, but Ab-P would recognize SGLT1, Hu14/K15, SNST1 but not SMIT. Also SNST1 is not expressed in outer cortex. Based on currently available sequence data, and its marked enrichment in outer cortex, the 75.5 kDa band is a likely candidate protein responsible for low-affinity and 1:1 Na+:D-glucose stoichiometric Na+/D-glucose cotransport activity (Hu14/K15) while the minor 72.5 kDa band in outer cortex is probably SGLT1. In outer medulla, the predominant band recognized by both Ab-E and Ab-P is the 72.5 kDa protein and this could be either SGLT1 or SNST1.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1998

Persistence of Helicobacter pylori VacA toxin and vacuolating potential in cultured gastric epithelial cells.

The vacuolating toxin A (VacA) is one of the most important virulence factors in Helicobacter pylori-induced damage to human gastric epithelium. Using human gastric epithelial cells in culture and broth culture filtrate from a VacA-producing H. pylori strain, we studied 1) the delivery of VacA to cells, 2) the localization and fate of internalized toxin, and 3) the persistence of toxin inside the cell. The investigative techniques used were neutral red dye uptake, ultrastructural immunocytochemistry, quantitative immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. We found that VacA 1) is delivered to cells in both free and membrane-bound form (i.e., as vesicles formed by the bacterial outer membrane), 2) localizes inside the endosomal-lysosomal compartment, in both free and membrane-bound form, 3) persists within the cell for at least 72 h, without loss of vacuolating power, which, however, becomes evident only when NH4Cl is added, and 4) generally does not degrade into fragments smaller than approximately 90 kDa. Our findings suggest that, while accumulating inside the endosomal-lysosomal compartment, a large amount of VacA avoids the main lysosomal degradative processes and retains its apparent molecular integrity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

C. elegans sperm bud vesicles to deliver a meiotic maturation signal to distant oocytes.

The major sperm protein (MSP) is the central cytoskeletal element required for actin-independent motility of nematode spermatozoa. MSP has a dual role in Caenorhabditis elegans reproduction, functioning as a hormone for both oocyte meiotic maturation and ovarian muscle contraction. The identification of the signaling function of MSP raised the question, how do spermatozoa, which are devoid of ribosomes, ER and Golgi, release a cytoplasmic protein lacking a signal sequence? Here, we provide evidence that MSP export occurs by the budding of novel vesicles that have both inner and outer membranes with MSP sandwiched in between. MSP vesicles are apparently labile structures that generate long-range MSP gradients for signaling at the oocyte cell surface. Both spermatozoa and non-motile spermatids bud MSP vesicles, but their stability and signaling properties differ. Budding protrusions from the cell body contain MSP, but not the MSD proteins, which counteract MSP filament assembly. We propose that MSP generates the protrusive force for its own vesicular export.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1981

Cellulase and Xylanase Release from Bacteroides succinogenes and Its Importance in the Rumen Environment.

During growth of Bacteroides succinogenes in a liquid medium with cellulose as the source of carbohydrate, greater than 80% of the carboxymethylcellulase (endo-beta-1,4-glucanase), xylanase, and aryl-beta-xylosidase and 50% of the aryl-beta-glucosidase released from cells into the culture fluid. Less than 25% of the cellobiase activity was detected in the culture fluid. Approximately 50% of each of the released enzymes measured was associated with sedimentable subcellular membrane vesicles. The vesicles appeared to be released from the outer membrane of intact cells by bleb formation, primarily in pockets between the cells and the cellulose, although a few unattached cells with blebs were seen. Many vesicles were seen adhering to cellulose, and they were also seen free in the culture fluid. These data suggest that B. succinogenes releases hydrolytic enzymes in nonsedimentable and particulate forms during growth by a mechanism which has until now received little attention. Cellulose incubated in a porous nylon bag in the rumen was colonized by bacteria resembling B. succinogenes, and subcellular vesicles were seen penetrating channels and fractures in the cellulose. On this basis, it is suggested that B. succinogenes cells in the rumen contribute to an extracellular population of subcellular vesicles that possess cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activities which probably enhance polymer digestion and provide a source of sugars for microbes lacking polymer-degrading activity, thereby contributing to a stable heterogeneous microbial population.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Bacterial surface association of heat-labile enterotoxin through lipopolysaccharide after secretion via the general secretory pathway.

Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) is an important virulence factor expressed by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The route of LT secretion through the outer membrane and the cellular and extracellular localization of secreted LT were examined. Using a fluorescently labeled receptor, LT was found to be specifically secreted onto the surface of wild type enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The main terminal branch of the general secretory pathway (GSP) was necessary and sufficient to localize LT to the bacterial surface in a K-12 strain. LT is a heteromeric toxin, and we determined that its cell surface localization was mediated by the its B subunit independent of an intact G(M1) ganglioside binding site and that LT binds lipopolysaccharide and G(M1) concurrently. The majority of LT secreted into the culture supernatant by the GSP in E. coli associated with vesicles. Only a mutation in hns, not overexpression of the GSP or LT, caused an increase in vesicle yield, supporting a specific vesicle formation machinery regulated by the nucleoid-associated protein HNS. We propose a model in which LT is secreted by the GSP across the outer membrane, secreted LT binds lipopolysaccharide via a G(M1)-independent binding region on its B subunit, and LT on the surface of released outer membrane vesicles interacts with host cell receptors, leading to intoxication. These data explain a novel mechanism of vesicle-mediated receptor-dependent delivery of a bacterial toxin into a host cell.

Bacterial Toxins↗

PubMed2002

Vesicles in the subacrosomal space and partial diaphragms in the subacrosomal nuclear envelope of round spermatids of a rat injected intravenously with gold labeled-testosterone-bovine serum albumin conjugate: vesicular trafficking from acrosome to nucleus.

Colloidal gold labeled-testosterone-bovine serum albumin conjugate (testosterone-BSA-gold) injected into the vascular system of rats is taken up by endocytosis into round spermatids. Based on observation of silver deposits indicating testosterone-BSA-gold with silver enhancement, we have suggested that testosterone-BSA-gold enters the nuclei through not only the postacrosomal nuclear envelope but also the subacrosomal nuclear envelope (SNE) via the acrosome (Nishimura and Nakano, 1997). However, it was unclear how testosterone-BSA-gold in the acrosome entered the nucleoplasm. Spermatids showing silver deposits on the subacrosomal space were observed under electron microscope without silver enhancement, to clarify the courses of translocation. In the spermatids, vesicles with the gold particles were seen in the subacrosomal space. Some of the vesicles were in contact with the SNE. A part of the outer nuclear membrane projected into the space. Furthermore, local single-bilayer nuclear membranes, which seemed to partially lack nuclear lamina, were present in the SNE. These results indicate the possibility that the vesicles mediate the transport of testosterone-BSA-gold from acrosome to nucleus, and that the vesicle membrane fuses with not only the outer nuclear membrane but also a shared bilayer in the SNE.

Acrosome↗

PubMed1990

Cation selectivity of and cation binding to the cGMP-dependent channel in bovine rod outer segment membranes.

The properties of the cGMP-dependent channel present in membrane vesicles prepared from intact isolated bovine rod outer segments (ROS) were investigated with the optical probe neutral red. The binding of neutral red is sensitive to transport of cations across vesicular membranes by the effect of the translocated cations on the surface potential at the intravesicular membrane/water interface (Schnetkamp, P. P. M. J. Membr. Biol. 88: 249-262). Only 20-25% of ROS membrane vesicles exhibited cGMP-dependent cation fluxes. The cGMP-dependent channel in bovine ROS carried currents of alkali and earth alkali cations, but not of organic cations such as choline and tetramethylammonium; little discrimination among alkali cations (K greater than Na = Li greater than Cs) or among earth alkali cations (Ca greater than Mn greater than Sr greater than Ba = Mg) was observed. The cation dependence of cGMP-induced cation fluxes could be reasonably well described by a Michaelis-Menten equation with a dissociation constant for alkali cations of about 100 mM, and a dissociation constant for Ca2+ of 2 mM. cGMP-induced Na+ fluxes were blocked by Mg2+, but not by Ca2+, when the cations were applied to the cytoplasmic side of the channel. cGMP-dependent cation fluxes showed a sigmoidal dependence on the cGMP concentration with a Hill coefficient of 2.1 and a dissociation constant for cGMP of 92 microM. cGMP-induced cation fluxes showed two pharmacologically distinct components; one component was blocked by both tetracaine and L-cis diltiazem, whereas the other component was only blocked by tetracaine.

Animals↗