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Effect of thyroid hormone on the expression of mRNA encoding sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins.

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of genes encoding various sarcoplasmic reticulum components that are functionally coupled with calcium release, uptake, and storage function during cardiac hypertrophy induced by thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism was induced in two groups of rabbits by the injection of 200 micrograms/kg L-thyroxine (T4) daily for 4 days (T4-4-day group) and 8 days (T4-8-day group). Hypothyroidism was induced in another group of rabbits by adding 0.8 mg/ml propylthiouracil to the drinking water for 4 weeks. The relative expression level of mRNA encoding different sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins was determined by RNA slot blot and Northern blot analysis. In hyperthyroid hearts, the steady-state level of cardiac ryanodine receptor mRNA and sarcoplasmic reticulum cardiac/slow-twitch Ca(2+)-ATPase mRNA were both increased to 147% (T4-4-day group) and 186% (T4-8-day group) of control, respectively, but decreased to 71% and 75%, respectively, in hypothyroid ventricles. The mRNA level for phospholamban was decreased in both hyperthyroidism (T4-8-day group, 72%) and hypothyroidism (77%) in these hearts. On the other hand, calsequestrin mRNA levels did not change in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid ventricles. In accord with the changes in Ca(2+)-ATPase mRNA levels, the Ca(2+)-ATPase protein was increased to 199% (T4-8-day group) in hyperthyroid ventricles and decreased to 86% of control in hypothyroid ventricles. The expression levels of ryanodine receptor, Ca(2+)-ATPase, phospholamban, and calsequestrin mRNAs were similarly altered in skeletal muscle tissues from hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rabbits. These results indicate that the mRNA levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins responsible for calcium release and calcium uptake are coordinately regulated in response to changes in thyroid hormone level in both heart and skeletal muscle. These changes in mRNA level should lead to changes in protein levels and thus to altered calcium release and uptake in the chronic stages of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Animals↗

Inositol trisphosphate promotes Na-Ca exchange current by releasing calcium from sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes.

An early inward tail current evoked by membrane depolarization (from -80 to -40 mV) sufficient to activate sodium but not calcium current was studied in single voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes isolated from guinea pig hearts. Like forward-mode Na-Ca exchange, this early inward tail current required [Na+]o and [Ca2+]i and is thought to follow earlier reverse-mode Na-Ca exchange that triggers Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. The dependence of the early inward tail current on [Ca2+]i was supported by the ability of small (+10 mV) and large (+80 mV) voltage jumps from -40 mV to decrease and increase, respectively, the size of early inward tail currents evoked by subsequent voltage steps from -80 to -40 mV. As expected, tetrodotoxin selectively inhibited the early inward tail current but not the late inward tail current that followed voltage jumps to +40 mV test potentials. Although tetrodotoxin also blocked the fast Na+ current, replacement of extracellular Na+ by Li+ sustained the fast Na+ current. However, Li+, which does not support Na-Ca exchange, reversibly suppressed both the early and late inward tail currents. Inhibitors (ryanodine and caffeine) and promoters (intracellularly dialyzed inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release decreased and increased, respectively, the magnitude of the early inward tail current. The results substantiate the hypothesis that Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum participates in early Na-Ca exchange current and demonstrate that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, by releasing Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, can promote Na-Ca exchange across the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Alterations in sarcoplasmic reticulum gene expression in human heart failure. A possible mechanism for alterations in systolic and diastolic properties of the failing myocardium.

Recent studies have shown that intracellular Ca2+ handling is abnormal in the myocardium of patients with end-stage heart failure. Muscles from the failing hearts showed a prolonged Ca2+ transient and a diminished capacity to restore a low resting Ca2+ level during diastole. Accordingly, we examined whether this defect in Ca2+ transport function is due to alterations in sarcoplasmic reticulum gene expression. We determined the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport proteins in failing human hearts from 17 cardiac transplant recipients with a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy, primary pulmonary hypertension, or ischemic heart disease. The expression levels of each mRNA were compared with each other and then correlated with that of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) mRNA in the failing ventricle. The mRNA levels for the calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor, RYR2), Ca2+ uptake pump (Ca(2+)-ATPase, SERCA2 isoform), and phospholamban differed significantly between heart samples but showed an inverse relation with that of ventricular ANF mRNA. In contrast, calsequestrin mRNA levels remained unchanged in these failing hearts. In addition, beta-myosin and alpha-cardiac actin mRNA levels also showed an inverse relation with ANF mRNA levels. These changes were observed in both right and left ventricles of hearts with congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, primary pulmonary hypertension, or ischemic heart disease. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that abnormal calcium handling in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of failing hearts is due to the altered expression of the genes encoding sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins.

Adolescent↗

Endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion unmasks a caffeine-induced Ca2+ influx in human aortic endothelial cells.

Intracellular Ca2+ pools contribute to changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i), which play an important role in endothelial cell signaling. Recently, endothelial ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores were shown to regulate agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pools. Since caffeine binds the ryanodine Ca2+ release channel on the endoplasmic reticulum in a variety of cell types, we examined the effect of caffeine on [Ca2+]i in human aortic endothelial cell monolayers loaded with the fluorescent probe indo 1. Under baseline conditions, 10 mmol/L caffeine induced a small increase in [Ca2+]i from 86 +/- 10 to 115 +/- 17 nmol/L (mean +/- SEM); this effect was similar to that of 5 mumol/L ryanodine and was unaffected by buffer Ca2+ removal. After depletion of an intracellular Ca2+ store by the irreversible endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (1 mumol/L), ryanodine did not affect [Ca2+]i. In contrast, caffeine induced a large rapid increase in [Ca2+]i (176 +/- 19 to 338 +/- 35 nmol/L, P < .001) after thapsigargin exposure; this effect of caffeine was only observed when extracellular Ca2+ was present. A similar increase in [Ca2+]i was induced by caffeine after depletion of ryanodine- and histamine-sensitive Ca2+ stores or after pretreatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (10 mumol/L). Thus, under baseline conditions the effect of caffeine on [Ca2+]i is similar to that of ryanodine and appears to be due to the release of an intracellular store. However, after depletion of an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store, caffeine, but not ryanodine, stimulates Ca2+ influx, resulting in a large increase in [Ca2+]i.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aorta↗

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium overloading in junctin deficiency enhances cardiac contractility but increases ventricular automaticity.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium (Ca) cycling is increasingly recognized as an important mechanism for increased ventricular automaticity that leads to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Previous studies have linked lethal familial arrhythmogenic disorders to mutations in the ryanodine receptor and calsequestrin genes, which interact with junctin and triadin to form a macromolecular Ca-signaling complex. The essential physiological effects of junctin and its potential regulatory roles in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca cycling and Ca-dependent cardiac functions, such as myocyte contractility and automaticity, are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: The junctin gene was targeted in embryonic stem cells, and a junctin-deficient mouse was generated. Ablation of junctin was associated with enhanced cardiac function in vivo, and junctin-deficient cardiomyocytes exhibited increased contractile and Ca-cycling parameters. Short-term isoproterenol stimulation elicited arrhythmias, including premature ventricular contractions, atrioventricular heart block, and ventricular tachycardia. Long-term isoproterenol infusion also induced premature ventricular contractions and atrioventricular heart block in junctin-null mice. Further examination of the electrical activity revealed a significant increase in the occurrence of delayed afterdepolarizations. Consistently, 25% of the junctin-null mice died by 3 months of age with structurally normal hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Junctin is an essential regulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca release and contractility in normal hearts. Ablation of junctin is associated with aberrant Ca homeostasis, which leads to fatal arrhythmias. Thus, normal intracellular Ca cycling relies on maintenance of junctin levels and an intricate balance among the components in the sarcoplasmic reticulum quaternary Ca-signaling complex.

Animals↗

Relationship between peroxisomes and endoplasmic reticulum investigated by combined catalase and glucose-6-phosphatase cytochemistry.

The theoretical advantages of electron microscopic cytochemistry were utilized to look for evidence of possible connections between peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum in rat liver. Established cytochemical procedures for catalase (peroxisomes) and glucose-6-phosphatase (endoplasmic reticulum) were carried out, and evidence was sought of diffusion of reaction products between the organelles. No such diffusion was observed: lead phosphate was found in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the nuclear envelope but not in peroxisomes; oxidized diaminobenzidine (DAB) was seen only in peroxisomes. In addition, both types of cytochemistry were carried out on the same tissue. The two kinds of reaction product could be distinguished by virtue of their different electron opacities. No mixing of the two reaction products was observed. These results do not support the hypothesis that peroxisomes and endoplasmic reticulum may be connected; rather, they support the idea that the two organelles exist as separate cellular compartments.

3,3'-Diaminobenzidine↗

Distinct roles of endoplasmic reticulum cytochrome b5 and fused cytochrome b5-like domain for rat Delta6-desaturase activity.

The Delta6-desaturase catalyzes key steps in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Although the gene coding for this enzyme has been isolated in diverse animal species, the protein structure remains poorly characterized. In this work, rat Delta6-desaturase expressed in COS-7 cells was shown to localize in the endoplasmic reticulum. As the enzyme contains an N-terminal cytochrome b5-like domain, we investigated by site-directed mutagenesis the role of this domain in the enzyme activity. The typical HPGG motif of the cytochrome b5-like domain, and particularly histidine in this motif, is required for the activity of the enzyme, whatever the substrate. Neither endogenous COS-7 cytochrome b5 nor coexpressed rat endoplasmic reticulum cytochrome b5 could rescue the activity of mutated forms of Delta6-desaturase. Moreover, when rat endoplasmic reticulum cytochrome b5 was coexpressed with wild-type desaturase, both proteins interacted and Delta6-desaturase activity was significantly increased. The identified interaction between these proteins is not dependent on the desaturase HPGG motif. These data suggest distinct and essential roles for both the desaturase cytochrome b5-like domain and free endoplasmic reticulum cytochrome b5 for Delta6-desaturase activity.

Animals↗

Phosphate transport by intestinal endoplasmic reticulum during maturation.

The transport of phosphate into jejunal endoplasmic reticulum vesicles isolated from suckling and adolescent rats was investigated using a rapid filtration technique. Intestinal endoplasmic reticulum from both ages were enriched with NADPH cytochrome-C-reductase whereas other markers for brush border, basolateral, mitochondrial, and Golgi apparatus were impoverished. Phosphate uptake represented an energy-dependent process as evident by more than 80% decrease in uptake values at 0 degrees C compared to 25 degrees C. Phosphate uptake was ATP dependent in both age groups, however, mean uptake values were significantly greater in suckling rats compared to adolescent rats. pH optimum for uptake was 7.2 p-Chloromercuribenzoate at 100 microM concentration inhibited phosphate uptake by more than 90%. Initial rate of phosphate uptake was linear up to 45 s. Kinetics of phosphate uptake at 30 s showed a Km of 0.7 +/- 0.1 and 0.15 +/- 0.1 suckling and adolescent rats, respectively. Vmax was 1.5 +/- 0.5 and 0.14 +/- 0.01 nmol/mg protein/30 s for both suckling and adolescent rats, respectively. Herein we provide evidence for the first time for the presence of a phosphate carrier in intestinal endoplasmic reticulum of rats. Endoplasmic reticulum of phosphate uptake was significantly greater in suckling rats compared to adolescent rats. This increase in uptake is due to a greater number and activity of phosphate carriers in suckling rats.

Age Factors↗

The effect of epinephrine on calcium handling by adipocyte plasma membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochonrdia.

The effect of epinephrine treatment of adipocytes upon calcium handling by subsequently isolated plasma membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria has been examined and compared to the previously reported effects of insulin upon these parameters. Epinephrine (0.1 micrograms/ml) treatment of adipocytes resulted in: 1) a 19% increase in calcium binding to plasma membranes at calcium concentrations (2 and 250 microM) which reflect binding to the high and low affinity calcium-binding sites, respectively; 2) small but significant decreases in the maximum rate (-7.4%) and the Km (-12.6%) for calcium uptake by the endoplasmic reticulum without changes in the steady state capacity or the rate of efflux from the endoplasmic reticulum; and 3) no change in the stable pool of calcium in the mitochondria. The epinephrine-induced increase in calcium binding by the plasma membranes is identical to the effects of insulin previously reported, suggesting that this alteration may be involved in the similar membrane effects of these two hormones. In contrast, the effects of epinephrine on endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial calcium are strikingly different from the effects of insulin, suggesting that these parameters may be related to the vastly different effects that these hormones have on intracellular metabolic events.

Adipose Tissue↗

Active relocation of chromatin and endoplasmic reticulum into blebs in late apoptotic cells.

Plasma membrane blebbing is a defining characteristic of apoptosis, but its significance is not understood. Using live-cell imaging we have identified two phases of apoptotic blebbing. The early phase is restricted to adherent cells, and is prevented by the Rho-activated kinase inhibitor Y27632. The late phase is partially resistant to Y27632, and generates morphologically distinct membrane protrusions that are likely precursors to apoptotic bodies. Late blebbing is observed in all apoptotic cells tested. It occurs at a fixed period before phosphatidyl serine exposure, indicating that it is a universal and important feature of apoptosis. Late blebs contain a cortical layer of endoplasmic reticulum that often surrounds condensed chromatin, while other organelles are excluded. The appearance in some apoptotic cells of partially formed sheets of endoplasmic reticulum suggest that these cortical layers are newly formed by the remodelling of the endoplasmic reticulum of interphase cells. Formation of endoplasmic reticulum and chromatin-containing blebs requires both actin and microtubules, and is prevented by the caspase-6 inhibitor zVEID.fmk.

Actins↗

NAADP, cADPR and IP3 all release Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum and an acidic store in the secretory granule area.

Inositol trisphosphate and cyclic ADP-ribose release Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum via inositol trisphosphate and ryanodine receptors, respectively. By contrast, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate may activate a novel Ca2+ channel in an acid compartment. We show, in two-photon permeabilized pancreatic acinar cells, that the three messengers tested could each release Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum and also from an acid store in the granular region. The nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate action on both types of store, like that of cyclic ADP-ribose but unlike inositol trisphosphate, depended on operational ryanodine receptors, since it was blocked by ryanodine or ruthenium red. The acid Ca2+ store in the granular region did not have Golgi or lysosomal characteristics and might therefore be associated with the secretory granules. The endoplasmic reticulum is predominantly basal, but thin extensions penetrate into the granular area and cytosolic Ca2+ signals probably initiate at sites where endoplasmic reticulum elements and granules come close together.

Animals↗

Genetic and molecular interactions of the Erv41p-Erv46p complex involved in transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex.

Erv41p and Erv46p are integral membrane proteins conserved across species. They were originally identified as abundant constituents of COPII-coated vesicles, and form a complex which cycles between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Yeast strains lacking these proteins are viable but display subtle secretory phenotypes. In order to obtain information about possible biological roles of this protein complex in endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi transport, we employed the Synthetic Genetic Array approach to screen for synthetic genetic interactions with the erv46 null mutation. We identified synthetic interactions with vma12, vma21, vma22 and vps1 deletion mutations. The vma21Delta mutation exacerbates transport defects caused by the erv46Delta mutation. Unexpectedly, yeast strains lacking Vma21p fail to sort the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi v-SNARE, Bos1p, efficiently into COPII vesicles, yet these vesicles are fully fusion competent. In addition, we set out to identify, by a biochemical approach, proteins interacting with the Erv41p-Erv46p complex. We report a strong interaction between the Erv41p-Erv46p complex and endoplasmic reticulum glucosidase II. Strains lacking a cycling Erv41p-Erv46p complex display a mild glycoprotein processing defect.

COP-Coated Vesicles↗

NSP-encoded reticulons, neuroendocrine proteins of a novel gene family associated with membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum.

The novel NSP gene was previously shown to encode, among a variety of neuroendocrine cell types, two 3'-overlapping transcripts, a 3.4 kb one for NSP-A (776 amino acids) and a 1.8 kb one for NSP-C (208 amino acids). The deduced proteins, which were predicted to possess distinct amino-terminal regions, appeared to exhibit some architectural resemblance to known neuroendocrine proteins. In this paper the biochemical characterization and subcellular localization of the two proteins is addressed. In vitro translation of NSP-A and -C RNA produced proteins of about 135 and 23 kDa, respectively. Proteins of similar molecular mass were also detected in immunoprecipitation and western blot analyses of neural and endocrine cells using specific anti-NSP-A or -C antisera; some heterogeneity of NSP-A was observed. NSP-A, but not NSP-C, appeared to be highly phosphorylated and preferentially on serine residues. In immunocytochemical studies, we demonstrated that NSP-A and -C are associated with the endoplasmic reticulum; NSP-A was found to co-localize with SERCA2b, a membrane-associated Ca(2+)-ATPase of the endoplasmic reticulum. In Purkinje cells, we found NSP-immunostaining in the perikaryon, the extensive dendritic tree and the axon, also suggesting association with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Biochemical studies of NSP-A provided evidence that NSP-A is strongly associated with microsomal membranes and analysis of deletion mutants of NSP-A revealed that the hydrophobic carboxy-terminal portion of the protein, which is also present in NSP-C, is critical for membrane binding. Through database searches, finally, we found two different NSP-related sequences, one in a sequenced region of human chromosome 19, and the second in a human, pancreatic islet-derived partial cDNA, suggesting that the NSP gene is the prototype of a larger gene family. The results of our studies seem to indicate that the NSP-encoded proteins are novel, membrane-anchored components of the endoplasmic reticulum for which we propose the name reticulons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of endoplasmic reticulum in the primitive eukaryote Giardia lamblia using cryoelectron microscopy and antibody to Bip.

Giardia lamblia trophozoites contain a complex endomembrane system as demonstrated by fluorescence and cryoelectron microscopy. The endomembrane system was weakly detected in live cells using the fluorescent membrane dye 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide. The definitive identification of endoplasmic reticulum required the development of a molecular label. We expressed Giardial Bip in Escherichia coli and raised a polyclonal antibody to the purified protein. In western blots, the antibody was specific for Giardial Bip and did not react with human, monkey and rodent homologs. By immunofluorescence microscopy in methanol fixed cells the antibody visualized tubular structures and other subcellular components that required characterization by electron microscopy. Using cryotechniques we directly demonstrate the presence of a complex endomembrane system at the ultrastructural level. In conjunction with Bip immunogold labeling of cryosections we identify: (1) endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and tubules; (2) stacked perinuclear membranes; and (3) Bip presence in the nuclear envelope. Both the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope were found either with or without a cleft region suggesting each may contain common specialized sub-regions. In stacked perinuclear membranes, which may represent either multilamellar endoplasmic reticulum or a Golgi apparatus, Bip labeling was restricted to peripheral layers, also suggesting specialized sub-regions. Labeled endomembrane systems could be observed associated with microtubule structures, including axonemes and the adhesive disk. The presence of an extensive endomembrane system in Giardia lamblia, which represents one of the earliest diverging eukaryotic species, supports the view that both the nucleus and endomembrane system co-evolved in a common ancestor of eukaryotic cells.

Animals↗

AnkyrinG is associated with the postsynaptic membrane and the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the skeletal muscle fiber.

Ankyrins are a multi-gene family of peripheral proteins that link ion channels and cell adhesion molecules to the spectrin-based skeleton in specialized membrane domains. In the mammalian skeletal myofiber, ankyrins were immunolocalized in several membrane domains, namely the costameres, the postsynaptic membrane and the triads. Ank1 and Ank3 transcripts were previously detected in skeletal muscle by northern blot analysis. However, the ankyrin isoforms associated with these domains were not identified, with the exception of an unconventional Ank1 gene product that was recently localized at discrete sites of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Here we study the expression and subcellular distribution of the Ank3 gene products, the ankyrinsG, in the rat skeletal muscle fiber. Northern blot analysis of rat skeletal muscle mRNAs using domain-specific Ank3 cDNA probes revealed two transcripts of 8.0 kb and 5.6 kb containing the spectrin-binding and C-terminal, but not the serine-rich, domains. Reverse transcriptase PCR analysis of rat skeletal muscle total RNA confirmed the presence of Ank3 transcripts that lacked the serine-rich and tail domains, a major insert of 7813 bp at the junction of the spectrin-binding and C-terminal domains that was previously identified in brain Ank3 transcripts. Immunoblot analysis of total skeletal muscle homogenates using ankyrinG-specific antibodies revealed one major 100 kDa ankyrinG polypeptide. Immunofluorescence labeling of rat diaphragm cryosections showed that ankyrin(s)G are selectively associated with (1) the depths of the postsynaptic membrane folds, where the voltage-dependent sodium channel and N-CAM accumulate, and (2) the sarcoplasmic reticulum, as confirmed by codistribution with the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA 1). At variance with ankyrin(s)G, ankyrin(s)R (ank1 gene products) accumulate at the sarcolemma and at sarcoplasmic structures, in register with A-bands. Both ankyrin isoforms codistributed over Z-lines and at the postsynaptic membrane. These data extend the notion that ankyrins are differentially localized within myofibers, and point to a role of the ankyrinG family in the organization of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the postsynaptic membrane.

Alternative Splicing↗

Localization of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in CHO cells transfected with PDGF A- or B-chain cDNA: retention of PDGF-BB in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a powerful mitogen for connective tissue cells. It is made up of two polypeptide chains (A and B) and exists in three dimeric forms (AA, AB, and BB). Transfection experiments have indicated that PDGF-AA and -AB are secreted as 30 x 10(3) Mr products, whereas PDGF-BB is processed into a 24 x 10(3) Mr product and remains associated with the cells. Here, CHO cells were transfected with PDGF B- or A-chain cDNA and the intracellular distributions of the respective gene products were compared by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, using primary antibodies specific for PDGF B- and A-chain homodimers. PDGF-BB was most conspicuous in stacked Golgi cisternae. It was also found in the endoplasmic reticulum and in lysosomes. Upon treatment of the cells with the microtubule-disruptive drug nocodazole, the Golgi complex was broken up and its stacks of cisternae were dispersed throughout the cytoplasm together with clusters of lysosomes. After this structural disorganization, the concentration of PDGF-BB to the Golgi stacks was even more prominent than before. Weak reactivity for PDGF-AA was detected in the endoplasmic reticulum and groups of vacuoles, both in control and nocodazole-treated cells, whereas Golgi stacks and lysosomes only seldom were positive. The observations suggest that PDGF-BB is processed and retained within the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Eventually, it may also be transferred to lysosomes for degradation. In contrast, PDGF-AA is likely to follow a pathway for bulk flow, including rapid passage through the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex, package in secretory vacuoles, and extracellular release by exocytosis.

Animals↗

Thyroxine induced transformation in sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit soleus and psoas muscles.

The properties of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes isolated from slow-twitch type I soleus and fast-twitch type II psoas muscles of control and thyroxine treated rabbits were comparatively studied. Membrane yield, maximal calcium storing capacity, ATP-supported calcium uptake, calcium-dependent ATPase activity and calcium-dependent phosphoprotein formation were found to be 3-10 fold higher in psoas than in soleus preparations. Membrane yield, calcium-dependent ATPase activity, ATP-supported calcium transport and calcium-dependent phosphoprotein are at least twice enhanced in the membranes from soleus muscles of animals treated for 14-21 days with thyroxine. The corresponding capacities of the membranes from psoas muscles are not further augmented by the same thyroxine treatment. The maximal calcium storing capacity of the psoas membranes is their sole specific property which is significantly increased. The changes in the properties of the soleus muscles' sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes are engendered by an increase from 5 to 30-50% in the number of type II fibres. Since the calcium transporting properties of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes from type II fibres qualitatively differ from those of type I fibres, thyroxine does not only affect quantitative but also qualitative parameters of the muscles' sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane system.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Neurotoxic calcium transfer from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria is regulated by cyclin-dependent kinase 5-dependent phosphorylation of tau.

Increased levels of mitochondrial-free calcium have been associated with several cell-death paradigms, such as excitotoxicity and ceramide-mediated neuronal death. In the latter, calcium is transferred from the endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria by a mechanism that is only partly understood. We show here that CDK5 (cyclin-dependent kinase 5) plays a role. Free calcium levels in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were measured with fluorescent markers in C2-ceramide-treated primary cultures of mesencephalic neurons and differentiated pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Calcium levels decreased in the endoplasmic reticulum as they increased in mitochondria. Both changes were blocked by the pharmacological and molecular CDK5 inhibitors roscovitine and a dominant-negative form of CDK5. Although the kinase did not mediate the transfer of calcium per se, which required the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein t-Bid (the truncated form of Bid), it facilitated the transfer by inducing the clustering of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria around the centrosome where they formed close contacts, as shown by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Organelle clustering resulted from CDK5-dependent phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau on threonine 231. This caused its release from microtubules into the soluble fraction of cellular proteins, which appears to favor retrograde transport of the organelles. Mutation of threonine 231 to alanine, so that tau could not be phosphorylated at this site, prevented the ceramide-induced release of tau from microtubules, organelle clustering, the increase in mitochondrial-free calcium levels, and neuronal death, demonstrating the importance of the CDK5-dependent signaling cascade in this calcium-dependent cell-death mechanism.

Analysis of Variance↗