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Multiple determinants for rapid agonist-induced internalization of a nonmammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor: a putative palmitoylation site and threonine doublet within the carboxyl-terminal tail Are critical.

The chicken GnRH receptor (cGnRH-R) differs from all mammalian GnRH-Rs in possessing a cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal tail. We have previously demonstrated that the cGnRH-R undergoes more rapid agonist-induced internalization than the mammalian GnRH-Rs and requires the carboxyl-terminal tail for this process. To investigate the structural determinants mediating this rapid internalization, a series of mutant receptors was generated, including progressive truncations of the tail and substitution of serine and threonine residues with alanine. Truncation of the carboxyl-terminal tail to position 366 and then to position 356 resulted in a progressive attenuation of the rate and total extent of receptor internalization. However, truncation between positions 356 and 346 did not alter the kinetics of internalization further, whereas a further truncation to position 337 resulted in an additional marked reduction of internalization. We show that the membrane-proximal Cys(328) and the Thr(369)Thr(370) doublet located in the distal carboxyl terminus play a critical role in mediating rapid internalization. We demonstrate that the cGnRH-R, when expressed in both COS-7 and HEK 293 cells, preferentially undergoes rapid agonist-induced internalization in a caveolae-like, dynamin-dependent manner. These conclusions are based on our observation that pretreatments with filipin and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, agents that disrupt lipid rafts such as caveolae, and coexpression of dominant-negative dynamin-1 (K44A) and caveolin-1 (Delta 1-81) mutants, effectively inhibited rapid agonist-induced internalization. Furthermore, cGnRH-Rs appeared to be mobilized to the beta-arrestin- and clathrin-coated, vesicle-mediated endocytic pathway upon beta-arrestin overexpression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor (CRHR)1 and CRHR2 are both trafficking and signaling receptors for urocortin.

Transport of urocortin, a potent satiety peptide, occurs at the blood-brain barrier of the mouse. Endocytosis of urocortin by the cerebral microvessel endothelial cells composing the blood-brain barrier is a rate-limiting step of this transport, but the cellular mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. The presence of both CRH receptors R1 and R2 in isolated cerebral microvessels shown in this study suggested that both subtypes might mediate urocortin transport. The roles of these two receptors in the endocytosis and signal transduction of urocortin were tested by overexpression studies in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Both receptors led to a significant increase of binding and endocytosis of radiolabeled urocortin. CRHR1-mediated urocortin endocytosis was blocked by astressin (antagonist for both CRHRs), whereas CRHR2-mediated urocortin endocytosis was also blocked by antisauvagine 30 (selective CRHR2beta antagonist). Chlorpromazine, filipin, and nystatin had no effect on urocortin endocytosis, indicating the lack of significant involvement of clathrin or caveolae membrane microdomains. Both CRHR1 and CRHR2 were able to mediate the ligand-induced increase of cAMP production, suggesting that the overexpressed receptors were biologically active. Elevation of intracellular cAMP by forskolin or dibutyryl-cAMP, however, did not show acute modulation of the binding and endocytosis of urocortin. Despite the substantial intracellular degradation of endocytosed urocortin in cells overexpressing either CRHR1 or CRHR2, intact urocortin could be exocytosed during the 1-h study interval. We conclude that both CRHR1 and CRHR2 play a facilitatory role in the non-clathrin-, non-caveolae-mediated endocytosis and intracellular signal transduction of this potent peptide.

Animals↗

Localization and regulation of SR-BI in membrane rafts of HepG2 cells.

The scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI) mediates cholesteryl esters (CE) selective uptake from low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. In a number of tissues expressing caveolin, SR-BI is localized in caveolae. We show using detergent-free sucrose gradients that SR-BI is found in membrane rafts devoid of caveolin-1 in the human hepatoma HepG2 cell. Perturbation of the structure of HepG2 cell membrane rafts with cholesterol oxidase or sphingomyelinase decreased LDL-CE association due to selective uptake by 60%, while HDL3-CE selective uptake was increased 2.3-fold by cholesterol oxidase but was not affected by sphingomyelinase. Sequestration of membrane cholesterol with filipin III decreased LDL-CE selective uptake by 25%, while it had no effect on HDL3-CE selective uptake. Extraction of cell membrane cholesterol with beta-cyclodextrin increased LDL- and HDL3-CE selective uptake by 1.6-fold and 3-fold, respectively. We found that CE-selective uptake from both HDL and LDL occurs by a pathway involving retro-endocytosis in HepG2 cells. An analysis of the effect of SR-BI level on the expression of critical lipid sensor and lipid binding proteins was conducted with stable transformants of HepG2 cell overexpressing SR-BI. We found that liver-type fatty acid binding protein expression level is higher in SR-BI-overexpressing cells and that caveolin-1 and sterol response element binding protein-2 levels are reduced. Thus, in this hepatic cell model, SR-BI is associated with membrane rafts devoid of caveolin and its expression affects intracellular lipid binding and lipid sensor proteins. SR-BI-dependent LDL- and HDL-CE selective uptake are affected differently by the integrity of membrane rafts, but both occur by a retroendocytic pathway in HepG2 cells.

CD36 Antigens↗

The GIN4 family kinase, Cdr2p, acts independently of septins in fission yeast.

Two relatives of the GIN4 protein kinase family, Cdr1p and Cdr2p, exist in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Although in Saccharomyces cerevisiae GIN4-related kinases influence septin ring organization and septin rings influence the localization and function of GIN4-related protein kinases, it is unknown whether this relationship is conserved in S. pombe. Here, we have probed the relationship between Cdr2p activity and septins and find that Cdr2p and septins are functionally independent. Cdr2p localizes in a cortical band overlying the nucleus during interphase, whose dimension is proportional to cell length, and to a medial ring structure in late mitosis. Both localizations are septin-independent and disrupted by treatment with filipin. Structure/function analysis indicates that the intracellular targeting domain of Cdr2p is largely contained within its non-catalytic C-terminus. Cdr2 protein kinase activity, while unimportant for its localization, is critical for its cell cycle function. Our data indicate that Cdr2p functions at two positions within the cell at discrete cell cycle stages to influence the timing of mitotic entry and cytokinesis, respectively.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Endocytosis of GABAB receptors modulates membrane excitability in the single-celled organism Paramecium.

GABAB receptors modulate swimming behavior in Paramecium by inhibiting dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels via G-proteins. Prolonged occupancy of GABAB receptors by baclofen results in a decrease in GABAB receptor functions. Since changes in the number of cell-surface GABAA receptors have been postulated to be of importance in modulating inhibitory synaptic transmission in neurons, we have studied the cell-surface expression and maintenance of GABAB receptors in P. primaurelia. In this study, we use immunostaining in electron and confocal microscopy to demonstrate that constitutive internalization of GABAB receptors in P. primaurelia is mediated by clathrin-dependent and -independent endocytosis. Indeed, GABAB receptors colocalize with the adaptin complex AP2, which is implicated in the selective recruitment of integral membrane proteins to clathrin-coated vesicles, and with caveolin 1, which is associated with uncoated membrane invaginations. Furthermore, when endocytosis is blocked with hypertonic medium, cytosol acidification, filipin or with a peptide that disrupts the association between amphiphysin and dynamin, the effect of baclofen on swimming is increased. These results suggest that GABAB receptor endocytosis into clathrin-coated and -uncoated vesicles represents an important mechanism in the modulation of swimming behavior in Paramecium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein kinase C(alpha) actively downregulates through caveolae-dependent traffic to an endosomal compartment.

Receptor desensitization occurs through receptor internalization and targeting to endosomes, a prerequisite for sorting and degradation. Such trafficking processes may not be restricted to membrane associated receptors but may also play an important role in the downregulation of cytoplasmic transducers such as protein kinase C (PKC). It is demonstrated here that acute TPA exposure induces the transport of activated PKC(alpha) from the plasma membrane to endosomes. This process requires PKC activity and catalytically competent PKC can even promote a similar process for a truncated regulatory domain PKC(&agr;) protein. It is established that PKC(&agr;) is targeted to the endosome compartment as an active kinase, where it colocalizes with annexin I, a substrate of PKC. Thus, PKC(alpha) downregulation shares features with plasma membrane associated receptor sorting and degradation. However, it is shown that PKC(&agr;) delivery to the endosome compartment is not a Rab5 mediated process in contrast to the well characterised internalisation of the transferrin receptor. An alternative route for PKC(alpha) is evidenced by the finding that the cholesterol binding drugs nystatin and filipin, known to inhibit caveolae mediated trafficking, are able to block PKC(alpha) traffic and down regulation. Consistent with this, the endosomes where PKC(alpha) is found also contain caveolin. It is concluded that the initial step in desensitisation of PKC(alpha) involves active delivery to endosomes via a caveolae mediated process.

Animals↗

Phagocytosis by macrophages. I. Kinetics of adhesion between particles and phagocytes.

A quantitative method for measuring the initial rate of adhesion of foreign particles to mouse peritoneal macrophages, using protein-coated paraffin oil particles, is described. It was performed to measure the rate of adhesion, which is the first step of phagocytosis, separately from the other phagocytic activities. Kinetic studies showed that the cell-substrate adhesion was a Michaelis-Menten type reaction, which has two rate indices, Km and V. The effects of various reagents on the adhesion rate were analysed. KCN and NaN3 change the rate by affecting V, while the changes in the rate brought about by chlorpromazine and filipin are due to their effect on the Km. Cytochalasin B decreased the adhesion rate, but colchicine did not. The initial rate of adhesion decreased with decreasing temperature. As Arrhenius plot of the initial rate showed a break at 30 degrees C, and gave an activation enthalpy of 14.8 kcal for the process at the physiological temperature. No characteristic change in membrane fluidity was found at 30 degrees C using electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Animals↗

Freeze-fracture study of phagocytosis in Dictyostelium discoideum.

The plasma membrane and its derivative, the phagosome membrane, were studied during and after ingestion of yeast of latex beads in Dictyostelium discoideum. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy, which provides information on the internal architecture of the membranes, and observation of thin sections of cells treated by cytochemical methods were used in parallel. For visualization of membrane sterols in the replicas, the cells were fixed in the presence of digitonin or the antibiotic filipin. No lateral phase separation occurred during yeast engulfment: the intramembranous particles (IMPs), phospholipids and sterols remained distributed at random in the forming phagosome membrane. In contrast architectural modifications of the membrane were observed upon phagosome internalization. Compared to the plasma membrane, the phagosome membrane displayed 2-3 times more IMPs a shift in the IMP size distribution and a higher sterol content. These changes were completed soon after phagosome closure; they were not related either to the nature of the ingested particles (yeast, latex beads) or to the pH in the membrane environment. The membrane changes too place when the phagosomes began to fuse with pre-existing digestive or autophagic vacuoles and lysosomes. Some of the experimental evidence suggests that the restructuring of the membrane may be related to the presence of hydrolases.

Cell Membrane↗

Local thrombus formation in the site of intravenous injection of chlorpromazine: possible colloid-osmotic lysis of the local endothelial cells.

Since amphiphilic drugs are known to interact with biomembranes, we investigated local vessel damage and thrombosis which might be brought about by intravenous dosing using chlorpromazine (CPZ) as a representative compound. CPZ-induced hemolysis was suppressed by an increase in sucrose concentration in the medium, characterizing this hemolysis to be colloid-osmotic lysis, which includes the enhancement of membrane phospholipid fluidity and consequent small pore formation in the membranes. This was supported by the observation that hemolysis by filipin, not featuring the stage of small pore formation, was not affected by sucrose. [14C]Glucose-entrapping liposomes were degraded by CPZ, and this degradation was enhanced by an increase in the intravesicle glucose concentration. These results indicated that the compound could induce colloid-osmotic lysis in erythrocytes and artificial membrane vesicles. CPZ also injured cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC), as evidenced by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. This injury was also suppressed by increase in sucrose concentration in the medium, suggesting that colloid-osmotic lysis again occurred. When rats were intravenously injected with CPZ, local endothelial cell (EC) injury and associated thrombus formation were observed, suggesting that CPZ's action was also evident in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first finding which suggests that an intravenously dosed amphiphilic drug can injure local ECs based on a colloid-osmotic lysis mechanism leading to thrombosis.

Animals↗

[Lipid rafts and their analytical methods].

Microdomains in cell membranes consist of caveolae and lipid rafts, in which cholesterol, glycolipids, and sphingomyelin are concentrated. While caveolae are relatively stable because caveolin, an integral protein, supports the structure, lipid rafts are unstable, being dynamically produced and degraded. In lipid rafts, flotillin is assumed to be one of the specifically located proteins. Since microdomains contain several signaling molecules, such as transmembrane receptors, they have an important role in receptor-medicated signal transduction. Caveolae or lipid rafts are known to be resistant to non-ionic detergents, such as Triton X-100. Because of this property, they are separated as the detergent-resistant membranes when the Triton X-100-treated cell lysate is subjected to sucrose gradient centrifugation. On the other hand, cholesterol is an essential molecule to maintain microdomain structure. When the cells are treated with cholesterol removing agents, such as methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and filipin, the microdomain in cell membranes is disrupted. Thus, the cholesterol removing agents are utilized to determine whether the microdomain is involved in certain cellular/physiological responses. Recently, green fluorescent protein-tagged protein is used to analyze the localization of the protein in lipid rafts in intact cells. Research on lipid rafts will be helpful for understanding the detailed mechanism of signal transduction and to clarify the molecular basis of several diseases.

Caveolin 1↗

The human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 and truncated variants induce segregation of lipids and proteins in the plasma membrane of Candida albicans.

The human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 and several truncated variants differ in their capability to transmigrate over the plasma membrane of Candida albicans. We investigated whether retention at the cell perimeter or membrane transmigration affects their membrane-disrupting activities and candidacidal properties. Using fluorescein-labeled peptides, we demonstrate that LL-37 and its C-terminally truncated peptide LL-31 remain permanently associated with the perimeter of the cell. The N-terminally truncated peptide RK-31 initially accumulated at the cell boundary, but transmigrated into the cytoplasm within 30 min. The C-terminally truncated peptide LL-25 transmigrated instantaneously into the cytoplasm. The ultrastructural effects on the plasma membrane were studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy combined with filipin cytochemistry. All peptides, whether they transmigrated over the plasma membrane or not, induced phase separation in the plasma membrane. All peptides induced leakage of cell components, including nucleotides and proteins. Proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE in combination with mass spectrometry, which revealed that predominantly proteins smaller than 50 kDa had leaked out of C. albicans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of endocytic inhibitory drugs on internalization of amyloidogenic light chains by cardiac fibroblasts.

Amyloidosis is a disease of protein misfolding that ultimately impairs organ function. Previously, we demonstrated that amyloidogenic light chains (kappa1, lambda6, and lambda3 subtypes), internalized by cardiac fibroblasts, enhanced sulfation of secreted glycosaminoglycans. In this study, we investigated the internalization and cellular trafficking of urinary immunoglobulin light chains into cardiac fibroblasts. We demonstrate that these light chains have the ability to form annular rings in solution. Internalization was assessed by incubating cells in the presence of light chain conjugated to Oregon Green 488 followed by monitoring with live cell confocal imaging. The rate of light chain internalization was reduced by treatment with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin but not filipin. Amyloid light chain did co-localize with dextran-Texas Red. Once internalized, the light chains were detected in lysosomes and then secreted into the extracellular medium. The light chain detected in the cell lysate and medium possessed a lower hydrophobic species. Nocodazole, a microtubule inhibitor, did not disperse aggregates. In addition, internalization and retention of the light chain proteins was altered in the presence of the proteasomal inhibitor MG132. These results indicate that the cell internalizes light chain by a fluid phase endocytosis, which is then modified and ultimately compromises the cell.

Amyloid↗

Interactions of PC/Chol and PS/Chol liposomes with human cells in vitro.

Interactions between phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylserine (PS) liposomes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) or human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60) were investigated. Pyramine encapsulating or rhodamine incorporating small unilamellar liposomes with mean diameters around 80 nm (demonstrated to retain encapsulated material and to be nontoxic under experimental conditions) were used. Liposome uptake by both types of cells increased when increasing amounts of vesicles were co-incubated. For both lipid compositions, the interaction with HUVEC was very fast (association reached a plateau within 5 min) and so was the release of internalized vesicles (90% within 10 min at 37 degrees C). The reduced association values at 4 degrees C and the punctuate fluorescence observed in the cell cytoplasm after interaction, were indicative of whole liposome internalization. This internalization was clathrin-independent, since it was not inhibited by sodium azide and deoxyglucose. Pre-treatment of HUVEC with filipin or NEM resulted in modification of the interaction, something that could be due to alterations in the biochemical characteristics of HUVEC membranes that inhibit vesicular processes. In HL-60 cells, a slower association and faster release of PC/Chol liposomes was demonstrated, while association of both liposomes with these cells was energy-and temperature-independent. Nevertheless, morphological studies revealed differences in the interactions: A bright fluorescent rim observed after interaction with PC/Chol liposomes, suggests that these liposomes were adsorbed on the surface of HL60 cells, while the uniform cytoplasmic fluorescence observed after incubation with PS/Chol liposomes was indicative of fusion as the interaction mechanism.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

ATP-dependent renal H+ translocation: regional localization, kinetic characteristics, and chloride dependence.

We characterized Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase activity in membranes from the renal cortex, the outer and inner stripes of the outer medulla, and papillary vesicles. In all regions, there was Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase activity that was resistant to oligomycin and vanadate and sensitive to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), N-ethylmaleimide, and filipin. DCCD-Sensitive Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was highest in the inner stripe of the outer medulla and lowest in the cortex, with intermediate values in the outer stripe of the outer medulla and papilla. The Km for ATP, however, was similar among the different regions of the kidney. DCCD-Sensitive Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was critically dependent upon chloride with Km for Cl- in the range of 2-5 mM. In the presence of ATP, this ATPase was capable of H+ translocation, as assessed by acridine orange quenching. Inhibitors of ATPase activity prevented H+ translocation, which suggests that the Mg(2+)-ATPase represents, at least in part, an H(+)-ATPase. H+ transport was likewise critically dependent upon chloride, with similar Km. The effect of chloride on H+ translocation was blocked by the chloride channel inhibitor, diphenylamine-2 carboxylic acid. In the absence of chloride, H+ transport was abolished, but it could be partially restored by the creation of a favorable electric gradient by K+ and valinomycin. These studies demonstrate that the renal H(+)-ATPase exhibits different activities in various regions of the kidney. The ATPase activity and H+ translocation are critically dependent upon the presence of chloride, which suggests that chloride influences H+ translocation by dissipating the H+ gradient and acting at the catalytic site of the ATPase.

Acridine Orange↗

Nonopsonic phagocytosis of Mycobacterium kansasii by human neutrophils depends on cholesterol and is mediated by CR3 associated with glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins.

Receptors involved in the phagocytosis of microorganisms under nonopsonic conditions have been little studied in neutrophils. Complement receptor type 3 (CR3) is a pattern recognition receptor able to internalize zymosan and C3bi-coated particles. We report that Abs directed against CR3 strongly inhibited nonopsonic phagocytosis of Mycobacterium kansasii in human neutrophils. In these cells CR3 has been found associated with several GPI-anchored proteins localized in cholesterol-rich microdomains (rafts) of the plasma membrane. Cholesterol sequestration by nystatin, filipin, or beta-cyclodextrin as well as treatment of neutrophils with phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C to remove GPI-anchored proteins from the cell surface markedly inhibited phagocytosis of M. kansasii, without affecting phagocytosis of zymosan or serum-opsonized M. kansasii. Abs directed against several GPI-anchored proteins inhibited phagocytosis of M. kansasii, but not of zymosan. N:-acetyl-D-glucosamine, which is known to disrupt interactions between CR3 and GPI proteins, also strongly diminished phagocytosis of these mycobacteria. In conclusion, phagocytosis of M. kansasii involved CR3, GPI-anchored receptors, and cholesterol. In contrast, phagocytosis of zymosan or opsonized particles involved CR3, but not cholesterol or GPI proteins. We propose that CR3, when associated with a GPI protein, relocates in cholesterol-rich domains where M. kansasii are internalized. When CR3 is not associated with a GPI protein, it remains outside of these domains and mediates phagocytosis of zymosan and opsonized particles, but not of M. kansasii.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Disruption of lipid rafts stimulates phospholipase d activity in human lymphocytes: implication in the regulation of immune function.

Recent evidence suggests that phospholipase D (PLD) can be regulated through its association/dissociation to lipid rafts. We show here that modifying lipid rafts either by cholesterol depletion using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and filipin or by conversion of sphingomyelin to ceramide with exogenous bacterial sphingomyelinase (bSMase) markedly activated the PLD of human PBMC. bSMase was the most potent PLD activator, giving maximal 6- to 7-fold increase in PLD activity. Triton X-100-treated lysates prepared from control PBMC and from bSMase-treated cells were fractionated by centrifugation on sucrose density gradient. We observed that bSMase treatment of the cells induced a larger ceramide increase in raft than in nonraft membranes and displaced both the Src kinase Lck and PLD1 out of the raft fractions. In addition, the three raft-modifying agents markedly inhibited the lymphoproliferative response to mitogenic lectin. To examine further the potential role of PLD activation in the control of lymphocyte responses, we transiently overexpressed either of the PLD1 and PLD2 isoforms in Jurkat cells and analyzed the phorbol ester plus ionomycin-induced expression of IL-2 mRNA, which is one of the early responses of lymphocyte to activation. We observed a 43% decrease of IL-2 mRNA level in Jurkat cells overexpressing PLD1 as compared with mock- or PLD2-transfected cells, which indicates that elevated PLD1, but not PLD2, activity impairs lymphocyte activation. Altogether, the present results support the hypothesis that PLD1 is activated by exclusion from lipid rafts and that this activation conveys antiproliferative signals in lymphoid cells.

Humans↗

Macrophages rapidly transfer pathogens from lipid raft vacuoles to autophagosomes.

Macrophages activate autophagy as an immediate response to Legionella pneumophila infection, but what marks the pathogen phagosome as a target for the autophagy machinery is not known. Because a variety of bacteria, parasites, viruses, and toxins that associate with the endoplasmic reticulum enter host cells by a cholesterol-dependent route, we tested the hypothesis that autophagy is triggered when microbes engage components of lipid raft domains. As the intracellular respiratory pathogen L. pneumophila or the extracellular uropathogen FimH(+) Escherichia coli entered macrophages by a cholesterol-sensitive mechanism, they immediatezly resided in vacuoles rich in glycosylphosphatidylinositol moieties and the autophagy enzyme Atg7. As expected for autophagosomes, the vacuoles sequentially acquired the endoplasmic reticulum protein BiP, the autophagy markers Atg8 and monodansyl-cadaverine, and the lysosomal protein LAMP-1. A robust macrophage response to the pathogens was cholesterol-dependent, since fewer Atg7-rich vacuoles were observed when macrophages were pretreated with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin or filipin. A model in which macrophages exploit autophagy to capture pathogens within the lipid raft pathway for antigen presentation prior to disposal in lysosomes is discussed.

Animals↗

Effects of polyene macrolide antibiotics on normal and protoplast type L-form cells of Escherichia coli W1655F+.

The action of the polyene macrolide antibiotics mycotrienin, pimaricin, lucensomycin, tetramycin, rimocidin, nystatin, filipin, lagosin, pentaene antibiotic 2814P, flavomycoin, flavofungin, hexaene antibiotic 5001P, and candicidin, including perhydro derivatives of them, on wall-less stable protoplast type L-form and normal rod form cells of E. coli W1655F+ was studied. No inhibition of the normal rod form cells was detected. In contrast to these results the growth of the L-form cells was inhibited by all of the substances tested, with the exception of pimaricin. Further experiments have shown that the differences in sensitivity of normal and L-form cells cannot be explained by differences in sterol content, the target site of polyene antibiotics in sensitive eukaryotic cells. According to our results it is obvious that the cell wall of the normal cells functions as a penetration barrier to polyene antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗