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Spreading of vascular endothelial cells in culture: spatial reorganization of cytoplasmic fibers and organelles.

The three-dimensional organization and fine structure of cytoplasmic components within whole non-embedded bovine aortic endothelial cells were examined during their attachment and spreading in tissue culture. Cells were cultured directly on Formvar-coated gold grids, fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide, critical point dried and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using stereoscopic methods, and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Reorganization of cytoplasmic structures during cell spreading occurred in four sequential stages: (1) spreading of the plasma membrane and unstructured cytoplasmic matrix; (2) spreading of cytoplasmic fiber systems (microtubules, microfilament bundles and microtrabecular system); (3) alignment of microfilament bundles and formation of radial tracts of microtubules; and (4) centripetal movement of organelles along radial tracts. These stages observed by TEM correlated with progressive degrees of cell flattening as visualized by SEM. These studies demonstrate that a characteristic reorganization of intracellular fiber systems and organelles accompanies the spreading of endothelial cells in culture.

Animals↗

Solution structure of the cytoplasmic domain of the human CD4 glycoprotein by CD and 1H NMR spectroscopy: implications for biological functions.

The human T cell receptor CD4 is a type I integral membrane glycoprotein that is involved in T cell activation and also acts as the primary coreceptor for human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). Here the structure of a synthetic 38 amino acid peptide corresponding to the complete cytoplasmic domain of CD4 (CD4CYTO) has been investigated under a variety of solution conditions using a combination of circular dichroism and homonuclear two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the presence of the membrane mimetic 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), a conformational change of CD4CYTO from a random coil to an alpha-helical structure was observed. In keeping with this, CD4CYTO has the potential to associate with membranes as demonstrated by binding studies of in vitro phosphorylated CD4CYTO with microsomal membranes. Both chemical shift and nuclear Overhauser enhancement data in 50% 2,2, 2-trifluoroethanol solution provide direct experimental evidence for the predominance of a short amphiphatic alpha-helix that is approximately 4 turns in length and extends from positions Arg-402 to Lys-417. The present data provide, for the first time, compelling experimental evidence that only a fraction of CD4CYTO has a propensity for adopting secondary structure under conditions that are assumed to exist at or near to the membrane surface and that this alpha-helical structure is located in the membrane-proximal region of CD4CYTO. The N-terminal residues, that link the alpha-helix to the transmembrane anchor of CD4, and a substantial C-terminal portion (14-18 residues) of CD4CYTO are unstructured under the solution conditions investigated. Correlation of our structural data with recent studies on the biological activity of CD4CYTO indicates that the alpha-helix is of crucial importance for the interaction of CD4 with Nef and Vpu in the process of HIV-mediated CD4 down-regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Solution structure of the cytoplasmic domain of erythrocyte membrane band 3 determined by site-directed spin labeling.

The cytoplasmic domain of the anion exchange protein (cdb3) serves as a critical organizing center for protein-protein interactions that stabilize the erythrocyte membrane. The structure of the central core of cdb3, determined by X-ray crystallography from crystals grown at pH 4.8, revealed a compact dimer for residues 55-356 and unresolved N- and C-termini on each monomer [Zhang et al. (2000) Blood 96, 2925-2933]. Given that previous studies had suggested a highly asymmetric structure for cdb3 and that pH dependent structural transitions of cdb3 have been reported, the structure of cdb3 in solution at neutral pH was investigated via site-directed spin labeling in combination with conventional electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and double electron electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopies. These studies show that the structure of the central compact dimer (residues 55-356) is indistinguishable from the crystal structure determined at pH 4.8. N-Terminal residues 1-54 and C-terminal residues 357-379 are dynamically disordered and show no indications of stable secondary structure. These results establish a structural model for cdb3 in solution at neutral pH which represents an important next step in characterizing structural details of the protein-protein interactions that stabilize the erythrocyte membrane.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

Crystal structure of atypical cytoplasmic ABC-ATPase SufC from Thermus thermophilus HB8.

SufC, a cytoplasmic ABC-ATPase, is one of the most conserved Suf proteins. SufC forms a stable complex with SufB and SufD, and the SufBCD complex interacts with other Suf proteins in the Fe-S cluster assembly. We have determined the crystal structure of SufC from Thermus thermophilus HB8 in nucleotide-free and ADP-Mg-bound states at 1.7A and 1.9A resolution, respectively. The overall architecture of the SufC structure is similar to other ABC ATPases structures, but there are several specific motifs in SufC. Three residues following the end of the Walker B motif form a novel 3(10) helix which is not observed in other ABC ATPases. Due to the novel 3(10) helix, a conserved glutamate residue involved in ATP hydrolysis is flipped out. Although this unusual conformation is unfavorable for ATP hydrolysis, salt-bridges formed by conserved residues and a strong hydrogen-bonding network around the novel 3(10) helix suggest that the novel 3(10) helix of SufC is a rigid conserved motif. Compared to other ABC-ATPase structures, a significant displacement occurs at a linker region between the ABC alpha/beta domain and the alpha-helical domain. The linker conformation is stabilized by a hydrophobic interaction between conserved residues around the Q loop. The molecular surfaces of SufC and the C-terminal helices of SufD (PDB code: 1VH4) suggest that the unusual linker conformation conserved among SufC proteins is probably suitable for interacting with SufB and SufD.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Striped structures on the cytoplasmic surface membranes of the endothelial vesicles of the rat aorta revealed by quick-freeze, deep-etching replicas.

The cytoplasmic surface of plasmalemmal vesicles in aortic endothelial cells was examined in quick-freeze, deep-etching replicas. In addition to the clathrin-coated vesicles, striped patterns were observed over the cytoplasmic surface membranes of small vesicles (60-80 nm in diameter) in the unfixed specimens. These patterns were more clearly visible in saponin-extracted specimens; the stripes were composed of several ridges or strands of 6-10 nm in width, and some were crossed. These were distinct from the characteristic pentagons or hexagons of the clathrin-coated vesicles. This striped structure was enhanced by treatment with myosin subfragment-1 or phalloidin, thereby indicating a possible relation to actin filaments. Patchy plaques with similar striped patterns appeared on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasmalemma proper and also on the cytoplasmic vacuole membranes together with clathrin. These striped structures may be involved in the formation and transport of so-called "uncoated" vesicles.

Animals↗

Altered structures in the cytoplasm of the ependymal cells next to the periventricular nucleus of the turtle Mauremys caspica.

In the apical cytoplasm of some ependymal cells of the Hypothalamic Periventricular Nucleus of the turtle Mauremys caspica large amount of cell structures of difficult diagnose are found. Their morphology is variable seeming to correspond to cell organelles in a process of degeneration, characteristic feature of the high metabolic activity in the ventricular barrier. Their possible physiological significance is discussed in the present work.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

NMR solution structure of a cytoplasmic surface loop of the human red cell anion transporter, band 3.

The membrane domain of the human red cell anion transport protein, band 3, is too large to be studied by solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and its amphiphilic nature requires the use of detergents for solubilization. An alternative approach is to divide the protein into smaller (trans-membrane or surface loop) domains for NMR study. We report the structure of a 46-residue synthetic peptide that corresponds to the cytoplasmic surface loop connecting the putative 12th and 13th trans-membrane spans (residues 796-841) in the 14 span model of band 3. This peptide was shown by circular dichroism (CD) to be 38% helical in 30% trifluoroacetic acid. Two regions of helix (one close to the N-terminus of the peptide and one close to the C-terminus of the peptide) were identified by NMR. Long-range nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) cross-peaks showed the two helices to be in near proximity. The helices were separated by a proline-rich loop that exhibited local order but was mobile with respect to the rest of the peptide. We discuss how the NMR structure of this loop fits the current models of band 3 structure and topology and the results of recent mutagenesis experiments. A cyclic version of this peptide was synthesized and studied by CD, but NMR studies were not possible due to the low solubility of this peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of the third cytoplasmic loop of bovine rhodopsin.

The three-dimensional high-resolution structure of rhodopsin is unknown, as is the case for almost all integral membrane patients. As part of an alternative approach to determine of membrane protein structure, we are pursuing the structure of cytoplasmic domains of this G-protein receptor. A peptide, rhoIII, with the sequence of the third cytoplasmic loop of bovine rhodopsin was synthesized. This soluble peptide was biologically active, inhibiting the light-stimulated activation of the rod cell phosphodiesterase by rhodopsin in rod outer segment disks. Therefore rhoIII likely contains structural elements characteristic of native rhodopsin. The structure of rhoIII was determined by H nuclear magnetic resonance. A defined structure was obtained for about 70% of rhoIII. A model of a turn-helix-turn motif could then be proposed for the third cytoplasmic loop of rhodopsin, which suggested a molecular switch for activation of the G-protein by the receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Desmosomal structures in the cytoplasm of normal and abnormal keratinocytes (author's transl)].

The occurrence of intracytoplasmic desmosomes in normal, hyperplastic, and hyperkeratotic epithelia, in carcinoma-in-situ and in invasive carcinoma of the human oral cavity is demonstrated by electron microscopy. The mechanism for formation of these structures by invagination, separation and by intracytoplasmic incorporation of plasma membrane-desmosome-complexes are described in various oral epithelia, and other possible mechanisms are discussed. Intracytoplasmic desmosomes may occur in normal and pathological keratinocytes of all layers of the oral epithelium. Their ultrastructure in the peripheral cytoplasm is similar to that of the regular desmosomes on the cell surface. However, as they migrate centripetally, they show signs of degeneration, suggesting dissolution by lysosomal enzyme systems. Various surface membrane alterations involved in the formation of intracytoplasmic desmosomes may lead to a reduction of plasma membrane material and of desmosome structures and to defective intercellular adhesion. The intracytoplasmic incorporation of desmosome structures is a ubiquitous phenomenon exhibited by epithelial keratinocytes under certain physiological or pathological conditions.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

The structure of cortical cytoplasm.

Actin-rich cortical cytoplasm of phagocytic leucocytes forms pseudopodia and controls cell shape and movement by generating directional propulsive and contractile forces. Proteins purified from leucocytes form and deform an actin matrix. Actin-binding protein (ABP) cross-links actin filaments into a three-dimensional lattice with perpendicular branches. This structure, which can be visualized in the electron microscope, is consistent with physical properties of actin-ABP matrices. Gelsolin binds one end of actin filaments with high affinity in the presence of calcium; acumentin, another protein, constitutively binds the other end with low affinity. Together these proteins can control actin filament length and thereby regulate expansion (propulsion) or collapse of the actin network. The assembly state of the network also controls myosin-based contractile forces. A tug-of-war decides the direction of lattice movement, regions of lesser structure tending to move toward regions of greater structure.

Actins↗

Structure of porcine heart cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase: combining X-ray diffraction and chemical sequence data in structural studies.

The amino acid sequence of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (sMDH) has been determined by a combination of X-ray crystallographic and chemical sequencing methods. The initial molecular model incorporated an "X-ray amino acid sequence" that was derived primarily from an evaluation of a multiple isomorphous replacement phased electron density map calculated at 2.5-A resolution. Following restrained least-squares crystallographic refinement, difference electron density maps were calculated from model phases, and attempts were made to upgrade the X-ray amino acid sequence. The method used to find the positions of peptides in the X-ray structure was similar to those used for studying protein homology and was shown to be successful for large fragments. For sMDH, X-ray methods by themselves were insufficient to derive a complete amino acid sequence, even with partial chemical sequence data. However, for this relatively large molecule at medium resolution, the electron density maps were of considerable help in determining the linear position of peptide fragments. The N-acetylated polypeptide chain of sMDH has 331 amino acids and has been crystallographically refined to an R factor of 19% for 2.5-A resolution diffraction data.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Primary structure of the cytoplasmic domain of human erythrocyte protein band 3. Comparison with its sequence in the mouse.

We report here the peptide profile of the human cytoplasmic domain of band 3 protein (CDB-3). The peptide alignment was designed allowing for maximal homology with the murine protein whose sequence was deduced from cDNA analysis by Kopito and Lodish (Kopito, R.R., Anderson, M. and Lodish, H.F. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 8035-8040). In the human protein, part of the amino acid sequence has been determined by Kaul et al. (Kaul, R.K., Murthy, P.S.N., Reddy, A.G., Steck. T.L. and Kohler, H. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7981-7990). We have sequenced most of the fragment not described by these author. The homology with the murine protein is high (90%), except in a few peptides where it is only 50%. The actual miniaturization of the techniques allows for the determination of a clear peptide profile of human CDB-3 starting from 10 ml blood samples. Our characterization of the peptide profile of membrane proteins is the first step towards the identification of genetic mutations, which have to be looked for in hemolytic anemia when the presence of an abnormal membrane protein is suspected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗