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Effect of microinjection of a low-Mr human placenta protein tyrosine phosphatase on induction of meiotic cell division in Xenopus oocytes.

Homogeneous preparations of a protein phosphatase that is specific for phosphotyrosyl residues (protein tyrosine phosphatase [PTPase] 1B) were isolated from human placenta and microinjected into Xenopus oocytes. This resulted in an increase in activity of up to 10-fold over control levels, as measured in homogenates with use of an artificial substrate (reduced carboxamidomethylated and maleylated lysozyme). Microinjected PTPase was stable for at least 18 h. It is distributed within the oocyte in a manner similar to the endogenous activity and is suggestive of an interaction with cellular structures or molecules located predominantly in the animal hemisphere. The phosphatase markedly retarded (by up to 5 h) maturation induced by insulin. This, in conjunction with the demonstration that PTPase 1B abolished insulin stimulation of an S6 peptide (RRLSSLRA) kinase concomitant with a decrease in the phosphorylation of tyrosyl residues in a protein with the same apparent Mr as the beta subunit of the insulin and insulinlike growth factor 1 receptors (M. F. Cicirelli, N. K. Tonks, C. D. Diltz, E. H. Fischer, and E. G. Krebs, submitted for publication), provides further support for an essential role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in insulin action. Furthermore, maturation was significantly retarded even when the PTPase was injected 2 to 4 h after exposure of the cells to insulin. PTPase 1B also retarded maturation induced by progesterone and maturation-promoting factor, which presumably do not act through the insulin receptor. These data point to a second site of action of the PTPase in the pathway of meiotic cell division, downstream of the insulin receptor and following the appearance of active maturation-promoting factor.

Animals↗

An evolutionarily conserved coiled-coil protein implicated in polycystic kidney disease is involved in basal body duplication and flagellar biogenesis in Trypanosoma brucei.

Trypanosoma brucei is a flagellated protozoan with a highly polarized cellular structure. TbLRTP is a trypanosomal protein containing multiple SDS22-class leucine-rich repeats and a coiled-coil domain with high similarity to a mammalian testis-specific protein of unknown function. Homologues are present in a wide range of higher eukaryotes including zebra fish, where the gene product has been implicated in polycystic kidney disease. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence with antibodies against recombinant TbLRTP indicate that the protein is expressed throughout the trypanosome life cycle and localizes to distal zones of the basal bodies. Overexpression and RNA interference demonstrate that TbLRTP is important for faithful basal body duplication and flagellum biogenesis. Expression of excess TbLRTP suppresses new flagellum assembly, while reduction of TbLRTP protein levels often results in the biogenesis of additional flagellar axonemes and paraflagellar rods that, most remarkably, are intracellular and fully contained within the cytoplasm. The mutant flagella are devoid of membrane and are often associated with four microtubules in an arrangement similar to that observed in the normal flagellar attachment zone. Aberrant basal body and flagellar biogenesis in TbLRTP mutants also influences cell size and cytokinesis. These findings demonstrate that TbLRTP suppresses basal body replication and subsequent flagellar biogenesis and indicate a critical role for the LRTP family of proteins in the control of the cell cycle. These data further underscore the role of aberrant flagellar biogenesis as a disease mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization of the adenovirus E1Aa protein, a positive-acting transcriptional factor, in infected cells infected cells.

The function of the adenovirus E1Aa protein (the product of the 13S E1A mRNA) during a productive viral infection is to activate transcription of the six early viral transcription units. To study the mechanism of action of this protein, a peptide which was 13 amino acids long and had a sequence unique to the protein product of the adenovirus 13S E1A mRNA (pE1Aa) was coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and used to raise an antibody in rabbits. The resulting antiserum was specific to this protein and did not react with the protein product of the 12S E1A mRNA, which shares considerable sequence with the E1Aa protein. This antiserum was used to probe for the E1Aa protein in situ by indirect immunofluorescence and in extracts of infected HeLa cells. We found that the protein was associated with large cellular structures both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. The nuclear form of the protein was analyzed further and was found to purify with the nuclear matrix.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Expression of the intermediate-filament-associated protein synemin in chicken lens cells.

Synemin, a 230-kilodalton polypeptide component of avian muscle and erythrocyte intermediate filaments, is also found in association with the vimentin filaments of lens tissue. In chicken lens cells, synemin is bound to the core vimentin polymer with the same 180-nm periodicity that it exhibits in erythrocytes. Its solubility properties are characteristic of those of intermediate filaments in general and similar to those of synemin in muscle cells and erythrocytes. Synemin appears at an early stage of lens development and undergoes a dramatic accumulation as the epithelial cells elongate and differentiate into fiber cells. In contrast to synemin in cultured skeletal muscle, lens synemin is not confined to postmitotic, terminally differentiating cells but is present in proliferative cells as well. It is lost from the fibers near the center of the lens, as are many other cellular structures including intermediate filaments. These findings provide new information about the occurrence and expression of avian synemin and new insight regarding its presumptive role as a modulator of intermediate-filament function.

Animals↗

Cell wall and secreted proteins of Candida albicans: identification, function, and expression.

The cell wall is essential to nearly every aspect of the biology and pathogenicity of Candida albicans. Although it was initially considered an almost inert cellular structure that protected the protoplast against osmotic offense, more recent studies have demonstrated that it is a dynamic organelle. The major components of the cell wall are glucan and chitin, which are associated with structural rigidity, and mannoproteins. The protein component, including both mannoprotein and nonmannoproteins, comprises some 40 or more moieties. Wall proteins may differ in their expression, secretion, or topological location within the wall structure. Proteins may be modified by glycosylation (primarily addition of mannose residues), phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Among the secreted enzymes are those that are postulated to have substrates within the cell wall and those that find substrates in the extracellular environment. Cell wall proteins have been implicated in adhesion to host tissues and ligands. Fibrinogen, complement fragments, and several extracellular matrix components are among the host proteins bound by cell wall proteins. Proteins related to the hsp70 and hsp90 families of conserved stress proteins and some glycolytic enzyme proteins are also found in the cell wall, apparently as bona fide components. In addition, the expression of some proteins is associated with the morphological growth form of the fungus and may play a role in morphogenesis. Finally, surface mannoproteins are strong immunogens that trigger and modulate the host immune response during candidiasis.

Candida albicans↗

Serum malondialdehyde-like material (MDA-LM) in acute myocardial infarction.

Serum malondialdehyde-like material (MDA-LM), as an index of lipid peroxidation, and the serum enzymes CK, CK-MB, LDH, LDH1 and, alpha-HBDH were evaluated in a group of 26 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), seven with angina pectoris (AP), and in a normal control group of 94 subjects. MDA-LM values were within the normal range in AP patients, while in AMI patients a significant increase in serum MDA-LM was observed in the days following the acute event, reaching a maximum 6-8 days later, when 90% of the patients had values higher than the upper normal limit (mean +/- 2SD) of the control group. A significant correlation was found between the integrated concentration-time MDA-LM curve and the integrated serum enzymes activity curves reached during the nine days after the acute event. The "in vivo" relevance of the increased serum MDA-LM in the post-infarct period is unknown at the present, but as lipid peroxides are known to harm cellular structures and to inhibit prostacyclin synthesis, it may be of interest with regard to the long term secondary effects in AMI patients.

Adult↗

On the interaction between synthetic detergents and enzymatic proteins.

Eight highly purified and crystalline enzymes representative of fundamental metabolic pathways and of cellular structure were tested with seven detergents. The enzyme-detergent interaction was studied as a time-independent (inhibition) or time-dependent (inactivation) phenomenon. Our results imply a specificity of detergent action on the enzymes studied.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Cell of origin of distinct cultured rat liver epithelial cells, as typed by cytokeratin and surface component selective expression.

The cell of origin of the nonparenchymal epithelioid cells that emerge in liver cell cultures is unknown. Cultures of rat hepatocytes and several types of nonparenchymal cells obtained by selective tissue dispersion procedures were typed with monoclonal antibodies to rat liver cytokeratin and vimentin, polyvalent antibodies to cow hoof cytokeratins and porcine lens vimentin, and monoclonal antibodies to surface membrane components of ductular oval cells and hepatocytes. Immunoblot analysis revealed that, in cultured rat liver nonparenchymal epithelial cells, the anti-rat hepatocyte cytokeratin antibody recognized a cytokeratin of relative mass (Mr) 55,000 and the anti-cow hoof cytokeratin antibody reacted with a cytokeratin of Mr 52,000, while the anti-vimentin antibodies detected vimentin in both cultured rat fibroblasts and nonparenchymal epithelial cells. Analyses on the specificity of anti-cytokeratin and anti-vimentin antibodies toward the various cellular structures of liver by double immunofluorescence staining of frozen tissue sections revealed unique reactivity patterns. For example, hepatocytes were only stained with anti-Mr 55,000 cytokeratin antibody, while the sinusoidal cells reacted only with the anti-vimentin antibodies. In contrast, epithelial cells of the bile ductular structures and mesothelial cells of the Glisson capsula reacted with all the anti-cytokeratin and anti-vimentin antibodies. It should be stressed, however, that the reaction of the anti-vimentin antibodies on bile ductular cells was weak. The same analysis on tissue sections using the anti-ductular oval cell antibody revealed that it reacted with bile duct structures but not with the Glisson capsula. The anti-hepatocyte antibody reacted only with the parenchymal cells. The differential reactivity of the anti-cytokeratin and anti-vimentin antibodies with the various liver cell compartments was confirmed in primary cultures of hepatocytes, sinusoidal cells, and bile ductular cells, indicating that the present panel of antibodies to intermediate filament constituants allowed a clear-cut distinction between cultured nonparenchymal epithelial cells, hepatocytes, and sinusoidal cells. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy on nonfixed and paraformaldehyde-fixed cultured hepatocytes and bile ductular cells further confirmed that both anti-hepatocyte and anti-ductular oval cell antibodies recognized surface-exposed components on the respective cell types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Proliferation is required for induction of terminal differentiation of Friend erythroleukemia cells.

The relationship between cell proliferation and differentiation has long been a source of controversy. Stimulation of normal erythroid maturation results in a finite number of cell divisions accompanied by a concomitant accumulation of hemoglobin. Friend erythroleukemia cells treated with hexamethylene bisacetamide differentiate in a similar manner, while agents such as hemin apparently induce differentiation without limiting cell proliferation. Aphidicolin, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, has been reported to induce differentiation in the absence of cell proliferation. Using these three chemicals we have investigated the relationship between cell proliferation and erythrocytic maturation by exposing Friend erythroleukemia cells to either hexamethylene bisacetamide (5 mM), hemin (100 microM), or aphidicolin 1.2 microM) and examining the effects on cell growth, morphology, and hemoglobin production. Proliferation in the presence of hexamethylene bisacetamide is limited to four to five rounds of cell division, while hemin has no inhibitory effect. Hexamethylene bisacetamide initiates the complete erythrocytic maturation program, including cellular structural changes and hemoglobin synthesis. Hemin stimulates only globin gene transcription, not differentiation. Aphidicolin inhibits cell growth within 24 h, but does not induce differentiation. Furthermore, inhibition of proliferation by aphidicolin prevents subsequent hexamethylene bisacetamide induced differentiation. These results indicate that at least one round of cell division is required for initiation of erythrocytic differentiation.

Acetamides↗

Effect of hypoxia on choline metabolism and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes: effects of trifluoperazine.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypoxia alters choline metabolism in adult rat ventricular myocytes and that this is subject to modification by trifluoperazine. Ventricular myocytes were isolated from adult Wistar rats. Choline uptake and metabolism were examined, using [methyl-3H]choline. Choline metabolism to phosphatidylcholine (PC), an important phospholipid for cellular structure and function, was reduced by mild hypoxia while choline uptake was not altered. Trifluoperazine at 10(-5) or 10(-6) M reduced PC biosynthesis and did not reduce or prevent the effects of hypoxia. Interruption of myocardial metabolism with the combination of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrozone and amobarbital also reduced PC synthesis, although it also reduced choline uptake by the cell. These data indicate that in isolated cardiomyocyte from the adult rat heart that (i) hypoxia impairs PC biosynthesis, (ii) this may be operative in part through inhibition of mitochondrial function, and (iii) trifluoperazine does not act to oppose these effects of hypoxia, but it impairs PC biosynthesis. Thus a component of the membrane phospholipid changes observed with hypoxia may be due to impairment of PC biosynthesis in the cardiomyocyte.

Amobarbital↗

Analysis of total DNA by minisatellite and simple-sequence repeat primers for the use of population studies in Plasmopara halstedii.

Total DNA of Plasmopara halstedii isolates from Germany was analysed for polymorphisms potentially useful for the differentiation of field isolates with respect to epidemiological studies or pathotype characterization. The isolation of the DNA started from mitotically formed zoosporangia, which is the only cellular structure of the biotrophic pathogen accessible independently from its host. The total DNA of the pathogen was used to perform DNA fingerprints with minisatellite and simple-sequence repeat primers. Polymorphisms were found that allowed differentiation on the level of single field isolates; however, they were not correlated with either physiological races or the geographic origin of the isolates. Using such differentiating primers, single spore strains of three pathogen isolates were also analysed with respect to genetic homogeneity. Minor variation was visible in the mitotically derived offspring, but the overall appearance of these patterns was mostly uniform with those of the respective parental isolate.

DNA Fingerprinting↗

Geometric partition functions of cellular systems: explicit calculation of the entropy in two and three dimensions.

A method is proposed for the characterisation of the entropy of cellular structures, based on the compactivity concept for granular packings. Hamiltonian-like volume functions are constructed both in two and in three dimensions, enabling the identification of a phase space and making it possible to take account of geometrical correlations systematically. Case studies are presented for which explicit calculations of the mean vertex density and porosity fluctuations are given as functions of compactivity. The formalism applies equally well to two- and three-dimensional granular assemblies.

Aerosols↗

Animal cell cytokinesis.

Cytokinesis creates two daughter cells endowed with a complete set of chromosomes and cytoplasmic organelles. This conceptually simple event is mediated by a complex and dynamic interplay between the microtubules of the mitotic spindle, the actomyosin cytoskeleton, and membrane fusion events. For many decades the study of cytokinesis was driven by morphological studies on specimens amenable to physical manipulation. The studies led to great insights into the cellular structures that orchestrate cell division, but the underlying molecular machinery was largely unknown. Molecular and genetic approaches have now allowed the initial steps in the development of a molecular understanding of this fundamental event in the life of a cell. This review provides an overview of the literature on cytokinesis with a particular emphasis on the molecular pathways involved in the division of animal cells.

Actins↗

Cellular length control systems.

The problem of organelle size control can be addressed most simply by considering cellular structures that are linear, so that their size can be defined by a single parameter: length. We compare existing studies on several linear biological structures including prokaryotic flagella and flagellar hooks, eukaryotic flagella, sarcomere thin filaments, and microvilli. In some cases, existing evidence strongly supports the idea that length control involves a molecular ruler, in which the size of the overall structure is compared with the size of an individual molecule. In other cases, length control is likely to involve a steady-state balance of assembly and disassembly, in which one or the other rate is inherently length dependent. The lessons learned from size control in linear structures should be applicable to organelles with more complex three-dimensional structures.

Animals↗

Ultrasonography and computed tomography in the diagnosis of homogeneous masses.

Ultrasonography can demonstrate the homogeneity, while CT can demonstrate the density of a mass lesion. If a mass appears echo-free at ultrasonography, but is denser than water at CT, a solid tumor with grossly uniform cellular structure (usually a lymphoma or sarcoma), or a hematoma or hemorrhagic cyst is likely. However, if the mass has water density at CT, a cystic lesion is confirmed. One case for each category is presented.

Adult↗

Regulation of cholesterol metabolism in fetal rabbit aorta: role of amniotic fluid factors.

This study shows that amniotic fluid enhances cholesterol esterification in arterial wall, as measured by in vitro assay of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity and by incorporation of oleic acid to cholesteryl esters in cultured fetal aortas and smooth muscle cells. This property is mostly evident in the fraction of molecular weight greater than 100,000, and it is abolished by delipidation, indicating that stimulating factor is probably lipoprotein in nature. Despite an increased cholesterol esterification by the presence of amniotic fluid in medium of cultured fetal aortas, the content of cholesterol and cholesteryl esters was much lower. The cellular structures are better preserved in explants cultured with amniotic fluid than in control animals. This study indicates that amniotic fluid contains factors that may have a pronounced effect on arterial wall during development.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Effects of long-term infusion of physiologic doses of 1-34 PTH on bone.

It has been suggested that small doses of PTH could exert an anabolic effect on bone and could be beneficial in the management of bone diseases secondary to low bone formation. The effects of 20 wk of continuous infusion of 0.05 U.kg-1.h-1 of 1-34 PTH on cellular, structural, and dynamic parameters of bone were studied in inbred beagles. This physiologic or near physiologic dose of PTH caused a small but significant rise in the concentration of serum calcium and a significant increment in the plasma concentration of 1,25(OH)2D. In addition, the sustained infusion of PTH was associated with a significant increment in volume and surface density of osteoid without a change in bone mass. Mineralization of osteoid was not altered, as evidenced by normal double tetracycline uptake and normal osteoid seam thickness. The enhanced osteoid production was not due to augmented bone formation by individual osteoblasts or basic remodeling units but rather to increased activation frequency resulting in an increased number of remodeling units. There was also augmented bone resorption at the tissue level. The data indicate that small doses of PTH do not have an anabolic effect on the skeleton because they are not associated with increased net bone formation. Rather, PTH administration is associated with an increase in coupled bone turnover.

Animals↗

Endothelin receptor mRNA expression in renal medulla identified by in situ RT-PCR.

Three subtypes of endothelin (ET) receptors have been identified by cDNA cloning, namely ET-RA, ET-RB, and ET-RC. In the current study the precise cellular distribution of the ET receptor subtypes in the renal medulla was explored by detecting the corresponding polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified cDNAs by in situ reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. The PCR-amplified cDNAs were detected either by direct incorporation using digoxigenin-dUTP (dig-dUTP) as a nucleotide substrate in the PCR reaction or by in situ hybridization with the dig-dUTP-labeled probe. ET-RB mRNA was detected exclusively in the epithelial cells of the inner and outer medullary collecting duct. In contrast, ET-RA message was observed primarily in interstitial cells and pericytes of the vasae rectae in the outer and inner medulla. Southern blot analysis of PCR-amplified cDNAs reverse transcribed from extracted RNA of rat renal medulla confirmed the specificity of the RT-PCR products. ET-RC mRNA was not detected. We conclude that ET-RB is the major ET receptor found in rat renal medulla and is expressed exclusively on inner medullary collecting duct cells. The pattern of ET receptor mRNA expression described suggests different physiological actions for ET on the diverse cellular structures of the renal medulla.

Animals↗