Tracer diffusion in F-actin and Ficoll mixtures. Toward a model for cytoplasm.

We have previously reported that self-diffusion of inert tracer particles in the cytoplasm of living Swiss 3T3 cells is hindered in a size-dependent manner (Luby-Phelps, K., D.L. Taylor, and F. Lanni. 1986. J. Cell Biol. 102:2015-2022; Luby-Phelps, K., P.E. Castle, D.L. Taylor, and F. Lanni. 1987. Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 84:4910-4913). Lacking a theory that completely explains our data, we are attempting to understand the molecular architecture responsible for this phenomenon by studying tracer diffusion in simple, reconstituted model systems. This report contains our findings on tracer diffusion in concentrated solutions of Ficoll 70 or Ficoll 400, in solutions of entangled F-actin filaments, and in solutions of entangled F-actin containing a background of concentrated Ficoll particles or concentrated bovine serum albumin (BSA). A series of size-fractionated fluorescein-Ficolls were used as tracer particles. By fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), we obtained the mean diffusion coefficients in a dilute, aqueous reference phase (Do), the mean diffusion coefficients in the model matrices (D), and the mean hydrodynamic radii (RH) for selected tracer fractions. For each model matrix, the results were compared with similar data obtained from living cells. As in concentrated solutions of globular proteins (Luby-Phelps et al., 1987), D/Do was not significantly size-dependent in concentrated solutions of Ficoll 400 or Ficoll 70. In contrast, D/Do decreased monotonically with increasing RH in solutions of F-actin ranging in concentration from 1 to 12 mg/ml. This size dependence was most pronounced at higher F-actin concentrations. However, the shape of the curve and the extrapolated value of D/Do in the limit, RH----O did not closely resemble the cellular data for tracers in the same size range (3 less than RH less than 30 nm). In mixtures of F-actin and Ficoll or F-actin and BSA, D/Do was well approximated by D/Do for the same concentration of F-actin alone multiplied by D/Do for the same concentrations of Ficoll or BSA alone. Based on these results, it is possible to model the submicroscopic architecture of cytoplasm in living cells as a densely entangled filament network (perhaps made up of F-actin and other filamentous structures) interpenetrated by a fluid phase crowded with globular macromolecules, which in cytoplasm would be primarily proteins.     

The cytoskeletal lattice of the neurohypophysial cells

The cytoskeleton of rat neurohypophysial cells as seen in resinless sections is an irregular three-dimensional lattice of short strands of cytoplasmic matrix (the microtrabeculae) that interconnect parallel arrays of neurotubules, neurofilaments, abundant neurosecretory granules, and other membrane-bound organelles including the plasma membrane. This morphological finding suggests that the cytoplasmic ground substance constitutes a cytoskeletal continuum that may be the ultrastructural expression of a motile apparatus responsible for neurosecretory granule movement and hormone release in the neurohypophysis.     

The cytoskeletal lattice of the neurohypophysial cells

The cytoskeleton of rat neurohypophysial cells as seen in resinless sections is an irregular three-dimensional lattice of short strands of cytoplasmic matrix (the microtrabeculae) that interconnect parallel arrays of neurotubules, neurofilaments, abundant neurosecretory granules, and other membrane-bound organelles including the plasma membrane. This morphological finding suggests that the cytoplasmic ground substance constitutes a cytoskeletal continuum that may be the ultrastructural expression of a motile apparatus responsible for neurosecretory granule movement and hormone release in the neurohypophysis.     

Comparison of the three-dimensional organization of unextracted and Triton-extracted human neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The three-dimensional organization of the cytoplasm of randomly migrating neutrophils was studied by stereo high-voltage electron microscopy. Examination of whole-mount preparations reveals with unusual clarity the structure of the cytoplasmic ground substance and cytoskeletal organization; similar clarity is not observed in conventional sections. An extensive three-dimensional network of fine filaments (microtrabeculae) approximately 7 to 17 nm in diameter extends throughout the cytoplasm and between the two cell cortices; it also comprises the membrane ruffles and filopodia. The granules are dispersed within the lattice and are surrounded by microtrabeculae. The lattice appears to include dense foci from which the microtrabeculae emerge. Triton X-100 dissolves the plasma membrane, most of the granules, and many of the microtrabecular strands and leaves as a more stable structure a cytoskeletal network composed of various filaments and microtubules. Heavy meromyosin-subfragment 1 (S1) decoration discloses actin filaments as the major filamentous component present in membrane ruffles and filopodia. Actin filaments, extending from the leading edge of the cells, are of uniform polarity, with arrowheads pointing towards the cell body. Likewise, the filaments forming the core of filopodia have the barbed end distal. End-to-side associations of actin filaments as well as fine filaments (2--3 nm) which are not decorated with S1 and link actin filaments are observed. The ventral cell cortex includes numerous substrate-associated dense foci with actin filaments radiating from the dense center. Virtually all the microtubules extend from the centrosome. An average of 35 +/- 7 microtubules originate near the pair of centrioles and radiate towards the cell periphery; microtubule fragments are rare. Intermediate filaments form an open network of single filaments in the perinuclear space. Comparison of Triton-extracted and unextracted cells suggest that many of the filamentous strands seen in unextracted cells have as a core a stable actin filament.     

Quick-freeze,deep-etch visualization of the ‘cytoskeletal spring’ of cochlear outer hair cells

Summary The lateral membrane system of the cochlear outer hair cell, consisting of the lateral plasma membrane, pillars, filamentous lattice and subsurface cisternae, is considered to be involved in the contractile movement of the isolated cochlear outer hair cell. The filamentous lattice, called the cytoskeletal spring, has been identified in the demembranated cochlear outer hair cell treated with the detergent Triton X-100. In this study, the quick-freeze, deep-etch method was applied to demonstrate the three-dimensional organization of both the filamentous and membranous structures of the lateral membrane system of cochlear outer hair cells. Treatment with saponin revealed that the inner leaflet of the lateral plasma membrane of the cochlear outer hair cell possesses more membrane particles than the outer leaflets, and that the pillars are closely associated with membrane particles in the inner leaflet of the lateral membrane. The presence of filamentous bridges between the filamentous lattice and the subsurface cisternae was also detected. We propose that the lateral membrane system in the cochlear outer hair cell may play an important role in the tuning mechanisms within the cochlea in normal hearing.     

Transformation by the oncogenic latent membrane protein correlates with its rapid turnover, membrane localization, and cytoskeletal association.

The latent membrane protein (LMP) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a short half-life (V. R. Baichwal and B. Sugden, J. Virol, 61:866-875, 1987; K.P. Mann and D. Thorley-Lawson, J. Virol, 61:2100-2108, 1987), is localized in patches in the membrane (D. Liebowitz, D. Wang, and E, Kieff, J. Virol, 58:233-237, 1986), and associates with the cytoskeleton in EBV-immortalized B lymphocytes (D. Liebowitz, R. Kopan, E. Fuchs, J. Sample, and E. Kieff, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:2299-2308, 1987; K. P. Mann and D. Thorley-Lawson, J. Virol. 61:2100-2108, 1987). Deletion mutants of LMP that are either positive or negative in the induction both of anchorage-independent growth of BALB/c 3T3 cells (V. R. Baichwal and B. Sugden, Oncogene 4:67-74, 1989) and of cytotoxicity in a variety of cells (W. Hammerschmidt, B. Sugden, and V. R. Baichwal, J. Virol. 63:2469-2475, 1989) have been studied to identify the biochemical properties of this protein that correlate with its effects on cell growth. Mutant LMP proteins that are metabolically stable, do not associate with the cytoskeleton, and exhibit a diffuse plasma membrane localization also do not induce anchorage-independent growth in rodent cells or cytotoxicity in B lymphoblastoid cells. In contrast, a mutant of LMP that is functionally identical to the wild-type protein has a half-life, membrane localization, and cytoskeletal association similar or identical to those of LMP. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that LMP's rapid turnover, association with the cytoskeleton, and patching in the membrane are required for it to affect cell growth.     

Lateral diffusion in an archipelago. Distance dependence of the diffusion coefficient.

An understanding of the distance dependence of the lateral diffusion coefficient is useful in comparing the results of diffusion measurements made over different length scales, and in analyzing the kinetics of mobile redox carriers in organelles. A distance-dependent, concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient is defined, and it is evaluated by Monte Carlo calculations of a random walk by mobile point tracers in the presence of immobile obstacles on a triangular lattice, representing the diffusion of a lipid or a small protein in the presence of immobile membrane proteins. This work confirms and extends the milling crowd model of Eisinger, J., J. Flores, and W. P. Petersen (1986. Biophys J. 49:987-1001). Similar calculations for diffusion of mobile particles interacting by a hard-core repulsion yield the distance dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient. An expression for the range of short-range diffusion is obtained, and the distance scales for various diffusion measurements are summarized.     

Structural features of the lateral walls in mammalian cochlear outer hair cells

Summary Freeze-fracture, freeze-etching and thin sections have been used to determine features of the structural organisation of the lateral walls in cochlear outer hair cells. The presence of an organised meshwork of filaments in the lateral cortex of the cell is confirmed in intact unfixed cells. This meshwork showed morphological features similar to the cytoskeletal lattice. The lateral plasma membrane is shown to be protein-rich and to contain cholesterol. The membranes of the subplasmalemmal lateral cisternae contain much less protein, and little cholesterol as judged by their responses to filipin and tomatin. These findings indicate differences in the physical properties of the two membrane systems. On the fracture faces of the plasma membrane there is a high density of intramembrane particles and this particle population is heterogeneous. Some particles show morphological features consistent with those of transmembrane channels. Regularly spaced pillars crossing the space between the plasma and cisternal membranes were identified both in thin sections and in freezeetched preparations, but neither the plasma nor cisternal membrane fracture faces showed any feature corresponding directly to the pillar. This suggests the pillars do not insert directly into either membrane. Freeze-fracture and freeze-etching of unfixed cells indicated that the pillar is indirectly associated with the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane, and, at its inner end, linked to the cortical cytoskeletal lattice on the outer surface of the cisternal membrane.     

Monte Carlo analysis of obstructed diffusion in three dimensions: application to molecular diffusion in organelles.

Molecular transport in the aqueous lumen of organelles involves diffusion in a confined compartment with complex geometry. Monte Carlo simulations of particle diffusion in three dimensions were carried out to evaluate the influence of organelle structure on diffusive transport and to relate experimental photobleaching data to intrinsic diffusion coefficients. Two organelle structures were modeled: a mitochondria-like long closed cylinder containing fixed luminal obstructions of variable number and size, and an endoplasmic reticulum-like network of interconnected cylinders of variable diameter and density. Trajectories were computed in each simulation for >10(5) particles, generally for >10(5) time steps. Computed time-dependent concentration profiles agreed quantitatively with analytical solutions of the diffusion equation for simple geometries. For mitochondria-like cylinders, significant slowing of diffusion required large or wide single obstacles, or multiple obstacles. In simulated spot photobleaching experiments, a approximately 25% decrease in apparent diffusive transport rate (defined by the time to 75% fluorescence recovery) was found for a single thin transverse obstacle occluding 93% of lumen area, a single 53%-occluding obstacle of width 16 lattice points (8% of cylinder length), 10 equally spaced 53% obstacles alternately occluding opposite halves of the cylinder lumen, or particle binding to walls (with mean residence time = 10 time steps). Recovery curve shape with obstacles showed long tails indicating anomalous diffusion. Simulations also demonstrated the utility of measurement of fluorescence depletion at a spot distant from the bleach zone. For a reticulum-like network, particle diffusive transport was mildly reduced from that in unobstructed three-dimensional space. In simulated photobleaching experiments, apparent diffusive transport was decreased by 39-60% in reticular structures in which 90-97% of space was occluded. These computations provide an approach to analyzing photobleaching data in terms of microscopic diffusive properties and support the paradigm that organellar barriers must be quite severe to seriously impede solute diffusion.     

Mobility of microinjected rhodamine actin within living chicken gizzard cells determined by fluorescence photobleaching recovery

Rhodamine-labeled actin microinjected into living embryonic chicken gizzard cells became associated with its characteristic cytoskeletal structures. In these domains the translational diffusion coefficients (D) of rh-actin were determined in vivo by fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) measurements. Two classes of actin molecules with respect to its mobilities were detected: rh-actin with a half-time of recovery of 5-10 min in stress fibers and focal contacts (immobile on the time-scale of FPR measurements) and rh-actin with D = 2-3 X 10(-9) cm2/sec in the cytoplasm and leading lamellae. The slow recovery on stress fibers exhibited similar kinetics whether a short segment or the entire structure were photobleached, indicating that recovery occurs predominantly by exchange with the surrounding diffusable actin. We propose that a steady-state equilibrium between the soluble and cytoskeletal pool of actin exists in living cells.     

Water and the cytoskeleton.

The diffusion of intracellular fluid and solutes is mainly limited by the density and the geometry of crossbridges between cytoskeletal polymers mediating the formation of an integrated cytoplasmic scaffold. Evidence for specific relationships between water and cytoskeletal polymers arises from the effect of heavy water on their polymerization process in vitro and on the cytoskeleton of living cells. The hydration of cytoskeletal subunits is modified through polymerization, a mechanism which may be involved in the direct contribution of the cytoskeleton to the osmotic properties of cells together with changes of hydration of polymers within networks. The dynamic properties of the hydration layer of cytoskeletal polymers may reflect the repetitive distribution of the surface charges of subunits within the polymer lattice, thus inducing a local and long range ordering of the diffusion flows of water and solutes inside polymer networks. The interactions between subunits in protofilaments and between protofilaments determine the specific viscoelastic properties of each type of polymer, regulated by associated proteins, and the mechanical properties of the cell through the formation of bundles and gels. Individual polymers are interconnected into dynamic networks through crossbridging by structural associated proteins and molecular motors, the activity of which involves cooperative interactions with the polymer lattice and likely the occurence of coordinated modifications of the hydration layer of the polymer surface. The cytoskeletal polymers are polyelectrolytes which constitute a large intracellular surface of condensed anionic charges and form a buffering structure for the sequestration of cations involved in the regulation of intracellular events. This property allows also the association of cytoplasmic enzymes and multimolecular complexes with the cytoskeleton, facilitating metabolic channelling and the localization of these complexes in specific subdomains of the cytoplasm. The consequences of interactions between membranes and the cytoskeleton in all cellular compartments range from the local immobilization and clustering of lipids and membrane proteins to the regulation of water and ion flows by the association of cytoskeletal subunits or polymers with transmembrane channels. The possibility that the polyelectrolyte properties of the cytoskeletal polymers contribute to the modulation of membrane potentials supports the hypothesis of a direct involvement of the cytoskeleton in intercellular communications.     

Cytoskeletal Expression and Remodeling in Pluripotent Stem Cells

Many emerging cell-based therapies are based on pluripotent stem cells, though complete understanding of the properties of these cells is lacking. In these cells, much is still unknown about the cytoskeletal network, which governs the mechanoresponse. The objective of this study was to determine the cytoskeletal state in undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells and remodeling with differentiation. Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), as well as the original un-reprogrammed embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), were evaluated for expression of cytoskeletal markers. We found that pluripotent stem cells overall have a less developed cytoskeleton compared to fibroblasts. Gene and protein expression of smooth muscle cell actin, vimentin, lamin A, and nestin were markedly lower for ESCs than MEFs. Whereas, iPSC samples were heterogeneous with most cells expressing patterns of cytoskeletal proteins similar to ESCs with a small subpopulation similar to MEFs. This indicates that dedifferentiation during reprogramming is associated with cytoskeletal remodeling to a less developed state. In differentiation studies, it was found that shear stress-mediated differentiation resulted in an increase in expression of cytoskeletal intermediate filaments in ESCs, but not in iPSC samples. In the embryoid body model of spontaneous differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, however, both ESCs and iPSCs had similar gene expression for cytoskeletal proteins during early differentiation. With further differentiation, however, gene levels were significantly higher for iPSCs compared to ESCs. These results indicate that reprogrammed iPSCs more readily reacquire cytoskeletal proteins compared to the ESCs that need to form the network de novo. The strategic selection of the parental phenotype is thus critical not only in the context of reprogramming but also the ultimate functionality of the iPSC-differentiated cell population. Overall, this increased characterization of the cytoskeleton in pluripotent stem cells will allow for the better understanding and design of stem cell-based therapies.     

Inducible T cell tyrosine kinase regulates actin-dependent cytoskeletal events induced by the T cell antigen receptor

The tec family kinase, inducible T cell tyrosine kinase (Itk), is critical for both development and activation of T lymphocytes. We have found that Itk regulates TCR/CD3-induced actin-dependent cytoskeletal events. Expression of Src homology (SH) 2 domain mutant Itk transgenes into Jurkat T cells inhibits these events. Furthermore, Itk(-/-) murine T cells display significant defects in TCR/CD3-induced actin polymerization. In addition, Jurkat cells deficient in linker for activation of T cells expression, an adaptor critical for Itk activation, display impaired cytoskeletal events and expression of SH3 mutant Itk transgenes reconstitutes this impairment. Interestingly, expression of an Itk kinase-dead mutant transgene into Jurkat cells has no effect on cytoskeletal events. Collectively, these data suggest that Itk regulates TCR/CD3-induced actin-dependent cytoskeletal events, possibly in a kinase-independent fashion.     

Monte Carlo simulation of diffusion of adsorbed proteins

We present the results of three-dimensional lattice Monte Carlo simulations of protein diffusion on the liquid-solid interface in a wide temperature range including the most interesting temperatures (from slightly below T(f) and up to T(c), where T(f) and T(c) are the folding and collapse temperatures). For the model under consideration (27 monomers of two types), the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient is found to obey the Arrhenius law with the normal value (approximately 10(-2)-10(-3) cm(2)/s) of the preexponential factor. Proteins 2000;39:76-81.     

Integrin-cytoskeletal interactions in migrating fibroblasts are dynamic, asymmetric, and regulated

We have used laser optical trapping and nanometer-level motion analysis to investigate the cytoskeletal associations and surface dynamics of beta 1 integrin, a cell-substrate adhesion molecule, on the dorsal surfaces of migrating fibroblast cells. A single-beam optical gradient trap (laser tweezers) was used to restrain polystyrene beads conjugated with anti-beta 1 integrin mAbs and place them at desired locations on the cell exterior. This technique was used to demonstrate a spatial difference in integrin-cytoskeleton interactions in migrating cells. We found a distinct increase in the stable attachment of beads, and subsequent rearward flow, on the lamellipodia of locomoting cells compared with the retracting portions. Complementary to the enhanced linkage of integrin at the cell lamellipodium, the membrane was more deformable at the rear versus the front of moving cells while nonmotile cells did not exhibit this asymmetry in membrane architecture. Video microscopy and nanometer-precision tracking routines were used to study the surface dynamics of integrin on the lamellipodia of migrating cells by monitoring the displacements of colloidal gold particles coated with anti-beta 1 integrin mAbs. Small gold aggregates were rapidly transported preferentially to the leading edge of the lamellipod where they resumed diffusion restricted along the edge. This fast transport was characterized by brief periods of directed movement ("jumps") having an instantaneous velocity of 37 +/- 15 microns/min (SD), separated by periods of diffusion. In contrast, larger aggregates of gold particles and the large latex beads underwent slow, steady rearward movement (0.85 +/- 0.44 micron/min) (SD) at a rate similar to that reported for other capping events and for migration of these cells. Cell lines containing mutated beta 1 integrins were used to show that the cytoplasmic domain is essential for an asymmetry in attachment of integrin to the underlying cytoskeletal network and is also necessary for rapid, intermittent transport. However, enhanced membrane deformability at the cell rear does not require integrin-cytoskeletal interactions. We also demonstrated that posttranslational modifications of integrin could potentially play a role in these phenomena. These results suggest a scheme for the role of dynamic integrin-mediated adhesive interactions in cell migration. Integrins are transported preferentially to the cell front where they form nascent adhesions. These adhesive structures grow in size and associate with the cytoskeleton that exerts a rearward force on them. Dorsal aggregates more rearward while those on the ventral side remain fixed to the substrate allowing the cell body to move forward. Detachment of the cell rear occurs by at least two modes: (a) weakened integrin- cytoskeleton interactions, potentially mediated by local modifications of linkage proteins, which lead to weakened cell-substratum interactions and (b) ripping of integrins and the highly deformable membrane from the cell body.     

Tracking of single fluorescent particles in three dimensions: use of cylindrical optics to encode particle position.

We present a novel optical technique for three-dimensional tracking of single fluorescent particles using a modified epifluorescence microscope containing a weak cylindrical lens in the detection optics and a microstepper-controlled fine focus. Images of small, fluorescent particles were circular in focus but ellipsoidal above and below focus; the major axis of the ellipsoid shifted by 90 degrees in going through focus. Particle z position was determined from the image shape and orientation by applying a peak detection algorithm to image projections along the x and y axes; x, y position was determined from the centroid of the particle image. Typical spatial resolution was 12 nm along the optical axis and 5 nm in the image plane with a maximum sampling rate of 3-4 Hz. The method was applied to track fluorescent particles in artificial solutions and living cells. In a solution of viscosity 30 cP, the mean squared distance (MSD) traveled by a 264 nm diameter rhodamine-labeled bead was linear with time to 20 s. The measured diffusion coefficient, 0.0558 +/- 0.001 micron2/s (SE, n = 4), agreed with the theoretical value of 0.0556 micron2/s. Statistical variability of MSD curves for a freely diffusing bead was in quantitative agreement with Monte Carlo simulations of three-dimensional random walks. In a porous glass matrix, the MSD data was curvilinear and showed reduced bead diffusion. In cytoplasm of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, bead diffusion was restricted. The water permeability in individual Chinese Hamster Ovary cells was measured from the z movement of a fluorescent bead fixed at the cell surface in response osmotic gradients; water permeability was increased by > threefold in cells expressing CHIP28 water channels. The simplicity and precision of this tracking method may be useful to quantify the complex trajectories of fluorescent particles in living cells.     

Determinants of the translational mobility of a small solute in cell cytoplasm

The purposes of this study were: (a) to measure the translational mobility of a small solute in cell cytoplasm; (b) to define quantitatively the factors that determine solute translation; and (c) to compare and contrast solute rotation and translation. A small fluorescent probe, 2,7-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and 6-)- carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), was introduced into the cytoplasm of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. BCECF translation was measured by fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching; rotation was measured by Fourier transform polarization microscopy. Diffusion coefficients relative to those in water (D/D0) were determined by comparing mobility in cytoplasm with mobility in standard solutions of known viscosity. At isosmotic cell volume, the relative diffusion coefficients for BCECF translation and rotation in cytoplasm were 0.27 +/- 0.01 (SEM, n = 24, 23 degrees C) and 0.78 +/- 0.03 (n = 4), respectively. As cell volume increased from 0.33 to 2 times isosmotic volume, the relative translational diffusion coefficient increased from 0.047 to 0.32, while the relative rotational diffusion coefficient remained constant. The factors determining BCECF translation were evaluated by comparing rotation and translation in cytoplasm, and in artificial solutions containing dextrans (mobile barriers) and agarose gels (immobile barriers). It was concluded that the hindrance of BCECF translation in cytoplasm could be quantitatively attributed to three independent factors: (a) fluid-phase cytoplasmic viscosity is 28% greater than the viscosity of water (factor 1 = 0.78); (b) 19% of BCECF is transiently bound to intracellular components of low mobility (factor 2 = 0.81); and most importantly, (c) translation of unbound BCECF is hindered 2.5- fold by collisions with cell solids comprising 13% of isosmotic cell volume (factor 3 = 0.40). The product of the 3 factors is 0.25 +/- 0.03, in good agreement with the measured D/D0 of 0.27 +/- 0.01. These results provide the first measurement of the translational mobility of a small solute in cell cytoplasm and define quantitatively the factors that slow solute translation.     

以消散场成像和单微粒跟踪技术揭示GLUT4囊泡和分泌囊泡的不同动态过程

葡萄糖转运子蛋白4(glucose transporter 4,GLUT4)在维持体内葡萄糖动态平衡的过程中起着至关重要的作用。GLUT4贮存囊泡(GLUT4 storage vesicle,GSV)和神经内分泌细胞中的分泌囊泡含有许多相同的蛋白。研究证明这些蛋白调节了分泌囊泡的胞内转运过程,但是GLUT4囊泡和分泌囊泡是否具有相同的胞内动态过程还未阐明。文章以3T3-L1纤维原细胞中的GSV和神经内分泌细胞PC12细胞中的分泌囊泡:致密核心大囊泡(large dense core vesicle,LDCV)为研究对象,使用消散场显微成像技术和单微粒跟踪技术直观观察了活体细胞内单个GSV和LDCV的三维运动轨迹。通过以适当方程拟合单个囊泡的均方位移曲线,发现两种囊泡都具有三种运动模式。定量分析显示作自由扩散运动和方向性扩散运动的GSV数量明显多于LDCV。对比GSV和LDCV的三维扩散系数,发现GSV的扩散系数中值为7.2×10-4μm2/s,而LDCV的扩散系数中值仅为1.94×10-4μm2/s。这一结果说明GSV的活动性远大于LDCV,提示GSV的胞内转运过程涉及不同的分子机制。     

Lateral diffusion in a mixture of mobile and immobile particles. A Monte Carlo study.

The lateral diffusion coefficient for mixtures of mobile and immobile particles is obtained from Monte Carlo calculations of random walks by mobile tracers in the presence of immobile obstacles on a triangular lattice. The diffusion coefficient of the mobile species is obtained as a function of the area fractions of mobile and immobile species. The results are applied to diffusion of band 3 in the erythrocyte membrane, and indicate that obstruction of diffusion of mobile band 3 by band 3 and glycophorin attached to the membrane skeleton is not sufficient to explain the observed diffusion coefficient.     

Ultrastructural visualization of cytoskeletal mRNAs and their associated proteins using double-label in situ hybridization

We have been able to visualize cytoskeletal messenger RNA molecules at high resolution using nonisotopic in situ hybridization followed by whole-mount electron microscopy. Biotinated cDNA probes for actin, tubulin, or vimentin mRNAs were hybridized to Triton-extracted chicken embryo fibroblasts and myoblasts. The cells were then exposed to antibodies against biotin followed by colloidal gold-conjugated antibodies and then critical-point dried. Identification of mRNA was possible using a probe fragmented to small sizes such that hybridization of several probe fragments along the mRNA was detected as a string of colloidal gold particles qualitatively and quantitatively distinguishable from nonspecific background. Extensive analysis showed that when eight gold particles were seen in this iterated array, the signal to noise ratio was greater than 30:1. Furthermore, these gold particles were colinear, often spiral, or circular suggesting detection of a single nucleic acid molecule. Antibodies against actin, vimentin, or tubulin proteins were used after in situ hybridization, allowing simultaneous detection of the protein and its cognate message on the same sample. This revealed that cytoskeletal mRNAs are likely to be extremely close to actin protein (5 nm or less) and unlikely to be within 20 nm of vimentin or tubulin filaments. Actin mRNA was found to be more predominant in lamellipodia of motile cells, confirming previous results. These results indicate that this high resolution in situ hybridization approach is a powerful tool by which to investigate the association of mRNA with the cytoskeleton.