Insulin-like growth factor-II receptors in cultured rat hepatocytes: regulation by cell density

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) receptors in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes were characterized and their regulation by cell density examined. In hepatocytes cultured at 5 X 10(5) cells per 3.8 cm2 plate [125I]IGF-II bound to specific, high affinity receptors (Ka = 4.4 +/- 0.5 X 10(9) l/mol). Less than 1% cross-reactivity by IGF-I and no cross-reactivity by insulin were observed. IGF-II binding increased when cells were permeabilized with 0.01% digitonin, suggesting the presence of an intracellular receptor pool. Determined by Scatchard analysis and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after affinity labeling, the higher binding was due solely to an increase in binding sites present on 220 kDa type II IGF receptors. In hepatocytes cultured at low densities, the number of cell surface receptors increased markedly, from 10-20,000 receptors per cell at a culture density of 6 X 10(5) cells/well to 70-80,000 receptors per cell at 0.38 X 10(5) cells/well. The increase was not due simply to the exposure of receptors from the intracellular pool, as a density-related increase in receptors was also seen in cells permeabilized with digitonin. There was no evidence that IGF binding proteins, either secreted by hepatocytes or present in fetal calf serum, had any effect on the measurement of receptor concentration or affinity. We conclude that rat hepatocytes in primary culture contain specific IGF-II receptors and that both cell surface and intracellular receptors are regulated by cell density.     

Animal models in Q fever: pathological responses of inbred mice to phase I Coxiella burnetii

The susceptibility of inbred strains of mice to infection by phase I Coxiella burnetii, the aetiological agent of Q fever, was investigated by evaluating morbidity, mortality, antibody production and in vitro proliferative responses of splenic lymphocytes. Among the 47 strains of mice tested for morbidity and mortality to C. burnetii infection, 33 were resistant, 10 were of intermediate sensitivity, and four were sensitive. A/J mice exhibited the highest mortality, and surviving mice of this strain yielded high concentrations of viable rickettsiae from essentially all organs for more than 3 weeks after inoculation. However, A/J mice developed a protective immune response after vaccination with inactivated C. burnetii cells. Induction of gross pathological responses and antibody production were similar in sensitive mice (strain A/J) and resistant mice (strain C57BL/6J). The LD50 of phase I C. burnetii for A/J mice was about 1000-fold lower than that for the more resistant C57BL/6J mice. Mice of both strains developed antibody titres against phase I cells, phase II cells, and phase I lipopolysaccharide after the injection of one or more viable phase I organisms of C. burnetii; five or more rickettsiae caused splenomegaly that was almost proportional to the infecting dose. Suppression of in vitro proliferative responses of splenic lymphocytes to concanavalin A, a T-cell mitogen, was apparent after infection of sensitive A/J mice with as few as one to five phase I micro-organisms. However, suppression of proliferation of splenic lymphocytes from resistant C57BL/6J mice required 10(7) phase I C. burnetii.     

Lymphoma models for B cell activation and tolerance. VI. Reversal of anti-Ig-mediated negative signaling by T cell-derived lymphokines

We have recently described three "immature" B cell lymphomas which are exquisitely sensitive to growth inhibition by anti-Ig reagents and may serve as models for tolerance induction in normal B cells. These cells are inhibited from cell cycle progression into S after receiving a negative signal in early G1. In this paper, we demonstrate that the growth inhibition by anti-Ig can be prevented and reversed by the addition of supernatants from T cell lines. One such line, called Tova, produces factors which restore normal levels of DNA synthesis in the presence of concentrations of anti-Fab or anti-kappa immunoglobulins which cause up to a 90% inhibition of thymidine incorporation in a 2- to 3-day culture period. This factor is at least partially effective when added up to 24 hr after anti-Ig to unsynchronized lymphoma cells and it does not alter the growth of control cultures. Studies using synchronized lymphoma cells indicated that the T cell factor permitted cycle progression into S when added during the early G1 exposure to anti-kappa and was less effective when added late in G1. Preliminary characterization suggests that both B cell growth factor II (interleukin 5) and B cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4) have additive activity in this system, although another unidentified lymphokine may also be involved. The relevance of T cell reversal of Ig receptor-mediated negative signaling to neonatal B cell tolerance is emphasized.     

Genetic transformation of flax (Linum usitatissimum) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens: regeneration of transformed shoots via a callus phase

Genetic transformation of flax (Linum usitatissimum) has been achieved using an A. tumefaciens strain carrying a non-oncogenic Ti plasmid-derived vector containing a chimaeric npt-II gene and a wild type nopaline synthase gene. Fertile, transformed shoots were most easily obtained from Km^r callus developing on hypocotyl sections. The totipotency of the Km^r callus was dependent upon its origin. T-DNA was visualised by Southern blotting in all Km^r tissues. Efficient expression of nopaline synthase and the chimaeric npt-II gene was found in transformed Km^r callus and regenerated shoots.Abbreviations npt-II neomycin phosphotransferase II gene - NPT-II neomycin phosphotransferase II - nos nopaline synthase gene promoter - Km^r kanamycin resistant - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - MSD4×2 medium D4×2 based on Murashige & Skoog medium (see Scott & Draper, 1987)     

The isolation of a fetal rat liver glutathione S-transferase isoenzyme with high glutathione peroxidase activity

A previously uncharacterized glutathione S-transferase isoenzyme which is absent from normal adult rat livers has been isolated from fetal rat livers. The enzyme was purified using a combination of affinity chromatography, CM-cellulose column chromatography and chromatofocusing. It is composed of two non-identical subunits, namely, subunit Yc (Mr 28,000) and a subunit (Mr 25,500) recently reported by us to be uniquely present in fetal rat livers and which we now refer to as subunit 'Yfetus'. The enzyme which we term glutathione S-transferase YcYfetus has an isoelectric point of approx. 8.65 and has glutathione S-transferase activity towards a number of substrates. The most significant property of the fetal isozyme is its high glutathione peroxidase activity towards the model substrate cumene hydroperoxide. We suggest that this isozyme serves a specific function in protecting fetuses against the possible teratogenic effects of organic peroxides.     

Gallbladder pressure, compliance, and hysteresis during cyclic volume change

The gallbladder has both storage and contractile properties, but is pressure-volume characteristics have not been fully described. We studied gallbladder pressure, compliance, stress relaxation, and the work performed during infusion-withdrawal of fixed volumes of bile at increments of base-line volume under halothane anesthesia in 13 dogs. Two cannulae were inserted in the gallbladder fundus: one for cyclic infusion-withdrawal of bile, and one for pressure monitoring. Following ligation of the cystic duct, the gallbladder was fully aspirated and then filled to successive predetermined base-line volumes (15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 mL). At each base-line volume, 5 mL of bile was infused and withdrawn at 2.47 mL/min. Studies were performed under basal conditions and with cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) infusion (10 or 30 ng.kg-1.h-1iv). Pressure was measured at base-line, after infusion, and after withdrawal. Compliance during infusion (delta V/delta P) was calculated for each cycle. Stress relaxation was defined as the difference between base-line pressure and any reduction in pressure after withdrawal. Hysteresis, the difference between work of infusion and work of withdrawal, was calculated. The results were such that base-line, end-infusion, and end-withdrawal pressures; work of infusion, work of withdrawal, and hysteresis; and stress relaxation all increased significantly with increases in the predetermined base-line volumes (p less than 0.001). Compliance decreased significantly (p less than 0.001) with increasing base-line volume. CCK at 10 ng.kg-1.h-1iv had no effect, but infusion of CCK at 30 ng.kg-1.h-1 significantly (p less than 0.05) increased pressure and work, decreased compliance, and increased stress relaxation compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ecological analyses of nesting success in evening grosbeaks

Summary We studied the nesting success of Evening Grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) inhabiting two areas of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado from 1983–1987. Sixty-four nests were followed during building, incubating, brooding, and fledging; 54.7% were successful (young fledged). The largest number of nests failed during incubation. Nests started later were more successful than nests begun earlier in the season. Failure was most likely due to severe weather, abandonment during building, or predation. Specific habitat characteristics of grosbeak nesting sites and where nests were placed in trees were consistently associated with nesting success. Successful nests, when compared with nests that failed, were: (1) built in more open areas characterized by dispersed vegetation and a higher minimum canopy, (2) oriented in more southerly directions, (3) built closer to the main trunk of the nest tree, and (4) built in larger trees. Current ideas about whether or not birds actually select nest-sites are briefly discussed. We conclude that some grosbeaks optimally select nest sites where the likelihood of producing fledglings is higher than in other areas.     

Ultrastructure of vegetative organization and cell division in the freshwater red algaCompsopogon

Summary Uniseriate filaments of the freshwater red algaCompsopogon coeruleus were examined by transmission electron microscopy for details of vegetative organization and cell division with the goal of providing useful taxonomic characters. Each cell's single, complex chloroplast contains a peripheral encircling thylakoid, and unlike the vast majority of red algae, the cis-regions of dictyosomes are not consistently juxtaposed with mitochondria. These subcellular features, which are present in all examined genera in theCompsopogonales, Erythropeltidales, andRhodochaetales, along with certain unique reproductive characteristics, unify these three orders. During mitosis in uncorticated axial cells, a small, ring-shaped nucleus associated organelle (NAO) is located at each division pole, an intranuclear spindle comes to a moderately acute focus at the flattened, fenestrated metaphase-anaphase division poles and perinuclear ER partially encloses dividing nuclei, including a well-developed interzonal midpiece. The cleavage furrow penetrates the large, central vacuolar region to separate daughter nuclei. These cell division features most closely resemble the pattern described for the orderCeramiales. Our observations of vegetative and dividing cells ofC. coeruleus supplement the growing volume of evidence in favour of uniting all red algae into a single class without subclass designations.Abbreviations ER endoplasmic reticulum - IZM interzonal midpiece - MT microtubule - MTOC microtubule organizing center - NAO nucleus associated organelle - NE nuclear envelope - PER perinuclear endoplasmic reticulum     

Dietary fat influences electric membrane properties of neurons in cell culture

1. SJL/J mice were maintained on semipurified diets which differed in the ratio of polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid content (P/S). Exposure was from conception and was maintained for periods ranging from 6 to 34 weeks. 2. Neural cell cultures were prepared from dorsal root ganglia (DRG). After 6 and 20 days of culture, neuronal electric membrane properties were determined quantitatively by intracellular recording. 3. A number of significant differences were observed for the two dietary conditions. DRG from mice on the low-P/s diet had an increase in the rate of fall of both phases of repolarization which, in conjunction with the reduced action potential overshoot, led to a reduced action potential duration. This shift to shorter-duration action potentials was accompanied by a shift to more monophasic falling phases. The low-P/S neurons also exhibited a decreased afterhyperpolarization, decreased specific membrane resistance, and decreased membrane electrical time constant compared to high-P/S neurons. 4. It was concluded that the P/S ratio in the diet can have a significant effect on the electric properties of neurons. The high-P/S neurons tended to have action potentials with biphasic repolarizations and longer durations. In contrast, the low-P/S neurons tended to have action potentials with monophasic repolarizations and shorter durations. Moreover, the known ionic dependence of these two types of action potentials suggested that the low-P/S diet resulted in action potentials with a more exclusive Na dependence, while the high-P/S diet resulted in action potentials with both Na and Ca dependence.