INHIBITION OF PHAGOCYTOSIS AND PLASMA MEMBRANE MOBILITY OF THE CULTIVATED MACROPHAGE BY CYTOCHALASIN B : Role of Subplasmalemmal Microfilaments

Functional and morphologic effects of cytochalasin B on the cultivated macrophage were examined to determine the basis for plasma membrane movements of the type required for endocytosis and/or spreading on a substratum. Inhibition of phagocytosis and changes in cell shape by cytochalasin B exhibited nearly identical dose-response curves requiring 2–5 x 10^-6 M and 1–2 x 10^-5 M cytochalasin B to inhibit these functions by 50% and 100%, respectively. In contrast, hexose transport was ten times more sensitive to the drug requiring 2–3 x 10^-7 M cytochalasin B to achieve 50% inhibition of 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Inhibition of phagocytosis and changes in cell shape could not be explained solely by drug effects on hexose transport. Analysis of serial thin sections showed that cytochalasin B doses inhibitory for hexose transport had no effect on distribution or organization of either of the two subplasmalemmal microfilament types. However, cytochalasin B concentrations (2.0 x 10^-5 M) that inhibited phagocytosis and altered cell shape disorganized and/or disrupted oriented bundles of 40–50-Å subplasmalemmal microfilaments, but had no effect on the microfilamentous network. Comparative dose-response studies showing positive correlations among cytochalasin B effects on phagocytosis, changes in cell shape, and alterations in oriented subplasmalemmal microfilament bundles provide additional support for the hypothesis that microfilamentous structures play a role in translocation of plasma membrane required for endocytosis and cell motility.     

CELL SORTING IN THE PRESENCE OF CYTOCHALASIN B

The ability of cytochalasin B to inhibit ruffled membrane activity and cellular locomotion of vertebrate cells in monolayer culture prompted its use to study the necessity for this kind of active cellular locomotion in cell sorting in heterotypic cell aggregates. Cell sorting was inhibited in chick embryo heart-pigmented retina aggregates but a remarkable degree of sorting did occur in neural retina-pigmented retina aggregates. In these experiments, the levels of cytochalasin B employed (5 or 10 µg/ml) are sufficient to inhibit completely locomotion of these cell types in monolayer culture. It is proposed that the degree of cell movement achieved during sorting in neural retina-pigmented retina aggregates in the presence of cytochalasin B is the result of changes in cell contact resulting from adhesive interaction of cells. The effect of cytochalasin B on the initial aggregation of dissociated cells was also tested. With the cell types used in this study (chick embryo neural retina and limb bud), aggregation was not affected for a period of several hours.     

THE TEMPORAL SCHEDULE OF DNA SYNTHESIS AND CELL DIFFERENTIATION

The temporal schedule of DNA synthesis in cells of developing and adult mice is analysed by means of Feulgen cytofluorometry combined with tritiated thymidine autoradiography. The results obtained with cells taken from liver, esophageal epithelium and mucosae of gastrointestinal tracts seemed to conform to the hypothesis that a cell at a particular state of cytodifferentiation possesses specifically inactivated sets of late replicating genes showing a specific pattern of the temporal schedule of DNA synthesis.     

CELL POPULATION KINETICS OF THE RECOGNIZABLE ERYTHROID CELLS IN THE RAT

The cell population kinetic parameters defining a simple model of the recognizable part of the erythroid system have been determined. Experimental results using tritiated thymidine and radioactive iron autoradiography have provided estimates of the number of cell divisions, transit times and flow rates for all the recognizable stages of the erythroid system. The accuracy of the estimates and the validity of the model employed are discussed.     

SELECTIVE INHIBITION OF CELL CYCLE STAGES IN THE ALLIUM ROOT MERISTEM BY COLCHICINE AND GROWTH REGULATORS

The treatment of root tips of Allium carinatum, Allium cepa, and Allium flavum with colchicine, abscisic acid, kinetin, and indole-3-acetic acid, applied in appropriate concentrations, combinations, and durations, makes possible the selective blockade of the cell cycle in G₁, G₂, any mitotic stage, and between karyokinesis and cytokinesis. Moreover, treatment with abscisic acid followed by a recovery period stimulates polyploid nuclei in mature tissues to divide. Colchicine, kinetin, and indole-3-acetic acid applied together cause end-to-end association of metaphase chromosomes. These results together with earlier findings suggest that any step of the cell cycle is independently controlled both by specific balance of the growth regulators and by specific synthesis of the nucleic acids.     

PROLIFERATION OF ERYTHROID AND GRANULOCYTE PROGENITORS IN THE SPLEEN AS A FUNCTION OF STEM CELL DOSE

A study of the kinetics of cellular proliferation, in the morphologically unrecognizable haemopoietic progenitor cell compartment, as a function of injected CFU-S dose has been carried out in the spleens of lethally X-irradiated mice using ³H-TdR labelling. Amplification in this proliferating cell compartment was observed to decline as CFU-S dose increased. The number of divisions in the differentiated line arising from CFU-S up to the first appearance of recognizable erythroid precursors were calculated to be 9.2, 12.5, 15 and 17 for the 2, 0.35, 0.05 and 0.007 femur equivalent doses respectively. The growth of cell populations arising from CFU-S was biphasic, with a rapid initial phase having a doubling time of about 6.3 hr, and a slow phase of doubling time around 1 day. Analysis of the rapid phase by the FLM method gave a cycle time of 5.6 hr. Recognizable labelled erythroid precursors were detected at the same time as, or just after, the change in slope of the growth curve. Significant numbers of proliferating (labelled) granulocytes only appeared in the spleens of animals receiving the higher marrow doses (2 and 0.35 femur). The erythroid to granulocyte ratio was also a decreasing function of marrow dose.     

STUDIES ON CELL METABOLISM AND CELL DIVISION : II. STIMULATION OF CELLULAR OXIDATION AND REVERSIBLE INHIBITION OF CELL DIVISION BY DIHALO AND TRIHALOPHENOLS

The dihalo and trihalophenols, and phenols containing both halo and nitro substituents in the same molecule, produce, in fertilized eggs of Arbacia punctulata, a rise in rate of oxygen consumption and a reversible block to cell division. To define the conditions which affect the degree of this activity, the following factors have been varied: the arrangement of substituents in the molecule, the concentration of reagent, and the time after fertilization at which the reagent is added. The stimulation of oxygen consumption and reversible block to cell division produced by the dihalophenols are qualitatively the same as those previously produced in fertilized Arbacia eggs by certain dinitrophenols. To yield optimum respiratory effect and maximum division block, it usually requires a higher concentration of dihalo than of the corresponding dinitrophenol. For example, with fertilized Arbacia eggs at 20°C. 2,4-dinitrophenol, in optimum concentration of 3 x 10^–5 molar, raises oxygen consumption to 292 per cent of normal (4). The corresponding values for two dihalo analogues are: 2,4-dichlorophenol, 10^–4 molar and 236 per cent; 2,4-dibromophenol, 6 x 10^–5 molar and 282 per cent. The halophenols differ from the nitrophenols in two interesting respects: (a) The monohalophenols produce little or no oxidative stimulation or division block in fertilized Arbacia eggs; p-nitrophenol is very active in both respects. (b) The symmetrical trihalophenols have an appreciable ability to stimulate oxygen consumption and block division; symmetrical trinitrophenol is inactive in both respects (4). The increases in oxygen consumption produced in fertilized Arbacia eggs by 2,4-dichloro and 2,4-dinitrophenol are larger than the percentage increases given by methylene blue and o-cresol indophenol under the same experimental conditions. The dihalo and dinitrophenols produce a reversible block to the cell division of fertilized marine eggs. The oxidation-reduction indicators, in contrast to the dihalo and dinitrophenols, block cell division irreversibly and fertilized eggs of Arbacia do not recover from optimum respiratory stimulating concentrations of these oxidation-reduction dyes. The present experiments with halophenols are in harmony with and lend considerable support to the hypothesis (4) that nitro and similarly substituted phenols derive their biological activity from the presence and properties of the phenolic OH group, as modified by proper substitution in the phenolic benzene ring.     

维生素C衍生物对癌细胞浸润转移能力的抑制作用机理研究

前期研究表明Asc2P6P1m能够有效地抑制癌细胞的浸润转移。本文试图以Asc2P6P1m对人成纤维瘤细胞浸润转移作用探讨维生素C衍生物对癌细胞转移能力抑制的机理。对HT-1080细胞分别以50—300μmol/LAsc2P6P1m处理1h,随着Asc2P6P1m浓度的增大,细胞移动的数目明显减少,Asc2P6P1m对HT-1080细胞移动的抑制作用呈现出量效关系。Asc2P6P1m对ROS的清除作用,通过自旋捕集剂DMPO以电子自旋共振方法进行研究。HT-1080细胞经Asc2P6P1m处理后,细胞内的自由基水平与对照组相比有显著的降低。用F-actin的分子探针NBD研究表明,随处理时间延长,细胞内荧光强度与对照组相比显著降低。Western blots研究表明,细胞核内的RhoA蛋白量随Asc2P6P1m处理时间延长而逐渐增加。研究提示,Asc2P6P1m对癌细胞浸润转移能力的抑制作用是与抑制癌细胞内的ROS、提高细胞核内RhoA水平、降低细胞质内F-actin相关。     

INHIBITION OF EMPTYING OF SKELETAL MUSCLE CELL SEGMENTS BY ADENINE NUCLEOTIDES AND POLYVALENT CATIONS

A correlation had previously been established between actomyosin content of homogenized skeletal muscle cell segments as determined by extraction in strong salt solution and the ability of those segments to empty when extracted with buffered water. In this study, we examined the ability of certain compounds to inhibit the process of emptying. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which dissociate actomyosin, inhibited the process of emptying, while adenosine monophosphate (AMP) which does not dissociate actomyosin, did not. We conclude that the formation of actomyosin is a necessary prerequisite for emptying and not just a secondary effect. Polyvalent cations were also found to inhibit emptying. The inhibition was reversible by washing with a solution of NaCl-histidine or with chelating agents, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and ethylene-glycol-bis(β-amino-ethyl ether) tetraacetic acid (EGTA). A factor(s) solubilized from aged muscle functions as an inhibitory agent; the suggestion is made that this factor(s) may be a polyvalent cation.     

THE PRODUCTION AND INHIBITION OF ACTION CURRENTS BY ALCOHOL

Suitable concentrations of ethyl alcohol (1 to 1.5 M) applied to a spot on a cell of Nitella lower the P.D. enough to cause action currents. The alcohol then suppresses action currents arriving from other parts of the cell and acts as a block. After the alcohol is removed the normal P.D. and irritability return. Similar experiments on the sciatic nerve and skin of the frog produced only a negative result.     

羟基脲对人红白血病细胞株中珠蛋白基因表达和细胞分化的影响

人红白血病细胞株(HEL细胞)中珠蛋白基因表达具有自己的特点。即只表达胚胎型的γ-珠蛋白基因而不表达成人型的β-珠蛋白基因。羟基脲(Hydroxyurea)是一种抑制DNA合成的小分子有机化合物。它在临床上被用来治疗地中海贫血和镰刀型贫血。我们的实验结果表明:随羟基脲浓度增加HEL细胞的增殖速度减慢。用常规RT-PCR方法和定量PCR分析证明;用羟基脲诱导HEL细胞后,β-珠蛋白基因表达增加,α-珠蛋白基因表达减少,而γ-珠蛋白基因表达变化不明显。对参与珠蛋白表达的转录因子GATA-1和NF-E2的定量PCR分析发现:这两种转录因子的表达均增加3倍以上。因此,羟基脲可能通过某些信号传递途径促进β-珠蛋白基因表达,从而使HEL细胞趋向终末分化。     

EFFECT OF ACTINOMYCIN D ON THE DIFFERENTIATION OF HATCHING GLAND CELL AND CILIA CELL IN THE FROG EMBRYO

The forehead epidermis of the stage 18–20 R. japonica embryo includes the hatching gland cell (HGC) which contains cell-specific secretory granules. The cilia cell (CC) and common epidermal cell (CEC) constitute the epidermis of the entire body surface, in addition to the forehead region.
Culture of superficial epidermal explants from various embryonic portions at various developmental stages revealed that HGCs are derived from cells localized on the neural crest in the stage 13a (early neural plate) embryo. When explants from the presumptive HGC area were treated with 1 ug/ml actinomycin D (AMD), the formation of secretory granules in HGCs was inhibited either by continuous treatment from stage 13 or by an 8-hr treatment at stage 13b. Similarly, the ciliogenesis in CCs was inhibited. The differentiation of CECs was entirely unaffected by any of the AMD treatment. After release from AMD, mucous vesicles, characteristic of the CEC, were formed in cells whose differentiation into HGC and CC had been suppressed by the antibiotic. Thread complexes and clumps of coiled strings were found in the nuclei of AMD-affected cells.
It is concluded that the DNA-dependent RNA syntheses which direct secretory granule formation in the HGC and ciliogenesis in the CC occur during a limited period at stage 13b, viz. , 20 hr before their cytodifferentiation becomes appreciable.     

INHIBITION OF DIHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE BY PALMITOYL-CoA AND THE REVERSAL OF THE INHIBITION BY SPERMINE AND SPERMIDINE IN THE EGGS OF THE SEA URCHIN,HEMICENTROTUS PULCHERRIMUS*

Dihydrofolate reductase activity in fertilized eggs of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, was almost the same as in unfertilized eggs. Aminopterin inhibited the enzyme competitively with dihydrofolate (FH₂). The apparent K_m value for FH₂ in the dihydrofolate reductase reaction was about 0.1 μM in the crude homogenate of both unfertilized and fertilized eggs. Dihydrofolate reductase in the eggs was also inhibited by palmitoyl-CoA. The inhibition was canceled by polyamines, especially by spermine, but putrescine failed to prevent the enzyme from the inhibition. The change in long-chain acyl-CoA and polyamine concentrations during fertilization are discussed as possible regulatory factors of the enzyme.     

INHIBITION OF CELL PROLIFERATION AND EXPANSION IN VITRO BY THREE STEM GROWTH RETARDANTS

Three inhibitors of stem elongation, Amo, CCC, and Phosfon, inhibit cell division and expansion in tissues cultured in vitro. However, contrary to the case in intact plants, gibberellic acid does not prevent the retardant-induced inhibition in vitro. Supplementary auxin is also without effect in preventing the inhibition. Thus, the effect of the retardants cannot be simply that of inhibiting gibberellin or auxin synthesis. With respect to growth, carrot, chrysanthemum, and geranium tissues are equally sensitive to all 3 retardants, whereas tobacco tissues are considerably more resistant to Amo and apparently unaffected by CCC.     

鱼腥藻7120异形胞分化的调节及细胞蛋白的变化

分离了有固氮活性的异形胞,它的可溶部分和膜部分的吸收光谱与营养细胞明显不同。SDS凝胶电泳图谱表明,营养细胞中存在的可溶蛋白,在异形胞中有一半左右被降解,最明显的是藻蓝蛋白。异形孢具有与营养细胞共同的肽带,但也合成了一些新的多肽。异形胞可溶蛋白有五条最主要的肽带,表观分子量约为73K,54K,48K,4lK和34K。膜蛋白中至少有2个多肽带(4lK,35K)在营养细胞膜蛋白中是缺少的。