On the contents of the cortical granules from Xenopus laevis eggs

The extruded contents of the cortical granules in eggs of Xenopus laevis were solubilized by exposure to divalent metal ion chelators. Chelator extraction of cortical granule (CG) material from intact fertilized or artificially activated eggs was quantitated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The isolated fertilization envelope, formed upon interaction between CG material and the preexisting vitelline envelope, was also subject to extraction. An ultrastructural analysis revealed that chelator exposure resulted in the disruption of the structural integrity of the CG-derived F-component of the fertilization envelope. CG material was isolated from Xenopus ova by three procedures: (1) extrusion from artificially activated, dejellied eggs; (2) extraction of intact, fertilized eggs; and (3) extraction of isolated fertilization envelopes. Only 4–5% of the CG protein recovered by extrusion or by extraction of the intact fertilized egg could be associated with the isolated fertilization envelopes. One predominant polypeptide fraction with an identical relative mobility was demonstrated in all CG preparations upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in SDS. Polymeric forms of CG protein were detected in chelator extracted preparations. The presence of an intact jelly coat during CG breakdown was a prerequisite to the transformation of the vitelline envelope to a fertilization envelope with altered physicochemical characteristics. Further, the CG-derived F-component of the fertilization envelope did not appear to play a critical role in determining the physicochemical properties of the fertilization envelope.     

Lipid and Fatty Acid composition of chloroplast envelope membranes from species with differing net photosynthesis

Lipid and fatty acid compositions were determined for chloroplast envelope membranes isolated from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) leaves. The lipid composition was similar in sunflower, spinach, and undifferentiated maize chloroplast envelope membranes and different in maize mesophyll chloroplast envelope membranes. The predominant lipid constituents in all envelope membranes were monogalactosyldiglyceride (27 to 46%), digalactosyldiglyceride (18 to 33%), and phosphatidylcholine (7 to 30%). The fatty acid composition was also similar in sunflower and spinach chloroplast envelope membranes in comparison to those from maize. The major acyl fatty acids of the chloroplast envelope membrane were palmitic (C_16:0, 41 and 36%) and linolenic (C_18:3, 29 and 40%) acids for spinach and sunflower; palmitic (77%) and stearic (C_18:0, 12%) acids for young maize; and palmitic (61%), stearic (14%), and linolenic (13%) acids for mature maize. The differences in lipid and acyl fatty acid compositions among these plants which vary in their rates of net photosynthesis were largely quantitative rather than qualitative.     

Immunological and biochemical characterization of nuclear envelope reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase.

NADPH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.2) activity innate to rat liver nuclear envelope displays antigenic identity with the corresponding microsomal enzyme in a standard Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion test. As with the microsomal enzyme, the nuclear envelope enzyme is selectively released by restricted proteolysis and may be quantitatively isolated from the supernatant phase of the digest by immunoprecipitation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the immunoprecipitates reveals that the oxidoreductase has a molecular weight of 72,000 regardless of its membrane of origin. Radial immunodiffusion titration demonstrates that nuclear envelope contains about one-third the level of NADPH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (0.21%) as compared to microsomal membrane (0.71%) on a weight basis. By comparison, the specific activity of the nuclear envelope enzyme was half that of the microsomal enzyme. Turnover studies employing NaH¹⁴CO₃ indicate that the half-lives for the nuclear envelope and microsomal enzymes are indistinguishable, each being approximately 55 h.     

Envelope synthesis during the cell cycle in Escherichia coli B/r

The rate of synthesis of envelope proteins and phospholipids during the cell cycle of Escherichia coli B/r has been studied using both synchronous cultures and random cultures, first labelled and then subsequently fractionated on an age basis by the membrane elution technique. The rate of total protein synthesis and of phospholipid synthesis, measured by incorporation of [2-³H]glycerol into whole cells, was found to increase exponentially throughout the cell cycle. Total envelope protein was also synthesized continuously throughout the cycle, but the rate of synthesis showed a stepwise pattern with a discrete doubling in rate in the first half of the cycle. Analysis of the pattern of synthesis of about 29 individual envelope polypeptides by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography revealed that the great majority followed the pattern of the bulk measurements, with a discrete increase in rate of synthesis early in the cycle. One envelope polypeptide, molecular weight 76,000, was, however, only synthesized during a brief period, near the time of division of the bacteria. Pulse-chase studies of envelope polypeptide synthesis in synchronous cultures demonstrated that (1) synthesis and insertion of polypeptide into the envelope was always completed within the pulse period; (2) no post-synthetic modification of polypeptides was detected; (3) one group of polypeptides, including a major outer membrane protein, maintained a stable association with the envelope, whilst a second group displayed considerable “turnover”; (4) about 70% of newly synthesized 76,000 molecular weight protein was lost from the envelope during the succeeding generation.     

Differential inhibitory effects of antibiotics on the biosynthesis of envelope proteins of Escherichia coli

Inhibitory effects of six antibiotics (kasugamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, sparsomycin, puromycin and rifampicin) on the biosynthesis of envelope proteins of Escherichia coli were examined and compared with those on the biosynthesis of cytoplasmic proteins. Kasugamycin, puromycin and rifampicin were much more inhibitory to the over-all biosynthesis of cytoplasmic proteins than to that of envelope proteins. On the contrary, tetracycline and sparsomycin showed much stronger inhibitory effects on the biosynthesis of envelope proteins than on that of cytoplasmic proteins. Chloramphenicol showed little difference in its inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of envelope proteins and cytoplasmic proteins.The envelope proteins were labeled with [³H]arginine in the presence of the antibiotics and separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The inhibitory effects of the antibiotics on the biosynthesis of individual envelope proteins were then examined. Inhibition patterns were found to be widely different from one envelope protein to the other. For example, the biosynthesis of one major envelope protein of molecular weight 38,000 was more resistant to kasugamycin, chloramphenicol and sparsomycin than that of the other envelope proteins. On the other hand, the biosynthesis of another major envelope protein (lipoprotein) of about 7500 molecular weight was much more resistant to puromycin and rifampicin than that of the other envelope proteins. In the case of tetracycline, little differential inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of individual envelope proteins was observed.Stability of messenger RNAs for individual envelope proteins was also determined from the inhibitory effect of rifampicin on their biosynthesis. It was found that the average of half lives of mRNAs for major envelope proteins examined (5.5 minutes) is twice as long as the average of those of mRNAs for cytoplasmic proteins (2 minutes), except for the lipoprotein of about 7500 molecular weight which has extremely stable mRNA with a half life of 11.5 minutes. From these results the envelope proteins of E. coli appear to be biosynthesized in a somewhat different manner from that of the cytoplasmic proteins. Furthermore, at least some envelope proteins may have their own specific biosynthetic systems.     

The Galactolipid, Phospholipid, and Fatty Acid Composition of the Chloroplast Envelope Membranes of Vicia faba. L

The galactolipid, phospholipid, and fatty acid composition of chloroplast envelope membrane fractions isolated from leaves of Vicia faba L. has been determined. The major lipids in this fraction are: monogalactosyldiglyceride, 29%; digalactosyldiglyceride, 32%; phosphatidylcholine, 30%; and phosphatidylglycerol 9%. The lipid composition of the chloroplast envelope membranes is qualitatively similar to that of the lamellar membranes isolated from the same plastids, but the proportion of each lipid present is very different. The total galactolipid to total phospholipid ratio was 1.6: 1 in the envelope and 11.1: 1 in the lamellae. The monogalactosyldiglyceride-digalactosyl-diglyceride ratio was 0.9: 1 in the envelope and 2.4: 1 in the lamellae. Both membranes lack phosphatidylethanolamine.     

The S. pombe mitotic regulator Cut12 promotes spindle pole body activation and integration into the nuclear envelope

The fission yeast spindle pole body (SPB) comprises a cytoplasmic structure that is separated from an ill-defined nuclear component by the nuclear envelope. Upon mitotic commitment, the nuclear envelope separating these domains disperses as the two SPBs integrate into a hole that forms in the nuclear envelope. The SPB component Cut12 is linked to cell cycle control, as dominant cut12.s11 mutations suppress the mitotic commitment defect of cdc25.22 cells and elevated Cdc25 levels suppress the monopolar spindle phenotype of cut12.1 loss of function mutations. We show that the cut12.1 monopolar phenotype arises from a failure to activate and integrate the new SPB into the nuclear envelope. The activation of the old SPB was frequently delayed, and its integration into the nuclear envelope was defective, resulting in leakage of the nucleoplasm into the cytoplasm through large gaps in the nuclear envelope. We propose that these activation/integration defects arise from a local deficiency in mitosis-promoting factor activation at the new SPB.     

Membrane proteins of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides III. Isolation,purification, and characterization of cell envelope proteins

Cell envelopes (cell wall and cell membrane) from aerobically grown cells of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides were isolated and purified by a combination of differential centrifugation and centrifugation through 40% sucrose. Cell envelope protein from aerobically grown cells was resolved by dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Biochemical characterization of selected envelope membrane proteins demonstrated heterogeneity between different protein species. Amino acid analyses of individual proteins revealed between 50–60 mole% nonpolar residues.Envelope membranes derived from anaerobically grown cells were also isolated and purified by a combination of differential centrifugation, column chromatography on Sepharose 2B, and centrifugation in 40% sucrose. The dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel patterns of anaerobic and aerobic envelope membrane proteins were very similar and the results suggest a common protein structure.     

Studies on the System Regulating Proton Movement across the Chloroplast Envelope : Effects of ATPase Inhibitors, Mg, and an Amine Anesthetic on Stromal pH and Photosynthesis

Studies were undertaken to further characterize the spinach (Spinacea oleracea) chloroplast envelope system, which facilitates H⁺ movement into and out of the stroma, and, hence, modulates photosynthetic activity by regulating stromal pH. It was demonstrated that high envelope-bound Mg²⁺ causes stromal acidification and photosynthetic inhibition. High envelope-bound Mg²⁺ was also found to necessitate the activity of a digitoxinand oligomycin-sensitive ATPase for the maintenance of high stromal pH and photosynthesis in the illuminated chloroplast. In chloroplasts that had high envelope Mg²⁺ and inhibited envelope ATPase activity, 2-(diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetamide was found to raise stromal pH and stimulate photosynthesis. 2-(Diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetamide is an amine anesthetic that is known to act as a monovalent cation channel blocker in mammalian systems. We postulate that the system regulating cation and H⁺ fluxes across the plastid envelope includes a monovalent cation channel in the envelope, some degree of (envelope-bound Mg²⁺ modulated) H⁺ flux linked to monovalent cation antiport, and ATPase-dependent H⁺ efflux.     

Acyl-CoA Synthetase Is Located in the Outer Membrane and Acyl-CoA Thioesterase in the Inner Membrane of Pea Chloroplast Envelopes

Both acyl-CoA synthetase and acyl-CoA thioesterase activities are present in chloroplast envelope membranes. The functions of these enzymes in lipid metabolism remains unresolved, although the synthetase has been proposed to be involved in either plastid galactolipid synthesis or the export of plastid-synthesized fatty acids to the cytoplasm. We have examined the locations of both enzymes within the two envelope membranes of pea (Pisum sativum var Laxton's Progress No. 9) chloroplasts. Inner and outer envelope membranes were purified from unfractionated envelope preparations by linear density sucrose gradient centrifugation. Acyl-CoA synthetase was located in the outer envelope membrane while acyl-CoA thioesterase was located in the inner envelope membrane. Thus, it seems unlikely that the synthetase is directly involved in galactolipid assembly. Instead, its localization supports the hypothesis that it functions in the transport of plastid-synthesized fatty acids to the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Characterization of an ATPase Associated with the Inner Envelope Membrane of Amyloplasts from Suspension-Cultured Cells of Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.)

Amyloplast envelope membranes isolated from cultured, white-wild cells of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) have been found to contain a Mg²⁺-ATPase, ranging in specific activity from 5 to 30 nanomoles per minute per milligram protein. This ATPase hydrolyzes a broad range of nucleoside triphosphates, whereas it hydrolyzes nucleoside mono- and diphosphates poorly, if at all. The ATPase activity was stimulated by several divalent cations, including Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Ca²⁺, whereas it was not affected by Sr²⁺, K⁺, or Na⁺. The K_m for total ATP was 0.6 millimolar, and the activity showed a broad pH optimum between 7.5 and 8.0. The ATPase was insensitive to N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and oligomycin, but it was inhibited by vanadate. All these characteristics are basically similar to those reported previously for the Mg²⁺-ATPase of the chloroplast inner-envelope membrane. Likewise, the amyloplast envelope enzyme was shown to be located specifically on the inner envelope membrane. The amyloplast envelope membranes were chemically modified with a series of unique affinity labeling reagents, the adenosine polyphosphopyridoxals (M Tagaya, T Fukui 1986 Biochemistry 25: 2958-2964). About 90% of the ATPase activity was lost when the envelope membranes were preincubated with 0.1 millimolar adenosine triphosphopyridoxal. Notably, the enzyme was protected completely from inactivation in the presence of its substrate, ATP. In contrast, both adenosine diphosphopyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate caused much less of an inhibitory effect. This greater relative reactivity of the triphosphopyridoxal analog is similar to that reported previously with Escherichia coli F₁ ATPase (T Noumi et al. 1987 J Biol Chem 262: 7686-7692).     

Inhibition of Soybean Cell Growth by the Adsorption of Rhizobium japonicum

Soybean cells in suspension culture were inhibited in their growth by mixed culture with Rhizobium japonicum 5033. Rhizobium cells had the ability to adsorb on the surface of soybean cells. Cell envelope prepared from Rhizobium by sonic oscillation inhibited the growth of soybean cells. The growth-inhibiting activity of the cell envelope was depressed by β-glucosidase, KIO₄, urea, sodium cholate, and Triton X-100, but was stable on heating at 120 C for 15 minutes. Adsorption of the cell envelope on soybean cells was depressed by only β-glucosidase. The sodium cholate-soluble fraction of the cell envelope had the growth-inhibiting activity. Results in this paper suggest that components of the Rhizobium cell surface cause the inhibition of soybean cell growth after the adsorption of the Rhizobium cell to the soybean cell.     

Stromal low temperature compartment derived from the inner membrane of the chloroplast envelope

Leaf discs of four dicotyledonous species, when incubated at temperatures of 4 to 18°C (optimum at 12°C) for 30 or 60 minutes, responded by accumulations of membranes in the chloroplast stroma in the space between the inner membrane of the envelope and the thylakoids. The accumulated membranes, here referred to as the low temperature compartment, were frequently continuous with the envelope membrane and exhibited kinetics of formation consistent with a derivation from the envelope. Results were similar for expanding leaves of garden pea (Pisum sativum), soybean (Glycine max), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). We suggest that the stromal low temperature compartment may be analogous to the compartment induced to form between the transitional endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus at low temperatures. The findings provide evidence for the possibility of a vesicular transfer of membrane constituents between the inner membrane of the chloroplast envelope and the thylakoids of mature chloroplasts in expanding leaves.     

Ultrastructure of the obligate halophilic bacterium Halobacterium halobium

The fine structure of Halobacterium halobium was studied by means of a modified double-fixation technique. The cell envelope is shown to consist of both a “wall” and a plasma membrane. Some electron-dense strands were seen inside the cytoplasm running parallel to the cell envelope. An unusual organelle (or organelles) appeared inside the cytoplasm in the form of parallel striated strands.     

Proteins of the cell envelope of a marine pseudomonad, Pseudomonas BAL-31

The protein composition of the envelope fraction of Pseudomonas BAL-31 was studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two major polypeptides of molecular weights 130 000 and 110 000 were found. These two polypeptides, which account for as much as 40–50% of the total protein of the envelope, are associated with the outer membrane. One of these proteins might be a glycoprotein. The inner membrane contains a more heterogeneous collection of smaller polypeptides.     

Characterization of the effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butanol on the cell envelope of <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis>

Biofuel alcohols have severe consequences on the microbial hosts used in their biosynthesis, which limits the productivity of the bioconversion. The cell envelope is one of the most strongly affected structures, in particular, as the external concentration of biofuels rises during biosynthesis. Damage to the cell envelope can have severe consequences, such as impairment of transport into and out of the cell; however, the nature of butanol-induced envelope damage has not been well characterized. In the present study, the effects of n-butanol on the cell envelope of Escherichia coli were investigated. Using enzyme and fluorescence-based assays, we observed that 1 % v/v n-butanol resulted in the release of lipopolysaccharides from the outer membrane of E. coli and caused ‘leakiness’ in both outer and inner membranes. Higher concentrations of n-butanol, within the range of 2–10 % (v/v), resulted in inner membrane protrusion through the peptidoglycan observed by characteristic blebs. The findings suggest that strategies for rational engineering of butanol-tolerant bacterial strains should take into account all components of the cell envelope.     

A Targeted Mutation within the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Envelope Protein Immunosuppressive Domain To Improve a Canarypox Virus-Vectored FeLV Vaccine

We previously delineated a highly conserved immunosuppressive (IS) domain within murine and primate retroviral envelope proteins that is critical for virus propagation in vivo. The envelope-mediated immunosuppression was assessed by the ability of the proteins, when expressed by allogeneic tumor cells normally rejected by engrafted mice, to allow these cells to escape, at least transiently, immune rejection. Using this approach, we identified key residues whose mutation (i) specifically abolishes immunosuppressive activity without affecting the “mechanical” function of the envelope protein and (ii) significantly enhances humoral and cellular immune responses elicited against the virus. The objective of this work was to study the immunosuppressive activity of the envelope protein (p15E) of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and evaluate the effect of its abolition on the efficacy of a vaccine against FeLV. Here we demonstrate that the FeLV envelope protein is immunosuppressive in vivo and that this immunosuppressive activity can be “switched off” by targeted mutation of a specific amino acid. As a result of the introduction of the mutated envelope sequence into a previously well characterized canarypox virus-vectored vaccine (ALVAC-FeLV), the frequency of vaccine-induced FeLV-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing cells was increased, whereas conversely, the frequency of vaccine-induced FeLV-specific interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing cells was reduced. This shift in the IFN-γ/IL-10 response was associated with a higher efficacy of ALVAC-FeLV against FeLV infection. This study demonstrates that FeLV p15E is immunosuppressive in vivo, that the immunosuppressive domain of p15E can modulate the FeLV-specific immune response, and that the efficacy of FeLV vaccines can be enhanced by inhibiting the immunosuppressive activity of the IS domain through an appropriate mutation.     

Preparation and characterization of envelope membranes from nongreen plastids

We have developed a reliable procedure for the purification of envelope membranes from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) bud plastids and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cell amyloplasts. After disruption of purified intact plastids, separation of envelope membranes was achieved by centrifugation on a linear sucrose gradient. A membrane fraction, having a density of 1.122 grams per cubic centimeter and containing carotenoids, was identified as the plastid envelope by the presence of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase. Using antibodies raised against spinach chloroplast envelope polypeptides E24 and E30, we have demonstrated that both the outer and the inner envelope membranes were present in this envelope fraction. The major polypeptide in the envelope fractions from sycamore and cauliflower plastids was identified immunologically as the phosphate translocator. In the envelope membranes from cauliflower and sycamore plastids, the major glycerolipids were monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine. Purified envelope membranes from cauliflower bud plastids and sycamore amyloplasts also contained a galactolipid:galactolipid galactosyltransferase, enzymes for phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol biosynthesis, acyl-coenzyme A thioesterase, and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase. These results demonstrate that envelope membranes from nongreen plastids present a high level of homology with chloroplasts envelope membranes.     

Callose Deposition Is Responsible for Apoplastic Semipermeability of the Endosperm Envelope of Muskmelon Seeds

Semipermeable cell walls or apoplastic “membranes” have been hypothesized to be present in various plant tissues. Although often associated with suberized or lignified walls, the wall component that confers osmotic semipermeability is not known. In muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds, a thin, membranous endosperm completely encloses the embryo, creating a semipermeable apoplastic envelope. When dead muskmelon seeds are allowed to imbibe, solutes leaking from the embryo are retained within the envelope, resulting in osmotic water uptake and swelling called osmotic distention (OD). The endosperm envelope of muskmelon seeds stained with aniline blue, which is specific for callose (β-1,3-glucan). Outside of the aniline-blue-stained layer was a Sudan III- and IV-staining (lipid-containing) layer. In young developing seeds 25 d after anthesis (DAA) that did not exhibit OD, the lipid layer was already present but callose had not been deposited. At 35 DAA, callose was detected as distinct vesicles or globules in the endosperm envelope. A thick callose layer was evident at 40 DAA, coinciding with development of the capacity for OD. Removal of the outer lipid layer by brief chloroform treatment resulted in more rapid water uptake by both viable and nonviable (boiled) seeds, but did not affect semipermeability of the endosperm envelope. The aniline-blue-staining layer was digested by β-1,3-glucanase, and these envelopes lost OD. Thus, apoplastic semipermeability of the muskmelon endosperm envelope is dependent on the deposition of a thick callose-containing layer outside of the endosperm cell walls.     

Mutational Analysis of the Fusion Peptide of Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus Transmembrane Protein p15E

Fusion peptides are hydrophobic sequences located at the N terminus of the transmembrane (TM) envelope proteins of the orthomyxoviruses and paramyxoviruses and several retroviruses. The Moloney murine leukemia virus TM envelope protein, p15E, contains a hydrophobic stretch of amino acids at its N terminus followed by a region rich in glycine and threonine residues. A series of single amino acid substitutions were introduced into this region, and the resulting proteins were examined for their abilities to be properly processed and transported to the cell surface and to induce syncytia in cells expressing the ecotropic receptor. One substitution in the hydrophobic core and several substitutions in the glycine/threonine-rich region that prevented both cell-cell fusion and the transduction of NIH 3T3 cells when incorporated into retroviral vector particles were identified. In addition, one mutation that enhanced the fusogenicity of the resulting envelope protein was identified. The fusion-defective mutants trans dominantly interfered with the ability of the wild-type envelope protein to cause syncytium formation in a cell-cell fusion assay, although no trans-dominant inhibition of transduction was observed. Certain substitutions in the hydrophobic core that prevented envelope protein processing were also found. These data indicate that the N-terminal region of p15E is important both for viral fusion and for the correct processing and cell surface expression of the viral envelope protein.