Immunocytochemical localization of Mullerian inhibiting substance in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in Sertoli cells of the neonatal calf testis using a monoclonal antibody

Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) has been localized in the Sertoli cells of the neonatal calf testis using preembedding immunoperoxidase techniques and a monoclonal antibody which almost completely blocks the biological activity of MIS. Both the peroxidase-labeled antibody method using a peroxidase-conjugated F(ab')2 fragment of IgG as a second antibody and the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method using Fab fragments of the PAP complex were employed. With both methods, MIS was demonstrated within the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the Golgi apparatus. In the Golgi, MIS was concentrated in the transmost cisternae especially at their peripheral expansions. This study indicates that MIS is synthesized in the RER and transported to the Golgi apparatus, presumably for glycosidation, before secretion from Golgi derived vacuoles.     

Cisterna-specific localization of glycosylation-related proteins to the Golgi apparatus

The Golgi apparatus is an intracellular organelle playing central roles in post-translational modification and in the secretion of membrane and secretory proteins. These proteins are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transported to the cis-, medial-and trans-cisternae of the Golgi. While trafficking through the Golgi, proteins are sequentially modified with glycan moieties by different glycosyltransferases. Therefore, it is important to analyze the glycosylation function of the Golgi at the level of cisternae. Markers widely used for cis-, medial- and trans-cisternae/trans Golgi network (TGN) in Drosophila are GM130, 120 kDa and Syntaxin16 (Syx16); however the anti-120 kDa antibody is no longer available. In the present study, Drosophila Golgi complex-localized glycoprotein-1 (dGLG1) was identified as an antigen recognized by the anti-120 kDa antibody. A monoclonal anti-dGLG1 antibody suitable for immunohistochemistry was raised in rat. Using these markers, the localization of glycosyltransferases and nucleotide-sugar transporters (NSTs) was studied at the cisternal level. Results showed that glycosyltransferases and NSTs involved in the same sugar modification are localized to the same cisternae. Furthermore, valuable functional information was obtained on the localization of novel NSTs with as yet incompletely characterized biochemical properties.     

Maturation of the Golgi apparatus in urothelial cells

The differentiation of urothelial cells is characterized by the synthesis of uroplakins and their assembly into the asymmetric unit membrane. The Golgi apparatus (GA) has been proposed to play a central role in asymmetric unit membrane formation. We have studied the distribution and organization of the GA in normal mouse urothelial cells and in the superficial urothelial cells that undergo differentiation following cyclophosphamide-induced regeneration, in correlation with urothelial cell differentiation. In normal urothelium, immature basal cells have a simple GA, which is small and distributed close to the nucleus. In intermediate cells, the GA starts to expand into the cytoplasm, whereas the GA of terminally differentiated umbrella cells is complex, being large and spread over the whole basal half of the cytoplasm. During early stages of regeneration after cyclophosphamide treatment, the GA of superficial cells is simple and no markers of urothelial differentiation (uroplakins or asymmetric unit membranes, discoidal or fusiform vesicles, apical surface covered with microvilli) are expressed. At a later stage, the GA expands and, in the final stage of regeneration, when cells express all markers of terminal urothelial differentiation, the GA become complex once again. Our results show that: (1) GA distribution and organization in urothelial cells is differentiation-dependent; (2) the GA matures from a simple form in partially differentiated cells to a complex form in terminally differentiated superficial cells; (3) major rearrangements of GA distribution and organization correlate with the beginning of asymmetric unit membrane production. Thus, GA maturation seems to be crucial for asymmetric unit membrane formation. The work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Sport, Government of Republic of Slovenia, Slovenia (grant no. 3311-04-831450).     

Specific organization of Golgi apparatus in plant cells

Microtubules, actin filaments, and Golgi apparatus are connected both directly and indirectly, but it is manifested differently depending on the cell organization and specialization, and these connections are considered in many original studies and reviews. In this review we would like to discuss what underlies differences in the structural organization of the Golgi apparatus in animal and plant cells: specific features of the microtubule cytoskeleton organization, the use of different cytoskeleton components for Golgi apparatus movement and maintenance of its integrity, or specific features of synthetic and secretory processes. We suppose that a dispersed state of the Golgi apparatus in higher plant cells cannot be explained only by specific features of the microtubule system organization and by the absence of centrosome as an active center of their organization because the Golgi apparatus is organized similarly in the cells of other organisms that possess the centrosome and centrosomal microtubules. One of the key factors determining the Golgi apparatus state in plant cells is the functional uniformity or functional specialization of stacks. The functional specialization does not suggest the joining of the stacks to form a ribbon; therefore, the disperse state of the Golgi apparatus needs to be supported, but it also can exist “by default”. We believe that the dispersed state of the Golgi apparatus in plants is supported, on one hand, by dynamic connections of the Golgi apparatus stacks with the actin filament system and, on the other hand, with the endoplasmic reticulum exit sites distributed throughout the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Buds of the Golgi apparatus in parotid acinar cells

The Golgi apparatus (GA) is a membranous organelle composed of stacked cisterns with associated vesicles. This study was undertaken to determine its origin in rat parotid acinar cells. The morphogenesis of the GA could be recognized in the developmental process as well as in mitotic division of cells. EM studies depicted an aggregation of small vesicles in the early stage of postnatal development or mitosis, that appeared to be the rudimental element of GA. Brefeldin A induced rapid degradation of the cisternal structure to vesicular aggregates. Reconstruction of the GA structure based on these remnant vesicles was observed upon removal of the drug. Similar membranous assembly could be observed after destruction of microtubules. These membranous aggregates presumably corresponded to 'buds of the GA' in parotid acinar cells. However, conventional cytochemical markers for GA were not detected on such immature form of GA. We found that the GA matrix protein GM130 and osmium reductivity (a classical marker for cis-Golgi elements) were consistently localized in the GA elements. Therefore, immunohistochemical distribution of GM130 and osmium impregnation of parotid acinar cells were studied under various dynamic conditions that produced structural modification of the GA.     

Male differentiation of germ cells induced by embryonic age-specific Sertoli cells in mice

Retinoic acid (RA) is a meiosis-inducing factor. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in the developing ovary are exposed to RA, resulting in entry into meiosis. In contrast, PGCs in the developing testis enter mitotic arrest to differentiate into prospermatogonia. Sertoli cells express CYP26B1, an RA-metabolizing enzyme, providing a simple explanation for why XY PGCs do not initiate meios/is. However, regulation of entry into mitotic arrest is likely more complex. To investigate the mechanisms that regulate male germ cell differentiation, we cultured XX and XY germ cells at 11.5 and 12.5 days postcoitus (dpc) with an RA receptor inhibitor. Expression of Stra8, a meiosis initiation gene, was suppressed in all groups. However, expression of Dnmt3l, a male-specific gene, during embryogenesis was elevated but only in 12.5-dpc XY germ cells. This suggests that inhibiting RA signaling is not sufficient for male germ cell differentiation but that the male gonadal environment also contributes to this pathway. To define the influence of Sertoli cells on male germ cell differentiation, Sertoli cells at 12.5, 15.5, and 18.5 dpc were aggregated with 11.5 dpc PGCs, respectively. After culture, PGCs aggregated with 12.5 dpc Sertoli cells increased Nanos2 and Dnmt3l expression. Furthermore, these PGCs established male-specific methylation imprints of the H19 differentially methylated domains. In contrast, PGCs aggregated with Sertoli cells at late embryonic ages did not commit to the male pathway. These findings suggest that male germ cell differentiation is induced both by inhibition of RA signaling and by molecule(s) production by embryonic age-specific Sertoli cells.     

4Pi-microscopy of the Golgi apparatus in live mammalian cells

We report the applicability of 4Pi-microscopy to live mammalian cells. Controlled interference of the counterpropagating wavefronts is possible despite the slight variations in cellular refractive index. Superresolved 3D-fluorescence imaging is exemplified with the first representation of the Golgi apparatus in a live cell at approximately 100 nm resolution.     

Androgen receptor function is required in Sertoli cells for the terminal differentiation of haploid spermatids

Androgen receptor function is required for male embryonic sexual differentiation, pubertal development and the regulation of spermatogenesis in mammals. During spermatogenesis, this requirement is thought to be mediated by Sertoli cells and its genetic and pharmacological disruption is manifested in spermatocytes as meiotic arrest. Through studies of a hypomorphic and conditional allele of the androgen receptor (Ar) gene, we have uncovered a dual post-meiotic requirement for androgen receptor activity during male germ cell differentiation. Observations in Ar hypomorphic animals demonstrate that terminal differentiation of spermatids and their release from the seminiferous epithelium is AR dependent and maximally sensitive to AR depletion within the testis. Cell-specific disruption of Ar in Sertoli cells of hypomorphic animals further shows that progression of late-round spermatids to elongating steps is sensitive to loss of Sertoli cell AR function, but that progression through meiosis and early-round spermatid differentiation are surprisingly unaffected.     

Asymmetrical distribution of clathrin in the Golgi apparatus of polypeptide-secreting cells

Using an antibody revealed by the protein A-gold technique, we have studied the distribution of clathrin antigenic sites in the Golgi area of pancreatic B-cells. Golgi compartments showing an immunolabelling comprised extensive segments of cisternae, typical coated vesicles, dilated extremities of cisternae with condensing secretory material, and newly formed secretory granules. Most of the labelled membranes were observed at the trans Golgi pole while little immunoreactivity was found on the cis pole.     

Asynchronous expression of the homeodomain protein CUX1 in Sertoli cells and spermatids during spermatogenesis in mice

The homeodomain CUX1 protein exists as multiple isoforms that arise from proteolytic processing of a 200-kDa protein or an alternate splicing or from the use of an alternate promoter. The 200-kDa CUX1 protein is highly expressed in the developing kidney, where it functions to regulate cell proliferation. Transgenic mice ectopically expressing the 200-kDa CUX1 protein develop renal hyperplasia associated with reduced expression of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p27. A 55-kDa CUX1 isoform is expressed exclusively in the testes. We determined the pattern and timing of CUX1 protein expression in developing testes. CUX1 expression was continuous in Sertoli cells from prepubertal testes but became cyclic when spermatids appeared. In testes from mature mice, CUX1 was highly expressed only in round spermatids at stages IV-V of spermatogenesis, in both spermatids and Sertoli cells at stages VI-X of spermatogenesis, and only in Sertoli cells at stage XI of spermatogenesis. While most of the seminiferous tubules in wild-type mice were between stages VI and X of spermatogenesis, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of seminiferous tubules between stages VI and X in Cux1 transgenic mice and a significant increase in the percentage of seminiferous tubules in stages IV-V and XI. Moreover, CUX1 was not expressed in proliferating cells in testes from either wild-type or transgenic mice. Thus, unlike the somatic form of CUX1, which has a role in cell proliferation, the testis-specific form of CUX1 is not involved in cell division and appears to play a role in signaling between Sertoli cells and spermatids.     

Evidence of partial localization in Golgi apparatus of UDP-glucose collagen glucosyltransferase from chick embryo liver

1. Collagens are the most important components of the connective tissue. 2. Collagen synthesis involves greater than 12 different enzymes whereas three enzymatic systems are involved in the ordered degradation. 3. Some enzymes are found in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). The subcellular localization of disulfur isomerase, alpha D-glucosidase, proteases, galactosyltransferases and glucosyltransferases specific to collagen is unknown. 4. After having determined the best subcellular fractionation conditions for the chick embryo liver, we demonstrate that the galactosylhydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase specific to collagen is located in the RER and in the Golgi apparatus.     

Three-dimensional architecture of the golgi apparatus in Sertoli cells of the rat.

Glutaraldehyde-fixed testes were stained "en bloc" with the Ur-Pb-Cu technique of Thiéry and Rambourg ('76) or post-fixed and stained with the osmium tetroxide-potassium ferrocyanide method of Karnovsky ('71). Thin or thick (up to 3 micron) sections were examined with the Philips (301 or 400) EM or the high voltage EM. Stereopairs were prepared with photographs of tilted specimens (+/- 7 degrees). At low magnification, in thick sections (0.5-3 micron) stained with Ur-Pb-Cu, the whole Golgi apparatus formed a single network of interconnected wavy ribbon or platelike structures extending from the juxtanuclear region toward the apex of the cell. At higher magnifications, with the two staining techniques, this Golgi network showed two distinct types of regions: the "saccular region" corresponding to the conventional stack of saccules and the "intersaccular connecting region" made up of anastomotic tubules which bridge adjacent stacks. In the saccurlar regions, there was, on the cis-face of the stack, a tight polygonal meshwork of anastomotic tubules (osmiophilic element). Underlying it there were three to seven closely apposed saccules perforated with pores of various diameters, and finally, on the trans-face, a network of tubules was usually connected to the last saccule of the stack, which seemed to peel off" from the pile. The intersaccular connecting regions showed proximal and distal zones with regard to the associated stacks. The proximal zone was made up of superimposed and parallel polygonal networks of membranous tubules which were continuous with corresponding saccules of the stack. In the distal zone they interdigitated, intertwined, anastomosed and bridged adjacent saccular regions; others turned at right angles and established connections with tubular extensions arising at various levels of the same stack. While cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum were contiguous with tubules or saccules located on the transface of the Golgi apparatus, a close association between the ER cisternae and the cis-face of the stacks was not usually observed.     

Quantitative analysis of Sertoli cells in neonatally oestrogen-treated rats

On Day 1 of age rats were treated with 500 micrograms oestradiol benzoate. Oestrogen-treated rats had increased numbers of Sertoli cells per reference area or volume, whereas the total number of cells per testis was unchanged. The mean nuclear size was significantly smaller in oestrogen-treated rats than in control rats, at 22 and 45 days of age. The volume density of the heterochromatin clumps decreased from 22 to 45 days of age in control rats (68% fall), the decrease being slower in oestrogenized animals (30% fall) during the same period. The differences were significant at 45 days of age only. The relative volume occupied by the nuclear membrane infoldings was significantly less in oestrogenized rats than in control ones at the two ages considered. Nucleolar development was delayed in oestrogen-treated rats, which had lower numbers of nuclear sections showing nucleoli, as well as a decrease in the nucleolar diameter. We suggest that these Sertoli cell alterations are due to the altered gonadotrophin and testosterone concentrations induced by the steroid treatment rather than to a direct effect of oestrogen.