Cytoskeletal proteins associated with cell surface envelopes from Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells

Membrane envelopes prepared from Zn⁺⁺-treated Sarcoma 180 cells contain polypeptides which appear to be related to the putative cellular cytoskeletal elements responsible for control of cell shape and motility. These include actin, myosin, α-actinin and a large polypeptide (mol wt 250,000) with some similarities to spectrin of the erythrocyte membrane. If the envelopes are vesiculated by extraction with alkaline EDTA solutions at low ionic strength, four major polypeptides are released, including the actin and spectrin-like materials; myosin is not extracted. The stabilized envelopes offer a useful source of material for the characterization of cytoskeletal elements and for the investigation of their associations with the membrane.     

Binding and cytotoxicity of Ricinus communis lectins to HeLa cells, Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells and erythrocytes

The binding of Ricinus communis lectins to HeLa cells, Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells and human erythrocytes was studied in detail. Scatchard plots of binding of 125I-lectins to these cells gave biphasic lines except for HeLa cells at 0 degree C. The association constants of lectins for the three cell types at 37 degrees C were lower than those at 0 degree C. The numbers of total binding sites were estimated to be 7 to 16 X 10(7) per HeLa cell, 3 to 4 X 10(7) per Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cell and 0.4 to 1 X 10(6) per erythrocyte. A fraction, 16 to 27% of the total amount of cell-bound lectin at 37 degrees C, appeared to be bound irreversibly as judged by non-removal on washing with 0.1 M lactose, whereas no lectin was irreversibly bound at 0 degree C. In the case of erythrocytes, no lectin became irreversibly bound even at 37 degrees C. The toxicity of lectins on HeLa cells and Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells was investigated. The toxicity of ricin D was 50 times for Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells and 140 times for HeLa cells as much as that for castor bean hemagglutinin. As to the sensitivities of both cell types to these lectins, it became apparent that Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells were more susceptible than HeLa cells.     

Cell surface constituents of sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells

The cell surface protein components of Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells have been investigated by a combination of plasma membrane isolation techniques and lactoperoxidase iodination. For plasma membrane isolation cells were homogenized in the presence or absence of Zn²⁺ and fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation or a two-phase partition to give large membrane fragments or membrane envelopes. Membrane purification was monitored by phase contrast microscopy and chemical and enzyme marker assays. The membrane preparations were analyzed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate. Each preparation showed a common protein pattern of about 15 bands ranging in molecular weights from 33 000 to >300000. Two carbohydrate-containing bands were also present in all preparations. Membranes prepared with Zn²⁺ were much less fragmented and showed much greater amounts of three high molecular weight components than those prepared in the absence of Zn²⁺. This might suggest a role for these components in membrane stabilization.The tumor cells were also subjected to iodination with lactoperoxidase, followed by membrane isolation and acrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate in order to identify polypeptides accessible to the cell surface. The major radioactive band coincided with the major carbohydrate-containing band, presumably a surface glycoprotein. A second carbohydrate-containing band showed variable labeling behavior between different cell preparations. This material had a high molecular weight, as indicated by both acrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel permeation chromatography in dodecylsulfate. Several other components are labeled to a lesser extent in the intact cell.     

Interactions of lectins with plasma membrane glycoproteins of the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell

Several aspects of the interaction of various lectins with the surface of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells are described. The order of agglutinating activity for various various lectins is Ricinuscommunis > wheat germ concanavalin A soybean >Limuluspolyphemus. No agglutination was noted for Ulex europaeus. Using ¹²⁵I-labeled lectins it was determined that there are 1.6 and 7 times as many Ricinus communis lectin binding sites as sites for concanavalin A and soybean lectins. Sodium deoxy-cholate-solubilized plasma membrane material was subjected to lectin affinity chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The lectin receptors of the plasma membrane appeared to be heterogeneous and some qualitative differences could be discerned among the electrophoretically analyzed material, which bound to and was specifically eluted from the various lectin affinity colums. The characteristics of elution of bound material from individual lectin columns indicated secondary hydrophobic interactions between concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin and their respective lectin receptor molecules.     

Adriamycin-induced changes in the surface membrane of sarcoma 180 ascites cells

Adriamycin increases (a) the rate of agglutination of Sarcoma 180 cells by concanavalin A after brief exposure of 2–3 h and (b) membrane fluidity as measured by ESR within 30 min of exposure at concentrations of the anthracycline of 10^?7–10^?5 M. The effect of adriamycin on agglutination is not due to an increase in the number of surface receptors for concanavalin A, since the extent of binding of the lectin is not altered by adriamycin and no change occurs in the rate of occupancy of the concanavalin A binding sites by the lectin in cells treated with the antibiotic. The order parameter, a measurement of membrane fluidity, decreases in cells exposed to adriamycin and is dose-related. The results indicate that adriamycin can induce changes in the surface membrane of Sarcoma 180 cells within a brief period of exposure to a low but cytotoxic level of this agent.     

Interactions of lectins with plasma membrane glycoproteins of the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell.

Several aspects of the interaction of various lectins with the surface of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells are described. The order of agglutinating activity for various lectins is Ricinus communis greater than wheat germ greater than or equal to concanavalin A greater than or equal to soybean greater than Limulus polyphemus. No agglutination was noted for Ulex europaeus. Using 125I-labeled lectins it was determined that there are 1.6 and 7 times as many Ricinus communis lectin binding sites for concanavalin A and soybean lectins. Sodium deoxycholate-solubilized plasma membrane material was subjected to lectin affinity chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The lectin receptors of the plasma membrane appeared to be heterogeneous and some qualitative differences could be discerned among the electrophoretically analyzed material, which bound to and was specifically eluted from the various lectin affinity columns. The characteristics of elution of bound material from individual lectin columns indicated secondary hydrophobic interactions between concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin and their respective lectin receptor molecules.     

Effect of cisplatin on the plasma membrane phosphatase activities in ascites sarcoma-180 cells: a cytochemical study

To study the effects of cisplatin [cis-dichlorodiammine-platinum (II)] on tumor cells in the presence or absence of the immune system, animals with ascites sarcoma-180 tumor burden were treated with therapeutic dose levels (9 mg/kg). Similarly, ascites sarcoma-180 cells were maintained in tissue culture media containing the same levels of the drug. Cell samples were taken from the animals at 12-hr intervals for 3 days, whereas samples were drawn from the tissue cultures at 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-min and at 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-hr intervals. Treated and untreated cells from in vitro and in vivo experiments, when checked for alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Na+-K+-ATPase, show a gradual decrease in activity on the plasma membrane. It takes about 60 min for inactivation of any enzyme in vitro, whereas it takes 2 days in in vivo experiments. Quantitative analysis show alkaline phosphatase activity drops from 9.7 to 4.9 nmol in just 15 min, and drops further to 0.79 nmol after 2 hr. Inactivation of various plasma membrane enzymes, resulting in permeability changes, is probably responsible for cell death.     

Difference in plasma membrane structure between two sublines of ehrlich-lettrè ascites tumor cells

The plasma membranes of the glycogen-free and the glycogen-containing subline of Ehrlich-Lettrè ascites cells were purified and compared with respect to their enzyme activity, chemical, lipid and protein composition, and membrane fluidity. Both membrane fractions differed in a number of parameters which are discussed as differences in the expression of malignant transformation of the two sublines. 1. The 5′-nucleotidase activity was 3–5-times higher and the sialic acid content 3-times lower in the glycogen-containing than in the glycogen-free subline. 2. Differences were also observed with respect to the phospholipid composition, that is in the relative proportions of mainly phosphatidylcholine, -inositol and -serine. 3. The fatty acid spectrum of the two sublines differed in the C-18 series and in the percentage of polyunsaturated acids, which was about 6% lower in the glycogen-containing line. 4. Measurements of fluorescence polarization (P) using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hextriene as probe generally gave higher P values, indicating a decreased membrane fluidity for the plasma membranes of the glycogen-containing subline both below and above the transition temperature at 33°C. 5. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed different protein patterns mainly in the molecular weight range of around 90 000 and in the range between 31 000 and 14 000.     

Electron-transferring enzymes in the plasma membrane of the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell.

The plasma membrane of the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell contains an NADH dehydrogenase. This activity was shown not to be due to contamination by other subcellular membranes. A variety of electron acceptors have been compared as to rate with the following result: ferricyanide greater than cytochrome c greater than cytochrome b5 greater than glyoxylate greater than dichlorophenolindophenol. Oxygen acceptance could not be detected. The optimum assay temperature and pH ranges were 30--40 degrees C and pH 6--8, respectively. With respect to either NADH or ferricyanide, the kinetics yielded linear double-reciprocal plots. Inhibition of the enzyme by sulfhydryl reagents could be blocked by excess NADH. Detergents such as Triton X-100 or cholate resulted in solubilization of the enzymatic activity, but phospholipase A2 did not. The activity differed from that of the mitochondria in that it was not inhibited by rotenone or antimycin A. The possible involvement of NADH oxidation in the energetics of plasma membrane transport is discussed.     

Altered 5'-nucleotidase specific activity and distribution between two plasma membrane domains of ascites tumor cells with modified lipid composition

1. The cholesterol and phospholipid content of the surface membranes of ascites tumor cells cultivated in lipid-depleted medium was reduced to about 60(70)% of the control, but the relative composition of the individual phospholipids was not altered. 2. Differences in lipid composition were also observed between the two plasma membrane domains isolated from the cells cultured in normal and lipid-depleted medium respectively. 3. The fatty acid spectrum of the lipid-depleted membranes showed a greater fraction of saturated vs unsaturated acids. 4. The membrane lipid fluidity measured by fluorescence polarization was decreased in the modified surface membranes. 5. The 5'-nucleotidase specific activity was drastically reduced (46-66%) in the lipid-deleted membranes, and in addition its distribution between the two vesicle fractions was altered.     

The connection of cytoskeletal network with plasma membrane and the cell wall

The cell wall provides external support of the plant cells, while the cytoskeletons including the microtubules and the actin filaments constitute an internal framework. The cytoskeletons contribute to the cell wall biosynthesis by spatially and temporarily regulating the transportation and deposition of cell wall components. This tight control is achieved by the dynamic behavior of the cytoskeletons, but also through the tethering of these structures to the plasma membrane. This tethering may also extend beyond the plasma membrane and impact on the cell wall, possibly in the form of a feedback loop. In this review, we discuss the linking components between the cytoskeletons and the plasma membrane, and/or the cell wall. We also discuss the prospective roles of these components in cell wall biosynthesis and modifications, and aim to provide a platform for further studies in this field.     

Signaling pathways in cytoskeletal responses to plasma membrane depolarization in corneal endothelial cells

In previous work, we reported that plasma membrane potential depolarization (PMPD) provokes cortical F-actin remodeling in bovine corneal endothelial (BCE) cells in culture, which eventually leads to the appearance of intercellular gaps. In kidney epithelial cells it has been shown that PMPD determines an extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/Rho-dependent increase in diphosphorylated myosin light chain (ppMLC). The present study investigated the signaling pathways involved in the response of BCE cells to PMPD. Differently to renal epithelial cells, we observed that PMPD leads to a decrease in monophosphorylated MLC (pMLC) without affecting diphosphorylated MLC. Also, that the pMLC reduction is a consequence of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) activation. In addition, we found evidence that the cAMP increase mostly depends on soluble adenylyl cyclase activity. Inhibition of this enzyme reduces the effect of PMPD on the cAMP rise, F-actin remodeling, and pMLC decrease. No changes in phosho-ERK were observed, although we could determine that RhoA undergoes activation. Our results suggested that active RhoA is not involved in the intercellular gap formation. Overall, the findings of this study support the view that, differently to renal epithelial cells, in BCE cells PMPD determines cytoskeletal reorganization via activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway.