Functional inhibition of transitory proteins by intrabody-mediated retention in the endoplasmatic reticulum

Intrabodies are recombinantly expressed intracellular antibody fragments that can be used to specifically bind and inhibit the function of cellular proteins of interest. Intrabodies can be targeted to various cell compartments by attaching an appropriate localization peptide sequence to them. An efficient strategy with a high success rate is to anchor intrabodies in the endoplasmatic reticulum where they can inhibit transitory target proteins by binding and preventing them to reach their site of action. Intrabodies can be assembled from antibody gene fragments from various sources into dedicated expression vectors. Conventionally, antibody cDNA sequences are derived from selected hybridoma cell clones that express antibodies with the desired specificity. Alternatively, appropriate clones can be isolated by affinity selection from an antibody in vitro display library. Here an evaluation of endoplasmatic reticulum targeted intrabodies with respect to other knockdown approaches is given and the characteristics of various intrabody expression vectors are discussed. A step by step protocol is provided that was repeatedly used to construct intrabodies derived from diverse antibody isotypes producing hybridoma cell clones. The inactivation of the cell surface receptor neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) by a highly efficacious novel endoplasmatic reticulum-anchored intrabody is demonstrated.     

Histochemical and ultrastructural studies on the salivary glands of Helix aspersa (Mollusca)

A histochemical and ultrastructural study was carried out on the salivary glands of adult specimens of Helix aspersa. Histochemically four cell types were distinguished: mucocyte I, mucocyte II, pseudochromosome cell and protein cell. The first secretes neutral and acid mucins. Mucocyte II and pseudochromosome cells produce acid mucins and the protein cell secretes neutral mucins and proteins.
The ultrastructural data for differentiating these four cell types is discussed. Mucocytes I have a characteristic arrangement of rough endoplasmatic reticulum and basal infoldings. Mucocytes II have pseudocrystalline formations in the rough endoplasmatic reticulum and intraluminary ducts. Pseudochromosome cells have typical granules with a reticular central zone. Protein cells have serous homogenous secretion.
The epithelium of the salivary ducts is described.     

The effect of caffeine on the electrical reactions of the acinar cells in the canine pancreas]

The action of pharmacological drugs (caffeine, procaine, ruthenium red) which influenced the release of Ca2+ from endoplasmatic reticulum, the electrical responses of dog pancreatic acinar cells was investigated using intracellular glass microelectrodes. These drugs were used to elucidate the mechanisms of Ca2+ release from endoplasmatic reticulum. Membrane depolarization and decrease of input resistance were observed in the presence of caffeine. Procaine and ruthenium red suppressed electrical responses of acinar cells to caffeine. The results obtained permit supposing that there are two mechanisms of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in pancreatic acinar cells: Ca(2+)-induced one and using inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate.     

Elimination of large pyroninophilic cells due to the effect of phytohemagglutinin]

Large pyroninophilic lymphocytes adsorbed on the surface of target-cells disappeared after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) addition. Incubation during 45 minutes in the presence of PHA did not reveal cisternas of the granular endoplasmatic reticulum and the number of mitochondrias decreased. The H3-thymidine-labeled cells were almost eliminated. There appeared population of small lymphocytes with even outline and clear cytoplasm, poor in organellas, with ribosomas freely scattered in it. After 24--48 hours of incubation they transformed into blasts, large cells with clear nucleus and clear cytoplasm in which no cisternas of granular endoplasmatic reticulum were revealed.     

Formalin Evokes Calcium Transients from the Endoplasmatic Reticulum

The formalin test is the most widely used behavioral screening test for analgesic compounds. The cellular mechanism of action of formaldehyde, inducing a typically biphasic pain-related behavior in rodents is addressed in this study. The chemoreceptor channel TRPA1 was suggested as primary transducer, but the high concentrations used in the formalin test elicit a similar response in TRPA1 wildtype and knockout animals. Here we show that formaldehyde evokes a dose-dependent calcium release from intracellular stores in mouse sensory neurons and primary keratinocytes as well as in non-neuronal cell lines, and independent of TRPA1. The source of calcium is the endoplasmatic reticulum and inhibition of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase has a major contribution. This TRPA1-independent mechanism may underlie formaldehyde-induced pan-neuronal excitation and subsequent inflammation.     

Aberrant death in dark chondrocytes of the avian growth plate

Growth plate chondrocytes of embryonic chick femurs were examined by electron microscopy, cytophotometry and autoradiography. Apart from the well-described 'light' chondrocyte, a different 'dark' type of chondrocyte was present, comprising 10 - 35% of the cell population. They were found at all stages of chondrocyte differentiation and in all ages of the femurs studied. Well developed rough endoplasmatic reticulum and Golgi complex, many secretory vesicles, energetically active mitochondria and a lot of glycogen, indicating high activity of the cytoplasm, were combined with low RNA synthesis, gentle margination and scattered compaction of the chromatin. DNA cytometry revealed that most of dark cells were diploid, but 15 - 30% were tetraploid, with the absence of an S-phase. Substantial loss of DNA was found in about 10% of dark chondrocytes. The TUNEL reaction demonstrated a limited number of DNA strand breaks. Advanced dark cells possessed the nuclear features of both apoptosis and necrosis. Besides chromomeric-chromonemic compaction, a chromatin arrangement similar to that of prometaphase and metaphase, as well as amitotic nuclear segregation, all of them degenerative, were found. Our interpretation is that the dark chondrocytes undergo an aberrant type of cell death which may be combined with aberrant cell cycle. Cell death of dark chondrocytes is preceded by a pre-mortal burst of secretion.     

Cellular effects of tributyltin (TBT) on the penis epithelium cells of prosobranchs (Hinia reticulata andOcinebrina aciculata)

Cytopathological effects on organelles of penis epithelium cells were investigated in prosobranchs that had been exposed for two weeks to three months to high TBT-concentrations in artificial seawater. TBT exposure damaged cell organelles, such as mitochondria, Golgi dictyosomes, endoplasmatic reticulum, and injured the cell membranes. In addition, atypical intercellular spaces were observed between the cells of the epithelial layer. Further cell alterations included the increase of residual bodies within the cells as well as structural changes of the basal lamina. The ultrastructural changes were compared with cell alterations of specimens which had been collected in a polluted environment on the coast of Brittany (France).     

Postnatal growth inhibition in the rat retina after actinomycin D adminstration]

The effects of actinomycin D on the development of the rats retina were observed. At the day of birth the inner neurons and the inner cells of the bipolar layer are vulnerable. The pale degeneration of these neurons accompanied by a dilatation of the endoplasmatic reticulum and the dark degeneration accompanied by a pycnosis and a shrinkage of the cytoplasm persist during the first 11 days after birth. The same alterations are to be seen in bipolar cells on day 11 after birth. The transient disorganisation of the inner layers could effect the ramification because the stratum reticulare internum is smaller as in untreated animals.     

Calcium pumps of plasma membrane and cell interior

Calcium entering the cell from the outside or from intracellular organelles eventually must be returned to the extracellular milieu or to intracellular storage organelles. The two major systems capable of pumping Ca2+ against its large concentration gradient out of the cell or into the sarco/endoplasmatic reticulum are the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases (PMCAs) and the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPases (SERCAs), respectively. In mammals, multigene families code for these Ca2+ pumps and additional isoform subtypes are generated via alternative splicing. PMCA and SERCA isoforms show developmental-, tissue- and cell type-specific patterns of expression. Different PMCA and SERCA isoforms are characterized by different regulatory and kinetic properties that likely are optimized for the distinct functional tasks fulfilled by each pump in setting resting cytosolic or intra-organellar Ca2+ levels, and in shaping intracellular Ca2+ signals with spatial and temporal resolution. The loss or malfunction of specific Ca2+ pump isoforms is associated with defects such as deafness, ataxia or heart failure. Understanding the involvement of different Ca2+ pump isoforms in the pathogenesis of disease allows their identification as therapeutic targets for the development of selective strategies to prevent or combat the progression of these disorders.     

Properties of auxin binding sites in different subcellular fractions from maize coleoptiles

In-vitro binding of labeled auxins to sedimentable particles was tested in subcellular fractions from homogenates of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles. The material was fractionated by differential centrifugation or on sucrose density gradients. It was confirmed that the major saturable binding activity (site I) for 1-naphthyl[1-¹⁴C]acetic acid is associated with vesicles derived from the endoplasmatic reticulum. A second type of specific auxin binding (site II) could be distinguished by several criteria, e.g. by the low affinity towards phenylacetic acid. The particles carrying site II could be clearly separated from markers of the endoplasmatic reticulum, the plasmalemma, the mitochondria and the nuclei, while their density as well as sedimentation velocity correlated with particle-bound acid phosphatase, indicating a localization at the tonoplast. In contrast to site I, binding at site II was hardly affected by a supernatant factor and by sulfhydryl groups. However, the specificity pattern of site II towards auxins and auxin analogs was very similar to that of site I tested in the presence of supernatant factor. The existence of a third auxin receptor localized in plasma membrane-rich gradient fractions was indicated by a preferential in-vitro binding of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.Abbreviations 1-NAA 1-naphthyl acetic acid - 2-NAA 2-naphthyl acetic acid - IAA 3-indolyl acetic acid - PAA phenyl acetic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-D-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - D-2,4-DP dichlorophenoxy isopropionic acid - NPA 1-N-naphthyl phthalamic acid - ER endoplasmatic reticulum - SF supernatant factor     

FRET peptides reveal differential proteolytic activation in intraerythrocytic stages of the malaria parasites Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium yoelii

Malaria is still a major health problem in developing countries. It is caused by the protist parasite Plasmodium, in which proteases are activated during the cell cycle. Ca(2+) is a ubiquitous signalling ion that appears to regulate protease activity through changes in its intracellular concentration. Proteases are crucial to Plasmodium development, but the role of Ca(2+) in their activity is not fully understood. Here we investigated the role of Ca(2+) in protease modulation among rodent Plasmodium spp. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptides, we verified protease activity elicited by Ca(2+) from the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) after stimulation with thapsigargin (a sarco/endoplasmatic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor) and from acidic compartments by stimulation with nigericin (a K(+)/H(+) exchanger) or monensin (a Na(+)/H(+) exchanger). Intracellular (BAPTA/AM) and extracellular (EGTA) Ca(2+) chelators were used to investigate the role played by Ca(2+) in protease activation. In Plasmodium berghei both EGTA and BAPTA blocked protease activation, whilst in Plasmodium yoelii these compounds caused protease activation. The effects of protease inhibitors on thapsigargin-induced proteolysis also differed between the species. Pepstatin A and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) increased thapsigargin-induced proteolysis in P. berghei but decreased it in P. yoelii. Conversely, E64 reduced proteolysis in P. berghei but stimulated it in P. yoelii. The data point out key differences in proteolytic responses to Ca(2+) between species of Plasmodium.     

Lipid-dependent surface transport of the proton pumping ATPase: a model to study plasma membrane biogenesis in yeast

The proton pumping H+-ATPase, Pma1, is one of the most abundant integral membrane proteins of the yeast plasma membrane. Pma1 activity controls the intracellular pH and maintains the electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane, two essential cellular functions. The maintenance of the proton gradient, on the other hand, also requires a specialized lipid composition of this membrane. The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells is typically rich in sphingolipids and sterols. These two lipids condense to form less fluid membrane microdomains or lipid rafts. The yeast sphingolipid is peculiar in that it invariably contains a saturated very long-chain fatty acid with 26 carbon atoms. During cell growth and plasma membrane expansion, both C26-containing sphingolipids and Pma1 are first synthesized in the endoplasmatic reticulum from where they are transported by the secretory pathway to the cell surface. Remarkably, shortening the C26 fatty acid to a C22 fatty acid by mutations in the fatty acid elongation complex impairs raft association of newly synthesized Pma1 and induces rapid degradation of the ATPase by rerouting the enzyme from the plasma membrane to the vacuole, the fungal equivalent of the lysosome. Here, we review the role of lipids in mediating raft association and stable surface transport of the newly synthesized ATPase, and discuss a model, in which the newly synthesized ATPase assembles into a membrane environment that is enriched in C26-containing lipids already in the endoplasmatic reticulum. The resulting protein-lipid complex is then transported and sorted as an entity to the plasma membrane. Failure to successfully assemble this lipid-protein complex results in mistargeting of the protein to the vacuole.     

Possible participation of mitochondria in formation of peroxisomes in yeasts]

The origin of peroxisomes in yeast organisms is still unknown. These organelles are believed to be formed, similar to animal cells, from the endoplasmatic reticulum. However, this has not been confirmed directly. Peroxisomes are often found to be in contact with channels of the endoplasmatic reticulum and, in our experiments, with mitochondria of yeast organisms, especially those which utilize oleic acid, n-alkanes and methanol as a sole source of carbon. In Rhodotorula, peroxisomes are characterized by the same "bean" configuration and paired arrangement imitating "copulation" as mitocondria. In Kloeckera boidinii, a mitochondrion was transformed into a peroxisome and cristae were lost. A part of the peroxisome still possessed a double membrane typical of mitochondria while another part had a single membrane characteristic of peroxisomes. Further studies are being carried out in order to find if this is a general relationship or one of possibilities.     

Calcium transport and role of 3',5'-AMP-dependent phosphorylation in its relation

The role of calcium and mechanism regulating its concentration in a cell are considered. The author's own data and those available in literature are analyzed concerning the role of 3',5'-AMP-dependent phosphorylation of proteins of plasma membranes and endoplasmatic reticulum of different muscles in regulating 2+Ca transport. The problems of deciphering the mentioned regulatory system as well as the existing suppositions and hypothesis advanced for explaining the observed effect of cyclic nucleotides in regulation of 2+Ca transport are dealt with.     

Effect of chronic craving for ethanol on accumulation of calcium ions in intracellular structures of rat myometrium

In the experiments on the impregnant estrogenized rats the effect of chronic ethanol intake on Ca(2+)-accumulative mitochondrial systems and endoplasmatic systems of myometrium was estimated. It was defined that in chronic alcohol consumption the transport activity of mitochondria Ca(2+)-accumulative systems didn't prevail over endoplasmatic reticulum Ca(2+)-accumulative activity. Therewith mitochondria and endoplasmatic Ca(2+)-transport system was essentially disturbed. In the tested conditions Mg2+, ATP-dependent sensitivity of calcium pump to oxytocin inhibiting action was shown to disappear.     

Mummy encodes an UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-dipohosphorylase and is required during Drosophila dorsal closure and nervous system development

Throughout development cell-cell interactions are of pivotal importance. Cells bind to each other or share information via secreted signaling molecules. To a large degree, these processes are modulated by post-translational modifications of membrane proteins. Glycan-chains are frequently added to membrane proteins and assist their exact function at the cell surface. In addition, the glycosylation pathway is required to generate GPI-linkage in the endoplasmatic reticulum. Here, we describe the analysis of the cabrio/mummy gene, which encodes an UDP-N-acetylglucosamine diphosphorylase. This is a well-conserved and central enzyme in the glycosylation pathway. As expected from this central role in glycosylation, cabrio/mummy mutants show many phenotypic traits ranging from CNS fasciculation defects to defects in dorsal closure and eye development. These phenotypes correlate well with specific glycosylation and GPI-anchorage defects in mummy mutants.     

Der Phragmoplast der Spermatiden von Spirostreptus spec. (Myriapoda,Diplopoda)

Zusammenfassung Die Spermatiden von Spirostreptus spec. bleiben während der ersten Phasen der Spermiohistogenese durch Zellbrücken miteinander verbunden. Im Bereich der Brücke tritt ein Phragmoplast auf, der zuerst aus Zwischenspindelfasern, einem regelmäßigen Netzwerk endoplasmatischen Retikulums und aus einem kugeligen osmiophilen Körper besteht. Die osmiophile Substanz wird stark vermehrt und erstreckt sich in die Zellbrücke, während das endoplasmatische Retikulum dort verschwindet. Vor der Durchtrennung der Zellbrücke ziehen sich das granulierte Material und die Spindelfasern aus der Zone der trennenden Zellmembran zurück. Dort erscheinen dann Bläschen und konfluieren zu den Zellmembranen.

---

The phragmoplast in the spermatides of Spirostreptus spec. (Myriapoda, Diplopoda)

Summary During the early phases of the spermiohistogenesis the spermatides of Spirostreptus spec. are connected by cell bridges. In the region of the bridge a phragmoplast appears which at first consists of continuous spindle fibres, a regular network of endoplasmatic reticulum and a spheric osmiophilic body. The osmiophilic substance increases and extends into the cell bridge while the endoplasmatic reticulum is disappearing there. Before the cell bridge is divided the granulated material and the spindle fibres retract from the zone of the separating cell membrane. Then there are appearing vesicles which fuse to the cell membrane.

     

Determination of the partial specific volume of cytochrome P450 LM2

The partial specific volume (v) of highly purified membrane protein cytochrome P450 LM2 monooxygenase from rabbit liver endoplasmatic reticulum has been estimated by various independent methods. The values of v obtained through our experiments are practically equal to the value calculated from the amino acid composition of the protein (0.75 cm3/g).     

Hemocytes of the cochineal insect: ultrastructure

Using transmission electron microscopy, light microscopy (Giemsa May‐Grumwald), and the Periodic Acid‐Schif (PAS) and Sudan Black B staining techniques, hemocytes in the hemolymph of adult female Dactylopius coccus were characterized. The following, in order of abundance, were found: granulocytes, plasmatocytes, prohemocytes, and oenocytoids. Granulocytes varied in size with granulations in the cytoplasm, a large quantity of mitochondria, rugose endoplasmatic reticulum, ribosomes and vesicles, central or exocentric, spherical and occasionally lobulate nucleus. Plasmatocytes were polymorphic with irregularities in the plasma membrane; cytoplasm contained mitochondria, rugose endoplasmatic reticulum and vesicles, and exocentric, spherical, or irregular nucleus. In both types of hemocytes, scant polysaccharides and lipids were found. Prohemocytes were small and spherical with homogeneous cytoplasm and large exocentric nuclei. Oenocytoids were oval or irregular with dense homogeneous cytoplasm and elongated exocentric nuclei. The percentages of granulocytes on different days (d 1 and 10) during the life of the adult female were significantly different, as were those of plasmatocytes on d 30 and 50 and prohemocytes on d 1 and 50. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cytological changes related with salt tolerance in embryogenic callus of Citrus limon

Electron microscopy observations of salt-tolerant embrogenic calli of Citrus limon [(L.) Burm. f.] showed several changes in cell ultrastructure when compared with control calli. Both types of calli comprised clusters of meristematic cells, but salt-tolerant calli had several structural differences: thick cell walls, ring-shaped mitochondria, an increased content of lipid bodies, microbodies and parallel accumulation of rough endoplasmatic reticulum. These structural features seem to be related with salt tolerance in Citrus limon cells.