Calcium dynamics in catecholamine-containing secretory vesicles

We have used an aequorin chimera targeted to the membrane of the secretory granules to monitor the free [Ca(2+)] inside them in neurosecretory PC12 cells. More than 95% of the probe was located in a compartment with an homogeneous [Ca(2+)] around 40 microM. Cell stimulation with either ATP, caffeine or high-K(+) depolarization increased cytosolic [Ca(2+)] and decreased secretory granule [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)](SG)). Inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate, cyclic ADP ribose and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate were all ineffective to release Ca(2+) from the granules. Changes in cytosolic [Na(+)] (0-140 mM) or [Ca(2+)] (0-10 microM) did not modify either ([Ca(2+)](SG)). Instead, [Ca(2+)](SG) was highly sensitive to changes in the pH gradient between the cytosol and the granules. Both carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and nigericin, as well as cytosolic acidification, reversibly decreased [Ca(2+)](SG), while cytosolic alcalinization reversibly increased [Ca(2+)](SG). These results are consistent with the operation of a H(+)/Ca(2+) antiporter in the vesicular membrane. This antiporter could also mediate the effects of ATP, caffeine and high-K(+) on [Ca(2+)](SG), because all of them induced a transient cytosolic acidification. The FCCP-induced decrease in [Ca(2+)](SG) was reversible in 10-15 min even in the absence of cytosolic Ca(2+) or ATP, suggesting that most of the calcium content of the vesicles is bound to a slowly exchanging Ca(2+) buffer. This large store buffers [Ca(2+)](SG) changes in the long-term but allows highly dynamic free [Ca(2+)](SG) changes to occur in seconds or minutes.     

Calcium-induced calcium increase in secretory vesicles of permeabilized rat neurohypophysial nerve terminals

Digitonin-permeabilized isolated neurohypophysial nerve terminals are known to release their secretory vesicle content under calcium challenge. On this preparation, we monitored intra-organelle Ca²⁺ concentration using digital fluorescence microscopy of Fura-2. The superfusion of artificial intracellular solution containing 10 to 50 μM Ca²⁺ induced an intra-organelle [Ca²⁺] increase. Two major organelles are candidates for this increase: secretory vesicles and mitochondria. In an attempt to detect calcium changes in the vesicles, ruthenium red was used to impair mitochondrial calcium uptake. Part of the ruthenium red-insensitive intra-organelle [Ca²⁺] increase was abolished by raising sodium in the solution. Removing sodium boosted the intra-organelle [Ca²⁺] increase. These results taken together suggest the participation of Na/Ca exchange, known to exist in the membrane of these secretory vesicles. In addition to Na/Ca exchange, there would be at least another mechanism of vesicular calcium intake, as suggested by the partial inhibition of intra-organelle [Ca²⁺] increase obtained under acidic compartments: neutralization with NH₄Cl. This mechanism remains to be defined. The main conclusion presented here, that an intravesicular [Ca²⁺] increase takes place at the rate of secretion, was predicted by the hypothesis that intravesicular Ca²⁺ changes would be involved in stimulus-secretion coupling.     

Morphological docking of secretory vesicles

Calcium-dependent secretion of neurotransmitters and hormones is essential for brain function and neuroendocrine-signaling. Prior to exocytosis, neurotransmitter-containing vesicles dock to the target membrane. In electron micrographs of neurons and neuroendocrine cells, like chromaffin cells many synaptic vesicles (SVs) and large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) are docked. For many years the molecular identity of the morphologically docked state was unknown. Recently, we resolved the minimal docking machinery in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells using embryonic mouse model systems together with electron-microscopic analyses and also found that docking is controlled by the sub-membrane filamentous (F-)actin. Currently it is unclear if the same docking machinery operates in synapses. Here, I will review our docking assay that led to the identification of the LDCV docking machinery in chromaffin cells and also discuss whether identical docking proteins are required for SV docking in synapses.     

Membrane-associated ATPases in isolated secretory vesicles

Polysaccharide-containing vesicles were collected from secretory cells maintained in liquid culture. Characterization of membrane-associated nucleosidephosphatases revealed that the vesicles specifically hydrolyze ATP, have a pH optimum between 6.0 and 6.5, and are stimulated by inorganic cations, especially K⁺. The ATPase activity in these vesicles was inhibited by orthovanadate and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide; other inhibitors, such as oligomycin, sodium azide, and diethylstilbestrol were generally ineffective. Results from these studies are consistent with the notion that vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus have partially differentiated into plasmalemma before they fuse with the plasma membrane.     

Reassociation of cortical secretory vesicles with sea urchin egg plasma membrane: Assessment of binding specificity

Summary An assay has been developed for quantitating the reassociation of cortical secretory vesicles (CVs) with fragments of sea urchin egg plasma membrane attached to glass slides (PM lawns). Binding ofS. pupuratus CVs to homologous PM lawns increased with time and CV concentration. The observation that CV binding was blocked by chymotrypsin digestion of the PM fragments suggested that a PM protein(s) is required for reassociation. The possibility that the extent of CV lysis that occurred during CV preparation (15.4±3.8% as assessed by ovoperoxidase assay) influenced reassociation was investigated by determining the effect of CV content proteins (isolated as fertilization product) on binding. Various concentrations of fertilization product (up to equivalent amounts of fertilization product and CV protein) had no effect on CV binding. The specificity of binding was investigated by assessing the ability of CVs to bind to PM lawns prepared from human red blood cells, and by determining the ability of heterologous vesicles to bind to egg PM fragments. PM lawns from HRBCs did not support CV binding; however, PM lawns prepared from the eggs of several species of sea urchin did bindS. pupuratus CVs. Vesicles from a partially purified preparation of yolk platelets bound to egg PM lawns with low efficiency (1/7 that of CVs), but immunofluorescence analysis with an anti-hyalin monoclonal antibody demonstrated that 74±9% of the bound vesicles were CVs that contaminated the yolk platelet preparation. Dioleoylphosphatidyl choline liposomes were also unable to bind to egg PM lawns. These results are consistent with hypothesis that CV binding to egg PM lawns is a specific, protein-mediated event.     

Neutrophil granules and secretory vesicles in inflammation

The neutrophil is a major effector cell of innate immunity. Exocytosis of granules and secretory vesicles plays a pivotal role in most neutrophil functions from early activation to the destruction of phagocytosed microorganisms. Neutrophil granules contain a multitude of antimicrobial and potentially cytotoxic substances that are delivered to the phagosome or to the exterior of the cell following degranulation. This review summarises current knowledge of granule biology and highlights the effects of neutrophil degranulation in the acute inflammatory response.     

Isolation of secretory vesicles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Purification of secretory vesicles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been hindered because these organelles normally represent a small proportion of cellular membranes. In the yeast secretory mutant sec1, secretory vesicles accumulate intracellularly in large quantities. Using a sec1 strain we have devised a procedure for the partial purification of these vesicles. The purification employs differential and density gradient centrifugations and an electrophoretic separation of membranes. The fractions obtained from this procedure are enriched for secretory vesicles at least fivefold over other cellular membranes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of solubilized membrane fractions reveals a distinct set of polypeptides associated with secretory vesicles.     

Nearly neutral secretory vesicles in Drosophila nerve terminals

The acidity of mammalian secretory vesicles drives concentration and processing of their contents. Here, pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants show that the > or =30-fold (H+) difference between secretory vesicles (pH < or = 5.7) and the cytoplasm (pH = 7.2) in mammalian cells is not present in peptidergic and small synaptic vesicles of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. First, we find that fluorescence from Topaz-tagged atrial natriuretic factor, a peptidergic vesicle pH indicator, is only modestly affected by collapsing the H+ gradient in type III synaptic boutons. Quantitation shows that peptidergic vesicles are nearly neutral (pH = 6.74 +/- 0.05), even when temperature is elevated. Furthermore, small synaptic vesicles in glutamatergic synaptic boutons, studied with synaptophluorin, are as alkaline as peptidergic vesicles. Finally, yellow fluorescent protein measurements show that cytoplasmic pH is only slightly different than in mammals (pH = 7.4). Thus, the marked acidity of mammalian secretory vesicles is not conserved in evolution, and a modest vesicular H+ gradient is sufficient for supporting neurotransmission.     

Fusion of secretory vesicles isolated from rat liver

Summary Secretory vesicles isolated from rat liver were found to fuse after exposure to Ca²⁺. Vescle fusion is characterized by the occurrence of twinned vesicles with a continuous cleavage plane between two vesicles in freeze-fracture electron microscopy. The number of fused vesicles increases with increasing Ca²⁺-concentrations and is half maximal around 10^–6 m. Other divalent cations (Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Mg²⁺) were ineffective. Mg²⁺ inhibits Ca²⁺-induced fusion. Therefore, the fusion of secretory vesiclesin vitro is Ca²⁺ specific and exhibits properties similar to the exocytotic process of various secretory cells.Various substances affecting secretionin vivo (microtubular inhibitors, local anethetics, ionophores) were tested for their effect on membrane fusion in our system.The fusion of isolated secretory vesicles from liver was found to differ from that of pure phospholipid membranes in its temperature dependence, in its much lower requirement for Ca²⁺, and in its Ca²⁺-specificity. Chemical and enzymatic modifications of the vesicle membrane indicate that glycoproteins may account for these differences.     

Latent acetylcholinesterase in secretory vesicles isolated from adrenal medulla

A new procedure is described for the preparation of highly purified and stable secretory vesicles from adrenal medulla. Two forms of acetylcholinesterase, a membrane bound form as well as a soluble form, were found within these vesicles. The secretory vesicles, isolated by differential centrifugation, were further purified on a continuous isotonic Percoll? gradient. In this way, secretory vesicles were separated from mitochondrial, microsomal and cell membrane contamination. The secretory vesicles recovered from the gradient contained an average of 2.26 μmol adrenalin/mg protein. On incubation for 30 min at 37°C in media differing in ionic strength, pH, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentration, the vesicles released less than 20% of total adrenalin. Acetylcholinesterase could hardly be detected in the secretory vesicle fraction when assayed in isotonic media. However, in hypotonic media (<400 mosmol/kg) or in Triton X-100 (0.2% final concentration) acetylcholinesterase activity was markedly higher. During hypotonic treatment or when secretory vesicles were specifically lyzed with 2 mM Mg²⁺ and 2 mM ATP, adrenalin as well as part of acetylcholinesterase was released from the vesicular content. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis this soluble enzyme exhibited the same electrophoretic mobility as the enzyme released into the perfusate from adrenal glands upon stimulation. In addition to the soluble enzyme a membrane bound form of acetylcholinesterase exists within secretory vesicles, which sediments with the secretory vesicle membranes and exhibits a different electrophoretic mobility compared to the soluble enzyme. It is concluded, that the soluble enzyme found within isolated secretory vesicles is secreted via exocytosis, whilst the membrane-bound form is transported to the cell membrane during this process, contributing to the biogenesis of the cell membrane.     

Pro-opiomelanocortin and pro-vasopressin converting enzyme in pituitary secretory vesicles

Peptide hormones are synthesized from larger precursors by cleavages at paired basic residues. We have isolated a pro-hormone converting enzyme from bovine neural and intermediate lobe secretory vesicles that cleaves pro-vasopressin and pro-opiomelanocortin at Lys-Arg residues to yield vasopressin, and adrenocorticotropin/endorphin-related peptides, respectively. The enzyme from both lobes is an aspartyl protease of approximately 70,000 Da, is a glycoprotein and has an optimum pH range of 4.0-5.0. Present within the same secretory vesicles is an aminopeptidase B-like enzyme which is a metalloprotease that is inhibited by Co2+ and Zn2+. This enzyme may play a role in trimming off the N-terminal extended basic residues from peptides liberated by the pro-hormone converting enzyme.     

Identification of secretory vesicles in homogenates of pea stem segments

In homogenates of stem sections from etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings, secretory vesicles can be separated from Golgi-apparatus cisternae by rate-zonal centrifugation in renografin gradients. Optically, two bands of turbidity are observed, the uppermost containing the secretory vesicles and the lower one the Golgi-apparatus cisternae. The absence of glutaraldehyde in the homogenizing medium has allowed the effective characterization of marker-enzyme activities. Golgi-apparatus cisternae have been recognized by the presence of inosine-diphosphatase and glucan-synthase I activities as well as by electron microscopy. In contrast, although secretory vesicles also bear inosine diphosphatase they do not appear to possess glucan-synthase activity. Three plasma-membrane markers, NPA-binding, glucan synthase II, and KCl,Mg²⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (pH 6.5), were not detected in secretory vesicles. Pulse-chase experiments with [³H]glucose support our designation of secretory vesicles and Golgi-cisternal fractions.Abbreviations ER endoplasmic reticulum - GSI, GSII glucan, synthase I, II, respectively - IDPase inosine diphosphatase - PM plasma membrane - SV(s) secretory vesicle(s)     

Generic sorting of raft lipids into secretory vesicles in yeast

Previous work has showed that ergosterol and sphingolipids become sorted to secretory vesicles immunoisolated using a chimeric, artificial raft membrane protein as bait. In this study, we have extended this analysis to three populations of secretory vesicles isolated using natural yeast plasma membrane (PM) proteins: Pma1p, Mid2p and Gap1*p as baits. We compared the lipidomes of the immunoisolated vesicles with each other and with the lipidomes of the donor compartment, the trans-Golgi network, and the acceptor compartment, the PM, using a quantitative mass spectrometry approach that provided a complete lipid overview of the yeast late secretory pathway. We could show that vesicles captured with different baits carry the same cargo and have almost identical lipid compositions; being highly enriched in ergosterol and sphingolipids. This finding indicates that lipid raft sorting is a generic feature of vesicles carrying PM cargo and suggests a common lipid-based mechanism for their formation.     

Proton ATPase in rat renal cortical endocytotic vesicles

To relate ATPase activity to the ATP-driven H+-pump in rat renal endocytotic vesicles we applied an in vitro coupled optical test and a Pi-liberation assay. Endocytotic vesicles contain an ouabain-, vanadate- and oligomycin-insensitive ATPase. The ionophores for K+ and H+, valinomycin and carbonylcyanide p-chloro-methoxyphenylhydrazone (CCCP), respectively, stimulated ATPase activity, indicating its relation to the electrogenic H+-pump. This conclusion is supported by a similar distribution on a Percoll gradient of ATP-driven H+ uptake into endosomes and ionophore-stimulated ATPase activity. Coupled optical and Pi-liberation assays were then used to characterize the H+-ATPase with respect to the requirement for pH, nucleotides, anions, and mono- and divalent cations. The H+-ATPase activity was decreased by widely used blockers: N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) and diethylstilbestrol (DES). Different sensitivities to these blockers proved that alkaline phosphatase and H+-ATPase are separate entities. To investigate whether the NEM-, DCCD- and DES-sensitive ATPase activity is confined to intact endocytotic vesicles, cellular membranes from rat kidney cortex were separated on a Percoll density gradient. Surprisingly, endocytotic vesicles contain only a small fraction of the total NEM-, DCCD- and DES-sensitive ATPase activity. The majority of the blocker-sensitive ATPases belongs to membranes of as yet undefined cellular origin.     

Small GTP-binding proteins associated with secretory vesicles of Paramecium

GTP-binding proteins act as molecular switches in a variety of membrane-associated processes, including secretion. One group of GTP-binding proteins, 20-30 kDa, is related to the product of the ras proto-oncogene. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ras-like GTP-binding proteins regulate vesicular traffic in secretion. The ciliate protist Paramecium tetraurelia contains secretory vesicles (trichocysts) whose protein contents are released by regulated exocytosis. Using [alpha-32P]GTP and an on-blot assay for GTP-binding, we detected at least seven GTP-binding proteins of low molecular mass (22-31 kDa) in extracts of Paramecium tetraurelia. Subcellular fractions contained characteristic subsets of these seven; cilia were enriched for the smallest (22 kDa). The pattern of GTP-binding proteins was altered in two mutants defective in the formation or discharge of trichocysts. Trichocysts isolated with their surrounding membranes intact contained two minor GTP-binding proteins (23.5 and 29 kDa) and one major GTP-binding protein (23 kDa) that were absent from demembranated trichocysts. This differential localization of GTP-binding proteins suggests functional specialization of specific GTP-binding proteins in ciliary motility and exocytosis.     

Purification and characterization of constitutive secretory vesicles from yeast

We have developed a purification procedure for the isolation of constitutive post-Golgi secretory vesicles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although the post-Golgi stage of the secretion pathway is normally very rapid, we have used a temperature-sensitive secretory mutant, sec 6-4, to greatly expand the population of secretory vesicles. Following invertase as a marker, intact vesicles are enriched 36-fold from the crude lysate. The final preparation contains few contaminants as assessed by morphologic and biochemical examination. Three proteins (110, 40-45, and 18 kD) co-purify with the vesicle marker enzyme invertase. Metabolic labeling experiments indicate that these vesicle-associated proteins are synthesized during the period of vesicle accumulation. They are not apparent in the corresponding fractions from wild-type cells. Analysis of these proteins indicates that the 110-kD protein is a major glycoprotein residing in the vesicle lumen, while the 40-45- and 18-kD proteins are not glycosylated and are firmly associated with the vesicle membrane, each with at least one domain exposed on the cytoplasmic surface.     

Different secretory vesicles can be involved in depolarization-evoked exocytosis.

The relationship between Ca(2+) influx through voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels, resting intracellular Ca(2+) level (Ca(i)) and Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis was studied in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by using patch-clamp, capacitance, and fluorescent measurements. It was established that depolarization-induced exocytosis passed over two steps, both of which linearly depend on Ca(i). At Ca(i) lying below critical point (200-300 nM) the slope of the relationship was 4.43 and at Ca(i) exceeding the critical point the slope was equal to 31.63. The vesicular mechanism describing experimental two-step dependence of exocytosis on intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(i)) is proposed. According to the model at Ca(i) below critical point only small-sized vesicles fuse with plasma membrane, whereas at higher Ca(i), larger vesicles started to fuse.     

Structure of secretory protein IV from rat seminal vesicles

The complete amino acid sequence of rat SVS-IV protein, consisting of 90 residues, has been determined. The sequence of rat SVS-IV protein is the first seminal vesicle secretory protein determined and it does not show any homology with other known protein sequences. The secondary structure of SVS-IV protein is analyzed by methods of Fasman and Chou indicates that this protein contains 53% alpha-helix, 36% beta-turn and 11% random coil.