Nerve-mast cell (RBL) interaction: RBL membrane ruffling occurs at the contact site with an activated neurite

Mast cell-neurite interaction serves as amodel for neuroimmune interaction. We have shown that neurite-mast cellcommunication can occur via substance P interacting with neurokinin(NK)-1 receptors on the mucosal mast cell-like cell, the rat basophilicleukemia (RBL) cell. Neurite (murine superior cervical ganglia) and RBL cell [expressing the granule-associated antigen CD63-green fluorescent protein (GFP) conjugate] cocultures were established and stimulated with bradykinin (BK; 10 nM) or scorpion venom (SV; 10 pg/ml), both ofwhich activate only neurites. Cell activation was assessed by confocalimaging of Ca²⁺ (cells preloaded with fluo 3), and analysesof RBL CD63-GFP⁺ granule movement were conducted. Neuriteactivation by BK or SV was followed by RBL Ca²⁺mobilization, which was inhibited by an NK-1 receptor antagonist (NK-1RA). Moreover, membrane ruffling was observed on RBL pseudopodial extensions in contact with the activated neurite, but not onnoncontacting pseudopodia. RBL membrane ruffling was inhibited by NK-1RA, but not NK-2 RA, and was accompanied by a significant increase in granule movement (0.13 ± 0.04 vs. 0.05 ± 0.01 µm/s) thatwas most evident at the point of neurite contact: many of the granules moved toward the plasmalemma. This is the first documentation of suchprecise (restricted to the membrane's contact site) transfer ofinformation between nerves and mast cells that could allow for verysubtle in vivo communication between these two cell types.

     

Actin-dependent,retrograde motility of surface-attached beads and aggregating pigment granules in dissociated teleost retinal pigment epithelial cells

Teleost retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells contain pigment granules within apical projections which undergo actin-dependent, bi-directional motility. Dissociated RPE cells in culture attach to the substrate and extend apical projections in a radial array from the central cell body. Pigment granules within projections can be triggered to aggregate or disperse by the presence or absence of 1 mM cAMP. Aminated, fluorescent latex beads attached to the dorsal surface of apical projections and moved in the retrograde direction, towards the cell body. Bead rates on RPE cells with aggregating or fully aggregated pigment granules were 2.2 +/- 0.5 and 2.6 +/- 0.2 microm/min (mean +/- SEM), respectively, similar to rates of aggregating (retrograde) pigment granule movement (2.0 +/- 0.4 microm/min). Bead rates were slightly slower on cells with fully dispersed or dispersing pigment granules (1.5 +/- 0.1 and 1.5 +/- 0.4 microm/min). Movements of surface-attached beads and aggregating pigment granules were closely correlated in the distal portions of apical projections, but were more independent of each other in proximal regions of the projections. The actin disrupting drug, cytochalasin D (CD), reversibly halted retrograde bead movements, suggesting that motility of surface-attached particles is actin-dependent. In contrast, the microtubule depolymerizing drug, nocodazole, had no effect on retrograde bead motility. The similar characteristics and actin-dependence of retrograde bead movements and aggregating pigment granules suggest a correlation between these two processes.     

Visualization of exocytotic secretory processes of mast cells by fluorescence techniques

Secretory processes via exocytosis in rat peritoneal mast cells were visualized by two complementary fluorescence techniques; one staining pre-exocytotic granules with a basic probe and the other staining post-exocytotic granules with acidic probes. Granules within mast cells were selectively stained with acridine orange and emitted orange yellow fluorescence. Upon stimulation with compound 48/80, release of acridine orange from granules was observed both in population and single cell measurements. This release was seen in some localized area of mast cells. Opening of pores between plasma membranes and granule membranes was monitored using acidic fluorescence probes such as 6-carboxyfluorescein or lucifer yellow CH. Not only granules located at peripheral region, but also granules near the core region participated in exocytosis. The existence of junctions between these granules was suggested. TMA-DPH, a lipophilic membrane probe, which was localized at plasma membrane before stimulation, diffused into granule membranes after stimulation. This shows that after stimulation, some constituents of plasma and granule membranes were mixed. Even after extensive degranulation, mast cells extruded acidic probes, indicating the plasma membranes still play a role of barrier. Activation of lateral motion of granules preceding to exocytosis was not observed. It was concluded that the visualization of secretory processes by fluorescence and image processing techniques will be useful for the study of molecular mechanisms underlying exocytosis.     

Mast cell degranulation requires N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-mediated SNARE disassembly

Mast cells possess specialized granules that, upon stimulation of surface FcR with IgE, fuse with the plasma membrane, thereby releasing inflammatory mediators. A family of membrane fusion proteins called SNAREs, which are present on both the granule and the plasma membrane, plays a role in the fusion of these granules with the plasma membrane of mast cells. In addition to the SNAREs themselves, it is likely that the SNARE accessory protein, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF), affects the composition and structure of the SNARE complex. NSF is a cytoplasmic ATPase that disassembles the SNARE complexes. To investigate the role of NSF in mast cell degranulation, we developed an assay to measure secretion from transiently transfected RBL (rat basophilic leukemia)-2H3 mast cells (a tumor analog of mucosal mast cells). RBL-2H3 cells were cotransfected with a plasmid encoding a human growth hormone secretion reporter along with either wild-type NSF or an NSF mutant that lacks ATPase activity. Human growth hormone was targeted to and released from secretory granules in RBL-2H3 cells, and coexpression with mutant NSF dramatically inhibited regulated exocytosis from the transfected cells. Biochemical analysis of SNARE complexes in these cells revealed that overexpression of the NSF mutant decreased disassembly and resulted in an accumulation of SNARE complexes. These data reveal a role for NSF in mast cell exocytosis and highlight the importance of SNARE disassembly, or priming, in regulated exocytosis from mast cells.     

Study of the transit of an integral membrane protein from secretory granules through the plasma membrane of secreting rat basophilic leukemia cells using a specific monoclonal antibody

The monoclonal antibody 5G10 reacted specifically with an 80-kD integral membrane protein in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies of RBL cells, fixed and permeabilized, revealed that the 80-kD protein was located in the membrane of cytoplasmic vesicles. The vesicles were identified as secretory granules by their content in immunoreactive serotonin. Expression of the 5G10 antigen on the surface of unstimulated RBL cells was low. However, RBL cells stimulated to secrete with anti-dinitrophenyl IgE followed by dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin or with the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 displayed an increased expression of the antigen on their surface. Surface exposure of the 5G10 antigen was maximal at 5 min after stimulation of secretion. Removal of dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin from the incubation medium resulted in internalization of 50% of the antigen within 10 min.     

Association of the crosslinked IgE receptor with the membrane skeleton is independent of the known signaling mechanisms in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Crosslinking of the IgE receptor on the surface of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells by multivalent antigen induces an association of these receptors with the detergent-insoluble membrane skeleton. Detergent insolubility of the receptor can also be induced on purified plasma membranes isolated from RBL cells by the use of either IgE oligomers or IgE monomers plus multivalent antigen. The critical event in initiating this interaction between the receptor and the membrane skeleton is cross-linking of the receptor. This association is rapid, and, when triggered by multivalent antigen, it is quickly reversed by the addition of excess monovalent antigen. The fact that this association occurs with the use of purified plasma membranes indicates that all of the components necessary for this interaction are present in the plasma membrane and that intracellular components are not required. Although crosslinking of the receptor activates phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 leading to the generation of several second messengers, none of these signaling mechanisms appears to be involved in IgE receptor interaction with the membrane skeleton. This interaction cannot be induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), ionomycin, or a combination of these two reagents, although this will result in degranulation. Furthermore, receptor detergent insolubility is temperature independent when triggered by multivalent antigen, thus indicating that enzyme-catalyzed reactions are not important. This was verified by the fact that a variety of inhibitors that block phosphatidylinositol metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, Ca2+ influx, and protein kinase C (PKC) activation had no effect on antigen-induced association of the receptor with the membrane skeleton. These results indicate that the signaling mechanisms leading to the degranulation response are not involved in the association of the crosslinked receptor with the membrane skeleton.     

Development of a mast cell-based biosensor

A mast cell-based biosensor has been developed to enable the use of these cells in numerous applications including pharmaceutical screening, environmental monitoring, clinical diagnosis and homeland security. Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cells offer excellent potential for biosensor applications because they are robust and undergo a dramatic exocytotic response within minutes of antigen addition. To monitor mast cell activation, fluorescent dyes were loaded into the cells and used as indicators of alkalinization of secretory granules, calcium fluxes or generation of reactive oxygen species. These fluorescence assays efficiently measure activation of antigen-stimulated RBL mast cells, detecting the antigen with picomolar sensitivity. To demonstrate the utility of this mast cell-based biosensor for detection of microbial pathogens, an IgE chimeric protein was created by fusing the Fc region of the IgE antibody to CD14, a receptor for lipopolysaccharide. This chimeric protein has the capacity to bind to Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes and also to IgE receptors on the mast cells, thereby stimulating a signaling response to bacteria. RBL mast cells labeled with the calcium indicator Fluo-4 are shown to be responsive to E. coli, only when sensitized with the chimeric protein, thus demonstrating a highly versatile biosensor for bacterial contamination.     

The plasma membrane Q-SNARE syntaxin 2 enters the zymogen granule membrane during exocytosis in the pancreatic acinar cell

During exocytosis in the pancreatic acinar cell, zymogen granules fuse directly with the apical plasma membrane and also with granules that have themselves fused with the plasma membrane. Together, these primary and secondary fusion events constitute the process of compound exocytosis. It has been suggested that the sequential nature of primary and secondary fusion is a consequence of the requirement for plasma membrane soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptors, such as syntaxin 2, to enter the membrane of the primary fused granule. We have tested this possibility by determining the location of syntaxin 2 in unstimulated and stimulated pancreatic acini. Syntaxin 2 was imaged by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Fused granules were detected both through their filling with the aqueous dye lysine-fixable Texas Red-dextran and through the decoration of their cytoplasmic surfaces with filamentous actin. In unstimulated cells, syntaxin 2 was exclusively present on the apical plasma membrane. In contrast, after stimulation, syntaxin 2 had moved into the membranes of fused granules, as judged by its location around dye-filled structures of 1-mum diameter that were coated with filamentous actin. At long times of stimulation (5 min), the majority (85%) of dye-filled granules were also positive for syntaxin 2. In contrast, at shorter times (1 min), more dye-filled granules (29%) were syntaxin 2-negative. We conclude that syntaxin 2 enters the membrane of a fused zymogen granule after the opening of the fusion pore, and we suggest that this movement might permit the onset of secondary fusion.     

An unexpected role for autophagy in degranulation of mast cells

Mast cells play a crucial role in allergic inflammatory reactions through releasing cytosolic granules upon antigen stimulation. However, the mechanisms underlying maturation and release of secretory granules are not fully understood. We found that autophagy is constitutively induced in mast cells under full nutrition conditions, and type II LC3 (LC3-II), a marker for autophagosomes, localizes on secretory granules. While deletion of Atg7 does not impair the development of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), Atg7-deficient BMMCs show severe impairment of degranulation, but not cytokine production, upon antigen stimulation. Moreover we found that LC3-II, but not LC3-I, colocalizes with CD63, a marker for secretory lysosomes and is released extracellularly along with degranulation in wild-type BMMCs, but not Atg7-deficient BMMCs. Finally, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions are almost completely abolished in mast celldeficient mice reconstituted with Atg7-deficient BMMCs. Collectively, these results suggest that autophagy is not essential for the development, but plays a crucial role in degranulation, of mast cells.     

Membrane-bound IgE receptor complexes fused with rat basophilic leukemia cells mediate degranulation

The high affinity receptor for IgE on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells mediates antigen-triggered cellular degranulation. Polyethylene glycol-induced membrane fusion methods were used to introduce exogenous IgE receptors into living RBL cells, and these were tested for normal activities. In cell-cell fusion experiments, RBL cells with fluorescein-labeled rat IgE bound to receptors and containing [5-1,2-3H(N)]hydroxytryptamine binoxalate ([3H]5HT) in their secretory granules were fused to cells with receptors occupied by rhodamine-labeled anti-dinitrophenyl mouse IgE. The fused cells showed a uniform surface distribution of both types of IgE, which could be patched independently by anti-IgE or dinitrophenylated bovine gamma globulin (DNP16BGG). [3H]5HT release could be triggered specifically by DNP16BGG. In vesicle-cell fusion experiments, plasma membrane vesicles, with receptors occupied by fluorescein- and 125I-labeled anti-DNP mouse IgE, were fused to RBL cells containing [3H]5HT. The cells showed substantial associated fluorescein fluorescence and 125I counts, and [3H]5HT release could be triggered specifically by DNP16BGG. These experiments indicate that IgE receptors can be dissociated from their natural cellular interactions and retain the ability to reassociate with another cell's components to deliver the transmembrane signal for degranulation.     

Differential up-regulation of specific and azurophilic granule membrane markers in electropermeabilized neutrophils.

We have developed an alternative method to study the degranulation in electropermeabilized human neutrophils by measuring the up-regulation of the specific membrane markers CD63 (residing in the azurophilic granules of resting neutrophils) and CD67 (present in specific granules). The expression of these marker proteins was measured by the binding of specific antibodies to paraformaldehyde-fixed cells and subsequent flow cytometry. We first investigated whether the changes in CD63 and CD67 expression after stimulation of intact cells were comparable with earlier measurements of neutrophil degranulation, in which the release of soluble marker proteins was measured. These experiments indicated that this new method compares favourably with earlier studies, both with respect to kinetics and stimulus dependency. Subsequently, we applied this method (which does not include centrifugation of the cells) to study degranulation in electropermeabilized neutrophils. In permeabilized neutrophils, a clear up-regulation of the specific granule marker CD67 was observed upon incubation with a free Ca2+ concentration of 1 microM, a value of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration occurring in formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-activated neutrophils. The azurophilic granule marker CD63 required GTP-gamma-S besides 1 microM Ca2+ for a significant up-regulation. Hence, our study indicates a different requirement for intracellular signals of the two main types of granules in human neutrophils.     

Intragranular vesiculotubular compartments are involved in piecemeal degranulation by activated human eosinophils

Eosinophils, leukocytes involved in allergic, inflammatory and immunoregulatory responses, have a distinct capacity to rapidly secrete preformed granule-stored proteins through piecemeal degranulation (PMD), a secretion process based on vesicular transport of proteins from within granules for extracellular release. Eosinophil-specific granules contain cytokines and cationic proteins, such as major basic protein (MBP). We evaluated structural mechanisms responsible for mobilizing proteins from within eosinophil granules. Human eosinophils stimulated for 30-60 min with eotaxin, regulated on activation, normal, T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) or platelet activating factor exhibited ultrastructural features of PMD (e.g. losses of granule contents) and extensive vesiculotubular networks within emptying granules. Brefeldin A inhibited granule emptying and collapsed intragranular vesiculotubular networks. By immunonanogold ultrastructural labelings, CD63, a tetraspanin membrane protein, was localized within granules and on vesicles outside of granules, and mobilization of MBP into vesicles within and extending from granules was demonstrated. Electron tomography with three dimension reconstructions revealed granule internal membranes to constitute an elaborate tubular network able to sequester and relocate granule products upon stimulation. We provide new insights into PMD and identify eosinophil specific granules as organelles whose internal tubulovesicular networks are important for the capacity of eosinophils to secrete, by vesicular transport, their content of preformed and granule-stored cytokines and cationic proteins.     

An unexpected role for autophagy in degranulation of mast cells

Mast cells play a crucial role in allergic inflammatory reactions through releasing cytosolic granules upon antigen stimulation. However, the mechanisms underlying maturation and release of secretory granules are not fully understood. We found that autophagy is constitutively induced in mast cells under full nutrition conditions, and type II LC3 (LC3-II), a marker for autophagosomes, localizes on secretory granules. While deletion of Atg7 does not impair the development of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), Atg7-deficient BMMCs show severe impairment of degranulation, but not cytokine production, upon antigen stimulation. Moreover we found that LC3-II, but not LC3-I, colocalizes with CD63, a marker for secretory lysosomes and is released extracellularly along with degranulation in wild-type BMMCs, but not Atg7-deficient BMMCs. Finally, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions are almost completely abolished in mast celldeficient mice reconstituted with Atg7-deficient BMMCs. Collectively, these results suggest that autophagy is not essential for the development, but plays a crucial role in degranulation, of mast cells.     

Specific layers in aerobically grown microbial granules

AIMS: To determine the optimal size of aerobically grown granules for wastewater treatment by measuring specific layers within the granules. METHODS AND RESULTS: A variety of biological layers were detected by oligonucleotide probes, specific fluorochromes, and fluorescent microspheres. The channels in the granule matrix penetrated to depths of 900 microm. A layer of obligate anaerobic bacteria was detected at a depth of 800 microm below the granule surface. Dead cells were also observed in the granule interior. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobically grown granules contained layers of aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The optimal diameter of the aerobic granule is less than 1600 microm. This is twice the distance from the granule surface to the anaerobic layer. This approach can be used to optimize the thickness of other microbial aggregates such as flocs, colonies and biofilms.     

Involvement of Rab27 in antigen-induced histamine release from rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cells

The Rab family small G proteins regulate discrete steps in vesicular transport pathways. Recent studies indicate that one member of the Rab family, Rab27A, regulates the transport of lysosome-related organelles, such as melanosome distribution in melanocytes, lytic granule release in cytotoxic T cells, and dense granule release in platelets. Here, we have examined the involvement of Rab27A in the exocytic transport of another lysosome-related organelle, the basophilic secretory granule, in basophils. We have found that Rab27A locates on basophilic secretory granules containing histamine in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) 2H3 cells. In addition, exogenous expression of dominant active Rab27A reduces antigen-induced histamine release from the cells. We have moreover identified Munc13-4 as a Rab27A target using a CytoTrap system and found that exogenous expression of Munc13-4 affects antigen-induced histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells. These results demonstrate that Rab27A plays a crucial role in antigen-induced histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells.     

A noncytotoxic mast cell tumor line exhibits potent IgE-dependent cytotoxicity after transfection with the cytolysin/perforin gene

To test the granule exocytosis model for lymphocyte cytotoxicity, we have expressed the gene for the cytotoxic lymphocyte granule protein cytolysin (perforin) in the noncytotoxic rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cell line, which undergoes granule exocytosis when its high affinity IgE receptor is cross-linked. Homogenates of RBL-cytolysin (RBL-cy) transfectants showed a calcium-dependent hemolytic activity in dense granule fractions, demonstrating that the expressed cytolysin protein was correctly targeted to secretory granules. RBL-cy transfectants showed a potent and calcium-dependent cytolytic activity against IgE-coated RBCs, while the parental RBL line was not cytotoxic under these conditions. RBL-cy cells did not lyse non-IgE-coated RBCs copelleted with targets: this sparing of "innocent bystanders" parallels cytotoxic T lymphocyte lysis and suggests a polarized secretion of cytolysin. In contrast to RBC targets, IgE-coated tumor cells were much less sensitive to lysis by RBL-cy transfectants.     

Phosphorylation of SNAP-23 regulates exocytosis from mast cells

Regulated exocytosis is a process in which a physiological trigger initiates the translocation, docking, and fusion of secretory granules with the plasma membrane. A class of proteins termed SNAREs (including SNAP-23, syntaxins, and VAMPs) are known regulators of secretory granule/plasma membrane fusion events. We have investigated the molecular mechanisms of regulated exocytosis in mast cells and find that SNAP-23 is phosphorylated when rat basophilic leukemia mast cells are triggered to degranulate. The kinetics of SNAP-23 phosphorylation mirror the kinetics of exocytosis. We have identified amino acid residues Ser(95) and Ser(120) as the major phosphorylation sites in SNAP-23 in rodent mast cells. Quantitative analysis revealed that approximately 10% of SNAP-23 was phosphorylated when mast cell degranulation was induced. These same residues were phosphorylated when mouse platelet degranulation was induced with thrombin, demonstrating that phosphorylation of SNAP-23 Ser(95) and Ser(120) is not restricted to mast cells. Although triggering exocytosis did not alter the absolute amount of SNAP-23 bound to SNAREs, after stimulation essentially all of the SNAP-23 bound to the plasma membrane SNARE syntaxin 4 and the vesicle SNARE VAMP-2 was phosphorylated. Regulated exocytosis studies revealed that overexpression of SNAP-23 phosphorylation mutants inhibited exocytosis from rat basophilic leukemia mast cells, demonstrating that phosphorylation of SNAP-23 on Ser(120) and Ser(95) modulates regulated exocytosis by mast cells.     

IgE receptor-mediated depolarization of rat basophilic leukemia cells measured with the fluorescent probe bis-oxonol

Receptor-mediated changes in plasma membrane potential were recorded in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells with the potential-sensitive fluorescent indicator bis-oxonol. Depolarization of the mitochondria with metabolic inhibitors was not detected by bis-oxonol, suggesting that only potential changes across the plasma membrane were being measured. The resting membrane potential of RBL cells was largely generated by the equilibrium distribution of K+ and not through electrogenic activity of the sodium pump. Depolarization was maintained as long as IgE receptors remained aggregated. We believe that at physiologic calcium concentrations a large portion of the measured potential change may be due to calcium influx across the plasma membrane. Prevention of calcium influx by lanthanum, disruption of aggregated receptors, or prior depolarization in a high K+ saline solution completely inhibited the antigen-induced depolarization. The time course of the antigen-stimulated increase in bis-oxonol fluorescence was similar, but not identical, to the antigen-stimulated rise in cytoplasmic free ionized calcium measured with fura-2. Antigen-stimulated depolarization was inhibited by removing both calcium and sodium and could be restored by the addition of either ion. Reduction of total cellular adenosine triphosphate inhibited depolarization in response to antigen stimulation.     

Cellular distribution of CD63 antigen in platelets and in three megakaryocytic cell lines

Summary CD63 is a 53 kDa lysosomal membrane glycoprotein that has been identified as a platelet activation molecule. We investigated the localization of CD63 antigen in platelets and in three megakaryocytic cell lines (K562, HEL and CMK11-5) using flow cytometry and immunoelectron microscopy. Flow cytometry showed that a monoclonal antibody directed against CD63 bound to 8.1% of unstimulated platelets and 59.2% of thrombin-stimulated platelets. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that CD63 antigen was distributed randomly inside unstimulated platelets, while it was localized in the open canalicular system of washed platelets and on the cell membranes of thrombin-stimulated platelets. Flow cytometry detected CD63 on 16.4% of HEL cells, 31.2% of K562 cells, and 43.2% of CMK11-5 cells. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that CD63 was localized in the granules and on the surface membranes of HEL cells, in the vesicles and on the membranes of K562 cells, and in the granules and vesicles as well as on the membranes of CMK11-5 cells. Thus, the distribution of CD63 differed markedly among these three megakaryocytic cell lines.     

Changes in the subcellular distribution of the cytochrome b-245 on stimulation of human neutrophils.

Cytochrome b-245 of neutrophils has a bimodal distribution in sucrose density gradients. The lighter component (d = 1.14) is shown to be associated with the plasma membrane by the similarity between its density and that of markers of this organelle, as well as a parallel increase in the density of the cytochrome and plasma membrane after treatment with digitonin or dimethyl suberimidate. The cytochrome b-245 of monocytes and cytoplasts, the latter produced by the removal of nuclei and granules from neutrophils, was located only in the plasma membrane. The denser peak of cytochrome (d = 1.19), which contained approximately half of the cytochrome b of neutrophils, had a similar density-distribution profile to the specific granules. After hypo-osmotic disruption of this denser material, the cytochrome distributed with the density of membranes, suggesting an original location within the membrane of the intracellular structure. Redistribution of the cytochrome from the granules to the membranes was observed after stimulation of respiratory activity with soluble agents or opsonized particles. This translocation is not responsible for activation of the oxidase system. There was poor agreement between the kinetics of the transfer of cytochromes from the dense component to the membranes, and degranulation of specific-granule contents, suggesting that the cytochrome may be located in another intracellular structure or that its localization becomes further modified after granule fusion.