Isolation of radio-iodinated apical and basal-lateral plasma membranes of toad bladder epithelium

Summary The apical and basal-lateral plasma membranes of toad bladder epithelium were radio-iodinated with the glucose-glucose oxidase-lactoperoxidase system. The covalently bound radio-iodine was used as a marker during subcellular fractionation and membrane isolation. Homogenization conditions that ensured rupture of more than 80% of the cells without substantial nuclear damage were defined by Nomarski optics. The nuclei were separated by differential centrifugation and the apical and basal-lateral components were resolved by differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The apical components yielded two radioactive bands that were identified as glycocalyx and plasma membrane labeled with¹²⁵I. The basal-lateral components yielded a heterodisperse pattern made up of at least 3 radioactive bands, but the bulk of the activity of ouabain-sensitive ATPase comigrated with only one of these bands. The mitochondia, identified by assays for cytochrome oxidase and NADH cytochromec reductase activities, were separated from the radio-iodine labeled components by centrifugation in sucrose density gradients under isokinetic conditions. The labeled glycocalyx and the slowly migrating components of basal-lateral labeling were separated from the radio-iodinated membranes by centrifugation at 100,000 × g × 1 hr after removal of the mitochondria by the isokinetic method. The labeled membranes were then subjected to ultracentrifugation in sucrose density gradients under isopycnic conditions; the basal-lateral membranes containing ouabain-sensitive ATP-ase were well resolved from the apical membranes by this method. These results provide a relatively rapid method of attaining partial purification of the apical and basal-lateral plasma membranes of toad bladder epithelium.     

Radio-iodination of plasma membranes of toad bladder epithelium

Summary The present report describes high yield enzymatic radio-iodination of the apical and basal-lateral plasma membranes of toad bladder epithelium, by a procedure that does not breach the functional integrity of the epithelium, as assessed by the basal and vasopressin-sensitive short-circuit current (SCC). Restriction of the label to the membrane surface was ascertained by light and electron-microscopic autoradiographs. On the apical surface, the grains were over the glycocalyx and the plasma membrane. Analysis of the labeled glycocalyx by agarose gel filtration, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), as well as enzymatic and pH-dependent hydrolysis indicated that the glycocalyx is a trichloro-acetic acid-soluble macromolecular complex of high molecular weight composed of a peptide moiety attached to large prosthetic groups (presumably carbohydrates) by O-glycosidic bonds. Analysis of the labeled apical plasma membrane components by agarose gel filtration and SDS-PAGE disclosed the presence of six major species of apparent molecular weights: 23,000, 28,000, 37,000, 44,000, 68,000, and 95,000. More than half of the membrane-associated radio-iodine was in two bands of molecular weights 37,000 and 44,000.Concentrations of vasopressin and cyclic AMP sufficient to increase the SCC significantly did not modify the extent of membrane labeling or the distribution of the label among the apical membrane components (presumably proteins) as assessed by SDS-PAGE. Iodination in the presence of amiloride inhibited incorporation but did not change the pattern of the distribution of the label among the components resolved by SDS-PAGE.Iodination of basal-lateral plasma membranes, at a yield comparable to that obtained with apical labeling, was attained after about 30 min of exposure of the intact bladder to the labeling solutions. Approximately 25% of the basal-lateral labeling was lost when the epithelial cells were harvested after collagenase treatment, implying that some iodination of the basement membrane had taken place. Less than 10% of iodination of the apical or basal-lateral surfaces was accounted for by lipid-labeling. Analysis of the labeled apical and basal-lateral species by enzymatic digestion and thin layer chromatography disclosed that virtually all the radioactivity was present as mono-iodotyrosine (MIT).     

Influence of colchicine and vinblastine on the intracellular migration of secretory and membrane glycoproteins: III. Inhibition of intracellular migration of membrane glycoproteins in rat intestinal columnar cells and hepatocytes as visualized by light and electron-microscope radioautography after 3H-fucose injection

In the first paper of this series (Bennett et al., 1984), light-microscope radioautographic studies showed that colchicine or vinblastine inhibited intracellular migration of glycoproteins out of the Golgi region in a variety of cell types. In the present work, the effects of these drugs on migration of membrane glycoproteins have been examined at the ultrastructural level in duodenal villous columnar cells and hepatocytes. Young (40 gm) rats were given a single intravenous injection of colchicine (4.0 mg) or vinblastine (2.0 mg). At 10 min after colchicine and 30 min after vinblastine administration, the rats were injected with 3H-fucose. Control rats received 3H-fucose only. All rats were sacrificed 90 min after 3H-fucose injection and their tissues processed for radioautography. In duodenal villous columnar cells, 3H-fucose labeling of the apical plasma membrane was reduced by 51% after colchicine and by 67% after vinblastine treatment; but there was little change in labeling of the lateral plasma membrane. Labeling of the Golgi apparatus increased. This suggests that labeled glycoproteins destined for the apical plasma membrane were inhibited from leaving the Golgi region, while migration to the lateral plasma membrane was not impaired. In hepatocytes, labeling of the sinusoidal plasma membrane was reduced by 83% after colchicine and by 85% after vinblastine treatment. Labeling of the lateral plasma membrane also decreased, although not so dramatically. Labeling of the Golgi apparatus and neighboring secretory vesicles increased. This indicates that the drugs inhibited migration of membrane glycoproteins from the Golgi region to the various portions of the plasma membrane. Accumulation of secretory vesicles at the sinusoidal front suggests that exocytosis may also have been partially inhibited. In both cell types, microtubules almost completely disappeared after drug treatment. Microtubules may, therefore, be necessary for intracellular transport of membrane glycoproteins, although the possibility of a direct action of these drugs on Golgi or plasma membranes must also be considered.     

Glycoprotein secretion in the mouse submandibular gland as revealed by radioautography after L-3H-fucose injection

Summary Glycoprotein secretion in the mouse submandibular gland was investigated by light microscope radioautography of semi-thin sections after the administration of L-³H-fucose. The incorporation of the precursor in the acini was negligible. ³H-fucose was taken up in the paranuclear region of the cells lining the intercalated, secretory, striated and excretory ducts. This labeling pattern was interpreted as addition of the precursor to glycoproteins within the Golgi apparatus. Incorporation in the intercalated duct was restricted to the cells with fine cytoplasmic granules. The glycoproteins synthesized by the intercalated and secretory ducts were transported to the saliva by the secretion granules. It is assumed that the glycoproteins synthesized in the striated and excretory ducts are plasma membrane glycoproteins which seem to renew continuously. Quantitation of the radioautographs supplied data concerning the incorporation of ³H-fucose into newly synthesized glycoproteins as well as the renewal of the labeled macromolecules in each duct.     

Light- and electron-microscopic radioautographic study of glycoprotein secretion in the granular duct of the submandibular gland of the male mouse

Summary L-³H-fucose was injected intravenously into adult male mice, after which, at different time intervals, the submandibular glands were removed and processed for light-and electron-microscopic radioautography. This radio active hexose was taken up by newly synthesized glycoproteins in the cells lining the granular ducts which were maximally labeled at 4 h after injection. Between 4 and 72 h the amount of labeled glycoproteins decreased moderately indicating that these macromolecules undergo a slow renewal. The main subcellular site of incorporation of 3 H-fucose into glycoproteins was the Golgi apparatus. From this organelle labeled glycoproteins were transferred to small secretory granules (diameter up to 1.0 m) located not only near the Golgi region but also throughout the apical cytoplasm. At 1 h after injection the concentration of label reached a maximum in the small secretory granules and labeling of medium (diameter between 1.1 and 2.0 m) and large (diameter over 2.0 m) granules was very low. At this postinjection interval the secretion product inside the lumen of the duct was already labeled. Between 1 and 72 h after injection the concentration of radioactivity in the small secretory granules decreased intensely while increasing in the medium and in the large ones. The concentration of fucose label reached a maximum in the medium secretory granules at 24 h and in the large ones at 72 h after injection. Additional experiments using mice previously injected with 4 intraperitoneal doses of ³H-fucose given 3 h apart demonstrated that the large granules undergo a very slow renewal. Some were found to be labeled as long as 28 days after administration of ³H-fucose. Recorded in this latter series of experiments was the labeling pattern of dense bodies that were regularly visualized in the cells lining the granular ducts. Their significance in the secretory process is discussed. In conclusion, newly synthesized glycoproteins are transferred from the Golgi apparatus to small secretory granules which carry a readily releasible pool of these macromolecules to the lumen of the duct. The small secretory granules also transfer newly synthesized glycoproteins to medium and large secretion granules which store a pool that is released very slowly. This characterizes the large secretory granules as the intracellular sites of storage of secretion products. The results of this investigation were correlated with the knowledge about the chemical composition of the different macromolecules that are known to be synthesized by the secretory cells of the granular ducts of the submandibular gland of the mouse.     

THE ANATOMIC SITE OF THE TRANSEPITHELIAL PERMEABILITY BARRIERS OF TOAD BLADDER

An examination of the mucosal epithelium of the urinary bladder of the toad reveals that the two major cell types which abut on the urinary surface, the granular and mitochondria-rich cells, also contact the basement membrane. Thus, the epithelium functions as a single cell layer. Although basal cells are interpolated between the granular cells and the basement membrane over a large portion of the epithelium, they do not constitute an additional continuous cell layer. This finding is consistent with extensive physiological data which had assumed that the major permeability barriers of this epithelium were the apical and basal-lateral plasma membranes of a single layer of cells.     

Synthesis and migration of glycoproteins in cells of the rat thymus, as shown by radioautography after 3H-fucose injection

Young male rats received a single intravenous injection of 3H-fucose and were killed after various time-intervals. Light- and electron-microscopic radioautographic studies of the thymus in animals killed shortly after injection showed that all of the different cell types present incorporated 3H-fucose label. The heaviest uptake occurred in macrophages and in hypertrophic epithelial cells located near the cortico-medullary border. Somewhat lighter incorporation was observed in medullary and cortical stellate epithelial cells and in cells designated as special cells, while the lightest reaction appeared over lymphocytes. In all cells the label was localized initially to the Golgi apparatus, where, presumably, it was incorporated into glycoproteins. With time, some of the labeled putative glycoproteins in all cell types migrated to the plasma membrane. In macrophages, much of the label migrated to lysosomal bodies, while in the special cells the label migrated to dense bodies which may also be of lysosomal nature. In stellate and hypertrophic epithelial cells much of the label migrated to characteristic vacuoles. The possible relationship between the observed glycoprotein synthesis in these cells and hormone production is discussed.     

Glycoprotein synthesis and migration in beta cells of the islets of Langerhans as shown by quantitative light- and electron-microscopic radioautography

Summary L-3H-fucose was injected intravenously into rats that were killed from 10 min to 7 days after isotope administration. Semi-thin and thin sections of the islets of Langerhans were processed for light- and electron-microscopic radioautography, respectively, and analyzed quantitatively. L-3H-fucose was incorporated into newly synthesized glycoproteins in the Golgi apparatus of the beta cells and subsequently labeled glycoproteins migrated to secretory granules and plasma membrane. Therefore, some of the glycoproteins synthesized by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans are destined for the renewal of plasma membrane. Although the labeling of the secretory granules was clearly demonstrated, it was not possible to decide if the newly formed glycoproteins are incorporated into the content or into the membrane of the granule. Thus, the fate as well as the function of secretory-granule glycoproteins could not be determined precisely. Several hypotheses concerning the presence of glycoproteins in the secretory granules in relation with insulin metabolism are considered.     

Ultrastructural localization of polysaccharides in the vacuolar system of an established cell line

Polysaccharides in the vacuolar system of an established line of monkey kidney epithelial cells, were investigated by high resolution radioautography following incorporation of 3H-fucose and by the periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate staining method. Significant amounts of glycogen and glycoproteins were found in different lysosomes and prelysosomes. The radioautographic labeling of these substances correlated with the cytochemical observations. Analysis of the 3H-fucose pattern of labeling suggests that glycoproteins are transported through the different components of the vacuolar system of the cell in a sequential fashion rather than via independent pathways. The possible functional significance of polysaccharides in lysosomes is discussed. It is suggested that glycogen is taken up by lysosomes through autophagic segregation and through infolding and vesiculation of the lysosomal surface, and that the majority of glycoprotein in the lysosomal membranes does not have acid hydrolase activity.     

Synthesis and migration of 3H-fucose-labeled glycoproteins in the retinal pigment epithelium of albino rats, as visualized by radioautography

3H-fucose was injected into the vitreous body of the eye(s) of 250-gm rats, which were then killed by means of an intracardiac perfusion with glutaraldehyde after intervals of 10 min, 1 and 4 hr, and 1 and 7 days. The eyes were removed and further fixed, and pieces of retina were processed for light and electron microscope radioautography. Light microscope radioautography showed that the pigment epithelial cells actively incorporated 3H-fucose label. The intensity of reaction peaked at 4 hr after injection of the label and then slowly declined. Quantitative electron microscope radioautography revealed that, at 10 min after 3H-fucose injection, over 70% of the label was localized to the Golgi apparatus, indicating that fucose residues are added to newly synthesized glycoproteins principally at this site. With time the proportion of label associated with the Golgi apparatus decreased, but that assigned to the infolded basal plasma membrane, the apical microvilli, and various apical lysosomes increased. These results indicate that in retinal pigment epithelial cells newly synthesized glycoproteins continuously migrate from the Golgi apparatus to lysosomes and to various regions of the plasma membrane. In this case, the membrane glycoproteins may play specific roles in receptor functions of the basal plasma membrane or phagocytic activities at the apical surface. Very little label migrated to Bruch's membrane, indicating either a very slow turnover or a paucity of fucose-containing glycoproteins at this site.     

Effect of monensin on cell ultrastructure and glycoprotein migration in adult mouse jejunal epithelium in organ culture

Summary Expiants from adult mouse jejunum were cultured for 3 h in a medium which contained both ³H-fucose (10 or 25 Ci/ml) and monensin (100 M) or ³H-fucose only (control). Radiochemical analysis of cell fractions showed that ³H-fucose labelling of the brush border fraction decreased 42% in monensin-treated expiants, suggesting that in absorptive cells the intracellular transport of newly synthesized glycoproteins to the apical plasma membrane had been inhibited. Electron-microscopic examination of treated expiants revealed a variation in response to the drug from region to region. In some areas, both absorptive and goblet cells exhibited little alteration. In others, the Golgi cisternae of both absorptive and goblet cells were entirely replaced by large vacuoles, and in the latter cell type, the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum were greatly distended. Electron-microscopic radioautographic analysis showed that in absorptive and goblet cells exhibiting little morphological change, intracellular transport of newly synthesized glycoproteins was similar to that in controls. In regions where absorptive cells exhibited extensive Golgi modifications, intracellular transport remained normal in some cases; more often-however, there was a marked inhibition (over 70%) of transport of labelled glycoproteins to the apical surface. Transport to the basolateral membrane was never affected. In goblet cells exhibiting modifications of the Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum, no incorporation of ³H-fucose label in the Golgi apparatus occurred, suggesting a block of intracellular transport proximal to the site at which ³H-fucose is added. In absorptive cells, this does not appear to be the case, since the level of ³H-fucose incorporation in all treated cells remained similar to that in controls.     

Synthesis of membrane glycoproteins in rat small-intestinal villus cells. Redistribution of l-[1,5,6-3H]-fucose-labelled membrane glycoproteins among Golgi, lateral basal and microvillus membranes in vivo

The biogenesis of plasmalemma glycoproteins of rat small-intestinal villus cells was studied by following the incorporation of l-[1,5,6-(3)H]fucose, given intraperitoneally with and without chase, into Golgi, lateral basal and microvillus membranes. Each membrane fraction showed distinct kinetics of incorporation of labelled fucose and was differently affected by the chase, which produced a much greater decrease in incorporation of label into Golgi and microvillus than into lateral basal membranes. The kinetic data suggest a redistribution of newly synthesized glycoproteins from the site of fucosylation, the Golgi complex, directly into both lateral basal and microvillus membranes. The observed biphasic pattern of label incorporation into the microvillus membrane fraction may be evidence for a second indirect route of incorporation. The selective effect of the chase suggests the presence of two different pools of radioactive fucose in the Golgi complex that differ in (1) their accessibility to dilution with non-radioactive fucose, and (2) their utilization for the biosynthesis of membrane glycoproteins subsequently destined for either the microvillus or the lateral basal parts of the plasmalemma. The radioactively labelled glycoproteins of the different membrane fractions were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-slab-gel electrophoresis and identified by fluorography. The patterns of labelled glycoproteins in Golgi and lateral basal membranes were identical at all times. At least 14 bands could be identified shortly after radioactive-fucose injection. Most seemed to disappear at later times, although one of them, which was never observed in microvillus membranes, increased in relative intensity. All but two of the labelled glycoproteins present in the microvillus membrane corresponded to those observed in Golgi and lateral basal membranes shortly after fucose injection. The patterns of labelled glycoproteins in all membrane fractions were little affected by the chase. These data support a flow concept for the insertion of most surface-membrane glycoproteins of the intestinal villus cells.     

3H-fucose incorporation into bone following exposure to parathyroid hormone,dibutyryl cyclic-AMP and colchicine

Summary Radioautographic and scintillation counting procedures were used to examine the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH), dibutyryl cyclic-AMP (DB-cAMP), and colchicine on the incorporation of ³H-fucose into macromolecular material in organ cultures of bone. Radioautography demonstrated ³H-fucose incorporation into bone cells, with the heaviest uptake occurring in osteoclasts. A minimal incorporation occurred in pre-osteoblasts and osteoblasts of the osteogenic periosteum, and in fibroblasts of the fibrous periosteum. PTH appeared to produce a heavier label in association with osteoclasts while decreasing the limited labeling associated with cells of the osteogenic and fibrous periosteum. DB-cAMP and colchicine both markedly reduced the labeling associated with osteoclasts, while the minimal labeling of other bone cells remained. By contrast, scintillation counting results indicated that PTH had little or no effect on ³H-fucose incorporation, while DB-cAMP and colchicine considerably reduced the amount of labeled macromolecular material. The incorporation of ³H-fucose into glycoproteins and the role of glycoproteins are discussed.This investigation was aided by grants from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation and the Minnesota Medical Foundation. The author gratefully acknowledges the excellent technical assistance of Karen Brintzenhofe and Cynthia Park     

Histochemical and radioautographic study of glycoprotein secretion in the epithelium lining the uterine tubes of mice

Summary Two-month-old female Swiss mice that had come into estrus were injected intravenously with L-³H-fucose and killed at 5, 15, 40 min, and 4 h after injection. Pieces of the isthmus and of the ampulla of the uterine tubes were processed for light-and electron-microscopic radioautography. Incorporation of ³H-fucose was more intense in the isthmian secretory cells than in the ciliated cells of the ampulla. Electron-microscopic radioautography of the isthmian secretory cells demonstrated that ³H-fucose was incorporated into newly synthesized glycoproteins in the Golgi apparatus from where labelled glycoproteins migrated mainly to secretory granules and apical microvilli. The histochemical technique using ruthenium red confirmed the presence of glycoproteins in the contents of the secretory granules released to the lumen of the uterine tubes as demonstrated by radioautography. Other glycoproteins are transported inside small vesicles and most likely are related to the renewal of the plasma membrane. The role of the secretory glycoproteins in various events of mammalian reproduction is discussed.     

Hierarchy of mechanisms involved in generating Na/K-ATPase polarity in MDCK epithelial cells

We have studied mechanisms involved in generating a polarized distribution of Na/K-ATPase in the basal-lateral membrane of two clones of MDCK II cells. Both clones exhibit polarized distributions of marker proteins of the apical and basal-lateral membranes, including Na/K- ATPase, at steady state. Newly synthesized Na/K-ATPase, however, is delivered from the Golgi complex to both apical and basal-lateral membranes of one clone (II/J), and to the basal-lateral membrane of the other clone (II/G); Na/K-ATPase is selectively retained in the basal- lateral membrane resulting in the generation of complete cell surface polarity in both clones. Another basal-lateral membrane protein, E- cadherin, is sorted to the basal-lateral membrane in both MDCK clones, demonstrating that there is not a general sorting defect for basal- lateral membrane proteins in clone II/J cells. A glycosyl- phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein (GP-2) and a glycosphingolipid (glucosylceramide, GlcCer) are preferentially transported to the apical membrane in clone II/G cells, but, in clone II/J cells, GP-2 and GlcCer are delivered equally to both apical and basal-lateral membranes, similar to Na/K-ATPase. To examine this apparent inter-relationship between sorting of GlcCer, GP-2 and Na/K- ATPase, sphingolipid synthesis was inhibited in clone II/G cells with the fungal metabolite, Fumonisin B1 (FB1). In the presence of FB1, GP-2 and Na/K-ATPase are delivered to both apical and basal-lateral membranes, similar to clone II/J cells; FB1 had no effect on sorting of E-cadherin to the basal-lateral membrane of II/G cells. Addition of exogenous ceramide, to circumvent the FB1 block, restored GP-2 and Na/K- ATPase sorting to the apical and basal-lateral membranes, respectively. These results show that the generation of complete cell surface polarity of Na/K-ATPase involves a hierarchy of sorting mechanisms in the Golgi complex and plasma membrane, and that Na/K-ATPase sorting in the Golgi complex of MDCK cells may be regulated by exclusion from an apical pathway(s). These results also provide new insights into sorting pathways for other apical and basal-lateral membrane proteins.     

Isolation and characterization of granules of the toad bladder

Summary The electron-dense granules that lie just below the apical plasma membrane of granular epithelial cells of toad urinary bladder contribute glycoproteins to that apical membrane. Also, exocytosis of granules (and tubules) elicited by antidiuretic hormone potentially doubles that apical surface, during the same period the transport changes characteristic of the hormonal response occur.Granules separated from other membrane systems of the cells provide the material to assess the importance of the granules as glycocalyx precursors and in hormone action. We used isosmotic media to effect preliminary separations by differential centrifugation. Then granules were isolated by centrifugation on self-forming gradients of Percoll of decreasing hypertonicity.We find qualitative and quantitative changes in protein composition and enzymic activities in the isolated fractions. The primary criterion for granule purification was electron microscopic morphology. In addition, polypeptide species found in the granule fraction are limited in number and quantity. The granules are enzymically and morphologically not lysosomal in nature. Granules may provide the glycoproteins of the apical glycocalyx but they differ from the isolated plasma membrane fraction enzymically, in protein composition and in proportion of esterified cholesterol.We conclude that the granules are not average plasma membrane precursors. Their role in the membrane properties of the toad urinary bladder may now be evaluated by characterizing permeability and other properties of the isolated organelles.     

Plasma membrane biogenesis in the avian salt gland: a biochemical and quantitative electron microscopic autoradiographic study

The avian salt gland provides an ideal system for the study of plasma membrane (PM) biogenesis. Feeding ducklings 1% sodium chloride (salt stress) induces the secretory cells of the gland to synthesize large amounts of PM, which forms an extensive basolateral PM domain after 7-9 days of treatment. In the present study, the initial biosynthetic events following salt stress were investigated. In vivo studies using 3H-uridine indicated that increased rates of RNA synthesis could be detected by 2 hr after the beginning of salt stress and continued through at least 12 hr. Under in vitro conditions, increased rates of protein and glycoprotein synthesis (as monitored by 3H-leucine and 3H-fucose incorporation, respectively) were also detected after 2 hr and continued through 7-9 days. Increased levels of Na,K-ATPase, a specific secretory cell PM marker, were detected after 8 hr of treatment as monitored by specific activity and 3H-ouabain binding. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis coupled with fluorography indicated that both 3H-leucine and 3H-fucose were incorporated into partially purified preparations of Na,K-ATPase isolated after 12 hr. Light microscopic autoradiographic analysis of pulse-chase experiments indicated that in secretory cells of 12-hr salt-stressed glands, 3H-leucine- and 3H-fucose-labelled products reached the cell periphery by 1-2 hr after the initial pulse. The incorporation of both tritiated precursors was predominantly associated with the secretory cells. Quantitative electron microscopic autoradiography indicated that 3H-leucine is initially taken up by elements of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and cytoplasm (5 min postpulse), subsequently transported to and concentrated within components of the Golgi apparatus (10 min of chase), and ultimately incorporated into all domains of the plasma membrane of secretory cells by 1-2 hr of chase. The data is consistent with a flow of newly synthesized membrane components from RER to Golgi to plasma membrane and is analogous to the pattern previously found for the synthesis and processing of PM proteins in a wide variety of cell types.     

Interactions of lectins with specific cell types in toad urinary bladder. Surface distribution revealed by colloidal gold probes and label fracture

Colloidal gold probes were used in conjunction with pre-embedding labeling and label-fracture to show the plasma membrane distribution of Helix pomatia lectin (HPL) and wheat germ lectin (WGL) binding sites on different epithelial cell types of toad urinary bladder. Mitochondria-rich cells were virtually unlabeled with HPL, but showed a strong affinity for WGL. Granular cells were weakly labeled with WGL but had a variable affinity for HPL. Strongly labeled granular cells were arranged in either chains or clusters that were surrounded by poorly-stained granular cells. By label-fracture, the distribution of gold-labeled lectins was related to other membrane features seen in freeze-fracture. Neither HPL nor WGL binding sites appeared to be specifically related to the large intramembrane particles that characterize granular cells, or to the rod-shaped intramembrane particles that are a feature of membranes of mitochondria-rich cells. The preferential lectin binding affinity of these functionally distinct cell types provides an important starting point for their isolation and the characterization of their plasma membranes. Furthermore, the label-fracture approach can now be used to examine the plasma membrane modifications that occur in these cells under different physiologic conditions affecting epithelial transport processes.     

Synthesis and migration of 3H-fucose-labeled glycoproteins in the ciliary epithelium of the eye: effects of microtubule-disrupting drugs

3H-fucose was injected intravenously or intravitreously into albino rats. After time intervals of 10, 40, and 50 min, 1, 1.5, and 4 hr, 1, 3, and 7 days, and 1, 2, and 4 weeks after injection, the animals were sacrificed by intracardiac perfusion with glutaraldehyde. Samples of the ciliary body were prepared for light and electron microscope radioautography. Light microscope autoradiographs showed that the cells of both the inner and outer layers of ciliary epithelium actively incorporated 3H-fucose label in a reaction that peaked in intensity at 4 hr after injection, and then progressively declined. Electron microscope radioautographs revealed that, at early time intervals, most of the label was localized to the Golgi apparatus. With time, the plasma membrane of both cell types became increasingly labeled, and accounted for 60-70% of the total silver grains at 4 hr after injection. Adjacent to the basal cell surface of the inner layer cells, the fibers of the zonula became increasingly labeled from 1.5 hr onwards, providing strong evidence that these cells secrete glycoproteins to the zonula. When vinblastine was administered 30 min before 3H-fucose injection, followed by sacrifice 1.5 hr later, a much larger proportion of label remained localized to the Golgi apparatus than in controls, and the plasma membrane and zonula were much less labeled. These results suggest that, as documented in other cell types, microtubules may play a role in the intracellular transport of membrane and secretory glycoproteins in these cells.     

The extracellular matrix of porcine mature oocytes: Origin,composition and presumptive roles

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of porcine mature oocytes was revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after treatment with tannic acid and ruthenium red. Present in the perivitelline space (PVS) and on the surface of the zona pellucida (ZP), it appeared to be composed of thin filaments and granules at the interconnections of the filaments, which were interpreted respectively as hyaluronic acid chains and bound proteoglycans. In order to determine whether this material is produced by the corona cells (the same ECM was found also on the surface of the zona pellucida and between cumulus cells) or by the oocyte itself, the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans was checked by autoradiography on semi-thin and thin sections observed by light and electron microscopy. Immature oocytes within or without cumulus cells, were incubated with L [3H-] fucose or L [3H-] glucosamine – precursors respectively of glycoproteins and hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan (HA) bound to proteoglycans – for various times (with or without chase) and at different stages during in vitro maturation. In the first case, incorporation was found in both cumulus cells and ooplasm (notably in the Golgi area for 3H-fucose) and labeled material accumulated in the ECM of the PVS and of the ZP surface. Labeling in the PVS with both precursors was maximum between metaphase I (MI) and metaphase II (MII) and was partially extracted by hyaluronidase but not by neuraminidase. Tunicamycin, an inhibitor of glycoprotein synthesis, significantly decreased the amount of ³H-fucose labeled molecules in the PVS and increased the incidence of polyspermic penetration during subsequent in vivo fertilization. Since cumulus-free oocytes also secreted ³H-glucosamine containing compounds, both oocyte and cumulus cells probably contribute to the production of the ECM found in the PVS of mature oocytes. ECM and particularly its HA moiety present on both sides of the ZP may constitute a favourable factor for sperm penetration.