A rapid cell membrane permeability test using flourescent dyes and flow cytometry

A reliable and rapid test to detect cytotoxic chemicals which affect cell membranes is described. Fluorescein diacetate freely penetrates intact cells where it is hydrolyzed to its fluorochrome, fluorescein, which is retained in the cell due to its polarity. On the other hand, ethidium bromide is known to be excluded from the intact cell, staining only nucleic acids of membrane-damaged cells. The combination of both fluorochromes results in counter-staining: intact cells fluoresce green (cytoplasm) and membrane-damaged cells fluoresce red (nucleus and RNA). Rat thymocytes freshly isolated without enzyme treatment were incubated simultaneously with test substance and dye solution fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide. A two-parameter analysis was performed on a flow cytometer with an on-line computer. Concentration-dependent effects of various detergents and solvents were quantified by measuring the amount of dye retention, i.e., the decrease or increase in fluorescein—fluorescence (peak shift), and the decrease in dye exclusion (increase in ethidium bromide-staining) relative to the untreated control. The assay can be used for rapid monitoring of chemical insults to cell membranes which precede the decrease of the viability measured by pure dye exclusion techniques.Abbreviations DMA dimethyl sulfate - DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide - EB ethidium bromide - F fluorescein - FDA fluorescein diacetate - FS₂₅ concentration of test substance resulting in a F-peak left-shift of 25% from control - PBS phosphate buffered saline - SCT forward light scatter - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

Thymus-independent induction and antigen-dependent recovery of idiotype-specific suppression

BALB/c nude (nu/nu) mice and euthymic (nu/+) littermates were treated as neonates with anti-T15 antibody and challenged at various ages with either a thymus-independent, PC-Brucella abortus (PC-BA), or thymus-dependent, PC-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (PC-KLH), form of phosphorylcholine (PC). Nu/nu mice challenged with PC-KLH received KLH-primed splenic T cells prior to immunization. Neither neonatally anti-idiotype-treated nu/+ nor nu/nu mice responded with the production of T15-positive anti-PC antibodies after challenge with either form of PC antigen. It is concluded that neither induction nor maintenance of a state of T15-specific suppression requires thymus-matured T cells. Recovery of anti-PC responsiveness in suppressed nu/+ or nu/nu mice was similar and was found to be related to the form of antigen used to elicit the response. Immunization with PC-KLH revealed a long-lasting unresponsiveness (up to 16 weeks). In contrast, immunization with PC-BA elicited a full anti-PC response as early as at 6.5 weeks of age.     

Fine structural and enzyme histochemical observations on the dorsal tail tubercle of Mertensiella caucasica (Urodela,Amphibia)

Summary Dorsal tubercle and skin of Mertensiella caucasica have been investigated with the electron microscope and enzyme histochemical methods. The epidermis of the tubercle consists of 8–9 cell layers, that of normal dorsal skin of 5–6. The tubercle is filled with large mucous glands which are surrounded by an almost complete layer of smooth muscle cells (myoepithelial cells). Their glandular cells undergo cyclical changes and are characterized by specific secretory granules, which differ from those of the relatively small mucous glands of the normal dorsal skin.In the connective tissue of the tubercle a relatively rich supply of nerve fibres has been found, which in part contain synaptic and dense core vesicles or accumulations of mitochondria. In the normal dorsal skin nerve fibres occur less frequently.The following enzymes have been demonstrated in the mucous glands of the tubercle: SDH, acid phosphatase, unspecific esterases, E 600 resistant esterase.The tubercle seems to stimulate the female cloaca chemically and mechanically.     

Fundamentals of an applied ecosystem research project in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein

The aims, content, and organisatory structure of a proposed interdisciplinary ecosystem research project in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein (W. Germany) are briefly presented. The project will include research on both fundamental as well as applied aspects of the Wadden Sea ecosystems and their interaction with local human activities. In contrast to most of the other completed or currently running ecosystem research projects on tidal coasts, a considerable part of the scientific work will also deal with aspects of ecosystem management and protection of the various marine and semiterrestrial habitats of the Wadden Sea. Considerable attention is paid to theoretical and methodological aspects of research on ecosystems and landscape units. In particular, the adoption of a hierarchical view of complex biological and environmental systems is recommended. Presented at the VI International Wadden Sea Symposium (Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Wattenmeerstation Sylt, D-2282 List, FRG, 1–4 November 1988)     

Mathematical models for mixing in deep-jet bioreactors: Calculation of parameters

The macroscopic mathematical model based on compartments with ideal mixing zones and tanks-in series was evaluated. Based on the experimental data obtained in a 300 dm³ pilot reactor and the dependence of mixing time on the volume of liquid phase, we have found mathematical relations between the ratio of vessel diameter to liquid level, adjustable parameters of model and the mixing time.List of Symbols V dm³ total volume of bioreactor - V _g dm³ total volume of liquid - V ₁ dm³ volume of ideally mixed zone in the vessel - V ₂ dm³ volume of macromixer in inner circulation flows - V ₃ dm³ volume of liquid phase in the pump - V ₄ dm³ volume of liquid phase in the pipe between the vessel and the pump - V ₅ dm³ volume of liquid phase in the pipe between the pump and air input system included falling jet - V _LT dm³ volume of liquid in the tank - V _LC dm³ volume of liquid in the circulation system - F _E dm³/s inner volumetric circulation flow rate across the macromixers - F _cir dm³/s external volumetric circulation flow rate, pumping capacity - t _A s time interval of the pulse application - t _AA s time point of the pulse application related to the free choosen starting point of the experiment - t _m s mixing time - t _c s circulation time - t _end s end time of simulation - C _*,* kg/m³ concentration of tracer in the indicated compartment - C ₀ kg/m³ concentration of the tracer before the injection - C _t kg/m³ concentration of the tracer at the indicated time - C kg/m³ theoretical concentration of the full mixed tracer - C _sim kg/m³ calculated concentration of tracer during numerical integration method - i index of an arbitrary tank - D _T m diameter of bioreactor - D 1/s dilution rate - H _L m level of liquid in the unaerated vessel - vector of inhomogenities     

Crystals of the NC1 domain of human type IV collagen

Crystals of the non-collagenous C-terminal region (NC1) of type IV collagen have been obtained from human placenta. These crystals diffract to 2.0 A, and belong to space group P22(1)2(1), with cell dimensions a = 81 A, b = 158 A, c = 138 A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees. The crystals contain one hexamer in the asymmetric unit; they are very stable with respect to X-rays.     

Synthesis and application of photoaffinity analogues of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate selectively substituted at the 1-phosphate group.

We have synthesized two photolabile arylazido-analogues of Ins(1,4,5)P3 selectively substituted at the 1-phosphate group for determination of Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding proteins. These two photoaffinity derivatives, namely N-(4-azidobenzoyl)aminoethanol-1-phospho-D-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (AbaIP3) and N-(4-azidosalicyl)aminoethanol-1-phospho-D-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (AsaIP3), bind to high affinity Ins(1,4,5)P3-specific binding sites at a 9-fold lower affinity (Kd = 66 and 70 nM) than Ins(1,4,5)P3 (Kd = 7.15 nM) in a fraction from rat pancreatic acinar cells enriched in endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Other inositol phosphates tested showed comparable (DL-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphothioate, Kd = 81 nM) or much lower affinities for the binding sites [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, Kd = 4 microM; Ins(1,4)P2, Kd = 80 microM]. Binding of AbaIP3 was also tested on a microsomal preparation of rat cerebellum [Kd = 300 nM as compared with Ins(1,4,5)P3, Kd = 45 nM]. Ca2+ release activity of the inositol derivatives was tested with AbaIP3. It induced a rapid and concentration-dependent Ca2+ release from the ER fraction [EC50 (dose producing half-maximal effect) = 3.1 microM] being only 10-fold less potent than Ins(1,4,5)P3 (EC50 = 0.3 microM). From the two radioactive labelled analogues ([3H]AbaIP3 and 125I-AsIP3) synthesized, the radioiodinated derivative was used for photoaffinity labelling. It specifically labelled three proteins with apparent molecular masses of 49, 37 and 31 kDa in the ER-enriched fraction. By subfractionation of this ER-enriched fraction on a Percoll gradient the 37 kDa Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding protein was obtained in a membrane fraction which showed the highest effect in Ins(1,4,5)P3-inducible Ca2+ release (fraction P1). The other two Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding proteins, of 49 and 31 kDa, were obtained in fraction P2, in which Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release was half of that obtained in fraction P1. We conclude from these data that the 37 kDa and/or the 49 and 31 kDa proteins are involved in Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release from the ER of rat pancreatic acinar cells.     

the frooxidant-induced and spontaneous mitochondrial calcium release: Inhibition by meta-iodo-benzylguanidine (mibg), a substrate for mono (adpribosylation)

The norepinephrine analogue meta-iodo-benzylguanidine (MIBG). a substrate for mono(ADP-ribosylation) and inhibitor of eukaryotic ADP-ribosyltransferases. inhibits the prooxidant-induced and spontaneous calcium release from intact rat liver mitochondria without affecting pyridine nucleotide oxidation and hydrolysis. This finding strongly suggests regulation of calcium release by ADP-ribosylation in mitochondria. and may be relevant for the cellular and pharmacological effects of MIBG