Remodeling of a rat hepatocyte plasma membrane glycoprotein. De- and reglycosylation of dipeptidyl peptidase IV

The present paper demonstrates the terminal de- and reglycosylation of a rat hepatocyte plasma membrane glycoprotein, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV). Cultured hepatocytes were used in pulse-chase experiments with [3H]L-fucose and [14C]N-acetyl-D-mannosamine as markers for terminal carbohydrates, [3H]D-mannose as marker of a core-sugar, and [35S]L-methionine for labeling the protein backbone. Membrane DPP IV was immunoprecipitated with a polyclonal antibody which bound selectively at 4 degrees C to the cell-surface glycoprotein. The times of maximal labeling of hepatocyte plasma membrane DPP IV were 6-9 min for [3H]L-fucose, 20 min for [3H]D-mannose, and 25 min for [35S]L-methionine. When antibodies were bound to cell-surface DPP IV at 4 degrees C, the immune complex remained stable for more than 1 h after rewarming to 37 degrees C, despite ongoing metabolic and membrane transport processes. This was shown by pulse labeling with [35S]L-methionine at 37 degrees C, followed by cooling to 4 degrees C, and addition of antibody against plasma membrane DPP IV. During rewarming, the radioactivity in the complex remained constant. In a similar experiment with [3H]L-fucose, the radioactivity in the immune complex declined rapidly, indicating a defucosylation of the plasma membrane glycoprotein. Using the same experimental design with [3H]D-mannose, the radioactivity in the immune complex remained constant, showing that the core-sugar D-mannose is not cleaved from the membrane glycoprotein. Terminal reglycosylation (refucosylation and resialylation) was demonstrated as follows. Hepatocytes were maintained at 37 degrees C in a medium supplemented with tunicamycin in order to block the de novo synthesis of N-glycosidically bound carbohydrate chains. At 4 degrees C the antibody against DPP IV bound only to cell surface glycoprotein. During the rewarming period at 37 degrees C, radioactivity from [3H]L-fucose and [14C]N-acetyl-D-mannosamine became incorporated into the immune complex. This indicates a fucosylation and sialylation of the glycoprotein originally present at the cell surface. The mechanisms whereby terminal de- and reglycosylation of plasma membrane glycoproteins may occur during membrane recycling are discussed.     

Cell proliferation-associated expression of a recently evolved isozyme of triosephosphate isomerase

An electrophoretically unique, thermolabile isozyme of triosephosphate isomerase (TPI; EC 5.3.1.1) accounts for 10–30% of the enzymatic activity in a range of mitotically active human cells and tissues. This type 2 form (subunit) of human TPI appears in two isozymes, an anodally migrating, relative to the constitutive TPI-1/1 homodimer, TPI-2/2 homodimer and the TPI-1/2 heterodimer with an intermediate mobility. Human cell types expressing the induced isozyme, which is the product of the same structural locus as the constitutive isozyme, include mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, virally transformed B-lymphoblastoid cells, leukemia-derived T-lymphoblastoid cells, HeLa cells, both normal and transformed fibroblasts, and placental tissue. Extracts of nondividing or terminally differentiated human cells/tissues, such as erythrocytes, striated muscle, peripheral lymphocytes, and platelets, contain high levels of the constitutive TPI-1/1 isozyme but little or undetectable levels of the TPI-1/2 or TPI-2/2 isozyme. The cell division-associated TPI-1/2 and -2/2 isozymes are distinct in electrophoretic mobility from the deamidated forms of the constitutive isozyme. Extracts of dividing gorilla fibroblasts display an isozyme pattern identical to that of proliferating human cells, but various proliferating cells derived from the African green monkey, rabbit, and chicken express only the constitutive isozyme. Thus, expression of the cell division-associated isozyme of TPI is restricted to the hominoids, suggesting a recently evolved modification mechanism which is specifically activated in proliferating cells.Financial support was derived from Contract EY-77-C-02-2828 from the Department of Energy and Training Grant 5-T32-GM07544 from the National Institutes of Health.     

LYSOSOMAL PACKAGING IN DIFFERENTIATING AND DEGENERATING ANURAN LATERAL MOTOR COLUMN NEURONS

The role of the Golgi apparatus and the Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosome complex (GERL) in the genesis of lysosomes was examined in differentiating and degenerating motor neurons of anuran larvae. Acid phosphatase, aryl sulfatase, and thiolacetic acid esterase were utilized as marker enzymes for the lysosomal system, while nucleoside diphosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase labeled the inner saccule(s) of the Golgi apparatus. Reduced osmium tetroxide was routinely deposited in the outer Golgi saccule regardless of the state of neuronal maturation. In all young neurons, the disposition of acid hydrolase reaction product paralleled the formation of GERL, with no lytic activity in the Golgi apparatus per se. Hypertrophy of the Golgi apparatus and GERL was observed in the early phases of degeneration, and both organelles apparently exhibit extensive hydrolytic activity. Dense bodies, autophagic vacuoles, and primary lysosomes were found arising from GERL, while the Golgi apparatus may produce primary lysosomal granules during regression. On the other hand, in differentiating neurons, hydrolytic activity was restricted to GERL and an occasional dense body and autophagic vacuole. These studies illustrate a parallelism between the development of GERL and genesis of primary and secondary lysosomes during neuronal cytodifferentiation, and implicate GERL and possibly the Golgi apparatus in lysosomal packaging in degenerating neurons.     

The complete genome sequence of Bacillus anthracis Ames "Ancestor"

The pathogenic bacterium Bacillus anthracis has become the subject of intense study as a result of its use in a bioterrorism attack in the United States in September and October 2001. Previous studies suggested that B. anthracis Ames Ancestor, the original Ames fully virulent plasmid-containing isolate, was the ideal reference. This study describes the complete genome sequence of that original isolate, derived from a sample kept in cold storage since 1981.     

Non-apoptotic desquamation of cells from corneal epithelium: putative role for Muc4/sialomucin complex in cell release and survival

Muc4/sialomucin complex (SMC), a large heterodimeric mucin composed of an extracellular mucin subunit ASGP-1 and a transmembrane subunit ASGP-2, is present at the rat ocular surface localized mainly to the most superficial layers of the epithelia. To investigate corneal homeostasis and the functions of Muc4/SMC at the ocular surface, we developed a corneal epithelial cell culture system from corneal explants, from which migrating cells formed an epithelial sheet resembling the native epithelium with regard to microanatomy, expression of characteristic markers, cell migration, and Muc4/SMC expression. Cells migrating from the explants expressed smooth muscle actin. Proliferation was detected only on the edge of epithelial sheet in the immature epithelium and throughout the sheet in confluent cultures. Microscopy revealed that the epithelial sheet was formed from four to six layers of cells expressing keratin 3 and Muc4/SMC in forms identical to those expressed at ocular surface in vivo. Electron microscopy showed cells in various morphological states in the process of releasing from the surface of the multilayer (desquamating). Surprisingly, few of these cells showed evidence of apoptosis, either by morphological or DNA fragmentation analyses. These results suggest a new model for desquamation from stratified epithelia, in which desquamation and apoptosis are independent and sequential processes. Desquamating cells also exhibit a high level of Muc4/SMC. Since Muc4/SMC has been shown to be a potent anti-adhesive and a repressor of apoptosis, we propose that it plays a role in the non-apoptotic desquamation process.     

Cryopreservation of economically valuable marine micro-algae in the classes Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Dinophyceae, Haptophyceae, Prasinophyceae, and Rhodophyceae

The ability to routinely cryopreserve micro-algal species reduces costs associated with maintaining large culture collections and reduces the risks of losing particular strains or species through contamination and genetic drift. Cryopreservation is also a useful adjunct in aquaculture hatcheries for strains of micro-algae where the nutritional status may change as a result of continuous sub-culture. In this study, cryopreservation of isolates from seven micro-algal classes was investigated. Successful candidates included the marine dinoflagellates Amphidinium carterae, Amphidinium trulla, and Gymnodinium simplex, and the haptophytes Chrysochromulina simplex, Prymnesium parvum, Prymnesium parvum f. patelliferum, Isochrysis galbana, and Pavlova lutheri. Also successfully cryopreserved were the planktonic diatoms Chaetoceros calcitrans, Chaetoceros muelleri, Chaetoceros sp., and the benthic Nitzschia ovalis, the chlorophyte Chlamydomonas coccoides, the rhodophyte Porphyridium purpureum, the prasinophytes Tetraselmis chuii, and Tetraselmis suecica, and the cyanophytes Raphidiopsis sp., and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. All species were successfully cryopreserved using 15% Me2SO.     

Filamentous temperature-sensitive Z (FtsZ) isoforms specifically interact in the chloroplasts and in the cytosol of Physcomitrella patens

Plant filamentous temperature-sensitive Z (FtsZ) proteins have been reported to be involved in biological processes related to plastids. However, the precise functions of distinct isoforms are still elusive. Here, the intracellular localization of the FtsZ1-1 isoform in a moss, Physcomitrella patens, was examined. Furthermore, the in vivo interaction behaviour of four distinct FtsZ isoforms was investigated. Localization studies of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged FtsZ1-1 and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analyses employing all dual combinations of four FtsZ isoforms were performed in transient protoplast transformation assays. FtsZ1-1 is localized to network structures inside the chloroplasts and exerts influence on plastid division. Interactions between FtsZ isoforms occur in distinct ordered structures in the chloroplasts as well as in the cytosol. The results expand the view of the involvement of Physcomitrella FtsZ proteins in chloroplast and cell division. It is concluded that duplication and diversification of ftsZ genes during plant evolution were the main prerequisites for the successful remodelling and integration of the prokaryotic FtsZ-dependent division mechanism into the cellular machineries of distinct complex processes in plants.     

AML-loaded DC generate Th1-type cellular immune responses in vitro

BACKGROUND: The generation of AML-specific T-lymphocyte responses by leukemia-derived DC has been documented by multiple investigators and is being pursued clinically. An obstacle to widespread use of this strategy is that it has not been possible to generate leukemic DC from all patients, and an alternative approach is needed if the majority of leukemia patients are to receive therapeutic vaccination in conjunction with other treatment protocols. METHODS: In the present study, we generated DC from CD14-selected monocytes isolated from healthy donor PBPC and loaded them with a total cell lysate from AML patient blasts. RESULTS: Immature in vitro-derived DC exhibited robust phagocytic activity, and mature DC demonstrated high expression of CD80, CD83, CD86 and the chemokine receptor CCR7, important for DC migration to local lymph nodes. Mature, Ag-loaded DC were used as APC for leukemia-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) induction and demonstrated cytotoxic activity against leukemic targets. CTL lysis was Ag-specific, with killing of both allogeneic leukemic blasts and autologous DC loaded with allogeneic AML lysate. HLA-matched controls were not lysed in our system. DISCUSSION: These data support further research into the use of this strategy as an alternative approach to leukemia-derived DC vaccination.     

A Large-Scale Epidemiological Study to Identify Bacteria Pathogenic to Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas and Correlation Between Virulence and Metalloprotease-like Activity

A 4-year bacteriological survey (2003-2007) of four molluscs cultivated in France and faced with mortality episodes was performed by the French shellfish pathology network. The more abundant bacteria isolated during 92 mortality episodes, occurring mainly in Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, were identified by genotyping methods. It allowed us both to confirm the representativeness of Vibrio splendidus and Vibrio aestuarianus bacterial strains and to identify both a large number of Vibrio harveyi-related strains mainly detected during 2007 oyster mortality outbreaks and to a lesser extent bacterial strains identified as Shewanella colwelliana. Because metalloprotease has been reported to constitute a virulence factor in a few Vibrio strains pathogenic for C. gigas, several bacterial strains isolated in this study were screened to evaluate their pathogenicity in C. gigas spat by experimental infection and their ability to produce metalloprotease-like activity in the culture supernatant fluids. A high level (84%) of concordant results between azocaseinase activities and virulence of strains was obtained in this study. Because bacterial metalloprotease activities appeared as a common feature of pathogenic bacteria strains associated with mortality events of C. gigas reared in France, this phenotypic test could be useful for the evaluation of virulence in bacterial strains associated with such mortality episodes.