Isolation of a pure suspension of proximal tubular cells from the rabbit kidney: morphological, biochemical and metabolic assessment

A pure suspension of proximal tubule cells from the rabbit kidney was isolated by a new procedure, without proteolytic enzyme treatment. Electron microscopic examination revealed that these intact cells had long microvilli. All the marker enzymes located in the proximal tubule were higher in the isolated cells compared with renal cortex. Adenylate cyclase activity of the isolated cells was increased by PTH and NaF stimulations, while other hormones had minor effects. This isolated cell suspension showed a high respiration rate, a linear glucose production and a normal cell ATP level. All these results confirmed the isolation of viable proximal tubular cells with high metabolic capacities from the rabbit kidney.     

Modulation of glycolysis induction in primary cultures of rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells: the role of shaking,glucose and insulin.

We have assessed the impact of increasing oxygen availability on cellular phenotype expression of rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture developed with variable glucose and/or insulin contents. To mitigate hypoxia at the cell/medium interface, cells were shaken for the whole culture duration and their expressed phenotype was compared with those expressed by static cultures. O₂ and CO₂ tensions were kept constant in the incubator atmosphere. Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways, detoxication system, and mitochondrial, apical and basolateral membrane marker enzyme activities were assessed. This study showed that the induction of glycolysis which appear in primary cultures of proximal tubule cells may be partially prevented by continuously shaking the cultures. This effect was more marked in the presence of glucose, suggesting better substrate oxidation in shaken cultures.     

Tat1, a novel sulfate transporter specifically expressed in human male germ cells and potentially linked to rhogtpase signaling

RhoGTPases (Rho, Rac, and Cdc42) are known to regulate multiple functions, including cell motility, adhesion, and proliferation; however, the signaling pathways underlying these pleiotropic effects are far from fully understood. We have recently described a new RhoGAP (GTPase activating protein for RhoGTPases) gene, MgcRacGAP, primarily expressed in male germ cells, at the spermatocyte stage. We report here the isolation, through two-hybrid cloning, of a new partner of MgcRacGAP, very specifically expressed in the male germ line and showing structural features of anion transporters. This large protein (970 amino acids and a predicted size of 109 kDa), we provisionally designated Tat1 (for testis anion transporter 1), is closely related to a sulfate permease family comprising three proteins in human (DRA, Pendrin, and DTD); it is predicted to be an integral membrane protein with 14 transmembrane helices and intracytoplasmic NH(2) and COOH termini. In situ hybridization studies demonstrate that Tat1 and MgcRacGAP genes are coexpressed in male germ cells at the spermatocyte stage. On testis sections, Tat1 protein can be immunodetected in spermatocytes and spermatids associated with plasma membrane. Two-hybrid and in vitro binding assays demonstrate that MgcRacGAP stably interacts through its NH(2)-terminal domain with the Tat1 COOH-terminal region. Expression of Tat1 protein in COS7 cells generates a 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene and chloride-sensitive sulfate transport. Therefore we conclude that Tat1 is a novel sulfate transporter specifically expressed in spermatocytes and spermatids and interacts with MgcRacGAP in these cells. These observations raise the possibility of a new regulatory pathway linking sulfate transport to Rho signaling in male germ cells.     

Direct identification of human oxytocin receptor-binding domains using a photoactivatable cyclic peptide antagonist: comparison with the human V1a vasopressin receptor

Understanding of the molecular determinants responsible for antagonist binding to the oxytocin receptor should provide important insights that facilitate rational design of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of preterm labor. To study ligand/receptor interactions, we used a novel photosensitive radioiodinated antagonist of the human oxytocin receptor, d(CH(2))(5) [Tyr(Me)(2),Thr(4),Orn(8),Phe(3(125)I,4N(3))-NH(2)9]vasotocin. This ligand had an equivalent high affinity for human oxytocin and V(1a) vasopressin receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Taking advantage of this dual specificity, we conducted photoaffinity labeling experiments on both receptors. Photolabeled oxytocin and V(1a) receptors appeared as a unique protein band at 70-75 kDa and two labeled protein bands at 85-90 and 46 kDa, respectively. To identify contact sites between the antagonist and the receptors, the labeled 70-75- and the 46-kDa proteins were cleaved with CNBr and digested with Lys-C and Arg-C endoproteinases. The fragmentation patterns allowed the identification of a covalently labeled region in the oxytocin receptor transmembrane domain III consisting of the residues Leu(114)-Val(115)-Lys(116). Analysis of contact sites in the V(1a) receptor led to the identification of the homologous region consisting of the residues Val(126)-Val(127)-Lys(128). Binding domains were confirmed by mutation of several CNBr cleavage sites in the oxytocin receptor and of one Lys-C cleavage site in the V(1a) receptor. The results are in agreement with previous experimental data and three-dimensional models of agonist and antagonist binding to members of the oxytocin/vasopressin receptor family.     

Pattern of skeletal malformations produced by Dominant hemimelia (Dh)

The hindlimb malformations in adult mice heterozygous for the dominant gene Dominant hemimelia (Dh) and +/+ littermates were characterized in skeletons that had been fixed, stained, and cleared. When the tibia was shortened, the deficiency was always an absence of the distal portion, and never the proximal portion. Although tibial hemimelia has been well documented in Dh mice, this study demonstrated a distinctive pattern of shortening of the tibia. Measurements of the length of the tibia (relative to the length of the humerus) showed only three patterns of shortening of the tibia (i.e., mild, moderate, and severe), rather than a continuous spectrum of shortening from mild to complete absence. The hindlimb malformation of Dh/+ mice occurred in association with a reduced number (five) of lumbar vertebrae. The interrelationship of the hindlimb malformations and the reduction in the vertebral number suggests a relationship between the development of the axial skeleton and the abnormal limb.     

In vitro embryo production in the cow: an effective alternative to the conventional embryo production approach

Development of new technology related to in vitro embryo production has allowed for the commercial use of this method of reproduction. In the present work, we evaluate the efficiency of this technology compared with conventional embryo production based on results obtained with a standard procedure, including the sexing of embryos. The donor animals were mature nonlactating dairy cows (n = 92) kept under a constant environment and feeding program in an ET center. Ultrasound guided transvaginal ovum pick-up following 48 h pre-treatment with FSH has been used for the IVF-IVC protocol. A total of 437 oocyte recovery sessions performed on 92 cows yielded 4145 oocytes, which were used in an IVF-IVC protocol. Using the conventional approach, 156 embryo collections on 49 cows yielded 1652 ova and embryos. All Quality 1 and 2 embryos were sexed by a PCR procedure, and embryos of the desired sex were transferred to synchronized recipients located at the center. The results obtained in the IVF protocol showed that 4 oocyte collections per cow performed within 60 d, yielded 38 oocytes, which resulted in 18.8 viable embryos, of which 7.05 were female. After transfer of the female embryos, an average of 3.8 recipients were pregnant at 60 d. One embryo collection under the conventional approach yielded an average of 1.2 female pregnancies, which was confirmed during the same 60-d time period. These results indicate that IVF procedures can effectively replace conventional embryo production methods when a predetermined number of pregnancies of known sex are needed within a short period of time.