EMILIN1-α4/α9 integrin interaction inhibits dermal fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation

EMILIN1 promotes α4β1 integrin-dependent cell adhesion and migration and reduces pro-transforming growth factor-β processing. A knockout mouse model was used to unravel EMILIN1 functions in skin where the protein was abundantly expressed in the dermal stroma and where EMILIN1-positive fibrils reached the basal keratinocyte layer. Loss of EMILIN1 caused dermal and epidermal hyperproliferation and accelerated wound closure. We identified the direct engagement of EMILIN1 to α4β1 and α9β1 integrins as the mechanism underlying the homeostatic role exerted by EMILIN1. The lack of EMILIN1-α4/α9 integrin interaction was accompanied by activation of PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2 pathways as a result of the reduction of PTEN. The down-regulation of PTEN empowered Erk1/2 phosphorylation that in turn inhibited Smad2 signaling by phosphorylation of residues Ser245/250/255. These results highlight the important regulatory role of an extracellular matrix component in skin proliferation. In addition, EMILIN1 is identified as a novel ligand for keratinocyte α9β1 integrin, suggesting prospective roles for this receptor-ligand pair in skin homeostasis.     

Synthesis and estrogen receptor binding affinities of novel pyrrolo[2,1,5-cd]indolizine derivatives

A series of pyrrolo[2,1,5-cd]indolizine derivatives has been synthesized and evaluated as ligands for the estrogen receptor. Properly substituted mono- and di-hydroxy derivatives showed binding in the low nanomolar range in accordance with their structural resemblance to estrogen.     

Effects of altered gravity on the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Summary. Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used to study the effects of altered gravity on the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton dynamics. A cholinergic stimulation of the cells during a 6 min period of changing gravity (3 parabolas) resulted in an enhanced actin-driven protrusion of evoked lamellipodia. Likewise, the spontaneous protrusive activity of nonactivated cells was promoted during exposure to changing gravity (6 up to 31 parabolas). Ground-based experiments revealed a similar enhancement of the spontaneous and evoked lamellar protrusive activity when the cells were kept at 2 g hypergravity for at least 6 min. This gravity response was independent of the direction of the acceleration vector in respect to the cells. Exposure of the cells to “simulated weightlessness” (clinorotation) had no obvious influence on this type of lamellar actin cytoskeleton dynamics. A 20 min exposure of the cells to simulated weightlessness or to changing gravity (6 to 31 parabolas) – but not to 2 g (hypergravity, centrifugation) – resulted in an altered arrangement of microtubules indicated by bending, turning, and loop formation. A similar altered arrangement was shown by microtubules which had polymerized into lamellipodia after release from a taxol block at simulated weightlessness (clinorotation) or during changing gravity (5 parabolas). Our data suggest that in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, microgravity affects the dynamics and spatial arrangement of microtubules but has no influence on the Rac-controlled lamellar actin cytoskeleton dynamics and cell spreading. The latter, however, seems to be promoted at hypergravity. Correspondence and reprints: Cell and Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70593 Stuttgart, Federal Republic of Germany.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel thio-substituted chromanes as high-affinity partial agonists for the estrogen receptor.

Synthesis of (+/-)-cis-7-hydroxy-3-phenyl-4-(4-(2-piperidinoethanethio)phenyl)chromane (13) and (+/-)-cis-7-hydroxy-3-phenyl-4-(4-(2-pyrrolidinoethanethio)phenyl)chromane (15) is presented. These compounds are representatives of a novel class of compounds with high in vitro binding affinity for the estrogen receptor (IC(50)=7-10 nM), and very low in vitro uterotrophic activity (max stim.=5-17% rel to moxestrol; EC(50)=0.5-1.8 nM).     

Protein kinases in rat testes: evidence for different fractions of the enzyme.

Protein kinase activity of rat testis homogenate was separated into five fractions by means of pH 4.8 acidification and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The five fractions showed a peculiar pattern of activity and cAMP dependency with the substrates used: casein, protamine, histone mixture, arginine-rich histone, lysine-rich histone, and phosvitin. The casein-sepharose substrate affinity column separated two fractions from the pH 4.8 precipitate. Peak number one phosphorylates histone preferently and is cAMP-dependent, while peak number tow has a strong affinity toward casein as substrate and is non cAMP-dependent.     

Effect of changes in sympathetic vasomotor tonus on vasodilatatory effect of catecholamines]

The study of resistances modifications in the femoral vascular bed during bilateral carotide occlusion supports the hypothesis of an inhibitory action of isoprenaline on norepinephrine release by the sympathetic post-ganglionnic fibres. This action explain the relations between isoprenaline vasodilator potency and sympathetic activity level.     

Rapid effect of testosterone on rat Sertoli cell membrane potential. Relationship with K+ATP channels.

For this study, we investigated the changes in the electrophysiological parameters of Sertoli cells in seminiferous tubules from 17 - 19 day-old rats induced by testosterone. Using conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques, we analysed the membrane potential and its input resistance. The entire tubules were fixed in a superfusion chamber continuously perfused with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4, 32 degrees C). Visual control of cell impalement was achieved using an inverted microscope. The parameters analysed were passed through an amplifier and recorded using a proprietary software system. The topical application of testosterone (0.1 to 10 microM) led to an immediate (within 30 seconds) and significant dose-dependent depolarization of the membrane potential of the cell at all concentrations used. Concomitantly, the input resistance of the cell membrane underwent a significant increment at 30 seconds. These changes returned to resting values after washout. Topical administration of 17beta-estradiol or progesterone (10 microM) did not change the membrane potential. The addition of the K +ATP channel agonist diazoxide to the perfusion buffer nullified the depolarization effect of testosterone at 30 seconds. This result suggests that the immediate action of testosterone is associated with the closing of K +ATP channels, thereby depolarizing the membrane.     

Electron microscopic investigation of the surface membrane structures of the fat-cell and of their changes during depletion of the cell

Summary The main purpose of this paper was to investigate with the electron microscope the structural relationship between the fat cell and the surrounding connective tissue under various functional conditions and thereby to solve questions not decided in the past which concern the membrane of the fat-cell. Outside the well defined plasma membrane two layers were observed, one of lesser electron density next to the plasma membrane and another denser line which separates the former from the connective tissue ground substance. Fundamentally this three-layered surface membrane complex (Robertson) is the same as described by numerous authors in other cells bordering on connective tissue. However, the changes occurring in the surface membrane complex during depletion of fat cells are of special interest. The numerous long processes formed by the cell during the loss of fat in starvation are retracted in extreme depletion. At this time a pericellular space opens between the outer lamella and the plasma membrane. While the less dense material apparently becomes liquified the outer lamella of the surface membrane complex remains in contact with the connective tissue ground substance. These observations made it possible to interpret the surface membrane structures of the fat-cell as consisting, beside the plasma membrane, of a material derived from the ground substance, which is analogous to Robertson's gap substance at the surface of the Schwann cell, and of a limiting membrane toward the ground substance. The nature and possible derivation of the extracellular layers are discussed and the general functional significance of the surface membrane complex is emphasized. These considerations support the repeatedly raised objection against the use of the histological term basement membrane for the submicroscopic structures. During the depletion of the fat cell intensive micropinocytosis occurs regularly in the plasma membrane. It is suggested that the pinching off of numerous pockets may effect the elimination of membrane material in conjunction with the decrease in the surface area which has been found to take place in extreme depletion of the fat cell.This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.