Role for protein kinase C in the modulation of glomerular PGE2 production by angiotensin II

Angiotensin II increased PGE2 release from superfused glomeruli, and stimulated labeled inositol phosphate production. 12-O-Tetradecanoyl phorbol -13-acetate (TPA, 10(-7) M), which stimulates protein kinase C activity in soluble fractions of glomerular homogenates, suppressed angiotensin II actions on inositol phosphate production and PGE2. By contrast, 4a phorbol 12,13 di-decanoate and phorbol had no effect on protein kinase C activity or angiotensin II induced increases in inositol phosphate or PGE2. 1-(5-Isoquinolinyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), which inhibits protein kinase C activity in soluble fractions of glomerular homogenates, prevented TPA induced suppression of angiotensin II actions on inositol phosphate production and PGE2. Moreover H-7 prolonged the time course of angiotensin II induced inositol phosphate production and enhanced angiotensin II actions on glomerular PGE2 production. The results support a role for inositol phospholipid hydrolysis through the phospholipase C pathway in the mediation of angiotensin II actions on PGE2 in glomeruli and are consistent with negative modulation of these actions by protein kinase C.     

Detection of insecticide resistance in the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) with glue-toxin traps.

Glue that contained an insecticide was evaluated for its ability to yield useful toxicological data for German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.). Toxicities of three classes of insecticides were evaluated by topical applications (LD50) and exposure to insecticide-impregnated glue (LC50). Cockroaches that were resistant to topical insecticide applications were also resistant to the glue formulation. Reliability was greatest when mortality was scored 40 to 48 h after the cockroaches were placed on the glue. This method should be adaptable for insecticide resistance monitoring of German cockroaches.     

COPII collar defines the boundary between ER and ER exit site and does not coat cargo containers

COPII and COPI mediate the formation of membrane vesicles translocating in opposite directions within the secretory pathway. Live-cell and electron microscopy revealed a novel mode of function for COPII during cargo export from the ER. COPII is recruited to membranes defining the boundary between the ER and ER exit sites, facilitating selective cargo concentration. Using direct observation of living cells, we monitored cargo selection processes, accumulation, and fission of COPII-free ERES membranes. CRISPR/Cas12a tagging, the RUSH system, and pharmaceutical and genetic perturbations of ER-Golgi transport demonstrated that the COPII coat remains bound to the ER–ERES boundary during protein export. Manipulation of the cargo-binding domain in COPII Sec24B prohibits cargo accumulation in ERES. These findings suggest a role for COPII in selecting and concentrating exported cargo rather than coating Golgi-bound carriers. These findings transform our understanding of coat proteins’ role in ER-to-Golgi transport.