Conversion of a high molecular weight latent beta-TGF from chicken embryo fibroblasts into a low molecular weight active beta-TGF under acidic conditions

A latent beta-TGF activity is spontaneously released into serum-free culture medium by chicken embryo fibroblasts. Anchorage-independent growth activity measured on NRK-49F indicator cells, of this latent beta-TGF can be revealed by four different treatments: acidification, alkalinisation, exposure to urea, and heating to 100 degrees C for 3 minutes. This lact activating treatment indicates that latent beta-TGF activation in vitro is non-enzymatic. Active beta-TGF exists in a low molecular weight form 16 Kd (apparent) in 1M acetic acid, which elutes on reverse phase (FPLC) between 33-35% acetonitrile. Under neutral conditions only a high molecular weight form excluded on Biogel P60 is observed. This form is poorly active on NRK-49F for anchorage independent growth but can be fully activated by prior acidification. Rechromatography of the latent beta-TGF-containing fractions under acidic conditions converts the high molecular weight form to an apparent 16 Kd active form. We suggest that the high molecular weight form may correspond to a complex of a beta-TGF associated with a carrier or binding protein.     

Immunocytochemical localization of alpha2,3(N)-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal III) in cell lines and rat kidney tissue sections: evidence for golgi and post-golgi localization

Sialylation is a biosynthetic process occurring in the trans compartments of the Golgi apparatus. Corresponding evidence is based on localization and biochemical studies of alpha2, 6(N)-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal I) as previously reported. Here we describe generation and characterization of polyclonal antibodies to recombinant rat alpha2,3(N)-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal III) expressed as a soluble enzyme in Sf9 cells or as a beta-galactosidase-human-ST3Gal III fusion- protein from E.coli , respectively. These antibodies were used to localize ST3Gal III by immunofluorescence in various cell lines and rat kidney tissue sections. In transiently transfected COS cells the antibodies directed to soluble sialyltransferase or the sialyltransferase portion of the fusion-protein only recognized the recombinant antigen retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. However, an antibody fraction crossreactive with beta-galactosidase recognized natively expressed ST3Gal III which was found to be colocalized with beta1, 4-galactosyltransferase in the Golgi apparatus of several cultured cell lines. Antibodies affinity purified on the beta- galactosidase-ST3Gal III fusion-protein column derived from both antisera have then been used to localize the enzyme in perfusion-fixed rat kidney sections. We found strong staining of the Golgi apparatus of tubular epithelia and a brush-border-associated staining which colocalized with cytochemical staining of the H+ATPase. This subcellular localization was not observed for ST6Gal I which localized to the Golgi apparatus. These data show colocalization in the Golgi apparatus and different post-Golgi distributions of the two sialyltransferases.      

Normal embryo fibroblasts release transforming growth factors in a latent form

Normal chicken, mouse, and human embryo fibroblasts release into their culture media transforming growth factors (TGFs) in a latent form. Their soft agar colony-forming activity on two widely used target cells, rat NRK-49F and mouse AKR-2B, is essentially revealed only after prior acidification of cell-conditioned media. These TGFs are EGF-dependent when assayed on NRK-49F cells and EGF-independent on AKR-2B cells. The TGF activity from the chicken source is released in three (apparent) molecular weight forms of 500 kd, 125 kd, and 20 kd.     

Lymphocyte locomotion and attachment on two-dimensional surfaces and in three-dimensional matrices

The adhesion and locomotion of mouse peripheral lymph node lymphocytes on 2-D protein- coated substrata and in 3-D matrices were compared. Lymphocytes did not adhere to, or migrate on, 2-D substrata suck as serum- or fibronectin-coated glass. They did attach to and migrate in hydrated 3-D collagen lattices. When the collagen was dehydrated to form a 2-D surface, lymphocyte attachment to it was reduced. We propose that lymphocytes, which are poorly adhesive, are able to attach to and migrate in 3-D matrices by a nonadhesive mechanism such as the extension and expansion of pseudopodia through gaps in the matrix, which could provide purchase for movement in the absence of discrete intermolecular adhesions. This was supported by studies using serum-coated micropore filters, since lymphocytes attached to and migrated into filters with pore sizes large enough (3 or 8 mum) to allow pseudopod penetration but did not attach to filters made of an identical material (cellulose esters) but of narrow pore size (0.22 or 0.45 mum). Cinematographic studies of lymphocyte locomotion in collagen gels were also consistent with the above hypothesis, since lymphocytes showed a more variable morphology than is typically seen on plane surfaces, with formation of many small pseudopodia expanded to give a marked constriction between the cell and the pseudopod. These extensions often remained fixed with respect to the environment as the lymphocyte moved away from or past them. This suggests that the pseudopodia were inserted into gaps in the gel matrix and acted as anchorage points for locomotion.     

Identification of FAH Domain-containing Protein 1 (FAHD1) as Oxaloacetate Decarboxylase

Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) domain-containing proteins occur in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, where they carry out diverse enzymatic reactions, probably related to structural differences in their respective FAH domains; however, the precise relationship between structure of the FAH domain and the associated enzyme function remains elusive. In mammals, three FAH domain-containing proteins, FAHD1, FAHD2A, and FAHD2B, are known; however, their enzymatic function, if any, remains to be demonstrated. In bacteria, oxaloacetate is subject to enzymatic decarboxylation; however, oxaloacetate decarboxylases (ODx) were so far not identified in eukaryotes. Based on molecular modeling and subsequent biochemical investigations, we identified FAHD1 as a eukaryotic ODx enzyme. The results presented here indicate that dedicated oxaloacetate decarboxylases exist in eukaryotes.     

Purification and characterization of native human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) are key regulators of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) mediated signal transduction and thereby can profoundly influence cellular phenotypes and cell fate. Whereas IGFBPs are extracellular proteins, intracellular activities were described for several IGFBP family members, such as IGFBP-3, which can be reinternalized by endocytosis and reaches the nucleus through routes that remain to be fully established. Within the family of IGFBPs, IGFBP-6 is unique for its specific binding to IGF-II. IGFBP-6 was described to possess additional IGF-independent activities, which have in part been attributed to its translocation to the nucleus; however, cellular uptake of IGFBP-6 was not described. To further explore IGFBP-6 functions, we developed a new method for the purification of native human IGFBP-6 from cell culture supernatants, involving a four-step affinity purification procedure, which yields highly enriched IGFBP-6. Whereas protein purified in this way retained the capacity to interact with IGF-II and modulate IGF-dependent signal transduction, our data suggest that, unlike IGFBP-3, human IGFBP-6 is not readily internalized by human tumor cells. To summarize, this work describes a novel and efficient method for the purification of native human insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6) from human cell culture supernatants, applying a four-step chromatography procedure. Intactness of purified IGFBP-6 was confirmed by IGF ligand Western blot and ability to modulate IGF-dependent signal transduction. Cellular uptake studies were performed to further characterize the purified protein, showing no short-term uptake of IGFBP-6, in contrast to IGFBP-3.     

In utero protein restriction causes growth delay and alters sperm parameters in adult male rats

Background

Hyperglycemia can impair the male reproductive system in experimental animals and in men during reproductive age. Studies have shown that vitamin C has some good effects on male reproductive system, and therefore vitamin C treatment could attenuate the dysfunctions in this system caused by hyperglycemia. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate whether vitamin C treatment could attenuate reproductive dysfunctions in hyperglycemic male rats.

Methods

Adult male rats were divided into 3 groups: a normoglycemic (n = 10) and two hyperglycemic (that received a single dose of streptozotocin - 40 mg/kg BW). The two last groups (n = 10 per group) were divided into: hyperglycemic control (Hy) and hyperglycemic + 150 mg of vitamin C (HyC), by gavage during 30 consecutive days. The normoglycemic and hyperglycemic control groups received the vehicle (water). The first day after the treatment, the rats were anesthetized and killed to evaluate oxidative stress biomarkers (TBARS, SOD, GSHt and GSH-Px) in the erythrocytes, body and reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters, plasma hormone levels (FSH, LH and testosterone), testicular and epididymal histo-morphometry and histopathology.

Results

Compared with the normoglycemic animals, hyperglycemic control rats showed reduced weight of the body and reproductive organ but testis weight was maintained. It was also observed reduction of testosterone and LH levels, seminiferous tubular diameter, sperm motility and sperm counts in the epididymis. In addition, there was an increase in morphological abnormalities on spermatozoa as well as in oxidative stress level. Vitamin C reduced the oxidative stress level, diminished the number of abnormal sperm, and increased testosterone and LH levels and seminiferous tubular diameter but did not show improvement of sperm motility in relation to the hyperglycemic control group. Hyperglycemia caused a rearrangement in the epididymal tissue components (stroma, ephitelium and lumen) as demonstrated by the stereological analysis results. However, this alteration was partially prevented by vitamin C treatment.

Conclusions

We conclude that vitamin C partially attenuated some male reproductive system dysfunctions in hyperglycemic rats.