Effects of high concentrations of secretagogues on the morphology and secretory activity of the pancreas: A role for microfilaments

Summary Cholecystokinin (CCK) and acetylcholine, at concentrations greater than those required for maximal pancreatic enzyme secretion, elicit a submaximal secretory response. The mechanism for this secretagogue-induced unresponsiveness is unknown. Using isolated pancreatic acini of the mouse, we now find that high concentrations of secretagogues also induce a profound alteration in acinar morphology, characterized by the formation of spherical protrusions on the basal surface of the cells. Since both the determination of cell shape and exocytosis may involve calcium and contractile proteins, we used a calcium-free medium and cytochalasin B (CB) to evaluate the importance of a contractile mechanism in the secretory and morphological effects of high concentrations of CCK-octapeptide (CCK₈). Incubation in a calcium-free medium partially blocked CCK-induced unresponsiveness, but brought about dissociation of the acini. CB at a concentration of 3 g/ml caused the disappearance of apical microfilaments and, most strikingly, completely prevented the morphological alteration induced by CCK₈. Furthermore, CB converted the biphasic dose-response curve for CCK₈-induced amylase release to a monophasic shape, such that the amylase release stimulated by a high concentration of CCK₈ (10 nM) was augmented. It is concluded, therefore, that a contractile process involving microfilaments may mediate secretagogue-induced unresponsiveness in pancreatic acinar cells.     

The role of RNA primer in discontinuous DNA replication in isolated nuclei from HeLa cells

RNA-primed discontinuous DNA synthesis was studied in an in vitro system consisting of washed nuclei from synchronized S-phase HeLa cells. A new technique proved useful for the purification of short nascent fragments of DNA (Okazaki fragments). Mercurated dCTP was substituted for dCTP in the DNA synthesis reaction. Short nascent pieces (4–6 S) of mercurated DNA were found to bind preferentially to sulfhydryl-agarose, and could be eluted with mercaptoethanol. The isolated fragments were assayed for the presence of covalently linked RNA by the spleen exonuclease method described by Kurosawa et al. (Kurosawa, Y., Ogawa, T., Hirose, S., Okazaki, T. and Okazaki, R. (1975) J. Mol. Biol. 96, 653–664). Following a 30 s incubation with [³H]TTP in the absence of added ribonucleotides, approximately 20% of the nascent strands synthesized in washed nuclear preparations had RNA attached. These RNA primers either preexisted in the nuclei or were formed from endogenous ribonucleotides. The 5′ ends of the primers appeared to be largely in a phosphorylated state. In the absence of added ribonucleotides, these RNA-DNA linkages disappeared within 2 min, whereas if ribonucleotides were added, the number of RNA primers increased to 40% and remained at this level for greater than 2 min. To obtain maximal levels of RNA primer, the addition of all three of the ribonucleotides, rCTP, rGTP and rUTP (0.1 mM), as well as high levels of rATP (5 mM) was required. Addition of ribonucleotides also markedly enhanced the amount of nascent DNA fragments synthesized. However, in the absence of added ribonucleotides, after RNA primers had disappeared, nascent DNA fragments were still initiated at a significant rate. These results suggest that RNA primers play an important role in the initiation of Okazaki fragments but that synthesis can also be initiated by alternative mechanisms. An important role for ATP in RNA primer synthesis is suggested.     

Selective release of extrahepatic lipoprotein lipase by polymetaphosphate

We have studied the lipase released into the circulation by polymetaphosphate injection into rats. Lipase release was in proportion to the dose injected. The post-polymetaphosphate lipase was almost completely inhibited by high salt concentrations or by addition of protamine sulfate to the assay system suggesting that this compound released lipoprotein lipase and not hepatic triglyceride lipase. The lipases released by polymetaphosphate and by heparin were compared using a heparin-sepharose affinity column technique which separates lipoprotein lipase from hepatic triglyceride lipase. While heparin released both lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triglyceride lipase, polymetaphosphate released almost exclusively lipoprotein lipase. Other experiments showed that neither polymetaphosphate nor heparin inhibited the hepatic lipase when added to the assay. These results suggest that lipoprotein lipase may be released by the negative charge on these high-charge polymers while hepatic triglyceride lipase release may require the specific sugar configuration of heparin.     

Flavonoid chemistry of arceuthobium (viscaceae)

Flavonoid compounds from 36 of the 38 known taxa of the genusArceuthobium (dwarf mistletoes) were examined. The flavonoid chemistry of the genus is rather uniform, all taxa producing 3-O-glycosides of the flavonols quercetin and myricetin. No infraspecific chemical variation was encountered, and in those instances where subspecific taxa are recognized, their chemistry was uniform. At the subgeneric level, members of subgenusArceuthobium synthesize primarily glucosides, whereas galactosides are more common in subgenusVaginata. In two of the four Old World species of subgenusArceuthobium (A. juniperi- procerae andA. oxycedri) only myricetin 3-O-glucoside was detected. There are no absolute flavonoid differences between subgenera, sections, or series. On the other hand, flavonoids are useful in several instances at the species level. In several cases, chemical data lend support to the recognition of species which in the past have been considered doubtfully distinct on the basis of morphology.     

Homology between ricin and Ricinus communie agglutinin: Amino terminal sequence analysis and protein synthesis inhibition studies

The existence of three forms of ricin and two forms of the Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) was established using cation exchange chromatography, isoelectric focusing, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The preparation of the RCA we obtained was 60–75 times more potent than ricin in the agglutination of erythrocytes, but was about 4% as effective as an inhibitor of cell-free protein synthesis. When reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol, the RCA was activated 3000-fold as an inhibitor of cell-free protein synthesis, whereas ricin was activated about 600-fold by the same treatment. A mixture of the RCA A chains was about one-fifth as effective as the ricin A chain in the inhibition of cell-free protein synthesis. The purified polypeptide subunits of the castor bean lectins were subjected to automated Edman degradation. The sequence for 17 of the first 19 residues of the agglutinin A chain was determined. The first seven residues of the ricin A chain were determined and they are identical with those of the RCA A chain. Nineteen turns of Edman degradation on the RCA B chain resulted in the identification of 18 amino acids. The sequence determined for the first 17 residues of the ricin B chain was identical with that of the RCA B chain. It is likely that the identity of the ricin/RCA A and B chain sequences extends further along the polypeptide chains than the sequences we have determined. The similar structural and catalytic potentials of the RCA and ricin suggest that they bear a precursor-product relationship.     

Control of acetylcholine receptor mobility and distribution in cultured muscle membranes. A fluorescence study

The molecular control of the distribution and motion of acetylcholine receptors in the plasma membrane of developing rat myotubes in primary cell culture was investigated by fluorescence techniques. Acetylcholine receptors were marked with tetramethylrhodamine-labeled α-bungarotoxin and lateral molecular motion in the membrane was measured by the fluorescence photobleaching recovery technique. Three types of experiments are discussed: (I) The effect of enzymatic cleavages, drugs, cross-linkers, and physiological alterations on the lateral motion of acetylcholine receptors and on the characteristic distribution of acetylcholine receptors into patch and diffuse areas. (II) Observation of the distribution and/or motion of fluorescence-labeled concanavalin A receptors, lipid probes, cell surface protein, and stained cholinesterase in acetylcholine receptor patch and diffuse areas. (III) The effect of a protein synthesis inhibitor and electrical stimulation on membrane incorporation of new acetylcholine receptors.Some of the main conclusions are: (a) acetylcholine receptor lateral motion is inhibited by concanavalin A plant lectin and by anti-α-bungarotoxin antibody, but marginally enhanced by treatment with a local anesthetic; (b) patches are stabilized by an immobile cellular structure consisting of molecules other than the acetylcholine receptors themselves; (c) this structure is highly selective for acetylcholine receptors and not for other cell membrane components; (d) acetylcholine receptor patch integrity and diffuse area motion are independent of direct metabolic energy requirements and are sensitive to electrical excitation of myotube; (e) lipid molecules can move laterally in both acetylcholine receptor patches and diffuse areas; and (f) acetylcholine receptor lateral motion in diffuse areas and immobility in patch areas are not altered by specific agents which are known to affect extrinsic cell surface proteins, or cytoplasmic microfilaments and microtubules.     

The wavelength dependence of the turbidity of solutions of macromolecules

The experimental parameter describing the wavelength dependence of the turbidity of solutions of macromolecules is usually the negative slope of the graph of the logarithm of optical density vs the logarithm of the in vacuo wavelength, λ₀. Such slopes are the apparent exponents of 1/λ₀ in the turbidity equation. Their values depend upon the way the destructive interference of the scattered light, the refractive index increment, and the solvent refractive index change with wavelength. In this study, expressions for the wavelength exponents for isotropic rods, spheres, and random coils have been obtained and evaluated by representing the intraparticle interference functions, Q(λ₀), with series in even powers of 1/λ₀ and the refractive properties with Cauchy relations. Comparisons of calculated and observed exponents at wavelengths in the visible spectral region for aqueous solutions of four viruses have been made: for R17, T7, and PM2 bacteriophage, the exponents are greater than four; whereas for tobacco mosaic virus, they are less than four. The application of the turbidity relations to determine the size and molecular weight of biological macromolecules is discussed.     

Réflexions critiques sur l'écologieet la systématique des Lingules actuelles et fossiles

New topics on ecology and systematics of recent and fossil Lingulids lead to an obvious revision of our knowledges on this zoological group. At first, the recent species need systematics and taxonomy on the bases of new described specific criteria (as, morphology of deltidial areas, muscle disposition); the results are briefly indicated. But, in fossil species, disorder and disparity of used characteristics are emphasized.The general conceiving on ecology of Lingulids are reviewed and discussed, especially on bathymetry and salinity; sediment and oxygenation conditions; taphocoenosis and lingulid «communities. On recent species, all these points are also studied, especially some ecological requirements (salinity, bathymetry, grain size), and mechanism of burrowing ability, burrow living positions in the sediments, as shell preservations after death and fossilization, to facilitate the paleobiotope interpretations. Recent animals are euryhalin, surviving at salinities from about 13 to 42‰; they could be considered as well adapted to waters with strong salinity fluctuations. They show preference to fine sand bottoms (lowest particle size about 40–60 μm). Their bathymetric distribution occurs between 0 and about 500 m (Lingula especially between 5–50 m; Glottidia 15–70 m). The isotherms 8–10°C seem to restrict their geographical and bathymetric distribution.Therefore, some post-palaeozoic lingulid bedsare studied or redescribed on the bases of the above discussed characteristics, and new interpretations on the environmental situation are given (Trias of Vosges Mountains; Oligocene from Japan; Eocene of London Basin). More caution must be used in study of fossil Lingulids that are not especially animals living in infralittoral bottoms with low salinity and deficient oxygenation, as generally accepted.