Renin processing studied by immunogold localization of prorenin and renin in granular juxtaglomerular cells in mice treated with enalapril

Summary Immunogold techniques were used to investigate renin processing within granular juxtaglomerular cells following short-term (6 h and 1 day) and long-term (4 weeks) enalapril treatment in female BALB/c mice. In control animals, renin protein labelling was localized to all types of granules (proto-, polymorphous, intermediate and mature) and to transport vesicles, whilst prorenin labelling was found in all these sites except mature granules, confirming that active renin is localized to mature granules only. Following short-term enalapril treatment, the exocytosis of renin protein from mature granules was increased. Long-term enalapril treatment resulted in increased numbers of transport vesicles and all types of granules, consistent with increased synthesis and storage of renin. More large intermediate granules contained discrete regions labelled for prorenin. Renin protein was exocytosed from individual and multiple granules, whilst prorenin was exocytosed from protoand intermediate granules. It is concluded that under normal conditions prorenin is secreted constitutively by bulk flow from transport vesicles. On the other hand, active renin is secreted regulatively from mature granules. In conditions of intense stimulation (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition treatment), increased synthesis of prorenin leads to enhanced secretion of prorenin by both constitutive and regulative pathways. Under these conditions, the conversion of prorenin to active renin is increased, with increased secretion of active renin occurring in a regulative manner. Furthermore, the localization of prorenin to one discrete region of large intermediate granules leads us to conclude, that cleavage of the prosegment of renin occurs with the transition of intermediate to mature granules.     

Factors Affecting Ethanol Induced Luminescence in Dark-Treated Chloroplasts

Dark-treated chloroplasts emit light when treated with a high ethanol concentration. The ethanol treatment causes chlorophyll solvation. The light is red and emanates from a singlet excited molecule, probably a chlorophyll peroxide. It is quenched by acetone, sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment of the chloroplasts before the addition of ethanol, boiling, reducing substances and low pH. It is enhanced by ferricyanide and high pH. This is interpreted as a requirement for an organized structure and for an energy transfer system for light emission to occur.     

THE INTRINSIC MECHANISM OF CHROMATIN DECONDENSATION AND ITS ACTIVATION IN HUMAN SPERMATOZOA*

In vitro decondensation of human sperm chromatin induced by the activation of an intrinsic mechanism was studied by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Morphological evidence was provided to support the concept that this mechanism is essential for the chromatin decondensation occurring in vivo. Prostatic zinc is hypothesized to preserve this potential decondensation ability from oxidative destruction, by reversibly binding to free thiol-groups. The unique occurrence of disulphide-stabilized structures in eutherian spermatozoa may serve to protect the spermatozoon from structural degradation by its own proteolytic activity during the relatively slow passage through the eutherian egg investments.     

SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES IN CAMBRIAN LIMESTONES STUDIED BY RADIOGRAPHY

The paper deals with radiographic studies of Middle Cambrian 'fragment limestone', and Upper Cambrian anthraconite concretions from Bornholm (Denmark). A very simple method provides good insight into the sedimentary structures of the rocks and hence a good foundation for interpretation of the lithogenesis.