Canalicular system of enterocytes at rest and its changes during lipid absorption

A study was made of the structural changes in different organoids of enterocytes of the rat small intestine at "rest" and during lipid absorption using ultrathin sections, impregnation with Ur-Pb-Cu, and continuous impregnation with OsO4. With the latter technique a specific canalicular system was found in the enterocytes, which we failed to observe on ultrathin sections. During lipid absorption the canalicular system underwent fragmentation. The vesicules on the trans-surface of the Golgi apparatus were enlarged, and the number of flattened cisterns was significantly lower. The changes in cellular organoids and their interrelations observed in the present study support the earlier hypothesis of the resynthesis of triglycerides within the enterocytes, the formation of chylomicrons and their transfer into the intercellular space.     

Role of motor activity in the development of hypothyroid rat pups

Studies have been made on the role of the thyroid in the development of rats. In the first group of experiments, newborn rat received within a month mercazolyl which inhibits the activity of the thyroid; in animals of the second group, mercazolyl injections were combined with cold exposures which stimulated motor activity in animals. It was found that hypothyroid rats in both groups exhibit retardation of growth as compared to normal animals. However, retardation is less significant in animals of the second group, as it is indicated by smaller changes in the protein content and total mass of skeletal muscles.     

Enzyme distribution and transport activities in electrophoretically isolated fractions of the muscle sarcotubular system

A simple electrophoretic method is introduced allowing to isolate five fractions of skeletal muscle ST-system vesicles. In a previous study differences in lipid content, 3H-ouabain binding and in presence of triads in individual fractions (Lehotsky et. al. 1986) were analysed. In the present study biochemical characterization was extended, and (in accordance with previous results) major differences were observed to exist between fraction 1 and fractions 3 and 4. SDS-PAGE showed that fractions 3 and 4 were enriched in a protein with m.w. 100 kD, these fractions showing the highest specific activities of (Mg2+ + Ca2+)-ATPase and oxalate-supported Ca2+-uptake; activities of Mg2+-ATPase and surface membrane marker enzymes were the lowest in these fractions. On the other hand, in fraction 1 the highest activities of Mg2+-ATPase and marker enzymes of the surface membrane were observed together with a decreased content of the 100 kD protein and activities of Ca2+ transport. It could be concluded that the method is suitable to differentiate between relatively pure SR (fractions 3 and 4) and fractions rich in sarcolemma or T-tubules components (fractions 1 and 5).     

Multiple incompatibilities within populations of Culex pipiens L. in southern France

Strains of Culex pipiens derived from natural populations collected in southern France were crossed to determine their ability to give fertile offspring. Uni- and bi-directional incompatibilities occurred between these strains and each of them had its own crossing properties. Compatibility or incompatibility of a cross seemed to be related to the geographic distance separating the parental colonies, but not to their ecological origin (hypogeous or epigeous). Our results showed evidence for the variation in time of crossing properties of a strain.     

Immunocytochemical study of the intracellular localization of M protein of vesicular stomatitis virus

Summary The purpose of this paper is to describe the immunocytochemical localization of M protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in infected cells. Vero cells, MDBK cells, Swiss 3T3 cells, and BHK cells were examined at various times after infection. For immunofluorescent staining, the cells were fixed with PLP fixative and then treated with 0.05% Triton X-100 before incubation with antibodies. Three hours after infection, M protein exhibited diffuse immunostaining throughout the cytoplasm and later accumulated along the cell membrane. The localization of M protein differed from the granular localization of the nucleocapsid N protein of VSV in the cytoplasm. For electron microscopy, the cells were fixed first in a mixture of 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.05% glutaraldehyde and then with PLP fixative, this being followed by treatment with 0.05% saponin. They were then immunostained using the immunoperoxidase method. The M protein was found to be distributed throughout the cytoplasm and later under the cell membrane, especially at virus budding sites. We also used postembedding immunostaining and freeze-fracture immunostaining to avoid the translocation of M protein caused by the detergent treatment. These techniques confirmed our previous results. Our findings are consistent with the view that the M protein of VSV is synthesized on free ribosomes and is then associated with the cell membrane where viral assembly may occur.S. Ohno was a visiting fellow from the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health, USA, from September 1981 to August 1983, while some parts of this work were in progress.