Induction of spherule formation in Physarum polycephalum by polyols

A method has been developed for inducing spherule formation (spherulation) in the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum by transferring the culture to synthetic medium containing 0.5 m mannitol or other polyols. This morphogenetic process occurred within 12 to 35 hr after the inducer was added. The mature spherules existed as distinct morphogenetic units, in contrast to the clusters of spherules formed during starvation. Ninety per cent of the spherules germinated by 24 hr in synthetic medium. The changes in the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and protein during plasmodial growth, spherulation, and germination of spherules are described. When spherule formation was completed, RNA, protein, and DNA decreased, compared with the values at the beginning of the conversion. The incorporation of (3)H-uridine into trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material was different in each of these periods, and this incorporation was sensitive to actinomycin D. The amount of glycogen increased during growth, whereas it decreased during spherulation. (14)C-glucose could be taken up by the cells in the presence of the inducer, and mannitol could not replace glucose as a source of energy. The mode of action of mannitol and its mechanism of induction are discussed.     

Identity of a cytosolic neutral cholesterol esterase in rat liver with the bile salt stimulated cholesterol esterase in pancreas

A neutral cholesterol esterase has been purified to homogeneity from the cytosolic fraction of rat liver. The 105,000 x g supernatant fraction of rat liver was applied to a DEAE-cellulose column to isolate a partially purified fraction of hepatic cholesterol esterase. Immunoblot analysis of the partially purified liver fraction with the anti-porcine pancreatic cholesterol esterase IgG demonstrated a single band with a molecular weight of 67,000. The hepatic protein was then isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography technique using a column constructed with antibodies prepared against the pancreatic cholesterol esterase. Characterization of the hepatic cholesterol esterase revealed that the hepatic enzyme shared antigenic epitopes with the pancreatic cholesterol esterase and was similarly activated by addition of bile salt such as taurocholate. Moreover, amino-terminal sequencing analysis of the hepatic cholesterol esterase showed an identical sequence with the pancreatic enzyme. Taken together, these results showed that the cholesterol esterases in the liver and the pancreas are very similar and possibly identical proteins.