Formation of Arabidopsis Cryptochrome 2 Photobodies in Mammalian Nuclei: APPLICATION AS AN OPTOGENETIC DNA DAMAGE CHECKPOINT SWITCH*

Nuclear bodies are discrete suborganelle structures that perform specialized functions in eukaryotic cells. In plant cells, light can induce de novo formation of nuclear bodies called photobodies (PBs) composed of the photosensory pigments, phytochrome (PHY) or cryptochrome (CRY). The mechanisms of formation, the exact compositions, and the functions of plant PBs are not known. Here, we have expressed Arabidopsis CRY2 (AtCRY2) in mammalian cells and analyzed its fate after blue light exposure to understand the requirements for PB formation, the functions of PBs, and their potential use in cell biology. We found that light efficiently induces AtCRY2-PB formation in mammalian cells, indicating that, other than AtCRY2, no plant-specific proteins or nucleic acids are required for AtCRY2-PB formation. Irradiation of AtCRY2 led to its degradation; however, degradation was not dependent upon photobody formation. Furthermore, we found that AtCRY2 photobody formation is associated with light-stimulated interaction with mammalian COP1 E3 ligase. Finally, we demonstrate that by fusing AtCRY2 to the TopBP1 DNA damage checkpoint protein, light-induced AtCRY2 PBs can be used to activate DNA damage signaling pathway in the absence of DNA damage.     

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies of amide phospholipids

Varying chemically the structure of phospholipids in the region between hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments is expected to have a strong influence on the interaction with water and the phase behavior. This is studied in this work with the motivation to investigate these lipids as potential inhibitors of phospholipase A2. Thus the amide phospholipids L-ether-amide-PC (1-O-hexadecyl-2-N-palmitoyl-2-amino-2-deoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), L-ester-amide-PC (1-palmitoyl-2-N-palmitoyl-2-amino-2-deoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and L-ether-amide-PE (1-O-hexadecyl-2-N-palmitoyl-2-deoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine) have been synthesized and characterized. The phase behavior and thermal transitions in buffer dispersions are examined by a combination of high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments between 10 and 80 degrees C at pH 8.9. The onset temperatures determined from DSC measurements agree well with the starting temperatures of changes in the repeat distance obtained by SAXS measurements. The phases observed are lamellar both below and above the main phase transition. The phase transition temperatures and enthalpies depend strongly on the substitutions in sn-1 position and head group structure. The lamellar repeat distance in gel and liquid-crystalline phases increases with increasing temperature for L-ester-amide-PC and L-ether-amide-PC, whereas the temperature dependence is opposite for the L-ether-amide-PE. The observed behavior is discussed and compared with that of DPPC and DPPE, indicating the strong dependence of hydration and phase behavior on head group structure.     

Can hydration forces induce lateral phase separations in lamellar phases?

Large repulsive forces measured between membranes of lamellar lipid phases at low hydration are attributed to hydration interactions which vary widely among lipid species. We include this interaction in a model of lamellar phases of two membrane components (two lipids or lipid and protein). The surface polarization of a mixture is taken as a linear combination of those of the components. The model predicts phase separation at low hydration. This may have important consequences for living cells which are dehydrated either by the osmotic effects of tissue freezing, or by desiccation in unsaturated atmospheres.Abbreviations used ACC cold acclimated protoplasts - NA non cold acclimated protoplasts - DLPC dilauralphosphatidylcholine - DPPC dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine - DPPE dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine - PC phosphatidylcholine - PE phosphatidylethanolamine - L fluid lamellar phase - H_ii inverse hexagonal phase     

低pH对鱼类胚胎发育、鱼苗生长及鳃组织损伤影响的研究

本文研究了低pH水平对鱼类的胚胎,鱼苗和鱼种的影响以及鱼鳃的组织学观察。在硬水环境,pH≤4.5时,对泥鳅胚胎发育有严重影响。胚胎在低pH水平下,发育进程明显地迟缓。pH≤5.5时,泥鳅幼苗的生长受到抑制;在软水环境,pH≤4.5时,影响草鱼苗和幼鱼的存活率。低pH水平加上铝则对鱼类呈现出协同毒性。低pH使鱼鳃直接遭受严重的损害:出现大量的粘液、渗血、鳃上皮肿胀和脱落,组织增生和融合。     

流行性出血热病人尸检材料中的病毒包涵体

应用抗流行性出血热病毒多克隆及单克隆抗体结合敏感的方法在尸检组织切片上进行了免疫细胞化学染色,多克隆抗体可清楚地显示出尸检组织中病毒抗原阳性的包涵体结构。依光镜下染色的形态特点不同,可将包涵体分为四个类型即小泡型、大泡型、多泡型和实心型。单克隆抗体染色进一步证实,实心型及空泡型包涵体呈“N”抗原阳性,少数组织中空泡状包涵体也呈“G2”抗原阳性。病毒包涵体的出现可作为该病毒在人体细胞内感染及复制的形态学证据。     

Cytochemical study of the lamellar bodies in the swimbladder of the toadfish Opsanus tau L.

Summary The columnar epithelial cells of the gas gland in the swimbladder of the toadfish, Opsanus tau L., contain lamellar bodies that resemble the lamellar bodies found in epithelial cells of vertebrate lungs. Cytochemical assays indicate that swimbladder lamellar bodies are soluble in chloroform-methanol solution, react with tricomplex flocculation solution (indicating a phospholipid component), exhibit a positive reaction for cholesterol when exposed to digitonin, and contain acid phosphatase.The anterior chamber of the toadfish swimbladder is lined by an extracellular layer. Digitonin-cholesterol crystals are found in this layer when the swimbladder is treated with digitonin. A ruthenium red positive layer is also present in the anterior chamber of the toadfish swimbladder.The structure and cytochemistry of swimbladder lamellar bodies are compared with those of vertebrate lung lamellar bodies. Similarities between the extracellular layer in the swimbladder and the extracellular layer in lungs are also noted.Supported in part by a grant No 1 R23 HL 19593-01 from the National Institutes of Health     

Subsurface cisterns and lamellar bodies in the granule cells of the guinea-pig fascia dentata

Summary Subsurface cisterns (SSC's) and less frequent lamellar bodies (LB's) were identified in the granule cells of the guinea-pig fascia dentata. Both structures, composed of flattened or collapsed agranular cisterns, are continuous with the regular rough endoplasmic reticulum and occasionally connected with each other forming LB-SSC complexes. The SSC's are apposed to glia, synaptic boutons, and nerve cell processes as well as to neighboring granule cells appearing here singly and in confronting pairs. The quantitative analysis of the various cisternal appositions compared to the distribution of the tissue components on the granule cell soma shows that the overwhelming majority of SSC's are related to glial cells.     

Tubular cytoplasmic bodies in pancreatic islet B-cells of mice

Summary Tubular bodies of varying length and thickness are found in the cytoplasm of pancreatic islet B-cells of obese-hyperglycemic mice and a few of their lean litter mates. Most of these bodies are elongated with tapered ends. There are also some rounded or peculiarly formed variants. They are composed of numerous small electron dense tubular units, often in parallel arrangement. The tubules are embedded in a moderately dense matrix and their interior shows also moderate density. Smaller or larger electron opaque rounded particles are seen in some of the cytoplasmic bodies. Tubular bodies sometimes occur in association with mitochondria, indicating that they might be derived from these cellular organelles. Though the chemical composition and significance of the tubular bodies still are unknown, mitochondrial changes, possibly related to altered metabolic activity, are suggested to form the basis of their development.This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (Project No. B69-12X-718-04A).     

Subsurface cisterns and lamellar bodies: Particular forms of the endoplasmic reticulum in the neurons

Summary Structures identified as subsurface cisterns (SSC's) and lamellar bodies (LB's) have been observed in the neurons, but not in the glial cells, of the rat and cat substantia nigra. The SSC's are most often opposite what appears to be glial cells, but they are also subsynaptic in position. A single, large (0.4–1.5 ), unfenestrated, usually flattened cistern closely underlies the inner aspect of the plasma membrane of the perikaryon and proximal parts of the neuronal processes at a regular interval ranging about 100–130 Å. They are sheet-like or discoid in configuration and consists of a pentalaminar structure which usually widens at its lateral edges where its membranes are continuous with each other or with rough ER profiles. Filaments, about 70 Å thick, bridge the cleft between the SSC and the overlying plasmalemma. One or more ER cisterns devoid of ribosomes except on their outermost membrane may be stacked up parallel to an SSC and immediately subjecent to it. A dense filamentous network intervenes between the SSC and its closely applied ER cisterns. At higher magnification, it is seen to consist of a finely textured material which is apparently composed of loosely packed tiny particles. These constituent subunits in turn may represent transverse sections of very fine filaments rather than granules. A mitochondrion frequently occurs in the immediate vicinity of an SSC and may be closely applied to its deep surface. Stacks of unfenestrated, parallel, regularly spaced (about 300–400 Å) cisterns, designated lamellar bodies, appear deeper in the karyoplasm. They are most often flattened and appear as pentalaminar structures. These cisterns, as well as the dense filamentous network intervening between them, are structurally similar to those closely applied to SSC's. They are also devoid of ribosomes except on their outermost surfaces. Whorls of similar cisterns are also occasionally observed. Another particular feature of the rough ER consists of the close apposition of two cisterns without any ribosome attached to the inner membranes of the latter structure. It evokes a simplified type of LB's. It is of particular interest to point out that all these cisterns, i.e. the SSC's, their closely applied cistern(s) and those forming the LB's, are connected to the RER membranes, so that a continuous channel occurs between the nuclear membrane and the SSC which closely underlies the plasma membrane. Our observations show that the SSC's and the LB's are structurally related forms of the ER. A parallel may be drawn between the SSC and the lateral element(s) of a dyad (triad). The structural complex consisting of an SSC, the overlying plasmalemma and the cross-bridges linking them, indeed, bears some resemblance to a dyad. It is suggested that membranes which are closely applied may interact, resulting in alterations in their respective properties. These patches of the neuronal plasma membrane associated with SSC's may, therefore, have special properties because of this relationship, resulting in a non-uniform spread of an action potential on the neuronal surface. The possible significance of SSC's in relation to neuronal electrophysiology, as well as of the latter structures and LB's in relation to cell metabolism, is to be discussed.This work was supported by grant MA-3448 from the Medical Research Council of Canada. The skilful technical assistance of Mrs. Marjolaine Turcotte is gratefully acknowledged.