Morphology of the microtubule system in mouse kidney epithelial cells]

The cultured mouse kidney cells forming epithelial sheets were studied using an indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with antibodies against tubulin. These cells, as well as fibroblasts, were found to contain a well developed microtubular system sensitive to colcemid. The assembly of microtubules after washing out of colcemid began from one or two perinuclear centers, associated with the cilium-like structure. There were certain differences between the microtubular systems in epithelial cells and fibroblasts: 1) Microtubules in the fibroblasts penetrated the whole cytoplasm including the peripheral lamella whereas in the epithelial cells the lamellar cytoplasm was often free from microtubules. 2) The orientation of microtubules in the epithelial cells, unlike in the fibroblasts, was not correlated with the stable or active state of the cell margin. A possible role of microtubular system in the epithelial cells and fibroblasts is compared and discussed.     

Comparative characteristics of the metabolism of E. coli cells with various activity of penicillin acylase

A correlation between the synthesis and secretion of penicillin acylase (PA; EC 3.5.1.11) and the membrane phospholipid composition was observed in three E. coli strains. In cells with overproduction of PA, the phospholipid/protein ratio decreases, while the cardiolipin/phosphatidylglycerol ratio increases. The differences in the functioning of the electron transport system were revealed in cells with different levels of PA synthesis and secretion. The O2 consumption rate was 3 times lower in the cells with overproduction of PA than in those of less productive strains. On the contrary, membrane particles isolated from the cells of PA producers had no significant differences in the O2-reduction rate. The sensitivity of the strains to the inhibitor of terminal oxidases, sodium cyanide, and to the uncoupler of redox phosphorylation, chlorocarbonyl-phenylhydrazone, was different. Thus the E. coli cells with PA overproduction are characterized by significant changes in energetics and constructive metabolism. The interrelations between PA overproduction, phospholipid metabolism and the respiratory chain activity are discussed.     

Gender difference in C-reactive protein concentrations in individuals with atherothrombotic risk factors and apparently healthy ones.

Recent studies have shown that C-reactive proteins have a pathogenetic role in atherothrombosis and concentrations of these substances could be used as a marker for future vascular events. The objective of this study was to determine gender differences in highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in individuals with atherothrombotic risk factors and apparently healthy ones. We have presently matched 469 females and 469 males having the same age and body mass index (BMI). Of these, 210 men and 210 women had no atherothrombotic risk factors. In this group the hs-CRP concentrations were 1.6+/-3.4 mg l(-1) in women and 1.0+/-2.7 mg l(-1) in men (p<0.0005). These values were 2.1+/-3.4 mg l(-1) and 1.5+/-2.8 mg l(-1), respectively, in the entire cohort (p<0.0005), which included also individuals with atherothrombotic risk factors. We conclude that significant gender differences exist in hs-CRP concentrations despite perfect matching for age and BMI. These differences should be reflected in guidelines that suggest hs-CRP cut-off points for the stratification of vascular risk.     

32S Tubulin oligomer. The resistance to factors suppressing the microtubule formation]

The resistance of brain 32S tubulin oligomer to factors suppressing the microtubules formation: colchicine, CaCl2, cooling and the absence of GTP is studied. The content of oligomer in the preparation and the polymerization degree were estimated by means of analytical centrifugation. Colchicine at 25 degrees and at a concentration of 10 muM does not change and at a concentration of 100 muM only slightly decreases the content of oligomer. The oligomer dissociated (but not completely) in 1 mM colchicine. Tubulin polymerization was partly suppressed by 10 muM and completely--by 100 muM colchicine. CaCl2 at 1 and 10 mM concentrations did not destroy the oligomer but inhibited its polymerization even in lesser of these concentrations. The cooling of the incubation medium to 14 degrees C or 4 degrees C completely inhibited the polymerization and did not affect the content of oligomer in the preparations. Tbulin preparations with low amount of exogenous GTP (less than or equal 3.10(-6) M) had a usual oligomer content, whereas GTP is necessary for polymerization at concentrations exceeding 10(-4) M. Thus, the reaction of tubulin oligomerization is relatively resistant to factors preventing the microtubules assembly. This probably means that there are at least two types of intereaction between tubulin molecules: 1) bonds in microtubules which are sensitive to colchicine, Ca2+ and cold, and which are formed only in the presence of nucleosidetriphosphates; 2) bonds in 32S tubulin oligomer which are more stable and do not need in exogenous nucleotides.     

Effect of some drugs on colchicine uptake by colchicine-sensitive and resistant cells

The effect of several agents on 3H-colchicine, uptake by L cells and resistant to colcemide and colchicine L-53 cells was studied. Vinblastin to which L-53 cells are cross-resistant increases labeled colchicine uptake by L and L-53 cells 3- and 8-fold, respectively. The substances which decrease ATP level in the cells (olygomycin, etc.) enhance colchicine uptake by L and L-53 cells 2--4-fold. In the presence of these substances colchicine uptake by resistant cells is more intensive than by sensitive L cells. The structural analogue of colchicine, lumicolchicine, inactive in binding the microtubular protein tubulin enhances colchicine uptake by L and L-53 cells to about equal degree.