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B G Timms

Publications and source records attributed to B G Timms.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Subcellular distribution of zinc in rat prostate studied by x-ray microanalysis: I. Normal prostate.

Zinc is distributed subcellularly throughout the lateral prostate of the rat in both the stromal and epithelial elements. The connective tissue appears to be a major store of zinc. Within the epithelium, the highest concentrations of the element are found in the lysosomes, nucleoli, nuclear chromatin, secretory granules and luminal secretion. Histochemical studies indicate that the metal is bound relatively tightly within the nucleoli (associated with RNA) and in the secretory products of the cytoplasm. Changes in tissue zinc concentration, observed by other workers, following changes in various external stimuli, may not necessarily be reflected by proportionate changes in epithelial concentrations. The role of zinc in the epithelium is considered to be at least two-fold: firstly, for incorporation into vital cellular mechanisms necessary for cell maintenance and, secondly, for involvement in secretory products. It is also possible that the metal participates in the physiology of the sub-epithelial stroma.

Animals↗

The ultrastructure of basal cells of rat and dog prostate.

The ultrastructure of the basal cells of rat lateral and ventral prostate and of dog prostate has been studied. Basal cells from both species appear as undifferentiated cells, characterised by a lack of cytoplasmic organelles and a poorly developed Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum. The presence of cytoplasmic filaments and micropinocytosis is not considered to be sufficient evidence to assume any similarity to myoepithelium, as has been previously suggested. Basal cells are instead considered to be precursors of secretory epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Postembedding immunogold labeling for electron microscopy using "LR White" resin.

A method is described for performing postembedding immunogold immunocytochemistry on sections of LR White-embedded tissues. Fixation of tissue in a combination of paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, or with low concentrations of glutaraldehyde followed by partial dehydration, resulted in preservation of antigenicity for a variety of proteins in different tissue samples. Good structural preservation facilitated high-resolution immunolabeling when coupled with the use of purified monoclonal antibodies. The technique is straightforward and versatile, offering the potential for many immunocytochemical applications with minimal modifications.

Animals↗

Localization of androgen receptor and cell-specific cytokeratins in basal cells of rat ventral prostate.

Immunocytochemical techniques labeled androgen receptor and cell-specific cytokeratins in the basal cells of rat ventral prostate. In addition, nonradioactive in situ hybridization verified the production of androgen receptor transcripts in the basal cells. Androgen receptors and transcripts were localized in the nuclei and cytoplasm of the adult basal cells using these two techniques. Monoclonal anti-cytokeratin antibodies identified temporal changes in the expression of basal cell-specific intermediate filaments of fetal, neonatal, normal adult, orchidectomized adult, and testosterone-treated orchidectomized adult prostates. Labeling intensity of the basal cells was elevated during development when compared to the staining in normal adult tissue. Orchidectomized adults exhibited the greatest intensity of labeling, which decreased after testosterone treatment. The detection of androgen receptor and its transcripts in the basal cells supports the hypothesis that these cells are androgen responsive. The observed change in the anti-cytokeratin staining patterns of these cells during development, growth, and regression is an indirect measure of androgenic influence. The androgen-repressed cytokeratin expression in basal cells is similar to that found in prostatic luminal cells.

Adult↗