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C Pricam

Publications and source records attributed to C Pricam.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Intramembranous particle distribution in human erythrocytes: effects of lysis, glutaraldehyde, and poly-L-lysine.

Freeze-fracture combined with quantitative electron microscopy of the intact human erythrocyte (RBC) and ghost revealed significant differences in their intramembranous particle coefficients. External (E) fracture-faces of unfixed ghost membranes were found to contain 40% fewer particles than those of intact unfixed RBC. The particle distribution of the intact RBC membrane depended on the use of glutaraldehyde fixation and glycerol cryoprotection. Whereas glutaraldehyde- and glycerol-treated cells disclosed 70% fewer E-face particles than did intact unfixed cells, poly-L-lysine-treated, intact, unfixed RBC showed no such differences. Treatment with a combination of poly-L-lysine and glutaraldehyde, however, increased the amount of E-face particles while reducing those of the protoplasmic (P) face. The poly-L-lysine effect varied with its concentration and was unaffected by previous application of neuraminidase. Nor did the lectin phytohemagglutinin induce particle rearrangement in intact cells. Our data demonstrate that the processes of glutaraldehyde fixation and glycerol cryoprotection modify the RBC membrane by decreasing the number of E-face particles present. In addition, the combination of poly-L-lysine and glutaraldehyde alters the affinity of some particles for one half of the membrane, suggesting that in freeze-fractured RBC, chemical bonds formed at the extracellular surface of the membrane can influence particle partitioning.

Aldehydes↗

Control of renin secretion in vivo and in vitro in rats: arguments in favour of a precursor form of renin and of a role of a microtubular system.

1. The morphology of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, plasma renin activity, plasma renin substrate and renal renin have been studied in rats after maximal stimulation by bilateral adrenalectomy and salt depletion, and also after blocking this stimulation by deoxycorticosterone and salt load. 2. After stimulation the juxtaglomerular apparatus showed a well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and a low secretory granule content. Plasma renin activity was markedly elevated and plasma renin substrate was low. After blockade numerous specific granules with crystalline structures were seen and the granular endoplasmic reticulum was less developed. Plasma renin activity was now low and plasma renin substrate elevated. 3. After prior acidification of the kidney extract a significant increase of renal renin was observed in both conditions but was greater in the second group at the time when large numbers of young granules containing crystalline material were seen. 4. Kidney slices from the adrenalectomized salt-depleted rats released more renin than control slices. Vincristine did not affect this release, but inhibited release from slices stimulated by isoprenaline.

Adrenalectomy↗

Morphological changes in tight junctions of Necturus maculosus proximal tubules undergoing saline diuresis.

Tight junctions between epithelial cells are believed to control the paracellular diffusion of substances across epithelia. Epithelia in which tight junctions are poorly developed display a higher paracellular electrical conductance, while those with extensive tight junctions show lower conductance values. We described here a particular epithelium, that of the proximal tubules of the Necturus kidney, in which the development of the tight junctions varies in parallel with a change of paracellular electrical conductance. In control conditions, tight junctions between epithelial cells of the proximal tubules are more developed than in tubules undergoing saline diuresis, a situation which increases the conductance across the paracellular shunt pathway.

Animals↗

Intercellular junctions in podocytes of the nephrotic glomerulus as seen with freeze-fracture.

The glomeruli of rats rendered nephrotic by administration of aminonucleoside of puromycin were studied with the freeze-fracture technique. The alterations of the podocytes consisted of a progressive blunting of the foot processes and of the disappearance of the extracellular space normally present between the foot processes at the level of the slit pore. In parallel with the closure of the extracellular space, fracture faces of the plasma membrane of the latered podocytes revealed the presence of peculiar membrane differentiations represented mainly by irregular chains of membrane-associated particles in the fracture face A and by variegated grooves in the fracture face B. The presence of grooves in fracture face B indicates that the chains of particles in fracture face A are likely to be tight junctions rather than linear gap junctions. However, since the presence of continuous ridges is exceptional, it is suggested that the tight junctions are the "leaky" -type and that the podocytes many have only limited capacities for assembling junctions of the "tight" -type.

Animals↗

Freeze-fracture differences between plasma membranes of descending and ascending branches of the rat Henle's thin loop.

Freeze-fracture of Henle's thin loop of the rat shows that the plasma membrane of epithelial cells in the descending branch has far more particles (approximately 4000 per sq. mum.) than the plasma membrane in the ascending branch (approximately 1000 per sq. mum). On the contrary, the tight junctions between epithelial cells in the two branches are equally developed. The large number of particles in the descending branch may be an important factor in the water permeability of this tubular segment.

Animals↗