PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Fischer

Publications and source records attributed to I Fischer.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Age-dependent expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus.

A distinctive developmental pattern of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) was detected in the ventromedial hypothalamus of rats. A region of more intense MAP2 immunoreactivity in this nucleus was present at birth, became prominent in a ringed appearance by postnatal day 4 and disappeared in the third postnatal week. This period of selective MAP2 expression in particular subcortical regions may signify important functions of MAP2 in the stabilization of developing dendritic structure.

Aging↗

Cloning of a cDNA encoding MAP1B in rat brain: regulation of mRNA levels during development.

This article describes the isolation of a microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) cDNA clone from a rat brain lambda gt11 library and the study of MAP1B mRNA expression during brain development. On Northern blots, the cDNA hybridized with an mRNA of greater than 10 kilobases which was present only in the brain. The identity of the cDNA was confirmed by the characterization of the antiserum against the fusion protein, and also by comparing both the original antibody and the anti-fusion protein antiserum with a panel of well-studied monoclonal antibodies against different forms of MAP1 and MAP2. The regulation of MAP1B mRNA during development was studied in whole brain, cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, brainstem, and olfactory bulbs. The steady-state levels of MAP1B mRNA in all tissues examined were relatively low in the adult compared to developing brains. This decrease varied in different brain regions, and its time course appeared to coincide with the pattern of postnatal developmental and morphological events. The developmental patterns of the MAP1B mRNA and protein in the brain were similar, suggesting that expression of this protein is under transcriptional control. The RNA blots were also probed with beta-actin and beta-tubulin to compare the levels of MAP1B mRNA with other cytoskeletal elements and as controls for the quality of the RNA.

Animals↗

Developmental regulation of microtubule-associated protein 2 expression in regions of mouse brain.

The relative levels of microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP2) were determined during postnatal development of the mouse in six different discrete brain regions: cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, brainstem, and hypothalamus. Brain homogenates were electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing gels and analyzed by immunoblotting with MAP2-specific antibodies. The levels of MAP2 in each region were determined using radiolabeled secondary antibodies and densitometric quantification of the autoradiograms over a range that was determined to have a linear response. The results indicated that in all regions and at all ages there was only one high-molecular-weight polypeptide of MAP2, which did not change in electrophoretic mobility after dephosphorylation. In most regions, the levels of MAP2 increased during the first 2 postnatal weeks. However, there were differences in the time course and relative levels of MAP2 between regions. In addition, all regions of the brain expressed the low-molecular-weight form of MAP2 (MAP2c) that was present at birth as a heterogeneous group of polypeptides with an apparent molecular weight of 70K. Most of the heterogeneity of MAP2c, however, was eliminated after dephosphorylation. The levels of MAP2c decreased dramatically after 2 weeks postnatally, except for the olfactory bulb, where the levels of MAP2c remained relatively high even in adults.

Aging↗

Expression of the plasma membrane proteolipid in mouse neuroblastoma cells: transient increase in synthesis during differentiation with N6,O2-dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate.

We have examined the regulation of plasma membrane proteolipid (PM-PLP) synthesis and steady-state levels in mouse NB2a/d1 neuroblastoma cells during differentiation with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and retinoic acid (RA), agents which have been previously shown to induce the elaboration of exclusively axonal or dendritic neurites, respectively. We report that a PM-PLP-immunoreactive species is expressed by this neuroblastoma cell line, and that its expression is regulated by specific states of differentiation. Differentiation of cells with dbcAMP was accompanied by an initial 2-fold increase in this PM-PLP immunoreactive species at 24 h after treatment, which returned to control levels by 96 h after treatment. By contrast, no significant increase in synthesis was detected when cells were treated with RA. Protein blot analysis of PM-PLP in dbcAMP-treated cells indicated that there was little change in its steady-state level until 96 h following treatment, at which time a reduction of 40% was observed. Throughout induced differentiation with dbcAMP, NB2a/d1 cells continued to express a PM-PLP-immunoreactive species which comigrated on immunoblot analysis with PM-PLP form characteristic of embryonic brain (14-16 kDa), and apparently did not express the PM-PLP form characteristic of adult brain (18 kDa).

Animals↗

Heterogeneity of microtubule-associated protein (MAP2) in vertebrate brains.

We have utilized monoclonal antibodies to investigate the antigenic diversity of MAP2-immunoreactive proteins in the nervous system of vertebrates. We found that domains defined by the monoclonal antibodies differed in their conservation across vertebrate evolution, ranging from wide cross-reactivity with almost all vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians) to a very limited cross-reactivity with only few mammalian species. However, we did not find MAP2-immunoreactive proteins in fish species with either of the monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. There was also a significant divergence in the apparent molecular weight of MAP2, even in closely related species. For example, different species of wild mice and strains of laboratory mice showed variations of up to 30 kDa in their apparent molecular mass. Using alkaline phosphatase, under conditions that dephosphorylate neurofilaments, we showed that the observed heterogeneity was not the result of variations in the phosphate content. The heterogeneity in molecular weight of MAP2 may, therefore, be the result of changes in primary structure, transcriptional variations or different post-translational modifications. The heterogeneity of MAP2, as well as its specific distribution and implicated interactions with other molecules, underscore the complexity of MAP2 and its potential for structural and functional diversity. The phylogenic analysis of such a complex molecule also provides a method to establish the uniqueness of monoclonal antibodies and the degree of their conservation for their corresponding epitopes.

Animals↗

Effects of retinoic acid on expression of the transformed phenotype in C6 glioma cells.

Retinoic acid (RA) inhibited the growth and induced morphological changes in C6 rat glioma cells. The effects of RA on growth rate became apparent after 48 hr and were concentration-dependent and reversible. There was a 60% inhibition of growth using 10(-5) RA, which increased at low serum concentration to over 90% inhibition and was minimized at high concentration of serum. RA did not change the saturation density of the cells. The morphology of C6 cells, was altered from its normal pattern of randomly oriented spindle shaped cells, to cells which aligned to form palisades of fibroblast-like cells. Biochemical analysis of the cells showed no significant change in the activities of several lysosomal hydrolyses or the level of total protein in RA-treated cells compared to control cells. There was, however, a significant decrease in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase early during the treatment with RA, and an increase in the levels of fibronectin secreted into the media by the RA-treated cell. These results suggest that RA can suppress the expression of the transformed phenotype of glioma cells.

Animals↗

Induction of lysosomal glycosidases by dibutyryl cAMP in neuroblastoma cells.

We have studied the regulation of lysosomal glycosidases during morphological differentiation of NB2a neuroblastoma cells. Cells treated with dibutyryl cAMP induced axon-like neuritis and showed a 2-4 fold increase in the activity of 6 lysosomal glycosidases, reaching their highest level after 5 days of treatment. Cells treated with retinoic acid, which induced dendrite-like neurites, did not show significant changes in the glycosidases activity although cell proliferation was also inhibited. There was no change in the pattern of the enzyme secretion during the dibutyryl cAMP treatment and morphological analysis using electron microscopy and cytochemical staining with acid phosphatase indicated the presence of lysosomes in the induced neurites.

Animals↗

Expression and distribution of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) in neuroblastoma and primary neuronal cells.

We examined the expression and distribution of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) during the differentiation in culture of both mouse NB2a neuroblastoma and primary embryonic rat neurons. The differentiation of NB2a cells was induced with retinoic acid (RA) which stimulated the extension of a highly branched neuritic network and dibutyryl cAMP which stimulated the outgrowth of long bipolar or monopolar processes. We found that although monoclonal antibodies to MAP2 stained the cell bodies of control and differentiated cells, only the RA-induced neurites were positive for this antigen. These data support our ultrastructural studies indicating that the RA-induced neurites were dendrite-like and that the dibutyryl cAMP-induced processes were axon-like. Studies on the biosynthesis of MAP2 indicated that RA induced a 2-3-fold increase in MAP2 synthesis in 24 h; however, this effect was transient, with the synthesis of MAP2 in RA-treated cells returning to control level by 72 h. Although biosynthetic studies suggested the synthesis of species at 250-300 kdalton, the major molecular weight form in the neuroblastoma cells was 230 kdalton. Immunocytochemical analysis of primary neurons showed staining of neuronal cell bodies and of short processes, but virtually no staining of the long axon-like processes. The staining of neuronal cell bodies and processes was evident at all stages of cell differentiation. This finding was corroborated by immunoblots which showed significant amounts of MAP2 throughout cell development. The molecular weight of the immunoreactive material was ca. 300 kdalton in both primary neurons and rat brain. Immunoblots also revealed that embryonic neurons expressed only MAP2B as they differentiated in culture for 14 days. Biosynthesis studies suggested that early in culture there was a modest increase in MAP2 synthesis, but no detectable change was observed thereafter. We concluded therefore that both neuroblastoma cells and primary neurons can differentiate neuritic processes, which show dendritic properties in terms of morphology and preferential distribution of MAP2.

Animals↗

Expression of a plasma membrane proteolipid during differentiation of neuronal and glial cells in primary culture.

Plasma membrane proteolipid protein (PM-PLP) synthesis was examined in embryonic rat neurons and neonatal rat glial cells during differentiation in culture. Glial cultures were treated with 1 mM N6, O2, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) following confluency to induce differentiation, which resulted in the elaboration of long cellular processes. However, no changes in the biosynthetic level of PM-PLP was observed during the differentiation of these cells. Neurons differentiated spontaneously in culture, forming cellular aggregates immediately following plating and elaborating a network of neurites over 7 days. The differentiation of neurons was accompanied by a seven-fold increase in PM-PLP synthesis with increases in biosynthetic increase in PM-PLP synthesis with increases in biosynthetic rate observed between days 1 and 3 and between days 3 and 7 in culture. Ultrastructural examination of neurons indicated that the Golgi apparatus was also developing during this period of time, with an increase in both the number of lamellae and generation of vesicles. The transport of PM-PLP to the plasma membrane was therefore examined in neurons at day 7 in culture by pulse labeling experiments with monensin and colchicine. Monensin (1 microM) was found to inhibit the appearance of radiolabeled PM-PLP in the plasma membrane by 63%, indicating that a functional Golgi apparatus is required for transport of PM-PLP to its target membrane. Colchicine (125 microM) also inhibited the appearance of newly synthesized PM-PLP in the plasma membrane by greater than 40%, suggesting that microtubules may also be required for PM-PLP transport to the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Characterization and biosynthesis of the plasma membrane proteolipid protein in neural tissue.

In this study we have characterized, in brain, the expression of a plasma membrane proteolipid protein (PM-PLP) complex that can form cation-selective channels in lipid bilayers. We isolated PLP fractions from synaptic plasma membrane and glial microsomes and found a high degree of similarity in both size and amino acid composition to the complex we had previously isolated from kidney. Antibodies specific to the kidney PM-PLP were prepared, and, on the basis of immunoblot and immunoprecipitation studies, the PM-PLP complex isolated from neural membranes was shown to be immunologically related to the kidney PM-PLP. These proteolipid proteins exhibited a molecular weight of approximately 14K and contained a high percentage of hydrophobic amino acids with an apparent absence of cysteine. The biogenesis of PM-PLP in brain was studied by in vitro translation of free and bound polysomes and total RNA in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate followed by immunoprecipitation of the translation products. From these studies it is concluded that the PM-PLP complex is synthesized on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. On the basis of the identical electrophoretic mobility of material isolated from plasma membranes and material immunoprecipitated after translation of bound polysomes and isolated RNA, it appears that the PM-PLP does not undergo detectable posttranslational processing between its site of synthesis and its incorporation into the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Effect of retinoic acid on growth and morphological differentiation of mouse NB2a neuroblastoma cells in culture.

We have characterized the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on the growth, morphology and biosynthesis of cytoskeletal proteins in NB2a mouse neuroblastoma cells. In addition, the morphological and biochemical changes were compared to those induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP). Growth inhibition by RA was concentration-dependent and was first detected 24 h after addition of RA. The proliferation of RA-treated NB2a was more dependent on serum than was the proliferation of untreated cultures and RA decreased the saturation density of NB2a cells grown in serum. Morphological changes induced by RA include the formation of an elaborate network of branching neurites in NB2a cells. In contrast, neurites induced by db cAMP or serum deprivation were bipolar and unbranching. Ultrastructural observations of neurites induced by RA revealed dendritic characteristics such as polysomes, spines and absence of intermediate filaments, while neurites induced by db cAMP had axonal characteristics such as filament bundles, absence of ribosomes, and the formation of membrane densities when neurite endings contacted another cell body. These morphological differences were also reflected in a number of changes in the biosynthesis of cytoskeletal proteins. These results suggest that NB2a cells treated with RA and db cAMP are a model system for the study of distinct stages of differentiation.

Animals↗

Studies on the effect of ethanol on eukaryotic protein synthesis in vitro.

The effects of varying concentrations of ethanol on reactions involved in protein biosynthesis have been examined using a cell-free system from Chinese hamster ovary cells that actively translates natural mRNAs in order to detect those components most sensitive to alcohol. Ethanol, at relatively low concentrations (0.2 M or lower) inhibited the translation of endogenous polysomal mRNAs and, in mRNA-depleted extracts, of exogenous natural mRNA. Ethanol markedly inhibited leucyl-tRNA synthetase, and it inhibited Phe- and Glu-tRNA synthetases to some extent, but had only a small effect on several other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, elongation factors 1 and 2, ribosomes, or the formation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 . GTP . Met-tRNAr ternary complex. Methanol inhibited slightly the translation of mRNA and Leu-tRNA synthetase, but isobutyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol strongly depressed these activities. Ethanol inhibited the interaction of leucine with Leu-tRNA synthetase competitively, whereas isobutyl alcohol and acetaldehyde inhibited the leucine interaction in a noncompetitive manner. Leu-tRNA synthetase from Chinese hamster ovary cells was more sensitive to ethanol than that from yeast.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Effects of retinoic acid on protein synthesis in cultured melanoma cells.

Retinoic acid reduces the growth rate of mouse S91 melanoma cells in culture and increases the proportion of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Because of the integral role protein synthesis has been shown to play in growth control we studied the effect of retinoic acid on the protein synthesis machinery with a cell-free system developed from the melanoma cells. This system was capable of translating endogenous mRNA, exogenous globin mRNA, and the synthetic template poly(U). Of the above activities of the protein synthesis system only the translation of endogenous mRNA was reduced significantly in the cell-free system prepared from retinoic acid-treated cells. Analyses of the amount and function of RNA revealed that treatment with retinoic acid leads to reductions in total RNA content, in the proportion of ribosomes in polysomes, in the amount of poly(A)RNA, and in the amount of polysome-associated mRNA. All these effects of retinoic acid contribute to the decrease in protein synthesis activity of treated cells. Two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis of L-[35S]methionine-labeled proteins produced by untreated and treated cells revealed only a few quantitative differences. We suggest that retinoic acid-induced suppression of protein synthesis activity may be the cause for growth inhibition.

Animals↗