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Biomedical subjects

P Ceccarelli

Publications and source records attributed to P Ceccarelli.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Membrane-bound annexin V isoforms (CaBP33 and CaBP37) and annexin VI in bovine tissues behave like integral membrane proteins.

The distribution of annexin V isoforms (CaBP33 and CaBP37) and of annexin VI in bovine lung, heart, and brain subfractions was investigated with special reference to the fractions of these proteins which are membrane-bound. In addition to EGTA-extractable pools of the above proteins, membranes from lung, heart, and brain contain EGTA-resistant annexins V and VI which can be solubilized with detergents (Triton X-100 or Triton X-114). A strong base like Na2CO3, which is usually effective in extracting membrane proteins, only partially solubilizes the membrane-bound, EGTA-resistant annexins analyzed here. Also, only 50-60% of the Triton X-114-soluble annexins partition in the aqueous phase, the remaining fractions being recovered in the detergent-rich phase. Altogether, these findings suggest that, by an as yet unknown mechanism, following Ca(2+)-dependent association of annexin V isoforms and annexin VI with membranes, substantial fractions of these proteins remain bound to membranes in a Ca(2+)-independent way and behave like integral membrane proteins. These results further support the possibility that the above annexins might play a role in membrane trafficking and/or in the regulation of the structural organization of membranes.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical localization of annexin V (CaBP33), a Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid- and membrane-binding protein, in the rat nervous system and skeletal muscles and in the porcine heart.

We investigated the ultrastructural localization of annexin V a Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid- and membrane-binding protein in the nervous system, heart, and skeletal muscles. The results indicate that in the cerebellum the protein is restricted to glial cells, where it is found diffusely in the cytoplasm as well as associated with plasma membranes. Bergmann glial cell bodies and processes and astrocytes in the cerebellar cortex and oligodendrocytes in the cerebellar white matter displayed an intense immune reaction product. In sciatic nerves, the protein was exclusively found in Schwann cells with a subcellular localization similar to that seen in glial cells in the cerebellum. Pituicytes in the neurohypophysis were intensely immunostained, whereas axons were not. In the heart, annexin V was restricted to the sarcolemma, transverse tubules, and intercalated discs. In skeletal muscles the protein was localized to the sarcolemma and transverse tubules. No evidence for the presence of the protein in the sarcoplasm or in association with mitochondria, the sarcoplasmic reticulum, or contractile elements was obtained. The observation that plasma membranes in cells expressing annexin V have the protein associated with them is in agreement with previous data on Ca(2+)-dependent binding of the protein to brain and heart membranes, and on existence of both EGTA- and Triton X-100-extractable and resistant fractions of annexin V in these membranes. The present data support the hypothesis that annexin V might be involved in membrane trafficking and suggest a role for this protein in the regulation of cytoplasmic activities in glial cells.

Animals↗

The chicken anterior lingual glands: structural study of carbohydrate chains by lectins and glycosidases.

Lectin histochemistry combined with glycosidase digestion was used to investigate the presence of glucidic residues and identify the terminal residues and their acceptor sugars in these glands. Quantitative evaluation of lectin-positive sites was made by histophotometrical scanning. Lectin histochemistry demonstrated that the anteromedial portion contains disaccharides sialic acid-D-Gal, sialic acid-D-GalNAc and Fuc-D-Gal, and that the anterolateral portion contains the terminal dimer sialic acid-D-Gal only. These findings have hypothetical significance in terms of the known functions of chicken anterior lingual glands.

Acetylgalactosamine↗

'Neuron-specific' protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) is also expressed in glioma cell lines and its expression depends on cellular growth state.

Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), which in the normal nervous system is restricted to certain neurons, has been detected in two glioma cell lines, rat C6 and human GL15, by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Its expression in these cells depends on the cellular growth state, being maximal between the first and second post-plating day. Only a faint PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity can be observed in glioma cells after the eleventh post-plating day, i.e. about one week after confluency has been reached. The present results suggest that PGP 9.5 in cultured glial cells is maximally expressed during the growth phase and that the protein could play a role during brain development in glial cells, in reactive gliosis, or in tumorigenesis of the glial lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Histological and histochemical studies on the chicken lingual glands.

1. Morphological and histochemical observations were done on the chicken anterior and posterior lingual glands. Histology, ultrastructure and glycoconjugate histochemistry were investigated by means of light and electron microscopy using staining specific for complex carbohydrates. 2. In the anterior lingual glands there are lateral and medial zones showing different morphological and tinctorial features. The secretory cells are typical mucous cells. 3. Histochemical reactions revealed the presence of acidic glycoconjugates with terminal sialic acid residues, and glycoconjugates vicinal diol and sulphate groupings in the secretory granules. 4. It is suggested that the main functions of lingual glands are the lubrication of boli and protection from micro-organisms.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of annexin V (CaBP33) in rat organs.

We investigated the cellular distribution of annexin V (CaBP33) in rat tissues by immunohistochemistry. Several cell types were shown to express the protein. Glial cells in the cerebellum and in the optic nerve, the corneal epithelium, the posterior epithelium in the iris, chondrocytes, skeletal muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, the capillary endothelial cells in many organs, the muscularis mucosae and the muscular layer in the intestinal tract, hepatocytes, Müller cells in the retina, the lens fibers, Sertoli and Leydig cells in the testis, and smooth muscle cells in the epididymis and bronchi displayed intense immunostaining. In the adrenal gland, only the cortex showed immunoreaction product. In the kidney, no apparent staining of renal cells was observed, whereas endothelial cells of peritubular capillaries were stained. In the heart, annexin V was found associated exclusively with the sarcolemma and intercalated discs, as opposed to the diffuse distribution of the protein in skeletal muscle cells. In the spleen, only reticular elements in the white pulp and endothelial cells in the red pulp appeared to be immunostained. The present data complement the biochemical work thus far done on annexin V and suggest that the protein is neither restricted to secretory cells nor exclusively related to exocytotic events in secretory cells.

Animals↗

Characterization of mammalian heart annexins with special reference to CaBP33 (annexin V).

Porcine heart was observed to express annexins V (CaBP33) and VI in large amounts, and annexins III and IV in much smaller amounts. Annexin V (CaBP33) in porcine heart was examined in detail by immunochemistry. Homogenization and further processing of heart in the presence of EGTA resulted in the recovery of annexin V (CaBP33) in the cytosolic fraction and in an EGTA-resistant, Triton X-100-soluble fraction from cardiac membranes. Including Ca2+ in the homogenization medium resulted in a significant decrease in the annexin V (CaBP33) content of the cytosolic fraction with concomitant increase in the content of this protein in myofibrils, mitochrondria, the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the sarcolemma. The amount of annexin V (CaBP33) in each of these subfractions depended on the free Ca2+ concentration in the homogenizing medium. At the lowest free Ca2+ concentration tested, 0.8 microM, only the sarcolemma appeared to contain bound annexin V (CaBP33). Membrane-bound annexins V (CaBP33) and VI partitioned in two fractions, one EGTA-resistant and Triton X-100-extractable, and one Triton X-100-resistant and EGTA-extractable. Altogether, these data suggest that annexins V and VI are involved in the regulation of membrane-related processes.

Animals↗

The process of secretion in swine apocrine sweat glands.

The secretory process in swine apocrine sweat glands were studied by electron microscope. The sweat appeared to result from three different mechanisms: (a) fluid transport, probably involving a region of complex cellular interdigitations adjacent to the basement membrane, (b) exocytosis of vesicles, which in this species seem to be derived from the Golgi apparatus and finally (c) apocrine secretion.

Animals↗

Identification of S-100 proteins and S-100-binding proteins in a detergent-resistant EDTA/KCl-extractable fraction from bovine brain membranes.

The Triton X-100-resistant residue of brain membranes contains appreciable amounts of S-100 proteins. This fraction of S-100 can be solubilized by high concentrations of EDTA plus or minus high concentrations of KCl. Whereas KCl (0.6 M) extracts the detergent-resistant S-100, NaCl (1 M) does not. Endogenous Ca2+ is required and is sufficient for S-100 to remain associated with the detergent-resistant residue. However, 0.6 M KCl extracts a further fraction of Triton X-100-resistant S-100. In contrast, the Triton X-100-extractable fraction of S-100 resists the action of EDTA. These data suggest that Ca2+ regulates the extent of association of S-100 with Triton X-100-resistant components in brain membranes, whereas the association of S-100 with the lipid bilayer of brain membranes and/or with some intrinsic membrane proteins is less Ca2+-regulated. Several S-100-binding proteins are identified in the detergent-resistant residue of brain membranes by an overlay procedure.

Animals↗

Generalized resistance to thyroid hormone associated with a mutation in the ligand-binding domain of the human thyroid hormone receptor beta.

The syndrome of generalized resistance to thyroid hormone is characterized by elevated circulating levels of thyroid hormone in the presence of an overall eumetabolic state and failure to respond normally to triiodothyronine. We have evaluated a family with inherited generalized resistance to thyroid hormone for abnormalities in the thyroid hormone nuclear receptors. A single guanine----cytosine replacement in the codon for amino acid 340 resulted in a glycine----arginine substitution in the hormone-binding domain of one of two alleles of the patient's thyroid hormone nuclear receptor beta gene. In vitro translation products of this mutant human thyroid hormone nuclear receptor beta gene did not bind triiodothyronine. Thus, generalized resistance to thyroid hormone can result from expression of an abnormal thyroid hormone nuclear receptor molecule.

Alleles↗

Histology, ultrastructure and carbohydrate histochemistry of pig carpal glands.

The morphological differences between two types of secretory cells (clear and dark) from pig carpal glands were examined. The main difference is the presence in the dark cells of secretory granules of moderate electron density, made up of acidic and neutral glycoproteins. The possible functional purposes of the carpal glands and of glycogen present in both cell types are also discussed.

Animals↗

A time-course study of physiological indicators of handling stress in the tropical fish Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacu).

The response of juvenile cultivated Piaractus mesopotamicus to handling stress, without anesthesia, was determined over 3-5 min (T1), 1 h (T2) and 6 h (T3) after capture. Plasma cortisol, glucose and total cholesterol were measured. Hyperglycemia present at T2 continued to rise until T3 while plasma cortisol levels increased but were similar at T2 and T3. Total plasma cholesterol was altered only at T3. Hyperglycemic changes were greater in fish without than with stomach contents during the T2-T3 period. These differences in hyperglycemic changes may reflect the role of hormones other than cortisol in the regulation of glucose release in these fish.

Animals↗

Functional gut disorders and health care seeking behavior in an Italian non-patient population.

We conducted a survey on functional gut disorders and health care seeking behavior in a large non-patient population of an Italian region (Umbria). 533 subjects were interviewed by means of a specific questionnaire. 44 (8.5%) reported symptoms compatible with the irritable bowel syndrome, 30 (5.8%) had non-colonic pain, 48 (9.2%) chronic constipation, and 20 (3.8%) dyspepsia. It is concluded that in our region there is a relatively high percentage of subjects that do not commonly seek health care, although affected by functional gut disorders.

Adult↗

Studies on the mechanism responsible for thyrotropin-induced expression of microsomal/peroxidase antigen in FRTL-5 cells.

The expression of the microsomal (M) antigen on the surface and in the cytoplasm of a strain of rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5) is under the regulation of TSH. In the present report the mechanism by which TSH induces such expression was investigated with the use of human microsomal antibody-positive serum and an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Studies were also performed to ascertain whether the M antigen of FRTL-5 cells could be identified with thyroid peroxidase (TPO), as suggested by recent data obtained in human thyroid tissue. Preabsorption experiments showed that, like solubilized human thyroid microsomes, purified human TPO completely abolished the binding of microsomal antibody to FRTL-5 cells. No inhibition was obtained by preabsorption with control human tissues (placenta, liver, and spleen) or human thyroglobulin, indicating that the antigen recognized by microsomal antibody in FRTL-5 cells was TPO. After 72 h of TSH withdrawal from the culture medium the M/TPO antigen disappeared from the surface and the cytoplasm of FRTL-5 cells. Readdition of TSH (250 microU/ml) to the culture medium of cells lacking the M/TPO antigen elicited its reappearance within 24-48 h. This effect of TSH was prevented by 10 microM cycloheximide or 0.5-5 micrograms/ml actinomycin D. Two well known stimulators of the adenylate cyclase-cAMP system, cholera toxin and forskolin, mimicked TSH in inducing the reappearance of the M/TPO antigen. A similar effect was observed with use of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine. Reappearance of M/TPO antigen was also produced by the cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP. The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate, which stimulates thyroid cell growth through a cAMP-independent pathway, was ineffective in inducing the M/TPO antigen in FRTL-5 cells. The present data indicate that 1) thyroid peroxidase accounts for most, if not all, of the microsomal antigen of FRTL-5 cells; and 2) TSH modulates the expression of the M/TPO antigen in FRTL-5 cells by a mechanism that involves cAMP production and requires mRNA formation and subsequent protein synthesis.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗