Biomedical subjects

S Capitani

Publications and source records attributed to S Capitani.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Nuclear matrix-bound replicational sites detected in situ by 5-bromodeoxyuridine.

The nuclear matrix was prepared in situ from Swiss 3T3 cells, which were synchronized by contact inhibition and serum starvation and pulse-labelled for very short periods of time with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (5-BrdU). For the first time 5-BrdU has been employed to demonstrate the association of newly synthesized DNA with a nucleoskeleton. Immunofluorescence analysis using a monoclonal antibody to 5-BrdU revealed five different intranuclear staining patterns at different stages of the S phase. These patterns were observed also in intact cells and did not change during the matrix preparation steps which involve extraction with 2 M NaCl and DNase I digestion. Such an observation was also confirmed by spatial confocal microscopy studies. The intensity of fluorescence, which was evaluated by cytofluorometry, increased to reach a maximum during mid-S phase and then decreased. Because no significant difference was found in the time to label residual DNA of different 5-BrdU staining patterns, this strongly suggests that a different number of replicons is activated at different stages of the S phase. These results strengthen the hypothesis that eukaryotic DNA replication occurs in close association with an insoluble protein nuclear skeleton, which determines the three-dimensional spatial organization of chromosome duplication.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1992

Morphological evidence of function-related localization of phospholipids in the cell nucleus.

The evidence accumulated in recent years on the presence of phospholipids inside the interphase nucleus needs a precise localization of the nuclear sites of accumulation, transport and degradation of these molecules. A very useful approach for monitoring the fine localization of nuclear phospholipids is represented by a recently developed technique using gold-conjugated phospholipases. In fact, in addition to the phospholipids organized in bilayers in the membrane, this technique identifies amorphous lipoprotein complexes present in different cell areas as well as in the nucleus. In this way and using sample preparation systems which reduce lipid removal and translocation, such as cryofixation, cryosectioning, embedding in hydrophylic resins and cryofracturing, we have analyzed the subnuclear localization of phospholipids in different experimental conditions. The results indicate that: in interphase the nuclear phospholipids are localized mainly in the interchromatin spaces and in the nucleolar domain; the observed co-localization of phospholipids and ribonucleoproteins suggests that phospholipids are involved in the mechanism of transport and release of the transcripts; the demonstrated release of ribonucleoproteins after phospholipase digestion suggests that phospholipids mediate the binding between ribonucleoproteins and the nuclear matrix; significant changes of the phospholipid localization occur in the different phases of the cell cycle or in the course of induced cell differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Increased phosphorylation of nuclear substrates for rat brain protein kinase C in regenerating rat liver nuclei.

Protein phosphorylation catalysed by rat brain protein kinase C (PKC) has been studied in nuclei isolated from normal and regenerating rat liver. Histone H1 and a 40,000 molecular weight protein were hyperphosphorylated at all the explored regeneration times, ranging from 3 to 22 h after partial hepatectomy. Phosphorylation of the two substrates was totally dependent on calcium and lipids and was abolished by low concentration of staurosporine. The observed early change of phosphate content of histone H1 and of the 40,000 molecular weight protein on the time scale of liver regeneration suggests that PKC might be involved in the initial nuclear events leading to cell proliferation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

From two dimensional (2D) to three dimensional (3D) analysis by confocal microscopy.

The confocal microscope is becoming increasingly important as an apparatus to analyze the 3-D topography of the cell. Main reasons are the high resolution optical sectioning capacity, the non-invasiveness which leaves the object intact, and the imaging capabilities. This chapter introduces a description of the confocal principle, the basic concepts of confocal fluorescence microscopy and some criteria for cell preservation. Optimization of in situ immunofluorescence, hybridization and detection procedures in combination with new digital microscope techniques can fully express their capacities only if the preparation of biological specimens is accurate for 3-D analysis. Some applications of confocal microscopy to the study of intranucleolar antigens, enzyme translocations and fluorescence in situ hybridization, are described in association with 3-D software image processing, as a useful framework for the study of the 3-D visualization of proteins and chromatin domains.

Histocytological Preparation Techniques↗

PubMed1991

Inositol lipids in Friend erythroleukemia cells: evidence for changes in nuclear metabolism after differentiation.

The incorporation of 32Pi into phospholipids was studied in Friend erythroleukemia cells either induced or not to erythroid differentiation with 4 mM hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA). The effect of the differentiating agent on the recovery of radiolabelled phospholipids was compared in whole cells, isolated nuclei and nuclear matrix after in vivo labelling for 1 hr. The procedure employed for the isolation of nuclei was demonstrated to allow only negligible lipid redistribution caused by cell manipulations. Among the lipids extractable from nuclei, acidic phospholipids, and particularly polyphosphoinositides, were more represented than in whole cells, while small differences were found in the other phospholipid classes examined. The comparison between the uninduced and induced condition showed that the relative amounts of nuclear inositol lipids were modified by HMBA treatment of the cells, with a decreased recovery of phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate. These results indicate that phosphatidylinositol and its phosphorylation products synthesized in vivo show a different metabolism in nuclei and whole cells. They appear to be tightly bound nuclear components, also present in membrane-deprived nuclei and nuclear matrix, and are probably related to the nuclear events involved in erythroid differentiation.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1991

Nuclear protein kinases in rat liver: evidence for increased histone H1 phosphorylating activity during liver regeneration.

Comparison of protein kinase activity in normal and regenerating rat liver nuclei indicates that exogenous histone H1 is hyperphosphorylated in 22-h regenerating nuclei. The protein kinase involved is not sensitive to protein kinase A inhibitor, is inhibited by staurosporine and by an anti-PKC polyclonal antibody, utilizes only ATP, and also phosphorylates the C-terminal fragment of histone H1. These data suggest that protein kinase C is responsible for the observed effects, in agreement with the presence of this enzyme in normal and regenerating nuclei demonstrated by immunoblotting.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1991

Inositol lipid phosphorylation in the cell nucleus.

Inositol lipid metabolism has been analyzed in isolated rat liver nuclei and nuclear fractions, in order to determine the subcellular distribution of the sites of lipid phosphorylation and breakdown. Lipid kinases and phosphoesterases appear to be tightly bound nuclear components, and can utilize exogenous substrates administered to membrane-depleted structures. The possible involvement of specific carrier protein in the nuclear metabolism of inositol lipids has also been analysed by studying the uptake and processing of phosphatidylinositol transferred to the isolated nuclei by phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PI-TP). PI-TP greatly stimulates the incorporation of phosphatidylinositol from microsomal membranes and synthetic vesicles, and the lipid taken up is available for phosphorylation and breakdown by enzymes associated to the nucleus. The results obtained support previous data on the metabolic and structural role of nuclear lipids, and suggest that the cell nucleus is a site of lipid phosphorylation, not necessarily involving enzymes and substrates located on the nuclear membrane. They also indicate that an integrated signalling pathway can exist at the nuclear level utilizing inositol lipid-derived second messengers and PKC to control replication and transcription.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

In vitro phosphorylation of lamin B by protein kinase C in friend erythroleukemia. Effect of chemically induced differentiation.

Nuclear matrix isolated from murine erythroleukemia cells (Friend cells) has been phosphorylated with gamma 32P-ATP and purified protein kinase C in order to identify specific nuclear substrates for the enzyme. HMBA has been employed to induce the cell to differentiate and to compare the changes of phosphorylation profile after erythroid differentiation. Lamin B has been found to be hyperphosphorylated by rat brain PK-C in nuclear matrix purified from uninduced cells. This difference characterizes the cells from 14 to 72 hrs of HMBA treatment and indicates that the ability of lamin B to be phosphorylated by PK-C is linked to the differentiated state. The involvement of PK-C in lamin phosphorylation might represent an early step of the signalling pathway utilized by erythroid differentiating agents to target the cell nucleus.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1991

Studies on varicocele. 1. Submicroscopical and endocrinological features.

In this study we have selected a group of patients affected by a more or less severe condition of varicocele. After the evaluation of spermatogenesis and sperm function by electron microscopy we have demonstrated that the sperm malformations are mostly due to immaturity. Subsequently we have observed low FSH levels in the blood, concomitant with inhibin high contents, and we have studied Sertoli cells at submicroscopical level. In conclusion we suggest the following mode of action of varicocele in endocrinologically and spermatologically altered patients: varicocele----Sertoli cells----increased inhibin----hypophysis----decreased FSH----decreased testosterone----aberrant spermatogenesis----immature spermatozoa. The research will continue.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Uptake and phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol by rat liver nuclei. Role of phosphatidylinositol transfer protein.

The incorporation of phosphatidyl[2-3H]inositol ([3H]PI) from vesicles or microsomal membranes into rat liver nuclei is greatly stimulated by phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PI-TP). The nuclei are able to phosphorylate [3H]PI, with the production of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP). Recovery of tritiated inositol trisphosphate, inositol phosphate, glycerophosphoinositol and inositol, suggests that in isolated nuclei a large set of enzymes of the PI cycle is present, similar to the enzymes involved in the plasma membrane PI cycle. Incubation with [gamma-32P]ATP shows that isolated nuclei are able to phosphorylate endogenous PI to PIP and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). In the presence of exogenous PI and detergent the synthesis of PIP is increased, indicating that in nuclei the PI pool is suboptimal for the PI-kinase activity. The present study suggests that PI-TP may be involved in providing substrates for PI metabolism at the nuclear level.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Nuclear inositol lipids. Relationship between growth factor induced metabolic changes and protein kinase C activity.

We have sought to establish the effect of mitogen treatment on nuclear inositol lipids and the relationship between inositol cycle products and hyperphosphorylation of nuclear proteins via PKC during the lag phase leading to the onset of DNA synthesis. Swiss 3T3 cells were labelled for 36 hr with high levels of [3H]-myo-inositol and the radioactivity in nuclear inositol phospholipids was measured. Treatment of cells for 2 min, but not for 4 hr, with mitogenic concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I and bombesin caused a marked decrease in PtdInsP and PtdInsP2. Moreover, in vivo phosphorylation of some nuclear proteins occurs later on. Among these proteins, histone H1 and 0.75 M PCA soluble polypeptide, with an apparent Mr of 21,000 as revealed by electrophoretic analysis, are phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase C in isolated nuclei purified from 3T3 cells treated for 90 min with IGF-I and bombesin. Since these phosphorylative events follow the earlier changes in nuclear polyphoinositide metabolism induced by the same mitogen combination, it seems possible that these two phenomena are related to each other and trigger the synthetic machinery responsible for replicating DNA.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1990

Nuclear inositol lipids in Friend erythroleukemia cells. Changes related to differentiation induced by hexamethylenebisacetamide.

Subcellular distribution of inositol lipids has been studied in Friend Erythroleukemia Cells following induction to erythroid differentiation with hexamethylenebisacetamide, after labelling with [3H]myo-inositol. In situ autoradiography indicated that inositol-derived molecules were present also in the nuclear compartment of uninduced and induced cells. Fractionation studies showed that the nuclear polyphosphoinositides were deeply changed after short induction times, while the whole cell inositol lipids resulted only slightly modified by the inducer. The nuclear recovery of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate was largely increased after 2 hrs of induction, suggesting that inositol lipid metabolism is involved in the early differentiation events occurring at the nuclear level.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1989

Lipid phosphorylation in isolated rat liver nuclei. Synthesis of polyphosphoinositides at subnuclear level.

Isolated rat liver nuclei and subnuclear fractions synthesize polyphosphoinositides in vitro in a mode dependent on the presence of nuclear membrane, detergent and exogenous substrates. The nuclear membrane is not essential as a source of lipid kinases, since the addition of exogenous phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylinositol monophosphate to reaction mixtures lacking membranes restores the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol mono- and bisphosphate, respectively. Inositide phosphorylation is best accomplished by high-salt extracted nuclei and pre-detergent lamina. These data suggest that the nucleus, and especially the nuclear periphery, is a cell compartment in which polyphosphoinositide synthesis occurs; this might be related to the progression of phosphatidylinositol metabolism-dependent signals to the genetic apparatus.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1989

Liposome-nucleus interactions. Flow cytometric study on the role of the nuclear surface.

The water-soluble probe carboxyfluorescein (CF), contained in the internal aqueous phase of liposomes, was used to investigate the interaction of phospholipid vesicles with isolated nuclei. Ultrastructural analysis indicated that adherent liposomes coated the nuclear surface, and fluorescence microscopy showed that they contained quenching concentrations of the dye. Flow cytometry revealed that the transfer of the entrapped dye from the adhering liposomes to nuclei was blocked by chilling at 0 degrees C. Chase experiments demonstrated that the most reliable mechanism of dye transfer involved fusion phenomena between the liposomal and the nuclear membranes. After the release of the fluorophore into the nucleus, empty liposomes could withdraw the intranuclear soluble fraction of the dye.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Nuclear polyphosphoinositides during cell growth and differentiation.

When highly purified nuclei of Swiss mouse 3T3 cells are incubated with gamma-32P-ATP, radioactivity is incorporated into phosphatidic acid and the two polyphosphoinositol lipids, phosphatidylinositol(4)P and (4,5)P2. If the cells are pre-treated with IGF-I, the incorporation into the polyphosphoinositides is decreased. This effect is maximal by 2 min, is transient in that it disappeared by 1 hr, and is increased markedly by the co-addition of bombesin, even though bombesin alone has no effect. Friend cells exhibit a related phenomenon in that the labelling of PIP2 in isolated nuclei is increased by conditions which cause erythroid differentiation (DMSO addition). We suggest that some aspect of nuclear polyphosphoinositide metabolism is modified when the nucleus is induced to divide or to differentiate, and that this change in inositide metabolism is a very early event in the sequence leading to cell division or differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Changes in ribonucleoprotein particle and chromatin organization induced by liposomes in isolated nuclei.

Nuclei isolated from rat liver, incubated in the presence of liposomes of different phospholipids, undergo typical modifications: chromatin dispersion and reduction of the interchromatin granules in nuclei incubated with negatively charged liposomes and increase of the chromatin density and of the number and size of the interchromatin granules in nuclei incubated with neutral liposomes. The possibility that the observed modifications are caused by an impairment of the transport and translocation of ribonucleoproteins belonging to the inner nuclear matrix, is suggested by the results obtained by radiotracer techniques on the release of RNA from liposome-incubated nuclei.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Lipid mediated signal transduction in the cell nucleus.

Cell growth and differentiation can be affected by the transduction of extracellular signals involving cyclic nucleotides, inositol phospholipids and phospholipid dependent protein kinase C systems. Since we previously reported existence of lipids inside the nucleus and nuclear fractions, it seems of interest to examine the possible presence of the cascade of inositol lipids in isolated nuclei as well as the presence of the protein kinase C, whose activity is tightly related to the phosphoinositide cycle, and requires the presence of phosphatidylserine, which has been previously demonstrated to deeply affect nuclear structure and function. Here we show that highly purified nuclei from both rat liver and Friend cells, free of nuclear membrane, can incorporate radiolabel from ATP-[32P] into phosphatidic acid, phosphatidyl-inositol phosphate and phosphatidylinositol (4', 5')bisphosphate. The degree of radiolabelling of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate is highly dependent on the state of differentiation of the cells. Moreover, a doublet of immunoreactive bands has been identified in rat liver nuclei by means of a polyclonal antibody against protein kinase C. The two polypeptides appear to be tightly bound to the nuclear matrix. These two forms of the enzyme might be translational products specifically located in the nucleus, involved in the transduction to the genomic apparatus of regulatory signals generated by growth factors and tumor promoters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1988

[The combined effect of an ethinylestradiol/desogestrel contraceptive combination on blood lipids and parameters of liver function and coagulation].

The present study aims to evaluate the contraceptive efficacy of the new combination ethinylestradiol (30 micrograms)/desogestrel (150 micrograms) and, moreover, to demonstrate its low side effects compared to the symptoms present in the pretreatment cycles. In particular the authors took into consideration the changes in serum lipids, and hepatic and coagulation function parameters induced by pill, in 40 healthy women. An interesting result is that the estrogen induced increase of cholesterol-HDL is not antagonized by the desogestrel that has a slight affinity to androgenic receptors and SHBG. This is obviously of great importance in the prevention of atheromatous lesions.

Adolescent↗