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The fine structure of gliomatosis cerebri.

The ultrastructural features of five biopsies of gliomatosis cerebri (GC) are described. Four main types of tumour cells are seen: anaplastic astrocytes poor in organelles with a variable amount of glial microfilaments; atypical oligodendrocytes with scanty cytoplasm in which microtubules are present; intermediate forms with aboundant cytoplasm rich in organelles, with microtubules and microfilaments; and small cells with round nuclei and a very scanty rim of cytoplasm. In two cases several concentrically folded cytoplasmic lamellae of glial processes were arranged either around themselves or around the perikaryon of other cells. This ultrastructural study indicates that GC is a neoplastic process of small undifferentiated elements, transitional forms of astroglia (to oligodendroglia) and anaplastic cells of astrocytic origin in all stages of development.

Adult↗

Concentration of amylase along its secretory pathway in the pancreatic acinar cell as revealed by high resolution immunocytochemistry.

The modified protein A-gold immunocytochemical technique was applied to the localization of amylase in rat pancreatic acinar cells. Due to the good ultrastructural preservation of the cellular organelles obtained on glutaraldehyde-fixed, osmium tetroxide-postfixed tissue, the labelling was detected with high resolution over the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), the Golgi apparatus, the condensing vacuoles, the immature 'pre-zymogen' granules, and the mature zymogen granules. Over the Golgi area, the labelling was present over the transitional elements of the endoplasmic reticulum, some of the smooth vesicular structures at the cis- and trans-faces and all the different Golgi cisternae. The acid phosphatase-positive rigid trans-cisternae as well as the coated vesicles were either negative or weakly labelled. Quantitative evaluations of the degree of labelling demonstrated an increasing intensity which progresses from the RER, through the Golgi, to the zymogen granules and have identified the sites where protein concentration occurs. The results obtained have thus demonstrated that amylase is processed through the conventional RER-Golgi-granule secretory pathway in the pancreatic acinar cells. In addition a concomitance has been found between some sites where protein concentration occurs: the trans-most Golgi cisternae, the condensing vacuoles, the pre- and the mature zymogen granules, and the presence of actin at the level of the limiting membranes of these same organelles as reported previously (Bendayan, 1983). This suggests that beside their possible role in transport and release of secretory products, contractile proteins may also be involved in the process of protein concentration.

Acid Phosphatase↗

A review of macromolecular transport and secretion at the cellular level.

This is a review of current information concerning mechanisms involved in transport and secretion of macromolecules in exocrine glands. Emphasis has been placed on information available for pancreatic acinar cells. The review was prompted by the availability of considerable amounts of new information developed during the past several years. Exportable proteins in the pancreatic acinar cells are synthesized on ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Following synthesis, nascent proteins are transported from ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum into intracisternal spaces bound by the endoplasmic reticulum. The proteins are then carried to the Golgi complex by transitional elements. Zymogen granules are formed in the Golgi complex and migrate to the cell apex. Appropriate stimulation leads to fusion of the zymogen granule membrane and apical plasmalemma followed by a break in the membrane and consequent release of the granule content into the ductules. The extact molecular events involved in the process of secretion are not known. The roles of cAMP and cGMP in pancreatic secretion are supported by indirect evidence only. The role of calcium in secretion is apparent, but further investigation is needed to delineate the exact mechanism of its action. Membrane depolarization and associated ionic fluexes seem to play a significant role.

Animals↗

Studies on intracellular transport in the rat exocrine pancreas. I. Inhibition by aromatic amino acids in vitro.

In vitro incubation of rat pancreatic lobules in the presence of 10 mM concentrations of 2 natural (phenylalanine, tryptophane) and 2 modified aromatic amino acids (p-fluorophenylalanine, p-chlorophenylalanine) induces paracrystal formation in the cisternal space of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and in the acinar lumen. Aggregation of secretory material in transitional elements of the rough endoplasmic reticulum suggests tubular connection to the Golgi complex. Paracrystal formation is correlated with a disturbance of the three major phases in the secretory process of the exocrine cell. Incorporation of radioactive amino acids into proteins is inhibited by 10 mM concentrations of phenylalanine and tryptophane by 20 and 50% respectively and by p-chlorophenylalanine at 1 and 10 mM concentrations by 50 and 75%. The inhibition of protein synthesis is not due to a reduced intracellular concentration of radioactive precursor amino acids. Intracellular transport of newly synthesized proteins as studied by a radioassay for zymogen discharge and by cell fractionation is similarly inhibited by phenylalanine, tryptophane and p-chlorophenylalanine at 10 mM concentrarions (20, 30, and 40% respectively). Discharge of zymogens as measured by the secretion of amylase stimulated with 5 X 10(-6) M carbamylcholine is reduced by 20% if 10 mM concentrations of phenylalanine, tryptophane or p-chlorophenylalanine are present in the medium. Paracrystals were isolated by differential centrifugation and their protein content compared with isolated zymogen granules. On sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis paracrystalline proteins show the same electrophoretic pattern as the content of zymogen granules.

Amylases↗

Construction of protocellular structures under simulated primitive earth conditions.

We have developed experimental approaches for the construction of protocellular structures under simulated primitive earth conditions and studied their formation and characteristics. Three types of envelopes; protein envelopes, lipid envelopes, and lipid-protein envelopes are considered as candidates for protocellular structures. Simple protein envelopes and lipid envelopes are presumed to have originated at an early stage of chemical evolution, interaction mutually and then evolved into more complex envelopes composed of both lipids and proteins. Three kinds of protein envelopes were constructed in situ from amino acids under simulated primitive earth conditions such as a fresh water tide pool, a warm sea, and a submarine hydrothermal vent. One protein envelope was formed from a mixture of amino acid amides at 80 degrees C using multiple hydration-dehydration cycles. Marigranules, protein envelope structures, were produced from mixtures of glycine and acidic, basic and aromatic amino acids at 105 degrees C in a modified sea medium enriched with essential transition elements. Thermostable microspheres were also formed from a mixture of glycine, alanine, valine, and aspartic acid at 250 degrees C and above. The microspheres did not form at lower temperatures and consist of silicates and peptide-like polymers containing imide bonds and amino acid residues enriched in valine. Amphiphilic proteins with molecular weights of 2000 were necessary for the formation of the protein envelopes. Stable lipid envelopes were formed from different dialkyl phospholipids and fatty acids. Large, stable, lipid-protein envelopes were formed from egg lecithin and the solubilized marigranules. Polycations such as polylysine and polyhistidine, or basic proteins such as lysozyme and cytochrome c also stabilized lipid-protein envelopes.

Amino Acids↗

A study of the metal complexation behaviour of some penicillins, cephalosporins and their derivatives.

The metal complexation behaviour of several beta-lactam antibiotics and derivatives is explained, based on the results of potentiometric titrations. The (organo)metal ions used were (organic derivatives of) transition elements and elements with a filled d-subshell. The emphatic class b (organo)metal ions Ag(I), Hg(II) and C6H5Hg(I) form the most stable complexes with the studied ligands: Hg(II) is the most suited ion. The alkaline degradation products and hydroxamic acid derivatives of penicillins and cephalosporins are very similar to penicillamine in their complexation behaviour. This emphasizes the dominant role of the thiol group as site of complexation. A scheme for stepwise complex formation with Hg(II) and Ag(I) is presented. The availability of the thiol group is used to explain small differences in complexation behaviour between penicillin derivatives on the one hand, and cephalosporin derivatives and penicillamine on the other.

Cephalosporins↗

Mo and W bis-MGD enzymes: nitrate reductases and formate dehydrogenases.

Molybdenum and tungsten are second- and third-row transition elements, respectively, which are found in a mononuclear form in the active site of a diverse group of enzymes that generally catalyze oxygen atom transfer reactions. Mononuclear Mo-containing enzymes have been classified into three families: xanthine oxidase, DMSO reductase, and sulfite oxidase. The proteins of the DMSO reductase family present the widest diversity of properties among its members and our knowledge about this family was greatly broadened by the study of the enzymes nitrate reductase and formate dehydrogenase, obtained from different sources. We discuss in this review the information of the better characterized examples of these two types of Mo enzymes and W enzymes closely related to the members of the DMSO reductase family. We briefly summarize, also, the few cases reported so far for enzymes that can function either with Mo or W at their active site.

Electron Transport↗

Relevance of cellular to clinical electrophysiology in interpreting antiarrhythmic drug action.

The usefulness of cellular electrophysiologic techniques in elucidating the fundamental actions of antiarrhythmic drugs is contrasted with their apparent lack of relevance to the selection of drugs for the treatment of particular arrhythmias. Clinical electrophysiologists employ different techniques, but their results may be explained in terms of cellular drug actions. The varying clinical effects of class IA, IB and IC agents are due to differences in the speed of their attachment to, and detachment from, sodium channels. The role of sympathetic activity in arrhythmogenesis is complex, but again readily explicable in terms of the electrophysiologic cellular actions of stimulation of the individual types of adrenoceptors (alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1 and beta 2) and the distribution of these receptors, and of the longterm effects of sympathetic deprivation, either by antisympathetic drugs (class II) or by sympathetic denervation. Delayed repolarization (e.g., by class III drugs or prolonged beta blockade) is antiarrhythmic because it is homogeneous, despite the incidental prolongation of QT. If, however, QT is prolonged by heterogeneity of conduction or repolarization, or by partial sympathetic denervation (long QT syndrome or post myocardial infarction), this indicates increased risk of arrhythmia. Finally, the efficacy of calcium antagonists (class IV) in supraventricular arrhythmias is attributable to the cellular electrophysiologic characteristics of sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal and transitional elements.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗

Are cysteines present at the active site of glycogen phosphorylase?

Periodate and the anions of the transitional elements inactivate glycogen phosphorylase with resolution of the coenzyme from the active site. The effects of the ionic strength and pH of the incubation mixture on the rate of inactivation allow to discriminate between the actions of these chemicals, suggesting that they recognize different regions at the enzyme active site. This conclusion is in agreement with the identification of cysteine as the target amino acid for the inactivation by periodate while arginine was reported to be responsible for the vanadate mediated inactivation.

Arginine↗

Hydrolysis of tetriso by an enzyme derived from Pseudomonas diminuta as a model for the detoxication of O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate (VX).

An enzyme termed organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH), derived from Pseudomonas diminuta, had been found previously to hydrolyze the powerful acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate (VX). This enzyme has now been shown to be correlated with the loss of AChE inhibitory potency (detoxication). OPH also hydrolyzed and detoxified the VX analogue, O,O-diisopropyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) phosphorothiolate (Tetriso), also a potent AChE inhibitor, about five times faster than VX. The Km for the hydrolysis of the P-S bond of Tetriso was 6.7 x 10(-3) M. OPH also hydrolyzed diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP) 50-60 times faster than Tetriso, and 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Soman) about seven times faster than Tetriso. DFP was a non-competitive inhibitor of Tetriso hydrolysis, Ki = 8.7 x 10(-4) M. The DFP hydrolysis product, diisopropyl phosphate, was a competitive inhibitor, Ki = 2.3 x 10(-4) M. The rate of detoxication of Tetriso compared with the rate of hydrolysis suggests that OPH may not be totally specific for P-S bond cleavage. OPH was inhibited completely by 1.5 x 10(-4) M 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate or 1,10-phenanthroline, both transition element chelators, but inhibited only partially by EDTA, a much more potent chelator.

Aryldialkylphosphatase↗

The effect of ions, ion channel blockers, and ionophores on uptake of vitellogenin into cockroach follicles.

Since calcium plays an important role in vitellogenin binding and uptake in Nauphoeta cinerea and because calcium channels have been described in follicles of this species, we investigated the effect of various ions, ionophores, and ion channel blockers on vitellogenin uptake in vitro. Calcium significantly stimulated vitellogenin uptake; this effect could be substituted best by barium and less well by strontium and magnesium. The stimulatory effect of calcium, and to a certain extent also that of barium, was dependent on the vitellogenin concentration, whereas the effect of strontium and magnesium was not. In the presence of calcium, vitellogenin uptake was inhibited by barium, strontium, and magnesium as well as by the transition elements nickel, cobalt, and zinc, but not by manganese which had a stimulatory effect. Valinomycin, verapamil, tetraethylammonium, and atropine reduced vitellogenin uptake, while amiloride and ouabain were ineffective. Our results indicate that calcium inward (and possibly potassium outward) fluxes play an important role in vitellogenin uptake.

Amiloride↗

Biosynthesis of intestinal microvillar proteins. Effect of castanospermine on cell-free synthesis of aminopeptidase N.

Pig small intestinal mRNA was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system supplemented with microsomal membranes. Castanospermine, an inhibitor of glucosidase I, induced a high mannose-glycosylated form of microvillar aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2) of increased molecular mass, indicating the blocked removal of glucose residues. In contrast to its reduced expression in a mucosal explant system [(1986) Biochem. J. 240, 777-782], this molecular form of aminopeptidase N was at least as abundant in cell-free translation as its normal high mannose-glycosylated counterpart, ruling out degradation taking place in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Degradation of newly produced, malprocessed enzyme must therefore occur at a later stage during intracellular transport, presumably in the sarcoplasmic reticulum or in transitional elements between this organelle and the Golgi complex.

Alkaloids↗

GTP hydrolysis by transitional endoplasmic reticulum from rat liver inhibited by all-trans-retinol.

GTP hydrolysis by an endoplasmic reticulum fraction from rat liver enriched in part-rough, part-smooth transition elements was inhibited by all-trans-retinol half maximally at a concentration of about 10 micrograms/ml. Similar results were obtained with GTPase activity partially purified by ion-exchange (DE-52) chromatography. The inhibition was non-competitive and given by both retinol and retinaldehyde but not by retinoic acid or alpha-tocopheryl acetate. The hydrolysis of other nucleoside di- and triphosphates was much less affected by retinol. The activity was inhibited by detergents but at much higher concentrations than by retinol. The results suggest that enhancement of cell-free transfer from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus by retinol observed previously at low concentrations of cytosol may be mediated through an interaction with GTP.

Animals↗

Quantitative aspects of metal ion content and toxicity in Drosophila.

As a basis for both a genetic and a biochemical approach to a study of metal ion effects, a method for quantitating the toxic response of Drosophila to metal ions was developed. The response to 13 metal ions has been examined, including several chemical groups from the periodic table: the IIb ions Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+; the IIa ions, Be2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+; the transition elements, Ni2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Mn2+: and trivalent ions, Y3+ and Cr3+. The standard test procedure provides estimates of the median lethal concentration (LC50) and the range of the tolerance distribution both of which are obtained by the method of probit transformation. Range is defined as the change in concentration between the LC2.5 and the LC97.5. Estimation of range as the measure of the limits of the tolerance distribution was utilized to measure variation in the response to metals with time. Genetic characterization of strains will require strains of flies without overlapping tolerance ranges. Although there was a general trend of increasing values of range with increasing LC50 values, the exceptions (e.g., Cr3+ and Be2+) indicated that several factors may be involved in determining the range of lethal responses. Elemental analyses have been performed on flies before and after metal ion treatments to establish the amount of metal ion taken up and baselines for comparison. This study provides additional evidence that Drosophila is an appropriate organism for the study of specific biochemical alterations induced by metals, e.g., the cadmium-induced increase in Q(+)tRNAs.

Animals↗

Phylogenetic significance of the flagellar apparatus in protostelids (Eumycetozoa).

The ultrastructure of the flagellar apparatuses of four species of protostelids is described. All four species have the same three major groups of rootlet microtubules in common, microtubule arrays (MTA) 2, 3, and 4. Variation is found in the number of centrioles per flagellar apparatus, presence or absence of two other microtubule arrays, MTA 1 and MTA 5, types of connectives linking the centrioles to the MTAs, nature of the transitional elements of the flagella, and the association of the flagellar apparatus with the nucleus. It is concluded on the basis of this study and comparison with earlier studies on protostelids, myxomycetes, and other amoeboflagellates that the flagellate species of protostelids are monophyletic. The significance of this to the phylogeny of protostelids and related mycetozoans is discussed.

Animals↗

Influence of cations on lysozyme-induced germination of coatless spores of Clostridium perfringens 8-6.

Bacterial endospore germination is powerfully influenced by inorganic salts, cations having especially important effects. Spores of Clostridium perfringens 8-6 are unusual in lacking a spore coat; these spores germinate only in the presence of lysozyme, which readily digests the exposed cortex. Lysozyme-induced germination showed the same response to ionic strength and valence of cations as does lysozyme hydrolysis of peptidoglycan, and close parallels are evident in the influence of inorganic cations on germination of normal spores. La3+ and transition element cations inhibited lysozyme-induced germination at low concentration, again demonstrating parallels with their action on lysozyme digestion of peptidoglycan and on the germination of normal spores. The poly-cations poly(L-lysine) and Ruthenium Red inhibited at extremely low concentrations. Mn2+ and Co2+, at appropriately low concentrations, stimulated lysozyme germination of 8-6 spores and also lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus.

Cations↗

Alcohol, iron-associated oxidative stress, and cancer.

Oxidative stress is recognized to play an important role in the initiation and promotion events of carcinogenesis. Alcoholic liver disease is associated with significant oxidative stress as well as the hepatic accumulation of iron, a transition element also documented to initiate oxidative stress. The combined prooxidant potential of ethanol and iron is at least additive and possibly synergistic with respect to inducing hepatocellular oxidative stress and antioxidant depletion. One cellular consequence of sustained oxidative stress and redox imbalance resulting from the combined actions of alcohol and iron is lipid peroxidation, resulting in the production of aldehydic products such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, which has been linked to site-specific mutations of the p53 gene. In addition, the accumulation of iron in hepatic macrophage isolated from laboratory animals chronically ingesting alcohol is associated with activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, providing a proinflammatory cellular environment also favorable for initiation and promotion of carcinogenesis. Consequently, there is persuasive evidence that the potential of ethanol and iron to induce oxidative stress may be an important pathogenic mechanism for the increased occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in individuals with hepatic iron overload who ingest alcohol.

Animals↗

Cell biology of molybdenum.

The transition element molybdenum (Mo) is of essential importance for (nearly) all biological systems as it is required by enzymes catalyzing diverse key reactions in the global carbon, sulfur and nitrogen metabolism. The metal itself is biologically inactive unless it is complexed by a special cofactor. With the exception of bacterial nitrogenase, where Mo is a constituent of the FeMo-cofactor, Mo is bound to a pterin, thus forming the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) which is the active compound at the catalytic site of all other Mo-enzymes. In eukaryotes, the most prominent Mo-enzymes are (1) sulfite oxidase, which catalyzes the final step in the degradation of sulfur-containing amino acids and is involved in detoxifying excess sulfite, (2) xanthine dehydrogenase, which is involved in purine catabolism and reactive oxygen production, (3) aldehyde oxidase, which oxidizes a variety of aldehydes and is essential for the biosynthesis of the phytohormone abscisic acid, and in autotrophic organisms also (4) nitrate reductase, which catalyzes the key step in inorganic nitrogen assimilation. All Mo-enzymes, except plant sulfite oxidase, need at least one more redox active center, many of them involving iron in electron transfer. The biosynthesis of Moco involves the complex interaction of six proteins and is a process of four steps, which also includes iron as well as copper in an indispensable way. Moco as released after synthesis is likely to be distributed to the apoproteins of Mo-enzymes by putative Moco-carrier proteins. Xanthine dehydrogenase and aldehyde oxidase, but not sulfite oxidase and nitrate reductase, require the post-translational sulfuration of their Mo-site for becoming active. This final maturation step is catalyzed by a Moco-sulfurase enzyme, which mobilizes sulfur from l-cysteine in a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent manner as typical for cysteine desulfurases.

Aldehyde Oxidase↗