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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Albumin marks pseudopodia of astrocytoma cells responding to hepatocyte growth factor or serum.

It is well accepted that dysfunction in the blood brain barrier (BBB) allows permeation of albumin from the bloodstream into astrocytic brain tumors, especially glioblastomas, the most aggressive astrocytomas. In vitro, bovine serum albumin (BSA) aids functional cell assays by maintaining cytokines and growth factors in solution and delivering its cargo of fatty acids. Earlier, we showed that BSA was prominent in lysates prepared from pseudopodia formed by U87 astrocytoma cells. The present studies investigated the association of albumin with pseudopodia formed by U87 and LN229 astrocytoma cells. With hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulation, cell migration was enhanced and BSA, especially its dimerized form, was prominent in pseudopodia compared to unmigrated cells on one-dimensional gels and immunoblots. When lysates were equalized for levels of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, the rise for BSA levels in pseudopodia vs migrated cells was comparable or greater than levels noted for established pseudopodial proteins, beta-actin and ezrin. The increase for dimerized BSA in pseudopodia compared to unmigrated cells was greater than the rise in levels of beta-actin, ezrin, HGF, and phosphorylated Met when pseudopodia were harvested from filters with 1 mum pores using either cell line. Fluorescein (F)-labeled BSA co-localized with HGF on actin-rich cellular protrusions and with CM-DiI labeled pseudopodial plasma membranes. The F-BSA highlighted small, individual pseudopodial profiles more so than complex pseudopodial networks (reticulopodia) or unmigrated cells. Labeled human serum albumin also decorated pseudopodia preferentially. Albumin's association with pseudopodia may help to explain its selective accumulation in astrocytomas in vivo. The leaky BBB permits serum albumin to enter the microenvironment of astrocytomas thus allowing their invasive cells contact with serum albumin as a source of fatty acids that would be useful for remodeling cell membranes in pseudopodia. Thus, albumin potentially aids and marks invasion as it accumulates in these tumors.

Actins↗

PubMed1994

Electron microscopic observation of pseudopodia from choriocapillary endothelium.

The choriocapillary endothelial cells project pseudopodia-like processes (pseudopodia) through defects in the basement membrane in eyes without any insult or new vessel formation. The ultrastructure of these pseudopodia was observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The pseudopodia contained microfilaments, ribosome-like organella, and/or endoplasmic reticulum-like organella; about half of the pseudopodia contained bundles of microfilaments, and 10% of these contained cytoplasmic organella. The frequency of pseudopodia was not correlated with age, sex, racial difference, location in ocular fundus, or age-related changes in Bruch's membrane. The results of this study did not reveal a relationship between pseudopodia and subretinal new vessel formation. Pseudopodia oriented toward the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were significantly more frequent than those oriented toward the choroid or projecting from the lateral side of the choriocapillaris, which suggests a close relationship between the pseudopodia and the function of the RPE.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Pseudopodia formation by neurosecretory granules.

Ultrastrucal studies of the mouse neurohypophysis, under various experimental conditions, revealed a number of neurosecretory granules (NSG) bearing single pseudopodia-like protrusions. Some NSG adhered to the axolemma via pseudopodia; other NSG, distant from the axolemma, budded electron lucent microvesicles from the tip of the pseudopod. Pseudopodia counts were made on electron micrographs, and calculated as a percentage of the NSG population. In neural lobes from intact mice, small numbers of pseudopodia were observed (0.3%); the count increased significantly after injections of large doses of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (9.4--14.5%); hypertonic saline augmented the count, as did histamine. In vitro incubation experiments with isolated neural lobes in Krebs Ringer revealed concomitant pseudopodia formation and elevated vasopressin release (measured by antidiuretic bioassay) in the presence of HRP and di-butyryl cyclic AMP respectively. Histamine and excess potassium also increased hormone secretion, but did not induce pseudopodia formation in vitro; pseudopodia were observed neither in controls, nor in the presence of ineffective secretagogues. It is suggested that the pseudopod may represent the active site on the granule membrane. Different ultrastructural images of granule release suggest that several modes of hormone release may be operative in the neurohypophysis. The role of HRP in pseudopodia formation and vasopressin release is enigmatic.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Proteomic characterization of harvested pseudopodia with differential gel electrophoresis and specific antibodies.

Malignant gliomas (astrocytomas) are lethal tumors that invade the brain. Invasive cell migration is initiated by extension of pseudopodia into interstitial spaces. In this study, U87 glioma cells formed pseudopodia in vitro as cells pushed through 3 microm pores of polycarbonate membranes. Harvesting pseudopodia in a novel two-step method provided material for proteomic analysis. Differences in the protein profiles of pseudopodia and whole cells were found using differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and immunoblotting. Proteins from two-dimensional (2D) gels with M(R)'s of 20-100 kDa and pI's of 3.0-10.0 were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting analysis using mass spectrometry. For DIGE, lysates of pseudopodia and whole cells were each labeled with electrophilic forms of fluorescent dyes, Cy3 or Cy5, and analyzed as mixtures. Analysis was repeated with reciprocal labeling. Differences in protein distributions were detected by manual inspection and computer analysis. Topographical digital maps of the scanned gels were used for algorithmic spot matching, normalization of background, quantifying spot differences, and elimination of artifacts. Pseudopodial proteins in Coomassie-stained 2D gels included isoforms of glycolytic enzymes as the largest group, seven of 24 proteins. Peptide mass fingerprint analysis of DIGE gels demonstrated increased isoforms of annexin (Anx) I, AnxII, enolase, pyruvate kinase, and aldolase, and decreased mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase and transketolase in pseudopodia. Specific antibodies showed restricted immunoreactivity of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) alpha chain to pseudopodia, indicating localization of its active form. Met (the HGF receptor), actin, and total AnxI were increased in pseudopodial lysates on immunoblots. Increased constituents of the pseudopodial proteome in glioma cells, identified in this study as actin, HGF, Met, and isoforms of AnxI, AnxII, and several glycolytic enzymes, represent therapeutic targets to consider for suppression of tumor invasion.

Annexin A1↗

PubMed2003

ERK and RhoA differentially regulate pseudopodia growth and retraction during chemotaxis.

Nonmotile cells extend and retract pseudopodia-like structures in a random manner, whereas motile cells establish a single dominant pseudopodium in the direction of movement. This is a critical step necessary for cell migration and occurs prior to cell body translocation, yet little is known about how this process is regulated. Here we show that myosin II light chain (MLC) phosphorylation at its regulatory serine 19 is elevated in growing and retracting pseudopodia. MLC phosphorylation in the extending pseudopodium was associated with strong and persistent amplification of extracellular-regulated signal kinase (ERK) and MLC kinase activity, which specifically localized to the leading pseudopodium. Interestingly, inhibition of ERK or MLC kinase activity prevented MLC phosphorylation and pseudopodia extension but not retraction. In contrast, inhibition of RhoA activity specifically decreased pseudopodia retraction but not extension. Importantly, inhibition of RhoA activity specifically blocked MLC phosphorylation associated with retracting pseudopodia. Inhibition of either ERK or RhoA signals prevents chemotaxis, indicating that both pathways contribute to the establishment of cell polarity and migration. Together, these findings demonstrate that ERK and RhoA are distinct pathways that control pseudopodia extension and retraction, respectively, through differential modulation of MLC phosphorylation and contractile processes.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1981

Measurement of number and cross-sectional area of basal cell pseudopodia: a new morphometric method.

A method of morphometric quantitative of the number of pseudopodia per individual basal cell and the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of the pseudopodia to the base area of the basal cell, using the transmission electron microscope, was developed. The diameters and areas of the bases of basal cells and the pseudopodia were also obtained. The number of pseudopodia per basal cell (N) and the ratio of the areas (F) measured in normal human uterine cervical epithelium were 34.22 and 0.338, respectively. The values observed in reactive atypia were 23.62 and 0.188; and those in mild dysplasia of the cervical epithelium (the earliest premalignant condition of the cervical epithelium), 26.98 and 0.226. There were statistically significant reductions in the number of pseudopodia per cell (N) and the ratio of areas (F) in the latter two pathological conditions compared to the controls. This morphometric method provides higher sensitive means by which one can quantify the characteristics of pseudopodia in various premalignant epithelia.

Cervix Uteri↗

PubMed1981

Functional interdependence of pseudopodia in Amoeba proteus stimulated by light-shade difference.

Polytactic cells of Amoeba proteus were exposed to localized photic stimulation. When a pseudopodium is stimulated to advance, by shading it, other pseudopodia are retracted. Activation of the shaded front is the primary response, and contraction of other fronts the secondary one. When a pseudopodium is inhibited by illuminating its frontal segment, or when it is allowed to enter the bright zone in the course of migration, it slows down and stops but its eventual retraction depends on the existence of other possible directions for the endoplasmic flow. Therefore, if other active pseudopodia are lacking, the front suppressed by light cannot retreat effectively until new fronts arise in other body regions kept in shade. In all experimental situations the development of new fronts or the activation of forward flow in lateral pseudopodia precedes the contraction of the former leading pseudopodium. Also the reversal of direction of the endoplasmic streaming begins at the new front, and then it gradually extends until it reaches the former front. The results confirm the interdependence of different pseudopodia in the same individual and they contradict the concept that pseudopodia behave as separate functional units. On the other hand, they indicate that formation of new pseudopodia should not be explained as a simple secondary effect of contraction of the older ones but, on the contrary, as a phenomenon that initiates the changes in the pattern of flow in amoeba. The general interpretation is based on this variant of the pressure-flow theory of amoeboid movement, which attributes the motive power to the contractile activity of the whole cell cortex and the steering role to events taking place in the front of the migrating cell.

Amoeba↗

PubMed1983

Basal cell pseudopodia and the degree of maturation of squamous metaplasia of the uterine cervix: a morphometric quantification.

Application of morphometry to discrete processes was used to study the stroma-epithelial interface in benign proliferative processes of human cervical epithelium. This method with the use of two-dimensional transmission electron micrographs quantifies the number of pseudopodia and other features of the basal cell. The number of pseudopodia per basal cell and other basal cell features in reserve cell hyperplasia, immature squamous metaplasia, intermediate squamous metaplasia, and mature squamous metaplasia of human uterine cervix were measured. The number of pseudopodia per basal cell in reserve cell hyperplasia was 6.77 +/- 1.46 and comparable to that previously observed in advanced cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The number of pseudopodia per basal cell in the three subtypes of squamous metaplasia ranged from 10.67 to 19.12 and was approximately half that observed in normal control epithelium. The concept of a continuum existing from reserve cell hyperplasia through immature squamous metaplasia to mature squamous metaplasia is supported with the demonstration of increasing numbers of pseudopodia per basal cell with cellular maturation.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed2002

Purification of pseudopodia from polarized cells reveals redistribution and activation of Rac through assembly of a CAS/Crk scaffold.

Initiation of cell migration requires morphological polarization with formation of a dominant leading pseudopodium and rear compartment. A molecular understanding of this process has been limited, due to the inability to biochemically separate the leading pseudopodium from the rear of the cell. Here we examine the spatio-temporal localization and activation of cytoskeletal-associated signals in purified pseudopodia directed to undergo growth or retraction. Pseudopodia growth requires assembly of a p130Crk-associated substrate (CAS)/c-CrkII (Crk) scaffold, which facilitates translocation and activation of Rac1. Interestingly, Rac1 activation then serves as a positive-feedback loop to maintain CAS/Crk coupling and pseudopodia extension. Conversely, disassembly of this molecular scaffold is critical for export and down regulation of Rac1 activity and induction of pseudopodia retraction. Surprisingly, the uncoupling of Crk from CAS during pseudopodium retraction is independent of changes in focal adhesion kinase activity and CAS tyrosine phosphorylation. These findings establish CAS/Crk as an essential scaffold for Rac1-mediated pseudopodia growth and retraction, and illustrate spatio-temporal segregation of cytoskeletal signals during cell polarization.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1990

Pseudopodia of capillary endothelium in ocular tissues.

The frequencies of pseudopodia projecting from capillaries of various parts of the eye were observed in 16 human eyes with a transmission electron microscope. The pseudopodia were found mainly projecting from the choriocapillaris and rarely seen in the retina, iris or ciliary body. The frequencies of pseudopodia from the choriocapillaris were not correlated with the localization in the fundus (macular area or peripheral fundus), age, sex, time elapsed between death or enucleation and fixation. The significance of pseudopodia from the choriocapillaris is unknown. However, there is the possibility that pseudopodia are related to choroidal neovascularization or have other physiological functions.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Membrane turnover in rod photoreceptors: ensheathment and phagocytosis of outer segment distal tips by pseudopodia of the retinal pigment epithelium.

We have documented the ultrastructural changes that occur within the photoreceptor outer segment and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during photosensitive membrane turnover. We employed an in vitro eyecup preparation from Xenopus laevis in which a large shedding event was induced by adding the excitatory amino acid L-aspartate (Greenberger & Besharse 1985; J. comp. Neurol. 239, 361-372). We found that during L-aspartate-induced shedding the RPE cells formed, on their apical domains, previously undescribed processes that were directly involved in disc phagocytosis. These processes are structurally similar to processes formed by macrophages during phagocytosis and are accordingly referred to as pseudopodia. Pseudopodia were distinguishable from the apical villous process normally extended from the RPE in that they were closely applied to the surface of the outer segment, had a cytoplasmic matrix of low electron density that was devoid of most cellular organelles and were enriched in thin (7 nm diameter) filaments. Filament size, specific pseudopodial staining with the actin-specific probe rhodamine phalloidin and inhibition of pseudopod formation by cytochalasin D suggested that the thin filaments were composed of actin. Pseudopodial formation also occurs during a normal light-initiated shedding event. However, the low frequency of shedding, the asynchrony of the individual shedding events and the transient appearance of the pseudopodia prevented a full appreciation of their role during normal disc shedding. Associated with massive shedding and pseudopodial formation, there was an increased adherence between retina and RPE. During L-aspartate treatment, the apical portions of the RPE cells partitioned with the distal outer segment during retinal isolation. This effect was directly related to the development of pseudopodia and may reflect alteration of surface features of the rod outer segment (ROS)-RPE interface related to phagocytosis. Our observations show that transiently forming pseudopodia are the organelles of phagocytosis and that they may play a role in disc detachment as well.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Purification and characterization of beta-actin-rich tumor cell pseudopodia: role of glycolysis.

The MSV-MDCK-INV invasive variant of Moloney sarcoma virus (mos) transformed MDCK cells express multiple beta-actin-rich pseudopodia (P. U. Le et al., Cancer Res. 58, 1631-1635, 1998). We show here that the tips of these actively protruding cellular domains are morphologically distinct presenting numerous blebs and selectively pass through 1-microm-pore filters. The pseudopodia were purified from the underside of the filters and a major protein component was identified as the glycolytic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). By confocal microscopy, GAPDH colocalized with actin in MSV-MDCK-INV pseudopodia localizing this glycolytic enzyme to this site of active actin polymerization. Inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose or oxamate induced a rapid transformation of beta-actin-rich pseudopodia into extended lamellipodia and prevented cell motility. A localized glycolytic supply of energy therefore regulates the formation of beta-actin-rich pseudopodial protrusions and thereby the motility of invasive tumor cells.

Actins↗

PubMed1986

Novel extracellular matrix and microtubule cables associated with pseudopodia of Astrammina rara, a carnivorous Antarctic foraminifer.

Astrammina rara is a benthic foraminiferan protozoan which uses an extensive network of fine, branching, and anastomosing pseudopodia to capture and digest metazoans up to 12 mm long. During such predation the pseudopodia appear remarkably elastic and tensile. Electron microscopy has revealed a novel extracellular matrix of thin branching fibers associated with A. rara's pseudopodia, which are otherwise typical in appearance. These fibers are structurally associated with the pseudopodial glycocalyx. Cytoplasmic microtubules are often found in close juxtaposition to the plasma membrane and overlying extracellular fibers. In the main pseudopodial trunks bundles of 30-300 microtubules are surrounded by a lightly staining matrix and linked by occasional bridges. The microtubules follow straight trajectories in distal filopodia, but in pseudopodial trunks they appear to coil around one another to form cables. These microtubular cables and extracellular fibers are novel features of A. rara's pseudopodia and may provide the structural basis for their tensile strength.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Regulation of lymphocyte pseudopodia formation by triggering the integrin alpha 4/beta 1.

Video microscopy and digital imaging were used to quantitatively analyze lymphocyte adhesion and formation of pseudopodia on the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN). A morphology kinetics assay comparing pseudopodial extension values over a 24-h period showed that HPB-ALL T leukemic cells undergo a wave of morphologic change, returning to a round shape after 8 h. Using anti-alpha 4 and anti-alpha 5 mAbs and a panel of cell types that are single or double positive for expression of the alpha 4/beta 1 and alpha 5/beta 1 FN binding integrins, it was determined that cell adhesion to FN was influenced by both beta 1-integrins, whereas alpha 4/beta 1 was found to be the major FN receptor mediating pseudopodia extension. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine, the protein kinase C inhibitors calphostin C and chelerythrine, and the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A blocked pseudopodial extension in HPB-ALL cells. In contrast, two cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitors H8 and H89 did not inhibit. Inhibitors of phospholipase A2, lipoxygenases, and cyclooxygenases could block formation of pseudopodia, yet had little or no effect on cell adhesion to FN. The preincubation of cells with arachidonic acid could prevent the inhibition mediated by the reversible phospholipase A2 inhibitor cibacron blue. We conclude that the formation of lymphocyte pseudopodia in response to FN can utilize the adhesive and signaling activities of the alpha 4/beta 1-integrin and the enzymatic activities of protein kinases and phospholipases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1996

Nitric oxide induces ADP-ribosylation of actin in murine macrophages: association with the inhibition of pseudopodia formation, phagocytic activity, and adherence on a laminin substratum.

A recently recognized property of nitric oxide (NO), which would be expected to alter cell function, is the capacity to induce the ADP-ribosylation of various proteins. In these studies we demonstrate that actin present in murine macrophages is a substrate for NO-dependent ADP-ribosylation and that this modification is associated with the modification of cellular functions in murine peritoneal macrophages. A 42-kDa substrate for NO-dependent ADP-ribosylation was identified as actin by binding to DNAse-I and immunoprecipitation with anti-actin antibodies. The amount of actin ADP-ribosylation was correlated with the concentration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO generating agent, used in each experiment and with the amount of NO produced by activated macrophages. However, a specific inhibitor for NO synthase, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (N(G)MMA), inhibited the ADP-ribosylation of actin by blocking the NO production in the interferon (IFN)-gamma plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells. Because the integrity of cytoskeletal protein is involved in shape change, adhesion, and phagocytosis of cells, we elucidated the role of NO-dependent ADP-ribosylation of actin in murine macrophages. A morphology kinetics assay comparing pseudopodial extension values over a 72-hr period showed that IFN-gamma plus LPS-treated macrophages underwent a wave of morphological changes, returning to a round shape after 32 hr. However, incubation of the cells with IFN-gamma plus LPS in the presence of N(G)MMA resulted in spindle-shaped pseudopodia formation and an altered composition of F-actin in macrophages. Adding either SNP or botulinum C2 toxin also inhibited IFN-gamma plus LPS-induced pseudopodia formation even in the presence of N(G)MMA. Flow cytometry revealed that NO inhibits the phagocytosis of fluorescent particles in a reversible manner. Preincubation of the cells with SNP (2 mM) also diminished LPS- or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced macrophage adhesion on a laminin substratum. Collectively, in addition to its better-characterized role as a cytolytic mediator, the data illustrate that NO shows negative regulatory roles in cytoskeletal assembly, pseudopodia formation, phagocytosis, and adherence of murine macrophages in association with the ADP-ribosylation of actin.

Actins↗

PubMed1981

Basal cell pseudopodia in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; progressive reduction of number with severity: a morphometric quantification.

An application of a morphometric model is used to study the stroma epithelial interface in human cervical epithelium. This model derived by Okagaki and associates estimates from two dimensional transmission electron photomicrographs the number of basal cell pseudopodia per basal cell. The investigation of the full spectrum of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) focusing on the basal cell-stroma interface with the "multiple cell-single section" model is discussed. Significant decreases in histopathologic grades of CIN are noted in the number of pseudopodia per basal cell (N) and the ratio (F) of the area of the stems of pseudopodia to the area of the base of the basal cell.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

PubMed1990

Unequal distribution of membrane components between pseudopodia and cell bodies of platelets.

Platelet pseudopodia were compared to platelet cell bodies with respect to their lipid composition, fatty acid distribution and protein composition. The methodology for producing pseudopodial preparations of platelets stimulated with thrombin, ADP or calcium ionophore was established. The separation of pseudopodia and cell bodies was verified by electron microscopic examination of the respective platelet components. Lipid analyses demonstrated a preponderance of lysophospholipids and sphingomyelin in pseudopodial preparations and a large increase in mono-, di- and tri-ene fatty acids as compared to cell bodies. Changes were also evident in the protein composition evaluated by one- and two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by [32P]ATP labeling of exofacial membrane proteins. A protein of approximately 68 kDa which reacted strongly with antibody to PlA1, was prominantly displayed in platelet pseudopodia. Thus, our studies demonstrate a heterogeneous distribution of lipids and proteins in a mammalian membrane system which may have important implications for the functional behavior of the cell.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed2004

Guiding cell migration through directed extension and stabilization of pseudopodia.

Cell migration requires establishment of a single pseudopodium in the direction of movement. Here we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the molecular signaling mechanisms that regulate formation of pseudopodia. We discuss how signal transduction processes are spatially and temporally organized to establish cell polarity through directed extension and stabilization of dominant pseudopodia. We also highlight recent advances in technology that will further the understanding of signaling dynamics specific to pseudopodia extension and cell migration.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗