Neuronal BC1 RNA: Intracellular Transport and Activity-Dependent Modulation

A human erythroleukemic cell line, metabolically blocked in a late stage of erythropoiesis, becomes capable of differentiation along the normal pathway when grown in the presence of hemin. This process is characterized by hemoglobin synthesis followed by rearrangement of the plasma membrane proteins and culminates in asymmetrical cytokinesis in the absence of nuclear division. A reticulocyte-like cell buds from the nucleus-containing parent cell after erythrocyte specific membrane proteins have been sequestered into its membrane. In this process the parent cell faces two obstacles. First, to organize its erythrocyte specific proteins at one pole of the cell for inclusion in the reticulocyte; second, to reduce or abolish membrane protein turnover since hemoglobin is virtually the only protein being synthesized at this stage. A means of achieving redistribution and cessation of turnover could involve movement of membrane proteins by a directional lipid flow. Generation of a lipid flow towards one pole and accumulation of erythrocyte-specific membrane proteins could be achieved by clathrin coated pits which are implicated in membrane endocytosis, intracellular transport and turnover. In non-differentiating cells, membrane proteins are turned over and are random in surface distribution. If, however, the erythrocyte specific proteins in differentiating cells were excluded from endocytosing coated pits, not only would their turnover cease, but they would also tend to drift towards and collect at the site of endocytosis. This hypothesis requires that different protein species are endocytosed by the coated vesicles in non-differentiating than by differentiating cells.

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Confocal microscopy of the cytoskeleton in living plant cells following microinjection of fluorescent probes

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100146497 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 130-131

Author(s):

Ann Cleary

Keyword(s):

Cell Division ◽

Fluorescent Probes ◽

Actin Filaments ◽

Intracellular Transport ◽

Cell Structure ◽

Plant Cells ◽

Cell Plate ◽

Cell Cortex ◽

Living Plant ◽

Rhodamine Phalloidin

Microinjection of fluorescent probes into living plant cells reveals new aspects of cell structure and function. Microtubules and actin filaments are dynamic components of the cytoskeleton and are involved in cell growth, division and intracellular transport. To date, cytoskeletal probes used in microinjection studies have included rhodamine-phalloidin for labelling actin filaments and fluorescently labelled animal tubulin for incorporation into microtubules. From a recent study of Tradescantia stamen hair cells it appears that actin may have a role in defining the plane of cell division. Unlike microtubules, actin is present in the cell cortex and delimits the division site throughout mitosis. Herein, I shall describe actin, its arrangement and putative role in cell plate placement, in another material, living cells of Tradescantia leaf epidermis.The epidermis is peeled from the abaxial surface of young leaves usually without disruption to cytoplasmic streaming or cell division. The peel is stuck to the base of a well slide using 0.1% polyethylenimine and bathed in a solution of 1% mannitol +/− 1 mM probenecid.

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Malfunctional Reorganization in the Developing Limbo-Prefrontal System in Animals: Implications for Human Psychoses?

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024//1016-264x.12.1.8 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 8-14

Author(s):

Gertraud Teuchert-Noodt ◽

Ralf R. Dawirs

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Dentate Gyrus ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Experimental Approach ◽

Regulatory Mechanisms ◽

Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Activity Dependent

Abstract: Neuroplasticity research in connection with mental disorders has recently bridged the gap between basic neurobiology and applied neuropsychology. A non-invasive method in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculus) - the restricted versus enriched breading and the systemically applied single methamphetamine dose - offers an experimental approach to investigate psychoses. Acts of intervening affirm an activity dependent malfunctional reorganization in the prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and reveal the dopamine position as being critical for the disruption of interactions between the areas concerned. From the extent of plasticity effects the probability and risk of psycho-cognitive development may be derived. Advance may be expected from insights into regulatory mechanisms of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus which is obviously to meet the necessary requirements to promote psycho-cognitive functions/malfunctions via the limbo-prefrontal circuit.

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