Membrane Proteins as Markers for Normal and Neoplastic Endocrine Cells

1993 ◽  
pp. 117-127
Author(s):  
Georgia Lahr ◽  
Manfred Gratzl
2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 1235-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. Manley ◽  
Vanda A. Lennon

BAP31 is a transmembrane protein that associates with nascent membrane proteins in transit between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and cis-Golgi. Its C-terminal dilysine (KKEE) motif, mediating return to the ER, is consistent with a role in early sorting of membrane proteins. An initiator caspase-binding site in the C-terminal domain of BAP31 is implicated in cytoplasmic membrane fragmentation events of apoptosis. Although BAP31 RNA is ubiquitous, the protein's anatomic localization has not been determined. To gain further insight into its possible functions, we localized BAP31 in primate tissues using monoclonal antibodies. Immunoreactivity was prominent in T- and B-lymphocytes in blood and in thymus, in cerebellar Purkinje neuron bodies and dendrites, in gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary, ovarian thecal and follicular cells, active but not quiescent thyroid epithelium, adrenal cortex more than medulla, and proximal more than distal renal tubules. Blood vessels and skeletal muscle were nonreactive. The anatomic distribution of BAP31 and the nature of proteins identified thus far as its cargo exiting the ER, suggest an interaction with proteins assembling in macromolecular complexes en route to selected sites of exocytotic and signaling activities. Apoptotic associations in mature tissues could be physiological (lymphocytes, endocrine cells) or pathological (Purkinje neurons, renal tubules).


2000 ◽  
Vol 276 (5) ◽  
pp. 3384-3393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajaâ El Meskini ◽  
Gregory J. Galano ◽  
Ruth Marx ◽  
Richard E. Mains ◽  
Betty A. Eipper

1988 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
A W Lowe ◽  
L Madeddu ◽  
R B Kelly

In response to an external stimulus, neuronal cells release neurotransmitters from small synaptic vesicles and endocrine cells release secretory proteins from large dense core granules. Despite these differences, endocrine cells express three proteins known to be components of synaptic vesicle membranes. To determine if all three proteins, p38, p65, and SV2, are present in endocrine dense core granule membranes, monoclonal antibodies bound to beads were used to immunoisolate organelles containing the synaptic vesicle antigens. [3H]norepinephrine was used to label both chromaffin granules purified from the bovine adrenal medulla and rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Up to 80% of the vesicular [3H]norepinephrine was immunoisolated from both labeled purified bovine chromaffin granules and PC12 postnuclear supernatants. In PC12 cells transfected with DNA encoding human growth hormone, the hormone was packaged and released with norepinephrine. 90% of the sedimentable hormone was also immunoisolated by antibodies to all three proteins. Stimulated secretion of PC12 cells via depolarization with 50 mM KCl decreased the amount of [3H]norepinephrine or human growth hormone immunoisolated. Electron microscopy of the immunoisolated fractions revealed large (greater than 100 nm diameter) dense core vesicles adherent to the beads. Thus, large dense core vesicles containing secretory proteins possess all three of the known synaptic vesicle membrane proteins.


Author(s):  
L. M. Marshall

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.


Author(s):  
D.J. Benefiel ◽  
R.S. Weinstein

Intramembrane particles (IMP or MAP) are components of most biomembranes. They are visualized by freeze-fracture electron microscopy, and they probably represent replicas of integral membrane proteins. The presence of MAP in biomembranes has been extensively investigated but their detailed ultrastructure has been largely ignored. In this study, we have attempted to lay groundwork for a systematic evaluation of MAP ultrastructure. Using mathematical modeling methods, we have simulated the electron optical appearances of idealized globular proteins as they might be expected to appear in replicas under defined conditions. By comparing these images with the apearances of MAPs in replicas, we have attempted to evaluate dimensional and shape distortions that may be introduced by the freeze-fracture technique and further to deduce the actual shapes of integral membrane proteins from their freezefracture images.


Author(s):  
A. Engel ◽  
A. Holzenburg ◽  
K. Stauffer ◽  
J. Rosenbusch ◽  
U. Aebi

Reconstitution of solubilized and purified membrane proteins in the presence of phospholipids into vesicles allows their functions to be studied by simple bulk measurements (e.g. diffusion of differently sized solutes) or by conductance measurements after transformation into planar membranes. On the other hand, reconstitution into regular protein-lipid arrays, usually forming at a specific lipid-to-protein ratio, provides the basis for determining the 3-dimensional structure of membrane proteins employing the tools of electron crystallography.To refine reconstitution conditions for reproducibly inducing formation of large and highly ordered protein-lipid membranes that are suitable for both electron crystallography and patch clamping experiments aimed at their functional characterization, we built a flow-dialysis device that allows precise control of temperature and flow-rate (Fig. 1). The flow rate is generated by a peristaltic pump and can be adjusted from 1 to 500 ml/h. The dialysis buffer is brought to a preselected temperature during its travel through a meandering path before it enters the dialysis reservoir. A Z-80 based computer controls a Peltier element allowing the temperature profile to be programmed as function of time.


Author(s):  
Uwe Lücken ◽  
Joachim Jäger

TEM imaging of frozen-hydrated lipid vesicles has been done by several groups Thermotrophic and lyotrophic polymorphism has been reported. By using image processing, computer simulation and tilt experiments, we tried to learn about the influence of freezing-stress and defocus artifacts on the lipid polymorphism and fine structure of the bilayer profile. We show integrated membrane proteins do modulate the bilayer structure and the morphology of the vesicles.Phase transitions of DMPC vesicles were visualized after freezing under equilibrium conditions at different temperatures in a controlled-environment vitrification system. Below the main phase transition temperature of 24°C (Fig. 1), vesicles show a facetted appearance due to the quasicrystalline areas. A gradual increase in temperature leads to melting processes with different morphology in the bilayer profile. Far above the phase transition temperature the bilayer profile is still present. In the band-pass-filtered images (Fig. 2) no significant change in the width of the bilayer profile is visible.


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