Heterogeneity of Size and Distribution of Intramembrane Particles in the Plasma Membrane of Yeast

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 596-597
Author(s):  
E. Keyhani
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Candida Utilis ◽  
Synthetic Medium ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Translational Diffusion ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Water Cell

The matrix of biological membranes consists of a lipid bilayer into which proteins or protein aggregates are intercalated. Freeze-fracture techni- ques permit these proteins, perhaps in association with lipids, to be visualized in the hydrophobic regions of the membrane. Thus, numerous intramembrane particles (IMP) have been found on the fracture faces of membranes from a wide variety of cells (1-3). A recognized property of IMP is their tendency to form aggregates in response to changes in experi- mental conditions (4,5), perhaps as a result of translational diffusion through the viscous plane of the membrane. The purpose of this communica- tion is to describe the distribution and size of IMP in the plasma membrane of yeast (Candida utilis).Yeast cells (ATCC 8205) were grown in synthetic medium (6), and then harvested after 16 hours of culture, and washed twice in distilled water. Cell pellets were suspended in growth medium supplemented with 30% glycerol and incubated for 30 minutes at 0°C, centrifuged, and prepared for freeze-fracture, as described earlier (2,3).

Deformation of Yeast Plasma Membrane by Ethidium Bromide

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 254-255
Author(s):  
E. Keyhani
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Thin Section ◽  
Ethidium Bromide ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Mutagenic Effect ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Hydrophobic Region ◽  
Thin Section Electron Microscopy ◽  
Section Electron ◽  
Deep Pits

The mutagenic effect of ethidium bromide on the mitochondrial DNA is well established. Using thin section electron microscopy, it was shown that when yeast cells were grown in the presence of ethidium bromide, besides alterations in the mitochondria, the plasma membrane also showed alterations consisting of 75 to 110 nm-deep pits. Furthermore, ethidium bromide induced an increase in the length and number of endoplasmic reticulum and in the number of intracytoplasmic vesicles.Freeze-fracture, by splitting the hydrophobic region of the membrane, allows the visualization of the surface view of the membrane, and consequently, any alteration induced by ethidium bromide on the membrane can be better examined by this method than by the thin section method.Yeast cells, Candida utilis. were grown in the presence of 35 μM ethidium bromide. Cells were harvested and freeze-fractured according to the procedure previously described.

scholarly journals A freeze-fracture study of membrane events during neurohypophysial secretion.

1978 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 542-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
D T Theodosis ◽  
J J Dreifuss ◽  
L Orci
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Core Material ◽  
Number Of Clusters ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
En Face ◽  
Large Particles ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
Fracture Study

Freeze-fracture was used to study the membrane events taking place during neurosecretory granule discharge (exocytosis) and subsequent membrane internalization (endocytosis) in axons of neurohypophyses from control and water-deprived rats. En face views of the cytoplasmic leaflet (P face) of the split axolemma reveal circular depressions that represent the secretory granule membranes fused with the plasma membrane during exocytosis. These depressions often contain granule core material in the process of extrusion into the extracellular space. The membrane surrounding some of the exocytotic openings shows a decreased number of intramembrane particles (mean diameter, 8 nm) which are elsewhere more numerous and evenly distrubuted on the fracture face. Endocytotic sites appear as smaller plasma membrane invaginations, with associated intramembrane particles. Moreover, such invaginations often contain large particles (mean diameter, 12 nm) that appear as clusters on en face views of the membrane leaflet. Quantitative analysis indicates that the number of exocytotic images increases significantly in glands from water-deprived rats. Concomitantly, the number of endocytotic figures per unit area of membrane is raised as is the number of clusters of large particles. The observations demonstrate that, in the neurohypophysis, it is possible to distinguish exocytosis morphologically from endocytosis and that the two events can be assessed quantitatively.

scholarly journals (Na+ + K+)-ATPase correlated with a major group of intramembrane particles in freeze-fracture replicas of cultured chick myotubes.

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 1214-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
D W Pumplin ◽  
D M Fambrough
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Average Particle Size ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Fracture Plane ◽  
Average Particle ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
Double Antibody ◽  
Cross Linkage

Immunofluorescence microscopy with a fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibody was used to map the distribution of sodium- and potassium-ion stimulated ATPase [( Na,K]-ATPase) on the surface of tissue-cultured chick skeletal muscle. At this level of resolution it appeared that the (Na,K)-ATPase molecules were distributed nearly uniformly over the plasma membrane. These molecules could be cross-linked by use of the monoclonal antibody followed by a second antibody directed against the monoclonal antibody; the resulting fluorescent pattern was a set of small dots (patches) on the muscle surface. This pattern was stable over several hours, and there was little evidence of interiorization or of coalescence of the patches. Myotubes labeled with immunofluorescence were fixed in glutaraldehyde, cryoprotected with glycerin, then fractured and replicated by standard methods. Replicas of the immunofluorescence-labeled myotubes revealed clusters of intramembrane particles (IMP) only when the immunofluorescent images indicated a patching of the (Na,K)-ATPase molecules. Double antibody cross-linking of antigenic sites on myotubes with each of three other monoclonal antibodies to plasma membrane antigens likewise resulted in patched patterns of immunofluorescence, but in none of these cases were clusters of intramembrane particles found in freeze-fracture replicas. In each case it was shown that the (Na,K)-ATPase molecules were not patched. Other control experiments showed that patching of (Na,K)-ATPase molecules did not cause co-patching of one of the other plasma membrane proteins defined by a monoclonal antibody and did not cause detectable co-clustering of acetylcholine receptors. Detailed mapping showed that there was a one-to-one correspondence between immunofluorescent patches related to the (Na,K)-ATPase and clusters of IMP in a freeze-fracture replica of the same cell. We conclude that the intramembrane particles patched by double antibody cross-linkage of the (Na,K)-ATPase are caused by (Na,K)-ATPase molecules in the fracture plane. Quantification of the IMP indicated that the (Na,K)-ATPase-related particles account for up to 50% of particles evident in the replicas, or up to about 400 particles/micrometers2 of plasma membrane. Particles related to the (Na,K)-ATPase were similar to the average particle size and were as heterodisperse in size as the total population of IMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Intramembrane particles distribution in the naturally synchronous stage of Physarum polycephalum

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 866-867
Author(s):  
Randolph Taylor ◽  
Henrie Turner
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Physarum Polycephalum ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
Membrane Changes

Comparative ultrastructural investigations of the Physarum polycephalum intramembrane particles in the plasma membrane at different stages of the cycle has provided valuable information in relation to possible changes that occur in the plasma membrane of higher organisms. In addition, it gives insight on how plasma membrane changes correlate with gene expression and gene regulation in eukaryotes. In this report Freeze-fracture-etched techniques were utilized to study the arrangements of intramembrane particles (IMP) distribution and density at eight hours of the naturally synchronous plasmodial stage.

Topology of morphologically detectable protein and cholesterol in membranes of polypeptide-secreting cells

1981 ◽  
Vol 296 (1080) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Fracture Morphology ◽  
Cholesterol Content ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
Exocrine Cells ◽  
Luminal Membrane

The freeze-fracture morphology of intracellular and plasma membranes in endocrine and exocrine polypeptide-secreting cells has been studied to detect changes while these membranes interact during secretion. A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of intramembrane particles and filipin binding as indicators of protein and cholesterol content of the membranes, respectively, reveals the following changes. From the forming of the maturing pole of the Golgi complex, membranes lose morphologically detectable protein and gain morphologically detectable cholesterol. The protein-poor, cholesterol-rich secretory granule membrane then interacts with a richly particulate plasma membrane in endocrine cells and with a moderately particulate luminal membrane in exocrine cells. The site of interaction between secretory granule and plasma membrane is characterized by a local clearing of intramembrane particles; by contrast, filipin-binding sites revealing cholesterol are present in this area. In exocrine cells, the fused secretory granule, which is initially rich in filipin-cholesterol complexes and poor in particles, appears to lose progressively its filipin labelling to resemble the poorly labelled luminal membrane. These findings, although they cannot be interpreted definitely at present, clearly show impressive changes of membrane structure along the secretory pathway and suggest that a corresponding degree of functional specialization is needed for proper interaction to occur.

Ultrastructure of yeast plasma membrane revealed by a new high-resolution freeze-replica method

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 964-965
Author(s):  
Tadashi Hirano ◽  
Akira Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Single Unit ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Fracture Morphology ◽  
Replica Method ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Yeast Protoplasts ◽  
Fracture Theory

The Freeze-fracture morphology of the plasma membrane and surface of yeast protoplasts has been investigated by a new high resolution freeze-replica method (Tanaka et al.1978). According to freeze-fracture theory, it is generally argued that the plane of cleavage breaks down into the bilayer and then follows the plane of the membrane between the two halves of the lipid. However, when we observed thin sections of replica film of the surface of the freeze-fractured face of intact yeast cells, the single unit membrane was clearly visible between the replica film and the cytoplasm (Fig. 1). Accordingly, in the case of yeast cells, we assume that the plane of cleavage breaks down between the plasma membrane and cell wall.On the other hand, Walzthöng et al. (1982) have shown that surface granules are an artifact or form of contamination produced under the conditions used for the ordinary freeze-replica method employing metal shadowing film.

Molecular cytochemistry of freeze-fractured cells

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 894-897
Author(s):  
Pedro Pinto da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Bilayer Membrane ◽  
Integral Membrane Proteins ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
Freeze Etching

I will describe four approaches that combine cytochemistry with freeze-fracture: 1) FREEZE-ETCHING; 2) FRACTURE-LABEL; 3) FRACTURE-PERMEATION; and 4) LABEL-FRACTURE. These techniques, in particular fracture-label, involve delicate points of interpretation and numerous validating controls. In the publications listed at the end, these issues have been addressed in detail.1. FREEZE-ETCHING. I developed freeze-etching as a cytochemical approach to prove that membranes were split by freeze-fracture and to show that biological membranes were comprised of a bilayer membrane continuum interrupted by integral membrane proteins.1 - 4 In freeze-etching, the distribution of the marker over the membrane surface exposed by sublimation is compared to that of the intramembrane particles exposed by fracture. It is often required to aggregate the particles into domains larger than the labeling molecules (Fig. 1). This, and the need for freezing in distilled water, severely limits the application of freeze-etching.

The erythrocyte plasma membrane in murine muscular dystrophy: a scanning electron microscopic and freeze fracture study

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 983-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burr G. Atkinson ◽  
Richard R. Shivers ◽  
Bruce Nixon ◽  
Kristine H. Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
Intramembrane Particles

The plasma membrane of red blood cells from mice afflicated with congenital muscular dystrophy exhibits a dramatic depletion of intramembrane particles. Examination of protein particles on fracture faces of erythrocyte plasma membranes from dystrophic mice revealed a 33% decrease in the number of intramembrane particles when compared with similarly prepared erythrocytes from nondystrophic animals. This alteration in the internal molecular architecture of these plasma membranes is correlated with the morphological distortion manifested by most red blood cells from mice inflicted with this genetic disorder.

scholarly journals Components of the plasma membrane of growing axons. I. Size and distribution of intramembrane particles.

1984 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 1422-1433 ◽  
Author(s):  
R K Small ◽  
K H Pfenninger
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Growth Cone ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Lateral Diffusion ◽  
Membrane Composition ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Discrete Domains ◽  
Membrane Components

The plasmalemma of mature and growing olfactory axons of the bullfrog has been studied by freeze-fracture. Intramembrane particles (IMPs) of mature olfactory axons are found to be uniformly distributed along the shaft. However, during growth, a decreasing gradient of IMP density is evident along the somatofugal axis. The size histograms of axolemmal IMPs from different segments of growing nerve reveal regional differences in the particle composition. The distribution of each individual size class of particles along the growing nerve forms a decreasing gradient in the somatofugal direction; the slope of these gradients varies directly with particle diameter. These size-dependent density gradients are consistent with a process of lateral diffusion of membrane components that are inserted proximally into the plasma membrane. The membrane composition of the growth cone, however, appears to be independent of these diffusion gradients; it displays a mosaic pattern of discrete domains of high and low particle densities. The relative IMP profiles of these growth cone regions are similar to one another but contain higher densities of large IMPs than the neighboring axonal shaft. The shifting distributions of intramembrane particles that characterize the sprouting neuron give new insights into cellular processes that may underlie the establishment of the functional polarity of the neuron and into the dynamics of axolemmal maturation.

Pore-like structures in biological membranes

1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-161
Author(s):  
L. Orci ◽  
A. Perrelet ◽  
F. Malaisse-Lagae ◽  
P. Vassalli
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Membrane Permeability ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
Similar Images ◽  
Specific Array

In freeze-fracture replicas, biological membranes appear as smooth surfaces interrupted by random globular protrusion, the intramembrane particles. Smooth areas correspond to the membrane phospholipidic domain, while intramembrane particles are the morphological counterpart of membrane proteins. In the present work, examination of membranes in a variety of cell types reveals that a number of intramembrane particles contain an electron-dense spot. The spot is thought to correspond to a minute pit in the particle, filled by the platinum used in the freeze-fracture procedure. Similar images, described previously in intramembrane particles forming the specific array of the gap junction, were interpreted as hydrophilic channels bridging the interior and the exterior of the plasma membrane. Comparison between the gap junction particles and the non-junction particles containing a dense spot suggests that these latter may too contain hydrophilic channels. The channels in random intramembrane particles would represent the morphological counterparts of the water-filled pores described in models of membrane permeability.

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