Characterisation of isolated egg cells,in vitrofusion products and zygotes ofZea maysL. using the technique of image analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy

Zygote ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uday K. Tirlapur ◽  
Erhard Kranz ◽  
Mauro Cresti
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Sperm Cell ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Fusion Product ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Nuclear Chromatin ◽  
Fusion Products

SummaryChanges in membrane Ca2+, calcium receptor protein calmodulin, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria and cellulose in unfixed, living, isolated egg cells and fusion products of pairs of one egg and one sperm cell ofZea maysL. have been investigated using chlorotetracycline, fluphenazine, immunocytochemical techniques, 3,3'dihexyloxa-carbocyanine iodide (DiOC6(3)) and calcofluor white in conjuction with computer-controlled video image analysis. In addition, confocal laser scannig microscopy has been used in conjuction with ethidium bromide to detect the nature and location of the sperm cell nuclear chromatin before and after karyogamy. Digitised video images of chlorotetra cycline (CTC) fluorescence reveal that egg cells contain high levels of membrane Ca2+in organelles present around the nucleus while the cytosolic signal is relatively low. Intense CTC fluorescence is invariably present just below the plasma membrane of egg cells and a certain degree of regionalised distribution of Ca2+in cytoplasm is also discrnible. Similarly, the fluphenazine (FPZ)-detectable calmodulin (CaM) and that localised immunocytochemically using monoclonal anti-CaM antibodies reveal high levels of Cam in the vicinity of the nucleus in egg cells. Only a few ER profiles and mitochondria could be visualised in the egg cell and no calcofluor fluorescence could be detected. Followingin vitrofertilisation of single isolated eggs substantial changes in the Ca2+levels occur which include an increase in the membrane Ca2+of the fusion product, particularly in the cytosol and around the nucleus. Unlike in the eggs the fine CTC fluorescence signal below the plasma membrane is not detectable in the fusion products. Compared with isolated egg cell protolasts an increase in the CaM level in the cytoplasm was observed in the fusion products. There is a slight increase in the CaM level in the cytoplasm was observed in the fusion products. There is a slight increase in the fluorescene around the fusion product is visible after 16 h in in culture. The sperm cell chromatin in the fusion product is highly condensed, unlike that of the egg cell, and confocally imaged serial optical sections of thein vitrofusion product reveal the occurrence of karyogamy 35 min following gamete fusion. First visual evidence for intermingling of sperm nuclear chromatin in the zygotic nuclei is also provided.

Organisation of Glycoproteins into Plasma Membrane Domains on Fucus Serratus Eggs

1992 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-448
Author(s):  
C. J. STAFFORD ◽  
J. R. GREEN ◽  
J. A. CALLOW
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Double Labelling ◽  
Membrane Glycoproteins ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Fucus Serratus

Fertilisation in the brown alga Fucus involves the interaction of motile, biflagellate sperm with spherical eggs. The eggs differ from those of animals in not having the equivalent of a vitelline layer, jelly coat or zona pellucida outside the plasma membrane, and in addition they are not surrounded by a cell wall. Previous studies on Fucus eggs have shown that the lectin Concanavalin A (ConA) binds in patches on the egg surface, suggesting that there is a non-uniform distribution of plasma membrane glycoproteins. In this paper we have further investigated the occurrence of domains on the Fucus egg plasma membrane using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and the lectins ConA and Fucose Binding Protein (FBP). Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) has been used to observe the binding of probes to the Fucus egg cell surface. Four mAbs (FS2, FS4, FS5 and FS9) raised to Fucus serratus sperm have previously been shown to cross-react with crude egg membrane vesicles. Three of these mAbs (FS2, FS4 and FS5) have now been shown to bind to the egg cell surface and they recognise glycoproteins which are organised into domains. mAb FS4 labels large areas of the egg surface, whereas mAbs FS2 and FS5 bind to smaller patches. The lectins ConA and FBP also bind to smaller, discrete domains. Western blotting results and competition binding assays have shown that mAbs FS2 and FS5 compete for binding to the same set of glycoproteins, and FS5 is used in subsequent experiments; FS4 also binds to several glycoproteins but produces a different pattern of labelling on Western blots compared to FS5, though there may be some common components. ConA labels a subset of the glycoproteins recognised by mAb FS5, and FBP recognises one major glycoprotein which is also recognised by ConA and FS5. Double labelling experiments using the CLSM, with FITC- and Au-labelled probes, have shown that the regions on the egg surface labelled by FS4 and FS5 are mainly exclusive, with small areas of overlap. There are also areas which are not labelled by either of these antibodies. The domains recognised by mAb FS5 contain smaller areas which are labelled by ConA. Overall the results show that the Fucus egg surface is heterogeneous with different sets of glycoproteins being organised into domains. With the probes used it is possible to distinguish between FS4+ FS5−, FS4− FS5+, FS4+ FS5+ and FS4− FS5− regions. Within the FS5+ domains smaller sets of glycoproteins are recognised by ConA and within these latter regions there are glycoproteins recognised by FBP.

Vacuoles Induced in Mammalian Cells by Helicobacter Cytotoxin are Acidic Organelles

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-169
Author(s):  
M. H. Chestnut ◽  
C. E. Catrenich
Keyword(s):  
Acridine Orange ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Gastroduodenal Disease ◽  
H Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a non-invasive, Gram-negative spiral bacterium first identified in 1983, and subsequently implicated in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal disease including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Cytotoxic activity, manifested by intracytoplasmic vacuolation of mammalian cells in vitro, was identified in 55% of H. pylori strains examined. The vacuoles increase in number and size during extended incubation, resulting in vacuolar and cellular degeneration after 24 h to 48 h. Vacuolation of gastric epithelial cells is also observed in vivo during infection by H. pylori. A high molecular weight, heat labile protein is believed to be responsible for vacuolation and to significantly contribute to the development of gastroduodenal disease in humans. The mechanism by which the cytotoxin exerts its effect is unknown, as is the intracellular origin of the vacuolar membrane and contents. Acridine orange is a membrane-permeant weak base that initially accumulates in low-pH compartments. We have used acridine orange accumulation in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy of toxin-treated cells to begin probing the nature and origin of these vacuoles.

scholarly journals Effect of dissolution rate and subsequent ion release on cytocompatibility properties of borophosphate glasses

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-97
Author(s):  
Nusrat Sharmin ◽  
Mohammad S. Hasan ◽  
Md. Towhidul Islam ◽  
Chengheng Pang ◽  
Fu Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dissolution Rate ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Ion Release ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Cell Culture Study ◽  
Borophosphate Glasses ◽  
Mg63 Cells

AbstractPresent work explores the relationship between the composition, dissolution rate, ion release and cytocompatibility of a series of borophosphate glasses. While, the base glass was selected to be 40mol%P2O5-16mol%CaO-24mol%MgO-20mol%Na2O, three B2O3 modified glass compositions were formulated by replacing Na2O with 1, 5 and 10 mol% B2O3. Ion release study was conducted using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The thermal scans of the glasses as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed an increment in the thermal properties with increasing B2O3 content in the glasses. On the other hand, the dissolution rate of the glasses decreased with increasing B2O3 content. To identify the effect of boron ion release on the cytocompatibility properties of the glasses, MG63 cells were cultured on the surface of the glass discs. The in vitro cell culture study suggested that glasses with 5 mol% B2O3 (P40B5) showed better cell proliferation and metabolic activity as compares to the glasses with 10 mol% (P40B10) or with no B2O3 (P40B0). The confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images of live/dead stained MG63 cells attached to the surface of the glasses also revealed that the number of dead cells attached to P40B5 glasses were significantly lower than both P40B0 and P40B10 glasses.

scholarly journals Cephalosporin nitric oxide-donor prodrug DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odel Soren ◽  
Ardeshir Rineh ◽  
Diogo G Silva ◽  
Yuming Cai ◽  
Robert P Howlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Nitric Oxide Donor ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method

Abstract Objectives The cephalosporin nitric oxide (NO)-donor prodrug DEA-C3D (‘DiEthylAmin-Cephalosporin-3′-Diazeniumdiolate’) has been shown to initiate the dispersal of biofilms formed by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1. In this study, we investigated whether DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis (CF) isolates of P. aeruginosa and its effect in combination with two antipseudomonal antibiotics, tobramycin and colistin, in vitro. Methods β-Lactamase-triggered release of NO from DEA-C3D was confirmed using a gas-phase chemiluminescence detector. MICs for P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. A crystal violet staining technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to evaluate the effects of DEA-C3D on P. aeruginosa biofilms alone and in combination with tobramycin and colistin. Results DEA-C3D was confirmed to selectively release NO in response to contact with bacterial β-lactamase. Despite lacking direct, cephalosporin/β-lactam-based antibacterial activity, DEA-C3D was able to disperse biofilms formed by three P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Confocal microscopy revealed that DEA-C3D in combination with tobramycin produces similar reductions in biofilm to DEA-C3D alone, whereas the combination with colistin causes near complete eradication of P. aeruginosa biofilms in vitro. Conclusions DEA-C3D is effective in dispersing biofilms formed by multiple clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and could hold promise as a new adjunctive therapy to patients with CF.

scholarly journals Use of electromagnetic stimulation on an Enterococcus faecalis biofilm on root canal treated teeth in vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz H. D. Panariello ◽  
Justin K. Kindler ◽  
Kenneth J. Spolnik ◽  
Ygal Ehrlich ◽  
George J. Eckert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Root Canal ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Confocal Imaging ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Microscopy Imaging ◽  
Electromagnetic Stimulation ◽  
Root Canal Disinfection

AbstractRoot canal disinfection is of utmost importance in the success of the treatment, thus, a novel method for achieving root canal disinfection by electromagnetic waves, creating a synergistic reaction via electric and thermal energy, was created. To study electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) for the disinfection of root canal in vitro, single rooted teeth were instrumented with a 45.05 Wave One Gold reciprocating file. Specimens were sterilized and inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29,212, which grew for 15 days to form an established biofilm. Samples were treated with 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 1.5% NaOCl 1.5% NaOCl with EMS, 0.9% saline with EMS or 0.9% saline. After treatments, the colony forming units (CFU) was determined. Data was analyzed by Wilcoxon Rank Sums Test (α = 0.05). One sample per group was scored and split for confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging. There was a significant effect with the use of NaOCl with or without EMS versus 0.9% saline with or without EMS (p = 0.012 and 0.003, respectively). CFUs were lower when using 0.9% saline with EMS versus 0.9% saline alone (p = 0.002). Confocal imaging confirmed CFU findings. EMS with saline has an antibiofilm effect against E. faecalis and can potentially be applied for endodontic disinfection.

scholarly journals Fig mosaic emaravirus p4 protein is involved in cell-to-cell movement

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 682-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Ishikawa ◽  
Kensaku Maejima ◽  
Ken Komatsu ◽  
Osamu Netsu ◽  
Takuya Keima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Movement Protein ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Fig Mosaic Virus

Fig mosaic virus (FMV), a member of the newly formed genus Emaravirus, is a segmented negative-strand RNA virus. Each of the six genomic FMV segments contains a single ORF: that of RNA4 encodes the protein p4. FMV-p4 is presumed to be the movement protein (MP) of the virus; however, direct experimental evidence for this is lacking. We assessed the intercellular distribution of FMV-p4 in plant cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy and we found that FMV-p4 was localized to plasmodesmata and to the plasma membrane accompanied by tubule-like structures. A series of experiments designed to examine the movement functions revealed that FMV-p4 has the capacity to complement viral cell-to-cell movement, prompt GFP diffusion between cells, and spread by itself to neighbouring cells. Altogether, our findings demonstrated that FMV-p4 shares several properties with other viral MPs and plays an important role in cell-to-cell movement.

scholarly journals Cocktail of carbohydrases from Aspergillus niger: an economical and eco-friendly option for biofilm clearance from biopolymer surfaces

AMB Express ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arashdeep Kaur ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar Soni ◽  
Shania Vij ◽  
Praveen Rishi
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Enzyme Treatment ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Abiotic Surfaces ◽  
Enzyme Cocktail ◽  
Natural Variant

AbstractBiofilm formation on both biotic and abiotic surfaces accounts for a major factor in spread of antimicrobial resistance. Due to their ubiquitous nature, biofilms are of great concern for environment as well as human health. In the present study, an integrated process for the co-production of a cocktail of carbohydrases from a natural variant of Aspergillus niger was designed. The enzyme cocktail was found to have a noteworthy potential to eradicate/disperse the biofilms of selected pathogens. For application of enzymes as an antibiofilm agent, the enzyme productivities were enhanced by statistical modelling using response surface methodology (RSM). The antibiofilm potential of the enzyme cocktail was studied in terms of (i) in vitro cell dispersal assay (ii) release of reducing sugars from the biofilm polysaccharides (iii) the effect of enzyme treatment on biofilm cells and architecture by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Potential of the enzyme cocktail to disrupt/disperse the biofilm of selected pathogens from biopolymer surfaces was also assessed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis. Further, their usage in conjunction with antibiotics was assessed and it was inferred from the results that the use of enzyme cocktail augmented the efficacy of the antibiotics. The study thus provides promising insights into the prospect of using multiple carbohydrases for management of heterogeneous biofilms formed in natural and clinical settings.

scholarly journals pH and Reduction Dual-Responsive Bi-Drugs Conjugated Dextran Assemblies for Combination Chemotherapy and In Vitro Evaluation

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1515
Author(s):  
Xiukun Xue ◽  
Yanjuan Wu ◽  
Xiao Xu ◽  
Ben Xu ◽  
Zhaowei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combination Chemotherapy ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Tumor Resistance ◽  
Oxidized Dextran

Polymeric prodrugs, synthesized by conjugating chemotherapeutic agents to functional polymers, have been extensively investigated and employed for safer and more efficacious cancer therapy. By rational design, a pH and reduction dual-sensitive dextran-di-drugs conjugate (oDex-g-Pt+DOX) was synthesized by the covalent conjugation of Pt (IV) prodrug and doxorubicin (DOX) to an oxidized dextran (oDex). Pt (IV) prodrug and DOX were linked by the versatile efficient esterification reactions and Schiff base reaction, respectively. oDex-g-Pt+DOX could self-assemble into nanoparticles with an average diameter at around 180 nm. The acidic and reductive (GSH) environment induced degradation and drug release behavior of the resulting nanoparticles (oDex-g-Pt+DOX NPs) were systematically investigated by optical experiment, DLS analysis, TEM measurement, and in vitro drugs release experiment. Effective cellular uptake of the oDex-g-Pt+DOX NPs was identified by the human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells via confocal laser scanning microscopy. Furthermore, oDex-g-Pt+DOX NPs displayed a comparable antiproliferative activity than the simple combination of free cisplatin and DOX (Cis+DOX) as the extension of time. More importantly, oDex-g-Pt+DOX NPs exhibited remarkable reversal ability of tumor resistance compared to the cisplatin in cisplatin-resistant lung carcinoma A549 cells. Take advantage of the acidic and reductive microenvironment of tumors, this smart polymer-dual-drugs conjugate could serve as a promising and effective nanomedicine for combination chemotherapy.

scholarly journals PGC-1-Related Coactivator, a Novel, Serum-Inducible Coactivator of Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1-Dependent Transcription in Mammalian Cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3738-3749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Andersson ◽  
Richard C. Scarpulla
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Nuclear Respiratory Factor ◽  
Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 ◽  
Cell Extracts

ABSTRACT The thermogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) coactivator 1 (PGC-1) has previously been shown to activate mitochondrial biogenesis in part through a direct interaction with nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1). In order to identify related coactivators that act through NRF-1, we searched the databases for sequences with similarities to PGC-1. Here, we describe the first characterization of a 177-kDa transcriptional coactivator, designated PGC-1-related coactivator (PRC). PRC is ubiquitously expressed in murine and human tissues and cell lines; but unlike PGC-1, PRC was not dramatically up-regulated during thermogenesis in brown fat. However, its expression was down-regulated in quiescent BALB/3T3 cells and was rapidly induced by reintroduction of serum, conditions where PGC-1 was not detected. PRC activated NRF-1-dependent promoters in a manner similar to that observed for PGC-1. Moreover, NRF-1 was immunoprecipitated from cell extracts by antibodies directed against PRC, and both proteins were colocalized to the nucleoplasm by confocal laser scanning microscopy. PRC interacts in vitro with the NRF-1 DNA binding domain through two distinct recognition motifs that are separated by an unstructured proline-rich region. PRC also contains a potent transcriptional activation domain in its amino terminus adjacent to an LXXLL motif. The spatial arrangement of these functional domains coincides with those found in PGC-1, supporting the conclusion that PRC and PGC-1 are structurally and functionally related. We conclude that PRC is a functional relative of PGC-1 that operates through NRF-1 and possibly other activators in response to proliferative signals.

scholarly journals Vacuolar-type H+-ATPase regulates cytoplasmic pH in Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites

1998 ◽  
Vol 330 (2) ◽  
pp. 853-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Silvia MORENO ◽  
Li ZHONG ◽  
Hong-Gang LU ◽  
Wanderley DE SOUZA ◽  
Marlene BENCHIMOL
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cytoplasmic Ph ◽  
Bafilomycin A1

Cytoplasmic pH (pHi) regulation was studied in Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites by using the fluorescent dye 2ʹ,7ʹ-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Their mean baseline pHi (7.07±0.06; n = 5) was not significantly affected in the absence of extracellular Na+, K+ or HCO3- but was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner by low concentrations of N,Nʹ-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide (DCCD), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or bafilomycin A1. Bafilomycin A1 also inhibited the recovery of tachyzoite pHi after an acid load with sodium propionate. Similar concentrations of DCCD, NEM and bafilomycin A1 produced depolarization of the plasma membrane potential as measured with bis-(1,3-diethylthiobarbituric)trimethineoxonol (bisoxonol), and DCCD prevented the hyperpolarization that accompanies acid extrusion after the addition of propionate, in agreement with the electrogenic nature of this pump. Confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that, in addition to being located in cytoplasmic vacuoles, the vacuolar (V)-H+-ATPase of T. gondii tachyzoites is also located in the plasma membrane. Surface localization of the V-H+-ATPase was confirmed by experiments using biotinylation of cell surface proteins and immunoprecipitation with antibodies against V-H+-ATPases. Taken together, the results are consistent with the presence of a functional V-H+-ATPase in the plasma membrane of these intracellular parasites and with an important role of this enzyme in the regulation of pHi homoeostasis in these cells.

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