scholarly journals The centrin-based cytoskeleton of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: distribution in interphase and mitotic cells.

1988 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 635-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
J L Salisbury ◽  
A T Baron ◽  
M A Sanders

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against algal centrin, a protein of algal striated flagellar roots, were used to characterize the occurrence and distribution of this protein in interphase and mitotic Chlamydomonas cells. Chlamydomonas centrin, as identified by Western immunoblot procedures, is a low molecular (20,000-Mr) acidic protein. Immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling demonstrates that centrin is a component of the distal fiber. In addition, centrin-based flagellar roots link the flagellar apparatus to the nucleus. Two major descending fibers extend from the basal bodies toward the nucleus; each descending fiber branches several times giving rise to 8-16 fimbria which surround and embrace the nucleus. Immunogold labeling indicates that these fimbria are juxtaposed to the outer nuclear envelope. Earlier studies have demonstrated that the centrin-based linkage between the flagellar apparatus and the nucleus is contractile, both in vitro and in living Chlamydomonas cells (Wright, R. L., J. Salisbury, and J. Jarvik. 1985. J. Cell Biol. 101:1903-1912; Salisbury, J. L., M. A. Sanders, and L. Harpst. 1987. J. Cell Biol. 105:1799-1805). Immunofluorescence studies show dramatic changes in distribution of the centrin-based system during mitosis that include a transient contraction at preprophase; division, separation, and re-extension during prophase; and a second transient contraction at the metaphase/anaphase boundary. These observations suggest a fundamental role for centrin in motile events during mitosis.

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (8) ◽  
pp. 1355-1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Laoukili ◽  
E. Perret ◽  
S. Middendorp ◽  
O. Houcine ◽  
C. Guennou ◽  
...  

Centrin protein is an ubiquitously expressed cytoskeletal component and is a member of the EF-hand superfamily of calcium-binding proteins. It was first discovered in the flagellar apparatus of unicellular green algae where it is involved in contraction of Ca(2+)-sensitive structures. Centrin protein is associated with centrosome-related structures such as spindle pole body in yeast, and centriole/basal bodies in flagellar and ciliated cells. Three centrin genes have been cloned in human cells. In this work, we have performed a comparative biochemical and functional analysis of centrin isoforms using a primary culture of human nasal epithelial cells which provides an efficient way to obtain a complete ciliated cell differentiation process. RT-PCR experiments show that the expression of the three human centrin genes increases during cell differentiation, and that only centrin 2 and 3 are expressed during cell proliferation. Using polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant human centrin 2 and 3, we show a specific pattern of protein expression. Ultrastructural immunolocalization suggests that centrin proteins are involved in the early process of centriole assembly, as they are concentrated within the precursor structures of centriole/basal bodies. It also shows a differential localisation of centrin proteins in mature centriole/basal bodies, suggesting different functions for centrins 1/2 and centrin 3. This is also supported by functional analyses showing that centrin 1 and/or centrin 2 are involved in ciliary beating.


1990 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 581-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Cartaud ◽  
M A Ludosky ◽  
J C Courvalin ◽  
J Cartaud

Desmosomes are specialized domains of epithelial cell plasma membranes engaged in the anchoring of intermediate filaments (IF). So far, the desmosomal component(s) responsible for this binding has not been unambiguously identified. In the present work, we have examined bovine muzzle epidermis desmosomes for the presence of protein(s) structurally and functionally related to lamin B, the major receptor for IF in the nuclear envelope (Georgatos, S. D., and G. Blobel. 1987. J. Cell Biol. 105:105-115). By using polyclonal antibodies to lamin B in immunoblotting experiments, we find that a desmosomal protein of 140-kD shares epitope(s) with lamin B. Immunoelectron microscopic and urea extraction experiments show that this protein is a peripheral protein localized at the cytoplasmic side of the desmosomes (desmosomal plaques). Furthermore, this protein binds vimentin in an in vitro assay. Since this binding is inhibited by lamin B antibodies, the epitopes common to the 140-kD protein and to lamin B may be responsible for anchoring of intermediate filaments to desmosomes. These data suggest that lamin B-related proteins (see also Cartaud, A., J. C. Courvalin, M. A. Ludosky, and J. Cartaud. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 109:1745-1752) together with lamin B, provide cells with several nucleation sites, which can account for the multiplicity of IF organization in tissues.


2001 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R. Brown ◽  
John W. Mansfield ◽  
Suvi Taira ◽  
Elina Roine ◽  
Martin Romantschuk

The Hrp pilus, composed of HrpA subunits, is an essential component of the type III secretion system in Pseudomonas syringae. We used electron microscopy (EM) and immunocytochemistry to examine production of the pilus in vitro from P. syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 grown under hrp-inducing conditions on EM grids. Pili, when labeled with antibodies to HrpA, developed rapidly in a nonpolar manner shortly after the detection of the hrpA transcript and extended up to 5 μm into surrounding media. Structures at the base of the pilus were clearly differentiated from the basal bodies of flagella. The HrpZ protein, also secreted via the type III system, was found by immunogold labeling to be associated with the pilus in vitro. Accumulation and secretion of HrpA and HrpZ were also examined quantitatively after the inoculation of wild-type DC3000 and hrpA and hrpZ mutants into leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. The functional pilus crossed the plant cell wall to generate tracks of immunogold labeling for HrpA and HrpZ. Mutants that produced HrpA but did not assemble pili were nonpathogenic, did not secrete HrpA protein, and were compromised for the accumulation of HrpZ. A model is proposed in which the rapidly elongating Hrp pilus acts as a moving conveyor, facilitating transfer of effector proteins from bacteria to the plant cytoplasm across the formidable barrier of the plant cell wall.


1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (10) ◽  
pp. 3163-3170 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Fok ◽  
M.S. Aihara ◽  
M. Ishida ◽  
K.V. Nolta ◽  
T.L. Steck ◽  
...  

Our previous study has shown that the decorated tubules (collectively known as the decorated spongiome) of the contractile vacuole complex (CVC) in Paramecium are the site of fluid segregation, as the binding of microinjected monoclonal antibody (mAb) DS-1 to the tubules reduced the CVC's fluid output. In this study, we showed by immunogold labeling on cryosections that the antigenic sites for mAb DS-1 were located on the 15 nm ‘pegs’ protruding from the cytosolic surface of the decorated tubules. In immunofluorescence studies, both polyclonal antibodies against the subunits of the V-ATPase of Dictyostelium discoideum and against the 57 kDa B-subunit of the V-ATPase of chromaffin granules gave identical labeling patterns to that produced by mAb DS-1. On cryosections, all three antigens were located most consistently near or on the pegs of the decorated tubules. These data support the notion that the pegs on the membrane of the decorated tubules represent the V1 complex of a proton pump. Concanamycin B, a potent inhibitor of V-ATPase activity and of acidification of lysosomes and endosomes, strongly and reversibly inhibited fluid output from the CVC but had minimal effect on the integrity of the decorated spongiome as observed by immunofluorescence. Such inhibition suggests that a V-ATPase is intimately involved in fluid segregation. Exposing Paramecium to 12 degrees C or 1 degrees C for 30 minutes resulted in the dissociation of the decorated tubules from the smooth spongiome that borders the collecting canals; thus the DS-1-reactive A4 antigen, the 75 kDa and 66 kDa antigens were all found dispersed in the cytosol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1995 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
V A Lombillo ◽  
C Nislow ◽  
T J Yen ◽  
V I Gelfand ◽  
J R McIntosh

Chromosomes can move with the ends of depolymerizing microtubules (MTs) in vitro, even in the absence of nucleotide triphosphates (Coue, M., V. A. Lombillo, and J. R. McIntosh. 1991. J. Cell Biol. 112:1165-1175.) Here, we describe an immunological investigation of the proteins important for this form of motility. Affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies to kinesin exert a severe inhibitory effect on depolymerization-dependent chromosome motion. These antibodies predominantly recognize a polypeptide of M(r) approximately 250 kD on immunoblots of CHO chromosomes and stain kinetochores as well as some vesicles that are in the chromosome preparation. Antibodies to CENP-E, a kinetochore-associated kinesin-like protein, also recognize a 250-kD electrophoretic component, but they stain only the kinetochroe region of isolated chromosomes. Polyclonal antibodies that recognize specific domains of the CENP-E polypeptide affect MT disassembly-dependent chromosome motion in different ways; antibodies to the head or tail portions slow motility threefold, while those raised against the neck region stop motion completely. Analogous antibodies that block conventional, ATP-dependent motility of cytoplasmic dynein (Vaisberg, G., M. P. Koonce, and J. R. McIntosh. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 123:849-858) have no effect on disassembly-dependent chromosome motion, even though they bind to kinetochores. These observations suggest that CENP-E helps couple chromosomes to depolymerizing MTs. A similar coupling activity may allow spindle MTs to remain kinetochore-bound while their lengths change during both prometaphase and anaphase A.


Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Shelby S. Szteiter ◽  
Ilse N. Diego ◽  
Jonathan Ortegon ◽  
Eliana Salinas ◽  
Abcde Cirilo ◽  
...  

Snake envenomation can result in hemorrhage, local necrosis, swelling, and if not treated properly can lead to adverse systemic effects such as coagulopathy, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity, which can result in death. As such, snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and disintegrins are two toxic components that contribute to hemorrhage and interfere with the hemostatic system. Administration of a commercial antivenom is the common antidote to treat snake envenomation, but the high-cost, lack of efficacy, side effects, and limited availability, necessitates the development of new strategies and approaches for therapeutic treatments. Herein, we describe the neutralization ability of anti-disintegrin polyclonal antibody on the activities of isolated disintegrins, P-II/P-III SVMPs, and crude venoms. Our results show disintegrin activity on platelet aggregation in whole blood and the migration of the SK-Mel-28 cells that can be neutralized with anti-disintegrin polyclonal antibody. We characterized a SVMP and found that anti-disintegrin was also able to inhibit its activity in an in vitro proteolytic assay. Moreover, we found that anti-disintegrin could neutralize the proteolytic and hemorrhagic activities from crude Crotalus atrox venom. Our results suggest that anti-disintegrin polyclonal antibodies have the potential for a targeted approach to neutralize SVMPs in the treatment of snakebite envenomations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 619-628
Author(s):  
Chen Yuan ◽  
Ya Mo ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Xuejun Xie

AbstractAdvanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) are harmful factors that can damage the inner blood–retinal barrier (iBRB). Rat retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) were isolated and cultured, and identified by anti-CD31 and von Willebrand factor polyclonal antibodies. Similarly, rat retinal Müller glial cells (RMGCs) were identified by H&E staining and with antibodies of glial fibrillary acidic protein and glutamine synthetase. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value was measured with a Millicell electrical resistance system to observe the leakage of the barrier. Transwell cell plates for co-culturing RMECs with RMGCs were used to construct an iBRB model, which was then tested with the addition of AGEs at final concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/L for 24, 48, and 72 h. AGEs in the in vitro iBRB model constructed by RMEC and RMGC co-culture led to the imbalance of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelial derivative factor (PEDF), and the permeability of the RMEC layer increased because the TEER decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. AGEs increased VEGF but lowered PEDF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The intervention with AGEs led to the change of the transendothelial resistance of the RMEC layer likely caused by the increased ratio of VEGF/PEDF.


1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 909-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
G D Gagne ◽  
M F Miller

We describe an artificial substrate system for optimization of labeling parameters in electron microscope immunocytochemical studies. The system involves use of blocks of glutaraldehyde-polymerized BSA into which a desired antigen is incorporated by a simple soaking procedure. The resulting antigen-impregnated artificial substrate can then be fixed and embedded identically to a piece of tissue. The BSA substrate can also be dried and then sectioned for immunolabeling with or without chemical fixation and without exposing the antigen to dehydrating agents and embedding resins. The effects of various fixation and embedding procedures can thus be evaluated separately. Other parameters affecting immunocytochemical labeling, such as antibody and conjugate concentration, can also be evaluated. We used this system, along with immunogold labeling, to determine quantitatively the optimal fixation and embedding conditions for labeling of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), human IgG, and horseradish peroxidase. Using unfixed and unembedded HBsAg, we were able to detect antigen concentrations below 20 micrograms/ml. We have shown that it is not possible to label HBsAg within resin-embedded cells using conventional aldehyde fixation protocols and polyclonal antibodies.


1976 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
D L Brown ◽  
A Massalski ◽  
R Patenaude

The organization of microtubular systems in the quadriflagellate unicell Polytomella agilis has been reconstructed by electron microscopy of serial sections, and the overall arrangement confirmed by immunofluorescent staining using antiserum directed against chick brain tubulin. The basal bodies of the four flagella are shown to be linked in two pairs of short fibers. Light microscopy of swimming cells indicates that the flagella beat in two synchronous pairs, with each pair exhibiting a breast-stroke-like motion. Two structurally distinct flagellar rootlets, one consisting of four microtubules in a 3 over 1 pattern and the other of a striated fiber over two microtubules, terminate between adjacent basal bodies. These rootlets diverge from the basal body region and extend toward the cell posterior, passing just beneath the plasma membrane. Near the anterior part of the cell, all eight rootlets serve as attachment sites for large numbers of cytoplasmic microtubules which occur in a single row around the circumference of the cell and closely parallel the cell shape. It is suggested that the flagellar rootless may function in controlling the patterning and the direction of cytoplasmic microtubule assembly. The occurrence of similar rootlet structures in other flagellates is briefly reviewed.


Parasitology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 139 (8) ◽  
pp. 998-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. CUI ◽  
T. LEI ◽  
D. Y. YANG ◽  
P. HAO ◽  
Q. LIU

SUMMARYImmune mapped protein 1 (IMP1) is a newly discovered protein in Eimeria maxima. It is recognized as a potential vaccine candidate against E. maxima and a highly conserved protein in apicomplexan parasites. Although the Neospora caninum IMP1 (NcIMP1) orthologue of E. maxima IMP1 was predicted in the N. caninum genome, it was still not identified and characterized. In this study, cDNA sequence encoding NcIMP1 was cloned by RT-PCR from RNA isolated from Nc1 tachyzoites. NcIMP1 was encoded by an open reading frame of 1182 bp, which encoded a protein of 393 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 42·9 kDa. Sequence analysis showed that there was neither a signal peptide nor a transmembrane region present in the NcIMP1 amino acid sequence. However, several kinds of functional protein motifs, including an N-myristoylation site and a palmitoylation site were predicted. Recombinant NcIMP1 (rNcIMP1) was expressed in Escherichia coli and then purified rNcIMP1 was used to prepare specific antisera in mice. Mouse polyclonal antibodies raised against the rNcIMP1 recognized an approximate 43 kDa native IMP1 protein. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that NcIMP1 was localized on the membrane of N. caninum tachyzoites. The N-myristoylation site and the palmitoylation site were found to contribute to the localization of NcIMP1. Furthermore, the rNcIMP1-specific antibodies could inhibit cell invasion by N. caninum tachyzoites in vitro. All the results indicate that NcIMP1 is likely to be a membrane protein of N. caninum and may be involved in parasite invasion.


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