scholarly journals SUBSURFACE CISTERNS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEURONAL PLASMA MEMBRANE

1962 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Rosenbluth
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Nerve Cell ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Granular Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Supporting Cells ◽  
Golgi Membranes ◽  
Subsurface Cisterns ◽  
Central Nervous Systems ◽  
Neuronal Plasma Membrane

Subsurface cisterns (SSC's) are large, flattened, membrane-limited vesicles which are very closely apposed to the inner aspect of the plasma membranes of nerve cell bodies and the proximal parts of their processes. They occur in a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate neurons of both the peripheral and central nervous systems, but not in the surrounding supporting cells. SSC's are sheet-like in configuration, having a luminal depth which may be less than 100 A and a breadth which may be as much as several microns. They are separated from the plasmalemma by a light zone of ∼50 to 80 A which sometimes contains a faint intermediate line. Flattened, agranular cisterns resembling SSC's, but structurally distinct from both typical granular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and from Golgi membranes, also occur deep in the cytoplasm of neurons. It is suggested that membranes which are closely apposed may interact, resulting in alterations in their respective properties. The patches of neuronal plasmalemma associated with subsurface cisterns may, therefore, have special properties because of this association, resulting in a non-uniform neuronal surface. The possible significance of SSC's in relation to neuronal electrophysiology and metabolism is discussed.

Incorporation in vivo of [32P]orthophosphate and [Me-3H]choline into rough microsomal, Golgi, and plasma membranes of rat liver

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 876-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia L. Chang ◽  
John R. Riordan ◽  
Mario A. Moscarello ◽  
Jennifer M. Sturgess
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Rat Liver ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Specific Radioactivity ◽  
Marker Enzyme ◽  
Golgi Membranes ◽  
Endomembrane Flow

To study membrane biogenesis and to test the validity of the endomembrane flow hypothesis, incorporation of 32P and [Me-3H]choline in vivo into membranes of the rat liver was followed. Rough microsomal, Golgi-rich, and plasma membrane fractions were monitored with marker enzyme assays and shown with morphometric analysis to contain 82% rough microsomes, at least 70% Golgi complexes, and 88% plasma membranes, respectively. Membrane subfractions from the rough microsomal and Golgi-rich fractions were prepared by sonic disruption.At 5 to 30 min after 32P injection, the specific radioactivity of phosphatidylcholine was higher in the rough microsomal membranes than in the Golgi membranes. From 1 to 3 h, the specific activity of phosphatidylcholine in Golgi membranes became higher and reached the maximum at about 3 h. Although the plasma membrane had the lowest specific radioactivity throughout 0.25–3 h, it increased rapidly thereafter to attain the highest specific activity at 5 h. Both rough microsomal and plasma membranes reached their maxima at 5 h.The specific radioactivity of [32P]phosphatidylethanolamine in the three membrane fractions was similar to that of [32P]phosphatidylcholine except from 5 to 30 min, when the specific radioactivity of phosphatidylethanolamine in the Golgi membranes was similar to the rough microsomal membranes.At 15 min to 5 h after [Me-3H]choline injection, more than 90% of the radioactivity in all the membranes was acid-precipitable. The specific radioactivities of the acid-precipitated membranes, expressed as dpm per milligram protein, reached the maximum at 3 h. After [Me-3H]choline injection, the specific radioactivity of phosphatidylcholine separated from the lipid extract of the acid-precipitated membranes (dpm per micromole phosphorus) did not differ significantly in the three membrane fractions. The results indicated rapid incorporation of choline into membrane phosphatidylcholine by the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and plasma membranes simultaneously.The data with both 32P and [Me-3H]choline precursors did not support the endomembrane flow hypothesis. The Golgi complexes apparently synthesized phosphatidylethanolamine and incorporated choline into phosphatidylcholine as well as the endoplasmic reticulum. The results are discussed with relevance to current hypotheses on the biogenesis and transfer of membrane phospholipids.

scholarly journals Similarity of junctions between plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum in muscle and neurons.

1976 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Henkart ◽  
D M Landis ◽  
T S Reese
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Surface Membrane ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Cerebellar Neurons ◽  
Membrane Specialization ◽  
Large Particles ◽  
Subsurface Cisterns ◽  
Particle Aggregates

The structure of membranes at junctions between the plasma membrane and underlying cisterns of endoplasmic reticulum in amphioxus muscle and mouse cerebellar neurons was studied using the freeze-fracture technique. In amphioxus muscle, subsurface cisterns of sarcoplasmic reticulum form junctions with the surface membrane at the level of the sarcomere I bands. On the protoplasmic leaflet of the sarcolemma overlying these junctions were aggregates of large particles. On the protoplasmic leaflet of the membranes of cerebellar basket, stellate and Purkinie cells there were similar aggregates of large particles. In both tissues, the corresponding external membrane halves had arrays of pits apparently complementary to the aggregates of large particles. Cross fractures through junctions showed that the particle aggregates in neuronal and muscle membranes were consistently located over intracellular cisterns closely applied to the plasma membrane. Thus, a similar plasma membrane specialization is found at subsurface cisterns in mammalian neurons and amphioxus muscle. This similarity supports the hypothesis that subsurface cisterns in neurons, like those in muscle, couple some intracellular activity to the electrical activity of the plasma membrane.

Biogenesis of Plasma Membranes in Salt Glands of Salt-Stressed Domestic Ducklings: Localization of Acyltransferase Activity

1972 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 855-873
Author(s):  
A. M. LEVINE ◽  
JOAN A. HIGGINS ◽  
R. J. BARRNETT
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Salt Gland ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Salt Glands ◽  
Acyltransferase Activity ◽  
Structural Localization ◽  
Differentiated Cells ◽  
Golgi Membranes

In response to salt water stress there is a marked increase in the plasma membranes of the epithelial secretory cells of the salt glands of domestic ducklings. In the present study, the fine-structural localization of the acyltransferases involved in synthesis of phospholipids has been investigated in this tissue during this increased biogenesis of plasma membranes. The specific activity of the acyltransferases of the salt gland rose in response to salt stress, and this preceded the rapid increase in weight and cellular differentiation. After the weight increase of the gland became established, the specific activity of the acyltransferases declined, but the total activity remained constant. Salt gland tissue fixed in a mixture of glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde retained 35% of the acyltransferase activity of unfixed tissue. Cytochemical studies of the localization of acyltransferase activity in fixed and unfixed salt gland showed reaction product associated only with the lamellar membranes of the Golgi complex. This localization occurred in partially differentiated cells from salt-stressed glands to the greatest extent; and to only a small extent in cells of control tissue from unstressed salt glands. Omission of substrates resulted in absence of reaction product in association with the Golgi membranes. In addition, vesicles having limiting membranes morphologically similar to the plasma membrane occurred between the Golgi region and the plasma membrane in the partially differentiated cells. The phospholipid component of the plasma membrane appears therefore to be synthesized in association with the Golgi membranes and the membrane packaged at this site from which it moves in the form of vesicles to fuse with the pre-existing plasma membrane.

scholarly journals The Fine Structure of the Rod-Bipolar Cell Synapse in the Retina of the Albino Rat

1958 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron J. Ladman
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Bipolar Cell ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Lower Pole ◽  
Albino Rat ◽  
Cytoplasmic Vesicles ◽  
Thin Lamella ◽  
Cell Synapse

The fine structure of the rod-bipolar synapse is described and illustrated. Each rod spherule possesses a large, single, oval or elongate mitochondrion approximately 0.5 x 2.0 microns. Surrounding the mitochondrion are elements of agranular endoplasmic reticulum. The bipolar dendrite projects into the lower pole of the spherule and usually terminates in two lobes separated by a cleft. The plasma membranes appear dense and thicker in the region of the synapse. In the rod spherule cytoplasm, contiguous with the plasma membrane is a dense, slightly concave arciform structure, the rod arciform density, extending from the base of the bipolar bifid process through the cleft to an equivalent point on the opposite side. Also within the spherule, and external (towards the sclera) to the rod arciform density, is a parallel, dense, thin lamella, the rod synaptic lamella. This is approximately 25 mµ in thickness and 400 mµ in width at its widest extent. This halfmoon-shaped plate straddles the cleft between the two lobes of the bipolar process. The lamella appears to consist of short regular rodlets or cylinders 5 to 7 mµ in diameter, oriented with their long axes perpendicular to the plane of the lamella. Minute cytoplasmic vesicles found in the cytoplasm of both the rod spherule and the bipolar terminal are most abundant near the rod synaptic lamella.

A comparison of membrane fracture faces of fixed and unfixed glycerinated tissue

1976 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-448
Author(s):  
A.S. Breathnach ◽  
M. Gross ◽  
B. Martin ◽  
C. Stolinski
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Particle Aggregation ◽  
Buccal Epithelium ◽  
Mitochondrial Membranes ◽  
Nuclear Membranes ◽  
General Plasma

Fixed (glutaraldehyde, 3%) and unfixed specimens of rat buccal epithelium, striated muscle, and liver, were cryoprotected with glycerol, freeze-fractured, and replicated without sublimation. A comparison of fracture faces of general plasma membranes, nuclear membranes, mitochondrial membranes, and membranes of rough endoplasmic reticulum revealed no significant differences as between fixed and unfixed material. Apart from some membranes of liver endoplasmic reticulum, there was no evidence of aggregation or redistribution of intramembranous particles in the unfixed material. The results demonstrate that chemical prefixation of tissues for freeze-fracture is not always necessary, or even desirable, and that glycerol may not be as deeply or directly implicated in particle aggregation as previously thought. Fixation with glutaraldehyde alters the cleaving behaviour of plasma membrane at desmosomes and tight junctions, but not at gap junctions.

scholarly journals Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C of Bacillus thuringiensis as a probe for the distribution of phosphatidylinositol in hepatocyte membranes

1989 ◽  
Vol 259 (3) ◽  
pp. 913-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Higgins ◽  
B W Hitchin ◽  
M G Low
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Phospholipase C ◽  
Sodium Carbonate ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Membrane Phospholipids ◽  
Golgi Membranes ◽  
Liver Membranes ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) produced by Bacillus thuringiensis has been used as a probe for the distribution of phosphatidylinositol in hepatocyte membranes. Approx. 50% of this phospholipid was hydrolysed in microsomal vesicles (endoplasmic reticulum) with no significant hydrolysis of the remaining membrane phospholipids. Latency of mannose-6-phosphatase was retained during treatment indicating that the vesicles remained impermeable. Stripping of the ribosomes did not increase hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol; however, when the vesicles were opened using dilute sodium carbonate, hydrolysis increased to greater than 90%. Hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol of Golgi membranes was 35% and of plasma membranes was 50%. After treatment with PI-PLC, radiolabelled secretory proteins were retained in Golgi membranes and trapped lactate dehydrogenase was retained in plasma-membrane preparations indicating that the vesicles remained closed. Hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol increased to greater than 90% when the membranes were opened by treatment with dilute sodium carbonate. These observations indicate that PI-PLC of Bacillus thuringiensis is a suitable probe for the distribution of phosphatidylinositol in membranes, and that in liver membranes this phospholipid occurs on each side of the bilayer, a topography consistent with its diverse roles.

scholarly journals myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mobilizes Ca2+ from isolated adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum but not from plasma membranes

1986 ◽  
Vol 236 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
D M Delfert ◽  
S Hill ◽  
H A Pershadsingh ◽  
W R Sherman ◽  
J M McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Initial Rate ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Heavy Fraction ◽  
Differential Centrifugation ◽  
Plasma Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Inositol 1,4,5 Trisphosphate ◽  
Uptake And Release

The effects of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) on Ca2+ uptake and release from isolated adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane vesicles were investigated. Effects of IP3 were initially characterized using an endoplasmic reticulum preparation with cytosol present (S1-ER). Maximal and half-maximal effects of IP3 on Ca2+ release from S1-ER vesicles occurred at 20 microM- and 7 microM-IP3, respectively, in the presence of vanadate which prevents the re-uptake of released Ca2+ via the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump. At saturating IP3 concentrations, Ca2+ release in the presence of vanadate was 20% of the exchangeable Ca2+ pool. IP3-induced release of Ca2+ from S1-ER was dependent on extravesicular free Ca2+ concentration with maximal release occurring at 0.13 microM free Ca2+. At 20 microM-IP3 there was no effect on the initial rate of Ca2+ uptake by S1-ER. IP3 promoted Ca2+ release from isolated endoplasmic reticulum vesicles (cytosol not present) to a similar level as compared with S1-ER. Addition of cytosol to isolated endoplasmic reticulum vesicles did not affect IP3-induced Ca2+ release. The endoplasmic reticulum preparation was further fractionated into heavy and light vesicles by differential centrifugation. Interestingly, the heavy fraction, but not the light fraction, released Ca2+ when challenged with IP3. IP3 (20 microM) did not promote Ca2+ release from plasma membrane vesicles and had no effect on the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity or on the initial rate of ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by these vesicles. These results support the concept that IP3 acts exclusively at the endoplasmic reticulum to promote Ca2+ release.

scholarly journals Fractionation of Golgi, Endoplasmic Reticulum, and Plasma Membrane from Cultured Cells in a Preformed Continuous Iodixanol Gradient

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 1435-1439 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Graham
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Density Range ◽  
Cultured Cell ◽  
Golgi Membranes ◽  
Cell Homogenate ◽  
Membrane Compartments

A continuous iodixanol gradient within the range 0-30% (w/v) iodixanol can resolve the major membrane compartments of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi membranes, and plasma membrane from a postnuclear supernatant prepared from a cultured cell homogenate. The precise density range of the gradient and the centrifugation conditions (100,000-200,000gfor 2-16 h) vary with the type of cell and the requirements of the separation. The strategy is widely used to study the processing of proteins within cells.

Effect of digitonin on rat myometrium subcellular membrane fractions

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 1128-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Grover ◽  
C. Y. Kwan ◽  
J. Crankshaw ◽  
E. E. Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mitochondrial Marker ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Subcellular Membrane ◽  
Ca Uptake ◽  
Isopycnic Centrifugation

Isopycnic centrifugation experiments using sucrose density gradients showed that in digitonin-treated microsomes the distribution of the plasma membrane (PM) marker 5′-nucleotidase was shifted to higher densities. The treatment also caused similar but less pronounced changes in the distribution of protein, the putative endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase, and the inner mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase. Similar experiments using more purified membrane fractions showed that the digitonin treatment led to a comparable increase in the densities of the fractions N1 and N2 previously described as subfractions of plasma membrane and to considerably less increase in the density of the fraction N3B which is enriched in the endoplasmic reticulum and the inner mitochondrial markers. Digitonin inhibited the ATP-dependent Ca uptake by the N1 fraction in a concentration-dependent manner (I50 = 0.3 mg/mL). Digitonin (0.5 mg/mL) inhibited the ATP-dependent azide-insensitive Ca uptake by all the fractions. The results support the hypothesis that (a) N1 and N2 are subfractions of plasma membrane, and (b) ATP-dependent azide-insensitive Ca uptake in rat myometrium is a property of plasma membranes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document