scholarly journals Polymerization of actin. IV. Role of Ca++ and H+ in the assembly of actin and in membrane fusion in the acrosomal reaction of echinoderm sperm

1978 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 536-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
LG Tilney ◽  
DP Kiehart ◽  
C Sardet ◽  
M Tilney
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Intracellular Ph ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
External Medium ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Natural Stimulus ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Acrosomal Reaction

When Pisaster, Asterias, or Thyone sperm are treated with the ionophore A23187 or X537A, an acrosomal reaction similar but not identical to a normal acrosomal reaction is induced in all the sperm. Based upon the response of the sperm, the acrosomal reaction consists of a series of temporally related steps. These include the fusion of the acrosomal vacuole with the cell surface, the polymerization of the actin, the alignment of the actin filaments, an increase in volume, an increase in the limiting membrane, and changes in the shape of the nucleus. In this report, we have concentrated on the first two steps in this sequence. Although fusion of the acrosomal vacuole with the cell surface requires Ca++, we found that the polymerization of actin instead appears to be dependent upon an increase in intracellular pH. This conclusion was reached by applying to sperm A23187, X537A, or nigericin, ionophores which all carry H+ at high affinity, yet vary in their affinity for other cations. When sperm are suspended in isotonic NaCl, isotonic KCl, calcium-free seawater, or seawater, all at pH 8.0, and the ionophore is added, the actin polymerizes explosively and an efflux of H+ from the cell occurs. However, if the pH, of the external medium is maintained at 6.5, the presumed intracellular pH, no effect is observed. And, finally, if egg jelly is added to sperm (the natural stimulus for the acrosomal reaction) at pH 8.0, H+ is also released. On the basis of these observations and those presented in earlier papers in this series, we conclude that a rise in intracellular pH induces the actin to disassociate from its binding proteins. Now it can polymerize.

scholarly journals Regulatory Role of the Morbillivirus Attachment Protein Head-to-Stalk Linker Module in Membrane Fusion Triggering

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Herren ◽  
Neeta Shrestha ◽  
Marianne Wyss ◽  
Andreas Zurbriggen ◽  
Philippe Plattet
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Measles Virus ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Regulatory Role ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Animal Pathogens

ABSTRACTMorbillivirus (e.g., measles virus [MeV] and canine distemper virus [CDV]) host cell entry is coordinated by two interacting envelope glycoproteins, namely, an attachment (H) protein and a fusion (F) protein. The ectodomain of H proteins consists of stalk, connector, and head domains that assemble into functional noncovalent dimer-of-dimers. The role of the C-terminal module of the H-stalk domain (termed linker) and the connector, although putatively able to assume flexible structures and allow receptor-induced structural rearrangements, remains largely unexplored. Here, we carried out a nonconservative mutagenesis scan analysis of the MeV and CDV H-linker/connector domains. Our data demonstrated that replacing isoleucine 146 in H-linker (H-I146) with any charged amino acids prevented virus-mediated membrane fusion activity, despite proper trafficking of the mutants to the cell surface and preserved binding efficiency to the SLAM/CD150 receptor. Nondenaturing electrophoresis revealed that these charged amino acid changes led to the formation of irregular covalent H tetramers rather than functional dimer-of-dimers formed when isoleucine or other hydrophobic amino acids were present at residue position 146. Remarkably, we next demonstrated that covalent H tetramerizationper sewas not the only mechanism preventing F activation. Indeed, the neutral glycine mutant (H-I146G), which exhibited strong covalent tetramerization propensity, maintained limited fusion promotion activity. Conversely, charged H-I146 mutants, which additionally carried alanine substitution of natural cysteines (H-C139A and H-C154A) and thus were unable to form covalently linked tetramers, were fusion activation defective. Our data suggest a dual regulatory role of the hydrophobic residue at position 146 of the morbillivirus head-to-stalk H-linker module: securing the assembly of productive dimer-of-dimers and contributing to receptor-induced F-triggering activity.IMPORTANCEMeV and CDV remain important human and animal pathogens. Development of antivirals may significantly support current global vaccination campaigns. Cell entry is orchestrated by two interacting glycoproteins (H and F). The current hypothesis postulates that tetrameric H ectodomains (composed of stalk, connector, and head domains) undergo receptor-induced rearrangements to productively trigger F; these conformational changes may be regulated by the H-stalk C-terminal module (linker) and the following connector domain. Mutagenesis scan analysis of both microdomains revealed that replacing amino acid 146 in the H-linker region with nonhydrophobic residues produced covalent H tetramers which were compromised in triggering membrane fusion activity. However, these mutant proteins retained their ability to traffic to the cell surface and to bind to the virus receptor. These data suggest that the morbillivirus linker module contributes to the folding of functional pre-F-triggering H tetramers. Furthermore, such structures might be critical to convert receptor engagement into F activation.

scholarly journals Massive Ca-induced Membrane Fusion and Phospholipid Changes Triggered by Reverse Na/Ca Exchange in BHK Fibroblasts

2008 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alp Yaradanakul ◽  
Tzu-Ming Wang ◽  
Vincenzo Lariccia ◽  
Mei-Jung Lin ◽  
Chengcheng Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Hill Coefficient ◽  
Induced Membrane ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Baby hamster kidney (BHK) fibroblasts increase their cell capacitance by 25–100% within 5 s upon activating maximal Ca influx via constitutively expressed cardiac Na/Ca exchangers (NCX1). Free Ca, measured with fluo-5N, transiently exceeds 0.2 mM with total Ca influx amounting to ∼5 mmol/liter cell volume. Capacitance responses are half-maximal when NCX1 promotes a free cytoplasmic Ca of 0.12 mM (Hill coefficient ≈ 2). Capacitance can return to baseline in 1–3 min, and responses can be repeated several times. The membrane tracer, FM 4-64, is taken up during recovery and can be released at a subsequent Ca influx episode. Given recent interest in signaling lipids in membrane fusion, we used green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) and diacylglycerol (DAG) binding domains to analyze phospholipid changes in relation to these responses. PI(4,5)P2 is rapidly cleaved upon activating Ca influx and recovers within 2 min. However, PI(4,5)P2 depletion by activation of overexpressed hM1 muscarinic receptors causes only little membrane fusion, and subsequent fusion in response to Ca influx remains massive. Two results suggest that DAG may be generated from sources other than PI(4,5)P in these protocols. First, acylglycerols are generated in response to elevated Ca, even when PI(4,5)P2 is metabolically depleted. Second, DAG-binding C1A-GFP domains, which are brought to the cell surface by exogenous ligands, translocate rapidly back to the cytoplasm in response to Ca influx. Nevertheless, inhibitors of PLCs and cPLA2, PI(4,5)P2-binding peptides, and PLD modification by butanol do not block membrane fusion. The cationic agents, FM 4-64 and heptalysine, bind profusely to the extracellular cell surface during membrane fusion. While this binding might reflect phosphatidylserine (PS) “scrambling” between monolayers, it is unaffected by a PS-binding protein, lactadherin, and by polylysine from the cytoplasmic side. Furthermore, the PS indicator, annexin-V, binds only slowly after fusion. Therefore, we suggest that the luminal surfaces of membrane vesicles that fuse to the plasmalemma may be rather anionic. In summary, our results provide no support for any regulatory or modulatory role of phospholipids in Ca-induced membrane fusion in fibroblasts.

scholarly journals Polymerization of actin. V. A new organelle, the actomere, that initates the assembly of actin filaments in Thyone sperm

1978 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 551-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
LG Tilney
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Amorphous Material ◽  
Dense Material ◽  
Dense Matrix ◽  
Spontaneous Nucleation ◽  
Acrosomal Reaction ◽  
Triton X

Between the acrosomal vacuole and the nucleus is a cup of amorphous material (profilactin) which is transformed into filaments during the acrosomal reaction. In the center of this cup in untreated Thyone sperm is a dense material which I refer to as the actomere; it is composed of 20-25 filaments embedded in a dense matrix. To visualize the substructure of the actomere, the profilactin around it must be removed. This is achieved either by demembranating the sperm with Triton X-100 and then raising the pH to 8.0, or by adding inophores to intact sperm at pH 8.0. Under these conditions, the actomere remains as a unit while the rest of the profilactin is solubilized or polymerized. When demembranated sperm are incubated under conditions in which the actin should polymerize, filaments grow from the end of the actomere: the actomere thus appears to behave as a nucleating body. This observation is strengthened by experiments in which untreated sperm are incubated in seawater or isotonic NaCl at pH 7.0 and the ionophore X537A is added; in this case, only a partial polymerization of the actin occurs and the acrosomal vacuole does not fuse with the cell surface. The actin filaments that do form, however, are attached to the apical end of the actomere. In fact, the elongating filaments push their way into and frequently through the acrosomal vacuole. Thus, it appears that the sperm organizes the actin filaments by controlling their nucleation. My model is that the cell controls the ammount of unbound actin such that it is slightly above the critical concentration for polymerization. Then, spontaneous nucleation is unfavored and polymerization would proceed from existing nuclei such as the actomer.

scholarly journals Exploring new roles for actin upon LTP induction in dendritic spines

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayte Bonilla-Quintana ◽  
Florentin Wörgötter
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
3D Model ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Membrane Tension ◽  
Spine Stabilization ◽  
Cell Processes

AbstractDendritic spines, small protrusions of the dendrites, enlarge upon LTP induction, linking morphological and functional properties. Although the role of actin in spine enlargement has been well studied, little is known about its relationship with mechanical membrane properties, such as membrane tension, which is involved in many cell processes, like exocytosis. Here, we use a 3D model of the dendritic spine to investigate how polymerization of actin filaments can effectively elevate the membrane tension to trigger exocytosis in a domain close to the tip of the spine. Moreover, we show that the same pool of actin promotes full membrane fusion after exocytosis and spine stabilization.

scholarly journals Exploring new roles for actin upon LTP induction in dendritic spines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayte Bonilla-Quintana ◽  
Florentin Wörgötter
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
3D Model ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Membrane Tension ◽  
Spine Stabilization ◽  
Cell Processes

AbstractDendritic spines, small protrusions of the dendrites, enlarge upon LTP induction, linking morphological and functional properties. Although the role of actin in spine enlargement has been well studied, little is known about its relationship with mechanical membrane properties, such as membrane tension, which is involved in many cell processes, like exocytosis. Here, we use a 3D model of the dendritic spine to investigate how polymerization of actin filaments can effectively elevate the membrane tension to trigger exocytosis in a domain close to the tip of the spine. Moreover, we show that the same pool of actin promotes full membrane fusion after exocytosis and spine stabilization.

scholarly journals Downregulation of high-affinity potassium and sodium symporter gene, EcHKT1;1, in Eucalyptus roots enhances salt tolerance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
BALASUBRAMANIAN Aiyar ◽  
Selvakesavan Rajendran kamalabai ◽  
Shamili Krishnaraj ◽  
Sandhya M C ◽  
Usha Jayachandran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Tolerance ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
External Medium ◽  
Major Gene ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Na Transport ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Na Uptake ◽  
Transgenic Plantlets

Engineering for restricted root Na+ uptake could potentially enhance salt tolerance in Eucalyptus. High-affinity K+ transporters (HKTs) have been implicated in Na+ uptake from the external medium as in the case of TaHKT2;1 or in the unloading of Na+ from xylem like in AtHKT1;1. To rapidly determine the in planta role of EcHKT1:1, composite transgenics in which EcHKT1:1 was specifically downregulated via RNAi in the roots were generated. Compared to the controls that failed to survive at 350 mM NaCl, 33 % of the composite transgenic plantlets generated using the EcHKT1;1 silencing construct were able to tolerate up to 400 mM NaCl. In these composite transgenics, EcHKT1;1 downregulation ranged from 37 % to 74 %. The average shoot to root ratio of sodium was 4.9 folds lower than the controls indicating restricted translocation of Na+ to the shoots. Relative expression analysis in the leaves of two non-transgenic genotypes contrasting for their salt tolerance also showed downregulated EcHKT1;1 expression in the tolerant clone. The study thus determined that EcHKT1;1 is a major gene determining Na+ transport from the roots to shoots. This study also demonstrated the utility of the composite transgenic approach for screening genes conferring salt tolerance in tree species.

scholarly journals Acrosomal reaction of Thyone sperm. II. The kinetics and possible mechanism of acrosomal process elongation.

1982 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 820-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Tilney ◽  
S Inoué
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Acrosomal Reaction ◽  
Balance Of Forces ◽  
High Concentrations

Thyone sperm were induced to undergo the acrosomal reaction with a calcium ionophore A23187 in sea water containing 50 mM excess CaCl2, and the extension of the acrosomal process was recorded with high-resolution, differential interference contrast video microscopy at 60 fields/sec. The length of the acrosomal process was measured at 0.25-s intervals on nine sperm. When the data were plotted as (length)2 vs. time, the points fell exactly on a straight line except for the initial and very final stages of elongation. Cytochalasin B alters the rate of elongation of the acrosomal process in a dose-dependent way, inhibiting the elongation completely at high concentrations (20 micrograms/ml). However, no inhibition was observed unless excess Ca++ was added to sea water. The concentration of actin in the periacrosomal cup of the unreacted sperm is as high as 160 mg/ml; we calculate this concentration from the number and lengths of the actin filaments in a fully reacted sperm, and the volume of the periacrosomal cup in the unreacted sperm. These results are consistent with the hypothesis proposed earlier that monomers add to the ends of the actin filaments situated at the tip of the growing acrosomal process (the preferred end for monomer addition), and that the rate of elongation of the process is limited by diffusion of monomers from the sperm head (periacrosomal cup) to the tip of the elongating process. During the extension of the acrosomal process, a few blebs distributed along its lengths move out with the process. These blebs maintain a constant distance from the tip of the growing process. At maximum length, the straight acrosomal process slackens into a bow, and numerous new blebs appear. A few seconds later, the process suddenly straightens out again and sometimes actually contracts. The behavior of the blebs indicates that membrane is inserted at the base of the growing acrosomal process, and that membrane assembly and water uptake must be coupled to actin assembly during elongation. We discuss how the dynamic balance of forces seems to determine the shape of the growing acrosomal process, and how actin assembly may be controlled during the acrosomal reaction.

Neuronal and Extraneuronal Uptake of 3H-Norepinephrine in the Heart of the Active Bat: An Electron Microscopic Radioautographic Study

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 522-523
Author(s):  
Martin Hagopian ◽  
Michael D. Gershon ◽  
Eladio A. Nunez
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cardiac Muscle ◽  
Maximum Rate ◽  
External Medium ◽  
Extraneuronal Uptake ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Cardiac Tissues ◽  
High Affinity

The ability of cardiac tissues to take up norepinephrine from an external medium is well known. Two mechanisms, called Uptake and Uptake respectively by Iversen have been differentiated. Uptake is a high affinity system associated with adrenergic neuronal elements. Uptake is a low affinity system, with a higher maximum rate than that of Uptake. Uptake has been associated with extraneuronal tissues such as cardiac muscle, fibroblasts or vascular smooth muscle. At low perfusion concentrations of norepinephrine most of the amine taken up by Uptake is metabolized. In order to study the localization of sites of norepinephrine storage following its uptake in the active bat heart, tritiated norepinephrine (2.5 mCi; 0.064 mg) was given intravenously to 2 bats. Monoamine oxidase had been inhibited with pheniprazine (10 mg/kg) one hour previously to decrease metabolism of norepinephrine.

The Role of the Interaction between Fe(III) and Cell Surface in the Accumulation of 67Ga by Tumor Cells

1991 ◽  
Vol 30 (06) ◽  
pp. 290-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Maleki ◽  
A. Martinezi ◽  
M. C. Crone-Escanye ◽  
J. Robert ◽  
L. J. Anghileri
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Ionic Composition ◽  
Iron Complex ◽  
Iron Binding ◽  
Complex Time ◽  
Interaction Product ◽  
Thermodynamic Constant ◽  
Number Of Cells

The study of the interaction between complexed iron and tumor cells in the presence of 67Ga-citrate indicates that a phenomenon of iron-binding related to the thermodynamic constant of stability of the iron complex, and a hydrolysis (or anion penetration) of the interaction product determine the uptake of 67Ga. The effects of various parameters such as ionic composition of the medium, nature of the iron complex, time of incubation and number of cells are discussed.

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