scholarly journals Compartmentalization of membrane trafficking, glucose transport, glycolysis, actin, tubulin and the proteasome in the cytoplasmic droplet/Hermes body of epididymal sperm

Open Biology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 150080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Au ◽  
Louis Hermo ◽  
Elliot Byrne ◽  
Jeffrey Smirle ◽  
Ali Fazel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Epididymal Sperm ◽  
Quantitative Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cytoplasmic Droplet ◽  
Germ Cell Differentiation

Discovered in 1909 by Retzius and described mainly by morphology, the cytoplasmic droplet of sperm (renamed here the Hermes body) is conserved among all mammalian species but largely undefined at the molecular level. Tandem mass spectrometry of the isolated Hermes body from rat epididymal sperm characterized 1511 proteins, 43 of which were localized to the structure in situ by light microscopy and two by quantitative electron microscopy localization. Glucose transporter 3 (GLUT-3) glycolytic enzymes, selected membrane traffic and cytoskeletal proteins were highly abundant and concentrated in the Hermes body. By electron microscope gold antibody labelling, the Golgi trafficking protein TMED7/p27 localized to unstacked flattened cisternae of the Hermes body, as did GLUT-3, the most abundant protein. Its biogenesis was deduced through the mapping of protein expression for all 43 proteins during male germ cell differentiation in the testis. It is at the terminal step 19 of spermiogenesis that the 43 characteristic proteins accumulated in the nascent Hermes body.

scholarly journals B0AT1 amino acid transporter complexed with SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 forms a heterodimer functional unit: in situ conformation using radiation inactivation analysis

Function ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce R Stevens ◽  
J Clive Ellory ◽  
Robert L Preston
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Functional Unit ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Amino Acid Transporter ◽  
Neutral Amino Acid ◽  
Transport Activity ◽  
Acid Transporter

Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 receptor, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2), is expressed at levels of greatest magnitude in the small intestine as compared to all other human tissues. Enterocyte ACE2 is co-expressed as the apical membrane trafficking partner obligatory for expression and activity of the B0AT1 sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter. These components are assembled as an [ACE2: B0AT1]2 dimer-of-heterodimers quaternary complex that putatively steers SARS-CoV-2 tropism in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GI clinical symptomology is reported in about half of COVID-19 patients, and can be accompanied by gut shedding of virion particles. We hypothesized that within this 4-mer structural complex, each [ACE2: B0AT1] heterodimer pair constitutes a physiological “functional unit.” This was confirmed experimentally by employing purified lyophilized enterocyte brush border membrane vesicles that were exposed to increasing doses of high-energy electron radiation from a 16 MeV linear accelerator. Based on established target theory, the results indicated the presence of Na+-dependent neutral amino acid influx transport activity functional unit with target size mw = 183.7 ± 16.8 kDa in situ in intact apical membranes. Each thermodynamically stabilized [ACE2: B0AT1] heterodimer functional unit manifests the transport activity within the whole ∼345 kDa [ACE2: B0AT1]2 dimer-of-heterodimers quaternary structural complex. The results are consistent with our prior molecular docking modeling and gut-lung axis approaches to understanding COVID-19. These findings advance the understanding of the physiology of B0AT1 interaction with ACE2 in the gut, and thereby potentially contribute to translational developments designed to treat or mitigate COVID-19 variant outbreaks and/or GI symptom persistence in long-haul Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).

In situ nanoscale visualization of solvent effects on molecular crystal surfaces

CrystEngComm ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikkel Herzberg ◽  
Anders Støttrup Larsen ◽  
Tue Hassenkam ◽  
Anders Østergaard Madsen ◽  
Jukka Rantanen
Keyword(s):  
Solid Solution ◽  
Solvent Effects ◽  
Molecular Crystal ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Molecular Crystals ◽  
Crystal Surfaces ◽  
Solution Interface ◽  
Atomic Force

Solvents can dramatically affect molecular crystals. Obtaining favorable properties for these crystals requires rational design based on molecular level understanding of the solid-solution interface. Here we show how atomic force...

scholarly journals An In-Situ Reaction Route to Molecular Level Dispersed Bisimide and ZnO Nanorod Hybrids with Efficient Photo-Induced Charge Transfer

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunzheng Lv ◽  
Lirong He ◽  
Jiahong Tang ◽  
Feng Yang ◽  
Chuhong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Charge Transfer ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Surface Photovoltage ◽  
Zno Nanorod ◽  
In Situ Reaction ◽  
Perylene Bisimide ◽  
Induced Charge

AbstractAs an important photoconductive hybrid material, perylene/ZnO has attracted tremendous attention for photovoltaic-related applications, but generally faces a great challenge to design molecular level dispersed perylenes/ZnO nanohybrids due to easy phase separation between perylenes and ZnO nanocrystals. In this work, we reported an in-situ reaction method to prepare molecular level dispersed H-aggregates of perylene bisimide/ZnO nanorod hybrids. Surface photovoltage and electric field-induced surface photovoltage spectrum show that the photovoltage intensities of nanorod hybrids increased dramatically for 100 times compared with that of pristine perylene bisimide. The enhancement of photovoltage intensities resulting from two aspects: (1) the photo-generated electrons transfer from perylene bisimide to ZnO nanorod due to the electric field formed on the interface of perylene bisimide/ZnO; (2) the H-aggregates of perylene bisimide in ZnO nanorod composites, which is beneficial for photo-generated charge separation and transportation. The introduction of ordered self-assembly thiol-functionalized perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (T-PTCDI)/ ZnO nanorod composites induces a significant improvement in incident photo-to-electron conversion efficiency. This work provides a novel mentality to boost photo-induced charge transfer efficiency, which brings new inspiration for the preparation of the highly efficient solar cell.

Alterations of band 3 transport protein by cellular aging and disease: erythrocyte band 3 and glucose transporter share a functional relationship

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 1419-1427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gieljan J. C. G. M. Bosman ◽  
Marguerite M. B. Kay
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Transport ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Band 3 ◽  
Anion Transport ◽  
Cellular Aging ◽  
Abnormal Band ◽  
Membrane Spanning

Structural changes in human erythrocyte band 3 that affect anion transport are correlated with changes in glucose transport in situ. Breakdown of band 3, observed during normal erythrocyte aging in situ and in some diseases involving erythrocytes, is associated with an increase in Km and a decrease in Vmax of sulfate self-exchange, and with an increase in Km and Vmax of glucose efflux. Erythrocytes containing a high molecular weight form of band 3 exhibit an increase in Vmax of sulfate exchange and a decrease in Vmax of glucose efflux. Identical transport characteristics are observed in abnormal band-3-containing erythrocytes from individuals with familial amyotrophic chorea with acanthocytosis. A third band 3 alteration, fast-aging band 3, exhibits decreased Vmax of sulfate exchange and an increase in Km and decrease in Vmax of glucose efflux. Changes in band 3 structure that are the result of unstable hemoglobin or a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and that do not affect anion transport have no effect on glucose transport characteristics. These data indicate the existence of a functional relationship between the membrane-spanning, anion-transport domain of band 3 and glucose transport in human erythrocytes. Antibodies to synthetic peptides reveal structural changes in membranes from the three inborn band 3 alterations and in band 3 itself in membranes from fast-aging band 3. Thus, immunological data suggests a structural relationship between anion and glucose transporters.Key words: red cell, anion transport, membrane proteins, aging, choreoacanthocytosis, anemia.

scholarly journals 15-Lipoxygenase is a component of the mammalian sperm cytoplasmic droplet

Reproduction ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
K A Fischer ◽  
K Van Leyen ◽  
K W Lovercamp ◽  
G Manandhar ◽  
M Sutovsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Immune Serum ◽  
Residual Body ◽  
Cytoplasmic Droplet ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Proteolytic Pathway ◽  
Cellular Debris ◽  
Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme ◽  
Boar Spermatozoa

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a family of enzymes capable of peroxidizing phospholipids. A member of the LOX family of enzymes, 15-LOX, participates in the degradation of mitochondria and other organelles within differentiating red blood cells, the reticulocytes. The present study provides biochemical and immunocytochemical evidence for the presence of 15-LOX in the sperm cytoplasmic droplet (CD). Testicular, epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa were evaluated for the presence of 15-LOX using an affinity-purified immune serum raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence of rabbit reticulocyte 15-LOX. Western blotting revealed an appropriate single band of ~81 kDa in boar spermatozoa but not in boar seminal plasma. When ejaculated boar spermatozoa were subjected to separation on a 45/90% Percoll gradient, 15-LOX co-migrated with the immotile sperm and cellular debris/CD fractions, but not with the motile sperm fraction containing morphologically normal spermatozoa without CDs. Varied levels of 15-LOX were expressed in ejaculated sperm samples from boars with varied semen quality. By immunofluorescence, prominent 15-LOX immunoreactivity was found within the residual body in the testis and within the CDs from caput, corpus and cauda epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa. Components of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway, which is thought to facilitate both spermiogenesis and reticulocyte organelle degradation, were also detected in the sperm CD. These included ubiquitin, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2, the ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase PGP 9.5, and various 20S proteasomal core subunits of the α- and β-type. The 15-LOX and various components of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway were also detected in sperm CDs of other mammalian species, including the human, mouse, stallion and wild babirusa boar. We conclude that 15-LOX is prominently present in the mammalian sperm CD and thus may contribute to spermiogenesis, CD function or CD removal.

Abstract 645: Heparin’s Effects on Vascular Cells Require Transmembrane Receptor 184A

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Lynn N Farwell ◽  
Trista Barthol ◽  
Joshua B Slee ◽  
Linda J Lowe-Krentz
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Vascular Cells ◽  
Erk Activation ◽  
Germ Cell Differentiation ◽  
Control Shrna ◽  
Quantitative Immunofluorescence ◽  
Pdgf Stimulation ◽  
Pre Treatment

Introduction: Though heparin has been used in the clinic for decades, molecular mechanism(s) underlying heparin’s functions independent of anti-coagulation are still unclear. Transmembrane protein 184A (TMEM184A) is conserved, yet its physiological and molecular functions remain unknown. There are few studies reporting its expression and potential role in membrane trafficking in exocrine cells, and involvement in signaling during male germ cell differentiation. Sequence analysis reveals that the C terminal domain includes a putative binding site for heparin. We have previously shown that heparin decreases proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by inducing expression of MKP-1 that decreases Elk-1 and ERK activation. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that TMEM184A plays a role in mediating heparin effects in vascular cells. Methods and Results: We observed TMEM184A expression in vascular cells through immunofluorescence and western blotting using three primary antibodies against different regions in TMEM184A, and visualized cells with confocal microscopy. To investigate whether heparin effects were dependent on TMEM184A, VSMCs were electroporated with 20 μg/ml control or TMEM184A shRNA. Control and knockdown VSMCs were treated with 200 μg/ml heparin for 20 min followed by 2 μg/ml platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Activated ERK or Elk-1 in the nucleus was compared to untreated controls or cells treated with PDGF alone. Quantitative immunofluorescence of over 100 cells for each treatment from at least three independent experiments showed that heparin treatment prior to 20 min PDGF stimulation significantly decreased active ERK by nearly 50% in control shRNA cells compared to cells treated with PDGF alone (20 min PDGF = 100.0% ± 3.76%, heparin pre-treatment = 55.5% ± 2.20%; p<0.001). In TMEM184A knockdown cells, heparin pre-treatment did not decrease ERK activation (20 min PDGF = 100.0% ± 3.27%, heparin pre-treatment = 109.8% ± 3.06%). Similar results were observed for Elk-1. Heparin also did not decrease proliferation in response to PDGF in knockdown VSMCs as shown with BrdU incorporation assays. Conclusions: Our results provide functional evidence that heparin signaling in VSMCs is mediated at least in part by TMEM184A.

Role of membrane trafficking in plasma membrane solute transport

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (1) ◽  
pp. C1-C24 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Bradbury ◽  
R. J. Bridges
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Solute Transport ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Transport Proteins ◽  
Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ◽  
Transmembrane Conductance ◽  
Regulated Trafficking

Cells can rapidly and reversibly alter solute transport rates by changing the kinetics of transport proteins resident within the plasma membrane. Most notably, this can be brought about by reversible phosphorylation of the transporter. An additional mechanism for acute regulation of plasma membrane transport rates is by the regulated exocytic insertion of transport proteins from intracellular vesicles into the plasma membrane and their subsequent regulated endocytic retrieval. Over the past few years, the number of transporters undergoing this regulated trafficking has increased dramatically, such that what was once an interesting translocation of a few transporters has now become a widespread modality for regulating plasma membrane solute permeabilities. The aim of this article is to review the models proposed for the regulated trafficking of transport proteins and what lines of evidence should be obtained to document regulated exocytic insertion and endocytic retrieval of transport proteins. We highlight four transporters, the insulin-responsive glucose transporter, the antidiuretic hormone-responsive water channel, the urinary bladder H(+)-ATPase, and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channel, and discuss the various approaches taken to document their regulated trafficking. Finally, we discuss areas of uncertainty that remain to be investigated concerning the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the trafficking of proteins.

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