Polyprenyl phosphates as coenzymes in protein and oligosaccharide glycosylation

1978 ◽  
Vol 284 (1002) ◽  
pp. 559-568 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
En Bloc ◽  
Plant Kingdom ◽  
Green Plants ◽  
Dolichyl Phosphate ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Sugar Derivatives ◽  
Polyprenyl Phosphates ◽  
Algal Cellulose

Partly saturated polyprenols of the dolichol type occur in all branches of the plant kingdom although in green plants they are quantitatively minor compared with the shorter polyprenols of the ficaprenol and betulaprenol type. Nevertheless, in all members of the plant kingdom so far studied it is the dolichyl phosphates that function in glycosyl transfer. In yeasts, dolichyl phosphate mannose is primarily an intermediate in the O-mannosylation of some membrane-bound proteins. Further mannosylation of the mannoprotein does not involve dolichyl phosphate. Yeast membrane preparations also catalyse the sequential transfer from the appropriate nucleoside diphosphate sugar of N -acetylglucosaminyl phosphate, N -acetylglucosamine, several mannose residues and several glucose residues to dolichyl monophosphate to form a dolichyl diphosphate oligosaccharide. The oligosaccharide is then transferred en bloc to protein to form an N-glycosidically linked glycoprotein. The transfer of mannose and glucose to the dolichyl diphosphate oligosaccharide is probably via dolichyl monophosphate sugar derivatives. Tunicamycin inhibits specifically the transfer of JV-acetylglucosamine phosphate which in turn blocks protein N-glycosylation. Evidence for corresponding processes in O- and N-glycosylation of proteins of hyphal fungi is also available but much less well established. The N-glycosylation of proteins by membrane preparations of green plants appears to occur by a process very similar to that found in yeast. In addition, the biosynthesis of β1-3 and β1-4 linked oligoglucans and also of an algal cellulose primer (a glucoprotein) via dolichyl phosphate glucose has been reported. Possible consequences of these phenomena are discussed.

Microscopic investigations of novel intracellular bodies of a Nocardia SP

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 356-357
Author(s):  
J. L. Stites
Keyword(s):  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Ribonucleic Acids ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Nocardia Sp ◽  
Internal Constitution ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Molecular Components ◽  
Protein Rich

A Nocardia sp.was found during an initial transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination to have unusual intracellular bodies (ICB's) which do not appear to have been described previously in the literature. Most intracellular structures within bacteria have been classified as storage granules, a product of membrane invagination (i.e. mesosomes), or vacuoles. In bacteria there are no known intracellular membrane-bound organelles, and all internal membranes are invaginations of the unit membrane. Several microscopic-level examinations of the Nocardia sp. ICB's were initiated in order to determine their overall structure, classification, and internal constitution.Different TEM staining procedures were performed to determine possible molecular components of the ICB. In all of the staining protocols the ICB's showed a lack of electron density similar to the cell wall. Because the ICB's showed no affinity to any stain, it appeared they do not have strong positive charge (phosphotungstic acid), are not protein rich (en bloc uranyl acetate), lack glycogen and are not phosphate or sulphur rich (lead citrate), nor do they contain lipids or ribonucleic acids (osmium tetroxide).

scholarly journals The effect of flavomycin on the synthesis and transfer of lipid-linked saccharides in pig brain

1982 ◽  
Vol 201 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernst Bause ◽  
Günter Legler
Keyword(s):  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Dolichyl Phosphate ◽  
Pig Brain ◽  
Endogenous Protein ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Sugar Derivatives ◽  
Competitive Nature ◽  
Derivatives Of

Particulate membrane fractions from pig brain catalyse the synthesis of lipid-linked sugar derivatives of the dolichyl phosphate pathway. Flavomycin, a phosphoglycolipid antibiotic produced by various species of streptomycetes, interferes with the formation of these glycolipids to a different extent. The formation of dolichyl phosphate glucose was shown to be most susceptible to the antibiotic, being blocked by about 50% in the presence of 0.2mm-flavomycin, whereas the synthesis of dolichyl diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine, dolichyl diphosphate chitobiose and dolichyl diphosphate chitobiosyl mannose required higher concentrations to achieve a comparable inhibition. Although the formation of dolichyl phosphate mannose was hardly affected, the accumulation of oligosaccharides with five to seven sugar units was observed, when dolichyl diphosphate oligosaccharides were synthesized with GDP-[14C]mannose in the presence of 1mm-flavomycin. This indicates that the inhibition of the synthesis of larger-sized oligosaccharides, known to be mediated by lipid-bound mannose, was not caused by an actual deficiency in dolichyl phosphate mannose. At flavomycin concentrations that inhibited the formation of dolichyl phosphate glucose by 50%, the transfer of lipid-linked saccharides to either the hexapeptide Tyr-Asn-Gly-Thr-Ser-Val or endogenous protein acceptors was hardly influenced. The mode of action of flavomycin is still obscure, but seems not to be of a competitive nature, since the inhibition was unaffected by increasing concentrations of dolichyl phosphate. Some evidence indicates that, besides a direct interaction of the antibiotic with some transferases, a non-specific incorporation into the membrane and alteration of its properties might be responsible for those inhibitory effects on all enzymes which were observed at high concentrations of flavomycin.

New developments in the synthesis of phosphopolyprenols and their glycosyl esters

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 429-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. N. Shibaev ◽  
L. L. Danilov
Keyword(s):  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Dihydrogen Phosphate ◽  
Uronic Acids ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Glycosyl Phosphates ◽  
Dolichyl Phosphate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Derivatives Of ◽  
Polyprenyl Phosphates

Efficient methods were developed in our group in recent years for chemical synthesis of polyprenyl phosphates, polyprenyl monophosphate sugars, and polyprenyl diphosphate sugars, which were known to serve as important intermediates in biosynthesis of complex carbohydrates. A simple procedure was developed involving the phosphorylation of aliphatic alcohols with tetra-n-butylammonium dihydrogen phosphate and trichloroacetonitrile. Monophosphates of various natural and modified dolichols and polyprenols, as well as the derivatives of retinol, cholesterol, and nonacosanol, were prepared in high yields. First syntheses of dolichyl thiophosphate and dolichyl hydrogen phosphonate were developed, and these derivatives were of interest as analogs of dolichyl phosphate. Polyprenyl monophosphate sugars, including derivatives of α- and β-anomers of D-glucopyranose, D-galactopyranose, D-mannopyranose, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose, were obtained smoothly from moraprenyl trichloroacetimidate and acylated glycosyl phosphates after deprotection. A method for the synthesis of polyprenyl diphosphate sugars from polyprenyl phosphoroimidazolidate and unprotected glycosyl phosphates was shown to be applicable for a wide range of the monosaccharide derivatives including hexoses, deoxyhexoses, 2-acetamido-2-deoxyhexoses, and uronic acids. A series of the oligosaccharide derivatives was also prepared by this method.Key words: polyprenyl phosphates, polyprenyl phosphosugars, chemical phosphorylation, specificity of enzymes.

Platinum Compounds as Stains for Electron Microscopy

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 230-231
Author(s):  
S. K. Aggarwal ◽  
P. McAllister ◽  
R. W. Wagner ◽  
B. Rosenberg
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Sarcoma 180 ◽  
Platinum Compounds ◽  
Kb Cells ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Human Lymphoma ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Blue Coloration

Uranyl acetate has been used as an electron stain for en bloc staining as well as for staining ultrathin sections in conjunction with various lead stains (Fig. 1). Present studies reveal that various platinum compounds also show promise as electron stains. Certain platinum compounds have been shown to be effective anti-tumor agents. Of particular interest are the compounds with either uracil or thymine as one of the ligands (cis-Pt(II)-uracil; cis-Pt(II)-thymine). These compounds are amorphous, highly soluble in water and often exhibit an intense blue coloration. These compounds show enough electron density to be used as stains for electron microscopy. Most of the studies are based on various cell lines (human AV, cells, human lymphoma cells, KB cells, Sarcoma-180 ascites cells, chick fibroblasts and HeLa cells) while studies on tissue blocks are in progress.

Cellular Contacts Within the Interhemal Membrane of the Rat Placenta at Term

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 146-147
Author(s):  
William P. Jollie
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Capillary Endothelium ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Aldehyde Fixation ◽  
Chorioallantoic Placenta

By routine EM preparative techniques, the tissues which, collectively, separate maternal and fetal bloods in the fully formed chorioallantoic placenta of the rat have been shown to consist of three chorionic layers, or trophoblast, and a layer of allantoic capillary endothelium [Fig. 1]. Relationships between these layers are best demonstrated by special techniques, viz., cacodylate-buffered aldehyde fixation, collidine-buffered osmium tetroxide postfixation, and en bloc staining with uranyl acetate. By using this method on placentas at term, the cells of the outermost chorionic layer (Trophoblast 1) appear to be attached to each other by means of maculae adherentes which sometimes occur in clusters [Fig. 2].

Localization of pancreatic enzymes in ultrathin frozen sections stained with metal labeled antibody

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-91
Author(s):  
Kenjiro Yasuda
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Pancreatic Enzymes ◽  
Tissue Preparation ◽  
Zymogen Granules ◽  
Frozen Sections ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Antibody Method ◽  
Ultrathin Frozen Sections ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody Method

Localization of amylase,chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen in pancreas was demonstrated by Yasuda and Coons (1966), by using fluorescent antibody method. These enzymes were naturally found in the zymogen granules. Among them, amylase showed a diffuse localization around the nucleus, in addition to the zymogen granules. Using ferritin antibody method, scattered ferritin granules were also found around the Golgi area (Yasuda et al.,1967). The recent advance in the tissue preparation enables the antigen to be localized in the ultrathin frozen sections, by applying the labeled antibodies onto the sections instead of staining the tissue en bloc.The present study deals with the comparison of the localization of amylase and lipase demonstrated by applying the bismuth-labeled, peroxidase-labeled and ferritin-labeled antibody methods on the ultrathin frozen sections of pancreas, and on the blocks of the same tissue.

Lead aspartate: a new en bloc stain for electron microscopy

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-35
Author(s):  
J.R. Walton
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Calcium Ion ◽  
Enzyme Reaction ◽  
Lead Citrate ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Lead Salts ◽  
Thin Sectioning ◽  
High Alkalinity

In electron microscopy, lead is the metal most widely used for enhancing specimen contrast. Lead citrate requires a pH of 12 to stain thin sections of epoxy-embedded material rapidly and intensively. However, this high alkalinity tends to leach out enzyme reaction products, making lead citrate unsuitable for many cytochemical studies. Substitution of the chelator aspartate for citrate allows staining to be carried out at pH 6 or 7 without apparent effect on cytochemical products. Moreover, due to the low, controlled level of free lead ions, contamination-free staining can be carried out en bloc, prior to dehydration and embedding. En bloc use of lead aspartate permits the grid-staining step to be bypassed, allowing samples to be examined immediately after thin-sectioning.Procedures. To prevent precipitation of lead salts, double- or glass-distilled H20 used in the stain and rinses should be boiled to drive off carbon dioxide and glassware should be carefully rinsed to remove any persisting traces of calcium ion.

Two Distinct Types of Microfilaments in the Cytoplasm of Human Adenohypophysial Cells

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 668-669
Author(s):  
E. Horvath ◽  
K. Kovacs ◽  
I. E. Stratmann ◽  
C. Ezrin
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Anterior Lobe ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Type I ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Human Pituitary ◽  
Severe Diabetes ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Membrane Bound

Surgically removed human pituitary glands as well as pituitary tumors fixed in glutaraldehyde, postfixed in osmium tetroxide, embedded in epon resin, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate have been investigated by electron microscopy in order to correlate ultrastructure with functional activity. In the course of this study two distinct types of microfilaments have been identified in the cytoplasm of adenohypophysiocytes.Type I microfilaments (Fig. 1) were found in the cytoplasm of anterior lobe cells of five female subjects with disseminated mammary cancer and two patients with severe diabetes mellitus. The breast cancer patients were treated pre-operatively for various periods of time with different doses of oxysteroids. The microfilaments had an average diameter of JO A, formed parallel bundles, were scattered irregularly in the cytoplasm and were frequently located in the perikaryon. They were not membrane-bound and failed to show any periodicity.

Quantitative EM of gap junction distribution in mutant drosophila wing discs

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 720-721
Author(s):  
J.S. Ryerse
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Growth Control ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Wing Disc ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Metabolic Cooperation ◽  
Drosophila Wing ◽  
Adult Wing ◽  
Wing Discs ◽  
Wing Pouch

Gap junctions are intercellular junctions found in both vertebrates and invertebrates through which ions and small molecules can pass. Their distribution in tissues could be of critical importance for ionic coupling or metabolic cooperation between cells or for regulating the intracellular movement of growth control and pattern formation factors. Studies of the distribution of gap junctions in mutants which develop abnormally may shed light upon their role in normal development. I report here the distribution of gap junctions in the wing pouch of 3 Drosophila wing disc mutants, vg (vestigial) a cell death mutant, 1(2)gd (lethal giant disc) a pattern abnormality mutant and 1(2)gl (lethal giant larva) a neoplastic mutant and compare these with wildtype wing discs.The wing pouch (the anlagen of the adult wing blade) of a wild-type wing disc is shown in Fig. 1 and consists of columnar cells (Fig. 5) joined by gap junctions (Fig. 6). 14000x EMs of conventionally processed, UA en bloc stained, longitudinally sectioned wing pouches were enlarged to 45000x with a projector and tracings were made on which the lateral plasma membrane (LPM) and gap junctions were marked.

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