TISSUE FIXATION WITH DIIMIDOESTERS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ALDEHYDES I. COMPARISON OF CROSS-LINKING AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OBTAINED WITH DIMETHYLSUBERIMIDATE AND GLUTARALDEHYDE

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN HASSELL ◽  
ARTHUR R. HAND

Diimidoesters are bifunctional reagents which react with the ε-amino group of lysine, forming intermolecular cross-links with minimal alteration of the native properties of proteins. To determine the optimal conditions for tissue fixation with diimidoesters, a cross-linking assay was developed based on the assumption that protein aggregates formed by intermolecular cross-links would be water-insoluble. With this assay method, the proportion of insoluble protein in fresh liver was 16%, while optimal conditions for cross-linking with the diimidoester, dimethylsuberimidate (DMS) (16-20 mg/ml, 0.02 M Ca++ and 0.15 M Tris-HCl, pH 9.5), rendered 92.1% insoluble and permitted only 3.3% of the protein to diffuse into the fixative solution. The smaller diimidoesters, dimethyladipimate and dimethylmalonimidate, rendered 74 and 16% of the protein insoluble, respectively. Fixation with various aldehydes produced insoluble fractions varying from 74% to over 90%. Ultrastructurally, hepatocytes of DMS-fixed liver and glutaraldehyde-fixed liver were similar except that with the former fixative the Golgi saccules and smooth endoplasmic reticulum were dilated and mitochondrial matrices exhibited an increased electron density. Furthermore, the appearance of glutaraldehyde- and DMS-fixed liver was more readily correlated with the degree of cross-linking than with the pH of the fixative solution per se. The results of this study indicate that DMS is a potentially useful fixative for light and electron microscopy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kinga Salus ◽  
Donata Pluskota-Karwatka

: Glutathione (GSH), due to the ability to capture the reactive electrophiles of exo- and endogenous origin, is expected to prevent cross-linking induced by these compounds. However, it may instead become cross-linked itself. We subjected glutathione to reactions with model α,β-unsaturated carbonyl systems resulting from the interactions of adenosine with bifunctional aldehyde products of lipid peroxidation, and identified a range of adducts and cross-linked products. We found that the S-conjugated adducts, initially formed in the typical for GSH Michael addition to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl system, unexpectedly undergo gradual degradation giving rise to the final N-conjugated products, in which formation of the peptide amino group was involved instead of the sulfhydryl functionality. This finding shows that the role of the GSH amino group in the non-enzymatic detoxification is underestimated and that reactions between cellular α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, and GSH may be more complex than are presently perceived.


1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 466-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Condeelis ◽  
M Vahey

We have purified an actin binding protein from amebas of Dictyostelium discoideum which we call 95,000-dalton protein (95K). This protein is rod shaped, approximately 40 nm long in the electron microscope, contains two subunits measuring 95,000 daltons each, and cross-links actin filaments. Cross-linking activity was demonstrated by using falling-ball viscometry, Ostwald viscometry, and electron microscopy. Cross-linking activity is optimal at 0.1 microM Ca++ and pH 6.8, but is progressively inhibited at higher Ca++ and pH levels over a physiological range. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at 1.6 microM free Ca++ and pH 7.3, respectively. Sedimentation experiments demonstrate that elevated Ca++ and pH inhibit the binding of 95K to F-actin which explains the loss of cross-linking activity. Electron microscopy demonstrates that under optimal conditions for cross-linking, 95K protein bundles actin filaments and that this bundling is inhibited by microM Ca++. Severing of actin filaments by 95K was not observed in any of the various assays under any of the solution conditions used. Hence, 95K protein is a rod-shaped, dimeric, Ca++- and pH-regulated actin binding protein that cross-links but does not sever actin filaments.


Author(s):  
S.K. Aggarwal

The proposed primary mechanism of action of the anticancer drug cisplatin (Cis-DDP) is through its interaction with DNA, mostly through DNA intrastrand cross-links or DNA interstrand cross-links. DNA repair mechanisms can circumvent this arrest thus permitting replication and transcription to proceed. Various membrane transport enzymes have also been demonstrated to be effected by cisplatin. Glycoprotein alkaline phosphatase was looked at in the proximal tubule cells before and after cisplatin both in vivo and in vitro for its inactivation or its removal from the membrane using light and electron microscopy.Outbred male Swiss Webster (Crl: (WI) BR) rats weighing 150-250g were given ip injections of cisplatin (7mg/kg). Animals were killed on day 3 and day 5. Thick slices (20-50.um) of kidney tissue from treated and untreated animals were fixed in 1% buffered glutaraldehyde and 1% formaldehyde (0.05 M cacodylate buffer, pH 7.3) for 30 min at 4°C. Alkaline phosphatase activity and carbohydrates were demonstrated according to methods described earlier.


Author(s):  
Jorge Pecci Saavedra ◽  
Mark Connaughton ◽  
Juan José López ◽  
Alicia Brusco

The use of antibodies as labels for the localization of specific molecules in the nervous systan has been extensively applied in recent years. Both monoand polyclonal antibodies or antisera have been employed. The knowledge of the organization of neuronal connectivities, gliovascular relationships, glioneuronal relationships and other features of nerve tissue has greatly increased.A number of areas of the nervous systan have been analyzed in our laboratory, including the nuclei of the raphe system, the reticular formation, interpeduncular nucleus, substantia nigra, caudate nucleus, putamen, pallidum, spinal cord, pineal gland and others.From a technical point of view, a number of variables needed to be taken into account in order to obtain reliable and reproducible results. The design of the optimal conditions of tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning, dilution of antibodies, and adaptation of Sternberger PAP technique were sane of the parameters taken into account to optimize the results. It is critical that each step of the technique be defined for each particular case.


1993 ◽  
Vol 296 (2) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Bailey ◽  
T J Sims ◽  
N C Avery ◽  
C A Miles

The incubation of lens capsules with glucose in vitro resulted in changes in the mechanical and thermal properties of type-IV collagen consistent with increased cross-linking. Differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.) of fresh lens capsules showed two major peaks at melting temperatures Tm 1 and Tm 2 at approx. 54 degrees C and 90 degrees C, which can be attributed to the denaturation of the triple helix and 7S domains respectively. Glycosylation of lens capsules in vitro for 24 weeks caused an increase in Tm 1 from 54 degrees C to 61 degrees C, while non-glycosylated, control incubated capsules increased to a Tm 1 of 57 degrees C. The higher temperature required to denature the type-IV collagen after incubation in vitro suggested increased intermolecular cross-linking. Glycosylated lens capsules were more brittle than fresh samples, breaking at a maximum strain of 36.8 +/- 1.8% compared with 75.6 +/- 6.3% for the fresh samples. The stress at maximum strain (or ‘strength’) was dramatically reduced from 12.0 to 4.7 N.mm.mg-1 after glycosylation in vitro. The increased constraints within the system leading to loss of strength and increased brittleness suggested not only the presence of more cross-links but a difference in the location of these cross-links compared with the natural lysyl-aldehyde-derived cross-links. The chemical nature of the fluorescent glucose-derived cross-link following glycosylation was determined as pentosidine, at a concentration of 1 pentosidine molecule per 600 collagen molecules after 24 weeks incubation. Pentosidine was also determined in the lens capsules obtained from uncontrolled diabetics at a level of about 1 per 100 collagen molecules. The concentration of these pentosidine cross-links is far too small to account for the observed changes in the thermal and mechanical properties following incubation in vitro, clearly indicating that another as yet undefined, but apparently more important cross-linking mechanism mediated by glucose is taking place.


1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (3) ◽  
pp. 869-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Steenkamp

The mitochondrial electron-transfer flavoprotein (ETF) is a heterodimer containing only one FAD. In previous work on the structure-function relationships of ETF, its interaction with the general acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (GAD) was studied by chemical cross-linking with heterobifunctional reagents [D. J. Steenkamp (1987) Biochem. J. 243, 519-524]. GAD whose lysine residues were substituted with 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl groups was preferentially cross-linked to the small subunit of ETF, the lysine residues of which had been substituted with 4-mercaptobutyramidine (MBA) groups. This work was extended to the interaction of ETF with ETF-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-Q ox). ETF-Q ox was partially inactivated by modification with N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate to introduce pyridyl disulphide structures. A similar modification of ETF caused a large increase in the apparent Michaelis constant of ETF-Q ox for modified ETF owing to the loss of positive charge on some critical lysines of ETF. When ETF-Q ox was modified with 2-iminothiolane to introduce 4-mercaptobutyramidine groups, only a minor effect on the activity of the enzyme was observed. To retain the positive charges on the lysine residues of ETF, pyridyl disulphide structures were introduced by treating ETF with 2-iminothiolane in the presence of 2,2′-dithiodipyridyl. The electron-transfer activity of the resultant ETF preparation containing 4-(2-pyridyldithio)butyramidine (PDBA) groups was only slightly affected. When ETF-Q ox substituted with MBA groups was mixed with ETF bearing PDBA groups, at least 70% of the cross-links formed between the two proteins were between the small subunit of ETF and ETF-Q ox. ETF-Q ox, therefore, interacts predominantly with the same subunit of ETF as GAD. Variables which affect the selectivity of ETF-Q ox cross-linking to the subunits of ETF are considered.


1972 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1006-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEX B. NOVIKOFF ◽  
PHYLLIS M. NOVIKOFF ◽  
CLEVELAND DAVIS ◽  
NELSON QUINTANA

A modification of the Novikoff-Goldfischer alkaline 3,3'-diaminobenzidine medium for visualizing peroxisomes is described. It makes possible light microscopic as well as electron microscopic studies of a recently described class of peroxisomes, the microperoxisomes. Potassium cyanide (5 x 10–3 M) is included in the medium to inhibit mitochondrial staining, the pH is 9.7 and there is a high concentration of H2O2 (0.05%). Two cell types have been chosen to illustrate the advantages of the new procedure for demonstrating the microperoxisomes: the absorptive cells in the human jejunum and the distal tubule cells in the guinea pig kidney. Suggestive relations of microperoxisomes and lipid are described in the human jejunum. The microperoxisomes are strategically located between smooth endoplasmic reticulum that radiates toward the organelles and contains lipid droplets and "central domains" of highly specialized endoplasmic reticulum which do not show the lipid droplets. The microperoxisomes are also present at the periphery of large lipid-like drops. In the guinea pig kidney tubule there is a striking difference between the thick limb of Henle and distal tubule. The distal tubule has a population of cells with large numbers of microperoxisomes readily visible by light microscopy; these cells are not present in the thick limb of Henle. Other differences between the two are also described.


1979 ◽  
Vol 181 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
C A Vater ◽  
E D Harris ◽  
R C Siegel

A model system consisting of highly purified lysyl oxidase and reconstituted lathyritic chick bone collagen fibrils was used to study the effect of collagen cross-linking on collagen degradation by mammalian collagenase. The results indicate that synthesis of approx. 0.1 Schiff-base cross-link per collagen molecule results in a 2–3-fold resistance to human synovial collagenase when compared with un-cross-linked controls or samples incubated in the presence of beta-aminopropionitrile to inhibit cross-linking. These results confirm previous studies utilizing artificially cross-linked collagens, or collagens isolated as insoluble material after cross-linking in vivo, and suggest that increased resistance to collagenase may be one of the earliest effects of cross-linking in vivo. The extent of intermolecular cross-linking among collagen fibrils may provide a mechanism for regulating the rate of collagen catabolism relative to synthesis in normal and pathological conditions.


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