scholarly journals Tyrosine phosphorylation in desmosomes and hemidesmosomes of the corneal epithelium.

1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Amino ◽  
M Takahashi ◽  
Y Honda ◽  
T Fujimoto

We examined the localization of phosphotyrosine (p-Tyr)-modified proteins in the normal corneal epithelium using affinity-purified rabbit anti-p-Tyr antibody. Normal rat cornea was fixed and semi-thin and ultra-thin frozen sections were prepared. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that p-Tyr was distributed along the cell membrane of the corneal epithelium. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the labeling is exclusively localized in the desmosomes and hemidesmosomes. A fraction enriched with desmosomes was extracted from the bovine corneal epithelium and examined by Western blotting. Immunoblotting for p-Tyr showed eight prominent bands (290, 200, 190, 115, 85, 62, 50, and 47 kD) in the desmosomal fraction. The enrichment of p-Tyr in desmosomes and hemidesmosomes of the corneal epithelium suggests that these cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate junctions are involved in signal transduction.

1989 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Woods ◽  
T. Sherwin ◽  
R. Sasse ◽  
T.H. MacRae ◽  
A.J. Baines ◽  
...  

The detergent-insoluble T. brucei cytoskeleton consists of several morphologically distinct regions and organelles, many of which are detectable only by electron microscopy. We have produced a set of monoclonal antibodies that define each structural component of this highly ordered cytoskeleton. The monoclonal antibodies were selected by cloning of hybridomas produced from mice injected with complex mixtures of proteins of either the cytoskeleton itself or salt extracts thereof. Four antibodies define particular tubulin isotypes and locate the microtubules of the axoneme and sub-pellicular array; two antibodies recognize the flagellum attachment zone; one recognizes the paraflagellar rod and another the basal bodies. Finally, one antibody defines a detergent-insoluble component of the nucleus. The antigens detected by each monoclonal antibody have been analysed by immunofluorescence microscopy, immunogold electron microscopy and Western blotting.


Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 818-821
Author(s):  
K Takata ◽  
SJ Singer

Phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of cellular proteins is a rare event and is considered to be related to the regulation of cellular growth, differentiation, and some forms of neoplastic transformation. Using high-affinity antibodies specific to phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr), we have shown the presence at high concentrations of P-Tyr-modified proteins in mouse bone-marrow megakaryocytes. Immunofluorescence microscopy of semithin frozen sections revealed that P-Tyr labeling was localized in a punctate pattern in the majority of the cytoplasm. The thin outer rim of the cytoplasm and the cell membrane was devoid of the label. Immunogold electron microscopy of ultrathin frozen sections showed that P-Tyr labeling was concentrated mostly on the membranes of the vesicles in the cytoplasm. The membrane demarcation system characteristic of megakaryocytes was not labeled. The intensity of P- Tyr labeling varied from one megakaryocyte to another. These results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of specific proteins might be correlated with the developmental stage of megakaryocytes, possibly related to the formation and deposition of the granules.


1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Fujimoto ◽  
A. Nagafuchi ◽  
S. Tsukita ◽  
A. Kuraoka ◽  
A. Ohokuma ◽  
...  

We examined the dynamics of connexins, E-cadherin and alpha-catenin during gap-junction disassembly and assembly in regeneration hepatocytes by immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunogold-electron microscopy using SDS-digested freeze-replicas. The present findings suggest that during the disappearance of gap junctions most of the gap junction plaques are broken up into smaller aggregates, and then the gap junction proteins may be removed from the cell membrane, but some of the connexons or connexins remain dispersed in the plane of membrane as pure morphologically indistinguishable intramembrane proteins. Double-immunogold electron microscopy using a polyclonal antibody for connexins and a monoclonal antibody for E-cadherin or alpha-catenin revealed co-localization of these molecules at cell-to-cell contact sites during the reappearance of gap junction plaques. This implies that, at least in regenerating hepatocytes, the cadherin-catenin complex-mediated cell-to-cell contact sites act as foci for gap junction formation. In addition, connexin-immunoreactivity was also observed along tight junctional strands, suggesting that the gap junction may also form along the tight junctions.


Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 818-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Takata ◽  
SJ Singer

Abstract Phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of cellular proteins is a rare event and is considered to be related to the regulation of cellular growth, differentiation, and some forms of neoplastic transformation. Using high-affinity antibodies specific to phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr), we have shown the presence at high concentrations of P-Tyr-modified proteins in mouse bone-marrow megakaryocytes. Immunofluorescence microscopy of semithin frozen sections revealed that P-Tyr labeling was localized in a punctate pattern in the majority of the cytoplasm. The thin outer rim of the cytoplasm and the cell membrane was devoid of the label. Immunogold electron microscopy of ultrathin frozen sections showed that P-Tyr labeling was concentrated mostly on the membranes of the vesicles in the cytoplasm. The membrane demarcation system characteristic of megakaryocytes was not labeled. The intensity of P- Tyr labeling varied from one megakaryocyte to another. These results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of specific proteins might be correlated with the developmental stage of megakaryocytes, possibly related to the formation and deposition of the granules.


2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (19) ◽  
pp. 3509-3517 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Fujimoto ◽  
H. Kogo ◽  
R. Nomura ◽  
T. Une

The relationship between caveolin-1 isoforms alpha and beta and caveolar ultrastructure was studied. By immunofluorescence microscopy of human fibroblasts, caveolae were observed as dots positive for caveolin-1, but many dots labeled by an antibody recognizing both isoforms (anti-alphabeta) were not labeled by another antibody specific for the alpha isoform (anti-alpha). Immunogold electron microscopy of freeze-fracture replicas revealed caveolae of different depths, and indicated that anti-alpha labeled deep caveolae preferentially over shallow ones, whereas anti-alphabeta labeled both forms with an equivalent frequency and intensity. The presence of the beta isoform in deep caveolae was confirmed by labeling epitope-tagged beta-caveolin. When made to be expressed in HepG2 cells lacking endogenous caveolins, the alpha isoform formed caveolar depressions efficiently, but the beta isoform hardly did so. Caveolae were also formed in cells expressing the two isoforms, but their frequency was variable among cells of the same clone. Coexpression of caveolin-1 and caveolin-2 caused more efficient formation of deep caveolae than caveolin-1 alone. The result indicates that the two isoforms of caveolin-1 have a different potential for forming caveolae structure, and more importantly, that deep and shallow caveolae may be diversified in their molecular composition.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. C750-C762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bouley ◽  
Tian-Xiao Sun ◽  
Melissa Chenard ◽  
Margaret McLaughlin ◽  
Mary McKee ◽  
...  

Interaction of the type 2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) with hormone causes desensitization and internalization. To study the role of the V2R NPxxY motif (which is involved in the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of several other receptors) in this process, we expressed FLAG-tagged wild-type V2R and a Y325F mutant V2R in LLC-PK1a epithelial cells that have low levels of endogenous V2R. Both proteins had a similar apical (35%) and basolateral (65%) membrane distribution. Substitution of Tyr325 with Phe325 prevented ligand-induced internalization of V2R determined by [3H]AVP binding and immunofluorescence but did not prevent ligand binding or signal transduction via adenylyl cyclase. Desensitization and resensitization of the V2R-Y325F mutation occurred independently of internalization. The involvement of clathrin in V2R downregulation was also shown by immunogold electron microscopy. We conclude that the NPxxY motif of the V2R is critically involved in receptor downregulation via clathrin-mediated internalization. However, this motif is not essential for the apical/basolateral sorting and polarized distribution of the V2R in LLC-PK1a cells or for adenylyl cyclase-mediated signal transduction.


1988 ◽  
Vol 107 (6) ◽  
pp. 2377-2387 ◽  
Author(s):  
G K Ojakian ◽  
R Schwimmer

A monoclonal antibody made against a 135-kD glycoprotein (gp135) on the plasma membrane of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was used to study the development and maintenance of epithelial cell surface polarity. Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy of confluent monolayers demonstrated that gp135 had a polarized cell surface distribution and was only localized on the apical surface. The role of membrane contacts in establishing gp135 polarity was determined by plating cells in low Ca++-medium to prevent the formation of intercellular junctions. Quantitative immunogold electron microscopy demonstrated that gp135 had a polarized distribution on cells lacking membrane contacts and was observed on the apical surface at a density 24 times that of the basal membrane contacting the substratum. The possibility that gp135 was associated with components of the apical cytoskeleton was investigated using cytoskeleton-disrupting drugs. Incubation in cytochalasin D produced a clustering of both actin and gp135, and double-label fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that these proteins were colocalized. Experiments using nocodazole had no effect, suggesting that gp135 could be interacting with actin microfilaments, but not microtubules. Treatment with Triton X-100 extracted approximately 50% of the gp135 and immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that the gp135 which remained associated with the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton had a distribution identical to that of control cells. Experiments demonstrating that gp23, a nonpolarized glycoprotein, was preferentially extracted from the apical membrane suggested that the improperly sorted apical gp23 did not interact with the cytoskeleton. These results provided evidence that the polarized cell surface distribution of gp135 was maintained through its interaction with actin in the apical cytoskeleton.


Author(s):  
J. H. Hayden

In a previous study, Allen video-enhanced constrast/differential interference constrast (AVEC-DIC) microscopy was used in conjunction with immunofluorescence microscopy to demonstrate that organelles and vesicle move in either direction along linear elements composed of microtubules. However, this study was limited in that the number of microtubules making up a linear element could not be determined. To overcome this limitation, we have used AVEC-DIC microscopy in conjunction with whole mount electron microscopy.Keratocytes from Rana pipiens were grown on glass coverslips as described elsewhere. Gold London Finder grids were Formvar- and carbon coated, and sterilized by exposure to ultraviolet light. It is important to select a Formvar film that gives a grey reflection when it is floated on water. A silver film is too thick and will detract from the image in the light microscope.


Author(s):  
F. Sachs ◽  
M. J. Song

Cellular electrophysiology has been revolutionized by the introduction of patch clamp techniques. The patch clamp records current from a small patch of the cell membrane which has been sucked into a glass pipette. The membrane patch, a few micons in diameter, is attached to the glass by a seal which is electrically, diffusionally and mechanically tight. Because of the tight electrical seal, the noise level is low enough to record the activity of single ion channels over a time scale extending from 10μs to days. However, although the patch technique is over ten years old, the patch structure is unknown. The patch is inside a glass pipette where it has been impossible to see with standard electron microscopes. We show here that at 1 Mev the glass pipette is transparent and the membrane within can be seen with a resolution of about 30 A.


2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahida Shahana ◽  
Caroline Kampf ◽  
Godfried M. Roomans

Background: Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP).Aim: To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly-L-arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells.Methods: Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly-L-arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy.Results: Poly-L-arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomes.Conclusions: The results point to poly-L-arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell-cell contacts and generalized cell damage.


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