Localization of a pigment-containing structure near the surface of Xenopus eggs which contracts in response to calcium

Development ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-65
Author(s):  
R. W. Merriam ◽  
R. A. Sauterer
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Ion ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Isolation Medium ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Structural Connections ◽  
Contractile Structure

Contractions in surface structures of Xenopus eggs have been induced by application of the calcium ionophore A23187 or calcium ion. Local applications have shown that the contractile structure is present in both animal and vegetal hemispheres. It is, however, much stronger in the animal hemisphere and pigment embedded in it there defines the animal half. The injection of cytochalasin B (CB) into whole cells or the application of the antibiotic to half cells cannot prevent the induced contractions. By experimental means, the contraction of a deeper, pigment-containing structure can be uncoupled from a thin, more superficial and relatively pigment-free layer on the egg surface. By this means it has been possible to establish that the CB-resistant contraction is due, at least partially, to a structurally distinguishable layer subjacent to the outer egg cortex. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrate a dense grainy matrix near the egg surface in which pigment granules but little yolk are embedded. This structure is much thicker in the pigmented hemisphere. The presence of calcium ions in an isolation medium are shown to cause a loosening or dissolution of the structural connections between the dense, contractile structure near the surface and the cytoskeleton of the endoplasm.

FMLP-induced enzyme release from neutrophils: a role for intracellular calcium

1983 ◽  
Vol 245 (3) ◽  
pp. C196-C202 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chandler ◽  
G. Meusel ◽  
E. Schumaker ◽  
C. Stapleton
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Calcium ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Cell Ultrastructure ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Extracellular Calcium ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Enzyme Release ◽  
Calcium Depletion ◽  
Dose Dependent

The ability of the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) to stimulate beta-glucuronidase release and 45Ca2+ release from rabbit neutrophils was studied. FMLP stimulated enzyme release from cytochalasin B-treated cells either in the presence or the absence of extracellular calcium. Depletion of cell calcium, by exposure to either ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid or the calcium ionophore A23187, blocked the ability of FMLP to stimulate enzyme release and 45Ca2+ release in the absence of extracellular calcium. The ability of A23187 to lower the 45Ca2+ content of neutrophils, to block FMLP-stimulated 45Ca2+ release, and to inhibit FMLP-stimulated enzyme release in the absence of calcium was dose dependent over the same concentration range (10(-8) to 10(-6) M A23187) for all three actions. In contrast, FMLP stimulated enzyme release from A23187-treated cells, provided that extracellular calcium was present. This secretory response was normal as judged by cell ultrastructure and FMLP dose-response relationships. It is concluded that A23187 depletes a pool of intracellular calcium usually released by FMLP and that release of calcium from this pool is necessary for initiation of enzyme secretion in the absence of extracellular calcium.

Ultrastructural characterization and morphometric analysis of human eosinophil degranulation

1985 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-48
Author(s):  
W.R. Henderson ◽  
E.Y. Chi
Keyword(s):  
Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Granule Formation ◽  
Human Eosinophil ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Eosinophil Degranulation

Human eosinophil degranulation induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 was examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and morphometric analysis. After incubation with A23187, eosinophil degranulation was characterized by granule movement to the cell periphery and pentalaminar membrane fusion between perigranular and plasma membranes. As adjacent granules fused they became swollen and vesiculated; their contents were released into large cytoplasmic vacuoles, which communicated extracellulary through surface pores. Extracellular release of eosinophil peroxidase without release of lactate dehydrogenase occurred after treatment with the ionophore. Morphometric analysis of the transmission electron micrographs indicated a significant reduction of cytoplasmic granules in the degranulated cells. There was a loss primarily of larger granules and alternatively an increase in the smaller-sized granules (less than 0.1 micron2), suggesting the possibility that exocytosis of mature granules is accompanied by new cytoplasmic granule formation.

Optimisation of porcine oocyte activation following nuclear transfer

Zygote ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Tao ◽  
Zoltán Macháty ◽  
Lalantha R. Abeydeera ◽  
Billy N. Day ◽  
Randall S. Prather
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Oocyte Activation ◽  
Free Medium ◽  
Activation Rate

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of (a) different activation methods, (b) incubation time in calcium-free medium and (c) bisbenzimide staining on the activation and subsequent development of pig oocytes. Oocytes were matured in vitro and activated by one of the following methods: combined thimerosal/dithiothreitol (DTT) treatment, calcium ionophore A23187 treatment followed by incubation in the presence of 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), electroporation, and electroporation followed by incubation with cytochalasin B. There were no significant differences in the activation rate (ranging from 70.0% to 88.3%) and the percentage of cleaved embryos after activation (ranging between 48.8% and 58.8%) among the four treatment groups (p < 0.05). The rate of development to the blastocyst stage in oocytes activated by thimerosal/DTT (10.0%) or electroporation followed by cytochalasin B treatment (12.3%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the group activated with A23187/6-DMAP (2.5%). Both the activation rate and the rate of blastocyst formation in oocytes that were incubated in Ca2+-free medium for 8 h before thimerosal/DTT activation were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in those incubated for 0, 1 or 4 h. Intracellular Ca2+ measurements revealed that the Ca2+ homeostasis in these oocytes were severely altered. Staining of oocytes with 5 μg/ml bisbenzimide for 2 h decreased the quality of blastocysts and increased the rate of degenerated embryos at day 6. Two activation protocols (thimerosal/DTT and electroproation) were used for activation after nuclear transfer; the rate of nuclear formation did not differ in the oocytes activated by the two different methods.

Phospholipid metabolism and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured rat hepatocytes intoxicated with cyanide

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (3) ◽  
pp. C684-C690 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Sakaida ◽  
A. P. Thomas ◽  
J. L. Farber
Keyword(s):  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Rat Hepatocytes ◽  
Phospholipid Metabolism ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Cultured Hepatocytes ◽  
Extracellular Acidosis ◽  
Phospholipid Degradation

The killing of cultured hepatocytes by 1 mM sodium cyanide was reduced by 100 microM chlorpromazine or cytochalasin B (25 micrograms/ml) or by lowering the pH of the culture medium to 6.0. In each case, ATP was depleted despite the decreased number of dead cells. The cell killing by cyanide was accompanied by an accelerated release of 3H-labeled arachidonate from phospholipids. Depletion of ATP by oligomycin did not accelerate phospholipid degradation or kill the hepatocytes. Chlorpromazine, cytochalasin B, and extracellular acidosis reduced the rate of phospholipid degradation in control cells as well as the increase that occurred with cyanide. The calcium ionophore A23187 increased phospholipid degradation and killed the hepatocytes. Chlorpromazine and extracellular acidosis, but not cytochalasin B, protected the cells and prevented the increased lipid degradation in response to A23187. After addition of cyanide, cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) did not change for 71 +/- 8 min, at which time it rose to a plateau of 683 +/- 210 nM within 10 min. A second and larger rise occurred after 84 +/- 8 min and before the death of the cells at 89 +/- 8 min. Treatment with 3.5 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, as well as removal of extracellular calcium, prevented these late increases in [Ca2+]i without affecting the loss of viability. It is concluded that cyanide kills cultured hepatocytes by a mechanisms that is likely related to an accelerated degradation of phospholipids. This change in lipid metabolism is not mediated by a rise in [Ca2+]i but rather may relate to an alteration in the interaction between the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane.

scholarly journals Microfilaments and microtubules in calcium ionophore-induced secretion of lysosomal enzymes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

1978 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 769-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hoffstein ◽  
G Weissmann
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Lysosomal Enzymes ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Human Peripheral Blood ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Enzyme Release ◽  
Experimental Conditions

Human peripheral blood leukocytes (PMN) are induced to release lysosomal enzymes by the calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence but not the absence of extracellular Ca++. Whereas secretion induced by particulate or immune stimuli is accompanied by an increase in visible microtubules and is inhibitable by colchicine, secretion induced by A23187 and Ca++ was not accompanied by an increase in microtubule numbers and was not inhibited by colchicine. Ca++ did not appear to regulate microtubule assembly in these cells since resting PMN had a mean of 22.3 +/- 2.0 microtubules in the centriolar region as compared to 22.3 +/- 1.1 in ionophore-treated cells and 24.9 +/- 1.5 in cells exposed to ionophore and 1 mM Ca++. Bipolar filaments, 10 nm thick and 300--400 nm long, were numerous in the pericortical cytoplasm of cells exposed to both reagents. Microtubules in these cells were decorated with an electron-opaque fibrillar material. PMN exposed to A23187 and Ca++ were contracted in two directions at right angles to each other: (a) Contractions parallel to the plasma membrane resulted in extensive plication of the cell membrane. The cytoplasm subjacent to the plicae contained dense filamentous webs. Plication was prevented by cytochalasin B or reversed by subsequent exposure to an endocytic stimulus such as zymosan. (b) Contractions perpendicular to the plasma membrane, toward the cytocenter, resulted in the formation of vacuoles in normal PMN and of membrane invaginations in cytochalasin B-treated PMN. Whereas contractions parallel to the plasma membrane could occur in the absence of enzyme release (ionophore alone) and enzyme release could occur in the absence of such contractions (ionophore plus calcium plus cytochalasin B), contraction toward the cytocenter occurred in all experimental conditions in which significant enzyme release was obtained. Thus, lysosomal enzyme secretion in PMN involves contractile movements in the plasma membrane toward the lysosomes rather than the reverse. These calcium-mediated contractile events are mediated by cytochalasin B-insensitive microfilaments but not by microtubule assembly.

Time course of endothelial dysfunction and myocardial injury during coronary arterial occlusion

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (3) ◽  
pp. H874-H881 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Viehman ◽  
X. L. Ma ◽  
D. J. Lefer ◽  
A. M. Lefer
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Arterial Occlusion ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Induced Response ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Myeloperoxidase Activity ◽  
Neutrophil Accumulation ◽  
Transmission Electron

The time course of the effects of permanent myocardial ischemia without reperfusion on the coronary vascular endothelium and myocardium were investigated in anesthetized cats. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded for 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 h. Coronary rings from the ischemic LAD and the nonischemic left circumflex (LCX) arteries were tested for their responsiveness to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine (ACh, 0.1-100 nM) and the calcium ionophore A23187 (1-1,000 nM), and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitrite (NaNO2, 0.1-100 microM). Vasorelaxation was not significantly impaired in response to ACh after 1.5 h of ischemia and only moderately impaired after 3.0 h of ischemia (63 +/- 5% of control). However, after 4.5 h of ischemia the ACh-induced response was decreased to 33 +/- 4% of control and further declined to 31 +/- 4% of control after 6.0 h (P less than 0.001 from 1.5 h). There was no significant decrease in LCX ring vasorelaxant responses to vasodilators at all times, and the LAD rings only showed a moderately decreased response to NaNO2 after 6.0 h of ischemia (82 +/- 4% relaxation, P less than 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed very little endothelial damage at 4.5 and 6.0 h, with only some subendothelial swelling noted. Damage to the myocardium did not become significant until after 4.5 h of ischemia, and cardiac myeloperoxidase activity, indicative of neutrophil accumulation, was not significant at any time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Activation of (arachidonyl) phosphatidylinositol turnover in rabbit neutrophils by the calcium ionophore A23187

1981 ◽  
Vol 194 (2) ◽  
pp. 497-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Rubin ◽  
L E Sink ◽  
R J Freer
Keyword(s):  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Maximum Rate ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Enzyme Release ◽  
Secretory Product ◽  
Acid Incorporation

The addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to rabbit neutrophils stimulated [14C]arachidonic acid incorporation into phosphatidylinositol and lysosomal enzyme secretion. A significant increase in phosphatidylinositol labelling was observed after a 2 min exposure to 0.1 microM-ionophore A23187. Maximum increases in rate of labelling were obtained with 1 microM-ionophore A23187 within 1 min, declining to basal rates after 15 min. Similarly, maximum rate of enzyme release occurred during the first 2 min of exposure to ionophore and release was essentially complete by 15 min. Threshold and peak ionophore A23187 concentrations for stimulating both processes were identical. In contrast with the specificity of phosphatidylinositol labelling induced by 1 microM-ionophore A23187 in the absence of cytochalasin B, ionophore also significantly stimulated labelling of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in the presence of cytochalasin B. With a threshold ionophore concentration (0.1 microM), the enhanced incorporation of arachidonate was relatively specific for phosphatidylinositol in cytochalasin-treated cells. Ionophore A23187 did not accelerate labelling of phosphatidylinositol by [14C]acetate or [14C]glycerol, indicating that ionophore A23187 does not stimulate phosphatidylinositol synthesis de novo, although it did promote [14C]palmitate and [32P]Pi incorporation into neutrophil phosphatidylinositol. However, the increase in phosphatidylinositol labelling with these latter precursors was generally slower in onset and much more modest in magnitude than that observed with arachidonic acid. These results support the hypothesis that a Ca2+-dependent phospholipase, which acts on the arachidonate moiety of phosphatidylinositol, is responsible for initiating at least certain of the membrane events coupled to the release of secretory product from the neutrophil.

Growth factors and the primary cilium in BALB/c 3T3 cells

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 830-831
Author(s):  
R. W. Tucker ◽  
N. S. More ◽  
S. Jayaraman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factors ◽  
Primary Cilium ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Growth Stimulation ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
3T3 Cells ◽  
Microtubule Depolymerization

The mechanisms by which polypeptide growth factors Induce DNA synthesis in cultured cells is not understood, but morphological changes Induced by growth factors have been used as clues to Intracellular messengers responsible for growth stimulation. One such morphological change has been the transient disappearance of the primary cilium, a “9 + 0” cilium formed by the perinuclear centriole in interphase cells. Since calcium ionophore A23187 also produced both mitogenesis and ciliary changes, microtubule depolymerization might explain ciliary disappearance monitored by indirect immunofluorescence with anti-tubulin antibody. However, complete resorption and subsequent reformation of the primary cilium occurs at mitosis, and might also account for ciliary disappearance induced by growth factors. To settle this issue, we investigated the ultrastructure of the primary cilium using serial thin-section electron microscopy of quiescent BALB/c 3T3 cells before and after stimulation with serum.

Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation by Ethanol in Vitro Shows Specificity for Aggregating Agent Used and Is Influenced by Platelet Lipid Composition

1982 ◽  
Vol 48 (01) ◽  
pp. 049-053 ◽  
Author(s):  
C G Fenn ◽  
J M Littleton
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Lipid Composition ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Cholesterol Content ◽  
Membrane Lipid ◽  
Calcium Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Increased Sensitivity

SummaryEthanol at physiologically tolerable concentrations inhibited platelet aggregation in vitro in a relatively specific way, which may be influenced by platelet membrane lipid composition. Aggregation to collagen, calcium ionophore A23187 and thrombin (low doses) were often markedly inhibited by ethanol, adrenaline and ADP responses were little affected, and aggregation to exogenous arachidonic acid was actually potentiated by ethanol. Aggregation to collagen, thrombin and A23187 was inhibited more by ethanol in platelets enriched with saturated fatty acids than in those enriched with unsaturated fats. Platelets enriched with cholesterol showed increased sensitivity to ADP, arachidonate and adrenaline but this increase in cholesterol content did not appear to influence the inhibition by ethanol of platelet responses. The results suggest that ethanol may inhibit aggregation by an effect on membrane fluidity and/or calcium mobilization resulting in decreased activity of a membrane-bound phospholipase.

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