Heterogeneity of phospholipid synthesis in rat liver endoplasmic reticulum during proliferation of smooth membranes

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-197
Author(s):  
J.A. Higgins

During proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) induced by phenobarbital the specific activity of acyltransferases of the smooth microsomes increases, there is a transient rise in the phospholipid/protein ratio of these membranes, and an increased incorporation of [14C]glycerol into smooth-membrane phospholipid. Microsomes separated into subfractions on 2 gradients exhibited a heterogeneous distribution of these characteristics, indicating a non-uniform distribution of the site of phospholipid synthesis in the ER under these conditions. Cytochemical localization of acyltransferases on whole liver and smooth and rough microsomes confirmed this heterogeneity, and indicated that the distribution of this activity was not restricted to any morphologically distinct site in the ER of the intact cell. After 4 days of phenobarbital treatment the increased membrane is restricted to lighter subfractions and is similar in distribution to that of increased acyltransferase activity. These results indicate that the synthesis of membrane phospholipid and the growth of the SER in response to phenobarbital is not uniform but occurs at randomly dispersed sites in the SER while proteins may be added preferentially at these sites resulting in a final uniform distribution.

1974 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 635-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan A. Higgins

The specific activity of the acyltransferases of smooth microsomes of rat liver rose threefold by 12 h after injection of phenobarbital, while the activity of the acyltransferases of the rough microsomes rose slightly to peak at 3–4 h, and subsequently fell. The latter rise was abolished by treatment of the animal with actinomycin D or puromycin, while that of the smooth microsomes was unaffected. Incorporation of [14C]glycerol into phospholipid of smooth microsomes was elevated 100% by phenobarbital, while that of the rough microsomes was elevated 15%, and this could be accounted for by exchange between the microsomal phospholipids. The phospholipid/protein ratio of the smooth microsomes rose 1.5 times 3–4 h after injection of phenobarbital, while that of the rough microsomes fell slightly. The specific activity of NADPH cytochrome c reductase and NADPH diaphorase rose first in the rough microsomes, and subsequently in the smooth microsomes at a time coinciding with the return of the phospholipid/protein ratio to the control level. The rise in phospholipid/protein ratio was unaffected by actinomycin D or puromycin. These results indicate that the proliferating smooth membranes are the site of phospholipid synthesis, and that the phospholipid/protein ratio of these membranes may change independently.


1968 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Holtzman ◽  
T. E. Gram ◽  
P. L. Gigon ◽  
J. R. Gillette

Mixed-function oxidase activity, when measured by the N-demethylation of ethylmorphine or the hydroxylation of aniline, is significantly higher in the smooth hepatic endoplasmic reticulum than in the rough. In the rabbit the smooth membrane/rough membrane activity ratios are significantly greater than 1 whether the activities are expressed per g. of liver (ratio 5), per mg. of protein (ratio 3–5), per μg. of phospholipid phosphorus (ratio 2), per unit of cytochrome P-450 (ratio 1·7) or per unit of NADPH–cytochrome c reductase activity (ratio 2). On the other hand, if the activities are normalized to the NADPH–cytochrome P-450 reductase, there is no significant difference between the rough and smooth membranes. These results suggest that, in the rabbit, the rate-limiting step is the reduction of cytochrome P-450. In contrast, in the rat the difference in activities can be explained by differences in the concentration of cytochrome P-450.


1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Leskes ◽  
P. Siekevitz ◽  
G. E. Palade

The distribution of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in rat hepatocytes during a period of rapid endoplasmic reticulum differentiation (4 days before birth-1 day after birth) was studied by electron microscope cytochemistry. Techniques were devised to insure adequate morphological preservation, retain glucose-6-phosphatase activity, and control some other possible artifacts. At all stages examined the lead phosphate deposited by the cytochemical reaction is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear envelope. At 4 days before birth, when the enzyme specific activity is only a few per cent of the adult level, the lead deposit is present in only a few hepatocytes. In these cells a light deposit is seen throughout the entire rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. At birth, when the specific activity of glucose-6-phosphatase is approximately equal to that of the adult, nearly all cells show a positive reaction for the enzyme and, again, the deposit is evenly distributed throughout the entire endoplasmic reticulum. By 24 hr postparturition all of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and in addition the newly formed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, contains heavy lead deposits; enzyme activity at this stage is 250% of the adult level. These findings indicate that glucose-6-phosphatase develops simultaneously within all of the rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes of a given cell, although asynchronously in the hepatocyte population as a whole. In addition, the enzyme appears throughout the entire smooth endoplasmic reticulum as the membranes form during the first 24 hr after birth. The results suggest a lack of differentiation within the endoplasmic reticulum with respect to the distribution of glucose-6-phosphatase at the present level of resolution.


1978 ◽  
Vol 234 (3) ◽  
pp. C102-C109 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Gumucio ◽  
L. J. DeMason ◽  
D. L. Miller ◽  
S. O. Krezoski ◽  
M. Keener

The objective of this study was to determine whether the inductive effect of phenobarbital (PB) on liver cytochrome P-450 was the result of the action of this drug on all or some hepatocytes. For this purpose, a light (cell band I) and a heavy (cell band II) subpopulation of hepatocytes were separated from rat liver in a continuous density gradient. To determine the location of these hepatocytes in tissue, [14C]bromobenzene, which binds covalently to centrilobular hepatocytes, was administered. The specific activity (14C dpm/mg protein) was greater in cells of band I than in cells of band II, suggesting a predominant contribution of centrilobular hepatocytes to the lighter cell band. Microsomes were separated from each cell subpopulation after 3 days of PB administration and cytochrome P-450 was measured. Although a fivefold increment in cytochrome P-450 content of light hepatocytes was noted, the content of heavy hepatocytes was similar to that of the respective subpopulation in controls. Concomitantly, PB administered for 3 days induced the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of centrilobular hepatocytes only, as revealed by electron microscopy of whole tissue. These results indicated that PB induces cytochrome P-450 in a selective subpopulation of hepatocytes, most likely located near the terminal hepatic venule.


Author(s):  
Joan A. Higgins

In response to intraperitoneal injections of phenobarbital there is a marked proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum membranes (s.e.r.) of rat hepatocytes, with little change in other membranous organelles. This increased membrane formation is accompanied by a rise in the specific activity of the enzymes involved in drug detoxification initially in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (r.e.r.) followed by a rise in the s.e.r. There is also an increased accumulation of glycerophospholipid in the newly formed s.e.r.


1975 ◽  
Vol 152 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Harwood ◽  
Michael E. Grant ◽  
David S. Jackson

1. The glycosylation of hydroxylysine during the biosynthesis of procollagen by embryonic chick tendon and cartilage cells was examined. When free and membrane-bound ribosomes isolated from cells labelled for 4min with [14C]lysine were assayed for hydroxy[14C]lysine and hydroxy[14C]lysine glycosides, it was found that hydroxylation took place only on membrane-bound ribosomes and that some synthesis of galactosylhydroxy[14C]lysine and glucosylgalactosylhydroxy[14C]lysine had occurred on the nascent peptides. 2. Assays of subcellular fractions isolated from tendon and cartilage cells labelled for 2h with [14C]lysine demonstrated that the glycosylation of procollagen polypeptides began in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. 14C-labelled polypeptides present in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi fractions were glycosylated to extents almost identical with the respective secreted procollagens. 3. Assays specific for collagen galactosyltransferase and collagen glucosyltransferase are described, using as substrate chemically treated bovine anterior-lens-capsule collagen. 4. When homogenates were assayed for the collagen glycosyltransferase activities, addition of Triton X-100 (0.01%, w/v) was found to stimulate enzyme activities by up to 45%, suggesting that the enzymes were probably membrane-bound. 5. Assays of subcellular fractions obtained by differential centrifugation for collagen galactosyltransferase activity indicated the specific activity to be highest in the microsomal fractions. Similar results were obtained for collagen glucosyltransferase activity. 6. When submicrosomal fractions obtained by discontinuous-sucrose-density-gradient-centrifugation procedures were assayed for these enzymic activities, the collagen galactosyltransferase was found to be distributed in the approximate ratio 7:3 between rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum of both cell types. Similar determinations of collagen glucosyltransferase indicated a distribution in the approximate ratio 3:2 between rough and smooth microsomal fractions. 7. Assays of subcellular fractions for the plasma-membrane marker 5′-nucleotidase revealed a distribution markedly different from the distributions obtained for the collagen glycosyltransferase. 8. The studies described here demonstrate that glycosylation occurs early in the intracellular processing of procollagen polypeptides rather than at the plasma membrane, as was previously suggested.


1972 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan A. Higgins ◽  
Russell J. Barrnett

The localization of acyltransferases involved in acylation of α-glycerophosphate, during phenobarbital induced proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ser) membranes, has been investigated using cytochemical and cell fractionation techniques. In cytochemical studies of normal rat liver, reaction product marking acyltransferase activity was associated to the greatest extent with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rer) membranes and to a lesser extent with ser membranes. In liver from phenobarbital-treated rats, reaction product was largely restricted to ser membranes. The specific activity of the acyltransferases of rough microsomes from normal rat liver was higher than that of the smooth microsomes. On injection of phenobarbital, this fell rapidly after three injections to a low level, at which it remained during subsequent treatment. The specific activity of the smooth microsomes, on injection of phenobarbital, rose to a peak 12 hr after the first injection, after which it fell to a level at an activity above that of smooth microsomes of normal liver. A mechanism is postulated for the biogenesis of smooth membranes in which the phospholipid is synthesized in situ and the protein is synthesized in the rer and moves to the site of newly synthesized phospholipid, where it is inserted to produce a whole membrane.


1970 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Tata

1. The rate of synthesis of membrane phospholipid was studied in rat liver and seminal vesicles by following the incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate, [14C]choline and [14C]glycerol. Particular emphasis was laid on the endoplasmic reticulum, which was fractionated into smooth microsomal membranes, heavy rough membranes, light rough membranes and free polyribosomes. 2. Phospholipid labelling patterns suggested a heterogeneity in the synthesis and turnover of the different lipid moieties of smooth and rough endoplasmic membranes. The major phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, were labelled relatively rapidly with 32P over a short period of time whereas incorporation of radioisotope into the minor phospholipids, sphingomyelin, lysolecithin and phosphatidylinositol proceeded slowly but over a longer period of time. 3. The incorporation of orotic acid into RNA and labelled amino acids into protein of the four submicrosomal fractions was also studied. 4. Rapid growth of the liver was induced by the administration of growth hormone and tri-iodothyronine to hypophysectomized and thyroidectomized rats and by partial hepatectomy. Growth of seminal vesicles of castrated rats was stimulated with testosterone propionate. 5. The rate of labelling of membrane phospholipids was enhanced in all major subcellular particulate fractions (nuclear, mitochondrial and microsomal) during induced growth. However, it was in the rough endoplasmic reticulum that the accumulation of phospholipids, RNA and protein was most marked. The effect of hormone administration was also to accelerate preferentially the labelling with 32P of sphingomyelin relative to that of phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine. 6. Time-course analyses showed that, in all four growth systems studied, the enhancement of the rate of membrane phospholipid synthesis coincided with the rather abrupt increase in the synthesis of RNA and protein of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Growth hormone and tri-iodothyronine administered to hypophysectomized rats had additive effects in all the biosynthetic processes. The latent period of action of each hormone was maintained so that two waves of proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum occurred if the hormones were administered simultaneously. 7. It is concluded that there is some mechanism in the cell that tightly co-ordinates the formation of membranes, especially those of the endoplasmic reticulum, when an increased demand is made for protein synthesis.


2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S311-S316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Fagone ◽  
Suzanne Jackowski

Author(s):  
John J. Wolosewick ◽  
John H. D. Bryan

Early in spermiogenesis the manchette is rapidly assembled in a distal direction from the nuclear-ring-densities. The association of vesicles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and the manchette microtubules (MTS) has been reported. In the mouse, osmophilic densities at the distal ends of the manchette are the organizing centers (MTOCS), and are associated with the SER. Rapid MT assembly and the lack of rough ER suggests that there is an existing pool of MT protein. Colcemid potentiates the reaction of vinblastine with tubulin and was used in this investigation to detect this protein.


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