Investigation of the ontogenetic patterns of rat hypothalamic dopaminergic neurone morphology and function in vitro

1993 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Murray ◽  
G. E. Gillies
Keyword(s):  
Primary Culture ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Defined Medium ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Uptake Mechanism ◽  
Functional Maturation ◽  
Functional Development

ABSTRACT Using fetal rat hypothalamic cells in primary culture maintained in a serum-free defined medium we have investigated the morphological and functional development of the dopamine (DA)-containing neurones intrinsic to the hypothalamus. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated the presence of three morphologically distinct subtypes of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive neurones. On day 3 in vitro unipolar, bipolar and multipolar cell types were apparent. The latter two subtypes persisted to later days in culture and increased both in perikarya size and neurite length. All subtypes have been shown to have correlates in vivo. Biochemical studies employing [3H]DA demonstrated a time- and temperature-dependent uptake mechanism within the cultures which was significantly attenuated by the uptake inhibitors benztropine and nomifensine in a dose-dependent manner. [3H]DA was also released under both basal and 56 mmol K+/l-stimulated conditions and the magnitude of the response was reduced by exclusion of calcium from the release medium. The amount of [3H]DA accumulated and released by the cultured cells increased with the age of the culture, suggesting functional maturation of the DA-containing neurones within this preparation. The role of oestradiol-17β in regulating hypothalamic dopaminergic function was also investigated both indirectly with the use of [3H]DA and by direct measurement of endogenously synthesized DA using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. Both uptake and release of [3H] and release of endogenous DA were significantly modulated by the concentration of steroid in the defined medium. These results demonstrate that hypothalamic dopaminergic neurones, when maintained in primary culture, undergo morphological and functional maturation which have several correlates in vivo. In addition, we have demonstrated that at least one sub-population of dopaminergic neurones within this preparation is responsive to oestradiol-17β. As DA is considered to be a vital component in the regulation of neuroendocrine activity we suggest that this model is valuable for the investigation of the functional development of the DA systems of the hypothalamus and the relationship existing between neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and neuroactive steroids. Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 139, 403–414

scholarly journals Targeting a Lipid Desaturation Enzyme, SCD1, Selectively Eliminates Colon Cancer Stem Cells through the Suppression of Wnt and NOTCH Signaling

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Yeongji Yu ◽  
Hyejin Kim ◽  
SeokGyeong Choi ◽  
JinSuh Yu ◽  
Joo Yeon Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Notch Signaling ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Lipid Desaturation ◽  
Novel Target

The elimination of the cancer stem cell (CSC) population may be required to achieve better outcomes of cancer therapy. We evaluated stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) as a novel target for CSC-selective elimination in colon cancer. CSCs expressed more SCD1 than bulk cultured cells (BCCs), and blocking SCD1 expression or function revealed an essential role for SCD1 in the survival of CSCs, but not BCCs. The CSC potential selectively decreased after treatment with the SCD1 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. The CSC-selective suppression was mediated through the induction of apoptosis. The mechanism leading to selective CSC death was investigated by performing a quantitative RT-PCR analysis of 14 CSC-specific signaling and marker genes after 24 and 48 h of treatment with two concentrations of an inhibitor. The decrease in the expression of Notch1 and AXIN2 preceded changes in the expression of all other genes, at 24 h of treatment in a dose-dependent manner, followed by the downregulation of most Wnt- and NOTCH-signaling genes. Collectively, we showed that not only Wnt but also NOTCH signaling is a primary target of suppression by SCD1 inhibition in CSCs, suggesting the possibility of targeting SCD1 against colon cancer in clinical settings.

Oxidative stress in primary culture hepatocytes isolated from partially hepatectomized rats

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (10) ◽  
pp. 1047-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Francés ◽  
M. Teresa Ronco ◽  
Elena Ochoa ◽  
M. Luján Alvarez ◽  
Ariel Quiroga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Primary Culture ◽  
Cell Injury ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Metabolic Activities ◽  
Stress Oxidative ◽  
Species Production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of partial hepatectomy prior to cell isolation on hepatocytes in vitro. We characterized the possible changes of various stress oxidative parameters within the first 24 h after seeding. Male Wistar rats served as donors. Hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion from either liver of simulated surgery (SH) or from liver 1 h after 70% hepatectomy (PH), and the changes in stress parameters were analyzed after 1, 3, 18, and 24 h in culture. At 24 h, only hepatocytes from PH maintained significantly increased reactive oxygen species production, oxidized glutathione percentage, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Our results show that hepatocytes suffer significant cell injury as a result of the isolation procedure, but primary cultured cells from SH metabolically recover from this stress after 18 h. After this time, primary culture hepatocytes primed by PH maintain their in vivo-like metabolic activities (increase in both oxidative stress and antioxidant status).

CNP gene expression is activated by Wnt signaling and correlates with Wnt4 expression during renal injury

2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (4) ◽  
pp. F653-F662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kameswaran Surendran ◽  
Theodore C. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Renal Injury ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Proximal Promoter ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Binding Factor ◽  
Identical Cell ◽  
Renal Tubular

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) regulates salt excretion, vascular tone, and fibroblast proliferation and activation. CNP inhibits fibroblast activation in vitro and fibrosis in vivo, but endogenous CNP gene ( Nppc) expression during tissue fibrosis has not been reported. We determined that Nppc is induced in renal tubular epithelia and then in interstitial myofibroblasts after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Induction of Nppcoccurred in identical cell populations to those in which Wnt4 is induced after renal injury. In addition, Nppc was activated in Wnt4-expressing cells during nephrogenesis. Wnt signaling components β-catenin and T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer binding factor (TCF/LEF) specifically bound to cognate elements in the Nppc proximal promoter. Wnt-4, β-catenin, and LEF-1 activated an Nppc transgene in cultured cells, and transgene activation by Wnt-4 and LEF-1 was dependent on the presence of intact cognate elements. These findings suggest that Wnt-4 stimulates Nppc in a TCF/LEF-dependent manner after renal injury and thus may contribute to limiting renal fibrosis.

scholarly journals AMPK directly activates mTORC2 to promote cell survival during acute energetic stress

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (585) ◽  
pp. eaav3249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dubek Kazyken ◽  
Brian Magnuson ◽  
Cagri Bodur ◽  
Hugo A. Acosta-Jaquez ◽  
Deqiang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Kinase Assay ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Energetic Stress ◽  
Diabetes Drug ◽  
Tumor Suppressive Function

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) senses energetic stress and, in turn, promotes catabolic and suppresses anabolic metabolism coordinately to restore energy balance. We found that a diverse array of AMPK activators increased mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) signaling in an AMPK-dependent manner in cultured cells. Activation of AMPK with the type 2 diabetes drug metformin (GlucoPhage) also increased mTORC2 signaling in liver in vivo and in primary hepatocytes in an AMPK-dependent manner. AMPK-mediated activation of mTORC2 did not result from AMPK-mediated suppression of mTORC1 and thus reduced negative feedback on PI3K flux. Rather, AMPK associated with and directly phosphorylated mTORC2 (mTOR in complex with rictor). As determined by two-stage in vitro kinase assay, phosphorylation of mTORC2 by recombinant AMPK was sufficient to increase mTORC2 catalytic activity toward Akt. Hence, AMPK phosphorylated mTORC2 components directly to increase mTORC2 activity and downstream signaling. Functionally, inactivation of AMPK, mTORC2, and Akt increased apoptosis during acute energetic stress. By showing that AMPK activates mTORC2 to increase cell survival, these data provide a potential mechanism for how AMPK paradoxically promotes tumorigenesis in certain contexts despite its tumor-suppressive function through inhibition of growth-promoting mTORC1. Collectively, these data unveil mTORC2 as a target of AMPK and the AMPK-mTORC2 axis as a promoter of cell survival during energetic stress.

scholarly journals Brefeldin A-dependent Membrane Tubule Formation Reconstituted In Vitro Is Driven by a Cell Cycle–regulated Microtubule Motor

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 941-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alasdair M. Robertson ◽  
Victoria J. Allan
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Brefeldin A ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Membrane Dynamics ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Tubule Formation ◽  
Early Endosomes

Treatment of cultured cells with brefeldin A (BFA) induces the formation of extensive membrane tubules from the Golgi apparatus,trans-Golgi network, and early endosomes in a microtubule-dependent manner. We have reconstituted this transport process in vitro using Xenopus egg cytosol and a rat liver Golgi-enriched membrane fraction. The presence of BFA results in the formation of an intricate, interconnected tubular membrane network, a process that, as in vivo, is inhibited by nocodazole, the H1 anti-kinesin monoclonal antibody, and by membrane pretreatment with guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Surprisingly, membrane tubule formation is not due to the action of conventional kinesin or any of the other motors implicated in Golgi membrane dynamics. Two candidate motors of ∼100 and ∼130 kDa have been identified using the H1 antibody, both of which exhibit motor properties in a biochemical assay. Finally, BFA-induced membrane tubule formation does not occur in metaphase cytosol, and because membrane binding of both candidate motors is not altered after incubation in metaphase compared with interphase cytosol, these results suggest that either the ATPase or microtubule-binding activity of the relevant motor is cell cycle regulated.

scholarly journals Androgen Receptor Acetylation Governs trans Activation and MEKK1-Induced Apoptosis without Affecting In Vitro Sumoylation and trans-Repression Function

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 3373-3388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maofu Fu ◽  
Chenguang Wang ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Xueping Zhang ◽  
Toshiyuki Sakamaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Nuclear Hormone Receptor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Acetylation Site ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

ABSTRACT The androgen receptor (AR) is a nuclear hormone receptor superfamily member that conveys both trans repression and ligand-dependent trans-activation function. Activation of the AR by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) regulates diverse physiological functions including secondary sexual differentiation in the male and the induction of apoptosis by the JNK kinase, MEKK1. The AR is posttranslationally modified on lysine residues by acetylation and sumoylation. The histone acetylases p300 and P/CAF directly acetylate the AR in vitro at a conserved KLKK motif. To determine the functional properties governed by AR acetylation, point mutations of the KLKK motif that abrogated acetylation were engineered and examined in vitro and in vivo. The AR acetylation site point mutants showed wild-type trans repression of NF-κB, AP-1, and Sp1 activity; wild-type sumoylation in vitro; wild-type ligand binding; and ligand-induced conformational changes. However, acetylation-deficient AR mutants were selectively defective in DHT-induced trans activation of androgen-responsive reporter genes and coactivation by SRC1, Ubc9, TIP60, and p300. The AR acetylation site mutant showed 10-fold increased binding of the N-CoR corepressor compared with the AR wild type in the presence of ligand. Furthermore, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) bound the AR both in vivo and in cultured cells and HDAC1 binding to the AR was disengaged in a DHT-dependent manner. MEKK1 induced AR-dependent apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. The AR acetylation mutant was defective in MEKK1-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the conserved AR acetylation site contributes to a pathway governing prostate cancer cellular survival. As AR lysine residue mutations that abrogate acetylation correlate with enhanced binding of the N-CoR repressor in cultured cells, the conserved AR motif may directly or indirectly regulate ligand-dependent corepressor disengagement and, thereby, ligand-dependent trans activation.

Immunofluorescence detection of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins with their carboxyl-terminal threonine phosphorylated in cultured cells and tissues

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (8) ◽  
pp. 1149-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Hayashi ◽  
S. Yonemura ◽  
T. Matsui ◽  
S. Tsukita
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Immunofluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Erm Proteins

Ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins are thought to play an important role in organizing cortical actin-based cytoskeletons through cross-linkage of actin filaments with integral membrane proteins. Recent in vitro biochemical studies have revealed that ERM proteins phosphorylated on their COOH-terminal threonine residue (CPERMs) are active in their cross-linking activity, but this has not yet been evaluated in vivo. To immunofluorescently visualize CPERMs in cultured cells as well as tissues using a mAb specific for CPERMs, we developed a new fixation protocol using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as a fixative. Immunoblotting analyses in combination with immunofluorescence microscopy showed that TCA effectively inactivated soluble phosphatases, which maintained the phosphorylation level of CPERMs during sample processing for immunofluorescence staining. Immunofluorescence microscopy with TCA-fixed samples revealed that CPERMs were exclusively associated with plasma membranes in a variety of cells and tissues, whereas total ERM proteins were distributed in both the cytoplasm and plasma membranes. Furthermore, the amounts of CPERMs were shown to be regulated in a cell and tissue type-dependent manner. These findings favored the notion that phosphorylation of the COOH-terminal threonine plays a key role in the regulation of the cross-linking activity of ERM proteins in vivo.

scholarly journals A bright and high-performance genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator based on mNeonGreen fluorescent protein

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Landon Zarowny ◽  
Abhi Aggarwal ◽  
Virginia M.S. Rutten ◽  
Ilya Kolb ◽  
Ronak Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Green Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Comparable Performance ◽  
Green Fluorescent

AbstractGenetically encodable calcium ion (Ca2+) indicators (GECIs) based on green fluorescent proteins (GFP) are powerful tools for imaging of cell signaling and neural activity in model organisms. Following almost two decades of steady improvements in the Aequorea victoria GFP (avGFP)-based GCaMP series of GECIs, the performance of the most recent generation (i.e., GCaMP7) may have reached its practical limit due to the inherent properties of GFP. In an effort to sustain the steady progression towards ever-improved GECIs, we undertook the development of a new GECI based on the bright monomeric GFP, mNeonGreen (mNG). The resulting indicator, mNG-GECO1, is 60% brighter than GCaMP6s in vitro and provides comparable performance as demonstrated by imaging Ca2+ dynamics in cultured cells, primary neurons, and in vivo in larval zebrafish. These results suggest that mNG-GECO1 is a promising next-generation GECI that could inherit the mantle of GCaMP and allow the steady improvement of GECIs to continue for generations to come.

scholarly journals Midkine Is Involved in Kidney Development and in Its Regulation by Retinoids

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 668-676
Author(s):  
José Vilar ◽  
Claude Lalou ◽  
Jean-Paul Duong Van Huyen ◽  
Stéphanie Charrin ◽  
Sylvie Hardouin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Kidney Development ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Defined Medium ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Heparin Binding

ABSTRACT. In the kidney, in which development depends on epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, it has been shown that retinoids modulate nephrogenesis in a dose-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. Midkine (MK) is a retinoic acid responsive gene for a heparin-binding growth factor. The aim of the present study was therefore to quantify the expression of MK mRNA during renal development in the rat, to analyze the regulation of MK expression by retinoids in vivo and in vitro, and, finally, to study the role of MK in rat metanephric organ cultures. The spatiotemporal expression of MK in fetal kidney was studied. In control rats, MK expression is ubiquitous at gestational day 14, i.e., at the onset of nephrogenesis. On day 16, MK is expressed in the condensed mesenchyme and in early epithelialized mesenchymal derivatives. On gestational day 21, MK is rather localized in the nonmature glomeruli of the renal cortex. In utero exposure to vitamin A deficiency did not modify the specific spatial and temporal expression pattern of MK gene in the metanephros, although a decrease in mRNA expression occurred. In metanephroi explanted from 14-d-old fetuses and cultured in a defined medium, expression of MK mRNA was found to be stimulated when retinoic acid (100 nM) was added in the culture medium. Finally, in vitro nephrogenesis was strongly inhibited in the presence of neutralizing antibodies for MK: the number of nephrons formed in vitro was reduced by ∼50% without changes in ureteric bud branching morphogenesis. These results indicated that MK is implicated in the regulation of kidney development by retinoids. These results also suggested that MK plays an important role in the molecular cascade of the epithelial conversion of the metanephric blastema.

Comparison of peptide release from fetal rat hypothalamic neurones cultured in defined media and serum-containing media

1988 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. O. Clarke ◽  
G. E. Gillies
Keyword(s):  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Defined Medium ◽  
Maximal Response ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Corticotrophin Releasing Factor ◽  
Fetal Rat ◽  
Concentration Step ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Primary cultures of rat hypothalamic neurones were maintained either in a serum-supplemented medium or in a serum-free chemically defined medium for up to 6 weeks. The release of the 41 amino acid-containing peptide, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF-41), vasopressin (AVP) and somatostatin (SRIF) were followed using immunoassays. In response to K+ (56 mmol/l) depolarization both the quantities of peptides released and the magnitude of responses were significantly greater from cultures maintained in the fully supplemented defined medium. As a consequence, release of CRF-41 and AVP could be measured directly, without requiring the concentration step necessary for cultures grown in serum. The response to K+ depolarization increased with the age of the culture, suggesting neuronal maturation. Responses to K+ depolarization were Ca2+-dependent, and the addition of corticosterone (100 nmol/l) to the defined medium caused a significant reduction in the response of neurones secreting CRF-41 and AVP, but not those secreting SRIF, to depolarization. This suggests the retention in vitro of the responsiveness of stress-associated neuropeptides to the negative feedback effects of corticosterone. Neurones producing CRF-41 and AVP responded significantly in a dose-dependent manner to acetylcholine stimulation, whereas those producing SRIF did not. As cultures matured, the CRF-41- and AVP-producing neurones became more sensitive to acetylcholine with the maximal response at 1 nmol acetylcholine/1. In conclusion, the culture of rat hypothalamic neurones is improved in terms of peptide output when the cultures are maintained in a defined medium. Differential responses of the peptidergic neurones may be seen in the presence of corticosterone and neurotransmitters, illustrating the retention in vitro of specific receptor-mediated responses which have been observed in vivo. This model should prove useful in the further study of the physiological, pharmacological and biochemical maturation and control of peptidergic neurones. J. Endocr. (1988) 116, 349–356

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