Dye Uptake Experiments Research Articles

Accessibility of cylindrical channels within patterned mesoporous silica films using nanoparticle diffusion

Mesoporous silica films with well ordered nanochannels (approximately 7 nm in diameter) oriented parallel to the substrate were synthesized using supercritical carbon dioxide mediated silica deposition within templates comprised of triblock copolymers blended with strongly associating homopolymers. The films were patterned at the device level by conventional lithography and etched to yield periodic circular features approximately 20 µm in diameter. The nanoscale channels remained accessible to penetrant diffusion as shown by dye uptake experiments. The nanochannel arrays were used as miniature size exclusion columns to mediate nanoparticle diffusion.

Mouse Leydig cells express multiple P2X receptor subunits

ATP acts on cellular membranes by interacting with P2X (ionotropic) and P2Y (metabotropic) receptors. Seven homomeric P2X receptors (P2X(1)-P2X(7)) and seven heteromeric receptors (P2X(1/2), P2X(1/4), P2X(1/5), P2X(2/3), P2X(2/6), P2X(4/6), P2X(4/7)) have been described. ATP treatment of Leydig cells leads to an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and testosterone secretion, supporting the hypothesis that Ca(2+) signaling through purinergic receptors contributes to the process of testosterone secretion in these cells. Mouse Leydig cells have P2X receptors with a pharmacological and biophysical profile resembling P2X(2). In this work, we describe the presence of several P2X receptor subunits in mouse Leydig cells. Western blot experiments showed the presence of P2X(2), P2X(4), P2X(6), and P2X(7) subunits. These results were confirmed by immunofluorescence. Functional results support the hypothesis that heteromeric receptors are present in these cells since 0.5 muM ivermectin induced an increase (131.2 +/- 5.9%) and 3 muM ivermectin a decrease (64.2 +/- 4.8%) in the whole-cell currents evoked by ATP. These results indicate the presence of functional P2X(4) subunits. P2X(7) receptors were also present, but they were non-functional under the present conditions because dye uptake experiments with Lucifer yellow and ethidium bromide were negative. We conclude that a heteromeric channel, possibly P2X(2/4/6), is present in Leydig cells, but with an electrophysiological and pharmacological phenotype characteristic of the P2X(2) subunit.

DOC2A and DOC2B are sensors for neuronal activity with unique calcium‐dependent and kinetic properties

Elevation of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) to levels below 1 microm alters synaptic transmission and induces short-term plasticity. To identify calcium sensors involved in this signalling, we investigated soluble C2 domain-containing proteins and found that both DOC2A and DOC2B are modulated by submicromolar calcium levels. Fluorescent-tagged DOC2A and DOC2B translocated to plasma membranes after [Ca2+]i elevation. DOC2B translocation preceded DOC2A translocation in cells co-expressing both isoforms. Half-maximal translocation occurred at 450 and 175 nm[Ca2+]i for DOC2A and DOC2B, respectively. This large difference in calcium sensitivity was accompanied by a modest kinetic difference (halftimes, respectively, 2.6 and 2.0 s). The calcium sensitivity of DOC2 isoforms can be explained by predicted topologies of their C2A domains. Consistently, neutralization of aspartates D218 and D220 in DOC2B changed its calcium affinity. In neurones, both DOC2 isoforms were reversibly recruited to the plasma membrane during trains of action potentials. Consistent with its higher calcium sensitivity, DOC2B translocated at lower depolarization frequencies. Styryl dye uptake experiments in hippocampal neurones suggest that the overexpression of mutated DOC2B alters the synaptic activity. We conclude that both DOC2A and DOC2B are regulated by neuronal activity, and hypothesize that their calcium-dependent translocation may regulate synaptic activity.

Potentiation of Native and Recombinant P2X7-Mediated Calcium Signaling by Arachidonic Acid in Cultured Cortical Astrocytes and Human Embryonic Kidney 293 Cells

In the brain, arachidonic acid (AA) plays a critical role in the modulation of a broad spectrum of biological responses, including those underlying neuroinflammation. By using microfluorometry, we investigated the action of extracellular AA in the modulation of the purinoceptor P2X7-mediated elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) in cultured neocortical type-1 astrocytes and P2X7-, P2X2-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. We report that in cultured astrocytes, AA-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation is coupled to depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores and to a sustained noncapacitative Ca(2+) entry. AA also induced a robust potentiation of the astrocytic P2X7-mediated [Ca(2+)](i) rise evoked by the selective agonist 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (BzATP). Pharmacological studies demonstrate that the selective P2X7 antagonists oxidized ATP and Brilliant Blue G abrogated the AA-mediated potentiation of BzATP-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. Fluorescent dye uptake experiments showed that the AA-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was not due to a switch of the P2X7 receptor from channel to the pore mode of gating. The synergistic effect of AA and BzATP was also observed in HEK293 cells stably expressing rat and human P2X7 but not in rat P2X2. Control HEK293 cells responded to AA exposure only with a transient [Ca(2+)](i) elevation, whereas in those expressing the P2X7 receptor, AA elicited a potentiation of the BzATP-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise. Together, these findings indicate that AA mediates a complex regulation of [Ca(2+)](i) dynamics also through P2X7-mediated Ca(2+) entry, suggesting that variations in AA production may be relevant to the control of both the temporal and spatial kinetics of [Ca(2+)](i) signaling in astroglial cells.

Purinergic Receptors Mediate Two Distinct Glutamate Release Pathways in Hippocampal Astrocytes

The purinergic P2X(7) receptor (P2X(7)R) can mediate glutamate release from cultured astrocytes. Using patch clamp recordings, we investigated whether P2X(7)Rs have the same action in hippocampal astrocytes in situ. We found that 2- and 3-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)ATP (BzATP), a potent, although unselective P2X(7)R agonist, triggers two different glutamate-mediated responses in CA1 pyramidal neurons; they are transient inward currents, which have the kinetic and pharmacological properties of previously described slow inward currents (SICs) due to Ca(2+)-dependent glutamate release from astrocytes, and a sustained tonic current. Although SICs were unaffected by P2X(7)Rs antagonists, the tonic current was inhibited, was amplified in low extracellular Ca(2+), and was insensitive to glutamate transporter and hemichannel inhibitors. BzATP triggered in astrocytes a large depolarization that was inhibited by P2X(7)R antagonists and amplified in low Ca(2+). In low Ca(2+) BzATP also induced lucifer yellow uptake into a subpopulation of astrocytes and CA3 neurons. Our results demonstrate that purinergic receptors other than the P2X(7)R mediate glutamate release that evokes SICs, whereas activation of a receptor that has features similar to the P2X(7)R, mediates a sustained glutamate efflux that generates a tonic current in CA1 neurons. This sustained glutamate efflux, which is potentiated under non-physiological conditions, may have important pathological actions in the brain.

Embolized conduits of rice (Oryza sativa, Poaceae) refill despite negative xylem pressure

Embolism reversal in rice plants was studied by testing the plant's ability to refill embolized conduits while xylem pressures were substantially negative. Intact, potted plants were water-stressed to a xylem pressure of -1.88 ± 0.1 MPa and a 66.3 ± 3.8% loss of xylem conductivity (PLC) by cavitation. Stressed plants were carefully rewatered, allowing xylem pressure to rise, but not above the theoretical threshold of c. -0.15 MPa for embolism collapse. Despite xylem pressures being more negative than this threshold, the PLC fell significantly (28.5 ± 5.6%), indicating the refilling of vessels. Above c. -1.0 MPa, almost all plants regained their maximum hydraulic conductivity. Dye uptake experiments showed the same pattern of embolism refilling despite negative pressure. Refilling was prevented in plants that were light-starved for 5 d, suggesting the unknown mechanism is dependent on metabolic energy. Results are among the first showing that herbaceous plants can reverse embolism without bulk xylem pressures rising near or above atmospheric.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D Is Dispensable for Development of the Lymphatic System

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (Vegfr-3) is a tyrosine kinase that is expressed on the lymphatic endothelium and that signals for the growth of the lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis). Vegf-d, a secreted glycoprotein, is one of two known activating ligands for Vegfr-3, the other being Vegf-c. Vegf-d stimulates lymphangiogenesis in tissues and tumors; however, its role in embryonic development was previously unknown. Here we report the generation and analysis of mutant mice deficient for Vegf-d. Vegf-d-deficient mice were healthy and fertile, had normal body mass, and displayed no pathologic changes consistent with a defect in lymphatic function. The lungs, sites of strong Vegf-d gene expression during embryogenesis in wild-type mice, were normal in Vegf-d-deficient mice with respect to tissue mass and morphology, except that the abundance of the lymphatics adjacent to bronchioles was slightly reduced. Dye uptake experiments indicated that large lymphatics under the skin were present in normal locations and were functional. Smaller dermal lymphatics were similar in number, location, and function to those in wild-type controls. The lack of a profound lymphatic phenotype in Vegf-d-deficient mice suggests that Vegf-d does not play a major role in lymphatic development or that Vegf-c or another, as-yet-unknown activating Vegfr-3 ligand can compensate for Vegf-d during development.

Intercellular permeability inAbutilon nectary trichomes

Intercellular transport was examined in nectary hairs ofAbutilon slriatum var.thompsonii using dye-uptake and microinjection followed by fluorescence and electron microscopy. Dye-uptake experiments demonstrated that both Lucifer Yellow CH (LYCH) and diaminobenzidine (DAB) move centrifugally along an apoplastic pathway from the sepellary tissue towards the tip cell. Further, fluorescence of LYCH could also be detected inside the cells of the nectary trichome. When LYCH or LYCH/DAB were microinjected into the tip cell, the dye spread in a centripetal direction towards the stalk cell. Electron microscopical investigations of microinjected nectary hairs revealed numerous electron-opaque globules in the cytoplasm of the nectary hair cells. In addition, multivesicular bodies, nuclei with opaque regions and changes in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) were seen in nectary hair cells even at very low concentrations of injected dye. Ultrastructural investigations provided evidence for cytological changes in microinjected nectary hairs.

The responses of the bivalve Scrobicularia plana (da Costa) to gradual salinity changes

The effects of gradual changes in salinity on the behaviour of normal Scrobicularia plana (da Costa) and on clams with the cruciform muscle complex surgically interfered with have been studied. The salinity of the retained mantle cavity fluid and the salinities associated with various components of siphonal activity in normal Scrobicularia are influenced by the rate of external salinity change. The responses of “operated” Scrobicularia to a decline in salinity occur at significantly lower salinities than in normal animals. It is suggested that the cruciform muscle complex in Scrobicularia is partly involved in sensing salinity changes in the external environment. The pattern of shell valve activity differs strikingly between normal and “operated” Scrobicularia exposed to a decline in salinity. At external salinities between 15 and 0‰, progressive valve closure in normal Scrobicularia is followed by slight valve movements. In “operated” Scrobicularia valve closure is, however, followed by intense valve activity. With dye uptake experiments, it has been shown that valve closure in Scrobicularia effectively isolates and protects the tissues from sudden changes in external salinity.