Membrane-associated Vesicles Research Articles

Methylphenidate Administration Alters Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-2 Function in Cytoplasmic and Membrane-Associated Vesicles

In vivo methylphenidate (MPD) administration increases vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2) immunoreactivity, VMAT-2-mediated dopamine (DA) transport, and DA content in a nonmembrane-associated (referred to herein as cytoplasmic) vesicular subcellular fraction purified from rat striatum: a phenomenon attributed to a redistribution of VMAT-2-associated vesicles within nerve terminals. In contrast, the present study elucidated the nature of, and the impact of MPD on, VMAT-2-associated vesicles that cofractionate with synaptosomal membranes after osmotic lysis (referred to herein as membrane-associated vesicles). Results revealed that, in striking contrast to the cytoplasmic vesicles, DA transport velocity versus substrate concentration curves in the membrane-associated vesicles were sigmoidal, suggesting positive cooperativity with respect to DA transport. Additionally, DA transport into membrane-associated vesicles was greater in total capacity in the presence of high DA concentrations than transport into cytoplasmic vesicles. Of potential therapeutic relevance, MPD increased DA transport into the membrane-associated vesicles despite rapidly decreasing (presumably by redistributing) VMAT-2 immunoreactivity in this fraction. Functional relevance was suggested by findings that MPD treatment increased both the DA content of the membrane-associated vesicle fraction and K(+)-stimulated DA release from striatal suspensions. In summary, the present data demonstrate the existence of a previously uncharacterized pool of membrane-associated VMAT-2-containing vesicles that displays novel transport kinetics, has a large sequestration capacity, and responds to in vivo pharmacological manipulation. These findings provide insight into both the regulation of vesicular DA sequestration and the mechanism of action of MPD, and they may have implications regarding treatment of disorders involving abnormal DA disposition, including Parkinson's disease and substance abuse.

Novel Binding Sites on Clathrin and Adaptors Regulate Distinct Aspects of Coat Assembly

Clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) sort proteins at the plasma membrane, endosomes and trans Golgi network for multiple membrane traffic pathways. Clathrin recruitment to membranes and its self-assembly into a polyhedral coat depends on adaptor molecules, which interact with membrane-associated vesicle cargo. To determine how adaptors induce clathrin recruitment and assembly, we mapped novel interaction sites between these coat components. A site in the ankle domain of the clathrin triskelion leg was identified that binds a common site on the appendages of tetrameric [AP1 and AP2] and monomeric (GGA1) adaptors. Mutagenesis and modeling studies suggested that the clathrin-GGA1 appendage interface is nonlinear, unlike other peptide-appendage interactions, but overlaps with a sandwich domain binding site for accessory protein peptides, allowing for competitive regulation of coated vesicle formation. A novel clathrin box in the GGA1 hinge region was also identified and shown to mediate membrane recruitment of clathrin, while disruption of the clathrin-GGA1 appendage interaction did not affect recruitment. Thus, the distinct sites for clathrin-adaptor interactions perform distinct functions, revealing new aspects to regulation of CCV formation.

Dynamic Regulation of Mammalian Numb by G Protein-coupled Receptors and Protein Kinase C Activation: Structural Determinants of Numb Association with the Cortical Membrane

The cell fate determinant Numb is a membrane-associated adaptor protein involved in both development and intracellular vesicular trafficking. It has a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain and COOH-terminal endocytic-binding motifs for alpha-adaptin and Eps15 homology domain-containing proteins. Four isoforms of Numb are expressed in vertebrates, two of which selectively associate with the cortical membrane. In this study, we have characterized a cortical pool of Numb that colocalizes with AP2 and Eps15 at substratum plasma membrane punctae and cortical membrane-associated vesicles. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged mutants of Numb were used to identify the structural determinants required for localization. In addition to the previously described association of the PTB domain with the plasma membrane, we show that the AP2-binding motifs facilitate the association of Numb with cortical membrane punctae and vesicles. We also show that agonist stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are linked to phospholipase Cbeta and protein kinase C (PKC) activation causes redistribution of Numb from the cortical membrane to the cytosol. This effect is correlated with Numb phosphorylation and an increase in its Triton X-100 solubility. Live-imaging analysis of mutants identified two regions within Numb that are independently responsive to GPCR-mediated lipid hydrolysis and PKC activation: the PTB domain and a region encompassing at least three putative PKC phosphorylation sites. Our data indicate that membrane localization of Numb is dynamically regulated by GPCR-activated phospholipid hydrolysis and PKC-dependent phosphorylation events.

MACULAR HOLE RETINAL DETACHMENT IN HIGHLY MYOPIC EYES: Ultrastructure of Surgically Removed Epiretinal Membrane and Clinicopathologic Correlation

To elucidate the pathogenesis of macular hole retinal detachment (RD) in highly myopic eyes by investigating the ultrastructure of surgically removed epiretinal membranes (ERM). Five consecutive Japanese patients with macular hole RD in highly myopic eyes underwent vitrectomy with attempted removal of the ERM around the hole. The surgical specimens were examined by light microscopy and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Extremely thin, translucent sheets of epiretinal tissue were harvested from all patients during surgery, resulting in successful retinal reattachment. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the ERM consisted of cortical vitreous and various cellular components. Fibrous astrocytes were the major cell population and extended cytoplasmic processes with membrane-associated vesicles onto the cortical vitreous. Gap junctions were observed between the interdigitating processes of fibrous astrocytes. The cortical vitreous contained abundant newly formed collagen, including fibrous long-spacing collagen, surrounded by sparsely distributed native vitreous collagen. Active synthesis of new collagen may be regulated by fibrous astrocytes by means of transmission of metabolic substances through gap junctions and cytoplasmic vesicles. The frequent occurrence of newly formed collagen aggregates may subsequently lead to a diffusely condensed posterior cortical vitreous that exerts tangential traction on the posterior retina, causing macular hole RD.

Synthesis and characterization of Schiff Base Chelates of Tetramic Acids as NMR Contrast Agents for micro imaging

Novel Cu(II) complexes derived from N,N′ P-ethylene-bis-(1′,5′,5′-trimethyltetramic acid-3′-acetiminato)copper(II) aCu [1] were evaluated as contrast agents for NMR microscopy and therefore tested for penetration into living cells (Xenopus laevis oocytes). By in vitro1H NMR relaxation (T1) and atomic absorption spectroscopy measurements (AAS) we confirmed, that independent of the complex isomers (Z/Z, Z/E, E/E, E/Z) compounds with alkyl substituents in R1 – R5 exclusively were able to penetrate the plasma membranes. It is noteworthy that compounds containing the tetramic acid moieties from both a penetrating and a non-penetrating complex most likely were accumulated in the plasma membrane and/or plasma membrane-associated vesicles, which was concluded from in vitro NMR measurements combined with AAS trace analyses. In this context the crystal and molecular structure of the ‘chimerical’ C17H22N4O4Cu · 3H2O kCu · 3H2O were determined by x-ray analysis. The x-ray structural parameters are discussed in detail.

Scanning electron microscopy of focal contacts on the substratum attachment surface of fibroblasts adherent to fibronectin

We have examined the cell-to-substratum attachment surface of hamster fibroblasts with scanning EM, and describe the surface ultrastructure of focal contacts and microspikes during cellular attachment and spreading on fibronectin. Nil 8 fibroblasts were seeded onto fibronectin-coated glass coverslips in serum-free medium, fixed, and the fibroblast-fibronectin monolayer was separated from the glass and inverted for scanning electron microscopic (EM) analysis. Focal contact development was detected by interference reflection microscopy and correlated with the immunofluorescence microscopic distribution of fibronectin receptor antigens. The cell undersurface appeared smooth and featureless at 0.5 h when focal contacts were undetectable and fibronectin receptors were distributed diffusely. By 1-2 h, undersurface membrane impressions of focal contacts were detected with scanning EM; their size, shape and distribution matched that of focal contacts seen with interference reflection microscopy (IRM). These contacts had smooth external surfaces and were often arranged in chevron-shaped complexes. However, at 4-6 h, the surface texture of focal contacts became fibrous and the contact periphery was delineated with the orifices of membrane-associated vesicles. Development of this filamentous substructure is correlated with the maximum concentration of fibronectin receptors and fibronectin at focal contacts, suggesting that these molecules are involved in the maturation and stabilization of focal contacts.

Sequential appearance of epidermal growth factor in plasma membrane-associated and intracellular vesicles during endocytosis.

Receptor-mediated internalization of epidermal growth factor (EGF) occurs by a process involving initially clathrin-coated pits on the cell surface and the subsequent formation of ligand-containing endosomes. Using a modified acid wash technique, cell surface-bound EGF was removed. Utilizing sucrose density centrifugation, the residual cell-associated EGF was separated into plasma membrane-associated and intracellular vesicle-associated forms. Using these procedures we have identified a transient form of cell-associated EGF that is still attached to the plasma membrane but not accessible to the extracellular fluid. This form of EGF appears to be the precursor for endosomic EGF. We suggest that this intermediate form represents the receptor-ligand complex shown by electronmicroscopy to be located in narrow-necked plasma membrane invaginations (Willingham, M. C., and Pastan, I. (1980) Cell 21, 67-77).

Dedifferentiation of Rat Mammary Myoepithelial-Like Cell Lines After Passage In Vivo or Cloning In Vitro<xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2">2</xref>

Myoepithelial-like cell lines from normal mammary glands of neonatal Ludwig Wistar rats, rat mammary (Rama) 401 and Rama 704E, were injected into fat pads of syngeneic animals or were single-cell cloned in vitro. Rama 401 produced tumors that were predominantly composed of elongated cells, while the subclones of both cell lines yielded multilayered structures of elongated cells when grown on floating 0.3% collagen gels in vitro. Immunocytochemical analysis of histologic sections for markers of myoepithelial cells revealed that anti-actin-myosin and human keratin sera failed to stain the Rama 401 tumor cells or subclones of both cell lines on collagen gels, but both were stained with antilaminin serum. Immunofluorescent analysis of cultures of Rama 401 tumors showed that the resulting elongated cells failed to stain with antikeratin serum, but abundant staining was observed with antilaminin and antivimentin sera, as in the tumors. Ultrastructural analysis of the Rama 401 tumor cells identified intermediate junctions and extracellular basement membrane-like material in the vicinity of plasma membrane-associated pinocytotic vesicles, but neither true desmosomes nor myofilamental bundles were observed. Thus growth of rat mammary myoepithelial-like cells as tumors in syngeneic animals or as subclones in vitro can lead to selective loss of myofilaments and prekeratin-containing intermediate filaments. Similar relatively undifferentiated elongated cells may be responsible for some of the cellular heterogeneity observed in certain carcinogen-induced rat mammary tumors.

Fibronectin presence in native collagen fibrils of human fibroblasts: immunoperoxidase and immunoferritin localization.

Fibronectin is a major constituent of the fibroblast extracellular matrix. Fibronectin binds to collagen, mediates fibroblast adhesion to collagen, and is synthesized and secreted into the medium of cultured fibroblasts. Affinity-purified antibodies to fibronectin and collagen were localized using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method or with ferritin-coupled secondary antibodies. Using human fibroblasts cultured under routine conditions, fibronectin and procollagen I react in a nonperiodic manner with: 1) approximately 10 nm extracellular fibrils, 2) cell membrane, and 3) membrane-associated vesicles. All fibrils react with both antibodies, suggesting some form of codistribution of fibronectin and collagen in these fibrils. Treatment with ascorbate leads to the development of a larger diameter extracellular fibril, approximately 40 nm in diameter. These large diameter fibrils are clearly collagen fibrils as documented by the procollagen antibody reaction. Importantly, fibronectin is bound to or a constituent of these "native" or cellular made collagen fibrils. Fibronectin and procollagen antibodies localized with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method have a 70 nm axial repeat of reaction product on ascorbate-treated fibroblasts. Localization of antibodies with ferritin-labeled secondary antibodies is less satisfactory, but supports the basic observations made with the unlabeled antibody enzyme method. This observation rules out any potential criticisms. Although it is more difficult to observe with immunoferritin, there is an indication that antibodies to fibronectin react with an axial periodicity on cellular produced collagen fibrils.

The effect of various cooling rates on the membrane ultrastructure of frozen human erythrocytes and its relation to the extent of haemolysis after thawing.

Human erythrocytes suspended in buffered isotonic saline were frozen to the temperature of liquid nitrogen at various cooling rates of 3, 140, 700, 1800, 3500, 8000 and 11 500 deg. C/min. The membrane ultrastructure in the frozen state and the extent of haemolysis after thawing were examined at each cooling rate. As the cooling rates increased from 3 to 3500 deg. C/min, the extent of lysis gradually decreased, but further increase in cooling rates in excess of 8000 deg. C/min resulted in an abrupt increase of lysis. Membrane-associated vesicles devoid of intramembrane particles (IMPs) were formed in the erythrocyte membranes frozen at cooling rates slower than 1800 deg. C/min. The frequency and size of these vesicles were highly cooling-rate-dependent and they were no longer formed in the erythrocyte membranes frozen at cooling rates faster than 3500 deg. C/min. Another membrane ultrastructural change associated closely with the formation of intracellular ice crystals appeared at cooling rates faster than 8000 deg. C/min. The membrane regions in direct contact with intracellular ice crystals were physically damaged and had an appearance resembling worm-eaten spots. The erythrocytes frozen at a cooling rate of 3500 deg. C/min exhibited ultrastructural integrity of the membrane by avoiding the membrane changes caused by either slow or fast freezing. It is suggested, from the close relation between membrane ultrastructure and the extent of haemolysis, that the ultrastructural integrity of membrane in the frozen state is important for avoiding haemolysis after thawing, and that the membrane ultrastructural changes caused by both slow and fast freezing were responsible for the lysis after thawing.

Membrane-associated vesicles in fibroblasts

The existence of vesicles partially fused with the plasma membrane, seen in the freeze-fracture plane of fixed and glycerinated fibroblasts, is probably artifactual, since these vesicles are not seen there in unfixed cells. These vesicles presumably exist in the subjacent cytoplasm and are induced to fuse with the plasma membrane during the fixation process.

Oriented pattern of membrane-associated vesicles in fibroblasts

The topography of membrane-associated (“pinocytic” or “surface”) vesicles was investigated with freeze-fracturing of cultured human (MRC-5) fibroblasts. The vesicles were found to have a tendency to form longitudinal rows in the direction of the long axis of the cell or its main cytoplasmic processes. Parallel rows often formed irregular areas leaving smooth membrane surfaces between them. Cells in both confluent and nonconfluent cultures showed a similar tendency of the vesicles to be arranged in longitudinal rows. This arrangement was partially disturbed by 10−5 and 10−6 M colchicine and was completely abolished by Cytochalasin B in concentrations of 5, 8, and 10 μg/ml. The linear orientation of the vesicles is thought to be induced by close association of oriented microfilament bundles with the plasma membrane. The patchy distribution of the vesicles on the membrane indicates that the membrane is heterogeneous in structure (dynamic mosaicism of the membrane).

The heterogeneity of bound acetylcholine and synaptic vesicles.

Synaptic vesicles containing radioactive acetylcholine have been isolated from slices of Torpedo electric organ incubated with radioactive choline. The recently synthesized radioactive acetylcholine is preferentially removed from the vesicles by iso-osmotic gel filtration. There is therefore a small compartment of loosely bound recently synthesized acetylcholine within the monodisperse vesicle fraction. The specific radioactivity of this compartment correlates most closely with the ;free' acetylcholine of electric organ that is lost when the tissue is homogenized. Membrane-associated vesicles did not contain any particular enrichment of this compartment. On standing at 6 degrees C the loosely bound compartment stabilizes so that it survives iso-osmotic filtration. A study of this phenomenon revealed that it was proportional to the extent of the loss of tightly bound acetylcholine from the vesicles. Incubation with Ca(2+), at pH5.5, or partial hypo-osmotic shock, caused losses of tightly bound acetylcholine and proportional increases in the stabilization of loosely bound acetylcholine of vesicles. Incubation at 20 degrees C caused less loss of tightly bound, and less stabilization of loosely bound, acetylcholine. A theoretical treatment of these exchanges also shows that the random factors promoting loss of tightly bound acetylcholine are statistically correlated with those which cause stabilization of loosely bound acetylcholine. The reciprocal relationship between the exchanges is inconsistent with there being two distinct populations of vesicles, one containing recently synthesized, loosely bound acetylcholine and the other containing tightly bound acetylcholine. It is proposed that all the vesicles contain a core of tightly bound acetylcholine and a surface layer of loosely bound acetylcholine. The origin of the extravesicular acetylcholine and also of the acetylcholine released on stimulation is discussed in the light of these results.