Induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in alveolar interstitial cells of mouse lung by bacterial lipopolysaccharide

The cellular localization of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was studied in the mouse lung after induction by lipopolysaccharide treatment. No significant indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was detected in alveolar macrophages and type II epithelial cells, which were recovered by alveolar lavages and trypsin-treatment, respectively. To determine this enzyme activity in other types of lung cells, we prepared monodispersed lung cells (6.5 X 10(7) cells/lung) by incubation with 0.1% collagenase and 0.1% trypsin. In a Percoll isopycnic gradient, the dispersed cells were distributed with two peaks at the densities of 1.040 and 1.080 g/ml. The enzyme activity was recovered exclusively in the lighter fractions. As examined by electron microscopy or more quantitatively by using various marker enzyme activities, endothelial cells (angiotensin-converting enzyme as a marker enzyme of these cells), alveolar interstitial cells (prostaglandin dehydrogenase), type I epithelial cells, type II epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages (beta-glucuronidase), Clara cells (coumarin hydroxylase), and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (arylsulfatase) were distributed with peaks at the densities of 1.033, 1.040, 1.042, 1.045, 1.070, 1.082, and 1.093 g/ml, respectively. The distribution pattern of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity exactly coincided with that of alveolar interstitial cells. The localization of this enzyme in alveolar interstitial cells was immunohistochemically confirmed with the anti-indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase antibody.

Occurrence and role of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in procyclic Trypanosoma brucei brucei glycosomes

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) was detected in a particulate fraction of Trypanosoma brucei brucei procyclic culture form. It requires ADP rather than GDP for activity in the direction of carboxylation and is located in the glycosomes. Since phosphoenolpyruvate can serve to furnish ATP for glycolysis and can promote 3-phosphoglycerate or 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate formation without simultaneous alpha-glycerophosphate production, we suggest that the glycosomal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-malate dehydrogenase tandem contributes to ATP regeneration and NADH re-oxidation in the glycosome, and regulates alpha-glycerophosphate production.

[Virus--the causative agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome--a new representative of the family Bunyaviridae]

Physicochemical characteristics (sedimentation coefficient, buoyant density of particles, as well as ribonuclein of these particles) and morphology of the causative agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome were found to be similar to those of the other members of the Bunyaviridae family.

Characterization of the synthesis and release of prolactin by an enriched fraction of human decidual cells

An enriched fraction of human decidual cells that synthesizes and releases human PRL (hPRL) was obtained by isopycnic centrifugation of collagenase- and hyaluronidase-dispersed cells through Percoll. The cells that synthesized and released hPRL banded at a density of 1.017-1.045 g/ml, an area of the gradient comprising only a small percentage of the total decidual DNA. The enriched cells formed distinct colonies in culture and contained hPRL, as evidenced by indirect immunofluorescent staining with anti-PRL serum. Plated at a density of 5.0 x 10(5) cells/well, the cells produced hPRL at a mean rate of 8.1 +/- 1.1 ng/microgram DNA . 24 h (mean +/- SD) for 8 days. Like decidual explants, the enriched cells responded to phospholipase A2 (0.1 U/ml) with a 54% decrease in hPRL release and to placental conditioned medium (0.5 mg protein/ml medium) with a 62% increase. Insulin (8.3 x 10(-7) M), progesterone (10(-5) - 10(-12) M), and estradiol (10(-5) - 10(-12) M) did not affect hPRL release over 6 days. These results indicate that enriched PRL-releasing cells, obtained by the isopycnic centrifugation of collagenase- and hyaluronidase-dispersed cells, are a useful model for the study of the synthesis and release of PRL.

Analytical subcellular fractionation of cultivated mouse resident peritoneal macrophages

Resident peritoneal macrophages of the mouse, cultivated for 3 d, have been studied by quantitative subcellular fractionation using differential centrifugation and density equilibration in linear gradients of sucrose. Density equilibration experiments were carried out on untreated cytoplasmic extracts, on cytoplasmic extracts treated with digitonin or sodium pyrophosphate, and on cytoplasmic extracts derived from cells cultivated for 24 h in the presence of Triton WR-1339. The enzyme distributions obtained distinguished six typical behaviors characteristic of distinct subcellular entities. Acid alpha-galactosidase and other acid hydrolases displayed the highest average velocity of sedimentation and equilibrium density. Culturing in a medium that contained Triton WR-1339 markedly decreased their density, most likely as a result of Triton WR-1339 accumulation within lysosomes. Cytochrome c oxidase and the sedimentable activity of malate dehydrogenase showed a narrow density distribution centered around 1.17, very similar under all the experimental situations; their rate of sedimentation fell within the range expected for mitochondria. Catalase was particle-bound and exhibited structure-linked latency (80 percent); it was released in soluble and fully active form by digitonin, but this required a much higher concentration than in the case of lysosomal enzymes. Differences relative to all the other enzymes studied suggest the existence of a particular species of organelles, distinctly smaller than mitochondria, and possibly related to peroxisomes. Many enzymes were microsomal in the sense that the specific activities, but not the yields, were greater in microsomes than in other fractions obtained by differential centrifugation. These enzymes were distinguished in three groups by their properties in density equilibration experiments. NAD glycohydrolase, alkaline phosphodiesterase I, and 5'-nucleotidase had low equilibrium densities but became noticeably more dense after addition of digitonin. The other microsomal enzymes were not shifted by digitonin, in particular N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase and galactosyltransferase, which otherwise equilibrated at the same position in the gradient. We assign the digitonin-sensitive enzymes to plasma membranes and possibly to related endomembranes of the cells, and the two glycosyltransferases to elements derived from the Golgi apparatus. Finally, alpha-glucosidase, sulphatase C, NADH cytochrome c reductase, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, and mannosyltransferase, equilibrated at a relatively high density but were shifted to lower density values after addition of sodium pyrophosphate. These properties support their association with elements derived from the endoplasmic reticulum.

Isolation and characterization of rabbit lung lamellar bodies

A method has been devised for the isolation of a highly purified preparation of lamellar bodies from rabbit lung. The purity of the preparation was confirmed by electron microscopy, marker enzymes, phospholipid composition, and isopycnic centrifugation on continuous density sucrose gradients. Contamination of the lamellar bodies by such subcellular components as mitochondria, nuclei, lysosomes and plasma membranes could be excluded; however, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) cytochrome c reductase, an enzyme specific for the endoplasmic reticulum components was a persistent contaminant in the preparation of the isolated lamellar bodies. When the lamellar bodies were subject to isopycnic centrifugation, all of the NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity was associated with the lamellar bodies in the low density peak; no reductase activity could be detected in the region of the density gradient demonstrated to localize microsomes. Use of 3H-radiolabeled microsomes confirmed that all of the NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity present in the lamellar body preparations could be accounted for by microsomal contamination. When lamellar bodies or liposomal membranes synthesized from the total phospholipid fraction of lamellar bodies were analyzed by the electron paramagnetic resonance probe, 5-dioxyl-methylstearate, they exhibited a high degree of fluidity at physiological temperature. This was in contrast to the low fluidity of liposomal membranes composed of pure dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, the major component (50%) of rabbit lamellar body phospholipids. Furthermore, the major temperature-dependent phase transition in lamellar body membranes occurred at a different temperature (30.5 degrees C) from that of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (41.0 degrees C). It is clear, therefore, that the membrane fluidity of lamellar bodies must be highly influenced by the minor lipid component.

Drug metabolism in isolated proximal tubule cells: aldehyde dehydrogenase

The mammalian kidney is composed of numerous cell populations associated with the interstitial spaces, vasculature and various portions of the nephron. Not surprisingly, mammalian kidneys also exhibit an array of drug metabolizing activities, including the pyridine nucleotide-linked aldehyde dehydrogenase(s) (ALDH). To define the ALDH activity in segment 2 of the proximal tubule, a portion of the nephron which frequently shows drug-induced pathology, proximal tubules were isolated by purely mechanical methods from female rabbits. Isopycnic centrifugation of tubule-derived postnuclear supernates in linear sucrose gradients resulted in propionaldehyde (5 mM)-driven ALDH activity being distributed in a manner consistent with both a mitochondrial and cytosolic localization. Mitochondrial and cystosolic fractions yielded biphasic reciprocal plots when propionaldehyde was used as substrate. Km values of 282 microM and 4 mM were obtained from the mitochondrial enzymes, whereas the cytosolic enzymes gave KmS of 132 microM and 2.4 mM. The apparent Vmax values (nanomoles of NADH produced per minute per milligram of protein) are 16.3 and 37.8 for the mitochondrial enzymes and 23.5 and 19.0 for the cytosolic enzymes. Thus, the S2 proximal tubule cells contain ALDH activities at levels and subcellular sites comparable to those found in the liver. Because the proximal tubules constitute approximately 40% of the renal cortical mass, the high levels of ALDH activity observed in these cells may protect other cortical cells and more distal nephron components by detoxifying potentially cytotoxic aldehydes.

Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage factor that confers competence for genetic transformation to an exfoliative toxin-producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus

Competence for genetic transformation in an exfoliative toxin-producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus was shown to be dependent on a virion factor that was isolated from a crude bacteriophage 80 alpha lysate. This competence-conferring factor was completely separated from infectious virus particles after either centrifugation through a neutral sucrose velocity gradient or fractionation on a Sepharose 2B gel. Since the competence-conferring factor tends to aggregate, optimal separation was obtained after treatment of the phage factor with the detergent Nonidet P-40. The competence-conferring factor had a molecular weight between 3 X 10(6) and 20 X 10(6) and an approximate sedimentation coefficient of 252. The factor was neutralized after interaction with antiserum prepared against isolated infectious 80 alpha virions. Electron microscopy of transforming cells that were exposed to isolated competence-conferring factor revealed a significant number of abnormally long and aggregated phage tail-like structures attached to the surface of recipient cells. This phenomenon was only observed in the presence of donor DNA, indicating that a phage tail-DNA-surface receptor complex might be one of the early steps in DNA-mediated transformation of S. aureus.

The relationship between incorporation of E-5-(2-Bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine into herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA with virus infectivity and DNA integrity

E-5-(2-Bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BrvdUrd) produced a dose-dependent shift in the density of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA at concentrations which yielded potent inhibition of virus replication in cultured Vero cells. Although the density of cellular DNA was not altered by these concentrations of BrvdUrd, incorporation of this analogue into cellular DNA of HSV-1-infected cells has been previously observed in this laboratory. The degree of inhibition correlated with the amount of BrvdUrd substituted for thymidine in HSV-1 DNA. BrvdUrd-substituted DNA was more labile as determined by a dose-dependent increase in single strand breaks when examined by centrifugation in alkaline sucrose gradients. Thus, the potent antiviral action of BrvdUrd observed in cell culture correlates not only with its incorporation into HSV-1 DNA but also with an altered stability of this DNA.

Nonenzymatic separation of myocardial cell nuclei from whole heart tissue

A simple and rapid nonenzymatic method has been developed to isolate myocardial cell nuclei from whole heart tissue. This method consists of a controlled disruption of cells followed by isopycnic gradient centrifugation. We have reviewed and compared our method to others more lengthy and laborious. By using a number of criteria, such as morphometric measurements, chemical composition, functional studies, specific nuclear protein markers, and mathematical analysis, we show that the nonenzymatic digestion method provides a most useful technique for the study of the biochemistry of the myocardial cell nucleus.

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus: concentration, partial purification, inactivation and immunogenicity

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) TC-84 vaccinal virus, from 10-1. quantities of infected duck embryo fibroblast cell culture fluids, was isolated by combined continuous-flow centrifugation with isopycnic banding in sucrose. Most of the recovered infectivity and hemagglutinating activity were in a single band at a buoyant density (rho) of 1.2. About 90% of the total input protein (450-520 mg) was removed with the effluent, whereas most of the remaining 10% also banded at a rho of 1.2. Infectivity was inactivated with formalin at a final concentration of 0.05% at 37 degrees C for 24 hr. Formalin-inactivated virus retained its immunogenicity and induced VEE virus-specific antibody in horses and guinea pigs. The horses and those guinea pigs that received equivalent doses of vaccine survived after a challenge of their immunity with virulent VEE virus.

Isolation of human cytomegalovirus DNA from infected cells

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA was extracted from infected human embryo fibroblast cultures using the Hirt, Triton-NaCl, and total extraction methods. The Hirt method gave a maximum yield of 60% and was 5- to 10-fold more efficient than the Triton-NaCl method for the extraction of HCMV DNA. However, both methods gave comparable yields ranging from 70 to 75% for the extraction of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) DNA from infected cells. The Hirt-extracted HCMV DNA contained from 5 to 10% contaminating mitochondrial DNA which could be removed after centrifugation in CsCl-ethidium bromide density gradients. The Hirt-extracted HCMV DNA was analyzed by velocity sedimentation in sucrose gradients and was found to sediment similar to HSV1 55S DNA. Additionally, the Hirt-extracted HCMV DNA was shown to be similar to virion-extracted HCMV DNA in plaquing efficiency and by HindIII restriction digest patterns.

Some functional and morphological characteristics of an acutely dispersed purified cell suspension of rat lactotrophs prepared with Percoll

A cell suspension containing more than 90% lactotrophs can be prepared from enzymically dispersed adenohypophyses obtained from male rats pretreated with estradiol. The lactotrophs are separated from the mixed cell population by centrifugation on a discontinuous density gradient prepared from a commercial preparation of colloidal silica (Percoll, Pharmacia). The method allows isopycnic separation of these delicate cells under very mild conditions; normal ionic strength and normal pH were maintained throughout the gradient, centrifugal acceleration did not exceed 1600 X g, and all procedures were done at room temperature. Histological verification that at least 90% of the cells were lactotrophs was done using specific immunoperoxidase staining. The functional capability of the lactotrophs was established by measuring the dose--response to the dopamine agonist bromocriptine and to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Bromocriptine decreased spontaneous release in a dose-related way over the concentration range of 10(-10) to 10(-8) M. TRH, which causes an in vivo release of prolactin (PRL) in estrogen-primed rats, produced a dose-related increase in the release of PRL over the concentration range of 3 X 10(-10) to 3 X 10(-8) M after the high spontaneous release had been previously reduced by bromocriptine (3 X 10(-8) M).

Variations in the buoyant density of foot-and-mouth disease virus strains

Some of the factors which effect the buoyant density in caesium chloride of foot-and-mouth disease virus were investigated. Under standard conditions, the buoyant densities of a range of vaccine virus strains, representing all seven serotypes, were found to be unrelated to their potential of being formulated into effective vaccines. In some virus strains, a small amount of naturally occurring high and/or low density components were observed and these components were examined in more detail in one virus strain.

Changes in mitochondrial DNA during aging

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was isolated from liver mitochondria of rats between 2 and 24 months of age. The mtDNA was purified by cesium chloride--ethidium bromide isopycnic density gradient centrifugation. In the gradients, in addition to the two expected bands of ethidium--DNA complex, there was observed a third, more dense band (d = 1.69 g/cm3). This novel band, rarely observed in preparations from younger animals, was present in most preparations from older animals. The latter was characterized using the diphenylamine assay(s) and ascertained to contain DNA and carbohydrate components. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed the DNA of the novel band to have a migration identical to form I mtDNA. Digestion of the novel band with the restriction endonuclease Bam HI yielded products identical to those obtained upon treatment of form I mtDNA with Bam HI. The observation of mtDNA at a density of 1.69 g/cm3 indicates the presence, predominantly in older animals, of a subclass of mtDNA molecules with altered ethidium binding properties. The significance of this mtDNA and its position in the gradient is unclear at this time.

Further studies on the relationship between platelet buoyant density and platelet age

The relationship between platelet buoyant density and platelet age was investigated in eight human subjects submitted to an autologous chromium labeled platelet survival study. Platelets were isolated after isopycnic centrifugation using eight discontinuous isoosmotic stractan gradients (five subjects), or various continuous and linear isoosmolar gradients (three subjects). A paradoxical radioactivity enrichment of the dense platelets and a premature loss of radioactivity in the light platelets were observed. These results are explained by a shift of the radioactivity distribution curve toward higher densities during the 3-4 days after platelet injection, while the standard deviation of the distribution was conserved throughout the platelet life span. These results suggest that young platelets are heterogeneous and slightly less dense than the total platelet population.

Mitochondrial ribosome assembly in Neurospora. Structural analysis of mature and partially assembled ribosomal subunits by equilibrium centrifugation in CsCl gradients

In Neurospora, one protein associated with the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit (S-5, Mr 52,000) is synthesized intramitochondrially and is assumed to be encoded by mtDNA. When mitochondrial protein synthesis is inhibited, either by chloramphenicol or by mutation, cells accumulate incomplete mitochondrial small subunits (CAP-30S and INC-30S particles) that are deficient in S-5 and several other proteins. To gain additional insight into the role of S-5 in mitochondrial ribosome assembly, the structures of Neurospora mitochondrial ribosomal subunits, CAP-30S particles, and INC-30S particles were analyzed by equilibrium centrifugation in CsCl gradients containing different concentrations of Mg+2. The results show (a) that S-5 is tightly associated with small ribosomal subunits, as judged by the fact that it is among the last proteins to be dissociated in CsCl gradients as the Mg+2 concentration is decreased, and (b) that CAP-30S and INC-30S particles, which are deficient in S-5, contain at most 12 proteins that are bound as tightly as in mature small subunits. The CAP-30S particles isolated from sucrose gradients contain a number of proteins that appear to be loosely bound, as judged by dissociation of these proteins in CsCl gradients under conditions in which they remain associated with mature small subunits. The results suggest that S-5 is required for the stable binding of a subset of small subunit ribosomal proteins.

In vitro mass: activity distribution of lecithin--cholesterol acyltransferase among human plasma lipoproteins

In order to compare the mass-activity distribution of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) among plasma lipoproteins separated by various ultracentrifugal or chromatographic procedures, we have quantified the enzyme by an electroimmunoassay technique using a specific antibody raised in the rabbit. This antibody, when added to whole serum, inhibited all of the enzyme activity present in it. The percent mass distribution of the enzyme among the lipoproteins isolated by rate-zonal ultracentrifugation (d 1.00-1.36 g/ml, SW 40 rotor, 37 000 rpm, 16 h) was as follows: very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), 0; low density lipoproteins (LDL), 6.2; HDL2, 6.5; HDL3, 12 and d greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction, 75. Measurement of LCAT activity of each lipoprotein fraction against mixed single bilayer lecithin-cholesterol vesicles (molar ratio, 4:1) containing apo A-I, indicated that VLDL, LDL and HDL2 were inactive or minimally active under the experimental conditions used, whereas HDL3 and the d greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction contained 17.5 and 79.9% of the total enzyme activity. Prolonged ultracentrifugation of the LCAT-containing lipoproteins resulted in the recovery of activity in the lipoprotein-free infranatant. In studies with lipoproteins linked to Sepharose 4B, LCAT was found to bind LDL, HDL2, and HDL3. It is concluded that LCAT is present in all the major lipoproteins except for VLDL. The activity appears to be dependent, at least in part, on the type of lipoproteins to which the enzyme is associated with.

Rat liver Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase. Subcellular location in lysosomes

Rat liver Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, previously reported to be localized in the mitochondria intermembrane space in addition to the cytosol, is now found to be lysosomal. The enzyme has been shown to segregate coincidently with lysosomal enzymes and not mitochondrial enzymes from a subcellular granule fraction by three independent methods: 1) digitonin treatment, 2) hypotonic treatment, which selectively releases lysosomal enzymes into the supernatant prior to the release of mitochondrial enzymes, and 3) separation of mitochondria and lysosomes by isopycnic density centrifugation after in vivo loading of lysosomes with Triton WR-1339. The Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in lysosomes appears to be derived from cytosolic Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, since microinjection of the enzyme into HeLa cells results in a partial redistribution from cytosol to lysosomes. In the rat, the amount of superoxide dismutase in the lysosomes varies with the nutritional state of the animal. Fasted animals have about 8% and fed animals about 2% of the total cellular superoxide dismutase in the lysosomes. This increase in lysosomal Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase upon fasting is consistent with what is known to occur with other soluble cytosolic proteins during autophagy. Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase is probably not located in mitochondria, as the enzyme found associated with this organelle on isopycnic density gradients may be attributed to lysosomal contamination. However, the possibility that a small amount (less than 0.1% of total cellular) is located in the mitochondria cannot be excluded.

Studies on the kinetic properties and subcellular localization of adenine nucleotide phosphatases in peripheral blood lymphocytes from control subjects and patients with common variable primary hypogammaglobulinaemia

Specific assays for 5'-nucleotidase, adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) and Mg2+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Mg2+-ATPase) have been optimized for human lymphocytes and their subcellular localizations determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. 5'-Nucleotidase was localized solely to the plasma membrane of the lymphocyte. ADPase activity has been shown to have a dual localization to the plasma membrane and mitochondria, whilst Mg2+-ATPase was mainly located in the mitochondria. No [Na+,K+] activated Mg2+-dependent ATPase could be measured in these cells. We have confirmed the striking decrease in the specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase activity in lymphocytes from patients with common variable primary hypogammaglobulinaemia. In contrast, the specific activities of ADPase and Mg2+-ATPase showed no alteration in lymphocytes from the patient group when compared to controls. Thus the deficiency of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in the lymphocytes of patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia is a highly selective defect in purine metabolism.