Class II antigen expression in diabetic preretinal membranes

Using immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase procedures, we found large amounts of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE, as well as C1q, C3c, and C3d, in the connective stroma and within the vascular walls on eight specimens of preretinal membranes obtained from diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy. The membranes contained many isolated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR- and DQ-expressing cells, and vascular endothelial cells strongly expressed class II determinants. Monoclonal antibodies to immunocompetent cells disclosed only rare B lymphocytes or suppressor/cytotoxic T cells and few monocytes. These findings confirm previous evidence of immune reactions in the pars plana of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and suggest that an autoimmune reaction is a factor in this complication. It is yet not possible to determine whether this reaction is a nonspecific consequence of the vasoproliferative processes or if it plays a direct role in the development and extension of preretinal membranes.

[Immunohistologic study of the epiretinal membranes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment with vitreo-retinal proliferation]

An immunohistological study was performed in specimens of epiretinal membranes obtained during surgery in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Using immunostaining procedures, these membranes were found to contain great amounts of immunoglobulins and complement, as well as a strong expression of class II antigens. These results confirm the involvement of auto-immune phenomena in intra-ocular proliferative diseases and the close relationship between the immune system and peptide growth factors.

Platelet-activating factor stimulates a fos/jun/AP-1 transcriptional signaling system in human neuroblastoma cells

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) elicits a rapid and transient activation of the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, but only to a minor extent in Molt-4 T-lymphocytes. This effect is inhibited by pretreatment of cells with the PAF antagonist BN 52021, suggesting the involvement of a specific receptor. Moreover, PAF treatment can activate gene expression through an AP-1 element, and we propose that genomic trans-activation may occur in target genes containing a functional AP-1 transcription sequence. These results may further understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which PAF contributes to long-term phenotypic changes in the nervous system.

Reversal of the epinephrine stimulation of Cl- transport in bullfrog cornea by phorbol esters

The effects of protein kinase C (PKC) stimulation with phorbol dibutyrate, PDBu, were determined on transepithelial net Cl- transport (Isc) across the isolated bullfrog cornea. Between 1 nM and 1 microM, PDBu had no effect on either the Isc or the conductance, gt, as well as the membrane voltage (Vsc) but it decreased the fractional apical membrane resistance (fR0). PDBu caused a dose-dependent decline and reversal of the stimulatory effect of the mixed alpha and beta adrenergic agonist, epinephrine, on the Isc. With 1 microM PDBu, 100 microM epinephrine decreased the Isc by 20% below its control value. As without PDBu, epinephrine decreased fR0 and depolarized the Vsc. Evidence that this reversal by PDBu stems from a selective stimulation of PKC is: (1) neither its vehicle nor the inactive phorbol analog, 4 alpha-phorbol didecanoate, PDD (1 microM), decreased either the fR0 or altered the stimulatory effect of epinephrine on the Isc. (2) After preincubation with 30 microM H-7, which inhibited PKC stimulation in subcellular membrane and cytosolic fractions of frog corneal epithelium, the stimulatory effect of epinephrine on the Isc was unchanged by 1 microM PDBu. Preincubation with PDBu completely inhibited the stimulatory effect of the beta adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol (10 microM), on the Isc but did not affect the stimulatory effect of 1 microM forskolin on the Isc, indicating that PKC stimulation results in uncoupling of adrenergic regulation of adenylate cyclase activity. Epinephrine did not reverse the Isc in corneas that were preincubated with either the alpha 2- -adrenergic antagonist, yohimbine (100 microM), or the general alpha adrenergic antagonist, phenoxybenzamine (100 microM). With yohimbine, epinephrine had no effect on the Isc whereas with phenoxybenzamine the stimulation by epinephrine was fully restored. These effects suggest that stimulation of PKC is dependent upon the stimulation of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors by epinephrine as well as the presence of PDBu. Reversal and stimulation of the Isc by epinephrine were both associated with a depolarization of the Vsc and similar decreases in fR0. These similar effects on fR0 suggest that PKC stimulation as well as alpha 2 adrenergic activation by epinephrine are associated with increases in basolateral membrane resistance.

Endothelial cell damage in human and rabbit corneas stored in K-Sol without antioxidants

Human and rabbit corneas were stored at 4 degrees C in K-Sol with and without antioxidants (ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, alpha-tocopherol, and retinol acetate) for two to three weeks. All the corneas were then examined visually and by scanning electron microscopy. They appeared clear and slightly oedematous. Scanning electron micrographs were used to grade corneal endothelial cell morphology in a masked manner in terms of cell shape, cell borders, cell swelling, and apical holes. Corneas stored in K-Sol without antioxidants showed changes in cell shape, cell borders, and apical holes. Human corneas showed more morphological changes than rabbit corneas. The results suggest that antioxidants in K-Sol have an important role in the preservation of endothelial cell morphology.

Arachidonic acid metabolism and cerebral blood flow in the normal, ischemic, and reperfused gerbil brain. Inhibition of ischemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral injury by a platelet-activating factor antagonist (BN 52021)

Cerebral ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury results in the accumulation of free fatty acids and diacylglycerols as a result of increased activity of phospholipases A and C. We have evaluated the incorporation of 14C arachidonic acid into the whole brain and synaptoneurosomes, the effect of cerebral ischemia on 14C incorporation, and the effect of a PAF antagonist (BN 52021) on cerebral blood flow, free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, and polyphosphoinositides. Peak incorporation of 14C arachidonic acid into the whole brain and synaptoneurosomal fractions occurred 30 minutes following intraventricular injection. Peak incorporation into cerebellar synaptoneurosomal fractions was at 60 minutes following intraventricular injection. Turnover in phospholipid pools was similar in the whole brain and synaptoneurosomes (PI greater than PC greater than PE). Considering phosphatidylinositol content in the gerbil brain, the specific activity of 14C arachidonic acid was 22 times greater in PI than PC. Five minutes of bilateral carotid artery ligation resulted in decreased phosphatidylinositol and polyphosphoinositols. Bilateral carotid artery ligation resulted in systemic arterial hypertension, complete forebrain ischemia (CBF less than 7 ml/100 gm/min) and a 20% to 50% reduction in midbrain CBF. Reperfusion resulted in cerebral reactive hyperemia and systemic hypotension. BN 52021 inhibited the maturation of ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury. Cerebral blood flow was improved. Free fatty acids were decreased, suggesting inhibition of phospholipase A activity. Decreased DAG pools with increased PIP2 pools suggest a possible coinhibition of phospholipase C.

Increased levels of leukotriene C4 in retinal pigment epithelium are correlated with early events in photoreceptor shedding in Xenopus laevis

The levels of 5-lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid, leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4 in retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) from Xenopus laevis were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RPE were isolated during various stages of photoreceptor renewal to determine possible alterations in 5-lipoxygenase activity concurrent with photoreceptor detachment and phagocytosis. Both LTC4 and LTB4 were released to RPE incubation media, although levels of LTB4 in unstimulated RPE were close to the limits of detection by RIA. Incubation of RPE with the calcium ionophore A23187 increased the levels of both LTB4 and LTC4. When animals were maintained on a cycle of 12 hr light/dark, normal photoreceptor shedding, as measured by histological quantitation of the appearance of phagosomes in the RPE, occurred 1 hr after light onset. Levels of LTC4 in RPE were lower 1 hr after light onset, as compared to 1 hr prior to light onset. Due to the low levels of LTB4, no significant differences could be detected. However, when LTB4 levels were elevated with A23187, LTB4 also declined 1 hr after light onset. When animals were maintained in constant light for 5 days, then exposed to 2 hr dark and 2 hr light, a massive shedding response occurred. Levels of LTC4 were stimulated 5 min after light onset (prior to detectable shedding) and declined below dark levels as shedding progressed. These data suggest a correlation between 5-lipoxygenase activity and the events of photoreceptor shedding and phagocytosis.

Membrane docosahexaenoate is supplied to the developing brain and retina by the liver

Docosahexaenoic acid [22:6 omega 3; 22:6(4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19)] is concentrated in phospholipids of cellular membranes from brain and retina. Although linolenic acid [18:3 omega 3; 18:3(9, 12, 15)] is the major omega 3 fatty acid of mouse dams' milk, 22:6 is the prevalent omega 3 fatty acid in serum and tissues. Intraperitoneal injection of [1-14C]18:3 into 3-day-old mouse pups resulted in liver and serum lipid labeling that was initially high, followed by a rapid decline. In contrast, labeling of brain and retinal lipids were initially low and increased with time. Labeled 22:6 first appeared in liver 2 hr after injection and later in brain and retina. We suggest that 22:6 synthesized from 18:3 by the liver is secreted into the bloodstream in lipoproteins, taken up by brain and retina, and incorporated into cell membranes. We hypothesize that the 22:6 requirements of membranes (e.g., during synaptogenesis, photoreceptor membrane biogenesis, or repair after ischemic injury or neurodegenerative disorders) are met by a signal that is sent by the appropriate tissues to the liver to evoke the secretion of 22:6-containing lipoproteins.

Histamine stimulation of inositol phosphate metabolism in cultured human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells

Treatment of cultured human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells with 100 microM histamine for 30 minutes resulted in a 3-5 fold increase in intracellular inositol phosphates. The stimulation by histamine was dose-dependent, with a half-maximal concentration of 3 microM and a maximal concentration of 100 microM. In response to histamine, inositol monophosphate increased approximately linearly for 30 min in the presence of 10 mM LiCl2, while inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate showed rapid rises complete within a few minutes. Treatment of cells with the H1 antagonist diphenhydramine resulted in a complete inhibition of the histamine effect at 1 microM, with a half-maximal inhibition at 56 nM, whereas cimetidine, an H2 antagonist, had little effect at any concentration tested. Schild analysis of the diphenhydramine/histamine receptor interaction gave an apparent dissociation constant of 7.1 nM. The data suggest that human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells possess H1 histamine receptors.

Light exposure stimulates arachidonic acid metabolism in intact rat retina and isolated rod outer segments

This paper presents evidence that short-term exposure to light increases synthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and stimulates the uptake and metabolism of 20:4 in phospholipids and triacylglycerols in rat retina. There was a time-dependent increase in incorporation of 1-14C-20:4 into glycerolipids in both dark-adapted and light-exposed groups. Exposure to light for 15 or 30 min enhanced the acylation of 20:4 into phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and triacylglycerols. In the light-exposed groups there was a large increase in the conversion of 20:4 to leukotriene B4, two diHETEs, 5-HETE, 15-HETE, and PGD2. The stimulation of HETE synthesis by light could be due to early stages of light-induced lipid peroxidation in visual cells. To examine this, we studied peroxidation of 20:4 in isolated rod outer segments (ROS). There was more oxidation of 20:4 in light-exposed ROS, as compared to ROS incubated in the dark. Vitamin E and nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibited the light-induced formation of some of these products. The data indicate that photo-oxidation of 20:4 in ROS is accompanied by enzymatic oxygenation that is stimulated by light. Increased production of HETEs an PGD2 may be a consequence of the light-induced stimulation of the metabolism of 20:4 in membrane phospholipids in the retina.

Platelet-activating factor antagonist BN52021 decreases accumulation of free polyunsaturated fatty acid in mouse brain during ischemia and electroconvulsive shock

We have investigated the effects of the specific platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-glycerophosphocholine) antagonist BN52021 on free fatty acid (FFA) and diacylglycerol (DG) accumulation and on the loss of fatty acids from phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in mouse brain. Mice were pretreated with BN52021 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before electroconvulsive shock (ECS) or postdecapitation ischemia. These procedures cause rapid breakdown of PIP2 and accumulation of FFA and DG. Lipid extracts were prepared from microwave-fixed cerebrum and fractionated by TLC, and the fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by methanolysis and quantified by capillary GLC. In saline or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide)-treated mice, ECS caused marked accumulation of FFA and DG and loss of mainly stearic (18:0) and arachidonic (20:4) acids from PIP2. BN52021 pretreatment of ECS-treated mice decreased the accumulation of free palmitic (16:0), 18:0, 20:4, and docosahexaenoic (22:6) acids with no effect on the fatty acids in DG or the loss of PIP2. BN52021 had no effect on basal levels of FFA, DG, or PIP2. One minute of postdecapitation ischemia induced PIP2 loss and accumulation of FFA and DG. BN52021 attenuated the accumulation of free 20:4 and 22:6 acids, decreased the content of oleic (18:1), 20:4, and 22:6 acids in DG, but had no effect on PIP2 loss. These data indicate that BN52021 reduces the injury-induced activation of phospholipase A2 and lysophospholipase, which mediate the accumulation of FFA in brain, while having a negligible effect on phospholipase C-mediated degradation of PIP2.

The effect of a new lipoxygenase inhibitor on the production of arachidonic acid metabolites during experimental herpes simplex keratitis

We have studied the effect of a new, selective lipoxygenase inhibitor, TEI-1338, on alterations in arachidonic acid (20:4) metabolism and breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier during herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the rabbit cornea. Synthesis of cyclooxygenase products (prostaglandins) and the lipoxygenase products, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), was measured in vitro by assessing conversion of 1-14C-20:4 in infected and non-infected corneas. TEI-1338 inhibited infection-stimulated lipoxygenase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, without affecting cyclooxygenase activity. Treatment of herpes infection in vivo with TEI-1338 (ocular drops) reduced leakage of protein into aqueous humor, a measure of inflammation-induced deterioration of the blood aqueous barrier. These data indicate that drugs that selectively inhibit lipoxygenase may be useful in the treatment of the inflammatory consequences of herpes keratitis, without exacerbating the infectious process.

Cerebral perfusion of metabolic inactivators: a new method for rapid fixation of labile lipid pools in brain

This paper describes a new method for the rapid fixation of labile lipid pools in the brain. Perfusion of the brain with 0.9% saline containing esterase inhibitors (p-bromphenacyl-bromide and diisopropyl fluorophosphate), an antioxidant (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) and a Ca2+ chelator (EDTA) resulted in a substantial reduction in the levels of free fatty acids, a biochemical marker for the degradation of labile membrane lipids. Levels of unesterified polyunsaturated fatty acids in whole brain were decreased by 90-96% as compared to levels in brains perfused with saline alone. Levels of docosahexaenoic acid approximated levels obtained after microwave irradiation. Unlike microwave irradiation, this perfusion technique perserves the cellular structure of the brain, thereby allowing subcellular fractionation with minimal postmortem changes in lipid pools. The release of arachidonic acid during isolation of the P2 (synaptosomal) fraction was completely inhibited by the presence of the metabolic inactivators. The results of this study demonstrate a new and useful technique for the postmortem inactivation of enzymes responsible for the degradation of labile lipids in the brain. Further, the data underscore the key role of phospholipase A2 and Ca2+ in mediating the release and accumulation of free fatty acids in the ischemic brain.

Developing rod photoreceptors from normal and mutant Rd mouse retinas: altered fatty acid composition early in development of the mutant

The phospholipid and fatty acid contents of developing rod photoreceptor cells were determined in dissociated photoreceptor cells obtained from normal mice and from rd mice exhibiting an inherited retinal degeneration. Photoreceptors were dissociated from retinas by mechanical agitation after mild protease treatment and characterized by light and electron microscopy. Phospholipid classes were isolated by thin-layer chromatography, and fatty acyl groups separated and quantitated by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Developing photoreceptor cells of normal retinas accumulated all phospholipid classes, but in proportions which shifted with age. The mole % contents of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) decreased with age, whereas phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) increased. The content of the polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoate (22:6), expressed as nmol/microgram lipid phosphorus, increased rapidly during development, whereas arachidonate (20:4) content tended to decline. Mono-unsaturated fatty acid levels (palmitoleate, 16:1; oleate, 18:1) declined with age. Among saturated fatty acids, palmitate (16:0) decreased during normal development, whereas stearate (18:0) increased. The total mass of phospholipid/photoreceptor cell in the normal, adult mouse retina was estimated to be approximately 14 pg. The total phospholipid content and mole % distribution of individual phospholipid classes in immature rd photoreceptors were similar to values for normal cells. In contrast, significant changes in fatty acid composition were detected between immature rd cells and normal cells. Rd cells generally had higher levels of saturated (myristate, 14:0; palmitate, 16:0) and monounsaturated fatty acids (oleate, 18:1) and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonate, 20:4; docosahexaenoate, 22:6), suggesting that fatty acid metabolism is altered by expression of the rd gene and/or by the associated impairment of photoreceptor cell differentiation.

Carbamazepine inhibits electroconvulsive shock-induced inositol trisphosphate (IP3) accumulation in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus

Carbamazepine is used to treat manic-depressive disorder, and is also an anticonvulsant. Rats were injected with this drug 90 min prior to this experiment, when mild inhibition of convulsions took place. Intraventricular injections of 14 muCi [3H]myoinositol were made 20-24 hrs prior to the experiment. Ninety min after intraperitoneal injection of carbamazepine or vehicle, rats were given electroconvulsive shock or sham procedure and sacrificed 30 sec later. Incorporation of radiolabel into inositol lipids and inositol phosphates was analyzed in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Carbamazepine's effects on the brain inositol lipid cycle, studied here for the first time, showed 1) enhanced labeling in the polyphosphoinositides (carbamazepine-ECS groups showed increases of about 40% in PIP2); 2) decreased [H]IP1 levels; and 3) inhibition of ECS-induced [3H]-IP3 accumulation.

The accumulation of platelet activating factor in the injured cornea may be interrelated with the synthesis of lipoxygenase products

The rabbit cornea accumulates platelet activating factor (PAF) three hrs after alkali burn. PAF was isolated by HPLC and assayed by platelet aggregation. This bioactivity was blocked by the PAF receptor antagonists BN 52021 and alprazolam. Added PAF increases the chemiluminescence response of the cornea in vitro and BN 52021 inhibits this effect. In vivo experiments show that the synthesis of 5-HETE and 12-HETE is inhibited by the PAF antagonist BN 52021. It is concluded that a metabolic interrelationship may exist between the PAF cycle and the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid, and that drugs that affect these lipid mediators may modulate the inflammatory response of the anterior segment of the eye.

Effects of a platelet activating factor antagonist (BN 52021) on free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, polyphosphoinositides and blood flow in the gerbil brain: inhibition of ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury

The effects of a platelet activating factor antagonist (BN 52021) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was studied in the gerbil. Following ten minutes of bilateral carotid artery ligation, gerbils were reperfused and injected intraperitoneally with either BN 52021 or vehicle-dimethylsulfoxide. Cerebral blood flow and systemic arterial pressure were monitored until 90 minutes of reperfusion. Free fatty acids, diacylglycerols and polyphosphoinositides were then analyzed in forebrains and midbrains. BN 52021 inhibited the maturation of ischemic injury. Cerebral blood flow increased following 60 to 90 minutes of reperfusion. Free fatty acid levels were reduced likely by inhibition of phospholipase A. Phospholipase activity may likely be decreased since there was a tendency to increase phosphatidylinositol-4',5'-bisphosphate and diacylglycerols in BN 52021-treated animals.

Electroconvulsive shock stimulates polyphosphoinositide degradation and inositol trisphosphate accumulation in rat cerebrum: lithium pretreatment does not potentiate these changes

Using an in vivo model, we explored the acute effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and lithium on rat cerebral polyphosphoinositides and inositol phosphates. ECS was shown to increase the [3H]inositol trisphosphate ([3H]IP3) by 75%, decrease the endogenous mass of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) by 23%, and enhance [3H]myo-inositol labeling into the polyphosphoinositides. In contrast, lithium pretreatment 20-24 h prior to ECS appeared to attenuate the ECS-induced [3H]IP3 increase and the decrease in mass of PIP2; [3H]inositol monophosphate ([3H]IP1) levels demonstrated no differences between the lithium ECS and lithium-alone groups. These results indicate that ECS stimulates the inositol lipid cycle in brain possibly due to neurotransmitter release. Moreover, the effects of lithium suggest other possible sites of action of this cation on inositol lipid metabolism in addition to an inhibition of inositol-1-phosphatase.

Effect of bicuculline-induced status epilepticus on prostaglandins and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in rat brain subcellular fractions

Rat cerebrum, prelabeled in vivo by intraventricular injection of [1-14C]arachidonic acid, was used to assess cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase reaction products in total homogenates, cytosol, synaptosomes, and microsomes. Effects of bicuculline-induced status epilepticus on arachidonic acid metabolism in synaptosomes and microsomes were also measured. Lipoxygenase activity, resulting in the synthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), and cyclooxygenase activity, resulting in the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs), were measured by reverse-phase and normal-phase HPLC with flow scintillation detection. Endogenous lipoxygenase products in synaptosomes were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PGs and HETEs were detected in all subcellular fractions. The synaptosomal fraction showed the highest lipoxygenase activity, with 5-HETE, 12-HETE, and leukotriene B4 as the major products. Following bicuculline-induced status epilepticus, endogenous free arachidonic acid and other fatty acids accumulated in synaptosomes, but not in microsomes. Incorporation of [1-14C]arachidonic acid into synaptosomal and microsomal phospholipids was decreased after bicuculline treatment. Bicuculline-induced status epilepticus resulted in increased synthesis of HETEs in synaptosomes. PG synthesis increased in the microsomal fraction. When [1-14C]arachidonic acid-labeled synaptosomes and microsomes were incubated for 1 h at 37 degrees C the synthesis of eicosanoids, particularly PGD2, was increased significantly in bicuculline-treated rats, as compared with untreated rats. Depolarization (45 mM K+) of synaptosomes induced a loss of [1-14C]arachidonic acid from phosphatidylinositol, and increased the synthesis of PGD2 and HETEs, an effect that was enhanced in bicuculline-treated rats. This study localizes changes in arachidonic acid metabolism and lipoxygenase activity resulting from bicuculline-induced status epilepticus in the brain subcellular fraction enriched in nerve endings.

Acylation of disc membrane rhodopsin may be nonenzymatic

Bovine retinal rod outer segments (ROS) support the incorporation of [3H]palmitate into rhodopsin. [14C] Palmitoyl-CoA serves as the donor with an apparent Km of 40 microM. Solubilization of ROS in the detergent, Emulphogene, results in increased incorporation of label into rhodopsin. A further increase is found when ConA-Sepharose-purified rhodopsin is used as the source of both "enzyme" and acceptor. Failure to separate enzyme from acceptor suggested the possibility of a nonenzymatic reaction. This was confirmed when boiled rhodopsin was found to support the reaction. However, the acylation of rhodopsin is not an artifact since analysis of purified native rhodopsin reveals the presence of covalently bound palmitate and we showed that whole bovine retinas incubated with [3H] palmitate incorporated the fatty acid into rhodopsin (O'Brien, P.J., and Zatz, M. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 5054-5057). Furthermore, in vivo experiments with rat retinas have revealed that opsin is acylated both in the rod inner and outer segments (St. Jules, R. S., and O'Brien, P.J. (1986) Exp. Eye Res. 43, 929-940). Incubation of labeled rhodopsin with mercaptoethanol resulted in release of the labeled palmitate indicating the presence of a thioester bond. This also illustrates the ease with which a thioester, such as palmitoyl cysteine or palmitoyl-CoA, can transfer the fatty acyl group to a free thiol, such as cysteine or mercaptoethanol.

Docosahexaenoate metabolism and fatty-acid composition in developing retinas of normal and rd mutant mice

The fatty-acid composition of retinal lipids in developing control and rd mice (C57BL/6J) was determined. In addition, fatty-acid composition in brain and retina of normal and rd adult animals was compared. At 11 days of postnatal age, rd retinas contained proportionally less docosahexaenoate than controls, whereas the reverse relationship held for oleate at 20 days of age. In contrast, no differences in the fatty-acid composition of brain lipids were observed between rd and control animals. We also examined docosahexaenoate metabolism in rd and control retinas of different postnatal ages in vitro. These studies of [1-14C]docosahexaenoic-acid incorporation into retinal phospholipids and neutral lipids demonstrated significantly higher incorporation into triacylglycerols of the rd retina, beginning at 14-15 days of postnatal age. Incorporation into diacylglycerols and phospholipids was also higher in rd retinas than in controls at 14 days of age and older. Moreover, the concentration of ganglioside (a glycolipid class probably enriched within inner retinal layers) was higher in adult rd retinas. Degeneration of the rd retina can be detected histologically as early as 8-9 days. Therefore, the alterations of fatty-acid composition and docosahexaenoate metabolism described here are probably an effect, rather than a cause, of retinal degeneration in the rd mouse.

Arachidonic acid, stearic acid, and diacylglycerol accumulation correlates with the loss of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in cerebrum 2 seconds after electroconvulsive shock: complete reversion of changes 5 minutes after stimulation

The effects of electroconvulsive shock (750 msec, 130 V, 150 pps) on the endogenous content of rat cerebral lipids were studied 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 300 sec after stimulation. Rapid enzyme inactivation in situ was attained by high-power head-focused microwave irradiation (6.5 kW, 2450 MHz). At 10 sec, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) mass had decreased by 249 nmol per g wet wt, mainly due to loss of arachidonate and stearate. At the same time, the stearoyl-arachidonoyl glycerol accumulated, although to a lesser extent than the loss exhibited in PIP2. Changes in phosphatidylinositol and in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate mass were not statistically significant. Free fatty acids and diacylglycerols accumulated to 395 nmol per g wet wt; arachidonic and stearic acids composed 322 nmol of these lipids. Hence, the reduction in content of PIP2 is sufficient to account for 80% of the increases in free fatty acid and diacylglycerol mass. Thirty-three and 12 nmol of accumulated free palmitic and docosahexaenoic acids, respectively, are not accounted for by the loss of PIP2. Sixty seconds after stimulation, PIP2 content returned to 90% of control levels, while diacylglycerol tended to remain below control levels. Free fatty acids had not returned to control levels by 60 sec, with the exception of docosahexaenoic acid. At 300 sec, PIP2, diacylglycerol, and free fatty acids had all returned to control levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)