Immunoelectron microscopic localization of fibronectin in the smooth muscle layer of mouse small intestine

We studied the ultrastructural distribution of fibronectin in the smooth muscle layer of mouse small intestine with affinity-purified antibodies using the immunogold technique. Fibronectin was present over the pericellular area extending from the cell membrane to the extracellular matrix beyond the basal lamina. Distribution of the glycoprotein over the pericellular area was heterogeneous, i.e., it was localized more abundantly in the narrow space between smooth muscle cells, the gaps having a width of 60-80 nm where the two dense bands in adjacent cells matched each other. Such localization suggests that fibronectin contributes to cell adhesion. Within the basement membrane, gold label was localized both in lamina lucida and lamina densa, more densely in the latter than in the former. Fibronectin was also co-distributed with collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix. Within smooth muscle cells, gold particles were observed on rough endoplasmic reticulum and secretory vesicle-like structures. These results suggest that smooth muscle cells synthesize fibronectin and secrete it as a component of the basal lamina and extracellular matrix.

Effects of retinoic acid on receptors for epidermal growth factor in mouse palatal mesenchymal cells in vitro

Retinoic acid (RA), one of the inducers of cleft palate in vivo, specifically increased the 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding capacity of embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells; the increase was completely inhibited by actinomycin D, suggesting that transcription is required for this change. When the increase in EGF receptors was related to the stimulation of DNA synthesis by EGF in the presence of various concentrations of RA, the maximum stimulation of [3H]-thymidine by EGF was at 10(-9) M RA, but the maximum increase in the number of EGF receptors was at 10(-6) M RA. Thus the increase in the number of EGF receptors cannot be related to EGF-stimulated DNA synthesis.

Interaction between epidermal growth factor and triamcinolone acetonide in mouse palatal mesenchymal cells in vitro

Palatal mesenchymal cells from mouse embryos (MEPM cells) had a high number of specific receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF). At 37 degrees C, the number of high-affinity receptors (dissociation constant, Kd of 6.0 X 10(-10) M) was 2.0 X 10(5) per cell and of low-affinity receptors (Kd of 2.9 X 10(-9) M), 3.8 X 10(5) per cell. At 2 degrees C, a single class of receptors (Kd of 4.8 X 10(-9) M) was detected at 1.8 X 10(5) per cell. Triamcinolone acetonide, a potent cleft-palate-inducing agent, slightly inhibited the recovery of 125I-labelled EGF binding capacity in MEPM cells after down regulation of EGF receptors; it did not affect the binding properties of 125I-labelled EGF in these cells.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the 26S rRNA gene of Physarum polycephalum: its significance in gene evolution

The complete nucleotide sequences of the 5.8S and 26S rRNA genes of Physarum polycephalum and the transcribed spacer between them were determined. Comparison of the sequences with those of the Escherichia coli 23S rRNA and yeast 26S rRNA genes showed that there are 16 highly homologous regions in the sequences of Physarum and E. coli and that eukaryotes have some eukaryote-specific extra sequences. The sequence immediately following the 5.8S-like region of E. coli 23S rRNA was found to be highly homologous to the 5' terminus of Physarum 26S rRNA, indicating that the eukaryote-specific 5.8S rRNA gene is derived from the 5'-terminal region of the prokaryote large rRNA gene.

Nucleotide sequence of the ribosomal RNA gene of Physarum polycephalum: intron 2 and its flanking regions of the 26S rRNA gene

The 26S ribosomal RNA gene of Physarum polycephalum is interrupted by two introns, and we have previously determined the sequence of one of them (intron 1) (Nomiyama et al. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA 78, 1376-1380, 1981). In this study we sequenced the second intron (intron 2) of about 0.5 kb length and its flanking regions, and found that one nucleotide at each junction is identical in intron 1 and intron 2, though the junction regions share no other sequence homology. Comparison of the flanking exon sequences to E. coli 23S rRNA sequences shows that conserved sequences are interspersed with tracts having little homology. In particular, the region encompassing the intron 2 interruption site is highly conserved. The E. coli ribosomal protein L1 binding region is also conserved.

Acceptor specificity of ATP:nucleoside-5'-phosphate pyrophosphotransferase from Streptomyces adephospholyticus. Synthesis of the 3'-pyrophosphates of pyrimidine nucleotides, some oligoribonucleotides, 5'-diphosphonucleosidic coenzymes and mG-5'-ppp-5'-Am

ATP: nucleoside-5'-phosphate pyrophosphotransferase [EC 2.7.6.4] of Streptomyces adephospholyticus synthesizes not only 3'-pyrophosphates of 5'-purine ribomononucleotides but also those of pyrimidine mononucleotides, some short oligonucleotides, a variety of 5'-diphosphonucleosidic coenzymes and mG-5'-ppp-5'-Am.