Effect of uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation on microtubule location and surface structure in murine mast cells

Upregulation of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in benzo[α]pyrene and arsenic-induced rat lung epithelial transformed cells

Arsenic and benzo[β]pyrene (B[a]P) are common contaminants in developing countries. Many studies have investigated the consequences of arsenic and/or B[a]P-induced cellular transformation, including altered metabolism. In the present study, we show that, in addition to elevated glycolysis, B[a]P/arsenic-induced transformation also stimulates oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Proteomic data and immunoblot studies demonstrated that enzymatic activities, involved in both glycolysis and OXPHOS, are upregulated in the primary transformed rat lung epithelial cell (TLEC) culture, as well as in subcloned TLEC cell lines (TMCs), indicating that OXPHOS was active and still contributed to energy production. LEC expression, of the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM) and the TCA cycle enzyme alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), revealed an alternating cyclic pattern of glycolysis and OXPHOS during cell transformation. We also found that the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1β were consistent with the pattern of glycolysis during the course of transformation. Low doses of an ATP synthase inhibitor depleted endogenous ATP levels to a greater extent in TLECs, compared to parental LECs, indicating greater sensitivity of B[a]P/arsenic-transformed cells to ATP depletion. However, TLEC cells exhibited better survival under hypoxia, possibly due to further induction of anaerobic glycolysis. Collectively, our data indicate that B[a]P/arsenic-transformed cells can maintain energy production through upregulation of both glycolysis and OXPHOS. Selective inhibition of metabolic pathways may serve as a therapeutic option for cancer therapy.

Cytoskeletal studies on Lowicryl K4M embedded and Affi-Gel 731 attached rat peritoneal mast cells

The subplasmalemmal network in mast cells consists of irregularly arranged 6-7 nm filaments (actin) connected by thinner filaments. In places oblique filaments with crossbridges or short, perpendicular filaments (11-12 nm) connect cell and granule membrane. Filaments attaching subplasmalemmal network to cell membrane divide like a Y and attach cell membrane end-on with a conical, hook-like bending. Each granule is surrounded by a regular network of filaments.

Oxatomide protects against degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cells during in vitro challenge with antigen or compound 48/80. Ultrastructural aspects

The ultrastructure of isolated rat peritoneal mast cells was evaluated after in vitro degranulation and treatment with oxatomide, a new anti-allergic compound. In a first series of experiments, mast cells of rats infected with Trichinella spiralis larvae were incubated with Trichinella larvae somatic antigen to produce histamine release. The release was visualized in the electron microscope by exocytosis of the peripheral amine-containing granules, which resulted from fusion between several perigranular membranes and fusion of these membranes with the plasma membrane. A more drastic degranulation was provoked in a second series by incubation of unsensitized mast cells in the presence of the amine liberator compound 48/80. This treatment led to a complete extrusion of the granules in most of the cells, while in a smaller number of cells, only large vacuoles containing remnants of several granules were seen. The plasma membrane of these cells however was intact and there were no signs of exocytosis. The effect of oxatomide against mast cell degranulation was dose-dependent and comparable for the two types of histamine release. After incubation with high doses (10(-4) M, 5.10(-5) M) granule liberation was rarely observed in antigen-challenged and compound 48/80-challenged cells. Protection was apparently situated at the level of the plasma membrane which seemed to be unable to fuse with the perigranular membranes while fusion of perigranular membranes of individual granules was still possible. None of the tested concentrations of oxatomide induced spontaneous degranulation. High doses, however, led in a number of cells to some ultrastructural alterations such as partial disappearance of plasmalemmal folds, slight cytoplasmic oedema and the appearance of intranuclear microtubules. The latter were also seen in oxatomide-treated challenged mast cells.