Localization of 5'-nucleotidase activity in the parotid acinar cells of a rat treated with isoproterenol

Altered 5'-nucleotidase specific activity and distribution between two plasma membrane domains of ascites tumor cells with modified lipid composition

1. The cholesterol and phospholipid content of the surface membranes of ascites tumor cells cultivated in lipid-depleted medium was reduced to about 60(70)% of the control, but the relative composition of the individual phospholipids was not altered. 2. Differences in lipid composition were also observed between the two plasma membrane domains isolated from the cells cultured in normal and lipid-depleted medium respectively. 3. The fatty acid spectrum of the lipid-depleted membranes showed a greater fraction of saturated vs unsaturated acids. 4. The membrane lipid fluidity measured by fluorescence polarization was decreased in the modified surface membranes. 5. The 5'-nucleotidase specific activity was drastically reduced (46-66%) in the lipid-deleted membranes, and in addition its distribution between the two vesicle fractions was altered.

Subcellular location of stimulus-affected endogenous phosphoproteins in the rat parotid gland

Rat parotid minces were labeled with [32P]Pi, stimulated with isoproterenol, homogenized in sucrose, and fractionated on continuous sucrose density gradients. We analyzed the resulting fractions by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiograms were made from the gels. Comparison of fractions from control and isoproterenol-stimulated minces revealed seven phosphoproteins that were affected by isoproterenol. The subcellular location of these proteins was determined by comparing their distribution in the sucrose gradients with that of a number of enzymes that are characteristic of specific organelles. Isoproterenol decreased the phosphorylation of two cytoplasmic proteins (Mr 16,000 and 18,000) and increased the phosphorylation of a third (Mr 14,000). The phosphorylation of two endoplasmic reticulum proteins was increased by isoproterenol (Mr 20,500 and 22,500), as was an Mr 31,000 protein which was probably the S6 ribosomal protein. The phosphorylation of a secretory granule protein (Mr 24,000) was decreased by isoproterenol. We then developed a purification scheme for parotid secretory granules. By using this method, we demonstrated that the phosphorylation of the Mr 24,000 was also decreased by carbamylcholine. Granules purified by this method also contained a small number of other phosphoproteins whose phosphorylation was increased only by isoproterenol. Secretory granule-associated stimulus-affected phosphoproteins were found in the particulate fraction when the granules were hypotonically lysed, and were not extracted from the particulate fraction by washing with 0.6 M KCl.

Comparison of 5'-nucleotidase activities of isolated plasma membranes of two ascites cell variants

The glycogen-containing ascites cell line was found to have a 3-5 times higher 5'-nucleotidase specific activity than the glycogen-free variant, resulting in different substrate affinity constants of Km = 0.14 mM and Km = 0.69 mM respectively. These activity differences were due to true 5'-nucleotidase as shown by its inactivation through specific inhibitors such as concanavalin A and alpha, beta-methylene adenosine diphosphate. Substrate specificity of the enzyme was similar in both cell lines, but differences were observed with respect to the pH optimum and stability.

A morphometric study of 24-hour variations in subcellular structures of the rat pancreatic acinar cell

Subcellular structures of pancreatic acinar cells were examined at six evenly spaced time points in the 24-h period (light cycle: 06.00 h--18.00 h) in four Wistar male rats at each time point. At each sampling point, the area and circumference of acinar cell bodies and the area, number and circumference of their cytoplasmic organelles were measured using a semiautomatic computer system for morphometry and a point-counting method. The area, number and circumference-area ratio of the cytoplasmic organelles were subjected to strong circadian variations, and the cellular area and circumference exhibited weak circadian variations. Variation pattern of the cytoplasmic organelles suggested an intracellular route for secretory proteins during a 24-h span. From the results it was possible to divide the 24-h period into three stages. 1. The resting or protein synthetic stage (00.00 h to 08.00 h): the area of the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (rER) was strongly increased, and that of zymogen granules was clearly decreased. 2. The granule accumulation stage (08.00 h to 16.00 h): the area of the rER was markedly decreased; that of zymogen granules was increased. 3. The secretion stage (16.00 h to 00.00): as a result of the release of zymogen granules from the acinar cell, the area of zymogen granules decreased, and that of the rER increased. The relationship between the area of the rER and zymogen granules varied in a reciprocal manner. Other cytoplasmic organelles, namely the Golgi complex, condensing vacuoles, mitochondria and lysosomes also varied prominently during the 24-h span, corresponding to variations in the rER and zymogen granules.