The migration of labeled phosphatidylcholine from the nuclear-associated endoplasmic reticulum to plasma membranes in L-929 cells

The characterization of free, cytoskeletal and membrane-bound polysomes in Krebs II ascites and 3T3 cells

Polysomes from Krebs II ascites and 3T3 cells were separated into three populations by using a sequential extraction method. Free polysomes were released by using a combination of low salt (25 mM KCl) and NP-40 detergent in the lysis buffer. The cytoskeletal bound polysomes were subsequently released by raising the salt concentration to 130 mM and finally, polysomes bound to the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum were extracted by the combined treatment with Triton X-100 and deoxycholate. The results presented here illustrate that the three polysome-containing fractions differ in many parameters such as polysome profiles, cytoskeletal components and phospholipid content. When polyA-containing mRNA was isolated from the three polysome fractions and translated in an in vitro system, some differences were observed in the patterns of proteins being synthesized.

Continuities between outer nuclear membrane and the rough endoplasmic reticulum increase in hippocampal neurons during seizure-induced protein synthesis

The ultrastructure of rat dentate gyrus granule cells was examined during, and near the termination of, a period of lesion-induced recurrent limbic seizure activity which has previously been demonstrated to stimulate dramatic changes in the biosynthetic activities of these neurons. In animals sacrificed 5 h postlesion (or 3.5 h following seizure onset) the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) appeared more extensive than in controls and there was a large, statistically significant increase in the number of continuities between the RER and the outer nuclear membrane (ONM). By 11 h postlesion the latter index had returned to control values although the presence of numerous elevations of the ONM lying in close proximity to free segments of RER was considered indicative of recent dissolution of contact. These data demonstrate modifications in the arrangement of organelles involved in protein synthesis during a period in which the patterns of synthesis by the granule cells are changing but which do not persist through the full period of seizure-induced alterations in synthetic activity.