Association of actin and myosin with secretory granule membranes

Myosin II isoforms in smooth muscle: heterogeneity and function

Both smooth muscle (SM) and nonmuscle class II myosin molecules are expressed in SM tissues comprising hollow organ systems. Individual SM cells may express one or more of multiple myosin II isoforms that differ in myosin heavy chain (MHC) and myosin light chain (MLC) subunits. Although much has been learned, the expression profiles, organization within contractile filaments, localization within cells, and precise roles in various contractile functions of these different myosin molecules are still not well understood. However, data supporting unique physiological roles for certain isoforms continues to build. Isoform differences located in the S1 head region of the MHC can alter actin binding and rates of ATP hydrolysis. Differences located in the MHC tail can alter the formation, stability, and size of the myosin thick filament. In these distinct ways, both head and tail isoform differences can alter force generation and muscle shortening velocities. The MLCs that are associated with the lever arm of the S1 head can affect the flexibility and range of motion of this domain and possibly the motion of the S2 and motor domains. Phosphorylation of MLC(20) has been associated with conformational changes in the S1 and/or S2 fragments regulating enzymatic activity of the entire myosin molecule. A challenge for the future will be delineation of the physiological significance of the heterogeneous expression of these isoforms in developmental, tissue-specific, and species-specific patterns and or the intra- and intercellular heterogeneity of myosin isoform expression in SM cells of a given organ.

Regulated exocytosis in neuroendocrine cells: a role for subplasmalemmal Cdc42/N-WASP-induced actin filaments

In neuroendocrine cells, actin reorganization is a prerequisite for regulated exocytosis. Small GTPases, Rho proteins, represent potential candidates coupling actin dynamics to membrane trafficking events. We previously reported that Cdc42 plays an active role in regulated exocytosis in chromaffin cells. The aim of the present work was to dissect the molecular effector pathway integrating Cdc42 to the actin architecture required for the secretory reaction in neuroendocrine cells. Using PC12 cells as a secretory model, we show that Cdc42 is activated at the plasma membrane during exocytosis. Expression of the constitutively active Cdc42(L61) mutant increases the secretory response, recruits neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), and enhances actin polymerization in the subplasmalemmal region. Moreover, expression of N-WASP stimulates secretion by a mechanism dependent on its ability to induce actin polymerization at the cell periphery. Finally, we observed that actin-related protein-2/3 (Arp2/3) is associated with secretory granules and that it accompanies granules to the docking sites at the plasma membrane upon cell activation. Our results demonstrate for the first time that secretagogue-evoked stimulation induces the sequential ordering of Cdc42, N-WASP, and Arp2/3 at the interface between granules and the plasma membrane, thereby providing an actin structure that makes the exocytotic machinery more efficient.

Binding of actin to chromaffin granules and mitochondrial fractions of adrenal medulla

Binding of actin to chromaffin granules was confirmed and shown to be salt dependent and eliminated by prior trypsin treatment of the granules. However, purified granules bind less actin than do crude granules. A mitochondria-enriched fraction was found to bind substantially more actin per mg protein than did the secretory vesicle fraction. Binding of actin by the secretory vesicles therefore is not a good indication that actin plays an active role in exocytosis.

Roles of intracellular Ca2+ receptors in the pancreatic beta-cell in insulin secretion

Ca2+ is the central second messenger in the regulation of insulin release from the pancreatic beta-cell; and intracellular Ca2+ -binding proteins, classified into two groups, the EF hand proteins and the Ca2+/phospholipid binding proteins, are considered to mediate Ca2+ signaling. A number of Ca binding proteins have been suggested to participate in the secretory machinery in the beta-cell. Calmodulin, the ubiquitous EF hand protein, is the predominant intracellular Ca2+ receptor that modulates insulin release via the multiplicity of its binding to target proteins including protein kinases. Other Ca binding proteins such as calcyclin and the Ca2+/phospholipid binding proteins may also be suggested to be involved. Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space appears to be responsible for exocytosis of insulin via Ca2+ -dependent protein/protein interactions. On the other hand, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization resulting in secretory granule movement may be controlled by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation. Thus, Ca2+ exerts versatile effects on the secretory cascade via binding to specific binding proteins in the pancreactic beta-cells.

Myosin light-chain phosphorylation controls insulin secretion at a proximal step in the secretory cascade

The aim of this study was to investigate how insulin secretion is controlled by phosphorylation of the myosin light chain (MLC). Ca2+-evoked insulin release from pancreatic islets permeabilized with streptolysin O was inhibited by different monoclonal antibodies against myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) to an extent parallel to their inhibition of purified MLCK. Anti-MLCK antibody also inhibited insulin release caused by the stable GTP analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiodiphosphate), even at a substimulatory concentration (0.1 microM) of Ca2+. Free Ca2+ increased MLC peptide phosphorylation by beta-cell extracts in vitro. In contrast to the phosphorylation by purified MLCK or by calmodulin (CaM) kinase II, the activity partially remained with the beta-cell under nonstimulatory Ca2+ (0.1 microM) conditions. The MLCK inhibitor ML-9 inhibited the activity in the beta-cell with both substimulatory and stimulatory Ca2+, whereas KN-62, an inhibitor of CaM kinase II, only exerted an influence in the latter case. ML-9 decreased intracellular granule movement in MIN6 cells under basal and acetylcholine-stimulated conditions. We propose that MLC phosphorylation may modulate translocation of secretory granules, resulting in enhanced insulin secretion.

Organelle-cytoskeletal interactions: actin mutations inhibit meiosis-dependent mitochondrial rearrangement in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

During early stages of meiosis I, yeast mitochondria fuse to form a single continuous thread. Thereafter, portions of the mitochondrial thread are equally distributed to daughter cells. Using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy and a membrane potential sensing dye, mitochondria are resolved as small particles at the cell periphery in pre-meiotic, living yeast. These organelles display low levels of movement. During meiosis I, we observed a threefold increase in mitochondrial motility. Mitochondrial movements were linear, occurred at a maximum velocity of 25 +/- 6.7 nm/s, and resulted in organelle collision and fusion to form elongated tubular structures. Mitochondria do not co-localize with microtubules. Destabilization of microtubules by nocodazole treatment has no significant effect on the rate and extent of thread formation. In contrast, yeast bearing temperature-sensitive mutations in the actin-encoding ACT1 gene (act1-3 and act1-133) exhibit abnormal mitochondrial aggregation, fragmentation, and enlargement as well as loss of mitochondrial motility. In act1-3 cells, mitochondrial defects and actin delocalization occur only at restrictive temperatures. The act1-133 mutation, which perturbs the myosin-binding site of actin without significantly affecting actin cytoskeletal structure in meiotic yeast, results in mitochondrial morphology and motility defects at restrictive and permissive temperatures. These studies support a role for the actin cytoskeleton in the control of mitochondrial position and movements in meiotic yeast.

Yeast mitochondria contain ATP-sensitive, reversible actin-binding activity

Sedimentation assays were used to demonstrate and characterize binding of isolated yeast mitochondria to phalloidin-stabilized yeast F-actin. These actin-mitochondrial interactions are ATP sensitive, saturable, reversible, and do not depend upon mitochondrial membrane potential. Protease digestion of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins or saturation of myosin-binding sites on F-actin with the S1 subfragment of skeletal myosin block binding. These observations indicate that a protein (or proteins) on the mitochondrial surface mediates ATP-sensitive, reversible binding of mitochondria to the lateral surface of microfilaments. Actin copurifies with mitochondria during subcellular fractionation and is released from the organelle upon treatment with ATP. Thus, actin-mitochondrial interactions resembling those observed in vitro may also exist in intact yeast cells. Finally, a yeast mutant bearing a temperature-sensitive mutation in the actin-encoding ACT1 gene (act1-3) displays temperature-dependent defects in transfer of mitochondria from mother cells to newly developed buds during yeast cell mitosis.

Calcium signalling and the triggering of secretion in adrenal chromaffin cells

The pivotal intracellular message for triggering catecholamine release from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells is an elevation in the concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). Studies using video-imaging techniques have shown that a rise in [Ca2+]i at the cell periphery, that is due to Ca2+ entry, is the major activating signal for exocytosis. The cytoskeleton has been identified as a major regulatory site of exocytosis, with Ca(2+)-induced disruption of the cortical actin network being required in order that previously restrained granules may have access to their exocytotic sites. The Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent annexin protein, calpactin, has been strongly implicated in a late stage of interaction between granules and the plasma membrane by both ultrastructural and biochemical studies.

Inhibition of intracellular granule movement by microinjection of monoclonal antibodies against caldesmon

Monoclonal antibodies, C2, C9, C18, and C21, against chicken gizzard caldesmon (called high molecular weight isoform) were shown to crossreact with a low molecular weight isoform of caldesmon in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). These antibodies were used in a microinjection study to investigate the in vivo function of caldesmon in nonmuscle cell motility. Injected cells did not appear to change their morphology significantly; the cells displayed a flat appearance and were able to ruffle and locomote normally. However, in the C21 injected cells, saltatory movements of granules and organelles appeared to be greatly inhibited. This inhibition of granule movement was reversible, so that by 3 hr after injection, granules in injected cells had already recovered to normal speed. The inhibition of granule movement in cells injected with C2, C9, or C18 antibody, or with C21 antibody preabsorbed with caldesmon, were not significantly different from that in uninjected cells. In a previous epitope study, we demonstrated that, of the antibodies used in this study, only C21 antibody was able to compete with the binding of caldesmon to Ca++/calmodulin and to F-actin, although both C21 and C2 antibodies recognized the same carboxyl-terminal 10K fragment of gizzard caldesmon [Lin et al., 1991: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 20:95-108]. The caldesmon distribution in C21 injected cells changed from stress-fiber localization to a more diffuse appearance, when the injection was performed at 10-30 mg/ml of C21 antibody. We have previously shown that a monoclonal anti-tropomyosin antibody exhibited motility-dependent recognition of an epitope, and that microinjection of this antibody specifically inhibited intracellular granule movements of CEF cells [Hegmann et al., 1989: J. Cell Biol. 109:1141-1152]. Therefore, it is likely that tropomyosin and caldesmon may both function in intracellular granule movement by regulating the contractile system in response to [Ca++] change inside nonmuscle cells.

Lateral diffusion of luminal membrane components during secretion in parotid acinar cells of the rat. Immunocytochemical and freeze-fracture studies

The movements of the molecular components of the luminal plasma membrane during exocytotic secretion in parotid acinar cells were examined. For immunocytochemical study, we used an antiserum of dipeptidyl peptidase IV as a marker for the components of the luminal plasma membrane of acinar cells. In unstimulated acinar cells, dipeptidyl peptidase IV immunoreactivity is restricted to the luminal plasma membrane. However, after secretion was stimulated with a beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, immunostaining became detectable on the membrane of discharged granules. Freeze-fracture images showed that the density of intra-membrane particles on the P-fracture leaflets of discharged granule membranes is much higher than that of undischarged granule membranes during secretion. These results suggest that in parotid acinar cells of the rat, the components of the luminal plasma membrane move laterally, during secretion, to the membranes of discharged granules.

Evidence that the inositol phospholipids are necessary for exocytosis. Loss of inositol phospholipids and inhibition of secretion in permeabilized cells caused by a bacterial phospholipase C and removal of ATP

We directly manipulated the levels of PtdIns, PtdInsP and PtdInsP2 in digitonin-treated adrenal chromaffin cells with a bacterial phospholipase C (PLC) from Bacillus thuringiensis and by removal of ATP. The PtdIns-PLC acted intracellularly to cause a large decrease in [3H]inositol- or [32P]phosphate-labelled PtdIns, but did not directly hydrolyse PtdInsP or PtdInsP2. [3H]PtdInsP and [3H]PtdInsP2 levels declined markedly, probably because of the action of phosphatases in the absence of synthesis. Removal of ATP also caused marked decreases in [3H]PtdInsP and [3H]PtdInsP2. The decrease in polyphosphoinositide levels by PtdIns-PLC treatment or ATP removal was reflected by the inhibition of the production of inositol phosphates upon subsequent activation of the endogenous PLC by Ca2(+)-dependent catecholamine secretion from permeabilized cells was strongly inhibited by PtdIns-PLC treatment and by ATP removal. Ca2(+)-dependent secretion was similarly correlated with the sum of PtdInsP and PtdInsP2 when the level of these lipids was changed by either manipulation. PtdIns-PLC inhibited only the ATP-dependent component of secretion and did not affect ATP-dependent secretion. Both PtdIns-PLC and ATP removal inhibited the late slow phase of secretion, but had little effect on the initial rapid phase. Although we found a tight correlation between polyphosphoinositide levels and secretion, endogenous phospholipase C activity (stimulated by Ca2+, guanine nucleotides and related agents) was not correlated with secretion. Additional experiments indicated that neither the products of the PtdIns-PLC reaction (diacylglycerol and InsP1) nor the inability to generate products by subsequent activation of the endogenous PLC is likely to account for the inhibition of secretion. Incubation of permeabilized cells with neomycin in the absence of ATP maintained the level of polyphosphoinositides and more than doubled subsequent Ca2(+)-dependent secretion. The data suggest that: (1) Ca2(+)-dependent secretion has a requirement for the presence of inositol phospholipids; (2) the enhancement of secretion by ATP results in part from increased polyphosphoinositide levels; and (3) the role for inositol phospholipids in secretion revealed in these experiments is independent of their being substrates for the generation of diacylglycerol and InsP3.

Actin cytoskeleton and calcium-ATPase in the process of abomasal mucus secretion in cattle

The distribution of actin filaments in pyloric gland cells of cattle was studied with respect to their functional significance in the process of exocrine secretion by use of rhodamine-phalloidin labelling and immunogold-electron microscopy based on the biotin-streptavidin bridge technique. Actin concentrates on the filamentous network of the luminal-cell cortex. Membranes of secretory vesicles accumulating in the cell cortex are also labelled for actin. The present results support the concept of a barrier function of cortical microfilaments entrapping vesicles and linking them to the cytoskeleton. In addition, intracellular localization of calcium-ATPase activity was determined. Enzyme activity associated with the microfilamentous cortical matrix is supposed to be of cytoskeletal nature indicating participation of myosin (-like) structures in the dynamic secretion event. Deposition on the interior aspect of secretory vesicle membranes points to an ATPase transporting calcium into these organelles and enabling them to participate via storage of the cation in intracellular calcium homeostasis, thereby influencing the functional architecture of the cortical cytoskeleton.

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies on the cytoskeleton in the anterior pituitary of rats, with special regard to the relationship between actin filaments and secretory granules

As previously reported, in anterior pituitary cells of the rat, secretory granules are linked with adjacent granules, cytoorganelles, microtubules, and plasma membrane by thin filaments, 4-10 nm in diameter. The quick-freeze, deep-etching method revealed that some of the filaments linking adjacent secretory granules show 5 nm-spaced striations on their surface which are known to be characteristic of actin. Immunocytochemistry showed that actin is localized in the cytoplasm beneath the plasma membrane, and around or between secretory granules. The heavy meromyosin decoration method demonstrated that actin filaments are mainly located in the cytoplasm beneath the plasma membrane, while some actin filaments are connected with the limiting membrane of the secretory granules. The actin filaments associated with the secretory granules are considered to be involved in the intracellular transport of the granules, while those localized in the peripheral cytoplasmic matrix might control the approach of the secretory granules to the plasma membrane and their release.

Probing the role of nonmuscle tropomyosin isoforms in intracellular granule movement by microinjection of monoclonal antibodies

Chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells were microinjected with several different monoclonal antibodies that recognize certain nonmuscle isoforms of tropomyosin. Immediately after injection, cells were recorded with a time-lapse video imaging system; later analysis of the tapes revealed that particles in cells injected with one of these antibodies (CG1, specific for CEF tropomyosin isoforms 1 and 3) showed a dramatic decrease in instantaneous speed while moving, distance moved per saltation, and proportion of time spent in motion. Injection of Fab fragments of CG1 resulted in similar changes in the pattern of granule movement. This inhibition of granule movement by CG1 antibody was reversible; at 2.5 h after injection, granules in injected cells had already reached three-fourths of normal speed. The speed of granule movement in cells injected either with antibody specific for tropomyosin isoforms not present in CEF cells, or with CG1 antibody preabsorbed with tropomyosin, was not significantly different from the speed of granules in uninjected cells. When cells were injected with CG1 or Fab fragments of CG1, fixed, and counter-stained with rabbit antibodies to reveal the microtubule, microfilament, and intermediate filament systems, no obvious differences from the patterns normally seen in uninjected cells were observed. Examination of the ultrastructure of injected cells by EM confirmed the presence of apparently intact and normal microtubule, actin, and intermediate filament networks. These experiments suggest that tropomyosin may play an important role in the movement of vesicles and organelles in the cell cytoplasm. Also, we have shown previously that the CG1 determinant can undergo a motility-dependent change in reactivity, that may be important for the regulatory function of nonmuscle tropomyosin (Hegmann, T. E., J. L.-C. Lin, and J. J.-C. Lin. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 106:385-393). Therefore, in addition to postulated microtubule-based motors, microfilaments may play a critical role in regulating granule movement in nonmuscle cells.

Purification and characterization of a cortical secretory vesicle membrane fraction

A membrane fraction has been prepared by sucrose density gradient fractionation of purified cortical secretory vesicles from the eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The purified cortical vesicle membrane fraction has a phospholipid to protein ratio of 1.76 and exhibits a morphology typical of biological membranes as seen by electron microscopy. The protein composition of the purified membranes was analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and shown to be distinct from that of eggs, cell surface complex, cortical vesicles, fertilization product, and yolk platelets. Alkaline extraction (pH 11.0) of peripheral membrane proteins increased the phospholipid to protein ratio to 2.55 and removed several polypeptides. Immunoblot analysis of the isolated cortical vesicle membrane fraction revealed low levels of contamination with two major cortical vesicle content proteins. Fractions enriched in egg plasma membranes and yolk platelet membranes also have been isolated and compared with the cortical vesicle membranes by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein compositions of the three membrane fractions were found to contain very little overlap, indicating that the cortical vesicle membrane preparation is relatively free of contamination from these likely noncortical vesicle sources of membrane. Both the plasma membrane and cortical vesicle membrane samples were found by immunoblotting to contain actin.

Actin involvement in exocytosis from PC12 cells: studies on the influence of botulinum C2 toxin on stimulated noradrenaline release

Botulinum C2 toxin is known to ADP-ribosylate actin. The toxin effect was studied on [3H]noradrenaline secretion of PC12 cells. [3H]Noradrenaline release was stimulated five- to 15-fold by carbachol (100 microM) or K+ (50 mM) and 10-30-fold by the ionophore A23187 (5 microM). Pretreatment of PC12 cells with botulinum C2 toxin for 4-8 h at 20 degrees C, increased carbachol-, K+-, and A23187-induced, but not basal, [3H]noradrenaline release maximally 1.5-to three-fold, whereas approximately 75% of the cellular actin pool was ADP-ribosylated. Treatment of PC12 cells with botulinum C2 toxin for up to 1 h at 37 degrees C also increased stimulated [3H]noradrenaline secretion, whereas toxin treatment for greater than 1 h decreased the enhanced [3H]noradrenaline release stimulated by carbachol and K+ but not by A23187. Concomitantly with toxin-induced stimulation of secretion, 20-50% of the cellular actin was ADP-ribosylated, whereas greater than 60% of actin was modified when exocytosis was attenuated. The data indicate that ADP-ribosylation of actin by botulinum C2 toxin largely modulates stimulation of [3H]noradrenaline release. Moreover, the biphasic toxin effects suggest that distinct mechanisms are involved in the role of actin in secretion.

The synaptic vesicle and the cytoskeleton

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Secretory cell actin-binding proteins: identification of a gelsolin-like protein in chromaffin cells

Chromaffin cells, secretory cells of the adrenal medulla, have been shown to contain actin and other contractile proteins, which might be involved in the secretory process. Actin and Ca++-sensitive actin-binding proteins were purified from bovine adrenal medulla on affinity columns using DNase-I as a ligand. Buffers that contained decreasing Ca++ concentrations were used to elute three major proteins of 93, 91, and 85 kD. The bulk of the actin was eluted with guanidine-HCl buffer plus some 93- and 91-kD proteins. These Ca++-sensitive regulatory proteins were shown to inhibit the gelation of actin using the low-shear falling ball viscometer and by electron microscopy. Actin filaments were found to be shortened by fragmentation. Using antibody raised against rabbit lung macrophage gelsolin, proteolytic digestion with Staphylococcus V8 protease and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the 91-kD actin-binding protein was shown to be a gelsolin-like protein. The 93-kD actin-binding protein also showed cross-reactivity with anti-gelsolin antibody, similar peptide maps, and a basic-shift in pHi indicating that this 93-kD protein is a brevin-like protein, derived from blood present abundantly in adrenal medulla. Purification from isolated chromaffin cells demonstrated the presence of 91- and 85-kD proteins, whereas the 93-kD protein was hardly detectable. The 85-kD protein is not a breakdown product of brevin-like or gelsolin-like proteins. It did not cross-react with anti-gelsolin antibody and showed a very different peptide map after mild digestion with V8 protease. Antibodies were raised against the 93- and 91-kD actin-binding proteins and the 85-kD actin-binding protein. Antibody against the 85-kD protein did not cross-react with 93- and 91-kD proteins and vice versa. In vivo, the cytoskeleton organization of chromaffin secretory cells is not known, but appears to be under the control of the intracellular concentration of free calcium. The ability of calcium to activate the gelsolin-like protein, and as shown elsewhere to alter fodrin localization, provides a mechanism for gel-sol transition that might be essential for granule movement and membrane-membrane interactions involved in the secretory process.

Identification of a secretory granule-binding protein as caldesmon

Stimulation of adrenal chromaffin cells results in a rise in the concentration of intracellular free calcium which initiates catecholamine secretion by exocytosis. An understanding of the molecular basis of exocytosis will require knowledge of the sites of action of calcium. A role for calmodulin has been implicated in secretion from chromaffin cells, and isolated granule membranes bind both calmodulin and a series of cytosolic proteins in a calcium-dependent fashion. Here, we demonstrate that one of the cytosolic granule-binding proteins with a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 70,000 (70K) is a form of the calmodulin-regulated actin-binding protein caldesmon, first isolated from smooth muscle. Cytoplasmic gels assembled from an adrenal medullary extract in the absence of Ca2+ contained actin and the 70K protein. The association of both of these proteins with the cytoplasmic gel was inhibited by a micromolar concentration of Ca2+. In addition, we have demonstrated that the 70K protein is localized at the periphery of chromaffin cells. These results are consistent with the notion that 70K protein (caldesmon) has a role in regulating the organization of actin filaments of the cell periphery during the secretory process.

Chromaffin granule-cytoskeleton interaction. Stabilization by F-actin of ATPase in purified chromaffin granule membranes

The influence of cytoskeletal elements on the chromaffin granule function was studied using a model system consisting of purified granule membranes and F-actin. The membrane ATPase was partially inactivated by incubation at 37 degrees C, and this inactivation was prevented by adding F-actin. The stabilizing action of F-actin on the ATPase was abolished by adding DNase I. Detergent-solubilized ATPase was more rapidly and profoundly inactivated, but was not stabilized by F-actin. The stabilization of ATPase by F-actin may be due to the cross-linking of granule membranes with F-actin and the native structure of the granule membrane may be required for preserving the stability of membrane ATPase. These findings thus suggest the possibility that the interaction of microfilaments with chromaffin granules may influence the function of chromaffin granules within the cell.

A membrane cytoskeleton from Dictyostelium discoideum. II. Integral proteins mediate the binding of plasma membranes to F-actin affinity beads

In novel, low-speed sedimentation assays, highly purified, sonicated Dictyostelium discoideum plasma membrane fragments bind to F-actin beads (fluorescein-labeled F-actin on antifluorescein IgG-Sephacryl S-1000 beads). Binding was found to be (a) specific, since beads containing bound fluorescein-labeled ovalbumin or beads without bound fluorescein-labeled protein do not bind membranes, (b) saturable at approximately 0.6 microgram of membrane protein per microgram of bead-bound F-actin, (c) rapid with a t1/2 of 4-20 min, and (d) apparently of reasonable affinity since the off rate is too slow to be measured by present techniques. Using low-speed sedimentation assays, we found that sonicated plasma membrane fragments, after extraction with chaotropes, still bind F-actin beads. Heat-denatured membranes, proteolyzed membranes, and D. discoideum lipid vesicles did not bind F-actin beads. These results indicate that integral membrane proteins are responsible for the binding between sonicated membrane fragments and F-actin on beads. This finding agrees with the previous observation that integral proteins mediate interactions between D. discoideum plasma membranes and F-actin in solution (Luna, E.J., V. M. Fowler, J. Swanson, D. Branton, and D. L. Taylor, 1981, J. Cell Biol., 88:396-409). We conclude that low-speed sedimentation assays using F-actin beads are a reliable method for monitoring the associations between F-actin and membranes. Since these assays are relatively quantitative and require only micrograms of membranes and F-actin, they are a significant improvement over other existing techniques for exploring the biochemical details of F-actin-membrane interactions. Using F-actin beads as an affinity column for actin-binding proteins, we show that at least 12 integral polypeptides in D. discoideum plasma membranes bind to F-actin directly or indirectly. At least four of these polypeptides appear to span the membrane and are thus candidates for direct transmembrane links between the cytoskeleton and the cell surface.

Chromaffin granule membrane-F-actin interactions and spectrin-like protein of subcellular organelles: a possible relationship

The membrane of chromaffin granule, the secretory vesicle of adrenal medullary cells storing catecholamines, enkephalins, and many other components, interacts with F-actin. Using low shear falling ball viscometry to estimate actin binding to membranes, we demonstrated that mitochondrial and plasma membranes from chromaffin cells also provoked large increases in viscosity of F-actin solutions. Mitochondrial membranes also had the capacity to cause complete gelation of F-actin. In addition, vasopressin-containing granules from neurohypophysial tissue were shown to bind F-actin and to increase the viscosity of F-actin solutions. Using an antibody directed against human erythrocyte spectrin, it was found that a spectrin-like protein was associated with secretory granule membrane, mitochondrial membrane, and plasma membrane. The chromaffin granule membrane-associated spectrin-like protein faces the cytoplasmic side, is composed of two subunits (240 kD and 235kD ), the alpha-subunit (240 kD, pHi5 .5) being recognized by the antibody. Nonionic detergents such as Triton X-100 or Nonidet P40 failed to release fully active spectrin-like protein. In contrast, Kyro EOB , a different nonionic detergent, was found to release spectrin-like protein while keeping intact F-actin binding capacity, at least below 0.5% Kyro EOB concentration. Chromaffin cells in culture were stained with antispectrin antibody, showing the presence of spectrin-like protein in the cell periphery close to the cell membrane but also in the cytoplasm. We conclude that in living cells the interaction of F-actin with chromaffin granule membrane spectrin observed in vitro is important in controlling the potential function of secretory vesicles.

Actin filaments in the ameloblast of the rat incisor

The distribution of actin filaments in the inner enamel-secretory ameloblast of the rat incisor was examined by labelling with heavy meromyosin. Actin filaments were mainly located in the long axis of the cell beneath the cell membrane. They tended to be more numerous in Tomes' process than in the cell body. Some filaments were associated with microtubules, with other actin filaments, and coated vesicles. Possible relation of the actin filaments to cell motility, stabilization of some, and movement of other cellular components is discussed.

Calcium-dependent exocytosis in an in vitro secretory granule plasma membrane preparation from sea urchin eggs and the effects of some inhibitors of cytoskeletal function

Egg cortical granules remain attached to the egg plasma membrane when the egg is ruptured. We present evidence that demonstrates that, when the cytoplasmic face of the egg plasma membrane is exposed to micromolar calcium concentrations, an exocytosis of the cortical granules occurs which corresponds to the cortical granule exocytosis seen when the egg is fertilized. The calcium sensitivity of the preparation is decreased by an increase in magnesium concentration and increased by a decrease in magnesium concentration. Exocytosis is inhibited by trifluoperazine (half inhibition at 6 microM), a drug that inhibits the action of the calcium-dependent regulatory protein calmodulin. Colchicine, vinblastine, nocodazole, cytochalasin B, phalloidin, N-ethylmaleimide-modified myosin subfragment 1, and antibody to actin are without effect on this in vitro exocytosis at concentrations that far exceed those required to disrupt microtubules and microfilaments. Conditions are such that penetration to the exocytotic site is optimal. It is unlikely, therefore, that either actin or tubulin participate intimately in exocytosis. Our data also exclude on quantitative grounds several other mechanisms postulated to account for the fusion of the secretory granule with the plasma membrane.

Ultrastructural localization of actin in muscle, epithelial and secretory cells by applying the protein A-gold immunocytochemical technique

Actin-immunoreactive sites have been localized at the electron microscope level by the protein A-gold technique in striated and smooth muscle cells as well as in epithelial and secretory cells. The combination of the highly sensitive protein A-gold technique with the good ultrastructural preservation and retention of antigenicity obtained using low-temperature embedding conditions has allowed a very precise identification of the labelled structures with high resolution. In striated muscle cells the labelling was obtained over the myofilaments and the Z-band, mainly at its periphery. Labelling was also observed at the edge of the intercalated discs of the cardiac muscle cells. In smooth muscle cells the labelling was present over the myofilaments; the dense plaques associated with the plasma membrane were labelled at their periphery where actin filaments have been reported to anchor. In epithelial cells of the duodenum and the renal convoluted proximal tubule, the labelling occurred over the filamentous core of the microvilli and over the cell web. Gold particles were often present over, or closely associated with, the cell membrane at the tip of the microvilli or of invaginations and vesicular structures. At the level of the junctional complexes the gold particles were aligned at the edge of the dense zones. In pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretory cells, actin-immunoreactive sites were revealed over the Golgi apparatus, mainly at the level of the inner cisternae in the maturing face over or closely associated with the membranes of the condensing vacuoles and secretory granules, and also over the plasma membrane. Microvilli and cell web were also labelled. Finally, in fibroblasts, gold particles were associated with the membrane of vesicular structures. The consistent finding of actin-immunoreactive sites closely associated with membranes of secretory granules and vesicular structures brings support to the proposal that contractile proteins might play an important role in transcellular transport and protein secretion.

Decreased insulin receptors but normal glucose metabolism in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Compared to matched controls, 17 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed decreased insulin binding to monocytes due to decreased receptor concentration. These patients showed no signs of altered glucose metabolism and retrospective analysis of the clinical records of a further 56 such patients revealed no modification in carbohydrate metabolism. These data suggest that reduced insulin receptor number does not produce overt modifications of glucose metabolism in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Association between endocrine pancreatic secretory granules and in-vitro-assembled microtubules is dependent upon microtubule-associated proteins

By use of dark-field light microscopy, secretory granules isolated from the anglerfish endocrine pancreas were observed to attach to and release from microtubules assembled in vitro from brain homogenates. Secretory granules only bound to microtubules assembled in the presence of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and not to microtubules assembled from purified tubulin. The addition of a MAP fraction to purified tubulin restored secretory granule binding. The secretory granules were released from MAP-containing microtubules by the addition of Mg-ATP but not by other nucleotides. The number of secretory granules bound to MAP-containing microtubules was increased in the presence of cyclic AMP. In addition to the associations of secretory granules with microtubules, MAP-containing microtubules also associated with each other. These laterally associated microtubules were dispersed by the addition of Mg-ATP. Electron micrographs confirmed that the associations between MAP-containing microtubules and secretory granules as well as the associations of microtubules with one another were mediated by the high molecular weight MAPs known to project from the surface of in-vitro-assembled microtubules.