A rapid cytological method for determination of mitotic and fusion induces in mammalian cell cultures

Plasma membrane of cultured oligodendrocytes: I. Isolation, purification, and initial characterization

Oligodendrocytes generate myelin as extensions of the plasma membrane. Myelin has been well characterized, yet little is known concerning oligodendrocyte plasma membrane. We have developed a reproducible method for the isolation of an oligodendrocyte plasma membrane-rich fraction (F2.2). F2.2 has a 25-fold enrichment in K+-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase, a plasma membrane marker. Impurities are composed of Golgi elements (8-12%), microsomes (4-6%), and lysosomal membranes (1-5%). Our starting material was oligodendrocytes kept in culture in a nonattached state for 3 to 5 d. After disrupting the cells and removing nuclei (P1), the supernatant (SP1) was fractionated on a self-generating 20% Percoll gradient into three bands: F1, F2, and F3. F1 had only 3% of the applied protein and was not characterized. F2, with 11% of the protein, was fivefold enriched in plasma membrane. F3 had 27% of initial protein; it consisted of a crude mitochondrial and lysosomal fraction. F2 was further purified by first washing it hypotonically, treating it with Mg2+, and then fractionating it on a Ficoll step gradient that yielded F2.2 at the interphase. Morphologically F2.2 comprises 1) membranous sheets, often with more than one membrane in close apposition; 2) membrane vesicles of various sizes and shapes frequently filled with amorphous material; 3) Golgi elements; and 4) unrecognizable profiles. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein profile of F2.2 reveals CNPase as a major component in agreement with the high CNPase specific activity (3,860 mumol/mgP/h) found in F2.2. Other significant polypeptides have Mr = 170,000, 135,000, 108,000, 80,000, 53,000, 38,500, 32,000, and 22,200.

Characterization of a subset of oligodendrocytes separated on the basis of selective adherence properties

A subset of oligodendrocytes (B3,f) was isolated by taking advantage of selective cell-substratum interaction. B3,f cells were characterized morphologically, biochemically, and immunocytochemically. Oligodendrocytes were isolated from 4-to-6-month-old lamb brains by a modified version of our published procedure [Szuchet et al, J Neurosci Methods 3:7-19, 1980]. Freshly isolated cells from band III were plated on plastic culture plates at a concentration of 2 X 10(6) cells/ml. Approximately 40% of the cells attached to the plate under these conditions. The remaining cells formed small floating clusters. We refer to the latter as B3,f oligodendrocytes. After 4 to 5 days, the supernatant containing B3,f cells was removed and centrifuged, and the pellet was resuspended in culture medium and replated on polylysine-coated petri dishes. B3,f oligodendrocytes attached to this surface and extended an intricate network of processes. The purity of the cultures, judged by the number of cells staining with a monoclonal antibody against galactocerebroside was 98-99%. This high degree of cell homogeneity was maintained throughout the life of the cultures. B3,f cells appeared to be highly differentiated and remained so in vitro. This is surmised by the expression of oligodendrocytic characteristic functions such as high levels of CNPase activity typically, 5 microM/min/mgP; high incorporation of H2 35SO4 into sulfatides, an overall lipid metabolism that mimics events associated with myelinogenesis [Szuchet et al, PNAS 80:7019-7023, 1983]; the presence, detected immunocytochemically, of myelin-associated glycoprotein and myelin basic proteins. It is concluded that this culture system offers an opportunity for studying the biology of interfascicular oligodendrocytes and their interaction with neurons and/or astrocytes. It also should open up a way of examining the relevance of oligodendrocyte polymorphism.

A simple cell disrupter designed for small cells with relatively large nuclei

A simple cell disrupter that is particularly suitable for breaking small cells with relatively large nuclei is described. Cells are disrupted by the shearing forces set up as they are pushed by a positive N2 pressure through a 0.8- to 1.5-micrometer stainless-steel filter. The total procedure takes only a few minutes, it is highly reproducible, and the yield is good. The cell homogenate obtained is a good starting source for the isolation of plasma membranes, intracellular organelles, and nuclei.