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Guglielmi L, Cinnella C, Nardella M, Maresca G, Valentini A, Mercanti D, Felsani A, D'Agnano I. MYCN gene expression is required for the onset of the differentiation programme in neuroblastoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1081. [PMID: 24556696 PMCID: PMC3944258 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is an embryonic tumour of the sympathetic nervous system and is one of the most common cancers in childhood. A high differentiation stage has been associated with a favourable outcome; however, the mechanisms governing neuroblastoma cell differentiation are not completely understood. The MYCN gene is considered the hallmark of neuroblastoma. Even though it has been reported that MYCN has a role during embryonic development, it is needed its decrease so that differentiation can be completed. We aimed to better define the role of MYCN in the differentiation processes, particularly during the early stages. Considering the ability of MYCN to regulate non-coding RNAs, our hypothesis was that N-Myc protein might be necessary to activate differentiation (mimicking embryonic development events) by regulating miRNAs critical for this process. We show that MYCN expression increased in embryonic cortical neural precursor cells at an early stage after differentiation induction. To investigate our hypothesis, we used human neuroblastoma cell lines. In LAN-5 neuroblastoma cells, MYCN was upregulated after 2 days of differentiation induction before its expected downregulation. Positive modulation of various differentiation markers was associated with the increased MYCN expression. Similarly, MYCN silencing inhibited such differentiation, leading to negative modulation of various differentiation markers. Furthermore, MYCN gene overexpression in the poorly differentiating neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-AS restored the ability of such cells to differentiate. We identified three key miRNAs, which could regulate the onset of differentiation programme in the neuroblastoma cells in which we modulated MYCN. Interestingly, these effects were accompanied by changes in the apoptotic compartment evaluated both as expression of apoptosis-related genes and as fraction of apoptotic cells. Therefore, our idea is that MYCN is necessary during the activation of neuroblastoma differentiation to induce apoptosis in cells that are not committed to differentiate.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Guglielmi
- CNR, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
| | - C Cinnella
- CNR, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
| | - M Nardella
- CNR, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
| | - G Maresca
- CNR, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
| | - A Valentini
- PTV, Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine Departments, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - D Mercanti
- CNR, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
| | - A Felsani
- CNR, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
| | - I D'Agnano
- CNR, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Rome, Italy
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Tomat D, Mercanti D, Balagué C, Quiberoni A. Phage biocontrol of enteropathogenic and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
during milk fermentation. Lett Appl Microbiol 2013; 57:3-10. [DOI: 10.1111/lam.12074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Tomat
- Área de Bacteriología; Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
| | - D. Mercanti
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química; Instituto de Lactología Industrial (Universidad Nacional del Litoral - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas); Santa Fe Argentina
| | - C. Balagué
- Área de Bacteriología; Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Rosario Argentina
| | - A. Quiberoni
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química; Instituto de Lactología Industrial (Universidad Nacional del Litoral - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas); Santa Fe Argentina
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Calissano P, Amadoro G, Matrone C, Ciafrè S, Marolda R, Corsetti V, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Di Luzio A, Severini C, Provenzano C, Canu N. Does the term ‘trophic’ actually mean anti-amyloidogenic? The case of NGF. Cell Death Differ 2010; 17:1126-33. [DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2010.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Lisi A, Ciotti MT, Ledda M, Pieri M, Zona C, Mercanti D, Rieti S, Giuliani L, Grimaldi S. Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic radiation promote early maturation and differentiation in newborn rat cerebellar granule neurons. J Cell Physiol 2005; 204:532-8. [PMID: 15754325 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.20322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The wish of this work is the study of the effect of electromagnetic (EMF) radiations at a frequency of 50 Hz on the development of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN). Granule neurons, prepared from newborn rat cerebellum (8 days after birth), were cultured after plate-seeding in the presence of EMF radiations, with the plan of characterizing their cellular and molecular biochemistry, after exposure to the electromagnetic stimulus. Five days challenge to EMF radiations showed, by the cytotoxic glutamate (Glu) pulse test, a 30% decrease of cells survival, while only 5% of mortality was reported for unexposed sample. Moreover, blocking the glutamate receptor (GluR) with the Glu competitor MK-801, no toxicity effect after CGN challenge to EMF radiations and Glu was detected. By patch-clamp recording technique, the Kainate-induced currents from 6 days old exposed CGN exhibited a significant increase with respect to control cells. Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses show that EMF exposure of rats CGN, induces a change in both GluRs proteins and mRNAs expression with respect to control. In addition, the use of monoclonal antibody raised against neurofilament protein (NF-200) reveals an increase in NF-200 synthesis in the exposed CGN. All these results indicate that exposure to non-ionizing radiations contribute to a premature expression of GluRs reducing the life span of CGN, leading to a more rapid cell maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lisi
- Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, CNR, Rome, Italy
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5
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Mercanti D, Galli C, Liguori M, Ciotti MT, Gullà P, Calissano P. Identification of the Serum Complex Which Induces Cerebellar Granule Cell In Vitro Differentiation and Resistance to Excitatory Amino Acids. Eur J Neurosci 2002; 4:733-744. [PMID: 12106317 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1992.tb00182.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The protein complex promoting in vitro terminal differentiation of cerebellar granule cells has been isolated from rabbit serum. We designate the complex the neurite outgrowth and adhesion complex (NOAC). The apparent molecular weight, evaluated by gel filtration, is 80 - 100 kDa. Rat cerebellar granule cells cultured in NOAC exhibit much lower glial cell contamination and survive, in their differentiated state, much longer than in 10% foetal calf serum. While they bind tetanus toxin, express specific antigens such as synapsin I, synaptophisin and A2B5, and release [3H]d-aspartate in a fashion similar to that shown by cells cultured in foetal calf serum, they show a 60% reduction in the total number of kainate binding sites. Excitatory amino acid (EAA)-triggered and depolarization-stimulated calcium influx, measured in the presence of different agonists, is 50 - 80% lower in NOAC-cultured cells. NOAC cells are resistant to excitotoxic stimuli carried by EAAs or by depolarizing treatments with 50 mM KCl or 6 microM veratridine. The marked resistance of NOAC-cultured neurons to EAAs can be attributed to decreased calcium entry through EAA-coupled and voltage-gated calcium channels and possibly to other, as yet unidentified, phenotypic properties of these cells. These findings demonstrate that rabbit serum contains one or more polypeptide(s) endowed with the properties of promoting in vitro survival and differentiation of rat cerebellar granule cells and of conferring an EAA-resistant phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Mercanti
- Istituto di Neurobiologia, C.N.R., Viale C. Marx, 15/43, 00137 Rome, Italy
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Limatola C, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Santoni A, Eusebi F. Signaling pathways activated by chemokine receptor CXCR2 and AMPA-type glutamate receptors and involvement in granule cells survival. J Neuroimmunol 2002; 123:9-17. [PMID: 11880144 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(01)00472-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We show that treatment of cerebellar granules with interleukin-8 (IL-8), growth-related gene product beta (GRObeta) or AMPA induced activation of PI3-K/Akt and of ERK pathways, the latter being independent of PI3-K and dependent on PTX-sensitive G proteins. We also show that AMPA-mediated neuron survival was abolished both by ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 and AMPA-Rs blocker CNQX, and that chemokine-mediated survival was blocked by the PI3-K inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin. We conclude that the neurotrophic effects of AMPA need the contemporary activation of ERKs and stimulation of AMPA-Rs, and that PI3-K/Akt activation is a determinant pathway for the IL-8/GRObeta anti-apoptotic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Limatola
- Dipartimento di Fisiologia Umana e Farmacologia, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
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De Stasio G, Frazer B, Gilbert B, Schaub S, Mercanti D, Casalbore P, Larocca L, Rinelli A, Mehta M, Pallini R. Tumor-specific intracellular delivery of gadolinium in glioblastoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2001. [DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(01)02281-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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De Stasio G, Casalbore P, Pallini R, Gilbert B, Sanità F, Ciotti MT, Rosi G, Festinesi A, Larocca LM, Rinelli A, Perret D, Mogk DW, Perfetti P, Mehta MP, Mercanti D. Gadolinium in human glioblastoma cells for gadolinium neutron capture therapy. Cancer Res 2001; 61:4272-7. [PMID: 11358855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
157Gd is a potential agent for neutron capture cancer therapy (GdNCT). We directly observed the microdistribution of Gd in cultured human glioblastoma cells exposed to Gd-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). We demonstrated, with three independent techniques, that Gd-DTPA penetrates the plasma membrane, and we observed no deleterious effect on cell survival. A systematic microchemical analysis revealed a higher Gd accumulation in cell nuclei compared with cytoplasm. This is significant for prospective GdNCT because the proximity of Gd to DNA increases the cell-killing potential of the short-range, high-energy electrons emitted during the neutron capture reaction. We also exposed Gd-containing cells to thermal neutrons and demonstrated the GdNC reaction effectiveness in inducing cell death. These results in vitro stimulated in vivo Gd-DTPA uptake studies, currently underway, in human glioblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G De Stasio
- Department of Physics and Synchrotron Radiation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stoughton, WI 53589, USA.
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Abstract
One objection to using cell cultures for studying the proliferation of tumors is the potential for phenotypic changes that may occur in vitro. Here, we compared the antigen pattern expression of cultured meningioma cells with that of the primary tumor. Cell cultures established from 9 intracranial meningiomas and deparaffinized sections of the resected tumors were analyzed for immunophenotyping with the following antibodies: vimentin, cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, S-100, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophisin, factor VIII-related antigen, CD4, CD31, CD34, CD45RB, CD68-PGM1, CD68-KP, and myeloid/histiocyte antigen (MAC387). Overall, the cultured meningioma cells retained the main feature of the primary tumor, being positive both for mesenchymal antigens and for epithelial antigens. Interestingly, the cultured meningioma cells abundantly expressed the CD68 antigens at early passage. The CD68 antigens, which are normally found on hematopoietic cells like macrophages and monocytes, were not detectable on meningioma cells in situ. Our results show that phenotypic changes on human meningioma cells may occur in vitro. This phenomenon suggests caution when transposing the in vitro results to the in vivo condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pallini
- Institute of Neurosurgery, CNR, Rome, Italy.
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Gilbert B, Perfetti L, Fauchoux O, Redondo J, Baudat PA, Andres R, Neumann M, Steen S, Gabel D, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G, De Stasio G. Spectromicroscopy of boron in human glioblastomas following administration of Na2B12H11SH. Phys Rev E Stat Phys Plasmas Fluids Relat Interdiscip Topics 2000; 62:1110-8. [PMID: 11088567 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.62.1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/1999] [Revised: 12/23/1999] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an experimental, binary treatment for brain cancer which requires as the first step that tumor tissue is targeted with a boron-10 containing compound. Subsequent exposure to a thermal neutron flux results in destructive, short range nuclear reaction within 10 microm of the boron compound. The success of the therapy requires than the BNCT agents be well localized in tumor, rather than healthy tissue. The MEPHISTO spectromicroscope, which performs microchemical analysis by x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy from microscopic areas, has been used to study the distribution of trace quantities of boron in human brain cancer tissues surgically removed from patients first administered with the compound Na2B12H11SH (BSH). The interpretation of XANES spectra is complicated by interference from physiologically present sulfur and phosphorus, which contribute structure in the same energy range as boron. We addressed this problem with the present extensive set of spectra from S, B, and P in relevant compounds. We demonstrate that a linear combination of sulfate, phosphate and BSH XANES can be used to reproduce the spectra acquired on boron-treated human brain tumor tissues. We analyzed human glioblastoma tissue from two patients administered and one not administered with BSH. As well as weak signals attributed to BSH, x-ray absorption spectra acquired from tissue samples detected boron in a reduced chemical state with respect to boron in BSH. This chemical state was characterized by a sharp absorption peak at 188.3 eV. Complementary studies on BSH reference samples were not able to reproduce this chemical state of boron, indicating that it is not an artifact produced during sample preparation or x-ray exposure. These data demonstrate that the chemical state of BSH may be altered by in vivo metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Gilbert
- Institut de Physique Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale, PH-Ecublens, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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11
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Limatola C, Giovannelli A, Maggi L, Ragozzino D, Castellani L, Ciotti MT, Vacca F, Mercanti D, Santoni A, Eusebi F. SDF-1alpha-mediated modulation of synaptic transmission in rat cerebellum. Eur J Neurosci 2000; 12:2497-504. [PMID: 10947825 DOI: 10.1046/j.1460-9568.2000.00139.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The functional expression of the seven-transmembrane domain G protein-coupled chemokine receptor CXCR-4/fusin in rat nerve cell was demonstrated by staining with a polyclonal anti-CXCR-4 Ab, and by evaluating the calcium responses to the physiological agonist stromal-derived cell factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) in both cerebellar granule cells in culture and Purkinje neurons (PNs) in cerebellar slices. Cerebellar glial, granule and Purkinje cells showed a pronounced staining for CXCR-4. Furthermore, cultured granule cells exhibited Ca2+ transients elicited by the application of SDF-1alpha, both in cell bodies and in neuronal processes. Whole-cell patch-clamped PNs in cerebellar slices responded to SDF-1alpha application by a slow inward current followed by an increase of both intracellular Ca2+ level and spontaneous synaptic activity. In particular, the SDF-1alpha-induced slow inward current was considerably reduced by ionotropic glutamate receptor blockers, but developed fully in a medium in which synaptic transmission was inhibited, indicating that this current might be, at least in part, mediated by extrasynaptic glutamate, possibly released from the surrounding glial and/or nerve cells. Taken together, these findings indicate a functional involvement of CXCR-4 in the modulation of synaptic transmission, adding another member to the repertoire of the chemokine receptors exerting a neuromodulatory role in the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Limatola
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Università di Roma 'La Sapienza', Roma, Italy.
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12
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Limatola C, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Vacca F, Ragozzino D, Giovannelli A, Santoni A, Eusebi F, Miledi R. The chemokine growth-related gene product beta protects rat cerebellar granule cells from apoptotic cell death through alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000; 97:6197-201. [PMID: 10811878 PMCID: PMC18581 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.090105997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cultured cerebellar granule neurons are widely used as a cellular model to study mechanisms of neuronal cell death because they undergo programmed cell death when switched from a culture medium containing 25 mM to one containing 5 mM K(+). We have found that the growth-related gene product beta (GRObeta) partially prevents the K(+)-depletion-induced cell death, and that the neuroprotective action of GRObeta on granule cells is mediated through the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) type of ionotropic glutamate receptors. GRObeta-induced survival was suppressed by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, which is a specific antagonist of AMPA/kainate receptors; it was not affected by the inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, and was comparable to the survival of granule cells induced by AMPA (10 microM) treatment. Moreover, GRObeta-induced neuroprotection was abolished when granule cells were treated with antisense oligonucleotides specific for the AMPA receptor subunits, which significantly reduced receptor expression, as verified by Western blot analysis with subunit-specific antibodies and by granule cell electrophysiological sensitivity to AMPA. Our data demonstrate that GRObeta is neurotrophic for cerebellar granule cells, and that this activity depends on AMPA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Limatola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Universita' di Roma "La Sapienza," 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Gilbert B, Perfetti L, Hansen R, Mercanti D, Casalbore P, Andres R, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G, De Stasio G. UV-ozone ashing of cells and tissues for spatially resolved trace element analysis. Front Biosci 2000; 5:A10-7. [PMID: 10799354 DOI: 10.2741/a488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
UV/ozone ashing of thin tissue sections and cell cultures is a simple technique to enhance relative elemental concentrations, while maintaining their spatial location at the sub-micron level. This approach may enhance the capability of spatially resolved analysis techniques to detect the distribution of trace elements in biological matrices. We present results from light microscopy and x-ray spectromicroscopy studies of tissues and cells demonstrating that the micro-structure is very well conserved. We show the signal enhancement resulting from the removal of carbon, which allows otherwise undetectable gadolinium to be mapped in cancer tissue for a novel neutron capture therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Gilbert
- Istitut de Physique Appliquee, Ecole Polytechnique Federale, PH-Ecublens, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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14
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D'Ambrosi N, Cavaliere F, Merlo D, Milazzo L, Mercanti D, Volonté C. Antagonists of P2 receptor prevent NGF-dependent neuritogenesis in PC12 cells. Neuropharmacology 2000; 39:1083-94. [PMID: 10727719 DOI: 10.1016/s0028-3908(99)00213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line that develops neuronal characteristics of sympathetic cells after treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF) represents a well-established cellular model system for studying NGF signalling. Interesting information on the different mechanistic pathways of NGF can be obtained by adopting the pharmacological approach of inhibiting P2 receptors, expressed in naive PC12 cells and recognised as important biological mediators of neurotransmitters and growth factors. We show here that Basilen Blue, an antagonist of P2 receptor, reversibly prevents NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth with an IC(50) in the 5-10 microM range. Suramin, oxidised-ATP and diisothiocyanatostilbene-disulfonic acid, differently from other purinoceptor ligands, are also effective in this regard. NGF-dependent regeneration and stability of neurites, selected NGF-dependent extracellular and intracellular protein phosphorylations, binding of [(3)H] ATP to PC12 cell membranes are also modulated by Basilen Blue. On the contrary, cell adhesion, cellular duplication, 5'-nucleotidase activity, NGF-induced tyrosine autophosphorylation of TrkA receptors are not affected. NGF furthermore directly modulates the extracellular release of ATP and especially the levels of P2X(2) receptor protein in PC12 cells. In addition, extracellular ATP improves the neuritogenic effect of sub-optimal concentrations of NGF. Our study identifies P2 receptor ligands, particularly Basilen Blue, as useful tools to dissect different NGF-evoked functions, suggesting a mechanistic role for P2 receptors in the signalling pathways of NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- N D'Ambrosi
- I.R.C.C.S. Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy
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15
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Limatola C, Mileo AM, Giovannelli A, Vacca F, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Santoni A, Eusebi F. The growth-related gene product beta induces sphingomyelin hydrolysis and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in rat cerebellar granule neurones. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:36537-43. [PMID: 10593952 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.51.36537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth-related gene product beta (GRObeta) is a small chemoattractant cytokine that belongs to the CXC chemokine family, and GRObeta receptors are expressed in the brain, including the cerebellum. We demonstrate that rat cerebellar granule neurones express the GRObeta receptor CXCR2. We also show that, in addition to the known stimulation of a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C, GRObeta activates both neutral (N-) and acidic (A-) sphingomyelinases (SMase) and the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1). Although both exogenous ceramide and bacterial SMase stimulate JNK1, GRObeta-induced JNK1 activation is an event probably independent of ceramide generated by A-SMase, since it is maintained in the presence of compounds that block A-SMase activity. This is the first report on the activation of the SMase pathway by chemokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Limatola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Universita' di Roma La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
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16
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De Stasio G, Gilbert B, Perfetti L, Hansen R, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Andres R, White VE, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G. Cell ashing for trace element analysis: A new approach based on ultraviolet/ozone. Anal Biochem 1999; 266:174-80. [PMID: 9888973 DOI: 10.1006/abio.1998.2901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We studied a new approach to cell ashing based on illuminating the specimens with a low-pressure mercury discharge lamp. We analyzed with synchrotron spectromicroscopy its effects on different physiological elements in neurobiological specimens. Our results demonstrate that carbon is removed, whereas phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and sulfur are retained and their relative concentrations are enhanced. Applied to trace elements, this technique will enhance their practical detectability.
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Affiliation(s)
- G De Stasio
- Institut de Physique Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale, PH-Ecublens, Lausanne, CH-1015,
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17
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Giovannelli A, Limatola C, Ragozzino D, Mileo AM, Ruggieri A, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Santoni A, Eusebi F. CXC chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and growth-related gene product alpha (GROalpha) modulate Purkinje neuron activity in mouse cerebellum. J Neuroimmunol 1998; 92:122-32. [PMID: 9916887 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(98)00192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We give here evidence that Purkinje neurons (PNs) of mouse cerebellar slices studied with patch clamp technique combined with laser confocal microscopy, respond to human IL-8 and GROalpha by (i) a cytosolic Ca2+ transient compatible with inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate (InsP3) formation; (ii) an enhancement of the neurotransmitter release; and (iii) an impairment of the long-term depression of synaptic strength (LTD). It was also found the expression of IL-8 receptor type 2 in PN and granule cells by immunofluorescence, immunoblotting and RT-PCR analysis. Considered together these findings suggest that IL-8 and GROalpha may play a neuromodulatory role on mouse cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Giovannelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale Università di L'Aquila, Rome, Italy
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Pallini R, Tancredi A, Casalbore P, Mercanti D, Larocca LM, Consales A, Lauretti L, Fernandez E. Neurofibromatosis type 2: growth stimulation of mixed acoustic schwannoma by concurrent adjacent meningioma: possible role of growth factors. Case report. J Neurosurg 1998; 89:149-54. [PMID: 9647188 DOI: 10.3171/jns.1998.89.1.0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The authors report the case of a young man suffering from neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) who harbored bilateral acoustic schwannomas and a parasellar meningioma. Neuroimaging studies performed during a 4-year follow-up period showed that the bilateral schwannomas had grown very little and at similar rates. However, after the meningioma had infiltrated the tentorium and approached the ipsilateral schwannoma at the incisura, both Schwann cell tumors started to grow rapidly, particularly the one adjacent to the meningioma, of which the percentage of annual growth rate increased by approximately a factor of 10(2). At the same time, magnetic resonance imaging showed that this tumor also changed its features. During surgery, the acoustic schwannoma was firmly adherent to both meningioma and tentorium. Histological examination revealed meningotheliomatous cells in the schwannoma adjacent to the meningioma. Antiphosphotyrosine immunoblotting of PC12 cells was compatible with the presence of an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like molecule in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the patient. This factor was not detected in the CSF of five other NF2 patients, two of whom bore associated bilateral acoustic schwannomas and meningioma in remote locations. It is hypothesized that the meningotheliomatous cells infiltrating the schwannoma triggered an autocrine/paracrine growth-stimulatory mechanism that involved an EGF-like factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pallini
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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19
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Lorusso GF, De Stasio G, Gilbert B, Perret D, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G, Casalbore P, Ciotti MT, Milazzo L, Mercanti D. High sensitivity quantitative analysis of cobalt uptake in rat cerebellar granule cells with and without excitatory amino acids. Neurosci Lett 1998; 248:9-12. [PMID: 9665651 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(98)00296-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We quantified the effect of the excitatory amino acids kainate and glutamate on the uptake of cobalt in primary rat cerebellar granule neurons, by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). We quantitatively demonstrated that Co2+ uptake, although enhanced by glutamate and kainate also takes place in the absence of excitatory amino acids. We also found that cobalt uptake is not significantly altered by the presence of glutamate receptor competitive or noncompetitive antagonists, indicating that cobalt uptake in granule neurons does not require glutamate receptor stimulation. Our results suggest, therefore, that Co2+ may enter the cell by passive diffusion through the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Lorusso
- Institut de Physique Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale, PH-Ecublens, Lausanne, Switzerland
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20
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De Stasio G, Capozi M, Droubay TC, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Lorusso GF, Andres R, Suda T, Perfetti P, Tonner BP, Margaritondo G. The effect of ashing on cells: spectromicroscopy of physiological elements. Anal Biochem 1997; 252:106-9. [PMID: 9324947 DOI: 10.1006/abio.1997.2276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed the effects of cold oxygen plasma ashing of neurobiological specimens on different elements with synchrotron spectromicroscopy. Our results demonstrate that while carbon is almost completely removed, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sulfur, and, to some extent, nitrogen are retained and their relative concentration is enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- G De Stasio
- Institut de Physique Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Cianfarani S, Germani D, Rossi P, Spagnoli A, Mercanti D. Do insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) modulate the IGF-I growth promoting and differentiating effects in human neuroblastoma cells? Eur J Endocrinol 1996; 135:716-23. [PMID: 9025718 DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1350716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are known to stimulate both the proliferation and differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, but the role of the IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) has not yet been established. In this study, human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells have been treated with IGF-I and its potent analogue des(1-3)IGF-I alone or following preincubation with a differentiating agent such as 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Cell proliferation and differentiation were evaluated. Conditioned medium was tested for the presence of IGFBPs by ligand blotting. The SH-SY5Y cell proliferation was maximally stimulated by des(1-3)IGF-I. The TPA-induced differentiation of SH-SY5Y, evaluated by assessment of cell morphology and GAP-43 expression as a biochemical marker of differentiation was potentiated by nanomolar concentrations of des(1-3)IGF-I and, to a smaller extent, IGF-I Conditioned medium showed the presence of a major IGFBP band with an approximate molecular weight of 32.5 kD and a very faint band of approximately 24kD. The IGFBP immunoblotting results suggest that the predominant band might represent IGFBP-2. Our data represent a first demonstration of the presence of IGFBPs in conditioned medium of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The finding that the potent IGF-I analogue des(1-3)IGF-I with reduced affinity for IGFBPs induce major effects on cell growth and differentiation suggests that the IGFBPs may play an active role in the neuronal response to the proliferative and differentiative effects of IGF-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cianfarani
- Department of Paediatrics, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
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22
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Abstract
When cerebellar granule cells that had been cultured in vitro for 8 days were subjected to a cytotoxic glutamate pulse (100 microM, 30 min incubation), the response varied according to cell density and the volume of medium in which cells were grown. Thus, lowering the cell density by a factor of 4 compared with usual conditions (2.6 x 10(5) cells/cm2) or increasing the volume by an identical 4-fold factor reduced cell death from 90-95% to 20-30%. Addition of a conditioned medium derived from high-density to low-density cultures or to high-volume cultures markedly increased the sensitivity of the cells to glutamate. This glutamate-sensitizing activity, which accelerated by several days the onset of the response of cerebellar cultures to glutamate, was inhibited by actinomycin D and was not detectable in conditioned medium derived from confluent cultures of cerebellar astroglia, or from cell lines such as PC12, GT1-7, 3T3 and CHP 100. Glutamate-sensitizing activity was not mimicked by trilodo-L-thyronine, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), truncated IGF-I, GPE [a tripeptide (gly-pro-glu) derived from IGF-I], brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), basic fibroblast growth factor or tumour necrosis factor-alpha. However, IGF-I added to cultures of granule cells plated at high density and grown in basal medium Eagle's without serum or any other constituent of chemically defined media was capable of supporting production of glutamate-sensitizing activity to an extent similar to that shown by whole fetal calf serum. Under the same conditions triiodo-L-thyronine and BDNF did not support the production of glutamate-sensitizing activity. Glutamate-sensitizing activity was not mimicked by glutamate, NMDA, glycine or lactate, and was not inhibited by glucose, haemoglobin or N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. At variance with the response of granule cells, the response to glutamate of GABAergic cells present in the same culture was not affected by cell density or by glutamate-sensitizing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Ciotti
- Institute of Neurobiology, CNR, Rome, Italy
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Pellizzoni L, Cardinali B, Lin-Marq N, Mercanti D, Pierandrei-Amaldi P. A Xenopus laevis homologue of the La autoantigen binds the pyrimidine tract of the 5' UTR of ribosomal protein mRNAs in vitro: implication of a protein factor in complex formation. J Mol Biol 1996; 259:904-15. [PMID: 8683593 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1996.0368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In Xenopus and other vertebrates, ribosomal protein mRNAs share a common sequence in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR), in particular a pyrimidine tract at the 5' end, which has been demonstrated to be involved in the translational regulation of this class of mRNAs. In previous studies, carried out in the Xenopus system, we demonstrated the specific binding of two proteins (57 kDa and 47 kDa) to the pyrimidine tract of the mRNAs for three different ribosomal proteins. Here, we show that the two binding proteins are in fact one; one being the cleavage product of the other. By immunoprecipitation and protein purification, this binding protein has been identified as the Xenopus homologue of the human La autoantigen, an RNA-binding protein previously reported to be implicated in RNA polymerase III transcription termination and in translation initiation of poliovirus and immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNAs. We show that the specific interaction of La with the 5' pyrimidine tract of ribosomal protein mRNA is mediated by a protease-sensitive factor, which, after assisting La-RNA binding, dissociates from the complex and becomes again available to promote further binding. We show that mutations in the 5' UTR pyrimidine tract, known to disrupt the translational control of ribosomal protein mRNA, severely impair La binding. Although a direct relationship between ribosomal protein mRNA translation and La binding is not yet available, the properties of the interaction suggest that La protein, possibly together with other components, might be involved in translational regulation.
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De Stasio G, Cricenti A, Generosi R, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Casalbore P, Margaritondo G, Perfetti P. Neurone decapping characterization by atomic force microscopy: a topological systematic analysis. Neuroreport 1995; 7:65-8. [PMID: 8742418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We tested a new approach to cell decapping on rat cerebellar neurones, and observed its effects on cell topography by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of our decapping approach, and also the ability of AFM to reveal fine details of the decapped cells. Specifically, varying the conditions and duration of the decapping process modifies the extent of the decapping. Such a method can be used to investigate the cytoplasm with surface sensitive techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- G De Stasio
- Institut de Physique Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Cricenti A, De Stasio G, Generosi R, Perfetti P, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D. Atomic Force microscopy of neuron networks. Scanning Microsc 1995; 9:695-9; discussion 699-700. [PMID: 9565521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We imaged uncoated neuron networks by an atomic force microscope in the repulsive regime of contact mode. Images of granule cells and their axons have been clearly revealed with details smaller than 20 nm. The good stability of the sample and the mechanical reproducibility of the microscope allowed the imaging of a neuron culture area of several square microns. By combining tens of images, we were able to reconstruct a highly defined neuronal network. Furthermore, the images were very reproducible over repeated scanning acquisition, demonstrating the mechanical and thermal stability of the instrument-sample system.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cricenti
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Frascati, Italy
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26
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De Stasio G, Dunham D, Tonner BP, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G. Application of photoelectron spectromicroscopy to a systematic study of toxic and natural elements in neurons. J Synchrotron Radiat 1995; 2:106-12. [PMID: 16714797 DOI: 10.1107/s0909049594012744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
A systematic photoelectron spectromicroscopy study is presented of the spatial distribution of a toxic element, aluminium, iron or chromium, in neuron cultures, after exposure to a solution of the element. The study was performed by the X-ray secondary-emission microscopy (XSEM) version of photoelectron Spectromicroscopy. The distribution of the elements was investigated with two complementary approaches: digital subtraction imaging and individual X-ray absorption spectra from microscopic areas. The results coherently indicate different localization patterns for different elements, and, in particular, extreme localization of aluminium to a few rare cells identifiable as Purkinje neurons. In the case of iron-exposed specimens, the distribution analysis was extended to naturally present phosphorus, and used to estimate the XSEM sensitivity.
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De Stasio G, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Dunham D, Droubay TC, Tonner BP, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G. Aluminium in rat cerebellar primary cultures: glial cells and GABAergic neurones. Neuroreport 1994; 5:1973-6. [PMID: 7841388 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199410000-00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Experimental evidence of the preferential uptake of aluminium by GABAergic neurones and glial cells was provided by synchrotron spectromicroscopy studies. We observed rat cerebellar cultures enriched for GABAergic neurones or glial cells exposed to aluminium ions, detecting the presence and identifying the chemical status of aluminium on cell structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- G De Stasio
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia del CNR, Frascati, Roma, Italy
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28
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Eboli ML, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Aquino A, Castellani L. Glutamate-induced protein phosphorylation in cerebellar granule cells: role of protein kinase C. Neurochem Res 1994; 19:1257-64. [PMID: 7891841 DOI: 10.1007/bf01006815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation in response to toxic doses of glutamate has been investigated in cerebellar granule cells. 32P-labelled cells have been stimulated with 100 microM glutamate for up to 20 min and analysed by one and two dimensional gel electrophoresis. A progressive incorporation of label is observed in two molecular species of about 80 and 43 kDa (PP80 and PP43) and acidic isoelectric point. Glutamate-stimulated phosphorylation is greatly reduced by antagonists of NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptors. The effect of glutamate is mimicked by phorbol esters and is markedly reduced by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) such as staurosporine and calphostin C. PP80 has been identified by Western blot analysis as the PKC substrate MARCKS (myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate), while antibody to GAP-43 (growth associated protein-43), the nervous tissue-specific substrate of PKC, failed to recognize PP43. Our results suggest that PKC is responsible for the early phosphorylative events induced by toxic doses of glutamate in cerebellar granule cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Eboli
- Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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29
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Stasio GD, Dell'orto T, Gozzo F, Alfe D, Bertolo M, Fontana S, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Coluzza C, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G. Imaging photoelectron spectromicroscopy: Biological and materials science applications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1994. [DOI: 10.1080/08940889408261295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Zona C, Ragozzino D, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Avoli M, Brancati A, Calissano P. Sodium, calcium and late potassium currents are reduced in cerebellar granule cells cultured in the presence of a protein complex conferring resistance to excitatory amino acids. Eur J Neurosci 1993; 5:1479-84. [PMID: 8287194 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1993.tb00215.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Whole-cell, patch-clamp recordings were used to study voltage-gated currents generated by cerebellar granule cells that were cultured in medium containing either 10% fetal calf serum (hereafter termed S + granules) or neurite outgrowth and adhesion complex (NOAC, hereafter called NOAC granules). NOAC is a protein complex found in rabbit serum that renders granules resistant to the excitotoxic action of excitatory amino acids. During depolarizing commands both S+ and NOAC granules generated Na+ and Ca2+ inward currents and an early and a late K+ outward currents. However, Na+ and Ca2+ inward currents and late outward K+ currents recorded in NOAC granules were smaller than those seen in S+ granules. Furthermore, although of similar amplitude, early K+ currents displayed different kinetics in the two types of neurons. Thus, these data demonstrate that the electrophysiological properties of cerebellar granules, and probably of other neuronal populations, depend upon serum components and raise the possibility that an analogous modulation might be operative in vivo, and play a role in development, synaptic plasticity or neuropathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Zona
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Scienze Biochimiche, II Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
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Fernandez E, Pallini R, Lauretti L, Mercanti D, Serra A, Calissano P. Spinal cord transection in adult rats: effects of local infusion of nerve growth factor on the corticospinal tract axons. Neurosurgery 1993; 33:889-93. [PMID: 7505409 DOI: 10.1227/00006123-199311000-00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord of adult female rats was completely transected at the T8 level. Nerve growth factor (NGF) was administered at the lesion site via indwelling, implanted, osmotic minipumps. Purified NGF was supplied at doses of 100, 200, and 500 micrograms during a 30-day period. Control rats were treated with saline. At the end of the treatment, the proximal stump of corticospinal tract axons in the spinal cord was labeled with anterograde transported horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injected into the sensorimotor cortex. In control rats, the corticospinal tract axons ended abruptly, proximal to the zone of maximal damage. Sterile swellings developed at the axon tips, and no labeled axonal sprouts were apparent. On the contrary, in NGF-treated animals, the leading front of the corticospinal tract axons showed a trend of approaching the zone of maximal damage following abnormal paths through the dorsal-injured white matter. Axonal sprouts were seen more proximally, traveling toward the transection site in aberrantly located dorsal paths, completely outside the normal position of the corticospinal tract. NGF seems to partly restore the pattern of the regenerative behavior of the severed corticospinal tract axons after spinal cord transection in newborn rats, i.e., the induction of axonal sprouting in aberrantly located dorsal paths. An automated image analysis of the HRP reaction field close to the transection site demonstrated that the density of HRP-labeled axons in the corticospinal tract was significantly higher in the NGF-treated rats than in the control rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fernandez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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32
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Calissano P, Ciotti MT, Battistini L, Zona C, Angelini A, Merlo D, Mercanti D. Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I exerts a trophic action and confers glutamate sensitivity on glutamate-resistant cerebellar granule cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1993; 90:8752-6. [PMID: 8104340 PMCID: PMC47436 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.90.18.8752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar granule cells grown in the presence of a serum complex differentiate but are resistant to the lethal action of excitatory amino acids. When these cells are grown also in the presence of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) they become fully susceptible to the toxic, lethal action of glutamate. The glutamate-sensitizing action of IGF-I is dependent on concentration (half-maximal effect at 2-4 ng/ml) and time (half-maximal effect at 2-4 days in vitro) and is paralleled by the appearance of functionally active, glutamate-activated, Ca2+ channels and of voltage-gated Na+ and late K+ channels. IGF-I-induced glutamate sensitivity is rapidly reversible (t1/2 = 30-60 min) after removal of this somatomedin. The action of IGF-I is not mimicked by IGF-II, nerve growth factor, basic or acidic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, or tumor necrosis factor alpha. We postulate that the constitutive phenotype of cerebellar granule cells is glutamate-resistant and becomes responsive to excitatory amino acids under the action of epigenetic cues among which IGF-I may be one of those operative in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Calissano
- Institute of Neurobiology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Rome, Italy
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33
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De Stasio G, Dunham D, Tonner BP, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Angelini A, Coluzza C, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G. Aluminium in rat cerebellar neural cultures. Neuroreport 1993; 4:1175-8. [PMID: 8219011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A systematic microchemical analysis of unstained and uncoated neurone cultures was performed with synchrotron radiation photoemission spectromicroscopy after exposure to an aluminium solution. Clear evidence was found for localized aluminium uptake in a few cells. Their possible identification based on morphology is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G De Stasio
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia del CNR, Roma, Italy
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34
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Perfetti P, Ng W, Ray-Chaudhuri AK, Liang SH, Singh S, Cole RK, Guo ZY, Wallace J, Capasso C, Cerrina F, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Gozzo F, Margaritondo G. Scanning photoemission spectromicroscopy of neurons. Phys Rev E Stat Phys Plasmas Fluids Relat Interdiscip Topics 1993; 48:1478-1482. [PMID: 9960737 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.48.1478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
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35
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Hardcastle S, Koranda SF, Tonner BP, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Perfetti P, Margaritondo G. Photoemission spectromicroscopy of neurons. Phys Rev E Stat Phys Plasmas Fluids Relat Interdiscip Topics 1993; 47:2117-2121. [PMID: 9960232 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.47.2117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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36
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Abstract
Nerve growth factor and its receptor(s) are present in several parts of the hippocampus (CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus) but nothing is known about their function in this area which plays a fundamental role in learning and memory processes. NGF delivered exogenously to hippocampal slices causes a concentration-dependent, marked reduction in the expression (but not the induction) of long term potentiation (LTP) without altering basal synaptic transmission. The effect is already half maximal at 0.05-0.1 ng ml-1 NGF, is reversible after removal of this growth factor, and is also detectable with a modified version of NGF which has lost its neurite outgrowth promoting activity in PC12 cells. These findings point to a role for hippocampal NGF as a possible modulator of learning and memory processes. Such modulation would be mediated by high-affinity receptors functionally distinct from those promoting morphological differentiation of PC12 cells and other NGF target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Tancredi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemistry, II University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy
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37
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Eboli ML, Ciotti MT, Mercanti D, Calissano P. Differential involvement of protein kinase C in transmitter release and response to excitatory amino acids in cultured cerebellar neurons. Neurochem Res 1993; 18:133-8. [PMID: 8097287 DOI: 10.1007/bf01474675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar granule cells cultured in the presence of a differentiating factor isolated from rabbit serum exhibit, at variance with those cultured in fetal calf serum, an almost complete resistance to excitatory aminoacid (EAA)-induced cytotoxicity. We investigated the behaviour of protein kinase C (PKC), strongly implicated in EAA cytotoxicity, in the two types of culture. Phorbol esters, used to monitor the enzyme, enhanced the depolarization-evoked release of D-[3H]aspartate, but less effectively in factor-conditioned cells. EAAs increased phorbol esters binding in both cultures, but the effect was briefly lasting in factor-conditioned cells. The different behaviour of PKC is postulated to be causally related to different response to EAA of the cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Eboli
- Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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38
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Mercanti D, Angelini A, Ciotti M, Eboli M, Galli C, Battistini L, Merlo D, Calissano P. Cerebellar neurones: Differentiation and modulation of sensitivity to excitotoxic treatment. Cytotechnology 1993; 11:S117-9. [PMID: 22358672 DOI: 10.1007/bf00746073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurite outgrowth and adhesion complex (NOAC), isolated from rabbit sera has been dissociated in its major components by reverse-phase chromatography in HPLC by using a C(18) column. SDS-PAGE analisys of the active fractions revealed the presence of three major bands of approximately 100, 70 and 50 kDa. Studies on the biological activity of NOAC were carried out on rat cerebellar granule cells. NOAC-cultured cells exhibit a marked resistance to excitotoxic stimuli carried by glutamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Mercanti
- Institute of Neurobiology, CNR, Viale Marx 15/43, 00137, Roma, Italy
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De Stasio G, Perfetti P, Oddo N, Galli P, Mercanti D, Ciotti MT, Koranda SF, Hardcastle S, Tonner BP, Margaritondo G. Metal uptake in neurone cultures: a systematic study. Neuroreport 1992; 3:965-8. [PMID: 1482765 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199211000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We present the first comparative study of the uptake of metal ions by neurons, performed for Zn, Cr, Co, Mo, Al, Ni, Mn and Cd. The study reveals substantial differences in the uptake of different metals, under similar exposure procedures. In particular, we found very large uptakes for aluminium and molybdenum. We also found significant effects of excitatory substances, in particular kainate, as stimulants of uptake of some of the metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- G De Stasio
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma, Italy
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Fernandez E, Pallini R, Mercanti D. Effects of topically administered nerve growth factor on axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve autografts implanted in the spinal cord of rats. Neurosurgery 1990; 26:37-42. [PMID: 2294477 DOI: 10.1097/00006123-199001000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) on axonal regeneration into autologous peripheral nerve (PN) grafts implanted to the spinal cord (SC) of rats was assessed by retrograde labeling of the parent soma of the regenerating axons with horseradish peroxidase. NGF was delivered at the graft site over periods of 15 and 30 days by using indwelling osmotic minipumps. In control rats, the minipumps were filled with saline. At 15 days after grafting in the NGF-treated rats, the mean number of SC as well as dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons that regenerated their axons into the peripheral nerve grafts was increased 55.3 and 26.4 times, respectively, as compared to the control group values. At 30 days, SC and DRG neurons in the NGF-treated group were 10.9 and 3.1 times greater than in the control group. In the NGF-treated group, the regenerating SC neurons were located within a range of 7 to 13 mm from the graft site as compared to 1 to 7 mm in the control group. Finally, the analysis of the soma diameters of the regenerating neurons showed that NGF enhanced and maintained with time the regenerative response from small-sized DRG neurons. Therefore, NGF is thought to promote directly the regenerative potential of SC as well as DRG neurons and to exert an indirect glial cell-mediated effect at the SC-graft interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fernandez
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
We have characterized and partially purified a new 'factor' present in human placenta which strongly stimulates the in vitro proliferation of two immunocytochemically characterized subtypes of astrocytes and of bipotential precursors of putative fibrous astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This 'factor' has an apparent Mr of 60-80 kD and exhibits physicochemical and chromatographic properties characteristic of polypeptides. Our observations suggest that placenta-derived growth factors (PDMF) control the proliferation of glial cells and glial precursors during fetal development.
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Calissano P, Cattaneo A, Biocca S, Aloe L, Mercanti D, Levi-Montalcini R. The nerve growth factor. Established findings and controversial aspects. Exp Cell Res 1984; 154:1-9. [PMID: 6381074 DOI: 10.1016/0014-4827(84)90663-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Calissano P, Monaco G, Castellani L, Mercanti D, Levi A. Nerve growth factor potentiates actomyosin adenosinetriphosphatase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1978; 75:2210-4. [PMID: 149985 PMCID: PMC392521 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.75.5.2210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nerve growth factor protein (NGF) favors polymerization of brain actin and induces its organization to form paracrystalline structures that activate myosin ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) to an extent greater than actin alone. Binding studies show that the initial 1:1 stoichiometry of NGF-G-actin complexes decreases to 1:7-10 when polymerization is ended and paracrystalline structures are formed. The ratio becomes even lower when heavy meromyosin is added in the absence of ATP, suggesting that heavy meromyosin displaces NGF bound to actin microfilaments. This conclusion is supported by the finding that when heavy meromyosin is added to NGF-microfilament complexes, under conditions for "decorating" microfilaments, the usual paracrystalline structure of the complexes disappears. The NGF-mediated organization of actin and activation of myosin ATPase is visualized as a self-regulatory and self-propagating mechanism, because progressive displacement of the growth factor induced by heavy meromyosin binding to F actin as ATP consumption proceeds renders an increasingly higher amount of NGF free for new interactions. These findings are discussed in the light of the mechanism of action of NGF in the target cells.
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Carrara G, Gattoni S, Mercanti D, Tocchini-Valentini GP. Purification of a DNA-binding protein from Xenopus laevis unfertilized eggs. Nucleic Acids Res 1977; 4:2855-70. [PMID: 909794 PMCID: PMC342614 DOI: 10.1093/nar/4.8.2855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A DNA-binding protein from Xenopus laevis unfertilized eggs has been purified to apparent homogeneity. It is a heat stable, lysine-rich protein and has a molecular weight corresponding to 8,200 daltons, measured by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis. The protein, which is active in a monomeric form, stimulates DNA polymerase alpha, and binds to single and double stranded DNA. One egg contains about 4 x 10(12) molecules (minimum estimate) of the protein; since we calculate that 4 x 10(8) molecules are sufficient to cover the entire genome (haploid complement), there is much more protein than is needed to cover chromosomal DNA.
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Abstract
The nerve growth factor protein (NGF) induces organization of in vitro preformed microtubules (MTs) to form multiple arrays. These complexes, in cross-section, appear to be formed by clusters of single tubules in parallel in close contact with center distance similar to the diameter of a microtubule. In the absence of NGF, on the contrary, microtubules are far apart from each other. Addition of vinblastine to NGF-MT complexes does not result in the usual reorganization of microtubules into paracrystalline arrays, noticeable when the growth factor is not present. The vinblastine treated NGF-MT complexes have several round-shaped elements along the tubules and at their endings which, at higher magnification, appear to be formed by closely packed, ring-like structures. These 'boutons' are postulated to represent the point of resistance to the depolymerizing action of the vinca alkaloid. These findings are discussed in relation to a similar antagonistic effect observed in vivo between NGF and vinblastine and to the possible involvement of microtubules in the mechanism of action of the growth factor.
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Mercanti D, Butler R, Revoltella R. A tryptic digestion fragment of nerve growth factor with nerve growth promoting activity. Biochim Biophys Acta 1977; 496:412-9. [PMID: 836904 DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(77)90323-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A peptide, isolated from the acid-insoluble portion of a tryptic digest of cyanogen bromide cleaved nerve growth factor, favors life maintenance of sensory target cells and promotes rapid neurite outgrowth from 7-day-old chick embryo sensory ganglia. The fragment has been identified as a 30 amino acid peptide consisting of two linear oligopeptides linked by a disulphide bridge and corresponding to residues 10-25 and 75-88 of the amino acid sequence of nerve growth factor. On a molar basis the fragment is about 100 times more effective than intact nerve growth factor. Other peptides isolated from the digest are biologically inactive.
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Abstract
Reaction of the thiol reagent 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (Nbs2) with the brain-specific protein S-100 favours stabilization of the quaternary structure of the protein via disulfide bond formation. This process is modulated by those cations (Ca2+ and K+) which are known to affect the conformation of the protein. Ca2+ markedly favours the reaction of S-100 with Nbs2 but inhibits subsequent disulfide bond formation; K+, on the contrary, is much less effective in promoting interaction with Nbs2 but strongly stimulates disulfide bond formation. These findings are interpreted assuming that in presence of Ca2+ the three subunits forming the native S-100 protein have two cysteine residues exposed to the solvent but mismatched to form disulfides while in presence of K+ the sulphydryl groups are in a less accessible position to Nbs2 but suitable for S-S bond formation. Crosslinking of S-100 subunits is characterized by the appearance in dodecylsulphate electrophoresis of two very close protein bands having a molecular weight almost identical to that of the native, undenatured protein but not of higher or lower-molecular weight components. This finding, and the demonstration that both the crosslinked and native S-100 proteins have identical profiles when analyzed by sucrose density centrifugation or gel chromatography indicate that disulfide bond formation occurs among subunits of the same molecule.
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Levi A, Cimino M, Mercanti D, Chen JS, Calissano P. Interaction of nerve growth factor with tubulin. Studies on binding and induced polymerization. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 1975; 399:50-60. [PMID: 238651 DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(75)90210-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The interaction of the nerve growth factor with the neurotubule protein has been studied with the aim of elucidating the nature of the large complexes that they form when incubated together and the factors and control this event. The results show that the binding of nerve growth factor to tubulin is followed by the formation of large structures that, in certain experimental conditions, accelerate the rate of tubulin polymerization to form microtubules or catalyze their assembly in conditions where this process does not occur spontaneously. The formation of large nerve growth factor-tubulin complexes starts to occur only at a molar ratio of 1.0-1.5 NaCL or GTP strongly inhibit this proceed without a detectable effect on NGF binding. Two hypotheses are postulated explain these findings. Firstly, that tubulin has two sites with different affinity for nerve growth factor and the polymerization occurs only when the second NGF molecule has interacted with the microtubule protein. Alternatively, free tubulin in solution is the polymerization by hindering site of tubulin-factor complexes present in solution at a 1.1 molar ratio. In both cases, GTP, Na-+ or H-+ will affect the formation of large unsoluble, tubulin-NGF complexes, by changing their conformation or by decreasing electrostatic interactions.
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Levi A, Mercanti D, Calissano P, Alemà S. Anomalous behaviour of EDTA during gel filtration. Studies on the possible contamination of the S100 protein. Anal Biochem 1974; 62:301-4. [PMID: 4215339 DOI: 10.1016/0003-2697(74)90392-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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