Mitochondria-derived organelles in the diplomonad fish parasite Spironucleus vortens.

In some eukaryotes, mitochondria have become modified during evolution to yield derived organelles (MDOs) of a similar size (hydrogenosomes), or extremely reduced to produce tiny cellular vesicles (mitosomes). The current study provides evidence for the presence of MDOs in the highly infectious fish pathogen Spironucleus vortens, an organism that produces H2 and is shown here to have no detectable cytochromes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that S. vortens trophozoites contain electron-dense, membranous structures sometimes with an electron-dense core (200 nm-1 µm), resembling the hydrogenosomes previously described in other protists from habitats deficient in O2. Confocal microscopy establishes that these organelles exhibit autofluorescence emission spectra similar to flavoprotein constituents previously described for mitochondria and also present in hydrogenosomes. These organelles possess a membrane potential and are labelled by a fluorescently labeled antibody against Fe-hydrogenase from Blastocystis hominis. Heterologous antibodies raised to mitochondrial proteins frataxin and Isu1, also exhibit a discrete punctate pattern of localization in S. vortens; however these labelled structures are distinctly smaller (90-150 nm) than hydrogenosomes as observed previously in other organisms. TEM confirms the presence of double-membrane bounded organelles of this smaller size. In addition, strong background immunostaining occurs in the cytosol for frataxin and Isu1, and labelling by anti-ferredoxin antibody is generally distributed and not specifically localized except for at the anterior polar region. This suggests that some of the functions traditionally attributed to such MDOs may also occur elsewhere. The specialized parasitic life-style of S. vortens may necessitate more complex intracellular compartmentation of redox reactions than previously recognized. Control of infection requires biochemical characterization of redox-related organelles.

Selective pattern of motor system damage in gamma-synuclein transgenic mice mirrors the respective pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterised by substantial loss of both upper and lower motor neuron function, with sensory and cognitive systems less affected. Though heritable forms of the disease have been described, the vast majority of cases are sporadic with poorly defined underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that the neurological pathology induced in transgenic mice by overexpression of γ-synuclein, a protein not previously associated with ALS, recapitulates key features of the disease, namely selective damage and loss of discrete populations of upper and lower motor neurons and their axons, contrasted by limited effects upon the sensory system.

An investigation into the antimicrobial mechanisms of action of two contact lens biocides using electron microscopy.

Polyquaternium-1 (PQ-1) and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine (MAPD) are biocides used commercially in a contact lens disinfecting solutions. Electron microscopy was used to provide further evidence on the mechanism(s) of action of these agents against a wide range of ocular pathogens including bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Both PQ-1 and MAPD caused multiple forms of damage to the organisms tested, evidenced by structural alterations, blebbing, leakage and cell destruction. The extent of damage and the selectivity against specific type of microorganisms was consistent with the antimicrobial activity of these agents. Although electron microscopy is a powerful tool, it has its limitations when used to examine the mode of action of biocides. Indeed, there was no evidence of gross structural alteration to Acanthamoeba castellani or Aspergillus fumigatus following treatment.

Dishevelled (Dvl-2) activates canonical Wnt signalling in the absence of cytoplasmic puncta.

Dishevelled family proteins are multidomain intracellular transducers of Wnt signals. Ectopically expressed mammalian Dishevelled 2 (Dvl-2) activates downstream signalling and localises to cytoplasmic puncta. It has been suggested that these Dvl-2-containing structures correspond to intracellular vesicles and may be involved in the Wnt signal transduction process. We report that cytoplasmic puncta are primarily formed in cells expressing Dvl-2 at high levels. Lower levels of expression can activate signalling without forming puncta. The structures do not localise with markers of the early or late endocytic pathway and time-lapse analysis demonstrates that Dvl-2 puncta move in a random fashion over short distances but do not originate from the plasma membrane. Based on our findings, we propose that Dvl-2 puncta are protein aggregates that are not required for signalling.

Poly(amidoamine) salt form: effect on pH-dependent membrane activity and polymer conformation in solution.

On exposure to an acidic pH, linear poly(amidoamine)s (PAAs) cause membrane perturbation and consequently have potential as endosomolytic polymers for the intracellular delivery of genes and toxins. Previous studies used PAAs in the hydrochloride form only. The aim of this study was to investigate systematically the effect of the PAA counterion on pH-dependent membrane activity, general cytotoxicity, and PAA solution properties to help guide optimization of PAA structure for further development of PAA-protein conjugates. PAAs (ISA 1, 4, 22, and 23; M(w) 10000-50000 g/mol) were synthesized to provide a library of PAAs having different counterions including the acetate, citrate, hydrochloride, lactate, phosphate, and sulfate salts. pH-Dependent membrane activity was assessed using a rat red blood cell haemolysis assay (conducted at a starting pH of 7.4, 6.5, or 5.5; 1 mg/mL; 1 h), and general cytotoxicity was investigated using a murine melanoma cell line (B16F10) and a human bladder endothelial-like cell line (ECV-304). Whereas poly(ethyleneimine) was haemolytic at the starting pH of 7.4 at 1 h [ approximately 50% haemoglobin (Hb) release], none of the PAA salts were haemolytic at a starting pH of 7.4 or 6.5. Although PAA acetate, citrate, and lactate were also non-haemolytic at the starting pH of 5.5, the sulfate and hydrochloride forms caused significant haemolysis (up to 80% Hb release) and ISA 22 and 23 phosphate were also markedly haemolytic ( approximately 70% Hb release). These counterion-specific differences were also clearly visible using scanning electron microscopy, which was used to visualize the red blood cell morphology. All PAAs were relatively nontoxic (IC(50) >or= 300-5000 microg/mL) compared to poly-l-lysine (IC(50) = 2-10 microg/mL), the PAA hydrochloride salts produced the greatest cytotoxicity, and the B16F10 cells were more sensitive than the ECV-304 cells. Small-angle neutron scattering suggested that ISA 23 hydrochloride had a larger hydrodynamic radius (5.1 +/- 0.2 nm) than the citrate salt (3.1 +/- 0.2 nm). These results provide indirect evidence for the salt- and pH-dependent changes in the conformation of the polymer coil. This study clearly demonstrates the importance of optimization of the counterion form when developing endosomolytic polymers designed to mediate pH-dependent membrane permeabilization.