Potentiation of Fcepsilon receptor I-activated Ca(2+) current (I(CRAC)) by cholera toxin: possible mediation by ADP ribosylation factor.

Antigen-evoked influx of extracellular Ca(2+) into mast cells may occur via store-operated Ca(2+) channels called calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels. In mast cells of the rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-2H3), cholera toxin (CT) potentiates antigen-driven uptake of (45)Ca(2+) through cAMP-independent means. Here, we have used perforated patch clamp recording at physiological temperature to test whether cholera toxin or its substrate, Gs, directly modulates the activity of CRAC channels. Cholera toxin dramatically amplified (two- to fourfold) the Ca(2)+ release-activated Ca(2+) current (I(CRAC)) elicited by suboptimal concentrations of antigen, without itself inducing I(CRAC), and this enhancement was not mimicked by cAMP elevation. In contrast, cholera toxin did not affect the induction of I(CRAC) by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of organelle Ca(2+) pumps, or by intracellular dialysis with low Ca(2+) pipette solutions. Thus, the activity of CRAC channels is not directly controlled by cholera toxin or Gsalpha. Nor was the potentiation of I(CRAC) due to enhancement of phosphoinositide hydrolysis or calcium release. Because Gs and the A subunit of cholera toxin bind to ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) and could modulate its activity, we tested the sensitivity of antigen-evoked I(CRAC) to brefeldin A, an inhibitor of ARF-dependent functions, including vesicle transport. Brefeldin A blocked the enhancement of antigen-evoked I(CRAC) without inhibiting ADP ribosylation of Gsalpha, but it did not affect I(CRAC) induced by suboptimal antigen or by thapsigargin. These data provide new evidence that CRAC channels are a major route for Fcin receptor I-triggered Ca(2+) influx, and they suggest that ARF may modulate the induction of I(CRAC) by antigen.

Chemotaxis of rat mast cells toward adenine nucleotides.

Rat mucosal mast cells express P2 purinoceptors, occupation of which mobilizes cytosolic Ca2+ and activates a potassium conductance. The primary function of this P2 system in mast cell biology remains unknown. Here, we show that extracellular ADP causes morphological changes in rat bone marrow-cultured mast cells (BMMC) typical of those occurring in cells stimulated by chemotaxins, and that the nucleotides ADP, ATP, and UTP are effective chemoattractants for rat BMMC. ADP was also a chemotaxin for murine J774 monocytes. The nucleotide selectivity and pertussis toxin sensitivity of the rat BMMC migratory response suggest the involvement of P2U receptors. Poorly hydrolyzable derivatives of ADP and ATP were effective chemotaxins, obviating a role for adenosine receptors. Buffering of external Ca2+ at 100 nM or reduction of the electrical gradient driving Ca2+ entry (by elevating external K+) blocked ADP-driven chemotaxis, suggesting a role for Ca2+ influx in this process. Anaphylatoxin C5a was a potent chemotaxin (EC50 approximately 0.5 nM) for J774 monocytes, but it was inactive on rat BMMC in the presence or absence of laminin. Ca2+ removal or elevated [K+] had modest effects on C5a-driven chemotaxis of J774 cells, implicating markedly different requirements for Ca2+ signaling in C5a- vs ADP-mediated chemotaxis. This is supported by the observation that depletion of Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin completely blocked migration induced by ADP but not C5a. These findings suggest that adenine nucleotides liberated from parasite-infested tissue could participate in the recruitment of mast cells by intestinal mucosa.

Monitoring exocytosis and release from individual mast cells by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection.

The complex temporal evolution of on-column exocytotic release of serotonin and proteins from individual rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) was monitored by using capillary electrophoresis. Laser-induced native fluorescence detection with 275-nm excitation was used, and a detection limit of 1.7 amol (S/N = 3; rms) was obtained for serotonin. A physiological running buffer was used to ensure that the cell remained viable throughout. The secretagogue was polymyxin B sulfate (Pmx). Following the injection of a single mast cell into the capillary, electromigration of Pmx toward and past the cell induced degranulation and release of serotonin. The time course of release was registered in the electropherograms with subsecond resolution. Subsequent introduction of SDS caused the cell to lyse completely and allowed the residual serotonin to be quantified. The average amount of serotonin observed per RPMC was 1.6 +/- 0.6 fmol; the average percentage of serotonin released was 28 +/- 14%. Events that are consistent with released serotonin from single submicrometer granules (250 aL each) were evident, each of which contained an average amount of 5.9 +/- 3 amol.

Fc epsilon RI-mediated induction of nuclear factor of activated T-cells.

Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is a transcriptional activator that binds to the interleukin-2 promoter and is believed to be responsible for T-cell-specific interleukin-2 gene expression. Here we demonstrate using electrophoretic mobility shift assays that nuclear NFAT can be induced in the rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) mast cell line and rat bone marrow-derived mast cells upon cross-linkage of the high affinity receptor (Fc epsilon RI) for immunoglobulin E (IgE). Receptor-dependent activation of NFAT was mimicked by the combination of the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate and the calcium ionophore ionomycin. The induced binding activity was specific for the NFAT recognition motif because competition with nonradioactive NFAT oligonucleotide abolished the DNA binding activity, whereas nonradioactive oligonucleotides recognized by the transcription factors NF kappa B, glucocorticoid receptors, and TFIID did not. An oligonucleotide representing the AP-1 recognition sequence also blocked the NFAT DNA binding activity, as did a combination of anti-Fos and anti-Jun antibodies. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, AP-1-binding proteins were found to be induced in RBL-2H3 cells under the same conditions as was the NFAT binding activity. Together these data suggest that the NFAT complex in mast cells contains Fos and Jun proteins as does NFAT in T-cells. The appearance of nuclear NFAT binding activity was dependent in part upon calcium mobilization, as buffering the antigen-induced calcium rise with intracellular BAPTA strongly inhibited NFAT activation. Prevention of calcium influx with external EGTA also inhibited NFAT activation, indicating that release of calcium from internal stores was insufficient for sustained activation of mast cell NFAT. Cyclosporin A, a potent inhibitor of the calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin, blocked the induction of NFAT-DNA binding activity, implicating calcineurin as a key signaling enzyme in this pathway. These results suggest that NFAT is present in the mast cell line RBL-2H3 and in primary bone marrow-derived mast cells, is similar in subunit composition to the T-cell NFAT, and may play a role in calcium-dependent signal transduction in mast cells.

Immunoglobulin E receptor-activated calcium conductance in rat mast cells.

1. The nystatin perforated-patch method was used to record macroscopic currents from anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL-2H3) cells at 37 degrees C. 2. An inwardly rectifying Ca2+ current (ICa) was activated upon stimulation with the multivalent antigen trinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (TNP-BSA). Induction of ICa was not observed at room temperature. ICa was reversed and reinduced upon cyclical addition of the monovalent hapten dinitrophenyl (DNP)-lysine and multivalent antigen, indicating that a specific interaction of antigen with IgE was required to elicit ICa. 3. The antigen-induced current was also carried by Ba2+ or Sr2+, and to a lesser extent by Na+, in the nominal absence of Ca2+. ICa did not exhibit time-dependent opening (< or = 1 ms) in response to hyperpolarizing voltage steps to -100 mV, although it did accumulate steady-state inactivation of approximately 40-50% over 100 ms. 4. Two inorganic blockers of antigen-stimulated 45Ca2+ influx and secretion, La3+ and Zn2+, inhibited ICa by approximately 50% at concentrations known to produce 50% block of 45Ca2+ influx. In contrast, cromolyn sodium (0.5 mM) and the L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist nitrendipine (5 microM) had no effect on ICa. 5. ICa also was induced by the intracellular Ca2+ mobilizer thapsigargin. Because the actions of thapsigargin and antigen were not additive, IgE receptor cross-linkage appears to activate the recently described capacitative Ca2+ entry channels.

Dual pathways for GTP-dependent regulation of chemoattractant-activated K+ conductance in murine J774 monocytes.

Whole-cell patch clamp recording and digital imaging microscopy were used to investigate the electrical and calcium signaling responses of murine J774 monocytes to chemoattractants and other calcium-mobilizing agonists. A latent outwardly rectifying K+ conductance, GkOR, was elicited within seconds by each of the following agonists: C5a, ATP, ADP, interleukin-8, and the adenosine analog 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine. In terms of its pharmacologic profile and current-voltage (I-V) relation, GkOR was very similar to a P2 purinoceptor-activated K+ conductance previously described in rat mast cells and to a K+ conductance elicited in J774 cells by the GTP analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Agonist-induced elevation of calcium, primarily due to intracellular release, and the induction of GkOR both required a GTP-binding protein of the Gi family, as both events were blocked by pertussis toxin; intracellular dialysis with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) also prevented the induction of GkOR, further implicating mediation by a G protein. Induction of GkOR did not depend upon influx of Ca2+, as it occurred equally well when the concentration of external Ca2+ was 100 nM or 2 mM. We attempted to uncouple agonist-induced calcium release from induction of GkOR by dialyzing the cell cytoplasm with Ca(2+)-EGTA or Ca(2+)-1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) buffers before agonist application. When the concentration of free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was set to approximately 15 nM with 1.1 or 11 mM EGTA, a "slow"Ca2+ buffer, 10 nM C5a induced a large GkOR (11 nS at 1.1 mM EGTA versus 13.4 nS at 11 mM EGTA). Surprisingly, when [Ca2+]i was buffered at 15 nM with 10 mM BAPTA, a "rapid" Ca2+ buffer, C5a elicited a much smaller although significant K+ conductance (approximately 3 nS). Systematic increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]i upon dialysis with a series of 10 mM BAPTA-Ca2+ buffers (15-2400 nM [Ca2+]i) revealed activation of a very large K+ conductance (maximum 17.4 nS), even in the presumed absence of receptor stimulation. This conductance had a similar I-V relationship to GkOR, and activation occurred within the range of [Ca2+]i observed in intact cells following stimulation with C5a or ADP (EC50 approximately 475 nM [Ca2+]i). Activation of Gk thus may proceed in part via the release of intracellular calcium from a source in close proximity to the channel or other calcium-binding regulatory protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Selective expression of potassium channels during mast cell differentiation.

In rodents, mast cell progenitors differentiate into distinct mucosal and serosal phenotypes which differ markedly in their functional responses to antigenic and peptidergic stimulation. Although the molecular basis of mast cell differentiation or functional specialization is unknown, it is possible that regulation of calcium entry contributes to one or both processes. The prolonged secretory response of mucosal mast cells (MMC) and the antigen-elicited synthesis of interleukin-3 by immature MMC both require a rise of cytoplasmic calcium sustained by Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. This Ca2+ entry is highly sensitive to membrane potential, affording a possible site for regulation of mast cell function by receptor-linked ion channels. We found that rat interleukin-3-dependent bone marrow-derived mast cells of the mucosal phenotype expressed two K+ conductances, neither of which is present in the prototype serosal mast cell from rat peritoneum. An inwardly rectifying K+ conductance was constitutively active and a latent outwardly rectifying K+ conductance was elicited rapidly upon ligation of cell surface adenosine or P2 purinergic receptors linked to G proteins of the Gi family. Stimulation of P2 receptors dramatically potentiated antigen-triggered secretion in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner, suggesting that activation of the outwardly rectifying K+ channel may regulate antigen-dependent functions of MMC.

Immobilization of Fc epsilon receptors by wheat germ agglutinin. Receptor dynamics in IgE-mediated signal transduction.

Transmembrane signaling initiated by the receptor with high affinity for Fc stem of IgE(Fc epsilon RI) requires the diffusion-dependent cross-linkage and persistent aggregation of the Fc epsilon RI. Disruption or prevention of receptor cross-links at any time during the secretory response quickly terminates secretion. We found that in the rat basophilic leukemia mast cell line, addition of wheat germ agglutinin, a lectin that binds to the Fc epsilon RI alpha subunit, caused a precipitous decline in the lateral diffusional and electrokinetic mobilities of the Fc epsilon RI. Both the unoccupied Fc epsilon RI and IgE-Fc epsilon RI complexes became immobilized, as determined from in situ electromigration and postelectric field relaxation. Immobilization of the Fc epsilon RI by wheat germ agglutinin was accompanied by a ligand-reversible association of 125I-IgE-Fc epsilon RI complexes with the Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction. Wheat germ agglutinin rapidly inhibited Fc epsilon RI-mediated signal transduction and secretion, whether cross-linkage was initiated by multivalent antigen, covalent IgE oligomers, anti-IgE, or anti-Fc epsilon RI antibody. Inhibition of signaling and secretion occurred on simultaneous addition of wheat germ agglutinin and antigen, and also when wheat germ agglutinin was added at increasing times after induction of Fc epsilon RI cross-linkage. Wheat germ agglutinin neither reduced the affinity of anti-DNP IgE for haptenic DNP-lysine nor reversed the binding of IgE to the Fc epsilon RI. Although wheat germ agglutinin caused internalization of the Fc epsilon RI, the onset of inhibition preceded and its extent exceeded that of internalization. Wheat germ agglutinin did not interfere with the secretory apparatus, as indicated by its lack of inhibition of secretion elicited by calcium ionophores. These findings suggest that inhibition of signal transduction is secondary to an initial event linked to immobilization of the Fc epsilon RI. Implications of these results are discussed with respect to the dynamics of Fc epsilon RI aggregation on rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Activation of mast cell K+ channels through multiple G protein-linked receptors.

The rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cell line possesses cell surface receptors for adenosine whose ligation markedly potentiates antigen-driven Ca2+ influx and secretion. Here we show that engagement of these receptors and of separate P2 purinergic receptors rapidly activates an outwardly rectifying K+ conductance [GK(OR)] in RBL cells. Activation of GK(OR) by the ligands 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA), ADP, and ATP was prevented by cytoplasmic guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate as well as by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, implicating mediation by a G protein. Multiple cycles of induction and decay of GK(OR) were produced upon application and removal of ligand. Induction of GK(OR) by either ligand was much faster than the induction caused by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (t1/2 < 10 sec vs. 210 sec.). In control cells the maximal whole-cell conductance elicited by ADP (2.25 +/- 0.30 nS) or ATP (2.50 +/- 0.33 nS) was about twice as large as that induced by NECA (1.03 +/- 0.11 nS), and similar to that previously reported for the guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-elicited GK(OR) in RBL cells (2.58 +/- 1.59 nS). Treatment of RBL cells with dexamethasone upregulated Ca2+ responses to NECA, and it also nearly doubled the maximal conductance elicited by NECA without appreciable effect on responses to ADP or ATP. The failure of water-soluble second messengers to activate GK(OR) and the inability of 11 mM EGTA (< 10 nM Ca2+) to prevent activation by ADP suggest that the relevant pathway is membrane-delimited. Two ion-channel blockers inhibited antigen-stimulated secretion with IC50 values similar to those at which they blocked GK(OR), suggesting that activity of the outwardly rectifying K+ channel may be important for stimulus-response coupling in these cells. Potentiation of the secretory response by NECA may reflect, in part, the activation of GK(OR), which serves to repolarize the membrane more effectively than does the constitutive mechanism, thereby enhancing antigen-driven Ca2+ influx. This channel and its functionally associated receptors may allow neighboring cells of the host to modulate the response of mast cells to exogenous antigen.

G protein control of potassium channel activity in a mast cell line.

Using the patch-clamp technique, we studied regulation of potassium channels by G protein activators in the histamine-secreting rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cell line. These cells normally express inward rectifier K+ channels, with a macroscopic whole-cell conductance in normal Ringer ranging from 1 to 16 nS/cell. This conductance is stabilized by including ATP or GTP in the pipette solution. Intracellular dialysis with any of three different activators of G proteins (GTP gamma S, GppNHp, or AlF-4) completely inhibited the inward rectifier K+ conductance with a half-time for decline averaging approximately 300 s after "break-in" to achieve whole-cell recording. In addition, with a half-time averaging approximately 200 s, G protein activators induced the appearance of a novel time-independent outwardly rectifying K+ conductance, which reached a maximum of 1-14 nS. The induced K+ channels are distinct from inward rectifier channels, having a smaller single-channel conductance of approximately 8 pS in symmetrical 160 mM K+, and being more sensitive to block by quinidine, but less sensitive to block by Ba2+. The induced K+ channels were also highly permeable to Rb+ but not to Na+ or Cs+. The current was not activated by the second messengers Ca2+, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, or by cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (0.1 microgram/ml for 12-13 h) prevented this current's induction both by guanine nucleotides and aluminum fluoride, but had no effect on the decrease in inward rectifier conductance. Since GTP gamma S is known to stimulate secretion from patch-clamped rat peritoneal mast cells, it is conceivable that K+ channels become inserted into the plasma membrane from secretory granules. However, total membrane capacitance remained nearly constant during appearance of the K+ channels, suggesting that secretion induced by GTP gamma S was minimal. Furthermore, pertussis toxin had no effect on secretion triggered by antigen, and triggering of secretion before electrical recording failed to induce the outward K+ current. Finally, GTP gamma S activated the K+ channel in excised inside-out patches of membrane. We conclude that two different GTP-binding proteins differentially regulate two subsets of K+ channels, causing the inward rectifier to close and a novel K+ channel to open when activated.

Assembly of complement components C5b-8 and C5b-9 on lipid bilayer membranes: visualization by freeze-etch electron microscopy.

We have visualized by freeze-etch electron microscopy the macromolecular complexes of complement, C5b-8 and C5b-9, respectively, assembled on synthetic phospholipid bilayers. These complexes were formed sequentially by using purified human complement components C5b-6 followed by C7, C8, and C9. Complexes of C5b-8 were observed on the external surface (ES) of vesicles as 12-nm particles that tended to form polydisperse aggregates. The aggregates were sometimes of a regular chainlike structure containing varying numbers of paired subunits. Etching of vesicles containing C5b-9 complexes revealed on the ES large rings of approximately 27-nm outer diameter. One or two knobs usually were attached to the perimeter of the rings. Splitting of the membrane resulted in partitioning of the C5b-9 with the outer leaflet. Thus, round holes of approximately 17-nm diameter were present in the protoplasmic face (PF), and raised circular stumps of a matching size were present on the exoplasmic face (EF) of C5b-9 vesicles. C5b-9 complexes were frequently localized in regions of the lowest lipid order. That is, in micrographs of the EF and ES, single C5b-9 complexes were located where the ripples of the P beta' phase bend or reach a dead end, and linear arrays of C5b-9 complexes outlined disclination-like structures in the lattice; the holes in the PF mirrored this distribution. The membrane immediately surrounding C5b-9 rings was often sunk inwardly over an area much larger than that of the ring itself.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Functional reconstitution of halorhodopsin. Properties of halorhodopsin-containing proteoliposomes.

A one-step purification method for halorhodopsin was developed. Functional proteoliposomes were prepared from this preparation using cholate, which is removed by dialysis in the presence of asolectin or the polar halobacterial lipids. Light-induced outward directed transport of chloride by halorhodopsin was followed by measuring passive proton efflux in the presence of uncoupler; initial rates and extents amounted to significant fractions of values obtained for halorhodopsin-containing cell envelope vesicles. The transport activity was much higher when cholate rather than octyl glucoside was used in the reconstitution. Since CD spectra in cholate but not in octyl glucoside showed band-splitting in the visible region, suggestive of exciton interaction between halorhodopsin monomers, the reconstitution may depend on an aggregate state of the halorhodopsin. The rate constants for three thermal steps in the halorhodopsin photocycle were greatly reduced in the detergent-solubilized samples, but they increased in the proteoliposomes to values similar to those for halorhodopsin in cell envelope vesicles. Thus, the reconstitution yields halorhodopsin with both photochemical and transport activities restored. Freeze-fracture electron micrographs of the proteoliposomes showed unilammellar liposomes with numerous particles of 100-150 A diameter at the fracture faces. These should correspond to halorhodopsin aggregates, formed in the bilayer in an apparently concentration-dependent manner.

Cholera toxin potentiates IgE-coupled inositol phospholipid hydrolysis and mediator secretion by RBL-2H3 cells.

Binding of polyvalent antigens to IgE present in Fc epsilon receptors on the surface of mast cells and the RBL-2H3 cell line triggers the exocytotic release of allergic mediators. Preincubation of RBL-2H3 cells with cholera toxin (CT) was found to potentiate greater than or equal to 2- to 3-fold the rate and final amount of antigen-induced secretion of [3H]serotonin and N-acetyl beta-D-glucosaminidase. This was accompanied by a more variable increase in the initial rate of antigen-triggered formation of inositol phosphates. The holotoxin was required for potentiation, as neither the A nor the B subunit was effective when added separately. Four observations indicate that cAMP was not the primary effector of the augmentation of secretion caused by CT: (i) culture conditions were found in which CT caused large increases in secretion but very modest (or no) increases in cAMP; (ii) under other conditions, progressive increase in [CT] caused a maximum 2.5- to 3-fold increase in cAMP followed by a return to basal levels, whereas the secretory response saturated and remained stable; (iii) permeant cAMP analogs consistently enhanced secretion at low doses and inhibited at higher doses, but the peak enhancement was always much less than that achieved by an optimal dose of CT; (iv) the selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor Ro 20-1724 exhibited similar biphasic dose-response curves, the maximum enhancement again being small compared to that caused by CT itself. Both in vitro and in vivo, CT catalyzed transfer of ADP-ribose from NAD to two membrane proteins that comigrated on NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with two CT substrates in other cell types, and these were identified by immunoblotting as Gs alpha. These results suggest that ADP-ribosylation of a cholera toxin substrate potentiates IgE-mediated secretion from RBL-2H3 cells by a largely cAMP-independent route.

Contact-induced redistribution of specific membrane components: local accumulation and development of adhesion.

We have used a model system to explore the importance of long-range lateral diffusion of membrane proteins in specific membrane-membrane adhesion. Single, cell-size phospholipid vesicles containing a dinitrophenyl (DNP)-lipid hapten were maneuvered into contact with rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells carrying fluorescent anti-DNP IgE in their cell-surface Fc epsilon receptors. Upon cell-vesicle contact the antibody molecules underwent a marked lateral redistribution, accumulating at the site of contact and becoming significantly depleted from noncontacting membrane. As assayed with a micropipette suction method, there was a time-dependent increase in the strength of cell-vesicle adhesion. This development of adhesion paralleled the kinetics of accumulation of the adhesion-mediating antibody molecules at the zone of membrane-membrane contact. Both adhesion and redistribution were absolutely dependent upon a specific interaction of the IgE with the hapten: No redistribution occurred when vesicles lacking the DNP hapten were pushed against IgE-armed RBL cells, and on cells bearing a 1:1 mixture of nonimmune rat IgE and anti-DNP mouse IgE, only the latter underwent redistribution. Vesicles containing DNP-lipids bound to RBL cells carrying anti-DNP IgE but not to cells carrying nonimmune rat IgE. Measurable nonspecific binding did not develop even after 15 min of pushing DNP-bearing vesicles against RBL cells sensitized with nonimmune IgE. Neither redistribution nor adhesion was blocked by metabolic poisons such as NaN3 and NaF. Both redistribution and adhesion occurred in plasma membrane blebs previously shown to lack cytoskeletal filaments. The above observations are consistent with contact-induced redistribution of the IgE being a result of passive diffusion-mediated trapping rather than active cellular responses. Thus, long-range diffusion of specific proteins can in some cases contribute to the formation of stable adhesion between membranes.

Rates of membrane-associated reactions: reduction of dimensionality revisited.

The hypothesis that reactions associated with intracellular membranes enjoy a kinetic advantage from a reduced dimensionality for diffusion is inconsistent with available data on lateral diffusion rates, membrane-substrate affinities, and endogenous concentrations of enzymes and their aqueous substrates.

Lateral electromigration and diffusion of Fc epsilon receptors on rat basophilic leukemia cells: effects of IgE binding.

We have used in situ electromigration and post-field relaxation (Poo, M.-m., 1981, Annu. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng., 10:245-276) to assess the effect of immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding on the lateral mobility of IgE-Fc receptors in the plasmalemma of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells. Bound IgE sharply increased the receptor's electrokinetic mobility, whereas removal of cell surface neuraminic acids cut it to near zero. In contrast, we found only a small difference between the lateral diffusion coefficients (D) of vacant and IgE-occupied Fc receptors (D: 4 vs. 3 X 10(-10) cm2/s at 24 degrees C). This is true for monomeric rat IgE; with mouse IgE, the difference in apparent diffusion rates was slightly greater (D: 4.5 vs. 2.3 X 10(-10) cm2/s at 24 degrees C). This range of D values is close to that found in previous photobleaching studies of the IgE-Fc epsilon receptor complex in RBL cells and rat mast cells. Moreover, enzymatic depletion of cell coat components did not measurably alter the diffusion rate of IgE-occupied receptors. Thus, binding of fluorescent macromolecular probes to cell surface proteins need not severely impede lateral diffusion of the probed species. If the glycocalyx of RBL cells does limit lateral diffusion of the Fc epsilon receptor, it must act primarily on the receptor itself, rather than on receptor-bound IgE.

Ferritin conjugates as specific magnetic labels. Implications for cell separation.

Concanavalin A coupled to the naturally occurring iron storage protein ferritin is used to label rat erythrocytes and increase the cells' magnetic susceptibility. Labeled cells are introduced into a chamber containing spherical iron particles and the chamber is placed in a uniform 5.2 kG (gauss) magnetic field. The trajectory of cells in the inhomogeneous magnetic field around the iron particles and the polar distributions of cells bound to the iron particles compare well with the theoretical predictions for high gradient magnetic systems. On the basis of these findings we suggest that ferritin conjugated ligands can be used for selective magnetic separation of labeled cells.

Paramagnetic isoprenoid carrier lipids. 1. Chemical synthesis and incorporation into model membranes.

The synthesis, purification, and characterization of two types of spin-labeled glycosyl carrier lipids and shorter chain isoprenols are described. As models for phosphorylated lipids intermediates, phosphodiesters of tempol and the prenols dolichol, ficaprenol, solanesol, phytol, and farnesol were prepared. For analogues of neutral species each prenol was esterified with a pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid based label. Tripropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride was used as the condensing agent in both cases. Phosphodiester yields ranged from 36% for the 55-carbon compound to greater than 66% for the 95-carbon prenol. Both types of probes were incorporated into phospholipid bilayers, where each became oriented with the artificial head group at, or very close to, the water--hydrocarbon interface. Electron spin resonance spectra of the phosphodiesters are matrix dependent, indicating rapid isotropic tumbling in chloroform but highly anisotropic reorientation in unsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) hosts. Rotation or large amplitude oscillation about either or both the tempo C4--O linkage and the P--O (chain) bond as well as whole molecule rotation within the bilayer could account for the observed x-axis anisotropy. Segmental motion within the polyprene chain does not appear to be a determinant.

Paramagnetic isoprenoid carrier lipids. 2. Dispersion and dynamics in lipid membranes.

The transbilayer diffusion rates and self-association of spin-labeled glycosyl carrier lipids and other isoprenoids have been studied in model phospholipid membranes. Transposition rates of phosphorylated species in small (300 A) or large (greater than or equal to 1000 A) diameter unilamellar phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles are slow (t1/2 greater than 5 h at 25 degrees C); this argues against their proposed role in the transbilayer portage of sugar units during polysaccharide and glycoprotein assembly. The same probes mix well with several host lipids, remaining monomolecularly dispersed even at high ionic strength (0.5 M NaCl) or in the presence of various polyvalent cations. This behavior persists for several degrees beneath the transition temperature (Tc) of saturated lecithins. In contrast, neutral carboxylate analogues undergo pronounced reversible self-association. Aggregation is quite dependent on the probe concentration and nature of the host but only weakly temperature dependent above the Tc. Even at low probe concentrations (less than 0.5 mol %) in fluid membranes, aggregates persist above 75 degrees C. Unsaturation in the lecithin fatty acyl chains dramatically increases isoprenoid monomer solubility. Segregation appears to involve relocation of the entire molecule in the membrane interior.