ABSTRACT
By immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization at the electron microscopy level, and by the PCR technique, we have shown that HIV-1 binds and enters normal sperm; that viral particles, their antigens, and nucleic acid are present in sperm from HIV-1 infected men; and that such sperm can transfer HIV-1 like particles to normal human oocytes. We also present evidence that a galactosylceramide-like compound is present on the sperm membrane and could function as an alternative receptor for HIV.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission , Disease Transmission, Infectious , Fertilization , HIV-1/isolation & purification , Oocytes/virology , Spermatozoa/virology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/pathology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/virology , Cell Membrane/physiology , Cell Membrane/ultrastructure , Female , Galactosylceramides/analysis , HIV-1/ultrastructure , Humans , In Situ Hybridization , Male , Microscopy, Electron , Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA, Viral/analysis , Receptors, HIV/analysis , Spermatozoa/pathology , Spermatozoa/ultrastructureABSTRACT
We investigated the biochemical and growth properties of Schwann cells from the sciatic nerve of Trembler and unaffected mice in culture. Both Trembler and control cultures showed similar growth rates. The specific activity of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) and enzymes involved in lipid metabolism of cerebrosides and sulfatides were studied. UDP-galactose: ceramide galactosyltransferase was significantly decreased in Trembler cultures less than 21 days in vitro. No differences were found in the specific activities of cerebroside sulfotransferase, arylsulfatase A or CNP between Trembler and control cultures. Schwann cells from Trembler and control mice were labeled with [35S]methionine and the protein analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Our study revealed few but consistent differences in the protein pattern synthesized by the Trembler Schwann cells.
Subject(s)
Lipids/biosynthesis , Mice, Neurologic Mutants/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/biosynthesis , Schwann Cells/metabolism , Animals , Cell Division , Cells, Cultured , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Isoelectric Focusing , Mice , Schwann Cells/enzymology , Sciatic Nerve/cytology , Sciatic Nerve/metabolismABSTRACT
Skin fibroblasts from two siblings with giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) were examined by both biochemical and immunocytochemical studies. The presence of intermediate filaments (IF) characteristic of these cells was affected by the growth conditions. Immediately after plating and during the following 24 hours the majority of the cells contained an IF "bundle"; however, after 4-6 days in culture only a minority of the cells retained this structure. We present evidence that trypsinization but not serum concentration is likely to influence the formation of the "bundle." The results indicate that the formation of the "bundle" may result from a defective association or relationship between the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane.