Identification, by a monoclonal antibody, of a 53-kD protein associated with a tubulo-vesicular compartment at the cis-side of the Golgi apparatus.

Purified Golgi membranes of the human intestinal adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 were used as an antigen to produce a monoclonal antibody, G1/93, which specifically labels a tubulovesicular compartment near the cis side of the Golgi apparatus, including the first cis-cisterna itself, as visualized by single and double immunoelectron microscopy with antibodies against galactosyltransferase. The antigen recognized by G1/93 was identified as a protein with a subunit size of 53 kD. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that the 53-kD protein dimerizes immediately after synthesis followed by formation of oligomers of approximately 310 kD, probably homohexamers. The protein has a transmembrane topology with only a short cytoplasmic segment as assessed by protease protection experiments. Glycosidase digestion studies indicated that the protein is probably not glycosylated. The unique subcellular distribution of the G1/93 antigen in close vicinity to the cis-Golgi is in line with the notion that this protein may delineate the biosynthetic transport pathway from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Moreover, G1/93 is a useful marker to identify the cis side of the Golgi apparatus in a variety of human cells.

Naturally occurring mutations in intestinal sucrase-isomaltase provide evidence for the existence of an intracellular sorting signal in the isomaltase subunit.

Mutations in the sucrase-isomaltase gene can lead to the synthesis of transport-incompetent or functionally altered enzyme in congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID) (Naim, H. Y., J. Roth, E. Sterchi, M. Lentze, P. Milla, J. Schmitz, and H. P. Hauri. J. Clin. Invest. 82:667-679). In this paper we have characterized two novel mutant phenotypes of CSID at the subcellular and protein levels. The first phenotype revealed a sucrase-isomaltase protein that is synthesized as a single chain, mannose-rich polypeptide precursor (pro-SI) and is electrophoretically indistinguishable from pro-SI in normal controls. By contrast to normal controls, however, pro-SI does not undergo terminal glycosylation in the Golgi apparatus. Subcellular localization of pro-SI by immunoelectron microscopy revealed unusual labeling of the molecule in the basolateral membrane and no labeling in the brush border membrane thus indicating that pro-SI is missorted to the basolateral membrane. Mapping of biosynthetically labeled pro-SI with four epitope- and conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies suggested that conformational and/or structural alterations in the pro-SI protein have prevented posttranslational processing of the carbohydrate chains of the mannose-rich precursor and have lead to its missorting to the basolateral membrane. The second phenotype revealed two variants of pro-SI precursors that differ in their content of mannose-rich oligosaccharides. Conversion of these forms to a complex glycosylated polypeptide occurs at a slow rate and is incomplete. Unlike its counterpart in normal controls, pro-SI in this phenotype is intracellularly cleaved. This cleavage produces an isomaltase-like subunit that is transport competent and is correctly sorted to the brush border membrane since it could be localized in the brush border membrane by anti-isomaltase mAb. The sucrase subunit is not transported to the cell surface and is most likely degraded intracellularly. We conclude that structural features in the isomaltase region of pro-SI are required for transport and sorting of the sucrase-isomaltase complex.

Water channels encoded by mutant aquaporin-2 genes in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus are impaired in their cellular routing.

Congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a recessive hereditary disorder characterized by the inability of the kidney to concentrate urine in response to vasopressin. Recently, we reported mutations in the gene encoding the water channel of the collecting duct, aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) causing an autosomal recessive form of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). Expression of these mutant AQP-2 proteins (Gly64Arg, Arg187Cys, Ser216Pro) in Xenopus oocytes revealed nonfunctional water channels. Here we report further studies into the inability of these missense AQP-2 proteins to facilitate water transport in Xenopus oocytes. cRNAs encoding the missense AQPs were translated with equal efficiency as cRNAs encoding wild-type AQP-2 and were equally stable. Arg187Cys AQP2 was more stable and Gly6-4Arg and Ser216Pro AQP2 were less stable when compared to wild-type AQP2 protein. On immunoblots, oocytes expressing missense AQP-2 showed, besides the wild-type 29 kDa band, an endoplasmic reticulum-retarded form of AQP-2 of approximately 32 kD. Immunoblots and immunocytochemistry demonstrated only intense labeling of the plasma membranes of oocytes expressing wild-type AQP-2. Therefore, we conclude that in Xenopus oocytes the inability of Gly64-Arg, Arg187Cys or Ser216Pro substituted AQP-2 proteins to facilitate water transport is caused by an impaired routing to the plasma membrane.

Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. Identification of a glutamine to proline substitution that leads to a transport block of sucrase-isomaltase in a pre-Golgi compartment.

Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency is an example of a disease in which mutant phenotypes generate transport-incompetent molecules. Here, we analyze at the molecular level a phenotype of congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency in which sucrase-isomaltase (SI) is not transported to the brush border membrane but accumulates as a mannose-rich precursor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), ER-Golgi intermediate compartment, and the cis-Golgi, where it is finally degraded. A 6-kb clone containing the full-length cDNA encoding SI was isolated from the patient's intestinal tissue and from normal controls. Sequencing of the cDNA revealed a single mutation, A/C at nucleotide 3298 in the coding region of the sucrase subunit of the enzyme complex. The mutation leads to a substitution of the glutamine residue by a proline at amino acid 1098 (Q1098P). The Q1098P mutation lies in a region that is highly conserved between sucrase and isomaltase from different species and several other structurally and functionally related proteins. This is the first report that characterizes a point mutation in the SI gene that is responsible for the transport incompetence of SI and for its retention between the ER and the Golgi.

Biogenesis of intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase in adults with lactose intolerance. Evidence for reduced biosynthesis and slowed-down maturation in enterocytes.

Enzymatic activity, biosynthesis, and maturation of lactasephlorizin hydrolase (LPH) were investigated in adult volunteers with suspected lactose intolerance. Mean LPH activity in jejunal biopsy homogenates of these individuals was 31% compared to LPH-persistent individuals, and was accompanied by a reduced level of LPH-protein. Mean sucrase activity in individuals with low LPH was increased to 162% and was accompanied by an increase in sucrase-isomaltase (SI)-protein. Biosynthesis of LPH, SI, and aminopeptidase N (APN) was studied in organ culture of small intestinal biopsy specimens. In individuals with LPH restriction, the rate of synthesis of LPH was drastically decreased, reaching just 6% of the LPH-persistent group after 20 h of culture, while the rate of synthesis of SI appeared to be increased. In addition, maturation of pro-LPH to mature LPH occurred at a slower rate in LPH-restricted tissue. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed an accumulation of immunoreactive LPH in the Golgi region of enterocytes from LPH-restricted individuals and reduced labeling of microvillus membranes. Therefore, lactose intolerance in adults is mainly due to a decreased biosynthesis of LPH, either at the transcriptional or translational level. In addition, intracellular transport and maturation is retarded in some of the LPH-restricted individuals, and this leads to an accumulation of newly synthesized LPH in the Golgi and a failure of LPH to reach the microvillus membrane.

Analysis of a naturally occurring mutation in sucrase-isomaltase: glutamine 1098 is not essential for transport to the surface of COS-1 cells.

A glutamine for proline substitution at position 1098 was previously shown to result in accumulation of brush-border sucrase-isomaltase in the Golgi apparatus. The substitution is present in a highly homologous region of the protein, and results in a comparable accumulation when introduced into the same region in lysosomal alpha-glucosidase. To study the importance of the glutamine-1098, we analyzed the transport compatibility of two mutants in which glutamine-1098 is substituted by lysine or alanine. Both mutants were transported to the cell surface and processed comparable to wild type. We concluded that glutamine-1098 is not essential for transport to the cell surface.

Immunoelectron microscopy reveals significant granule fusion upon stimulation of electropermeabilized human neutrophils.

Although electropermeabilization has become an important tool for studying the signal requirements of exocytosis, relatively little is known about the morphological changes accompanying this response in electropermeabilized cells. In this study, we determined that electropermeabilization of human neutrophils by itself caused only minor changes in the morphology as determined by transmission electron microscopy. The structure of the plasma membrane did not show detectable changes, whereas the cytoplasm was more electron lucent as compared to intact cells. Activation of intact neutrophils with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), in the presence of cytochalasin-B, caused the development of invaginations of the plasma membrane. In contrast, activation of electropermeabilized cells with 1 microM Ca2+ and/or 50 microM GTP-gamma-S caused the development of vacuoles that did not seem to be in contact (or had previously been in contact) with the extracellular environment. However, fusion of azurophilic and specific granules with these vacuoles clearly had taken place. The response characteristics of this fusion induced by Ca2+ and GTP-gamma-S were quite similar to those of the direct fusion of granules with the plasma membrane. We conclude that in electropermeabilized human neutrophils, two processes involving granule fusion can be distinguished. First, a direct fusion of granules with the plasma membrane. Secondly, the fusion of granules leading to the formation of vacuoles, not in contact with the extracellular space.

Expression of 5'nucleotidase activity and wheat-germ agglutinin binding sites in mononuclear phagocytes from bone marrow cultures.

The question as to whether the various types of mononuclear phagocyte found in bone marrow cultures and recognized by specific peroxidatic (PO) activity patterns differ in the expression of binding sites for the lectin wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA) and the activity of the ectoenzyme 5'nucleotidase (5'N) was investigated. Monoblasts, promonocytes, monocytes, and/or exudate macrophages, and exudate-resident macrophages generally showed a high level of WGA binding, and a considerably lower level was found in the PO-negative cells and in resident macrophages. 5'N activity was absent in monoblasts, promonocytes, and in the great majority of the monocytes and/or exudate macrophages, but was demonstrable in exudate-resident macrophages and resident macrophages, as well as in PO-negative macrophages after 4 days of culture. On the basis of the successive occurrence of the above-mentioned phenotypes in cultures, the possibility that this diversity in WGA binding and 5'N activity is related to modulation during cell differentiation is discussed. The present findings led to the conclusion that the PO-negative macrophages, whose origin was previously not entirely certain, are precursors of resident macrophages.

The endocytosis of asbestos by mouse peritoneal macrophages and its long-term effect on iron accumulation and labyrinth formation.

The effect of a single intraperitoneal injection of crocidolite asbestos fibres on the peritoneal cell population were studied. Attention was paid to the changes in the proportions taken by the various types of cell in this population after peritoneal stimulation as well as the handling of asbestos fibres by the peritoneal cells and the formation of asbestos bodies. Intraperitoneal administration of crocidolite led to an influx of inflammatory cells into the peritoneal cavity. The asbestos fibres were phagocytosed and gradually cleared from the peritoneal cavity. Long before this clearance was completed, the peritoneal cell population had returned to the steady state. The stimulated peritoneal macrophages showed increasing concentrations of iron in both lysosomes and the cytoplasm. At later time points, residual bodies containing iron and asbestos fibres were seen frequently in macrophages, but asbestos bodies were not found. As a reaction to the administration of crocidolite asbestos, macrophages from the peritoneal cavity develop tubular systems (labyrinths) that increase in number and size.

The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor is not involved in the polarized secretion of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase from Caco-2 cells.

In the human adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 a substantial amount of a precursor form of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-glucosidase is not segregated into lysosomes, but instead secreted from the apical membrane. In this study we addressed the question whether this process is mediated by mannose 6-phosphate receptors. The subcellular distribution of the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor was studied by means of electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. The bulk of label was found in the perinuclear region in electron-lucent and dense vesicles, some of the latter bearing a coat. Receptor-containing dense vesicles were also found throughout the cytoplasm. In the apical part of the cells, label for the receptor was present over the surrounding membrane and the interior vesicles of multivesicular bodies, but not over lysosomes. Label on the plasma membrane was mainly restricted to the apical domain. In contrast to alpha-glucosidase, the secreted forms of the lysosomal enzymes cathepsin D, beta-hexosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase are mainly found in the basolateral medium. Enzyme activity measurements and immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled cells showed that incubation with NH4Cl leads to an enhanced secretion of these enzymes into the basolateral medium, but has no effect on the basolateral secretion of alpha-glucosidase. In addition, NH4Cl caused a minor decrease in the secretion of these enzymes from the apical side and had little or no effect on the secretion of alpha-glucosidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immuno-electronmicroscopical localization of a microvillus membrane disaccharidase in the human small-intestinal epithelium with monoclonal antibodies.

The cellular localization of the human intestinal disaccharidase, sucrase-isomaltase, was visualized in ultrathin cryosections by the use of specific monoclonal antibodies [25] followed by protein A-gold. The principle site of immunoreaction concerned the microvillus membrane, which supports current concepts of the localization of these hydrolases. One antibody against sucrase-isomaltase also showed labeling of the Golgi apparatus, apical vesicles, and lysosomes, but not of the basolateral membrane. The labeling of the Golgi complex was uniform, suggesting the absence of accumulation of sucrase-isomaltase in cisternae during its passage through this organelle. Absence of labeling of the basolateral membrane appears to support the view that newly synthesized sucrase-isomaltase is transferred directly from the Golgi complex to the microvillus membrane, bypassing the basolateral membrane. However, the results do not exclude the possibility of a very rapid passage through the basolateral membrane. A substantial fraction of the sucrase-isomaltase occurred in lysosomes, which indicates that this organelle plays a major role in the catabolism of microvillar hydrolases. Transport of sucrase-isomaltase to lysosomes might occur by endocytosis or via the crinophagic pathway. The latter was previously postulated to reflect a regulatory mechanism at the post-Golgi level for the surface expression of microvillar membrane proteins.

On the origin of the FcRIII (CD16)-containing vesicle population in human neutrophil granulocytes.

Human blood neutrophils bear two types of Fc receptors that recognize the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G: FcRII and FcRIII. In earlier studies we found that neutrophils not only express FcRIII on their plasma membrane but also contain a large population of FcRIII-containing vesicles mainly located in the juxtanuclear area. To find out whether these vesicles derive from the plasma membrane, we used electron microscopic techniques to study compartments involved in ligand-independent endocytosis in human neutrophil granulocytes. The endocytic compartments were labeled with BSA-gold. This marker entered the cell through non-coated invaginations of the plasma membrane as well as via coated pits. After internalization, BSA-gold was present in numerous electron-lucent vesicles in the juxtanuclear area and in the trans-Golgi reticulum, endosomes, and lysosome-like structures. FcRIII also occurred in the BSA-gold-containing electron-lucent vesicles in the juxtanuclear area, as shown by postembedding immunocytochemical labeling of FcRIII in cells already containing BSA-gold. Quantification showed that 29% of all FcRIII-containing vesicles also bear BSA-gold while the remaining 71% contain only the receptor. In sum, our findings show that one third of the FcRIII-containing electron-lucent vesicles in neutrophil granulocytes derive from the plasma membrane and are involved in ligand-independent endocytosis of FcRIII. The majority of these vesicles, however, are not of an endocytic origin and might constitute an "internal pool" of receptors in these cells.

Intracellular localization and endocytosis of brush border enzymes in the enterocyte-like cell line Caco-2.

Immunoelectron microscopy was used to localize the brush border hydrolases sucrase-isomaltase (SI) and dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV) in the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2. Both enzymes were detected at the microvillar membrane, in small vesicles and multivesicular bodies (MVBs), and in lysosomal bodies. In addition, DPPIV was found in the Golgi apparatus, a variety of apical vesicles and tubules, and at the basolateral membrane. To investigate whether the hydrolases present in the lysosomal bodies were endocytosed from the apical membrane, endocytic compartments were marked with the endocytic tracer cationized ferritin (CF). After internalization from the apical membrane through coated pits, CF was first recovered in apical vesicles and tubules, and larger electronlucent vesicles (early endosomes), and later accumulated in MVBs (late endosomes) and lysosomal bodies. DPPIV was localized in a subpopulation of both early and late endocytic vesicles, which contained CF after 3 and 15 min of uptake, respectively. Also, internalization of the specific antibody against DPPIV and gold labeling on cryosections showed endocytosed DPPIV in both early and late endosomes. However, unlike CF, no accumulation of DPPIV was seen in MVBs or lysosomal bodies after longer chase times. The results indicate that in Caco-2 cells the majority of brush border hydrolases present in lysosomal bodies are not endocytosed from the brush border membrane. Furthermore, the labeling patterns obtained, suggest that late endosomes may be involved in the recycling of endocytosed DPPIV to the microvilli.

Secretion of a precursor form of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase from the brush border of human kidney proximal tubule cells.

We have shown previously (R.P.J. Oude Elferink, E.M. Brouwer-Kelder, I. Surya, A. Strijland, M. Kroos, A.J.J. Reuser, J.M. Tager, Eur. J. Biochem. 139, 489-495 (1984)) that human urine contains considerable amounts of a precursor form of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase (about 50% of the total alpha-glucosidase activity present). We have now purified alpha-glucosidase from human kidney. Only about 5 to 10% of the total lysosomal alpha-glucosidase present in kidney comprises the precursor form of the enzyme. By means of immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies, the precursor of alpha-glucosidase was detected in the brush border of the proximal tubule cells. Taking into account the amount of precursor alpha-glucosidase excreted daily into the urine and the amount present in the kidneys, we conclude that extensive secretion of precursor alpha-glucosidase occurs from the brush border of the proximal tubules.

Expression of Rab small GTPases in epithelial Caco-2 cells: Rab21 is an apically located GTP-binding protein in polarised intestinal epithelial cells.

Rab proteins belong to a subfamily of small GTP-binding protein genes of the Ras superfamily and play an important role in intracellular vesicular targeting. The presence of members of this protein family was examined in Caco-2 cells by a PCR-based strategy. Twenty-five different partial cDNA sequences were isolated, including 18 Rab protein family members. Seven novel human sequences, representing Rab2B, Rab6A', Rab6B, Rab10, Rab19B, Rab21 and Rab22A, were identified. For one clone, encoding Rab21, full-length cDNA was isolated from a Caco-2 cDNA library. Northern blot analysis showed a ubiquitous expression pattern of Rab21. To study Rab21 protein expression in Caco-2 cells, polyclonal antibodies were raised against GST-Rab21 fusion protein and characterised. The antibodies recognised Rab21 as a protein of approximately 25 kDa. Interestingly, the protein shows a general ER-like staining in nonpolarised Caco-2 cells in contrast to an apically located vesicle-like staining in polarised Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining on human jejunal tissue showed a predominant expression of Rab21 in the epithelial cell layer with high expression levels in the apical region, whereas stem cells in the crypts were negative. We therefore suggest an alternative role for Rab21 in the regulation of vesicular transport in polarised intestinal epithelial cells.

Identification of an intermediate compartment involved in protein transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus.

We have studied the role of a previously described tubulovesicular compartment near the cis-Golgi apparatus in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi protein transport by light and immunoelectron microscopy in Vero cells. The compartment is defined by a 53-kDa transmembrane protein designated p53. When transport of the vesicular stomatitis virus strain ts045 G protein was arrested at 39.5 degrees C, the G protein accumulated in the ER but had access to the p53 compartment. At 15 degrees C, the G protein was exported from the ER into the p53 compartment which formed a compact structure composed of vesicular and tubular profiles in close proximity to the Golgi. Upon raising the temperature to 32 degrees C, the G protein migrated through the Golgi apparatus while the p53 compartment resumed its normal structure again. These results establish the p53 compartment as the 15 degrees C intermediate of the ER-to-Golgi protein transport pathway.

Immunocytochemical demonstration of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-glucosidase in the brush border of human intestinal epithelial cells.

In investigations on the intracellular transport route(s) of lysosomal enzymes in polarized epithelial cells, we used immunocytochemical methods to localize lysosomal alpha-glucosidase in human small-intestinal epithelial cells. Two monoclonal antibodies which can discriminate between different biosynthetic forms of this enzyme were used. One monoclonal antibody, 43D1, which recognizes all forms of the enzyme, showed labeling of the Golgi apparatus, the lysosomes and, unexpectedly, of the brush border of the cells. Multivesicular bodies were free of label. In contrast, monoclonal antibody 43G8, which recognizes all forms except the 110,000 Da precursor of alpha-glucosidase, showed labeling of the lysosomes only. This leads us to conclude that the 110,000 Da precursor form of alpha-glucosidase is present in the Golgi apparatus and the brush border of human small-intestinal epithelial cells. Moreover, biochemical experiments show that this precursor copurifies with sucrase, a typical brush-border marker, when a partially purified microvilli fraction is prepared.

Enrichment of macrophages in cell suspensions of human intestinal mucosa by elutriation centrifugation.

To obtain macrophage-rich cell suspensions from human intestinal mucosa, lamina propria specimens were dissociated by incubating in EDTA-collagenase-DNAase solutions and further purified by counter-current centrifugation. During enzymatic incubation macrophage dissociation was linear over the first 8-10 h, reaching a maximum concentration of 10% of total cells and then it plateaued. Counter-current centrifugation resulted in a 5-fold enrichment of macrophages to a mean of 50% with an average recovery rate of 84%. Yields exceeded 0.69 X 10(5) macrophages/g mucosa. Greater than 90% of these cells phagocytosed Staphylococcus aureus, and could be maintained in culture for up to 8 days. Electron microscopy showed satisfactory preservation of the ultrastructure of the macrophages, which also seemed functionally intact.

Growth behavior of fibroblasts on microgrooved polystyrene.

We investigated the contact guidance phenomenon of rat dermal fibroblasts (RDF) on microgrooved polystyrene substrates. Grooves were 1 microm deep, and between 1 and 10 microm wide. Light microscopy and digital image analysis (DIA) showed that RDF were oriented on all microgrooved substrates. Scanning electron microscopy showed that RDF cultured on 1 or 2 microm wide grooves were positioned on top of the ridges. On the wider 5 and 10 microm grooves, the cells were able to descend into the grooves. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, focal adhesions were lying in the same direction as the actin filament where they attached to. DIA confirmed an orientational behavior of focal adhesions and actin filaments on microgrooves. There were no differences in the measured orientation between the different grooves. Besides, no obvious preference was found for focal adhesions to lie along edges of the surface ridges. Transmission electron microscopy showed that focal adhesions were able to bend along the edges of ridges. On the basis of our observations, we suggest that the breakdown and formation of fibrous cellular components, especially in the filopodium, is influenced by the microgrooves. The microgrooves create a pattern of mechanical stress, which influences cell spreading and cause the cell to be aligned with surface microgrooves.

Quantitative analysis of cell proliferation and orientation on substrata with uniform parallel surface micro-grooves.

In order to quantify the effect of the substrata surface topography on cellular behaviour, planar and micro-textured silicon substrata were produced and made suitable for cell culture by radio frequency glow discharge treatment. These substrata possessed parallel surface grooves with a groove and ridge width of 2.0 (SilD02), 5.0 (SilD05) and 10 microns (SilD10). Groove depth was approximately 0.5 micron. Rat dermal fibroblasts (RDFs) were cultured on these substrata and a tissue culture polystyrene control surface for 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days. After incubation the cell proliferation was quantified with a Coulter Counter, and RDF size, shape and orientation with digital image analysis. Cell counts proved that neither the presence of the surface grooves nor the dimension of these grooves had an effect on the cell proliferation. However, RDFs on SilD02, and to a lesser extent on SilD05 substrata, were elongated and aligned parallel to the surface grooves. Orientation of the RDFs on SilD10 substrata proved to be almost comparable to the SilD00 substrata. Finally, it was observed that the cells on the micro-textured substrata were capable of spanning the surface grooves.