A case of neuroendocrine oncogenic osteomalacia associated with a PHEX and fibroblast growth factor-23 expressing sinusidal malignant schwannoma.

Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that is characterized biochemically by hypophosphatemia and low plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and clinically by osteomalacia, pseudofractures, bone pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. We present a patient with a malignant schwannoma as the underlying cause of this disorder. A permanent cell line (HMS-97) derived from this tumor showed evidence of neuroendocrine differentiation by immunohistochemistry and of neurosecretory activity by electron microscopy. The cell line did express PHEX (phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases located on the X-chromosome) and FGF-23 (fibroblast growth factor-23) transcripts on northern hybridization; however, none of the known mutations from the related mendelian disorders of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets or autosomal-dominant hypophosphatemic rickets could be detected. Tumor cell (HMS-97)-derived conditioned medium did not inhibit phosphate transport in a standard opossum kidney cell assay and in animal experiments. The medium also showed no PTH1- or PTH2-receptor-stimulating bioactivity. HMS-97 cells might be useful for further studies that aim to determine the genetic mechanism that leads to the observed PHEX and FGF-23 expression, both of which might have a direct role in the pathogenesis of oncogenic osteomalacia. In addition, these cells might be a useful tool for the investigation of neuroendocrine Schwann cell function and autoimmune peripheral nerve disease.

Differential induction of proto-oncogene expression and cell death in ocular tissues following ultraviolet irradiation of the rat eye.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of mammalian cells in culture evokes the transcriptional activation of different proto-oncogenes, among them members of the fos/jun family which are known to play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. To investigate in vivo UV induced proto-oncogene expression of irradiated ocular cells, the expression of JunB, JunD, and Egr-1 was analysed in the cornea, lens, and retina. Furthermore, UV radiation is known to induce pleiotrophic events in irradiated cells which include growth arrest, inflammation, and even cell death. In order to determine the type of cell death--for example, apoptosis versus necrosis, sections of UV irradiated rat eyes were further examined for distinct ultrastructural morphology of cell death and DNA fragmentation. METHODS: Eyes of anaesthetised rats were exposed to 1.5 J/cm2 of ultraviolet radiation (280-380 nm). Animals were perfused 6 and 16 hours after irradiation and tissue sections of enucleated bulbi were processed for light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Under control conditions, Jun B was constitutively expressed in numerous superficial cells but also in scattered basal cells of the corneal epithelium. After UV exposure JunB expression was massively upregulated in many cells of the basal cell layers of the corneal epithelium, although during the entire experiment, both the corneal stroma and endothelium were JunB negative. In contrast, Egr-1 was expressed exclusively in lens epithelium showing only a faint expression pattern under control conditions. However, Egr-1 expression increased after UV exposure, so that many Egr-1 positive cells of the lens epithelium could be found several hours after UV illumination. JunD was expressed in single cells of both the ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer of the retina, a pattern of expression which did not change after UV exposure. Regarding the type of cell death, features of apoptosis were only occasionally present in scattered superficial cells of the corneal epithelium of control eyes. After UV exposure, however, morphological signs of apoptosis and TUNEL positive cells were visible both in the stroma and epithelium of the rat cornea. In contrast, UV irradiated lens epithelial cells exhibited features typical of necrosis. The corneal endothelium and the retina did not show any indications of morphological changes indicative of cell death after UV irradiation. CONCLUSION: Each proto-oncogene encoded protein was found to be expressed in a tissue specific manner and UV irradiation differentially modulates the expression pattern of these transcriptional regulatory proteins. This temporospatial expression pattern of these proteins is accompanied by two morphologically distinct types of cell death in the cornea and lens after UV irradiation.

Light and electron microscopic localization of D-aspartate oxidase in peroxisomes of bovine kidney and liver: an immunocytochemical study.

D-Aspartate oxidase (EC 1.4.3.1; D-ASPOX) specifically oxidizes the D-isomers of dicarboxylic amino acids such as aspartic or glutamic acid. Subcellular fractionation experiments in the past showed its association with peroxisome preparations in kidney cortex and liver. However, no information exists on the in situ localization and distribution of the enzyme in different cell types. We have purified the enzyme from the bovine kidney and raised an antibody against it in rabbits. The monospecificity of the antibody has been confirmed by Western blotting and it does not crossreact with D-amino, acid oxidase. Immunohistochemical localization of the antigen in bovine kidney and liver with the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique revealed a punctate localization in the epithelial cells of proximal nephron tubules, particularly in the straight P-3 segment, as well as in hepatocytes. This is consistent with a localization in peroxisomes. Best results have been obtained with Carnoy-fixed material after paraffin embedding or after fixation with formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde in cryostat sections. Immunoelectron microscopy with protein A-gold confirms the peroxisomal localization of D-ASPOX. Gold particles are distributed over the matrix, suggestive of a peroxisomal matrix enzyme. This is the first report on the localization of D-ASPOX, a little-known peroxisomal enzyme. The techniques described and the antibody prepared will now allow systematic investigation of its tissue distribution.

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of the isozymes of L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase in renal peroxisomes of beef and sheep: evidence of distinct intraorganellar subcompartmentation.

L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase (HAOX), a peroxisomal marker enzyme in mammals, exists in two isozymic forms, HAOX A (EC 1.1.3.1) and HAOX B (EC 1.3.4.2), which differ in their substrate specificity. In rat tissues HAOX A is found exclusively in hepatocyte peroxisomes and HAOX B in renal peroxisomes. Recently we found enzymatic evidence that highly purified peroxisome preparations from beef and sheep kidney cortex contain both isozymes. In situ, the peroxisomes in the proximal tubule cells of both species exhibit peculiar angular outlines apparently due to the presence of multiple marginal plates. Marginal plates are plate-like crystalline matrix inclusions which are apposed to the inner aspect of the peroxisomal membrane. In this study monospecific antibodies against HAOX A and B proteins purified from rat liver and kidney, respectively, were raised in rabbits and used to study the intraorganellar localization of each isozyme in beef and sheep kidney cortex peroxisomes. Incubation of ultra-thin sections of LR White-embedded tissue with anti-HAOX A or B followed by protein A-gold revealed that in both species HAOX A is present diffusely in the peroxisomal matrix, whereas HAOX B is localized almost exclusively in the membrane associated marginal plates. This is the first report on the in situ immunocytochemical characterization of marginal plates, which are the most common inclusions in the matrix of renal peroxisomes.

Purification of marginal plates from bovine renal peroxisomes: identification with L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase B.

The matrix of mammalian peroxisomes frequently contains crystalline inclusions. The most common inclusions are membrane associated plate-like "marginal plates" of hitherto unknown nature in renal peroxisomes and central polytubular "cores" composed of urate oxidase in hepatic peroxisomes. In bovine kidney, peroxisomes of proximal tubules exhibit peculiar angular shapes that are caused by multiple marginal plates (Zaar, K., and H.D. Fahimi. 1990. Cell Tissue Res. 260:409-414). Enriched or highly purified peroxisome preparations from this source were used to purify and characterize marginal plates. By SDS-PAGE, one major polypeptide of Mr 33,500 was observed that corresponded to the marginal plate protein. This polypeptide was identified by its enzymatic activity as well as by immunoblotting and preembedding immunocytochemistry as the isozyme B of L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase (EC 1.4.3.2). Morphologically, marginal plates were revealed to consist of rectangular straight-edged sheets, exhibiting a defined crystalline lattice structure. The sheets apparently are composed of a single layer of protomers which associate laterally to form a plate-like structure. As deduced from the negative staining results and the additional information of the thickness of marginal plates, each protomer seems to consist of eight subunits forming a cube-like array. The tendency of L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase B to self-associate in vitro (Philips, D.R., J.A. Duley, D.J. Fennell, and R.S. Holmes. 1976. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 427:679-687) corresponds to the mode of association of cubical protomers to form the so-called marginal plates in renal peroxisomes.

Rapid aggregation and tight junction formation in single cell suspensions of tumor cells after very low dose trypsin treatment.

The possible participation of tight junction formation in intercellular adhesion of tumor cells was studied in single cell suspensions of HT29 adenocarcinoma cells. Very low dose trypsin treatment (0.15 micrograms/ml, 30 min, 37 degrees C) induced rapid intercellular adhesion of suspended HT29 colon carcinoma cells. Intercellular adhesion was independent of the presence of divalent cations. Electron microscopy of freeze-fractured membrane fragments of trypsin-treated HT29 cells revealed a dramatic increase of typical tight junction structures during aggregation.

A freeze-etch study of angular marginal-plate-containing peroxisomes in the proximal tubules of bovine kidney.

The ultrastructure of peroxisomes in the proximal nephron tubules of bovine kidney cortex was studied using ultrathin-sectioning, diaminobenzidine cytochemistry for the visualization of catalase, and by freeze-fracture. Peroxisomes in this nephron segment are up to 1.5 microns in diameter and exhibit a peculiar angular shape, which is probably related to the occurrence of multiple straight plate-like inclusions (marginal plates) in the matrix of peroxisomes; they lie directly underneath the peroxisomal membranes. The peroxisomal membrane in such regions follows the outline of the marginal plate. The peculiar shape of peroxisomes allows their unequivocal identification in freeze-fracture preparations. Peroxisomal membranes are recognized by their flat, often rectangular appearance. Intramembrane particles are much more numerous on P-fracture faces than on E-fracture faces. A crystalline lattice-structure with a periodicity of approximately 10 nm can be observed on the flat rectangular areas of E-fracture faces. This lattice structure is intensified after prolonged freeze-etching. Intramembranous particles seem to be superimposed over this pattern. The crystalline pattern on the E-fracture faces of peroxisomal membranes is probably not a membrane structure but it reveals the structure of the membrane-associated marginal plates. A cast of the marginal-plate surface may be generated by a collapse of the peroxisomal membrane half onto the immediately underlying matrix inclusion.

D-aspartate oxidase in rat, bovine and sheep kidney cortex is localized in peroxisomes.

D-Aspartate oxidase (EC 1.4.3.1) was assayed in subcellular fractions and in highly purified peroxisomes from rat, bovine and sheep kidney cortex as well as from rat liver. During all steps of subcellular-fractionation procedures, D-aspartate oxidase co-fractionated with peroxisomal marker enzymes. In highly purified preparations of peroxisomes, the enrichment of D-aspartate oxidase activity over the homogenate is about 32-fold, being comparable with that of the peroxisomal marker enzymes catalase and D-amino acid oxidase. Disruption of the peroxisomes by freezing and thawing released more than 90% of the enzyme activity, which is typical for soluble peroxisomal-matrix proteins. Our findings provide strong evidence that in these tissues D-aspartate oxidase is a peroxisomal-matrix protein and should be added as an additional flavoprotein oxidase to the known set of peroxisomal oxidases.

Association of isolated bovine kidney cortex peroxisomes with endoplasmic reticulum.

Close lateral membrane associations of peroxisomes with endoplasmic reticulum are a common feature in bovine kidney cortex epithelial cells. Isolated highly purified peroxisome preparations from this tissue showed a remarkable and persistent copurification of peroxisomal marker enzymes with small amounts (5%) of the microsomal reference enzymes esterase and glucose-6-phosphatase. Contamination with mitochondrial and lysosomal markers was negligible. Ultrastructural examination of such preparations revealed a peculiar association of vesicles or short tubular segments with the peroxisomal membrane. Short electron dense crossbridges seemed to maintain their structural association. The cytochemical localization of glucose-6-phosphatase in peroxisome-associated membrane structures confirmed their derivation from endoplasmic reticulum. The metabolic significance of such structural peroxisome-endoplasmic reticulum associations is discussed.

Pipecolic acid is oxidized by renal and hepatic peroxisomes. Implications for Zellweger's cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome (CHRS).

Increased levels of pipecolic acid have been reported in patients with cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome (CHRS) of Zellweger and the general deficiency of peroxisomal function has been implicated in its pathogenesis. We have therefore investigated the capacity of normal peroxisomes to metabolize pipecolic acid. Highly purified peroxisomes were obtained from rat liver and rat and beef kidney cortex by a recently developed method using metrizamide gradients and a vertical rotor. These preparations oxidized D,L-pipecolic acid as evidenced by the measurement of H2O2 production. Incubation with either the D- or L-isomer revealed that almost exclusively D-pipecolate is oxidized. The specific activities proved to be 20-50 times higher in renal than in hepatic peroxisomes. A commercially available crystalline suspension of D-amino acid oxidase from porcine kidney also oxidized the pipecolic acid with the following rates 54:36:1 respectively for D-:,D,L-:L-isomers. Incubation of vibratome sections of rat kidney and liver in a medium containing D-pipecolic acid and cerous ions, revealed electron-dense deposits over the matrix of peroxisomes confirming the localization also by fine structural cytochemistry. These observations demonstrate the capability of mammalian peroxisomes to oxidize pipecolic acid and suggest that the absence or deficiency of peroxisomal D-amino acid oxidase may be implicated in the pathogenesis of hyperpipecolatemia in Zellweger's CHRS.

Isolation and characterization of peroxisomes from the renal cortex of beef, sheep, and cat.

The isolation and characterization of highly purified and structurally well-preserved peroxisomes from the renal cortex of different mammalian species (beef, sheep, and cat) is reported. Renal cortex tissue was homogenized and a peroxisome-enriched light mitochondrial fraction was prepared by differential centrifugation. This was subfractionated by density-dependent banding on a linear gradient of metrizamide (1.12-1.26 g/cm3) using a Beckman VTi 50 vertical rotor. Peroxisomes banded at a mean density of 1.225 cm3. Ultrastructural morphometric examination revealed that peroxisomes made up 97 to 98% of the isolated fractions. By biochemical analysis the contamination with marker enzymes of mitochondria and lysosomes was extremely low. The specific activity of catalase was enriched, depending on the species, between 28- and 38-fold over the homogenate. Peroxisome preparations from all three species exhibited a high but varying level of activity for cyanide-insensitive lipid beta-oxidation. In beef and sheep preparations a small amount of esterase activity cosediments with peroxisomes. These peroxisomes show distinct structural membrane associations with smooth elements of ER. Urate oxidase, a marker enzyme for rat liver peroxisomes, is found only in peroxisomes prepared from beef kidney cortex, with sheep and cat preparations being negative. This correlated with the occurrence of polytubular inclusions in the beef kidney peroxisomes. The large size and the angular shape of isolated peroxisomes as well as the presence of paracrystalline matrical inclusions imply that the majority of peroxisomes are derived from the epithelial cells of the proximal tubule of the kidney cortex. The significant differences found in the characteristics of the renal peroxisomes in three different species investigated, demonstrate the remarkable adaptability and plasticity of this organelle.

Electron microscopic cytochemical localization of alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase in rat kidney cortex. Heterogeneous staining of peroxisomes.

The substrate specificity of alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase in the rat kidney has been investigated cytochemically by the cerium technique and biochemically with a luminometric assay applied to isolated renal peroxisomes. Rat kidneys were fixed by perfusion via the abdominal aorta with a low concentration (0.25%) of glutaraldehyde. Vibratome sections were incubated for 60 min at 37 degrees C in a medium containing 3 mM CeCl3, 100 mM NaN3 and 5 mM of an alpha-hydroxyacid in 0.1 M Pipes or 0.1 M Tris-maleate buffer both adjusted to pH 7.8. Ten aliphatic alpha-hydroxyacids with chain lengths between 2 and 8 carbon atoms and two aromatic substrates were tested. The alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase in the kidney exhibited a markedly different substrate specificity than the corresponding enzyme in the liver. Thus glycolate gave a negative reaction while two aromatic substrates, mandelic acid and phenyllactic acid, stained prominently. With aliphatic substrates a stronger reaction was obtained in Pipes than in the Tris-maleate buffered incubation media. The best reaction in the kidney was obtained with hydroxybutyric acid. These cytochemical findings were confirmed by the luminometric determination of the oxidase activity in isolated purified peroxisome fractions. By electron microscopy the electron dense reaction product of cerium perhydroxide was found in the matrix of peroxisomes in the proximal tubules. The intensity of reaction varied markedly in neighbouring epithelial cells but also in different peroxisomes within the same cell. Thus heavily stained particles were seen next to lightly reacted ones. These observations establish the substrate specificity of alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase in the rat kidney and demonstrate the marked heterogeneity in the staining of renal peroxisomes for this enzyme.

Peroxisomes in sebaceous glands. III. Morphological similarities of peroxisomes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi stacks in the circumanal gland of the dog.

In the canine circumanal gland, the morphological alterations of peroxisomes during differentiation and maturation of the glandular cells were studied by electron microscopy, cytochemistry and freeze-etch technique. Each of the following three cell types has its own characteristic peroxisomal population: 1) The basal cell contains only a few small peroxisomes, which appear as spherical and tubular profiles showing strong DAB reaction. In the differentiating basal cells, these are joined by a few dilated, hemispherical organelles with intensely stained small marginal plates. 2) In the intermediate cell, additional to spherical and tubular peroxisomes, numerous elongated organelles with distinct marginal plates are observed, displaying weak catalase activity. 3) In the mature cell, dumbbell-shaped peroxisomes with enlarged marginal plates predominate. Serial section analysis and freeze-etching studies reveal that these dilated particles are of erythrocyte-like shape. They exhibit very weak catalase activity or do not contain any visible DAB reaction product. In their flattened, thin central portions, the membranes enclose the marginal plates and form straight cisternae, which are closely associated with adjacent fenestrated cisternae of ER on both sides, referred to as paramarginal cisternae. Dumbbell-shaped peroxisomes with their corresponding paramarginal cisternae form large peroxisome-ER-complexes. Furthermore, three to five dumbbell-shaped particles are often stacked in parallel. Only at their flat poles are the organelles in close contact with paramarginal cisternae. The observation of continuities, in particular between erythrocyte-like organelles and tubular peroxisomes in mature glandular cells, indicates the existence of a peroxisomal compartment composed of two segments in the mature stage. In freeze-etch replicas of mature glandular cells, only the dilated segments of the peroxisomal compartment can be easily recognized because of their unusual size and erythrocyte-like shape. Additionally, on the E-face of their central portion, a straight, square or rectangular area with a distinct crystalline pattern is seen, which corresponds to the marginal plate. These findings indicate that the circumanal gland of the dog offers a unique possibility to analyze the biological properties of a well-defined peroxisomal compartment.

The pig mesonephros. II. The proximal tubule: SEM, TEM and freeze-fracture images.

The ultrastructure of the proximal tubule of mature mesonephric nephrons was studied in perfusion-fixed pig embryos of the 41st gestational day. Despite its 8-12 mm long course, the proximal tubule possesses no cytologically different subsegments except its very last cells at the abrupt transition into the distal tubule. The first brush-bordered proximal tubule cells stand considerably within Bowman's capsule, abuting its attenuated cells. In SEM specimens, the average luminal cell diameters are 8 X 13 micron. The cells are 6-11 micron in height with overlying microvilli 2-4 micron long. Lateral faces of perfectly disjoined cells exhibit plate-like interdigitating processes projecting more than 5 micron deep into the neighboring cells. The basal cell face is completely covered with microvilli. The TEM pictures reveal an endocytic apparatus largely matching its metanephric counterpart. Mitochondria account for 23% of the cytoplasm and together with the many basolateral cell membranes indicate a high capacity for energy-dependent transport processes. Small basal lipid droplets represent a species peculiarity. Freeze-fracture specimens show an electrocoupling of the cells by gap junctions. The tight junction, with only 1-2 strands, characterizes a "leaky" epithelium. In most features, this tissue is as mature as its metanephric counterpart.

Visualization of pores (export sites) correlated with cellulose production in the envelope of the gram-negative bacterium Acetobacter xylinum.

The Gram-negative bacterium Acetobacter xylinum assembles a cellulse ribbon composed of a number of microfibrils in the longitudinal axis of its envelope. The zone of ribbon assembly was investigated by freeze-etch electron microscopy. Freeze-etching revealed, beneath the cellulose ribbons, a linear array of pores on the lipopolysaccharide membrane. These pores have a rim diameter of 120--150 A and a central hole or deepening of approximately 35 A. The axes of pore arrays closely coincide with linear arrays of 100 A particles on the E- and P-faces of the fractured lipopolysaccharide membranes. Pores and particles in the lipopolysaccharide membrane are probably congruent. The pores are hypothesized to be the export sites (penetration sites) for cellulose.

The spherule wall of Physarum polycephalum: chemical analysis and electron microscopy.

1. The composition of purified wall fragments from the spherule wall of Physarum polycephalum has been studied. 2. Spherule wall fragments consist of two major components. More than one-half of the wall material is glycoproteins. The remaining wall material after fractionation has a high carbohydrate to protein ratio and is suggested to be composed of proteoglycan(s). 3. The predominant monosaccharide constituent of the proteoglycan is galactosamine. The protein component is unique. It is composed almost entirely of phenylalanine (87--92 mol%). 4. Approx. 50% of these proteoglycans are resistant to alkali extraction and in negative stained preparation for the electron microscope consist of short spindle-shaped fibrils which measure 100 nm in length and 8 nm in diameter. These fibrils show a weak but distinct X-ray diffraction pattern.

Oleosomes (Spherosomes) from Daucus carota suspension culture cells.

Isolated oleosomes from Daucus carota L. cells are lipid droplets consisting mainly of triacylglycerols (>97%) and very little protein (1-2%). The boundary between the lipid phase and the cytosol, which is visible on electron micrographs, is not built up by a true phospholipid-containing unit or half unit membrane. Enzymatic activities of lipid metabolism were not found to be associated with oleosomes with the exception of very low (contaminating) acyl-CoA:1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20) and relatively high acyl-CoA hydrolase (EC 3.1.2.2) activities. The triacylglycerols exhibited a half life time of about 70 h, which is below the generation time of the cells (80-90 h). The fatty acid pattern of triacylglycerols was very similar to that of polar cellular membrane lipids.