Is there a role for actin in virus budding?

Electrophoretic data from both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE) and acid-urea gels reveal a protein in purified murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) which co-migrates with purified chick skeletal muscle actin. 125I-labeling of intact and disrupted virus preparations shows that the actin-like protein is not artifactually adsorbed to the outside of virions during isolation. Quantitative SDS-PAGE and examination of negatively stained preparations show that the actin cannot be accounted for by a contaminating population of virus-free vesicles. The ultrastructure of mammary epithelial cells and of Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts shows that virus extrusion is associated with filament-containing cellular processes. In particular, MuMTV is released from the ends of long microvilli which contain a bundle of 6-8-nm microfilaments and share other structural features with intestinal microvilli. We suggest that virus nucleoids require an interaction with host cell contractile proteins for their extrusion from the cell.

Cells isolated from the embryonic neural retina differ in behavior in vitro and membrane structure.

Several subpopulations of cells were isolated from trypsin-dissociated embryonic (14 days) chick retinas. The cells of each subpopulation differed in associative behavior measured by cell aggregation and stationary culture assays and in glycoproteins that contain glucosamine. Freeze-fracture analysis showed that these populations also differed in intramembrane particle content.

Autophagic dysfunction and autophagosome escape in the mdx mus musculus model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

AIM: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by the absence of functional dystrophin protein and results in a host of secondary effects. Emerging evidence suggests that dystrophic pathology includes decreased pro-autophagic signalling and suppressed autophagic flux in skeletal muscle, but the relationship between autophagy and disease progression is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which basal autophagy changes with disease progression. We hypothesized that autophagy impairment would increase with advanced disease. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, 7-week-old and 17-month-old dystrophic diaphragms were compared to each other and age-matched controls. RESULTS: Changes in protein markers of autophagy indicate impaired autophagic stimulation through AMPK, however, robust pathway activation in dystrophic muscle, independent of disease severity. Relative protein abundance of p62, an inverse correlate of autophagic degradation, was dramatically elevated with disease regardless of age. Likewise, relative protein abundance of Lamp2, a lysosome marker, was decreased twofold at 17 months of age in dystrophic muscle and was confirmed, along with mislocalization, in histological samples, implicating lysosomal dysregulation in this process. In dystrophic muscle, autophagosome-sized p62-positive foci were observed in the extracellular space. Moreover, we found that autophagosomes were released from both healthy and dystrophic diaphragms into the extracellular environment, and the occurrence of autophagosome escape was more frequent in dystrophic muscle. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest autophagic dysfunction proceeds independent of disease progression and blunted degradation of autophagosomes is due in part to decreased lysosome abundance, and contributes to autophagosomal escape to the extracellular space.

The morphology of murine oncornaviruses following different methods of preparation for electron microscopy.

The effect of different preparative procedures for electron microscopy on the size and shape of murine oncornaviruses has been studied. With conventional negative staining procedures using neutral sodium phosphotungstate, both murine mammary tumor virus and murine leukemia virus appeared in head-and-tail forms, with a peak head diameter of 122 and 130 nm, respectively. Negative staining with uranyl accetate gave round virions with peak diameters of 148 and 130 nm. Prefixed virus was round with peak diameters of 141 and 130 nm, respectively, in phosphotungstate, and 148 and 117 nm, respectively, in uranyl acetate. With thin sections, the peak diameters were 143 and 123 nm. The preservation of the spherical shape of the virus was obtained by glutaraldehyde fixation dehydration in alcholic solutions of uranyl acetate, and critical point drying. Under these conditions the viruses had peak diameters of 99 and 82 nm, respectively. The size of murine mammary tumor virus has always been found to be larger than murine leukemia virus in all preparations except for negative staining with neutral sodium phosphotungstate. Shadowing of the virion preparations revealed considerable flattening of the particles in all cases except for critical point drying. Negatively stained preparations did not cast any shadow, and thus thethickness of the particles could not be evaluated. Virus can be reversibly converted from spherical to head-and-tail forms by altering osmotic strength. Under most of the conditions used, murine mammary tumor virus gave a bimodal size distribution with significant numbers of particles that were smaller than the major virus size.

Procedures for radioimmunoassay of the mouse mammary tumor virus.

A procedure for radioimmunoassay of the major glycoprotein antigen derived from murine mammary tumor virus is described. The assay is sensitive to 0.05 ng of antigen and is highly reproducible. The antigen, gp55, has been found to be group specific and will detect viruses in 13 separate mouse strains, as wel .l as from continuous cell lines. Factors affecting the assay have been examined.

The use of avidin as a probe for the distribution of mitochondrial carboxylases in developing chick retina.

During development, the inner chick retina progresses from an aerobic to an anaerobic metabolic basis because of the lack of a vascular system. To investigate this process further, we have examined the expression and distribution of mitochondrial carboxylases. Because these enzymes use covalently bound biotin as a co-enzyme, we were able to develop a new detection protocol for mitochondria using avidin as a probe for the biotin. Chemiluminescent detection of bound avidin-peroxidase was used to examine a developmental series of extracts of retinas that had been separated by electrophoresis and blotted to nitrocellulose. Avidin-peroxidase, visualized with the sensitive peroxidase substrate True Blue, permitted detection in epoxy-embedded tissue sections. In the extracts, specific bands of approximate molecular weights 130 and 70 kD were found, corresponding to biotinylated subunits of several mitochondrial carboxylases. During development, the intensity of the bands decreases, although at different rates. In tissue sections, 8-day embryonic retinas display reaction product throughout the tissue, with higher local concentrations in the vitread and sclerad regions. During further development, the reaction product becomes segregated into bands at the borders of the plexiform layers. As the photoreceptors mature, stain becomes concentrated in the developing ellipsoids and the sclerad ends of Müller cells.

Retinal flat cells are a substrate that facilitates retinal neuron growth and fiber formation.

When embryonic chick neural retinas are dissociated into a suspension of single cells and plated in stationary cultures, "flat cells" spread out and form a monolayer to which the neuronal cells attach. It has been shown previously that the flat cells are related to the Müller cell population of the retina. The neuronal cells form aggregates interconnected by bundles of axon-like fibers. The authors have been able to isolate relatively pure flat cells by shaking off the neuronal aggregates after 5 or 6 days of culture. In order to determine if the flat cells have a unique relationship with the neuronal cells, freshly dissociated neural retina cells were added to monolayers of flat cells and their behavior compared to that on chick embryo mesodermal cells. It has been observed by phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy that the growth behavior of the retina cells on flat cells is significantly different from that on mesodermal cells. On flat cells, neuronal retina cells form flat patches in which new growing flat cells fuse with the monolayer, and neuronal cells attach as single cells or small clusters. Axon-like fibers are present several hours after plating, and by day 4 an extensive network of fibers connects single cells and clusters on the surface of the monolayer. When retina cells are plated onto mesodermal cells, the cells form aggregates which are organized along the long axis of the mesodermal cells. The flat cells provide a unique substrate for the differentiation and neurite extension of neuronal cells from embryonic chick retina.

Retinal flat cells participate in the formation of fibers by retinal neuroblasts in vitro. Time lapse video studies.

Freshly dissociated cells from embryonic chick neural retinas grow in characteristic patterns on flat cells or on chick embryo mesodermal cells. A striking difference between the two patterns is that the cells grown on flat cells are interconnected by a complex network of fibers, whereas those grown on mesodermal cells are aggregated into clusters that remain relatively isolated within the mesodermal monolayer. Analysis by time-lapse video microscopy indicates that two processes produce the fibers. (1) Fibers grow out by the extension of growth cones from cells within aggregates. (2) Neuronal cell aggregates that attach to two flat cells are pulled apart by the movement of the cells beneath them. As the aggregate is pulled apart, portions of the cells remain attached to the two halves, and their cytoplasm is drawn into thin fibers. The lack of fibers on a mesodermal substrate is due to two factors: (1) Aggregates are widely spaced on the substrate surface and do not come into contact often. (2) On those occasions when they do come into contact, the movement of the monolayer is so vigorous that emerging fibers are torn.

Purkinje cell number related to rate of classical conditioning.

The cerebellar cortex is normally involved (but not essential) in acquisition of the classically conditioned nictitating membrane response. Cerebellar Purkinje cells probably play a role in acquisition, but these cells are vulnerable to hypoxia, ischemia, and aging. Since large age differences exist in rate of conditioning, we suspected that the number of Purkinje cells in individual rabbits would correlate with learning rate. Purkinje cell counts were undertaken in 12 rabbits aged 3-50 months. The correlation between trials to learning criterion and Purkinje cells was -0.79. A second study used 18 3-month-old rabbits. Even with age held constant, the correlation was -0.60. Individual variation in Purkinje cell number accounts for significant variability in learning rate.

Use of a touch sensitive screen and computer assisted image analysis for quantitation of developmental changes in pulmonary structure.

The extensive changes in pulmonary function occurring during early development may reflect variations in the anatomic structure of the respiratory apparatus during this period. Accurate definition of these alterations could yield important information concerning the structure-function correlations of the respiratory system. To facilitate the acquisition of morphometric data from histologic sections of pulmonary tissues, we propose the use of a computer assisted image analysis system with a touch sensitive screen as an interactive peripheral. This allows planimetric measurements and computation of the dimensions of areas of selected light intensities within an image. We present the description, design, and applications of such an image analysis system and report representative results regarding developmental changes in pulmonary structure. In addition, we correlate these results with previously published information regarding pulmonary mechanics during early development to help clarify the maturational changes in pulmonary structure-function relationships.

Membrane alterations during chick neural retina development: a freeze-fracture study.

As part of a study of cell surface differentiation during chick retina development, a freeze-fracture study of neural retinas from 5 to 10 day embryonic chicks was undertaken. Three classes of changes have been detected. (1) As cells differentiate and become recognizable by their position within the tissue, they acquire characteristic numbers of intramembrane particles in the surfaces in each layer. (2) Small gap junctions appear between cells at the outer limiting membrane of the 5 day retina. At 6 days, they are larger, more numerous and are also found in deeper layers of the tissue. By the seventh day, the size and number of the junctions is greatly reduced; they are not visible after the tenth day. (3) The characteristic lack of particles in the outer limiting membrane of the mature retina appears at the ninth day of incubation, at the time that presumptive photoreceptors extend through the outer limiting membrane. Tight junctions between cells were not observed during this study.

Isolation and characterization of flat cells, a subpopulation of the embryonic chick retina.

When the embryonic neutral retina is dissociated into single cells which are maintained in stationary culture, the neuronal cells associate on the surfaces of a second population which we refer to as flat cells. The flat cells appear in the culture in significant numbers after 2 days and are required for neuronal cell attachment. We have been able to isolate pure flat cells from early cultures of mixed retina cells and have identified several antigens which support the concept that these cells are related to the glia. The cells have been tested by immunofluorescence for glial fibrillary acidic protein and have been found positive. Cell surfaces were labeled by transfer of tritiated galactose from UDP-galactose to endogenous acceptors in the presence of exogenous galactosyl transferase. After SDS-PAGE and fluorography, the surface glycoproteins of flat cells were seen to be significantly different from those of the original retina, and from chick fibroblasts. Immunoelectron microscope studies of detergent-extracted flat cells have demonstrated a complex network of intermediate filaments and actin fibers. We conclude that the flat cells are derived from the glia subpopulation of the retina and have adapted to the tissue culture environment by assuming this configuration. The unique surface properties of flat cells may be related to their role as an intermediate substrate between the neuronal cells and the tissue culture dish.

Alterations of the cytoplasmic organization of WIRL cells induced by trifluoperazine.

The antipsychotic drug trifluoperazine (TFP) causes a reversible rounding of cells of the rat liver epithelial cell line, WIRL. We have investigated the cytoplasmic organization of these cells after TFP treatment using SEM, TEM and immunofluorescence and have observed significant differences between the control and treated cells. Mitochondria are converted to the condensed configuration with distended cristae and the endoplasmic reticulum becomes tubular with distended cisternae. Intermediate filaments, visualized with a monoclonal antibody, are aggregated to a cap on the nucleus in an arrangement different from that induced by colcemid.

Glycoprotein differences among cells of the 14-day embryonic chick neural retina.

In order to test the hypothesis that the progressive layering and differentiation of cell types during the development of the neural retina are associated with cell surface alterations we have separated distinct cell populations from the 14-day embryonic chick retina. Cells of these populations have been shown to differ in associative behavior and intramembrane particle content. We now report that these cells differ in cell surface glycoproteins. Proteins were labeled with two different extrinsic labels and one metabolic label. We used enzymatic transfer to galactose from UDP-gal to cellular acceptors, and borotritide reduction after galactose oxidation as extrinsic labels. Glucosamine incorporation was used as the metabolic label. In all these cases, we were able to identify bands on electrophoretic gels which were unique to individual populations.

Envelope of mouse mammary tumor virus studied by freeze-etching and freeze-fracture techniques.

As part of a study of the cell surface changes associated with the production of murine mammary tumor virus, the structure of the envelope of this virus has been examined by using freeze-fracture techniques. Both fracture and deep-etch surfaces were examined. The fracture faces contain 10-nm spheres comparable to those observed on fractured plasma membranes, although fewer in number. Surfaces exposed by etching possess a highly regular hexagonal array of pits 25 nm apart. By examining freeze-fracture and freeze-etch preparations of virus with ferritin covalently bound to its surface, it has been determined that the surface exposed by etching is the outer surface of the virus. The pitted exterior surface of the mammary tumor virus appears to be a unique surface structure.

Changes in distribution of mitochondria in the developing chick retina.

The distribution of mitochondria in the developing chick retina was examined by enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Two distinct phenomena were observed: (1) progressive segregation of mitochondria in specific locations in the developing tissue; and (2) progressive loss of mitochondrial activity from the inner retina as it matures. Densitometric scans of stained tissue sections were used to quantitate the relative amounts of mitochondrial activity in the retinal layers. Mitochondria were localized to tissue regions by transmission electron microscopy, enzyme histochemistry for the inner membrane bound mitochondrial enzymes succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase, a combined histochemical and ultrastructural method for cytochrome oxidase, and immunolocalization of the mitochondrial matrix enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. Seven-day embryonic chick retina has a high number of mitochondrial structures and a high level of activity. As development proceeds, the mitochondria organize into layers within the tissue. However, the relative activity of mitochondria in much of the inner retina decreases. In the post-hatch retina, 50% of the mitochondrial activity is found in less than 10% of the tissue area, in the inner segments of the photoreceptor cells.

Changes in expression and distribution of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the developing chick retina.

We have investigated the expression and distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes in the developing and adult chicken retina. Non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to follow the appearance and expression of the five main LDH isoenzymes in tissue homogenates. Immunohistochemistry was used to define the distribution of the aerobic heart type LDH and the anaerobic muscle type LDH in paraffin sections of embryonic and adult chick retina. The electrophoretic results show that the expression of the anaerobic isoenzyme increases in the retina as development proceeds. Immunoreactivity against the anaerobic isoenzyme localizes to the inner plexiform layer and other regions of the inner chick retina. The aerobic isoenzyme immunoreactivity is localized to the inner segments of the photoreceptor cells as well as the ganglion cell layer. Both antibodies bind weakly in other layers of the retina with the notable exception that the anaerobic protein does not localize in the photoreceptor cell inner segments. These results provide further evidence for the anaerobic nature of the adult inner retina. As retinal development proceeds, the expression of the anaerobic isoenzyme in the retina increases.

Extracellular proteases in developing chick neural retina.

During retinal histogenesis, cells and their extensions migrate within the tissue to final positions. In order for the cells to move through the matrix of tissue, space must be made available. We report evidence that extracellular proteolytic activity might be associated with this process. (1) When embryonic chick neural retinal cells are seeded onto a substrate of rhodamine conjugated fluorescent gelatin, the tips of growing neurites remove the fluorescence from the substrate. (2) Latent gelatinolytic activity can be identified with soluble assays of homogenates of embryonic chick neural retina. (3) Zymogram analysis demonstrates the presence of high molecular weight bands of proteolytic activity. The activity is inhibited by 1.10 phenanthroline, suggesting that it is due to a metalloproteinase. Activity can be detected in supernatants of retinal cells grown in vitro. Gelatinolysis is not the only proteolytic activity detected in the retina. Addition of plasminogen to zymograms results in an additional band of activity.