A syntaxin-SNAP 25-VAMP complex is formed without docking of synaptic vesicles

We show herein that syntaxin is already associated with SNAP 25 and VAMP during fast axonal transport, and in isolated synaptic vesicles, before docking of these secretory organelles at the active zones.     

Morphologically docked synaptic vesicles are reduced in synaptotagmin mutants of Drosophila

Nerve terminal specializations include mechanisms for maintaining a subpopulation of vesicles in a docked, fusion-ready state. We have investigated the relationship between synaptotagmin and the number of morphologically docked vesicles by an electron microscopic analysis of Drosophila synaptotagmin (syt) mutants. The overall number of synaptic vesicles in a terminal was reduced, although each active zone continued to have a cluster of vesicles in its vicinity. In addition, there was an increase in the number of large vesicles near synapses. Examining the clusters, we found that the pool of synaptic vesicles immediately adjacent to the presynaptic membrane, the pool that includes the docked population, was reduced to 24 +/- 5% (means +/- SEM) of control in the sytnull mutation. To separate contributions of overall vesicle depletion and increased spontaneous release from direct effects of synaptotagmin on morphological docking, we examined syt mutants in an altered genetic background. Recombining syt alleles onto a second chromosome bearing an as yet uncharacterized mutation resulted in the expected decrease in evoked release but suppressed the increase in spontaneous release frequency. Motor nerve terminals in this genotype contained more synaptic vesicles than control, yet the number of vesicles immediately adjacent to the presynaptic membrane near active zones was still reduced (33 +/- 4% of control). Our findings demonstrate that there is a decrease in the number of morphologically docked vesicles seen in syt mutants. The decreases in docking and evoked release are independent of the increase in spontaneous release. These results support the hypothesis that synaptotagmin stabilizes the docked state.     

In vitro binding of synaptic vesicles to the synaptic plasma membrane: lack of effect of beta-bungarotoxin

To help characterize the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, and the role of the specific neurotoxin beta-bungarotoxin in inhibiting release, the interaction of synaptic vesicles with the synaptic plasma membrane was investigated using two in vitro systems. Binding of radiolabeled synaptic vesicles to immobilized synaptic plasma membrane was specific, protein-dependent, and modulated by phosphorylation of membrane proteins. Stimulation of phosphorylation by phorbol ester increased binding, and reduction of phosphorylation by alkaline phosphatase or staurosporine reduced binding. beta-Bungarotoxin did not alter basal binding of synaptic vesicles to synaptic plasma membrane, nor did it affect the increase in binding induced by phorbol esters. Under conditions which stimulate acetylcholine release from synaptosomes, both phorbol ester and 4-aminopyridine caused an increase in attachment of the synaptic vesicle marker protein synaptophysin to the synaptic plasma membrane. beta-Bungarotoxin did not alter the change in localization of synaptophysin induced by either drug, under conditions in which it inhibits ACh release induced by 4-aminopyridine. It is concluded that beta-bungarotoxin inhibition probably does not occur at the level of the interaction of the synaptic vesicle and the synaptic plasma membrane, but occurs at an earlier stage in the neurotransmission process.     

Jun kinases are rapidly activated by cholecystokinin in rat pancreas both in vitro and in vivo

Stimulation of pancreatic acini from male Sprague-Dawley rats by both cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 and anisomycin caused an increase in p46jnk and p55jnk activities. Both forms of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) were slightly activated at 5 min, reached a maximum at 30 min, and remained significantly increased at 60 min of CCK stimulation. By contrast, p42mapkwas activated fully by 5 min. In pancreatic acini stimulated with different concentrations of CCK for 30 min, the minimal and maximal JNK responses were observed at 30 pm and 100 nM CCK, respectively; p42mapk activation was, as previously reported, much more sensitive, with maximal activation by 1 nm CCK. Carbachol and bombesin also stimulated JNK activity, while vasoactive intestinal peptide did not. Neither activating protein kinase C nor increasing intracellular Ca2+ significantly activated JNK. In in vivo experiments, rats were infused intravenously for 5 and 15 min with a secretory (0.1 microg/kg/h) or supramaximal (10 microg/kg/h) dose of the CCK analog caerulein (CER). Secretory doses of CER induced a 4-fold increase of both forms of JNK in pancreatic tissue at 5 and 15 min, while at the same time points, supramaximal stimulation with CER caused 4- and 27-fold increases, respectively, of these kinase activities. The secretory dose of CER slightly increased the activities of both forms of mitogen-activated protein kinase, while the supramaximal dose induced a 10-fold increase of p42mapk at 5 min. In conclusion, JNKs and mitogen-activated protein kinases are rapidly activated in rat pancreatic acini stimulated with CCK as well as in pancreatic tissue during in vivo stimulation with CER. The large response to supramaximal CER stimulation may be of importance in the early pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.     

Magnocellular and parvocellular visual pathways are both affected in a macaque monkey model of glaucoma

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature addressing the use of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) in patients with respiratory failure. DATA SOURCE: All pertinent English language articles dealing with pulmonary artery catheterization in patients with respiratory failure were retrieved from 1983 through 1996. STUDY SELECTION: Articles were chosen for review if the use of pulmonary artery catheterization in patients with respiratory failure was studied or reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: From the articles selected, information was obtained about changes in therapy and changes in outcome associated with PAC use in patients with respiratory failure. DATA SYNTHESIS: Evidence exists to suggest that use of the PAC in patients with respiratory failure often results in a change in diagnosis and therapy. Inadequate evidence exists to accurately determine benefit or harm from PAC use in patients with respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: The optimal role of the PAC as a diagnostic and monitoring device in different types of respiratory failure has not been clearly defined. Research is needed to determine the role of the PAC in very carefully defined groups of patients with respiratory failure.     

Effect of phosphomonoesters, phosphodiesters, and phosphocreatine on glutamate uptake by synaptic vesicles

L-Glutamate, a major excitatory amino acid, plays an important role in learning and memory. L-Glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles is an ATP-dependent process. Exposure of neurons to high, sustained extracellular concentrations of glutamate results in excitotoxicity. Elevated levels of phosphomonoesters (PMEs), phosphodiesters (PDEs), and phosphocreatine (PCr) have been reported in Alzheimer disease (AD). In this article, the effects of selected PMEs, PDEs, and PCr on vesicular L-[3H]glutamate uptake into isolated bovine synaptic vesicles are investigated. D-myo-Inositol-1-monophosphate (I1P), D-myo-inositol-2-monophosphate (I2P), sn-glycero-3-phosphate, (alpha-GP) and PCr significantly stimulated L-[3H]glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles. Phosphoethanolamine (PE), phosphocholine (PC), L-phosphoserine (L-PS) sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (GPC), and sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (GPE) had little or no effect on vesicular L-glutamate uptake. These observations suggested that the vesicular uptake of glutamate can be regulated by endogenous PMEs and PCr. The mechanism of activation by I1P, I2P, and alpha-GP appears to be stimulation of Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. These effects on vesicular glutamate uptake may be important in diseases in which the levels of these metabolites are altered, as they are in AD.     

Halothane affects both inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission at a single identified molluscan synapse, in vivo and in vitro

In the isolated CNS of Lymnaea, a peptidergic neuron termed VD4 makes monosynaptic connections with identified pedal A cluster neurons. In this study, the pedal A (PeA) neurons were further divided into two subgroups depending upon whether they received an inhibitory or excitatory input from VD4. PeA cells inhibited by VD4 were designated PeA(I), whereas those excited by VD4 were termed PeA(E). Both inhibitory and excitatory effects of VD4 stimulation on the PeA(I) and PeA(E) cells, respectively, were mimicked by exogenous FMRFamide in culture (in vitro), implicating this or a related peptide as the transmitter utilized at the VD4-to-PeA synapses. We tested the ability of the general anesthetic, halothane, to affect either the inhibitory or the excitatory peptidergic synapses between VD4 and the PeA neurons, both in the isolated CNS (in vivo) and at the in vitro reconstructed synapses. In the presence of 1% halothane, the excitatory synaptic potential between VD4 and the PeA(E) cells was either depressed or completely abolished, whereas the inhibitory synaptic potential between VD4 and the PeA(I) cells was unaffected in the presence of 1% halothane. The inhibitory potential between VD4 and the PeA(I) cells was, however, blocked in 2% halothane. In order to determine halothane' 5 site of action, exogenous FMRFamide was applied to both PeA(E) and PeA(I) cells in the presence of 1 or 2% halothane. In 1% halothane, the excitatory responses produced by FMRFamide were substantially reduced or abolished, whereas the inhibitory responses to FMRFamide were maintained and enhanced in duration in 1% halothane. In 2% halothane, the inhibitory responses to exogenous FMRFamide remained unchanged. It, therefore, appears that halothane exerts effects at both the pre- and postsynaptic level of the synapse, although presynaptic transmitter release is probably not substantially affected until a concentration of 2% halothane is reached. Our data provide the first evidence that clinically relevant concentrations of halothane (1-2%) affect both excitatory and inhibitory peptidergic synaptic transmission between identified neurons in the nervous system. Furthermore, excitatory transmission is abolished at lower anesthetic concentrations than inhibitory transmission.     

Factor XI activation by meizothrombin: stimulation by phospholipid vesicles containing both phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine

The activation of factor XI by meizothrombin was investigated using recombinant meizothrombin (R155A meizothrombin) that is resistant to autocatalytic removal of fragment 1. Meizothrombin was capable of activating factor XI at an activation rate similar to that of thrombin. Dextran sulphate and heparin, known cofactors of thrombin-mediated factor XI activation, did not stimulate the activation of factor XI by meizothrombin. However, the activation of factor XI by meizothrombin was markedly enhanced by vesicles containing phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), whereas PC/PS or PC/PE vesicles only had a minor effect on the activation. Thrombin-mediated factor XI activation was not influenced by phospholipids. The effect of PC/PS/PE and PC/PS vesicles was studied in a factor XI dependent clot lysis assay. In this assay, factor XI inhibits clot lysis by a feedback loop in the intrinsic pathway via thrombin-mediated factor XI activation. Removal of endogenous phospholipids in plasma by centrifugation resulted in an increased clot lysis, which could be restored to the pre-centrifugation level by the addition of PC/PS/PE vesicles, but not by PC/PS vesicles. When clot lysis was initiated by factor IXa in the presence of a factor XIa blocking antibody, there was no difference in inhibitory effect of PC/PS/PE or PC/PS vesicles. These data suggested that the differences in clot lysis inhibition observed between PC/PS/PE and PC/PS vesicles were caused by factor XI activation by meizothrombin. Meizothrombin-mediated factor XI activation may therefore play an important role in the antifibrinolytic feedback loop in the intrinsic pathway.     

Selected pyrethroid insecticides stimulate glutamate uptake in brain synaptic vesicles

We aimed to ascertain whether pyrethroid insecticides could influence the vesicular transport of the excitatory amino acid glutamate. The incubation of rat cortical synaptic vesicles with resmethrin and permethrin, consistently stimulated both ATP-dependent and -independent uptake of [3H]glutamate, while not evoking depletion of its vesicular content. Both processes were counteracted by valinomycin, a dissipator of the transmembrane potential gradient (deltapsi(sv)). Meanwhile, the vesicular influx of 36Cl- anions was impaired by pyrethroid concentrations which did not affect the ATP-dependent uptake of [14C]methylamine, as a marker for the proton gradient (deltapH). Thus, the stimulation of glutamate transport appeared to involve mainly the deltapsi(sv). A self-attenuating effect of selected pyrethroids on putatively enhanced excitatory transmission in severe intoxication is suggested.     

Prostasomes are neuroendocrine-like vesicles in human semen

BACKGROUND: Prostasomes are prostate-derived organelles that exist extracellularly in human seminal plasma. METHODS: In this study, we have investigated and characterized human prostasomes with regard to their contents of synaptophysin, members of the chromogranin family, and some neuropeptides. RESULTS: By radioimmunoassay measurement and electron microscopy we show the presence of the neuroendocrine markers chromogranin B, neuropeptide Y, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in about equimolar amount in human prostasomes and chromogranin A in about 2% of that amount. To our knowledge, such a high ratio of chromogranin B to chromogranin A has never before been observed. The membrane-bound protein synaptophysin, a well-established immunocytochemical marker for neuroendocrine cells and neurones, was also detected. Hence, we show that synaptophysin could be used as a marker for intact prostasomes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of synaptophysin has recently been shown in the serotonincontaining vesicles in platelets. A protein with a similar structure denoted granulophysin has been found in granulocytes and prostasomes. It is suggested that synaptophysin and granulophysin molecules are members of a family of proteins, maybe expressed in all cells that have regulated release of granule content. Our presented data indicate a neurotransmittor function of the prostasomes. The target cells are however not known but could be either the spermatozoa, the epithelial mucous cells of the uterus or tubas or perhaps the ovum.     

Dendritic cell survival and maturation are regulated by different signaling pathways

OBJECTIVE: Quantification of serum nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase (NTPPHase) activity in healthy subjects and in patients with various rheumatic diseases or with quad/hemiplegia, hemodialysis, or renal transplant. METHODS: Colorimetric assay of enzyme activity in serum. RESULTS: Serum NTPPHase activity in 85 healthy subjects was independent of age or sex and was highly reproducible in each individual. The biologic and methodologic coefficients of variation were nearly identical. Elevated enzyme levels were found in sera from patients with osteoarthritis/spondylosis, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, or hemodialysis. Renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine had the highest enzyme activity of any group, whereas transplant patients not taking this drug had normal levels. Histograms of values in all groups showed a normal distribution. CONCLUSION: Serum NTPPHase activity levels were significantly elevated in patients with degenerative arthritis whether or not CPPD crystals were present, in patients with either scleroderma or fibromyalgia, and in patients receiving hemodialysis therapy or taking cyclosporine.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of haemoglobin adducts formed by methyl bromide in vitro

An analytical procedure is described for the identification of the adducts formed by interaction of methyl bromide and haemoglobin. The reaction products of in vitro incubation of haemoglobin with methyl bromide have been characterised by electrospray mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A prominent reactivity of several potential nucleophilic sites of haemoglobin was observed. Analogous results were recorded on blood samples of workers exposed to methyl bromide. The results obtained represent the basis for the complete structural characterisation of the modified haemoglobin and demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed analytical approach for the evaluation of alkylation degree and the identification of modified amino acids in proteins.     

Intermediate filament-like network formed in vitro by a bacterial coiled coil protein

The TlpA protein encoded by the virulence plasmid of Salmonella enterica is an alpha-helical 371-amino acid protein possessing characteristics similar to eukaryotic coiled coil proteins (Koski, P., Saarilahti, H., Sukupolvi, S., Taira, S., Rikkonen, P., Osterlund, K., Hurme, R., and Rhen, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 12258-12265). In this paper we have investigated inter- and intramolecular associations and the morphology of structures formed by TlpA. Dynamics and temperature stability of TlpA dimers were studied by examining the feasibility and conditions in which TlpA would form an artificial heterodimer with its truncated derivative. Formation of heterodimers, bridged by Cu(2+)-catalyzed air oxidation of adjacent Cys residues, showed that TlpA dimers are dynamic chain exchanging structures at 37 degrees C, whereas they were nonexchanging at room temperature or on ice. Chemical cross-linking suggested higher order interaction between TlpA dimers. Electron microscopy studies revealed two levels of TlpA organization in vitro: thin filaments and rods, 2-5 nm in diameter, and a higher ordered filament network consisting of tonofilament-like formations with a diameter of 8-15 nm. Electron microscopy of thin-sectioned Escherichia coli over-producing TlpA showed an extraordinary intracellular assembly of proteinacious lamellae with a striated appearance and a 38-nm periodicity. This study describes for the first time a bacterial protein capable of organizing itself into an ordered and suspectedly dynamic intermediate filament-like architecture.     

Actin disassembles reversibly during electrically induced recycling of synaptic vesicles in cultured neurons

We have studied depolarization-induced regulation of actin assembly in exocytotically active areas of dissociated chick sympathetic neurons. Active areas were identified with the fluorescent dye FM1-43 which labels synaptic vesicles that recycle in these regions. Exocytosis (electrically stimulated) was monitored in real time through depletion of FM1-43 fluorescence. To study depolarization-induced disassembly of actin in the FM1-43-stained regions, the cells were fixed after different periods of depolarization and stained with rhodamine phalloidin, which binds preferentially to the filamentous form of actin. In active regions, actin disassembles and reassembles during continuous 2 min depolarization. Actin disassembly that occurs after the first 25 s of depolarization was detected by a reduction in rhodamine phalloidin staining and confirmed by correlative electron microscopy. Immunogold staining revealed that actin is abundant throughout resting terminals. In some experiments, actin filaments were stabilized by loading cells with unlabelled phalloidin before stimulating secretion. Stabilizing the filaments does not alter the initial release but strongly reduces the release rate at later stages. These data are consistent with a model in which partial disassembly of actin filaments is necessary for facilitating the transport of vesicles within the terminal and reassembly is necessary for limiting that movement.     

Elimination of zinc from synaptic vesicles in the intact mouse brain by disruption of the ZnT3 gene

The mammalian protein ZnT3 resides on synaptic vesicle membranes of zinc-containing neurons, suggesting its possible role in vesicular zinc transport. We show here that histochemically reactive zinc, corresponding to the zinc found within synaptic vesicles, was undetectable in the brains of mice with targeted disruption of the ZnT3 gene. Total zinc levels in the hippocampus and cortex of these mice were reduced by about 20%. The ultrastructure of mossy fiber boutons, which normally store the highest levels of vesicular zinc, was unaffected. Mice with one normal ZnT3 allele had reduced levels of ZnT3 protein on synaptic vesicle membranes and had intermediate amounts of vesicular zinc. These results demonstrate that ZnT3 is required for transport of zinc into synaptic vesicles and suggest that vesicular zinc concentration is determined by the abundance of ZnT3.     

CD3 hyporesponsiveness and in vitro apoptosis are features of T cells from both malignant and nonmalignant secondary lymphoid organs

There is a dogma in tumor immunology that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are defective based on their lack of antitumoral efficacy in vivo and on impaired response to in vitro functional tests. However, TIL have been compared usually with peripheral blood T lymphocytes, raising doubts on the conclusions drawn. Therefore, we compared TIL from B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) with T cells from nonmalignant secondary lymphoid organs. NHL-TIL were unresponsive to activation by immobilized anti-CD3 mAb, although bypassing T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 signaling led to proliferation. The poor proliferative responses of NHL-TIL could not be explained by quantitative defects in TCRzeta expression. NHL-TIL underwent marked spontaneous apoptosis in vitro with loss of approximately 50% of cells after 24 h of culture. This was associated with downregulation of the antiapoptotic Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 proteins, whereas viable NHL-TIL maintained their expression. IL-2, anti-CD3/IL-2, and manipulation of the Fas/Fas-ligand death pathway had no effect on NHL-TIL survival. Apoptosis was not due to increased cell cycling, as NHL-TIL were quiescent, nonproliferating cells. T cells from inflammatory, nonmalignant tissues gave similar functional results to NHL-TIL, suggesting the existence of factors common to the microenvironment of these diverse pathologies. Thus, the quiescent, anergic phenotype of NHL-TIL cannot be attributed solely to tumor factors, but rather is a feature of T cells from chronic inflammatory lesions.