Perimicrovillar membrane assembly: the fate of phospholipids synthesised by the midgut of Rhodnius prolixus

In this study, we describe the fate of fatty acids that are incorporated from the lumen by the posterior midgut epithelium of Rhodnius prolixus and the biosynthesis of lipids. We also demonstrate that neutral lipids (NL) are transferred to the haemolymphatic lipophorin (Lp) and that phospholipids remain in the tissue in which they are organised into perimicrovillar membranes (PMMs). 3H-palmitic acid added at the luminal side of isolated midguts of R. prolixus females was readily absorbed and was used to synthesise phospholipids (80%) and NL (20%). The highest incorporation of 3H-palmitic acid was on the first day after a blood meal. The amounts of diacylglycerol (DG) and triacylglycerol synthesised by the tissue decreased in the presence of Lp in the incubation medium. The metabolic fates of 3H-lipids synthesised by the posterior midgut were followed and it was observed that DG was the major lipid released to Lp particles. However, the majority of phospholipids were not transferred to Lp, but remained in the tissue. The phospholipids that were synthesised and accumulated in the posterior midgut were found to be associated with Rhodnius luminal contents as structural components of PMMs.

GM1 improves neurofascin155 association with lipid rafts and prevents rat brain myelin injury after hypoxia-ischemia

White matter injury characterized by damage to myelin is an important process in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). Because the oligodendrocyte-specific isoform of neurofascin, neurofascin 155 (NF155), and its association with lipid rafts are essential for the establishment and stabilization of the paranodal junction, which is required for tight interaction between myelin and axons, we analyzed the effect of monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside (GM1) on NF155 expression and its association with lipid rafts after HIBD in Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 12-15 g, on day 7 post-partum (P7; N = 20 per group). HIBD was induced on P7 and the rats were divided into two groups: one group received an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg GM1 three times and the other group an injection of saline. There was also a group of 20 sham-operated rats. After sacrifice, the brains of the rats were removed on P30 and studied by immunochemistry, SDS-PAGE, Western blot analysis, and electron microscopy. Staining showed that the saline group had definite rarefaction and fragmentation of brain myelin sheaths, whereas the GM1 group had no obvious structural changes. The GM1 group had 1.9-2.9-fold more GM1 in lipid rafts than the saline group (fraction 3-6; all P < 0.05) and 0.5-2.4-fold higher expression of NF155 in lipid rafts (fraction 3-5; all P < 0.05). Injection of GM1 increased the content of GM1 in lipid rafts as well as NF155 expression and its lipid raft association in HIBD rat brains. GM1 may repair the structure of lipid rafts, promote the association of NF155 (or other important proteins) with lipid rafts, stabilize the structure of paranodes, and eventually prevent myelin sheath damage, suggesting a novel mechanism for its neuroprotective properties.

Triadimefon pretreatment protects newly assembled membrane system and causes up-regulation of stress proteins in salinity stressed Amaranthus lividus L. during early germination.

Imposition of salinity stress during early germination imposes a secondary oxidative stress in 120-hr-old Amaranthus lividus seedlings (measured in terms of accumulation of reactive oxygen species, antioxidative defense system and oxidative membrane lipid and protein damages). Seeds of Amaranthus when treated with triadimefon along with NaCI salinity significantly enhanced the activities of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, compared to untreated salinity stressed 5-day-old seedlings. Triadimefon treatment also reduced the accumulation of both the ROS (H2O2 and O2*-) in 5-day-old Amaranthus seedlings. When oxidative membrane damages were estimated for triadimefon treated and salinity stressed juvenile seedlings and compared with untreated salinity stressed seedlings, it shows a clear reversal in oxidative membrane damages induced by triadimefon under salinity stress. Triadimefon treatment significantly reduces the membrane lipid peroxidation and the loss of membrane protein thiol level in salinity stressed Amaranthus seedlings. That triadimefon treatment under salinity stress restores the membrane integrity and improves the post-germinative seedling growth could be supported by the data of membrane injury index (MII), relative leakage ratio (RLR), membrane permeability status (MPS), relative growth index (RGI) and mean tolerance index (MTI). SDS-PAGE of total extractible proteins revealed that some new proteins were synthesized in triadimefon treated and salinity stressed seedlings as compared to untreated and salinity stressed one. However the most remarkable feature is the up-regulation of some of the stress proteins in triadimefon treated and salinity stressed seedlings. So, it appears that significant extent of salinity tolerance exhibited by triadimefon pretreated Amaranthus seedlings could be related to the mitigation of oxidative damage to the newly assembled membrane system of juvenile tissues as well as synthesis and up-regulation of stress proteins that enhanced salinity tolerance.

Biochemical effects of sparfloxacin on cell envelope of mycobacteria.

Sparfloxacin, a difluorinated quinolone is a potent anti-mycobacterial agent used in the treatment of mycobacterial infections. We have investigated whether sparfloxacin had other, more subtle effects on mycobacteria besides its interaction with DNA gyrase that could contribute to its therapeutic efficacy. Mycobacterium smegmatis cells grown in media with sub-inhibitory concentration of sparfloxacin were observed to have significant reduction in the biosynthesis of vital macromolecules, as shown by the incorporation of various radiolabelled precursors. The analysis of subcellular distribution of phospholipids of sparfloxacin-treated cells demonstrated an increase in the cell membrane and reduction in the cell wall, suggesting changes in the cell envelope architecture by sparfloxacin. Significant changes were also observed in other chemical constituents of the cell wall, especially in the arabinose and glucosamine contents. Mycolic acids, the major component of mycobacterial cell wall were reduced in the presence of MIC50 of sparfloxacin. There was a decrease in the limiting fluorescence intensity (Fmax) of 1-anilinonaphthalene 8-sulfonate (ANS) indicating alterations in the organization and conformation of mycobacterial cell surface. These results suggest that the mechanism of action of anti-mycobacterial action of sparfloxacin involves mycobacterial cell envelope.

Age related effects of organochlorine insecticide lindane on intestinal brush border membrane in rats.

The effect of oral administration of lindane (gamma-HCH) has been studied on the intestine in 10-day, 20-day and 100-day old rats. In 10 day-old suckling pups exposed to lindane, there was a significant decrease in the activities of sucrase (29%), lactase (20%) and that of alkaline phosphatase (24%) compared to control. Sialic acid content of the brush borders was significantly decreased (29%) in 10-day old as well as in 20- and 100-day old rats (20 and 25% respectively), while fucose content of the membranes was significantly enhanced in all the age groups upon pesticide treatment. Among the brush border lipids, cholesterol content was significantly increased in all the age groups studied, the maximum increase of 35% being observed in 10-day-old rats. Membrane phospholipids were also increased in 20- and 100-day old animals (22% each) on lindane exposure. The present studies indicated that brush border membranes of suckling rat intestine were more susceptible to pesticide induced changes compared to older animals.

Radiation induced peroxidative damage: mechanism and significance.

An interest has been generated in free radicals after the discovery of superoxide dismutase. These free radicals cause a number of diseases and are involved in the detrimental effect of ionizing radiation. Efforts have been made to understand their role in damage and death of the cell using lipid peroxidation process. Lipid peroxidation is an important effect of radiation on membranes, which apart from DNA, are critical targets of radiation action. This paper addresses the basic mechanism of radiation induced lipid peroxidation. Various factors, which determine the mode and magnitude of lipid peroxidation, are also discussed. Lipid peroxidation is shown to have importance in understanding the modifications of radiation effects. Efforts are made to show similarities between radiolytic and non-radiolytic lipid peroxidation. Recent findings related to the close link between radiation-induced lipid peroxidation and apoptosis are likely to open new avenues for future research and to develop new approaches for radiomodification of biological effects.

Biochemical mechanism of combined effect of ethambutol and sparfloxacin against Mycobacterium smegmatis.

M. smegmatis cells grown in the presence of combination of ethambutol (EMB) and sparfloxacin (SPX) had decreased level of total cellular lipids as compared to control as well as cells grown in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of individual drugs. Amongst various phospholipids analyzed, maximum decrease was observed in the content of phosphatidylinositolmannosides (PIMs) of the cells grown in combination of EMB and SPX. In contrast, the subcellular distribution of phospholipids revealed a significant increase in PIMs content of both cell wall and cell membrane of the cells grown in the presence of combination of drugs as compared to control as well as individual drugs. Mycolic acids of M. smegmatis cells were found to be main targets as combination of drugs resulted in significant decrease in total cellular as well as cell wall mycolic acids as compared to control and individual drugs. Changed lipid composition of M. smegmatis cells grown in the presence of MIC50 of EMB, SPX and combination resulted in significant surface changes as was evident from decreased limiting fluorescence (Fmax) intensity of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS). Thus, the results of this study suggested that ethambutol and sparfloxacin in combination exerted their antimycobacterial effect principally due to their action on phosphatidylinositolmannosides (PIMs) and mycolic acids, which form the permeability barrier of mycobacteria.

Relación entre acumulación de rodamina 6G y resistencia a fluconazol en Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c / Relationship between rhodamine 6G accumulation and fluconazole resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c

Severe mycotic infections are a source of concern in immunocompromised patients or in those who receive chemotherapy for hematological malignant diseases. One of the causes is referred to the appearance of antimycotic resistant microorganisms. Fluconazole is one of the antimycotic used for invasive mycoses treatment. Therefore it is necessary to evaluate the factors that originate this resistance. In the present report the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c was used as a model system. In resistant strains the accumulation of the lipophilic cation Rhodamine 6G, L-leucine uptake and growth inhibition by crystal violet dye were determined. The results presented herein demonstrate the correlation between the membrane potential and the resistance to fluconazole presented by S. cerevisiae strain S288c.

Total lipids and fatty acids of strains of "Metarhizium anisopliae"

Two growth stages, conidia (C) and mycelium (M), and two media, minimal medium (MM) and complete medium (MC), were compared in 10 strains of "M. anisopliae", and two strains of "M. anisopliae" var. "majus" were similar in percentages of total lipids. Tukey test for average of lipid content in conidia (C) and mycelia (M) cultured on minimal (MM) and complete (MC) media showed significant differences between means at the 5(per cent) level of mycelia and conidia, indicating variability in total lipid production and storage during growth. Strains 5 and 7, both variety "majus", did not present sizable differences from variety "anisopliae". For fatty acids, C18:1 and C18:2, oleic and linoleic, respectively, the differences were all highly significant (p=1(per cent)) with highest means being obtained for conidia for fatty acid C18:1 and for mycelia for fatty acid C18:2.

Effect of feeding protein deficient diet on phospholipid turnover and protein kinase C mediated protein phosphorylation in rat brain.

Feeding of protein deficient diet is known to alter the transmembrane signalling in brain of rat by reducing total protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Phospholipid metabolism regulates the activation of PKC through generation of second messengers and the extent of PKC activation accordingly influences the magnitude of phosphorylation of its endogenous substrate proteins. Thus it was speculated that ingestion of protein deficient diet may modify the turnover rate of membrane phospholipids and magnitude of phosphorylation of endogenous substrate proteins of PKC. The experiments were conducted on rats fed on three different types of laboratory prepared diets viz. casein (20% casein), deficient (4% protein, rice flour as source of protein) and supplemented (deficient diet supplemented with L-lysine and DL-threonine) for 28 days. The metabolism of phosphoinositides (PIs) and phosphatidyl choline (PC) was studied by equilibrium labeling with [3H] myo inositol and [14C methyl] choline chloride respectively. The phosphorylation of endogenous substrate proteins of PKC was studied by using 32P-gamma-ATP followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. The results suggest that in deficient group, there is an increased incorporation of [3H] myo inositol in PIs and inositol phosphate pool in comparison to the casein group. The phosphatidyl inositol (PI) turnover reduced, although there was a marginal increase in the phosphatidyl inositol monophosphate (PIP) and phosphatidyl inositol bis phosphate (PIP2). Supplementation of diet showed a reversal of the pattern towards control to a considerable extent. In the deficient group, PC metabolism showed an increased incorporation of [14C methyl] choline in choline phospholipids but decreased incorporation in phosphoryl choline in comparison with the casein group. The increase in total PC contents was significant but marginal in residue contents. The turnover rate of PC increased only marginally and that of residue declined. Supplementation of diet reduced the total contents of PC and residue, but the turnover rate of PC and residue remained still higher. Phosphorylation of endogenous proteins showed four different proteins of 78, 46, 33 and 16 kDa to be the substrates of PKC in casein group. In deficient group, phosphorylation of these proteins increased markedly while supplementation of diet had a reversing effect rendering the values to be intermediate between casein and the supplemented group. The changes in phospholipid metabolism and in phosphorylation of endogenous substrate proteins of PKC suggest that dietary protein deficiency causes alterations in transmembrane signalling mechanism in rat brain. These effects are partially reversed by improving the quality of proteins in the diet.

Zinc in the prevention of Fe2+-initiated lipid and protein oxidation

In the present study we characterized the capacity of zinc to protect lipids and proteins from Fe2+-initiated oxidative damage. The effects of zinc on lipid oxidation were investigated in liposomes composed of brain phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS) at a molar relationship of 60:40 (PC:PS, 60:40). Lipid oxidation was evaluated as the oxidation of cis-parinaric acid or as the formation of 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Zinc protected liposomes from Fe2+ (2.5-50 microM)-supported lipid oxidation. However, zinc (50 microM) did not prevent the oxidative inactivation of glutamine synthetase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase when rat brain supernatants were oxidized in the presence of 5 microM Fe2+ and 0.5 mM H2O2. We also studied the interactions of zinc with epicatechin in the prevention of lipid oxidation in liposomes. The simultaneous addition of 0.5 microM epicatechin (EC) and 50 microM zinc increased the protection of liposomes from oxidation compared to that observed in the presence of zinc or EC separately. Zinc (50 microM) also protected liposomes from the stimulatory effect of aluminum on Fe2+-initiated lipid oxidation. Zinc could play an important role as an antioxidant in biological systems, replacing iron and other metals with pro-oxidant activity from binding sites and interacting with other components of the oxidant defense system.

Metal ion specificity in anaesthetic induced increase in the rate of monensin and nigericin mediated H+/M+ exchange across phospholipid vesicular membranes.

From a study of the decay of the pH difference across vesicular membranes (delta pH) it has been possible to show that H+ and alkali metal ion (M+) concentration gradients across bilayer membranes (which are responsible for driving important biochemical processes) can be selectively perturbed by anaesthetics such as chloroform and benzyl alcohol by combining them with a suitable exchange ionophore. On adding the anaesthetic to the membrane in an environment containing metal ions M+ = K+, the rate of delta pH decay by H+/M+ exchange increases by a larger factor or by a smaller factor (when compared to that in a membrane environment with M+ = Na+) depending on whether the exchange ionophore chosen is monensin or nigericin. A rational explanation of this "metal ion specificity" can be given using the exchange ionophore mediated ion transport scheme in which the equilibrations at the "interfaces" are fast compared to the "translocation equilibration" between the species in the two layers of the membrane. The following three factors are responsible for the observed "specificity": On adding the anaesthetic (i) translocation rate constants increase, (ii) the concentrations of the M+ bound ionophores increase at the expense of H+ bound ionophores. (iii) Under our experimental conditions the rate determining species are the complexes monensin-K (Mon-K) and nigericin-H (Nig-H) for M+ = K+ whereas they are monensin-H (Mon-H) and nigericin-Na (Nig-Na) for M+ = Na+. Possible anaesthetic induced membrane perturbations contributing to the above mentioned changes in the membrane are (A), the loosening of the membrane structure and (B), an associated increase in the membrane hydration (and membrane dielectric constant). An analysis of the consequent changes in the various transport step shows the following: (a), The anaesthetic induced changes in the translocation rates of electrically charged species are not relevant in the explanation of the observed changes in the delta pH decay rates. (b), Changes in the rates of fast equilibria at the interface contribute to changes in KH and KM. (c), A suggestion made in the literature, that a significant interaction between the dipole moment of the monensin-K complex and the membrane slows down its translocation, is not valid. (d), The ability to explain rationally all the delta pH decay data confirms the validity of the transport scheme used. In our experiments delta pH across the vesicular membrane was created by pH jump coming from a temperature jump.

Bricks and mortar of the epidermal barrier

A specialized tissue type, the keratinizing epithelium, protects terrestrial mammals from water loss and noxious physical, chemical and mechanical insults. This barrier between the body and the environment is constantly maintained by reproduction of inner living epidermal keratinocytes which undergo a process of terminal differentiation and then migrate to the surface as interlocking layers of dead stratum corneum cells. These cells provide the bulwark of mechanical and chemical protection, and together with their intercellular lipid surroundings, confer water-impermeability. Much of this barrier function is provided by the cornified cell envelope (CE), an extremely tough protein/lipid polymer structure formed just below the cytoplasmic membrane and subsequently resides on the exterior of the dead cornified cells. It consists of two parts: a protein envelope and a lipid envelope. The protein envelope is thought to contribute to the biomechanical properties of the CE as a result of cross-linking of specialized CE structural proteins by both disulfide bonds and N(epsilon)-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isopeptide bonds formed by transglutaminases. Some of the structural proteins involved include involucrin, loricrin, small proline rich proteins, keratin intermediate filaments, elafin, cystatin A, and desmosomal proteins. The lipid envelope is located on the exterior of and covalently attached by ester bonds to the protein envelope and consists of a monomolecular layer of omega-hydroxyceramides. These not only serve of provide a Teflon-like coating to the cell, but also interdigitate with the intercellular lipid lamellae perhaps in a Velcro-like fashion. In fact the CE is a common feature of all stratified squamous epithelia, although its precise composition, structure and barrier function requirements vary widely between epithelia. Recent work has shown that a number of diseases which display defective epidermal barrier function, generically known as ichthyoses, are the result of genetic defects of the synthesis of either CE proteins, the transglutaminase 1 cross-linking enzyme, or defective metabolism of skin lipids.

Effect of ischemia/reperfusion on intestinal brush border membrane lipid composition, fluidity and enzyme activities.

Oxygen-derived free radicals are known to be generated during ischemia/reperfusion injury and biomembranes are the prime target of these active species. In order to study the effect of in vivo generated free radicals on intestinal mucosal membrane, brush border membranes (BBM) were isolated from rat small intestine after subjecting to ischemia (I) and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and their lipid composition and marker enzyme activity were compared with BBM prepared from control animals. No significant alteration in the lipid composition of BBM was observed after I or I/R as compared to control. Membrane fluidity measurements showed that I/R increased the fluidity of BBM. Activity of alkaline phosphatase, one of the marker enzymes for BBM was reduced by I or I/R whereas activity of another BBM enzyme, sucrase was not altered. The decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity was more after reperfusion. In vitro fluidization of BBM using benzyl alcohol indicated that the inactivation of alkaline phosphatase was not due to change in fluidity. These results suggest that free radicals generated during I/R inactivate BBM alkaline phosphatase partially without altering the membrane lipid composition.

Malondialdehyde levels in patients with duodenal ulcer.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a stable product of lipid peroxidation of membrane lipids. In view of its role in membrane lipid damage in various inflammatory disorders, MDA levels were estimated in 83 duodenal ulcer patients and 48 controls. MDA levels were found to be significantly higher in duodenal ulcer patients as compared to controls (mean +/- SD 280.2 +/- 109.0 versus 216.5 +/- 81.4 nm/dL, p < 0.001). These increased levels of MDA may represent either the result of peroxidative damage in the disease process or a pathogenetic factor enhancing the risk for duodenal ulcer.

Transporte de membrana celular / Transport of cell membranes

As células humanas säo circundadas por uma membrana externa. A funçäo celular é dependente da composiçäo e funçäo desta membrana plasmática, cuja anormalidades podem estae envolvidas em processos patológicos. Esta revisäo aborda aspectos da estrutura e funçäo de transporte através da membrana celular

Estudos espectroscopicos da agregacao de ferriprotoporfirina IX em meio aquoso e em membranas. Implicacoes para o mecanismo de lise celular / Spectroscopic studies of ferriprotoporphyrin IX in aqueous media in membranes. Implications for the mechanism of cell lysis

A tese descreve o estudo da agregacao de hemina (ferriprotoporfirina IX) em meio aquoso e em presenca de membranas. Foi estudada a dependencia de efeitos causados por hemina em bicamadas lipidicas (catalise de peroxidacao lipidica, alteracoes estruturais e de permeabilidade) do estado de agregacao desse composto. Foram empregadas tecnicas de espectroscopia optica e de ressonancia paramagnetica eletronica (e marcadores de spin). Foram utilizados lipossomos multilamelares, vesiculas unilamelares e membranas planas como modelos de membranas. Verificou-se que a agregacao de hemina em meio aquoso aumenta com o abaixamento do pH e com o aumento da forca ionica em presenca de membranas. A catalise de peroxidacao lipidica e efetuada por hemina monomerica ou dimerica , enquanto que agregados maiores se intercalam na bicamada aumentando a desordem e, consequentemente, a permeabilidade. Os resultados obtidos fornecem uma hipotese para o mecanismo, a nivel molecular da lise celular causada por hemina

Efecto comparativo de aceites de origen vegetal o marino y suplementación de colesterol en lípidos de plasma e hígado de rata / Comparative effect of vegetable or marine oils and cholesterol supplementation on plasma and liver lipids of the rat

Los aceites poseen una composición acil grasa característica, responsable de muchos de sus efectos biológicos, que pueden modificarse por la ingestión concomitante de colesterol. En el estudio se evaluó el efecto de la ingestión de aceites de maíz, avellana y pescado, y la suplementación con colesterol, sobre los niveles de lípidos plasmáticos y hepáticos. Ratas macho se alimentaron con dieta que contenía 15 por ciento de aceite, sin/con 1 por ciento colesterol, durante 20 días. El grupo con avellanas exhibió la mayor concentración plasmática de colesterol, p<0,001, en tanto que el grupo con aceite de pescado presentó los niveles más bajos, p<0,001. El grupo con maíz/colesterol exhibió menos concentración de HDL, p<0,001, la cual aumentó en el grupo con aceite de pescado/colesterol. El peso del hígado fue mayor en el grupo con maíz/colesterol, p<0,001. El colesterol indujo un incremento de los lípidos hepáticos en los grupos con aceites vegetales. Los lípidos hepáticos fueron más bajos al ingerir aceite marino/colesterol, p<0,001. Los resultados indican que el aceite de pescado indujo los niveles más bajos de lípidos en plasma, en tanto que el de avellana es hipercolesterolémico, mostrando estrecha relación entre las grasas dietarias (ácidos grasos y colesterol) y los lípidos plasmáticos y hepáticos

Lipid effects on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gating and kinetics: a structural-functional correlation

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is still the paradigm of rapid ligand-gated ion channels. Since the early finding of a motionally restricted shell of lipids ( annulus ) in the immediate perimeter of the membrane-bound AChR, experimental evidence has supported the notion that the interface between the protein moiety and the adjacent lipid molecules is the site of action of a variety of pharmacologically relevant substances, including non-competitive inhibitors of the cholinergic system like some local anesthetics, short-chain alcohols, and steroids. Patch-clamp data on cells expressing the AChR protein add another dimension to this knowledge, enabling correlations to be established between the chemical composition of lipid-modified cells and the functional properties (ligand binding, channel gating) of the receptor protein in situ