Quantitative analysis of centromeric FISH spots during the cell cycle by image cytometry.

Two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome enumeration DNA probes specific to chromosomes 7, 11, 17, and 18 was applied to CAL-51 breast cancer cells to examine whether the fluorescence intensity of FISH spots was associated with cell cycle progression. The fluorescence intensity of each FISH spot was quantitatively analyzed based on the cell cycle stage determined by image cytometry at the single-cell level. The spot intensity of cells in the G2 phase was larger than that in the G0/1 phase. This increased intensity was not seen during the early and mid S phases, whereas the cells in the late S phase showed significant increases in spot intensity, reaching the same level as that observed in the G2 phase, indicating that alpha satellite DNA in the centromeric region was replicated in the late S phase. Thus, image cytometry can successfully detect small differences in the fluorescence intensities of centromeric spots of homologous chromosomes. This combinational image analysis of FISH spots and the cell cycle with cell image cytometry provides insights into new aspects of the cell cycle. This is the first report demonstrating that image cytometry can be used to analyze the fluorescence intensity of FISH signals during the cell cycle.

Elucidation of proliferative capability of mononuclear tetraploid cells, emerging spontaneously from diploid cells, using image cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

OBJECTIVES: Proliferation of tetraploid cells (TCs) emerging from diploid cells is considered to be a critical event toward tumourigenesis, or cancer progression. Recently, several studies have reported that binuclear TCs emerging from normal cells are capable of mitosis, however, it has not been confirmed directly whether mononuclear TCs emerging from normal cells could proliferate, even cancer cells. The aim of this study is to detect mononuclear TCs in vitro, spontaneously emerging from diploid cells and to elucidate their proliferative capability directly. For this purpose, we have developed a novel method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, two completely disomic cell lines were used, TIG-7, a fibroblast cell line and CAL-51, a breast cancer cell line. Cells were cultured on microscope slides and their DNA content was determined using an image cytometer. On the same slides, chromosome numbers were scored using centromere fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). For evaluating proliferative capability of TCs, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation and colony-forming ability were examined. RESULTS: Using our method, spontaneous emergence of mononuclear TCs was detected in both TIG-7 and CAL-51. Colonies of TIG-7 TCs were not observed, but were observed of CAL-51 TCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our method enables detection of mononuclear TCs and elucidation of their proliferative capability, directly; this evidence reveals that mononuclear TIG-7 TCs do not proliferate but that mononuclear CAL-51 TCs are able to.

Molecular characterization of mitocalcin, a novel mitochondrial Ca2+-binding protein with EF-hand and coiled-coil domains.

Here we have identified and characterized a novel mitochondrial Ca2+-binding protein, mitocalcin. Western blot analysis demonstrated that mitocalcin was widely expressed in mouse tissues. The expression in brain was increased during post-natal to adult development. Further analyses were carried out in newly established neural cell lines. The protein was expressed specifically in neurons but not in glial cells. Double-labeling studies revealed that mitocalcin was colocalized with mitochondria in neurons differentiated from 2Y-3t cells. In addition, mitocalcin was enriched in the mitochondrial fraction purified from the cells. Immunohistochemical studies on mouse cerebellum revealed that the expression pattern of mitocalcin in glomeruli of the internal granular and molecular layers was well overlapped by the distribution pattern of mitochondria. Immunogold electron microscopy showed that mitocalcin was associated with mitochondrial inner membrane. Overexpression of mitocalcin in 2Y-3t cells resulted in neurite extension. Inhibition of the expression in 2Y-3t cells caused suppression of neurite outgrowth and then cell death. These findings suggest that mitocalcin may play roles in neuronal differentiation and function through the control of mitochondrial function.