Distribution of actin in isolated seminiferous epithelia and denuded tubule walls of the rat.

We have studied the distribution of actin, using NBD-phallacidin as a probe, in isolated sheets of seminiferous epithelia and denuded tubule walls of the rat. Sheets of intact seminiferous epithelia were separated from tubule walls using EDTA in PBS. The isolated epithelia and denuded tubule walls were fixed, mounted on slides, made permeable with cold acetone (-20 degrees C), and then treated with NBD-phallacidin. Actin was observed in myoid cells, in ectoplasmic specializations of Sertoli cells, and in Sertoli cell regions adjacent to tubulobulbar processes of late spermatids. In myoid cells, filament bundles course in circular and longitudinal directions relative to the tubule wall. In Sertoli cells viewed at an angle perpendicular to the epithelial base, actin filaments in ectoplasmic specializations adjacent to junctional complexes circumscribe the bases of the cells. Filament bundles in ectoplasmic specializations adjacent to germ cells closely follow the contour of and are arranged parallel to the long axis of the developing acrosome. Sertoli cell regions adjacent to tubulobulbar processes of late spermatids stain intensely with NBD-phallacidin. Isolated seminiferous epithelia, combined with NBD-phallacidin as a probe for actin, provide an ideal model system in which to study further the contractile properties of Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations and the possible involvement of these structures in events that occur during spermatogenesis.

Arrangement and possible function of actin filament bundles in ectoplasmic specializations of ground squirrel Sertoli cells.

We have investigated the arrangement and function of actin filament bundles in Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations found adjacent to junctional networks and in areas of adhesion to spermatogenic cells. Tissue was collected, from ground squirrel (Spermophilus spp.) testes, in three ways: seminiferous tubules were fragmented mechanically; segments of intact epithelium and denuded tubule walls were isolated by using EDTA in a phosphate-buffered salt solution; and isolated epithelia and denuded tubule walls were extracted in glycerol. To determine the arrangement of actin bundles, the tissue was fixed, mounted on slides, treated with cold acetone (-20 degrees C), and then exposed to nitrobenzoxadiazole-phallacidin. Myosin was localized using immunofluorescence. To investigate the hypothesis that ectoplasmic specializations are contractile, glycerinated models were exposed to exogenous ATP and Ca++; then contraction was assessed qualitatively by using nitrobenzoxadiazole-phallacidin as a marker. Actin bundles in ectoplasmic specializations adjacent to junctional networks circumscribe the bases of Sertoli cells. When intact epithelia are viewed from an angle perpendicular to the epithelial base, honeycomb staining patterns are observed. Filament bundles in Sertoli cell regions adjacent to spermatogenic cells dramatically change organization during spermatogenesis. Initially, the bundles circle the region of contact between the developing acrosome and nucleus. They then expand to cover the entire head. As the spermatid flattens, filaments on one side of the now saucer-shaped head orient themselves parallel to the germ cell axis while those on the other align perpendicularly to it. Before sperm release, all filaments course parallel to the rim of the head. Contrary to the results we obtained with myoid cells, we could not convincingly demonstrate myosin in ectoplasmic specializations or induce contraction of glycerinated models. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that actin in ectoplasmic specializations of Sertoli cells may be more skeletal than contractile.

Ultrastructure of Sertoli-cell penetrating processes found in germ cells of the golden-mantled ground squirrel (spermophilus lateralis).

We have studied the ultrastructure of Sertoli-cell processes that extend into developing germ cells of the ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis). In other mammals it is speculated that these processes anchor germ cells to the seminiferous epithelium and transfer materials between Sertoli and germ cells. In the ground squirrel, Sertoli-cell projections first appear in round spermatids and consist of regions containing numerous mitochondria and intermediate filaments together with areas composed mainly of a fine filamentous matrix. Also present are what may be desmosomelike junctions with adjacent germ cells. During spermatogenesis, numerous changes in the penetrating processes and their internal composition occur. Especially significant are those occurring during the movement of residual cytoplasm basally over spermatid heads: some Sertoli-cell processes contain microtubules, mitochondria, and vesicular elements, but also present are regions that lack organelles and appear simply as thin lamellae of cytoplasm that line cavernous invaginations of the germ cell. Coated vesicles and pits are present in processes and adjacent germ-cell regions at all stages of spermatogenesis. Our observations are consistent with the suggestions that Sertoli-cell processes have an attachment function and that they also may facilitate the movement of residual cytoplasm into the epithelium. Further, they indicate that these structures might be involved with receptor-mediated edocytosis.

Sensitivity and resistance of pathogenic yeasts to 5-fluoropyrimidines. II.--Mechanisms of resistance to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (author's transl). / Sensibilité et résistance des levures pathogènes aux 5-fluoropyrimidines. II.--Etude des mécanismes de résistance a la 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) et au 5-fluorouracile (5-FU)

Incorporation of labelled 14C-pyrimidines and 5-fluoropyrimidines (5-FC and 5-FU) in four different phenotypes of wild strains of Candida isolated from man showed comparable results to those obtained by the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) test. Kinetics studies demonstrated significant rates of incorporation after 24 hours of culture in each case. It was also possible to infer the biochemical mechanisms of resistance to 5-FC, namely a defect in UMP pyrophosphorylase, cytosine deaminase and 5-FU permease in the ease of the following phenotypes: 5-FCR 5-FUR, 5-FCR 5-FUS and 5-FCS 5-FUR (R = resistant; S = sensitive). In this study, the permeation process was approached by a consumption assay which determined the rate of labelled substrates into the medium before and after 24 hours of culture. Thus, it was found that the consumption levels of the phenotype 5-FCS 5-FUS were very high, while those of the phenotype 5-FCR 5-FUR were minimal. The 5-FCS 5-FU5 phenotype had no detectable consumption of 5-FU. With regard to the 5-FC5 5-FUS phenotype, it seems that the non-incorporation of 5-FC into the RNAs after the consumption by the yeasts has a feed back effect on the permeation process.

[Sensitivity and resistance of pathogenic yeasts to 5-fluoropyrimidines. I.--Relation between the phenotypes of resistance to 5-fluorocytosine, the serotype of Candida albicans and the ecology of various species of Candida of human origin (author's transl)]. / Sensibilité et résistance des levures pathogènes aux 5-fluoropyrimidines. I.--Relation entre les phénotypes de résistance a la 5-fluorocytosine, le sérotype de Candida albicans et l'écologie de différentes espèces de Candida d'origine humaine

The sensitivity to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-fluorouridine (5-FUri) of 583 strains of C. albicans of human origin shows a relationship between their ecology, their serotype and their sensitivity to 5-FC. The incidence of the primary resistant strains isolated from patients with systemic candidiasis is of 4%, and 88.8% of the resistant strains belong to serotype B. In a closed community of premature infants the only resistant isolate amongst 78 strains recovered during hospitalization also belong to the B serotype and was introduced from outside. African strains of vaginal origin showed a higher incidence (21.6%) of resistance than did the european strains (4.5%) and this resistance was related to the B serotype predominant in the African environment. This raises the problem of the structure of the cell wall in connection with the active sites, the antigenic determinants and the enzymatic equipment.