Ultrastructural localization of a chondroitinase-sensitive, cuprolinic blue-positive filament in developing mouse lung.

By use of the cationic dye Cuprolinic Blue in a critical electrolyte concentration method, the lungs of mice ranging from the late fetal stage (17 days of gestation) to the puberal stage (27 days) were surveyed for their proteoglycans. A large Cuprolinic Blue-positive filament is present within the connective tissue of lungs of late fetal and young postnatal mice. It is mostly located at the boundary between large extracellular matrix structures and electron microscopically empty areas, but sometimes also at the surface of fibroblast-like cells. The stainability of the filament disappears after treatment with chondroitinase ABC or chondroitinase AC, but not after treatment with nitrous acid. The Cuprolinic Blue-positive structure appears to be most abundant around 2 days postnatally. From day 10 on, its number decreases dramatically, and it can be no longer observed in the lungs of 27-day-old mice.

Isolation and characterization of a collagen fibril-associated dermatan sulphate proteoglycan from bovine lung.

Dermatan sulphate proteoglycans have been extracted from bovine lung with 2.0 M CaCl2 and isolated using CsCl density gradient centrifugation, DEAE ion-exchange chromatography, gel chromatography and preparative sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ultrastructurally these proteoglycans are specifically associated with collagen fibrils. Dermatan sulphate (Mr 15.10(3)-35.10(3), with a strong prevalence for the higher Mr) is link via an O-glycosidic bond to a protein core, which is rich in Asx, Glx and Leu. Of the total uronic acid, 91% is iduronic acid. A part of the glucuronic acid residues is located near the protein core and a large cluster of disaccharides is devoid of glucuronic acid residues. An inhibition enzyme immunoassay has been developed to quantitate the proteoglycan. A model for the interaction between dermatan sulphate proteoglycans and collagen fibrils is proposed.

Ultrastructural localization of proteoglycans in tissue using cuprolinic blue according to the critical electrolyte concentration method: comparison with biochemical data from the literature.

Several connective tissues were stained for proteoglycans using the cationic dye Cuprolinic Blue according to the critical electrolyte concentration method. With this method, proteoglycans are visualized as electron-dense filaments. In most tissues, two types of proteoglycan filaments are present: a small (maximum length 60 nm), thin, collagen fibril-associated filament, and a thick, heavily-staining filament which is predominantly localized between bundles of collagen fibrils. Cartilage contains very large (about 300 nm) proteoglycan filaments while in cornea they are very small. Comparison with biochemical data from the literature suggests that the appearance of the proteoglycan filaments may be indicative for the glycosaminoglycan-protein ratio and for the molecular weight of the part of the protein core to which glycosaminoglycans are attached. The data thus obtained on the localization and structure of a proteoglycan may be useful when planning a strategy for its isolation.

Further characterization of a large proteoglycan in human lung alveoli.

By use of the cationic dye Cuprolinic Blue in a critical electrolyte concentration method, heavily staining, generally large, filaments have been demonstrated in human lung alveoli. In some lung specimens they are abundant, while in others they are very scanty. The filaments are seen: around bundles of collagen fibrils, at places which seem electron microscopically almost empty, associated with basement membranes around elastin, and sometimes associated with individual collagen fibrils. After poststaining tiny threads--connecting the filaments--could sometimes be observed. The filaments are resistant to treatment with nitrous acid, heparitinase or pronase after prefixation. After digestion with chondroitinase ABC, chondroitinase AC or pronase without prefixation, the filaments are no longer detectable. The tiny threads are chondroitinase ABC resistant. It is concluded that the Cuprolinic Blue-positive filaments represent proteoglycans which contain chondroitin sulfate and/or glucuronic acid-rich dermatan sulfate. The possible role of these proteoglycans in tissue repair is discussed.

Ultrastructural localization and characterization of proteoglycans in human lung alveoli.

In order to localize and characterize proteoglycans in human lung alveoli, we have used the cationic dye Cuprolinic Blue according to the critical electrolyte concentration method. After staining, five types of Cuprolinic Blue-positive filaments become apparent: two types in the basement membranes of type I and type II epithelial cells respectively and lying in one or two layers; one type, more scattered, localized in the basement membrane of the endothelial cells and another kind associated with collagen fibrils and separated from each other according to the main banding period (+/- 60 nm) of these fibrils. Finally, there was a type of filament which was only locally present at a variety of places. The basement membrane filaments were sensitive to heparinase, heparitinase, pronase (without prefixation) and nitrous acid treatment, but not to Streptomyces hyaluronidase, neuraminidase, chondroitinase ABC, chondroitinase AC, pronase (after prefixation) and 2.0 M MgCl2 treatment. The basement membrane filaments, therefore, represent heparan sulphate-containing proteoglycans. On the other hand, the collagen fibril associated filaments were sensitive to treatment with heparinase, chondroitinase ABC and pronase (without prefixation), but insensitive to Streptomyces hyaluronidase, neuraminidase, nitrous acid, heparitinase, chondroitinase AC, pronase (after prefixation) and 2.0 M MgCl2 (after prefixation) treatment. These filaments thus represent iduronic acid-rich dermatan sulphate-containing proteoglycans. Several physiological functions for these proteoglycans are discussed.

Staining of proteoglycans in mouse lung alveoli. I. Ultrastructural localization of anionic sites.

In order to contrast anionic sites in mouse lung alveoli, two staining procedures were applied: (a) staining with Ruthenium Red and Alcian Blue and (b) staining with Cuprolinic Blue in a critical electrolyte concentration method. The Ruthenium Red-Alcian Blue staining procedure revealed electron-dense granules in the alveolar basement membrane. The granules were closely associated with the epithelial cell membrane and continued to stain even when the procedure was carried out at a low pH, indicating the presence of sulphate groups in the granules. After staining with Cuprolinic Blue, electron-dense filaments, also closely associated with the cell membrane, became visible in the basement membrane of type I epithelial cells. Their length depended on the MgCl2 concentration used during staining. At 0.4 M MgCl2, the length was mostly within the range 100-180 nm. Using a modified Cuprolinic Blue method, the appearance of the filaments closely resembled that of spread proteoglycan monomers with their side-chains condensed. The basement membrane of type II epithelial cells also contained filaments positive towards Cuprolinic Blue; their length, however, was smaller in comparison with those of type I epithelial cells. The filaments lay in one plane and provided the whole alveolus with an almost continuous sheet of anionic sites. Cuprolinic Blue staining also revealed filaments in the basement membrane of the capillary endothelial cells. Furthermore, Cuprolinic Blue-positive filaments (average length about 40 nm) became apparent in close contact with collagen fibrils and separated from each other according to the main banding period of the collagen fibrils (about 60 nm), indicating a specific ultrastructural interaction between these two components. Filaments connecting collagen fibrils with each other were also detected.

Staining of proteoglycans in mouse lung alveoli. II. Characterization of the Cuprolinic blue-positive, anionic sites.

The nature of Cuprolinic Blue-positive anionic filaments in mouse lung alveoli has been characterized. The contrast of filaments in the alveolar basement membrane of type I epithelial cells was lost on treatment with nitrous acid and pronase (without prefixation). In contrast, neither neuraminidase, chondroitinase ABC or AC, nor Streptomyces hyaluronidase had any effect. Treatment with pronase (after prefixation) and 2.0 M MgCl2 (after prefixation) also had no effect, indicating that the filaments are heparan sulphate proteoglycans. The filaments in the alveolar basement membrane of type II epithelial cells and in the capillary basement membrane of the endothelial cells were also nitrous acid sensitive, but chondroitinase ABC-insensitive. A model in which the whole alveolus contains a single layer of heparan sulphate-containing proteoglycan monomers is proposed. Furthermore, the collagen fibril associated filaments remained unaffected after treatment with nitrous acid, neuraminidase or Streptomyces hyaluronidase, or after digestion with pronase (after prefixation) and treatment with 2.0 M MgCl2 (after prefixation). These filaments, however, could no longer be detected when digestion with chondroitinase ABC or pronase (without prefixation) was applied; chondroitinase AC treatment clearly affected the filaments, although they still were visible. These results indicate that the filaments are dermatan sulphate-containing proteoglycans. Some functional aspects of the proteoglycans are discussed.

Substrate specificity and mode of action of the zinc-metallo nuclease from Physarum polycephalum.

The alkaline zinc-metallo nuclease of Physarum polycephalum is an endonuclease with a high specificity for single-stranded nucleic acids. Single-stranded DNA was cleaved at least 6,000 times faster than double-stranded DNA under identical conditions. In the supercoil-induced single-stranded region of Form I PM2 DNA only a single nick was made. The nuclease showed nucleotide specificity. Poly(A), poly(I), and poly(dT) were preferentially hydrolyzed. Product analysis showed that it acted by an endonucleolytic mechanism: long polynucleotides were fragmented via intermediate length products to oligo- and mono-nucleotides with the phosphate group at the 5'-terminal position. Extensive similarities exist with the single-strand-specific nuclease S1 from Aspergillus. The zinc-metallo endonuclease from Physarum could be used as a similar probe for single-stranded nucleic acids at neutral or alkaline pH conditions.

Nucleic acids and related enzymes. Secretion of four alkaline DNases by plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum.

In plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum, DNase activity with a preference for native DNA was found in a pattern of three or four isoenzymes. During growth a constant specific activity of approx. 0.3 unit of DNase activity per mg protein was found in the plasmodia, with a broad maximum during the G2-phase in the naturally synchronous flat cultures. Under conditions of starvation or sclerotization, DNase activity was secreted by the plasmodia in amounts which were up to ten times higher than the internal level of enzyme activity. Purification of the secreted DNase activity to high purity by three simple chromatographic steps showed that four different DNase isoenzymes existed which were identical with the intracellular ones. The relative abundances of the various isoenzyme forms inside and outside the plasmodia seemed to be slightly different. The possible functions of the DNase activities are discussed.

Purification and enzymatic characterization of three endoDNase isoenzymes from Physarum polycephalum.

Three alkaline DNases, A, B, and C, with preference for the digestion of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were partially purified from microplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum. They were very similar but differed in their isoelectric points. These were pH 5.8 for DNase A, 7.1 for DNase B, and 9.1 for DNase C. All three enzymes consisted of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 16,000 to 17,000, which readily formed high molecular weight complexes with low enzyme activity. These complexes could be reversibly dissociated by urea, and DNase activity was quantitatively reactivated. The DNases hydrolyzed the substrate DNA by an endonucleolytic mechanism which gave 5'-phosphorylated products. Divalent cations, MnCl2 or MgCl2, were essential for enzyme activity at the optimum pH of approximately 8.5 and at low ionic strength. The optimal conditions of pH, buffer, divalent cations and ionic strength and the extent of inhibition by salt, phosphate ions or urea differed slightly but significantly between the different isoenzymes.

Purification of an alkaline nuclease from Physarum polycephalum.

An alkaline nuclease was purified from microplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum. The nuclease, active on denatured DNA and RNA and free of contamination by other nucleolytic activities, appeared to be a zinc-metallo protein. The enzyme was only active under conditions, where Zn2+ were retained in the enzyme. Loss of zinc occurred by the chelating action of EDTA, EGTA or ampholines, by acid of highly alkaline pH conditions or by high ionic strength. The addition of ZnCl2 to compensate losses, restored all activity, while all other divalent cations caused inhibition. The nuclease, with a molecular weight of 32 000, was stable at neutral pH at high temperatures with a half-life of 20 min at 80 degrees C. It was inhibited by any salt of buffer concentration above the level of zero ionic strength and showed a special sensitivity towards phosphate ions. The possible similarity of this enzyme to nuclease S1 from Aspergillus oryzae is pointed out.

Measurement of DNA-excision repair in suspensions of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes after exposure to some carcinogenic compounds: its possible use in carcinogenicity screening.

When suspensions of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were exposed to a number of carcinogenic compounds, it was possible to measure an increased UDS by a rapid procedure via liquid-scintillation counting. For a number of carcinogenic compounds and some of their non-carcinogenic structural analogues a good correlation between the carcinogenic property and the ability to induce UDS was demonstrable. Out of 12 carcinogenic compounds, belonging to several different chemical classes, 10 gave rise to an increased UDS, whereas only 2 compounds, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[alpha]pyrene and benz[alpha]anthracene, did not. All 4 noncarcinogenic compounds tested were negative. Possibly this method can be of value as a routine screening test, in combination with other short-term test systems, thus improving the predictive value of screening in vitro with respect to carcinogenicity.

Endonuclease activity in nuclei of Physarum polycephalum. Partial purification and characterization.

An endonuclease, present in the microplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum, has been partially purified from isolated nuclei by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-75 chromatography. 1. The endonuclease produced single-strand scissions in double-stranded DNA which resulted in the generation of 5'-phosphoryl and 3'-hydroxyl termini. No activity was observed with single-stranded DNA as substrate. 2. The pH optimum was approximately 8.5. 3. Divalent cations were essential for enzyme activity. MnCl2 and MgCl2 gave maximal activity. CaCl2, ZnCl2 or CoCl2 did not activate the enzyme. 4. The endonuclease activity was highly sensitive to monovalent cations. 5. Endonuclease activity was found in two forms after gel filtration: an activity in a homogeneous peak with a molecular weight of approx. 20 000, and an activity that had a heterogeneous molecular weight and which was isolated in a complex with DNA. A possible function of the endonuclease in DNA replication is discussed.

The pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema (II).

The most important primary cause of generalized pulmonary emphysema is in all probability the loss of mechanical stability of the connective tissue framework in the lung parenchyma. The complexity of the interrelations and interdependencies between the fibres and the ground substance, leads to the mapping out of a more detailed outline of the vulnerable parts in a similar framework. It is concluded that the junctions especially constitute weak spots. Glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins and proteoglycans particularly hold a key position as cementing substances. The importance of female sex hormones in the metabolism of the ground substance is indicated. A survey is given of the possible threats to a similar system. An attempt is made to disentangle the multitude of possible pathogenetic pathways which lead to emphysematous disintegration. Perspectives of future emphysema research are discussed on the basis of these considerations. Preventive, protective, and reconstructive measures are proposed.