scholarly journals Filensin: a new vimentin-binding, polymerization-competent, and membrane-associated protein of the lens fiber cell.

1991 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Merdes ◽  
M Brunkener ◽  
H Horstmann ◽  
S D Georgatos
Keyword(s):  
Limited Proteolysis ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Lens Fiber ◽  
Lens Fiber Cell ◽  
Fiber Cells ◽  
Nonionic Detergent ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Lens Membranes ◽  
Filament Protein

We have studied the molecular properties of a 100-kD protein, termed filensin, which we have isolated from porcine lens membranes. Filensin represents a membrane-associated element, resistant to salt and nonionic detergent treatment, and extractable only by alkali or high concentrations of urea. By indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, this protein can be localized at the periphery of the lens fiber cells. Immunochemical analysis suggests that filensin originates from a larger 110-kD component which is abundantly expressed in lens but not in other tissues. Purified filensin polymerizes in a salt-dependent fashion and forms irregular fibrils (integral of 10 nm in diameter) when reconstituted into buffers of physiological ionic strength and neutral pH. Radiolabeled filensin binds specifically to lens vimentin under isotonic conditions, as demonstrated by affinity chromatography and ligand-blotting assays. By the latter approach, filensin also reacts with a 47-kD peripheral membrane protein of the lens cells. Purified filensin binds to PI, a synthetic peptide modelled after a segment of the COOH-terminal domain of peripherin (a type III intermediate filament protein highly homologous to vimentin), but not to various other peptides including the NH2-terminal headpiece of vimentin and derivatives of its middle (rod) domain. The filensin-PI binding is inhibited by purified lamin B, which is known to interact in vitro with PI (Djabali, K., M.-M. Portier, F. Gros, G. Blobel, and S. D. Georgatos. 1991. Cell. 64:109-121). Finally, limited proteolysis indicates that the filensin-vimentin interaction involves a 30-kD segment of the filensin molecule. Based on these observations, we postulate that the lens fiber cells express a polymerization-competent protein which is tightly associated with the plasma membrane and has the potential to serve as an anchorage site for vimentin intermediate filaments.

The distribution of the fiber cell intrinsic membrane proteins MP20 and connexin46 in the bovine lens

1992 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 245-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tenbroek ◽  
M. Arneson ◽  
L. Jarvis ◽  
C. Louis
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Fiber Cell ◽  
Immunogold Electron Microscopy ◽  
Lens Fiber ◽  
Lens Fiber Cell ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Fiber Cells ◽  
Bovine Lens ◽  
Narrow Side ◽  
Lens Membranes

MP20 is an intrinsic membrane protein previously identified in mammalian lens fiber cells. To identify a possible role for this protein in the lens, the distribution of MP20 and connexin46 has now been examined. Western immunoblotting with an anti-peptide antibody generated to the C-terminal 8 amino acids of MP20 confirmed the presence of this protein in the lens of several different mammalian species. A monoclonal antibody 5H1 was prepared that, in Western blots of bovine lesn membranes, recognized the same component as an antibody to rat connexin46 (Cx46). The apparent molecular mass of this component decreased from 59 kDa to 55 kDa following treatment of lens membranes with alkaline phosphatase. A monoclonal antibody to connexin-related MP70 recognized a 70 kDa component in bovine lens membranes confirming the presence of these two different connexin proteins in bovine lens membranes. To localize MP20 and Cx46 in the bovine lens membrane, lens fiber cell bundles were immunofluorescently labeled with both the MP20 antibody, and the monoclonal antibody to Cx46. Cx46 was identified in large plaques on the broad faces of the lens fiber cells throughout the outer 1 mm of the lens cortex. MP20 colocalized with Cx46 only in a restricted area 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm into the lens. In other regions of the lens, MP20 appeared more diffusely distributed over the fiber cell surface, although apparently concentrated in the ball-and-socket regions at the corners of the narrow side of the inner cortical lens fiber cells. These inner cortical regions were devoid of Cx46. A difference in distribution of these two proteins was confirmed in studies of immunofluorescently labeled lens cryosections. Furthermore, immunogold electron microscopy of purified lens membranes identified MP20 in both junctional regions (with Cx46) and in single membranes. These results provide evidence for a role for MP20 in mammalian lens fiber cell junctional formation or organization.

Membrane-binding properties of filensin, a cytoskeletal protein of the lens fiber cells

1992 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 709-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brunkener ◽  
S.D. Georgatos
Keyword(s):  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Lens Fiber ◽  
Alkaline Ph ◽  
Trypsin Treatment ◽  
Binding Properties ◽  
Fiber Cells ◽  
Lens Membranes ◽  
Acylated Proteins ◽  
Triton X

Filensin is a 100/110 kDa membrane-associated protein found in lens fiber cells. Previous studies have shown that this protein polymerizes in vitro and binds strongly to vimentin and to another 47 kDa lens membrane protein. Using cosedimentation assays, flotation assays and immunoelectron microscopy, we have examined the properties of purified filensin and measured its binding to lens membranes. Filensin behaves as a ureaextractable, hydrophilic protein which does not partition with Triton X-114 and is not affected by 1 M hydroxylamine at alkaline pH, an agent known to release fatty-acylated proteins from the membrane. Immunoblotting of urea-extracted lens membranes with two different affinity-purified antibodies reveals that, unlike intact filensin, a COOH-terminal filensin degradation product (51 kDa) remains tightly associated with the membranes. Purified filensin binds directly to urea-stripped lens membranes, but not to protein-free vesicles reconstituted from total lens lipids. The binding of filensin is not significantly influenced by the purified 47 kDa protein. Interestingly, the filensin-binding capacity of urea-extracted membranes is increased at least two-fold after trypsin treatment, which removes entirely the 51 kDa peptide from the membranes and presumably unmasks additional filensin-acceptor sites. Consistent with this, filensin binds to trypsinized and non-trypsinized membranes with similar affinities (2 × 10(−7) and 4 × 10(−7) M, respectively). Treatment of the membranes with thrombin, which also eliminates the 51 kDa peptide, does not increase their binding capacity, apparently because filensin-acceptor sites are also destroyed during proteolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Targeted Deletion of the Lens Fiber Cell–Specific Intermediate Filament Protein Filensin

2003 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 5252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azita Alizadeh ◽  
John Clark ◽  
Teri Seeberger ◽  
John Hess ◽  
Tom Blankenship ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Fiber Cell ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Lens Fiber ◽  
Lens Fiber Cell ◽  
Targeted Deletion ◽  
Filament Protein

scholarly journals Connexin Mutants Compromise the Lens Circulation and Cause Cataracts through Biomineralization

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5822
Author(s):  
Viviana M. Berthoud ◽  
Junyuan Gao ◽  
Peter J. Minogue ◽  
Oscar Jara ◽  
Richard T. Mathias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junction ◽  
Lens Fiber ◽  
Lens Fiber Cell ◽  
Alizarin Red ◽  
General Process ◽  
Fiber Cells ◽  
Gap Junctional Communication ◽  
Junctional Communication ◽  
Gap Junctional ◽  
Junction Proteins

Gap junction-mediated intercellular communication facilitates the circulation of ions, small molecules, and metabolites in the avascular eye lens. Mutants of the lens fiber cell gap junction proteins, connexin46 (Cx46) and connexin50 (Cx50), cause cataracts in people and in mice. Studies in mouse models have begun to elucidate the mechanisms by which these mutants lead to cataracts. The expression of the dominant mutants causes severe decreases in connexin levels, reducing the gap junctional communication between lens fiber cells and compromising the lens circulation. The impairment of the lens circulation results in several changes, including the accumulation of Ca2+ in central lens regions, leading to the formation of precipitates that stain with Alizarin red. The cataract morphology and the distribution of Alizarin red-stained material are similar, suggesting that the cataracts result from biomineralization within the organ. In this review, we suggest that this may be a general process for the formation of cataracts of different etiologies.

scholarly journals Purification of desmin from adult mammalian skeletal muscle

1981 ◽  
Vol 195 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M O'Shea ◽  
R M Robson ◽  
M K Hartzer ◽  
T W Huiatt ◽  
W E Rathbun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Mammalian Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Cytoskeletal Function ◽  
10 Nm Filaments ◽  
And Function ◽  
Filament Protein

A method has been developed for preparation of purified desmin from mature mammalian (porcine) skeletal muscle. A crude desmin-containing fraction was prepared by modification of procedures used for isolation of smooth-muscle intermediate-filament protein [Small & Sobieszek (1977) J. Cell Sci. 23, 243-268]. The desmin was extracted in 1 M-acetic acid/20 mM-NaCl at 4 degrees C for 15h from the residue remaining after actomyosin extraction from washed myofibrils. Successive chromatography on hydroxyapatite and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B in 6M-urea yielded desmin that was routinely more than 97% 55 000-dalton protein and that had no detectable actin contamination. Removal of urea by dialysis against 10mM-Tris/acetate (pH 8.5)/1 mM dithioerythritol and subsequent clarification at 134 000 g (rav. 5.9 cm) for 1 h results in a clear desmin solution. Dialysis of purified desmin against 100 mM-NaCl/1 mM-MgCl2/10 mM-imidazole/HCl, pH 7.0, at 2 degrees C resulted in the formation of synthetic desmin filaments have an average diameter of 9-11.5 nm. The present studies demonstrate that the relatively small amount of desmin in mature skeletal muscle can be isolated in sufficient quantity and purity to permit detailed studies of its properties and function. Although 10nm filaments have not been unequivocally demonstrated in mature muscle in vivo, that the purified skeletal-muscle desmin will form 10 nm filaments in vitro lends support to their possible existence and cytoskeletal function in mature skeletal-muscle cells.

scholarly journals A Small Vimentin-Binding Molecule Blocks Cancer Exosome Release and Reduces Cancer Cell Mobility

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianping Wu ◽  
Qian Xie ◽  
Yanjun Liu ◽  
Yanan Gao ◽  
Zhipeng Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
Filament Protein

Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein with diverse roles in health and disease far beyond its structural functions. Exosomes or small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are key mediators for intercellular communication, contributing to tissue homeostasis and the progression of various diseases, especially the metastasis of cancers. In this study, we evaluated a novel vimentin-binding compound (R491) for its anti-cancer activities and its roles in cancer exosome release. The compound R491 induced a rapid and reversible intracellular vacuolization in various types of cancer cells. This phenotype did not result in an inhibition of cancer cell growth, which was consistent with our finding from a protein array that R491 did not reduce levels of major oncoproteins in cancer cells. Morphological and quantitative analyses on the intracellular vacuoles and extracellular exosomes revealed that in response to R491 treatment, the exosomes released from the cells were significantly reduced, while the exosomes retained as intra-luminal vesicles inside the cells were subsequently degraded. Vim+/− cells had lower amounts of vimentin and accordingly, lower amounts of both the retained and the released exosomes than Vim+/+ cells had, while the vimentin-binding compound R491 inhibited only the release of exosomes. Further functional tests showed that R491 significantly reduced the migration and invasion of cancer cells in vitro and decreased the amount of exosome in the blood in mice. Our study suggests that vimentin promotes exosome release, and small-molecule compounds that target vimentin are able to both block cancer exosome release and reduce cancer cell motility, and therefore could have potential applications for inhibiting cancer invasive growth.

scholarly journals Vimentin binds to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and antibodies targeting extracellular vimentin block in vitro uptake of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukasz Suprewicz ◽  
Maxx Swoger ◽  
Sarthak Gupta ◽  
Ewelina Piktel ◽  
Fitzroy F Byfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Surface Binding ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Virus Like Particles ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Filament Protein

Infection of human cells by pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, typically proceeds by cell surface binding to a crucial receptor. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been identified as a necessary receptor, but not all ACE2-expressing cells are equally infected, suggesting that other extracellular factors are involved in host cell invasion by SARS-CoV-2. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein that is increasingly recognized as being present on the extracellular surface of a subset of cell types, where it can bind to and facilitate pathogens' cellular uptake. Here, we present evidence that extracellular vimentin might act as a critical component of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 complex in mediating SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. We demonstrate direct binding between vimentin and SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles coated with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and show that antibodies against vimentin block in vitro SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection of ACE2-expressing cell lines. Our results suggest new therapeutic strategies for preventing and slowing SARS-CoV-2 infection, focusing on targeting cell host surface vimentin.

Chicken filensin: a lens fiber cell protein that exhibits sequence similarity to intermediate filament proteins

1993 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 1057-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.G. Remington
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Fiber Cell ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Lens Fiber ◽  
Lens Fiber Cell ◽  
Intermediate Filament Proteins ◽  
Fiber Cells ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Sequence Identity

Filensin, a 100 kDa, membrane-associated, cytoskeletal protein, is uniquely expressed in the lens fiber cell (Merdes, A., Brunkener, M., Horstmann, H., and Georgatos, S. D. (1991) J. Cell Biol. 115, 397–410). I cloned and sequenced a full-length chicken lens cDNA encoding filensin, also known as CP95 (Ireland, M. and Maisel, H. (1989) Lens and Eye Toxicity Research 6, 623–638). The deduced amino acid sequence of 657 residues contained an internal 280 residue heptad repeat domain with sequence similarities to the rod domain of intermediate filament proteins. The putative filensin rod domain could be divided into three alpha-helical segments (1A, 1B and 2) separated by short, non-helical linkers. The sequence of the amino-terminal end of the filensin rod domain contained the highly conserved intermediate filament segment 1A motif (Conway, J. F. and Parry, D. A. D. (1988) Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 10, 79–98). Allowing conservative amino acid substitutions, the sequence of the carboxy-terminal end of the filensin rod domain was similar to that of the highly conserved intermediate filament rod carboxy terminus. The alpha-helical segments of the shorter filensin rod domain aligned with the corresponding segments of intermediate filament proteins by allowing a gap of four heptad repeats in the amino-terminal half of filensin segment 2. Filensin rod segment 2 contained the characteristic stutter in heptad repeat phasing, nine heptads from the end of the intermediate filament rod. The overall sequence identity between the rod domains of filensin and individual intermediate filament proteins was 20 to 25%, approximately the level of sequence identity observed between intermediate filament proteins of different types. The open reading frame of chicken filensin predicted a 657 amino acid protein with molecular mass of 76 kDa. Embryonic chicken filensin migrated in SDS-PAGE as a triplet of 102, 105 and 109 kDa, while rooster filensin migrated as a 105 and 109 kDa doublet. Antibodies to filensin labeled lens fiber cells but not lens epithelial cells. By immunofluorescence methods filensin was localized to the fiber cell plasma membranes, including the ends of elongated fiber cells.

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