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The study of changes in the intracellular processes during differentiation of myoblasts into myotubules is of great importance for understanding several fundamental problems of cell biology. At first, this concerns the spatial organization of vacuolar apparatus that reflects the alterations in the properties of cell membranes, cytoskeleton elements and dynamics of vesicular transport in the course of differentiation. The distribution of acidic membrane organelles (lysosomes, late endosomes, Golgi cisternae) during the myotubule formation was revealed. It was shown that perinuclear localization of acidic organelles in myoblasts was replaced by diffuse distribution of these structures in the whole volume of myotubules. Using lipophilic fluorescent dyes, RH 414 and di-8-ANEPPS, the process of formation and dynamics of endocytic vesicles in myoblasts and myotubules was investigated. In the present work, semiconductive nanocrystals, quantum dots (QDs), conjugated with TAT-peptide, which belongs to cell-penetrating peptides, were used to characterize nonspecific endocytosis. It was shown that QDs--TAT complexes penetrate myoblasts but do not penetrate myotubules even after 24 h incubation, which might be connected with plasma membrane changes during the process of skeletal muscle differentiation.

Using spectral scanning regime of Leica TCS SL confocal microscope, acridine orange (AO) fluorescence spectra in nuclei and cytoplasms of living myoblasts L6J1 and frog single muscle fibres have been studied. AO fluorescence spectra in salt solutions dependent on free AO concentrations and in AO complexes with DNA have also been obtained for comparison. Myoblasts nuclei fluoresced in green spectral region with maximum at approximately 530 nm (corresponding AO monomers fluorescence), nucleoli fluoresced most brightly. Nuclear chromatin fluoresced not uniformly in these cells. We saw similar to myoblasts AO emission in nucleoli and nuclei of frog single muscle fibres. The uniformed weak green fluorescence was observed for myoblast cytoplasm. As to the muscle fibres sarcoplasm, we saw also AO green fluorescence in A-discs. In myoblasts and muscle fibre cytoplasm we saw the fluorescent red, yellow and green granules which were acidic organelles. The comparison of AO fluorescence spectra in living cells with fluorescence spectra of different AO concentrations and complexes of AO with DNA in buffer solutions allows estimation of AO concentration in acidic granules which is of interest in the investigation of cellular organelles functions in the processes of intracellular transport, adaptation, apoptosis and a number of pathological conditions.

The problem of non-specific binding of quantum dots (QDs) with cells is very important but not fully understood taking into account the possible application of QDs in medical and fundamental studies. The interactions of untargeted CdSe/ZnS QDs with isolated frog muscle fibres, HeLa cells and J774 cells were investigated. The observations were performed on living cells using laser confocal microscopy (Leica TCS SL). The QDs covered with polyethylenglycol without any functional reactive groups with emission maximum at 565 nm were used in the study. This type of QDs is suggested to prevent an interaction of QDs with biological molecules. It has been shown that QDs do not enter HeLa cells, T-system and sarcoplasm of skeletal muscle fibres. However, during long-term incubation J774 cells can uptake QDs. The data obtained has demonstrated the diversity of interactions of untargeted QDs with different cell types and are important for understanding of the problems of non-selective uptake and cytotoxicity of QDs.

The changes of T-system and cellular acidic organelles during spreading (Zenker's) necrosis of frog skeletal muscle fibres have been investigated using laser confocal microscopy and several vital fluorescent dyes acridine orange, RH 414, DiOC6(3), rhodamine 123, fluorescein dextran. The formation of numerous vacuoles as a result of local T-system swelling is most characteristic for initial steps of Zenker's necrosis. Vacuoles can attain tens microns in length. They are located both near nuclear poles and between myofibres. Vacuoles maintain connections with the extracellular space up to the moment of contraction knot rejection, and under definite conditions (glycerol influx to fibre) vacuoles are reversible. They deform nuclei and sarcoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Cellular acidic organelles, accumulating acridine orange (lysosomes, late endosomes, Golgi apparatus cisternae) are situated in direct vicinity with normal and vacuolated T-system. The increase in acidic organelles number and size occur during the pathological process development, and tendency to vacuoles clusterization may be seen. Vacuolation of T-system during necrosis is not followed by vacuole content acidification. The role of cellular acidic organelles and of T-system vacuolation in the development of different muscle pathological changes is discussed.

The spatial distribution of acid membrane organelles and their relationships with normal and vacuolated transverse tubules has been studied in living frog skeletal muscle fibres using confocal microscopy. Acridine orange (AO) was used to evaluate acid compartments, while a lipophilic styryl dye, RH 414, was employed to stain the membranes of the T-system. AO accumulated in numerous spherical granules located near the poles of nuclei and between myofibrils where they were arranged in short parallel rows, triplets or pairs. AO granules could be divided into three groups: green (monomeric AO), red (aggregated AO), and mixed green/red. As demonstrated by lambda-scanning, most granules were mixed. Double staining of muscle fibres with AO and RH 414 revealed almost all AO granules located near the transverse tubules. Vacuolation of the T-system was induced by glycerol loading and subsequent removal. The close juxtaposition of AO granules and the T-system was preserved in vacuolated fibres. The lumens of vacuoles did not accumulate AO. It is concluded that AO granules represent an accumulation of AO in lysosome-related organelles and fragmented Golgi apparatus and a possible functional role of the spatial distribution of such acidic compartments is discussed.

A study was made of modulations of lysosome-phagosome fusion process and of fibrillar actin content in mouse peritoneal macrophages by an antitumor alkaloid sanguinarine and a derivative drug Ukrain. In addition, effects of these substances on in vitro polymerization of monomeric globular actin from rabbit muscle were investigated. Sanguinarine and Ukrain stimulated lysosome-phagosome fusion and increased the content of polymerized fibrillar form of actin in mouse macrophages. Effects of these substances were enhanced at their higher concentrations. Both sanguinarine and Ukrain induced in vitro polymerization of globular actin from rabbit muscle. A possible role of sanguinarine and Ukrain in changing vesicular membrane states during intracellular membrane interaction in lysosome-phagosome fusion process was discussed. The influence of these substances on actin polymerization and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement was evaluated. It could be supposed that sanguinarine and Ukrain may alter intracellular membrane transport.

By means of fluorescent and phase-contrast microscopy the distribution of acid membrane organelles in normal and vacuolated frog skeletal muscle fibers has been studied. The vacuolation of the T-system was produced by loading and subsequent removal of glycerol (80-110 mM), or it appeared as a result of Zenker's necrosis. Acridine orange (AO) was used as a marker for acid intracellular compartments. AO accumulated in granules localized near the nuclear poles (more seldom around the nucleus)' and in the intermyofibrillar spaces. Typically the AO granules make up short longitudinal chains or regular pairs, where the distances between neighboring granules are short-dated to sarcomere lengths. Almost all granules emit in red, but about one third of them simultaneously emit in green, which is characteristic of AO monomers. In the vicinity of necrotic boundary or under the influence of brefeldin A, a green component of fluorescence appears in most granules. Treatment with monensin leads to granule disappearance. Vacuoles accompanying the glycerol treatment or developing of necrosis do not accumulate AO and exert no effect on the localization of AO-granules. The nature of cellular organelles accumulating AO in skeletal muscle fibers is discussed.

Polyethylenimine (PEI) and cationic polypeptides complexed with plasmid DNA are the most efficient nonviral vectors for gene therapy. It is believed that endocytosis is the major pathway for cell entering by PEI/DNA or cationic peptides/DNA complexes. Effects of plasmid DNA complexed with PEI, poly-L-lysine (PLL), poly-D-lysine (PDL) and polyarginine (PA) on the phagosome-lysosome fusion (P-LF) were studied in murine peritoneal macrophages and J774 macrophages. Cationic polypeptide PLL can be hydrolysed by cellular peptidases, but its stereoisomer, PDL, cannot be split by these enzymes. PEI, PDL, and PA have been shown to inhibit P-LF. PLL showed a low effect on the P-LF. On the basis of these studies, we assume that lysosomotropic agents able to change functions of lysosomes in the cell may affect transfection efficiency and thus be used for gene therapy.

Effects of polyamine (PA) synthesis inhibitors--alpha-difluoromethylornithinchloride (DFMO) and alpha-methylornithinchloride (MO)--separately or in combination with the epidermal growth factor (EGF)--on lysosome-phagosome fusion (P-LF) and F-actin content in murine peritoneal macrophages were studied using fluorescent dye Acridine orange for lysosome labelling, FITC-phalloidin for F-actin, and yeast cells as a target. DFMO and MO significantly inhibited P-LF and decreased F-actin content in murine peritoneal macrophages. A combination of DFMO and MO with EGF failed to inhibit P-LF or to decrease F-actin content in these cells. The results obtained with DFMO and MO suggested new cellular targets of their effects. These results may be extended to cancer research to provide a rationale for clinical trials using combinations of EGF with DFMO or MO.

Effect of DNA-intercalators ethidium bromide (EB, 0.005 and 0.015 mM) and dimidium bromide (DB, 0.005 and 0.010 mM) and antioxidative compounds acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 0.05 and 0.50 mM) and beta-carotene (0.01, 0.02, 0.05 mM) on the phagosome-lysosome (P-L) fusion and F-actin content in murine peritoneal macrophages were studied. EB, DB, ASA and beta-carotene were found to stimulate P-L fusion and the effect depending on the concentration of compounds tested. The strongest influence as evoked by 0.5 mM of ASA and 0.05 mM of beta-carotene. The compounds tested enhanced the F-actin content in macrophages, especially by the action of beta-carotene (0.05 mM). The obtained data indicate a correlation between P-L fusion stimulation and F-actin content under the influence of compounds tested in murine peritoneal macropheages.

Effects of biologically active compounds bilirubin (BR, 0.1 and 0.2 mM), chelerythrine (CR, 0.1 and 0.5 mM) and farmorubicin (FR, 0.6 and 6.0 mM) on the phagosome-lysosome fusion (P-LF) were studied using fluorescent dye acridine orange for lysosomal labelling and yeast cells as a target. To investigate mechanisms of these effects, changes in fluidity of lysosomal membranes from murine liver were studied by measuring of fluorescence intensity, lifetime and polarization of the fluorescent membrane probes: DPH (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) and TMA-DPH [1-(4-triphenylamino)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene] incorporated in isolated murine liver lysosomes. In order to characterize the induced cytoskeleton changes, the F-actin content in murine peritoneal macrophages was determined. It was found that all three compounds tested enhanced P-LF. Our results demonstrate that BR induces a decrease in DPH and TMA-DPH fluorescence polarization, FR increases DPH and TMA-DPH fluorescence polarization, and CR causes an increase in TMA-DPH fluorescence polarization in lysosomal membranes. All the three compounds increase F-actin content in peritoneal macrophages. Thus, the action of BR extended on P-LF is associated with increasing lysosomal membranes fluidity and cytoskeleton changes. The enhancement of P-LF under the action of FR and CR can be most likely explained by changes of cytoskeleton.

Current literature on the structure of vacuolar apparatus and its involvement in the process of intracellular transport has been reviewed. Modern views on endocytosis and its particular steps are described. Special attention is paid to one of important steps of endocytosis-the phagosome-lysosome fusion, its disturbance under the action of pathogenic microorganisms, its inhibition and stimulation by some chemical factors and biologically active compounds. The authors widely used their own experimental data. Much attention is paid to the current notions on the fusion pore structure and function, as well as on fusion mechanisms of biological membranes and factors regulating this process.

Effects of various antituberculosis remedies (ATR)--isoniazid (INA), saluzid (SA), streptosaluzid (SS), ethambutol (EB), sodium para-aminosalicylate (SPAS) on phagosome-lysosome (PL) fusion, on F-actin content in mouse macrophages and on G-actin polymerization in vitro were studied. The ATR of choice have been shown to stimulate the PL fusion. INA (0.2 mM), SA (0.02 mM), SS (0.05 mM), EB (0.08 mM) and SPAS (0.5 mM) increased the F-actin content and changed its localization within macrophages. ATR changed the character of G-actin polymerization in vitro. Possible mechanisms of interrelation between cytoskeleton (actin part) changes and PL fusion are discussed. The results obtained suggest to use the ATR-induced changes in PL fusion and F-actin content in the cells for estimating therapeutic effects of respective antituberculosis remedies.

The influence of natural and synthetic polyamines, phalloidin, cytochalasin D, vinblastine, colchicine, puromycin, chlorpromazine, urea, glutaraldehyde, and ethanol on the phagosome-lysosome fusion and the content of F-actin in murine peritoneal macrophages has been studied. Fluorescent phallotoxin FITC-phalloidin was used to stain F-actin. Natural polyamines (spermine, spermidine, putrescine), phalloidin, ethanol (0.1 M) stimulated the phagosome-lysosome fusion and increased the mid-content of F-actin in macrophages. Cytochalasin D, vinblastine, colchicine, puromycin, chlorpromazine, urea, glutaraldehyde, ethanol (0.15 and 0.2 M) inhibited this process and decreased the mid-content of F-actin. Possible mechanisms of the interconnection of cytoskeleton and the phagosome-lysosome fusion are discussed.

Polyanion (mannansulphate), cation dyes (Toluidine blue, Nile blue), anion-dye (Trypan blue) also non-electrolytes (urea, glutaraldehyde) were found to inhibit the phagosome-lysosome fusion in murine macrophages. The mechanism of this effect is discussed.

Diamines (DA), characterized by a general formula H2N-(CH2) n-NH2 in which n varies from 2 to 10, inhibit the phagosome-lysosome fusion in murine peritoneal macrophages. The DA concentration was 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mM. The inhibitory effect increased with increasing the number of CH2-groups in the DA molecule. It was suggested that DA could influence the lysosomal membrane state. An additional proof of such changes was obtained with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrien (DPH) as a fluorescent probe. Lysosomes isolated from murine peritoneal macrophages by differential centrifugation were used. It was found that DPH fluorescence intensity in lysosomal membrane increased under the influence of DA.

The influence of polyamines on the phagosome-lysosome fusion in murine peritoneal macrophages and on polymerization of G-actin from the rabbit muscle in vitro has been studied. Both natural polyamines (spermin, spermidin, putrescin) and synthetic phenyl derivates of polyamines (3,3'-diaminobensidin, 1,5-naphtalin diamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenilmetan, dancylcadaverin) were used. Unlike the phenyl derivates of polyamines and putrescin, spermin and spermidin stimulate the phagosome-lysosome fusion to induce G-actin polymerization. Possible mechanisms of action of the above polyamines are discussed.

During the differentiation of pigeon erythroid cells their aldolase activity considerably decreases, which is more obvious during the erythroblast reticulocyte development compared to the reticulocyte erythrocyte development. There are some common patterns in the character of aldolase binding by plasma membrane (PM) of the erythroid cells of different degrees of maturation: a high binding lability and the availability of a small portion of enzyme firmly bound to PM. During erythropoesis an increase of aldolase binding occurs. The provided data show a specific character of interaction of aldolase with erythroid membrane. The shown increase of aldolase binding may partly explain a decrease of its activity in the course of erythropoesis and is, perhaps, of adaptive character.

Murine peritoneal macrophages are able to hydrolyse NAD+ and NADP+. The NADPase activity exceeds that of NADase by 22-24%. The pH optima for both the enzymes are, respectively, 6.0 and 7.0. NAD hydrolysis is considerably activated by Mg2+, whereas NADP hydrolysis remains not affected. NAD+ does not change NADPase activity, while NADase activity is inhibited by NADP by 25-30%. A diazonium salt of sulfanilic acid, known to be an inhibitor of cell plasma membranes, does not affect NADP+ hydrolysis and causes a 20-30% retardation of NAD+ hydrolysis. The data obtained suggest that murine peritoneal macrophages contain two hydrolytic enzymes: NADase and NADPase.

A study was made of the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the nuclei of kidney cells of dogs under normal conditions and upon the effect of the polyenic antibiotic amphotericin B. An active NAD-pyrophosphorylase has been found in the nuclei of kidney cells. It has been established that a intervenous introduction of amphotericin B stimulates NAD+ production. Amphotericin B also causes a decrease in the amount of histones in the nucleus. In the case of the nuclear membrane damage by a non-ionic detergent Triton X-100, no increase in the synthesis of NAD+ has been observed in the nuclei of kidney cells of animals treated with antibiotics, as opposed to the control ones. Under discussion is a question of a possible mechanism of the effect of polyenic antibiotics on the synthesis and metabolic activity of NAD+.

The nuclei of pigeon erythrocytes are capable of synthesizing NAD from nicotinamid-mononucleotides and ATP. Some data on the kinetics of NAD-pyrophosphorylase have been obtained: the optimal concentration of nuclei and the effect of various incubation time. The pretreatment of nuclei by Triton X-100, or by ultrasonics enhances NAD synthesis. The results suggest that cyclic 3',5'-AMP (Fluka) may have no effect on NAD synthesis. The control of the cell metabolism by NAD formation is considered.

Osmotically hemolysed pigeon erythrocytes retain a considerable part of the total cell content of aldolase activity. After washing off the ghosts from hemoglobin and removing the nuclei, a considerable portion of aldolase activity is found in the supernatant. The retained part of aldolase is rather firmly bound to plasma membranes (PM), as evidenced by the fact, that double washing with a mixture of 0.3 M sucrose, 0.01 M tris-HCl (pH 7.4) and 0.004 M MgCL2, or with 0.15 M NaCl or H2O does not appreciably decrease the aldolase activity of PM. Only washing of PM with 0.5 M NaCl results in appreciable decrease of aldolase retention by PM. The binding of aldolase proved to be temperature sensitive: after heating the binding of aldolase to PM specifically decreased. These data suggest that the interaction of the enzyme with PM of pigeon erythrocytes occurs in the intact cell and may be of physiological significance.

A study was made of the hydrolysis of NAD+ in the process of rabbit erythroid cell differentiation. Activities of NAD-hydrolase and NAD-pyrophosphatase, examined during maturation of erythroid cells, demonstrated a more significant decrease in the course of erythroblast-reticulocyte transformation, than at the next step of erythropoesis (reticulocyte-erythrocyte transformation). Both enzymes are strongly associated with the stroma. Under discussion is a question of the possible role of NAD+ catabolism.

An inhibitor of proteinases--epsilon-aminocaproic acid--inhibits the propagation of destruction along the muscle fiber isolated from frog m. iliofibularis. It is assumed that generalization of the injury is hampered by a protein precipitate formed at the site of the injury, which is preserved due to inhibition of proteinase activity.

The non-electrolytes--urea, thiourea, sucrose, glycerin, polyethylendioxid, glutaraldehyde--inhibit polymerization of G-actin in vitro. The results are discussed in association with the capability of some non-electrolytes preventing colloid reactions of alterated protoplasm and increasing the stability of cells to injuring agents.

Cytochemical methods were applied for detecting of distribution and dynamics of dehydrogenase activity (H- and M-subunits of lactate dehydrogenase, malate and succinate dehydrogenase) during maturation of pigeon erythrocytes. In the erythroblasts the above enzymes were seen in the whole cell; in reticulocytes - only around the nucleus; in erythrocytes - on the border line between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The cytophotometric data show a decrease in enzymatic activity during maturation being more significant in the period from the erythroblast to reticulocyte development than from the reticulocyte to erythrocyte development.

The effect of diphteria toxin on the synthesis and degradation of NAD+ and the hydrolysis of NADP+ in the nuclei of guinea pig kidney were studied. Treatment of animals with diphteria toxin (DT) results in considerable reduction of NADpyrophosphorylase activity, which starts 12 hours after incubation and is minimal (50% of that of the control animals) 18 hours after it. During this time interval DT does not affect the activity of NADase and decreases that of NADPase in the nuclei. Thus under diphterial intoxication a decrease of NADPase activity, the synthesis of NAD+ being reduced, probably provides for kidney cells more favourable conditions for maintenance of their synthetic reactions and for restoration of their normal metabolism. It was found that the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 promotes the NADpyrophosphorylase activity in cell nuclei of intact animals by 40% (on the average) and does not affect the NAD+ synthesis in DT injected animals. Therefore DT not only reduces the nuclear NADpyrophosphorylase activity but also affects the nuclear envelope. The alteration of nuclei under DT treatment is suggested by the decrease of their histone content (30% on the average as compared with the control). The decrease of NADpyrophosphorylase activity under DT intoxication can be considered as an adaptive reaction limiting the availability of NAD+ as the substrate of the EF2 mono (ADP-ribosilation) which results in its unability to promote translation.

NADP-glycohydrolase and NADP-pyrophosphates activities were examined during the rabbit erythroid cell differentiation. The former is high in erythroblast lysates, especially in the erythroblast nuclei. As erythroid cell maturation proceeds, the activity of NADP-glycohydrolase decreases. At the first step (erythroblast-reticulocyte transformation), this activity falls down more than by 20 times, whereas at the second step (reticulocyte-erythrocyte transformation) it decreases no more than twice. NADP-glycohydrolase is associated with the stroma of erythroid cells throughout their maturation, being bound with the nucleus in erythroblasts. NADP-pyrophosphatase activity has been detected in reticulocytes and mature cells only. The role of NADP- and NAD-glycohydrolases for characterization of the intracellular metabolic pools is discussed.

The content of G-actin was measured in aqueous extracts of rat macrophages and human lymphocytes at hyperthermia and hypoxia. The G-actin content in altered cells decreases the greater the stronger the injury. This decrease correlates well with the data on visual estimation of cell light diffusing. A possible contribution of actin polymerization and its interaction with proteins in the colloidal reactions of altered protoplasm is discussed.