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Nürnberger S, Rentenberger C, Thiel K, Schädl B, Grunwald I, Ponomarev I, Marlovits S, Meyer C, Barnewitz D. Giant crystals inside mitochondria of equine chondrocytes. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 147:635-649. [PMID: 28013370 PMCID: PMC5400799 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1516-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The present study reports for the first time the presence of giant crystals in mitochondria of equine chondrocytes. These structures show dark contrast in TEM images as well as a granular substructure of regularly aligned 1-2 nm small units. Different zone axes of the crystalline structure were analysed by means of Fourier transformation of lattice-resolution TEM images proving the crystalline nature of the structure. Elemental analysis reveals a high content of nitrogen referring to protein. The outer shape of the crystals is geometrical with an up to hexagonal profile in cross sections. It is elongated, spanning a length of several micrometres through the whole cell. In some chondrocytes, several crystals were found, sometimes combined in a single mitochondrion. Crystals were preferentially aligned along the long axis of the cells, thus appearing in the same orientation as the chondrocytes in the tissue. Although no similar structures have been found in the cartilage of any other species investigated, they have been found in cartilage repair tissue formed within a mechanically stimulated equine chondrocyte construct. Crystals were mainly located in superficial regions of cartilage, especially in joint regions of well-developed superficial layers, more often in yearlings than in adult horses. These results indicate that intramitochondrial crystals are related to the high mechanical stress in the horse joint and potentially also to the increased metabolic activity of immature individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nürnberger
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria. .,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, Donaueschingenstrasse 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria. .,University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria. .,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.
| | - C Rentenberger
- Physics of Nanostructured Materials, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - K Thiel
- Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Wiener Strasse 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - B Schädl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, Donaueschingenstrasse 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria.,University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - I Grunwald
- Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Wiener Strasse 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - I Ponomarev
- Research Centre for Medical Technics and Biotechnology, Geranienweg 7, 99947, Bad Langensalza, Germany
| | - St Marlovits
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ch Meyer
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Traumatology, University of Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Straße 7, 35385, Giessen, Germany.,Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Klinikum Saarbrücken, Winterberg 1, 66119, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - D Barnewitz
- Research Centre for Medical Technics and Biotechnology, Geranienweg 7, 99947, Bad Langensalza, Germany
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Numata O. Multifunctional proteins in Tetrahymena: 14-nm filament protein/citrate synthase and translation elongation factor-1 alpha. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 1996; 164:1-35. [PMID: 8575889 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(08)62383-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
One gene encoding a protein has been shown to have two entirely different functions. Such a phenomenon, which has been called "gene sharing," was first known in crystallins. We found two multifunctional proteins in the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena: 14-nm filament protein and protein translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1 alpha). The 14-nm filament protein has dual functions as a citrate synthase in mitochondria and as a cytoskeletal protein in cytoplasm. In cytoplasm, the 14-nm filament protein was involved in oral morphogenesis and in pronuclear behavior during conjugation. The observation that Tetrahymena intramitochondrial filamentous inclusions contain the 14-nm filament protein and that the citrate synthase activity of the 14-nm filament protein is decreased by polymerization and increased by depolymerization, suggests a possible modulating mechanism of citrate synthase activity by monomer-polymer conversion in mitochondria in situ. The EF-1 alpha functions as an F-actin-bundling protein and a 14-nm filament-associated protein as well as an elongation factor in protein synthesis. The F-actin-bundling activity of EF-1 alpha was regulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin. Here we review the properties and functions of two multifunctional proteins in Tetrahymena.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Numata
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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