Ultrastructural changes of the carp (Cyprinus carpio) hepatocyte nucleolus during seasonal acclimatization.

in Biology of the Cell (2006), 98(8), 457-63

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The eurythermal fish carp (Cyprinus carpio) adjusts to the seasonal changes in the temperature and photoperiod of its habitat through diverse cellular and molecular mechanisms. We ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The eurythermal fish carp (Cyprinus carpio) adjusts to the seasonal changes in the temperature and photoperiod of its habitat through diverse cellular and molecular mechanisms. We have observed that ribosomal biogenesis is modulated during the acclimatization process and correlates with profound phenotypic changes, reflecting a seasonal-dependent ultrastructural appearance of the nucleolar components. Previous studies using classical techniques showed that in winter-adapted carp the nucleolus appears to be segregated. In the present work, we have reassessed the nucleolar ultrastructural organization of the carp in summer- and winter-adapted fish by using more specific cytochemical and immunocytological techniques. RESULTS: The acetylation method provided evidence that the nucleolar organization is different between winter- and summer-adapted carp. In winter-adapted fish the fibrillar component appears as a unique mass surrounded by several granular caps, whereas in summer-adapted carp the fibrillar component forms few cordons surrounded by granular masses. The nucleolar structure and distribution of the condensed chromatin observed varies upon seasonal acclimatization. In winter the nucleolar chromatin is densely packed in masses that surround the nucleolus, whereas during summer it displays a rather looser organization formed by filaments that not only surround the nucleolus, but also go through the nucleolar body. Using the TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase)-immunogold labelling technique, we detected condensed and decondensed nucleolar chromatin, and found some labelling of fibrillar components in both seasons. When liver tissue from summer-adapted carp was treated with AMD (actinomycin D), we observed that the rearrangement of the nucleolar components and condensed chromatin were similar to that found in winter-adapted fish, with differences in the distribution of the perinucleolar chromatin. CONCLUSIONS: The acetylation and TdT-immunogold labelling experiments indicated that the rearrangement of the nucleolar components of winter-adapted carp is very similar to the AMD-treated summer-adapted carp nucleolus, with the latter representing the repression of the ribosomal biogenesis that occurs during the cold season. Nevertheless, the distribution of the condensed perinucleolar chromatin in winter-adapted carp compared with AMD-treated cells suggests that the transcription of rRNA genes in winter-adapted fish is less strongly inhibited and does not lead to the classical segregation of the nucleolus of that described after AMD treatment. In addition, we have confirmed that carp hepatocyte nucleoli comprise only two main structural compartments: a fibrillar component and a granular component. Fibrillar centres were not observed. [less ▲]

Cytochemical distinction of various nucleolar components in insect cells.

in Biology of the Cell (1991), 72(1-2), 133-40

The fine structure of the insect Sf9 cell nucleolus has been investigated by means of different cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques at the electron microscope level. Apart from a few ... [more ▼]

The fine structure of the insect Sf9 cell nucleolus has been investigated by means of different cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques at the electron microscope level. Apart from a few perinucleolar condensed chromatin clumps, the insect cell nucleolus comprises two compartments. The first of these consists of a roundish compact zone formed of fibrillar material. The other is composed of fibrillar and granular structures organized into a network separated by interstitial spaces. But, unlike mammalian cell nucleoli, any fibrillar center has been observed in the Sf9 cell nucleolus, even after actinomycin D treatment. We also show that the compact fibrillar zone of Sf9 cell nucleoli contains silver-stainable material and DNA. In actinomycin D-treated cells, a preferential contact of this compact fibrillar zone with condensed chromatin has been visualized. Finally, silver-stainable material has been found to persist throughout the whole mitosis. These results suggest that the compact fibrillar zone at the insect Sf9 cell nucleolus should, at least partly, correspond to the fibrillar center of mammalian cell nucleoli. [less ▲]

Ultrastructural distribution of DNase I sensitive sequences in specific regions of cell nucleus

in Biology of the Cell (1990), 69

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies on extranucleolar bodies in rat oocytes at the preovulatory follicle stage.

in Biology of the Cell (1989), 65(1), 61-6

At the antral follicle stage, the nucleolus is entirely composed of a homogeneous proteinic compact mass. This nucleolar compaction during oogenesis seems to be a general feature in mammalian oocytes ... [more ▼]

At the antral follicle stage, the nucleolus is entirely composed of a homogeneous proteinic compact mass. This nucleolar compaction during oogenesis seems to be a general feature in mammalian oocytes. However, when oocyte maturation is induced by gonadotropin hormone (LH), oocytes enter into preovulatory stage. All the nucleoli are vacuolated and extranucleolar bodies appear in the germinal vesicle near the nucleolar mass. Based on the results obtained by ultrastructural cytochemical stainings, we postulate that these extranucleolar bodies originate from the nucleolar mass itself. The presence of the extranucleolar bodies could reflect the extrusion of nucleolar material, essentially ribonucleoproteins, into the ooplasm. This material could persist after fertilization in the pronuclei until the resumption of transcription at the early stage of embryogenesis. [less ▲]

Localization of DNA within Ehrlich tumour cell nucleoli by immunoelectron microscopy.

in Biology of the Cell (1988), 63(1), 27-34

The distribution of DNA in Ehrlich tumour cell nucleoli was investigated by means of an immunocytochemical approach involving a monoclonal antibody directed against double- and single-stranded DNA ... [more ▼]

The distribution of DNA in Ehrlich tumour cell nucleoli was investigated by means of an immunocytochemical approach involving a monoclonal antibody directed against double- and single-stranded DNA. Immunolabelling was performed either before or after the embedding process. The postembedding labelling method allows better ultrastructural preservation than the preembedding labelling method. In particular, the various nucleolar components are well preserved and identifiable. In the nucleolus, labelling is particularly concentrated over the perinucleolar chromatin and over its intranucleolar invaginations, which penetrate the nucleolar body and often terminate at the fibrillar centres. In addition, aggregates of gold particles are found in the fibrillar centres, preferentially towards the peripheral regions. By contrast, the dense fibrillar component is completely devoid of labelling. The results seem to indicate that DNA containing the rDNA genes is located in the fibrillar centres, with a preference for the peripheral regions. This finding suggests that transcription of the rDNA genes should occur within the confines of the fibrillar centre, probably close to the boundary region of the surrounding dense fibrillar component. The results are discussed in the light of present knowledge of the functional organization of the nucleolus. [less ▲]

Immunoelectron microscope detection of replicated DNA by monoclonal anti-bromodeoxyuridine antibody on ultrathin sections

in Biology of the Cell (1988), 63

Ultrastructure of nucleolus organizing regions in Ehrlich tumour cells

in Biology of the Cell (1987), 60

Essais de localisation des RNA polymérases dans des cellules tumorales d'Ehrlich par immunocytochimie ultrastructurale

in Biology of the Cell (1986), 57

Immunogold staining of pituitary hormones in human adenoma biopsies.

in Biology of the Cell (1985)

Re-evaluation of the site of transcription in Ehrlich tumour cell nucleoli.

in Biology of the Cell (1985), 54(1), 57-64

Recent electron microscopic immunolocalization studies (Scheer and Rose, 1984) indicated that RNA polymerase I is located in, and probably confined to, the fibrillar centres of the nucleoli. This ... [more ▼]

Recent electron microscopic immunolocalization studies (Scheer and Rose, 1984) indicated that RNA polymerase I is located in, and probably confined to, the fibrillar centres of the nucleoli. This conclusion appears to be in contradiction to previous autoradiographic studies reporting that transcription of rRNA genes takes place in the dense fibrillar component. Despite the fact that rRNA transcription occurs in the dense fibrillar component of Ehrlich tumour cell nucleoli, we show in the present paper that dense fibrillar component containing rapidly labelled RNA can be visualized not only around but also inside the fibrillar centres. [less ▲]