Chromosome detection by in situ hybridization in cancer cell populations which were flow cytometrically sorted after immunolabeling

We examined the feasibility of performing non-radioactive in situ hybridization (ISH) in flow cytometrically sorted (tumor) cells with a chromosome #1 specific centromere probe. The study was performed in a model system of HL60 cells mixed with different quantities of HeLa cells. These latter cells were sorted directly onto poly-l-lysine coated glass slides on the basis of their keratin content, a cytoskeletal component not present in HL60 cells. Overall morphology of the separated HeLa cells was excellent and, after the ISH procedure, the appropriate number of ISH spots was observed in more than 85% of the sorted cells. This percentage did not differ significantly in cell mixtures with different percentages of HeLa cells (down to 1%). Sorting of HeLa cells in different phases of the cell cycle, and subsequent ISH, revealed the same spot number for chromosome #1 in all cell cycle stages, including mitosis. In the latter phase of the cell cycle we did not find a duplication of the chromosome #1 centromere, not even after sorting of the mitotic cells on the basis of specific labeling with an antibody to mitotin. The early G2 mitotin negative fraction, however, showed a significant percentage of cells with a duplicate spot number, most likely representing a tetraploid cell fraction in this HeLa cell culture. The protocol that evolved from these model studies was applied to cell suspensions of malignant body cavity effusions as well as solid bladder carcinomas. In several of these cases numerical chromosome aberrations could be detected by ISH more evidently after sorting on the basis of keratin labeling.

Abundance of the primary transcript and its processed product of growth-related genes in normal and leukemic cells during proliferation and differentiation

The relative abundance of primary transcript and mature mRNA of the c-myc, calcyclin, S14 ribosomal protein, and rRNA genes was determined densitometrically after reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blotting analysis in resting and mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, proliferating and terminally differentiated HL-60 cells, and leukemic blast cells. Transcription and processing of c-myc and rRNA gene transcripts increased proportionally after mitogen stimulation, whereas these processes were independent of cell cycling status in the case of the S14 gene. Normal lymphocytes showed an unexpectedly large amount of primary transcript of the calcyclin gene, whereas the corresponding mRNA was undetectable. The abundance of c-myc, calcyclin, and S14 mRNA in terminally differentiated HL-60 cells decreased sharply, compared to their proliferating counterparts. This decrease reflected post-transcriptional modulation, since the abundance of precursor remained essentially unchanged. After HL-60 differentiation, the 32S rRNA levels remained relatively high, whereas the 45S primary transcript almost disappeared. Leukemic blast cells displayed highly variable precursor/mRNA ratios of c-myc, calcyclin, and S14 genes but consistently high ratios of 32S to 45S RNA, suggesting that the cleavage rate of the 32S rRNA was sharply reduced in these cells, resulting in an accumulation of this molecule. These results suggest the importance of efficient processing of primary transcript to generate adequate functional mRNA, thus regulating gene expression. Furthermore, in terminally differentiated cells and leukemic blast cells a stabilization of the primary transcript without efficient processing can be observed. The role of the stabilization of the primary transcript in terminal differentiation is further supported by the results of run-off transcription, indicating a sharp decrease of c-myc and calcyclin transcription rate in retinoic acid/dimethyl sulfoxide-treated HL-60 cells.

A DBL-homologous region of the yeast CLS4/CDC24 gene product is important for Ca(2+)-modulated bud assembly

The CLS4/CDC24 is essential for the budding process of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Disruption of the CLS4/CDC24 gene is lethal, and expression of the CLS4 product under the control of the GAL1 promoter is sufficient for cellular growth. The CLS4 product is detected in yeast cell lysate with an apparent molecular mass of 93 kD (854 amino acid residues) and shows homology with the human DBL oncogene product. Temperature-sensitive cdc24-1 mutation is located in the N-terminal portion of the protein whereas Ca(2+)-sensitive cls4-1 mutation is present after the DBL-homologous region (amino acid residues 281-518) near the putative Ca(2+)-binding site. Mutations within the DBL-homologous region are responsible for the Ca(2+)-sensitive phenotype. Thus the CLS4 gene product seems to have several functional domains within the molecule essential for bud assembly.

Mitotic regulator protein RCC1 is complexed with a nuclear ras-related polypeptide

We previously reported the purification of a complex of two proteins from human chromatin, consisting of a 47-kDa component called RCC1, which is a negative regulator of mitosis, and a 25-kDa protein. Here we show that the 25-kDa protein has a ras-related sequence. It binds guanine nucleotides, and excess Mg2+ and GDP or GTP dissociate the complex. Immunofluorescence studies and biochemical properties indicate that this polypeptide, in contrast to most members of the Ras family, is present in the nucleoplasm as a soluble monomer, in 25-fold excess over the complexed form. We designate this polypeptide Ran, for ras-related nuclear protein.

p55CDC25 is a nuclear protein required for the initiation of mitosis in human cells

The cdc25+ gene of fission yeast encodes a phosphotyrosine phosphatase that dephosphorylates tyrosine-15 of p34cdc2 and thereby activates p34cdc2/cyclin to bring about entry into M phase. We have recently cloned a human homolog, CDC25, which rescues the M-phase initiation defect of yeast cdc25 temperature-sensitive mutants. Antibodies raised against the CDC25 gene product specifically recognize human proteins of approximately 55 and approximately 52 kDa. Microinjection of affinity-purified anti-CDC25 antibodies into HeLa cells inhibits entry into mitosis. These observations suggest that the CDC25 gene products are essential for the initiation of mitosis in human cells, similar to their homologs in fission yeast and Drosophila. CDC25 gene products, like p34CDC2, are localized primarily in the nucleus during interphase, suggesting that activation of p34CDC2/cyclin by p52/p55CDC25 occurs within the nucleus.

Mutations at sites involved in Suc1 binding inactivate Cdc2

suc1+ encodes an essential cell cycle regulator of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Its product, a 13-kDa protein, interacts with the Cdc2 protein kinase. Both positive and negative effects on cell cycle progression have been attributed to Suc1. To date, the exact mechanisms and the physiological role of the interaction between Suc1 and Cdc2 remain unclear. Here we have studied the molecular basis of this association. We show that Cdc2 can bind Suc1 or its mammalian homolog directly in the absence of any additional protein component. Using an alanine scanning mutagenesis method, we analyzed the interaction between Cdc2 and Suc1. We show that the integrity of several domains on the Cdc2 protein, including sites directly involved in catalytic activity, is required for binding to Suc1. Furthermore, Cdc2 mutant proteins unable to bind Suc1 (but able to bind cyclins) are nonfunctional when overexpressed in S. pombe, indicating that a specific interaction with Suc1 is required for Cdc2 function.

A developmentally regulated and tissue-dependent transcription factor complexes with the retinoblastoma gene product

DRTF1 is a cellular transcription factor which complexes with the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene product and cyclin A, an association modulated by certain viral oncogenes, such as adenovirus E1a. Complexed DRTF1, referred to as DRTF1a, has similar DNA binding specificity and DNA binding polypeptides to DRTF1b, which lacks Rb. DRTF1b is abundant in both F9 embryonal carcinoma (EC) stem cells and pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells and is strongly down-regulated during the differentiation of both cell types, suggestive of a stem cell E1a-like activity. In contrast, DRTF1a, which in F9 EC cells is much less abundant than the other activities, is induced as F9 cells begin to differentiate. Consistent with the relationship between EC, ES and inner cell mass cells, DRTF1b is present in blastocyst stage embryos although as embryogenesis progresses the levels of Rb-complexed DRTF1 increase. Certain tissues, such as liver and brain, contain high levels of DRTF1 during early embryonic stages but little in adult terminally differentiated tissue, in contrast to the thymus, which contains high levels of Rb-complexed DRTF1 but lacks associated cyclin A. These data show that DRTF1 is a group of transcription factors that share common DNA binding polypeptides and which complex with other non-DNA binding proteins, such as the Rb protein and cyclin A, in a developmentally regulated and tissue-dependent fashion.

Rumenectomy-induced proliferation in duodenal villous epithelium is mechanistically related to the disappearance of statin, a non-proliferation-specific nuclear protein

We undertook this study to determine the effect of rumenectomy (a known cause of duodenal crypt cell hyperplasia) on the epithelial growth kinetics of the crypt-villus axis in rat duodenum. Ten rats were randomly assigned to control (gastrotomy) and experimental (rumenectomy) groups. After 14 days rats were sacrificed and representative sections were stained with the monoclonal antibody to statin, a non-proliferation-specific protein, by the immunoperoxidase procedure. In the control group, the mean percentages of statin-positive cells in the proximal duodenum, distal duodenum, proximal jejunum, and distal jejunum were 79 +/- 8.5, 79.5 +/- 5.7, 85 +/- 1.4, and 83.5 +/- 0.7, respectively. In the rumenectomy group, statin-positive nuclei were found in the region of the villous apices only, and the corresponding values for the above four areas were 26.2 +/- 4.9, 24.5 +/- 3.5, 31.7 +/- 4.5, and 80.5 +/- 2.1. Except for distal jejunum, the differences in statin expression in the control and experimental groups were significant (p less than 0.001). Rumenectomy leads to the disappearance of statin from the villous column cells of the duodenum and proximal small bowel. The lack of expression of statin in the rumenectomy group documents the potential usefulness of this measure in future studies in neoplasia were understanding of the proliferative status is of crucial importance.

Catalysis of guanine nucleotide exchange on Ran by the mitotic regulator RCC1

The product of the gene RCC1 (regulator of chromosome condensation) in a BHK cell line is involved in the control of mitotic events. Homologous genes have been found in Xenopus, Drosophila and yeast. A human genomic DNA fragment and complementary DNA that complement a temperature-sensitive mutation of RCC1 in BHK21 cells encode a protein of relative molecular mass 45,000 (Mr 45K) which is located in the nucleus and binds to chromatin. We have recently isolated a protein from HeLa cells that strongly binds an anti-RCC1 antibody and has the same molecular mass, DNA-binding properties, and amino-acid sequence as the 205 residues already identified. HeLa cell RCC1 is complexed to a protein of Mr 25K. We have shown that this 25K protein has a sequence homologous to the translated reading frame of TC4, a cDNA found by screening a human teratocarcinoma cDNA library with oligonucleotides coding for a ras consensus sequence, and that the protein binds GDP and GTP. We have referred to this protein as the Ran protein (ras-related nuclear protein). In addition to the fraction of Ran protein complexed to RCC1, a 25-fold molar excess of the protein over RCC1 was found in the nucleoplasm of HeLa cells. Here we show that RCC1 specifically catalyses the exchange of guanine nucleotides on the Ran protein but not on the protein c-Ha-ras p21 (p21ras).

TFS1: a suppressor of cdc25 mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The TFS1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a dosage-dependent suppressor of cdc25 mutations. Overexpression of TFS1 does not alleviate defects of temperature-sensitive adenylyl cyclase (cdc35) or ras2 disruption mutations. The ability of TFS1 to suppress cdc25 is allele specific: the temperature-sensitive cdc25-1 mutation is suppressed efficiently but the cdc25-5 mutation and two disruption mutations are only partially suppressed. TFS1 maps to a previously undefined locus on chromosome XII between RDN1 and CDC42. The DNA sequence of TFS1 contains a single long open reading frame encoding a 219 amino acid polypeptide that is similar in sequence to two mammalian brain proteins. Insertion and deletion mutations in TFS1 are haploviable, indicating that TFS1 is not essential for growth.

Isoproterenol downregulation of statin-related gene expression in the rat parotid gland

Statin, a 57 kilodalton (kDa) nuclear protein, is characteristically found in nonproliferating cells in culture as well as nondividing cells of a wide range of highly differentiated tissues. Moreover, cells in culture that are statin positive lose this statin expression when re-entering the cell-cycle traverse. In this work, statin expression was investigated in the parotid gland of untreated rats and those treated with isoproterenol (IPR), a proliferation-inducing catecholamine. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed specific nuclear staining with anti-statin monoclonal antibody (S-44) in the acinar and ducts cells of the untreated rats but significantly reduced in those induced with isoproterenol. To characterize the protein recognized by S-44, protein extracts from both tissues were immunoblotted and incubated with S-44. The antibody reacted specifically with a 48 kDa protein in the extract of the parotid glands from untreated rats while no reaction was detected in that of the proliferation-induced ones. These observations along with the result that a statin-like (S1) transcript is downregulated by isoproterenol in the parotid glands further support the notion that the disappearance of statin-related expression is associated with the IPR-induced proliferation in the rat parotid glands. The discrepancy between the apparent molecular mass of the protein identified by S-44 in nonproliferating parotid cells and that of statin originally found in fibroblasts, suggests that either a modified form of statin may be present in the parotid gland, or this 48 kDa protein may be a member of the nonproliferative statin-like family.

CDC55, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene involved in cellular morphogenesis: identification, characterization, and homology to the B subunit of mammalian type 2A protein phosphatase

Microscopic screening of a collection of cold-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae led to the identification of a new gene, CDC55, which appears to be involved in the morphogenetic events of the cell cycle. CDC55 maps between CDC43 and CHC1 on the left arm of chromosome VII. At restrictive temperature, the original cdc55 mutant produces abnormally elongated buds and displays a delay or partial block of septation and/or cell separation. A cdc55 deletion mutant displays a cold-sensitive phenotype like that of the original isolate. Sequencing of CDC55 revealed that it encodes a protein of about 60 kDa, as confirmed by Western immunoblots using Cdc55p-specific antibodies. This protein has greater than 50% sequence identity to the B subunits of rabbit skeletal muscle type 2A protein phosphatase; the latter sequences were obtained by analysis of peptides derived from the purified protein, a polymerase chain reaction product, and cDNA clones. An extragenic suppressor of the cdc55 mutation lies in BEM2, a gene previously identified on the basis of an apparent role in bud emergence.

CDC68, a yeast gene that affects regulation of cell proliferation and transcription, encodes a protein with a highly acidic carboxyl terminus

The cell cycle of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated through the study of conditional cdc mutations that specifically affect cell cycle performance. Cells bearing the cdc68-1 mutation (J. A. Prendergast, L. E. Murray, A. Rowley, D. R. Carruthers, R. A. Singer, and G. C. Johnston, Genetics 124:81-90, 1990) are temperature sensitive for the performance of the G1 regulatory event, START. Here we describe the CDC68 gene and present evidence that the CDC68 gene product functions in transcription. CDC68 encodes a 1,035-amino-acid protein with a highly acidic and serine-rich carboxyl terminus. The abundance of transcripts from several unrelated genes is decreased in cdc68-1 mutant cells after transfer to the restrictive temperature, while at least one transcript, from the HSP82 gene, persists in an aberrant fashion. Thus, the cdc68-1 mutation has both positive and negative effects on gene expression. Our findings complement those of Malone et al. (E. A. Malone, C. D. Clark, A. Chiang, and F. Winston, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11:5710-5717, 1991), who have independently identified the CDC68 gene (as SPT16) as a transcriptional suppressor of delta-insertion mutations. Among transcripts that rapidly become depleted in cdc68-1 mutant cells are those of the G1 cyclin genes CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3/WHI1/DAF1, whose activity has been previously shown to be required for the performance of START. The decreased abundance of cyclin transcripts in cdc68-1 mutant cells, coupled with the suppression of cdc68-1-mediated START arrest by the CLN2-1 hyperactive allele of CLN2, shows that the CDC68 gene affects START through cyclin gene expression.

The cdc25 protein contains an intrinsic phosphatase activity

Genetic and biochemical studies have indicated that the cdc25 protein controls the entry into mitosis by triggering tyrosine dephosphorylation of the cdc2 protein kinase. We show that the isolated cdc25 protein can catalyze dephosphorylation of several model phosphatase substrates, including p-nitrophenyl phosphate and two distinct tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides. The cdc25-dependent cleavage reaction closely resembles dephosphorylation by known tyrosine phosphatases: the reaction requires a reducing agent, shows high sensitivity to sodium vanadate, and proceeds efficiently in the presence of metal chelators. Moreover, the phosphatase activity of the cdc25 protein is eliminated by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide or by alteration of a single conserved cysteine residue by site-directed mutagenesis. These observations indicate that the cdc25 protein can function as a tyrosine phosphatase in the absence of any other protein.

cdc25 is a specific tyrosine phosphatase that directly activates p34cdc2

cdc25 controls the activity of the cyclin-p34cdc2 complex by regulating the state of tyrosine phosphorylation of p34cdc2. Drosophila cdc25 protein from two different expression systems activates inactive cyclin-p34cdc2 and induces M phase in Xenopus oocytes and egg extracts. We find that the cdc25 sequence shows weak but significant homology to a phylogenetically diverse group of protein tyrosine phosphatases. cdc25 itself is a very specific protein tyrosine phosphatase. Bacterially expressed cdc25 directly dephosphorylates bacterially expressed p34cdc2 on Tyr-15 in a minimal system devoid of eukaryotic cell components, but does not dephosphorylate other tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins at appreciable rates. In addition, mutations in the putative catalytic site abolish the in vivo activity of cdc25 and its phosphatase activity in vitro. Therefore, cdc25 is a specific protein phosphatase that dephosphorylates tyrosine and possibly threonine residues on p34cdc2 and regulates MPF activation.

Controlling cell cycle progress in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The suitability of fission yeast as a model for understanding the eukaryotic cell cycle has been validated in five years of exciting developments. We review recent advances in understanding the nature of the controls that regulate progression through the cell cycle and the coordination of DNA replication and mitosis.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the human RCC1 gene involved in coupling between DNA replication and mitosis

Total genomic DNA of the human RCC1 gene was isolated from HeLa DNA and its complete nucleotide sequence (34,641 bp) was determined by the shotgun sequencing method. The exon-intron junctions were precisely assigned to this sequence by comparing the nucleotide sequence of RCC1 genomic DNA with that of its cDNA. The RCC1 gene was found to have 14 exons, 8 of which (starting from the seventh one) coded the seven repeated sequences of RCC1 protein. A single exon corresponded roughly to each repeat of the RCC1 protein except for the middle one, indicating that the RCC1 gene was generated through amplification of a primordial exon. Primer extension analysis revealed the presence of an internal promoter.

The yeast SRM1 protein and human RCC1 protein share analogous functions

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein SRM1 and the mammalian protein RCC1 have amino acid sequence similarity throughout their lengths. SRM1 was defined by a recessive mutation in yeast that both activates the signal transduction pathway required for mating and leads to arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. RCC1 was defined by a recessive mutation in hamster cells that causes premature chromosome condensation and other characteristics of entry into mitosis. Despite the seemingly different roles implied by these phenotypes, we suggest that RCC1 and SRM1 proteins have similar functions. In particular, we find that RCC1 can complement the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of two independent srm1 mutations and also complements, at least partially, phenotypes associated with activation of the pheromone response pathway, such as transcription induction of FUS1. However, RCC1 fails to complement an srm1 null allele. Further characterization of the srm1 mutant phenotype reveals a defect in plasmid and chromosome stability, suggesting that the mutants have a defect in DNA replication, mitosis, or their coordination. Finally, like RCC1, SRM1 is a nuclear protein. Together, these data imply that SRM1 and RCC1 have a common role in their respective organisms.

Ras-regulated signaling processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Molecular genetics has proved quite successful in identifying the components of RAS-mediated signal transduction in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in defining the nature of their interactions. Recently, the emphasis has shifted to a biochemical approach as the processes of guanine nucleotide exchange, GTPase stimulation activity and posttranslational modification of Ras proteins have all been reproduced in vitro.

Purification and characterization of mouse decidual calcyclin: a novel stimulator of mouse placental lactogen-II secretion

The effects of secretagogue(s) from mouse decidual tissue on the release of mouse placental lactogen-II (mPL-II) were studied. Decidual tissue was obtained from 10- and 11-day-pregnant mice. The tissue was homogenized, extracted, and the tissue extract was made 50% saturated with ammonium sulfate. Both the precipitate and supernatant were tested for their ability to stimulate mPL-II release from cultured trophoblasts. The supernatant contained an activity to stimulate the release of mPL-II. This activity was further purified using column chromatography. The purification resulted in isolation of a protein with a mol wt of 20 K as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions and 6 K under reducing conditions. Further characterization of this protein showed that it binds calcium and has an amino acid sequence that is highly homologous with calcyclin expressed in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells and with calcyclin from other species. This protein was designated mouse decidual calcyclin. Antiserum was raised against the purified decidual calcyclin for development of an RIA and for immunoblots. Western blots of various mouse tissue extracts and mouse serum from different physiological stages showed that the concentration of calcyclin was highest in decidual tissue. Detectable levels were found in extracts from trophoblast, lung, and stomach, but the concentrations in these tissues were about 100 times lower than in decidua. Decidual calcyclin was not detectable in mouse serum. Cultured decidual cells released calcyclin into the medium. On average, this release was about 7.8 ng/micrograms DNA.24 h. The rate of release did not change significantly during 4 days of culture. The ratio of calcyclin in cells per calcyclin released during 24 h averaged 2.3 and did not change significantly during the culture period. The purified decidual calcyclin stimulated the release of mPL-II from cultured trophoblasts in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations from 0.01 to 1 microgram/ml. The maximum stimulation averaged about 1.5 times above control. It is concluded that decidual calcyclin may be of physiological importance for the regulation of mPL-II secretion.

Cloning and sequence analysis of a human Y-chromosome-derived, testicular cDNA, TSPY

The human Y-specific gene TSPY (testis-specific protein Y-encoded) was originally defined by the genomic probe pJA36B2 (DYS14), which detects a poly(A)+ RNA transcript in human testis tissue. Using this probe we have now isolated the cDNA sequence pJA923 from a human testis cDNA library. Southern blot hybridization experiments with both probes yielded identical male-specific banding patterns, but sequence analysis revealed an overall homology of only 92.3%. It appears that pJA36B2 (DYS14) is a pseudogene to pJA923 (TSPY), as only pJA923-specific transcripts were discovered in testis mRNA. PCR analysis of genomic DNA from patients with specific primers confirmed the simultaneous presence of at least two independent loci on the proximal short arm of the Y chromosome.

Expression of cell cycle related proteins--proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and statin--during adaptation and de-adaptation of EUE cells to a hypertonic medium

EUE cells adapted to grow for long times in a hypertonic medium have a longer cell cycle than those growing in isotonic medium. To elucidate whether this lengthening involves specific cycle phases to differing extents, the expression of two cycle-related protein, PCNA and statin, was studied by dual parameter flow cytometry of indirect immunofluorescence protein labelling and DNA content. In isotonic medium, most cells, in all the cycle phases, were PCNA positive; in contrast, PCNA negative cells and statin positive cells were very few in number and only fell in the G0/1 range of DNA contents. In hypertonic medium, the frequency of PCNA positive cells was lower, and that of statin positive cells higher, than in isotonic medium, particularly in the G0/1 range of DNA contents: this suggests that a G0 block occurs under long-term hypertonic stress. Consistently, dual parameter flow cytometric measurement of BrdUrd immunofluorescence labelling and DNA content showed that fewer cells entered S phase in hypertonic medium and their progression through the S phase was slower; evidence was also found for the occurrence of a G2 block. These kinetics changes were fully reversible in isotonic medium, thus indicating the adaptive nature of the EUE response to hypertonicity.

Activation of the nimA protein kinase plays a unique role during mitosis that cannot be bypassed by absence of the bimE checkpoint

Mutation of nimA reversibly arrests cells in late G2 and nimA overexpression promotes premature mitosis. Here we demonstrate that the product of nimA (designated NIMA) has protein kinase activity that can phosphorylate beta-casein but not histone proteins. NIMA kinase activity is cell cycle regulated being 20-fold higher at mitosis when compared to S-phase arrested cells. NIMA activation is normally required in G2 to initiate chromosome condensation, to nucleate spindle pole body microtubules, and to allow an MPM-2 specific mitotic phosphorylation. All three of these mitotic events can occur in the absence of activated NIMA when the bimE gene is mutated (bimE7). However, the bimE7 mutation cannot completely bypass the requirement for nimA during mitosis as entry into mitosis in the absence of NIMA activation results in major mitotic defects that affect both the organization of the nuclear envelope and mitotic spindle. Thus, although nimA plays an essential but limited role during mitosis, mutation of nimA arrests all of mitosis. We therefore propose that mutation of nimA prevents mitotic initiation due to a checkpoint arrest that is negatively mediated by bimE. The checkpoint ensures that mitosis is not initiated until NIMA is mitotically activated.

The role of phosphorylation and the CDC28 protein kinase in cell cycle-regulated nuclear import of the S. cerevisiae transcription factor SWI5

The intracellular localization of the S. cerevisiae transcription factor SWI5 is cell cycle dependent. The protein is nuclear in G1 cells but cytoplasmic in S, G2, and M phase cells. We have identified SWI5's nuclear localization signal (NLS) and show that it can confer cell cycle-dependent nuclear entry to a heterologous protein. Located within or close to the NLS are three serine residues, mutation of which results in constitutive nuclear entry. These residues are phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner in vivo, being phosphorylated when SWI5 is in the cytoplasm and dephosphorylated when it is in the nucleus. As all three serines are phosphorylated by purified CDC28-dependent H1 kinase activity in vitro, we propose a model in which the CDC28 kinase acts directly to control nuclear entry of SWI5.

Evidence that the G1-S and G2-M transitions are controlled by different cdc2 proteins in higher eukaryotes

Xenopus eggs contain two distinct cdc2 homologs of 34 and 32 kd. We show that the 32 kd cdc2 protein, like the 34 kd protein, is a kinase. However, unlike the 34 kd homolog, the 32 kd cdc2 kinase activity does not decrease dramatically at the end of mitosis. The 32 kd protein does not associate with mitotic cyclins B1 and B2 but does associate with cyclin A and a novel doublet of proteins of 54 kd that may regulate its activity. We also show that depletion of the 32 kd cdc2 homolog from a Xenopus extract blocks DNA replication, but does not inhibit entry into mitosis. By contrast, depletion of the 34 kd cdc2 homolog or absence of mitotic cyclins from an extract does not inhibit replication, but does block entry into mitosis. Our results indicate that in higher eukaryotes, DNA replication (G1-S) and mitosis (G2-M) may be controlled by distinctly different cdc2 proteins.

Statin immunolocalization in human brain tumors. Detection of noncycling cells using a novel marker of cell quiescence

Surgical specimens of 35 human brain tumors were examined with a novel monoclonal antibody, S-44, immunoreactive to statin, a nuclear protein specifically expressed in quiescent (noncycling) G0-phase cells. Benign tumors typically were statin positive with labeling indices (LI) between 22% and 96%: acoustic schwannomas (n = 3, mean = 29.9 +/- 19.4%); meningiomas (n = 4, mean = 59.0 +/- 15.1%); pituitary adenomas (n = 3, mean = 79.9 +/- 28.2%), and an epidermoid cyst (41.0%). By contrast, the statin LI of 18 of 24 (75%) malignant brain tumors was less than or equal to 2%: medulloblastomas (n = 7, mean = 0.3 +/- 0.2%); anaplastic astrocytomas (n = 3, mean = 1.6 +/- 2.7%); glioblastomas (n = 10, mean = 10.3 +/- 14.4%); metastatic carcinomas (n = 3, mean = 3.0 +/- 4.6); and a germinoma (0.2%). The vascular endothelium among diverse tumors typically was statin positive. All 21 tumors with a statin LI less than 10% were malignant, and all nine tumors with a statin LI greater than 40% were benign. The statin LI of benign tumors (n = 11, mean = 55.1 +/- 26.7%) was significantly higher than that of the malignant tumors (n = 24, mean = 5.2 +/- 10.5%, P less than 0.001). The absence of statin expression is a new way to determine the malignancy of human brain tumors. The statin LI may be useful to guide the prognosis and treatment of individual patients. The mechanisms that control statin expression are important in therapy seeking to shift the proliferating, cycling cells to the quiescent, G0 compartment.

Carbohydrate-binding specificity of calcyclin and its expression in human tissues and leukemic cells

Binding of biotinylated fetuin in a solid-phase assay served as activity assay for purification of calcyclin, the product of a cell growth-related cDNA with homologies to Ca(2+)-binding proteins. Asialofetuin failed to bind to calcyclin, emphasizing the importance of sialic acids. Binding of fetuin was most effectively reduced by N-glycolylneuraminic acid within a panel of mostly negatively charged sugars. Bovine submaxillary mucin and the ganglioside GM1, but not asialo-GM1, proved more effective than neoglycoproteins, carrying negatively charged carbohydrate moieties. Extension of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid to its lactosyl derivative increased its inhibitory potency. Among charge-free carbohydrate residues, only N-acetylglucosamine, lactose, and mannose, but not fucose, melibiose, or N-acetylgalactosamine affected fetuin binding, substantiating the inherent selectivity. Chemical modification with group-specific reagents revealed that lysine and arginine residues appear to be involved in ligand binding that is optimal in the presence of Ca2+, but not Zn2+ and stable up to 1 m NaCl. Biotinylation of calcyclin by modification of carboxyl groups facilitated performance of solid-phase assays with calcyclin in solution, yielding similar results with (neo)glycoproteins in relation to assays with immobilized calcyclin, thereby excluding an impact of binding to nitrocellulose on calcyclin's specificity. Subcellular fractionation disclosed the presence of fetuin-binding activity in all fractions, the specific activity decreasing from the nuclear to the particulate cytoplasmic fraction and the cytoplasmic supernatant. Affinity-purified antibodies were employed to detect high levels of calcyclin expression in acute lymphoblastic, myelogenous, and monocytic leukemia cell lines, but not in myeloma or lymphoblastoid cells. In comparison, most cells were nearly devoid of an O-acetylsialic acid-specific protein that is more abundant in various tissue types than calcyclin.

S. cerevisiae genes required for cell cycle arrest in response to loss of microtubule function

We have identified mutant strains of S. cerevisiae that fail to properly arrest their cell cycles at mitosis in response to the loss of microtubule function. New bud emergence and DNA replication (but not cytokinesis) occur with high efficiency in the mutants under conditions that inhibit these events in wild-type cells. The inability to halt cell cycle progression is specific for impaired microtubule function; the mutants respond normally to other cell cycle-blocking treatments. Under microtubule-disrupting conditions, the mutants neither achieve nor maintain the high level of histone H1 kinase activity characteristic of wild-type cells. Our studies have defined three genes required for normal cell cycle arrest. These findings are consistent with the existence of a surveillance system that halts the cell cycle in response to microtubule perturbation.

Feedback control of mitosis in budding yeast

We have investigated the feedback control that prevents cells with incompletely assembled spindles from leaving mitosis. We isolated budding yeast mutants sensitive to the anti-microtubule drug benomyl. Mitotic arrest-deficient (mad) mutants are the subclass of benomyl-sensitive mutants in which the completion of mitosis is not delayed in the presence of benomyl and that die as a consequence of their premature exit from mitosis. A number of properties of the mad mutants indicate that they are defective in the feedback control over the exit from mitosis: their killing by benomyl requires passage through mitosis; their benomyl sensitivity can be suppressed by an independent method for delaying the exit from mitosis; they have normal microtubules; and they have increased frequencies of chromosome loss. We cloned MAD2, which encodes a putative calcium-binding protein whose disruption is lethal. We discuss the role of feedback controls in coordinating events in the cell cycle.

Pulling the string: cell cycle regulation during Drosophila development

The extensive cell proliferation which accompanies the development of multicellular organisms is co-ordinated with other developmental events. Cell cycle progression during embryogenesis is therefore controlled according to developmental stage and developmental fate. In Drosophila, entry into S phase is a constitutive, unregulated event until late in development. Entry into mitosis, however, is the first control point used for differential regulation, and the transcriptionally controlled expression of string (the Drosophila homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc25+) directs the precise patterns of the embryonic cell divisions after the onset of morphogenesis. In contrast to string, cyclin proteins are produced in excess and their rate of accumulation does not regulate the time of mitosis.

Premature initiation of mitosis in yeast lacking RCC1 or an interacting GTPase

A fission yeast mutant is described in which the onset of mitosis is uncoupled from the completion of DNA replication. pim1 (premature initiation of mitosis) cells can undergo mitotic chromosome condensation and mitotic spindle formation without completion of S phase and without the cdc25 mitotic inducer. The M phase kinase is required for pim1-induced mitosis and becomes activated. pim1 encodes a homolog of the human RCC1 nuclear protein. pim1 mutants are fully rescued by overexpression of spi1, a newly identified essential gene whose predicted product shares 81% identity with human TC4. spi1 and TC4 define a new subclass within the "ras-like" GTPase superfamily that is structurally distinct from the ras, rho, or sec4 families. Diploid yeast that carry one wild-type and one disrupted copy of spi1 have multiple satellite nuclei, and mitotic haploidization occurs at very high frequency. spi1 appears to interact with pim1 in the maintenance of a coordinated cell cycle.

Nucleotide preferences in sequence-specific recognition of DNA by c-myb protein

Using a binding site selection procedure, we have found that sequence-specific DNA-binding by the mouse c-myb protein involves recognition of nucleotides outside of the previously identified hexanucleotide motif. Oligonucleotides containing a random nucleotide core were immunoprecipitated in association with c-Myb, amplified by the Polymerase Chain Reaction and cloned in plasmids prior to sequencing. By alignment of sequences it was apparent that additional preferences existed at each of three bases immediately 5' of the hexanucleotide consensus, allowing an extension of the preferred binding site to YGRCVGTTR. The contributions of these 5' nucleotides to binding affinity was established in bandshift analyses with oligonucleotides containing single base substitutions; in particular, it was found that replacement of the preferred guanine at position -2 with any other base greatly reduced c-Myb binding. We found that the protein encoded by the related B-myb gene bound the preferred c-Myb site with similar affinity; however, B-Myb and c-Myb showed distinct preferences for the identity of the nucleotide at position -1 relative to the hexanucleotide consensus. This study demonstrates that the c-Myb DNA-binding site is more extensive than recognised hitherto and points to similar but distinct nucleotide preferences in recognition of DNA by related Myb proteins.

Cyclin A and the retinoblastoma gene product complex with a common transcription factor

The retinoblastoma gene (Rb) product is a negative regulator of cellular proliferation, an effect that could be mediated in part at the transcriptional level through its ability to complex with the sequence-specific transcription factor DRTF1. This interaction is modulated by adenovirus E1a, which sequesters the Rb protein and several other cellular proteins, including cyclin A, a molecule that undergoes cyclical accumulation and destruction during each cell cycle and which is required for cell cycle progression. Cyclin A, which also complexes with DRTF1, facilitates the efficient assembly of the Rb protein into the complex. This suggests a role for cyclin A in regulating transcription and defines a transcription factor through which molecules that regulate the cell cycle in a negative fashion, such as Rb, and in a positive fashion, such as cyclin A, interact. Mutant loss-of-function Rb alleles, which occur in a variety of tumour cells, also fail to complex with E1a and large T antigen. Here we report on a naturally occurring loss-of-function Rb allele encoding a protein that fails to complex with DRTF1. This might explain how mutation in the Rb gene prevents negative growth control.

Cloning and characterisation of the rad9 DNA repair gene from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The rad9.192 DNA repair mutant from the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, is sensitive to both UV and ionising radiation. The rad9 gene has been cloned by complementation of the gamma-ray sensitivity of the mutant cell line. A 4.3 kb HindIII fragment was found to confer resistance to both types of radiation. The region of complementation was further localised to a 2.6 kb HindIII-EcoRV fragment, which, by DNA sequence analysis, was found to contain sequences capable of coding for a 427 amino acid protein, if three introns were postulated to remove stop codons. The introns were confirmed by sequence analysis of cDNA clones and PCR products derived from cDNA. The product of transcription is a 1.6 kb mRNA of low abundance. The putative rad9 protein shows no homology to any published sequence. A truncated protein is capable of complementing the radiation sensitivity of the rad9.192 mutant. Deletion of the gene is not lethal and the null allele has a similar phenotype to the rad9.192 mutant.

Analysis of yeast prp20 mutations and functional complementation by the human homologue RCC1, a protein involved in the control of chromosome condensation

Mutations in the PRP20 gene of yeast show a pleiotropic phenotype, in which both mRNA metabolism and nuclear structure are affected. srm1 mutants, defective in the same gene, influence the signal transduction pathway for the pheromone response. The yeast PRP20/SRM1 protein is highly homologous to the RCC1 protein of man, hamster and frog. In mammalian cells, this protein is a negative regulator for initiation of chromosome condensation. We report the analysis of two, independently isolated, recessive temperature-sensitive prp20 mutants. They have identical G to A transitions, leading to the alteration of a highly conserved glycine residue to glutamic acid. By immunofluorescence microscopy the PRP20 protein was localized in the nucleus. Expression of the RCC1 protein can complement the temperature-sensitive phenotype of prp20 mutants, demonstrating the functional similarity of the yeast and mammalian proteins.

CDC7 protein kinase activity is required for mitosis and meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The product of the CDC7 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has multiple cellular functions, being needed for the initiation of DNA synthesis during mitosis as well as for synaptonemal complex formation and commitment to recombination during meiosis. The CDC7 protein has protein kinase activity and contains the conserved residues characteristic of the protein kinase catalytic domain. To determine which of the cellular functions of CDC7 require this protein kinase activity, we have mutated some of the conserved residues within the CDC7 catalytic domain and have examined the ability of the mutant proteins to support mitosis and meiosis. The results indicate that the protein kinase activity of the CDC7 gene product is essential for its function in both mitosis and meiosis and that this activity is potentially regulated by phosphorylation of the CDC7 protein.

A new screening test for antimitotic compounds using the universal M phase-specific protein kinase, p34cdc2/cyclin Bcdc13, affinity-immobilized on p13suc1-coated microtitration plates

A universal intracellular factor, the "M phase-Promoting Factor" (MPF), triggers the G2/M transition of the cell cycle in all organisms. This factor displays an easily assayable histone H1 kinase (H1K) activity and is composed of at least two subunits, p34cdc2 (catalytic) and cyclin Bcdc13 (regulatory). We describe here a microtitration plate assay using affinity-immobilized H1K-MPF as a cell cycle-specific target to screen for antimitotic compounds. First, meiotic starfish oocytes were selected as the most convenient and abundant source of M phase extracts containing high levels of H1K. Second, we used the strong and specific interaction between p34cdc2 and p13suc1 to affinity-immobilize H1K-MPF on p13suc1-coated microtitration plates. p13suc1-coated wells specifically retain the M phase kinase, the activity of which is assayed with histone H1 and gamma-32P-ATP. Among 10 microtitration plates, Maxisorp plates (Nunc) proved to be the most efficient at retaining H1K through p13suc1. Experimental conditions to coat the plates with p13suc1, to immobilize and to measure p34cdc2/cyclin Bcdc13 kinase activity, as well as to store p13suc1-precoated plates, have been optimized. Using this system we tested 18 currently used anticancer drugs and S or G2 inhibitors; none of them displayed any inhibitory activity. The microtitration assay has allowed the detection of two H1K inhibitors, isopentenyladenine (I50: 40 microM) and staurosporine (I50: 3.2 nM). This affinity-immobilized H1K-MPF can thus now be used as a simple screening system to detect inhibitors of a major cell cycle-regulating component. This method may prove useful to screen for antimitotic compounds of potential anticancer interest.

Glucose induces cAMP-independent growth-related changes in stationary-phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Nutrients play a critical role in the decision to initiate a new cell cycle. Addition of nutrients to arrested cells such as stationary-phase cells and spores induces them to begin growth. We have analyzed the nutrients required to induce early cellular events in yeast. When stationary-phase cells or spores are incubated in the presence of only glucose, morphological and physiological changes characteristic of mitotically growing cells are induced and, in the absence of additional nutrients to support growth, the cells rapidly lose viability. Preincubation of stationary-phase cells in the presence of glucose decreases the time required to reach bud emergence upon the subsequent addition of rich medium. These processes are specifically induced by D-glucose and not by other components such as nitrogen source or L-glucose. The glucose-induced events are independent of the adenylate cyclase pathway, since strains with a temperature-sensitive mutation in either the adenylate cyclase gene (CDC35) or its regulator (CDC25) undergo glucose-induced cellular changes when incubated at the restrictive temperature. We suggest that glucose triggers events in the induction of a new mitotic cell cycle and that these events are either prior to the adenylate cyclase pathway or are in an alternative pathway.

Domains of the adenovirus E1A protein required for oncogenic activity are also required for dissociation of E2F transcription factor complexes

Recent experiments have shown that the cellular E2F transcription factor is found in complexes with cellular proteins and that one such complex contains the cyclin-A protein. Isolation of a cellular activity, which we term E2F-BF, can reconstitute the E2F-cyclin-A complex and has permitted a more detailed analysis of the mechanism of E1A dissociation. Through the analysis of a series of E1A mutants, we find that sequences in conserved region 1 (CR1) and conserved region 2 (CR2) are important for dissociation of the E2F complex, whereas amino-terminal sequences are not required. In contrast to the requirements for dissociation, only the CR1 sequences are required to block formation of the complex if E1A is added when the components are combined. We have also identified an activity, termed E2F-I, that inhibits E2F binding to DNA, again apparently through the formation of a complex with E2F. This inhibitory activity is also blocked by E1A, dependent on the same elements of the E1A protein that disrupt the interaction with E2F-BF. Because the E1A sequences that are important for releasing E2F from these interactions are also sequences necessary for oncogenesis, we suggest that this activity may be a critical component of the transforming activity of E1A.

Cell cycle regulation of the E2F transcription factor involves an interaction with cyclin A

We have examined E2F binding activity in extracts of synchronized NIH 3T3 cells. During the G0 to G1 transition, there is a marked increase in the level of active E2F. Subsequently, there are changes in the nature of E2F-containing complexes. A G1-specific complex increases in abundance, disappears, and is then replaced by another complex as S phase begins. Analysis of extracts of thymidine-blocked cells confirms that the complexes are cell cycle regulated. We also show that the cyclin A protein is a component of the S phase complex. Each complex can be dissociated by the adenovirus E1A 12S product, releasing free E2F. The release of E2F from the cyclin A complex coincides with the stimulation of an E2F-dependent promoter. We suggest that these interactions control the activity of E2F and that disruption of the complexes by E1A contributes to a loss of cellular proliferation control.

The E2F transcription factor is a cellular target for the RB protein

Although it is generally believed that the product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (RB1) is an important regulator of cell proliferation, the biochemical mechanism for its action is unclear. We now show that the RB protein is found in a complex with the E2F transcription factor and that only the under phosphorylated form of RB is in the E2F complex. Moreover, the adenovirus E1A protein can dissociate the E2F-RB complex, dependent on E1A sequence also critical for E1A to bind to RB. These sequences are also critical for E1A to immortalize primary cell cultures and to transform in conjunction with other oncogenes. Taken together, these results suggest that the interaction of RB with E2F is an important event in the control of cellular proliferation and that the dissociation of the complex is part of the mechanism by which E1A inactivates RB function.

The T/E1A-binding domain of the retinoblastoma product can interact selectively with a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein

A DNA-binding site selection and enrichment procedure revealed a sequence-specific DNA-binding activity selectively associated with glutathione S-transferase-retinoblastoma protein chimeras (GST-RB) that had been incubated with a human cell extract. Appropriate mutant forms of GST-RB, incubated in equivalent extracts, did not associate with this specific DNA-binding activity, and a peptide replica of the HPV E7 RB-binding segment selectively inhibited the association of GST-RB with the sequence-specific DNA-binding protein(s). Sequence analysis of oligonucleotides with high affinity for GST-RB complexes, as well as the results of competition binding studies, strongly suggest that RB can associate specifically with the transcription factor E2F or with a protein having closely related DNA-binding properties.

The retinoblastoma protein copurifies with E2F-I, an E1A-regulated inhibitor of the transcription factor E2F

Recently, we identified an inhibitory protein, E2F-I, that blocks the DNA-binding activity of the transcription factor E2F. We also showed that the adenovirus E1A protein reverses this inhibitory activity of E2F-I, thereby restoring the DNA-binding activity of E2F. We have now further purified this inhibitory activity and show that the most purified preparation of E2F-I contains a 105 kd E1A-binding protein. This 105 kd E1A-binding protein cross-reacts with two different antibodies against the retinoblastoma (RB) gene product. Moreover, the RB gene product copurifies with E2F-I activity. Taken together, we conclude that the product of the RB gene is a part of E2F-I and is involved in the regulation of E2F activity.

The overexpression of the 3' terminal region of the CDC25 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes growth inhibition and alteration of purine nucleotides pools

The CDC25 gene is transcribed at a very low level in S. cerevisiae cells. We have studied the effects of an overexpression of this regulatory gene by cloning either the whole CDC25 open reading frame (pIND25-2 plasmid) or its 3' terminal portion (pIND25-1 plasmid) under the control of the inducible strong GAL promoter. The strain transformed with pIND25-2 produced high levels of CDC25 specific mRNA, induced by galactose. This strain does not show any apparent alteration of growth, both in glucose and in galactose. Instead the yeast cells transformed with pIND25-1, that overexpress the 3' terminal part of CDC25 gene, grow very slowly in galactose medium, while they grow normally in glucose medium. The nucleotides were extracted from transformed cells, separated by HPLC and quantitated. The ATP/ADP and GTP/GDP ratios were almost identical in control and in pIND25-2 transformed strains growing in glucose and in galactose, while the strain that overexpresses the 3' terminal portion of CDC25 gene showed a decrease of ATP/ADP ratio and a partial depletion of the GTP pool. The disruption of RAS genes was only partially able to 'cure' this phenotype. A ras2-ts1, ras1::URA3 strain, transformed with pIND25-1 plasmid, was able to grow in galactose at 36 degrees C. These results suggest that the carboxy-terminal domain of the CDC25 protein could stimulate an highly unregulated GTPase activity in yeast cells by interacting not only with RAS gene products but also with some other yeast G-proteins.

Adenovirus E1a prevents the retinoblastoma gene product from complexing with a cellular transcription factor

The transforming proteins of several DNA tumour viruses, including adenovirus E1a and simian virus 40 large T antigen, complex with the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumour-suppressor gene product. This requires regions in these viral proteins necessary for transformation and is thought to inactivate the growth-suppressing properties of the Rb protein by disrupting its interaction with cellular targets. Indeed, regions of Rb required to form a complex with E1a and large T antigen are often mutated in transformed cells. The level at which the Rb protein regulates proliferation is unknown, although one possibility is transcription. We have previously characterized a sequence-specific transcription factor, DRTF1, the activity of which is downregulated as embryonal carcinoma stem cells differentiate. DRTF1 is found in several discrete protein complexes (a, b and c) which are of different sizes but have the same DNA specificity. We now show that one of these also contains the Rb protein and, further, that the adenovirus E1a protein causes the dissociation of the Rb protein from this complex. This requires conserved regions 1 and 2 of E1a that are known to be required for efficient transformation. These results demonstrate that the Rb protein forms a complex with a DNA-bound transcription factor, and suggests that the Rb protein might act by regulating transcription.

Isolation and characterization of the rat chromosomal gene for a polypeptide (pS1) antigenically related to statin

Increasing evidence shows the existence of nonproliferation-specific gene(s) whose expression is mostly present in growth-arrested cells. One member of this gene family has been identified by previous work as a nuclear protein of 57,000 Da, termed statin. Logical extensions of statin research are to identify the genomic and cDNA clones encoding for statin and to study the regulation of statin gene expression. During the search for the statin gene, we have identified a cDNA clone and a genomic clone named S1 and S10, respectively, by screening a rat brain lambda gt11 expression library with the statin antibody and subsequently using S1 cDNA as a probe to screen a rat genomic cosmid library. Here, we report the cloning and sequencing of the S1 cDNA and S10 genomic clones. Primary sequence analyses indicate that the derived amino acid sequence of S1 shares high homology (greater than 92.6%) with human elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha), whereas the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions are less than 20% homologous. Despite the unusually high degree of similarity between S1 and human EF-1 alpha at the amino acid sequence level, their protein products are different and immunologically distinct. The in vitro transcription and translation product of S1 (pS1), a 49,000-Da polypeptide, reacts only with the monoclonal antibody against statin; this antibody exhibits no antigenic reaction to the EF-1 alpha protein. Northern blot analysis shows that the S1 message is most abundant in G0 phase of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts, but becomes significantly reduced in G1 and S phase cells. EF-1 alpha messages do not show such dramatic changes during cell cycle phase transition. These findings suggest that the expression of the identified S1 cDNA clone is specific for nonproliferating cells and that the in vitro translation product of the S1 cDNA is recognized by the statin antibody. Genomic Southern blots indicate that S1 cDNA is encoded by a single copy gene in the rat genome and is a unique member of the EF-1 alpha/S1 supermultigene family. DNA sequence analysis demonstrates that the rat S1 transcription unit is 12 kilobase pairs in length and contains seven introns. The organization of exons is virtually identical between S1 and human EF-1 alpha. In contrast, neither a TATA box nor a CAAT box is located in the proximal 5'-flanking regions from positions -1 to -1359 of the S1 gene, where we could expect to find the regulatory region containing the elements controlling gene expression; no evident sequence homology to the human EF-1 alpha gene is detected in this region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Loss of RCC1, a nuclear DNA-binding protein, uncouples the completion of DNA replication from the activation of cdc2 protein kinase and mitosis

The temperature-sensitive mutant cell line tsBN2, was derived from the BHK21 cell line and has a point mutation in the RCC1 gene. In tsBN2 cells, the RCC1 protein disappeared after a shift to the non-permissive temperature at any time in the cell cycle. From S phase onwards, once RCC1 function was lost at the non-permissive temperature, p34cdc2 was dephosphorylated and M-phase specific histone H1 kinase was activated. However, in G1 phase, shifting to the non-permissive temperature did not activate p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase. The activation of p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase required protein synthesis in addition to the presence of a complex between p34cdc2 and cyclin B. Upon the loss of RCC1 in S phase of tsBN2 cells and the consequent p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase activation, a normal mitotic cycle is induced, including the formation of a mitotic spindle and subsequent reformation of the interphase-microtubule network. Exit from mitosis was accompanied by the disappearance of cyclin B, and a decrease in p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase activity. The kinetics of p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase activation correlated well with the appearance of premature mitotic cells and was not affected by the presence of a DNA synthesis inhibitor. Thus the normal inhibition of p34cdc2 activation by incompletely replicated DNA is abrogated by the loss of RCC1.

Mcm2 and Mcm3, two proteins important for ARS activity, are related in structure and function

MCM2 and MCM3 are essential genes believed to play important roles in the initiation of DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutants defective in Mcm2 or Mcm3 are remarkably similar in phenotype. They both show an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS)-specific minichromosome maintenance defect, although their ARS specificities are not identical. In addition, these mutants exhibit a premitotic cell cycle arrest and an increase in chromosome loss and recombination. Genetic studies suggest that the two MCM gene products play interacting or complementary roles in DNA replication. Double mutants of mcm2-1 and mcm3-1 are inviable at the permissive growth temperature (23 degrees C) for each of the single mutants. Furthermore, overproduction of Mcm3 accentuates the deleterious effect of the mcm2-1 mutation, whereas overproduction of Mcm2 partially complements the mcm3-1 mutation. MCM2 encodes a protein of 890 amino acids containing a putative zinc-finger domain that is essential for Mcm2 function. Mcm2 shows striking homology to Mcm3 and three other proteins, Cdc46 of S. cerevisiae, and Nda4 and Cdc21 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The phenotypes of mutants defective in these proteins suggest that they belong to a protein family involved in the early steps of DNA replication.