Molecular characterization of a karyophilic, histone-binding protein: cDNA cloning, amino acid sequence and expression of nuclear protein N1/N2 of Xenopus laevis

Evidence that "pinin", reportedly a differentiation-specific desmosomal protein, is actually a widespread nuclear protein

A protein recently described as a desmosome-specific molecule involved in anchoring intermediate-sized filaments (IFs) to the desmosomal plaque, and hence named "pinin" [43], has been known in our laboratory for several years as a strictly nuclear protein occurring in a wide range of cell types, including many that are totally devoid of desmosomes. Using a series of specific antibodies we have localized the protein in the nucleoplasm of cultured cells, blood cells and solid tissues of diverse vertebrate species, from oocytes to erythrocytes of amphibia and from liver to connective tissue and fibroblasts in mammals. Desmosomes have consistently been negative, and the nuclear specificity of the immunolocalization reactions has also been directly demonstrated by double-label immunofluorescence microscopy. From our results we conclude that this nuclear protein, characterized by a domain exceptionally rich in serine residues and hence termed DRS-protein, occurs in at least two genetically different forms in a diffusible state as well as in special ribonucleoprotein-particles, "speckles" [6], and is a widespread if not ubiquitous nuclear protein. Consequently it must serve nuclear functions rather than "pinning" IFs to plasma membranes and does not provide a new reliable marker for desmosomes and epithelial or myocardial differentiation.

Identification of a small, very acidic constitutive nucleolar protein (NO29) as a member of the nucleoplasmin family

We report the discovery and molecular characterization of a small and very acidic nucleolar protein of an SDS/PAGE mobility corresponding to Mr 29,000 (NO29). The cDNA-deduced sequence of the Xenopus laevis protein defines a polypeptide of a calculated molecular mass of 20,121 and a pI of 3.75, with an extended acidic region near its C terminus, and is related to the major nucleolar protein, NO38, and the histone-binding protein, nucleoplasmin. This member of the nucleoplasmin family of proteins was immunolocalized to nucleoli in Xenopus oocytes and diverse somatic cells. Protein NO29 is associated with nuclear particles from Xenopus oocytes, partly complexed with protein NO38, and occurs in preribosomes but not in mature ribosomes. The location and the enormously high content of negatively charged amino acids lead to the hypothesis that NO29 might be involved in the nuclear and nucleolar accumulation of ribosomal proteins and the coordinated assembly of pre-ribosomal particles.

AND-1, a natural chimeric DNA-binding protein, combines an HMG-box with regulatory WD-repeats

Using a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb AND-1/23-5-14) we have identified, cDNA-cloned and characterized a novel DNA-binding protein of the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, that is accumulated in the nucleoplasm of oocytes and various other cells. This protein comprises 1,127 amino acids, with a total molecular mass of 125 kDa and a pI of 5.27. It is encoded by a mRNA of approximately 4 kb and contains, in addition to clusters of acidic amino acids, two hallmark motifs: the amino-terminal part harbours seven consecutive ‘WD-repeats’, which are sequence motifs of about 40 amino acids that are characteristic of a large group of regulatory proteins involved in diverse cellular functions, while the carboxy terminal portion possesses a 63-amino-acid-long ‘HMG-box’, which is typical of a family of DNA-binding proteins involved in regulation of chromatin assembly, transcription and replication. The DNA-binding capability of the protein was demonstrated by DNA affinity chromatography and electrophoretic mobility shift assays using four-way junction DNA. Protein AND-1 (acidic nucleoplasmic DNA-binding protein) appears as an oligomer, probably a homodimer, and has been localized throughout the entire interchromatinic space of the interphase nucleoplasm, whereas during mitosis it is transiently dispersed over the cytoplasm. We also identified a closely related, perhaps orthologous protein in mammals. The unique features of protein AND-1, which is a ‘natural chimera’ combining properties of the WD-repeat and the HMG-box families of proteins, are discussed in relation to its possible nuclear functions.

Molecular and cellular characterization of CRP1, a Drosophila chromatin decondensation protein

CRP1, a Drosophila nuclear protein that can catalyze decondensation of demembranated Xenopus sperm chromatin was cloned and its primary structure was deduced from cDNA sequence. Alignment of deduced amino acid sequence with published sequences of other proteins revealed strong homologies to Xenopus nucleoplasmin and NO38. CRP1 is encoded by one or several closely related genes found at a single locus, position 99A on the right arm of chromosome 3. CRP1 mRNA is expressed throughout Drosophila development; it is highest during oogenesis and early embryogenesis. mRNA levels correlate closely with levels of protein expression measured previously. Results of chemical crosslinking indicate that CRP1 is either tetrameric or pentameric; similar ambiguity was revealed by direct visualization using scanning transmission electron microscopy. Consistent with previously published results, parallel crosslinking studies of Xenopus nucleoplasmin suggested a pentameric structure. Scanning transmission electron microscopic examination after negative staining revealed that CRP1 and Xenopus nucleoplasmin are morphologically similar. CRP1 is able to substitute for nucleoplasmin in Xenopus egg extract-mediated sperm chromatin decondensation. In vitro, CRP1-induced decondensation is accompanied by direct binding of CRP1 to chromatin.

Ultraviolet radiation sensitivity and reduction of telomeric silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking chromatin assembly factor-I

In vivo, nucleosomes are formed rapidly on newly synthesized DNA after polymerase passage. Previously, a protein complex from human cells, termed chromatin assembly factor-I (CAF-I), was isolated that assembles nucleosomes preferentially onto SV40 DNA templates that undergo replication in vitro. Using a similar assay, we now report the purification of CAF-I from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Amino acid sequence data from purified yeast CAF-I led to identification of the genes encoding each subunit in the yeast genome data base. The CAC1 and CAC2 (chromatin assembly complex) genes encode proteins similar to the p150 and p60 subunits of human CAF-I, respectively. The gene encoding the p50 subunit of yeast CAF-I (CAC3) is similar to the human p48 CAF-I subunit and was identified previously as MSI1, a member of a highly conserved subfamily of WD repeat proteins implicated in histone function in several organisms. Thus, CAF-I has been conserved functionally and structurally from yeast to human cells. Genes encoding the CAF-I subunits (collectively referred to as CAC genes) are not essential for cell viability. However, deletion of any CAC gene causes an increase in sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, without significantly increasing sensitivity to gamma rays. This is consistent with previous biochemical data demonstrating the ability of CAF-I to assemble nucleosomes on templates undergoing nucleotide excision repair. Deletion of CAC genes also strongly reduces silencing of genes adjacent to telomeric DNA; the CAC1 gene is identical to RLF2 (Rap1p localization factor-2), a gene required for the normal distribution of the telomere-binding Rap1p protein within the nucleus. Together, these data suggest that CAF-I plays a role in generating chromatin structures in vivo.

Effects of spermine and its cytotoxic analogs on nucleosome formation on topologically stressed DNA in vitro

We investigated the effects of the polyamine spermine and two of its cytotoxic analogs 1,11-bis(ethylamino)-4,8-diazaundecane (BE-3-3-3) and 1,19-bis(ethylamino)-5,10,15-tirazanonadecane (BE-4-4-4-4) on the formation of nucleosomes on negatively and positively supercoiled DNA in vitro. Histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 were reconstituted onto DNA to form nucleosomes and the polyamines were added either before or after histone addition. The structural state of the nucleosome was monitored by analyzing the DNA topoisomers that were present after topoisomerase I treatment. Although polyamines induced DNA aggregation to various degrees. high concentrations of topoisomerase I were able to relax the aggregated DNA and the helical pitch was found to be unaltered in the aggregates. When histones were associated with negatively coiled DNA, the polyamine-induced aggregation did not alter nucleosome structure. The induced aggregate did inhibit nucleosomal transitions when examined on positively coiled DNA. BE-4-4-4-4 was most effective and BE-3-3-3 least effective. These analogs were also extremely effective in inhibiting histone deposition onto DNA. A potential mechanism for the action of these analogs is both to inhibit histone deposition during DNA replication and also disrupt nucleosomal dynamics due to aberrant chromatin condensation. These results also suggest that BE-4-4-4-4 and BE-3-3-3 may produce their cytotoxic effect through slightly different mechanisms.

ATP-facilitated chromatin assembly with a nucleoplasmin-like protein from Drosophila melanogaster

To gain a better understanding of the factors that can mediate chromatin assembly, we have purified and cloned a core histone-binding protein from Drosophila melanogaster embryos. This protein resembles Xenopus laevis nucleoplasmin, and it has therefore been termed dNLP, for Drosophila nucleoplasmin-like protein. dNLP is a nuclear protein that is present throughout development. Both purified native and recombinant dNLP bind to core histones and can function in the assembly of approximately regularly spaced nucleosomal arrays in a reaction that additionally requires DNA, purified core histones, ATP, and a partially purified fraction (containing at least one other assembly activity). We also analyzed the properties of an N-terminally truncated version of dNLP, termed dNLP-S, and found that the deletion of the N-terminal 31 residues of dNLP results in a loss of the specificity of the interaction of dNLP with core histones. We then compared the abilities of dNLP and Drosophila nucleosome assembly protein-1 (dNAP-1) to promote the decondensation of Xenopus sperm chromatin, a process that can be mediated by nucleoplasmin. We observed that dNAP-1, but not dNLP, was able to promote the decondensation of sperm chromatin. These and other data collectively suggest that dNLP may participate in parallel with other histone-binding proteins such as dNAP-1 in the assembly of chromatin.

A chromatin-associated protein is encoded in a genomic region highly conserved in the Plasmodium genus

A single copy gene, pbB7, encoding a putative 26 kDa acidic protein has been isolated from Plasmodium berghei and appears to be part of a genomic region well conserved within the Plasmodium genus. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibits significant blocks of similarity with nucleosome assembly proteins from yeast and man. The nuclear localization of the natural protein and its close association with chromatin during the entire erythrocytic cycle of the parasite have been demonstrated using specific monoclonal antibodies against the pbB7 product expressed in Escherichia coli. These results suggest an involvement of this nuclear factor in the dynamics of chromatin packaging.

Nucleosome assembly: the CAF and the HAT

Recent data argue strongly that a protein complex termed chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-I) plays a major role in de novo nucleosome assembly during DNA replication. Human CAF-I deposits newly synthesized, acetylated histones onto replicated DNA in vitro and localizes to sites of DNA replication in S-phase cells. Specific lysines of the histones used for nucleosome assembly are acetylated; in the past year the first gene encoding a histone acetyltransferase was cloned. However, mechanistic links between histone acetylation and nucleosome assembly have not been established in vivo or in vitro.

An epitope on Ki antigen recognized by autoantibodies from lupus patients shows homology with the SV40 large T antigen nuclear localization signal

OBJECTIVE

Epitopes on Ki antigen were analyzed using synthetic peptides, including KILT, a 16-mer peptide with an amino acid sequence homologous to the SV40 large T antigen nuclear localization signal (SV40 T NLS).

METHODS

In addition to KILT, 4 synthetic peptides, all potential epitopes on Ki antigen according to computer analysis, were prepared and tested for reactivity with 49 anti-Ki-positive lupus sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Eighteen sera reacted with KILT, but not with other peptides. The reaction of anit-Ki sera with KILT was specifically inhibited by recombinant Ki antigen. Eight of 49 anti-Ki sera reacted with a 7-mer synthetic peptide of SV40 T NLS, and the reaction was specifically inhibited by KILT.

CONCLUSION

The 16-mer Ki peptide containing the sequence homologous to the SV40 T NLS is one of the antigenic epitopes recognized by anti-Ki antibodies in lupus sera.

Identification of two new genes, mukE and mukF, involved in chromosome partitioning in Escherichia coli

We have previously reported that the MukB protein is essential for chromosome partitioning in Escherichia coli and that mukB mutants produce anucleate cells and are temperature-sensitive for colony formation. The mukB gene maps at 21 min on the E. coli chromosome and smtA-mukF-mukE-mukB genes might comprise an operon, which is transcribed in a clockwise direction. Here, we report that mukF and mukE null mutants are both temperature-sensitive for colony formation and produce anucleate cells even at the permissive temperature. These phenotypes are the same as those observed in the mukB null mutant. The primary sequence of MukF includes a leucine zipper structure and an acidic domain. Mutational analysis revealed that both are required for MukF function. When the MukF protein was overproduced in the wild-type strain, anucleate cells were produced. In contrast, overproduction of either MukE or MukB did not cause the defect. In null mutants for the mukF, mukE, and mukB genes, the synchronous initiation of chromosome replication was not affected. The mini-F plasmid was as stably maintained in these mutants as in the wild-type strain. These results indicate that the MukF, MukE, and MukB proteins are involved in the chromosome partitioning steps, but are not required for mini-F plasmid partitioning.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a cDNA encoding nucleosome assembly protein 1 (NAP-1) from soybean

NAP-1, a protein first isolated from mammalian cells, can introduce supercoils into relaxed circular DNA in the presence of purified core histones. Based on its in vitro activity, it has been suggested that NAP-1 may be involved in nucleosome assembly in vivo. We isolated a cDNA clone encoding a soybean NAP-1 homolog, SNAP-1. The SNAP-1 cDNA contains an open reading frame of 358 amino acids residues with a calculated molecular weight of 41 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of SNAP-1 shares sequence similarity with yeast NAP-1 (38%) and human hNRP (32%). Notable features of the deduced sequence are two extended acidic regions thought to be involved in histone binding. SNAP-1 expressed in Escherichia coli induces supercoiling in relaxed circular DNA, suggesting that SNAP-1 may have nucleosome assembly activity. The specific activity of SNAP-1 is comparable to that of HeLa NAP-1 in an in vitro assay. Western analysis reveals that SNAP-1 is expressed in the immature and young tissues that were examined, while mature tissues such as old leaves and roots, show very little or no expression. NAP-1 homologs also appear to be present in other plant species.

Chromosomal localization and catalytic properties of the recombinant alpha subunit of human lymphocyte methionine adenosyltransferase

Human lymphocyte methionine adenosyltransferase (HuLy MAT) consists of heterologous subunits alpha and beta. The cDNA sequence of the alpha subunit of HuLy MAT from Jurkat leukemic T cells was identical to that of the human kidney alpha subunit and highly homologous to the sequence of the extrahepatic MAT from other sources. The 3'-untranslated sequence was found to be highly conserved, suggesting that it may be important in regulating the expression of MAT. The extrahepatic alpha subunit unit of MAT was found to be expressed also in human liver, and no differences were found in the sequence of the alpha subunit from normal and malignant T cells. The sequence of two unspliced introns found in the cDNA clones from the Jurkat library enabled us to isolate genomic clones harboring the human extrahepatic alpha subunit gene and to localize it to the centromere on chromosome arm 2p, an area that corresponds to band 2p11.2. Expression of the alpha subunit cDNA in Escherichia coli yielded two peptides with the immunoreactivity and mobilities of authentic alpha/alpha' subunits from HuLy. The Km of the recombinant alpha subunit was 80 microM, which is 20-fold higher than found for the (alpha alpha')x beta y holoenzyme purified from leukemic lymphocytes and 4-10-fold higher than found for the normal lymphocyte enzyme. The data suggest that the alpha/alpha' subunits mediate the enzyme catalytic activity and that the beta subunit may be a regulatory subunit of extrahepatic MAT.

Characterizing allelic proteins for genome mapping in maize

Mapping cDNA probes in order to construct genetic linkage maps is becoming a widespread strategy for genome analysis and gene isolation, particularly in cultivated plant species. Nevertheless, almost all cDNAs reveal two or more unlinked loci, making it difficult to identify the gene(s) actually expressed. In a highly polymorphic species, such as maize, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) of proteins may circumvent this limitation. With the analysis of various segregating populations, we previously showed that the apparent position shifts of proteins on the 2-D gels are monogenic and codominant. In this paper we compared allelic proteins on the basis of their high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile and partial amino acid sequences. In a sample of 20 position shifts, the allelic proteins appeared to be similar in all but one case, strongly suggesting that polymorphism of structural genes is involved. Thus 2-D PAGE could prove to be a useful tool for genome mapping: when a cDNA probe detects several loci, a position shift of the encoded protein will allow the identification of the gene translated in the organ considered.

Cloning of a cDNA for DNA supercoiling factor reveals a distinctive Ca(2+)-binding protein

DNA supercoiling factor is a protein capable of generating negative supercoils into a relaxed DNA in conjunction with eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II. A cDNA clone encoding the Bombyx mori supercoiling factor has been isolated and characterized. The cDNA sequence contains an open reading frame of 322 amino acids rich in acidic residues. A local region of the predicted polypeptide shares a weak homology with the central portion of bacterial DNA gyrase A subunit. The cDNA sequence also predicts two direct repeats within the factor. Each repeat unit consists of a potential EF-hand domain. The factor contains three other potential EF-hand domains and actually binds Ca2+. Moreover, the supercoiling reaction has been shown to be activated by Ca2+. These results implicate Ca2+ in the control of the superhelical state of DNA.

Expression cloning and characterization of a pupal cuticle protein cDNA of Galleria mellonella L

Epidermal mRNA of freshly ecdysed pupae of Galleria mellonella was used to establish a cDNA library in phage lambda gt11. A cDNA clone was isolated by means of a pupal cuticle protein (PCP) specific antibody. Nucleic acid sequence data show an insert of 1212 bp with an open reading frame of 1062 bp. The presence of start, stop, and polyadenylation sites suggests, that this insert represents a full length transcript. Conceptual translation resulted in a protein of 353 amino acids including a signal peptide. The final processed protein product is rich in alanine and charged amino acids like glutamic acid. It has a calculated pI of 4.19 and a molecular mass of 34.272 kDa. In hybrid selection/in vitro translation and in vitro transcription/translation experiments a translational product of 54 kDa was synthesized. The difference between apparent and calculated molecular mass is thought to be due to the relatively high amount of glutamic acid residues clustered in two regions. The developmental profile of expression of the corresponding gene was analyzed by northern blot hybridization using a cDNA probe. The time course of expression is coincident with developmentally regulated metamorphic changes in the integument.

Production in Escherichia coli, purification and immunogenicity of acrosomal protein SP-10, a candidate contraceptive vaccine

The testis-specific human sperm antigen, SP-10, has been designated a 'primary vaccine candidate' by the World Health Organization Taskforce on Contraceptive Vaccines. Molecular cloning and sequencing of the cDNAs coding for human (h) and baboon (b) SP-10 have been reported. To produce large amounts of pure antigen for ongoing studies of the immunogenicity and anti-fertility effects of SP-10, we used an efficient Escherichia coli expression system. The full-length open reading frames for hSP-10 and bSP-10 were placed under the inducible T7 bacteriophage RNA polymerase/promoter system. An in-frame fusion was made such that a His6 stretch was produced at the C terminus of SP-10. Upon induction of gene expression, large amounts of hSP-10 or bSP-10 were synthesized and the recombinant (re-) protein segregated into an insoluble fraction. The protein was then solubilized in 6 M guanidine.HCl and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). The yield of purified bSP-10 preparation was approx. 20 micrograms/ml of culture. Immunoreactivity of the purified re-SP-10 with MHS-10, a monoclonal antibody specific to SP-10, and rabbit polyclonal sera raised against SP-10, indicated that the synthesized antigen was suitable for immunization studies. Four female baboons were then immunized with the re-bSP-10 antigen. Immunoblots using pre-immune and immune sera from these animals indicated that all four baboons produced antibodies that reacted with native SP-10 extracted from human sperm in a manner identical to that of MHS-10, the positive control. Immune sera also stained the acrosome region of human and baboon sperm heads by immunofluorescence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of the collagen-like putative oncoprotein of Herpesvirus saimiri in transformed T cells

Herpesvirus saimiri induces acute lymphomas and leukemias in New World primates and rabbits. Previous work revealed that a highly oncogenic group C strain 484-77 encodes and expresses a bicistronic mRNA in tumor-derived T cells and the first open reading frame (orf1) is highly homologous to collagen. With the aid of an antibody against a synthetic orf1 peptide, we now report that the orf1 collagen-like protein is expressed in rabbit tumor derived cell lines and in vitro transformed human and monkey T cells. The orf1 protein is expressed in vivo, as indicated by specific antibodies detected in the serum from a tumor-bearing rabbit.

Protein localization to the nucleolus: a search for targeting domains in nucleolin

Nucleolin, a major nucleolar phosphoprotein, is presumed to function in rDNA transcription, rRNA packaging and ribosome assembly. Its primary sequence was highly conserved during evolution and suggests a multi-domain structure. To identify structural elements required for nuclear uptake and nucleolar accumulation of nucleolin, we used site-directed mutagenesis to introduce point- and deletion-mutations into a chicken nucleolin cDNA. Following transient expression in mammalian cells, the intracellular distribution of the corresponding wild-type and mutant proteins was determined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. We found that nucleolin contains a functional nuclear localization signal (KRKKEMANKSAPEAKKKK) that conforms exactly to the consensus proposed recently for a bipartite signal (Robbins, J., Dilworth, S.M., Laskey, R.A. and Dingwall, C. (1991) Cell 64, 615-623). Concerning nucleolar localization, we found that the N-terminal 250 amino acids of nucleolin are dispensible, but deletion of either the centrally located RNA-binding motifs (the RNP domain) or the glycine/arginine-rich C terminus (the GR domain) resulted in an exclusively nucleoplasmic distribution. Although both of these latter domains were required for correct subcellular localization of nucleolin, they were not sufficient to target non-nucleolar proteins to the nucleolus. From these results we conclude that nucleolin does not contain a single, linear nucleolar targeting signal. Instead, we propose that the protein uses a bipartite NLS to enter the nucleus and then accumulates within the nucleolus by virtue of binding to other nucleolar components (probably rRNA) via its RNP and GR domains.

Ultrastructural localization of a nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein in spermatogenic cells and spermatozoa

This study demonstrates the ultrastructural localization of rabbit nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (NASP) in spermatogenic cells and spermatozoa. NASP is present in rabbits, rats, mice, and human testes and spermatozoa. It has recently been sequenced in rabbits and humans and characterized as an acidic, histone binding protein. Currently it has been proposed that NASP may play a role in regulating early events of spermatogenesis through its ability to bind and translocate testicular histone variants to nucleosomes. The ultrastructural localization of NASP confirms that it is initially present in primary spermatocytes in their Golgi regions and nucleus. In round spermatids it is present in the nucleus as well as in the acrosome and subacrosomal space. In later spermatids, testicular spermatozoa, and ejaculated spermatozoa, NASP is concentrated over the nucleus, although some is still present in the acrosome. It is likely that NASP would be carried into the ovum with the sperm nucleus at fertilization.

A tumor-associated 120 kDa nuclear protein: characterization using a monoclonal antibody and a partial cDNA clone

1. We have established a murine hybridoma (F86) that secretes a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) specific for a 120 kDa nuclear protein (p120). p120 is expressed in all human cell lines investigated, whether of tumor or normal cell origin. 2. However, expression of p120 is significantly higher in neoplastic cells than in normal cells. The amount of p120 is relatively constant through the cell cycle and does not appear to be modulated by 72 hr serum starvation. 3. These results suggest that p120 plays some role in nuclear events associated with neoplastic phenotypes rather than in cell proliferation. 4. In situ immunofluorescence analyses indicate that p120 is located exclusively in nuclei of interphase cells. It is not present in nucleoli. 5. During mitosis, p120 is distributed in the cytoplasm and is not associated with condensed chromosomes which, together with RNAse experiments, suggests that it may be associated with hnRNA or hnRNP particles. 6. Western blot analyses indicate that p120 consists of two molecular weight forms which differ by 2-3 kDa in reduced SDS-PAGE, and several isoelectric variants in the acidic range. 7. Fractionation studies indicate that p120 has accessible free sulfhydryl group(s) and can bind ssDNA and heparin. 8. A partial cDNA clone, encoding the carboxyl terminus of p120, was isolated from a lambda gt11 library which had been prepared from human hepatoma cells (KYN-1). 9. Sequence analysis of the open reading frame revealed two possible nuclear localization sequences and several clusters of acidic amino acid residues, including a continuous run of 11 glutamic acid residues. 10. Northern blot analyses of human hepatoma RNA revealed hybridization to three transcripts which are about 4.1, 3.6, and 0.6 kb in size. 11. Dot blot analyses show that these transcripts are about 10-fold more abundant in KYN-1 hepatoma cells than in normal liver cells.

A putative zinc-binding protein on lampbrush chromosome loops

We used mAb A33/22, which recognizes a nuclear protein on the loops of amphibian lampbrush chromosomes, to select cDNA clone PwA33 from an expression library of the newt Pleurodeles waltl. A myc-tagged transcript of clone PwA33 was injected into Pleurodeles oocytes. The translation product localized in the germinal vesicle (GV) and was distributed on the lampbrush loops in a pattern identical to that of the endogenous protein. PwA33 encodes a 71 kDa protein with three distinct domains: a region rich in Cys/His residues that may form zinc fingers, a coiled-coil domain with potential for dimerization and a third 'rfp-like' domain that is shared by several other nuclear proteins. The putative zinc fingers and the coiled-coil domain resemble features in known nucleic acid-binding regulatory proteins. These structures, coupled with a distinctive pattern of expression in embryonic tissues, suggest that A33 may function as a regulatory protein during early development. It is unlikely that the large store of A33 in the GV is bound to DNA. Instead, its association with the nascent transcripts on the lampbrush chromosome loops suggests a role in pre-mRNA synthesis or processing.

Identification of a nuclear localization sequence in the polyomavirus capsid protein VP2

A nuclear localization signal (NLS) has been identified in the C-terminal (Glu307-Glu-Asp-Gly-Pro-Gln-Lys-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Leu318) amino acid sequence of the polyomavirus minor capsid protein VP2. The importance of this amino acid sequence for nuclear transport of newly synthesized VP2 was demonstrated by a genetic "subtractive" study using the constructs pSG5VP2 (expressing full-length VP2) and pSG5 delta 3VP2 (expressing truncated VP2, lacking amino acids Glu307-Leu318). These constructs were transfected into COS-7 cells, and the intracellular localization of the VP2 protein was determined by indirect immunofluorescence. These studies revealed that the full-length VP2 was localized in the nucleus, while the truncated VP2 protein was localized in the cytoplasm and not transported to the nucleus. A biochemical "additive" approach was also used to determine whether this sequence could target nonnuclear proteins to the nucleus. A synthetic peptide identical to VP2 amino acids Glu307-Leu318 was cross-linked to the nonnuclear proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) or immunoglobulin G (IgG). The conjugates were then labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and microinjected into the cytoplasm of NIH 3T6 cells. Both conjugates localized in the nucleus of the microinjected cells, whereas unconjugated BSA and IgG remained in the cytoplasm. Taken together, these genetic subtractive and biochemical additive approaches have identified the C-terminal sequence of polyoma-virus VP2 (containing amino acids Glu307-Leu318) as the NLS of this protein.

Sequence and localization of human NASP: conservation of a Xenopus histone-binding protein

In this study the sequence and localization of human testicular NASP (nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein) are reported. NASP cDNA contains 2561 nt encoding a protein of 787 amino acids. The open reading frame contains 2446 nt followed by an ochre stop codon (TAA) and 104 nucleotides of untranslated sequence containing a poly(A) addition signal 10 bases upstream of the poly(A) tail. Northern blot analysis of human testis poly(A) mRNA indicates a message of approximately 3.2 kb. Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) analysis of the encoded human NASP amino acid sequence with the sequence for the Xenopus histone-binding protein N1/N2 and the rabbit NASP amino acid sequence demonstrates that the human sequence and the Xenopus sequence have extensive amino acid homology upstream of the rabbit initiation codon. Significantly, there is an 85% identity between the human and the rabbit NASP sequences when the alignment starts at the N-terminal of the rabbit sequence and at amino acid 101 of the human sequence. The nuclear translocation signal found in N1/N2 and rabbit NASP is completely conserved in human NASP. The first histone-binding domain of Xenopus is 70% identical and 90% similar to the human NASP domain. The second histone-binding domain of Xenopus is 48% identical and 71% similar to the human NASP domain. MSA analysis of the three sequences generated an unrooted ancestral tree with two branches, indicating that fewer amino acid changes have occurred between the Xenopus and the human sequences than between the Xenopus and the rabbit sequences. In the human testis, NASP is localized predominantly in primary spermatocytes and round spermatids. Spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, peritubular cells, and other somatic cells do not stain. Human spermatozoa contain NASP in the acrosomal region. Following the acrosome reaction, some NASP remains in the equatorial and postacrosomal regions. We propose that mammalian testes and sperm contain a histone-binding protein which may play a role in regulating the early events of spermatogenesis.

The use of additive and subtractive approaches to examine the nuclear localization sequence of the polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1

A nuclear localization signal (NLS) has been identified in the N-terminal (Ala1-Pro-Lys-Arg-Lys-Ser-Gly-Val-Ser-Lys-Cys11) amino acid sequence of the polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1. The importance of this amino acid sequence for nuclear transport of VP1 protein was demonstrated by a genetic "subtractive" study using the constructs pSG5VP1 (full-length VP1) and pSG5 delta 5'VP1 (truncated VP1, lacking amino acids Ala1-Cys11). These constructs were used to transfect COS-7 cells, and expression and intracellular localization of the VP1 protein was visualized by indirect immunofluorescence. These studies revealed that the full-length VP1 was expressed and localized in the nucleus, while the truncated VP1 protein was localized in the cytoplasm and not transported to the nucleus. These findings were substantiated by an "additive" approach using FITC-labeled conjugates of synthetic peptides homologous to the NLS of VP1 cross-linked to bovine serum albumin or immunoglobulin G. Both conjugates localized in the nucleus after microinjection into the cytoplasm of 3T6 cells. The importance of individual amino acids found in the basic sequence (Lys3-Arg-Lys5) of the NLS was also investigated. This was accomplished by synthesizing three additional peptides in which lysine-3 was substituted with threonine, arginine-4 was substituted with threonine, or lysine-5 was substituted with threonine. It was found that lysine-3 was crucial for nuclear transport, since substitution of this amino acid with threonine prevented nuclear localization of the microinjected, FITC-labeled conjugate.

Purification, primary structure, bacterial expression and subcellular distribution of an oocyte-specific protein in Xenopus

This study defines a novel Xenopus laevis protein (P100) that has recently been shown to be recognized by scleroderma patient sera. Using a combination of differential solubility in detergents, hydroxyapatite chromatography and one-dimensional PAGE, P100 was purified to apparent homogeneity and the amino acid sequence was obtained. An oligonucleotide derived from this sequence was used to clone P100 cDNA through a polymerase-chain-reaction cloning strategy. The entire P100 cDNA sequence was determined, identifying a novel 83,000-Da protein. Two alleles for P100 were transcribed in the oocyte, with only one predicted amino acid change between them. Bacterial expression of a clone containing the entire P100 coding region produced a protein that migrated at a mass 15% greater than that predicted from the amino acid sequence, indicating an aberrant electrophoretic mobility. The mRNA transcript for P100 was only expressed during the previtellogenic stages of oogenesis (stages I and II) and was absent from other Xenopus tissues. Similarly, the P100 protein was found only in Xenopus oocytes and was localized to the cytoplasm of these cells. P100 irreversibly bound single-stranded-DNA--cellulose but not double-stranded-DNA--cellulose. These data demonstrate the presence of a novel oocyte-specific protein in Xenopus.

Regulation of expression and intracellular distribution of calreticulin, a major calcium binding protein of nonmuscle cells

In the present study we have demonstrated the presence of calreticulin, a major Ca(2+)-sequestering protein of nonmuscle cells, in a variety of cell types in tissue culture. The protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum in most cell types and also to the nuclear envelope or nucleoli-like structures in some cell types. Calreticulin is enriched in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting a possible involvement in protein synthesis. Calreticulin terminates with the KDEL-COOH sequence, which is likely responsible for its endoplasmic reticulum localization. Unlike some other KDEL proteins, calreticulin expression is neither heat-shock nor Ca(2+)-shock dependent. Using a variety of metabolic inhibitors, we have shown that the pool of calreticulin in L6 cells has a relatively slow turnover and a stable intracellular distribution. In proliferating muscle cells in culture (both L6 and human skeletal muscle) calreticulin is present in the endoplasmic reticulum, and additional intranuclear staining is observed. When fusion of the L6 cells is inhibited with either a high serum concentration or TGF-beta or TPA, the nucleolar staining by anticalreticulin antibodies is diminished, although the presence of calreticulin in the endoplasmic reticulum remains unchanged. In contrast, in differentiated (i.e., fused) muscle cells neither intranuclear nor intracellular staining for calreticulin is present. We conclude, therefore, that calreticulin is abundant in the endoplasmic reticulum in proliferating myoblasts, while it is present in only small amounts in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes in terminally differentiated myotubes. We propose a model for the domain structure of calreticulin that may explain the differential subcellular distribution of this protein. Because of its widespread distribution in nonmuscle tissues, we postulate that calreticulin is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in Ca(2+) sequestering and thus that it is the nonmuscle analog of calsequestrin.

Role of the growth-associated protein B-50/GAP-43 in neuronal plasticity

The neuronal phosphoprotein B-50/GAP-43 has been implicated in neuritogenesis during developmental stages of the nervous system and in regenerative processes and neuronal plasticity in the adult. The protein appears to be a member of a family of acidic substrates of protein kinase C (PKC) that bind calmodulin at low calcium concentrations. Two of these substrates, B-50 and neurogranin, share the primary sequence coding for the phospho- and calmodulin-binding sites and might exert similar functions in axonal and dendritic processes, respectively. In the adult brain, B-50 is exclusively located at the presynaptic membrane. During neuritogenesis in cell culture, the protein is translocated to the growth cones, i.e., into the filopodia. In view of many positive correlations between B-50 expression and neurite outgrowth and the specific localization of B-50, a role in growth cone function has been proposed. Its phosphorylation state may regulate the local intracellular free calmodulin and calcium concentrations or vice versa. Both views link the B-50 protein to processes of signal transduction and transmitter release.

Processing of the precursor of protamine P2 in mouse. Identification of intermediates by their insolubility in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate

Two basic proteins, protamines P1 and P2, are present in chromatin of mouse spermatozoa. Protamine P1, the less abundant protein in mouse, has a homolog in most mammals, and its synthesis follows a conventional route. In contrast, protamine P2 has been found only in certain other mammals, including humans, and it is synthesized as a precursor nearly twice as long as the mature protein. Processing of this precursor is not yet understood, although it necessarily takes place in elongating spermatids and is likely to play a role in the chromatin condensation occurring in these haploid cells. We have fractionated basic proteins from mouse testis chromatin and have identified six proteins on electrophoretic gels which, like protamines, are insoluble in SDS. All six were also soluble at the same trichloroacetic acid concentration as protamine P2 and were present in chromatin of elongating spermatids. Radioactive labelling patterns acquired by these SDS-insoluble proteins during translation in vitro of testis RNA indicate that the largest represents the precursor of protamine P2, and suggest that the others represent intermediates generated by proteolytic cleavage of the precursor. Results from pulse 3H labelling in vivo were also consistent with the conclusion that a precursor/product relationship exists between these proteins and protamine P2. Conclusions concerning the kinetics of processing have, in addition, been drawn from this data. Hypotheses concerning possible functional roles played by the precursor are presented.

Two interdependent basic domains in nucleoplasmin nuclear targeting sequence: identification of a class of bipartite nuclear targeting sequence

Point mutagenesis of the nuclear targeting sequence of nucleoplasmin has identified two interdependent basic domains. These are separated by 10 intervening "spacer" amino acids that tolerate point mutations and some insertions. Amino acids in both basic domains are required for nuclear targeting, and the transport defect of a mutation in one domain is amplified by a simultaneous mutation in the other. Therefore, these basic domains are interdependent. A strikingly similar motif of two clusters of basic residues is seen in the nuclear targeting sequence of Xenopus N1. It is also conserved in the related nucleolar protein NO38. Several other short sequences known to be necessary for nuclear targeting fall within a similar motif.

Detection and abundance of mRNA and protein encoded by transposable element activator (Ac) in maize

The 3.5 kb long mRNA of the maize transposable element Ac contains an open reading frame (ORFa) which encodes a polypeptide of 807 amino acids, the putative transposase of Ac. The Ac mRNA is a rare transcript: we now estimate the fraction of Ac mRNA in wx-m7::Ac seedlings to be 2-13 x 10(-5) of the polyA RNA. Assuming that maize cells contain similar amounts of polyA RNA as another monocot (0.16 pg/cell), this is equivalent to 1.5-10 transcripts in each cell. A protein with an apparent molecular weight of 112 kDa is detected, by five antisera directed against different segments of ORFa, exclusively in nuclear extracts from Ac-containing maize. This protein is most likely the full-length Ac ORFa protein. We estimate its concentration to be in the range of 3 x 10(-7) of the nuclear proteins, or about 1000 molecules per triploid endosperm cell containing one Ac element.

High-level expression of Escherichia coli NADPH-sulfite reductase: requirement for a cloned cysG plasmid to overcome limiting siroheme cofactor

The flavoprotein and hemoprotein components of Escherichia coli B NADPH-sulfite reductase are encoded by cysJ and cysI, respectively. Plasmids containing these two genes overexpressed flavoprotein catalytic activity and apohemoprotein by 13- to 35-fold, but NADPH-sulfite reductase holoenzyme activity was increased only 3-fold. Maximum overexpression of holoenzyme activity was achieved by the inclusion in such plasmids of Salmonella typhimurium cysG, which encodes a uroporphyrinogen III methyltransferase required for the synthesis of siroheme, a cofactor for the hemoprotein. Thus, cofactor deficiency, in this case siroheme, can limit overexpression of a cloned enzyme. Catalytically active holoenzyme accounted for 10% of total soluble protein in a host containing cloned cysJ, cysI, and cysG. A 5.3-kb DNA fragment containing S. typhimurium cysG was sequenced, and the open reading frame corresponding to cysG was identified by subcloning and by identifying plasmid-encoded peptides in maxicells. Comparison with the sequence reported for the E. coli cysG region (J. A. Cole, unpublished data; GenBank sequence ECONIRBC) indicates a gene order of nirB-nirC-cysG in the cloned S. typhimurium fragment. In addition, two open reading frames of unknown identity were found immediately downstream of cysG. One of these contains 11 direct repeats of 33 nucleotides each, which correspond to the consensus amino acid sequence Asp-Asp-Val-Thr-Pro-Pro-Asp-Asp-Ser-Gly-Asp.

Characterization of a second highly conserved B-type lamin present in cells previously thought to contain only a single B-type lamin

Previous analyses of the nuclear lamina of mammalian cells have revealed three major protein components (lamins A, B and C) that have been identified by protein sequence homology as members of the intermediate filament (IF) protein family. It has been claimed that mammalian cells contain either all three lamins or lamin B alone. Using monoclonal antibodies specific for B-type lamins and cDNA cloning we identified a second major mammalian B-type lamin (murine lamin B2), thus showing that lamin composition in mammals is more complex than previously thought. Lamin B2 is coexpressed with lamin B1 (formerly termed lamin B) in all somatic cells and mammalian species that we analysed, including a variety of cells currently believed to contain only a single lamin. This suggests that two B-type lamins are necessary to form a functional lamina in mammalian somatic cells. By cDNA cloning we found that Xenopus laevis lamin LII is the amphibian homolog of mammalian lamin B2. Lamin expression during embryogenesis of amphibians and mammals shows striking similarities. The first lamins expressed in the early embryo are the two B-type lamins, while A-type lamins are only detected much later in development. These findings indicate that the genomic differentiation into two B-type lamins occurred early in vertebrate evolution and has been maintained in both their primary structure and pattern of expression.

Functions of maternal mRNA in early development

In this review, the types of mRNAs found in oocytes and eggs of several animal species, particularly Drosophila, marine invertebrates, frogs, and mice, are described. The roles that proteins derived from these mRNAs play in early development are discussed, and connections between maternally inherited information and embryonic pattern are sought. Comparisons between genetically identified maternally expressed genes in Drosophila and maternal mRNAs biochemically characterized in other species are made when possible. Regulation of the meiotic and early embryonic cell cycles is reviewed, and translational control of maternal mRNA following maturation and/or fertilization is discussed with regard to specific mRNAs.

Nucleosome positioning modulates accessibility of regulatory proteins to the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter

Minichromosomes containing the MMTV hormone responsive element (HRE) exhibit precisely positioned nucleosomes. Chromatin reconstitution of short HRE DNA fragments also results in precise positioning of nucleosomes as revealed by footprinting, which suggests that information for nucleosome phasing is contained within this short sequence. While hormone receptors bind naked DNA and reconstituted nucleosomes with similar affinities (3- to 5-fold difference), NFI, a transcription factor essential for efficient utilization of the MMTV promoter, binds naked DNA very tightly but does not bind the nucleosomally organized promoter. Hormone receptor binding to the MMTV nucleosome does not dissociate the nucleosome but leads to greater accessibility of the promoter-proximal end to exonuclease III. Precise positioning of one nucleosome over the MMTV promoter could repress transcription by preventing NFI binding in the absence of hormone, while still allowing interaction of activated hormone receptor with HRE.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of cDNA for Ki antigen, a highly conserved nuclear protein detected with sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) produce autoantibodies against a variety of nuclear antigens including Ki antigen. Although anti-Ki autoantibodies were found in a significant number of SLE patients, the nature of Ki antigen is poorly characterized. By using anti-Ki serum as a probe we have cloned a bovine cDNA directing the synthesis in Escherichia coli of a polypeptide immunologically indistinguishable from the authentic Ki antigen. A homologous human cDNA was also cloned and its nucleotide sequence predicted the entire primary structure of a novel nuclear protein with a molecular weight of 29 508 and with highly hydrophilic and weakly acidic character. The gene is highly conserved not only in the coding region but also in the 3'-untranslated region. The bacterially produced Ki antigen would be valuable for diagnosis of SLE.

Molecular and developmental analyses of the protein encoded by the Drosophila gene ectodermal

The Drosophila gene ectodermal (ect, located at 67D8-10 on chromosome 3) is expressed for a short period at mid-embryogenesis in all ectodermally derived tissues except the nervous system. During this stage the tissues involved form tubular structures by a process of invagination followed by cell fusion. Here we report the sequence of the ect protein as deduced from the longest ORF (280 codons) of an ect cDNA. The principal molecular features of the ect protein are: 1) a consensus leader sequence for targeting to the rough ER; 2) a central domain containing a remarkably high density of acidic residues arranged in large clusters separated by smaller clusters of hydrophobic residues; 3) a consensus nuclear-targeting sequence near the C-terminus; 4) a single tyrosine residue located at a potential tyrosine-sulfation site. The antibody staining pattern of the ect protein corresponds to the in situ hybridization pattern of the transcript. A possible role for the ect protein in the complex process of tubular formation that occurs in embryonic ectodermal tissues is discussed.

Identification of a widespread nuclear actin binding protein

The many different cellular functions so far shown to involve actin and to be regulated by specific actin binding proteins are located primarily, if not exclusively, in the cytoplasm. Actin is also found in the nucleus of various cells, but because of the problems of cell fractionation the significance of nuclear actin has remained unclear. The large amphibian oocyte nucleus (germinal vesicle), however, can be isolated manually with little cytoplasmic contamination. This nucleus contains high concentrations (4-6 mg ml-1) of mostly soluble, although polymerization-competent beta- and gamma-actin, which exists in a nucleocytoplasmic exchange pool. The findings that drastic effects on transcription and chromosome morphology are caused by the injection of actin antibodies or actin binding proteins into germinal vesicles, and that a factor required for accurate transcription by RNA polymerase II is actin, suggest that nuclear actin is involved in specific nuclear functions. We have recently identified two main components in Xenopus laevis oocytes with actin binding activities; one of these activities is Ca2+-dependent, is located predominantly, if not exclusively, in the cytoplasm and is attributable to gelsolin. Here we report that the second component, having a Ca2+-independent activity, is a heterodimeric acting binding protein; this protein is markedly enriched in the nuclei of oocytes and somatic cells of amphibia, but also occurs in nuclei of other vertebrate cells.