Conformation of ribosomes from the vegetative amoebae and spores of Dictyoistelium discoideum

Regulation of synthesis of cell-specific ribosomal proteins during differentiation of Dictyostelium discoideum

Proteins of ribosomes from various stages of development in Dictyostelium discoideum were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Significant changes in protein composition were observed; the data demonstrate that cell differentiation in a eukaryotic system is accompanied by ribosome heterogeneity. Both qualitative and quantitative differences were noted for 12 unique ribosomal proteins between the vegetative amoebae and spores (differentiated cells). Two proteins were specific to ribosomes of amoebae, and three were specific to spores. The others were common to both cells but showed characteristic stoichiometric changes. The appearance and quantitative changes of these proteins were associated with specific stages of cell differentiation and were evident only during the aggregation phase; however, further changes continued through construction of fruiting bodies. As functional mRNAs for all 12 proteins were present in both amoebae and spores, both transcriptional and translational mechanisms apparently regulate the synthesis of the various developmentally controlled ribosomal proteins in the two cell types.

The 80S rat liver ribosome at 25 A resolution by electron cryomicroscopy and angular reconstitution

BACKGROUND

The ribosome is central to protein synthesis in all living organisms. Single-particle electron cryomicroscopy has recently led to the determination of three-dimensional structures of bacterial ribosomes to approximately 20 A, which have since revolutionised our understanding of ribosomal function. The structure we present here of the 80S rat liver ribosome leads the way to similar progress for mammalian ribosomes.

RESULTS

Among the new details revealed by our 25 A structure of the 80S rat liver ribosome are channels within the subunits, a large 'flat ribosomal surface' (FRS) on the outer surface of the large subunit and structural extensions of the mammalian compared to the bacterial ribosome. The main large subunit channel in both the bacterial and the mammalian species starts at the peptidyl transferase centre, below the central protuberance, and ends in the FRS, at the lower back of the large subunit. Structurally, the channels of both species can be directly superimposed.

CONCLUSIONS

The mammalian structural extensions--none of which trespass the FRS--can be interpreted in terms of rRNA inserts and additional protein content over that of bacterial ribosomes. The main large subunit channel, which ends at the FRS, is the best candidate for the exit channel for proteins targeted for the endoplasmic reticulum.

Electron microscopical projections of the large ribosomal subunit from Thermomyces lanuginosus

Multivariate statistical analysis and hierarchical ascendant classification have been used to construct averages of two fundamental electron microscopical views of large ribosomal subunits from the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus. The first was roughly pentagonal in shape and corresponded to the canonical crown view seen in images of large subunits from prokaryotic species. The second and more prevalent projection was elliptical in shape, and by matching protuberances could be interpreted as the complex rotated from the crown orientation. Because of its ubiquity and consistency, this elongated view could potentially serve as the standard for structural comparisons of the large ribosomal subunit from eukaryotic organisms, and as the basis for a three-dimensional reconstruction.

Characteristic electron microscopical projections of the small ribosomal subunit from Thermomyces lanuginosus

Multivariate statistical analysis and hierarchical ascendant classification techniques have been used to sort electron images of small ribosomal subunits from the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus into their characteristic views. Three predominant modes of adsorption to the support were elucidated: right-lateral, left-lateral and asymmetric, showing reproducible detail approaching 1.8 nm resolution. The projections of the fungal complexes appeared almost identical to those of HeLa cells, rat liver and rabbit reticulocytes studied previously in this manner. This result contrasts with the greater variation in fine structural features observed between ribosomal subunits from different prokaryotic species.

Structure of ribosomes from Thermomyces lanuginosus by electron microscopy and image processing

Multivariate statistical analysis and hierarchical ascendant classification techniques have been used to sort electron images of ribosomes from the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus into their characteristic views. Three predominant views were elucidated, called here overlap, non-overlap and top, showing reproducible detail approaching 1.8 nm resolution. The overlap and non-overlap forms of the fungal ribosomes appeared to be similar to those from the eubacterium Escherichia coli, despite differences in rRNA composition. The non-overlap projection predominated for the fungal complexes, suggesting different adsorption properties for ribosomes from the two species. Additionally, the top view has not been previously described for eubacteria. No major morphological differences could be detected between the fungal and eubacterial ribosomes at the resolution achieved in this study, suggesting a strong conservation of tertiary structure of this macromolecular complex despite the evolutionary gap between these two organisms.

Isolation of yeast ribosomal proteins L3 and L2 for immunological studies

We report on a rapid method for the isolation and purification of the yeast ribosomal proteins L3 and L2 using a simple instrumentation. Preparative dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was applied to the separation of cytoplasmatic ribosomal proteins of the large subunit from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The polypeptides were removed from gel slices by electrophoretic elution. Subsequent analytical electrophoresis showed groups of proteins in all but two fractions. The latter were further analysed by a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis system which disclosed the purity of two polypeptides. They were identified as L3 and L2. Their molecular masses were 51.5 and 44 kDa as estimated from the gels. A possible application to the isolation of other yeast ribosomal proteins is discussed. An antiserum against the polypeptide L3 was raised in a rabbit. Applying an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) we were able to determine the relative antibody concentration. Its specificity was demonstrated by immunoblotting.

Comparative electron microscopic studies of single biomolecules negatively stained and freeze-dried metal-shadowed

This paper deals with the development of physical fixation and contrasting procedures for the electron microscopic structure analysis of isolated biomolecules. It has been shown on isolated antibodies (IgG) that these preparation methods give better preservation of biomolecules than the commonly practiced chemical fixation and staining techniques. With regard to morphology and size, the data from the electron microscopic structure analysis of the tested antibodies (IgG) are in good agreement with those from X-ray structure analysis. With isolated ribosomal 40S subunits, the influence of chemical fixation and staining techniques on both the structure preservation and contrast medium distribution has been demonstrated.

Structure of ribosomes and ribosomal subunits of Drosophila

The ultrastructure of Drosophila melanogaster cytoplasmic ribosomal subunits and monomers have been examined by electron microscopy. The Drosophila ribosomal structures are compared to those determined for other eucaryotes and E. coli. Negatively contrasted images of 60S subunits are seen in the most frequent view to be approximately round particles about 280 A in diameter. About 35% of the particles present a single prominent projection which we call the 60S peak. The peak emanates from a flattened region of the 60S subunit. The maximum observed length of the 60S peak is approximately 90 A. The Drosophila 60S peak is highly reminiscent of the E. coli L7/L12 stalk. The Drosophila 40S subunit is an elongated, slightly bent particle which measures 280 X 170 X 160 A. It bears a strong resemblance to small ribosomal subunits of other eucaryotes and is strikingly similar to the E. coli 30S subunit. Micrographs of 80S monomeric ribosomes show the long axis of the 40S to be parallel and in apparent contact with the flattened region of 60S subunit. The 60S peak appears to bisect the long axis of the 40S subunit. The 40S subunit seems to be oriented in the monomeric ribosome so that the 40S projection is toward the body of the large subunit. Comparison of our data with similar studies in different organisms indicates that the eucaryotic large ribosomal subunits exhibit morphological heterogeneity while the small subunits remain remarkably similar.