Resolution of basic cellular proteins including histone variants by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis: evaluation of lysine to arginine ratios and phosphorylation

Solubilization of proteins in 2DE: an outline

Protein solubilization for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) has to break molecular interactions to separate the biological contents of the material of interest into isolated and intact polypeptides. This must be carried out in conditions compatible with the first dimension of 2DE, namely isoelectric focusing. In addition, the extraction process must enable easy removal of any nonprotein component interfering with the isoelectric focusing. The constraints brought in this process by the peculiar features of isoelectric focusing are discussed, as well as their consequences in terms of possible solutions and limits for the solubilization process.

Inhibition of host transcription by vesicular stomatitis virus involves a novel mechanism that is independent of phosphorylation of TATA-binding protein (TBP) or association of TBP with TBP-associated factor subunits

The matrix (M) protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a potent inhibitor in vivo of transcription by all three host RNA polymerases (RNAP). In the case of host RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), the inhibition is due to lack of activity of the TATA-binding protein (TBP), which is a subunit of the basal transcription factor TFIID. Despite the potency of M protein-induced inhibition in vivo, experiments presented here show that M protein cannot directly inactivate TFIID in vitro. Addition of M protein to nuclear extracts from uninfected cells did not inhibit transcription activity, indicating that the inhibition is indirect and is mediated through host factors. The host factors that are known to regulate TBP activity include phosphorylation by host kinases and association with different TBP-associated factor (TAF) subunits. However, TBP in VSV-infected cells was found to be assembled normally with its TAF subunits, as shown by ion exchange high-pressure liquid chromatography and sedimentation velocity analysis. A normal pattern of phosphorylation of TBP in VSV-infected cells was also observed by pH gradient gel electrophoresis. Collectively, these data indicate that M protein inactivates TBP activity in RNAPII-dependent transcription by a novel mechanism, since the known mechanisms for regulating TBP activity cannot account for the inhibition.

Ankylosing spondylitis: an autoimmune disease?

Identification of several autoantibodies in serum samples from patients with ankylosing spondylitis or suspected ankylosing spondylitis is reported. Five antibodies associated with ankylosing spondylitis were identified by applying cytoimmunofluorescence and immunoblotting techniques to antigen pools from insect tissue. At least one of these antibodies was found in 82% of serum samples from patients with ankylosing spondylitis. A 36 kD drosophila antigen, which showed the most common and most dominant reaction, was further purified and isolated. Thirty two (34%) of the serum samples from 95 patients with definite ankylosing spondylitis and 12 (28%) of the serum samples from 43 patients with suspected ankylosing spondylitis reacted with this antigen. Antibodies purified from the 36 kD antigen reacted specifically with a 69 kD antigen present in separations of total protein preparations from human lymphocytes and HeLa cells. The 36 kD antibody was not found in 29 patients with rheumatoid arthritis nor in 38 apparently healthy controls. The prevalence of the 36 kD antibody was comparable in HLA-B27 positive and negative patients. In addition, the same immunoreaction was found in patients with so called 'seronegative' spondylarthropathies, particularly of the ankylosing spondylitis-type, suggesting that this antibody is specific for ankylosing spondylitis or other 'seronegative' spondylarthropathies with the typical clinical and radiological changes of ankylosing spondylitis.

Intracellular distribution of input vesicular stomatitis virus proteins after uncoating

We have examined the fate of input viral proteins following the uncoating of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) by immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, and cell fractionation. VSV was adsorbed to BHK cells and allowed to become internalized in the presence of 100 mM NH4Cl; the NH4Cl was then removed to initiate synchronized uncoating. The three major structural proteins of VSV, the matrix protein (M), the nucleocapsid protein (N), and the glycoprotein (G), were each distributed uniquely after uncoating. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that both G and N proteins retained a punctate distribution, whereas M protein was diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm, suggesting that it had become soluble. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that N protein was found in clusters (presumably in intact nucleocapsids) associated with the cell cytoskeleton and in unfused virions in endosomes and lysosomes. M protein was found diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm and also in endosomes and lysosomes. G protein was found only in association with endosomes and lysosomes after uncoating. Electrophoretic analysis of the high-speed cytosol fraction from infected cells showed that it contained chiefly M protein. The amount of M protein in the cytosol increased continuously during 90 min of uncoating, confirming its solubilization during uncoating. M protein was not covalently modified by phosphorylation upon uncoating, as evidenced by its mobility on nonequilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis. We suggest that those nucleocapsids associating with the cytoskeleton after uncoating may represent the sites of primary viral transcription.

Rapid induction of polyadenylate binding protein and stimulation of translational initiation in pituitary tumor cells exposed to phorbol ester

1. GH3 pituitary cells treated for 1-2 hr with phorbol myristate acetate exhibited accumulation of large polysomes and increased incorporation of amino acids into all discrete protein populations. 2. Preferential incorporation into a basic 74 kDa polypeptide preceded significant augmentation of protein synthesis. Cellular content of this polypeptide correlated directly with the increase in protein synthesis. 3. Stimulations of incorporation, of polysome accumulation, and of preferential synthesis of the 74 kDa protein were eliminated by inhibitors of transcription. 4. The rapidly induced protein was identical with the ubiquitous polyadenylate-binding protein on the bases of size, isoelectric point, distribution with polysomes, and association with poly(A) + mRNA.

Identification of cDNAs corresponding to mosquito ribosomal protein genes

Sequences encoding mosquito (Aedes albopictus) ribosomal proteins L8, L14 and L31 were identified from a cDNA library made from size-selected polyadenylated mRNA. Candidate cDNAs corresponding to moderately abundant mRNAs were screened by translation of hybrid-selected transcripts in wheat-germ lysates. Translation products were extracted with acetic acid and analyzed by electrophoresis in two dimensions in the presence of unlabeled ribosomal proteins. The identity of translation products that coelectrophoresed with purified ribosomal protein standards was supported by peptide mapping. The cDNAs corresponding to L8 (pL8) and L31 (pL31) hybridized to cytoplasmic mRNAs of 1.4 and 0.9 kb, respectively. In Southern blots of genomic DNA digested with BamHI, HindIII or EcoRI, the cDNA inserts from both pL8 and pL31 gave simple hybridization patterns suggestive of a low copy number for mosquito ribosomal protein genes.

Changes in protein phosphorylation in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo cells

Rous sarcoma virus encodes a tyrosine-specific protein kinase (p60src) which is necessary for cell transformation. To identify substrates for this kinase, we set out to detect phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo cells, making use of the known alkali stability of phosphotyrosine. 32P-labeled phosphoproteins were separated by isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gels were then incubated in alkali. Using this procedure with normal cells, we detected a total of about 190 alkali-resistant phosphoproteins. In Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells, five phosphoproteins were found which were not detectable in normal cells. Two of these are probably structural proteins of the virus. The other three transformation-dependent phosphoproteins, and four other phosphoproteins which were elevated by transformation, all contained phosphotyrosine. Increased phosphorylation of these proteins did not occur with cells infected with a mutant Rous sarcoma virus, temperature sensitive for transformation, grown at the restrictive temperature. We conclude that these seven proteins are probably substrates of p60src, although they may be substrates for other tyrosine-specific protein kinases activated by p60src.

Phorbol myristate acetate inhibits growth in S49 cells: isolation of resistant variants

We have used S49 mouse lymphoma cells to study phorbol ester effects on growth. Treatment of wild-type (wt) cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) results in growth arrest within 72 hr. We have selected variants that are resistant to PMA-induced growth arrest, based on a selection in the presence of 10 nM PMA. We have characterized one of these variants, termed 21.1, in detail. The 21.1 and wt cells contain similar levels of protein kinase C (PKC) as determined by [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDBu) binding. Treatment of both wt and 21.1 cells with PMA results in translocation of PKC to the membrane, suggesting that the coupling between PKC and an immediate biological response is intact. PMA treatment leads to the phosphorylation of many similar proteins in wild-type and 21.1 cells. However, in the 21.1 cells there is a prominent substrate of approximately 70 kilodaltons (kD) which is no longer phosphorylated after PMA treatment. In wild-type cells ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and mRNA levels are decreased within 1 hr of PMA treatment. Likewise, ODC levels are decreased in the 21.1 cells after exposure to PMA even though PMA only slightly modulates the growth of these cells. The 21.1 cells represent a unique line with a dominant phenotype in which ODC expression is uncoupled from the growth state of the cell. These cells may represent a good model system in which to examine the steps involved in phorbol ester growth regulation in S49 cells.

ADPribosylation of nuclear proteins labeled with [3H]adenosine: changes during the HeLa cycle

Cell cycle variations in the modification of histones and nonhistones by ADPribosylation were investigated. Proteins of HeLa interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes were radioactively labeled in vivo with [3H]adenosine. Histones of metaphase chromosomes were extensively modified by ADPribosylation, with H2B, H2A and H4 being predominant acceptors of [3H]adenosine label. For histones of interphase nuclei from synchronized cells, the highest level of 3H labeling was observed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to occur in S phase. The minimum level was noted in G1 phase. ADPribosylation of histones is, however, significant during all phases of the cell cycle. These conclusions were confirmed by experiments using [32P]NAD. The results with the specific inhibitor of ADPribosylation, 3-aminobenzamide, and with snake venom phosphodiesterase indicated that the radioactive isotopes were incorporated as ADPribose. Two-dimensional gels of HeLa nonhistones labeled with [3H]adenosine showed strikingly different patterns for interphase and metaphase samples. Over 100 ADPribosylated species were found for interphase nuclei, but poly(ADPribose) polymerase was the only major acceptor for metaphase chromosomes. A simple pattern was also revealed for nuclear scaffolds, with the 'lamins' and poly(ADPribose) polymerase being identifiable as modified species.

Calmodulin-dependent phosphatases of PC12, GH3, and C6 cells: physical, kinetic, and immunochemical properties

Calmodulin-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase (CaMDP) activity has been found in each of three cultured cell lines: rat pheochromocytoma (PC12), glioma (C6), and pituitary adenoma (GH3) cells. These CaMDP activities bind to immobilized calmodulin in the presence of Ca2+ and are eluted by EGTA. Sucrose density centrifugation revealed that the phosphatase activities exhibited sedimentation coefficients of 4.37, 4.23, and 4.59 for proteins derived from C6, GH3, and PC12 cells, respectively. The Stokes radii measured for the PC12 and C6 activities were 41.8 and 40.0 A, respectively. The estimated molecular weights calculated for the enzymes from these data are 79,100 and 72,200. The phosphatase activities required the presence of divalent cations such as Ca2+ or Mn2+ for expression of activity, which was optimal only in the presence of calmodulin. The apparent Km for phosphorylated myelin basic protein substrate was 8 microM. Affinity-purified antibodies to the B subunit of bovine brain CaMDP were found by immunoblot (Western blot) to cross-react with a single protein among proteins extracted from PC12, C6, and GH3 cells that had been resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis. In each case, the cross-reacting protein exhibited an Mr of 16,000 and an isoelectric point of 4.7, values virtually identical to those reported previously for the B subunit of bovine brain CaMDP (sometimes called calcineurin). This cross-reacting protein was found among cellular proteins eluted from immobilized calmodulin by EGTA. Immunocytochemical localization of the cross-reacting protein in undifferentiated PC12 cells or in cells differentiated in response to nerve growth factor revealed its presence diffusely throughout the cytoplasm. These experiments support the contention that each of these cell lines contains a calmodulin-regulated phosphatase homologous physically and kinetically, and immunologically related to bovine brain CaMDP.

Phenotypic revertants of temperature-sensitive M protein mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus: sequence analysis and functional characterization

Twenty-five spontaneous temperature-stable revertants of four different temperature-sensitive (ts) M protein mutants (complementation group III: tsG31, tsG33, tsO23, and tsO89) were sequenced and tested for their ability to inhibit vesicular stomatitis virus RNA polymerase activity in vitro. Consensus sequences of the coding region of each M protein gene were determined, using total viral RNA as template. Fifteen different sequences were found among the 25 revertants; 14 differed from their ts parent by a single amino acid (one nucleotide), and 1 differed by two amino acids (two nucleotides). Amino acids were altered in various positions between residues 64 and 215, representing over 60% of the polypeptide chain. Resequencing of the Glasgow and Orsay wild types and the four ts mutants confirmed previously published differences (Y. Gopalakrishana and J. Lenard, J. Virol., 56:655-659, 1985), and one or two additional differences were found in each. The relative charges of the revertant M proteins, as determined by nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis, were consistent with the deduced sequences in every case. The ability of each revertant M protein to inhibit the RNA polymerase activity of nucleocapsids prepared from its parent ts mutant was also tested. Only 13 of the 25 revertants had M protein with high (wild type-like) polymerase-inhibiting activity, while 5 had low (ts-like) activity, and 7 had intermediate activity, demonstrating that this property is not an essential concomitant of the temperature-stable phenotype. It is concluded that the high reversion frequency observed for these mutants arises from a very high incidence of pseudoreversion, i.e., many different molecular changes can repair the ts phenotype.

A simple and general plant tissue extraction procedure for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

A fast and simple extraction procedure of plant tissue for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is presented. The procedure is especially useful for the extraction of plant cell suspension cultures, callus and other plant tissues having a high content of phenol oxidases, polysaccharides, polynucleotides, terpenoids and other substances interfering with isoelectric focusing. Due to the speed of the extraction procedure (about 20 min), large numbers of samples containing only milligram amounts of tissue can be easily processed. The simplicity of the method makes it particularly suitable for the extraction of radiolabeled tissues ((35)S, (32)P). This method is perfectly compatible with silver staining, autoradiography and Western blotting analysis.

Cell cycle variations in ADP-ribosylation of HeLa nuclear proteins

Changes in ADP-ribosylation of nuclear proteins during the HeLa cell cycle were determined. Portions of synchronized cultures were withdrawn at intervals and cells were permeabilized by resuspension in hypotonic buffer containing detergents. Nuclear proteins were radioactively labeled by incubating samples with [32P]NAD. Modified species were resolved using one-dimensional and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Measurements of the incorporation of [32P]NAD by permeabilized cells showed that ADP-ribosylation is a significant modification throughout the cell cycle. A twofold increase was detected during S phase. Autoradiograms of one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels revealed that many nuclear nonhistones are modified, though the major acceptors of 32P were the histones and a 116,000-Da species (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase). The same modified proteins were present through the cell cycle, but densitometry of autoradiograms demonstrated a general increase in the level of incorporation in S phase. Autoradiograms of two-dimensional gels of nuclear proteins labeled with [32P]NAD were consistent with these results. Although nonhistones of isolated metaphase chromosomes show a substantial reduction in ADP-ribosylation, histone modification is essentially unchanged in metaphase.

Sequence alterations in temperature-sensitive M-protein mutants (complementation group III) of vesicular stomatitis virus

Sequences were determined of the coding regions of the M-protein genes of the Glasgow and Orsay strains of vesicular stomatitis virus (Indiana serotype) and of two group III (M-protein) mutants derived from each wild type. Synthetic primers were annealed with viral genomic RNA and extended with reverse transcriptase. The resulting high-molecular-weight cDNA was sequenced directly. Both Glasgow and Orsay wild types differed in 13 bases from a clone of the San Juan strain sequenced by J. K. Rose and C. J. Gallione (J. Virol. 39:519-528, 1981). Six of these base changes caused amino acid changes in each wild type, whereas seven were degenerate. The Orsay and Glasgow sequences resembled each other more closely than either resembled that of Rose and Gallione, differing in eight nucleotides and four amino acids. Each of the four mutants, however, differed from its parent wild type in only one or two point mutations. Every mutation caused a change either from or to a charged amino acid; the change for tsG31 was Lys (position 215) to Glu, the change for tsO23 was Gly (position 21) to Glu, the change for tsO89 was Ala (position 133) to Asp, the changes for tsG33 were Lys (position 204) to Thr and Glu (position 214) to Lys. The charge differences predicted from these amino acid changes was confirmed by nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis for tsG31, tsG33, tsO23, and the two wild types. These mutations affect residues spanning nearly 85% of the linear sequence, although the mutants possess nearly identical phenotypic properties.

Characterization of the ribosomal proteins from mosquito (Aedes albopictus) cells

Proteins from the large and small subunits of Aedes albopictus (mosquito) cytoplasmic ribosomes were characterized by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The small subunit contained 28-31 proteins ranging in molecular mass from 10 to 49 kDa. The large subunit contained 36-39 proteins that ranged in molecular mass from 11 to 53 kDa. The largest protein on the small subunit, S1, was the predominant phosphorylated ribosomal protein. Under long-term labelling conditions, L4 and L33 were also phosphorylated. Peptide mapping by partial proteolysis indicated that Ae. albopictus S1 may share partial amino acid homology with the phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 from Drosophila melanogaster. Unlike Drosophila S6, however, Aedes S1 was not dephosphorylated during heat shock. Treatment of mosquito cells with the insect molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone did not affect phosphorylation of ribosomal proteins.

Noncoordinate histone synthesis in heat-shocked Drosophila cells is regulated at multiple levels

Transferring Drosophila tissue culture cells from 25 to 37 degrees C (heat shock) causes histone protein synthesis to become noncoordinate. To determine the level at which this is controlled, the synthesis, degradation, and translation of individual histone mRNAs was studied under both heat shock and control conditions. The increased synthesis of histone H2b protein during heat shock appears to be controlled primarily at the level of translation. During heat shock, H2b mRNA is transcribed at about the same level as in the control. However, H2b mRNA is more stable under heat shock than under control conditions and is predominantly found in polysomes. The reduction in synthesis of H2a, H3, and H4 protein during heat shock appears to be controlled at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Although transcription of H2a, H3, and H4 mRNAs is reduced during heat shock, like H2b mRNA, they are more stable. However, unlike H2b mRNA, these mRNAs are not predominantly associated with polysomes during heat shock. Regulation of H1 synthesis during heat shock is completely different from that of the other histones. During heat shock, H1 mRNA is not transcribed, and unlike all of the other Drosophila mRNAs studied to date, its mRNA is not stable in heat-shocked cells. Results from in vitro translation studies support the conclusion that noncoordinate synthesis of the core histone proteins during heat shock is controlled at the level of translation.

Noncoordinate histone synthesis in heat-shocked Drosophila cells is regulated at multiple levels

Transferring Drosophila tissue culture cells from 25 to 37 degrees C (heat shock) causes histone protein synthesis to become noncoordinate. To determine the level at which this is controlled, the synthesis, degradation, and translation of individual histone mRNAs was studied under both heat shock and control conditions. The increased synthesis of histone H2b protein during heat shock appears to be controlled primarily at the level of translation. During heat shock, H2b mRNA is transcribed at about the same level as in the control. However, H2b mRNA is more stable under heat shock than under control conditions and is predominantly found in polysomes. The reduction in synthesis of H2a, H3, and H4 protein during heat shock appears to be controlled at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Although transcription of H2a, H3, and H4 mRNAs is reduced during heat shock, like H2b mRNA, they are more stable. However, unlike H2b mRNA, these mRNAs are not predominantly associated with polysomes during heat shock. Regulation of H1 synthesis during heat shock is completely different from that of the other histones. During heat shock, H1 mRNA is not transcribed, and unlike all of the other Drosophila mRNAs studied to date, its mRNA is not stable in heat-shocked cells. Results from in vitro translation studies support the conclusion that noncoordinate synthesis of the core histone proteins during heat shock is controlled at the level of translation.

Stage-specific changes in protein synthesis during conjugation in Tetrahymena thermophila

Conjugation in the free-living ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila is an inducible developmental system which results in a synchronized reorganization of the genetic material in both mates of a pair. The cytological events were followed by Feulgen stainings of simultaneously mating cells and protein synthesis was revealed using [35S]methionine pulse labelling and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. At least 33 proteins, including 24 conjugation-specific proteins, with apparent molecular weights (Mr) between 61 and 200 X 10(3) are stimulated during conjugation. Two slightly acidic proteins (Mr 89 and 73 X 10(3), respectively) are stimulated shortly after mixing of mating-competent cells and mainly before tight pairs are formed. Ten proteins are stimulated during meiosis, and two of these (Mr 90 and 78 X 10(3), respectively) are particularly interesting, since they are highly stimulated and more basic (pI values around 8.5) than most other proteins detected. Twelve proteins are stimulated essentially between pairing and early macronuclear development, three are stimulated from shortly before zygote formation and during the post-zygotic divisions, and six are stimulated during late conjugation, at various parts of macronuclear development. The functions of the conjugation-stimulated proteins are discussed.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein: norepinephrine stimulated phosphorylation in intact C-6 glioma cells

Coelectrophoresis in two-dimensional gels of rat glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) and 32P-labeled whole cell extracts of rat C-6 glioma cells showed that the GFA migrated in close proximity to a previously noted phosphoprotein, 50K-6.1, of these cells. GFA electrophoresed as a 50K polypeptide with at least four charge variants, the most acidic of which coelectrophoresed with 50K-6.1. Exposure of the C-6 cultures to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) for 48 h increased the relative abundance of the endogenous polypeptide associated with 50K-6.1 by threefold, consistent with the hypothesis that 50K-6.1 was GFA. Norepinephrine stimulated 50K-6.1 phosphorylation 3.2-fold in dbcAMP-induced cultures. Peptide mapping with V8 protease and subtilisin was used to test the hypothesis that GFA and 50K-6.1 were identical polypeptides. With V8 protease, the peptides generated from the [35S]methionine labeled putative GFA spot of the C-6 cells were indistinguishable from the stained bands derived from authentic GFA in mixed samples of the two proteins. Likewise, the 35S-labeled acidic satellite to the putative GFA spot also yielded a peptide map that matched that of the authentic GFA. 32P-labeled peptides derived from the 50K-6.1 protein were a subset of those from authentic GFA. With three subtilisin concentrations, 32P-labeled 50K-6.1 was degraded to peptides which were again a subset of the stained GFA peptides. A cytoskeletal fraction from 32P-labeled C-6 cells contained a 50K phosphoprotein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dephosphorylation of S6 and expression of the heat shock response in Drosophila melanogaster

A basic ribosomal phosphoprotein of 30,000 molecular weight was rapidly dephosphorylated in cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells heat shocked at 37 degrees C. The protein was associated with the 40S ribosomal subunit and had an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of purified rat liver protein S6 on basic two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels as well as a similar partial proteolysis peptide map. In logarithmically growing cultures, this D. melanogaster S6 protein appeared to have a single phosphorylated species consisting of 30 to 40% of the total cellular S6. Thus, the nearly complete dephosphorylation of this protein observed in heat shock involves a large fraction of the cellular S6. The significance of this dephosphorylation in the expression of the heat shock response was investigated by examining the phosphorylation status of S6 in recovery from heat shock and in response to chemical inducers of the heat shock response. During recovery from a 30-min heat shock, the recovery of normal protein synthesis was almost complete in 2 to 4 hr, whereas there was no significant rephosphorylation of S6 for 8 h. Two chemical inducers of the heat shock response, canavanine and sodium arsenite, induced the synthesis of heat shock proteins in D. melanogaster cells. Sodium arsenite also caused an inhibition of normal protein synthesis similar to that observed in heat shock. Neither agent, however, caused significant dephosphorylation of S6. These results suggest that the dephosphorylation of S6, although invariably observed in heat-shocked cells, may in some cases be dissociated from both the induction of heat shock protein synthesis and the turnoff of normal protein synthesis which occur in a heat shock response.

Effect of dexamethasone on the synthesis of specific proteins in fetal rabbit lung in vivo and in organ culture

Lung tissue from fetal rabbits at 24 days' gestation was maintained in organ culture in defined medium. This system has been used to study the effect of dexamethasone on general protein synthesis and on the synthesis of specific proteins by fetal rabbit lung in vitro. Glucocorticoid treatment had no effect on the overall incorporation of labeled amino acids into protein. However, it increased the incorporation of [35S] methionine into 5 of the nearly 400 proteins catalogued by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. When tissue was taken from fetuses at 20 and 22 days' gestation, it was found that the effect of dexamethasone on the incorporation of [35S] methionine into some of these five peptides was dependent on the gestational age of the animals at the time of sacrifice. When dexamethasone was administered for 2 consecutive days to pregnant rabbits beginning on gestational day 25, two-dimensional gels of [35S] methionine-labeled slices of fetal lungs revealed several glucocorticoid treatment in vitro. Following isolation of type II cells from fetal lungs after glucocorticoid administration in vivo and labeling the cells with [35S] methionine, two-dimensional gels of cell lysates exhibited several changes, some of which are identical to the changes seen in whole lung after glucocorticoid treatment in vivo or in vitro and some that appear to be unique to type II cells.

Identification of human Sm and (U1) RNP antigens by immunoblotting

When HeLa nuclear extracts or ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) from rat liver nuclei were used as antigens, a monospecific anti-(U1)RNP serum recognized in each preparation only 1 polypeptide of 68 or 70 kilodalton (kd) respectively. With a serum of combined anti-Sm/(U1)RNP specificity, HeLa nuclear extracts showed 3 additional antigenic polypeptides of 29, 28, and 16 kd, whereas only 2 additional polypeptides of 27 and 16 kd were observed in rat liver RNPs. However, no antigenic reaction at 68/70 kd was detected with a monospecific anti-Sm serum, indicating that the 68/70 kd antigen is specific for anti-(U1)RNP antibodies. When commercially available ENA extract was used as antigen source only weak immunostaining in the range 70-40 kd and at 16 kd was seen. Elution experiments with anti-Sm antibodies bound to their specific polypeptides demonstrated that neither protein degradation nor cross-reaction was responsible for recognition of the 29/28 and 16 kd antigens by this serum, and that in fact 2 different autoantibody systems are involved.

Dephosphorylation of S6 and expression of the heat shock response in Drosophila melanogaster

A basic ribosomal phosphoprotein of 30,000 molecular weight was rapidly dephosphorylated in cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells heat shocked at 37 degrees C. The protein was associated with the 40S ribosomal subunit and had an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of purified rat liver protein S6 on basic two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels as well as a similar partial proteolysis peptide map. In logarithmically growing cultures, this D. melanogaster S6 protein appeared to have a single phosphorylated species consisting of 30 to 40% of the total cellular S6. Thus, the nearly complete dephosphorylation of this protein observed in heat shock involves a large fraction of the cellular S6. The significance of this dephosphorylation in the expression of the heat shock response was investigated by examining the phosphorylation status of S6 in recovery from heat shock and in response to chemical inducers of the heat shock response. During recovery from a 30-min heat shock, the recovery of normal protein synthesis was almost complete in 2 to 4 hr, whereas there was no significant rephosphorylation of S6 for 8 h. Two chemical inducers of the heat shock response, canavanine and sodium arsenite, induced the synthesis of heat shock proteins in D. melanogaster cells. Sodium arsenite also caused an inhibition of normal protein synthesis similar to that observed in heat shock. Neither agent, however, caused significant dephosphorylation of S6. These results suggest that the dephosphorylation of S6, although invariably observed in heat-shocked cells, may in some cases be dissociated from both the induction of heat shock protein synthesis and the turnoff of normal protein synthesis which occur in a heat shock response.

Increased histone mRNA levels during inhibition of protein synthesis

Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide or puromycin specifically increases the amount of translatable histone mRNA in exponentially growing and in synchronous G1 HeLa cells by 5-fold in 3 hours. In this case histone gene expression is uncoupled from DNA replication. We conclude that the level of histone mRNA is regulated by a labile protein and is only indirectly dependent on DNA synthesis.

Eukaryotic transcriptional regulation and chromatin-associated protein phosphorylation by cyclic AMP

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) analogs or agents that increase intracellular cyclic AMP rapidly stimulate transcription of the prolactin gene in a line of cultured rat pituitary cells. This effect is correlated with the phosphorylation of a chromatin-associated basic protein designated BPR. These data are consistent with the postulate that increased intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations induce rapid transcriptional effects on specific genes in eukaryotes, mediated by direct or indirect phosphorylation of a specific chromatin-associated protein or proteins.

Histone proteins in HeLa S3 cells are synthesized in a cell cycle stage specific manner

The synthesis of histone proteins in G1 and S phase HeLa S3 cells was examined by two-dimensional electrophoretic fractionation of nuclear and total cellular proteins. Newly synthesized histones were detected only in S phase cells. Histone messenger RNA sequences, as detected by hybridization with cloned human histone genes, were present in the cytoplasm of S phase but not G1 cells.

Regulation of protein synthesis in the plasmodial phase of Physarum polycephalum

1. The rate of protein synthesis changes very little during the first 2-3 h (S phase) of the nuclear division cycle in plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum and then increases continuously during G2 phase, so that by the end of the cycle the rate has doubled relative to that in S phase. Protein synthesis appears to continue during mitosis. 2. Fractionation of extracts of plasmodia, labeled with [3H]lysine for 1 h, by two-dimensional electrophoresis indicated that most if not all proteins are synthesised throughout the nuclear division cycle. However, two metabolically stable polypeptides, the synthesis of which occurs predominantly in Gs phase, were detected. 3. Using a double-labelling procedure, the differential rates of synthesis of 30 relatively abundant polypeptides were measured in relation to the nuclear division cycle. As a group, their differential rates of synthesis increase during the cycle so that their actual rates of synthesis increase 4-6-fold. This implies that their synthesis is regulated over and above any simple change due to a doubling in the number of genes during S phase.

Identification of histone H2b as a heat-shock protein in Drosophila

Total cell polypeptides synthesized, in cultured Drosophila cells under control (25 degrees C) and heat-shock (37 degrees C) conditions have been compared in two different two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis systems which, together, resolve polypeptides having a wide range of isoelectric points, including the most basic polypeptides of the cell. The electrophoresis of basic proteins showed that the most prominent basic polypeptide synthesized in heat shock comigrated with histone H2b. This heat-shock polypeptide was identified as histone H2b by two criteria: (a) it comigrated with authentic histone H2b in Triton-urea-acetic acid acrylamide gel electrophoresis after solubilization from nuclei with acid; and (b) partial proteolysis peptide maps of the basic heat-shock protein and histone H2b were identical. The synthesis of histone H2b was induced threefold in heat shock, whereas synthesis of the other histones was reduced from two- to tenfold. The noncoordinate synthesis of histones in Drosophila in heat shock provides an interesting system in which to investigate transcriptional and translational controls of histone synthesis as well as assembly of histones into chromatin.

Vimentin: a phosphoprotein under hormonal regulation

Past studies of norepinephrine-stimulated protein phosphorylation in intact C-6 glioma cells had identified a 58,000 molecular weight, 5.7 isoelectric point protein (58K-5.7) as a cyclic AMP-dependent phosphoprotein and had shown that 58K-5.7 was one of the most abundant proteins of the nuclear fraction. Initial experiments of present studies showed that the 58K-5.7 protein remained with the nuclear ghost, or matrix structure, after removal of chromatin. Based on the size, acidity, abundance, nonsolubilization by nonionic detergent and salt, and solubilization by urea, the hypothesis was advanced that the 58K-5.7 protein was the vimentin-type intermediate filament protein. The hypothesis was tested by two types of immunochemical experiments. Antisera against hamster vimentin reacted selectively with only the 58K-5.7 protein in polyacrylamide gels of urea-solubilized cellular residues (i.e., nonionic detergent and 0.6 M salt-insoluble material) as determined by immunoautoradiography. Antisera against the pure 58K-5.7 protein of C-6 cells bound selectively to a fibrous array of cellular material typical of vimentin filaments as determined by indirect immunofluorescence. It is concluded that the 58K-5.7 protein is vimentin.

Changes in protein phosphorylation in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo cells

Rous sarcoma virus encodes a tyrosine-specific protein kinase (p60src) which is necessary for cell transformation. To identify substrates for this kinase, we set out to detect phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo cells, making use of the known alkali stability of phosphotyrosine. 32P-labeled phosphoproteins were separated by isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gels were then incubated in alkali. Using this procedure with normal cells, we detected a total of about 190 alkali-resistant phosphoproteins. In Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells, five phosphoproteins were found which were not detectable in normal cells. Two of these are probably structural proteins of the virus. The other three transformation-dependent phosphoproteins, and four other phosphoproteins which were elevated by transformation, all contained phosphotyrosine. Increased phosphorylation of these proteins did not occur with cells infected with a mutant Rous sarcoma virus, temperature sensitive for transformation, grown at the restrictive temperature. We conclude that these seven proteins are probably substrates of p60src, although they may be substrates for other tyrosine-specific protein kinases activated by p60src.

New developments in isoelectric focusing

Recent developments of isoelectric focusing (IEF) are summarized. New approaches to the synthesis of carrier ampholytes are described and some controversial aspects of their properties, especially in regard to their molecular weight, are critically discussed. New aspects of preparative techniques, such as "steady-state rheoelectrolysis" and continuous-flow recycling IEF, are presented. New methodological trends of analytical IEF, such as agarose, cellulose acetate, ultrathin-layer and sub-zero temperature IEF are discussed. Among analytical applications, particular emphasis has been placed on detection of neutral mutations, IEF of peptides, IEF of cells and organelles and on titration curves. The review ends with a tiny chapter on a vast field, the explosive field of two-dimensional techniques.