Poly(A) polymerase and poly(A)-specific mRNA binding protein are antigenically related

Friction between Cellulose Surfaces and Effect of Xyloglucan Adsorption

The forces and friction between cellulose spheres have been measured in the absence and presence of xyloglucan using an atomic force microscope. The forces between cellulose are monotonically repulsive with negligible adhesion after contact is achieved. The friction coefficient is observed to be unusually high in comparison with other nanotribological systems. We have confirmed that xyloglucan adsorbs strongly to cellulose, which results in a much stronger adhesion, which is dependent on the time the surfaces are in contact. Xyloglucan also increases the repulsion on approach of the cellulose surfaces, and the friction is markedly reduced. The apparently incompatible observations of decreased friction in combination with increased adhesion fulfills many of the necessary criteria for a papermaking additive.

Growth-related expression of a 72,000 molecular weight poly(A)+ mRNA binding protein

In this communication, we have studied a 72,000 mol w (p72) host protein which reacts with a mouse monoclonal antibody (PAb6) directed against antigenic determinants on the Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen protein that map 5' of 0.42 map units on the viral genome. The p72 protein is an abundant basic (pI greater than 7) cytoplasmic protein found in both SV40-transformed and untransformed parental cells and in cell lines derived from normal human and tumor tissue. By two-dimensional gel analysis and Western blot analysis the p72 protein identified by PAb6 is indistinguishable from the 72,000 mol w protein PABP associated with the poly(A)+ tract of cytoplasmic messenger RNA molecules. In normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated to proliferate with the T-cell-specific mitogenic lectin phytohemagglutinin the synthesis and cytoplasmic accumulation of p72 occurs very early during the G0----G1-phase transition. The p72 protein is also expressed in proliferating and differentiated human promyelocytic HL60 cells indicating that the expression of this protein is not strictly limited to cycling cells.

mRNA polyadenylate-binding protein: gene isolation and sequencing and identification of a ribonucleoprotein consensus sequence

We identified and produced antibodies to the major proteins that interact with poly(A)+ RNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The major proteins which were cross-linked by UV light to poly(A)+ RNA in intact yeast cells had apparent molecular weights of 72,000, 60,000, and 50,000. The poly(A) segment of the RNA was selectively cross-linked to the 72,000-molecular-weight protein (72K protein). Mice immunized with purified UV-cross-linked RNA-protein (RNP) complexes produced antibodies to the three major RNP proteins. A yeast genomic DNA library constructed in the lambda gt11 expression vector was screened with the anti-RNP serum, and recombinant bacteriophage clones were isolated. One recombinant phage, lambda YPA72.1, bearing a 2.5-kilobase insert, produced a large beta-galactosidase-RNP fusion protein. Affinity-selected antibodies from the anti-RNP serum on this fusion protein recognized a single 72K protein which was cross-linked to the poly(A) segment of RNA in the intact cell. Furthermore, the fusion protein of lambda YPA72.1 had specific poly(A)-binding activity. Therefore, lambda YPA72.1 encodes the 72K poly(A)-binding protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that this protein was localized in the cytoplasm. Hybrid-selected mRNA translated in vitro produced the 72K poly(A)-binding protein, and mRNA blot analysis detected a single 2.1-kilobase mRNA. DNA blot analysis suggested a single gene for the poly(A)-binding protein. DNA sequence analysis of genomic clones spanning the entire gene revealed a long open reading frame encoding a 64,272-molecular-weight protein with several distinct domains and repeating structural elements. A sequence of 11 to 13 amino acids is repeated three times in this protein. Strikingly, this repeated sequence (RNP consensus sequence) is highly homologous to a sequence that is repeated twice in a major mammalian heterogeneous nuclear RNP protein, A1. The conservation of the repetitive RNP consensus sequence suggests an important function and a common evolutionary origin for messenger RNP and heterogeneous nuclear RNP proteins.

mRNA polyadenylate-binding protein: gene isolation and sequencing and identification of a ribonucleoprotein consensus sequence

We identified and produced antibodies to the major proteins that interact with poly(A)+ RNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The major proteins which were cross-linked by UV light to poly(A)+ RNA in intact yeast cells had apparent molecular weights of 72,000, 60,000, and 50,000. The poly(A) segment of the RNA was selectively cross-linked to the 72,000-molecular-weight protein (72K protein). Mice immunized with purified UV-cross-linked RNA-protein (RNP) complexes produced antibodies to the three major RNP proteins. A yeast genomic DNA library constructed in the lambda gt11 expression vector was screened with the anti-RNP serum, and recombinant bacteriophage clones were isolated. One recombinant phage, lambda YPA72.1, bearing a 2.5-kilobase insert, produced a large beta-galactosidase-RNP fusion protein. Affinity-selected antibodies from the anti-RNP serum on this fusion protein recognized a single 72K protein which was cross-linked to the poly(A) segment of RNA in the intact cell. Furthermore, the fusion protein of lambda YPA72.1 had specific poly(A)-binding activity. Therefore, lambda YPA72.1 encodes the 72K poly(A)-binding protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that this protein was localized in the cytoplasm. Hybrid-selected mRNA translated in vitro produced the 72K poly(A)-binding protein, and mRNA blot analysis detected a single 2.1-kilobase mRNA. DNA blot analysis suggested a single gene for the poly(A)-binding protein. DNA sequence analysis of genomic clones spanning the entire gene revealed a long open reading frame encoding a 64,272-molecular-weight protein with several distinct domains and repeating structural elements. A sequence of 11 to 13 amino acids is repeated three times in this protein. Strikingly, this repeated sequence (RNP consensus sequence) is highly homologous to a sequence that is repeated twice in a major mammalian heterogeneous nuclear RNP protein, A1. The conservation of the repetitive RNP consensus sequence suggests an important function and a common evolutionary origin for messenger RNP and heterogeneous nuclear RNP proteins.

Thyroid hormone regulation of poly(adenylate) polymerase activities in neuronal nuclei of developing rat brain cortex

Neuronal and glial cell-enriched nuclei were prepared from developing rat brain cortex to study the effect of thyroxine on nuclear poly(A) polymerase. Long-term thyroxine treatment stimulated the activity of the chromatin-associated enzyme of neuronal nuclei without significantly affecting that of glial nuclei. The nuclear content of poly(A)-containing RNA in neuronal nuclei was also increased by thyroxine administrations. A single dose of thyroxine enhanced both the chromatin-bound and the free, nucleoplasmic form of neuronal poly(A) polymerase in hypothyroid rats aged 12 days. The results suggest that thyroid hormones may regulate both transcriptional and post-transcriptional events in target cell nuclei.

Identification and properties of the 38 000-Mr poly(A)-binding protein of non-polysomal messenger ribonucleoproteins of cryptobiotic gastrulae of Artemia salina

The Mr-38 000 poly(A)-binding protein interacts with synthetic and natural RNA. A sequence-independent stoichiometry of one protein per 8 - 12 nucleotides is measured by filter binding and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Specificity for the poly(A) sequence is demonstrated from poly(A)/RNA mixing experiments. The poly(A)-binding protein has been identified as the helix-destabilizing protein HD40[Marvil, D. K., Nowak, L. and Szer, W. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 6466 - 6472] and is characterized by the existence of at least seven ionic species with a pI ranging from 9.2 to 6.6. Acidic ionic species are generated by phosphorylation with mRNP-associated protein kinase. Different ionic species are present on free mRNP and ribosomes-mRNP preinitiation complexes. The poly(A)-binding protein affects mRNA translation and (A)4 polyadenylation. The multifunctionality of the protein is discussed.

Phosphorylation and immunology of poly(A) polymerase

Phosphorylation of poly(A) polymerase by protein kinase NI (a cyclic nucleotide-independent nuclear kinase closely associated with poly(A) polymerase at early stages of purification) resulted in as much as 7-fold activation of poly(A) polymerase. Phosphorylation causes an increase in the rate rather than the extent of polyadenylation. Antibodies raised in rabbits against purified poly(A) polymerase from Morris hepatoma 3924A reacted specifically with poly(A) polymerase following "Western" transfer of the enzyme onto diazobenzyloxyl methyl paper. Using iodinated enzyme, a competition radioimmunoassay for poly(A) polymerase was developed. Using the radioimmunoassay, it was shown that Morris hepatoma 3924A contains 100 micrograms of poly(A) polymerase/mg DNA or 10(7) molecules of the enzyme/cell nucleus. Nuclear poly(A) polymerase from fetal liver, but not from normal liver, was able to compete well with hepatoma enzyme in the radioimmunoassay. These data suggest that the tumor poly(A) polymerase is probably an oncofetal antigen, resulting from derepression of a gene not normally expressed in adult liver.

The effect of poliovirus infection on the translation in vitro of VSV messenger ribonucleoprotein particles

Messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles were isolated and examined for the presence of factors involved in the inhibition of protein synthesis induced by poliovirus infection. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mRNPs were used as a model for cellular mRNPs. These mRNPs were translated in HeLa cell extracts with a similar efficiency and optimal conditions to that of purified mRNA, but they were not translated in extracts prepared from poliovirus-infected HeLa cells, which have been shown to be defective in cap-binding protein activity. We conclude that mRNP proteins do not include cap-binding protein activity, since the mRNPs were not able to bypass the restriction on translation of capped mRNAs in polio-infected cell extracts. In addition, VSV mRNPs were isolated from polio-superinfected cells, in which their translation was inhibited. These mRNPs were translated in vitro as well as normal VSV mRNPs. No evidence of a modification or a blocking factor on the mRNPs which prevented their translation following polio infection was observed. Thus, within the limits of the in vitro translation assays used, no factors involved in the discrimination between polioviral and cellular or VSV mRNA could be detected in the mRNP particle.

Long-term observations on the effect of polyadenylic acid in mice of different ages

In order to better life performance, polyadenylic acid (poly (A) ) was given intraperitoneally to CBA/Ca mice for almost a two-year period. This substance, as one of the components of double-stranded polynucleotides (like poly A:U), is known to improve some immune responses of the aging organism. Five approaches (changes in body-weight, adaptation to cold stress, biological half-life of body proteins, mortality and pathology) were applied to test the effects of this substance on life performance. It was found that the beneficial effects of double-stranded polynucleotides cannot be mimicked by polyadenylic acid only, despite its anti-senescence effect, namely, it accelerates the apparent protein turnover, cf., biological half-life. Polyadenylic acid shortens life-expectancy (because of the higher mortality rate of mice). Possible mechanisms of these actions are discussed.

An assessment of the evidence for the role of ribonucleoprotein particles in the maturation of eukaryote mRNA

This article has sought to draw together, on the one hand, what is known of mRNA processing and its control and, on the other hand, what is known of the structure and validity of hnRNP and snRNP particles. At the same time, it has attempted to synthesize these two themes into a critical assessment of the evidence which suggests that the particles are intimately involved in processing. It cannot be said that the case is proven. The evidence is compelling but circumstantial. The last few years have seen the development of the first in vitro splicing systems (Weingartner and Keller, 1981; Goldenberg and Raskus, 1981; Kole and Weissman, 1982), the isolation of monoclonal antibodies to defined snRNP (Lerner et al., 1981a; Billings et al., 1982) and hnRNP proteins (Hugle et al., 1982), and the ability to use artificial lipid vesicles to transfer antisera (Lenk et al., 1982) and radioactive snRNA (Gross and Cetron, 1982) into cells. It is to be hoped that further refinements of these and other techniques will allow us to solve this, one of the major outstanding problems of molecular biology.

Periodicity in the length of 3'-poly(A) tails from native globin mRNA of rabbit

Globin mRNA from rabbit reticulocytes was labelled at the 3'-end with [5'-32P]pCp by T4 RNA ligase. The 3'-poly(A) tail was released by digestion of mRNA with T1 ribonuclease and its size distribution determined by gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. The length of the 3'-poly(A) tails varied from about 15-150 residues, but the size distribution exhibited peaks in the abundance of poly(A) species at intervals of approx. 25 residues. This periodicity appears to reflect the manner in which proteins bind to the 3'-poly(A) tail. The function of such regular interactions may be to control mRNA breakdown in the cytoplasm.

Simultaneous presence of terminal adenylyl, cytidylyl, guanylyl, and uridylyl transferase in healthy tomato leaf tissue: separation from RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and characterization of the terminal transferases

The presence of terminal nucleotidyl transferase activities catalyzing the addition of AMP, CMP, GMP, and UMP residues to the 3' ends of oligonucleotide primers was detected in healthy tomato plants. These enzyme activities copurify with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase during the initial stages of purification. Their separation from RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is finally achieved by DEAE chromatography: terminal transferase activities are retained on DEAE while RNA-dependent RNA polymerase does not bind in the presence of 20 mM MgCl2. Elution by a linear gradient of 0 to 400 mM NH4Cl releases all four terminal transferase activities from the DEAE column at a concentration of 270 mM NH4Cl, thus suggesting that they may belong to one enzyme molecule; this question, however, needs further clarification. The enzyme activities are completely dependent on the presence of an RNA primer and are strongly influenced by its base composition as well as its chain length. Characterization of the respective reaction products by electrophoresis on 15% polyacrylamide sequencing gels reveals striking differences as to the number of nucleotides added to a given primer. In the case of UMP transfer to U8 or A8 and in the case of GMP transfer to A8 only 1 to 6 nucleoside monophosphates are added to the 3' terminus of the oligonucleotide primer, whereas in the case of AMP transfer to A8 or U8, the CMP transfer to A8, and the GMP transfer to U8, longer chains of minimally 30 nucleotides are added to the respective primer. After gradient elution from DEAE the transferase preparation displays no nucleolytic activity when incubated in the presence of 3H-labelled ribosomal RNA or [3H]poly(A) X poly(U). Only in the case of [3H]poly(A) and [3H]poly(U) or [3H]poly(C) 10 to 15% of the radioactivity is transferred to acid-soluble counts.

Poly(adenylate) polymerase activity of rat brain

The poly(adenylate)[poly(A)] polymerase of rat brain, as in rat liver, is located primarily in the nuclear sap when nuclei are prepared under hypertonic conditions. The enzyme can be released from nuclei in two forms. Form I is prepared by gentle incubation of nuclei at 0 degrees C in hypotonic buffer. It has a Mn optimum of 0.6 mM and a pH optimum between 8 and 9. The ATP concentration curve plateaus at 0.2 mM. The optimal poly(A) primer concentration is 600 micrograms/ml, which is three times higher than that for the enzyme similarly prepared from liver. The time course of the reaction for the form I enzyme is increasing over the first 40 min and becomes nearly linear thereafter. Form I is not stimulated by either calcium or cyclic nucleotides, but is inhibited by polyamines, pyrophosphate, and high concentrations of GTP. Form II enzyme is prepared by homogenization of nuclei in hypotonic buffer. It has the same ATP and poly(A) optima as the form I enzyme but displays linear kinetics over a 60-min time course. It is slightly stimulated by cGMP and cAMP and strongly inhibited by spermine, sodium pyrophosphate, and high concentrations of GTP.

The 38,000-Mr poly(A)-binding protein of non-polysomal messenger ribonucleoproteins of cryptobiotic gastrulae of Artemia salina

The 38,000-Mr poly(A)-binding protein has been purified to near homogeneity from non-polysomal messenger ribonucleoprotein of Artemia salina [Slegers, H., De Herdt, E., and Kondo, M. (1981) Eur. J. Biochem. 117, 111-120]. The protein consists of approximately 357 amino acids and is characterized by a high glycine content of 22.5% and the presence of dimethylarginine. From polynucleotide-protein binding experiments a stoichiometry of 9-11 adenylate and 10-12 uridylate residues per protein molecule is calculated. The polypeptide is devoid of poly(A) polymerase and RNase activities. The poly(A)-binding protein and the helix-destabilizing protein HD40 [Marvil, D. K., Nowak, L., and Szer, W. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 6466-6472] have the same mobility in polyacrylamide/dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis and exhibit a comparable amino acid composition and protein-polynucleotide stoichiometry. Based on the length of poly(A) sequences of mRNA and from protein-poly(A) binding experiments, a repetitive binding of the 38,000-Mr protein on the poly(A) sequence is demonstrated. The 38,000-Mr protein of cytoplasmic and membrane-bound non-polysomal messenger ribonucleoproteins is also compared.

Proteins associated with poly(A) and other regions of mRNA and hnRNA molecules as investigated by crosslinking

The proteins associated with poly(A) and other regions of mRNA and hnRNA molecules in mouse L cells were investigated with the aid of ultraviolet light-induced crosslinking of proteins to RNA. The poly(A)s of polyribosomal and free cytoplasmic mRNAs are associated with a protein, p78A. In contrast, the poly(A) of hnRNA is associated with a smaller protein, p60A, that differs from p78A in its partial peptide map. p78A occurs free in the cytoplasm, but p60A does not. There is a second 78 kd protein, p78X, associated with mRNA sequences other than poly(A). p78X differs from p78A in its partial peptide map. The total proteins crosslinked to polyribosomal and free cytoplasmic mRNAs are similar. However, the total proteins crosslinked to hnRNA are quite different from those crosslinked to mRNA. We suggest that newly synthesized mRNA molecules emerging from the nucleus into the cytoplasm shed the proteins with which they were associated in the nucleus and become associated with a new set of proteins derived from the cytosol. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic mRNA-associated proteins continue to exchange with free proteins.

Repeating structure of cytoplasmic poly(A)-ribonucleoprotein

A repeating structure of cytoplasmic poly(A)-ribonucleoprotein is revealed by digestion with T2 RNase. A pattern of fragments that are multiples of about 27 residues is obtained. The repeating structure is readily reconstituted from purified poly(A) and cytoplasmic factors. Reconstitution is specific for poly(A), as shown by the lack of competition by poly(G), poly(C), poly(dA), and tRNA. The repeating structure is absent from the nucleus, and so appears to be formed upon transport to the cytoplasm.

Hydrophobic affinity chromatography of nucleic acids and proteins

5' tritylated oligonucleotides binding hydrophobically to low trityl cellulose/sepharose (< 15 microMTr/ml) retain their hydrogen-bonding specificities for complementary sequences. This, constitutes a novel mode of attaching affinity ligands to solid supports, is more convenient than existing methods, and proceeds with 100% yield. The salt, dielectric constant and temperature dependence of these non-covalently anchored ligands permits the isolation of a variety of RNAs including fibroin mRNA. Medium trityl sepharose (15-40 microM Tr/ml) has a high binding specificity for poly A and poly A containing mRNA, equivalent to dT cellulose. Most proteins, including nucleic acid enzymes, bind to these columns and retain enzymatic activity, thus mimicking enzymes attached covalently to solid phases. A number of in vivo counterparts to this hydrophobically determined specificity are noted, as are homologies to nitro-cellulose filters.