Xenopus transcription factors: key molecules in the developmental regulation of differential gene expression

Interaction of an approximately 40 kDa protein from regenerating rat liver with the -148 to -124 region of c-jun complexed with RLjunRP coincides with enhanced c-jun expression in proliferating rat liver

The c-jun belongs to the family of proto-oncogenes and encodes for the protein Jun, a component of transcription factor AP-1 involved in regulation of the expression of genes indispensable for cell proliferation and differentiation. While the role of c-jun in the regulation of such genes has been well examined, the regulation of c-jun in proliferating cells is not fully understood. We have earlier reported that the -148 to -124 region of c-jun is involved in the positive regulation of c-jun transcription, and interacts with a positive regulatory factor (rat liver jun regulatory protein; RLjunRP) present in rat liver. In this investigation, we report that this region is differentially recognized in proliferating liver as evidenced by the formation of a complex, different from that observed with normal liver extract. The new complex appears as early as 2 h after partial hepatectomy and its appearance coincides with the rise in c-jun mRNA levels after partial hepatectomy. In regenerating rat liver nuclear extract, an additional protein of approximately 40 kDa (rRLjunRP) interacts with a pre-existing dimer of RLjunRP complexed with the -148 to -124 region of c-jun to form a slow-migrating complex. rRLjunRP appears to pre-exist in the cytosol and translocate to the nucleus as indicated by the continued presence of the retarded complex in nuclear extract prepared from partially hepatectomized rats treated with cycloheximide. UV crosslinking studies, South-Western blot analysis, SDS/PAGE of affinity-purified factor(s), and 2D-PAGE analysis clearly demonstrate that the additional factor induced in response to growth stimulus is an approximately 40 kDa, that binds with the dimer of RLjunRP and enhances the c-jun transcription.

The interactions of zinc, nickel, and cadmium with Xenopus transcription factor IIIA, assessed by equilibrium dialysis

Transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) was isolated from Xenopus ovary and treated with 1,10-phenanthroline to remove zinc. The interactions of apoTFIIIA with Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ were studied by equilibrium dialysis under anaerobic conditions (pH 7.0, 25 degrees C), using 65ZnCl2, 63NiCl2, and 109CdCl2 as the radioligands. The data for binding of Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ to apoTFIIIA were best-fitted by a model with two classes of binding sites. For Zn2+, the apparent dissociation constants (KdlZn and Kd2Zn) for the high- and low-affinity sites were 1.0 x 10(-8) and 2.6 x 10(-5) M; the apparent binding capacities of the two classes were 0.8 +/- 0.5 and 9.6 +/- 0.3 g-atoms of Zn/mol; the Hill coefficient was 1.18, consistent with positive cooperativity of Zn-binding sites. For Ni2+, the apparent KdlNi and Kd2Ni values were 2.3 x 10(-5) and 5.2 x 10(-4) M; the apparent binding capacities were 2.3 +/- 0.6 and 8.6 +/- 0.6 g-atoms of Ni/mol; the Hill coefficient was 1.20, consistent with positive cooperativity of Ni-binding sites. For Cd2+, the apparent KdlCd and Kd2Cd values were 2.8 x 10(-6) and 1.6 x 10(-4) M; the apparent binding capacities were 0.9 +/- 0.3 and 2.4 +/- 0.5 g-atoms of Cd/mol; the Hill coefficient was 0.53, consistent with negative cooperativity or heterogeneity of Cd-binding sites. This study has the following significance: First, it helps to resolve a controversy about the zinc content of purified TFIIIA. Second, it shows that the KdlZn of apoTFIIIA is less than the reported KdZn of thionein, consistent with the hypothesis that thionein modulates gene expression by competing with TFIIIA and other Zn-finger proteins for intracellular Zn2+ stores. Third, it confirms previous indirect evidence that the affinity of apoTFIIIA for Zn2+ is much greater than for Cd2+, and that the affinity for Cd2+ is greater than for Ni2+.

Characterization of RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription in Xenopus extracts

We examine the RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription directed by several promoters in extracts prepared from distinct developmental stages of Xenopus laevis. RNA polymerase II accurately initiates transcription from the cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, and Xenopus heat-shock protein (hsp) 70 promoters. The efficiency of transcription of these different promoters is dependent on whether extracts from oocytes, eggs, or somatic cells are used and on the temperature of incubation. In contrast to the viral promoters, the hsp 70 promoter is more active at heat shock temperatures in oocyte and egg extracts (31 degrees-34 degrees C) than at physiological temperatures for Xenopus (20 degrees-25 degrees C). These in vitro transcription extracts should be useful in examining the molecular mechanisms responsible for differential gene expression during Xenopus development.

In vitro transcription by RNA polymerase II in extracts of Xenopus oocytes, eggs, and somatic cells

We describe procedures for preparing extracts of Xenopus oocytes, eggs, and somatic cells that will accurately transcribe class II genes. A variety of viral and Xenopus promoters direct the accurate initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II in these extracts. Optimal ionic conditions (100-200 mM KCl, 12 mM MgCl2), template concentration (20-40 micrograms/ml), incubation time (30-60 min), and temperature (25 degrees C) for class II gene transcription are described.

A pyrimidine-guanine sequence-specific ribonuclease from Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog) oocytes

A pyrimidine-guanine sequence-specific ribonuclease (RC-RNase) was purified from Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog) oocytes by sequential phosphocellulose, Sephadex G75, heparin Sepharose CL 6B and CM-Sepharose CL 6B column chromatography. The purified enzyme with molecular weight of 13,000 daltons gave a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel. One CNBr-cleaved fragment has a sequence of NVLSTTRFQLNT/TRTSITPR, which is identical to residues 59-79 of a sialic acid binding lectin from R. catesbeiana eggs, and is 71% homologous to residues 60-80 of an RNase from R. catesbeaina liver. The RC-RNase preferentially cleaved RNA at pyrimidine residues with a 3' flanking guanine under various conditions. The sequence specificity of RC-RNase was further confirmed with dinucleotide as substrates, which were analyzed by thin layer chromatography after enzyme digestion. The values of kcat/km for pCpG, pUpG and pUpU were 2.66 x 10(7) M-1s-1, 2.50 x 10(7) M-1s-1 and 2.44 x 10(6) M-1s-1 respectively, however, those for other phosphorylated dinucleotides were less than 2% of pCpG and pUpG. As compared to single strand RNA, double strand RNA was relatively resistant to RC-RNase. Besides poly (A) and poly (G), most of synthetic homo- and heteropolynucleotides were also susceptible to RC-RNase. The RC-RNase was stable in the acidic (pH 2) and alkaline (pH 12) condition, but could be inactivated by heating to 80 degrees C for 15 min. No divalent cation was required for its activity. Furthermore, the enzyme activity could be enhanced by 2 M urea, and inhibited to 50% by 0.12 M NaCl or 0.02% SDS.