Isolation and characterization of two acidic proteins of 60s ribosomes from Artemia salina cysts

Dynamics of ribosome composition and ribosomal protein phosphorylation in immune signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana

In plants, the detection of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) induces primary innate immunity by the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). We show here that the MAMP-activated MAPK MPK6 not only modulates defense through transcriptional regulation but also via the ribosomal protein translation machinery. To understand the effects of MPK6 on ribosomes and their constituent ribosomal proteins (RPs), polysomes, monosomes and the phosphorylation status of the RPs, MAMP-treated WT and mpk6 mutant plants were analysed. MAMP-activation induced rapid changes in RP composition of monosomes, polysomes and in the 60S ribosomal subunit in an MPK6-specific manner. Phosphoproteome analysis showed that MAMP-activation of MPK6 regulates the phosphorylation status of the P-stalk ribosomal proteins by phosphorylation of RPP0 and the concomitant dephosphorylation of RPP1 and RPP2. These events coincide with a significant decrease in the abundance of ribosome-bound RPP0s, RPP1s and RPP3s in polysomes. The P-stalk is essential in regulating protein translation by recruiting elongation factors. Accordingly, we found that RPP0C mutant plants are compromised in basal resistance to Pseudomonas syringae infection. These data suggest that MAMP-induced defense also involves MPK6-induced regulation of P-stalk proteins, highlighting a new role of ribosomal regulation in plant innate immunity.

eEF1B: At the dawn of the 21st century

Translational regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes can rapidly and accurately control cell activity in response to stimuli or when rapidly dividing. There is increasing evidence for a key role of the elongation step in this process. Elongation factor-1 (eEF1), which is responsible for aminoacyl-tRNA transfer on the ribosome, is comprised of two entities: a G-protein named eEF1A and a nucleotide exchange factor, eEF1B. The multifunctional nature of eEF1A, as well as its oncogenic potential, is currently the subject of a number of studies. Until recently, less work has been done on eEF1B. This review describes the macromolecular complexity of eEF1B, its multiple phosphorylation sites and numerous cellular partners, which lead us to suggest an essential role for the factor in the control of gene expression, particularly during the cell cycle.

Asymmetric interactions between the acidic P1 and P2 proteins in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomal stalk

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomal stalk is made of five components, the 32-kDa P0 and four 12-kDa acidic proteins, P1alpha, P1beta, P2alpha, and P2beta. The P0 carboxyl-terminal domain is involved in the interaction with the acidic proteins and resembles their structure. Protein chimeras were constructed in which the last 112 amino acids of P0 were replaced by the sequence of each acidic protein, yielding four fusion proteins, P0-1alpha, P0-1beta, P0-2alpha, and P0-2beta. The chimeras were expressed in P0 conditional null mutant strains in which wild-type P0 is not present. In S. cerevisiae D4567, which is totally deprived of acidic proteins, the four fusion proteins can replace the wild-type P0 with little effect on cell growth. In other genetic backgrounds, the chimeras either reduce or increase cell growth because of their effect on the ribosomal stalk composition. An analysis of the stalk proteins showed that each P0 chimera is able to strongly interact with only one acidic protein. The following associations were found: P0-1alpha.P2beta, P0-1beta.P2alpha, P0-2alpha.P1beta, and P0-2beta.P1alpha. These results indicate that the four acidic proteins do not form dimers in the yeast ribosomal stalk but interact with each other forming two specific associations, P1alpha.P2beta and P1beta.P2alpha, which have different structural and functional roles.

Regulated heterogeneity in 12-kDa P-protein phosphorylation and composition of ribosomes in maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) possesses four distinct approximately 12-kDa P-proteins (P1, P2a, P2b, P3) that form the tip of a lateral stalk on the 60 S ribosomal subunit. RNA blot analyses suggested that the expression of these proteins was developmentally regulated. Western blot analysis of ribosomal proteins isolated from various organs, kernel tissues during seed development, and root tips deprived of oxygen (anoxia) revealed significant heterogeneity in the levels of these proteins. P1 and P3 were detected in ribosomes of all samples at similar levels relative to ribosomal protein S6, whereas P2a and P2b levels showed considerable developmental regulation. Both forms of P2 were present in ribosomes of some organs, whereas only one form was detected in other organs. Considerable tissue-specific variation was observed in levels of monomeric and multimeric forms of P2a. P2b was not detected in root tips, accumulated late in seed embryo and endosperm development, and was detected in soluble ribosomes but not in membrane-associated ribosomes that copurified with zein protein bodies of the kernel endosperm. The phosphorylation of the 12-kDa P-proteins was also developmentally and environmentally regulated. The potential role of P2 heterogeneity in P-protein composition in the regulation of translation is discussed.

Phosphorylation and N-terminal region of yeast ribosomal protein P1 mediate its degradation, which is prevented by protein P2

The stalk proteins P1 and P2, which are fundamental for ribosome activity, are the only ribosomal components for which there is a cytoplasmic pool. Accumulation of these two proteins is differentially regulated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by degradation. In the absence of P2, the amount of P1 is drastically reduced; in contrast, P2 proteins are not affected by a deficiency in P1. However, association with P2 protects P1 proteins. The half-life of P1 is a few minutes, while that of P2 is several hours. The proteasome is not involved in the degradation of P1 proteins. The different sensitivity to degradation of these two proteins is associated with two structural features: phosphorylation and N-terminus structure. A phosphorylation site at the C-terminus is required for P1 proteolysis. P2 proteins, despite being phosphorylated, are protected by their N-terminal peptide. An exchange of the first five amino acids between the two types of protein makes P1 resistant and P2 sensitive to degradation.

Two RING finger proteins, the oncoprotein PML and the arenavirus Z protein, colocalize with the nuclear fraction of the ribosomal P proteins

The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein forms nuclear bodies which are relocated to the cytoplasm by the RNA virus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The viral Z protein directly binds to PML and can relocate the nuclear bodies. Others have observed that LCMV virions may contain ribosomes; hence, we investigated the effects of infection on the distribution of ribosomal P proteins (P0, P1, and P2) with PML as a reference point. We demonstrate an association of PML bodies with P proteins by indirect immunofluorescence and coimmunoprecipitation experiments, providing the first evidence of nucleic acid-binding proteins associated with PML bodies. We show that unlike PML, the P proteins are not redistributed upon infection. Immunofluorescence and coimmunoprecipitation studies indicate that the viral Z protein binds the nuclear, but not the cytoplasmic, fraction of P0. The nuclear fraction of P0 has been associated with translationally coupled DNA excision repair and with nonspecific endonuclease activity; thus, P0 may be involved in nucleic acid processing activities necessary for LCMV replication. During the infection process, PML, P1, and P2 are downregulated but P0 remains unchanged. Further, P0 is present in virions while PML is not, indicating some selectivity in the assembly of LCMV.

The structure of a gene containing introns and encoding rat ribosomal protein P2

The single rat ribosomal protein P2 gene containing introns has been characterized. It has 2275 nucleotides distributed in 5 exons and 4 introns. The sequence of amino acids encoded in the exons corresponds exactly to that derived before from a cDNA. Only this one P2 gene in a family of approximately 9 members has introns and is expressed. There are two transcriptional start sites (adjacent cytidine residues) located in a tract of 10 pyrimidines flanked by GC-rich regions. The P2 gene, like other mammalian ribosomal protein genes, lacks a TATA box; however, it has at positions -30 to -27 the sequence TTTA which may be a degenerate TATA box and may serve the same function. The architecture of the P2 gene, and especially the structure of the promoter region, resembles that of other mammalian ribosomal protein genes. This suggests that the common features contribute to the coordinate regulation of their transcription and that the stoichiometry of P2 (it is present in 2 copies in the ribosome) is achieved by regulation of the translation of its mRNA.

Disruption of single-copy genes encoding acidic ribosomal proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Using the cloned genes coding for the ribosomal acidic proteins L44 and L45, constructions were made which deleted part of the coding sequence and inserted a DNA fragment at that site carrying either the URA3 or HIS3 gene. By gene disruption techniques with linearized DNA from these constructions, strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were obtained which lacked a functional gene for either protein L44 or protein L45. The disrupted genes in the transformants were characterized by Southern blots. The absence of the proteins was verified by electrofocusing and immunological techniques, but a compensating increase of the other acidic ribosomal proteins was not detected. The mutant lacking L44 grew at a rate identical to the parental strain in complex as well as in minimal medium. The L45-disrupted strain also grew well in both media but at a slower rate than the parental culture. A diploid strain was obtained by crossing both transformants, and by tetrad analysis it was shown that the double transformant lacking both genes is not viable. These results indicated that proteins L44 and L45 are independently dispensable for cell growth and that the ribosome is functional in the absence of either of them.

Disruption of single-copy genes encoding acidic ribosomal proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Using the cloned genes coding for the ribosomal acidic proteins L44 and L45, constructions were made which deleted part of the coding sequence and inserted a DNA fragment at that site carrying either the URA3 or HIS3 gene. By gene disruption techniques with linearized DNA from these constructions, strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were obtained which lacked a functional gene for either protein L44 or protein L45. The disrupted genes in the transformants were characterized by Southern blots. The absence of the proteins was verified by electrofocusing and immunological techniques, but a compensating increase of the other acidic ribosomal proteins was not detected. The mutant lacking L44 grew at a rate identical to the parental strain in complex as well as in minimal medium. The L45-disrupted strain also grew well in both media but at a slower rate than the parental culture. A diploid strain was obtained by crossing both transformants, and by tetrad analysis it was shown that the double transformant lacking both genes is not viable. These results indicated that proteins L44 and L45 are independently dispensable for cell growth and that the ribosome is functional in the absence of either of them.

Antiribosomal S10 antibodies in humans and MRL/lpr mice with systemic lupus erythematosus

Autoantibodies directed against a ribosomal small subunit protein of 20,000 molecular weight were found in sera from 5 of 44 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (11%) and 5 of 48 MRL/lpr mice (10%). This ribosomal protein was identified as S10 on the basis of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, as well as immunoblots of the purified S10 protein. The S10 protein antigen was readily extracted from ribosomes at low salt (300 mM KCl) and low magnesium (0.5 mM) concentrations, consistent with the highly exposed location proposed for this protein on the 40S subunit. Anti-S10 antibodies were observed significantly more frequently in lupus sera containing both anti-Sm and antiribosomal P protein antibodies and in MRL/lpr sera with anti-Sm activity, suggesting a linked pattern of autoantibody response. Together with anti-Sm and antiribosomal P protein antibodies, anti-S10 represents a third autoantibody highly specific for lupus in humans and MLR/lpr mice.

Human acidic ribosomal phosphoproteins P0, P1, and P2: analysis of cDNA clones, in vitro synthesis, and assembly

cDNA clones encoding three antigenically related human ribosomal phosphoproteins (P-proteins) P0, P1, and P2 were isolated and sequenced. P1 and P2 are analogous to Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12, and P0 is likely to be an analog of L10. The three proteins have a nearly identical carboxy-terminal 17-amino-acid sequence (KEESEESD(D/E)DMGFGLFD-COOH) that is the basis of their immunological cross-reactivity. The identities of the P1 and P2 cDNAs were confirmed by the strong similarities of their encoded amino acid sequences to published primary structures of the homologous rat, brine shrimp, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins. The P0 cDNA was initially identified by translation of hybrid-selected mRNA and immunoprecipitation of the products. To demonstrate that the coding sequences are full length, the P0, P1, and P2 cDNAs were transcribed in vitro by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase and the resulting mRNAs were translated in vitro. The synthetic P0, P1, and P2 proteins were serologically and electrophoretically identical to P-proteins extracted from HeLa cells. These synthetic P-proteins were incorporated into 60S but not 40S ribosomes and also assembled into a complex similar to that described for E. coli L7/L12 and L10.

Human acidic ribosomal phosphoproteins P0, P1, and P2: analysis of cDNA clones, in vitro synthesis, and assembly

cDNA clones encoding three antigenically related human ribosomal phosphoproteins (P-proteins) P0, P1, and P2 were isolated and sequenced. P1 and P2 are analogous to Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12, and P0 is likely to be an analog of L10. The three proteins have a nearly identical carboxy-terminal 17-amino-acid sequence (KEESEESD(D/E)DMGFGLFD-COOH) that is the basis of their immunological cross-reactivity. The identities of the P1 and P2 cDNAs were confirmed by the strong similarities of their encoded amino acid sequences to published primary structures of the homologous rat, brine shrimp, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins. The P0 cDNA was initially identified by translation of hybrid-selected mRNA and immunoprecipitation of the products. To demonstrate that the coding sequences are full length, the P0, P1, and P2 cDNAs were transcribed in vitro by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase and the resulting mRNAs were translated in vitro. The synthetic P0, P1, and P2 proteins were serologically and electrophoretically identical to P-proteins extracted from HeLa cells. These synthetic P-proteins were incorporated into 60S but not 40S ribosomes and also assembled into a complex similar to that described for E. coli L7/L12 and L10.

Cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: characterization and immunological comparisons

Experiments were undertaken to characterize the cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and to compare immunologically several cytoplasmic r-proteins with those of chloroplast ribosomes of this alga, Escherichia coli, and yeast. The large and small subunits of the C. reinhardtii cytoplasmic ribosomes were shown to contain, respectively, 48 and 45 r-proteins, with apparent molecular weights of 12,000-59,000. No cross-reactivity was seen between antisera made against cytoplasmic r-proteins of Chlamydomonas and chloroplast r-proteins, except in one case where an antiserum made against a large subunit r-protein cross-reacted with an r-protein of the small subunit of the chloroplast ribosome. Antisera made against one out of five small subunit r-proteins and three large subunit r-proteins recognized r-proteins from the yeast large subunit. Each of the yeast r-proteins has been previously identified as an rRNA binding protein. The antiserum to one large subunit r-protein cross-reacted with specific large subunit r-proteins from yeast and E. coli.

Lupus autoantibodies target ribosomal P proteins

All nine SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) sera with antiribosomal antibody activity targeted the same three ribosomal protein antigens, of molecular masses 38 and 17/19 kD when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. One serum reacted with an additional protein of approximately kD. Ribosomal subunit fractionation by composite gel electrophoresis and sucrose density ultracentrifugation showed that these proteins were part of the large subunit. Isoelectric focusing in agarose, and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the antigens had pI between 4.5 and 6.5, but that the 17/19 kD antigens were more acidic than the 38 kD antigen. Similarities in the molecular masses, charges, as well as the presence of highly conserved crossreactive epitopes, failure to bind to carboxymethylcellulose at pH 4.2, and extractability of the 17/19 kD proteins by 400 mM NH4Cl-ethanol at 0 degrees C indicated that these antigens were analogous to the proteins P0 (38 kD) and P1/P2 (17/19 kD) described previously (25, 36). Co-identity was confirmed using reference antibodies and antigen. Although antibodies to these proteins were only found in 5-10% of more than 50 sera screened by radioimmunoassay or Western blotting, the selective production of antibodies to epitopes on three (out of a total of more than 80) ribosomal proteins may provide further clues to autoantibody induction of SLE.

Structural homology between Drosophila melanogaster and Escherichia coli acidic ribosomal proteins

Antibodies raised against Drosophila melanogaster ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) were used to examine possible structural relationships between eukaryotic and prokaryotic r-proteins. The antisera were raised against either groups of r-proteins or individually purified r-proteins. Two antisera showed a cross-reaction with total Escherichia coli r-proteins in Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion assays: an antiserum against the D. melanogaster small subunit protein S14 (anti-S14) and an antiserum against a group of D. melanogaster r-proteins (anti-TP80). The specificity of the antisera and the identity of the homologous E. coli r-proteins were characterized by using immunooverlay and immunoblot assays. These assays indicated that anti-S14 was highly specific for protein S14 and anti-TP80 was a multispecific serum that recognized several of the D. melanogaster ribosomal proteins. The E. coli protein homologous to D. melanogaster protein S14 was identified as E. coli protein S6. By adsorption of the anti-TP80 serum, we determined that D. melanogaster protein 7/8 is homologous to the acidic E. coli protein L7/L12. D. melanogaster acidic protein 13 was also shown to be immunologically related to D. melanogaster protein 7/8.

Functional role of acidic ribosomal proteins. Interchangeability of proteins from bacterial and eukaryotic cells

Core particles derived from yeast ribosomes by treatment with 50% ethanol and 0.4 M NH4Cl (P0.4 cores) are derived of the acidic proteins L44/45 functionally equivalent to the bacterial proteins L7 and L12. These bacterial proteins are able to reconstitute the EF-2-dependent GDP binding capacity of the yeast cores but not their GTPase activity. On the other hand, yeast particles prepared in similar conditions but in the presence of 1 M NH4Cl (P1.0 cores) lose proteins L44/45, L15, and S31. These particles are able to reconstitute both activities by the bacterial proteins L7 and L12. Proteins L15 and S31 somehow affect the interaction of bacterial proteins L7 and L12 with the yeast particles. Indeed, in their presence only one dimer of L7 and L12 is bound to the P0.4 cores, while in their absence (P1.0 cores) the amount of bacterial proteins retained by the yeast particles is doubled. Elongation factor EF-2 seems to play an important role in the binding of the bacterial proteins to the yeast cores. Our results suggest that the two dimers of L7 and L12 normally present in the ribosomes might play a different functional role, one of the dimers being related to the binding of the substrate and the other one involved in the GTPase active center.

Chemistry and biology of E. coli ribosomal protein L12

E. coli ribosomal protein L12, because of its unique features, has been studied in more detail than perhaps any of the other ribosomal proteins. Unlike the other ribosomal proteins that are generally present in stoichiometric amounts, there are four copies of L12 per ribosome, some of which are acetylated on the N-terminal serine. The acetylated species, referred to as L7, has not been shown, as yet, to possess any different biological activity than L12. A specific enzyme that acetylates L12 to form L7, using acetyl-CoA as the acetyl donor, has been purified from E. coli extracts. L12 is also unique in that it does not contain cysteine, tryptophan, histidine, or tyrosine, is very acidic (pI: 4.85) and has a high content of ordered secondary structure (approximately 50%). The protein is normally found in solution as a dimer and also forms a tight complex with ribosomal protein L10. There are three methionine residues in L12, located in the N-terminal region of the protein, one or more of which are essential for biological activity. Oxidation of the methionines to methionine sulfoxide prevents dimer formation and inactivates the protein. The four copies of L12 are located in the crest region(s) of the 50S ribosomal subunit. There is good evidence that the soluble factors, such as IF-2, EF-Tu, EF-G and RF, interact with L12 on the ribosome during the process of protein synthesis. This interaction is essential for the proper functioning of each of the factors and for GTP hydrolysis associated with the individual partial reactions of protein synthesis. The L12 gene is located on an operon that contains the genes for L10 and beta beta' subunits of RNA polymerase at about 88 min on the bacterial chromosome. DNA-directed in vitro systems have been used to study the unique regulation of the expression of these genes. Autogenous regulation, translational control, and transcription attenuation are regulatory mechanisms that function to control the synthesis of these proteins.

Ribosomal core-particles as the target of ricin

Core-particles and split-proteins were prepared by treatment with ethanol and NH4Cl of control and ricin-treated Artemia salina ribosomes. No modifications of the ricin-treated split-proteins was detected by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Moreover, the split-proteins from ricin-treated ribosomes complemented control core-particles in poly(U)-directed phenylalanine polymerization. Conversely, ricin-treated core-particles remained totally inactive when supplemented with control split-proteins.

Effect of phosphorylation on the affinity of acidic proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the ribosomes

Electrofocusing of the acidic proteins extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomes shows the presence of eight bands in the gels, which upon treatment with alkaline phosphatase are reduced to three. Two of them, proteins L44 and L45, correspond to the proteins equivalent to the bacterial L7 and L12 and the third, protein Ax, behaves like a supernatant factor. In the ribosome, proteins L44 and L45 are found unphosphorylated and monophosphorylated while protein Ax is detected mostly in a modified state, showing from one to three phosphate groups per molecule. In the cytoplasm where protein Ax is abundant and proteins L44 and L45 are present in small quantities, the three proteins are unphosphorylated. Protein Ax, having one or two phosphate groups, can be removed from the ribosomes in conditions that release the initiation factors, while the triphosphorylated molecules are tightly bound to the particles. The data indicate a relationship between the degree of phosphorylation of protein Az and its affinity for the ribosome.

Group fractionation and determination of the number of ribosomal subunit proteins from Drosophila melanogaster embryos

Proteins were extracted from ribosomes and (for the first time) from ribosomal subunits of Drosophila melanogaster embryos. The ribosomal proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretograms displayed 78 spots for the 80S monomers, 35 spots for the 60S subunits, and 31 spots for the 40S subunits. On the basis of present information, we propose what we believe to be a reliable and convenient nomenclature for the proteins of the ribosomes and each of the subunits. A pair of acidic proteins from D. melanogaster appears to be very similar in electrophoretic mobility to the acidic proteins L7/L12 from Escherichia coli and L40/L41 from rat liver. The electrophoretogram of proteins from embryonic ribosomes shows both qualitative and quantitative differences from those of larvae, pupae, and adults previously reported by others. The proteins of the 40S subunit range in molecular weight from approximately 10,000 to 50,000, and those from the 60S subunit range from approximately 11,000 to 50,000.

Acidic ribosomal proteins from eukaryotic cells. Effect on ribosomal functions

Precipitation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomes by ethanol under experimental conditions that do not release the ribosomal proteins can affect the activity of the particles. In the presence of 0.4 M NH4Cl and 50% ethanol only the most acidic proteins from yeast and rat liver ribosomes are released. At 1 M NH4Cl two more non-acidic proteins are lost from the ribosomes. The release of the acidic proteins causes a small inactivation of the polymerizing activity of the particles, additional to that caused by the precipitation itself. The elongation-factor-2-dependent GTP hydrolysis of the ribosomes is, however, more affected by the loss of acidic proteins. These proteins can stimulate the GTPase but not the polymerising activity when added back to the treated particles. Eukaryotic proteins cannot be substituted for bacterial acidic proteins L7 and L12. We have not detected immunological cross-reaction between acidic proteins from Escherichia coli and those from yeast, Artemia salina and rat liver or between acidic proteins from these eukaryotic ribosomes among themselves.

The acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein of eukaryotes and its relationship to ribosomal proteins L7 and L12 of Escherichia coli

The acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein, Lgamma, of Krebs II ascites cells was further characterized and compared with proteins L7 and L12 of Escherichia coli. Ribosomal protein Lgamma was selectively removed from 60S sibosomal subunits by 50% ethanol and 1M-NH4Cl, and antibodies raised against protein Lgamma cross-reacted with E. coli protein L12 in immunodiffusion experiments. These and other, previously reported, data support the proposal that the uekaryotic counterpart of E. coli proteins L7 and L12 is phosphorylated.

Isolation and characterization of the acidic phosphoproteins of 60-S ribosomes from Artemia salina and rat liver

Eucaryotic L7/L12-type proteins are present in ethanol/salt extracts (P1 protein) of ribosomes from Artemia salina and rat liver. These proteins are partially phosphorylated and occur in two forms of closely related structure: a major form eL12 having methionine at the N-terminal position and a minor form of eL12 (eL12') which seems slightly elongated and contains a blocked N terminus. Purification of the four different forms of this protein, eL12, eL12-P, eL12' and eL12'-P, was performed by ion-exchange chromatography on carboxymethyl-cellulose and DEAE-cellulose. Using a radioimmuno assay, 1.8 copies of eL12 and 0.9 of eL12' were found on the 80-S A. salina ribosome. In ribosomes of both rat liver and A. salina, eL12 is present in a larger quantity than eL12'. 40-S and 60-S ribosomal subunits extracted with ethanol/salt were essentially free of eL12 proteins. A large pool of eL12 was found in the cytosol after removal of the ribosomes by centrifugation or molecular sieving. The proteins of rat liver and A. salina are similar with regard to their isoelectric points and molecular weights. Sedimentation equilibrium studies indicated that the isolated protein eL12 occurs as a dimer.

Eukaryotic ribosomal proteins stimulate Escherichia coli stringent factor to synthesize guanosine 5'-diphosphate, 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) and guanosine 5'-triphosphate, 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp)

When supplemented with Escherichia coli stringent factor, 80S ribosomes from various sources failed to support guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphate ((p)ppGpp) synthesis. In contrast, ribosomal proteins from 80S, 60S or 40S particles (mouse embryos, rabbit reticulocytes) crossreacted with the E. coli stringent factor. Significant stimulation of (p)ppGpp synthesis was achieved with a concentration as low as 5 micrograms of ribosomal proteins/ml. These observations may provide additional crtieria to detect homologies between eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomal proteins.

Immunochemical analysis of the structure of eukaryotic ribosomes: antigenic properties of rat liver ribosomes and ribosomal proteins and characterization of the antisera

Antibodies were prepared in rabbits and sheep to rat liver ribosomes, ribosomal subunits, and to mixtures of proteins from the particles. The antisera were characterized by quantitative immunoprecipitation, by passive hemagglutination, by immunodiffusion on Ouchterlony plates, and by immunoelectrophoresis. While all the antisera contained antibodies specific for ribosomal proteins, none had precipitating antibodies against ribosomal RNA. Rat liver ribosomal proteins were more immunogenic in sheep than rabbits, and the large ribosomal subunit and its proteins were more immunogenic than those of the 40S subparticle. Antisera specific for one or the other ribosomal subunit could be prepared; thus it is unlikely that there are antigenic determinants common to the proteins of the two subunits. When ribosomes, ribosomal subunits, or mixtures of proteins were used as antigens the sera contained antibodies directed against a large number of the ribosomal proteins.

Modification of yeast ribosomal proteins. Phosphorylation

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel electrophoretic analysis of yeast ribosomal proteins labelled in vivo with 32PO43- revealed that the proteins S2 and S10 of the 40S ribosomal subunit, and the proteins L9, L30, L44 and L45 of the 60S ribosomal subunit, are phosphorylated in vivo. Most of the phosphate groups appeared to be linked to serine residues. Teh number of phosphate groups per molecule of phosphorylated protein species ranged from 0.01 to 0.79. Since most of the phosphorylated ribosomal proteins appear to associate with the pre-ribosomal particles at a very late stage of ribosome assembly, phosphorylation is more likely to play a role in the functioning of the ribosome than in its assembly.

Comparison of Artemia salina and Escherichia coli ribosome structure by electron microscopy

The structure of eukaryotic Artemia salina and prokaryotic Escherichia coli ribosomes has been compared by electron microscopy. Despite the established differences in size and in the amount and proportion of the protein and RNA moieties, both types of ribosomes appear to have substantial similarity in the overall shape and in the mutual orientation of the subunits on the monosome. The small subunit is located in the "crown" region of the large subunit lengthwise between the two side crests. However, high-resolution electron microscopy reveals distinct differences in the fine structure of both small and large subunits. The 40S A. salina subunit with three structural domains is more complex than the corresponding E. coli subunit. The 60S A. salina subunit has a less expressed "crown" region and shows a knob-like protrusion in the base. Structural asymmetry is a characteristic feature common to subunits and monosomes from both A. salina and E. coli.

Characterisation of ribosomal proteins from HeLa and Krebs II mouse ascites tumor cells by different two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis techniques

Electrophoresis of ribosomal proteins according to Kaltschmidt and Wittmann, 1970a, b (pH 8.6/pH 4.5 urea system) yielded 29 proteins for the small subunits and 35 and 37 proteins for the large subunits of Krebs II ascites and HeLa ribosomes, respectively. Analysis of the proteins according to a modified technique by Mets and Bogorad (1974) (pH 4.5/pH 8.6 SDS system) revealed 28 and 29 proteins in the small subunits and 37 and 38 proteins in the large subunits of Krebs II ascites and HeLa ribosomes. The molecular weights of the individual proteins were determined by: 1. "three-dimensional" gel electrophoresis; 2. two-dimensional gel electrophoresis at pH 4.K/pH 8.6 in SDS. The molecular weights for 40S proteins ranged from 10,000 to 39,000 dalton (number average molecular weight: 21,000). The molecular weights for the 60S proteins ranged from 14,000 to 44,000 dalton (number average molecular weight: 23,000) using the "three-dimensional" technique. A molecular weight range from 10,000 to 38,000 dalton (number average molecular weight: 21,000) was obtained for the 40S subunits, whereas the molecular weights for the 60S ribosomal proteins (average molecular weight: 26,000) ranged from 12,000 to 69,000 dalton using the pH 4.5/pH 8.6 SDS system. The molecular weights Krebs II ascites and HeLa ribosomal proteins are compared with those obtained by other authors for different mammalian species.

Isolation and properties of two protein kinases from yeast which phosphorylate casein and some ribosomal proteins

Three fractions of protein kinase from postribosomal supernatant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, active in phosphorylation of casein, were resolved on DEAE-cellulose. Two of these fractions: protein kinase 1 and protein kinase 3, were further purified about 1000 and 1800-fold respectively. The kinase 1 appeared to exist as a monomer with a molecular weight of 50 000 and utilized only ATP as phosphoryl donor. The protein kinase 3 was an aggregated form of enzyme with a molecular weight of above half a million and used both ATP and GTP for protein phosphorylation. Both isolated enzymes showed variations in respect to Michaelis constants, and inhibitory effects exerted by monovalent cations and nucleotide phosphates. The activity of the kinases was not affected by the presence of cAMP (adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate) or cGMP, however, only protein kinase 1 appeared to be a cAMP nucleotide-independent enzyme. Despite these differences both enzymes equally phosphorylated two strongly acidic proteins of the 60-S ribosome subunit, possibly related to L7, L12 of Escherichia coli.

Acidic phosphoproteins of the 60-S ribosomal subunits from HeLa cells

Two-dimensional analysis of the ribosomal proteins from 60-S subunits of HeLa cells revealed a triplet of acidic proteins, L40a, L40b and L40c, of identical molecular weight (13,700), which can be separated only on the basis of their charge differences. Two of the spots, L40b and L40c, become labeled after incubation of the cells with inorganic [32P]phosphate. The electrophoretic behavior and molecular weights of these proteins support the notion that the proteins L40b and L40c, are phosphorylated forms of the protein L40a. The same proteins can be phosphorylated also in vitro by a HeLa protein kinase on 60-S subunits but not on 80-S ribosomes. The inaccessibility of L40 proteins to the phosphorylation in vitro on 80-S ribosomes suggests that they are located in the interface between the 40-S and 60-S subunits.

Further evidence that elongation factor 1 remains bound to ribosomes during peptide chain elongation

This paper describes three types of experiments which indicate that the binding sites for elongation factor 1 (EF-1) and elongation factor 2 (EF-2) on ascites cell ribosomes are not identical and perhaps not even overlapping. The experimental evidence presented includes direct competitive binding of labeled elongation factors to ribosomes as well as the influence of pokeweed antiviral protein and Escherichia coli anti L7/L12 proteins on the binding and function of the two factors. It is further shown that EF-1beta from Artemia salina does not function in displacing EF-1 from mouse ascites tumor cell ribosomes. These results also support our recently proposed model that EF-1 remains bound to the ribosome during the peptide chain elongation cycle.