Experimental analysis of nucleolar reorganization

The ribosomal RNA processing machinery is recruited to the nucleolar domain before RNA polymerase I during Xenopus laevis development

Transcription and splicing of messenger RNAs are temporally and spatially coordinated through the recruitment by RNA polymerase II of processing factors. We questioned whether RNA polymerase I plays a role in the recruitment of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing machinery. During Xenopus laevis embryogenesis, recruitment of the rRNA processing machinery to the nucleolar domain occurs in two steps: two types of precursor structures called prenucleolar bodies (PNBs) form independently throughout the nucleoplasm; and components of PNBs I (fibrillarin, nucleolin, and the U3 and U8 small nucleolar RNAs) fuse to the nucleolar domain before components of PNBs II (B23/NO38). This fusion process is independent of RNA polymerase I activity, as shown by actinomycin D treatment of embryos and by the lack of detectable RNA polymerase I at ribosomal gene loci during fusion. Instead, this process is concomitant with the targeting of maternally derived pre-rRNAs to the nucleolar domain. Absence of fusion was correlated with absence of these pre-rRNAs in nuclei where RNA polymerase II and III are inhibited. Therefore, during X. laevis embryogenesis, the recruitment of the rRNA processing machinery to the nucleolar domain could be dependent on the presence of pre-rRNAs, but is independent of either zygotic RNA polymerase I transcription or the presence of RNA polymerase I itself.

Nucleolar organizer expression in Allium cepa L. chromosomes

Roots from Allium cepa L. (cv. Francesa) bulbs in which a maximum of two nucleoli per nucleus developed were selected for this study. Five rDNA clusters were detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization on chromosomal squashes (2n = 16) with a rhodamine-labelled wheat rDNA repeat. The rDNA clusters were located on four chromosomes: the largest cluster occurred on the small arm of a single homologue of the smallest pair 8. Its homologue showed two different small rDNA clusters, one near each telomere. The two homologues of the satellited chromosomes 6 also showed different rDNA contents, which were intermediate to those found in pair 8. The same five well-differentiated hybridization signals were observed in interphase cells that were inactive in transcription because they were in dormant roots, or in proliferating ones in which the synthesis of the large rRNA precursor was prevented. After multipolarizing agent was applied in anaphase followed by inhibition of cytokinesis, multinucleate autotetraploid cells were formed, which often contained more than four nucleoli. Thus, at least two of the three nucleolar organizer regions that consistently failed to develop a nucleolus in normal mononucleate cells were capable of developing nucleoli when segregated into different nuclei in multinucleate cells.

Cytological evidence on the ability of the nucleolus organizing regions to assemble pre-existing nucleolar material

The treatment of Vicia faba root tips with 5-azacytidine caused unequal allotment of the chromosomes; after one cell cycle, a pair of daughter nuclei was produced, one of which carried the nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) and the other of which lacked them. The pre-existing nucleolar material brought into the NOR-carrying daughter nucleus by the chromosomes disappeared concurrently with the appearance of the new nucleoli, whereas in another daughter nucleus without the NOR a number of small nucleolus-like bodies became visible at random positions. These findings suggest that in addition to ribosomal RNA synthesis the NOR has another role in cells; to stimulate the pre-existing nucleolar material to assemble at the NOR itself.

Inhibition of nucleolar reformation after microinjection of antibodies to RNA polymerase I into mitotic cells

The formation of daughter nuclei and the reformation of nucleolar structures was studied after microinjection of antibodies to RNA polymerase I into dividing cultured cells (PtK2). The fate of several nucleolar proteins representing the three main structural subcomponents of the nucleolus was examined by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. The results show that the RNA polymerase I antibodies do not interfere with normal mitotic progression or the early steps of nucleologenesis, i.e., the aggregation of nucleolar material into prenucleolar bodies. However, they inhibit the telophasic coalescence of the prenucleolar bodies into the chromosomal nucleolar organizer regions, thus preventing the formation of new nucleoli. These prenucleolar bodies show a fibrillar organization that also compositionally resembles the dense fibrillar component of interphase nucleoli. We conclude that during normal nucleologenesis the dense fibrillar component forms from preformed entities around nucleolar organizer regions, and that this association seems to be dependent on the presence of an active form of RNA polymerase I.

Mutations in rDNA : 3. Modulatory action of α-amanitin on aberration induction in nucleolus organizer regions

The action of α-amanitin, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, on the induction by hydroxyurea (HU) of chromosomal aberrations in nucleolus organizer regions of barley was studied. The data obtained show that α-amanitin can effectively modify aberration induction in rDNA. Administered before mutagen treatment or in combination with the mutagen, the toxin significantly decreased the HU-induced aberration frequencies in NORs. The data obtained provide further evidence that α-amanitin is an effective modulator of aberration induction in NORs either by interfering with RNA synthesis or by modifying chromatin structure.

The regeneration of epidermal cells of Saintpaulia leaves as a new plant-tissue system for cellular radiation biology

Investigation of the nucleus of epidermal cells of the petioles of Saintpaulia leaves by cytofluorimetry revealed that all cells are in a non-cycling pre DNA synthesis phase. Cultivation of dissected leaves results in a synchronous regeneration process of a defined number of cells. Five days after onset of cultivation the cells reach the first mitosis. The nuclear development during the regeneration process is described. Irradiation of the leaves results in a directly visible inhibition of this regenerating capability which is used to quantify cell survival in a tissue. The data show that the radiation response has a similar shape to that of the survival of single cells in culture. This response can be observed before the first mitosis of the cells and its application as a new plant tissue system for cellular radiation research is discussed.

The effect of RNA synthesis inhibitors on prenucleolar bodies

Inhibition of RNA synthesis prevents the fusion of prenucleolar bodies in the NOR region during nucleologenesis. However, their physical coalescence between themselves is increased, as shown in Allium cepa L. meristems.