Heterogeneous binding of high mobility group chromosomal proteins to nuclei

Activation of inflammasomes requires intracellular redistribution of the apoptotic speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain

Activation of caspase 1 is essential for the maturation and release of IL-1beta and IL-18 and occurs in multiprotein complexes, referred to as inflammasomes. The apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) is the essential adaptor protein for recruiting pro-caspase 1 into inflammasomes, and consistently gene ablation of ASC abolishes caspase 1 activation and secretion of IL-1beta and IL-18. However, distribution of endogenous ASC has not yet been examined in detail. In the present study, we demonstrated that ASC localized primarily to the nucleus in resting human monocytes/macrophages. Upon pathogen infection, ASC rapidly redistributed to the cytosol, followed by assembly of perinuclear aggregates, containing several inflammasome components, including caspase 1 and Nod-like receptors. Prevention of ASC cytosolic redistribution completely abolished pathogen-induced inflammasome activity, which affirmed that cytosolic localization of ASC is essential for inflammasome function. Thus, our study characterized a novel mechanism of inflammasome regulation in host defense.

HMGB1 expression and release by bone cells

Immune and bone cells are functionally coupled by pro-inflammatory cytokine intercellular signaling networks common to both tissues and their crosstalk may contribute to the etiologies of some immune-associated bone pathologies. For example, the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) signaling axis plays a critical role in dendritic cell (DC) function as well as bone remodeling. The expression of RANKL by immune cells may contribute to bone loss in periodontitis, arthritis, and multiple myeloma. A recent discovery reveals that DCs release the chromatin protein high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) as a potent immunomodulatory cytokine mediating the interaction between DCs and T-cells, via HMGB1 binding to the membrane receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). To determine whether osteoblasts or osteoclasts express and/or release HMGB1 into the bone microenvironment, we analyzed tissue, cells, and culture media for the presence of this molecule. Our immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical analyses demonstrate HMGB1 expression in primary osteoblasts and osteoclasts and that both cells express RAGE. HMGB1 is recoverable in the media of primary osteoblast cultures and cultures of isolated osteoclast precursors and osteoclasts. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), a regulator of bone remodeling, attenuates HMGB1 release in cultures of primary osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells but augments this release in the rat osteosarcoma cell line UMR 106-01, both responses primarily via activation of adenylyl cyclase. PTH-induced HMGB1 discharge by UMR cells exhibits similar release kinetics as reported for activated macrophages. These data confirm the presence of the HMGB1/RAGE signaling axis in bone.

Cell cycle analysis of the activity, subcellular localization, and subunit composition of human CAK (CDK-activating kinase)

The activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) depends on the phosphorylation of a residue corresponding to threonine 161 in human p34cdc2. One enzyme responsible for phosphorylating this critical residue has recently been purified from Xenopus and starfish. It was termed CAK (for cdk-activating kinase), and it was shown to contain p40MO15 as its catalytic subunit. In view of the cardinal role of cdks in cell cycle control, it is important to learn if and how CAK activity is regulated during the somatic cell cycle. Here, we report a molecular characterization of a human p40MO15 homologue and its associated CAK activity. We have cloned and sequenced a cDNA coding for human p40MO15, and raised specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the corresponding protein expressed in Escherichia coli. These tools were then used to demonstrate that p40MO15 protein expression and CAK activity are constant throughout the somatic cell cycle. Gel filtration suggests that active CAK is a multiprotein complex, and immunoprecipitation experiments identify two polypeptides of 34 and 32 kD as likely complex partners of p40MO15. The association of the three proteins is near stoichiometric and invariant throughout the cell cycle. Immunocytochemistry and biochemical enucleation experiments both demonstrate that p40MO15 is nuclear at all stages of the cell cycle (except for mitosis, when the protein redistributes throughout the cell), although the p34cdc2/cyclin B complex, one of the major purported substrates of CAK, occurs in the cytoplasm until shortly before mitosis. The absence of obvious changes in CAK activity in exponentially growing cells constitutes a surprise. It suggests that the phosphorylation state of threonine 161 in p34cdc2 (and the corresponding residue in other cdks) may be regulated primarily by the availability of the cdk/cyclin substrates, and by phosphatase(s).

Phosphorylation on protein kinase C sites inhibits nuclear import of lamin B2

The nuclear lamina is a karyoskeletal structure at the nucleoplasmic surface of the inner nuclear membrane. Its assembly state is regulated by phosphorylation of the intermediate filament type lamin proteins. Strong evidence has been obtained for a causal link between phosphorylation of lamins by the p34cdc2 protein kinase and disassembly of the nuclear lamina during mitosis. In contrast, no information is currently available on the role of lamin phosphorylation during interphase of the cell cycle. Here, we have identified four protein kinase C phosphorylation sites in purified chicken lamin B2 as serines 400, 404, 410, and 411. In vivo, the tryptic peptide containing serines 400 and 404 is phosphorylated throughout interphase, whereas serines 410 and 411 become phosphorylated specifically in response to activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester. Prompted by the close proximity of serines 410/411 to the nuclear localization signal of lamin B2, we have studied the influence of phosphorylation of these residues on nuclear transport. Using an in vitro assay, we show that phosphorylation of lamin B2 by protein kinase C strongly inhibits transport to the nucleus. Moreover, phorbol ester treatment of intact cells leads to a substantial reduction of the rate of nuclear import of newly synthesized lamin B2 in vivo. These findings have implications for the dynamic structure of the nuclear lamina, and they suggest that the modulation of nuclear transport rates by cytoplasmic phosphorylation may represent a general mechanism for regulating nuclear activities.

Casein kinase II is a predominantly nuclear enzyme

Casein kinase II (CK II) has been implicated in regulating multiple processes related to cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. To better understand the function(s) and regulation of this ubiquitous kinase, it is important to know its subcellular distribution. However, this issue has been the subject of contradictory reports. In this study, we have used indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and cell fractionation to study the subcellular distribution of all three subunits of chicken CK II, alpha, alpha', and beta. We examined primary chick embryo fibroblasts, virally transformed chicken hepatoma cells, as well as HeLa cells transiently transfected with cDNAs encoding chicken CK II subunits. We found that each of the three CK II subunits was located predominantly in the cell nucleus, irrespective of the cell type analyzed or the procedure used for cell fixation. No major differences were detected in the subcellular distributions of individual CK II subunits, and no evidence was obtained for subunit redistributions during interphase of the cell cycle. During mitosis, the bulk of the enzyme was dispersed throughout the cell, though a fraction of all three subunits was associated with the mitotic spindle. Biochemical studies based on mechanical enucleation of chicken cells confirmed the predominantly nuclear location of all three CK II subunits. Finally, immunoblotting experiments were carried out to study the expression of CK II subunits. A survey of different adult chicken tissues revealed substantial tissue-specific differences in the levels of CK II protein, but no evidence was obtained for pronounced tissue specificity in the expression of individual CK II subunits. These results strongly suggest that CK II functions primarily in regulating nuclear activities, and that the two catalytic subunits, alpha and alpha', may carry out overlapping functions.

Tissue specificity of nucleo-cytoplasmic distribution of HMG1 and HMG2 proteins and their probable functions

The levels and distribution between nucleus and cytoplasm of HMG1 and HMG2 proteins have been investigated in different tissues of mammals. In lymphoid tissues and testis high amounts of these proteins are present in both nuclei and cytoplasm, while in the hepatic tissues and brain they accumulate in cytoplasm, mainly in the cytosol. In particular, very low amounts, if any, of HMG1 and 2 are present in the nuclei active for DNA replication (rat regenerating liver and primary hepatoma) or transcription (adult liver and brain). Therefore, it appears that HMG1 and 2 are not necessary for these processes. On the other hand, nuclear (chromosomal) HMG1 and 2 are characteristic for the tissues containing undifferentiated cells: lymphoid tissues, testis, neonatal liver. These proteins are bound to the chromatin regions solubilized early by sonication or DNase action. Comparison of the data obtained for different tissues shows an inverse correlation between the amounts of chromosomal HMG1 and 2, on the one hand, and of histone H1(0), on the other hand. These results suggest that chromosomal HMG1 and 2 take part in the processes that occur during cell differentiation, while histone H1(0) is induced to preserve differentiated cells from dedifferentiation.

A study on the amount of high-mobility-group chromatin proteins in T-cells at different stages of differentiation

The amounts of high-mobility-group proteins (HMG) 1 and 2 in different mouse T-cell populations are studied. It is shown that the quantity of HMG 1 and 2 is different in functionally distinct T-cells. The level of these proteins in thymus cells is higher than in cortisone-resistant thymocytes and peripheral T-cells; it increases in the cytotoxic cells generated in mixed lymphocyte culture. The quantity of HMG is negligible in memory T-cells and increases when the latter cells are stimulated again. The differences found in the levels of HMG 1 and 2 could be related to the rate of cell proliferation and to the changes in chromatin structure at each functional stage of differentiating T-cells.

Heterogeneity of high-mobility-group protein 2. Enrichment of a rapidly migrating form in testis

A determination of the absolute amounts of high-mobility-group proteins 1 and 2 (HMG1 and HMG2) in rat tissues demonstrated that amounts of HMG2 were low in non-proliferating tissues, somewhat higher in proliferating and lymphoid tissues, but were extremely elevated in the testis. This increase was due to a germ-cell-specific form of HMG2 with increased mobility relative to somatic HMG2 on acid/urea/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. To determine if the findings in the rat were a general feature of spermatogenesis, testis (germinal), spleen (lymphoid), and liver (non-proliferating) tissues from various vertebrate species were examined for their relative amounts of HMG1 and HMG2, and for HMG2 heterogeneity. Bull, chimpanzee, cynomologus monkey, dog, gopher, guinea pig, hamster, mouse, opossum, rabbit, rat, rhesus monkey, squirrel and toad (Xenopus) tissues were analysed. Nearly all species showed relatively high contents of HMG2 in testis tissue, whereas HMG1 contents were similar in all species and tissues. Ten of thirteen species showed a rapidly migrating HMG2 subtype in testis tissue, separable by acid/urea/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Xenopus, which lacks HMG2 in somatic tissues, showed an HMG2-like protein in testis tissue. Although the rapidly migrating HMG2 subtype in species other than rat was not testis-specific, it was always enriched in the testis. This study indicates that increased amounts of HMG2 and the enrichment of a rapidly migrating HMG2 subtype are general features of spermatogenic cells.

Concentrations of high-mobility-group proteins in the nucleus and cytoplasm of several rat tissues

Nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions were isolated from various tissues of the rat by a nonaqueous technique. The high-mobility-group (HMG) proteins were extracted from these fractions with acid and separated by one- and two-dimensional PAGE. The concentrations of high-mobility-group proteins HMG1, HMG2, and HMG17 in the nucleus and cytoplasm were then estimated from the staining intensities of the electrophoretic bands. The cytoplasmic concentrations of these proteins were very low--usually less than 1/30 of those present in the corresponding nuclear fractions. For the tissues studied (liver, kidney, heart, and lung), the concentrations of HMG proteins in the nucleus did not differ significantly from one tissue to another. Averaged over the four tissues investigated, there were 0.28 molecule of HMG1, 0.18 molecule of HMG2, and 0.46 molecule of HMG17 per nucleosome. These values are considerably higher than those that have been reported previously.

Localization of HMG chromosomal proteins in the nucleus and cytoplasm by microinjection of functional antibody fragments into living fibroblasts

We have used microinjection and cell fractionation to localize the chromosomal high mobility group proteins (HMG) in human fibroblasts. Electrophoretic analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions from the fibroblasts indicates that the concentration of HMG-1,2 in the cytoplasm is 2.9 times larger than in the nucleus indicating that the majority of the cellular HMG-1,2 is present in the cytoplasm. In contrast, HMG-17 remains predominant in the nuclear fraction. We conclude that the cellular distribution of HMG-1,2 is significantly different from that of HMG-17. To avoid possible artifacts due to cell fractionation, fluoresceinated HMG-1 and HMG antibodies were microinjected into living fibroblasts. The cellular distribution of the injected proteins was monitored using fluorescent microscopy. Fluoresceinated HMG-1 microinjected into the cytoplasm moves very rapidly into the nucleus and concentrates in the nucleolus of living human fibroblasts. However, some control non-nuclear proteins also migrated into the nucleus raising the possibility that exogenous injected proteins do not always distribute in the same pattern as the endogenous proteins. The localization of microinjected F(ab)2 fragments derived from anti-HMG-1 was compared to that of microinjected F(ab)2 derived from anti-histones. Whereas the anti-histone F(ab)2 when injected into the cytoplasm migrated into the nucleus, the anti-HMG-1 F(ab)2 remained in the cytoplasm. Microinjection of anti-HMG-17 and anti-histone inhibited transcription in living cells, anti-HMG-1,2 did not. We conclude that HMG-1,2 proteins are present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of living fibroblasts.

High mobility group proteins of amphibian oocytes: a large storage pool of a soluble high mobility group-1-like protein and involvement in transcriptional events

Oocytes of several amphibian species (Xenopus laevis, Rana temporaria, and Pleurodeles waltlii) contained a relatively large pool of nonchromatin-bound, soluble high mobility group (HMG) protein with properties similar to those of calf thymus proteins HMG-1 and HMG-2 (protein HMG-A; A, amphibian). About half of this soluble HMG-A was located in the nuclear sap, the other half was recovered in enucleated ooplasms. This protein was identified by its mobility on one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, by binding of antibodies to calf thymus HMG-1 to polypeptides electrophoretically separated and blotted on nitrocellulose paper, and by tryptic peptide mapping of radioiodinated polypeptides. Most, if not all, of the HMG-A in the soluble nuclear protein fraction, preparatively defined as supernatant obtained after centrifugation at 100,000 g for 1 h, was in free monomeric form, apparently not bound to other proteins. On gel filtration it eluted with a mean peak corresponding to an apparent molecular weight of approximately 25,000; on sucrose gradient centrifugation it appeared with a very low S value (2-3 S), and on isoelectric focusing it appeared in fractions ranging from pH approximately 7 to 9. This soluble HMG-A was retained on DEAE-Sephacel but could be eluted already at moderate salt concentrations (0.2 M KCl). In oocytes of various stages of oogenesis HMG-A was accumulated in the nucleus up to concentrations of approximately 14 ng per nucleus (in Xenopus), corresponding to approximately 0.2 mg/ml, similar to those of the nucleosomal core histones. This nuclear concentration is also demonstrated using immunofluorescence microscopy. When antibodies to bovine HMG-1 were microinjected into nuclei of living oocytes of Pleurodeles the lateral loops of the lampbrush chromosomes gradually retracted and the whole chromosomes condensed. As shown using electron microscopy of spread chromatin from such injected oocyte nuclei, this process of loop retraction was accompanied by the appearance of variously-sized and irregularly-spaced gaps within transcriptional units of chromosomal loops but not of nucleoli, indicating that the transcription of non-nucleolar genes was specifically inhibited by this treatment and hence involved an HMG-1-like protein. These data show that proteins of the HMG-1 and -2 category, which are usually chromatin-bound components, can exist, at least in amphibian oocytes, in a free soluble monomeric form, apparently not bound to other molecules. The possible role of this large oocyte pool of soluble HMG-A in early embryogenesis is discussed as well as the possible existence of soluble HMG proteins in other cells.

Increased fraction of acid-soluble proteins in 0.35 M NaCl extracts of nuclei from rat liver tumors

1. The fraction of proteins extracted from nuclei with 0.35 M NaCl and soluble in 2% trichloroacetic acid was examined in five Morris hepatomas and rat liver. 2. This fraction was a much greater percentage of the total 0.35 M NaCl soluble proteins in the tumors than in normal or regenerating liver. 3. In part, this difference was due to proteins with molecular weights greater than high mobility group proteins. 4. The conditions for precipitation of high mobility group proteins 1 and 2 with trichloroacetic acid were found to differ in hepatoma and liver fractions.

Influence of nonhistone chromatin protein HMG-1 on the enzymatic digestion of purified DNA

The effect of chicken erythrocyte High Mobility Group protein 1 (HMG-1) on the enzymatic hydrolysis of purified double-stranded and single-stranded bacteriophage lambda DNA was studied. HMG-1 was found to inhibit the digestion of single- and double-stranded DNA by S1 nuclease and DNase I, respectively. HMG-I increased the rate of hydrolysis of double-stranded DNA by micrococcal nuclease, particularly at low HMG-1/DNA ratios, and had little effect on the hydrolysis of single-stranded DNA by micrococcal nucleases, even at high HMG-1 DNA ratios. We also present a semi-quantitative estimate that HMG-1 and HMG-2 occur in chromatin from rapidly dividing, cultured rat hepatoma cells at about 8 times the level that they occur in adult rat liver chromatin.

Characterisation of a chromatin fraction bearing pulse-labelled RNA. 2. Quantification of histones and high-mobility-group proteins

The histone variants and high-mobility-group (HMG) proteins of a transcribing fraction of chromatin, described in the preceding paper of this journal, have been analysed qualitatively and quantitatively by a combination of one-dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The stoichiometry of the four core histones (all variants included) in this fraction is equimolar and is not detectably different from that in the nontranscribing fraction or in total chromatin. The molar ratio of histone H1 to the core histones is markedly lower, by approximately 72%, than that in the nontranscribing fraction. A minor histone variant identified as M1 (an H2A variant) is detected only in the transcribing fraction, while variant H3.1 is found only in the non-transcribing fraction. Proteins A24, HMG1 and HMG2 are essentially absent from the transcribing fraction; HMG14 is found uniquely in this fraction, while HMG17 occurs at a relatively lower level.

Comparative studies on microinjected high-mobility-group chromosomal proteins, HMG1 and HMG2

The nonhistone chromosomal proteins, HMG1 and HMG2, were iodinated and introduced into HeLa cells, bovine fibroblasts, or mouse 3T3 cells by erythrocyte-mediated microinjection. Autoradiographic analysis of injected cells fixed with glutaraldehyde consistently showed both molecules concentrated within nuclei. Fixation with methanol, on the other hand, resulted in some leakage of the microinjected proteins from the nuclei so that more autoradiographic grains appeared over the cytoplasm or outside the cells. Both injected and endogenous HMG1 and HMG2 partitioned unexpectedly upon fractionation of bovine fibroblasts, HeLa, or 3T3 cells, appearing in the cytoplasmic fractions. However, in calf thymus, HMG1 and HMG2 molecules appeared in the 0.35 M NaCl extract of isolated nuclei, as expected. These observations show that the binding of HMG1 and HMG2 to chromatin differs among cell types or that other tissue-specific components can influence their binding. Coinjection of [125I]HMG1 and [131I]HMG2 into HeLa cells revealed that the two molecules display virtually equivalent distributions upon cell fractionation, identical stability, identical intracellular distributions, and equal rates of equilibration between nuclei. In addition, HMG1 and HMG2 did not differ in their partitioning upon fractionation nor in their stability in growing vs. nongrowing 3T3 cells. Thus, we have not detected any significant differences in the intracellular behavior of HMG1 and HMG2 after microinjection into human, bovine, or murine cells.