Intranuclear membrane structure formations by CaaX-containing nuclear proteins

The nuclear lamina is a protein meshwork lining the nucleoplasmic face of the nuclear envelope. Association of lamins with the inner nuclear membrane is mediated by specific modifications in the CaaX motif at their C-termini. B-type lamins are permanently isoprenylated whereas lamin A loses its modification by a lamin A-specific processing step after incorporation into the lamina. Lamins are differentially expressed during development and tissue differentiation. Here we show that an increased synthesis of lamins B1 and B2 in amphibian oocytes induces the formation of intranuclear membrane structures that form extensive arrays of stacked cisternae. These 'lamin membrane arrays' are attached to the inner nuclear membrane but are not continuous with it. Induction of this membrane proliferation depends on CaaX-specific posttranslational modification. Moreover, in transfected HeLa cells, chimeric GFP containing a nuclear localization signal and a C-terminal CaaX motif of N-Ras induces intranuclear membrane stacks that resemble those induced by lamins and ER-like cisternae that are induced in the cytoplasm upon increased synthesis of integral ER membrane proteins. Implications for the synthesis of CaaX-containing proteins are discussed and the difference from intranuclear fibrous lamina annulate lamellae formations is emphasized.

Translational control of nuclear lamin B1 mRNA during oogenesis and early development of Xenopus

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation of specific mRNAs is commonly correlated with their translational activation during development. A canonical nuclear polyadenylation element AAUAAA (NPE) and cytoplasmic polyadenylation element(s) (CPE) are necessary and sufficient for polyadenylation during egg maturation. We have characterized cis-acting sequences of Xenopus nuclear lamin B1 mRNA that mediate translational regulation. By injection of synthetic RNAs into oocytes we show that the two CPE-like elements found in the 3'-untranslated region of B1 mRNA act as translational repressors in oocytes. The same CPEs in conjunction with the NPE confer transient polyadenylation and translational activation during egg maturation. Poly(A) length determination of the endogenous lamin B1 mRNA reveals a gradual increase of poly(A) tail length in early development up to mid-blastula, and a shortening of poly(A) tails during gastrulation and neurulation. The same kinetic and extent of polyadenylation and poly(A) tail shortening is observed with synthetic RNAs injected into fertilized eggs. Polyadenylation and translational activation of these RNAs is independent of the two CPEs and a NPE during early development. While translational regulation of lamin B1 mRNA functions in parts via established mechanisms, the pattern of polyadenylation and deadenylation during early development points to a novel mode of translational regulation.