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Visualization of a highly organized intranuclear network of filaments in living mammalian cells.

For 30 years, the mammalian cell nucleus has been hypothesized to contain a filamentous framework, the nuclear matrix or karyoskeleton, which regulates nuclear structure and function. However, such an organized network of filaments has never been observed in living cells. Here we show that human Cdc14B phosphatase in living cells tightly associates with long filaments that begin at the nucleolar periphery and extend to the nuclear envelope, frequently making close connections with nuclear pore complexes. We demonstrate that Cdc14B contains a bipartite signal that directs it to the intranuclear filaments, and we also detect a small amount of Cdc14B on interphase and mitotic centrosomes. Furthermore, we show that Cdc14B is critical for the maintenance of proper nuclear structure together with polo-like kinase Plk1. This work provides the first direct evidence for the existence of an intranuclear filamentous framework in living mammalian cells and implicates Cdc14B in the control of mammalian nuclear architecture.

Animals↗

Peripheral framework of carrot cell nucleus contains a novel protein predicted to exhibit a long alpha-helical domain.

A monoclonal antibody, CML-1, raised against carrot (Daucus carota L.) nuclear-matrix proteins selectively labeled the nuclear periphery of carrot protoplasts when visualized by confocal and electron microscopy. To identify the constituent proteins of higher plant cells structurally homologous to the vertebrate nuclear lamina, we cloned overlapping cDNAs partially encoding a CML-1-recognized protein and determined the entire sequence including the open reading frame. When the deduced amino acid sequence was compared with other known protein sequences contained in major databases, no protein was found to show high sequence identity across the whole region of the protein, while the partial sequence showed strong similarities with myosin, tropomyosin, and some intermediate filament proteins. The protein, designated NMCP1, had an estimated molecular mass of 133.6 kDa and showed three characteristic domains. The central domain contains long alpha-helices exhibiting heptad repeats of apolar residues, demonstrating structural similarity to that of filament-forming proteins. The terminal domains are predominantly nonhelical and contain potential sequence motifs for nuclear localization signals. NMCP1 has many recognition motifs for different types of protein kinases, including cdc2 kinase and PKC. These results suggest that NMCP1 protein forms coiled-coil filaments and is a constituent of the peripheral architecture of the higher plant cell nucleus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cellular harmonic information transfer through a tissue tensegrity-matrix system.

Cells and intracellular elements are capable of vibrating in a dynamic manner with complex harmonics, the frequency of which can now be measured and analyzed in a quantitative manner by Fourier analysis. Cellular events such as changes in shape, membrane ruffling, motility, and signal transduction occur within spatial and temporal harmonics that have potential regulatory importance. These vibrations can be altered by growth factors and the process of carcinogenesis. It is important to understand the mechanism by which this vibrational information is transferred directly throughout the cell. From these observations we propose that vibrational information is transferred through a tissue tensegrity-matrix which acts as a coupled harmonic oscillator operating as a signal transucing system from the cell periphery to the nucleus and ultimately to the DNA. The vibrational interactions occur through a tissue matrix system consisting of the nuclear matrix, the cytoskeleton, and the extracellular matrix that is poised to couple the biologic oscillations of the cell from the peripheral membrane to the DNA through a tensegrity-matrix structure. Tensegrity has been defined as a structural system composed of discontinuous compression elements connected by continuous tension cables, which interact in a dynamic fashion. A tensegrity tissue matrix system allows for specific transfer of information through the cell by direct transmission of vibrational chemomechanical energy through harmonic wave motion.

Animals↗

Spreading of embryologically distinct urothelial cells is inhibited by SPARC.

The AON epitope of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a conserved motif expressed by human SPARC in a variety of human cell types. Through the use of a monoclonal antibody that recognizes this epitope, transitional epithelium was found to restrict expression of SPARC to the suprabasal and intermediate layer. Such intracellular expression was defined by immunoreactive signals that localized to the apical plasma membranes of suprabasal and intermediate cells. Polarization of SPARC to apical plasma membranes of suprabasal cells was retained in vitro by a subpopulation of cells that exhibited characteristics of suprabasal cells--cell-cycle quiescence, large cell volumes, and multiple nuclei. In contrast, the basal layer of transitional epithelium in vivo and cycling cells in vitro did not exhibit this apical staining pattern, but instead sequestered the SPARC polypeptide within urothelial cytoplasm and/or nuclei, as revealed by immunohistochemical analysis. Elution of soluble proteins and DNA from urothelial cells revealed the presence of SPARC within the nuclear matrix--and that SPARC colocalized with the nuclear matrix Ki-67 antigen. rSPARC activity was demonstrated and quantified with a rounding assay whereby the spreading of freshly plated cells was inhibited by recombinant SPARC in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Inhibition of spreading was observed in urothelial cells derived from endoderm (bladder) and mesoderm (ureter) germ layers. Statistically significant differences were seen between urothelial cells from these two layers. Mesodermal cells recovered more slowly from the inhibitory effects of rSPARC, such that at hour 6 endodermal cells underwent significantly more spreading, as shown by a rounding index (RI). These experiments provide new insights about the matricellular trafficking of SPARC and suggest that intra- and extra-cellular localization patterns influence the development, homeostasis, and differentiation of transitional epithelium.

Cells, Cultured↗

Nuclear-mitotic apparatus protein: a structural protein interface between the nucleoskeleton and RNA splicing.

Vertebrate splicing factors are localized to discrete domains within the nuclei of somatic cells. The mechanism whereby such nuclear domains, identified as speckles by immunofluorescence microscopy, are generated is unclear. Recent studies suggest that the spatial order within the nucleus is maintained by nuclear matrix factors. Here we show that a protein in the nuclear matrix and mitotic apparatus [nuclear-mitotic apparatus protein, NuMA; Lydersen, B. & Pettijohn, D. (1980) Cell 22, 489-499] colocalizes with splicing factors in interphase nuclei and is associated with small nuclear ribonucleoproteins in a complex immunoprecipitated from HeLa extract with small nuclear ribonucleoprotein antibodies. Moreover, NuMA associates with splicing complexes that are reconstituted in vitro using wild-type pre-mRNA, but not with nonspecific RNA. Cumulatively, these observations suggest a function of NuMA or NuMA-like proteins in interphase cells in providing a bridge between RNA processing and the nucleoskeleton.

Antigens, Nuclear↗

Lectin-binding glycoproteins in nuclear fractions from hamster liver and Kirkman-Robbins hepatoma.

As a further step toward characterizing the major nuclear glycoproteins from hamster liver and Kirkman-Robbins hepatoma (Lipińska A. and Gaczyński M. Int. J. Biochem. 4, 1385-1390, 1992) its intranuclear localization was studied. The glycoprotein patterns of examined nuclear fractions of hamster liver and hepatoma revealed some cell specificity observed especially in nuclear matrix preparations. Our results show the extensive presence of envelope glycoproteins in the nuclear matrix.

Animals↗

Intranuclear relocalization of matrix binding sites during T cell activation detected by amplified fluorescence in situ hybridization.

We describe a method for analyzing the nuclear localization of specific DNA sequences, with special emphasis on their binding status to the nuclear matrix, depending on the developmental stage of the cells. This method employs high-resolution fluorescence in situ hybridization procedures. For our studies, it was important to examine the nuclear localization of a particular gene locus. Previously, however, it was not possible to detect a single-copy genomic sequence using a DNA probe less than several kilobases in size. We describe here a signal amplification technique based on tyramide which makes such a task possible. Using this method, we monitored single-copy loci using a short, 509-bp DNA sequence that binds in vivo to the T cell factor SATB1 within T cell nuclei, high-salt-extracted nuclei (histone-depleted nuclei generating "halos" with distended chromatin loops), and the nuclear matrix, before and after T cell activation. We found that these loci were anchored onto the nuclear matrix, creating new bases of chromatin loops, only after T cell activation. This experimental strategy, therefore, enabled us to detect the changes in higher order chromatin structure upon activation and study gene regulation at a new dimension: the loop domain structure. The methods shown here can be widely applied to explore other functions involving chromatin, including recombination and replication.

Binding Sites↗

Enrichment of a second class of native acceptor sites for the avian oviduct progesterone receptor as intact chromatin fragments.

Several classes of specific progesterone receptor (PR) nuclear binding sites (acceptor sites) have previously been identified in avian oviduct chromatin on the basis of different binding affinities. Recently, two classes of acceptor proteins (AP) that are associated with these binding sites in the avian oviduct have been identified. These APs were termed receptor binding factors (RBF-1 and -2), and one (RBF-1) has been purified [Schuchard et al. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 4535-4542]. The RBF-1 is associated with the highest affinity class of sites in the intact chromatin, and the RBF-2 is associated with the second highest affinity class of sites. The PR binding sites and their associated RBF-2 protein remain with the residual chromatin fraction following extraction by 4 M Gdn-HCl. This Gdn-HCl-treated chromatin has been termed nucleoacidic protein (NAP). This paper describes the 200-fold enrichment of the native RBF-2 class of PR acceptor sites beginning with the DNase I digestion of NAP to obtain DNase-resistant fragment (NAPf) containing approximately 150 bp of DNA. The PR binding sites are further enriched by high-performance or fast protein liquid chromatography and chromatofocusing. Anti-RBF-1/RBF-2 protein antibodies identify antigens that coelute with the PR binding activity. Hybridization analysis of the DNAf from the enriched NAPf demonstrates sequence homologies with the nuclear matrix DNA as well as with genomic sequences of the rapid steroid responding nuclear protooncogenes c-myc and c-jun. However, comparative analyses of the whole genomic DNA with the nuclear matrix DNA indicate that the RBF-2 (NAPf) is largely nonnuclear matrix.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Evidence for a reduction of the replicative activity of matrix-bound DNA polymerase alpha following treatment with phospholipase C.

Since phospholipids have been suggested to play some role in the molecular organisation of the nuclear matrix, the effect of their removal by means of phospholipase C has been investigated in regenerating rat liver nuclear matrix. The matrix-bound DNA polymerase alpha shows an almost complete loss of activity following the digestion with phospholipase C. Since the polymerase activity is restored by adding exogenous DNA, we suggest that the effect is due to the removal of matrix residual DNA, which is in some way linked to the nuclear matrix by means of hydrophobic interactions.

Animals↗

Distribution of u.v.-induced repair events in higher-order chromatin loops in human and hamster fibroblasts.

The repair of u.v.-induced damage in human and rodent cells was investigated at the level of DNA loops attached to the nuclear matrix. After 2 h post-u.v. incubation, DNase I digestion studies revealed a 3- to 4-fold enrichment of repair-labeled DNA at the nuclear matrix in four xeroderma pigmentosum cell strains belonging to complementation group C. This non-random distribution was not affected by treatment with sodium butyrate. In other cells with limited excision repair, i.e. two xeroderma pigmentosum cell strains of complementation group D and Syrian hamster embryonic cells, as well as in HeLa cells and normal human fibroblasts, no enrichment of repair-labeled DNA at the nuclear matrix was observed. Visualization of repair events in DNA loops by autoradiography of DNA halo-matrix structures confirmed the biochemical observations. The presence or absence of preferential repair of nuclear matrix-associated DNA paralleled the presence or absence of inhomogeneity in the distribution of T4 endonuclease-V-sensitive sites. A detailed analysis of repair events in xeroderma pigmentosum cells of complementation group C showed that after 2 h post-u.v. incubation, repair events were found at both attachment sites in a limited number of loops and that large domains of loops were not subjected to repair.

Animals↗

Intranuclear dynamics of DNA polymerase alpha differs between the transplanted R3230AC mammary adenocarcinomas and the host mammary gland depending on lactation cycle.

DNA polymerase alpha activity was markedly higher in all nuclear subfractions, including nuclear matrix, from transplanted R3230AC mammary adenocarcinomas than in the analogous fractions from mammary gland of same tumor-bearing pregnant or lactating rats. Changes in host lactational status had no significant effect on subnuclear distribution of tumor DNA polymerase alpha activity, with the majority (60-75%) localized in soluble nucleoplasm and a significant amount (13-20%) retained in the nuclear matrix. In the host mammary gland, nuclear matrix-bound DNA polymerase alpha was highest, accounting for 48% of total nuclear activity, during late pregnancy when mammary cells undergo rapid raplication. During lactation, when cells in mammary gland cease to divide, only 8% of enzyme activity was in the nuclear matrix, while the majority (60-80%) of DNA polymerase alpha activity was localized in nucleoplasm. In both R3230AC tumor and mammary gland regardless of host's lactational status, the majority (60-80%) of DNA polymerase beta activity was localized in the high salt-soluble chromatin. These present data thus suggest that, regardless of host lactational status, R3230AC tumor has many cycling cells, each with a large pool of DNA polymerase alpha molecules maintaining maximal and constant replicative activity, while normal mammary gland cells have a smaller pool of DNA polymerase alpha which become primarily matrix-bound only during active cell replication during late pregnancy. A constant localization of nuclear DNA polymerase beta in chromatin in both mammary gland and the tumor suggest it is not important in mammary cell proliferation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Reversible disassembly of transcription domains in lymphocyte nuclei during inhibition of RNA synthesis by DRB.

We are investigating the roles of RNA synthesis, chromatin structure and nuclear matrix organization in establishing and maintaining transcription domains, using mitogen stimulated lymphocytes as a model system. In a continuing study, the effects of the RNA polymerase inhibitor DRB and of its removal on nuclear organization have been examined by EM cytochemistry and by immunofluorescence labelling of the nuclear matrix PI1, Sm and nucleolar fibrillarin antigens. Chromatin, interchromatin granules and nucleoli were extensively restructured after DRB, as were matrix antigens. According to cytochemical staining properties, the conformation of DRB-induced condensed chromatin resembled that in partially stimulated lymphocytes. The nucleoplasmic fibrogranular RNP network appeared little altered, but the fibrillar proteinaceous interchromatinic regions, interpreted as representing the nuclear matrix in situ, were more affected. After removal of DRB, nuclei recovered the organization and transcriptional activity of controls within 8 h. These results suggest that the matrix subtending transcription domains remains stable when transcription is arrested, even though the chromatin and individual RNP components of the domains are disorganized. The data further indicate that absence of transcription is not solely accountable for the highly aggregated state of the chromatin in resting lymphocytes.

Animals↗

Nuclear substructure reorganization during late-stage erythropoiesis is selective and does not involve caspase cleavage of major nuclear substructural proteins.

Enucleation, a rare feature of mammalian differentiation, occurs in 3 cell types: erythroblasts, lens epithelium, and keratinocytes. Previous investigations suggest that caspase activation functions in lens epithelial and keratinocyte enucleation, as well as in early erythropoiesis encompassing erythroid burst-forming unit (BFU-E) differentiation to proerythroblast. To determine whether caspase activation contributes to later erythropoiesis and whether nuclear substructures other than chromatin reorganize, we analyzed distributions of nuclear subcompartment proteins and assayed for caspase-induced cleavage of subcompartmental target proteins in mouse erythroblasts. We found that patterns of lamin B in the filamentous network interacting with both the nuclear envelope and DNA, nuclear matrix protein NuMA (Nuclear mitotic apparatus), and splicing factors Sm and SC35 persisted during nuclear condensation, consistent with effective transcription of genes expressed late in differentiation. Thus, nuclear reorganization prior to enucleation is selective, allowing maintenance of critical transcriptional processes independent of extensive chromosomal reorganization. Consistent with these data, we found no evidence for caspase-induced cleavage of major nuclear subcompartment proteins during late erythropoiesis, in contrast to what has been observed in early erythropoiesis and in lens epithelial and keratinocyte differentiation. These findings imply that nuclear condensation and extrusion during terminal erythroid differentiation involve novel mechanisms that do not entail major activation of apoptotic machinery.

Animals↗

Novel assay for determining DNA organization in human spermatozoa: implications for male factor infertility.

OBJECTIVES: To present a novel assay for determining DNA organization in fertile human spermatozoa and establish morphometric parameters for these samples. The three-dimensional organization of DNA within a cell nucleus is intimately related to cellular function. For example, it has recently been demonstrated that normal sperm DNA organization may be necessary for successful in vitro fertilization in the mouse. METHODS: Semen from 12 fertile volunteers was tested for sperm DNA organization using our nuclear matrix stability assay. Sperm DNA then underwent computerized digital image analysis and standards of normal were established. RESULTS: Sperm DNA organization was constant in all samples tested. Normal parameters established included mean nuclear matrix diameter (9.17 +/- 1.59 microm), mean DNA halo diameter (20.56 +/- 2.53 microm), mean halo area (66.88 +/- 7.92 microm(2)), and mean nuclear matrix area (32.98 +/- 4.3 microm(2)). CONCLUSIONS: This assay may be used to determine DNA organization in a semen sample. Defining sperm DNA organization may be important clinically, because normal DNA organization is necessary for normal cellular function.

Adult↗

Characterization of an ATPase/dATPase activity associated with the Drosophila nuclear matrix-pore complex-lamina fraction. Identification of the putative enzyme polypeptide by direct ultraviolet photoaffinity labeling.

An ATPase/dATPase activity found associated with the nuclear matrix-pore complex-lamina fraction isolated from embryos of Drosophila melanogaster has been characterized. In the presence of either Ca2+ or Mg2+, this activity hydrolyzed either ATP or dATP to ADP or dADP, respectively, and Pi. Hydrolysis was optimal from pH 6.5-7.2, did not require either Na+ or K+, and was not significantly inhibited by NaF, ouabain, quercetin, Na3VO4, CTP, or GTP. In contrast, hydrolysis was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, EDTA, and cordycepin 5'-triphosphate. In all respects tested, hydrolysis of ATP was indistinguishable from that of dATP and when incubated in the same reaction mixture, each was linearly competitive with the other. Based upon these properties, a series of direct UV photoaffinity labeling experiments was performed. Using alpha-[32P]dATP, alpha-[32P]ATP, or gamma-[32P]ATP, only a single polypeptide (Mr approximately 174,000) was photolabeled in a manner completely consistent with the enzymology of ATP and dATP hydrolysis; cell fractionation studies revealed a predominantly or exclusively nuclear localization. A polypeptide with virtually the identical mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels was similarly identified as the major photolabeled species in nuclear envelope fractions obtained from chickens, opossums, rats, and guinea pigs. Thus, it seems probable that this 174-kilodalton polypeptide constitutes at least the active site-containing subunit of the major insoluble ATPase/dATPase found in structural protein subfractions prepared from higher invertebrate as well as vertebrate nuclei.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Random distribution of mammalian replication origins in matrix and total nuclear DNA.

Nuclear matrices from mouse and rat tumour cells were isolated and characterized by their microscopic appearance, protein profiles and DNA content. They presented well-defined structures containing 15-20% of the nuclear protein and 1-3% of the nuclear DNA. Matrix DNAs were immobilized on nitrocellulose filters and hybridized to nick-translation 32P-labelled homologous DNA fragments containing the corresponding replication origins. As control total nuclear DNAs were also immobilized on filters and hybridized to origin-containing DNAs. The origin-containing DNAs hybridized to the same extent to both matrix and total DNAs, which showed that they contained the same proportion of origin sequences. In an alternative series of experiments, plasmids containing either rat or mouse replication origins were immobilized on filters and were hybridized with in vitro 32P-labelled matrix and total nuclear DNAs. Here again both matrix and total nuclear DNAs hybridized to the same extent with the origin-carrying plasmids, which showed that neither rat nor mouse matrix DNAs were enriched in DNA replication origin sequences.

Animals↗

Phospholipid composition, phospholipase A2 and sphingomyelinase activities in rat liver nuclear membrane and matrix.

Little data has been published regarding the presence of lipolytic--neutral sphingomyelinase and phospholipase A2--activities in the nuclear matrix and membranes of cells. Considering the influence of phospholipids and the above enzymes on transcription and replication, the phospholipid composition and lipolytic activities of the nuclear matrix and membrane was determined. Pure nuclei from normal rat liver cells were isolated after nuclease digestion and extraction of the nuclear material with low and high ionic strengths, in presence of reducing agents. Phosphatidylcholine was the main phospholipid in the nuclear membranes (44% from the total phospholipids) whereas the amount of phosphatidylserine was highest in the nuclear matrix (45%). The specific activity of phospholipase A2 in nuclear membranes was similar to that from liver plasma membranes and in hen erythrocyte nuclear membranes, (2.3 +/- 0.6 nmol/mg/min, SEM, n = 8) while in the nuclear matrix it was 20 times higher. It did not show specificity towards phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine as substrates. A high sphingomyelinase activity in the nuclear matrix of rat liver was found (12.7 +/- 2.1 nmol/mg/min, SEM, n = 8) and this activity was affected by reducing agents (dithiotreitol). Our results showed that phospholipids phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine were constituent part of the nuclear structures as were the enzymes phospholipase A2 and sphingomyelinase. This is consist with a role for lipids and their breakdown products in metabolic events within the nucleus.

Animals↗

Proteasomal inhibition enhances glucocorticoid receptor transactivation and alters its subnuclear trafficking.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway regulates the turnover of many transcription factors, including steroid hormone receptors such as the estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. For these receptors, proteasome inhibition interferes with steroid-mediated transcription. We show here that proteasome inhibition with MG132 results in increased accumulation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), confirming that it is likewise a substrate for the ubiquitin-proteasome degradative pathway. Using the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter integrated into tissue culture cells, we found that proteasome inhibition synergistically increases GR-mediated transactivation. This increased activation was observed in a number of cell lines and on various MMTV templates, either as transiently transfected reporters or stably integrated into chromatin. These observations suggest that the increase in GR-mediated transcription due to proteasome inhibition may occur downstream of the initial chromatin remodeling step. In support of this concept, the increase in transcription did not correlate with an increase in chromatin remodeling, as measured by restriction enzyme hypersensitivity, or transcription factor loading, as exemplified by nuclear factor 1. To investigate the relationship between GR turnover, transcription, and subnuclear trafficking, we examined the effect of proteasome inhibition on the mobility of the GR within the nucleus and association of the GR with the nuclear matrix. Blocking GR turnover reduced the mobility of the GR within the nucleus, and this correlated with increased association of the receptor with the nuclear matrix. As a result of proteasome inhibition, GR mobility within the nucleus was reduced while its association with the nuclear matrix was increased. Thus, while altered nuclear mobility of steroid receptors may be a common feature of proteasome inhibition, GR is unique in its enhanced transactivation activity that results when proteasome function is compromised. Proteasomes may therefore impact steroid receptor action at multiple levels and exert distinct effects on individual receptor types.

Breast Neoplasms↗