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Differential expression of nuclear lamins in normal and cancerous prostate tissues.

The process of carcinogenesis is characterized by definite changes in the protein composition of the nuclear matrix. We have recently found that lamins form, in addition to the nuclear lamina, an intranuclear web of thin fibrils. This finding prompted us to address the question of whether changes in the expression of lamins occur in the course of tumor development. In prostate cancer, lamin B undergoes a significant increase; interestingly, its nuclear content strongly correlates with tumor differentiation. Moreover, all the lamins show reproducible alterations in the distribution of the isoelectric variants, suggesting that dephosphorylation events could trigger changes in the pattern of gene expression by inducing structural rearrangements of the nuclear scaffold.

Aged↗

T cell-specific protein-DNA interactions occurring at the CD4 locus: identification of possible transcriptional control elements of the murine CD4 gene.

The cis-acting transcriptional control elements of the murine CD4 gene were investigated within 75 kb of chromatin associated with the CD4 locus. DNase I hypersensitive (DH) sites were identified in several T and non-T cell lines, and in freshly isolated thymocytes. A total of 22 DH sites were found, seven of which are present only in T cells expressing CD4 or CD8. The T cell-specific DH sites are located in four regions: (i) 5' of the first exon of CD4, (ii) in the first intron, (iii) near the second and third exons, and (iv) 3' of the CD4 gene. Some of these sites inversely correlate to the CD4 expression at defined stages of T cell development, suggesting a role for these sites in repression of this gene. The T cell-specific DH sites were subcloned and analyzed for protein-DNA interactions using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. All T cell-specific DH sites analyzed appear to be a consequence of T cell-specific protein-DNA interactions. We have also identified the nuclear matrix attachment regions (MARs) and repetitive elements associated with the CD4 gene. Two nuclear MARs, separated by a region of highly repetitive DNA, are located 5' of the gene. Another region of highly repetitive DNA exists within the third intron. We discuss the implications of our results for the developmental regulation of CD4 expression.

Animals↗

Linkages of nuclear architecture to biological and pathological control of gene expression.

Functional interrelationships between components of nuclear architecture and control of gene expression are becoming increasingly evident. There is growing appreciation that multiple levels of nuclear organization integrate the regulatory cues that support activation and suppression of genes as well as the processing of gene transcripts. The linear organization of genes and promoter elements provide the potential for responsiveness to physiological regulatory signals. Parameters of chromatin structure and nucleosome organization support synergism between activities at independent regulatory sequences and render promoter elements accessible or refractory to transcription factors. Association of genes, transcription factors, and the machinery for transcript processing with the nuclear matrix facilitates fidelity of gene expression within the three-dimensional context of nuclear architecture. Mechanisms must be defined that couple nuclear morphology with enzymatic parameters of gene expression. The recent characterization of factors that mediate chromatin remodeling and intranuclear targeting signals that direct transcription factors to subnuclear domains where gene expression occurs, reflect linkage of genetic and structural components of transcriptional control. Nuclear reorganization and aberrant intranuclear trafficking of transcription factors for developmental and tissue-specific control that occurs in tumor cells and in neurological disorders provides a basis for high resolution diagnostic and targeted therapy.

Animals↗

Matrix attachment regions enhance transcription of a downstream transgene and the accessibility of its promoter region to micrococcal nuclease.

Nuclear matrix attachment regions (MARs) are thought to influence the expression of flanking genes. In this study, we investigated the activation of genes by tobacco MARs that had previously been identified in the 5' region of the basic class I chitinase gene, CHNS0. In transgenic tobacco cells, a construct consisted of the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) fused to a beta-glucuronidase gene (uidA) with 5' MAR elements was expressed at a 10-fold higher level than a similar construct without MAR sequences. However, expression of a similar construct with 3' MARs and of a construct with a truncated (-46) 35S minimal promoter and uidA with 5' MARs was not similarly enhanced, suggesting that MARs might act by increasing the activity of downstream enhancers. Deletion analysis of the MAR sequences revealed that the function of the MARs that increased the expression of the transgene was redundant. Moreover, assays of the transient expression of transgenes suggested that MAR elements might be involved in the structure and organization of chromatin. To examine the influence of MARs on chromatin structure, we investigated the effects of micrococcal nuclease (MNase) on the DNA in the reporter gene around the MARs. Analysis of the time-course of digestion of nuclei with MNase revealed that the 35S promoter region with 5' MARs was much more sensitive to MNase than the same region without MARs, suggesting that MARs might mediate the opening of chromatin in the region of a downstream promoter, with consequent enhancement of transcription.

Chitinases↗

The Spen homolog Msx2-interacting nuclear target protein interacts with the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH8.

The nuclear matrix protein Msx2-interacting nuclear target protein (MINT) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of key transcriptional effectors in diverse signaling pathways. To further understand the function and mechanism of the MINT-mediated transcription regulation, the yeast two-hybrid system was employed to screen proteins that interact with the C-terminal fragment of MINT. From a cDNA library of human lymph nodes, a cDNA encoding the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH8 was identified. Using different truncated versions of MINT, we show that the C-terminal Spen paralog and ortholog C-terminal domain (SPOC) domain, which has been demonstrated to mediate interactions between MINT and a panel of other molecules, might be responsible for interaction between MINT and UbcH8 in yeast, as confirmed by the beta-galactosidase assay. The interaction between MINT and UbcH8 in mammalian cells was further proved by a series of biochemical assays including the mammalian two-hybrid assay, GST pull-down assay, and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Using a reporter system, we found that MINT-mediated transcription suppression was sensitive to MG132, an inhibitor of the proteosome system. These results suggest a novel mechanism of MINT-mediated transcription regulation, and might be helpful for understanding functions of MINT.

Animals↗

Nuclear proteins. II. Similarity of nonhistone proteins in nuclear sap and chromatin, and essential absence of contractile proteins from mouse liver nuclei.

High resolution SDS slab gel electrophoresis has been used to examine the distribution of nonhistone proteins (NHP) in the saline-EDTA, Tris, and 0.35 M NaCl washes of isolated mouse liver nuclei. These studies led to the following conclusions: (a) all the prominent NHP which remain bound to DNA are also present in somewhat similar proportions in the saline-EDTA, Tris, and 0.35 M NaCl washes of nuclei; (b) a protein comigrating with actin is prominent in the first saline-EDTA wash of nuclei, but present as only a minor band in the subsequent washes and on washed chromatin; (c) the presence of nuclear matrix proteins in all the nuclear washes and cytosol indicates that these proteins are distributed throughout the cell; (d) a histone-binding protein (J2) analogous to the HMG1 protein of K. V. Shooter, G.H. Goodwin, and E.W. Johns (Eur J. Biochem. 47:236-270) is a prominent nucleoplasmic protein; (e) quantitation of the major NHP indicates that they are present in a range of 2.2 X 10(5)-5.2 X 10(6) copies per diploid nucleus. Most of the electrophoretically visible NHP are probably structural rather than regulatory proteins; (f) actin, myosin, tubulin, and tropomyosin, if present at all, constitute a very minor fraction of the nuclear NHP. Contractile proteins constitute a major portion of the NHP only when the chromatin is prepared from crude cell lysates instead of from purified nuclei. These studies support the conclusion that there are no clear differences between many nucleoplasmic and chromatin-bound nonhistone proteins. Except for the histones, many of the intranuclear proteins appear to be in equilibrium between DNA, HnRNA, and the nucleoplasm.

Actins↗

Dissociation of Oct-1 from the nuclear peripheral structure induces the cellular aging-associated collagenase gene expression.

The cellular aging-associated transcriptional repressor that we previously named as Orpheus was identical to Oct-1, a member of the POU domain family. Oct-1 represses the collagenase gene, one of the cellular aging-associated genes, by interacting with an AT-rich cis-element in the upstream of the gene in preimmortalized cells at earlier population-doubling levels and in immortalized cells. In these stages of cells, considerable fractions of the Oct-1 protein were prominently localized in the nuclear periphery and colocalized with lamin B. During the cellular aging process, however, this subspecies of Oct-1 disappeared from the nuclear periphery. The cells lacking the nuclear peripheral Oct-1 protein exhibited strong collagenase expression and carried typical senescent morphologies. Concomitantly, the binding activity and the amount of nuclear Oct-1 protein were reduced in the aging process and resumed after immortalization. However, the whole cellular amounts of Oct-1 protein were not significantly changed during either process. Thus, the cellular aging-associated genes including the collagenase gene seemed to be derepressed by the dissociation of Oct-1 protein from the nuclear peripheral structure. Oct-1 may form a transcriptional repressive apparatus by anchoring nuclear matrix attachment regions onto the nuclear lamina in the nuclear periphery.

Base Sequence↗

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of snRNPs.

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) were identified in nuclear sonicates of Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells and in intact Novikoff hepatoma and PtK2 cells by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Auto-antibodies (anti-Sm and anti-RNP) obtained from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus an autoimmune disease, were used to localize snRNP particles. The Sm antibody is specific for U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6 containing snRNPs. The RNP antibody is specific for only U1 containing snRNPs. Isolated particles, 120 +/- 10 A in diameter, were found to be associated with ferritin-conjugated goat anti-human antibodies coupled to Sm antibodies. In addition, these particles (snRNPs) were occasionally associated with larger particles measuring 230 +/- 10 A in diameter which are presumed to be hnRNP particles. Double label immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy have shown Sm and RNP antibodies to colocalize in PtK2 cells. However, the perinucleolar chromatin and juxtanuclear envelope chromatin was devoid of RNP immunostaining. Therefore, U1 containing snRNPs do not appear to be in these regions. The Sm antibody localizes in a nuclear network including the perinucleolar chromatin and juxtanuclear envelope chromatin. Cells treated with the drug DRB (5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole), which inhibits hnRNA synthesis, show an altered pattern of Sm immunostaining. Such cells contain large clusters of snRNPs which do not extend to the perinucleolar chromatin or perinuclear lamina chromatin. Nuclear matrix preparations maintain an snRNP nuclear network as visualized by Sm immunofluorescence. It is notable that the size and density of the immunostained particles in the nuclear network during interphase, is similar to that of interchromatinic granules.

Animals↗

Diffusion across the nuclear envelope inhibited by depletion of the nuclear Ca2+ store.

Intact, isolated nuclei and a nuclear membrane (ghost) preparation were used to study regulation of the movement of small molecules across the Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclear membrane. In contrast to models of the nuclear pore complex, which assume passive bidirectional diffusion of molecules less than 70 kilodaltons, diffusion of intermediate-sized molecules was regulated by the nuclear envelope calcium stores. After depletion of nuclear store calcium by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate or calcium chelators, fluorescent molecules conjugated to 10-kilodalton dextran were unable to enter the nucleus. Dye exclusion after calcium store depletion was not dependent on the nuclear matrix because it occurred in nuclear ghosts lacking nucleoplasm. Smaller molecules and ions (500-dalton Lucifer yellow and manganese) diffused freely into the core of the nuclear ghosts and intact nuclei even after calcium store depletion. Thus, depletion of the nuclear calcium store blocks diffusion of intermediate-sized molecules.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Silencing Cenp-F weakens centromeric cohesion, prevents chromosome alignment and activates the spindle checkpoint.

Cenp-F is an unusual kinetochore protein in that it localizes to the nuclear matrix in interphase and the nuclear envelope at the G2/M transition; it is farnesylated and rapidly degraded after mitosis. We have recently shown that farnesylation of Cenp-F is required for G2/M progression, its localization to kinetochores, and its degradation. However, the role Cenp-F plays in mitosis has remained enigmatic. Here we show that, following repression of Cenp-F by RNA interference (RNAi), the processes of metaphase chromosome alignment, anaphase chromosome segregation and cytokinesis all fail. Although kinetochores attach to microtubules in Cenp-F-deficient cells, the oscillatory movements that normally occur following K-fibre formation are severely dampened. Consistently, inter-kinetochore distances are reduced. In addition, merotelic associations are observed, suggesting that whereas kinetochores can attach microtubules in the absence of Cenp-F, resolving inappropriate interactions is inhibited. Repression of Cenp-F does not appear to compromise the spindle checkpoint. Rather, the chromosome alignment defect induced by Cenp-F RNA interference is accompanied by a prolonged mitosis, indicating checkpoint activation. Indeed, the prolonged mitosis induced by Cenp-F RNAi is dependent on the spindle checkpoint kinase BubR1. Surprisingly, chromosomes in Cenp-F-deficient cells frequently show a premature loss of chromatid cohesion. Thus, in addition to regulating kinetochore-microtubule interactions, Cenp-F might be required to protect centromeric cohesion prior to anaphase commitment. Intriguingly, whereas most of the sister-less kinetochores cluster near the spindle poles, some align at the spindle equator, possibly through merotelic or lateral orientations.

Cell Cycle↗

Ultrastructural morphometry and the control of lymphocyte nuclear size in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a review.

Morphologic features, particularly nuclear characteristics, continue to be a major factor in the classification of the subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Information is limited or nonexistent, however, concerning the mechanisms responsible for nuclear appearance. This is particularly true for nuclear size. In determining which of the nuclear compartments--condensed chromatin or the interchromatinic (euchromatin or nuclear matrix) region--is responsible for nuclear size, ultrastructural morphometric analysis has been a useful tool. Linear regression analysis has been used to compare, in turn, condensed chromatin area (CCA) and interchromatinic area (ICA) against nuclear area (NA). Whether in normal or neoplastic lymphocytes, correlation coefficients are moderately good when CCA is matched against NA, but CCA is only a weak predictor of NA. In contrast, correlation coefficients are remarkably high for ICA compared to NA, and ICA predicts NA to the degree of 94% to 97%. This holds true for all NHLs tested and for reactive hyperplasias. Despite abnormalities in lymphocyte nuclear size in NHL, the size of any nucleus is controlled by the amount of interchromatinic material to an exceptional degree. Even so, the mechanisms responsible for major changes in nuclear volume during transformation of normal lymphocytes are apparently altered in NHL. Morphometric analysis, ultrastructurally, can assist in understanding, testing, and defining diagnostic morphologic criteria in this disease.

Cell Nucleus↗

[The mechanisms of the realization of the effect of glucocorticoids in aging].

The interaction of glycocorticoids with serum transport proteins, plasma membranes and rat liver cytoplasmic receptors progressively declines during ontogenesis, reaching its minimum at 24 months of age. Glycocorticoid receptor complexes (GRCs) binding to the rat liver nuclei and their residual fractions as well as the glycocorticoid-induced initiation of RNA-synthesis also decrease with age. The GRCs are shown to be capable of association with nuclear envelope, nuclear matrix and RNA-containing nuclear fraction isolated from the rat liver. The intracellular glycocorticoid receptor recycling requires fresh synthesis of the RNA and protein.

Aging↗

[The microelectrophoresis of the DNA in individual intact and gamma-irradiated thymocytes].

The in vitro gamma-irradiated mouse thymocytes were embedded in low melting agarose at 37 degrees C. After getting at 4 degrees C, the cells were lysed in neutral detergent solution containing proteinase K and ethidium bromide. Microscopic visualization of single lysed and stained cells showed the presence of the central "core" (nuclear matrix) surrounded with "halo" (relaxed nuclear DNA). During electrophoresis (2-5 V/sm, 5 min) this "halo" migrated towards the anode forming a "tail". The use of microdensitometric system provided measuring the size of the tail (L) and quantity of migrated DNA (S) for individual cells as well as obtaining the distribution of these parameters among the cells. The latter may be characteristic of heterogeneity of the cell population. It was shown that L and S increased linearly with the dose irradiation at least between 0.2 and and 5.0 Gy. In irradiated thymocyte (3 Gy) the DNA repair occurred within 10-20 min, but residual DNA damage could be observed even after 60 min of incubation. These damages may initiate the degradation of DNA in irradiated thymocytes that was observed after the repair of DNA.

Animals↗

The in vitro DNA-binding properties of purified nuclear lamin proteins and vimentin.

The ability of purified nuclear lamin A, lamin B, lamin C, and vimentin from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells to bind nucleic acids was investigated in vitro via a quantitative filter binding assay. At low ionic strength, vimentin bound more nucleic acid than the nuclear lamins and showed a preference for G-containing nucleic acids. Nuclear lamins A and C were quite similar in their binding properties and bound G- and C-containing nucleic acids preferentially. The binding of poly(dT) by the lamins A and C was reduced in competition experiments by both poly(dG) and poly(dC), but not by poly(dA). Lamin B bound only oligo and poly(dG); no other nucleic acids tested were bound or could compete with the binding of oligo(dG). Vimentin, lamin A, and lamin C specifically bound a synthetic oligonucleotide human (vertebrate) telomere model. The Ka for vimentin (2.7 X 10(7) M-1) was approximately 10-fold higher than those for lamin A (2.8 X 10(6) M-1) and lamin C (2.9 X 10(6) M-1). Lamin B did not bind detectable amounts of the telomere model. Washing of lamin A- and lamin C-nucleic acid complexes, formed at low ionic strength, with solutions containing 150 mM KCl resulted in the elution of 30% of bound poly(dG)12-18 and 70% of bound synthetic oligonucleotide telomere model. These results, using purified individual proteins, are in good agreement with data from competition experiments with vimentin but are at odds with data obtained previously using a crude preparation of nuclear matrix proteins containing all three nuclear lamin proteins (Comings, D. E., and Wallack, A. S. (1978) J. Cell Sci. 34, 233-246). The nuclear lamins A and C and vimentin possess nucleic acid-binding properties that might permit their binding to specific base sequences and/or unique DNA structure, such as that observed for the binding of the telomere model. The significance of the higher affinity binding of nucleic acids by the cytoplasmic protein vimentin (compared with the nuclear lamins) remains to be elucidated.

Animals↗

Clinical significance of antinuclear matrix antibody in serum from patients with anti-U1RNP antibody.

Serum containing anti-U1RNP antibodies reacts with the nuclear matrix, the relatively insoluble component of the cell nucleus, in addition to U1RNP. In this study, we determine the serum titer and clinical correlations of antinuclear matrix antibodies in samples from patients with anti-U1RNP antibodies. The patients with anti-U1RNP antibodies were classified as having mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD, 15 patients), systemic sclerosis (SSc, 12 patients), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, 7 patients), and undifferentiated CTD (UCTD, 9 patients). Antinuclear matrix antibodies were detected using indirect immunofluorescence staining on HCl-treated HEp-2 cells. The antinuclear matrix antibody titer was significantly higher in serum from patients with MCTD or SSc than in serum from patients with SLE or UCTD. The antinuclear matrix antibody titer was significantly increased in serum from patients with sclerodactyly, pitting scars, contracture of the phalanges, and decreased carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. Thus, a higher titer of antinuclear matrix antibodies in serum from patients with anti-U1RNP antibodies may be associated with a clinical diagnosis of MCTD or SSc rather than a diagnosis of SLE or UCTD.

Adolescent↗

The transcription factor, Bright, and immunoglobulin heavy chain expression.

Bright, or B cell regulator of immunoglobulin heavy chain transcription, is a B lymphocyte-specific protein first discovered for its ability to increase immunoglobulin transcription three- to sevenfold in antigen-activated B cells. It interacts with DNA through an ARID, or A/T-rich interaction domain, and is the only member of a previously undescribed family of DNA-binding proteins for which target genes have been identified. The mechanism(s) by which Bright facilitates transcription are unknown. Several proteins that associate with Bright may shed light upon its function. These include the nuclear matrix proteins sp100 and LYSp100B, and suggest that Bright may affect chromatin configuration and nuclear sublocalization. Furthermore, Bruton's tyrosine kinase is required for Bright binding activity, suggesting links between Bright, cell signaling cascades, and X-linked immunodeficiency disease.

Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase↗

Interaction of DNA with nuclear skeleton in rat hepatocytes.

We have characterized fractions liberated from rat liver cell nuclei digested with DNase I and treated with buffers containing 0.1, 0.5 and 2 M NaCl. Analysis of DNA and proteins present in these fractions as well as in nuclear matrix, confirms the chromatin model according to which transcriptionally active loops interact differently with nuclear skeleton than inactive ones.

Animals↗

Transgene integration: use of matrix attachment regions.

Matrix attachment regions (MARs) are operationally defined as DNA elements that bind specifically to the nuclear matrix in vitro. When MARs are positioned at the 5'- and 3'-ends of a transgene higher more predictable expression of the transgene results. MARs are increasingly being applied to prevent unwanted transgene silencing, which is especially common when direct DNA transformation methods are used. This chapter describes methods for the isolation of MARs and the subsequent methods allowing the investigator to incorporate MARS into transformation strategies that can both improve transformation frequency and result in predictable, stable expression of the transgenic trait.

Biolistics↗