Reovirus major capsid protein expressed in Escherichia coli

A DNA copy of the open reading frame of the S4 gene of reovirus type 3 was cloned into a temperature-regulated bacterial expression vector. Induction at 42 degrees C resulted in the synthesis of a polypeptide that comigrated with virion capsid protein sigma 3 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reacted with sigma 3-specific antisera. The protein was expressed in bacteria as insoluble aggregates that accumulated in polar inclusion bodies. Aggregated product also resulted when the expression system was manipulated to induce bacterial sigma 3 (b sigma 3) synthesis at temperatures below 42 degrees C. Various methods used to solubilize b sigma 3 did not yield the monomeric protein. The results indicate that sigma 3, the major surface component of reovirions, is expressed in transfected Escherichia coli as an aggregated, disulfide cross-linked protein.     

Monoclonal antibodies specific for adenovirus early region 1A proteins: extensive heterogeneity in early region 1A products

Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies specific for the adenovirus early region 1A (E1A) proteins were prepared from BALB/c mice immunized with a bacterial trpE-E1A fusion protein. This protein is encoded by a hybrid gene that joins a portion of the Escherichia coli trpE gene and a cDNA copy of the E1A 13S mRNA (Spindler et al., J. Virol. 49:132-141, 1984). Eighty-three hybridomas that secrete antibodies which recognize the immunogen were isolated and single cell cloned. Twenty-nine of these antibodies are specific for the E1A portion of the fusion protein. Only 12 of the monoclonal antibodies can efficiently immunoprecipitate E1A polypeptides from detergent lysates of infected cells. E1A polypeptides were analyzed on one-dimensional, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and two-dimensional, isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gels. The E1A proteins that are specifically immunoprecipitated by the monoclonal antibodies are heterogeneous in size and charge and can be resolved into approximately 60 polypeptide species. This heterogeneity is due not only to synthesis from multiple E1A mRNAs, but also at least in part to post-translational modification. Several of the monoclonal antibodies divide the E1A polypeptides into immunological subclasses based on the ability of the antibodies to bind to the antigen. In particular, two of the monoclonal antibodies bind to the polypeptides synthesized from the 13S E1A mRNA, but not to other E1A proteins.     

Reovirus variants selected during persistent infections of L cells contain mutations in the viral S1 and S4 genes and are altered in viral disassembly.

Reoviruses isolated from persistently infected cultures (PI viruses) can grow in the presence of ammonium chloride, a weak base that blocks acid-dependent proteolysis of viral outer-capsid proteins during viral entry into cells. We used reassortant viruses isolated from crosses of wild-type (wt) reovirus strain, type 1 Lang, and three independent PI viruses, L/C, PI 2A1, and PI 3-1, to identify viral genes that segregate with the capacity of PI viruses to grow in cells treated with ammonium chloride. Growth of reassortant viruses in ammonium chloride-treated cells segregated with the S1 gene of L/C and the S4 gene of PI 2A1 and PI 3-1. The S1 gene encodes viral attachment protein sigma1, and the S4 gene encodes outer-capsid protein sigma3. To identify mutations in sigma3 selected during persistent reovirus infection, we determined the S4 gene nucleotide sequences of L/C, PI 2A1, PI 3-1, and four additional PI viruses. The deduced amino acid sequences of sigma3 protein of six of these PI viruses contained a tyrosine-to-histidine substitution at residue 354. To determine whether mutations selected during persistent infection alter cleavage of the viral outer capsid, the fate of viral structural proteins was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after treatment of virions of wt and PI viruses with chymotrypsin in vitro. Proteolysis of PI virus outer-capsid proteins sigma3 and mu1C occurred with faster kinetics than proteolysis of wt virus outer-capsid proteins. These results demonstrate that mutations in either the S1 or S4 gene alter acid-dependent disassembly of the reovirus outer capsid and suggest that increased efficiency of proteolysis of viral outer-capsid proteins is important for maintenance of persistent reovirus infections of cultured cells.     

Some properties of the nickel-containing hydrogenase of chemolithotrophically grown Rhizobium japonicum.

The uptake hydrogenase of chemolithotrophically grown Rhizobium japonicum was purified to apparent homogeneity with a final specific activity of 69 mumol of H2 oxidized per min per mg of protein. The procedure included Triton extraction of broken membranes and DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-200 chromatographies. The purified protein contained two polypeptides separable only by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They comigrated on native polyacrylamide gels and sucrose density gradients. The molecular weights were ca. 60,000 and 30,000. Densitometric scans of the sodium dodecyl sulfate gels indicated a molar ratio of 1.03 +/- 0.03. Antiserum was developed against the 60-kilodalton polypeptide for use in hydrogenase detection by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antiserum did not cross-react with the 30-kilodalton polypeptide. Native gel electrophoresis of Triton-extracted cells grown in the presence of 63Ni showed comigration of the hydrogenase and radioactive Ni.     

Proteins Associated with Adaptation of Cultured Tobacco Cells to NaCl

Cultured tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Wisconsin 38) adapted to grow in medium containing high levels of NaCl or polyethylene glycol (PEG) produce several new or enhanced polypeptide bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The intensities of some of the polypeptide bands (molecular weights of 58, 37, 35.5, 34, 26, 21, 19.5, and 18 kilodaltons) increase with increasing levels of NaCl adaptation, while the intensities of other polypeptide bands (54, 52, 17.5, and 16.5 kilodaltons) are reduced. Enhanced levels of 43- and 26-kilodalton polypeptides are present in both NaCl and PEG-induced water stress adapted cells but are not detectable in unadapted cells. In addition, PEG adapted cells have enhanced levels of 29-, 17.5-, 16.5-, and 11-kilodalton polypeptides and reduced levels of 58-, 54-, 52-, 37-, 35.5-, 34-, 21-, 19.5-, and 18-kilodalton polypeptide bands.

Synthesis of 26-kilodalton polypeptide(s) occurs at two different periods during culture growth of NaCl adapted cells. Unadapted cells also incorporate ³⁵S into a 26-kilodalton polypeptide during the later stage of culture growth beginning at midlog phase. The 26-kilodalton polypeptides from adapted and unadapted cells have similar partial proteolysis peptide maps and are immunologically cross-reactive. During adaptation to NaCl, unadapted cells synthesize and accumulate a major 26-kilodalton polypeptide, and the beginning of synthesis corresponds to the period of osmotic adjustment and culture growth. From our results, we suggest an involvement of the 26-kilodalton polypeptide in the adaptation of cultured tobacco cells to NaCl and water stress.

     

Nucleotide sequence of reovirus genome segment S3, encoding non-structural protein sigma NS.

This report describes the complete nucleotide sequence of human reovirus (Dearing strain) genome segment S3. Previous studies indicated that this RNA encodes the major non-structural viral polypeptide sigma NS, a protein that binds ssRNAs (Huisman & Joklik, Virology 70, 411-424, 1976) and has a poly(C)-dependent poly(G) polymerase activity (Gomatos et al., J. Virol. 39, 115-124, 1981). The genome segment consists of 1,198 nucleotides and possesses an open reading frame that extends 366 codons from the first AUG triplet (residues 28-30). There is no significant sequence homology between the plus strand of genome segment S3 and that of genome segment S2 determined previously (Cashdollar et al., PNAS 79, 7644-7648, 1982). However, S3 RNA has significant dyad symmetry and regions that can potentially hybridize (delta G = -26 KCal/mole) with S2 RNA. From the predicted amino acid sequence a possible secondary structure for sigma NS protein was determined. Structural features of reovirus RNA and sigma NS are discussed in relation to their role(s) in viral genome assembly.     

Identification and initial characterization of a new low-molecular-weight virus-encoded T antigen in a line of simian virus 40-transformed cells.

SV80 cells, a simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed derivative of a strain of human fibroblasts, synthesize an 8-kilodalton anti-T reactive polypeptide in addition to large T and small t antigens. Although not observed during lytic infection carried out under a variety of conditions, an anti-T reactive molecule which comigrated with the SV80 8-kilodalton protein during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was synthesized by one of five other SV40-transformed cell lines studied. The SV40 8-kilodalton protein was present in lysates of cells exposed to a brief pulse of radioactive methionine and did not accumulate during an extended chase period. This polypeptide could not by generated by mixing an unlabeled extract of SV80 cells with a labeled extract of infected monkey cells. The 8-kilodalton molecule reacts with antibody raised against homogeneous large T antigen, is present only in the cytoplasm, is not complexed with T, lacks DNA-binding properties, and is not phosphorylated. This protein could be translated in a cell-free system programmed by SV40-specific mRNA. At least two messenger species (approximately 19S and approximately 22S) directed its synthesis. Tryptic peptide analysis of [35S]methionine-labeled proteins demonstrated that the 8-kilodalton protein contains all eight of the common T/t peptides and one additional peptide not present in the maps of t or T. It lacks both of the t-unique peptides. The organization of the integrated viral sequences which encode this molecule was determined by restriction endonuclease analysis. In particular, SV80 cells contain at least two integrated SV40 genomes which are oriented in tandem, with an intervening cellular sequence..     

Vegetative storage proteins in poplar : induction and characterization of a 32- and a 36-kilodalton polypeptide

Bark, wood, and root tissues of several Populus species contain a 32- and a 36-kilodalton polypeptide which undergo seasonal fluctuations and are considered to be storage proteins. These two proteins are abundant in winter and not detectable in summer as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunodetection. An antibody raised against the 32-kilodalton storage protein of Populus trichocarpa (T. & G.) cross-reacts with the 36-kilodalton protein of this species. The synthesis of the 32- and 36-kilodalton proteins can be induced in micropropagated plants by short-day conditions in the growth chamber. These proteins are highly abundant in structural roots, bark, and wood and combined represent >25% of the total soluble proteins in these tissues. Nitrate concentration in the leaves and nitrate uptake rate decreased dramatically when LD plants were transferred to short-day conditions; the protein content in leaves was unaffected. A decrease of the 32- and 36-kilodalton polypeptides occurs after transferring induced plants back to LD conditions. Both polypeptides are glycosylated and can be efficiently purified by affinity chromatography using concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B. The 32- and the 36-kilodalton polypeptides have identical basic isoelectric points and both consist of at least three isoforms. The storage proteins show a loss in apparent molecular mass after deglycosylation with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. It is concluded that the 32- and 36-kilodalton polypeptides are glycoforms differing only in the extent of glycosylation. The relative molecular mass of the native storage protein was estimated to be 58 kilodalton, using gel filtration. From the molecular mass and the elution pattern it is supposed that the storage protein occurs as a heterodimer composed of one 32- and one 36-kilodalton subunit. Preliminary data suggest the involvement of the phytochrome system in the induction process of the 32- and 36-kilodalton polypeptides.     

A protein kinase from wheat germ that phosphorylates the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II.

A protein kinase from wheat germ that phosphorylates the largest subunit of RNA polymerase IIA has been partially purified and characterized. The kinase has a native molecular weight of about 200 kilodaltons. This kinase utilizes Mg2+ and ATP and transfers about 20 phosphates to the heptapeptide repeats Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Ser in the carboxyl-terminal domain of the 220-kilodalton subunit of soybean RNA polymerase II. This phosphorylation results in a mobility shift of the 220-kilodalton subunits of a variety of eukaryotic RNA polymerases to polypeptides ranging in size from greater than 220 kilodaltons to 240 kilodaltons on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The phosphorylation is highly specific to the heptapeptide repeats since a degraded subunit polypeptide of 180 kilodaltons that lacks the heptapeptide repeats is poorly phosphorylated. Synthetic heptapeptide repeat multimers inhibit the phosphorylation of the 220-kilodalton subunit.     

In vivo and in vitro synthesis of adenovirus type 2 early proteins.

The synthesis of adenovirus type 2 (Ad2)-induced early polypeptides was examined in vivo and in vitro by a combination of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis alone and specific immunoprecipitation followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Analysis of total [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides synthesized in vivo at 3 h postinfection allowed us to detect in infected cells at lease 13 distinct polypeptides that are either absent or less conspicuous in extracts from mock-infected cells. These Ad2-induced early polypeptides have molecular weights ranging from 72 x 10(3) to 10.5 x 10(3) and have accordingly been designated as E72K to E10.5K. Nine of the in vivo synthesized early polypeptides can be precipitated specifically from infected cell extracts by antisera with specificity against early adenovirus proteins. In vitro translation of mRNA extracted from mock-infected cells and from Ad2-infected cells was carried out in preincubated Ehrlich ascites cell extracts. All the early Ad2-induced polypeptides identified in the extracts from infected cells labeled in vivo were also detected among the polypeptides immunoprecipitated specifically from the in vitro reaction mixtures programmed by RNA extracted at 4 h postinfection from Ad2-infected cells.     

Reovirus polypeptide sigma 3 and N-terminal myristoylation of polypeptide mu 1 are required for site-specific cleavage to mu 1C in transfected cells.

N-myristoylated viral polypeptide mu 1 was produced in COS cells transfected with a transient expression vector containing a DNA copy of the reovirus M2 gene. The mu 1 product was specifically cleaved to polypeptide mu 1C in cells that were cotransfected with the reovirus S4 gene and that expressed polypeptide sigma 3. Studies with site-specific mutants of the M2 gene demonstrated that conversion of mu 1 to mu 1C was dependent on myristoylation and the presence of the proteolytic cleavage sequence asparagine 42-proline 43 in mu 1, as well as on the presence of polypeptide sigma 3. The mu 1C product and polypeptide sigma 3 formed complexes that were immunoprecipitated by sigma 3-directed antibody, and a myristoylation-negative M2 double mutant, G2A-N42T, yielded mu 1 that did not undergo cleavage to mu 1C or bind sigma 3. However, the N42T single mutant did form immunoprecipitable complexes with sigma 3, indicating that binding can occur in the absence of cleavage. Polypeptide sigma 3 alternatively can bind double-stranded RNA and in COS cells stimulates translation of reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase mRNA translation, presumably by blocking double-stranded RNA-mediated activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha subunit kinase which inhibits the initiation of protein synthesis. Consistent with these observations and with the formation of mu 1C-sigma 3 complexes, coexpression of M2 with S4 DNA prevented the translational stimulatory effect of polypeptide sigma 3.     

Biosynthesis of storage proteins in developing rice seeds

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the starchy endosperm protein of rice (Oryza sativa L. Japonica cv Koshihikari) during seed development confirmed that storage protein begins to accumulate about 5 days after flowering. Two polypeptide groups, 22 to 23 and 37 to 39 kilodaltons, the components of glutelin, the major storage protein in rice seed, appeared 5 days after flowering. A 26-kilodalton polypeptide, the globulin component, also appeared 5 days after flowering. Smaller polypeptides (10- to 16-kilodaltons) including prolamin components, appeared about 10 days after flowering. In contrast, the levels of the 76- and 57-kilodalton polypeptides were fairly constant throughout seed development. Transmission electron microscopy and fractionation by sucrose density gradient centrifugation of the starchy endosperms at various stages of development showed that protein body type II, the accumulation site of glutelin and globulin, was formed faster than protein body type I, the accumulation site of prolamin.

The 57-kilodalton polypeptide but not the glutelin subunits was labeled in a 2-hour treatment with [¹⁴C]leucine given between 4 and 12 days after flowering to developing ears. In vivo pulse-chase labeling studies showed the 57-kilodalton polypeptide to be a precursor of the 22 to 23 and 37 to 39 kilodalton subunits. The 57-kilodalton polypeptide was salt-soluble, but the mature glutelin subunits were almost salt insoluble.

In vitro protein synthesis also showed that the mRNAs directly coding the 22 to 23 and 37 to 39 kilodalton components were absent in developing seeds and that the 57-kilodalton polypeptide was the major product. Thus, it was concluded that the two subunits of rice glutelin are formed through post-translational cleavage of the 57-kilodalton polypeptide.

     

Translational stimulation by reovirus polypeptide sigma 3: substitution for VAI RNA and inhibition of phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2.

COS cells transfected with plasmids that activate DAI depend on expression of virus-associated I (VAI) RNA to prevent the inhibitory effects of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2 alpha) kinase (DAI) and restore the translation of vector-derived dihydrofolate reductase mRNA. This VAI RNA requirement could be completely replaced by reovirus polypeptide sigma 3, consistent with its double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding activity. S4 gene transfection of 293 cells also partially restored adenovirus protein synthesis after infection with the VAI-negative dl331 mutant. In dl331-infected 293 cells, eIF-2 alpha was present mainly in the acidic, phosphorylated form, and trans complementation with polypeptide sigma 3 or VAI RNA decreased the proportion of eIF-2 alpha (P) from approximately 85 to approximately 30%. Activation of DAI by addition of dsRNA to extracts of S4 DNA-transfected COS cells required 10-fold-higher levels of dsRNA than extracts made from cells that were not producing polypeptide sigma 3. In extracts of reovirus-infected mouse L cells, the concentration of dsRNA needed to activate DAI was dependent on the viral serotype used for the infection. Although the proportion of eIF-2 alpha (P) was greater than that in uninfected cells, most of the factor remained in the unphosphorylated form, even at 16 h after infection, consistent with the partial inhibition of host protein synthesis observed with all three viral serotypes. The results indicate that reovirus polypeptide sigma 3 participates in the regulation of protein synthesis by modulating DAI and eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation.     

Message activity of influenza viral RNA.

The message activity of influenza virion RNA in the wheat germ cell-free protein-synthesizing system was investigated. RNA extracted from purified virions was found to direct the synthesis of a polypeptide that had the mobility of viral nucleocapsid protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Further characterization of the protein indicated it was not the nucleocapsid protein. No other polypeptides were detected. We conclude that influenza virion RNA is inactive as a template for the synthesis of virus-specific proteins.     

Protein inclusions produced by the entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophilus subsp. nematophilus.

The entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophilus subsp. nematophilus produces two types of intracellular inclusion bodies during in vitro culture. Large cigar-shaped inclusions (designated type 1) and smaller ovoid inclusions (designated type 2) were purified from cell lysates, using differential centrifugation in discontinuous glycerol gradients and isopycnic density gradient centrifugation in sodium diatrizoate. The inclusions, composed almost exclusively of protein, are readily soluble at high and low pH values and in the presence of cation chelators such as EDTA, anionic detergents (sodium dodecyl sulfate), or protein denaturants (urea, NaBr). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified inclusions revealed a single 26-kilodalton protein (IP-1) in type 1 inclusions and a 22-kilodalton protein (IP-2) in type 2 inclusions. Analysis of these proteins by isoelectric focusing in the presence of 8 M urea showed that IP-1 is acidic and IP-2 is neutral. Furthermore, each protein occurred in multiple forms differing slightly in isoelectric point. Other variations in peptides released by trypsin digestion, immunological properties, and amino acid composition revealed significant structural differences between IP-1 and IP-2. Kinetic studies using light microscopy, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting procedures showed that inclusion protein synthesis occurs only during the second half of exponential culture growth. Synthesis of inclusion proteins and their aggregation to form inclusions occurred concurrently. Possible functions for these abundant proteins are discussed.     

Biosynthesis of a 42-kD Polypeptide in the Cytoplasmic Membrane of the Cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans Strain R2 during Adaptation to Low CO(2) Concentration

When cells of Anacystis nidulans strain R2 grown under high CO₂ conditions (3%) were transferred to low CO₂ conditions (0.05%), their ability to accumulate inorganic carbon (C_i) increased up to 8 times. Cytoplasmic membranes (plasmalemma) isolated at various stages of low CO₂ adaptation were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. There was a marked increase of a 42-kilodalton polypeptide in the cytoplasmic membrane during adaptation; a linear relationship existed between the amount of this polypeptide and the C_i-accumulating capability of the cells. No significant changes were observed during this process in the amount of other polypeptides in the cytoplasmic membranes or in the polypeptide profiles of the thylakoid membranes, cell walls, and soluble fractions. Spectinomycin, an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis, inhibited both the increase of the 42-kilodalton polypeptide and the induction of high C_i-accumulating capability. The incorporation of [³⁵S]sulfate into membrane proteins was greatly reduced during low CO₂ adaptation. Radioautograms of the ³⁵S-labeled membrane proteins revealed that synthesis of the 42-kilodalton polypeptide in the cytoplasmic membrane was specifically activated during the adaptation, while that of most other proteins was greatly suppressed. These results suggested that the 42-kilodalton polypeptide in the cytoplasmic membrane is involved in the active C_i transport by A. nidulans strain R2 and its synthesis under low CO₂ conditions leads to high C_i-transporting activity.