Dimerization properties of a Xenopus laevis kinesin-II carboxy-terminal stalk fragment

We have analysed the structural and physical properties of the carboxy-terminal stalk region of a kinesin-II, Xenopus kinesin-like protein 3A/B (Xklp3A/B), which we showed to be essential for heterodimerization in a previous work (De Marco et al., 2001). We expressed the corresponding A-stalk and B-stalk fragments and investigated their modes of interaction by analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), circular dichroism spectroscopy, denaturation assays and electron microscopy. Co-expression of the A-stalk and B-stalk produced the properly folded, hetero-dimeric coiled coil at high yields. The dimeric nature of the complex was confirmed by AUC. We also found that the isolated A-stalk fragment forms a stable helix by itself and shows a significant tendency towards homodimer and higher-order complex formation. In the absence of the corresponding A-stalk fragment, the isolated B-stalk fragment remains partially unfolded, which suggests that the A-stalk provides a template structure for the B-stalk in order to recompose the complete heterodimeric coiled coil.     

FGF3 from Xenopus laevis.

Fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) was first identified as the product of a cellular oncogene activated by mouse mammary tumour virus but its normal role appears to be in the developing embryo. To gain further insights into its function, we have isolated sequences encoding the FGF3 homologue in Xenopus laevis, XFGF3. COS-1 cells transfected with XFGF3 cDNA express a 31 kDa product, p31, generated by signal peptide cleavage and Asn-linked glycosylation at the single consensus site. This product is secreted and becomes associated with the cell surface and extracellular matrix. Proteolytic cleavage of p31 in the extracellular compartment results in an amino-terminally truncated product, p27, that is also glycosylated. Both p31 and p27 bind quantitatively to heparin-Sepharose and can be displaced from the cell surface and extracellular matrix by soluble heparin. Conditioned medium containing these two proteins is capable of inducing transient morphological transformation of NIH3T3 cells and of stimulating DNA synthesis in quiescent C57MG and BALB/MK cells which express different isoforms of FGF receptors 1 and 2. Since XFGF3 behaves very differently from its mouse counterpart, we constructed chimeras in which amino-terminal sequences from XFGF3 were fused with carboxy-terminal sequences from mouse FGF3. Increasing the contribution from mouse FGF3 led to a more restricted host range for the chimeric ligand.     

Aquaporin 3 cloned from Xenopus laevis is regulated by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is essential for epithelial electrolyte transport and has been shown to be a regulator of epithelial Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-) channels. CFTR also enhances osmotic water permeability when activated by cAMP. This was detected initially in Xenopus oocytes and is also present in human airway epithelial cells, however, the mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we show that CFTR activates aquaporin 3 expressed endogenously and exogenously in oocytes of Xenopus laevis. The interaction requires stimulation of wild type CFTR by cAMP and an intact first nucleotide binding domain as demonstrated for other CFTR-protein interactions.     

Recombinant DNA formation in a cell-free system from Xenopus laevis eggs

A cell-free system is described which formed very high levels of recombinant DNA structures in 4 hr at 26°C. It consisted of a single fraction of a high speed supernatant prepared from an extract of unfertilized eggs of the frog Xenopus laevis. This fraction eluted at 0.16?0.18 M Tris homogenization buffer from a DEAE-cellulose column. When two partially homologous supercoiled DNA molecules of different contour lengths were incubated simultaneously in this system, high levels of heterologous figure eight DNA structures were formed and observed by electron microscopy. Subsequent cleavage of the newly formed figure eight structures with Bam HI and Eco RI restriction endonucleases gave rise to “α structures” and “χ structures.” The observed figure eight structures presumably represent the recombination intermediate predicted by the Holliday model for genetic recombination.     

Expression of cloned aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Sense mRNA coding for bovine adrenal medulla aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) was expressed following microinjection into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The expressed enzyme activity was stereoselective for L-5-hydroxytryptophan and L-DOPA and blocked by NSD-1015 an inhibitor of AADC. Heating the expressed enzyme at 55 degrees C resulted in a parallel loss of activity towards both substrates. Our findings are consistent with the prevailing notion that a single enzyme is able to decarboxylate both substrates in vivo.     

Purification and multimer formation of allurin, a sperm chemoattractant from Xenopus laevis egg jelly

Allurin, a sperm chemoattractant isolated from Xenopus laevis egg jelly, can be purified in one step from an extract of diffusible jelly proteins ("egg water") using a FPLC or HPLC anion exchange column and a multi-step NaCl gradient. Allurin homomultimers were detected by Western blotting with antibodies prepared against the purified protein or peptides within the protein. Allurin multimers were stable and resisted dissociation by SDS and beta-mercaptoethanol. Alkylation of allurin provided evidence for two free sulfhydryl groups but did not eliminate multimer formation, suggesting that intermolecular disulfide bond formation is not required for allurin aggregation. Concentration of egg water was accompanied by a reduction of chemoattractant activity that could not be fully accounted for by homomultimer formation. Rather, the presence of a multiphasic dose-activity curve upon partial purification and formation of hetero-allurin complexes during concentration suggested that egg water may contain allurin-binding proteins that reduce multimer formation and activity.     

A mesoderm-inducing factor from a Xenopus laevis cell line

Summary We have compared the chemical properties and biological activities of the mesoderm-inducing factor that is secreted by the Xenopus XTC cell line with the vegetalizing factor from chicken embryos. The inducing activity of the factors was tested in different concentrations on totipotent ectoderm either by implantation into early gastrulae of Triturm alpestris or by application of solutions to isolated ectoderm of early gastrulae of Xenopus laevis. Both factors have similar properties. They are not irreversibly inactivated after treatment with 6 M urea or with phenol at 60° C. Reduction with thioglycolic acid inactivates the factors completely. The inducing activity of XTC-conditioned medium decreases only slightly after treatment with 50% formic acid. The apparent molecular mass and the isoelectric point of the factors are similar. The XTC factor was partially purified by size-exclusion and reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and by isoelectric focusing. The possible relationship of these factors to transforming growth factor is discussed.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Sulo Toivonen on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Dose and time-dependent mesoderm induction and outgrowth formation by activin A in Xenopus laevis.

We examined the quality of mesoderm induced by the action of activin A on the Xenopus presumptive ectoderm when various concentrations and treatment times were employed. The minimum concentration of activin A to induce mesodermal tissues was inversely proportional to its treatment time. The explants differentiated into different types of mesodermal tissues, from ventral-type to dorsal-type depending on the concentration of activin A and its treatment time. To confirm whether activin A has a role in establishing axial organization, activin A was injected into the blastocoel of late blastulae. About 70% of the injected embryos formed secondary tail-shaped outgrowths in which muscle and neural tube differentiated. The amount of activin A to form secondary outgrowths was 0.5-2.5 pg, roughly consistent with the amount estimated from in vitro experiments. As we have detected almost the same amount of activin homologue in the early embryos (Asashima et al., 1991a), we speculate that activin A may be the natural mesodermal inducer, and that it is responsible for establishing axial organization in the Xenopus embryo.     

Enolase isoenzymes in adult and developing Xenopus laevis and characterization of a cloned enolase sequence.

As part of a study of glycolysis during early development we have examined the pattern of expression of enolase isoenzymes in Xenopus laevis. In addition, the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone coding for the complete amino acid sequence of one enolase gene (ENO1) in X. laevis was determined. X. laevis ENO1 shows highest homology to mammalian non-neuronal enolase. Analysis of enolase isoenzymes in X. laevis by non-denaturing electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips revealed five isoenzymes. One form was present in all tissues tested, two additional forms were expressed in oocytes, embryos, adult liver and adult brain, and two further forms were restricted to larval and adult muscle. Since enolase is a dimer, three different monomers (gene products) could account for the observed number of isoenzymes. This pattern of enolase isoenzyme expression in X. laevis differs from that of birds and mammals. In birds and mammals the most acidic form is neuron-specific and there is only one major isoenzyme expressed in the liver. RNAase protection experiments showed the presence of ENO1 mRNA in oocytes, liver and muscle, suggesting that it codes for a non-tissue-restricted isoenzyme. ENO1 mRNA concentrations are high in early oocytes, decrease during oogenesis and decrease further after fertilization. Enolase protein, however, is maintained at high concentrations throughout this period.     

A novel peptide designated PYLa and its precursor as predicted from cloned mRNA of Xenopus laevis skin

A variety of peptides closely related to mammalian hormones and neurotransmitters are secreted from amphibian skin. Using cDNA clones of mRNA isolated from skin of Xenopus laevis, we have been searching for precursors of some of these constituents. Here we present the sequences of parts of cloned mRNAs which code for precursors of a novel peptide. In the predicted polypeptides, pairs of basic residues flank a sequence of 25 amino acids terminating with glycine, the signal for the formation of a terminal amide. The predicted final product liberated from these precursors would be a peptide comprised of 24 amino acids starting with tyrosine and ending with leucine amide, which has therefore been designated PYLa. This peptide can form an amphipathic helix similar to that found in peptides with cytotoxic, bacteriostatic and/or lytic properties.     

Aster formation in eggs of Xenopus laevis. Induction by isolated basal bodies

We have assayed various materials for their ability to induce aster formation by microinjection into unfertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis. We have found that purified basal bodies from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Tetrahymena pyriformis induce the formation of asters and irregular cleavage furrows within 1 h after injection. Other microtubule structures such as flagella, flagellar axonemes, cilia, and brain microtubules are completely ineffective at inducing asters or cleavage furrows in unfertilized eggs. When known amounts of sonicated Tetrahymena and Chlamydomonas preparations are injected into unfertilized eggs, 50% of the injected eggs show a furrowing response at approximately 3 cell equvalents for Chlamydomonas and 0.1 cell equivalent for Tetrahymena. These results are close to those expected if basal bodies were the effective astral-inducing agent in these cells. Other materials effective at inducing asters in unfertilized eggs, such as crude brain nuclei, sperm, and a particulate fraction from brain known to induce parthenogenesis in eggs of Rana pipiens, probably contain centrioles as the effective agent. Our experiments provide the first functional assay to indicate that centrioles play an active role in aster initiation. None of the injected materials effective in unfertilized eggs produced any observable response in fully grown oocytes. Oocytes and eggs were found to have equal tubulin pools as judged by colchicine-binding activity. Therefore, the inability of oocytes to form asters cannot be due to a lack of an organizing center or to a lack of tubulin. Experiments in which D2O was found to stimulate aster-like fibrous areas in eggs but not oocytes suggest that the inability of oocytes to form asters may be due to an inability of tubulin in oocytes to assemble.     

Properties of a cytostatic factor from Xenopus laevis eggs.

The cytoplasm of mature eggs of Xenopus laevis was found to contain a cytostatic factor (CSF) which induces cleavage arrest at metaphase when microinjected into one blastomere of a two-cell embryo of Xenopus laevis or Rana pipiens. The Rana CSF was found to be incapable of arresting mitosis in Xenopus embryos. Both Xenopus and Rana CSF were stabilized during the transfer procedure by Ca²⁺-chelation in the donor egg. The Xenopus CSF was not present in the germinal vesicle of immature oocytes, but arose in the cytoplasm at the time of germinal vesicle breakdown and subsequently disappeared at the time of fertilization or egg activation.     

Purification of a calcium dependent ribonuclease from Xenopus laevis.

We have purified a Ca2+ dependent ribonuclease from the oocytes of Xenopus leavis. Two properties of this ribonuclease set it apart from other known nucleases. First, Ca2+ was required for ribonuclease activity, and Mg2+ would not substitute. Second, the enzyme specifically degraded RNA and digestion of double or single stranded DNA was not observed. Ca2+ dependent ribonuclease activity of the purified 36-kDa protein was directly observed after renaturation of the protein following electrophoresis in an SDS-Laemmli gel. In addition, the enzyme was shown to have endoribonuclease activity at numerous sites. The Ca2+ dependence suggests that the ribonuclease activity may be modulated by changes in the level of intracellular Ca2+ and thereby provide a direct link to signal transduction systems.     

The Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase isoenzymes of Xenopus laevis: purification, identification of a heterodimer and differential heat sensitivity

The three Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase electromorphs of the amphibian Xenopus laevis were purified by an original procedure. N-terminal sequence analysis demonstrated that they are two different homodimers (AA and BB) and a hybrid heterodimer (AB), arising from the co-expression of duplicated genes. The three forms have the same pI, same enzyme activity and EPR spectra, but different heat-sensitivity, form BB being more resistant than form AA, with form AB showing intermediate sensitivity. Thermostability of BB and the control bovine enzyme was enhanced by a tenfold increase in protein concentration. It is suggested that the higher heat sensitivity of the AA isoenzyme is related to the presence of an extra Cys residue and to an easier dissociation of the protein dimer into monomers.