Ultrastructural distribution of nuclear ribonucleoproteins as visualized by immunocytochemistry on thin sections

The ultrastructural distribution of nuclear ribonucleoproteins (RNP) has been investigated by incubation of thin sections of mouse or rat liver, embedded in Lowicryl K4M or prepared by cryoultramicrotomy, with antibodies specific for RNP. The antibodies were localized by means of a protein A-colloidal gold complex. Anti-small nuclear (sn)RNP antibodies, specific for determinants of the nucleoplasmic snRNP species containing U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 RNAs, were found associated preferentially with perichromatin fibrils, interchromatin granules, and coiled bodies. This indicates an early association of snRNP with structural constituents containing newly synthesized heterogeneous nuclear RNA. It also suggests a possible structural role of some snRNPs in nuclear architecture. Antibodies against the core proteins of heterogeneous nuclear RNP particles associate preferentially with the border regions of condensed chromatin, and in particular with perichromatin fibrils and some perichromatin granules. These results are discussed in view of recent knowledge about the possible role of nucleoplasmic RNP-containing components in the functions of the cell nucleus.     

Ultrastructural studies of H-1 parvovirus replication. II. Induced changes in the deoxyribonucleoprotein and ribonucleoprotein components of human NB cell nuclei.

Ultrastructural changes in the nuclear DNP and RNP components of human NB cells induced by synchronous infection with H-1 parvovirus were studied using Bernhard's EDTA method of staining. Early events (12 h after infection) occurred in the nucleolus. Chromatin within the nucleolar fibrous centers condensed thereby converting the centers to vacuoles. DNP associated with the granular nucleolonema also contracted markedly, causing a disruption of this skein-like structure; it then migrated peripherally forming a heterochromatic cortex surrounding the granular nucleolar vestige. Subsequently (24–36 h after inoculation), condensation of extranucleolar chromatin took place concurrently with the accumulation of extensive amounts of interchromatin granules in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Conglomerates of perichromatin fibrils and interchromatin granules were frequently juxtapposed to the condensing chromatin. Large clumps of interchromatin granules were also closely associated with fragmenting nucleoli, and the apparent transformation of nucleolar granules into interchromatin granules was observed. Accumulation of H-1 protein on chromatin evidently fostered its condensation resulting in the pathology described.     

Fine structural organization of a non-reticulate plant cell nucleus

We studied the fine structural organization of the meristematic nucleus in roots of Lycopesicon esculentum (tomato) using ultracytochemical and immunocytochemical approaches. The nucleus has a non-reticulate (i.e. low DNA content) structure whose supramolecular organization differs in some respects from that in reticulate nuclei, principally in the organization of the chromocentres associated with the nuclear envelope, with which centromeric structures appear to be associated. The main difference at the nucleolar level is found in the fibrillar centres, which have a low amount of DNA labelling and in which inclusions of condensed chromatin are present only very rarely. The distribution of nucleolar DNA amongst the nucleolar compartments is similar to that in reticulate nucleoli as demonstrated using an anti-DNA monoclonal antibody. Tomato nuclei have nucleolus-associated bodies or karyosomes, like other plant species with a low DNA content and non-reticulate nuclear organization. The nuclear ribonucleoprotein structures in the inter- and perichromatin regions, namely inter- and perichromatin fibrils and granules, show similar ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics in both types of nuclei.Abbreviations NAC nucleolus associated chromatin - CES centromeric structures - NOR nucleolar organizing region - NAB nucleolus associated body - IG interchromatin granules - RNP ribonucleoprotein - Mab monoclonal antibody by M.F. Trendelenburg     

Cryoelectron microscopy of vitrified sections: a new challenge for the analysis of functional nuclear architecture

Cryoelectron microscopy of vitrified sections has become a powerful tool for investigating the fine structural features of cellular compartments. In the present study, this approach has been applied in order to explore the ultrastructural morphology of the interphase nucleus in different mammalian cultured cells. Rat hepatoma, Chinese hamster ovary and Potorus kidney cells were cryofixed by high-pressure freezing and the cryosections were examined at low temperature by transmission electron microscopy. Our results show that while the contrast of nuclear structural domains is remarkably homogeneous in hydrated sections, some of them can be recognised due to their characteristic texture. Thus, condensed chromatin appears finely granular and the perichromatin region contains rather abundant fibro-granular elements suggesting the presence of dispersed chromatin fibres and of perichromatin fibrils and granules. The interchromatin space looks homogeneous and interchromatin granules have not been identified under these preparative conditions. In the nucleolus, the most striking feature is the granular component, while the other parts of the nucleolar body, which appear less contrasted, are difficult to resolve. The nuclear envelope is easily recognisable with its regular perinuclear space and nuclear pore complexes. Our observations are discussed in the context of results obtained by other, more conventional electron microscopic methods.     

Ultrastructural and morphometrical analyses of the brown adipocyte nucleus in a hibernating dormouse

Summary— The fine morphology, size, and perichromatin granule frequency were analysed in brown adipocyte nuclei from hibernating, arousing, and euthermic dormice, Muscardinus avellanarius. Unusual nuclear structural constituents such as nuclear amorphous bodies, coiled body-like constituents and bundles of nucleoplasmic filaments were described as typical of hibernating nuclei. Morphometrical findings showed significant difference in total nuclear and nucleolar size in the three physiological conditions investigated as well as decreasing frequency of perichromatin granules in nuclei of hibernating to euthermic animals. A possible involvement of these granules in the intranuclear transport or storage of pre-mRNA is discussed in the context of other experimental evidence.     

Further cytochemical studies on the perichromatin granules

Summary The perichromatin granules were studied in hepatocytes of experimental rats injected with cycloheximide because the increased number of these nuclear components after such treatment facilitated their cytochemical investigation. Most perichromatin granules were sensitive to the digestion with pepsin and ribonuclease. In contrast, small population of perichromatin granules was resistent to such digestion under conditions which remove known RNA containing components such as ribosomes, nucleolar RNP components and interchromatin granules. The size of these resistent perichromatin granules was reduced and they consisted of filaments the width of which was similar to that of filaments in the chromatin. Moreover, a small population of perichromatin granules was sensitive to the digestion with pepsin and deoxyribonuclease. The size of these granules was only slightly reduced. All these observations indicate that most perichromatin granules contain the RNA and some the DNA. A possibility also exists that the perichromatin granules might contain both RNA and DNA but in various proportions. In addition, partial digestion with pepsin followed by a complete digestion with ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease removed perichromatin granules as well as other nucleoprotein structures. On the other hand, such digestion facilitated the visualization of the nuclear and cytoplasmic skeleton (matrix) in situ.Dedicated to the memmory of Dr. W. Bernhard     

The effects of zinc chloride on the RNP structures in HEp-2 cells: accumulation of perichromatin granules

The effects of zinc on the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) constituents of HEp-2 cells have been analyzed. Pulse-chase autoradiographic experiments show a preferential inhibition of nucleolar RNA synthesis and a block in the transport of nucleolar and extranucleolar RNA in zinc-treated cells. Concomitantly with the disturbance in RNA metabolism and in protein synthesis, nucleolar condensation, accumulation of perichromatin granules and fibrils, condensation of interchromatin fibrils, and appearance of dense granular bodies occur. Accumulation of perichromatin fibrils and condensation of interchromatin fibrils appear to be related to the block in the transport of heterogeneous nuclear RNA. Depletion of certain proteins required for the assembly of RNP particles could share in the abnormal behavior of RNA and lead to the accumulation of perichromatin granules and the appearance of dense granular bodies.     

Fate of the nucleolar vacuole during resumption of cell cycle in pea cotyledonary buds

Summary Meristematic cells of pea cotyledonary buds blocked in G_0–1 state contain a small nucleolus with a large central clear area surrounded by a fibrillar rim. The nucleolar structure varies according to the cell cycle from the G_0–1-blocked state until the first mitoses occurring between 24 and 27h after removal of the main stem. In order to better identify and understand the role of the central area in the nucleolar function, its content was investigated by cytochemical and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-immunogold methods. The central area showed the characteristics of a vacuole commonly constituted of the condensed chromatin, ribonucleoprotein granules, and lack of argyrophilic proteins. 3 h after decapitation, a thickening of the fibrillar rim occurred, accompanied by an increase of granules in the vacuole. After 6h, the unique vacuole broke up into two to four small vacuoles in which the granules are more abundant. After 12 h the nucleolus acquired compact structure with few minute vacuoles dispersed over the fibrillar component. During the whole cell cycle, the condensed chromatin is always observed in the vacuole. Our findings suggest that the appearance of the vacuoles is subsequent to the output of preribosomes from nucleolus. These vacuoles might play a role in condensation and decondensation of the chromatin.     

A comparative study of chromatin from lymphocyte nuclei upon activation of transcription by irradiation from an He-Ne-laser or phytohemagglutinin]

The influence of He-Ne laser radiation (632.8 nm, 56 J/m2, t = 10 s) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA, 2 micrograms/ml) on chromatin structure in human lymphocytes was studied by electron microscopy using ultrathin cell sections. Morphometric analysis of extranuclear condensed chromatin masses was performed 1 h after the irradiation or after the beginning of PHA treatment. In the irradiated cells the following insignificant changes were revealed: decrease in the relative area of the nucleoplasmic chromatin, increase in the relative area of decondensation zones as well as increase in the number of clumps of nucleoplasmic chromatin and relative length at their boundary with nucleoplasma. The tendency of these morphological changes may be interpreted as functional activation of extranucleolar RNA synthesis in response to irradiation by red laser light. Action of PHA results in significant changes of the surfaces of chromatin clumps, namely increase in relative length of nucleoplasmic chromatin boundary and decrease in relative length of perimembranous chromatin boundary with nucleoplasma as well as some less expressed delamination of the chromatin masses from the nuclear membrane. These essential changes may reflect chromatin activation by proliferative stimulus. Peculiarities of the ultrastructural reorganisation in the condensed chromatin after irradiation and PHA-treatment probably reflect the differences in the processes of gene activation caused by the two agents.     

Ultrastructural detection of nucleic acids within heat shock-induced perichromatin granules of HeLa cells by cytochemical and immunocytological methods

The perichromatin granules (PGs) are enigmatic structures of the cell nucleus. The major drawbacks for a biological study are their rare occurrence and their small size in normal conditions.As heat shock has been shown to increase their number, we applied a hyperthermal shock on HeLa cells to investigate the nucleic acid content of PGs by means of cytochemical and immunocytological approaches. These heat shock-induced PGs (hsiPGs) appeared as clusters organized in the form of honeycomb structures and were always associated with some blocks of condensed chromatin, such as the perinucleolar chromatin shell. A stalk connecting the hsiPG to the chromatin could be observed.For the detection of RNA, we applied an immunocytological method involving two anti-RNA antibodies and quantified the gold labelling obtained. The results clearly revealed that hsiPGs contained RNA.Regarding to the detection of DNA, we used three different methods followed by quantitative analyses. The results seemed to indicate that a small amount of DNA was present in hsiPGs.Together, these findings suggest that hsiPGs might be RNP structures associated with particular regions of DNA.     

Effects of galactoflavin-induced riboflavin deficiency upon rat hepatic cell ultrastructure.

The primary cytoplasmic effect of galactoflavin-induced riboflavin deficiency upon rat liver cells involved focal sites of degradation which were manifested by the formation of membranous whorls. The nuclear effect of riboflavin deficiency concerned fluctuations in the total number of perichromatin granules per nucleus. These granules increased in number during the deficiency reaching a peak at three weeks. Nucleoli appeared compact with no evidence for segregation of nucleolar components. The possible correlation between increased synthesis of perichromatin granules and altered protein synthesis is discussed.