Nucleolar DNA amplification inOrnithogalum endosperm

Summary ³H-thymidine autoradiography has revealed selective amplification of nucleolar DNA in the maturing endosperm ofOrnithogalum elatum Andr., a liliaceous plant. Apart from the unusually heavy³H-thymidine labelling in the nucleoli, there is recurrent production of labelled accessory nucleoli which migrate into the cytoplasm by dynamic blebbings of the nuclear envelope, presumably to boost protein biosynthesis in the endosperm cells which nourish the developing embryo.     

Nuclear and mitochondrial alterations in amebae exposed to ethidium bromide

Cultures of Amoeba proteus were exposed to ethidium bromide at concentrations ranging between 5 and 100 μg/ml for periods of up to 1 week. Samples of treated and control cells were prepared at intervals for electron microscopy. The main ultrastructural alterations were in nucleoli and in mitochondria. The nucleoli of treated cells increased in density and became spherical with more sharply defined margins than those of normal amebae. Many nucleoli contained electron-lucent regions or nucleolar vacuoles of varying size. The chromatin was unusually condensed in some amebae. Mitochondria developed a central electron-lucent region and accumulated a dense material in the matrix. Some cristae were abnormally dilated. The nuclear alterations occurred at least as early as the mitochondrial changes and were present even in cells exposed to the lower concentrations of inhibitor, in which mitochondrial changes were minimal.     

Stratification within centrifuged amoeba nuclei

Summary Two species of large, fresh water amoebae were ultracentrifuged and studied with the electron microscope. Emphasis was placed on the stratification of the nucleoplasm, including nucleoli, within the confines of the nuclear envelope during interphase. Three major strata were found in the nuclei of both amoeba species, namely the centripetal nucleoplasm, the middle chromatin stratum, and the centrifugal nucleolar mass. In the highly radioresistant A. proteus, the nucleolar mass separated into a centripetal electron-opaque layer and a centrifugal electron-lucent layer. The latter layer appears to be missing from the radiosensitive P. illinoisensis. The nature of these nucleolar layers and their possible relationship to differences in radiosensitivity between the two species of amoebae is discussed. The contents of the heavier of the two nucleolar layers in A. proteus might be resistant to radiation damage and may possess radiorestorative capacity.Work supported by U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. A part of the work was reported at the 17th Meeting of the Society of Protozoologists, Boulder, Colorado in 1964.     

Regulation of nuclear DNA synthesis in amoeba interspecific hybrids

Interspecific hybrids between A. proteus and A. indica which have different durations of nuclear S periods have been produced by reciprocal nuclear transfer after enucleating the host cells. The duration of nuclear DNA synthesis was studied in the clones of these interspecific hybrids and parental stocks by ³H-thymidine autoradiography. These studies showed that nuclear S period of the hybrids changed to that characteristic to the nuclear component of the parental cell from which the hybrid's original cytoplasm was derived. The results of these studies were interpreted as evidence for cytoplasmic regulation of the rate of chromosome replication.     

Labelling of oviduct nuclear and nucleolar proteins during estrogen induced differentiation

Summary The effect of secondary stimulation with estrogen on synthesis of nuclear and nucleolar proteins is studied in chick oviduct.Isolated nuclei and nucleoli have a protein/DNA ratio of 5.2 and 5.6, respectively. 35% of nuclear and nucleolar protein is recovered in the histone fraction after hydroxylapatite chromatography. Gel electrophoretic separations of nuclear and nucleolar nonhistones are largely similar as to visible bands and distribution of radioactivity. Nucleoli bind 1.4 times more [³H] estradiol as compared to whole nuclei.Nucleolar histones are labelled slightly more actively with [³H] leucine than nuclear histones; nucleolar nonhistones are labelled about 3 times more actively than nuclear nonhistones. An 18 hour secondary stimulation with estrogen increases the radioactivity of histones by 6-fold and that of nonhistones by 2.5-fold in whole nuclei as well as in nucleoli. Stimulation appears to increase preferentially radioactivity of nonhistones at 50 000 daltons. As this change is observed in whole nuclei and nucleoli and is not reduced with hydroxyurea, it is suggested that this may be related to a gross structural reorganisation of chromatin induced by the hormone.     

OBSERVATIONS ON SYNAPTONEMAL COMPLEXES IN PREMEIOTIC INTERPHASE OF WHEAT

Synaptonemal complexes (SCs) were found in stage 3, premeiotic (S phase) pollen mother cell (PMC) nuclei of wheat which were labeled with ³H-thymidine. Three nucleoli are present in PMC nuclei at the beginning of stage 3, premeiotic interphase (S3). During S3, nucleoli move toward the nuclear envelope and fuse to form one nucleolus near the end of the stage. PMC nuclei labeled with ³H-thymidine were serially sectioned to show that more than one nucleolus was present and that SCs were also present in these DNA synthetic nuclei. Entire S3 PMC nuclei were serially sectioned to show the presence of SCs and all three nucleoli. Entire leptotene nuclei were also serially sectioned and segments of SCs were found. It is concluded that the association of homologous chromosomes in S3 of wheat is an early step in SC formation which proceeds through leptotene and is completed in zygotene and pachytene. Thus there is evidence that the continuum of chromosome pairing in wheat starts much earlier than was once thought.     

Gibberellinsäure-stimulierte Genaktivität im Endosperm von Phaseolus

Summary Gibberellic acid, injected into maturing ovules of Phaseolus vulgaris, induces 3.2-fold enhancement of the number of additional nucleoli within the endopolyploid endosperm nuclei. The additional nucleoli originate at different sites of polytene chromosome-like chromosome bundles. They contain RNA and are sensitive to actinomycin D. Similar nucleolar bodies are extruded by the main nucleolus. It is assumed that gibberellic acid stimulates the chromosomal and nucleolar RNA synthesis, i.e., the gene activity, in the endosperm nuclei.RNA synthesis was tested by ³H-thymidine it could be seen that gibberellin-treated and gibberellin-treated endosperms were labeled, but those of actinomycin-treated endosperms were not. Using ³H-thymidine it could be seen that gibberellin-treated endosperm nuclei continue to replicate their DNA for a longer period than untreated nuclei. Hence it follows that the treated nuclei become more highly endopolyploid and are capable of functioning longer than the untreated ones.

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Mit Unterstützung durch den Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung der Republik Österreich.     

Ultrastructure of mitosis inAmoeba proteus

Summary The fine structure ofAmoeba proteus nuclei has been studied during interphase and mitosis. The interphase nucleus is discoidal, the nuclear envelope is provided with a honeycomb layer on the inside. There are numerous nucleoli at the periphery and many chromatin filaments and nuclear helices in the central part of nucleus.In prophase the nucleus becomes spherical, the numerous chromosomes are condensed, and the number of nucleoli decreases. The mitotic apparatus forms inside the nucleus in form of an acentric spindle. In metaphase the nuclear envelope loses its pore complexes and transforms into a system of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae (ERC) which separates the mitotic apparatus from the surrounding cytoplasm; the nucleoli and the honeycomb layer disappear completely. In anaphase the half-spindles become conical, and the system of ERC around the mitotic spindle persists. Electron dense material (possibly microtubule organizing centers—MTOCs) appears at the spindle pole regions during this stage. The spindle includes kinetochore microtubules attached to the chromosomes, and non-kinetochore ones which pierce the anaphase plate. In telophase the spindle disappears, the chromosomes decondense, and the nuclear envelope becomes reconstructed from the ERC. At this stage, nucleoli can already be revealed with the light microscope by silver staining; they are visible in ultrathin sections as numerous electron dense bodies at the periphery of the nucleus.The mitotic chromosomes consist of 10 nm fibers and have threelayered kinetochores. Single nuclear helices still occur at early stages of mitosis in the spindle region.     

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin by the FAK-Src complex at focal adhesions regulates cell motility

Background

The NAD⁺-dependent histone deacetylases, known as "sirtuins", participate in a variety of processes critical for single- and multi-cellular life. Recent studies have elucidated the importance of sirtuin activity in development, aging, and disease; yet, underlying mechanistic pathways are not well understood. Specific sirtuins influence chromatin structure and gene expression, but differences in their pathways as they relate to distinct chromatin functions are just beginning to emerge. To further define the range of global chromatin changes dependent on sirtuins, unique biological features of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila can be exploited. This system offers clear spatial and temporal separation of multiple whole genome restructuring events critical for the life cycle.

Results

Inhibition with nicotinamide revealed that sirtuin deacetylase activity in Tetrahymena cells promotes chromatin condensation during meiotic prophase, differentiation of heterochromatin from euchromatin during development, and chromatin condensation/degradation during programmed nuclear death. We identified a class I sirtuin, called Thd14, that resides in mitochondria and nucleoli during vegetative growth, and forms a large sub-nuclear aggregate in response to prolonged cell starvation that may be peripherally associated with nucleoli. During sexual conjugation and development Thd14 selectively concentrates in the parental nucleus prior to its apoptotic-like degradation.

Conclusions

Sirtuin activity is important for several functionally distinct events requiring global chromatin condensation. Our findings suggest a novel role for sirtuins in promoting programmed pycnosis by acting on chromatin destined for degradation. The sirtuin Thd14, which displays physiological-dependent differential localization within the nucleus, is a candidate for a chromatin condensation enzyme that is coupled to nuclear degradation.     

Nucleolar behaviour during division in the homobasidiomycetidae

Summary

The nucleoli of Oudemansiella mucida and Nolanea cetrata become disassociated from the parent chromatin during both mitosis and meiosis. Disassociation of the nucleoli from the post-meiotic nuclei at the onset of migration is taken, along with other evidence, to indicate that the third nuclear division is initiated in the basidium and completed in the basidiospores. It is postulated that the coincidence of migration and the third nuclear division arises from the inability of nucleoli to pass through the sterigmata. This view is supported by observations made by the authors on other members of the Homobasidiomycetidae.     

Fine structure and cytochemistry of the nuclei of the primitive ciliateTracheloraphis crassus (Karyorelictida)

Summary The nuclei ofTracheloraphis crassus were studied using light and electron microscopy combined with Bernhard's RNP staining and pronase digestion. The nuclear apparatus of this species consists of a longitudinal row of 11–43 macronuclei and 4–16 micronuclei. Like in all karyorelictids, the macronuclei are unable to divide and become segregated during cytokinesis; their number is supplemented in every cell cycle by differentiation of several new macronuclei from micronuclei.Each adult macronucleus contains a single compact endonuclear aggregate of several large chromocenters, readily destained with EDTA, and several RNP containing nucleoli. There is continuity between the material of the chromocenters and the decondensed DNP fibrils in the nuclear matrix. The nucleoli contain NORs in the form of fibrillar centers. The endonuclear aggregate includes also groups of RNP granules which are especially resistant to EDTA destaining. A microfibrillar sphere, usually localized at the periphery of the aggregate, contacts one or several nucleoli. The sphere is not bleached with EDTA, and only its periphery becomes digested with pronase. The macronuclear matrix consists of both protein fibrils and pronase-resistant fibrils, the latter being localized at the nuclear periphery.Developing macronuclear primordia contain loose strands of decondensed chromatin; only later they form chromocenters and nucleoli.The micronuclei reproduce by mitosis with typical chromosomes (2n=66). During interphase, they are filled with condensed chromatin which can be bleached with EDTA; they form no nucleoli. Ring-like lamellae, existing in the cavities of the chromatin mass, stain for RNA (after Bernhard) and are pronase-sensitive. These lamellae resemble the kinetochore material conserved during interphase in another karyorelictid ciliate,Trachelocerca geopetiti.     

Demonstration of a DNase-sensitive network associated with the nuclear pore complexes in rat liver nuclei

Rat liver nuclei have been studied by transmission electron microscopy after resuspension in a phosphate-buffered salt solution containing SO²⁻ ₄ as the quantitatively dominant anion. Owing to the high solubility of chromatin in the presence of SO²⁻ ₄ instead of Cl⁻ at isotonicity, nuclei are depleted for chromatin by DNase I digestion in this buffer, eliminating the need for high-salt extraction. This shows that at least 75% of the nuclear pore complexes are associated with fibrogranular structures, which ramify as a network throughout the nucleus, interconnecting the nuclear lamina, interchromatin granule clusters and nucleoli. Perichromatin granules are located in this material proximal to the nuclear pore complexes. Most of the chromatin is removed without major impact on the network, but below a level of 25% residual chromatin there is a considerable reduction of this material, and only about 15% of the connections to the nuclear pore complexes are resistant to digestion with DNase I or streptodornase A and B. The percentage of nuclear pore complexes connected to the network is further reduced by salt extraction and RNase treatment. These results suggest that DNA is an integral part of the network, which presumably plays a role in nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of RNA and protein. Received: 1 September 1998; in revised form: 17 December 1998 / Accepted: 17 December 1998     

Aluminum effects on embryo suspensor polytene chromosomes of Phaseolus coccineus L

Aluminum (Al) represents a widespread environmental pollutant, with severe toxic impacts on plants. In this study, we documented for the first time the structural and functional responses induced by two concentrations of AlCl₃ (10^?2 M and 10^?1 M) in the polytene chromosomes that characterize the chromatin organization in the embryo suspensor cells of Phaseolus coccineus. Polytene chromosomes showed signs of dose-dependent genotoxicity following AlCl₃ treatments with a significant increase in both chromatin stickiness and chromatin fragmentation. Polytene chromosomes specifically reacted to AlCl₃ also in terms of DNA and RNA puffing activity: with respect to the control, the treatments promoted ex-novo and/or inhibited puff formation along chromosome arms, suggesting a fine modulation of the differential genome activity in response to the treatments. The nuclei of suspensors from control and treated seeds showed nucleoli mainly arranged by more than one NOR-bearing chromosome. In addition, AlCl₃ treatments affected the frequency of nucleoli organized by singular organizer chromosomes, with an increase in the frequencies of nucleoli organized by chromosome II and a reduction in the frequencies of those organized by chromosomes I or V. These results confirm that, also in our system, nucleolus may react as stress response organelle.     

Electron microscopic identification of the interphase chromosomes of Amoeba proteus and Amoeba discoides using autoradiography; with some notes on helices and other nuclear components

Data obtained from light and electron microscope autoradiographs of cells of Amoeba proteus and Amoeba discoides previously incubated in medium supplemented with H³ thymidine, indicate that fibrous material, the basic unit of which is about 150 Å in diameter, represents the interphase chromosomes of these amoebae. The helices of interphase nuclei do not appear to incorporate H³ thymidine, which is in opposition to the hypothesis of Taylor (1963) that they are G₂ chromosomes, and makes it unlikely that they represent any form of the DNA-containing component of the amoeba's interphase nucleus. Stereo-electron microscopy reveals that the direction of spiralization of helices may be either left or right handed and that the direction of spiralization of a single helix can reverse. The specific location of helices and of 850 Å–1150 Å electron dense bodies suggests that they are either primary chromosome products which subdivide before entering the cytoplasm, or units for the intranuclear transportation of primary chromosome products. In each nuclear membrane pore complex one central and eight peripheral regions of dense material are found. At each of the nine points, the dense material appears to traverse the nuclear membrane.     

Relative position of nucleolar chromatin and nucleolar components in ciliate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didinium nasutum</Emphasis> somatic nuclei

According to our computer modeling data obtained earlier, nucleoli in interphase ciliates Didinium nasutum are complex netlike structures, in which the trabeculumor lamella-shaped fibrillar component is located on the periphery, and the granular component in the central part of the nucleolus. Chromatin bodies connected with nucleoli act as the nucleolar organizers in D. nasutum. In the present work, the arrangement of all chromatin bodies, which could correspond to nucleolar organizers by morphological criteria, is studied by means of a 3D-reconstruction. It is shown that all of these chromatin bodies are localized outside the nucleoli, on the fibrillar component’s periphery. Even those chromatin bodies which appeared to be completely surrounded by the fibrillar nucleolar component on single ultrathin sections are actually settled down in nucleolus cavities open to the nucleoplasm. This proves that the RNA processing in D. nasutum nucleoli is directed toward the center of nucleoli, where the granular component is located. The analysis of the nucleolar chromatin distribution made it possible to conclude that different parts of the complex interfase netlike nucleoli of D. nasutum have approximately the same activity.     

The Fine Structure of Four “Species” of Amoeba*

The fine structure of Amoeba discoides, Amoeba dubia, and Amoeba amazonas was studied and compared with that of Amoeba proteus. The different kinds of amebas showed general similarities but differed in the ultrastructural details of their organelles. With respect to fine structure, A. discoides was indistinguishable from A. proteus, while both A. dubia and A. amazonas had distinctive features. The nuclei of all had a prominent honeycomb-like fibrous lamina, but A. dubia differed from the others in the distribution of nucleoli within the nucleus. The mitochondria of A. amazonas were unusual in having a variable pattern of cristae, some being plate-like and others tubular. Golgi bodies in A. amazonas had a greater proportion of vesicles and a smaller number of cisternae than those of the others, while Golgi bodies in A. dubia had highly flattened cisternae without a lining of filamentous material such as is found in the other types. The plasma membrane of A. dubia also lacked the prominent filamentous cell coat common to A. proteus and other amebas. The relation between the Golgi apparatus and the cell coat and the significance of the degree of development of the cell coat for pinocytosis and other phenomena is considered. The experimental use of these cells, including the formation of hybrids by nuclear transplantation is discussed.     

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS BY ISOLATED PEA NUCLEOLI

A new method is described for the preparation of active, nucleus-free nucleoli and chromatin in relatively high purity and in sufficient quantities to permit biochemical and electron microscopic investigation. This method consists of disintegrating previously isolated nuclei by grinding with glass beads in an isotonic medium thus liberating structurally intact nucleoli and chromatin threads. Nucleoli and chromatin are then purified by differential centrifugation in Ficoll solutions. A study of the chemical composition, submicroscopic structure, and biological activity of the nucleolar preparation has been made. An equivalent study of the chromatin material has also been carried out in order to assess the significance of chromosomal contamination in nucleolar protein synthesis. The isolated nucleoli rapidly incorporate leucine-C¹⁴ into acid and base stable compounds in vitro. Such incorporation lasts for 20 minutes at 37°C and is enhanced by the addition of an energy-regenerating system and a complete amino acid mixture. It is independent of the nuclear Ph 5 enzymes. The bulk of the incorporated label is recovered in the residual, ribosome-like nucleolar protein fraction and a small percentage is found in the acid-extractable basic proteins. The rate of protein synthesis by isolated nucleoli is more rapid than that occurring in the chromatin fraction. This is taken as an additional proof that the nucleolus is the principal site of protein synthesis in the interphase pea nucleus.     

Fine structure of the macronucleus during the cell division cycle of Euplotes eurystomus,a Ciliate Protozoon

This paper reports new observations obtained from a study of macronuclear fine structure throughout various stages of the cell division cycle of Euplotes. Study of the ultrastructural organization of the macronuclear chromatin indicates that much of the chromatin is organized into continuous masses, portions of which appear to be attached to the nuclear envelope. The macronuclear envelope appears unchanged in the region of a replication band, and apparent attachments of the chromatin to the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope are maintained in the reticular and diffuse zones. Intranuclear helices were never observed in the diffuse zone. During macronuclear division, linear elements (fibrils or microtubules) were observed in close association with both chromatin bodies and nucleoli. The ultrastructural data suggest that the intranuclear linear fibrils have two functions: elongation of the dividing nucleus, and attachment of chromatin bodies and nucleoli to the envelope. The significance of these observations for macronuclear division and chromatin segregation is considered.     

Argyrophilic nuclear and nucleolar proteins of Xenopus laevis oocytes identified by gel electrophoresis

In order to identify argyrophilic proteins of nuclei and nucleoli, in particular those responsible for the ‘nucleolar Ag staining’ widely used in cytology, we have utilized oocytes of Xenopus laevis because of the abundance of ‘pure’ extrachromosomal nucleoli. Examination of oocytes by light and electron microscopy shows that the large extrachromosomal nucleoli are heavily stained with the Ag technique and that the Ag deposits are largely enriched in, if not exclusive to, the internal, fibrillar region. The same pattern of Ag staining in internal regions of nucleoli is observed in isolated nucleoli from which soluble nuclear proteins were removed by extensive washing. Argyrophilic proteins of isolated oocyte nuclei and purified nucleoli have been identified by reaction with AgNO₃ and formaldehyde on gel-electrophoretically separated polypeptides. Among nuclear proteins, the most prominent argyrophilia is associated with nucleoplasmin, a soluble MW 30000 phosphoprotein of the nuclear sap. In addition, four minor Ag-staining nuclear proteins have been observed. By contrast, the only strongly argyrophilic protein observed on gel electrophoresis of proteins of purified nucleoli is a high molecular weight component (apparent MW 195000) which is often resolved in a characteristic ‘pair’ of closely spaced polypeptide bands. The enrichment of this high molecular weight argyrophilic protein in isolated nucleoli and the corresponding absence of argyrophilic proteins of the nuclear sap, including nucleoplasmin, indicates that this protein contributes to the nucleolus-specific Ag staining observed in histological sections. The possible nature of this polypeptide of MW 195000 is discussed.