Differential inhibition of protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysates and wheat germ extracts by a protein isolated from wheat germ extracts.

A protein with a molecular mass of 35-37 kDa has been isolated and partially purified from the postribosomal supernatant of wheat germ by ammonium sulfate precipitation (60-90%), Sephadex G-75, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. It inhibited endogenous protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysates but had no effect on translation in wheat germ extracts. At low concentrations (0.34-1.36 ng/15 microliter assay), inhibition was limited to initiation of peptide synthesis. At higher concentrations (13.6 ng/15 microliter assay), elongation was also suppressed.     

Improved purification of pyruvate decarboxylase from wheat germ. Its partial characterisation and comparison with the yeast enzyme

An improved procedure was developed for the isolation of pyruvate decarboxylase from wheat germ. Its final step, an electrophoresis of the native apoenzyme in concave pore gradient polyacrylamide gels, followed by superficial activity-staining, produced two bands of different molecular masses and chain compositions. The high-molecular-mass band occurred in low quantity and consisted of, probably eight, apparently identical chains of Mr = 33,000, as judged from sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoreses. The low-molecular-mass band contained two types of chains with Mr alpha = 63,000-65,000 and Mr beta = 61,000-62,000. The N termini of both chains were threonine, whereas their C-terminal sequences were different: alpha, -(Val)-(Ser)-(Ala)-Leu; beta, -(His)-(Asp)-(Ala)-Ser. Their amino acid composition was too different to be compatible with our original concept of one chain being produced from the other by proteolytic shortening. Limited proteolysis by Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase yielded peptides partly identical size and partly quite different. In all properties investigated, the low-molecular-mass enzyme largely resembled yeast pyruvate decarboxylase; the holoenzyme appeared to possess (alpha beta)2 structure, the apoenzyme alpha beta. SH reagents inactivated the enzyme. Binding and fluorescence of 2-p-toluidinonaphthalene-6-sulfonate indicated a similar lipophilicity of the active site as found earlier for the yeast enzyme. 2-Hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl modification of exposed tryptophan residues left the holoenzyme intact, but in the apoenzyme it destroyed most of the cofactor-binding ability and hence the activity. The strength of cofactor binding and the maximal specific activity were found somewhat lower than in yeast pyruvate decarboxylase.     

Determination of the amounts of the protein synthesis initiation and elongation factors in wheat germ

Previous work by Browning et al. (Browning, K. S., Lax, S. R., Humphreys, J., Ravel, J. M., Jobling, S. A., and Gehrke, L. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 9630-9634) indicated that wheat germ extracts do not contain sufficient amounts of some of the protein synthesis initiation factors to obtain optimal translation of all mRNAs. In this investigation, a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the amounts of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIF) 2, 3, 4A, 4F, and (iso)4F as well as the amounts of 40 S ribosomal subunits and elongation factors (EF) 1 alpha and 2 present in wheat germ extracts. EF-1 alpha is present in the highest amount (approximately 5% of the total protein), and eIF-4F is present in the lowest amount (approximately 0.03% of the total protein). The micromolar amounts of the factors and ribosomes are as follows: EF-1 alpha, 34; EF-2, 5.2; eIF-2, 1.5; eIF-3, 0.7; eIF-4A, 3.0, eIF-4F, 0.09; eIF-(iso)4F, 0.8; and 40 S ribosomal subunits, 3.2. The molar ratios of the factors to 40 S ribosomal subunits are approximately 11:1 for EF-1 alpha, 1.6:1 for EF-2, 0.45:1 for eIF-2, 0.2:1 for eIF-3, 0.9:1 for eIF-4A, 0.03:1 for eIF-4F, and 0.25:1 for eIF-(iso)4F. These findings strongly suggest that the concentrations of the initiation factors, particularly those factors required for the binding of mRNA to ribosomes, may play a major role in regulating the translation of mRNAs within the cell.     

Partial purification of actin from wheat germ

A protein, one of two major components in a preparation obtained from wheat germ, has been identified as actin by its solubility properties, mobility in SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis, ability to react with an antiserum against turkey-gizzard actin, and ability to form needle-shaped fibrils.     

Anti-messenger oligodeoxynucleotides: specific inhibition of rabbit beta-globin synthesis in wheat germ extracts and Xenopus oocytes

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to the initiation region of rabbit beta-globin messenger RNA were used to selectively inhibit translation in a wheat germ extract and in injected Xenopus oocytes. The oligonucleotides interacted specifically with their RNA target as shown by thermal denaturation studies of hybrids on nitrocellulose filters. The longest oligonucleotide used (17-mer) efficiently blocked translation both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast the shortest one (8-mer) exhibited only a limited effect. The translation block was specific. The synthesis of endogenous proteins in oocytes and that of alpha-globin in the in vitro system were not affected by anti-beta-globin oligonucleotides. A non-complementary oligonucleotide had no inhibitory effect.     

Aspartate aminotransferase from wheat germ: purification and kinetic properties.

A convenient method for the purification of aspartate aminotransferase [L-aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1)] from wheat germ is described. An overall purification of 150 fold was achieved. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.9 the purified enzyme revealed two protein bands both provided with enzymatic activity. The holoenzyme is readily resolved on conversion to the aminic form and gel-filtration. The apoenzyme is reactivated by pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Kinetic data indicate that a Ping-Pong mechanism is operative similar to that found for the tyrosine aminotransferase by Litwack and Cleland (1968). Phosphate ion behaves as a competitive inhibitor towards the coenzyme. The relatively low affinity between coenzyme and apoenzyme from wheat germ allowed the determination of the dissociation constants for coenzymes (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate) and of the inhibition constant for phosphate.     

Translation of hepatic mRNA in extracts from wheat germ embryos

Extracts from wheat embryos have been used to study the incorporation of amino acids into TCA insoluble products using hepatic mRNA fractions. The properties of this system are described and compared to the incorporation obtained with poly U and rabbit globin mRNA. SDS-acrylamide gel analysis showed that the major polypeptide synthesized with globin mRNA co-migrates with rabbit globin (15 500 daltons). Rat liver products were numerous, with molecular weights from less than 10000 to greater than 65000 daltons. The KCl concentration for maximum incorporation into TCA precipitable polypeptides with hepatic mRNA was not the optimum KCl concentration for synthesis of complete products.     

Splicing of Arabidopsis tRNAMet precursors in tobacco cell and wheat germ extracts

Intron-containing tRNA genes are exceptional within nuclear plant genomes. It appears that merely two tRNA gene families coding for tRNA^Tyr _{G A} and elongator tRNA^Met _CmAU contain intervening sequences. We have previously investigated the features required by wheat germ splicing endonuclease for efficient and accurate intron excision from Arabidopsis pre-tRNA^Tyr. Here we have studied the expression of an Arabidopsis elongator tRNA^Met gene in two plant extracts of different origin. This gene was first transcribed either in HeLa or in tobacco cell nuclear extract and splicing of intron-containing tRNA^Met precursors was then examined in wheat germ S23 extract and in the tobacco system. The results show that conversion of pre-tRNA^Met to mature tRNA proceeds very efficiently in both plant extracts. In order to elucidate the potential role of specific nucleotides at the 3 and 5 splice sites and of a structured intron for pre-tRNA^Met splicing in either extract, we have performed a systematic survey by mutational analyses. The results show that cytidine residues at intron-exon boundaries impair pre-tRNA^Met splicing and that a highly structured intron is indispensable for pre-tRNA^Met splicing. tRNA precursors with an extended anticodon stem of three to four base pairs are readily accepted as substrates by wheat and tobacco splicing endonuclease, whereas pre-tRNA molecules that can form an extended anticodon stem of only two putative base pairs are not spliced at all. An amber suppressor, generated from the intron-containing elongator tRNA^Met gene, is efficiently processed and spliced in both plant extracts.     

Isolation and characterization of agglutinin receptor sites: II. Isolation and partial purification of a surface membrane receptor for wheat germ agglutinin

Four different chemical extraction procedures for the isolation of wheat germ agglutinin receptor sites from L1210 cells are described. Fractionation of the biologically active material on Sephadex G-200 columns in pyridine results in two major peaks, the lower molecular weight fraction having a higher inhibitory activity. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide sodium dodecyl sulfate gels yields four bands. The most active fraction from Sephadex G-200 has an approximate molecular weight between 40000–60000. A preliminary analysis of the active material indicates the presence of sialic acid, neutral sugars and amino sugars, including N-acetylglucosamine.     

A new affinity sorbent for the purification of lectins and its use in the purification of wheat germ agglutinin

A method is developed for obtaining gel from eggwhite and its application as a sorbent for purification of lectins. Eggwhite was treated by 1% glutaraldehyde at pH 5, for 5-6 hours at room temperature, then it was minced and washed by water. The residual aldehyde groups were blocked by glycine treatment. The sorbent obtained possessed high affinity for lectins specific to N-acetylglucosamine and complex oligosaccharides. The galactose- and mannose-specific lectins were adsorbed to a less extent. The purification of the wheat germ agglutinin using the eggwhite gel is described.     

Effects of ribosomal wash factors and spermidine on endogenous and exogenous mRNA stimulated protein synthesis in the wheat germ cell-free system.

Differential effects of Mg2+, spermidine, and reticulocyte ribosomal wash factors on the translation of endogenous, myeloma, and globin mRNA's have been observed in studies with the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesizing system. Spermidine stimulated globin mRNA translation but not the translation of endogenous wheat germ messages, and the polyamine actually inhibited the translation of myeloma mRNA. Ribosomal wash factors, on the other hand, stimulated endogenous and myeloma mRNA dependent protein synthesis in an Mg2+-dependent fashion but inhibited globin mRNA translation. The combination of ribosomal wash factors and spermidine was either stimulatory or inhibitory depending on the Mg2+ concentration and the message. It was further observed that translation of exogenous myeloma mRNA proceeded for only 60 min at 25 degrees C under all conditions tested in this study, while translation of endogenous wheat germ messages continued for longer periods of time. No differential effects of spermidine on the synthesis of high molecular weight myeloma proteins were observed.     

A new method for the large-scale purification of wheat germ DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II.

An improved method for the purification of the alpha-amanitin-sensitive deoxyribonucleic acid dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase [ribonucleosidetriphosphate:RNA-nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6-A1 (RNA polymerase II or RNA polymerase B) from wheat germ is presented. The method involves homogenization of wheat germ in a buffer of moderate ionic strength, precipitation of RNA polymerase with Polymin P (a polyethylenimine), elution of RNA polymerase from the Polymin P precipitate, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose. RNA polymerase II is purified over 4000-fold with a 60% recovery, resulting in a yield of 25-30 mg of RNA polymerase from 1 kg of starting material.