SUMOrganization of the nucleus

In the eukaryotic nucleus, gene expression and maintenance of genome integrity are tightly controlled at multiple levels, from the molecular details to the higher-order structure of the genome. The nucleus contains spatially and functionally distinct compartments in which these fundamental processes are carried out. While the dynamics and functions of some nuclear subdomains, like the nucleolus, have been well studied, other domains, like the PML-nuclear bodies, remain enigmatic. Recent evidence has now implicated the SUMOylation pathway as an important player in subnuclear architecture, particularly in the assembly of PML-nuclear bodies. Related functions include the organization of chromatin loops and maintenance of rDNA repeat stability. Consequently, complete loss of SUMO modification profoundly affects nuclear organization and cell viability.     

Dynamics of the nucleus

A report of work on the structure and function of the nuclear envelope and nuclear pores, presented at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, Washington DC, December 11-15, 1999.     

电刺激大鼠束旁核对底丘脑核和丘脑腹内侧核神经元的影响

本工作旨在探讨电刺激束旁核（parafascicular nucleus,PF）对帕金森病模型（Parkinson’s disease,PD）大鼠神经行为的改善作用及其机制。成年雄性Sprague—Dawley大鼠黑质致密部注射6一羟基多巴胺建立PD大鼠模型。采用行为学方法观察电刺激PF对阿朴吗啡诱发的大鼠旋转行为的作用,并应用在体细胞外记录法观察电刺激PF对大鼠底丘脑核（subthalamic nucleus,STN）及丘脑腹内侧核（ventromedial nucleus,VM）神经元放电的影响。结果发现,高频电刺激（130Hz,0．4mA,5s）PF一周,明显改善PD大鼠旋转行为。细胞外放电记录显示,高频电刺激PF使PD大鼠STN神经元自发放电减少,且该作用具有频率依赖性。另外,高频电刺激PF可使VM神经元兴奋,该作用也是频率依赖性的。我们在实验中同时观察到微电泳谷氨酸（glutamicacid,Glu）受体拮抗剂MK-801使STN神经元放电频率减少或完全抑制,微电泳t氨基丁酸（T-amino butyricacid,GABA）受体拮抗剂印防己毒素（picrotoxin,Pic）则使神经元放电频率增加。以上结果表明,GABA能和GIu能传入纤维可会聚于同-STN神经元,并对后者有紧张性作用。高频刺激PF,使该核团到STN神经元的Glu能兴奋性输出减少,导致STN的失活。这一作用通过基底神经节的间接通路,最终释放了丘脑运动核团VM的活性。高频刺激PF经PF,STN和VM的神经通路而改善PD大鼠神经行为。     

Assembly of the cell nucleus

Purified DNA can be assembled into structures that closely resemble cell nuclei. The cell-free systems that allow this can be exploited to study assembly pathways for several components of the nucleus. They also offer great opportunities for the experimental analysis of nuclear function.     

Dynamic lipidomics of the nucleus

Once nuclear envelope membranes have been removed from isolated nuclei, around 6% of mammalian cell phospholipid is retained within the nuclear matrix, which calculations suggest may occupy 10% of the volume of this subcellular compartment. It is now acknowledged that endonuclear phospholipid, largely ignored for the past 40 years, provides substrate for lipid-mediated signaling events. However, given its abundance, it likely also has other as yet incompletely defined roles. Endonuclear phosphatidylcholine is the predominant phospholipid comprising distinct and highly saturated molecular species compared with that of the whole cell. Moreover, this unusual composition is subject to tight homeostatic maintenance even under conditions of extreme dietary manipulation, presumably reflecting a functional requirement for highly saturated endonuclear phosphatidylcholine. Recent application of new lipidomic technologies exploiting tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in conjunction with deuterium stable isotope labeling have permitted us to probe not just molecular species compositions but endonuclear phospholipid acquisition and turnover with unparalleled sensitivity and specificity. What emerges is a picture of a dynamic pool of endonuclear phospholipid subject to autonomous regulation with respect to bulk cellular phospholipid metabolism. Compartmental biosynthesis de novo of endonuclear phosphatidylcholine contrasts with import of phosphatidylinositol synthesized elsewhere. However, irrespective of the precise temporal-spatial-dynamic relationships underpinning phospholipid acquisition, derangement of endonuclear lipid-mediated signaling from these parental phospholipids halts cell growth and division indicating a pivotal control point. This in turn defines the manipulation of compartmentalized endonuclear phospholipid acquisition and metabolism as intriguing potential targets for the development of future antiproliferative strategies.     

Mononucleotides of the cell nucleus

1. It has been demonstrated by ion exchange chromatography that the cell nucleus contains mononucleotides of adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil, together with diphosphopyridine nucleotide, and several uridine diphosphate derivatives; the adenine nucleotides predominating in amount. Nucleotide components in the cell nucleus are in close agreement both quantitatively and qualitatively with those found in the cytoplasm. 2. In calf thymus sucrose nuclei, nucleotide monophosphates can be phosphorylated to the energy-rich triphosphate form without participation of cytoplasmic components. As to the nature of the phosphorylation, it has been shown that there exist certain differences as well as resemblances between nuclei and mitochondria. A distinctive feature of nuclear phosphorylation is that only intranuclear monophosphates seem to be phosphorylated. The process is completely inhibited by cyanide, azide, and dinitrophenol. However, certain reagents which block oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria, namely dicumarol, Janus green B, methylene blue, and calcium ions, have no effect on phosphorylation within the nucleus. 3. The bulk of mononucleotides is preserved within thymus nuclei after their isolation in sucrose. Nucleotides are surprisingly well retained by nuclei in a sucrose medium whether or not electrolytes are present and in buffers ranging from pH 3 to 10; under all conditions sucrose is required for retention. 4. Dilute acetate in sucrose releases nucleotides from the nucleus below pH 5.1. As to the effective pH of acetate, there is a sharp boundary between pH 5.1 and pH 5.9. At pH 5.9, and above, acetate does not remove nucleotides from the nucleus. The effects of propionate, formate, and monochloroacetate on the nuclei are the same as that of acetate. 5. When nuclei are exposed to a wide variety of conditions a close correlation is found between the retention in the nucleus of nucleotides and of potassium. This suggests that both substances are part of a common complex in the cell nucleus. 6. It has been shown that upon removal of nucleotides and potassium from calf thymus sucrose nuclei by acetate, the ability to incorporate C¹⁴-alanine into nuclear protein is greatly impaired.     

Beyond the suprachiasmatic nucleus

The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master oscillator controlling circadian rhythms in mammals. Yet extensive temporal restructuring of behavior can occur without participation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This raises questions about current thinking about how to cope with jet lag and shift work.     

Phospholipases in the nucleus

There is a well established role for various phospholipases involved in the production of intracellular signals at the plasma membrane. In contrast much less is known of their role in other intracellular compartments, however, emerging evidence would suggest that some of these enzymes are also involved in the production of signals within the nucleus. Translocation to and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) within the nucleus has been suggested to be important in a number of diverse cellular processes suggesting the requirement for the intranuclear production of diacylglycerol (DAG), a known physiological activator of this enzyme. As the activation of a number of phospholipases leads to the production of DAG this review will consider the notion that these enzymes are present within the nucleus and that their activities can be stimulated to produce this important regulator of PKC.     

Regulation of nucleus accumbens dopamine release by the dorsal raphe nucleus in the rat

The effects of microinfusingl-glutamate, serotonin (5-HT), (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH DPAT; a 5-HT_1A agonist), and muscimol (a GABA_A agonist) into the dorsal raphe nucleus on the extracellular levels of 5-HT, dopamine (DA) and their metabolites in the nucleus accumbens were studied in unanesthetized, freely moving, adult male Wistar rats, using the technique of microdialysis coupled with small-bore HPLC. Administration of 0.75 gl-glutamate produced a 25–50% increase (P<0.05) in the extracellular levels of both 5-HT and DA. On the other hand, infusion of 8-OH DPAT and, to a lesser extent, 5-HT produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the extracellular levels of both 5-HT and DA. Muscimol (0.25 or 0.50 g) had little effect on the extracellular concentrations of 5-HT or DA following its administration. In general, the extracellular levels of the major metabolites of 5-HT and DA in the nucleus accumbens were not altered by microinfusion of any of the agents. The data indicate that (a) the 5-HT neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens from the dorsal raphe nucleus can be activated by excitatory amino acid receptors and inhibited by stimulation of 5-HT_1A autoreceptors, and (b) the dorsal raphe nucleus 5-HT neuronal system may regulate the ventral tegmental area DA projection to the nucleus accumbens.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Morris H. Aprison