The influence of Triton X-100 on the nuclear envelope of the isolated liver cell nuclei.

In order to obtain more precise information on an eventual presence of extra-membranous lipids in the interior of the nucleus, the effects of Triton X-100 on the lipid content and ultrastructure of isolated rat liver nuclei was investigated. Enzyme markers (a.o. glucose-6-phosphatase) were used to control impurities of the nuclear fractions biochemically along with transmission electron microscopy and qualitative and quantitative light microscopy to check the condition of the nuclei obtained. Treatment of the nuclear fraction with increasing concentrations of Triton X-100 resulted in a decrease of the phospholipid content down to 25% at a Triton X-100/protein ratio of 0.4. A further decrease to 8% was measured at a ratio of 1.5. Electron microscopy of nuclei of the latter group showed nuclei containing outer membrane fragments in 2.5% of their surfaces. The composition of lipids extracted from a nuclear fraction appeared to be markedly changed after treatment with Triton X-100 with an increase of the percentage of neutral lipids and the phospholipids diphosphatidyl-glycerol and spingomyelin. From the chemical and morphological data obtained, the conclusion was drawn that a substantial part of the lipids remaining in the isolated nuclei after treatment with Triton X-100 is localized in both membranes of the nuclear envelope. It cannot however, be excluded that a small portion would be present in the interior of the nuclei.     

Internucleosome interaction: detection of dinucleosome fragmentation of chromatin by micrococcal nuclease. Analysis of the products of cleavage of chromatin from rat liver nuclei and L cells by micrococcal nuclease

In murine L-cell nuclei micrococcal nuclease causes chromatin fragmentation with predominant liberation of dinucleosomes. Analysis of dynamics of rat liver nuclear chromatin cleavage by micrococcal nuclease revealed that the "dinucleosomal" mode of fragmentation is due to the pretreatment of nuclei with the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 in the course of the isolation procedure. The set of particles detected in nuclease hydrolysates of nuclear chromatin pretreated with Triton X-100 and those isolated by the standard procedure was shown to be significantly different. In Triton X-100 treated nuclei the dichromatosome is the main hydrolysate component under various experimental conditions of nuclease hydrolysis and the sole component under "mild" conditions, whereas sucrose-treated nuclei contain three types of dinucleosomes. In Triton-treated nuclei prolongation of hydrolysis results in the liberation of the chromatosome which is absent in chromatin hydrolysates of sucrose-treated nuclei. Hydrolysis of Triton-treated nuclear chromatin by micrococcal nuclease is unaccompanied by the liberation (up to the stage of "deep" hydrolysis) of the core particle, the major component of the "sucrose" nuclear hydrolysate under the conditions used. The sharp differences in the accessibility of various types of dinucleosomes observed during pretreatment of nuclei with Triton X-100 are interpreted in terms of the localization of histone H1. The non-random type of the histone H1 molecule orientation along the nucleosome fibril is postulated.     

Sub-nuclear fractionation. I. Procedure and characterization of fractions

A procedure for fractionation of nuclei from rat liver, Xenopus liver and Xenopus erythrocytes is described. It is based on mild sonication of isolated nuclei for 7–12 sec in a nearly isotonic medium, separation of nuclear sap and centrifugation on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient containing Na and K citrate. Nuclei are thus separated in a single operation into 8 fractions representing nucleoplasm, euchromatin, nucleoli, heterochromatin and nuclear membranes. The sub-nuclear fractions were characterized by chemical composition (DNA, protein, RNA and phospholipid), electron microscopy, thermal denaturation properties of chromatin, relative binding of ${}^3\text{H-actinomycin D}$, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of nuclear proteins and titration of membranes against Triton X-100. Approx. 10% of total DNA was recovered as heterochromatin associated with membranes but the bulk of nuclear membranes co-sedimented with the major euchromatin zones. Subnuclear fractions prepared in this way retain virtually all the RNA polymerase activity bound to chromatin [41].     

Chromatin phospholipid changes during rat liver development

The chromatin extracted from rat hepatocytes of different ages has been shown to contain a phospholipid fraction representing 0.47-0.59 per cent of total chromatin in newborn animals and 0.22 per cent in 45-day-old animals. No such age-related differences are observed in the nuclei. The phospholipid composition of the nuclei at different ages shows a higher level of sphingomyelin and a lower level of phosphatidylserine in newborn than in adult animals. Chromatin phospholipids have a completely different composition from that of nuclei with respect to age, particularly in newborn rats, where there is a decrease in phosphatidylcholine and an increase in phosphatidylserine.     

DNA synthetic activity of nuclei isolated from differentiating cardiac muscle and association of DNA polymerase alpha with the outer nuclear membrane

[³H]dTMP incorporation into DNA of nuclei isolated from differentiating cardiac muscle of the rat has been characterized. Nuclei prepared at different times during the terminal phase of differentiation by a procedure not involving a detergent (Triton X-100) wash show a progressively diminished capacity to support in vitro [³H]dTMP incorporation; this diminution parallels the loss of DNA polymerase α from cardiac muscle. The rate of incorporation of [³H]dTMP into DNA of nuclei washed twice with 0.5% Triton X-100 does not correlate with the in vivo DNA synthetic activity. As determined by electron microscopy the Triton X-100 wash removes the outer nuclear membrane; the pellet obtained by centrifuging the Triton X-100 extract of these nuclei consists of circular membrane vesicles. The predominant DNA polymerase activity in these preparations was characterized using pH optimum, N-ethylmaleimide sensitivity, and correlation to in vivo DNA synthetic activity as criteria. DNA polymerase α activity predominated in the non-Triton X-100-extracted nuclei and in the outer nuclear membrane fraction; DNA polymerase β activity was the predominant activity observed in Triton X-100-extracted nuclei. These data emphasize that the procedure which is used to isolate nuclei from proliferating cells can greatly influence the nature of the DNA synthetic activity that is observed in vitro, suggest that DNA polymerase α is associated with the outer nuclear membrane, and add support to the idea that this enzyme is involved in eukaryotic DNA replication.     

Localization of oxidized nocotinamide--adenine dinucleotide glycohydrolase in the mouse liver nuclear envelope.

NAD+ glycohydrolase activity located in the nuclear envelope was maximally solubilized by treatment with 0.1--0.2% Triton X-100. The residual activity largely represents the chromatin-associated NAD+ glycohydrolase. Under these conditions the phospholipids were extensively solubilized (over 90%) while leaving the nuclei physically stable, although the nuclear membranes were removed, as shown by electron microscopy. After Triton X-100 treatment, deoxyribonuclease I did not significantly affect the residual NAD+ glycohydrolase activity, although the DNA was completely broken down. This enzyme activity can be released from the nuclear pellet by incubation with phospholipase C. For comparative studies, the glucose 6-phosphatase activity, known to be present in the nuclear envelope, was investigated. Treatment with 0.01% Triton X-100 released 10--20% of the phospholipids, but without solubilizing either glucose 6-phosphatase or NAD+ glycohydrolase. Higher Triton X-100 concentrations (0.1--1.0%) inhibited glucose 6-phosphatase, but not NAD+ glycohydrolase activity. NAD+ glycohydrolase is apparently present in a latent form in the nuclear envelope. Glucose 6-phosphatase, However, shows no such latency.     

Human anti-DNA secretory immunglobulins A possess endonuclease activity and they are able to cause the destruction of nuclear chromatin in vitro

sIgA possessing ability to hydrolyse plasmid DNA to linear forms was purified from human milk by sequential chromatography on protein A-sepharose, DEAE-Fractogel and DNA-cellulose. It was discovered that incubation of sIgA with nuclei of porcine embryo kidney cells permeabilized by Triton X-100 causes formation of electrophoretically mobile forms of nuclear nucleic acids and inhibition of phosphorylation of nuclear proteins. We suppose that sIgA possessing affinity to DNA and endonuclease activity can cause degradation of cell nuclear chromatin.     

Phorbol ester binding and activation of protein kinase C on triton X-100 mixed micelles containing phosphatidylserine

A mixed micellar assay for the binding of phorbol-esters to protein kinase C was developed to investigate the specificity and stoichiometry of phospholipid cofactor dependence and oligomeric state of protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) required for phorbol ester binding. [3H]Phorbol dibutyrate was bound to protein kinase C in the presence of Triton X-100 mixed micelles containing 20 mol % phosphatidylserine (PS) in a calcium-dependent manner with a Kd of 5 X 10(-9) M. The [3H]phorbol dibutyrate X protein kinase C . Triton X-100 . PS mixed micellar complex eluted on a Sephacryl S-200 molecular sieve at an Mr of approximately 200,000; this demonstrates that monomeric protein kinase C binds phorbol dibutyrate. This conclusion was supported by molecular sieve chromatography of a similar complex where Triton X-100 was replaced with beta-octylglucoside. Phorbol dibutyrate activation of protein kinase C in Triton X-100/PS mixed micelles occurred and was dependent on calcium. The PS dependence of both phorbol ester activation and binding to protein kinase C lagged initially and then was highly cooperative. The minimal mole per cent PS required was strongly dependent on the concentration of phorbol dibutyrate or phorbol myristic acetate employed. Even at the highest concentration of phorbol ester tested, a minimum of 3 mol % PS was required; this indicates that approximately four molecules of PS are required. [3H]Phorbol dibutyrate binding was independent of micelle number at 20 mol % PS. The phospholipid dependencies of phorbol ester binding and activation were similar, with PS being the most effective; anionic phospholipids (cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylglycerol were less effective, whereas phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin did not support binding or activation. sn-1,2-Dioleoylglycerol displaced [3H]phorbol dibutyrate quantitatively and competitively. The data are discussed in relation to a molecular model of protein kinase C activation.     

Triton solubilization of proteins from pig liver mitochondrial membranes

Various aspects of membrane solubilization by the Triton X-series of nonionic detergents were examined in pig liver mitochondrial membranes. Binding of Triton X-100 to nonsolubilized membranes was saturable with increased concentrations of the detergent. Maximum binding occurred at concentrations exceeding 0.5% Triton X-100 (w/v). Solubilization of both protein and phospholipid increased with increasing Triton X-100 to a plateau which was dependent on the initial membrane protein concentration used. At low detergent concentrations (less than 0.087% Triton X-100, w/v), proteins were preferentially solubilized over phospholipids. At higher Triton X-100 concentrations the opposite was true. Using the well-defined Triton X-series of detergents, the optimal hydrophile-lipophile balance number (HLB) for solubilization of phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase (EC 2.7.8.5) was 13.5, corresponding to Triton X-100. Activity was solubilized optimally at detergent concentrations between 0.1 and 0.2% (w/v). The optimal protein-to-detergent ratio for solubilization was 3 mg protein/mg Triton X-100. Solubilization of phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase was generally better at low ionic strength, though total protein solubilization increased at high ionic strength. Solubilization was also dependent on pH. Significantly higher protein solubilization was observed at high pH (i.e., 8.5), as was phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase solubilization. The manipulation of these variables in improving the recovery and specificity of membrane protein solubilization by detergents was examined.     

Synthesis of chromatin phospholipids

The presence of a phospholipid fraction associated with chromatin has been demonstrated by biochemical technique in rat hepatocytes. The composition of this fraction determined by chromatography with respect to that of the nuclei is characterized by low content of phosphatidylserine and high content in phosphatidylethanolamine. Also the synthesis and turnover studied after injection of [32P]O4(2-) show a different behaviour: the peak of activity is after 6 hrs in nuclei and microsomes, whereas in chromatin it occurs after 9 hrs. A second peak is evident after 24 hrs in chromatin and microsome phospholipids. Differences have been also shown by analyzing the single phospholipid radioactivity in time. The behaviour of chromatin phospholipids has also been studied during DNA premitotic synthesis in regenerating liver. It has been shown that there is no difference in synthesis in relation to that of DNA in nuclear phospholipids, whereas the specific activity of chromatin phospholipids begins to increase twelve hours after hepatectomy and continues throughout the period of the first mitotic wave, thus bringing to a summation with the beginning of the second wave. The role of this phospholipid fraction in relation to DNA synthesis and gene expression is discussed.     

Protein kinase C activation in mixed micelles. Mechanistic implications of phospholipid, diacylglycerol, and calcium interdependencies

The phospholipid, sn-1,2-diacylglycerol, and calcium dependencies of rat brain protein kinase C were investigated with a mixed micellar assay (Hannun, Y., Loomis, C., and Bell, R.M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 10039-10043). Protein kinase C activity was independent of the number of Triton X-100, phosphatidylserine (PS), and sn-1,2-dioleoylglycerol (diC18:1) mixed micelles. Activation was strongly dependent on the mole per cent of PS and diC18:1. Activity of protein kinase C was dependent on PS, diC18:1, and calcium in mixed micelles prepared from detergents other than Triton X-100. This is consistent with the micelle providing an inert surface into which the lipid cofactors partition. Molecular sieve chromatography provided direct evidence for the homogeneity of Triton X-100, PS, and diC18:1 mixed micelles. Mixing studies and surface dilution studies indicated that PS and diC18:1 rapidly equilibrate among the mixed micelles. At saturating calcium, the diC18:1 dependence was strongly dependent on the mole per cent PS present. At 10 mol % PS, 0.25 mol % diC18:1 gave maximal activity whereas 6 mol % PS and 6 mol % diC18:1 did not give maximal activity. diC18:1 dependencies were hyperbolic at all PS levels tested. The data support the conclusion that a single molecule of diC18:1/micelle is sufficient to activate monomeric protein kinase C. The mole per cent PS required for maximal activation was reduced markedly as the mole per cent diC18:1 increased. Under all conditions tested, the PS dependence of protein kinase C activation lagged until greater than 3 mol % PS was present. Then activation occurred in a cooperative manner with Hill numbers near 4. These data indicate that 4 or more molecules of PS are required to activate monomeric protein kinase C. PS was the most effective of all the phospholipids tested in the mixed micelle assay. diC18:1 was found to modulate the amount of calcium required for maximal activity. As the level of Ca2+ increased, the mole per cent PS required reached a limiting value of 3 mol %. A number of sn-1,2-diacylglycerols containing short chain fatty acids activated protein kinase C in a saturable manner in mixed micelles. The data are discussed in relation to a model for protein kinase activation.     

A possible skeletal substructure of the macronucleus of Tetrahymena

Upon removal of chromatin from isolated macronuclei of tetrahymena, residual structures are obtained, the organization of which faithfully reflects the distinctive architecture of the macronucleus. Macronuclei are isolated by a new procedure in which cells are lysed by immersion in citric acid and Triton X-100. This method is rapid and efficient and leaves the nuclear structures stripped of nuclear envelope and nucleoli. The remaining interconnected chromatin bodies are structurally differentiated into a dense outer shell and a fibrillar inner core. The fibrillar component is identified as chromatin because it is removed upon digestion with DNase and extraction with 2 M NaCl. The dense shell of the chromatin body is unaffected by the digestion procedure, which leaves a skeletal structure comprised of hollow spherical bodies. Analysis of the protein composition by SDS acrylamide gel electrophoresis before and after digestion with DNase and RNase and high-salt extraction shows that histones are diminished, whereas the nonhistone protein composition remains unchanged. It was found the DNase not only extracts chromatin but also protects the nonchromatin structure from the otherwise disruptive effects of high-salt extraction. The method used for isolating the nuclei also affects the structure remaining after the digestion procedure the citric acid/Triton X-100 method enhances the stability of the interconnected spherical bodies. The results indicate that the method for isolating nuclei and the procedure by which chromatin is extracted are both major factors contributing to the detection of a possible nonchromatin nuclear skeleton.     

Regulation of Plasma Membrane beta-Glucan Synthase from Red Beet Root by Phospholipids : Reactivation of Triton X-100 Extracted Glucan Synthase by Phospholipids

Extraction of red beet root plasma membranes with the detergent Triton X-100 at a level of 2.0% (weight/volume) resulted in the depletion of over 90% of total membrane phospholipid and the reduction of glucan synthase activity by 80 to 90%. Reconstitution of the delipidated Triton X-100, 100,000g fraction in the presence of phospholipids restored glucan synthase activity. The most effective phospholipid was phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, which restored 110 to 144% of the original activity at 0.5% (weight/volume). Glucan synthase in the phospholipid-reactivated Triton X-100-treated fraction was enriched 9-fold in specific activity relative to microsomal membranes but was unstable in digitonin. These results support the hypothesis that glucan synthase activity is regulated by its phospholipid environment.     

Photo-induced inactivation and uncoupling of gonadotropin receptors in rat ovarian plasma membrane

Extraction of membranes of Lactobacillus plantarum with Triton X-100/glycerol solubilized up to 80% of the undecaprenol kinase activity. Fractionation of the extract by gel chromatography separated endogenous phospholipid from the enzyme but simultaneously inactivated the enzyme. The kinase was reactivated by reconstitution with various synthetic phosphatidylcholines and purified L. plantarum phospholipids. Ditetradecanoylphosphatidylcholine and lysylphosphatidylglycerol were the best activators. Furthermore, the optimal environment for enzyme stimulation was provided by different defined molar ratios of Triton X-100/phospholipid. The ratios for the phospholipids tested ranged from 1.25 to 6.3. Similar substrate specificity and kinetic constants were observed for both the solubilized and reconstituted enzymes suggesting that no fundamental changes in the enzyme activity occurred during the delipidation-reconstitution process.     

Internucleosome interactions: detecting the dinucleosome fragmentation of chromatin using micrococcal nuclease. Heterogeneity of nucleosomes and localization of histone H1

The content of histone H1 (H1/H4 ratio) in dinucleosomes with the DNA of various length liberated from L-cell nuclear chromatin by micrococcal nuclease was analyzed. It was found that the histone H1 content in the dichromatosome is two times as low as that in the largest dinucleosome and in the complete mononucleosome. The set of chromatin fragments liberated from the Triton X-100 pretreated nuclei differs considerably from that of chromatin sites devoid of histone H1 (the de novo replicating chromatin and the chromatin formed on the undermethylated DNA). A scheme for asymmetric distribution of histone H1 with molecules oriented along the nucleosomal fibril, which reflects the peculiarities of chromatin fragmentation by micrococcal nuclease with predominant liberation of the dichromatosome, is proposed.     

Nuclear proteins : III. The fibrillar nature of the nuclear matrix

The nuclear matrix of mouse liver nuclei was examined after extraction of the chromatin with high salt, deoxyribonuclease and Triton X-100. The residual nuclear matrix is composed of a nuclear pore-lamina complex, fibrillar nucleoli, and intranuclear matrix. Whole mount electron microscopy shows that a portion of the nuclear matrix is composed of 20–30 Å protein fibers which we call matrixin. The fibers may associate to form larger 100–300 Å fibers. When mouse testicular cells were used, intact synaptonemal complexes and the sex vesicle were intimately associated with the matrix and we suggest these structures may be composed of matrixin. SDS gel electrophoresis of the matrix shows three major polypeptides of 65 000, 67 000 and 68 000 D. Several observations suggest DNA is attached to the matrix at many sites throughout the nucleus. The matrix may play a role in the arrangement of chromatin into the chromomeres of meiotic and mitotic chromosomes.     

Cytochemical and autoradiographic studies of the localization and turnover of chromatin and nucleolar associated phospholipids in plant and animal tissues

The localization of chromatin-associated phospholipids has been demonstrated on chromosomes and on chromatin of interphase nuclei by cytochemical methods either in plant and in animal tissues. Three methods of fixation are suggested which can be combined which two cytochemical methods for phospholipids detection. An additional method is represented by autoradiographic technique after incorporation of a radioactive precursor such as [3H] ethanolamine. This method has been used with good results in nuclei of lateral root apices of Vicia faba on 1 micron thick section, thus avoiding any possible contamination by nuclear membrane. In these nuclei the phospholipids appear associated with the chromatin and more intensely with the nucleolar regions. The positivity of the cytochemical reaction disappears after extraction of fixed tissue with acidified methanol chloroform and after treatment of unfixed sections with phospholipase D. The use of phospholipid precursor has allowed the study of chromatin-phospholipids synthesis in root apices of Vicia faba with respect to timings of the cell cycle. The results show that there is a strong case for a pattern of chromatin phospholipid synthesis which operates during S phase. Concerning the role of phospholipids it is suggested that they may be linked to acidic protein and may have a structural function, particularly on the nucleoli.     

Protein disulfide crosslinking stabilizes a polyoma large T antigen-host protein complex on the nuclear matrix

We have investigated the effects of intermolecular disulfide crosslinking and temperature-dependent insolubilization of nuclear proteins in vitro on the association of the polyoma large T antigen with the nuclear matrix in polyomavirus-infected mouse 3T6 cells. Nuclear matrices, prepared from polyomavirus-infected 3T6 cells by sequential extraction of isolated nuclei with 1% Triton X-100 (Triton wash), DNase I, and 2 M NaCl (high salt extract) at 4 degrees C, represented 18% of total nuclear protein. Incubation of nuclei with 1 mM sodium tetrathionate (NaTT) to induce disulfide crosslinks or at 37 degrees C to induce temperature-dependent insolubilization prior to extraction, transferred an additional 9-18% of the nuclear protein from the high salt extract to the nuclear matrix. This additional protein represented primarily an increased recovery of the same nuclear protein subset present in nuclear matrices prepared from untreated nuclei. Major constituents of chromatin including histones, hnRNP core proteins, and 98% of nuclear DNA were removed in the high salt extract following either incubation. Polyoma large T antigen was quantified in subcellular fractions by immunoblotting with rat anti-T ascites. Approximately 60-70% of the T antigen was retained in nuclei isolated in isotonic sucrose buffer at pH 7.2. Most (greater than 95%) of the T antigen retained in untreated nuclei was extracted by DNase-high salt treatment. Incubation at 37 degrees C or with NaTT transferred most (greater than 95%) of the T antigen to the nuclear matrix. T antigen solubilized from NaTT-treated matrices with 1% SDS sedimented on sucrose gradients as a large (50-S) complex. These complexes, isolated by immunoprecipitation with anti-T sera, were dissociated by reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol, and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that T antigen was crosslinked in stoichiometric amounts to several host proteins: 150, 129, 72, and 70 kDa. These host proteins were not present in anti-T immunoprecipitates of solubilized nuclear matrices prepared from iodoacetamide-treated cells. Our results suggest that the majority of polyomavirus large T antigen in infected cells is localized to a specific subnuclear domain which is distinct from the bulk chromatin and is closely associated with the nuclear matrix.     

Effect of phospholipids,Triton X-100 and biological membranes on redox systems involving tetrazolium salt reduction. Its implications for the assay of enzymatic activities

The influence of phospholipids and Triton X-100 on the time course of chemical and enzyme-mediated reductions of a commonly used tetrazolium salt, MTT, was studied. MTT reduction was followed by the absorbance changes at 570 nm. With ascorbate as reducing agent, a 3-fold increase in the initial rates of the absorbance changes and a 24 % increase in the final absorbance values were observed in the presence of Triton X-100 micelles or phospholipid vesicles. The enzyme-mediated reduction of MTT with NADH generated by the NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenase was also enhanced in the presence of Triton X-100, phospholipids or erythrocyte membranes. No enhancement was observed following the enzymatic generation of NADH at 340 nm in the absence of MTT. The above findings were interpreted as arising from: a) solubilization or reduced MTT in the detergent micelles or phospholipid vesicles which favors the redox reaction occurring in the aqueous fase, and b) changes in the spectral properties of reduced MTT in aqueous and lipid-like media.