Subcellular distribution of ribosomal proteins in Dictyostelium discoideum

The distribution of ribosomal proteins in monosomes, polysomes, the postribosomal cytosol, and the nucleus was determined during steady-state growth in vegetative amoebae. A partitioning of previously reported cell-specific ribosomal proteins between monosomes and polysomes was observed. L18, one of the two unique proteins in amoeba ribosomes, was distributed equally among monosomes and polysomes. However S5, the other unique protein, was abundant in monosomes but barely visible in polysomes. Of the developmentally regulated proteins, D and S6 were detectable only in polysomes and S14 was more abundant in monosomes. The cytosol revealed no ribosomal proteins. On staining of the nuclear proteins with Coomassie blue, about 18, 7 from 40S subunit and 11 from 60S subunit, were identified as ribosomal proteins. By in vivo labeling of the proteins with [35S]methionine, 24 of the 34 small subunit proteins and 33 of the 42 large subunit proteins were localized in the nucleus. For the majority of the ribosomal proteins, the apparent relative stoichiometry was similar in nuclear preribosomal particles and in cytoplasmic ribosomes. However, in preribosomal particles the relative amount of four proteins (S11, S30, L7, and L10) was two- to four-fold higher and of eight proteins (S14, S15, S20, S34, L12, L27, L34, and L42) was two-to four-fold lower than that of cytoplasmic ribosomes.     

The polysomal proteins of L cells. Discrimination between the structural ribosomal proteins, the exchangeable ribosomal proteins and the non-ribosomal proteins by two-dimensional dodecylsulfate electrophoresis and autoradiography.

Three groups of proteins can be clearly discriminated in the total protein of L cell polysomes by selective labelling in the presence of low doses of actinomycin D and two-dimensional polyacrylamide/dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography: (a) structural ribosomal proteins which are not labelled in the presence of actinomycin D and form stained non-radioactive spot in gels; (b) exchangeable ribosomal proteins which are labelled in the presence of actinomycin D and stained radioactive spots; (c) non-ribosomal proteins which are detectable only by autoradiography of gels. The large and small subunits of L cell ribosomes contain respectively 45 and 34 ribosomal proteins with molecular weights less than or equal to 50 000; seven of the large subunit proteins and nine of the small subunit proteins are exchangeable. Most of the non-ribosomal proteins migrate in the region of the related to the separation of the ribosomal proteins of mammalian cells and the possible significance of the presence of non-ribosomal proteins in polysomes are discussed.     

Comparison of the protein content of free and membrane-bound rat liver polysomes and of the derived subunits

Ribosomal proteins from pure free and membrane-bound rat liver polysomes were analyzed with a highly resolutive two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique, using sodium dodecyl sulfate in the second dimension. Three acidic proteins found in free polysomes were always absent from the membrane-bound polysomes. Their molecular weights were estimated to be 20 000, 19 500 and 18 500. When free ribosomes were dissociated into subunits, the three protein spots were still found in the 60S subunit pattern, but they were weaker than in polysomes. A possible involvement of these three proteins in the attachment of ribosomal structures to the membranes is proposed.     

Preferential biosynthesis of ribosomal structural proteins by free and loosely bound polysomes from regenerating rat liver.

Homologous cell-free systems were prepared using free, total bound, tightly bound or KCl-sensitive loosely bound (KCl-sensitive) polysomes from regenerating rat liver. [14C]Leucine was incubated with one kind of polysomes and [3H]leucine with another kind. The reaction mixtures were then combined, and ribosomal structural proteins were purified as described previously [4], using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as the final step [5]. The 3H to 14C ratios of the purified fractions were estimated to compare the activities of the two kinds of polysomes for biosynthesis of ribosomal structural proteins. The following results were obtained: (1) The activity of free polysomes for biosynthesis of ribosomal structural proteins was about 3.6 or 2.4 times higher than that of total bound polysomes in two experiments in which 14C and 3H labeling was reversed. The radioactivities incorporated by free polysomes into most of the proteins separated on two-dimensional gel were found to be definitely higher than those in the surrounding areas, suggesting that most of the ribosomal structural proteins were synthesized by free polysomes. The activity of free polysomes for biosynthesis of ribosomal structural proteins was about 7 times higher than that of tightly bound polysomes, which were prepared by washing the microsomal membrane fraction with 0.5 M KCl. The radioactivities incorporated by tightly bound polysomes into the proteins separated on two-dimensional gel were only slightly higher than those in the surrounding areas, indicating that these polysomes had very low synthetic activity. (2) Preferential synthesis of histones by free polysomes was also shown using the same procedures. (3) KCl-sensitive polysomes which were released by washing the microsomal membrane fraction with 0.5 M KCl, were shown to have definitely higher activity than tightly bound polysomes for biosynthesis of ribosomal structural proteins. (4) From these results, it is concluded that most of the ribosomal structural proteins are preferentially synthesized by free and KCl-sensitive polysomes in regenerating rat liver.     

Changes in ribosomal proteins in developing Artemia salina embryos

Ribosomal proteins from cysts and nauplii of Artemia salina were analyzed by three kinds of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The basic-acidic and basic-SDS gel systems were used to compare the basic ribosomal proteins, and some changes were observed between the cysts and nauplii in proteins S6, S14, and L24. The phosphorylation of protein S6 was increased in the nauplii. Basic proteins S14 and L24 in the cysts changed and none of the corresponding proteins in the nauplii were detected at the same positions on two-dimensional gels as in the cysts. The acidic-SDS gel system was used to compare the acidic proteins in ribosomes and it was revealed that an acidic protein, AX (Mr = 24,000), in the cysts was not present in the ribosomes from the nauplii. The ribosomal activities as to the formation of an 80S initiation complex with globin mRNA and poly(U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis were compared. There was no significant difference between the cyst and nauplius ribosomes.     

Evidence for coupled synthesis of mRNA for ribosomal proteins and rRNA.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed quantitative differences in the 35S-methionine labeled proteins synthesized in vitro in the wheat germ system containing poly A(+) mRNA of normal liver, regenerating liver or Novikoff hepatoma cells. A group of low molecular weight proteins which comigrated with proteins of 40S ribosomal subunits were synthesized in a much greater concentration with the poly A(+) mRNA from the latter two sources. This correlates with increased synthesis of ribosomal proteins in regenerating liver or tumors which is temporally coupled with the increased nucleolar synthesis of rRNA precursors.     

Control of ribosomal protein synthesis during wheat embryo imbibition

Dry wheat embryos contain large quantities of ribosomes, synthesized and assembled during embryogenesis. When messenger RNA isolated from dry embryos is translated, in vitro, a significant proportion of the total translation products (approx. 10%) is identifiable as ribosomal proteins, by electrophoresis in two distinct two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic systems. When germinating embryos are labelled with [³⁵S]methionine, during the first 24 h of imbibition, the appearance of newly synthesized ribosomal proteins in the cytosolic fraction is barely detectable. However, this low level (< 1% of total cytosolic protein synthesis) of observed ribosomal protein synthesis is not correlated with a correspondingly low level of ribosomal protein mRNA. Ribosomal proteins constitute at least 10% of the products of translation, in vitro, of mRNA isolated from germinating wheat embryos. Ribosomal proteins are also conspicuous products of translation when polyribosomes isolated from imbibing embryos are used to direct protein synthesis in a cell-free ‘run-off’ system, and newly synthesized ribosomal proteins can be detected in the nuclei isolated from germinating embryos. It is proposed that their absence from the cytosolic fraction is a consequence of post-translational regulatory events.     

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of ribosomal proteins from streptomycin-sensitive and streptomycin-resistant mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardi.

Ribosomal proteins from three mutant strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardi were analysed and compared by one-dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One mutant was streptomycin-sensitive the other two were streptomycin-resistant, one with a Mendelian the other with a non-Mendelian pattern of inheritance. In the 30-S subunits of chloroplast ribosomes approximately 25 proteins are found and in the 50-S subunits 34 proteins. The 40-S subunits of cytoplasmic ribosomes contain about 31 proteins and the 60-S subunits 44 proteins. The molecular weights of most proteins in all subunits are in the range of 10 000 to 35 000. However, the 60-S subunits contain in addition a protein of molecular weight 50 000 and the 30-S subunits show 6-7 bands of molecular weights from 50 000 to 83 000. The proteins of the cytoplasmic 80-S ribosomes or of their subunits from all three mutants are electrophoretically identical. The proteins of the 70-S organellar ribosomes and both of their subunits show distinct differences between the three strains. Our results indicate that organellar ribosomal proteins are in part controlled by nuclear DNA and in part by organellar DNA.     

Relative stoichiometry in ribosomal proteins in HeLa cell nucleoli.

Total protein was released from isolated HeLa cell nucleoli by guanidine hydrochloride, purified by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation, and analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Conditions of electrophoresis restricted attention to proteins that are positively charged at pH 8.6. Most of the major nucleolar protein spots co-electrophoresed with ribosomal proteins; the majority of ribosomal proteins from both the large and small ribosomal subunits were represented. Several proteins found in association with polysomes but not on ribosomal subunits and several proteins unique to the nucleolus were also identified in these nucleolar protein patterns. In order to determine whether the ribosomal proteins found in the nucleolus represented sizable pools of ribosomal proteins, or merely ribosomal proteins contained in the preribosomal particles, [35S]methionine-labeled nucleoli were mixed with [3H]methionine-labeled polysomes. From analysis of isotopic ratios in individual protein spots it was possible to determine the stoidchiometry of individual ribosomal proteins in the nucleolus relative to their complement on cytoplasmic ribosomes. All but a few proteins exhibited relative nucleolar stoichiometry values of approximately one, indicating that there are not significant pools of most ribosomal proteins in isolated nucleoli.     

Ribosome topography in baby hamster kidney cells infected with Sindbis and vesicular stomatitis viruses

The topography of polysomal ribosomes in mock-infected and in Sindbis virus- and vesicular stomatitis virus-infected BHK cells was investigated using a double, radioactive labelling technique. Ribosomal proteins in intact polysomes were surface labelled by reductive methylation using [14C]formaldehyde. Following removal of ribosomal RNA, proteins were denatured in 6 M guanidine and labelled with [3H]borohydride. Labelled ribosomal proteins were separated by electrophoresis in two-dimensional gels and the 3H/14C ratio for each ribosomal protein was taken as an index of its relative surface exposure in intact ribosomes. Comparison of the ratios for individual ribosomal proteins in Sindbis virus-infected vs. control polysomes indicated that proteins L7, L8, L17, L26 and S19 became more 'buried' and others such as L4, L29, L36, S2 and S26 became more 'exposed' in infected cells. Most of the topographical alterations occurred in the large ribosomal subunit. In contrast, infection of BHK cells with vesicular stomatitis virus induced little or no topographical alteration.     

Chloroplast ribosomal proteins of Chlamydomonas synthesized in the cytoplasm are made as precursors

Polyadenylated RNA from Chlamydomonas was translated in a cell-free rabbit reticulocyte system that employed [35S]methionine. Antibodies made to four chloroplast ribosomal proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm and imported into the organelle were used for indirect immunoprecipitation of the labeled translation products, which were subsequently visualized on fluorographs of SDS gels. The cytoplasmically synthesized chloroplast ribosomal proteins were first seen as precursors with apparent molecular weights of 1,000 to 6,000 greater than their respective mature forms. Processing of the ribosomal protein precursors to mature proteins was affected by adding a postribosomal supernatant that had been extracted from cells of Chlamydomonas. In contrast to the chloroplast ribosomal proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm, two such proteins made within the chloroplast were found to be synthesized in mature form in cell-free wheat germ translation systems programmed with nonpolyadenylated RNA.     

Analysis of kethoxal bound to ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli 70S reacted ribosomes

To investigate ribosome topography and possible function, 70S ribosomes of $\text{Escherichia coli}$ were reacted with the dicarbonyl compound kethoxal. Ribosomal protein was extracted after reaction, and through two dimensional gel electrophoresis, the reactive proteins of the two subunits were identified. From the 30S subunit, the most reacted proteins were S2, S3, S4, S5 and S7 and from the 50S subunit, L1, L5, L16, L17, L18 and L27. The results with kethoxal are compared with other modifiers of ribosomal proteins.     

Covalent cross-linking of ribosomal RNA and proteins by methylene blue-sensitized photooxidation.

Ribosomal proteins are covalently cross-linked to ribosomal RNA by irradiation with visible light in the presence of methylene blue and O2. Proteins S3, S4, S5 and S7 from the 30 S subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes and L2 and L3 from the 50 S subunit are among the cross-linked proteins. S3 and S5 had not previously been identified as RNA-binding proteins.     

Differential expression of ribosomal proteins in human normal and neoplastic colorectum.

Ribosomal proteins are a major component of ribosomes and play critical roles in protein biosynthesis. Recently it has been shown that the ribosomal proteins also function during various cellular processes that are independent of protein biosynthesis therefore called extraribosomal functions. In this study we have, for the first time, determined the expression profile of 12 ribosomal proteins (Sa, S8, S11, S12, S18, S24, L7, L13a, L18, L28, L32, and L35a) in normal epithelia of human colorectal mucosa using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and then compared their expression patterns with those of colorectal cancer. In the normal mucosa, ribosomal proteins were largely associated with the ribosomes of mucosal epithelia, and the expression level of ribosomal proteins, except for S11 and L7 proteins, was markedly increased in associated with maturation of the mucosal cells. On the other hand, these ribosomal proteins were markedly decreased in colorectal cancer compared with the normal mucosa. By contrast, S11 and L7 ribosomal proteins were rarely associated with the ribosomes of colorectal epithilia except immature mucosal cells, whereas their expression levels were significantly enhanced in colorectal cancer cells. In addition, L7 ribosomal protein was detected in the secretory granules of the enterochromaffin cells in the colorectal mucosa and in carcinoma cells expressing chromogranin A. These results indicate that the expression of ribosomal proteins is differentially regulated not only in normal mucosa but also in carcinoma of human colorectum, and suggest an extraribosomal function of L7 ribosomal protein in neuroendocrine function.     

Identification of the ribosomal proteins phosphorylated by the ribosome-associated casein kinase type II from cryptobiotic gastrulae of the brine shrimp Artemia sp

Phosphorylation of the ribosomal proteins by the extra-ribosomal protein kinase was investigated "in situ" and with purified 40 S or 60 S ribosomal proteins from cryptobiotic embryos of Artemia sp. Ribosomal proteins that were most readily phosphorylated in 80 S ribosomes included S6 and S8 of the 40 S subunit and proteins L9, L13 and L18 of the 60 S subunit. Several additional polypeptides were phosphorylated when purified 40 S or 60 S ribosomal proteins were separately incubated in the reconstituted system. The possible functions of ribosomal phosphorylation in protein synthesis will be discussed.     

Analysis by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the in vivo phosphorylation of ribosomal proteins derived from free and membrane-bound polysomes

Analysis of in vivo phosphorylation of mouse liver ribosomal proteins was performed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis following 32P-injection. Our method is special and differs from other eukaryotic systems reported in that all proteins separated on the first dimension gel are completely solubilized, moving quantitatively to the second dimension gel. Only ribosomes from polysomes were used, ensuring analysis of ribosomes actively engaged in protein synthesis. We resolved sixty-five distinct proteins from ribosomes from membrane bound or free polysomes. In both cases radioautography revealed similar labeled patterns with one highly phosphorylated ribosomal protein and five marginally labeled spots.     

Crosslinking of ribosomal proteins to RNA in maize ribosomes by UV-B and its effects on translation

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) photons can cause substantial cellular damage in biomolecules, as is well established for DNA. Because RNA has the same absorption spectrum for UV as DNA, we have investigated damage to this cellular constituent. In maize (Zea mays) leaves, UV-B radiation damages ribosomes by crosslinking cytosolic ribosomal proteins S14, L23a, and L32, and chloroplast ribosomal protein L29 to RNA. Ribosomal damage accumulated during a day of UV-B exposure correlated with a progressive decrease in new protein production; however, de novo synthesis of some ribosomal proteins is increased after 6 h of UV-B exposure. After 16 h without UV-B, damaged ribosomes were eliminated and translation was restored to normal levels. Ribosomal protein S6 and an S6 kinase are phosphorylated during UV-B exposure; these modifications are associated with selective translation of some ribosomal proteins after ribosome damage in mammalian fibroblast cells and may be an adaptation in maize. Neither photosynthesis nor pigment levels were affected significantly by UV-B, demonstrating that the treatment applied is not lethal and that maize leaf physiology readily recovers.     

Comparative study between prokaryotes and eukaryotes by chemical iodination of ribosomal proteins.

Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomal proteins were chemically iodinated with 125I by chloramine T under conditions in which the proteins were denatured. The labelled proteins were subsequently separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with an excess of untreated ribosomal proteins from the same species. The iodination did not change the electrophoretic mobility of the proteins as shown by the pattern of spots in the stained gel slabs and their autoradiography. The 125I radioactivity incorporated in the proteins was estimated by cutting out the gel spots from the two-dimensional electrophoresis gel slabs. The highest content of 125I was found in the ribosomal proteins L2, L11, L13, L20/S12, S4 and S9 from E. coli, and L2/L3, L4/L6/S7, L5, L19/L20, L22/S17, L29/S27, L35/L37 and S14/S15 from S. cerevisiae. Comparisons between the electrophoretic patterns of E. coli and S. cerevisiae ribosomal proteins were carried out by coelectrophoresis of labelled and unlabelled proteins from both species. E. coli ribosomal proteins L5, L11, L20, S2, S3 and S15/S16 were found to overlap with L15, L11/L16, L36/L37, S3, S10 and S33 from S. cerevisiae, respectively. Similar coelectrophoresis of E. coli 125I-labelled proteins with unlabelled rat liver and wheat germ ribosomal proteins showed the former to overlap with proteins L1, L11, L14, L16, L19, L20 and the latter with L2, L5, L6, L15, L17 from E. coli.