mRNA capping enzymes are masked in reovirus progeny subviral particles.

We examined the enzyme activities associated with progeny subviral particles isolated from L-cells infected with reovirus at 12 h postinfection. Activities normally present in reovirus cores were also found to be present in the progeny subviral particles, with the exception of the capping enzymes. The methylase and guanyl transferase activities, which constitute the capping system, were present in a masked form that could be activated by chymotrypsin digestion. The appearance of these progeny subviral particles in infected cells coincided with the time when mRNA synthesis was maximal, suggesting that viral mRNA synthesized at later times is uncapped.     

Covalent guanylyl intermediate formed by HeLa cell mRNA capping enzyme.

Guanylyltransferase, an enzyme that catalyzes formation of mRNA 5'-terminal caps, was isolated from HeLa cell nuclei. The partially purified preparation, after incubation with [alpha-32P]GTP, yielded a single radiolabeled polypeptide by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The guanylylated product was stable at neutral and alkaline pHs and had a pI of 4 by isoelectric focusing. An apparent molecular weight of approximately 68,000 was estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. The formation of a covalently linked, radiolabeled GMP-protein complex and the associated release of PPi required the presence of [alpha-32P]GTP and divalent cations and incubation between pH 7 and 9. Reaction with [beta-32P]GTP, [alpha-32P]CTP, [alpha-32P]UTP, or [alpha-32P]ATP did not label the approximately 68,000-dalton polypeptide. Phosphoamide linkage of the GMP-enzyme complex was indicated by its sensitivity to cleavage by acidic hydroxylamine or HCl and not by NaOH or alkaline phosphatase. Both formation of the GMP-enzyme intermediate and synthesis of cap structures of type GpppApG from GTP and ppApG were remarkably temperature independent; the rates of enzyme activity at 0 to 4 degrees C were 30% or more of those obtained at 37 degrees C. Radiolabeled GMP-enzyme complex, isolated by heparin-Sepharose chromatography from reaction mixtures, functioned effectively as a GMP donor for cap synthesis with 5'-diphosphorylated oligo- and polynucleotide acceptors. Alternatively, protein-bound GMP could be transferred to PPi to form GTP. The formation of a guanylylated enzyme intermediate appears to be characteristic of viral and cellular guanylyltransferases that modify eucaryotic mRNA 5' termini.     

Presence of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins in a plant hypocotyl microsomal fraction

The presence of specific guanine nucleotide-binding proteins in a zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hypocotyl microsomal fraction was investigated. Polypeptides were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose. Incubation of nitrocellulose blots with [alpha-32P]GTP and [gamma-32P]GTP indicated the presence of four specific and distinct GTP-binding proteins with molecular masses of approx. 23.4 kDa, 24.8 kDa, 26.6 kDa and 28.5 kDa. Binding of [alpha-32P]GTP could be completely prevented by 30 microM GDP or 10 microM guanosine 5'[gamma-thio]triphosphate. This report presents evidence for the presence in a microsomal fraction from zucchini hypocotyls of Gn-proteins as defined by Bhullar and Haslam (1987) Biochem.J. 245, 617-620. The four plant proteins resemble animal Gn-proteins when molecular weights and GTP-binding specificities are considered.     

Affinity labeling of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 and elongation factor 1 alpha beta gamma with GTP analogs

As part of an attempt to understand the specific function and role of each subunit in multisubunit protein synthesis factors, we have attempted to identify the nucleotide binding peptides of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2). To ensure that the interactions were of a specific nature, two general controls were used: first, other protein factors with characterized GTP binding activity were tested; second, all affinity labeling was checked for nucleotide specificity by protection with the authentic nucleotide at a 10-fold molar excess over the affinity reagent. Results with a number of GTP modifying reagents ([alpha-32P]GTP, [alpha-32P]GDP, oxidized [alpha-32P]GTP, 3'-p-azidobenzoyl-[alpha-32P]GTP, 3'-p-azidobenzoyl-[alpha-32P]GDP, and 5'-p-[8-3H]fluorosulfonylbenzoyl guanosine) indicate that appropriate conditions for both nucleotide and subunit specific labeling have been achieved. Under these conditions all reagents modified the beta subunit of eIF-2. Complementary studies with subunit-deficient forms of eIF-2 also suggest that the beta subunit of eIF-2 is involved with GTP binding. Coupled with other data suggesting that the gamma subunit of eIF-2 might be involved in GTP binding and amino acid sequence data of eIF-2 gamma from which a part of a GTP binding consensus sequence can be localized, support is provided for the concept of alternate GTP binding domains or a GTP binding domain shared between different subunits of eIF-2.     

The synthesis of polyribonucleotides by cytoplasmic enzymes

1. The possibility that the cell cytoplasm contains enzymes catalysing the biosynthesis of RNA was investigated in fractions obtained by differential centrifugation of homogenates of Landschutz ascites-tumour cells. 2. The microsomal fraction was shown to be most active in incorporating UMP residues from [alpha-(32)P]UTP into polyribonucleotide material. 3. The same fraction also incorporated [(3)H]CTP, [(3)H]ATP and [(3)H]GTP separately and independently of the presence of complementary ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates. 4. The reaction was promoted by the addition of RNA and showed an absolute requirement for Mg(2+) ions. 5. Analysis of alkaline hydrolysates of the reaction products after the incorporation of [alpha-(32)P]UTP showed that most of the radioactivity was recovered in (2',3')-UMP residues irrespective of whether CTP, ATP and GTP were present in the reaction mixture. 6. Extraction of RNA from the reaction mixtures after the incorporation of [(3)H]ATP, [(3)H]GTP or [(3)H]CTP and analysis by sucrosedensity-gradient centrifugation showed no labelling of the ribosomal RNA. Radioactive material appeared between the 4s region and the meniscus of the sucrose gradient. In agreement with this observation, determinations of the chain length of the product showed that only short sequences of polynucleotides were synthesized. It is concluded that only homopolyribonucleotide synthesis is catalysed by the microsomal fractions and that there is little or no synthesis of RNA-like heteropolymers.     

Primary structure and possible origin of the non-glycosylated basic proline-rich protein of human submandibular/sublingual saliva.

As a first step in determining the molecular mechanism of membrane fusion stimulated by GTP in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), we have looked for GTP-binding proteins. Rough microsomes from rat liver were treated for the release of ribosomes, and the membrane proteins were separated by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The polypeptides were then blotted on to nitrocellulose sheets and incubated with [alpha-32P]GTP [Bhullar & Haslam (1987) Biochem. J. 245, 617-620]. A doublet of polypeptides (23 and 24 kDa) was detected in the presence of 2 microM-MgCl2. Binding of [alpha-32P]GTP was blocked by 1-5 mM-EDTA, 10-10,000 nM-GTP or 10 microM-GDP. Either guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate or guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate at 100 nM completely inhibited binding, but ATP, CTP or UTP at 10 mciroM did not. Pretreatment of microsomes by mild trypsin treatment (0.5-10 micrograms of trypsin/ml, concentrations known not to affect microsomal permeability) led to inhibition of [alpha-32P]GTP binding, suggesting a cytosolic membrane orientation for the GTP-binding proteins. Two-dimensional gel-electrophoretic analysis revealed the 23 and 24 kDa [alpha-32P]GTP-binding proteins to have similar acid isoelectric points. [alpha-32P]GTP binding occurred to similar proteins of rough microsomes from rat liver, rat prostate and dog pancreas, as well as to a 23 kDa protein of rough microsomes from frog liver, but occurred to distinctly different proteins in a rat liver plasma-membrane-enriched fraction. Thus [alpha-32P]GTP binding has been demonstrated to two low-molecular-mass (approx. 21 kDa) proteins in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of several varied cell types.     

Characterization of nucleoside-diphosphate kinase-associated guanine nucleotide-binding proteins from HeLa S3 cells

Nucleoside-diphosphate (NDP) kinase-associated [alpha-32P]GTP-incorporating proteins from HeLa S3 cells have been biochemically characterized. Two distinct NDP-kinases (F-I and F-II) had been partially purified from HeLa S3 cells by Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The [alpha-32P]GTP-incorporating proteins (approx. Mr 20,000) could be separated from NDP-kinases (approx. Mr 80,000) by 5-25% glycerol density-gradient centrifugation analysis after treatment with 7 M urea in the presence of 1 mM EDTA. [alpha-32P]GTP incorporation into these two proteins (G1 and G2) from NDP-kinases required 5 mM Mg2+ and was highly inhibited by either GDP or GTP analogues, such as guanylyl imidodiphosphate and guanylyl methylenediphosphate. [3H]GDP, but no other nucleoside 5'-diphosphates, was also bound to these two proteins in the presence of Mg2+ (5 mM). Moreover, incubation of [alpha-32P]GTP with either G1 or G2 in the presence of Mg2+ (5 mM) resulted in the formation of [32P]GDP and Pi. The data presented here indicated that the guanine nucleotide-binding activity, the GTPase activity, and the molecular weight (approx. Mr 20,000) of NDP-kinase-associated proteins from HeLa S3 cells are similar to those reported for ras oncogene products (p21 proteins).     

Proteins that interact with GTP during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis.

During sporulation of Bacillus subtilis, several proteins were shown to interact with GTP in specific ways. UV light was used to cross-link [alpha-32P]GTP to proteins in cell extracts at different stages of growth. After electrophoresis, 11 bands of radioactivity were found in vegetative cells, 4 more appeared during sporulation, and only 9 remained in mature spores. Based on the labeling pattern with or without UV light to cross-link either [alpha-32P]GTP or [gamma-32P]GTP, 11 bands of radioactivity were apparent guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, and 5 bands appeared to be phosphorylated and/or guanylated. Similar results were found with Bacillus megaterium. Assuming that GTP might be a type of signal for sporulation, it could interact with and regulate proteins by at least three mechanisms.     

m7G5''ppp5''GmptcpUp at the 5'' terminus of reovirus messenger RNA.

In the presence of S-adenosyl methionine the 5' terminal guanosine residue of in vitro synthesized reovirus mRNA becomes methylated at the 2'-OH position. In addition, 7-methyl guanylic acid is condensed covalently at the 5' terminus resulting in the formation of a 5' to 5' triphosphate bridge. Analysis of the 5' terminal sequence of methylated reovirus mRNA revealed that it has the structure m7G5'ppp5'GmpCpUp.     

La Crosse virions contain a primer-stimulated RNA polymerase and a methylated cap-dependent endonuclease.

Uncapped reovirus mRNA extracted at late times from infected L-cells is preferentially translated in extracts from infected L-cells. However, translation of this uncapped, late, reovirus mRNA in extracts from infected cells is sensitive to inhibition by the cap analog m7GTP . These results imply that reovirus infection does not induce a transition from cap-dependent to cap-independent translation. Nevertheless, the results of in vitro translational competition experiments between L-cell mRNA and late viral mRNA were consistent with the view that reovirus does induce an alteration in the cap-dependent translational apparatus of L-cells. The reduced efficiency of translation of a variety of capped mRNAs in extracts from infected cells is also consistent with this notion. We further conclude that a factor exists in reovirus-infected L-cells that specifically stimulates translation of uncapped reovirus mRNAs.     

Discontinuous synthesis of both strands at the growing fork during polyoma DNA replication in vitro.

In discontinuous polyoma DNA replication, the synthesis of Okazaki fragments is primed by RNA. During viral DNA synthesis in nuclei isolated from infected cells, 40% of the nascent short DNA fragments had the polarity of the leading strand which, in theory, could have been synthesized by a continuous mechanism. To rule out that the leading strand fragments were generated by degradation of nascent DNA, they were further characterized. DNA fragments from a segment of the genome which replication forks pass in only one direction were strand separated. The sizes of the fragments from both strands were similar, suggesting that one strand was not specifically degraded. Most important, however, the majority of the Okazaki fragments of both strands were linked to RNA at their 5' ends. For identification, the RNA was labeled at the 5' ends by [beta-32P]GTP, internally by [3H]CTP, [3H]GTP, and [3H]UTP, or at the 3' ends by 32P transfer from adjacent [32P]dTMP residues. All three kinds of labeling indicated that an equal proportion of DNA fragments from the two strands was linked to RNA primers.     

The epidermal growth factor receptor is coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in rat hepatocytes.

Activation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors stimulates inositol phosphate production in rat hepatocytes via a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism, suggesting the involvement of a G protein in the process. Since the first event after receptor-G protein interaction is exchange of GTP for GDP on the G protein, the effect of EGF was measured on the initial rates of guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thiotriphosphate) [( 35S]GTP gamma S) association and [alpha-32P]GDP dissociation in rat hepatocyte membranes. The initial rate of [35S]GTP gamma S binding was stimulated by EGF, with a maximal effect observed at 8 nM EGF. EGF also increased the initial rate of [alpha-32P]GDP dissociation. The effect of EGF on [35S]GTP gamma S association was blocked by boiling the peptide for 5 min in 5 mM dithiothreitol or by incubation of the membranes with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S). EGF-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S binding was completely abolished in hepatocyte membranes prepared from pertussis toxin-treated rats and was inhibited in hepatocyte membranes that were treated directly with the resolved A-subunit of pertussis toxin. The amount of guanine nucleotide binding affected by occupation of the EGF receptor was approximately 6 pmol/mg of membrane protein. Occupation of angiotensin II receptors, which are known to couple to G proteins in hepatic membranes, also stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S association with and [alpha-32P]GDP dissociation from the membranes. The effect of angiotensin II on [alpha-32P]GDP dissociation was blocked by the angiotensin II receptor antagonist [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin II, demonstrating that the guanine nucleotide binding was receptor-mediated. In A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, EGF stimulates inositol lipid breakdown, but the effect is not blocked by treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin. In these cells, EGF had no effect on [35S]GTP gamma S binding. Occupation of the beta-adrenergic receptor in A431 cell membranes with isoproterenol did stimulate [35S] GTP gamma S binding, and the effect could be completely blocked by l-propranolol. These results support the concept that in hepatocyte membranes, EGF receptors interact with a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein via a mechanism similar to other hormone receptor-G protein interactions, but that in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, EGF may activate phospholipase C via different mechanisms.     

A method for the enzymatic synthesis and purification of [alpha-32P] nucleoside triphosphates.

A simplified method is described for the enzymatic synthesis and purification of [alpha-32P]ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. The products are obtained at greater than 97% radiochemical purity with yields of 50--70% (relative to 32Pi) by a two-step elution from DEAE-Sephadex. All reactions are done in one vessel as there is no need for intermediate product purifications. This method is therefore suitable for the synthesis of these radioactive compounds on a relatively large scale. The sequential steps of the method involve first the synthesis of [gamma-32P]ATP and the subsequent phosphorylation of nucleoside 3' monophosphate with T4 polynucleotide kinase to yield nucleoside 3', [5'-32P]diphosphate. Hexokinase is used after the T4 reaction to remove any remaining [gamma-32P]ATP. Nucleoside 3',[5'-32P]diphosphate is treated with nuclease P-1 to produce the nucleoside [5'-32P]monophosphate which is phosphorylated to the [alpha-32P]nucleoside triphosphate with pyruvate kinase and nucleoside monophosphate kinase. Adenosine triphosphate used as the phosphate donor for [alpha-32P]deoxynucleoside triphosphate syntheses is readily removed in a second purification step involving affinity chromatography on boronate-polyacrylamide. [alpha-32P]Ribonucleoside triphosphates can be similarly purified when deoxyadenosine triphosphate is used as the phosphate donor.     

Impairment of reovirus mRNA 'cap' methylation in interferon-treated mouse L929 cells.

Reovirus mRNAs synthesized in vitro by the virionassociated enzyme have a 5' 'cap 1' structure (m7G(5')ppp(5')GmpCp...). However, about one third to one half of the reovirus mRNAs formed in mouse L929 cells have a 5' 'cap 2' structure (m7G(5')ppp(5')GmpCmp...) and the rest have a 5' 'cap 1' structure. The finding that virus mRNA 'cap' methylation is impaired in extracts of interferon-treated cells prompted us to study the effect of interferon on virus mRNA 'cap' methylation in vivo. Using labeling with [3H]-guanosine and dual labeling with [3H]methionine and [14C]uridine we compared the 5' structures of reovirus mRNAs accumulating between 5 and 11 h after infection in: L929 cells treated with 390 to 2600 U/ml of a partially purified mouse interferon preparation and untreated L929 cells. The treatment resulted in a 70 to 98% decrease in the 24 h virus yield and in a 50 to 55% decrease in the label accumulated in virus mRNAs. The 'capping' of virus mRNAs and the methylation of their 5' terminal and adjacent G residues were not diminished in interferon-treated cells. However, the percent of 'cap 2' termini was 36 to 47% lower in virus mRNAs from interferon-treated cells than in virus mRNAs from control cells. The interferon treatment did not result in the appearance of additional methylated nucleotides in the virus mRNAs.     

Low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in cardiac muscle. Association with a 32-kDa component related to connexins.

Low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins and their cellular interactions were examined in cardiac muscle. Heart homogenate was separated into various subcellular fractions by differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Various fractions were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, blotted to nitrocellulose, and GTP-binding proteins detected by incubating with [alpha-32]GTP. Three polypeptides of M(r) 23,000, 26,000, and 29,000 were specifically labeled with [alpha-32P]GTP in all the fractions examined and enriched in sarcolemmal membranes. The 23-kDa polypeptide was labeled to a higher extent with [alpha-32P]GTP than the 26- and 29-kDa polypeptides. A polypeptide of M(r) 40,000 was weakly labeled with [alpha-32P]GTP in the sarcolemmal membrane and tentatively identified as Gi alpha by immunostaining with anti-Gi alpha antibodies. Cytosolic GTP-binding proteins were labeled with [alpha-32P]GTP and their potential sites of interaction investigated using the blot overlay approach. A polypeptide of 32 kDa present in sarcolemmal membranes, intercalated discs, and enriched in heart gap junctions was identified as a major site of interaction. The low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins associated with the 32-kDa polypeptide through a complex involving cytosolic components of M(r) 56,000, 36,000, 26,000, 23,000, and 12,000. A monoclonal antibody against connexin 32 from liver strongly recognized the 32-kDa polypeptide in heart gap junctions, whereas polyclonal antibodies only weakly reacted with this polypeptide. The low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins associated with a 32-kDa polypeptide in liver membranes that was also immunologically related to connexin 32. These results indicate the presence of a subset of low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in a membrane-associated and a cytoplasmic pool in cardiac muscle. Their association with a 32-kDa component that is related to the connexins suggests that these polypeptides may be uniquely situated to modulate communication at the cell membrane.     

Identification of the cap binding domain of human recombinant eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor 4E using a photoaffinity analogue.

Binding of eIF-4E to the 5' m7G cap structure of eukaryotic mRNA signals the initiation of protein synthesis. In order to investigate the molecular basis for this recognition, photoaffinity labeling with [gamma-32P]8-N3GTP was used in binding site studies of human recombinant cap binding protein eIF-4E. Competitive inhibition of this cap analogue by m7GTP and capped mRNA indicated probe specificity for interaction at the protein binding site. Saturation of the binding site with [gamma-32P]8-N3GTP further demonstrated the selectivity of photoinsertion. Aluminum (III)-chelate chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC were used to isolate the binding site peptide resulting from digestion of photolabeled eIF-4E with modified trypsin. Amino acid sequencing identified the binding domain as the region containing the sequence Trp 113-Arg 122.Lys 119 was not identified in sequencing analysis nor was it cleaved by trypsin. These results indicate that Lys 119 is the residue directly modified by photoinsertion of [gamma-32P]8-N3GTP. A detailed understanding of eIF-4E.m7G mRNA cap interactions may lead the way to regulating this essential protein-RNA interaction for specific mRNA in vivo.     

Treatment of oocyte membranes with the 2',3'-dialdehyde of guanosine triphosphate reduces progesterone inhibition of adenylyl cyclase

Treatment of Xenopus laevis membranes with the 2',3'-dialdehyde of GTP (dial GTP) drastically inhibits their adenylyl cyclase activity. Optimal inhibition is obtained by treatment with 1 mM dial GTP for 1h at 32 degrees C. Using guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, F-, forskolin and Mn2+ as activators of the enzyme it can be concluded that dial GTP preferentially reacts with the stimulatory subunit (Ns) and slightly with the catalytic subunit. Dial GTP treatment greatly reduces the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by progesterone. Pure exogenous Ns stimulates the enzyme but does not restore progesterone inhibition. Treatment with dial [alpha-32P]GTP labels several membrane proteins some of which have similar Mr to Ns and Ni.