利用免疫荧光标记研究磷酸化组蛋白H3在乳腺癌组织中的分布

在时间上与细胞周期相关并且在功能上又与染色质凝集偶联的一类组蛋白翻译后修饰就是组蛋白H3磷酸化。运用一个针对H3－Ser10磷酸化的特异性抗体,通过SDS－PAGE,免疫印迹和免疫荧光标记检测了磷酸化H3在MCF－7细胞周期中的分布。共聚焦显微结果显示;H3磷酸化在早前期细胞核膜附近以斑点状起始,之后扩展到整个凝集的染色质上,然后在早中期达到最高水平。H3去磷酸化开始于有丝分裂后期,很快在末期完成,而此时末期细胞凝集的染色质并未完全解凝集。H3磷酸化与染色质初期凝集之间存在着精确的时间和空间上的相关性。另外,对H3磷酸化可能的作用进行了讨论。     

磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦有丝分裂与减数分裂中的分布

在细胞周期中 ,与染色质凝集偶联的一类组蛋白修饰是组蛋白H3的磷酸化。运用H3_Ser 10磷酸化的特异性抗体 ,通过间接免疫荧光标记检测了磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦 (TriticumaestivumL .)有丝分裂与减数分裂细胞中的分布。有丝分裂时 ,H3磷酸化起始于早前期 ,消失于末期 ,在中期与后期 ,H3磷酸化主要分布在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区。减数分裂时 ,H3磷酸化起始于细线期向偶线期转换时 ,并且从前期Ⅰ到后期Ⅰ保持均一分布于整个染色体上 ,直到末期Ⅰ消失 ,而中期Ⅱ与后期Ⅱ在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区的信号略强于染色体臂 ,直至消失于末期Ⅱ。磷酸化组蛋白H3在两类细胞分裂中的不同分布暗示这种保守的翻译后修饰可能发挥着除参与染色体凝集外的更复杂的作用。     

磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦有丝分裂与减数分裂中的分布

在细胞周期中, 与染色质凝集偶联的一类组蛋白修饰是组蛋白H3的磷酸化.运用H3-Ser 10磷酸化的特异性抗体,通过间接免疫荧光标记检测了磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)有丝分裂与减数分裂细胞中的分布.有丝分裂时,H3磷酸化起始于早前期,消失于末期,在中期与后期,H3磷酸化主要分布在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区.减数分裂时,H3磷酸化起始于细线期向偶线期转换时,并且从前期Ⅰ到后期Ⅰ保持均一分布于整个染色体上,直到末期Ⅰ消失,而中期Ⅱ与后期Ⅱ在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区的信号略强于染色体臂,直至消失于末期Ⅱ.磷酸化组蛋白H3在两类细胞分裂中的不同分布暗示这种保守的翻译后修饰可能发挥着除参与染色体凝集外的更复杂的作用.     

组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化在草地贪夜蛾Sf9细胞有丝分裂中的动态分布

【目的】探讨表观遗传标记组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化在草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9细胞系细胞有丝分裂中的功能。【方法】序列比对分析组蛋白H3保守性。通过固相法合成特定位点磷酸化修饰的一段组蛋白H3的肽段【RK(p S)TGGKAPRKQLC】进行抗体制备;培养Sf9细胞,通过细胞爬片制备有丝分裂的片子,统计不同时期的细胞数目;以免疫荧光标记检测组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化抗体在不同时期的定位特点。【结果】序列比对分析发现组蛋白H3第1-60位氨基酸在大多数物种中高度保守。在草地贪夜蛾Sf9细胞中,组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化发生在早前期细胞的核膜附近,成点状分布;随着细胞周期的进行,早中期达到最高水平,在整条染色体上集中分布。有丝分裂后期开始去磷酸化,并于末期完成去磷酸化。【结论】组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化与Sf9细胞有丝分裂中染色质的凝缩相关。     

Thr11磷酸化组蛋白H3在MCF-7细胞有丝分裂中的动态分布

组蛋白H3在氨基末端Ser10、Ser28、Thr11和Thr3等氨基酸残基的磷酸化修饰是一类在时间上和空间上与细胞有丝分裂相关的翻译后修饰事件。为了研究Thr11位点磷酸化作用的功能,利用SDS-PAGE、Western Blot、间接免疫荧光标记技术和激光共聚焦显微技术检测分析了人乳腺癌细胞(MCF-7)中Thr11磷酸化组蛋白H3在有丝分裂过程中的动态分布,以研究其在有丝分裂过程中的功能。结果显示:在MCF-7细胞中,组蛋白H3 Thr11的磷酸化发生在早前期细胞染色体的着丝粒处,成点状分布,继而在早中期达到最高水平,并以点状集中在赤道板上,在有丝分裂后期开始脱磷酸化,并于末期完成脱磷酸化。事实表明,H3 Thr11的磷酸化与细胞有丝分裂过程存在着时间和空间上的相关性。Thr11磷酸化H3只存在于着丝粒表明它可能参与有丝分裂期间功能性动原体的组成。这与Ser10磷酸化H3的分布及可能的功能截然相反。     

组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化在家蚕精母细胞减数分裂中的动态分布

【目的】探究组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化(H3Ser10ph)在家蚕Bombyx mori精母细胞减数分裂中的功能。【方法】解剖并分离家蚕4龄幼虫至蛹期精巢组织,通过丙烯酰胺凝胶包埋制备处于减数分裂不同时期的精巢组织玻片,以免疫荧光标记检测H3Ser10ph抗体在精母细胞减数分裂不同时期的定位特点。【结果】在家蚕有核精子精母细胞减数分裂过程中,组蛋白H3Ser10的磷酸化发生在粗线期染色体的特定位置,双线期H3Ser10ph信号逐渐减弱,至终变期时在染色体上完全检测不到磷酸化信号。随着细胞周期的进行,磷酸化信号又开始逐渐增强,减数第一次分裂中期时达到最高水平。当细胞进入减数第二次分裂前中期时,染色体臂上的H3Ser10ph信号消失,在靠近纺锤体微管的分裂面处有弥散的H3Ser10ph抗体的信号,减数第二次分裂末期,仅剩余非常微弱的H3Ser10ph信号残留于染色体的特定位置。在无核精子精母细胞减数分裂过程中,在中期I至末期I一直在染色体上有较均一的3Ser10ph信号,后期I时纺锤丝微管与赤道面平行。【结论】组蛋白H3Ser10磷酸化与家蚕有核精子和无核精子精母细胞减数分裂中染色质的动态变化相关。     

细胞分裂过程中的组蛋白H3磷酸化

组蛋白是染色质中主要的蛋白质组分,经过复杂的翻译后修饰,主要包括乙酰化、甲基化、磷酸化、泛素化和ADP-核糖基化后,会改变染色质的结构及功能特性。组蛋白H3的磷酸化是高度保守的,发生在有丝分裂和减数分裂中特定的时期和染色体部位。在真核生物的不同物种中,组蛋白的磷酸化在染色体上的分布和起始时期是不同的,但常在中期磷酸化水平达到最高。在有丝分裂或减数分裂将结束的时候,H3普遍发生去磷酸化现象。不同组蛋白的共价修饰有不同的表观遗传学效应。     

组蛋白H3Thr3磷酸化在Sf9细胞有丝分裂中的动态定位

【目的】研究组蛋白H3Thr3磷酸化这一表观标记在Sf9细胞有丝分裂中的功能。【方法】通过固相法合成一段包含组蛋白H3第1-9位氨基酸的肽段[ARTKQTARKC],将第3位苏氨酸进行磷酸化修饰(P-Pep 226555)或者不修饰(NP-Pep 080472)后制备抗体,Western blot检测抗体的特异性。培养Sf9细胞,通过爬片制备细胞处于有丝分裂不同时期的玻片,以免疫荧光标记检测磷酸化H3Thr3(H3Thr3ph)抗体在Sf9细胞有丝分裂不同时期的定位特点。【结果】在Sf9细胞中,组蛋白H3Thr3的磷酸化发生在前期细胞染色体的特定位置;随着细胞周期的进行,磷酸化信号逐渐增强,中期达到最高水平,有丝分裂后期在形成子细胞的赤道板处均匀分布,末期仅在赤道板特定位置残留微弱的磷酸化信号。【结论】H3Thr3的磷酸化与Sf9细胞胞质有丝分裂相关。     

芽殖酵母和裂殖酵母中异染色质形成机制

芽殖酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)和裂殖酵母(Schizosaccharomyces pombe)是用来研究异染色质形成、细胞周期、DNA复制等重要细胞功能的理想单细胞真核生物.本文主要介绍这2种酵母中异染色质形成的机制.异染色质是一种抑制基因转录和DNA重组的特殊染色质结构.尽管在芽殖酵母和裂殖酵母中异染色质形成都需要组蛋白修饰,但异染色质建立的机制不同.在芽殖酵母中参与异染色质形成的主要蛋白是Sir1-4蛋白（其中Sir2为组蛋白H3去乙酰化酶）,而组蛋白H3赖氨酸9甲基化酶Clr4和异染色质蛋白Swi6在裂殖酵母异染色质形成中起关键的作用.在这两个酵母中,参与异染色质形成的组蛋白修饰蛋白由DNA结合蛋白招募到异染色质.此外,裂殖酵母也利用RNA干扰系统招募组蛋白修饰蛋白.     

小鼠Hep.A肝癌染色质磷酸化非组蛋白的研究——Ⅰ.正常小鼠肝和Hep.A腹水肝癌染色质磷酸化非组蛋白的比较

研究了Hep.A腹水肝癌染色质磷酸化非组蛋白的变化。Hep.A肝癌染色质非组蛋白,磷酸化非组蛋白的含量以及非组蛋白被磷酸化的比例都较正常小鼠肝增加,分别达到正常肝的2.2,4.4和2.0倍。非组蛋白含磷量也增加,达到正常肝的1.36倍。结果表明Hep.A肝癌染色质非组蛋白磷酸化比例增加。但单位重量非组蛋白及磷酸化非组蛋白所含磷酸基团反而下降,仅分别为正常肝的65%和32%。Hep.A肝癌染色质磷酸化非组蛋白的SDS-凝胶电泳图谱显示分子量为69,000道尔顿的蛋白部份明显增加,此外还有一正常细胞缺乏的分子量为47,000道尔顿的蛋白部份出现。等电聚焦电泳表明等电点偏低的蛋白部份增加。氨基酸组成分析证明两种细胞磷酸基团的接受体基本相同。实验结果表明Hep.A肝癌染色质磷酸化非组蛋白与正常小鼠肝有质与量的差别。     

Relationship between histone phosphorylation and premature chromosome condensation

The relationship between histone phosphorylation and chromosome condensation was investigated by determining changes in phosphorylation levels of histones H1 and H3 following fusion between mitotic and interphase cells and subsequent premature chromosome condensation. We detected significant increases in the levels of phosphorylation of H1 and H3 from interphase chromatin in which a majority of nuclei had undergone premature chromosome condensation. In addition, we noted significant decreases in the phosphate content of the highly phosphorylated mitotic H1 and H3, presumably resulting from phosphatase activity contributed by the interphase component of mitotic/interphase fused cells. These observations further strengthen the correlation between histone phosphorylation and the changes in chromosome condensation associated with the initiation of mitosis. This study also suggests that maintenance of the mitotic chromosomes in a highly condensed state does not require the continued presence of histones in a highly phosphorylated form.     

Chromatin-associated protein phosphatase 1 regulates aurora-B and histone H3 phosphorylation

Proper chromosome condensation requires the phosphorylation of histone and nonhistone chromatin proteins. We have used an in vitro chromosome assembly system based on Xenopus egg cytoplasmic extracts to study mitotic histone H3 phosphorylation. We identified a histone H3 Ser(10) kinase activity associated with isolated mitotic chromosomes. The histone H3 kinase was not affected by inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases, DNA-dependent protein kinase, p90(rsk), or cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The activity could be selectively eluted from mitotic chromosomes and immunoprecipitated by specific anti-X aurora-B/AIRK2 antibodies. This activity was regulated by phosphorylation. Treatment of X aurora-B immunoprecipitates with recombinant protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) inhibited kinase activity. The presence of PP1 on chromatin suggested that PP1 might directly regulate the X aurora-B associated kinase activity. Indeed, incubation of isolated interphase chromatin with the PP1-specific inhibitor I2 and ATP generated an H3 kinase activity that was also specifically immunoprecipitated by anti-X aurora-B antibodies. Nonetheless, we found that stimulation of histone H3 phosphorylation in interphase cytosol does not drive chromosome condensation or targeting of 13 S condensin to chromatin. In summary, the chromosome-associated mitotic histone H3 Ser(10) kinase is associated with X aurora-B and is inhibited directly in interphase chromatin by PP1.     

Phosphorylation-induced rearrangement of the histone H3 NH2-terminal domain during mitotic chromosome condensation

The NH2-terminal domain (N-tail) of histone H3 has been implicated in chromatin compaction and its phosphorylation at Ser10 is tightly correlated with mitotic chromosome condensation. We have developed one mAb that specifically recognizes histone H3 N-tails phosphorylated at Ser10 (H3P Ab) and another that recognizes phosphorylated and unphosphorylated H3 N-tails equally well (H3 Ab). Immunocytochemistry with the H3P Ab shows that Ser10 phosphorylation begins in early prophase, peaks before metaphase, and decreases during anaphase and telophase. Unexpectedly, the H3 Ab shows stronger immunofluorescence in mitosis than interphase, indicating that the H3 N-tail is more accessible in condensed mitotic chromatin than in decondensed interphase chromatin. In vivo ultraviolet laser cross-linking indicates that the H3 N-tail is bound to DNA in interphase cells and that binding is reduced in mitotic cells. Treatment of mitotic cells with the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine causes histone H3 dephosphorylation and chromosome decondensation. It also decreases the accessibility of the H3 N-tail to H3 Ab and increases the binding of the N-tail to DNA. These results indicate that a phosphorylation-dependent weakening of the association between the H3 N-tail and DNA plays a role in mitotic chromosome condensation.     

Mitotic histone H3 phosphorylation by the NIMA kinase in Aspergillus nidulans

Phosphorylation of histone H3 serine 10 correlates with chromosome condensation and is required for normal chromosome segregation in Tetrahymena. This phosphorylation is dependent upon activation of the NIMA kinase in Aspergillus nidulans. NIMA expression also induces Ser-10 phosphorylation inappropriately in S phase-arrested cells and in the absence of NIMX(cdc2) activity. At mitosis, NIMA becomes enriched on chromatin and subsequently localizes to the mitotic spindle and spindle pole bodies. The chromatin-like localization of NIMA early in mitosis is tightly correlated with histone H3 phosphorylation. Finally, NIMA can phosphorylate histone H3 Ser-10 in vitro, suggesting that NIMA is a mitotic histone H3 kinase, perhaps helping to explain how NIMA promotes chromatin condensation in A. nidulans and when expressed in other eukaryotes.     

Mitosis-specific phosphorylation of histone H3 initiates primarily within pericentromeric heterochromatin during G2 and spreads in an ordered fashion coincident with mitotic chromosome condensation

We have generated and characterized a novel site-specific antibody highly specific for the phosphorylated form of the amino-terminus of histone H3 (Ser10). In this study, we used this antibody to examine in detail the relationship between H3 phosphorylation and mitotic chromosome condensation in mammalian cells. Our results extend previous biochemical studies by demonstrating that mitotic phosphorylation of H3 initiates nonrandomly in pericentromeric heterochromatin in late G2 interphase cells. Following initiation, H3 phosphorylation appears to spread throughout the condensing chromatin and is complete in most cell lines just prior to the formation of prophase chromosomes, in which a phosphorylated, but nonmitotic, chromosomal organization is observed. In general, there is a precise spatial and temporal correlation between H3 phosphorylation and initial stages of chromatin condensation. Dephosphorylation of H3 begins in anaphase and is complete immediately prior to detectable chromosome decondensation in telophase cells. We propose that the singular phosphorylation of the amino-terminus of histone H3 may be involved in facilitating two key functions during mitosis: (1) regulate protein-protein interactions to promote binding of trans-acting factors that “drive” chromatin condensation as cells enter M-phase and (2) coordinate chromatin decondensation associated with M-phase. Received: 4 September 1997; in revised form: 14 September 1997 /Accepted: 14 September 1997     

Immunofluorescent studies of human chromosomes with antibodies against phosphorylated H1 histone

One of the prominent cell cycle-related modifications of histone proteins whose function remains unresolved is the phosphorylation of linker histone H1. In this work we have used indirect immunofluorescence on human cells with antibodies that are specific for phosphorylated histone H1 to examine the cellular distribution and chromosome association patterns of this protein. With confocal microscopy on whole cells, strong immunofluorescence was seen in association with mitotic chromosomes as well as a prominent punctate pattern of labeling throughout the mitotic cell, whereas interphase cells showed very little, if any, specific fluorescence. Multiple patterns of fluorescence distribution were detected with metaphase chromosomes, ranging from apparent tight colocalization with the DNA to expanded ”puffy” mitotic figures to an amorphous network of staining. It was also shown that the ability to label chromosomes could vary drastically with different fixation procedures, adding further complications to interpretation of the potentially complex role of phosphorylated histone H1 in chromatin condensation or decondensation. Received: 8 September 1999; in revised form: 14 September 1999 / Accepted: 17 September 1999     

Phosphorylation of nuclear proteins

Many nuclear proteins are phosphorylated: they range from enzymes to several structural proteins such as histones, non-histone chromosomal proteins and the nuclear lamins. The pattern of phosphorylation varies through the cell cycle. Although histone H1 is phosphorylated during interphase its phosphorylation increases sharply during mitosis. Histone H3, chromosomal protein HMG 14 and lamins A, B and C all show reversible phosphorylation during mitosis. Several nuclear kinases have been characterized, including one that increases during mitosis and phosphorylates H1 in vitro. Factors have been demonstrated in maturing amphibian oocytes and mitotic mammalian cells that induce chromosome condensation and breakdown of the nuclear membrane. The possibility that they are autocatalytic protein kinases is considered. The location of histone phosphorylation sites within the nucleosome is consistent with a role for phosphorylation in modulating chromatin folding.     

Mitotic Phosphorylation of Histone H3: Spatio-Temporal Regulation by Mammalian Aurora Kinases

Phosphorylation at a highly conserved serine residue (Ser-10) in the histone H3 tail is considered to be a crucial event for the onset of mitosis. This modification appears early in the G(2) phase within pericentromeric heterochromatin and spreads in an ordered fashion coincident with mitotic chromosome condensation. Mutation of Ser-10 is essential in Tetrahymena, since it results in abnormal chromosome segregation and extensive chromosome loss during mitosis and meiosis, establishing a strong link between signaling and chromosome dynamics. Although mitotic H3 phosphorylation has been long recognized, the transduction routes and the identity of the protein kinases involved have been elusive. Here we show that the expression of Aurora-A and Aurora-B, two kinases of the Aurora/AIK family, is tightly coordinated with H3 phosphorylation during the G(2)/M transition. During the G(2) phase, the Aurora-A kinase is coexpressed while the Aurora-B kinase colocalizes with phosphorylated histone H3. At prophase and metaphase, Aurora-A is highly localized in the centrosomic region and in the spindle poles while Aurora-B is present in the centromeric region concurrent with H3 phosphorylation, to then translocate by cytokinesis to the midbody region. Both Aurora-A and Aurora-B proteins physically interact with the H3 tail and efficiently phosphorylate Ser10 both in vitro and in vivo, even if Aurora-A appears to be a better H3 kinase than Aurora-B. Since Aurora-A and Aurora-B are known to be overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, our findings provide an attractive link between cell transformation, chromatin modifications and a specific kinase system.     

Mitotic histone H3 phosphorylation by vaccinia-related kinase 1 in mammalian cells

Mitotic chromatin condensation is essential for cell division in eukaryotes. Posttranslational modification of the N-terminal tail of histone proteins, particularly by phosphorylation by mitotic histone kinases, may facilitate this process. In mammals, aurora B is believed to be the mitotic histone H3 Ser10 kinase; however, it is not sufficient to phosphorylate H3 Ser10 with aurora B alone. We show that histone H3 is phosphorylated by vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1). Direct phosphorylation of Thr3 and Ser10 in H3 by VRK1 both in vitro and in vivo was observed. Loss of VRK1 activity was associated with a marked decrease in H3 phosphorylation during mitosis. Phosphorylation of Ser10 by VRK1 is similar to that by aurora B. Moreover, expression and chromatin localization of VRK1 depended on the cell cycle phase. Overexpression of VRK1 resulted in a dramatic condensation of nuclei. Our findings collectively support a role of VRK1 as a novel mitotic histone H3 kinase in mammals.