Labeling of proteins with [35S]methionine and/or [35S]cysteine in the absence of cells

Incubation of [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine with bovine albumin, globulin, catalase, hemoglobin, or human globulin resulted in incorporation of the 35S label into each of these proteins. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation revealed that the percentage of label incorporated ranged from 1 to 15%. The 35S labeling was resistant to dissociation by reducing SDS-PAGE, prolonged dialysis against 4 M urea, heating, TCA precipitation, and dilution by gel filtration. The labeling effect was more efficient with [35S]cysteine than [35S]methionine. Incubation of 35S label with proteins differing in methionine and cysteine content revealed no requirement for sulfur-containing amino acids in the target protein. Protein carboxymethylation reduced but did not prevent 35S label incorporation. Amino acid analysis of labeled proteins revealed that the radioactive label was not consistently associated with an individual amino acid. Differences in the ability of various proteins to spontaneously label with these amino acids suggest caution in the interpretation of metabolic labeling experiments and the necessity for inclusion of additional controls. Alternatively, our experience indicates a potentially useful method for labeling proteins in the absence of cells.     

Nonhistone chromatin proteins of B-lymphocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of proteins synthesized and phoshorylated during the initiation of lymphocyte differentiation

Synthesis and phosphorylation of nonhistone chromatin and nucleoplasmic proteins during the first 24 h of activation of mouse B-lymphocytes by the B-cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide have been studied by two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis. Although little change occurs in the nucleoplasmic proteins, it has been shown that the incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into nonhistone chromatin proteins is selectively stimulated. The degree of stimulation and the kinetics of synthesis are characteristic for each individual protein; some proteins exhibit increased incorporation only 4 h after addition of mitogen, while others are synthesized de novo between 8 and 24 h. After 72 h stimulation, the majority of nonhistone chromatin protein synthesis occurs in the highly differentiated lymphoblasts and plasma cells actively secreting IgM, very little synthesis taking place in the small lymphocytes. Analysis of nuclear proteins from lymphocytes stimulated for 2 h showed no selective stimulation of phosphorylation. These observations suggest that nonhistone chromatin proteins play an important role in the regulation of gene expression in B-lymphocytes.     

Differential protein synthesis in the induction of thyroid cell proliferation by thyrotropin, epidermal growth factor or serum

Protein synthesis in the G1 period of the cell cycle has been investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in primary cultures of dog quiescent thyroid cells, incubated in defined medium and induced to proliferate by the combined action of thyrotropin (TSH), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and serum or by each of these agents, acting alone. The analysis of the proteins, pulse-labeled for 3 h with [35S]methionine, in quiescent cells deprived of serum and in cells that had been stimulated for various periods of time by the addition of TSH, EGF and serum showed maximal modifications before entry into S phase: the labeling of at least ten proteins was enhanced while that of at least six proteins was decreased. The synthesis of one of these proteins (protein 1; Mr approximately equal to 81 000) was maximal 9-12 h after stimulation by the proliferative agents but began to decrease at 15-18 h and was still decreased at 29-32 h. The study of the effect of each of the proliferation agents alone on the labeling of these sixteen proteins showed that TSH specifically stimulated the labeling of eight polypeptides (proteins 2-9) and that, in contrast, EGF and serum specifically increased the labeling of two other proteins (proteins 1 and 10). The labeling of one protein was decreased by each of the different agents (protein 6') while TSH specifically decreased the labeling of four polypeptides (proteins 1'-4') and increased the labeling of one polypeptide (protein 5') whose synthesis was decreased by EGF and serum. The specific effect of TSH on one protein labeling (protein 7; Mr approximately equal to 39 000) was potentiated by EGF and serum while the specific effect of EGF and serum on another protein labeling (protein 1) was potentiated by TSH. There is thus a correlation between the level of synthesis of these two proteins and the proliferative state of the cells, which is much greater when the stimulating agents are acting together. The induction of protein 1 synthesis by EGF was no longer observed when the cells were no longer proliferating. In the same way, TSH no longer stimulated the synthesis of protein 7 in thyroid cells at confluence. In conclusion, the present study has identified some proteins (proteins 1 and 7) which, as judged by the peculiar stimulation and the kinetics of their synthesis, could be part of the final key events triggering DNA replication in thyroid cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Thyrotropin modifies the synthesis of actin and other proteins during thyroid cell culture

Primary cultures of dog thyroid cells have been used to study the effects of thyrotropin on the synthesis of proteins. The cells were cultured for 4 days in serum-free and thyrotropin-free conditions. Thyrotropin was then added for varying periods of time (6-96 h). In the absence of thyrotropin, the cells have an elongated flattened aspect. Exposure to thyrotropin for 6-24 h produces retraction and rounding up of cells whereas cells incubated with thyrotropin for longer periods of time have an epithelial cuboidal shape. After varying periods of culture the cells were labelled with [35S]methionine for 6 h and then analyzed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, followed by autoradiography. The results were as follows. After exposure to thyrotropin for 32 h and 48 h, the synthesis of about 18 proteins was increased while that of about 14 others was decreased. After 6 h the labelling of three and five of these proteins was already increased or decreased, respectively. Some of the proteins whose synthesis is modified in the presence of thyrotropin were identified. Actin synthesis was markedly decreased with a maximum 24-48 h after the addition of thyrotropin. A modification in the ratio between alpha and beta tubulins was also observed together with very large changes in a group of proteins having both the relative molecular mass (30 000-40 000) and the isoelectric points of tropomyosins. Forskolin and cholera toxin caused the same qualitative and quantitative changes as thyrotropin; this suggests that the regulation by thyrotropin of the synthesis of several thyroid cell proteins is mediated by cAMP. In conclusion, the data obtained in this work might help to explain the molecular mechanisms by which thyrotropin (and cAMP) triggers the changes in cell shape which occur during thyroid cell culture. They also indicate that one of the main effects of thyrotropin takes place at the level of several proteins which belong to the cytoskeleton and which are involved in the definition of the cytostructure of the thyroid cells.     

The cellular origin of glyoxysomal proteins in germinating castor-bean endosperm.

The capacity of castor-bean endosperm tissue to incorporate [35S]methionine into proteins of the total particulate fraction increased during the first 3 days of germination and subsequently declined. At the onset of germination 66% of the incorporated 35S was found in the separated endoplasmic-reticulum fraction, with the remainder in mitochondria, whereas at later developmental stages an increasing proportion of 35S was recovered in glyoxysomes. The kinetics of [35S]methionine incorporation into the major organelle fractions of 3-day-old endosperm tissue showed that the endoplasmic reticulum was immediately labelled, whereas a lag period preceded the labelling of mitochondria and glyoxysomes. When kinetic experiments were interrupted by the addition of an excess of unlabelled methionine, incorporation of [35S]methionine into the endoplasmic reticulum rapidly ceased, but incorporation into mitochondia and glyoxysomes continued for a further 1h. Examination of isolated organelle membranes during this period showed that the addition of unlabelled methionine resulted in a stimulated incorporation of [35S]no methionine into the endoplasmic-reticulum membrane for 30 min, after which time the 35S content of this fraction declined, whereas that of the glyoxysomal membranes continued to increase slowly. The 35S-labelling kinetics of organelles and fractions derived therefrom are discussed in relation to the role of the endoplasmic reticulum in protein synthesis during glyoxysome biogenesis.     

Stimulation of large proteoglycan synthesis in cultured smooth muscle cells from pig aorta by endothelial cell-conditioned medium.

We have previously shown (Berrou et al., J. Cell. Phys., 137:430-438, 1988) that porcine endothelial cell-conditioned medium (ECCM) stimulates proteoglycan synthesis by smooth muscle cells from pig aorta. ECCM stimulation requires protein cores for glycosaminoglycan chain initiation and is accompanied by an increase in the hydrodynamic size of proteoglycans secreted into the medium. This work investigates the mechanisms involved in the ECCM effect. 1) Control and ECCM stimulated proteoglycan synthesis (measured by a 20 min [35S]-sulfate labeling assay) was not inhibited by cycloheximide, indicating that the proteoglycans were composed of preexisting protein cores and that ECCM stimulates glycosylation of these protein cores. 2) Whereas ECCM stimulation of [35S]-methionine incorporation into secreted proteins only occurred after a 6 h incubation, the increase in [35S] methionine-labeled proteoglycans was observed after 1 h, and the increase was stable for at least 16 h. 3) As analysed by electrophoresis in SDS, chondroitinase digestion generated from [14C] serine-labeled proteoglycans 7 protein cores of high apparent molecular mass (550-200 kDa) and one of 47 kDa. The two protein cores of highest apparent molecular masses (550 and 460 kDa), but not the 47 kDa protein cores, showed increased [14C]-serine incorporation in response to ECCM (51%, as measured by Sepharose CL-6B chromatography). 4) Finally, incorporation of [35S]-sulfate into chondroitinase-generated glycosaminoglycan linkage stubs on protein cores was determined by Sepharose CL-6B chromatography: ECCM did not modify the ratio [35S]/[14C] in stimulated protein cores, indicating that ECCM did not affect the number of glycosaminoglycan chains. The results of these studies reveal that 1) endothelial cells secrete factor(s) that preferentially stimulate synthesis of the largest smooth muscle cell proteoglycans without structural modifications and 2) the stimulation proceeds via increased glycosylation of protein core through enhancement of xylosylated protein core, followed by enhanced protein synthesis.     

HMG (high-mobility-group)-14/17-like proteins in calf thyroid. Thyrotropin-dependent phosphorylation and comparison with calf thymus proteins.

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of acid extracts of thyroid and thymus tissue, and of thyroid nuclei, revealed the presence of three HClO4-soluble nuclear proteins, PS.1, PS.2 and PS.3, whose electrophoretic mobilities closely resembled those of HMG (high-mobility-group) proteins 14 and 17. PS.1 co-migrated with HMG 14 on CM-Sephadex column chromatography. Like HMG 14, PS.2 and PS.3 were phosphorylated in calf thyroid slices; 32P-labelling of PS.3 was stimulated by thyrotropin. Thyrotropin also induced a rapid increase in the labelling of A5, an HMG-14/17-like protein found in whole calf thyroid and thymus tissue, but not in thyroid nuclei.     

Synthesis of Na+/K+ ATPase by the preimplantation rabbit blastocyst

The rates of incorporation of [35S]methionine into Na+/K+ ATPase, actin (beta- and gamma-isoforms), and total protein of the preimplantation rabbit blastocyst were determined between Days 4 and 7 of development. Blastocyst proteins were metabolically radiolabelled with [35S]methionine and subsequently analysed by co-isolation with purified Na+/K+ ATPase using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, fluorography, and liquid scintillation spectroscopy. The rate of [35S]methionine incorporation into acid-soluble total protein increased 24-fold between Days 4 and 6 post coitum (p.c.), then diminished approximately 79% on Day 7. In-vitro incorporation of [35S]methionine was linear at each stage of blastocyst development. [35S]methionine incorporation rates were unaffected by low free intracellular methionine concentration (less than 0.06 mM) and stage-related differences in blastocoele volume. Analysis of beta- and gamma-actin synthesis revealed patterns of [35S]methionine incorporation rates which were similar to those of total protein. In contrast, synthesis of blastocyst Na+/K+ ATPase was characterized by a 90-fold increase (P less than 0.001) in the rate of [35S]methionine incorporation between Days 4 and 6 p.c. The results demonstrate that Na+/K+ ATPase is actively synthesized at a high and increasing rate during preimplantation development in the rabbit at a period which is characterized by rapid fluid accumulation by the blastocyst.     

Site of synthesis of the proteins of mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes. Evidence from cultured bovine cells

In order to determine the sites of synthesis of the proteins of the mammalian mitochondrial ribosome (mitoribosome), bovine (MDBK) cells were labeled with [35S]methionine in the presence of inhibitors of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic protein synthesis. Labeling in the absence of cytoplasmic protein synthesis produced a "blank" fluorogram, indicating that there is no mitochondrial product. Additionally, incorporation of [35S]methionine into the enumerated mitoribosomal proteins continued in the absence of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Finally, it was demonstrated that mitoribosomal proteins can be both translated and assembled into complete mitoribosomes in the absence of mitochondrial protein synthesis. These results indicate that in mammals, as opposed to lower eukaryotes, all of the mitoribosomal proteins are products of cytoplasmic protein synthesis.     

Pattern of protein phosphorylation in intact stimulated cells: thyrotropin and dog thyroid

Two-dimensional, high-resolution electrophoretic technique of O'Farrell has been adapted to the analysis of thyroid phosphorylated proteins. Proteins were extracted from dog thyroid slices which had been incubated in the presence of [32P]phosphate with thyrotropin or with different agents which enhance the intracellular accumulation of cyclic AMP. About 350 phosphorylated polypeptides have been separated. Thyrotropin stimulates the phosphorylation of at least eight of these polypeptides. An increase in the phosphorylation of the same polypeptides was observed was observed when dog thyroid slices were incubated with dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate, cholera toxin or prostaglandin E1 instead of thyrotropin. Our results confirm that most of dog thyroid protein phosphorylation is independent of cyclic AMP. They offer a first link between the action of cyclic AMP on protein kinase and the physiological effects of thyrotropin. They strongly substantiate the hypothesis that most thyrotropin effects are mediated by cyclic AMP.     

Protein synthesis during induction of DNA replication in thyroid epithelial cells: evidence for late markers of distinct mitogenic pathways

The synthesis of specific protein has been investigated in primary cultures of dog thyroid epithelial cells, which can be induced to progress into G1 phase, in the presence of insulin, by different types of mitogens: thyrotropin (TSH) acting through cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), or 10% serum. EGF, TPA, or serum specifically induce [35S] methionine labeling of protein 1 (Mr approximately 80,000). The effect of EGF on protein 1 labeling and DNA replication is dependent on insulin. The level of protein 1 labeling as well as that of DNA synthesis is higher when TSH or TSH + serum are added together with EGF. It peaks in mid-G1. TSH alone, in the presence of insulin, stimulates DNA replication without inducing protein 1 synthesis, which thus represents a cell-cycle-dependent event that is not obligatory in mitogenic activation through cyclic AMP. Among the eight proteins whose synthesis is stimulated by TSH, only the labeling of protein 7, molecular weight ratio (Mr approximately 38,000), correlates with the DNA synthetic activity of the cells. The present authors identified protein 7 as cyclin/proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), the auxiliary protein of DNA polymerase-delta. The effect of TSH on cyclin synthesis is already detectable when most of the cells are in late G1, but its stimulation by EGF or EGF + serum is delayed and detected only after extending the labeling period to the S-phase. These data support the view that the cAMP-mediated mitogenic pathway remains partly distinct from the better known pathways induced by growth factors and tumor promoters, even at late stages of the G1-phase.     

Identification of glucose response proteins in two biological models of beta-cell adaptation to chronic high glucose exposure.

High resolution 2-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) combined with computerized analysis of gel images was used to search for proteins whose biosynthesis was induced or repressed in pancreatic islet cells chronically exposed to high glucose in an in situ and a tissue culture model of islet cell adaptation to excessive fuel load. The in situ model involved a 4-day intravenous infusion of either 50% glucose or 0.45% saline solution, followed by islet isolation, [35S]methionine labeling at 3 and 18 mM glucose for both groups, and protein analysis by 2-dimensional SDS-PAGE. The tissue culture model involved a 7-day culture of isolated rat islets in RPMI 1640 with 10% fetal calf serum containing either 3 or 30 mM glucose, followed by radiolabeling and 2-dimensional PAGE of proteins as in the in situ model. A small fraction of about 1.5% of the approximately 2000 identifiable proteins can be characterized as adaptive proteins. Of these altogether 58 proteins in the two models, 5 proteins were demonstrable in both models and two of these (proteins 1526 and 7622) are particularly noteworthy. Protein 1526 (Mr 57,000; pI 5.09) showed the same response pattern in both models and its expression was most enhanced when islets from chronically glucose-infused animals or those cultured for 7 days at 30 mM were radiolabeled at 18 mM glucose. Protein 7622 (Mr 68,000; pI 6.50) (also known as GSP-65; Collins, H.W., Buettger, C., and Matschinsky, F.M. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 5494-5498) showed a different labeling pattern in the two models: stimulation of [35S]methionine incorporation by 18 mM glucose both in control and experimental islets from the infusion study, but lack of such stimulation of radiolabeling in islets cultured for 7 days at 30 mM glucose in contrast to islets cultured at 3 mM. The experimental strategy and the methodology are evaluated and the significance of the results is discussed. Potentials of the approach and plans for future experiments are considered.     

Ozone-Induced Alterations in the Accumulation of Newly Synthesized Proteins in Leaves of Maize

We examined the response of leaves of 3-week-old maize (Zea mays L.) to short-term (5 h) fumigation with O3-enriched air (0, 0.12, 0.24, or 0.36 [mu]L/L). Older leaves and leaf tissue developed more severe visible damage at higher external O3 concentrations. To investigate the immediate effect of O3 exposure on the accumulation of newly synthesized leaf proteins, leaves were labeled with [35S]methionine after 2 h and fumigated for an additional 3 h. O3-induced alterations of leaf proteins were observed in a concentration-dependent manner. There was a significant decrease in [35S]methionine incorporation into protein at the highest O3 concentration. Developmental differences in accumulation of de novo-synthesized leaf proteins were observed when the leaf tip, middle, and basal sections were labeled under 0 [mu]L/L O3, and additional changes were apparent upon exposure to increasing O3 concentrations. Changes in leaf protein synthesis were observed in the absence of visible leaf injury. Subcellular fractionation revealed O3-induced alterations in soluble and membrane-associated proteins. A number of thylakoid membrane-associated proteins showed specific increases in response to O3 fumigation. In contrast, the synthesis of a 32-kD polypeptide associated with thylakoid membranes was reduced in response to O3 fumigation in parallel with reduced incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein. Immunoprecipitation identified this polypeptide as the D1 protein of photosystem II. A reduction in the accumulation of newly synthesized D1 could have consequences for the efficiency of photosynthesis and other cellular processes.     

Contractile activity enhances the synthesis of hexokinase II in rat skeletal muscle

An 11-fold increase in hexokinase activity and the hexokinase II isoform was found in rat tibialis anterior muscle after 7 days of chronic, low-frequency stimulation. In vivo labeling studies showed that this increase in enzyme protein content was related to an approx. 30-fold increase in [35S] methionine incorporation.     

Studies of double-labeled mouse thyrotropin and free alpha-subunits to estimate relative fucose content

The composition and structure of the complex oligosaccharides of thyrotropin (TSH) and free alpha-subunits are not well established, but are believed to be important determinants of the biological properties of these glycoproteins. We employed a simple double-label technique to learn the relative fucose content of mouse thyrotropin and free alpha-subunits. Thyrotropic tumor minces were incubated simultaneously with [35S]methionine and [3H]fucose. Thyrotropin and free alpha-subunits were labeled with both isotopes, and the ratio of 3H/35S was higher in free alpha-subunits than in thyrotropin; free alpha-subunits were approximately fivefold richer in fucose than was thyrotropin. The 3H/35S ratio was not substantially altered in TSH or free alpha-subunits secreted after a brief incubation with 10(-7) M thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Species which incorporated [3H]fucose were resistant to endoglycosidase H. Thus, mouse free alpha-subunits secreted by thyrotropic tumor are relatively rich in fucose. Double-isotope labeling using an amino acid and a sugar appears to be a useful technique for studies of the glycoprotein hormones.     

The effect of Ca2+ ionophores upon the synthesis of proteins in cultured skeletal muscle

The influence of the Ca2+ ionophores, ionomycin and A23187 upon the incorporation of [35S]methionine into proteins of cultured chicken pectoralis muscle was studied during differentiation of myoblasts into multinucleated myotubes. Fusion was reversibly arrested by growing cells in low-calcium media from the time of plating. Exposure of normal and fusion blocked cultures to 10-6-10-5 M ionomycin or A23187 for 2-6 h on the second to fourth day of growth, resulted in a selective increase in the incorporation of [35S]methionine into two proteins of about 100 000 and 80 000 dalton. When 10-5 M ionomycin or A23187 were added to older cultures, all large myotubes contracted and detached from the plate. Only the adhering myoblasts and small myotubes incorporated [35s[methionine into the muscle proteins and showed increased incorporation of label into 100 000 and 80 000 proteins. After ionophore pulse, the adhering cells retained the ability to differentiate and accumulate myosin. The effect of Ca2+ ionophores upon the rate of protein synthesis is presumably related to increased influx of extracellular Ca2+ with a rise in the Ca2+ concentration of the cytoplasm. We conclude that Ca2+ sensitive mechanisms may regulate the synthesis of a select group of muscle proteins.     

Insertion of newly synthesized proteins into the outer membrane of Escherichia coli.

The insertion of newly synthesized proteins into the outer membrane of Escherichia coli has been examined. The results show that there is no precurser pool of outer membrane proteins in the cytoplasmic membrane because first, the incorporation of a [35S]methionine pulse into outer membrane proteins completely parallels its incorporation into cytoplasmic membrane proteins, and second, under optimal isolation conditions, no outer membrane proteins are found in the cytoplasmic membrane, even when the membranes are analysed after being labeled for only 15 s. The [35S]methionine present in the outer membrane after a pulse of 15 s was found in protein fragments of varying sizes rather than in specific outer membrane proteins. This label could however be chased into specific proteins within 30--120 s, depending on the size of the protein, indicating that although unfinished protein fragments were present in the outer membrane, they were completed by subsequent chain elongation. Thus, outer membrane proteins are inserted into the outer membrane while still attached to ribosomes. Since ribosomes which are linked to the cell envelope by nascent polypeptide chains are stationary, the mRNA which is being translated by these ribosomes moves along the inner cell surface.