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.     

Early events in thymocyte activation. II. Changes in nonhistone chromatin proteins induced by a thymus-dependent human serum factor.

Previously, it has been shown that a human thymus-dependent serum factor (SF), isolated from peripheral blood and acting on precursors of mature T lymphocytes, induces an increase in the synthesis of cyclic AMP and proteins in thymocytes. We have now investigated the action of SF on the incorporation of 3H-leucine and 32P-orthophosphate into nuclear proteins of thymocytes after 15 to 240 min of culture. SF induced a rapid increase in the synthesis and phosphorylation of nuclear proteins, especially in the phosphorylated nonhistone chromatin proteins (P-NHCP). Electrophoretic patterns in polyacrylamide gels of the P-NHCP fractions, extracted from the chromatin of the stimulated cells, showed that proteins with m.w. higher than 50 x 10(3) were synthesized to a larger extent as compared with unstimulated cells. These data suggest that SF acts specifically on the synthesis of P-NHCP and may in this way control DNA-template activity.     

Synthesis of nuclear acidic proteins in mature and immature avian erythrocytes.

The synthesis of the nuclear acidic proteins in immature and mature avian erythroid cells was compared. Synthesis of these proteins was found to occur in both types of cells. However, there are quantitative and qualitative differences in incorporation of labelled amino acids into the electrophoretic patterns of these proteins. There was an overall decline in the specific activity of the proteins as erythrocyte maturation proceeds. In particular, one protein band of molecular weight 81,000 is predominantly synthesizied in the immature cells but not in the mature cells.     

Stage-Specific Expression and Localization of MENT, a Nuclear Protein Associated with Chromatin Condensation in Terminally Differentiating Avian Erythroid Cells

Polyclonal antibodies have been raised against a nonhistone protein (MENT) which has been previously shown to be associated with the repressed chromatin of mature chicken erythrocytes and to promote the in vitro condensation of chromatin of immature erythrocyte nuclei. Here we report that the expression pattern of MENT closely follows chromatin condensation in maturing arian erythrocytes of definitive and primary lineages. Accumulation of MENT correlates more strongly with chromatin condensation than does accumulation of histone H5. In addition to being present in erythrocytes, the protein was also found in neutrophil nuclei and an immunofluorescence reaction was observed with embryonic (nucleated) thrombocytes. MENT was not detected in other chicken tissues (brain, liver, testis). In intact erythrocytes, MENT immunofluorescence was found in foci close to the nuclear periphery, while in isolated, decondensed nuclei, the fluorescence signal was uniformly distributed. In neutrophil nuclei, containing approximately 10 times more MENT than adult erythrocytes, intense staining associated with the peripheral heterochromatin was observed. These findings are discussed in regard to a possible mechanism for chromatin condensation by MENT.     

The chemical composition of nuclei and chromosomes isolated by the Langmuir trough technique

The pattern of staining for DNA, histone, and nonhistone protein has been studied in whole cells and in nuclei and chromosomes isolated by surface spreading. In whole interphase cells from bovine kidney tissue culture, nuclear staining for DNA and histones reveals numerous small, intensely stained clumps, surrounded by more diffusely stained material. Nuclei in whole cells stained for nonhistone proteins also contain intensely stained regions surrounded by diffuse stain. These intensely stained regions also stain for RNA, indicating that the regions contain nucleolar material. Electron microscopy of kidney cells confirms that multiple nucleoli are present. Kidney nuclei isolated by surface spreading show an even distribution of stain for DNA, histones, and nonhistone proteins, indicating that the surface forces disperse both condensed chromatin and nucleoli. DNA and protein staining was also studied in metaphase chromosomes from testes of the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. Staining for DNA and histones in metaphase chromosomes is essentially the same in sections of fixed and embedded testes as in preparations isolated by surface spreading. However, striking differences are noted in the distribution of nonhistone proteins. In sections, nonhistone stain is concentrated in extrachromosomal areas; metaphase chromosomes do not stain for nonhistone proteins. Chromosomes isolated by surface spreading, however, stain intensely for nonhistone proteins. This suggests that nonhistone proteins are bound to the chromosomes as a contaminant during the isolation procedure. The relationship of these findings to current work with chromosomes isolated for electron microscopy is discussed.     

Chromosomal protein synthesis during erythropoiesis in the mouse spleen

Induced erythropoiesis in the mouse spleen was employed to study chromosomal protein synthesis during erythroid cell development. Splenic erythropoiesis occurring after phenylhydrazine induced hemolysis can be divided into an early phase during which nuclear RNA polymerase activity and RNA production are maximal and a late phase in which hemoglobin synthesis and DNA accumulation are maximal. Chromatin was isolated from splenic tissue during both the early and late phases of erythropoiesis as well as from non-anemic animals. The total protein content of chromatin from the early erythroid phase was greater than that of chromatin from the late erythroid phase or from non-anemic controls. The increase was due to a coordinate increase in the concentration of both histone and nonhistone proteins. During late erythropoiesis, the concentration of each returned to pre-anemic levels. Total histone synthesis increased 2.6-fold during early erythropoiesis as compared with the pre-anemic state and remained elevated in late erythropoiesis. The increase in histone synthesis was due to an increase in the synthesis of all five major histone proteins. Nonhistone protein synthesis was more active than that of histones in the pre-anemic spleen and rose only slightly during early erythropoiesis, returning to preanemic levels during late erythropoiesis. Fractionation of nonhistone proteins on SDS-urea polyacrylamide gels revealed complex patterns with significant differences between the pattern of erythroid spleen non-histone proteins and that of the pre-anemic spleen. Analysis of the incorporation of ³H-valine into the non-histone proteins indicated that during early erythropoiesis there was a generalized increase in nonhistone protein synthesis. During the late erythroid phase, the decline in non-histone protein synthesis was most marked for the higher molecular weight proteins.     

The chemical composition of nuclei and chromosomes isolated by the Langmuir trough technique

The pattern of staining for DNA, histone, and nonhistone protein has been studied in whole cells and in nuclei and chromosomes isolated by surface spreading. In whole interphase cells from bovine kidney tissue culture, nuclear staining for DNA and histones reveals numerous small, intensely stained clumps, surrounded by more diffusely stained material. Nuclei in whole cells stained for nonhistone proteins also contain intensely stained regions surrounded by diffuse stain. These intensely stained regions also stain for RNA, indicating that the regions contain nucleolar material. Electron microscopy of kidney cells confirms that multiple nucleoli are present. Kidney nuclei isolated by surface spreading show an even distribution of stain for DNA, histones, and nonhistone proteins, indicating that the surface forces disperse both condensed chromatin and nucleoli. DNA and protein staining was also studied in metaphase chromosomes from testes of the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. Staining for DNA and histones in metaphase chromosomes is essentially the same in sections of fixed and embedded testes as in preparations isolated by surface spreading. However, striking differences are noted in the distribution of nonhistone proteins. In sections, nonhistone stain is concentrated in extrachromosomal areas; metaphase chromosomes do not stain for nonhistone proteins. Chromosomes isolated by surface spreading, however, stain intensely for nonhistone proteins. This suggests that nonhistone proteins are bound to the chromosomes as a contaminant during the isolation procedure. The relationship of these findings to current work with chromosomes isolated for electron microscopy is discussed.     

Activation of RNA synthesis in loach embryos after injection of a nuclear extract obtained by using 0.35 M NaCl

An extract mainly containing chromatin nonhistone proteins was obtained by means of 0.35 M NaCl from nuclei isolated from loach (Misgurnus fossilis L.) embryos at the 18 hour developmental stage (late gastrula). Injection of a concentrated nuclear extract into the loach eggs was followed by intensified (1.5--2.0 fold) incorporation of radioactive precursors [3H]uridine or 14CO2 into RNA. The stage at which natural activation of the RNA synthesis occurs (6 hours, mid blastula) remains unchanged, but the rate of incorporation after the onset of synthesis activation (8 hours, late blastula) becomes greater.     

O-Phenantroline-CuSO4-induced redistribution of nuclear proteins

Incubation of rat liver nuclei with the o-phenantroline-CuSO₄ (OP-Cu) complex under conditions not causing any DNA cleavage, enhanced the susceptibility of chromatin to the action of micrococcal nuclease. The released nucleosomal fraction had less coextracted nonhistone proteins, while the nuclear matrix was enriched in nonhistone proteins when compared with the controls. These changes were interpreted as the consequence of a displacement of nonhistone proteins from their closer association with the chromatin complex and a concomitant exposure of chromatin regions in a state less protected by nonhistone proteins.     

Nuclear protein modification and chromatin substructure. 3. Relationship between poly(adenosine diphosphate) ribosylation and different functional forms of chromatin.

The relationship between poly(adenosine diphosphate) ribosylation of nuclear proteins and functionally different forms of chromatin from mid-S-phase HeLa nuclei was investigated. The major observations emerging from this study were that unique nonhistone proteins were modified in mid-S-phase HeLa nuclei. The major acceptor for poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) [poly(ADP-Rib)] was an internucleosomal nonhistone protein (protein C; 125 000 molecular weight). Histones H3, H1, H2b, and H2a but not H4 were ADP-ribosylated in S-phase nuclei. Chromatin fragments preferentially released by micrococcal nuclease were enriched in nonhistone proteins, poly(ADP)-ribosylated nuclear proteins, poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase activity and nascent DNA from the DNA replicating fork. In extended forms of chromatin, contiguous to the DNA replicating fork, poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase was maximally active. However, in chromatin distal to the replicating fork (i.e., more condensed structures), nucleosomal histones and histone H1 were not significantly ADP-ribosylated, and poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase activity was depressed two- to threefold. The data suggest that a subset of nucleosomes in extended regions of chromatin is subject to extensive ADP ribosylation.     

Temporal changes in chromatin isolated from Friend virus-infected mouse spleens.

Differences noted in enzyme II directed RNA synthesis under varying salt conditions in nuclei isolated from uninfected and Friend virus (FV)-infected spleen cells, have been attributed to chromosomal modifications (Babcock and Rich 1973). This investigation was undertaken to determine if compositional changes occur in the chromatin of FV-infected spleens, which correlate with an altered rate of synthesis by enzyme II. A quantitative study of the chromatin constituents at various times after infection indicated that they vary in the same temporal manner as the rate of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. Relative to DNA, RNA, histone, and nonhistone protein reached a maximum at 14 days postinfection. This was followed by a gradual decrease during the remainder of the infection. Chromatin endogenous DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity varied in the same manner, suggesting that RNA synthesis directed by enzyme II is modulated by chromosomal proteins.     

Methylation of Chromosomal Proteins in Neuronal and Glial Nuclei Purified from Cerebral Hemispheres of Rat During Postnatal Development

The process of methylation of chromosomal proteins [histones and nonhistone proteins (NHP)] in neuronal and glial cell nuclei obtained from cerebral hemispheres of rats at 1, 10, and 30 days of age was investigated. Purified neuronal and glial nuclei were incubated in the presence of S-adenosyl[methyl-3H]methionine. Histone and NHPs were extracted and fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results obtained indicate remarkable differences in the process of methylation of histones and NHPs between neuronal and glial nuclei, especially during the first period of postnatal development. In both nuclear populations the histone fraction H3 was labeled to a greater degree than the other fractions and showed the major changes during postnatal development. The densitometric and radioactive patterns of NHPs show considerable changes in the two nuclear populations at the various ages examined. The main difference between neuronal and glial nuclei consists in the intense methylation of proteins with a molecular weight of approximately 100,000, which are present in neuronal nuclei and virtually absent in glial ones. The results obtained may be correlated with the different chromatin structures of neuronal and glial nuclei and with the patterns of maturation and differentiation of neuronal and glial cells during postnatal development.     

Selective synthesis and modification of nuclear proteins during maturation of avian erythroid cells.

The synthesis of the nuclear proteins of duck erythroid cells at different stages of maturation has been investigated. Synthesis of histone fractions H1, H2a, H2b, H3, and H4 is restricted to the erythroblasts, while synthesis of H5 can be detected even at later stages of maturation after DNA synthesis has ceased. The synthesis of nonhistone nuclear proteins (NHNP), on the other hand, occurs in cells at all stages of maturation although their rates of synthesis decline as the cells mature. The same size classes of NHNP appear to be synthesized in erythroblasts and in early- and midpolychromatic erythrocytes. In late polychromatic erythrocytes the synthesis of a new group of NHNP of molecular weights ranging from 54,000 to 130,000 was observed. This group of proteins does not accumulate in the mature erythrocyte, indicating that their relative proportions are very small.Turnover of histone-bound phosphate was found to occur mainly at the erythroblast stage, except for histone H2a which was actively phosphorylated even at more advanced stages of maturation. Phosphorylation of most of the histones appears to be coupled to histone (and coordinate DNA) synthesis.Incorporation of radioactive acetate into histones occurs at all stages, but the rate of acetylation decreases four- to fivefold with maturation. Although the RNA synthetic activity of erythroid cells also decreases with age, experiments involving the use of RNA polymerase inhibitors suggest that the mechanisms that control RNA synthesis and histone acetylation are not tightly coupled.     

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN FRACTIONS FROM ISOLATED BRAIN CELL NUCLEI

Abstract— 1. The incorporation in vivo and in vitro of isotopically labelled leucine into fractions of nuclear proteins from young and adult rat brain was investigated.
2. During post-natal cerebral maturation, the ability of nuclei from brain cells to synthesize proteins decreased. The specific activities of all the fractions of nuclear protein were highest in 3-day-old rats and declined thereafter. Nuclei from adult brain cells exhibited only 10 per cent of the activity found in nuclei from brain cells of 3-day-old rats.
3. The 'residual protein' fraction was most rapidly labelled, peak activity being reached within 30 min after injection. In vitro , the 'residual protein' fraction attained maximum activity within 40 min.
4. The specific activity of the chromatin acidic proteins (HCl-insoluble) was considerably higher than that of the histones both in vivo and in vitro. Histones were the most inert of all the nuclear protein fractions studied.
The possible functional significance of the various protein fractions during the process of cerebral maturation and in the adult brain is discussed.     

The dynamic properties of neuronal chromatin are modulated by triiodothyronine

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on the rate of synthesis of nuclear proteins was studied during terminal differentiation of rat cortical neurons cultured in a serum-free medium. To this aim total and acid soluble nuclear proteins were analyzed by different electrophoretic techniques. Our results show that: 1) during maturation in vitro, neuronal nuclei undergo a dramatic change in the rate at which different classes of histones and high mobility group (HMG) proteins are synthesized; the synthetic activity, measured as incorporation of radioactive precursors into nuclear proteins, slows indeed down with age: especially evident is the decrease in core histones synthesis; at day 15, on the other hand, HMG 14 and 17 and ubiquitinated H2A (A24) are synthesized at a high rate, especially in T3-treated neurons; 2) neurons treated with T3 show, at any age tested, a higher level of lysine incorporation into nuclear proteins; 3) even if during the first days of culture neurons synthesize core histones more actively in the presence of T3, there is no accumulation of these proteins at later stages, as compared with untreated cells. Possible implications of these data and relationship with the chromatin rearrangement which accompanies neuronal terminal differentiation are discussed.