Characterization of DNA sequences associated with residual nuclei of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have used two different approaches to determine whether particular DNA sequences are specifically associated with high-salt-treated residual nuclei of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. First, libraries of yeast DNA in phage lambda were probed with nick-translated total nuclear or residual nuclear DNA from unsynchronized yeast cells. None of the plaques gave a significantly stronger or weaker signal with the residual nuclear probe than with the total nuclear probe. Second, DNA was purified from whole nuclei or residual nuclei which had been isolated from cells in G1, G1/S, early S, or nuclear division. This DNA was "dot-blotted" and then probed with specific yeast DNA sequences. Ribosomal DNA was 2- to 3-fold enriched in residual nuclei in late G1, G1/S, and early S, and 2 microns plasmid DNA sequences were 3- to 5-fold depleted during nuclear division and early G1. However, ARS1, TRP1, CEN6, and a telomere sequence were neither enriched nor depleted at any time during the cell cycle.     

Attachment of DNA to nucleolar and nuclear skeletal structures as visualized by Kleinschmidt molecular spreading

Co-isolated residual nuclear shells and residual nucleoli from membrane-depleted rat liver nuclei were spread according to Kleinschmidt's method. Comparison of the spread residual structures isolated from nuclear shells and spread pore complex-lamina isolated from nuclear envelopes showed that these residual structures are morphologically identical. Furthermore, our nuclear shell isolation procedure allowed visualization of DNA strands bound to a granular component of the lamina. The fragmentation of nuclear shells allowed us to obtain well-spread nucleolar remnants, in which we observed DNA strands anchored on a residual nucleolar network attached to the lamina. The different molecular features revealed by the spreading of residual nucleolar structures suggest that both non-transcribing nucleolar DNA and active ribosomal genes are linked to the nucleolar network. Although the exact nature of this network remains to be defined, the results of the present study strongly suggest that the DNA molecules of the chromosomes bearing ribosomal genes have many sites of attachment to a non-chromatin nucleolar network which can be referred to as a nucleolar skeletal complex.     

Isolation and structure of a rat cytochrome c gene

We screened a Charon 4A-rat genomic library using the cloned iso-1 cytochrome c gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a specific hybridization probe. Eight different recombinant phages homologous to a coding region subfragment of the yeast gene were isolated. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a 0.96-kilobase portion of one of these established the existence of a gene coding for a cytochrome c identical in amino acid sequence with that of mouse. The rat polypeptide chain sequence had not previously been determined. In contrast to the yeast iso-1 and iso-2 cytochrome c genes, neither of which have introns, the rat gene contains a single 105-base pair intervening sequence interrupting glycine codon 56. The overall nucleotide sequence homology between cytochrome c genes of yeast and rat is about 62%, with areas of greater homology coinciding with four regions of functionally constrained amino acid sequences. Two of these regions displayed 85-90% DNA sequence homology, including the longest consecutive homologous stretch of 14 nucleotides, corresponding to amino acids 47-52 of the rat protein. Somewhat less homology was observed in the DNA-specifying amino acids 70-80, which are invariant residues in most known cytochrome c molecules. Thermal dissociation of the yeast probe from the homologous rat DNA was at about 58 degrees C in 0.39 M Na+. These results establish that cytochrome c genes may be isolated by interspecies hybridization between widely divergent organisms.     

Association of DNA with the nuclear lamina in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

We have studied in vitro binding of DNA to nuclear lamina structures isolated from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. At low ionic strength in the presence of Mg++, they bind considerable amounts of mouse and bacterial DNA, forming complexes stable in 2 M NaCl. Single-stranded DNA and pulse-labeled DNA show higher binding efficiencies than native uniformly labeled DNA. When mixing occurs in 2 M NaCl, complex formation is inhibited. When nuclei are digested with DNAse I under conditions that favor chromatin condensation, DNA associated with matrices subsequently prepared from such nuclei is markedly enriched in satellite DNA. If digestion is carried out with DNAse II while nuclei are decondensed in EDTA, no enrichment in satellite DNA is observed. Preparations of purified, high-molecular weight, double-stranded DNA contain variable amounts of fast-sedimenting aggregates, which are insoluble in 2 M NaCl but are dispersed by DNA fragmentation or denaturation. These results point at some artifacts inherent in studies of DNA bound to residual nuclear structures in vivo and suggest conditions expected to avoid these artifacts. Further, using controlled digestion with DNAse II, we have studied the in vivo association of DNA with nuclear lamina isolated from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. In the course of DNA fragmentation from above 50 kbp to about 20 kbp average size, the following events were observed. The DNA of high molecular weight (much longer than 50 kbp) behaved as if tightly bound to the nuclear lamina, as judged by sedimentation in sucrose and metrizamide density gradients, electron microscopy, and retention on glass fiber filters. As the size of DNA decreased, it was progressively detached from the nuclear lamina, and at about 20 kbp average length practically all DNA was released. The last 1-4% of DNA, although cosedimenting with the nuclear lamina in sucrose gradients, behaved as free DNA, banding at 1.14 g/cm3 in metrizamide density gradients and showing less than 4% retention on filters. At no stage of digestion did the DNA cosedimenting with nuclear lamina show changes in satellite DNA content relative to that of total DNA or enrichment in newly replicated DNA. It was shown, however, that digestion of nuclear lamina-DNA complex with EcoRI or Hae III led to the formation of DNA-protein aggregates, which banded at 1.35 g/cm3 in high salt containing metrizamide density gradients and which were strongly enriched in satellite DNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Nuclear matrix, hnRNA, and snRNA in friend erythroleukemia nuclei depleted of chromatin by low ionic strength EDTA

A novel and rapid procedure is described for the preparation of chromatin-depleted nuclei (CDN) from Friend erythroleukemia cells under conditions that avoid the use of high salt concentrations. By this procedure isolated nuclei that had previously been incubated with DNase I to partially digest DNA were washed twice in 2 mM EDTA to extract the chromatin. The resulting structures contained 1% of DNA, 65% of total RNA, 60-80% of hnRNA, 74% of snRNA, 29% of protein, and 2% of histones contained in isolated nuclei. Electron microscopy revealed intact, spherical structures similar in diameter to isolated nuclei and consisting of dense networks of fibrils 50-100 A thick surrounded by distinct nuclear laminae. Although no morphological evidence was found for residual nucleoli, C23, a nucleolus-specific phospho-protein, remained centrally localized in CDN, while Sm antigen specific for snRNPs was diffusely localized but absent from central regions. Addition of 2 mM MgCl2 to CDN resulted in the reformation of morphologically distinguishable residual nucleoli. These studies suggest that nucleolar morphology is, in part, dependent upon divalent cations and components unique to the nucleolar matrix and demonstrate that little randomization of nuclear and nucleolar matrix fibrils occurs during CDN isolation in the absence of divalent cations.     

Nuclear matrix: isolation and characterization of a framework structure from rat liver nuclei

A nuclear framework structure termed the nuclear matrix has been isolated and characterized. This matrix forms the major residual structure of isolated nuclei and consists largely of protein with smaller amounts of RNA, DNA, carbohydrate, and phospholipid. The nuclear matrix can be further resolved by combined treatment with DNase and RNase. The remaining nuclear protein structure, after extraction of 90 percent of the nuclear protein, 99.9 percent of the DNA, and 98 percent of the RNA and phospholipid, is termed the nuclear protein matrix. Electron microscopy of this final nuclear protein matrix reveals an interior framework structure composed of residual nucleolar structures associated with a granular and fibrous internal matrix structure. The internal matrix framework is derived from the interchromatinic structures of the nucleus, and is connected to a surrounding residual nuclear envelope layer containing residual nuclear pore complex structures. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the nuclear matrix proteins demonstrates three major polypeptide fractions, P-1, P-2, and P-3, with average molecular weights of approximately 69,000, 66,000 and 62,000, as well as several minor polypeptides which migrate at approximately 50,000 and at higher molecular weights (>100,000). Polypeptides with molecular weights identical to those of P-1, P-2 and P-3 are also components of isolated nuclear envelopes and nucleoli, whereas isolated chromatin contains no detectable matrix polypeptides. This suggests that the major matrix polypeptides are localized in specific structural regions of the nucleus, i.e., nuclear envelope, nucleoli, and interchromatinic structures. The presence of cytochrome oxidase activity in the isolated nuclear matrix indicates that at least some integral proteins of the nuclear membrane are associated with the matrix.     

Quantitative immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy of the topoisomerase IIα associated with nuclear matrices from wild-type and drug-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell lines

Topo IIα is considered an important constituent of the nuclear matrix, serving as a fastener of DNA loops to the underlying filamentous scaffolding network. To further define a mechanism of drug resistance to topo II poisons, we studied the quantity of topo IIα associated with the nuclear matrix in drug-resistant SMR₁₆ and parental cells in the presence and absence of VP-16. Nuclear matrices were prepared from nuclei isolated in EDTA buffer, followed by nuclease digestion with DNase II in the absence of RNase treatment and extraction with 2 M NaCl. Whole-mount spreading of residual structures permits, by means of isoform-specific antibody and colloidal-gold secondary antibodies, an estimate of the amount of topo IIα in individual nuclear matrices. There are significant variations in topo IIα amounts between individual nuclear matrices due to the cell cycle distribution. The parental cell line contained eight to ten times more nuclear matrix–associated topo IIα than the resistant cell line matrices. Nuclear matrix–associated topo IIα from wild-type and resistant cell lines correlated well with the immunofluorescent staining of the enzyme in nuclei of intact cells. The amount of DNA associated with residual nuclear structures was five times greater in the resistant cell line. This quantity of DNA was not proportional to the quantity of topo IIα in the same matrix; in fact they were inversely related. In situ whole-mount nuclear matrix preparations were obtained from cells grown on grids and confirmed the results from labeling of isolated residual structures. J. Cell. Biochem. 67:112–130, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Characterization of Sequences from Rape (Brassica napus) Nuclear DNA which Facilitate Autonomous Replication of Plasmids in Yeast

From Hind III digests of Brassica napus (rape) nuclear DNA,seven DNA fragments were obtained which conferred on plasmidsthe ability to replicate autonomously in yeast. Six of thesewere analysed by restriction enzyme mapping, yielding six differentmaps and two were further characterized by defining the minimumeffective length and by sequencing. One of these had a minimumeffective length of 220 base pairs, was 86% A.T. and containeda direct match to the consensus sequence obtained from otherDNA's (i.e. DNA from other organisms) which replicate autonomouslyin yeast. The second fragment had a minimum effective lengthof 926 base pairs, was 69% A.T. and contained a 9/11 match tothe consensus sequence. Key words: Brassica napus, nuclear DNA, autonomous replication, plasmids, yeast     

Separate genes encode functionally equivalent ADP/ATP carrier proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Isolation and analysis of AAC2

Genetic and biochemical analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing a disruption of the nuclear gene (AAC1) encoding the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier has revealed a second gene for this protein. The second gene, designated AAC2, has been isolated by genetic complementation and sequenced. AAC2 contains a 954-base pair open reading frame coding for a protein of 318 amino acids which is highly homologous to the AAC1 gene product except that it is nine amino acids longer at the NH2 terminus. The two yeast genes are highly conserved at the level of DNA and protein and share identity with the ADP/ATP carriers from other organisms. Both genes complement an ADP/ATP carrier defect (op1 or pet9). However, the newly isolated gene AAC2 need be present only in one or two copies while the previously isolated AAC1 gene must be present in multiple copies to support growth dependent on a functional carrier protein. This gene dosage-dependent complementation combined with the high degree of conservation suggest that these two functionally equivalent genes may be differentially expressed.     

Nick-forming sequences may be involved in the organization of eukaryotic chromatin into ∼50 kbp loops

Phenomena involving the disassembly of chromosomes to ∼50 kbp double-stranded fragments upon protein denaturing treatments of normal and apoptotic mammalian nuclei as well as yeast protoplasts may be an indication of special, hypersensitive regions positioned regularly at loop-size intervals in the eukaryotic chromatin. Here we show evidence in yeast cell systems that loop-size fragmentation can occur in any phase of the cell cycle and that the plating efficiency of these cells is ∼100%. The possibility of sequence specificity was investigated within the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) of the human MLL gene, frequently rearranged in certain leukemias. Our data suggest that DNA isolated from yeast cultures or mammalian cell lines carry nicks or secondary structures predisposing DNA for a specific nicking activity, at non-random positions. Furthermore, exposure of MLL bcr-carrying plasmid DNA to S1 nuclease or nuclear extracts or purified topoisomerase II elicited cleavages at the nucleotide positions of nick formation on human genomic DNA. These data support the possibility that certain sequence elements are preferentially involved in the cleavage processes responsible for the en masse disassembly of chromatin to loop-size fragments upon isolation of DNA from live eukaryotic cells.     

Isolation of a yeast single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid binding protein that specifically stimulates yeast DNA polymerase I

We sought a protein from yeast that would bind more strongly to single-stranded DNA than to duplex DNA and would stimulate the activity of the major yeast DNA polymerase, but not polymerases from other organisms. We isolated a protein that binds about 200 times more strongly to single-stranded DNA than duplex DNA and stimulates yeast DNA polymerase I activity 4-5-fold. It inhibits synthesis catalyzed by calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha and has little effect on T4 DNA polymerase. This yeast protein, SSB-1, has a molecular weight of approximately 40 000. At apparent saturation there is one protein molecule bound per 40 nucleotides. Protein binding causes the single-stranded DNA molecule to assume a relatively extended conformation. It binds to single-stranded RNA as strongly as to DNA. SSB-1 increases the initial rate of polymerization catalyzed by yeast DNA polymerase I apparently by increasing the processivity of the enzyme. We estimate there are 7500-30 000 molecules of SSB-1 per yeast cell, enough to bind at least 400-1600 nucleotides per replication fork. Thus it is present in sufficient abundance to participate in DNA replication in vivo in the manner suggested by these in vitro experiments.     

Analysis of the secondary structure of expansion segment 39 in ribosomes from fungi, plants and mammals

The structure of expansion segment 39, ES39, in eukaryotic 23 S-like ribosomal RNA was analysed using a combination of chemical and enzymic reagents. Ribosomes were isolated from yeast, wheat, mouse, rat and rabbit, five organisms representing three different eukaryotic kingdoms. The isolated ribosomes were treated with structure-sensitive chemical and enzymic reagents and the modification patterns analysed by primer extension and gel electrophoresis on an ABI 377 automated DNA sequencer. The expansion segment was relatively accessible to modification by both enzymic and chemical probes, suggesting that ES39 was exposed on the surface of the ribosomes. The collected modification data were used in secondary structure modelling of the expansion segment. Despite considerable variation in both sequence and length between organisms from different kingdoms, the structure analysis of the expansion segment gave rise to structural fingerprints that allowed identification of homologous structures in ES39 from fungi, plants and mammals. The homologous structures formed an initial helix and an invariant hairpin connected to the initial helix via a long single-stranded loop. The remaining part of the ES39 sequences accounted for most of the length variation seen between the analysed species. This part could form additional, albeit less similar, hairpins. A comparison of ES39 sequences from other fungi, plants and mammals showed that identical structures could be formed in these organisms.     

Unusual nucleotide sequence of a DNA fragment isolated from nuclear envelopes of mouse hepatocytes

Fragments of chromosomal DNA isolated from nuclear envelopes of mouse hepatocytes were previously cloned and partially characterized in our laboratory. One of the cloned fragments (EnvM4) had unusual characteristics: abundant representability in the clone library (about 50%) and homology with DNA of archebacteria. An analysis of nucleotide sequence of this fragment conducted in more detail allowed the detection of an evolutionary conserved region present in the genomes of various organisms (from bacteria to human). Other characteristics of fragment EnvM4 suggest a possible functional role of chromosomal DNA regions determining the attachment of chromosomes to the nuclear envelope.     

Inverted repeated sequences in yeast nuclear DNA.

The inverted repeated sequences (foldback DNA) of yeast nuclear DNA have been examined by electron microscopy and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Of the inverted repeat structures seen in the electron microscope, 34% were hairpins and 66% had a single stranded loop at the end of a duplex stem. The number average length of the repeat was 0.3 kb and the single stranded loop was 1.6 kb. It is estimated that there are approximately 250 inverted repeats per haploid genome. A statistical analysis of the frequency of molecules containing multiple inverted repeats showed that these sequences are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of inverted repeats was also examined by measuring the fraction of total DNA in the foldback fraction that bound to hydroxyapatite as a function of single strand fragment size. This analysis also indicated that the inverted repeats are clustered. Renaturation kinetic analysis of isolated foldback and inverted repeat stem sequence DNA showed that these sequences are enriched for repetitive DNA.     

Isolation of nuclear shells from plant cells

Abstract. Nuclei from Zea mays and Phaseolus vulgaris root meristematic and differentiated cells were treated according to a recently developed simple procedure for isolation of nuclear lamina of Ehrlich Ascite Tumor (EAT) cells. As revealed by electron microscopy, the residual structures obtained represented empty nuclear shells, resembling those previously isolated from animal cells. Moreover, the composition of the residual nuclear structures from plant cells was found to be very similar to that described previously for the nuclear lamina purified by the adopted procedure. As demonstrated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the plant nuclear shells contained a small number of proteins in the 65-45 kD range. Two proteins — 62 and 50 kD—were most characteristic for beans, while a 55-kD protein was abundant in maize. When blotted on nitrocellulose paper, some of the proteins of plant nuclear shells were immunoreactive with sera containing antibodies against the proteins of EAT nuclear envelopes. The degree of phosphorylation of the proteins of plant nuclear shells was found to be higher in meristematic than in differentiated maize root cells, correlating with the mitotic activity of the starting material.     

Organization of the nuclear pore complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Fractions enriched for nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) have been isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sequential extraction of nuclei with detergent, nucleases, and salt reveals an organization of the yeast NPC similar to other eukaryotes. Yeast NPCs contain a 30-nm “ring” structure not previously described in other organisms. This structure appears to organize 10-nm filaments into an assembly which exhibits an eight-fold rotational symmetry. Some proteins in the NPC fraction are capable of forming intermediate-sized filaments. These studies suggest that some component of the nuclear pore complex organizes an interaction between nuclear and cytoplasmic networks of intermediate filaments.     

Organization of higher-level chromatin structures (chromomere,chromonema and chromatin block) examined using visible light-induced chromatin photo-stabilization

The method of chromatin photo-stabilization by the action of visible light in the presence of ethidium bromide was used for investigation of higher-level chromatin structures in isolated nuclei. As a model we used rat hepatocyte nuclei isolated in buffers which stabilized or destabilized nuclear matrix. Several higher-level chromatin structures were visualized: 100nm globules-chromomeres, chains of chromomeres-chromonemata, aggregates of chromomeres-blocks of condensed chromatin. All these structures were completely destroyed by 2M NaCl extraction independent of the matrix state, and DNA was extruded from the residual nuclei (nuclear matrices) into a halo. These results show that nuclear matrix proteins do not play the main role in the maintenance of higher-level chromatin structures. Preliminary irradiation led to the reduction of the halo width in the dose-dependent manner. In regions of condensed chromatin of irradiated nucleoids there were discrete complexes consisting of DNA fibers radiating from an electron-dense core and resembling the decondensed chromomeres or the rosette-like structures. As shown by the analysis of proteins bound to irradiated nuclei upon high-salt extraction, irradiation presumably stabilized the non-histone proteins. These results suggest that in interphase nuclei loop domains are folded into discrete higher-level chromatin complexes (chromomeres). These complexes are possibly maintained by putative non-histone proteins, which are extracted with high-salt buffers from non-irradiated nuclei.