Cytoskeleton Fraction Research Articles

Differential transport and integration into the nuclear lamina for lamins A, B, and C

Lamins A, B, and C are the major proteins of the mammalian nuclear lamina and have been well studied in BHK-21 cells. Using in vivo labelling, cell fractionation, and immunoprecipitation, we have found that lamins have different patterns of nuclear transport and solubility. Newly synthesized lamin A is translocated to the nucleus faster than lamin C or B. It is the most tightly bound lamin and cannot be extracted from the lamina by nonionic detergent or high-salt buffers. Lamins B and C migrate more slowly to the nucleus. Partitioning between cytoskeleton and detergent-soluble fractions shows that integration of lamins B and C is not completed before a 1-h chase. For lamin C this process is dependent upon protein synthesis and can be inhibited with cycloheximide. Even though lamins A and C are almost identical, lamin C is never firmly bound to the lamina and can be partially solubilized upon high-salt treatment.

Characterization and cytoskeletal association of a major cell surface glycoprotein, GP 140, in human neutrophils.

The binding of specific ligands to neutrophil cell surface receptors and the association of these receptors with the cytoskeleton may represent an essential step in activation. To identify surface proteins that are linked to the cytoskeleton during activation, neutrophil 125I-surface labeled plasma membranes were extracted with Triton X-100, and the soluble and insoluble (cytoskeleton) fractions analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. The major cell surface proteins recruited to the cytoskeleton after activation with Con A, FMLP, zymosan-activated serum, or immune complexes possessed a relative molecular mass in the range of 80 to 13 kD. In addition to these proteins, WGA stimulates the recruitment of a 140-kD protein (GP 140) to the cytoskeletal fraction. That GP 140 is a WGA-binding protein was verified by Western blotting and WGA-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The Coomassie blue staining pattern of the WGA cytoskeletal fraction revealed major protein bands at apparent molecular weights of greater than 200 (approximately 250, 240, 235), 200, 115, 82/78 (a doublet), 56, 43, 36, and 18 kD. Labeling cells with 32PO4 before WGA treatment indicated that the cytoskeletal proteins with molecular weights of 115, 82/78, and 72 kD, and a 40-kD detergent soluble protein, are phosphorylated during activation. The 78 kD cytoskeletal phosphoprotein co-migrates with the lower subunit of erythrocyte (RBC) band 4.1 and shows strong cross-reactivity with RBC anti-band 4.1 antibody. Phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins like 4.1 may be involved in the regulation of interactions between GP 140 and the actin-containing cytoskeleton. Unlike the C3bi receptor, GP 140 is a major surface component of unactivated PMNs, has no stoichiometrically related 95-kD subunit, and has two isoforms with pIs in the range of 6.4 to 6.6. Under conditions that result in an increased expression of the C3bi receptor (such as treatment with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187), the amount of GP 140 on the PMN cell surface appears to be significantly reduced. The interaction of GP 140 with the cytoskeleton during activation suggests that GP 140 may play an important role in neutrophil functional responses.

Role for the oligodendrocyte cytoskeleton in myelination

Enriched cultures of rat brain oligodendrocytes were extracted with a buffer that separated the cells into a Triton X-100-soluble fraction and an insoluble cytoskeleton (CSK) residue. The buffer was optimised so that intact microtubules were preserved in the CSK residue. The partition of four myelin proteins between the soluble and the CSK fractions was determined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Immunoblotting showed that two integral membrane proteins of myelin, the proteolipid protein (PLP) and the DM-20 protein, were completely extracted under these conditions. By contrast, a substantial amount of myelin basic protein (MBP) and to a lesser extent 2,3-cyclic nucleotide-3-phosphohydrolase (CNP) remained associated with the CSK residue. The association of these proteins with the CSK was confirmed by immunofluorescence. A remarkable difference in the distribution of microfilaments and microtubules was observed in oligodendrocytes. Immature cells possessed many fine processes that were rich in microfilaments. The cell body of these oligodendrocytes was devoid of microfilaments but did contain microtubules. Furthermore, a close association between CNP and microfilaments and between MBP and microtubules was revealed after detergent lysis. The strong interaction between CNP and filamentous actin was underlined by their concomitant disappearance from the extremities of the cell at a later stage of development when extensive membrane sheets had formed. Mature cells had fewer, thicker processes than younger cells and their processes contained microtubules, not microfilaments. MBP was present throughout the thick processes and the membrane sheets. These observations suggest roles for CNP and MBP at distinct stages of myelin process formation and support a directive role for the oligodendrocyte's CSK in the formation of myelin.

Nontranslated cellular mRNAs are associated with the cytoskeletal framework in influenza virus or adenovirus infected cells

In an effort to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the selective shutoff of host protein synthesis in influenza virus and adenovirus infected cells, we analyzed the subcellular location of representative cellular and viral mRNAs. Earlier work has shown that the majority of cellular mRNAs remain polysome associated after infection by either virus and that both the initiation and elongation steps of host protein synthesis were blocked in infected cells (M. G. Katze, D. DeCorato, and R. M. Krug, J. Virol., 60, 1027–1039, 1986). The present study was undertaken to test whether these cellular mRNAs were rendered nontranslatable during infection as a result of their dissociation from the cytoskeleton framework. HeLa cells were fractionated into subcellular components by first gently disrupting the cells with Triton X-100 yielding the soluble fraction (SOL); the cytoskeleton (CSK) fraction was obtained from the Triton insoluble material by the double detergent treatment of Tween-40 and sodium deoxycholate. In uninfected cells the majority of host mRNAs were associated with polysomes which were exclusively bound to the CSK as would be expected of actively translated mRNAs. The cellular mRNAs also remained almost totally associated with the cytoskeleton in adenovirus and influenza virus infected cells despite the fact these mRNAs are not translated during infection. Indeed, the host mRNAs and the efficiently translated viral mRNAs were CSK associated to the same extent. In contrast to the adenovirus and influenza systems, significant amounts of cellular mRNAs were dissociated from the CSK and found in the SOL fraction of poliovirus infected cells as others have reported. In accordance with the biochemical analysis, morphological studies utilizing electron microscopy revealed that the cytoskeleton remained relatively intact during adenovirus and influenza infection but was substantially reorganized in poliovirus infected cells. We conclude that translational regulatory events are likely different in the poliovirus system and that cytoskeletal association of mRNAs may be required but is not sufficient for efficient mRNA translation during adenovirus or influenza virus infection.

A Freeze-Sectioning Method for Preparation of the Detergent-Resistant Cytoskeleton Identifies Stage-Specific Cytoskeleal Proteins and Associated mRNA in Xenopus Oocytes and Embryos: (Cytoskeleton/amphibian/mRNA).

Proteins of the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton fraction and the detergent-soluble fraction from Xenopus oocytes and embryos are examined using a procedure which allows rapid and uniform extraction of tissues and large, single cells. SDS-polyacrylamide gels reveal only a few prominent cytoskeletal proteins in the early embryo, however qualitatively different proteins begin to appear after gastrulation. Incorporation of [35 S]-methionine into newly synthesized proteins indicates that there is synthesis and assembly of proteins into the cytoskeleton, but the amount remains low until after gastrulation. The use of nucleic acid probes for alpha-tubulin and actin mRNA indicates that about 80% of these mRNAs in the oocyte and meiotically mature egg are bound to the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton.

Differential partitioning of plasma membrane proteins into the triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeleton fraction during concanavalin A-induced receptor redistribution.

The plasma membrane proteins of Dictyostelium discoideum were characterized with respect to their partitioning into the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton fraction of the cell during concanavalin A-induced capping. Two fractions of plasma membrane-associated concanavalin A were identified; one that immediately associated with the cytoskeleton fraction via cell surface glycoproteins, and one that partitioned with the cytoskeleton only after extensive cell surface glycoprotein cross-linking. Three major classes of polypeptides were found in the plasma membrane that differed with respect to their partitioning properties into the cytoskeleton fraction. The temporal order of association of the polypeptides with the cytoskeleton during concanavalin A-induced capping corresponded to the strength of their association with the cytoskeleton fraction as determined by pH and ionic strength elution from unligated cytoskeletons.

Selective surface radioiodination of keratinocytes in primary culture labels a 59 kD keratin and other surface proteins

Murine keratinocytes were vectorially labeled in order to identify and characterize surface proteins. Freshly trypsinized keratinocytes were obtained from neonatal BALB/c mice and primary cultures were established. Cells were radiolabeled with iodogen and 125I immediately after harvesting and after 4, 24, 48, and 72 h in culture. Cells were solubilized with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and reducing agents (total extract), or sequentially extracted with: (a) 1% Triton X-100 (membrane/cytosol fraction); (b) 2 M NaCl (salt fraction); and (c) 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS; cytoskeleton fraction). Extracts were analyzed by 1- or 2-D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), followed by autoradiography (AR). The 59 kD acidic murine keratin was identified by immunoblot analysis with monoclonal antibody AE1 and a human polyclonal anti-59 kD keratin autoantibody designated Cascas-42. Total extracts contained up to ten labeled proteins ranging from 10 to 180 kD. Eight of these proteins were present in the membrane/cytosol fraction (10, 12, 18, 30, 38, 41, 66, and 130 kD). Intense labeling of a 59 kD cytoskeletal protein was consistently seen; this protein was identified as the 59 kD acidic murine keratin (Moll's catalogue no. 10) by immunoblot analysis of extracted proteins separated by 1-D and 2-D PAGE. A 180 kD protein had variable solubility characteristics, fractionating with either the cytoskeleton or membrane/cytosol as a function of time. No labeled proteins were detected in the salt extract, and neither actin nor other major cytoskeletal proteins were radiolabeled. These studies demonstrate the cell-surface disposition of at least ten keratinocyte proteins, and suggest that the 59 kD murine acidic keratin has a surface-exposed domain.

Characterization of a latent protein encoded by the large internal repeats and the BamHI Y Fragment of the epstein-barr virus (ebv) genome

Analysis of EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA 1) encoding transcripts by cDNA characterization revealed a potentially polycistronic message generated by long-range splicing of several exons (Speck, S., and Strominger, J., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 8305–8309, 1985). Besides the open reading frame encoding EBNA 1, two other open reading frames are found in the EBNA 1-specific cDNA. The first reading frame consists of several exons from BamHl W and Y viral genome fragments (Wi, W2, Y1, and Y2). In our experiments, the W1 axon was expressed in the tryptophan-regulated expression vector pATH11. Rabbit sera, raised against the bacterial fusion protein, recognized one or two proteins of molecular weights between 30,000 and 100,000 in several EBV genome harboring Burkitt lymphoma and EBV immortalized peripheral blood cell lines. Although, in a few cell lines from both groups no specific protein could be detected. Immunofluorescence analysis and characterization of subcellular distribution demonstrated that this W/Y fragment encoded latent protein is located, in part, in the cytoskeleton fraction, and in the chromatin. In addition, 2-D immunoblot analysis revealed post-translational modifications of this latent protein, probably due to phosphorylation. In DNA-binding studies on DNA cellulose columns, this W/Y encoded latent protein exhibited specific DNA binding activities.

Association of African swine fever virus with the cytoskeleton

The association of African swine fever virus (ASFV) with the cytoskeleton was investigated. Immunofluorescent studies of ASFV infected cells with anti-ASFV serum showed a temporal and spatial development of viral inclusions which moved from a peripheral to a perinuclear location and fused to give a single large perinuclear factory. The migration and fusion of viral inclusions was inhibited by colchicine suggesting a function for microtubules in assembly site organization not previously described. Accumulation of virions outside the inclusions and inhibition of viral release was also observed in colchicine treated cells. Viral antigens and structural elements were retained on the cytoskeleton fraction of Triton X-100 extracted cells. Reorganization of cytoskeletal elements around the assembly sites was demonstrated by transmission electronmicroscopy and by immunofluorescent studies using monoclonal antibodies against actin, tubulin and vimentin. Intermediate filaments accumulated around the viral factories, microtubules were greatly decreased in number and microfilaments were reorganized in association with the plasma membrane. Bundles of 15 nm tubules of unknown origin were also observed around the assembly sites. The distribution of viral proteins in soluble, cytoskeleton and detergent insoluble nuclear fractions was studied by pulse-chase experiments with [ 35S]methionine. SDS-PAGE analysis showed the presence in the cytoskeletal and nuclear fractions of 150, 72, 38, 28, 19 and 15 kDa virus structural proteins which increased after a 5 h chase. Our results indicate a close association of ASFV replication with the cytoskeleton similar to events described during FV3 replication but which differ from those occurring in poxvirus-infected cells.

Attachment of mRNA to the cytoskeletal framework and translational control of gene expression in rat L6 muscle cells.

The mRNA of rat L6 muscle cells was distributed between a detergent-insoluble fraction containing the cytoskeletal framework and a detergent-soluble fraction. The majority of cytoskeleton-bound mRNA was translationally active and present as polysomes. The mRNA of the detergent-soluble fraction was not associated with the ribosomes and, thus, considered to be the repressed free population. The binding of mRNA was not mediated through ribosomes or the poly(A) region of mRNA. Cross-linking of RNA and proteins was used to examine whether proteins of the cytoskeletal framework were involved in binding mRNA to this structure. Analysis of the mRNA-protein complexes has shown that a large number of polypeptides of molecular masses between 15 and 220 kilodaltons (kDa) were associated with both cytoskeleton-bound and soluble mRNAs. However, a 165-kDa polypeptide was preferentially associated with cytoskeleton-bound mRNA-protein complexes. This polypeptide was also enriched in the total proteins of the cytoskeleton fraction. We have suggested a receptor-like role for the 165-kDa polypeptide in binding mRNA to the cytoskeletal framework. The mechanism of interaction between the cytoskeleton and mRNA was further examined by using a ghost-monolayer transcription system. The mRNA synthesized by this transcription system was preferentially retained in the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton component of the ghost-monolayer preparation. To understand the physiological significance of the distribution of mRNA between the translationally active cytoskeleton-bound and repressed soluble fractions we have isolated a cDNA clone for a 1.3-kilobase (kb) mRNA. This mRNA was preferentially repressed in myotubes. Distribution of this mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis using the recombinant plasmid. This analysis indicates that nearly 90% of this mRNA was not associated with ribosomes. In contrast, only 3% of alpha-actin mRNA was found in the repressed population. However, approximately 25% of the 1.3-kb mRNA was present as repressed free messenger ribonucleoprotein. This behaviour is again different from that of actin. All of the cytoskeleton-bound alpha-actin mRNA was associated with polysomes. Furthermore, most of the small amount of alpha-actin mRNA which was present in the soluble fraction was also associated with polysomes. We have, therefore, concluded from these observations that binding of mRNA to the cytoskeleton framework and translation of mRNA are two separate events. We have suggested that mRNA is transported to the cytoplasm as a cytoskeleton-associated complex and further interaction with ribosomes may stabilize this complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Association of heparan sulfate proteoglycan and laminin with the cytoskeleton in rat liver.

Rats were injected with 35SO4 and after 2 h their livers were removed and used to prepare a detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton fraction. Spectrin, cytokeratins, and actin were major protein components of the isolated cytoskeletons. The cytoskeleton fraction accounted for approximately 14% of the total trichloroacetic acid-insoluble 35SO4 radioactivity incorporated into the liver. The cytoskeleton-associated radioactivity was present in a single species of macromolecule. This molecule was not present to a significant extent in the detergent-soluble fraction containing the cell supernatant and dissolved membrane proteins. Further characterization revealed the cytoskeleton-associated molecule was a heparan sulfate proteoglycan: it was eluted from a Sepharose CL-4B column under denaturing conditions at Kav = 0.4; following mild alkaline hydrolysis the radioactivity was eluted at a Kav = 0.7; when this material was subjected to nitrous acid hydrolysis all of the radioactivity was eluted near the column included volume. The isolated cytoskeletons contained attached nuclei. Pure nuclei isolated without associated cytoskeletal elements contained less than 1% of the total liver trichloroacetic acid-insoluble 35SO4 radioactivity and no detectable heparan sulfate proteoglycan. These results suggested that other matrix proteins might be associated with the liver cytoskeleton. When the subcellular distribution of laminin was monitored by immunostaining proteins transferred to nitrocellulose, laminin was detected exclusively in the cytoskeleton fraction. These results provide evidence for an association between extracellular connective tissue proteins and intracellular structural proteins.

Expression of polyomavirus virion proteins by a vaccinia virus vector: association of VP1 and VP2 with the nuclear framework.

The polyomavirus proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3 move from their cytoplasmic site of synthesis into the nucleus, where virus assembly occurs. To identify cellular or viral components which might control this process, we determined the distribution of VP1, VP2, and VP3 in a soluble fraction, a cytoplasmic cytoskeleton fraction, and a nuclear framework fraction of infected cells. All three proteins were detected in a detergent-extractable form immediately after their synthesis in polyomavirus-infected cells. Approximately 50, 25, and 40% of pulse-labeled VP1, VP2, and VP3, respectively, associated with the skeletal framework of the nucleus within 10 min after their synthesis. The remaining portion of each labeled protein failed to accumulate on the nuclear framework during a 40-min chase and was degraded. When expressed separately by recombinant vaccinia viruses, VP1 and VP2, but not VP3, accumulated on the nuclear framework. This association was not dependent on other polyomavirus proteins or viral DNA. The amount of total VP1 and VP2 which was bound to the nuclear framework approximated 45 and 20%, respectively. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated an exclusive nuclear localization of VP1 in situ. In coinfection experiments, a greater percentage of total VP2 and VP3 was bound to the nuclear framework of cells which cosynthesized VP1. These results indicate that although VP1 and VP2 can bind independently to the insoluble nuclear framework, the association of VP3 with this nuclear structure is promoted by the presence of VP1.

A method for analysis of the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton of cells within organs

We describe a method for the preparation of the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton and nuclear matrix of cells within organs and tissues. Such cells were previously inaccessible to study because the three-dimensional organization of cells in organs prevented uniform distribution of the detergent throughout the multiple cell layers. We use the method presented here to compare the proteins present in the cytoskeleton, nuclear matrix and soluble fractions of cells from different histotypes. SDS-gel analysis demonstrates that soluble and nuclear matrix proteins differ greatly between histotypes while cytoskeletal proteins are relatively similar. Immunocytochemical analysis of tissue prepared using this procedure also demonstrates that the intracellular structure of cells within organs differs from that of in vitro cultured cells.

Partition of E1A proteins between soluble and structural fractions of adenovirus-infected and -transformed cells.

The partition of E1A proteins between soluble and structural framework fractions of human cells infected or transformed by subgroup C adenoviruses was investigated by using gentle cell fractionation conditions. A polyclonal antibody raised against a trpE-E1A fusion protein (K.R. Spindler, D.S.E. Rosser, and A. J. Berk, J. Virol. 132-141, 1984) synthesized in Escherichia coli was used to measure the steady-state levels of E1A proteins recovered in the various fractions by immunoblotting. The relative concentration of E1A proteins recovered in the soluble fraction of adenovirus type 2-infected cells was at least fivefold greater than the relative concentration in the corresponding fraction of transformed 293 cells. The observed distribution of E1A proteins was not altered by the sulfhydryl-blocking reagent N-ethylmaleimide. E1A proteins were recovered in nuclear matrix, chromatin, and cytoskeleton fractions after further fractionation of the structural framework fraction. However, the E1A protein species that could be identified by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis were not uniformly distributed among the subcellular fractions examined. The results obtained when fractionation was performed in the presence of the oxidation catalysts Cu2+ or (ortho-phenanthroline)2 Cu2+ indicate that E1A proteins can be efficiently cross-linked, via disulfide bonds, to the structural framework of both adenovirus-infected and adenovirus-transformed cells.

The characterization of an acidic calmodulin-binding protein in brain cytoskeleton and membrane fractions.

One of the most abundant acidic proteins in rat brain has an Mr of 68,000 and a pI of 5.6 (68K 5.6 protein) when analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The 68K 5.6 protein was found in large relative amounts in brain cytoskeleton preparations and in membrane and supernatant fractions. High-salt washing and proteolytic digestion did not remove this protein from the membrane elements. The 68K 5.6 protein was also found in the microtubule-associated protein fraction of purified microtubules and was present in large relative amounts in preparations of intermediate-filament proteins. The 68K 5.6 protein binds to calmodulin in the presence of Ca2+ ions, and we found it to be an abundant acidic calmodulin-binding protein in brain tissue.

Association of messenger RNA with the cytoskeletal framework in rat L6 myogenic cells.

The distribution of mRNA between the detergent-soluble and insoluble (cytoskeleton) fractions in rat L6 myoblast and myotube cells was examined. Approximately 85% of cytoplasmic mRNA in both myoblasts and myotubes was found associated with the cytoskeletal framework. The cytoskeleton-bound mRNA was present as polysomes. In contrast, the mRNA of the detergent-soluble fraction was not associated with ribosomes and was thus considered to be the repressed population. The association of mRNA with the cytoskeletal framework was not affected by treatments leading to dissociation of polysomes. Differential distribution of mRNA between the soluble and cytoskeleton-bound fractions was analyzed by in vitro translation. The mRNAs coding for polypeptides of molecular masses 40 kDa and 60 kDa were preferentially enriched in the soluble fraction. The nature of binding between mRNA and the cytoskeletal framework was examined following in vivo cross-linking of RNA and protein by irradiating muscle cells with ultraviolet light. It was observed that this treatment covalently linked RNA and the neighbouring protein moieties without any detectable damage to the cytoskeletal framework, as measured by the distribution of RNAs and proteins between the cytoskeleton and soluble fractions. Analysis of the polypeptide moieties cross-linked to the mRNA have shown that a large number of polypeptides of molecular masses between 15-220 kDa were associated with both cytoskeleton-bound and soluble mRNAs. The polypeptide moieties of these mRNA-protein complexes were not only similar in the cytoskeleton and soluble mRNA-protein complexes but also were similar between myoblasts and myotubes. However, one polypeptide of 165 kDa was preferentially associated with the cytoskeleton-bound mRNA-protein complexes. Interestingly this 165-kDa polypeptide was also preferentially enriched in the total proteins from the cytoskeleton fraction. This result suggests a possible role of the 165-kDa polypeptide in association between mRNA and the cytoskeletal framework. To examine the mechanism of interaction between mRNA and the cytoskeletal framework we have reported here a ghost monolayer transcription system from myotubes. This transcription system was able to synthesize rRNA and mRNA. The mRNA transcribed in vitro was preferentially associated with the cytoskeleton structure present in the ghost monolayer system.

Dephosphorylation of 19K and 21K polypeptides in response to thyroid-stimulating hormone in cultured thyroid cells.

Cultured dog thyroid cells incubated with [32P] phosphate contain at least two phosphoproteins of 19 and 21 kDalton (K), as determined by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Myosin light chain appears to be a component of the 19K and 21K phosphoproteins by the following criteria: 1) coextraction with myosin heavy chain from Triton-insoluble cytoskeletons with KCl-ATP, 2) coisolation with myosin heavy chain by immunoprecipitation, and 3) purification of undenatured myosin with pyrophosphate-agarose gel electrophoresis. The phosphorylation state of these proteins is decreased by incubation of cells with TSH. In the basal state, the 19K and 21K proteins from Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton fractions contain 0.86 +/- 0.07 (+/- SE) mol phosphate/mol protein, which is reduced to 0.34 +/- 0.03 in TSH-treated cells. TSH-induced dephosphorylation occurs in 1 min with 2.5 mU/ml TSH and reaches a maximum at 15 min. This TSH effect appears to be mediated by cAMP, since it is mimicked by (Bu)2cAMP, forskolin, cholera toxin, and prostaglandin E1 and is potentiated by isobutylmethylxanthine. Carbamylcholine, ionophore A23187, and norepinephrine, which inhibit TSH stimulation of cAMP, have no effect on basal phosphorylation of the 19K and 21K proteins, but do inhibit the effect of TSH.

A cytoskeleton-associated plasma membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan in Schwann cells.

Schwann cells cocultured with sensory neurons in a serum-free medium accumulate a single species of radiolabeled heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HS-PG) during incubation in medium containing 35SO4. This HS-PG was poorly extracted from cultures by solutions containing 1% Triton X-100 in low salt buffer or by solutions containing 1 M KCl, 4 M urea plus dithiothreitol, 1 mM Tris-HCl, 5 mM EDTA, or 100 micrograms/ml of heparin. The HS-PG was efficiently extracted, however, by 1% Triton X-100 in the presence of 1 M KCl or by 1% deoxycholate. These treatments solubilize both cell membranes and the Schwann cell cytoskeleton. In intact cells the HS-PG was digested by trypsin, indicating it was at least partially exposed on the cell surface. When solubilized HS-PG was applied to a column of octyl-sepharose CL-4B, more than 90% was retained by the column, but was quantitatively eluted by a solution containing 1% Triton X-100. In addition, the solubilized HS-PG could be incorporated into artificial phospholipid vesicles. These results indicate the HS-PG is an integral plasma membrane protein. The inability of low ionic strength solutions containing Triton X-100 to solubilize the HS-PG suggested it was bound to an additional structure. To determine whether the HS-PG was associated with the cytoskeleton we isolated cytoskeletons by detergent lysis of cells and centrifugation. The major protein components of isolated cytoskeletons were spectrin (Mr 225,000), vimentin (Mr 58,000), and actin (Mr 45,000). When 35SO4-labeled cells were used to prepare cytoskeletons approximately 80% of the total HS-PG was recovered in the cytoskeleton fraction. These results suggest the HS-PG is an externally exposed integral plasma membrane protein that is anchored to the Schwann cell cytoskeleton.

Changes in membrane properties of rat red blood cells induced by cadmium accumulating in the membrane fraction.

When rat red blood cells were incubated in a cadmium (Cd)-free medium following 1-h pretreatment with 0.5 mM CdCl2, incorporated Cd was retained in the cell during 14-h incubation and progressively accumulated in the membrane fraction, especially in the cytoskeleton fraction. In parallel to this accumulation, red cell filterability decreased and echinocytic cells increased, although intracellular ATP was maintained at the control level. The echinocytic shape was maintained in ghosts and cytoskeletons prepared from the Cd-loaded cells. In addition, the association of bands 2.1, 3, 4.2, and 4.5 with cytoskeletons increased and dissociation of cytoskeletal networks at low ionic strength decreased as the incubation time increased. Pretreatment of red blood cells with Cd also induced a release of small vesicles. These vesicles contained hemoglobin but were depleted of spectrin and actin, showing a phospholipid composition similar to that of red cell ghosts. These results suggest that the organization of cell membranes, especially cytoskeletal networks, is altered by Cd accumulation in the cytoskeleton fraction, which results in acceleration of age-related changes of red blood cells such as shape change and decreased filterability.

Structural studies on a family of cAMP-binding proteins in the nervous system of Aplysia.

Five major cAMP-binding proteins that differ in size and charge have been identified in neurons of Aplysia californica by photoaffinity labeling with [32P]8-N3cAMP. These proteins, which we believe are regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, all differ from the major cAMP-binding protein of buccal muscle. We have compared the structures of these proteins by peptide mapping after chemical and proteolytic cleavage. These analyses indicate that the five binding proteins from nervous tissue and the major muscle protein are closely related to each other. For example, the three neuronal proteins that are most alike and the cAMP-binding protein from muscle have a similar, if not identical, Mr 20,000 domain that contains the 8-N3cAMP-binding site; beyond this domain they diverge. All six proteins appear to belong to a family in which homologous regions have been conserved to maintain common functions. We suggest that the regions of the molecules that differ mediate special functions such as ticketing to particular compartments of the cell. Evidence for regional assortment of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases according to structural type was afforded by subcellular fractionation of Aplysia nervous tissue; photoaffinity labeling of cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, and membrane fractions demonstrated a differential distribution of the five neuronal cAMP-binding proteins. Selective phosphorylation of specific substrates could be a consequence of the compartmentation of diverse cAMP-dependent kinases.