Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis In Formamide Research Articles

Hen Oviduct Nα-Acetyltransferase Is a Ribonucleoprotein Having 7 S RNA

Hen oviduct N alpha-acetyltransferase was clarified to have a nucleic acid as an existing constituent by the following three results: (i) an ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the purified N alpha-acetyltransferase free of S-acetyl coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) had an absorption maximum at 260 nm. (ii) A nucleic acid band stained with ethidium bromide was detected on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. (iii) An ethidium bromide band co-migrated with a fluorescent band of the protein treated with N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarinyl)maleimide, a reagent specific for thiol groups, on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. N alpha-Acetyltransferase lost its activity partially or completely by digestion with bovine pancreatic RNase A, Staphylococcus aureus nuclease, or proteinase K, showing that both the nucleic acid and the protein subunit were necessary for the enzyme activity. The nucleic acid component was identified as an RNA but not a DNA because the RNase T2 digest of the nucleic acid was composed of four 3'-ribomononucleotides and completely separated from 3'- and 5'-deoxyribomononucleotides on TLC. The chain length of the nucleic acid of 260 nucleotides estimated by formamide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was calculated to be about 83,000 of the molecular weight. The contents of RNA (35.0%) and protein (65.0%) in N alpha-acetyltransferase determined on weight basis corresponded reasonably well to the contents of RNA (34.4%) and protein (65.6%) calculated based on the assumption that N alpha-acetyltransferase consisted of one molecule of 7 S RNA (Mr 83,000) and two identical Mr 79,000 protein subunits. The total molecular weight (241,000) of the holoenzyme calculated based on the above result was identical to the molecular weight (240,000) of N alpha-acetyltransferase estimated by Sepharose 6B gel filtration.

Partial purification and characterization of messenger RNA coding 14-3-2 protein from rat brain.

14-3-2 Protein (neuron-specific enolase) is a neuron-specific protein. Using a reticulocyte lysate cell-free system for translation of 14-3-2 protein mRNA, we have partially purified this mRNA by several procedures, including formamide sucrose density centrifugation, formamide polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and polyuridylic acid (poly(U))-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Using mRNA obtained by these procedures, we could increase the translation ratio of 14-3-2 protein synthesized/total soluble protein synthesized to 7.31%. The overall purification was 37.8-fold. The size of 14-3-2 protein mRNA appears to be about 19-20S, because translation activity of mRNA obtained by sucrose density gradient centrifugation or formamide PAGE was the most active in this RNA size.

Intracellular murine hepatitis virus-specific RNAs contain common sequences

A major polyadenylated viral RNA of approximately 0.8 × 10 6 daltons was isolated from murine hepatitis virus (A59)-infected cells by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide. This RNA was shown to encode the viral nucleocapsid protein by direct in vitro translation in a cell-free, reticulocyte-derived system. Single stranded 32P-labeled complementary DNA was prepared from this RNA and was demonstrated to be virus specific. Using this complementary DNA in a Northern blotting procedure, we were able to identify six major virus-specific intracellular RNA species with estimated molecular weights of 0.8, 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 3, and 4 × 10 6 daltons. All of these RNA species were polyadenylated. Our results support the idea that coronavirus-infected cells contain multiple intracellular polyadenylated RNAs which share common sequences.

Inserts within the mRNA sequence on the 15 S globin mRNA precursor from chicken

[ 3H]Uridine pulse-labelled nuclear RNA of chicken immature red blood cells contains two RNA species with globin coding sequences sedimenting at 9 S and 15 S, the latter representing most probably the precursor to 9 S globin mRNA. Whether the globin mRNA sequence on the 15 S precursor is interrupted by interspersed sequences was investigated by hybridization of labelled nuclear 15 S RNA with an excess of unlabelled globin complementary DNA. After degradation of nonhybridized RNA by RNAase A the enzyme was removed by proteinase K and a subsequent phenol extraction. The complementary DNA hybrids were melted and the complementary DNA degraded by DNAase I. For the separation of complementary DNA protected RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide was used. Three RNA fragments with approximately 320, 200 and 120 nucleotides were found in the case of the 15 S RNA, whereas only one 650–700 nucleotide fragment was detected when the same procedure was carried out with nuclear 9 S RNA. This means, that the chicken 15 S globin mRNA precursor contains at least two inserts within the mRNA sequence, which originate presumably by transcription of a gene with intervening sequences.

Liposome-Mediated transfer of bacterial RNA into carrot protoplasts

The uptake of liposome-encapsulated E. coli [(3)H]RNA by carrot (Daucus carota L.) protoplasts was examined. [(3)H]RNA extracted from protoplasts that had been incubated with [(3)H]RNA-containing, large, unilamellar lipid vesicles (liposomes) obtained by ether infusion, and examined by sucrose gradient centrifugation and formamide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, appeared substantially degraded, with a total elimination of 23S RNA and a partial loss of 16S RNA. In contrast, no breakdown of the [(3)H]RNA was apparent in the liposomes after sequestration, even in the presence of externally added ribonuclease, or in the unfused liposomes remaining after incubation of protoplasts with liposomes. Thus, the degradation of the [(3)H]RNA extracted from the protoplasts must have occurred within the protoplasts and represents evidence for liposome-mediated RNA uptake. Naked RNA added to the protoplast culture was found to be totally degraded after incubation with the protoplasts. The uptake of liposome-sequestered RNA by protoplasts was demonstrated to be a function both of the lipid composition of the liposomal membrane and of the temperature of incubation of the liposomeprotoplast mixture. Furthermore, the mode of this uptake (fusion versus endocytosis) could be manipulated by adjusting the cholesterol content of the liposomal membrane. The implications of the ability to insert RNA into protoplasts without degradation by extracellular nucleases are discussed.

Messenger RNA synthesis in synchronized Chinese hamster ovary cells

Chinese hamster ovary cells were synchronized without inhibitors by mitotic selection and labelled in G 1, S or G 2 phase by incubation for 90 min with [ 3H]-or [ 14C]uridine. Purified polyribosomes were extracted with phenol and the polyadenylated mRNA prepared by poly(U)-Sepharose chromatography. Polyadenylated [ 3H]uridine-labelled mRNA from the G 1 phase of the cell cycle was compared by exponential polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide with [ 14C]uridine-labelled polyadenylated mRNA from the S or G 2 phase. The electrophoretic patterns obtained correspond to the size range expected for mRNA (7–28 S). No prominent differences were detected between mRNAs synthesized in different phases of the cell cycle. From these data we conclude that the major size classes of polyribosomal poly(A)-containing mRNA are synthesized in equal ratios throughout the cell cycle.

Requirement for 7-methylguanosine in translation of globin mRNA in vivo

The 7-methylguanosine (m7G) residue present in the m7G5' ppp5'X-"CAP" structure of rabbit globin mRNA was removed quantitatively by periodate oxidation followed by beta-elimination in the presence of cyclohexylamine. The RNA thus treated was intact and exhibited no signs of degradation as examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide. Assay for protein synthesis using a wheat germ cell-free system showed that the globin mRNA lacking m7G had lost most of its messenger activity. Identical treatment, of satellite tobacco necrosis virus (STNV) RNA, which does not contain the 5'-terminal "CAP" structure, resulted in no loss of its mRNA activity. Since the importance of the m7G residue in eukaryotic mRNA has not yet been shown essential for translation in vivo, both untreated and treated globin mRNAs were injected into frog oocytes and their translation into globin was measured at intervals over a ninety-six hour period. Globin mRNA either treated with periodate alone or lacking in m7g altogether were both found to have lost more than 90% of their activity in vivo.

Preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic purification of human alpha- and beta-globin messenger RNAs.

Previous studies have reported the use of globin chain-specific complementary DNAs to quantitate the amount of human globin mRNA and human globin genes in normal and abnormal cells. In order to obtain larger amounts and more purified globin mRNAs as templates for these experiments, preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide has been used to separate alpha- and beta-globin mRNA from polyadenylate containing RNA of human reticulocytes. Fifty to one hundred-fifty micrograms of RNA can be applied to the preparative gel and the recovery of the globin mRNA is about 50%. The isolated alpha- and beta-globin mRNAs were assayed in a wheat germ cell-free system, and the alpha- and beta-globin synthesized quantitated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The purified alpha- and beta-globin mRNAs direct globin synthesis which is more than 90% either alpha- or beta-globin, respectively. The cDNAs prepared using each of the isolated mRNAs as template are also shown to be specific for alpha- or beta-mRNA sequences. The gel electrophoresis technique used permits the relatively large scale isolation of alpha- or beta-globin mRNAs from human cells.

Existence of both kappa and lambda light chain messenger RNA sequences in mouse myeloma, MOPC-104E, known as a lambda chain producer

A mouse myeloma, MOPC-104E, which is known to synthesize and secrete λ type light chain protein as a constituent of immunoglobulin M, was shown to contain mRNA sequences coding for κ as well as λ type light chain protein. Light chain mRNA sequences were quantitated by nucleic acid hybridization reaction using radioactive DNA complementary to light chain mRNAs which had been purified from other myelomas. The amount of κ type light chain mRNA present in MOPC-104E is almost equivalent to that of λ type light chain mRNA. κ chain mRNA was not separated from λ chain mRNA either by centrifugation in sucrose density gradient or by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide.

Partial purification and characterization of the mRNA for rat preproinsulin.

Electrophoretically homogeneous messenger RNA for rat preproinsulin has been prepared from an islet cell tumor by the use of oligo(dT(-cellulose chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The molecular weight of the mRNA is about 210,000, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide, and its sedimentation coefficient is 9.3 S in sucrose gradients containing 0.2 M NaCl. These results indicate that the synthesis of preproinsulin is directed by a monocistronic mRNA 600 nucleotides in length and requires approximately 55% of the molecule's coding capacity.

Synthesis of human placental lactogen messenger RNA as a function of gestation.

It was shown previously that 4 to 5 times more human placental lactogen (hPL) was synthesized in cell-free extracts from term placentae than in comparable extracts prepared from first trimester tissue. In an attempt to define what accounts for this differential rate of synthesis RNA was prepared from first trimester and term placentae. Following purification through an oligo(dT)-cellulose column, these RNA preparations were tested for their ability to direct the synthesis of the hPL precursor in the wheat germ cell-free system. With similar amounts of first trimester and term mRNA, the overall efficiency as defined by the stimulation of total amino acid incorporation was comparable. However, there was approximately 4 times more hPL synthesized in the presence of term RNA. This was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and tryptic fingerprinting. The peak of the hPL precursor messenger activity sedimented at 12 to 13 S on sucrose gradient. Analysis of the RNA by formamide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis further supported this value. The data indicate that the increased synthesis of hPL at term reflects greater levels of hPL mRNA in term tissue than in first trimester tissue. The data also show that the overall in vivo levels of hPL can be correlated not only with the increase in placental syncytial mass during pregnancy but also in the greater proportion of hPL synthesized per g of tissue. The latter results from the continual differentiation of the placenta occurring throughout gestation.

In vitro synthesis of full-length DNA transcripts of Rous sarcoma virus RNA by viral DNA polymerase.

Varying the concentration of Triton X-100, a nonionic detergent used to promote the DNA polymerase activity of Rous sarcoma virus in an endogenous reaction, showed a very sharp peak at about 0.02% (vol/vol) for optimal DNA synthesis. The yield of DNA at this concentration of Triton exceeded yields obtained at concentrations above the optimum by a factor of 2-5 for the 90-min reaction. At optimal Triton concentration, about 1-7% of the DNA made in the absence of actinomycin and about 4-10% of the DNA made in the presence of actinomycin was 2.5 X 10(6) daltons or greater, as estimated by formamide polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by alkaline sucrose gradient sedimentation. No large DNA was obtained at higher than optimal Triton concentrations. The large DNA molecules were rendered totally resistant to single-strand specific nuclease S1 after hybridization to an excess of viral RNA. It was concluded that at optimal detergent concentration, the viral DNA polymerase can synthesize full-size DNA transcripts of viral RNA.

Isolation and identification of separated messenger RNAs for rabbit α and β globin

Rabbit globin messenger RNA was separated into two species by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide. The two species were isolated from the gel and assayed for messenger activity in the ascites cell-free system. The product of the cell-free system was analysed by column chromatography and by finger-printing. The RNA species with the lower mobility (mol. wt 227,000) codes mainly for β globin, whilst the RNA with the higher mobility (mol. wt 202,000) codes mainly for α globin. Fingerprint analysis of DNA copies of the separated mRNA species may be distinguished, and suggest that the polynucleotide sequences are of homogeneity comparable to the messenger activity. We conclude therefore that a physical separation of the two messenger species has been obtained.

Sub-cellular localization of vesicular stomatitis virus messenger RNAs

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) appear to be compartmentalized within the infected HeLa cells. Analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in formamide of the RNA associated with the membrane bound polyribosomes from VSV-infected cytoplasmic extracts shows predominantly one size class of VSV mRNA, which is absent from the remaining cytoplasm. These results are consistent with the mRNA for the viral glycoprotein being exclusively associated with membrane bound polysomes since the latter have been shown to synthesize mainly the virion glycoprotein in an in vitro translation system.

Preparation and preliminary characterization of purified ovalbumin messenger RNA from the hen oviduct.

Preparation of milligram amounts of purified ovalbumin mRNA was accomplished by a sequential combination of precise sizing techniques with the selective purification of the poly(A) containing RNA by either affinity chromatography or adsorption to nitrocellulose filters. Several new techniques were applied to the purification of ovalbumin mRNA including Sepharose 4B chromatography and agarose gel electrophoresis in the presence of 6 M urea at pH 3.5. All the procedures used were adapted on a preparative sacle to the fractionation of large quantities of RNA. The purity of the ovalbumin mRNA was assessed by several independent criteria. (1) Purified ovalbumin mRNA migrated as a single band during both agarose-urea and formamide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 3.5 and 7.4, respectively. A single absorbance peak containing all of the ovalbumin mRNA activity was also found using linear formamide-sucrose gradients. (2) Determination of both total mRNA activity and ovalbumin mRNA activity in the wheat germ cell-free translation assay revealed that 92% of the total peptides synthesized were specifically immunoprecipitable with an ovalbumin antiserum. (3) Analysis of the total peptides synthesizied in the wheat germ assay by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated the presence of a single radioactive peak that corresponded exactly to a specifically immunoprecipitable ovalbumin standard. Thus, based on these observations ovalbumin mRNA appears to be greater than 95% pure. A preliminary estimation of the molecular weight of purified ovalbumin mRNA by formamide-containing sucrose gradients yielded a value of 520,000 or approximately 1600 nucleotides. This value was considerably less than the value of 900,000 obtained by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. Analysis of the poly(A) content by a hybridization assay with (3H)poly(U) revealed the presence of a poly(A) region containing approximately 70 adenosine residues. Thus, the size of the ovalbumin mRNA is considerably greater than that required to code for a protein of 387 amino acids. The availability of large quantities of purified ovalbumin mRNA should now permit a more thorough analysis of its physical and chemical properties.