Sucrose Gradient Assays Research Articles

Decreased RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U improves multiple myeloma sensitivity to lenalidomide.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell cancer in the bone marrow. Immunomodulatory drugs, such as lenalidomide (LEN) and pomalidomide, are backbone agents in MM treatment, and LEN resistance is commonly seen in the MM clinic. In this study, we presented that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNPU) affected MM resistance to LEN via the regulation of target mRNA translation. hnRNPULow MM cells exhibited upregulated CRBN and IKZF1 proteins, stringent IKZF1/3 protein degradation upon LEN addition and increased sensitivity to LEN. RNA pulldown assays and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that hnRNPU bound to the 3'-untranslated region of CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA. A sucrose gradient assay suggested that hnRNPU specifically regulated CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA translation. The competition of hnRNPU binding to its target mRNAs by small RNAs with hnRNPU-binding sites restored MM sensitivity to LEN. hnRNPU function invivo was confirmed in an immunocompetent MM mouse model constructed by the inoculation of Crbn-humanized murine 5TGM1 cells into CrbnI391V/+ mice. Overall, this study suggests a novel mechanism of LEN sensitivity in which hnRNPU represses CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA translation.

RNA-binding protein hnRNPU regulates multiple myeloma resistance to selinexor

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable haematological cancer. Selinexor is the first-in-class selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) and was newly approved for the treatment of MM. Until now, very few studies have investigated selinexor resistance in MM. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNPU) is an RNA-binding protein and a component of hnRNP complexes. Here we found that hnRNPU regulates MM sensitivity to selinexor. Cell apoptosis assays were performed to compare selinexor-induced cell death in control knockdown (CTR-KD) and hnRNPU knockdown (hnR-KD) MM cells. HnRNPU knockdown-induced nuclear protein retention was examined by proteomics array. HnRNPU-conferred mRNA translation regulation was evaluated by sucrose gradient assay, RNA electrophoresis mobility shift assay, and RNA pull-down assay. We found that hnR-KD MM cells were more sensitive to selinexor-induced cell death in vitro and in mouse model. MM patients who responded to selinexor had relatively low hnRNPU expression. In brief, hnRNPU comprehensively regulated MM sensitivity to selinexor by affecting the localization of LTV1 and NMD3, and mRNA translation of MDM2 and RAN, which were involved in XPO1-mediated nuclear export of ribosome subunits and tumor suppressors. Our discoveries indicate that hnRNPU might be a possible marker to categorize MM patients for the use of Selinexor.

MEIG1 determines the manchette localization of IFT20 and IFT88, two intraflagellar transport components in male germ cells

Sperm flagella formation is a complex process that requires cargo transport systems to deliver structural proteins for sperm flagella assembly. Two cargo transport systems, the intramanchette transport (IMT) and intraflagellar transport (IFT), have been shown to play critical roles in spermatogenesis and sperm flagella formation. IMT exists only in elongating spermatids, while IFT is responsible for delivering cargo proteins in the developing cilia/flagella. Our laboratory discovered that mouse meiosis expressed gene 1 (MEIG1), a gene essential for sperm flagella formation, is present in the manchette of elongating spermatids. IFT complex components, IFT20 and IFT88, are also present in the manchette of the elongating spermatids. Given that the three proteins have the same localization in elongating spermatids and are essential for normal spermatogenesis and sperm flagella formation, we hypothesize that they are in the same complex, which is supported by co-immunoprecipitation assay using mouse testis extracts. In the Meig1 knockout mice, neither IFT20 nor IFT88 was present in the manchette in the elongating spermatids even though their localizations were normal in spermatocytes and round spermatids. However, MEIG1 was still present in the manchette in elongating spermatids of the conditional Ift20 knockout mice. In the sucrose gradient assay, both IFT20 and IFT88 proteins drifted from higher density fractions to lighter ones in the Meig1 knockout mice. MEIG1 distribution was not changed in the conditional Ift20 knockout mice. Finally, testicular IFT20 and IFT88 protein and mRNA levels were significantly reduced in Meig1 knockout mice. Our data suggests that MEIG1 is a key protein in determining the manchette localization of certain IFT components, including IFT20 and IFT88, in male germ cells.

Contribution of Nascent Polypeptides of increasing Length to the Apparent Stability of the Bacterial Ribosome

The role of the ribosome in the cell extends well beyond catalysis of peptide-bond formation. For instance, the ribosome is emerging as a key player in cotranslational protein folding. On the other hand, whether and how the ribosome assists nascent-protein folding, and how the nascent protein may in turn affect the ribosome, is poorly understood. Recent results suggest that the ribosome facilitatesprotein folding by directly interacting with nascent chains. Yet, whether interactions between the ribosome and the nascent chain have any influence on the ribosome, and whether these interactions promote proper protein folding is currently unknown. Via sucrose-gradient assays, we found that empty ribosomes are more sensitive to urea denaturation than ribosomal complexes carrying either aminoacyl-tRNA or nascent-chains. Further, by taking advantage of tryptophan fluorescence emission, we probed the effect of nascent chains of widely variable sequence and length on the apparent stability of ribosomal proteins (rProteins). We found that there is no statistically significant difference between the contribution of different nascent chains, suggesting that nascent-chain-to-rProtein interactions are either weak or thermodynamically compensated. Hence, there is no difference between the sensitivity to urea of ribosomal initiation complexes carrying aminoacyl tRNA and ribosomal complexes harboring peptidyl tRNA. in all, the above findings lead us to conclude that aminoacyl tRNA, likely in conjunction with mRNA, increases the apparent stability of the ribosome, while the nascent polypeptide does not. Finally, our data led us to propose a multi-step model for the disassembly of ribosome-nascent-chain complexes.

Effect of Nascent Proteins on the Stability of the Ribosome

Recent studies showed that many nascent proteins begin folding during translation, sometimes within the vestibule of the ribosomal exit tunnel. On the other hand, how and whether the ribosome assists protein folding, and how protein folding may in turn affect the ribosome, is poorly understood. We recently detected interactions between foldable and intrinsically disordered nascent proteins (not bearing an N-terminal signal sequence) and ribosomal proteins by dynamic fluorescence depolarization in the frequency domain and by chemical cross-linking. These results suggest that the ribosome facilitates in vivo protein folding by directly interacting with nascent chains. Whether interactions between the ribosome and the nascent chain have any thermodynamic influence on the ribosome, and whether these interactions promote proper protein folding however, is not known. Via sucrose-gradient assays, we found that empty ribosomes are less stable than ribosomes carrying tRNA, or ribosomes harboring nascent-chains. In addition, by taking advantage of tryptophan fluorescence emission, we probed the effect of several nascent chains of variable sequence and length on the stability of ribosomal proteins. We found that there is no statistically significant difference between the contribution of different nascent-chain constructs, suggesting that nascent-to-ribosomal protein interactions are either weak or thermodynamically compensated. Hence, there is no apparent difference between the overall stability of ribosomes carrying a tRNA and ribosomes harboring a nascent-chain. In all, the above findings lead us to conclude that tRNA stabilizes the ribosome, while nascent proteins do not. Therefore, intriguingly, the interplay between the ribosome and nascent chains does not critically rely on standard-state net free-energy changes. Finally, our data led us to propose a multi-step model for the disassembly of ribosome-nascent-chain complexes.

PrP-C1 fragment in cattle brains reveals features of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy associated PrPsc

Three different types of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) are known and supposedly caused by distinct prion strains: the classical (C-) BSE type that was typically found during the BSE epidemic, and two relatively rare atypical BSE types, termed H-BSE and L-BSE. The three BSE types differ in the molecular phenotype of the disease associated prion protein, namely the N-terminally truncated proteinase K (PK) resistant prion protein fragment (PrPres). In this study, we report and analyze yet another PrPres type (PrPres-2011), which was found in severely autolytic brain samples of two cows in the framework of disease surveillance in Switzerland in 2011. Analysis of brain tissues from these animals by PK titration and PK inhibitor assays ruled out the process of autolysis as the cause for the aberrant PrPres profile. Immunochemical characterization of the PrP fragments present in the 2011 cases by epitope mapping indicated that PrPres-2011 corresponds in its primary sequence to the physiologically occurring PrP-C1 fragment. However, high speed centrifugation, sucrose gradient assay and NaPTA precipitation revealed biochemical similarities between PrPres-2011 and the disease-associated prion protein found in BSE affected cattle in terms of detergent insolubility, PK resistance and PrP aggregation. Although it remains to be established whether PrPres-2011 is associated with a transmissible disease, our results point out the need of further research on the role the PrP-C1 aggregation and misfolding in health and disease.

Two isoforms of the cold‐inducible mRNA‐binding protein RBM3 localize to dendrites and promote translation

A diverse set of mRNA-binding proteins (BPs) regulate local translation in neurons. However, little is known about the role(s) played by a family of cold-inducible, glycine-rich mRNA-BPs. Unlike neuronal mRNA-BPs characterized thus far, these proteins are induced by hypothermia and are comprised of one RNA recognition motif and an adjacent arginine- and glycine-rich domain. We studied the expression and function of the RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3), a member of this family, in neurons. RBM3 was expressed in multiple brain regions, with the highest levels in cerebellum and olfactory bulb. In dissociated neurons, RBM3 was observed in nuclei and in a heterogeneous population of granules within dendrites. In sucrose gradient assays, RBM3 cofractionated with heavy mRNA granules and multiple components of the translation machinery. Two alternatively spliced RBM3 isoforms that differed by a single arginine residue were identified in neurons; both were post-translationally modified. The variant lacking the spliced arginine exhibited a higher dendritic localization and was the only isoform present in astrocytes. When overexpressed in neuronal cell lines, RBM3 isoforms-enhanced global translation, the formation of active polysomes, and the activation of initiation factors. These data suggest that RBM3 plays a distinctive role in enhancing translation in neurons.

Stable trimerization of recombinant rabies virus glycoprotein ectodomain is required for interaction with the p75NTR receptor

Native rabies virus glycoprotein (RVGvir) is a trimeric, membrane-anchored protein that has been shown to interact with the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor. In order to determine if the RVG trimeric oligomerization state is required for its binding with p75NTR, different soluble recombinant molecules containing the entire RVG ectodomain (RVGect) were expressed alone or fused at its C terminus to the trimerization domain of the bacteriophage T4 fibritin, termed 'foldon'. The oligomerization status of recombinant RVG was investigated using sedimentation in sucrose gradient and p75NTR binding assays. It was found that, in the absence of the fibritin foldon, recombinant RVGect forms unstable trimers that dissociate into monomers in a concentration-dependent manner. C-terminal fusion with the foldon induces stable RVG trimerization, which is concentration-independent. Furthermore, the fibritin foldon maintains the native antigenic structure of the carboxy part of RVGect. Cell binding experiments showed that RVG trimerization is required for efficient interaction with p75NTR. However, the exact mode of trimerization appears unimportant, as trimeric recombinant RVGect (fused to the fibritin foldon) and RVGvir both recognize p75NTR with similar nanomolar affinities, as shown by surface plasmon resonance experiments. Altogether, these results show that the C-terminal fusion of the RVG ectodomain with the fibritin foldon is a powerful way to obtain a recombinant trimeric native-like structure of the p75NTR binding domain of RVG.

Characterization of Staufen 1 ribonucleoprotein complexes.

In Drosophila oocytes and neuroblasts, the double-stranded RNA binding protein Staufen assembles into ribonucleoprotein particles, which mediate cytoplasmic mRNA trafficking and translation. Two different mammalian orthologues also appear to reside in distinct RNA-containing particles. To date, relatively little is known about the molecular composition of Staufen-containing ribonucleoprotein complexes. Here, we have used a novel one-step affinity purification protocol to identify components of Staufen 1-containing particles. Whereas the nucleocytoplasmic RNA-binding protein nucleolin is linked to Staufen in an RNA-dependent manner, the association of protein phosphatase 1, the microtubule-dependent motor protein kinesin and several components of the large and small ribosomal subunits with Staufen ribonucleoprotein complexes is RNA-independent. Notably, all these components do not co-purify with a second RNA-binding protein, hnRNPK (heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K), demonstrating the high specificity of the purification protocol. Furthermore, pull-down and immunoprecipitation experiments suggest a direct interaction between Staufen 1 and the ribosomal protein P0 in vitro as well as in cells. In cell fractionation and sucrose gradient assays, Staufen co-fractionates with intact ribosomes and polysomes, but not with the isolated 40 S ribosomal subunit. Taken together, these findings imply that, in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells, an association with the ribosomal P-stalk protein P0 recruits Staufen 1 into ribosome-containing ribonucleoprotein particles, which also contain kinesin, protein phosphatase 1 and nucleolin.

The expression of oestrogen receptor (ER)-beta and its variants, but not ERalpha, in adult human mammary fibroblasts.

Whilst oestrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and ERbeta have been shown to be important in the development of the mammary gland, the cell-specific expression pattern of these two receptors within the human breast is not clear. Although it is well established that in the developing rodent mammary gland stromal ERalpha mediates the secretion of growth factors which stimulate the proliferation of the ductal epithelium, the expression of ERalpha in human adult breast stromal fibroblasts is controversial, and the expression of ERbeta has not been properly defined. In the present study, we have evaluated the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta by immunohistochemistry in normal tissue samples, and in purified human breast fibroblasts by Western blotting, RT-PCR analysis and ligand-binding sucrose gradient assay. Our data clearly demonstrated that ERbeta variants, including ERbeta1, ERbeta2, ERbeta5, ERbetadelta and ERbetains, but not ERalpha, are expressed in human adult mammary fibroblasts. These results are supported by the findings that an ERbeta-selective ligand, BAG, but not the ERalpha high-affinity ligand oestradiol, can induce fibroblast growth factor-7 release and activate transcription from an oestrogen-responsive element promoter in these adult human mammary fibroblasts. Together, these observations revealed that, in the adult breast and in breast cancer, the proliferative signals derived from the stroma of adult mammary glands in response to oestrogen are not mediated by ERalpha and provide new insights into the nature of stromal-epithelial interactions in the adult mammary gland. In addition, the expression of these ERbeta variants in cells where there is no ERalpha suggested that these ERbeta splice forms may have functions other than that of modulating ERalpha activity.

Mutational analysis of the different bulge regions of hepatitis C virus domain II and their influence on internal ribosome entry site translational ability.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) 5'-untranslated region and, in particular, domains II to IV are involved in the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) structure. Recent structural evidence has shown that the function of domain II may be to hold the coding RNA in position until the translational machinery is correctly assembled on the decoding site. However, a comprehensive mutational and functional study concerning the importance of the different RNA regions that compose domain II is not yet available. Therefore, we have taken advantage of the recently proposed secondary structure of domain II to design a series of specific mutants. The bulge regions present in the latest secondary structure prediction of domain II were selectively deleted, and the effects of these mutations on IRES translation efficiency were analyzed. Our results show that the introduction of these mutations can variably affect the degree of HCV translation, causing a moderate to total loss of translation ability that correlates with the severity of changes induced in the RNA secondary structure and degree of p25 ribosomal protein UV cross-linking, but not with the ability of the 40S ribosomal subunit to bind the IRES. These findings support the proposed structural role of domain II in HCV translation.

Putative steroid binding domain of the human mineralocorticoid receptor, expressed in E. coli in the presence of heat shock proteins shows typical native receptor characteristics

Domain E, considered as the putative hormone binding domain (HBD) of the human mineralocorticoid receptor (hMR) was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with either maltose binding protein (MBP) or glutathione S-transferase (GST). These bacterially-produced MR constructs had no steroid binding activity per se. In fact, heat shock protein association (hsp) is required for high affinity ligand-binding of the MR. After incubation of purified MBP- or GST-HBD with rabbit reticulocyte lysate, known to be rich in heat shock proteins, we obtained saturable binding of [ 3H]aldosterone. The K d value for aldosterone was 0.3 nM and the B max = 32 pmol/mg. Hormone binding specificity was assessed by competition studies with various steroid ligands. Sucrose gradient assays performed with [ 3H]aldosterone-MBP-HBD revealed complex sedimenting at 8.3S and 4.9S with [ 3H]progesterone-MBP-HBD. Western-blot analysis of the sedimentation peak showed the concomitant presence of MBP-HBD by a monoclonal anti-MBP antibody, and hsp90 by a monoclonal anti-hsp antibody. Moreover, following incubation with the anti-rabbit hap90 monoclonal antibody the sedimenting gradient showed a 10.4S sedimenting complex. These analyses demonstrated that the [ 3H]aldosterone-MBP-HBD complex is at least associated with hsp90 in reticulocyte lysate and that the HBD of hMR is sufficient to bind hsp90. Deletions of a relatively short amino- (729-766) or carboxy-terminal (940-984) region of the HBD fragment eliminated all steroid-binding properties. Overall, these results indicate that the integrity of domain E is necessary and sufficient to bind steroid ligands, agonists or antagonists, with characteristics similar to the entire native MR.

Inhibition of DNA repair with aphidicolin enhances sensitivity of targets to tumor necrosis factor.

To test whether DNA injury contributes to TNF-induced cytotoxicity, we attempted to enhance DNA injury by inhibiting its repair and then assessing effects on cytotoxicity. DNA repair, assayed as unscheduled DNA synthesis, was first detected in TNF-sensitive targets by 2-3 h of incubation with TNF. Targets resistant to TNF cytotoxicity did not demonstrate significant repair replication. Repair preceded the detection of TNF-induced DNA injury, which was subsequently demonstrated by a double-stranded DNA fragmentation assay, sedimentation of DNA in neutral and alkaline sucrose gradients, and gel electrophoresis of extracted DNA. This suggested that early during exposure to TNF, DNA repair proceeds more rapidly than strand breakage. To inhibit repair, nontoxic concentrations of aphidicolin (inhibitor of DNA polymerase-alpha) and dideoxythymidine (inhibitor of DNA polymerase-beta and gamma) were used. Aphidicolin inhibited repair and consistently sensitized to TNF cytotoxicity, decreasing the ID50 for TNF at least 10- to 50-fold. In contrast, dideoxythymidine had no effect on repair or cytotoxicity. Deoxycytidine, which competitively inhibits binding of aphidicolin to DNA polymerase, blocked the sensitization in a concentration-dependent fashion. In targets sensitized with aphidicolin, TNF-induced strand breakage was accelerated, being detected by 4 h of culture in the sucrose gradient assay. Sensitization to TNF was not due to a heightened activation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. These results indicate that TNF-induced strand breakage participates in TNF-induced cytotoxicity and that the level of DNA repair plays a role in determining relative sensitivity of targets.

Formation of Noninfectious HIV-1 Virus Particles Lacking a Full-Length Envelope Protein

Deletions were constructed within a functional human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral clone in order to assess the role of the envelope protein in virus particle formation. A graded exonuclease deletion technique was used to produce 12 clones with deletions of 175-308 nucleotides in the first conserved domain of envelope. This included 9 clones with frameshift deletions and 3 clones with in-frame deletions. Isogenic pairs of env deletion clones were produced with or without an additional deletion in the vif and vpr genes. Upon transfection, all clones produced virus particles, as determined by p24 antigen, reverse transcriptase, and sucrose gradient assays with conditioned media. Virus particles produced from clones with deletions in env or vif and vpr, or both regions, banded on sucrose gradients with a mobility similar to that of virus produced by the parental clone. The p24 gag capsid protein in the particles was resistant to trypsin, but the particles were disrupted by treatment with Triton X-100, suggesting the presence of a surrounding lipid bilayer. Furthermore, electron microscopic studies revealed both mature and immature virus particles derived from COS cells transfected with the env deletion clones. Cocultivation experiments with lymphoid cells and cells transfected with each of the env deletion clones demonstrated that the virus particles were noninfectious.

Oligomertization of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein B occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and a 102 amino acid cytosolic domain is dispensable for dimer assembly

Glycoprotein B (gB) is an essential protein specified by herpes simplex virus and a major envelope component of the virions. It is known to assemble into noncovalently associated dimers. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of topogenic domains of gB in dimer assembly and the intracellular location at which gB dimers are assembled. Therefore, dimer analyses were performed on intact gB and its three COOH-terminus-truncated gB derivatives encoding NH 2-terminal 772, 586, and 477 amino acids (aa) of the mature gB, using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sucrose gradient assays. Dimers were detected in gB and in tgB(772 aa), but were absent from tgB(586 aa) and from tgB(477 aa). These results showed that a 102 as cytosolic domain (aa 773–874) is not required for the assembly of gB dimers. In addition, using endoglycosidase H treatment and dimer analysis of gB synthesized during 7 min pulse-labeling period, we have demonstrated that ER is the subcellular organelle at which gB monomers are assembled into dimeric forms.

Primary structure and post-translational processing of the berne virus peplomer protein

The nucleotide sequence of the peplomer (P) protein gene of Berne virus (BEV), the torovirus prototype, was determined. The gene encodes an apoprotein of 1581 amino acids with an Mr of about 178K. The open reading frame was cloned behind the T7 RNA polymerase promoter and its translation product was identified as the BEV P protein precursor by in vivo expression and immunoprecipitation. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a number of domains which are typical for type I membrane glycoproteins: an N-terminal signal sequence, a putative C-terminal transmembrane anchor, and a cytoplasmic tail. Eighteen potential N-glycosylation sites, two heptad repeat domains, and a possible “trypsin-like” cleavage site were identified. The mature P protein consists of two subunits and their electrophoretic mobility upon endoglycosidase F treatment strongly suggests that the predicted cleavage site is functional in vivo. The heptad repeat domains are probably involved in the generation of an intra-chain coiled-coil secondary structure; similar inter-chain interactions can play a role in P protein oligomerization. Using a sucrose gradient assay the P protein was indeed shown to form dimers. The intra- and inter-chain coiled-coil interactions may stabilize the elongated BEV peplomers.

Estrogen Receptor in the Ductuli Efferentes, Epididymis, and Testis of Rhesus and Cynomolgus Macaques1

We obtained the testes, ductuli efferentes, and epididymides from adult rhesus and cynomolgus macaques and examined these tissues for estrogen receptors (ER) with immunocytochemistry (ICC) and a sucrose gradient assay. Both techniques employed monoclonal antibodies prepared against ER, and both showed that high concentrations of ER were present OFFy in the ductuli efferentes. Moreover, all specific staining was confined to the nuclei of the nonciliated, absorptive epithelial cells. The quantity of salt-extractable ER in the ductuli efferentes (834 +/- 161 [SEM] fmol/mg DNA [n = 8]) did not differ significantly from the amounts measured with the identical assay in oviducts and endometrium of estrogenized female macaques. Testes and epididymides of macaques had no specific staining by ICC and barely detectable amounts by biochemical analysis (7 +/- 4 [n = 3], 8 +/- 2 [n = 5], 33 +/- 16 [n = 3], and 6 +/- 3 [n = 8] fmol/mg DNA for testis and caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis, respectively). The functional significance of the high levels of ER in the ductuli efferentes of macaques remains to be determined.

Uterine Estrogen Receptors Are Increased by RU486 in Late Pregnant Rhesus Macaques but not after Spontaneous Labor*

Progesterone withdrawal as a mechanism for parturition in primates is controversial. The progesterone antagonist RU486, given in late pregnancy to rhesus monkeys at a dose of 47 mmol/kg.day (20 mg/kg.day), causes an increase in uterine activity, but not the expected increase in amniotic fluid prostaglandins or cervical dilatation. We, therefore, studied the effect of RU486 on estrogen receptor (ER) localization and concentration in reproductive tract tissues in rhesus monkeys during late gestation and after spontaneous labor at term. Distribution of ER in pregnant uterine tissues was studied by immunocytochemical techniques and quantified by a biochemical assay, both of which employed a monoclonal antibody specific for ER. ER was not present in amnion and chorion by immunocytochemical investigation; however, a significant increase in receptor staining was seen in decidua and myometrium after RU486 treatment compared to that in both pregnant control tissues and parturient tissues. Sucrose gradient assay of nuclear (n) and cytosolic (c) ER revealed a low level of ER (expressed as fmol of estradiol bound/mg of DNA) in pregnant and parturient decidua (pregnant: nER = 7.3 +/- 2.4, cER = 17.1 +/- 6.4; parturient, nER = 7.7 +/- 3.1, cER = 16.4 +/- 8.8) and myometrium (pregnant: nER = 21.7 +/- 4.1, cER = 20.8 +/- 5.3; parturient: nER = 30.0 +/- 2.8, cER = 10.7 +/- 6.7). In contrast, tissues collected from RU486-treated animals contained high levels of ER in decidua (nER = 52.3 +/- 16.8, cER = 240.5 +/- 145.3) and myometrium (nER = 77.0 +/- 19.2; cER = 66.5 +/- 31.6). We conclude that 1) the increase in ER in decidua and myometrium after RU486 treatment is the result of a decrease in the inhibitory action of progesterone on ER and documents the progesterone receptor antagonism by RU486 during induced myometrial contractility in late pregnant rhesus monkeys; 2) the absence of ER from amnion and chorion indicates that the normally observed increase in prostaglandin production by rhesus fetal membranes during labor is not mediated by ER; and 3) the absence of a change in the concentration of ER in decidua and myometrium from pregnant control monkeys and those in spontaneous labor indicates that an increase in ER (and, by inference, a withdrawal of receptor-mediated progesterone inhibition) is not part of the normal events in preparation for parturition in primates.

13] Physical studies of ribosomal protein—RNA interactions

This chapter presents physical studies of ribosomal protein–RNA interactions. The chapter deals with r-protein S4 binding a specific site on α mRNA, but should be applicable to other r-protein interactions with rRNA or mRNA fragments. The filter retention assay is useful, but one has to be aware that (1) specific and nonspecific complexes of protein with the same RNA may be detected with widely different efficiencies, and (2) the level of competing nonspecific binding may change dramatically as the endpoints of the RNA fragment change. The sucrose gradient assay described here is probably easier to interpret, as it depends only on the reequilibration of protein and protein-RNA complexes during the time of the sedimentation run. Although the absolute affinities measured may be systematically off by a factory of two or three, changes in affinity with RNA sequence or buffer composition should be accurately detected. The relative affinity of a small RNA fragment and a large RNA for a protein should also be measured accurately in competition experiments. The simplicity of the sucrose gradient assays and the unambiguous interpretation of the results should make them a useful complement to filter binding assays for quantitative studies.

A miniature molecular-sieving column assay for cytoplasmic vitamin A-binding proteins

Cytoplasmic vitamin A-binding proteins were measured by a method using centrifugation of gel-exclusion columns and compared to the sucrose gradient method. The gel-exclusion method analyzed 18 samples simultaneously on one table-top centrifuge, while the sucrose gradient method required use of three ultracentrifuges to process 18 samples simultaneously. Multiple 2-min low-speed centrifugations of test cytosol applied to miniature molecular-sieving columns was a faster ( 1 2 the working time for 18 samples), more convenient, and more accurate method for measuring cytoplasmic vitamin A-binding proteins than was the sucrose gradient method. Using the same cytosol and [ 3H]retinoid preparations, the rapid gel-exclusion method results were only slightly lower than those obtained by radioimmunoassay but 50% higher than the values obtained by the sucrose gradient assay. The methodology described may be useful not only for cytoplasmic vitamin A-binding proteins but also for other similar binding protein assays.