scholarly journals Nuclear transport of U1 snRNP in somatic cells: differences in signal requirement compared with Xenopus laevis oocytes.

1994 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 971-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Fischer ◽  
J Heinrich ◽  
K van Zee ◽  
E Fanning ◽  
R Lührmann
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Nuclear Transport ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
Nuclear Targeting ◽  
Transport Pathway ◽  
U1 Snrnp

The signal requirement for the nuclear import of U1 RNA in somatic cells from different species was investigated by microinjection of both digoxygenin-labeled wild type and mutant U1 RNA molecules and in vitro reconstituted U1 snRNPs. U1 RNA was shown to be targeted to the nucleus by a temperature-dependent process that requires the prior assembly of RNPs from the common proteins and the microinjected RNA. Competition in the cell between immunoaffinity-purified U1 snRNPs and digoxygenin-labeled U1 snRNPs reconstituted in vitro showed that the transport is saturable and should therefore be a mediated process. The transport of a karyophilic protein under the same conditions was not affected, indicating the existence of a U snRNP-specific transport pathway in somatic cells, as already seen in the Xenopus laevis oocyte system. Surprisingly, the signal requirement for nuclear transport of U1 snRNP was found to differ between oocytes and somatic cells from mouse, monkey and Xenopus, in that the m3GGpppG-cap is no longer an essential signaling component in somatic cells. However, as shown by investigation of the transport kinetics of m3GpppG- and ApppG-capped U1 snRNPs, the m3GpppG-cap accelerates the rate of U1 snRNP import significantly indicating that it has retained a signaling role for nuclear targeting of U1 snRNP in somatic cells. Moreover, our data strongly suggest that cell specific rather than species specific differences account for the differential m3G-cap requirement in nuclear import of U1 snRNPs.

Characterization of the repressed 5S DNA minichromosomes assembled in vitro with a high-speed supernatant of Xenopus laevis oocytes

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4257-4269
Author(s):  
A Shimamura ◽  
D Tremethick ◽  
A Worcel
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Histone H1 ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
5S Rna ◽  
Rna Transcription

We describe an in vitro system, based on the Xenopus laevis oocyte supernatant of Glikin et al. (G. Glikin, I. Ruberti, and A. Worcel, Cell 37:33-41, 1984), that packages DNA into minichromosomes with regularly spaced nucleosomes containing histones H3, H4, H2A, and H2B but no histone H1. The same supernatant also assembles the 5S RNA transcription complex; however, under the conditions that favor chromatin assembly, transcription is inhibited and a phased nucleosome forms over the 5S RNA gene. The minichromosomes that are fully loaded with nucleosomes remain refractory to transcriptional activation by 5S RNA transcription factors. Our data suggest that this repression is caused by a nucleosome covering the 5S RNA gene and that histone H1 is not required for regular nucleosome spacing or for gene repression in this system.

Testosterone and Progesterone Rapidly Attenuate Plasma Membrane Gβγ-Mediated Signaling in Xenopus laevis Oocytes by Signaling through Classical Steroid Receptors

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Evaul ◽  
Michelle Jamnongjit ◽  
Bala Bhagavath ◽  
Stephen R. Hammes
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
G Protein ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Inhibition Mechanism ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
Potassium Influx

Abstract Many transcription-independent (nongenomic) steroid effects are regulated by G proteins. A well-established, biologically relevant example of steroid/G protein interplay is steroid-triggered oocyte maturation, or meiotic resumption, in Xenopus laevis. Oocyte maturation is proposed to occur through a release of inhibition mechanism whereby constitutive signaling by Gβγ and other G proteins maintains oocytes in meiotic arrest. Steroids (androgens in vivo, and androgens and progesterone in vitro) overcome this inhibition to promote meiotic resumption. To test this model, we used G protein-regulated inward rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs) as markers of Gβγ activity. Overexpression of GIRKs 1 and 2 in Xenopus oocytes resulted in constitutive potassium influx, corroborating the presence of basal Gβγ signaling in resting oocytes. Testosterone and progesterone rapidly reduced potassium influx, validating that steroids attenuate Gβγ activity. Interestingly, reduction of classical androgen receptor (AR) expression by RNA interference abrogated testosterone’s effects on GIRK activity at low, but not high, steroid concentrations. Accordingly, androgens bound to the Xenopus progesterone receptor (PR) at high concentrations, suggesting that, in addition to the AR, the PR might mediate G protein signaling when androgens levels are elevated. In contrast, progesterone bound with high affinity to both the Xenopus PR and AR, indicating that progesterone might signal and promote maturation through both receptors, regardless of its concentration. In sum, these studies introduce a novel method for detecting nongenomic steroid effects on G proteins in live cells in real time, and demonstrate that cross talk may occur between steroids and their receptors during Xenopus oocyte maturation.

scholarly journals Characterization of recombination intermediates from DNA injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes: evidence for a nonconservative mechanism of homologous recombination

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3278-3287 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Maryon ◽  
D Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Kinetic Properties ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Recombination Mechanism ◽  
Single Strand Annealing ◽  
Recombination Pathway

Homologous recombination between DNA molecules injected into Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei is extremely efficient if injected molecules have overlapping homologous ends. Earlier work demonstrated that ends of linear molecules are degraded by a 5'----3' exonuclease activity, yielding 3' tails that participate in recombination. Here, we have characterized intermediates further advanced along the recombination pathway. The intermediates were identified by their unique electrophoretic and kinetic properties. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and hybridization with oligonucleotide probes showed that the intermediates had heteroduplex junctions within their homologous overlaps in which strands ending 3' were full length and those ending 5' were shortened. Additional characterization suggested that these intermediates had formed by the annealing of complementary 3' tails. Annealed junctions made in vitro were rapidly processed to products, indicating that they are on the normal recombination pathway. These results support a nonconservative, single-strand annealing mode of recombination. This recombination mechanism appears to be shared by many organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and mammals.

Nuclear localization signals: a driving force for nuclear transport of plasmid DNA in zebrafish

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Collas ◽  
Peter Aleström
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Plasmid Dna ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Transport ◽  
Nuclear Targeting ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Expression Frequency ◽  
Cytoplasmic Injection

Nuclear localization signals (NLSs) are short peptides required for nuclear transport of karyophilic proteins. We review in this paper how the nuclear targeting property of NLS peptides has been taken advantage of to enhance the efficiency of nuclear uptake of transgene DNA in zebrafish and how it may improve the efficiency of transgenesis in this species. Synthetic NLS peptides can bind to plasmid DNA by ionic interactions. Cytoplasmic injection of DNA-NLS complexes in zebrafish eggs enhances the rate and the amount of plasmid DNA taken up by embryonic nuclei. Nuclear import of DNA-NLS complexes has been duplicated in vitro and exhibits energetic and cytosolic requirements similar to those for nuclear protein import. Furthermore, binding NLSs to DNA increases expression frequency of the transgene. We suggest that NLS peptides may constitute a valuable tool to improve the efficiency of transgenesis in zebrafish and other species.

scholarly journals Characterization of the repressed 5S DNA minichromosomes assembled in vitro with a high-speed supernatant of Xenopus laevis oocytes.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4257-4269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Shimamura ◽  
D Tremethick ◽  
A Worcel
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Histone H1 ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
5S Rna ◽  
Rna Transcription

We describe an in vitro system, based on the Xenopus laevis oocyte supernatant of Glikin et al. (G. Glikin, I. Ruberti, and A. Worcel, Cell 37:33-41, 1984), that packages DNA into minichromosomes with regularly spaced nucleosomes containing histones H3, H4, H2A, and H2B but no histone H1. The same supernatant also assembles the 5S RNA transcription complex; however, under the conditions that favor chromatin assembly, transcription is inhibited and a phased nucleosome forms over the 5S RNA gene. The minichromosomes that are fully loaded with nucleosomes remain refractory to transcriptional activation by 5S RNA transcription factors. Our data suggest that this repression is caused by a nucleosome covering the 5S RNA gene and that histone H1 is not required for regular nucleosome spacing or for gene repression in this system.

scholarly journals 3'-end-dependent formation of U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles in Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei.

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 3032-3040 ◽  
Author(s):  
M P Terns ◽  
E Lund ◽  
J E Dahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
U6 Snrna ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
La Protein ◽  
Shift Analysis

We have identified and characterized a U6 small nuclear (sn) ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) present in the nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes. The structure of this U6 snRNP was investigated by native gel shift analysis and a combination of RNA-protein UV cross-linking, RNase T1 fingerprinting, and immunoprecipitation assays. These analyses demonstrate that certain forms of U6 snRNA associate with the 50-kDa nuclear antigen La both in vivo and in vitro. The La protein binds the stretch of uridylates at the 3' hydroxyl end of newly synthesized U6 snRNA. La does not bind to mature U6 snRNAs that have 2',3'-cyclic phosphate (greater than p) groups at their 3' ends (E. Lund and J. E. Dahlberg, Science 255:327-330, 1992) or to U6 snRNAs in anti-Sm-precipitable U4/U6 snRNPs. We propose that 3'-end modification, including posttranscriptional UMP addition, modulates the binding of La protein to U6 snRNA which, in turn, may affect the function of this RNA.

scholarly journals 3'-end-dependent formation of U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles in Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 3032-3040
Author(s):  
M P Terns ◽  
E Lund ◽  
J E Dahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
U6 Snrna ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
La Protein ◽  
Shift Analysis

We have identified and characterized a U6 small nuclear (sn) ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) present in the nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes. The structure of this U6 snRNP was investigated by native gel shift analysis and a combination of RNA-protein UV cross-linking, RNase T1 fingerprinting, and immunoprecipitation assays. These analyses demonstrate that certain forms of U6 snRNA associate with the 50-kDa nuclear antigen La both in vivo and in vitro. The La protein binds the stretch of uridylates at the 3' hydroxyl end of newly synthesized U6 snRNA. La does not bind to mature U6 snRNAs that have 2',3'-cyclic phosphate (greater than p) groups at their 3' ends (E. Lund and J. E. Dahlberg, Science 255:327-330, 1992) or to U6 snRNAs in anti-Sm-precipitable U4/U6 snRNPs. We propose that 3'-end modification, including posttranscriptional UMP addition, modulates the binding of La protein to U6 snRNA which, in turn, may affect the function of this RNA.

scholarly journals Characterization of recombination intermediates from DNA injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes: evidence for a nonconservative mechanism of homologous recombination.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3278-3287 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Maryon ◽  
D Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Kinetic Properties ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Recombination Mechanism ◽  
Single Strand Annealing ◽  
Recombination Pathway

Homologous recombination between DNA molecules injected into Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei is extremely efficient if injected molecules have overlapping homologous ends. Earlier work demonstrated that ends of linear molecules are degraded by a 5'----3' exonuclease activity, yielding 3' tails that participate in recombination. Here, we have characterized intermediates further advanced along the recombination pathway. The intermediates were identified by their unique electrophoretic and kinetic properties. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and hybridization with oligonucleotide probes showed that the intermediates had heteroduplex junctions within their homologous overlaps in which strands ending 3' were full length and those ending 5' were shortened. Additional characterization suggested that these intermediates had formed by the annealing of complementary 3' tails. Annealed junctions made in vitro were rapidly processed to products, indicating that they are on the normal recombination pathway. These results support a nonconservative, single-strand annealing mode of recombination. This recombination mechanism appears to be shared by many organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and mammals.

scholarly journals Involvement of single-stranded tails in homologous recombination of DNA injected into Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3268-3277 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Maryon ◽  
D Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
Molecular Models ◽  
Mixed Substrates ◽  
Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Recombination Pathway ◽  
Made In

Homologous recombination of DNA molecules injected into Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei is extremely efficient when those molecules are linear and have overlapping homologous ends. It was previously shown that a 5'----3' exonuclease activity in oocytes attacks injected linear DNAs and leaves them with single-stranded 3' tails. We tested the hypothesis that such tailed molecules are early intermediates on the pathway to recombination products. Substrates with 3' tails were made in vitro and injected into oocytes, where they recombined rapidly and efficiently. In experiments with mixed substrates, molecules with 3' tails entered recombination intermediates and products more rapidly than did molecules with flush ends. Molecules endowed in vitro with 5' tails also recombined efficiently in oocytes, but their rate was not faster than for flush-ended substrates. In most cases, the 5' tails served as templates for resynthesis of the 3' strands, regenerating duplex ends which then entered the normal recombination pathway. In oocytes from one animal, some of the 5' tails were removed, and this was exacerbated when resynthesis was partially blocked. Analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of recombination intermediates from 5'-tailed substrates confirmed that they had acquired 3' tails as a result of the action of the 5'----3' exonuclease. These results demonstrate that homologous recombination in oocytes proceeds via a pathway that involves single-stranded 3' tails. Molecular models incorporating this feature are discussed.

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