The nucleolar phosphoprotein B23 redistributes in part to the spindle poles during mitosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.V. Zatsepina ◽  
A. Rousselet ◽  
P.K. Chan ◽  
M.O. Olson ◽  
E.G. Jordan ◽  
...  

B23 is a major phosphoprotein in the interphasic nucleolus where it is involved in the assembly of pre-ribosomes. Using several cultured animal cells, we report that, in addition to the known redistribution of the protein during mitosis, B23 also becomes associated with mitotic spindle poles starting from early prometaphase onwards. Colocalization of B23 with the protein NuMA (Nuclear Mitotic Apparatus protein) was studied in mitotic cells and taxol-arrested cells. During the onset of mitosis, we observed that a fraction of B23 associates with, and dissociates from, the poles later than NuMA. At metaphase, both proteins are colocalized at the poles. The polar redistribution of both B23 and NuMA is mediated by microtubules. In taxol-treated cells, B23 is associated with the microtubule minus ends in the center of mitotic asters together with NuMA. Association of B23 with microtubule minus ends of mitotic asters was further confirmed with an in vitro assay, where B23 was found by western blotting to co-sediment with taxol-induced microtubule asters formed in a mitotic cell extract. Immunolabeling demonstrated that B23 and NuMA were both present at the center of the asters. Furthermore, an additional hyperphosphorylated form of B23 appeared when microtubule asters formed and associated with the asters. Immunodepletion of B23 from the mitotic extract revealed that taxol-induced microtubule asters were still observed in B23-immunodepleted mitotic extract, indicating that the presence of B23 at the poles is unlikely to be essential for spindle formation or stabilisation.

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Ching Huang ◽  
Eva S. Liu ◽  
Siu-Hong Chan ◽  
Indira D. Munagala ◽  
Heidi T. Cho ◽  
...  

The nonerythrocyte isoform of the cytoskeletal protein 4.1R (4.1R) is associated with morphologically dynamic structures during cell division and has been implicated in mitotic spindle function. In this study, we define important 4.1R isoforms expressed in interphase and mitotic cells by RT-PCR and mini-cDNA library construction. Moreover, we show that 4.1R is phosphorylated by p34cdc2kinase on residues Thr60 and Ser679 in a mitosis-specific manner. Phosphorylated 4.1R135isoform(s) associate with tubulin and Nuclear Mitotic Apparatus protein (NuMA) in intact HeLa cells in vivo as well as with the microtubule-associated proteins in mitotic asters assembled in vitro. Recombinant 4.1R135is readily phosphorylated in mitotic extracts and reconstitutes mitotic aster assemblies in 4.1R-immunodepleted extracts in vitro. Furthermore, phosphorylation of these residues appears to be essential for the targeting of 4.1R to the spindle poles and for mitotic microtubule aster assembly in vitro. Phosphorylation of 4.1R also enhances its association with NuMA and tubulin. Finally, we used siRNA inhibition to deplete 4.1R from HeLa cells and provide the first direct genetic evidence that 4.1R is required to efficiently focus mitotic spindle poles. Thus, we suggest that 4.1R is a member of the suite of direct cdc2 substrates that are required for the establishment of a bipolar spindle.


1968 ◽  
Vol 20 (03/04) ◽  
pp. 384-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Zbinden ◽  
S Tomlin

SummaryAn in vitro system is described in which adhesion of blood platelets to washed and tannic acid-treated red cells was assayed quantitatively by microscopic observation. ADP, epinephrine and TAME produced a reversible increase in platelet adhesiveness which was antagonized by AMP. With Evans blue, polyanetholsulfonate, phthalanilide NSC 38280, thrombin and heparin at concentrations above 1-4 u/ml the increase was irreversible. The ADP-induced increase in adhesiveness was inhibited by sodium citrate, EDTA, AMP, ATP and N-ethylmaleimide. EDTA, AMP and the SH-blocker N-ethylmaleimide also reduced spontaneous platelet adhesion to red cells. No significant effects were observed with adenosine, phenprocoumon, 5-HT, phthalanilide NSC 57155, various estrogens, progestogens and fatty acids, acetylsalicylic acid and similarly acting agents, hydroxylamine, glucose and KCN. The method may be useful for the screening of thrombogenic and antithrombotic properties of drugs.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadja Larsen ◽  
Kim F. Michaelsen ◽  
Anders Pærregaard ◽  
Finn K. Vogensen ◽  
Mogens Jakobsen

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Anita Virtanen ◽  
Outi Huttala ◽  
Kati Tihtonen ◽  
Tarja Toimela ◽  
Tuula Heinonen ◽  
...  

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To determine the direct effect of pravastatin on angiogenesis and to study the interaction between pravastatin and maternal sera from women with early- or late-onset pre-eclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction, or healthy pregnancy. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We collected 5 maternal serum samples from each group. The effect of pravastatin on angiogenesis was assessed with and without maternal sera by quantifying tubule formation in a human-based in vitro assay. Pravastatin was added at 20, 1,000, and 8,000 ng/mL concentrations. Concentrations of angiogenic and inflammatory biomarkers in serum and in test medium after supplementation of serum alone and with pravastatin (1,000 ng/mL) were measured. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Therapeutic concentration of pravastatin (20 ng/mL) did not have significant direct effect on angiogenesis, but the highest concentrations inhibited angiogenesis. Pravastatin did not change the levels of biomarkers in the test media. There were no changes in angiogenesis when therapeutic dose of pravastatin was added with maternal sera, but there was a trend to wide individual variation towards enhanced angiogenesis, particularly in the early-onset PE group. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> At therapeutic concentration, pravastatin alone or with maternal sera has no significant effect on angiogenesis, but at high concentrations the effect seems to be anti-angiogenic estimated by in vitro assay.


Lab on a Chip ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
YUHAO QIANG ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Ming Dao ◽  
E Du

Red blood cells (RBCs) are subjected to recurrent changes in shear stress and oxygen tension during blood circulation. The cyclic shear stress has been identified as an important factor that...


1981 ◽  
Vol 36 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Sütfeld ◽  
Rolf Wiermann

Abstract Chalcone synthase was isolated from both anthers of Tulipa cv. “Apeldoorn” and petals of Cosmos sulphureus Cav. After certain prepurification steps, the enzymes were further purified using gel chromatography on Sephadex G-200 followed by repeated hydroxylapatite absorption chromatography. Both the enzymes showed the same chromatographic properties. After gel chromatography as well as after the first hydroxylapatite fractionation, the reaction products appeared as flavanones. However, after the second hydroxylapatite step, production of chalcones was observed. Like the enzyme from tulip anthers, the synthase from Cosmos petals produced the correspondingly substituted chalcones when p-coumaroyl-CoA, caffeoyl-CoA and feruloyl-CoA, respectively, were used as substractes. In both the cases, the ratios of the different chalcones produced were found to be about the same. The appearance of chalcone synthesis in this in vitro assay is caused by the complete elimination of chalcone isomerase in the purification procedure. The importance of the isomerase for flavonoid biosynthesis, particularly in plant systems which are accumulating chalcones, is discussed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (7) ◽  
pp. 2033-2041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meriyem Aktas ◽  
Franz Narberhaus

ABSTRACT Agrobacterium tumefaciens requires phosphatidylcholine (PC) in its membranes for plant infection. The phospholipid N-methyltransferase PmtA catalyzes all three transmethylation reactions of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to PC via the intermediates monomethylphosphatidylethanolamine (MMPE) and dimethylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE). The enzyme uses S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the methyl donor, converting it to S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). Little is known about the activity of bacterial Pmt enzymes, since PC biosynthesis in prokaryotes is rare. In this article, we present the purification and in vitro characterization of A. tumefaciens PmtA, which is a monomeric protein. It binds to PE, the intermediates MMPE and DMPE, the end product PC, and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylinositol. Binding of the phospholipid substrates precedes binding of SAM. We used a coupled in vitro assay system to demonstrate the enzymatic activity of PmtA and to show that PmtA is inhibited by the end products PC and SAH and the antibiotic sinefungin. The presence of PG stimulates PmtA activity. Our study provides insights into the catalysis and control of a bacterial phospholipid N-methyltransferase.


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