scholarly journals Rat liver nuclear skeleton and ribonucleoprotein complexes containing HnRNA.

1978 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
T E Miller ◽  
C Y Huang ◽  
A O Pogo

Rat liver nuclei deprived of chromatin and nucleoplasm show a spongelike network which preserves its connection with nucleoli, the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope, and nuclear pore complexes. It contains all of the HnRNA, provided the endogenous proteolytic activity is inhibited by a proteolytic inhibitor such as phenylmethyl sulfonyl chloride (PMSC) or the fluoride form (PMSF). In the absence of these proteolytic inhibitors, HnRNA is dissociated from the spongelike network and sediments in a sucrose gradient as polydispersed ribonucleoprotein complexes. Furthermore, purified HnRNA as well as rRNA do not bind to the spongelike network when added to these nuclei. These observations demonstrate that the association of HnRNA to the nuclear skeleton is not an artifact. RNase treatment of the spongelike network digests the majority of the rapidly labeled RNA but does not alter the morphological aspect nor the architecture of this network. EDTA and heparin treatments affect neither the attachment of HnRNA nor the structural organization of this network. Electron microscope studies of the network reveal a characteristic flexuous configuration. Its relationship with diffused and condensed chromatin is discussed.

1976 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Dwyer ◽  
G Blobel

A modified procedure for the isolation of a nuclear pore complex-lamina fraction from rat liver nuclei is described. Evidence is provided that the isolated lamina, a 150-A thick, proteinaceous structure, apposes the inner nuclear envelope membrane, connecting nuclear pore complexes and surrounding the entire nucleus.


1980 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Vorbrodt ◽  
G G Maul

Cytochemical tests for nucleosidetriphosphatase (NTPase) and Bernhard's preferential staining for ribonucleoproteins (RNP) were applied to isolated rat liver nuclei. The strongest and most easily reproducible positive reaction for NTPase was detected at pH 7.7 with ATP and GTP. This reaction was activated by Mg2+ and Ca2+ and inhibited by Be2+, Zn2+, quercetin, and ribonuclease. The major sites of enzyme reaction were intranuclear RNA-containing structures. Incubation of nuclei in ATP-stimulated RNA-release medium eliminated a considerable part of the material showing both NTPase reaction and staining for RNP; the perichromatin granules disappeared, while interchromatin granules remained. NTPase activity in the nuclear envelope seems to be associated with the annular part of nuclear pore complexes (permanent component) and with RNP particles translocated through nuclear pores or attached to the surface of nuclei (transitional component). From a morphological point of view, these observations support previous biochemical data suggesting the existence of a connection between NTPase activity and the translocation of RNP particles through the nuclear envelope.


1978 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 546-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Gerace ◽  
A Blum ◽  
G Blobel

This laboratory has previously isolated a fraction from rat liver nuclei consisting of nuclear pore complexes associated with the proteinaceous lamina which underlies the inner nuclear membrane. Using protein eluted from sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gels, we have prepared antibodies in chickens to each of the three predominant pore complex-lamina bands. Ouchterlony double diffusion analysis shows that each of these individual bands cross-reacts strongly with all three antisera. In immunofluorescence localization performed on tissue culture cells with these antibodies, we obtain a pattern of intense staining at the periphery of the interphase nucleus, with little or no cytoplasmic reaction. Electron microscope immunoperoxidase staining of rat liver nuclei with these antibodies labels exclusively the nuclear periphery. Furthermore, reaction occurs in areas which contain the lamina, but not at the pore complexes. While our isolation procedure extracts the internal contents of nuclei completely, semiquantitative Ouchterlony analysis shows that it releases negligible amounts of these lamina antigens. Considered together, our results indicate that these three bands represent major components of a peripheral nuclear lamina, and are not structural elements of an internal "nuclear protein matrix." Fluorescence microscopy shows that the perinuclear interphase localization of these lamina proteins undergoes dramatic changes during mitosis. Concomitant with nuclear envelope disassembly in prophase, these antigens assume a diffuse localization throughout the cell. This distribution persists until telophase, when the antigens become progressively and completely localized at the surface of the daughter chromosome masses. We propose that the lamina is a biological polymer which can undergo reversible disassembly during mitosis.


1977 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Kirschner ◽  
M Rusli ◽  
T E Martin

We have used high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the nuclear envelope components of isolated mouse liver nuclei. The surfaces of intact nuclei are covered by closely packed ribosomes which are distinguishable by SEM from nuclear pore complexes. After removal of nuclear membranes with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100, the pore complexes remain attached to an underlying, peripheral nuclear lamina, as described by others. The surface of this dense lamina is composed of particulate granules, 75-150 A in diameter, which are contiguous over the entire periphery. We did not observe the pore-to-pore fibril network suggested by other investigators, but such a structure might be the framework upon which the dense lamina is formed. Morphometric analysis of pores and pore complexes shows their size, structure, and density to be similar to that of other mammalian cells. In addition, several types of pore complex-associated structures, not previously reported by other electron microscope (EM) techniques, are observed by SEM. Our studies suggest that the major role of the dense lamina is associated with the distribution, stability, and perhaps, biogenesis of nuclear pore complexes. Treatment of isolated nuclei with a combination of Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate removes membranes, dense lamina, and nuclear pore complexes. The resulting "chromatin nuclei" retain their integrity despite the absence of any limiting peripheral structures.


Author(s):  
Brian Burke

The nuclear envelope is a complex membrane structure that forms the boundary of the nuclear compartment in eukaryotes. It regulates the passage of macromolecules between the two compartments and may be important for organizing interphase chromosome architecture. In interphase animal cells it forms a remarkably stable structure consisting of a double membrane ouerlying a protein meshwork or lamina and penetrated by nuclear pore complexes. The latter form the channels for nucleocytoplasmic exchange of macromolecules, At the onset of mitosis, however, it rapidly disassembles, the membranes fragment to yield small vesicles and the lamina, which is composed of predominantly three polypeptides, lamins R, B and C (MW approx. 74, 68 and 65 kDa respectiuely), breaks down. Lamins B and C are dispersed as monomers throughout the mitotic cytoplasm, while lamin B remains associated with the nuclear membrane vesicles.


2000 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Rout ◽  
John D. Aitchison

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