Accuracy of wheat-germ RNA polymerase II. General enzymatic properties and effect of template conformational transition from right-handed B-DNA to left-handed Z-DNA.

We investigated the accuracy of the insertion process in RNA chain elongation catalyzed by wheat germ RNA polymerase II. Error frequencies varied from 1 misinserted nucleotide per 250 polymerized correct substrates to less than 1 in 2 x 10(5), depending on template sequence and nature of the divalent metal cofactor. Higher error ratios were observed in the presence of Mn2+ compared to Mg2+, and with alternating poly[d(G-C)].

A monoclonal antibody, raised against mammalian centrosomes and screened by recognition of plant microtubule organizing centers, identifies a pericentriolar component in different cell types.

We have used monoclonal antibodies raised against isolated native calf thymus centrosomes to probe the structure and composition of the pericentriolar material. To distinguish prospective antibodies as specific to conserved elements of this material, we screened clones by their identification of microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) in different animal and plant cells. Among the clonal antibodies that reacted with MTOCs in both plant and mammalian cells, we describe one (mAb 6C6) that was found to immunostain centrosomes in a variety of bovine and human cells.

RNA polymerases react differently at d(ApG) and d(GpG) adducts in DNA modified by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

Two duplexes (20-mers) were constructed containing either a single cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)]] or cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(ApG)]] intrastrand cross-link, the major DNA adducts of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). These synthetic duplexes were multimerized and the resultant polymers used as templates in single-step addition reactions of condensation of a single nucleoside triphosphate substrate to a dinucleotide primer (abortive elongation reaction) catalyzed by prokaryotic or eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Primer-substrate combinations were selected so as to direct trinucleotide product formation within the platinated bases of the templates.

Characterization of a major brain tubulin variant which cannot be tyrosinated.

Brain tubulin preparations contain an abundant type of tubulin which does not undergo the normal cycle of tyrosination-detyrosination, and whose nature is still unknown. We have used peptide sequence analysis and mass spectrometry combined with immunological procedures to show that this non-tyrosinatable tubulin has a specific primary structure. It differs from the tyrosinated isotype in that it lacks a carboxy-terminal glutamyl-tyrosine group on its alpha-subunit.

The intercentriolar linkage is critical for the ability of heterologous centrosomes to induce parthenogenesis in Xenopus.

Centrosomes isolated from various sources, including human cells, have the capacity to induce parthenogenetic development when injected into unfertilized amphibian eggs. We recently isolated calf thymus centrosomes and showed that they differ structurally and functionally from previously isolated centrosomes of KE37 cells, in that the two centrioles in calf thymocytes are linearly associated by their proximal ends through a mass of electron dense material and nucleate few microtubules from their distal ends (Komesli, S., F.

Transcription of synthetic DNA containing sequences with dyad symmetry by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II. Increased rates of product release in single-step addition reactions.

Interaction of purified eukaryotic RNA polymerase II with various synthetic palindromic DNA sequences is associated with the formation of transcriptional complexes of different stabilities, i.e. having different propensities for releasing the nascent transcript.

Transcription by eucaryotic and procaryotic RNA polymerases of DNA modified at a d(GG) or a d(AG) site by the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

We have investigated whether DNA modified at a d(GG) or a d(AG) site by the chemotherapeutic drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) can be used as template by wheat germ RNA polymerase II. The templates used in the present study were obtained by ligation of double-helical oligodeoxyribonucleotides, containing 18 pyrimidine bases and 2 central dG, or dA and dG, bases on one strand and 18 purine bases and 2 central dC, or dT and dC, bases on the complementary strand. Therefore, the cis-DDP adducts are only present on one strand of each of the two templates and are regularly spaced by 18 pyrimidine bases.

Specific association of STOP protein with microtubules in vitro and with stable microtubules in mitotic spindles of cultured cells.

STOP (Stable Tubule Only Polypeptide) is a neuronal microtubule associated protein of 145 kd that stabilizes microtubules indefinitely to in vitro disassembly induced by cold temperature, millimolar calcium or by drugs. We have produced monoclonal antibodies against STOP. Using an antibody affinity column, we have produced a homogeneously pure 145 kd protein which has STOP activity as defined by its ability to induce cold stability and resistance to dilution induced disassembly in microtubules in vitro.

Analysis of wheat-germ RNA polymerase II by trypsin cleavage. The integrity of the two largest subunits of the enzyme is not mandatory for basal transcriptional activity.

When wheat-germ RNA polymerase II is subjected to mild proteolytic attack in the presence of trypsin, the resulting form of the enzyme migrates as a single species on electrophoresis in native polyacrylamide gels, with an apparent Mr significantly smaller than that of the native enzyme. Analysis by denaturing gel electrophoresis of the truncated eukaryotic polymerase revealed that the two largest subunits of the native enzyme, i.e.

Spatial structures in microtubular solutions requiring a sustained energy source.

Microtubules are believed to be the principal organizers of the cell interior. Cells respond to a variety of stimuli by modifying the spatial distribution of the microtubules. These effects are central to cell division and morphogenesis, and embryo development.

Abortive intermediates in transcription by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II. Dynamic aspects of enzyme/template interactions in selection of the enzyme synthetic mode.

At constant enzyme concentration and with the full set of nucleotide substrates dictated by template sequence, the chain-length distribution of polymeric product varies with template concentration in reactions catalysed by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II. Under the same conditions, but in the presence of a single ribonucleoside triphosphate, the rate of condensation of the triphosphate substrate to a dinucleotide primer also exhibits a complex dependence with the template concentration. This effect is observed using poly[d(A-T)] as a template.

Characterization of microtubule protofilament numbers. How does the surface lattice accommodate?

Frozen-hydrated specimens of microtubules assembled in vitro were observed by cryoelectron microscopy. Specimens were of both pure tubulin, and of microtubule protein isolated by three cycles of assembly and disassembly. It is shown that the characteristic image contrast of individual microtubules allows the microtubule protofilament number to be determined unambiguously.

Mass isolation of calf thymus centrosomes: identification of a specific configuration.

Centrosomes from calf thymocytes were isolated using a simple preparative procedure that provides large yields of free organelles. A comparative study with centrosomes isolated from human cultured lymphoblasts has led to the discovery of important differences in the structure of the two isolates and in their capacity to nucleate microtubules from purified tubulin. The possibility that the centrosomal structure depends upon the growth state of cells is discussed.

Effect of Sarkosyl and heparin on single-step addition reactions catalysed by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II--poly[d(A-T)]transcription complexes.

Incubation of purified wheat-germ RNA polymerase II with poly[d(A-T)] template, Mn2+, U-A dinucleoside monophosphate primer and UTP substrate resulted in catalytic formation of the trinucleoside diphosphate U-A-U, in accordance with the results of previous studies. Both Sarkosyl and heparin inhibited completely and immediately (within less than 1 min) U-A-U synthesis, if either of these compounds was added to the assays during the progress of the reaction. This behaviour is in marked contrast to that reported for single-step addition reactions catalysed by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on the same template [Sylvester & Cashel (1980) Biochemistry 19, 1069-1074].

Complete separation of tyrosinated, detyrosinated, and nontyrosinatable brain tubulin subpopulations using affinity chromatography.

The maximum achievable tyrosination level of neurotubulin, in vitro, is about 50%. We have developed a method to obtain a complete separation of the tyrosinatable and nontyrosinatable species. We use an immunoaffinity column, with coupled YL 1/2 monoclonal antibody (anti-Tyr-tubulin) and rapid desalting methods.

Studies on the inhibition by alpha-amanitin of single-step addition reactions and productive RNA synthesis catalysed by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II.

The rate of formation of a single phosphodiester bond with UTP substrate, U-A primer, poly[d(A-T)] template and wheat-germ RNA polymerase II is greatly depressed in the presence of alpha-amanitin. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at 0.04 microgram/ml, in close agreement with published values for inhibition of productive RNA synthesis with class II RNA polymerases from higher-plant species.

Monoclonal antibody to microtubule-associated STOP protein: affinity purification of neuronal STOP activity and comparison of antigen with activity in neuronal and nonneuronal cell extracts.

Microtubules, ordinarily cold-labile structures, are made entirely resistant to cold temperature by the presence of substoichiometric amounts of STOP (stable tubule only polypeptide), a microtubule-associated protein. We have produced a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes a 145-kDa protein previously implicated in STOP activity in rat brain extracts. An antibody affinity column removes both the 145-kDa protein and STOP activity from solution.

Monotonic versus oscillating microtubule assembly: a cryo-electron microscope study.

Depending on the free GTP concentration, microtubules can assemble following either a monotonic or an oscillatory mode. We have used cryoelectron microscopy to compare the tubulin assemblies characteristic of each polymerization pathway. We focus on the first assembly peak.

Potential memory and hysteretic effects in transcription.

Kinetic results of RNA-chain elongation catalysed by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II are analysed according to the concept that DNA-dependent conformational transitions of the transcription complex intervene during transcription. A model is presented, involving participation of several forms of the transcription complex with different catalytic properties, generated by the sequence and/or conformation of the DNA template and/or the experimental conditions. The available experimental data suggest that these forms are interconvertible.

Transcription of left-handed Z-DNA templates: increased rate of single-step addition reactions catalyzed by wheat germ RNA polymerase II.

Wheat germ RNA polymerase II is able to transcribe polynucleotide templates in the poly-[d(G-C)] family, adopting either the right-handed B or left-handed Z conformations depending on the ionic environment and temperature. Thus, with poly[d(G-C)] either the B state (in MgCl2) or the associated Z* state (in MnCl2) can be established. Poly[d(G-m5C)] adopts the Z form readily in MgCl2, and poly-[d(G-br5C)] can be regarded as being "constitutively" in the Z state.

A slow kinetic transient in RNA synthesis catalysed by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II.

Progress curves of U-A-primed RNA synthesis catalysed by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II on a poly[d(A-T)] template exhibit a slow burst of activity. In contrast, the progress curves of single-step addition of UMP to U-A primer in the abortive elongation reaction do not exhibit the slow burst of activity. The correlation between the kinetic transient in the productive pathway of RNA synthesis and the rate of abortive elongation is suggestive of the occurrence of a slow conformational change of the transcription complex during the transition from abortive to productive elongation.

Kinetic co-operativity of wheat-germ RNA polymerase II with adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate as substrate.

A kinetic study of productive RNA chain elongation indicates that adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate can serve as substrate in reactions catalysed by purified wheat-germ RNA polymerase II on a poly[d(A-T)] template. However, in contrast with the results obtained with the natural substrate ATP, the double-reciprocal plots, 1/velocity versus 1/[nucleotide], are not linear but characteristic of apparent negative co-operativity. The extent of the kinetic co-operativity is modified when the reactions are conducted in the additional presence of fixed amounts of an alternative substrate such as ATP or inhibitors such as dATP or cordycepin triphosphate.

Biochemical assay of microtubule mean length.

We present a method for the rapid determination of microtubule mean length in vitro. This method rests on mathematical analysis of the rate of polymer disassembly induced by the introduction of calcium at a known concentration. The rate of disassembly is monitored in our assay by filter trapping of residual microtubule polymers, which contain a radioactive tracer, [3H]GTP.

An oscillatory mode for microtubule assembly.

Depending upon the conditions under which polymerization takes place, pure tubulin can assemble into microtubules following either the usual monotonic kinetics or a more complex oscillatory mechanism. When present, these oscillations involve large cyclic changes in the extent of polymer formed before a steady-state is reached. Analysis of the microtubules formed at different times shows that these oscillations involve marked redistribution in both the length and number of microtubules.

High concentrations of STOP protein induce a microtubule super-stable state.

We have previously shown that mammalian brain crude extracts contained two classes of stable microtubules: "cold stable" and "super-stable" microtubules. We now find that both species are generated by a single protein factor (STOP protein) in a dose dependent manner. These results show that STOP protein action can be extreme, inducing resistance to -80 degrees C or to sonication and that no other factor seems to be required to account for the various subclasses of highly stable microtubules in brain.