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S T Jacob

Publications and source records attributed to S T Jacob.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Antibodies against nuclear poly(A) polymerases in rheumatic autoimmune diseases.

Sera from 53 patients, 26 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 8 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 9 with Sjogren's syndrome (SS), and 10 with scleroderma (Scl), were screened for the presence of antibodies against liver-type poly(A) polymerase and tumor-type poly(A) polymerase. Sixty percent of the patients with the above four autoimmune diseases have antibodies directed against liver poly(A) polymerase, whereas sera from 74% of the patients contained anti-hepatoma poly(A) polymerase antibodies. About 25% of the patients produced antibodies exclusively against the tumor poly(A) polymerase. IgG containing anti-liver or anti-tumor poly(A) polymerase antibodies inhibited the activity of the respective enzyme. IgG containing antibodies against liver and tumor enzymes inhibited the activity of both enzymes, whereas IgG from sera that did not react with poly(A) polymerase had no effect on either enzyme. These data demonstrated the specificity of these autoantibodies and confirmed the results of the radioimmunoassay.

Antibody Specificity↗

Role of DNA topoisomerase I in the transcription of supercoiled rRNA gene.

The fraction DE-B obtained by fractionating an extract from rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells on a DEAE-Sephadex column was used for transcribing linear and supercoiled rRNA gene (rDNA). This fraction, which is known to contain RNA polymerase I and essential transcription factors, also contains DNA topoisomerase I activity. Inhibition of this topoisomerase activity by the selective inhibitor camptothecin markedly diminished transcription of supercoiled rDNA, and at a concentration of 150 microM, camptothecin almost completely inhibited DNA topoisomerase I activity and supercoiled rDNA transcription. Addition of exogenous calf thymus DNA topoisomerase I to the sample containing the drug restored the ability of the extract to transcribe supercoiled rDNA. Camptothecin, even at a concentration of 500 microM, had no significant effect on the transcription of linear rDNA. These studies show that relaxation of supercoiled rDNA by DNA topoisomerase I is essential for its transcription. The preferential inhibition of rRNA synthesis in vivo following treatment with camptothecin is probably due to selective camptothecin inhibition of DNA topoisomerase I activity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cell-free synthesis of tumor-type poly(A) polymerase.

Previous studies in this laboratory suggested that in adult liver, either the gene for the tumor-type poly(A) polymerase is poorly transcribed or the mRNA for this enzyme is largely not expressed. To test these possibilities, total RNA from rat liver and Morris hepatoma 3924A RNA were isolated by using a guanidine thiocyanate method; poly(A+) RNA and poly(A-) RNA were separated by oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography and used for translation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. After in vitro translation, the products were immunoprecipitated with either purified anti-tumor poly(A) polymerase antibodies or control immunoglobulins. When the polypeptides translated from poly(A+) or poly(A-) hepatoma RNA were precipitated with immune sera, a unique [35S]methionine-labeled 35-kilodalton (kDa) protein was observed. This band was not apparent when control serum was used for the immunoprecipitation. The radiolabeled 35-kDa polypeptide was not evident when the products were incubated with highly purified tumor nuclear poly(A) polymerase prior to immunoprecipitation. Prior incubation of the translation products with bovine serum albumin instead of poly(A) polymerase had no effect on the immunoprecipitation. This 35-kDa protein was not apparent when liver poly(A+) RNA was used to direct translation. These data demonstrate that (a) the tumor enzyme is not synthesized as a precursor, (b) tumor mRNA, but not normal liver mRNA, contains detectable sequences coding for tumor-type poly(A) polymerase, and (c) poly(A) polymerase mRNA also exists as a poly(A-) population.

Animals↗

Transcription of eukaryotic ribosomal RNA gene.

Remarkable advances have been made in the identification of the promoter regions for the ribosomal RNA genes from lower and higher eukaryotes. There has been some progress in the elucidation of the factors that control transcription of the ribosomal RNA gene. The characterization of the transcription factors are crucial for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ribosomal gene expression.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in sera of MRL lpr/lpr and MRL +/+ autoimmune mice. Correlation of antibody production with delayed onset of lupus-like disease in MRL +/+ mice.

Sera from individual MRL/lpr and MRL/++ mice, which develop an autoimmune disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), were screened over a period of approximately 30 wk for the presence of anti-RNA polymerase I and anti-ssDNA antibodies. Even though onset of the disease is delayed in MRL/++ as compared to MRL/lpr mice, anti-ssDNA antibodies were present in comparable concentrations in the sera of all mice by the age of 6 wk. As observed in sera of human SLE patients, anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were detected in the sera of all MRL mice. However, unlike the anti-ssDNA antibodies, anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were detected much later in MRL/++ mice (mean age, 22.8 wk) as compared to MRL/lpr mice (mean age, 9.6 wk). The presence of anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in sera of MRL mice was thus a much better indicator of disease status than the presence of anti-ssDNA antibodies. The appearance and increase in anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in the sera of MRL/++ mice correlated (R2 = 0.964) with a precipitous decrease in anti-ssDNA antibodies, starting at about 20 wk of age. These results suggest a possible relationship between the RNA polymerase I and DNA autoimmune reactions.

Animals↗

Comparison of cytosolic and nuclear poly(A) polymerases from rat liver and a hepatoma: structural and immunological properties and response to NI-type protein kinases.

Poly(A) polymerases were purified from the cytosol fraction of rat liver and Morris hepatoma 3924A and compared to previously purified nuclear poly(A) polymerases. Chromatographic fractionation of the hepatoma cytosol on a DEAE-Sephadex column yielded approximately 5 times as much poly(A) polymerase as was obtained from fractionation of the liver cytosol. Hepatoma cytosol contained a single poly(A) polymerase species [48 kilodaltons (kDa)] which was indistinguishable from the hepatoma nuclear enzyme (48 kDa) on the basis of CNBr cleavage maps. Liver cytosol contained two poly(A) polymerase species (40 and 48 kDa). The CNBr cleavage patterns of these two enzymes were distinct from each other. However, the cleavage pattern of the 40-kDa enzyme was similar to that of the major liver nuclear poly(A) polymerase (36 kDa), and approximately three-fourths of the peptide fragments derived from the 48-kDa species were identical with those from the hepatoma enzymes (48 kDa). NI-type protein kinases from liver or hepatoma stimulated hepatoma nuclear and cytosolic poly(A) polymerases 4-6-fold. In contrast, the liver cytosolic 40- and 48-kDa poly(A) polymerases were stimulated only slightly or inhibited by similar units of the protein kinases. Antibodies produced in rabbits against purified hepatoma nuclear poly(A) polymerase reacted equally well with hepatoma nuclear and cytosolic enzyme but only 80% as well with the liver cytosolic 48-kDa poly(A) polymerase and not at all with liver cytosolic 40-kDa or nuclear 36-kDa enzymes. Anti-poly(A) polymerase antibodies present in the serum of a hepatoma-bearing rat reacted with hepatoma nuclear and cytosolic poly(A) polymerases to the same extent but only 40% as well with the liver cytosolic 48-kDa enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Characterization of a factor that can prevent random transcription of cloned rDNA and its probable relationship to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

A factor which eliminated nonspecific transcription of cloned rat rDNA was extensively purified from rat mammary adenocarcinoma ascites cells by successive fractionations on DEAE-Sephadex and heparin-Sepharose columns. The fractions containing RNA polymerase I (HS-B) and fractions eluting thereafter (HS-C) from the heparin-Sepharose column were pooled separately. Addition of HS-C to HS-B prevented random transcription of rDNA and yielded an accurate rDNA transcript with negligible non-specific transcription. The factor was essentially homogeneous and corresponded to Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase with respect to molecular weight, dependence on DNA for its activity and its ability to undergo auto ADP-ribosylation. The total amount of protein in the transcription assay was approximately 2 micrograms, which indicates a high degree of purity of all the factors required for specific transcription of rDNA.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunization of rabbits with purified RNA polymerase I induces a distinct population of antibodies against nucleic acids as well as anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies, both characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Rabbits were immunized with either RNA polymerase I or poly(A) polymerase that had been purified to apparent homogeneity and was devoid of nucleic acids. Sera from rabbits thus immunized were screened for antibodies against nucleic acids. All seven rabbits injected with RNA polymerase I but none of the four rabbits immunized with poly(A) polymerase produced anti-nucleic acid antibodies. Anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were induced after a single injection of the enzyme. Anti-polynucleotide antibodies were not detectable until after the second immunization. Anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies could be detected with as little as 100 pg of purified RNA polymerase I in the radioimmunoassay. At least 50 ng of poly(A) or 200 ng of DNA was required to detect anti-nucleic acid antibodies. The immunoreactivity of anti-RNA polymerase I antisera was greater with synthetic polynucleotides than with DNA, particularly early in the immunization schedule. Alkaline phosphatase treatment of poly(A) to remove 5' phosphates nearly abolished its antigenicity with respect to the early sera and decreased antibody binding of later sera by 60%. These results indicate that the anti-nucleic acid antibodies produced early were primarily directed against determinants including the 5'-terminal phosphates while antibodies produced later were directed against other sites. The antinucleic acid antibodies and anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies formed two distinct populations that were not immunologically crossreactive. We suggest that after injection, RNA polymerase I becomes associated with the nucleic acids present in blood plasma which renders them immunogenic; thus, association of nucleic acids with autoimmunogenic RNA polymerase I may be one of the mechanisms by which anti-DNA antibodies are induced in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Animals↗

Accurate initiation of rat ribosomal RNA gene transcription using a fractionated nuclear extract from normal liver and a hepatoma.

Nuclear extracts obtained from normal rat liver and from Morris hepatoma 3924A were fractionated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. The fraction eluted with 175 mM (NH4)2SO4 (DE-B), which contains greater than 90% of RNA polymerase I activity, supported accurate transcription of cloned rat rDNA. A similar fraction obtained from the cytosol had all of the factors required for rDNA transcription. However, its transcriptional activity was at most one-sixth that of the corresponding nuclear fraction, as determined by the amount of protein needed to produce a similar quantity of the transcript. Unfractionated nuclear or cytosol preparations did not yield an accurate transcript. Optimal KCl and magnesium concentrations for rDNA transcription were 60 mM and 5-7.5 mM, respectively. The extent of transcriptional activity was in the following order: hepatoma nuclear fraction DE-B greater than whole cell extract derived from rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells much greater than normal liver fraction DE-B. The hepatoma preparation produced at least 10 times the amount of transcript produced by the corresponding liver nuclear preparation. Transcriptional activity was proportional to the levels of RNA polymerase I and to the rate of rRNA synthesis in these tissues.

Animals↗

Structural and immunological identity of rat hepatoma and fetal liver nuclear poly(A) polymerase.

Poly(A) polymerase was partially purified from isolated nuclei of fetal rat liver. Antibodies produced in rabbits immunized with purified nuclear poly(A) polymerase from a rat hepatoma exhibited nearly identical affinity for the partially purified fetal liver and hepatoma enzymes. The extent of the antibody reaction with adult liver nuclear poly(A) polymerase partially purified in a similar manner was only 1.4% of that obtained with the hepatoma enzyme. Immune complex formation was observed between the antibodies and a major polypeptide in the fetal liver enzyme preparation which corresponded to the hepatoma enzyme (mol. wt. 48 000). No other polypeptide in the fetal liver enzyme preparation reacted with the antibodies. The 48-kDa fetal liver polypeptide produced a CNBr cleavage pattern identical to that of hepatoma poly(A) polymerase which is known to be different from the cleavage pattern of the adult liver major nuclear poly(A) polymerase. A fetal liver polypeptide corresponding to the adult liver enzyme (mol. wt. 38 000) was not evident. These results coupled with other data suggest that the hepatoma nuclear poly(A) polymerase is an oncofetal protein.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of a nuclear protein kinase from rat liver and a hepatoma that is capable of activating poly(A) polymerase.

The cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase which is separated from poly(A) polymerase during its purification from nuclei of rat liver and Morris hepatoma 3924A was purified essentially to homogeneity. Liver nuclear poly(A) polymerase was dissociated from protein kinase by phosphocellulose column chromatography. In contrast, protein kinase copurified with the hepatoma poly(A) polymerase on the phosphocellulose column. Neither liver nor hepatoma kinase was stimulated by spermine or inhibited by heparin. These enzymes did not utilize GTP as phosphoryl donor, or histones or tyrosine-containing [Val5]-angiotensin II as phosphoryl acceptors. The apparent Km with respect to ATP was similar for the liver (4.7 microM) and hepatoma (11 microM) kinases, and the apparent Km with respect to casein was identical (0.6 microgram/microliter) for these enzymes. Both enzymes were capable of phosphorylating poly(A) polymerase and stimulating both tumor and liver poly(A) polymerase activity. However, in addition to their different chromatographic properties, the two kinases differed in molecular weight (liver, 37,000; hepatoma, 56,000), in their response to various divalent metal ions, and in their ability to phosphorylate hepatoma poly(A) polymerase (Km 7.9 and 30 microgram/microliter for liver and hepatoma enzymes, respectively). These latter characteristics distinguished the liver and hepatoma protein kinases from each other as well as from the previously described NI protein kinase.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation of RNA polymerase I augments its interaction with autoantibodies of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Purified RNA polymerase I was phosphorylated by the endogenous protein kinase or dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase and used as antigen in a radioimmunoassay with sera from systemic lupus erythematosus patients or serum from an immunized rabbit. Enzyme incubated in the absence of ATP or phosphatase served as control. Three to seven times more of the autoantibodies in the patients' sera reacted with phosphorylated RNA polymerase I than with control enzyme. The reactivity of the dephosphorylated enzyme with lupus autoantibodies was only 50-60% of that observed with control enzyme. Neither phosphorylation nor dephosphorylation of the enzyme had an effect on its reaction with the rabbit antibodies. The effect of phosphorylation on the reaction of each RNA polymerase I subunit (S1-S8; Mr = 190,000-17,000) with the patients' antibodies was determined by an immunoblot procedure following resolution of the subunits on polyacrylamide gels. Prior phosphorylation of the enzyme resulted in a dramatic increase in binding of each patient's antibodies to all polymerase subunits with the exception of S4. Anti-S4 antibody was not detected with either phosphorylated or control enzyme. Strikingly, antibodies in each patients' sera reacted with S6 only after its phosphorylation. Similarly, anti-S5 antibodies in the serum of one patient were only detected with phosphorylated RNA polymerase I. The present data suggest that at least a significant fraction of the anti-RNA polymerase I autoantibodies in the sera of systemic lupus erythematosus patients might be directed against phosphorylated sites on the enzyme and that phosphorylation may have a role in the production of this and other autoimmunogenic nuclear components which are hallmarks of this disease.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Structurally and immunologically distinct poly(A) polymerases in rat liver. Occurrence of a tumor-type enzyme in normal liver.

Poly(A) polymerases purified from rat liver nuclei consisted of two distinct species, a predominant enzyme of Mr = 38,000 and a minor one of Mr = 48,000. Prior to extensive purification, the minor enzyme constituted approximately 1% of the total liver poly(A) polymerase. Poly(A) polymerase purified from a rat tumor, Morris hepatoma 3924A, was comprised of a single species of Mr = 48,000 which was identical to the minor liver enzyme with respect to chromatographic and immunological characteristics. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 using 0.3 M NaCl for elution showed that the major liver poly(A) polymerase had a molecular weight of 156,000, which corresponded to a tetramer of the 38-kDa polypeptide, whereas the hepatoma and minor liver 48-kDa species existed as dimers with a molecular weight of 96,000. Fractionation by Sephacryl S-200 resulted in complete loss of both liver poly(A) polymerase activities which could be restored by exogenous N1-type protein kinase. Following CNBr cleavage, the 48-kDa poly(A) polymerase from liver and hepatoma exhibited nearly identical peptide maps which were distinct from that of the major liver enzyme (38 kDa). Antibodies raised against tumor poly(A) polymerase reacted with the 48-kDa polypeptide but not with the 38-kDa liver enzyme. Immune complex formation was observed between seven of the eight CNBr cleavage products derived from the 48-kDa polypeptide of both liver and hepatoma. It is concluded that distinct genes in rat liver code for two structurally and immunologically unique nuclear poly(A) polymerases, one of which is identical to the enzyme from the hepatoma.

Animals↗

Absence of inactivation or phosphorylation of ornithine decarboxylase by nuclear protein kinase NII and of immunological cross-reactivity between RNA polymerase I and ornithine decarboxylase.

Incubation with protein kinase NII did not result in phosphorylation or inactivation of mouse kidney ornithine decarboxylase. Partially purified ornithine decarboxylase preparations contained a protein kinase activity and stimulated the activity of RNA polymerase I. However, these properties were due to contaminating protein(s) since further purification reduced the kinase activity and removal of the ornithine decarboxylase with a specific antiserum did not abolish the ability to stimulate RNA polymerase I. Antibodies to RNA polymerase I did not interact with ornithine decarboxylase and antibodies to ornithine decarboxylase did not interact with RNA polymerase I. These results indicate that: a) mammalian ornithine decarboxylase activity is not regulated by phosphorylation by protein kinase NII or the contaminating kinase, and b) the ability of impure preparations of ornithine decarboxylase to stimulate RNA polymerase I is due to a contaminating unrelated protein.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation of purified glucocorticoid receptor from rat liver by an endogenous protein kinase.

Glucocorticoid receptor was purified from rat liver cytosol using a dexamethasone affinity column. The receptor thus purified displayed a single protein band when subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It had a molecular weight of 90,000 which was consistent with the reported value for other glucocorticoid receptor preparations. Incubation of the purified preparation with [gamma 32P] ATP and Mg2+ resulted in transfer of [32P] to the receptor protein indicating the presence of an endogeneous protein kinase activity capable of phosphorylating the receptor molecule. Phosphorylation of the glucocorticoid receptor by the endogenous protein kinase might serve as a direct mechanism for the activation of the receptor.

Adrenalectomy↗

Anti-protein kinase NII antibodies in rheumatic autoimmune diseases.

Antibodies against nuclear protein kinase NII were detected by radioimmunoassay in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease but not in sera from normal individuals or from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Immunoglobulins derived from sera containing the anti-kinase antibodies inhibited the activity of protein kinase NII in vitro but had no effect on the activity of cytoplasmic cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

Animals↗

Cellular DNA replication is independent of the synthesis or accumulation of ribosomal RNA.

We have used an antibody against RNA polymerase I to investigate the role of rRNA synthesis and/or accumulation in the control of cell proliferation. The antibody was microinjected directly into the nuclei of quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells that were subsequently stimulated with serum. Under the experimental conditions used, the microinjection of the antibody against RNA polymerase I (RNA pol I) caused a 50-70% decrease in nucleolar RNA synthesis that lasted for at least 17 h, a greater than 90% inhibition in the accumulation of nucleolar RNA, and a 70% inhibition in the accumulation of total cellular RNA. A control IgG, similarly microinjected into Swiss 3T3 cells had no inhibitory effect on either the synthesis or accumulation of nucleolar and cellular RNA. Despite the dramatic effect on the synthesis and accumulation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) the antibody against RNA (rRNA) the antibody against RNA pol I was totally ineffective in inhibiting the entry into S phase of serum-stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells. Cells depleted of cellular RNA by metaphase arrest also entered S phase with subnormal amounts of cellular RNA. The results of these experiments clearly indicate that a normal rate of nucleolar RNA synthesis, and a normal rate of accumulation of total cellular RNA are not a prerequisite for the entry of cells into S phase.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation and immunology of poly(A) polymerase.

Phosphorylation of poly(A) polymerase by protein kinase NI (a cyclic nucleotide-independent nuclear kinase closely associated with poly(A) polymerase at early stages of purification) resulted in as much as 7-fold activation of poly(A) polymerase. Phosphorylation causes an increase in the rate rather than the extent of polyadenylation. Antibodies raised in rabbits against purified poly(A) polymerase from Morris hepatoma 3924A reacted specifically with poly(A) polymerase following "Western" transfer of the enzyme onto diazobenzyloxyl methyl paper. Using iodinated enzyme, a competition radioimmunoassay for poly(A) polymerase was developed. Using the radioimmunoassay, it was shown that Morris hepatoma 3924A contains 100 micrograms of poly(A) polymerase/mg DNA or 10(7) molecules of the enzyme/cell nucleus. Nuclear poly(A) polymerase from fetal liver, but not from normal liver, was able to compete well with hepatoma enzyme in the radioimmunoassay. These data suggest that the tumor poly(A) polymerase is probably an oncofetal antigen, resulting from derepression of a gene not normally expressed in adult liver.

Animals↗