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Identification and developmental expression of a novel low molecular weight neuronal intermediate filament protein expressed in Xenopus laevis.

Xenopus laevis is a valuable model system for the study of vertebrate neuroembryogenesis. However, very few well-characterized nervous system-specific molecular markers are available for studies in this organism. We screened a X. laevis adult brain cDNA library using a cDNA probe for mouse low molecular weight neurofilament protein (NF-L) in order to identify neuron-specific intermediate filament proteins. Clones for two distinct neuron-specific intermediate filament proteins were isolated and sequenced. One of these encoded for a Xenopus NF-L (XNF-L) and the other for a novel neuron-specific Xenopus intermediate filament protein (XNIF) that was present earlier and more abundantly than XNF-L during development. XNIF contained a central rod domain with multiple sequence features characteristic of IF proteins. The XNF-L was very similar to mouse NF-L, with a 77% sequence identity in the rod domain and the presence of a polyglutamic acid region in the tail domain, characteristic of type IV neurofilament proteins. In contrast, XNIF showed only 60% identity to mouse NF-L in the rod domain and lacked the glutamic acid-rich sequence in the tail domain. XNIF also had a very low (approximately 38%) sequence identity in the head and tail domains as compared to NF-L and other neurofilament proteins (45% identity to the head domain of alpha-internexin). In the adult frog, XNIF mRNA is detected by Northern blots only within the nervous system and by in situ hybridization histochemistry exclusively in neurons, particularly in the medullary reticular system and spinal cord. Antisera raised against the unique tail region of XNIF detected a single distinct 60 kDa band in Western blots of nervous system cytoskeletal preparations, and this XNIF immunoreactivity was concentrated in axons in the PNS and in small perikarya in the dorsal root ganglion. In contrast, NF-L immunoreactivity was principally in the large perikarya in the dorsal root ganglion. In development, XNIF mRNA appears more abundant than XNF-L mRNA in all premetamorphic stages examined. XNIF mRNA is first detectable at stage 24 (26 hr), whereas stable expression of XNF-L is at stage 35/36 (50 hr). XNIF immunoreactivity is detectable within the cement gland, within many neuronal cell bodies and axon tracts within the developing nervous system, and within all cellular layers of the developing retina. The availability of these two distinct neuron-specific intermediate filament proteins, with different temporal and spatial expression patterns, should provide new markers as well as targets for functional perturbation in the developing X. laevis nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification of developmentally regulated avian 400-kDa intermediate filament associated protein. Molecular interactions with intermediate filament proteins and other cytoskeleton components.

IFAPa-400, a 400-kDa developmentally regulated protein thought to be associated with intermediate filaments, has been purified from chick embryo hearts to investigate its interaction with vimentin and other IF proteins and to identify other cellular components to which this cytoskeletal protein associates. Previous studies suggested that this protein was associated with the vimentin-containing intermediate filament lattice of myoblasts and neuroblasts before their terminal differentiation, providing these cells with a particular intermediate filament cytoskeleton that could satisfy specific mechanical requirements during their intense morphogenetic activities. Although IFAPa-400 partially reassociated with vimentin and desmin in disassembly-reassembly experiments using crude IF preparations from chick embryo hearts, in vitro recombination of purified IFAPa-400 with vimentin and desmin failed to demonstrate any direct association. When purified IFAPa-400 was used as a probe in blot overlay assays, however, specific binding to vimentin and desmin was observed, providing the first evidence of a physical association between IFAPa-400 and intermediate filament proteins. The blot overlay experiments also demonstrated that IFAPa-400 binds to two unidentified polypeptides of 19 and 32 kDa. These results are thus consistent with the hypothesis that a structural lattice requiring a vimentin-IFAPa-400 combination constitutes the intermediate filament system of myogenic and neurogenic cells.

Animals↗

Ca2(+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II phosphorylates various types of non-epithelial intermediate filament proteins.

We have investigated the actions of Ca2(+)-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II on various types of non-epithelial intermediate filament proteins, vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament triplet proteins. Most of these filament proteins could serve as substrates. The effects of phosphorylation on the filamentous structure of vimentin were investigated in sedimentation experiments and by using electron microscopy. The amount of unassembled vimentin increased linearly with increased phosphorylation. However, the extent of the effect of phosphorylation on the potential to polymerize was also affected by the MgCl2 concentration, under conditions for reassembly. The actions of Ca2(+)-CaM-dependent protein kinase II on non-epithelial intermediate filaments under physiological conditions are given attention.

Animals↗

Glial fibrillary acidic protein and desmin in salivary neoplasms. Expression of four different types of intermediate filament proteins within the same cell type.

The presence of intermediate filament proteins (IFP) in normal salivary gland tissue and investigated by immunohistochemical techniques on frozen sections. Cytokeratins (CKs) were seen in almost all normal epithelial cells. In the parotid gland and in palatal gland tissue, a co-expression of cytokeratin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was seen in some myoepithelial cells, but this was not apparent in the submandibular gland. In some pleomorphic adenomas, carcinomas in pleomorphic adenomas, one mucoepidermoid carcinoma, one mucus-producing adenopapillary carcinoma and one adenoid cystic carcinoma, cells expressing three different IFP classes were found (CKs, vimentin, GFAP). These cells were most often situated peripherally in the tumour cords or ducts. The cytokeratin pattern in these cells, as revealed by mAbs PKK1-3, was similar to that in normal myoepithelial cells. Furthermore, reactivity for a fourth class of IFP, desmin, could be seen in this cell type in two carcinomas in pleomorphic adenomas, and also in a few cells in a pleomorphic adenoma and an adenoid cystic carcinoma. Thus the pattern of IFP expression in salivary gland neoplasms, is very complex, and cannot always be related to the normal tissue.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Colocalization of three types of intermediate filament proteins in perisinusoidal stellate cells: glial fibrillary acidic protein as a new cellular marker.

The presence and the colocalization of the three intermediate filament proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the marker of mesenchymal liver cells, vimentin, were studied by an immunofluorescence double-labeling technique in cultures of isolated rat perisinusoidal stellate cells (PSC) and hepatocytes, in cocultures of isolated PSC and hepatocytes as well as in cryostat sections of rat liver. GFAP and vimentin immunoreactivities were localized in cultured PSC which were identified by the presence of the cellular marker desmin, another intermediate filament protein, or the stellate morphology to be seen after staining for one of three intermediate filament proteins. Both GFAP and vimentin were strongly expressed in the perinuclear region and the cell processes of cultured PSC. Staining for GFAP highly coincided with that for vimentin or desmin in cultured PSC and with that for vimentin in the liver sections. Desmin-positive cells were always also GFAP-positive. However, of the GFAP-positive cells only an estimated 50% were found desmin-positive. The coexpression of desmin and GFAP in the same cells appear to be unique, since apparently it has not been previously reported for any other cell type. Almost all of the vimentin-positive cells in hepatocyte culture were also expressing GFAP. Since desmin was not found in all of the cultured cells with PSC morphology, GFAP is suggested as a more reliable marker for PSC than desmin.

Animals↗

Molecular characterization of the major membrane skeletal protein in the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis suggests n-plication of an early evolutionary intermediate filament protein subdomain.

Epiplasmin C is the major protein component of the membrane skeleton in the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. Cloning and analysis of the gene encoding epiplasmin C showed this protein to be a previously unrecognized protein. In particular, epiplasmin C was shown to lack the canonical features of already known epiplasmic proteins in ciliates and flagellates. By means of hydrophobic cluster analysis (HCA), it has been shown that epiplasmin C is constituted of a repeat of 25 domains of 40 residues each. These domains are related and can be grouped in two families called types I and types II. Connections between types I and types II present rules that can be evidenced in the sequence itself, thus enforcing the validity of the splitting of the domains. Using these repeated domains as queries, significant structural similarities were demonstrated with an extra six heptads shared by nuclear lamins and invertebrate cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins and deleted in the cytoplasmic intermediate filament protein lineage at the protostome-deuterostome branching in the eukaryotic phylogenetic tree.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Monoclonal antibodies to intermediate filament proteins of human cells: unique and cross-reacting antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies were generated against the intermediate filament proteins of different human cells. The reactivity of these antibodies with the different classes of intermediate filament proteins was determined by indirect immunofluorescence on cultured cells, immunologic indentification on SDS polyacrylamide gels ("wester blot" experiments), and immunoperoxidase assays on intact tissues. The following four antibodies are described: (a) an antivimentin antibody generated against human fibroblast cytoskeleton; (b), (c) two antibodies that recognize a 54-kdalton protein in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells; and (d) an antikeratin antibody made to stratum corneum that recognizes proteins of molecular weight 66 kdaltons and 57 kdaltons. The antivimentin antibody reacts with vimentin (58 kdaltons), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and keratins from stratum corneum, but does not recognize hepatoma intermediate filaments. In immunofluorescence assays, the antibody reacts with mesenchymal cells and cultured epithelial cells that express vimentin. This antibody decorates the media of blood vessels in tissue sections. One antihepatoma filament antibody reacts only with the 54 kdalton protein of these cells and, in immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase assays, only recognizes epithelial cells. It reacts with almost all nonsquamous epithelium. The other antihepatoma filament antibody is much less selective, reacting with vimentin, GFAP, and keratin from stratum corneum. This antibody decorates intermediate filaments of both mesenchymal and epithelial cells. The antikeratin antibody recognizes 66-kdalton and 57-kdalton proteins in extracts of stratum corneum and also identifies proteins of similar molecular weights in all cells tested. However, by immunofluorescence, this antibody decorates only the intermediate filaments of epidermoid carcinoma cells. When assayed on tissue sections, the antibody reacts with squamous epithelium and some, but not all, nonsquamous epithelium. Therefore this antistratum corneum antibody and the anti-54-kdalton antibody identify unique epitopes present in the various cytokeratin molecules of epithelial cells. None of the hybridoma antibodies react with neurofilament proteins. The different patterns of reactivity of these antibodies suggest that many of the immunologically distinct intermediate filament proteins contain common antigenic determinants.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The distribution of novel intermediate filament proteins defines subpopulations of myenteric neurons in rat intestine.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies with neurofilament antibodies as neuronal markers have shown subpopulations of myenteric neurons that do not contain neurofilament proteins. Novel neuronal intermediate filament proteins alpha-internexin, peripherin, and nestin have been identified. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of these novel intermediate filaments in comparison with neurofilaments in myenteric plexus neurons. METHODS: Using indirect immunofluorescence techniques in whole-mount cryostat sections from neonate and adult rat small intestine and in primary cultures of myenteric neurons, the distribution of neurofilaments, alpha-internexin, peripherin, and nestin was studied in comparison with the neuronal marker protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 in myenteric neurons. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of neurons contained neurofilament triplet proteins. alpha-Internexin and/or peripherin were found in the neurofilament-negative neurons. PGP 9.5 was present in 80% of the myenteric neurons. Of the neurons that were PGP negative, > 95% contained peripherin or alpha-internexin. Nestin was not found in either neonate or adult myenteric neurons but was seen in glial cells in culture. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a subpopulation of myenteric neurons lacks neurofilament triplet proteins but contains either peripherin, alpha-internexin, or both. This selective distribution of intermediate filaments in subpopulations of enteric neurons may support differential roles in these structurally unique neurons.

Animals↗

The amino acid sequence of component 7c, a type II intermediate-filament protein from wool.

Component 7c is one of the four homologous type II intermediate-filament proteins that, by association with the complementary type I proteins, form the microfibrils or intermediate filaments in wool. Component 7c was isolated as the S-carboxymethyl derivative from Merino wool and its amino acid sequence was determined by manual and automatic sequencing of peptides produced by chemical and enzymic cleavage reactions. It is an N-terminally blocked molecule of 491 residues and Mr (not including the blocking group) of 55,600; the nature of the blocking group has not been determined. The predicted secondary structure shows that component 7c conforms to the now accepted pattern for intermediate-filament proteins in having a central rod-like region of approximately 310 residues of coiled-coil alpha-helix flanked by non-helical N-and C-terminal regions. The central region is divided by three non-coiled-coil linking segments into four helical segments 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. The N-and C-terminal non-helical segments are 109 and 71 residues respectively and are rich in cysteine. Details of procedures use in determining the sequence of component 7c have been deposited as a Supplementary Publication SUP 50152 (65 pages) at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1989) 257,5. The information comprises: (1) details of chemical and enzymic methods used for cleavage of component 7c, peptides CN1, CN2 and CN3, and various other peptides, (2) details of the procedures used for the fractionation and purification of peptides from (1), including Figures showing the elution profiles from the chromatographic steps used, (3) details of methods used to determine the C-terminal sequence of peptide CN3, and (4) detailed evidence to justify a number of corrections to the previously published sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunohistochemical distribution of simple-epithelial-type keratins and other intermediate filament proteins in the developing human pituitary gland.

An immunohistochemical study of the production of the intermediate filaments [vimentin, cytokeratin, and glial filament acidic protein (GFAP)] during development of the pituitary gland was made by use of fetal and adult human pituitary tissue. Among these intermediate filament proteins in the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary, cytokeratin is the first to appear, followed by GFAP and vimentin. However, only cytokeratin is seen during the period of morphogenesis of the pituitary gland, with the type-II subfamily cytokeratin 8 being the earliest to appear. Among the simple-epithelial-type cytokeratins, cytokeratins 8 and 19 were observed within the pituitary primordium during morphogenesis. Cells immunoreactive for cytokeratins 8 and 19 showed a heterogeneous three-dimensional distribution pattern in Rathke's pouch. Both cytokeratins 8 and 19 tended to be strongly positive at sites in the pituitary primordium where cells had become more loosely arranged (i.e., areas far from the diencephalon) but were only weakly positive in areas in which the epithelial cells were densely packed (i.e., areas closely associated with the diencephalon). It is concluded that, during the period of morphogenesis, Rathke's pouch has the intermediate filaments characteristic of simple epithelium and shows different immunoreactivity for simple-epithelial-type cytokeratins from place to place according to the extent of cellular differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗

Eight genes and alternative RNA processing pathways generate an unexpectedly large diversity of cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cytoplasmic intermediate filament (IF) proteins of Caenorhabditis elegans are encoded by a dispersed multigene family comprising at least eight genes which map to three linkage groups. Exon sequences and intron patterns define three distinct subfamilies. While all eight IF genes display the long coil 1b subdomain of nuclear lamins, only six genes (a1-a4, b1 and b2) retain a lamin-like tail domain. Two genes (c1 and c2) have acquired entirely novel tail domains. The overall sequence identity of the rod domains is only 29%. The gene structures show a strong drift in number and positions of introns, none of which are common to all genes. Individual genes share only one to four intron locations with the Helix aspersa IF gene, but all eight nematode genes together account for nine of the 10 introns of the gastropod gene. All C.elegans IF genes are transcribed and all except gene c2 produce trans-spliced mRNAs. Alternatively spliced mRNAs arise from genes a1, b2 and c2 through several mechanisms acting at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. These involve the alternative use of distinct promoters, polyadenylation sequences and both cis and trans RNA splice sites. The resulting sequence variations are restricted to the non-helical end domains. Minimally 12 distinct IF proteins are encoded by the various mRNAs. Different abundances in mixed-stage nematode populations suggest cell type- and/or stage-specific expression of individual mRNAs.

Alternative Splicing↗

Differential expression of intermediate filament proteins in metastatic and nonmetastatic variants of the BSp73 tumor.

The pattern of intermediate filament protein expression was studied in tumor cell variants of the BSp73 spontaneous rat adenocarcinoma of the pancreas exhibiting distinct morphology and metastatic phenotype. The non-metastasizing AS cells which adhere and spread on a solid substrate express only the vimentin type mesenchymal intermediate filament protein. The ASML metastatic cell variant which adheres but does not spread on the substrate expresses a complex pattern of cytokeratins characteristic of the adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and a low level of vimentin. The differences in the expression of the intermediate filament proteins between the variants were also reflected at the level of the corresponding mRNAs as revealed by RNA blot analysis with complementary DNA clones specific to vimentin and the acidic as well as the basic cytokeratin subfamily. When the two cell variants were cultured for 72 h in suspension culture on nonadhesive substrata the AS cells responded with a marked reduction in their vimentin synthesis. The ASML variant cells which are characterized by a round configuration in both monolayer and suspension culture continue to synthesize the same intermediate filament proteins under both culture conditions. The relationships among environmental conditions that affect cell shape and contacts, the shifts in the expression of intermediate filaments, and the metastatic property of tumor cells are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Structure of the gene encoding peripherin, an NGF-regulated neuronal-specific type III intermediate filament protein.

We have cloned the rat gene encoding peripherin, a neuronal-specific intermediate filament protein that is NGF-regulated. Determination of the complete sequence, including 821 nucleotides of the 5'-flanking region, allows us to make conclusions about the evolutionary origin of the peripherin gene, its homology with other intermediate filament proteins, and possible mechanisms of regulation of peripherin expression in neurons. The positions of the eight peripherin gene introns correspond to the intron patterns of desmin, vimentin, and GFAP, with one example of intron sliding. Together with protein sequence homologies, this conclusively demonstrates that peripherin is a type III intermediate filament protein. The peripherin promoter contains sequences homologous to regions of other NGF-regulated promoters, which may function in peripherin induction by NGF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The predicted structure of chick lens CP49 and a variant thereof, CP49ins, the first vertebrate cytoplasmic intermediate filament protein with a lamin-like insertion in helix 1B.

The full length cDNA sequence for the lens-specific intermediate filament protein, CP49, from chicken is presented. The sequence contains features typical of the other intermediate filament proteins, including two major alpha-helical regions, helix I and II and appropriate linker regions. CP49 lacks a C-terminal non-alpha-helical domain and is only the second intermediate filament protein to be described missing this feature. Comparison to the bovine CP49 shows significant homology in all domains except the N-terminal non-alpha-helical domain. Besides bovine CP49, the other protein most homologous to chicken CP49 in the database was keratin 18, a type I keratin. A variant of CP49 is also described, called CP49ins. Of the 61 positive clones identified in the library, two encoded CP49ins, one of these being a full-length clone. The sequence differed to CP49 by the insertion of 49 amino acids in helix IB. This is the first chordate cytoplasmic intermediate filament protein sequence to be identified with an archetypal lamin-like insertion in this helical subdomain and represents a key discovery in tracing the evolutionary pathway of intermediate filament protein family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands: immunohistochemical distribution of intermediate filament proteins, involucrin and secretory proteins.

Mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the salivary gland comprising low (n = 6), intermediate (n = 11) and high grade malignant (n = 11) tumors were evaluated for immunohistochemical reactivity of cytokeratin (monoclonal antibody KL1, PKK1, K8.12), vimentin, involucrin and secretory proteins (lysozyme, LY; lactoferrin, LA; alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-AT and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, alpha 1-Ach). Keratin expression was usually confined to intense staining in epidermoid tumor cells, but was negative in almost all mucous cells. Vimentin was coexpressed with keratin only in epidermoid tumor cells. Great heterogeneity of intermediate filament proteins was found in intermediate and epidermoid tumor cells. Involucrin in epidermoid tumor cells was particularly abundant in well keratinized cells but was lacking in intermediate and mucous forming cells. The frequency of occurrence of positive staining for LY, LA, alpha 1-AT and alpha 1-Ach was relatively low in mucoepidermoid carcinoma with positive immunohistochemical staining for these secretory proteins in mucous forming tumor cells, while varying expression was observed in epidermoid tumor cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Immunohistochemical research on human breast tumors using monoclonal antibodies to intermediate filament proteins. Cancer of the breast].

Immunomorphologic study of 29 breast cancer cases using monoclonal antibodies to proteins of intermediate filaments shown to differentiate the lining epithelium from myoepithelium in the non-proliferating epithelial structures of the mamma, has shown the cells in the majority of tumours (according to the International WHO Classification defined as infiltrating ductal, lobular, and tubular cancer forms) to contain prekeratin (PK) C12, specific for normal lining epithelium, but not for the myoepithelium. In cases of cancer with chondroid metaplasia (a malignant variant of the so-called "mixed tumour") the cells contained PK E3, vimentin and structural myosin, normally specific for myoepithelium. The cell heterogenicity in PK C12 content or its absence noted in the infiltrating cancers with predominance of a solid component can indicate a high degree of tumour anaplasia. It is concluded that usage of monoclonal antibodies to PK C12, invariably found in the cells of fibrotic invasion foci, can be a useful indicator for early diagnosis of infiltrative tumour growth.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Expression of non-glial intermediate filament proteins in gliomas.

Non-glial intermediate filament (IMF) proteins, as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin, were studied by immunohistochemistry in 24 gliomas including low grade astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma and ependymoblastoma, which were fixed in ethanol and embedded in paraffin. Cytoskeletal elements isolated from two glioblastomas were examined with immunoblot analysis. All tumors had GFAP-positive neoplastic cells and vimentin was also found in all the tumors except one oligodendroglioma. Twenty-three gliomas were immunostained with anti-desmin polyclonal antibody (DM-P), but anti-desmin monoclonal antibody reacted to only one glioblastoma. DM-P might crossreact with GFAP and vimentin. Cytokeratin expression was investigated with six antibodies. Twenty gliomas (83%) were positive for the antibody against epidermal keratin (CK-SE), however positive immunoreactivity varied from 58 to 8% with other cytokeratin antibodies. With the Western blot method, CK-SE had protein bands at 53 and 60-66 kDa. Neurofilament was expressed in one pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, one anaplastic astrocytoma, one glioblastoma and one ependymoblastoma. Expression of nonglial IMF proteins were observed in 21 tumors (88%), and coexpression of 4 or 5 classes of IMF proteins in 3 tumors (13%). We conclude that, in addition to GFAP and vimentin, gliomas express several types of non-glial IMF proteins.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Application of monoclonal antibodies to intermediate filament proteins in surgical pathology of head and neck tumours. An overview.

Intermediate filament proteins are distributed in a tissue specific manner throughout human tissues. Using monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies to cytokeratins, vimentin, desmin, neurofilament proteins or the glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial, mesenchymal, myogenic, nervous and glial tissues, respectively, can be distinguished by immunohistochemical techniques. Since tumour cells generally retain the intermediate filament proteins typical for their cells of origin, such antibodies can also be used to discriminate between different types of neoplasma, i.e. carcinoma, lymphoma, myosarcoma, etc. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies to individual cytokeratin proteins can be used to distinguish between several types of epithelial tissues and different types of carcinomas. The application of such antibodies in the histopathology of head and neck tumours can be of great help in the characterization of tumours that cannot be identified on the basis of routine histological techniques.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗