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Differential inhibition of mammalian ribonucleic acid polymerases by an exotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. The direct observation of nucleoplasmic ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in intact nuclei.

ABSTRACT: The effects of the exotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis on DNA-dependent RNA polymerases from rat liver were examined. The exotoxin inhibits all RNA polymerase activity at both low and high ionic strength in intact nuclei, and soluble enzymes are similarly affected. This inhibition is relieved by ATP. Dephosphorylated exotoxin did not inhibit the soluble enzymes. Nucleolar and nucleoplasmic RNA polymerases respond to different concentration ranges of exotoxin, and the compound can be used in intact nuclei to isolate the nucleoplasmic activity.

SUBMITTER: Beebee T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1178758 | biostudies-other | 1972 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:1. The stimulations of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in isolated rat-liver nuclei by thyroid hormone, human growth hormone and testosterone are compared. 2. Single or multiple administrations of growth-promoting doses of tri-iodo-l-thyronine, human growth hormone and testosterone stimulate the Mg(2+)-activated RNA-polymerase reaction in nuclei from thyroidectomized, hypophysectomized and castrated rats respectively. The magnitude of stimulation was proportional to the degree of enhancement of liver growth by each hormone. After a single injection, the latent period preceding the stimulation was 1, 2 and 10hr. for growth hormone, testosterone and tri-iodothyronine respectively. The time-course of stimulation of enzyme activity and the synthesis of rapidly labelled nuclear RNA in vivo were also different for each hormone. 3. Growth hormone administration failed to stimulate the Mn(2+)/ammonium sulphate-activated RNA-polymerase reaction. Thyroid hormone and testosterone, however, stimulated it but the effect was less pronounced and occurred several hours later than that observed for the Mg(2+)-activated RNA-polymerase reaction. 4. In combination experiments, hypophysectomized or the thyroidectomized rats were given growth hormone or tri-iodothyronine in a single or repeated doses at levels that produced the maximum stimulation of Mg(2+)-activated RNA-polymerase activity. Taking into account the different latent period for each hormone, a single administration of the second hormone caused an additional stimulation of the enzyme activity. Similar additive effects were observed in thyroidectomized-castrated rats after treatment with tri-iodothyronine and testosterone. The magnitude of the additional stimulation caused by the administration of the second hormone was compatible with the capacity of that hormone to promote liver growth in rats deprived of it. 5. It is concluded that, although these hormones have some similar effects, the regulation of nuclear RNA synthesis may be mediated via different routes for each hormone.

Project description:1. The nuclei of the cells of the whole rat brain have been fractionated in a B-XIV zonal rotor with a discontinuous gradient of sucrose. Five fractions were obtained. Zone (I) contained neuronal nuclei (70%) and astrocytic nuclei (23%). Zone (II) contained astrocytic nuclei (81%) and neuronal nuclei (15%). Zone (III) contained astrocytic nuclei (84%) and oligodendrocytic nuclei (15%). Zone (IV) contained oligodendrocytic nuclei (92%) and zone (V) contained only oligodendrocytic nuclei. 2. The content of DNA, RNA and protein per nucleus was determined for each zone. Although the amount of DNA per nucleus is constant (7pg) the RNA varies from 4.5 to 2.5pg/nucleus and the protein from 38 to 17.6pg/nucleus. The neuronal nuclei have the greatest amounts of protein. The oligodendrocytic nuclei have the least content of RNA and protein. 3. The effects of pH, ionic strength, and Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) concentration on the activity of the nuclear system for synthesis in vitro of RNA have been investigated for unfractionated nuclei. From these studies a standard set of conditions for the assay of nuclear RNA polymerase has been established. 4. The activity of the RNA polymerase in each of the zonal fractions has been determined in the presence and in the absence of alpha-amanitin. Zone (II) is the most active, followed by zone (I). The nuclei of zones (IV) and (V) have comparable activity, which is 40% of that of zone (II). 5. The extent of incorporation of each of the four labelled nucleoside triphosphates by the nuclei from each zone has been measured. These values have been used to calculate the base composition of the RNA synthesized in vitro in each class of nucleus. 6. The effect of changes in the condition of assay of RNA polymerase in the different classes of nuclei has been investigated. Significant differences in the response to concentrations of metal ions and ammonium sulphate have been observed. 7. Homopolymer formation in each zone of brain nuclei has been determined. The extent of formation of the four homopolymers roughly parallels the RNA polymerase activity.

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Differential inhibition of mammalian ribonucleic acid polymerases by an exotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. The direct observation of nucleoplasmic ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in intact nuclei.

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