Purification and partial characterization of a nucleolar scleroderma antigen (Mr = 34,000; pI, 8.5) rich in NG,NG-dimethylarginine

J Biol Chem. 1985 Nov 15;260(26):14304-10.

Abstract

A new scleroderma antigen of Mr = 34,000; pI, 8.5 has been identified. This 34-kDa protein is a nucleolar protein as determined by immunostaining procedures with affinity-purified antibodies. The 34-kDa protein was shown to localize to the fibrillar regions of the nucleolus by immunoelectron microscopy. Antibodies against the 34-kDa protein precipitate U3 RNA-containing particles. The 34-kDa protein has been isolated from Novikoff hepatoma cell nucleoli by ion exchange and reverse-phase column chromatography. The protein contains 4.1 mol % NG,NG-dimethylarginine (DMA) and 22.8 mol % glycine. It is the most highly arginine-methylated protein thus far detected in higher eukaryotes. This nucleolar 34-kDa protein resembles several nucleoplasmic proteins that are associated with heterogeneous nuclear RNA with respect to isoelectric point, Mr, presence of NG,NG-dimethylarginine, and its high glycine content. The amino-terminal sequence of the first 31 residues of the 34-kDa protein is: Met-Lys-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-DMA-Gly-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-Gly-DMA-Gly-Gly- Phe-Gly-Asp-DMA-Gly-Gly-DMA-Gly-Gly-Gly-DMA-Gly-Gly-DMA. In the first 31 residues, there are 16 glycine, 6 DMA, and 3 phenylalanine residues. This is a novel demonstration of clusters of glycine and DMA in a protein.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Animals
  • Antigens / analysis*
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Arginine / analysis
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Cell Nucleolus / analysis
  • Cell Nucleolus / immunology*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Techniques
  • Immunosorbent Techniques
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / analysis
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Molecular Weight
  • Physarum / immunology
  • Proteins / immunology*
  • RNA / immunology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / immunology*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Antigens
  • Autoantibodies
  • Proteins
  • RNA
  • N,N-dimethylarginine
  • Arginine