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Published on: June 23, 2014
Changes in nuclear protein pattern by glucocorticoid treatment of lymphoid cells
C Van den Bogert1, H M Bakker, S Kuzela
1Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry, State University, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Glucocorticoids initiate a cytolytic process in lymphoid cells. The ultimate response is preceded by several phenomena. It is generally accepted that these are mediated through messenger proteins. The induction of these proteins is considered the primary effect of glucocorticoids. However, as yet specific gene products have not been identified. In electrophoretic assays, we observed an increased concentration of 6 nuclear proteins within a few hours of exposure of lymphoid cells to glucocorticoids. These proteins displayed prominent DNase activity. However, further studies showed: (1) that the proteins concerned are histones, (2) that histones are more easily extracted after glucocorticoid-induced alterations of lymphoid cells, and (3) that basic proteins in general express nuclease activity under certain experimental conditions. This nuclease activity is, however, artifactual. Therefore, though the changes observed are certainly related to glucocorticoid-induced effects, these do not reflect the induction of specific proteins. The results of the study indicate that glucocorticoid-induced changes in the concentration of cellular proteins should be interpreted with caution.
Insights
Glucocorticoids do not induce specific nuclear proteins in lymphoid cells. Observed changes in protein concentration and nuclease activity are artifactual, not primary effects.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Glucocorticoids induce cytolysis in lymphoid cells, a process thought to involve messenger proteins.
- The induction of specific proteins is considered a primary effect of glucocorticoids, but these have not been identified.
- Understanding glucocorticoid mechanisms is crucial for lymphoid cell research and therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the purported induction of specific nuclear proteins by glucocorticoids in lymphoid cells.
- To clarify the nature of observed changes in nuclear protein concentration and nuclease activity following glucocorticoid exposure.
Main Methods:
- Electrophoretic assays were used to detect changes in nuclear protein concentrations in lymphoid cells.
- DNase activity assays were performed on isolated nuclear proteins.
- Further experiments characterized the identified proteins and assessed the conditions for nuclease activity.
Main Results:
- A rapid increase in the concentration of six nuclear proteins was observed after glucocorticoid treatment.
- These proteins exhibited DNase activity, initially suggesting they were glucocorticoid-induced.
- Further analysis revealed these proteins were histones, and their observed nuclease activity was artifactual, not a direct result of glucocorticoid induction.
Conclusions:
- The observed changes in nuclear protein concentration and nuclease activity are not indicative of specific protein induction by glucocorticoids.
- Histones are easily extracted from lymphoid cells following glucocorticoid-induced alterations.
- Glucocorticoid-induced changes in cellular protein concentrations should be interpreted with caution due to potential artifactual findings.
