The distribution of initiation factor 2(eIF-2) and elongation factor 2(EF-2) in cultured mouse embryo fibroblasts was studied and compared with the distribution of ribosomes. We used immunofluorescence microscopy with monospecific antibodies to eIF-2, EF-2, and proteins S3a and S7 of the small ribosomal subunit. Ribosomes and factors eIF-2 and EF-2 were found mainly in the vicinity of the cell nucleus. This perinuclear zone coincides with the endoplasm - the central part of the cell containing numerous membraneous organelles and inclusions. Besides the perinuclear zone, small stained regions could be seen at the periphery of some cells. After treatment of the cells with Triton X-100 in a buffer conditions, that stabilizes the major cytoskeletal structures, some of the ribosomes, eIF-2, and EF-2 remained bound to the insoluble material. These components were found near the nucleus and some were located along the microfilament bundles.
Indirect immunofluorescent microscopy was used to study the distribution of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EF-2) in cultured mouse embryo fibroblasts. The perinuclear area (endoplasm) of all the cells and many straight cables running along the whole cytoplasm were stained with monospecific goat or rabbit antibodies to rat liver EF-2. Double staining of the cells with antibodies to EF-2 and rhodaminyl-phalloidin (used for actin microfilament detection) showed that EF-2 containing cables coincided with bundles of actin microfilaments. Not all actin microfilament bundles contained EF-2: sometimes EF-2 was not observed in bundles running along the cell edges or in actin microfilament junctions. Triton X-100 extracted most of EF-2 from the cells and no actin microfilament bundles were stained with the EF-2 antibodies in the Triton-extracted cells. Thus, in mouse embryo fibroblasts EF-2 can be found along actin microfilament bundles, but it is unlikely to be their integral protein.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.