Three monoclonal antibody subclasses (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgM) were raised to the phosphoprotein B2 (Mr 68000, pI6.5-8.2) which has been shown previously to be associated with the nucleosomes of rat liver nuclei. These antibodies do not show any significant cross reactivity with CM-cellulose 'unbound' non-histone chromosomal proteins, bovine serum albumin or histones. Further verification of the specificity of these antibodies to this phosphoprotein was carried out using both 'dot' blot and immunological transfer analysis ('Western blot'). The monoclonal antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a) could also be used to semi-quantify the phosphoprotein B2 in rat liver nuclei. The high specificity and unlimited availability of this type of probe provides a means to study the role(s) of this phosphoprotein in the overall scheme of actively transcribed chromatin.

[32P]Pi was administered to rats (5mCi/rat) 2h before the isolation of liver nuclei. The isolated nuclei were subjected to mild micrococcal-nuclease digestion for 2.5, 5 and 10 min at 37 degrees C, and the mononucleosomal fraction was subsequently isolated by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. The specific radioactivity of 32P-labelled mononucleosomal fractions decreased with increased digestion times. A phosphorylated chromosomal protein, B2 (Mr 68000, pI6.5-8.2), was demonstrated immunologically in the mononucleosomal fraction by using an antibody specific to this electrophoretically purified phosphoprotein. The incorporation of 32P into this phosphoprotein, previously shown to be mainly through covalent linkage, was revealed by antibody precipitation followed by gel electrophoresis. The rate of release of acid-soluble nucleotides by micrococcal-nuclease digestion of liver nuclei from partially hepatectomized rats 16 h after operation was strikingly higher than that for sham-operated controls. After partial hepatectomy, an increase in 32P incorporation into phosphoprotein in the monomer fractions specifically precipitated by this antibody was also found. This suggests that the phosphorylated non-histone chromatin protein B2 is preferentially associated with the transcriptionally active chromatin.

Previous work in this laboratory has established that a rat liver nuclear phosphoprotein (B2:Mr 68,000, pI 6.5-8.2) is associated with actively transcribed nucleosomes, as demonstrated by its preferential release after mild treatment with micrococcal nuclease. In the present report we provide further immunological evidence ('Western Blot' analysis, solid-phase radioimmunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence) that in addition establishes the presence of this phosphoprotein in the nuclear-matrix protein fraction. This paradoxical localization suggests that this phosphoprotein may function in two separate and distinct roles within the realm of nuclear organization.

Many nonhistone nuclear proteins have been shown to be phosphorylated and associated with a diverse range of cellular activities. The aim of this present review is to update the most recent developments in this field with respect to the traditional roles that these proteins have been postulated to play as enzymes, DNA-binding proteins, hormonal receptors, nucleosome associated proteins, and nucleolar associated proteins. In addition, evidence is presented suggesting that these proteins may also function as nuclear oncogene protein products, structural constituents of nuclear organization (e.g., lamina-nuclear matrix associated proteins), and RNA processing factors.

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