title: Proteolytic activity associated with the nuclear scaffold. The effect of self-digestion on lamins.
abstract: The inner aspect of the nuclear envelope is supported by a peripheral framework called the nuclear scaffold, which consists of both structural and functional proteins. Its major structural components, lamins A-C, form a highly polymerized and insoluble fibrous matrix during interphase of the cell cycle. Functional constituents of the scaffold include the 46-kDa nucleoside triphosphatase which is thought to participate in nucleocytoplasmic transport of mRNA. This 46-kDa component shares an amino-terminal sequence with lamins A and C, indicating that proteolytic remodeling of the nuclear scaffold may contribute to the generation of nucleoside triphosphatase activity (Clawson, G. A., Lackey, A., and Tökés, Z. A. (1988) Exp. Cell Res. 176, 180-186). We report here that neutral protease activity intimately associated with the nuclear scaffold is also a functional constituent. This activity has a considerable selectivity for lamins as shown by self-digestion of scaffold preparations, and it may participate in the remodeling of the nuclear scaffold after treatment with carcinogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033.
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Tökés
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Clawson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002364:Caseins; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000201:enzymology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006868:Hydrolysis; D034882:Lamins; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D043583:Nucleoside-Triphosphatase; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013853:Thioacetamide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002364:Caseins; D034882:Lamins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; C026018:azocasein; D013853:Thioacetamide; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D043583:Nucleoside-Triphosphatase