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High levels of HMG1‐2 protein expression in the cytoplasm and nucleus of hydrocortisone sensitive amphibian thymocytes
Author(s) -
Guillet Franc¸oise,
Tournefier Annick,
Denoulet Philippe,
Capony JeanPaul,
Kerfourn Fabienne,
Charlemagne Jacques
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1016/0248-4900(90)90341-y
Subject(s) - biology , cytoplasm , amphibian , nucleus , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology
Summary— A major 26 kDa protein was identified in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of axolotl thymocytes. A polyclonal antiserum was produced against the denatured form of this protein. High levels of 26 kDa were expressed by hydrocortisonesensitive lymphocytes which represent a major thymocyte subpopulation in young animals. However, no further expression of the 26 kDa protein was observed in involuted thymus of adult animals nor in thymus of young artificially metamorphosed axolotls. The 26 kDa was never expressed by splenic and blood peripheral lymphocytes at any stage of development. Partial N‐terminal amino acid sequence and amino acid composition demonstrate that the 26 kDa polypeptide is strongly homologous to HMGI‐2 proteins, the most abundant members of the high mobility group (HMG) non‐histone chromosomal proteins. HMG1‐2 are thought to be involved in the organization of chromatin structure, as well as in the stability, replication and transcription of DNA. It was confirmed that the 26 kDa axolotl polypeptide is recognized by a well characterized rabbit antiserum to rat HMG1‐2 proteins.