Cytoplasmic DNA-binding phosphoproteins of Physarum polycephalum

The cytoplasmic DNA-binding proteins of Physarum polycephalum were recovered by chromatography of cytosol extracts on sequential columns of native and denatured calf thymus DNA-cellulose. 5.4% of the total cytosol protein was bound to native DNA-cellulose, while 4.4% was bound to denatured DNA-cellulose. Stepwise salt gradient elution of the columns separated the DNA-binding proteins into 9 fractions which were analysed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Several hundred discrete polypeptide bands were identified, with many more high molecular weight polypeptides (greater than 100 000 D) binding to native than to denatured DNA. Continuous in vivo labelling of microplasmodia in KH₂[³²P]O₄ and [³H]leucine was used to determine which of the DNA-binding proteins were phosphorylated, and to approximate their phosphorus content. About 30-40 phosphoproteins were resolved among the DNA-binding proteins. Most phosphoproteins contained less than 3 phosphates per polypeptide, but a small number of low molecular weight phosphoproteins (less than 50 000 D) contained from 5 to 10 phosphates per polypeptide. The majority of high molecular weight DNA-binding phosphoproteins bound to native DNA and were eluted with 0.25 M NaCl. As a group, the DNA-binding proteins were enriched in protein-bound phosphorus when compared with the cytosol proteins which did not bind to DNA. The phosphorus content of the cytoplasmic DNA-binding proteins was similar to that of the acidic nuclear proteins.