DNase IIβ distribution and activity in the mouse lens

PURPOSE. To map the cellular and subcellular distribution of DNase II beta activity in the mouse lens. METHODS. DNase II beta-specific activity was determined by assaying lens lysates prepared from wild-type or DNase II beta-null mice. Regional nuclease activity was determined by microdissection of lens samples or a tissue-imprinting assay. Subcellular distribution was determined by density-gradient ultracentrifugation. RESULTS. DNase II beta transcripts increased 200-fold in abundance during fiber cell formation, and DNase II beta activity accounted for approximately 50% of the acid nuclease activity in the cortical fiber cells. Examination of lenses from DNase II beta-null mice confirmed that the enzyme was required for denucleation. In wild-type lenses, nuclei were TUNEL positive before denucleation, indicating that 3'-OH DNA ends had accumulated. However, DNase II beta-mediated scission generates 3'-PO4- DNA ends only. This paradoxical finding was explained by the presence of phosphatases that converted the 3'-PO4- ends produced by DNase II beta into 3'-OH ends. DNase II beta activity was strongest early in differentiation, where it was associated with the lysosomal fraction. Later, an increasing proportion of DNase II beta activity was found in the cytosol. CONCLUSIONS. DNase II beta activity correlated with and was necessary for fiber denucleation and was most likely contained initially within fiber cell lysosomes before release into the cytoplasm.