Purification and partial characterization of a cell adhesion molecule (gp150) involved in postaggregation stage cell-cell binding in Dictyostelium discoideum.

A cell surface glycoprotein of apparent Mr 150,000 (gp150) has been implicated in mediating EDTA-resistant cell-cell adhesion in Dictyostelium discoideum. A simple purification scheme making use of high-performance liquid chromatography has been devised to purify gp150 to near homogeneity. Purified gp150 was capable of neutralizing the effect of a rabbit antiserum raised against gel-purified gp150, which was previously reported to be a potent inhibitor of cell-cell adhesion (Geltosky, J. E., Weseman, J., Bakke, A., and Lerner, R. A. (1979) Cell 18, 391-398). The binding of 125I-labeled gp150 to intact cells was both dose-dependent and saturable, demonstrating the presence of specific cell surface binding sites for gp150. When reassociation of postaggregation stage cells was carried out in the presence of soluble gp150, aggregate formation was strongly inhibited. In contrast, gp150 failed to exert any effect on cells at the aggregation stage. The inhibitory effect of gp150 was sensitive to protease treatment, suggesting that the protein moiety is crucial to gp150 function. These results, taken together, provide direct evidence that gp150 is a cell-cell adhesion molecule involved in cell-cell binding in the postaggregation stage of Dictyostelium development.     

Cell surface expression of the endoplasmic reticular heat shock protein gp96 is phylogenetically conserved.

In mammals, the heat shock protein gp96 complexed to antigenic peptides elicits T cell adaptive immunity. By itself, however, gp96 can evoke responses that are characteristic of innate immunity. Interestingly, this protein, which resides in the endoplasmic reticulum, is expressed on the surface of certain mouse tumor cells. Given that heat shock proteins are highly conserved, we investigated whether the cell surface expression of gp96 is also evolutionarily conserved. Our data reveal that gp96, most likely containing the endoplasmic reticulum retention motif (KDEL), is expressed on the surface of three different Xenopus lymphoid tumor cell lines, each derived from a different spontaneously arising thymic tumor. Levels of expression differ among the tumor lines tested, with more immunogenic tumors expressing greater amounts of surface gp96. Moreover, a high level of gp96 surface expression is detectable on a subset of Xenopus normal nontransformed splenic lymphocytes (mainly surface IgM+ B cells) but not on other normal cells, including macrophages and nucleated erythrocytes. Surface expression of a gp96 protein homologue occurs also on some, but not all, T and B cell clones derived from peripheral blood cells of the channel catfish, as well as on lymphocyte-like cells, but not on erythrocytes from the hagfish, a primitive agnathan vertebrate lacking markers of an adaptive immune system. gp96 is actively directed to and retained on the plasma membrane of Xenopus lymphocytes and tumor cells and hagfish lymphocyte-like cells by a process that requires vesicular transport. This selective surface expression of gp96 on some immune cells from different vertebrate classes is consistent with an ancestral immunological role of gp96 as danger-signaling molecule.     

A glycoprotein involved in aggregation of D. discoideum is distributed on the cell surface in a nonrandom fashion favoring cell junctions

We studied the distribution on the cell surface of a glycoprotein (gp150) involved in the aggregation process of Dictyostelium discoideum. Using immunohemocyanin labeling of intact aggregates and visualization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we found a distribution gradient of gp150 wherein the concentration was enriched at or near sites of cell contact. When the distribution of gp150 on the cell surface was examined with immunoferritin and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we found that gp150 was closely associated with the plasma membrane.     

Characterization of a protein found in cells infected with the spleen focus-forming virus that shares immunological cross-reactivity with the gp70 found in mink cell focus-inducing virus particles.

Previously we detected an antigen in cells infected with the spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) with a radioimmunoassay specific for the gp 70's of murine leukemia mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) viruses. This antigen has now been characterized in competition radioimmunoassays with limiting dilutions of antibody and in pulse-labeling studies under conditions of antibody excess. Both methods of analysis indicate that the SFFV-encoded antigen is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 52,000. The gp52 shared immunological reactivity and methionine-containing tryptic peptides with the gp70 of a Friend MCF virus and was expressed on the surface of SFFV-infected cells as well as in the cytoplasm. The gp52 could be detected (i) in fibroblastic cell lines from several species when these cells were infected with SFFV; (ii) in several established erythroleukemic cell lines; and (iii) in the spleens of mice recently infected with SFFV. Although it shared immunochemical properties with the gp70 of Friend MCF virus, the gp52 could be distinguished from the MCF gp70 (i) by its apparent lack of group and interspecies immunological determinants compared with MCF virus-derived gp70's; (ii) by its failure to be released from cells infected with SFFV or SFFV plus helper virus; (iii) by its molecular weight; and (iv) by tryptic peptide analysis. The results indicate that SFFV codes for an MCF gp70-related gp52 which is apparently no longer a virion structural protein like the MCF gp70 from which it was originally derived.     

Gene expression and tumor cell escape from host effector mechanisms in murine large cell lymphoma

Using in vivo selection methods, we obtained metastatic sublines of the murine RAW117 large cell lymphoma that form multiple liver metastases. The highly metastatic subline RAW117-H10 has a low number of gp70 molecules expressed at the cell surface and low cytostatic sensitivity to activated syngeneic macrophages. This subline was infected with endogenous RNA tumor virus isolated from a high virus-expressing RAW117-P subline of low metastatic potential. After superinfection the H10 subline gradually increased its expression of cell surface gp70 and showed enhanced sensitivity to macrophage-mediated cytostasis, suggesting that gp70 might be involved in host macrophage-mediated surveillance. Culture of RAW117-P and H10 cells in media conditioned by activated macrophages indicated that parental cells are severely growth inhibited in a dose dependent fashion while H10 cells showed almost no effect. Examination of differentially expressed genes in the highly metastatic RAW117-H10 cells by analysis of RNA blots indicated that a mitochondrial gene was expressed at a level that was approximately 10 times higher in H10 cells than in parental cells. This gene was identified as ND5, which codes for a subunit of NADH dehydrogenase (complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain); this complex is the target for an activated macrophage-released cytostatic factor. Among other possibilities, the results are consistent with the suggestion that highly metastatic RAW117 cells may escape macrophage surveillance by decreasing the synthesis of specific cell-surface receptors for cytostatic molecules and increasing the synthesis of specific cellular targets for such molecules.     

Lack of effector cell function and altered tetramer binding of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

Tumor-specific CD8 T cell responses to MCA102 fibrosarcoma cells expressing the cytotoxic T cell epitope gp33 from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus were studied. MCA102(gp33) tumors grew progressively in C57BL/6 mice, despite induction of peripheral gp33-tetramer(+) T cells that were capable of mediating antiviral protection, specific cell rejection, and concomitant tumor immunity. MCA102(gp33) tumors were infiltrated with a high number ( approximately 20%) of CD11b(+)CD11c(-) macrophage-phenotype cells that were able to cross-present the gp33 epitope to T cells. Tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells exhibited a highly activated phenotype but lacked effector cell function. Strikingly, a significant portion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expressed TCRs specific for gp33 but bound MHC tetramers only after cell purification and a 24-h resting period in vitro. The phenomenon of "tetramer-negative T cells" was not restricted to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from MCA102(gp33) tumors, but was also observed when Ag-specific T cells derived from an environment with high Ag load were analyzed ex vivo. Thus, using a novel tumor model, allowing us to trace tumor-specific T cells at the single cell level in vivo, we demonstrate that the tumor microenvironment is able to alter the functional activity of T cells infiltrating the tumor mass.     

Innate immune dysfunction in HIV infection: effect of HIV envelope-NK cell interactions

We have previously described a number of NK cell dysfunctions in HIV-viremic individuals. In the present study, we performed DNA microarray analysis followed by phenotypic and functional characterization in an effort to investigate which HIV envelope glycoproteins (gp120) affect the physiologic functions of NK cells. Upon treatment of NK cells with HIV gp120, DNA microarray analyses indicated up-regulation of several categories of genes that are associated with apoptosis, suppression of both cellular proliferation and survival, as well as down-regulation of genes that play a vital role in cell proliferation, innate immune defense mechanism, and cell survival. Both subtypes of gp120 suppressed NK cell cytotoxicity, proliferation, and the ability to secrete IFN-gamma. NK cells exposed to X4-subtype HIV gp120 showed a significant decrease in the levels of CC chemokines, while exposure to R5-subtype HIV gp120 had minimal effect. Extended exposure to HIV gp120 resulted in apoptosis of NK cells, further validating the microarray data. Our data demonstrate that exposure of NK cells to HIV envelope proteins results in profound cellular abnormalities at the level of gene expression as well as generic cell functions. These findings are likely to be a consequence of a direct HIV gp120-mediated effect on NK cells. Identification of specific surface receptors on NK cells that interact with HIV envelope proteins might explain how HIV is capable of circumventing innate immune defense mechanisms and establishing infection in susceptible individuals.     

Dendritic cells pulsed with gp96-peptide complexes derived from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) capable of activating immune responses. Different forms of tumor antigens have been used to load DCs to initiate tumor-specific immune responses. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are considered natural adjuvants which have the ability to chaperone peptides associated with them presented efficiently by interaction with professional APCs through specific receptors. In the present study, we used HSP, gp96-peptide complexes, derived from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells as antigens for pulsing DCs. We found that gp96-peptide complexes derived from HCC cells induced the maturation of DCs by enhancing expression of human leukocyte antigen class II, CD80, CD86, CD40, and CD83. The matured DCs stimulated a high level of autologous T cell proliferation and induced HCC specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which specifically killed HCC cells by a major histocompatability complex (MHC) class I restricted mechanism. These findings demonstrate that DCs pulsed with gp96-peptide complexes derived from HCC cells are effective in activating specific T cell responses against HCC cells.     

Molecular mechanisms of cell-cell interaction in Dictyostelium discoideum

During development of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, cells migrate in response to cAMP to form aggregates, which give rise to fruiting bodies consisting of two major cell types: spores and stalk cells. Multicellularity is achieved by the expression of two types of cell-cell adhesion sites. The EDTA-sensitive binding sites are expressed at the initial stage of development. At the aggregation stage, cells acquire EDTA-resistant binding sites, which are mediated by a cell-surface glycoprotein of Mr80,000 (gp80). gp80 is preferentially associated with cell surface filopodia, which are probably involved in the initiation of contact formation between cells. Covaspheres conjugated with gp80 bind specifically to aggregation-stage cells. The binding can be inhibited by precoating cells with an anti-gp80 monoclonal antibody, thus suggesting that gp80 mediates cell-cell binding via homophilic interaction. The structure of gp80 predicted from its cDNA sequence can be divided into three major domains: a membrane anchor, a hinge, and a globular region. An analysis of fusion proteins containing different gp80 segments shows that the cell-binding activity resides in the globular region. In the postaggregation stages, gp80 is replaced by other surface glycoproteins in maintaining cell-cell adhesion. One of them has a Mr of 150,000 (gp150). Anti-gp150 antibodies have no effect on aggregation-stage cells, but they disrupt cell-cell adhesion at subsequent stages. It becomes evident that the complex phenomena of cell adhesion and tissue organization involve the participation of a number of surface glycoproteins.     

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 lacking gp150 shows defective virion release but establishes normal latency in vivo

All gammaherpesviruses encode a virion glycoprotein positionally homologous to Epstein-Barr virus gp350. These glycoproteins are thought to be involved in cell binding, but little is known of the roles they might play in the whole viral replication cycle. We have analyzed the contribution of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) gp150 to viral propagation in vitro and host colonization in vivo. MHV-68 lacking gp150 was viable and showed normal binding to fibroblasts and normal single-cycle lytic replication. Its capacity to infect glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-deficient CHO-K1 cells and NS0 and RAW264.7 cells, which express only low levels of GAGs, was paradoxically increased. However, gp150-deficient MHV-68 spread poorly through fibroblast monolayers, with reduced cell-free infectivity, consistent with a deficit in virus release. Electron microscopy showed gp150-deficient virions clustered on infected-cell plasma membranes. MHV-68-infected cells showed reduced surface GAG expression, suggesting that gp150 prevented virions from rebinding to infected cells after release by making MHV-68 infection GAG dependent. Surprisingly, gp150-deficient viruses showed only a transient lag in lytic replication in vivo and established normal levels of latency. Cell-to-cell virus spread and the proliferation of latently infected cells, for which gp150 was dispensable, therefore appeared to be the major route of virus propagation in an infected host.     

Reduced cell surface expression of processed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein in the presence of Nef.

nef genes from two laboratory grown human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains and from two proviruses that had not been propagated in vitro were introduced into CD4+ lymphoblastoid CEM cells. The stable expression of all four Nef proteins was associated with an almost complete abrogation of CD4 cell surface localization. The consequences of the presence of Nef on gp160 cleavage, gp120 surface localization, and envelope-induced cytopathic effect were examined in CEM cells in which the HIV-1 env gene was expressed from a vaccinia virus vector. The presence of Nef did not modify the processing of gp160 into its subunits but resulted in a significant decrease of cell surface levels of gp120, associated with a dramatic reduction of the fusion-mediated cell death. Surface levels of mutant envelope glycoproteins unable to bind CD4 were not altered in Nef-expressing cells, suggesting that the phenomenon was CD4 dependent. The intracellular accumulation of fully processed envelope glycoproteins could significantly delay the cytopathic effect associated with envelope surface expression in HIV-infected cells and may be relevant to the selective advantage associated with Nef during the in vivo infectious process.     

The specificity of H-2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed to AKR/Gross leukemia virus-induced tumors. III. Coordinate alterations in viral gp70 antigen expression and restoration of CTL-susceptibility to insusceptible variant tumors

Two variant subclones, called cl.18-5 and cl.18-12, were derived from the AKR.H-2bSL1 tumor cell line that were, in contrast to the parental cells, selectively insusceptible to H-2-restricted anti-AKR/Gross virus cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Cell surface expression of viral envelope (env) and group-specific antigens (gag) on these CTL-resistant variants were analyzed and compared with the expression of these antigens on AKR.H-2bSL1 and two other CTL-susceptible clones, cl.1 and cl.5, also derived from AKR.H-2bSL1. Although normal levels of gag-encoded and H-2 antigens were displayed on the CTL-resistant variants, the expression of five distinct determinants of viral gp70 antigen as defined by monoclonal antibodies was significantly decreased on these CTL-resistant variants relative to their expression on the CTL-susceptible cell lines. However, similar dramatic changes in cell surface gp70 antigen expression were undetectable as defined by anti-gp70-specific antiserum. Immunoprecipitation and gel electrophoretic analysis revealed that gp70 molecules from cl.18-5 cells had a lower m.w. than those of AKR.H-2bSL1, but there were no differences in the m.w. of gp70 antigens from AKR.H-2bSL1, cl.5, and cl.18-12 cells. Expression of the five gp70 antigenic determinants mentioned above was completely restored by exposure of cl.18-5 and cl.18-12 cells to the halogenated pyrimidine, iododeoxyuridine (IudR). Treatment of cl.18-5 and cl.18-12 cells with IudR simultaneously restored CTL susceptibility of these cells to anti-AKR/Gross virus CTL without affecting gag and H-2 antigen expression. Viral gp70 antigen immunoprecipitated from IudR-treated cl.18-5 cells had a mobility slightly lower, but different from that of untreated cl.18-5 cells. Pulse-labeling with [35S]-methionine showed that IudR treatment of cl.18-5 cells caused the expression of an additional high m.w. gp70 precursor protein originally absent in untreated cl.18-5 cells but present on parental AKR.H-2bSL1 cells. Collectively, these results pointed to the involvement of viral gp70 antigenic determinants in the recognition of AKR/Gross virus-induced tumor targets by anti-AKR/Gross virus CTL.     

Expression of cell surface antigens by suppressor T cell hybridomas. I. Comparison of phenotype and function

The phenotypic expression of cell surface markers by T cell hybridomas that elaborate suppressor factors specific for the polymers L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT) or L-glutamic acid50-L-tyrosine50 (GT) has been analyzed. We found that determinants encoded by the I-J subregion of the H-2 complex were borne on the surface of these hybrid cells and on the factors they secrete, whereas I-J determinants were not expressed by the AKR thymoma fusion parent, BW5147. The level of expression of I-J determinants fluctuated widely depending upon culture conditions, but I-J products and other cell surface markers of normal T cells could be quantitatively increased, or induced to appear, by treatment of the hybridomas with chemical agents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). In contrast, the surface expression of the viral product gp70 was decreased by the same treatment. Using chemical induction, we typed BW5147, a group of antigen-specific suppressor T cell hybridomas, and two control hybridomas for expression of I-J, Thy-1, Lyt, and H-2K alloantigens. Also, a haplotype-specific hybridoma that produces an antigen-nonspecific factor was analyzed. The results demonstrated that BW5147 failed to express I-J or Lyt alloantigens but expressed Thy-1.1 and H-2Kk gene products. The pattern of expression of these antigens by T cell hybridomas was very complex, but three conclusions could be drawn: 1) Good correlation exists between the expression of certain I-J determinants and the ability of T cell hybridomas to produce suppressor factor. 2) The expression of Thy-1, Lyt, or H-2Kk determinants is variable, and no correlation was found between expression of these antigens and the ability to produce active suppressor factors. 3) I-Jk products contributed by the AKR thymoma fusion partner are expressed by T cell hybridomas.     

Proteomic plasma membrane profiling reveals an essential role for gp96 in the cell surface expression of LDLR family members, including the LDL receptor and LRP6

The endoplasmic reticulum chaperone gp96 is required for the cell surface expression of a narrow range of proteins, including toll-like receptors (TLRs) and integrins. To identify a more comprehensive repertoire of proteins whose cell surface expression is dependent on gp96, we developed plasma membrane profiling (PMP), a technique that combines SILAC labeling with selective cell surface aminooxy-biotinylation. This approach allowed us to compare the relative abundance of plasma membrane (PM) proteins on gp96-deficient versus gp96-reconstituted murine pre-B cells. Analysis of unfractionated tryptic peptides initially identified 113 PM proteins, which extended to 706 PM proteins using peptide prefractionation. We confirmed a requirement for gp96 in the cell surface expression of certain TLRs and integrins and found a marked decrease in cell surface expression of four members of the extended LDL receptor family (LDLR, LRP6, Sorl1 and LRP8) in the absence of gp96. Other novel gp96 client proteins included CD180/Ly86, important in the B-cell response to lipopolysaccharide. We highlight common structural motifs in these client proteins that may be recognized by gp96, including the beta-propeller and leucine-rich repeat. This study therefore identifies the extended LDL receptor family as an important new family of proteins whose cell surface expression is regulated by gp96.     

Mediation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 binding by interaction of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans with the V3 region of envelope gp120-gp41.

The mechanism of heparan sulfate (HS)-mediated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) binding to and infection of T cells was investigated with a clone (H9h) of the T-cell line H9 selected on the basis of its high level of cell surface CD4 expression. Semiquantitative PCR analysis revealed that enzymatic removal of cell surface HS by heparitinase resulted in a reduction of the amount of HIV-1 DNA present in H9h cells 4 h after exposure to virus. Assays of the binding of recombinant envelope proteins to H9h cells demonstrated a structural requirement for an oligomeric form of gp120/gp41 for HS-dependent binding to the cell surface. The ability of the HIV-1 envelope to bind simultaneously to HS and CD4 was shown by immunoprecipitation of HS with either antienvelope or anti-CD4 antibodies from 35SO4(2-)-labeled H9h cells that had been incubated with soluble gp140. Soluble HS blocked the binding of monoclonal antibodies that recognize the V3 and C4 domains of the envelope protein to the surface of H9 cells chronically infected with HIV-1IIIB. The V3 domain was shown to be the major site of envelope-HS interaction by examining the effects of both antienvelope monoclonal antibodies and heparitinase on the binding of soluble gp140 to H9h cells.     

Cell surface targeting of heat shock protein gp96 induces dendritic cell maturation and antitumor immunity.

gp96 is a residential heat shock protein of the endoplasmic reticulum that has been implicated in the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) for the initiation of adaptive immunity. By genetic targeting of gp96 onto the cell surface, we demonstrate that direct access of gp96 to DCs induces their maturation, resulting in secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-12, and chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and up-regulation of the expression of MHC class I, MHC class II, CD80, CD86, and CD40. Furthermore, surface expression of gp96 on tumor cells renders them regressive via a T lymphocyte-dependent mechanism. This work reinforces the notion that gp96 is an endogenous DC activator and unveils that the context in which Ag is delivered to the immune system, in this case surface expression of gp96, has profound influence on immunity. It also establishes a principle of bridging innate and adaptive immunity for cancer immunotherapy by surface targeting of an intracellular heat shock protein.     

Lectin analysis of common glycoproteins detected on the surface of continuous microvascular endothelium in situ and in culture: identification of sialoglycoproteins

For many years, molecular interactions with vascular endothelium have been studied in vitro on cultured endothelial cells. Yet, it is clear that the different environmental conditions in vivo vs. in vitro may cause phenotypic drift and altered expression of cell surface molecules. In this study, we identify several endothelial surface proteins of similar apparent molecular mass by radioiodination of cultured microvascular cells and by intravascular radioiodination of rat heart endothelium in situ. The radioiodinated surface polypeptides detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) (followed by autoradiography) were subjected to lectin affinity chromatography in order to provide an additional screen for identifying common surface glycoproteins and a means for partial characterization of their glycans. With a battery of 18 lectins, seven major (gp140, gp120, gp100, gp85, gp75, gp60, gp47) and 6 minor (gp330, gp300, gp180, gp160, gp150, gp42) glycoproteins were identified on the cultured cells each with a different lectin binding profile. The lectin binding profiles of many endothelial glycoproteins in situ were similar to those of their counterparts in culture. A common set of seven major glycoproteins with the same apparent molecular masses was found in situ as well as in vitro. These common glycoproteins were characterized further using both sialidase digestion and sequential lectin affinity chromatography of cell lysates. Most of the glycoproteins appear to have both complex-type N-linked and O-linked glycans except for gp60 with only O-linked glycans, gp47 with only complex N-linked sugars, and gp42 with only simple N-linked sugars. A subset of sialoglycoproteins (gp140, gp120, gp100, gp60, gp47) was identified. One of them, gp120, is podocalyxin based on immunoprecipitation with specific antiserum and another one, gp60, is a recently identified albumin binding protein on the surface of cultured microvascular endothelial cells. This study shows that gp60 is indeed present on the surface of endothelium in situ and that it is a sialoglycoprotein with typical O-linked glycans. It is apparent that the continuous type of microvascular endothelium can indeed express in culture and in situ a common set of major glycoproteins.     

Differential expression of metastasis-associated cell surface glycoproteins and mRNA in a murine large cell lymphoma

A metastatic variant cell subline of the Abelson virus-transformed murine large lymphoma/lymphosarcoma RAW117 has been selected in vivo ten times for liver colonization. Highly metastatic subline RAW117-H10 forms greater than 200 times as many gross surface liver tumor nodules as the parental line RAW117-P. Analysis of cellular proteins and glycoproteins indicates reduced expression of murine Moloney leukemia virus-associated p15, p30, and gp70, and increased expression of a sialoglycoprotein, gp150, in the highly metastatic H10 cells. Northern analyses of oncogene expression suggested that mRNA of various oncogenes was expressed equally or not expressed in the RAW117 cells of differing metastatic potential. Differential gene expression was examined using a cDNA library of 17,600 clones established from poly A+ mRNA isolated from H10 cells. The cDNA library was screened by the colony hybridization technique using probes made from both RAW117-P and -H10 cells. Approximately 99.5% of these cDNA clones were expressed identically in P and H10 cells. Of the few differentially expressed cDNA clones (approx. 150/17,600), one-half of these were identified as Moloney leukemia virus sequences in a separate probing with a radiolabeled Moloney leukemia virus probe. The remainder of the differentially expressed mRNA detected by colony hybridization of the cDNA library were expressed at higher levels (approx. 1/6) or lower levels (approx. 1/3) in the highly metastatic H10 cells.