Cis effect of the type 5 adenovirus E1A gene enhancer element on cellular transformation

Mutants of type 5 adenovirus that lack all or part of the early region 1A (E1A) gene enhancer element transform rodent embryo fibroblast (CREF) cells at higher efficiencies than wild-type virus. An analysis of viral E1A cytoplasmic mRNA levels in mutant and wild-type virus-infected CREF cells revealed no differences in the levels of the E1A mRNAs. This implies that a decrease in the rate of viral E1A gene expression was not responsible for the transforming properties of the enhancer-less viruses. Unlike wild-type virus, however, the mutant viruses were able to replicate their genomes in the normally nonpermissive CREF cells. This change in viral DNA template concentration further resulted in an increase in early gene mRNA concentrations in mutant-virus-infected CREF cells. These studies suggest several possible mechanisms that could be responsible for the increased transforming potentials of these viruses, including 1) a cis effect of removing the viral E1A enhancer element on the efficiency of viral DNA integration, 2) viral DNA replication, or 3) an increase in the levels of the viral E1A and E1B mRNAs owing to viral DNA replication in the virus-infected CREF cells.     

Chromosomal rearrangements and their role in spontaneous immortalization and transformation of rat embryo cells in vitro

Peculiarities of chromosomal rearrangements were studied in cells of the spontaneously immortalized LRec-1 and LRec-3 lines derived from rat embryo fibroblasts, as well as in LRec-1k clone cells and LRec-1sf line cells with autocrine regulation of proliferation at various cell transformation stages. The lines were obtained from rat embryo fibroblasts by cloning during rapid aging of the cultures. Using the G-banding of chromosomes, it was shown that in the process of transformation, cells of the LRec-1 and LRec-3 lines as well as of LRec-1sf maintained diploidy and specific clonal rearrangements of chromosomes 7 and 19, which were revealed earlier at the immortalization stage. In the LRec-1 cells, new clonal rearrangements of chromosomes 10 and 20 were observed, while rearrangements of chromosomes 1, 2, 11, 15, 18, and 19 were observed in the LRec-1sf cells. In the LRec-3 cells, as well as in cells of the LRec-1k clone, new chromosome rearrangements were absent. Loci involved in chromosomal rearrangements were compared with the genes located in them according to RATMAP data. The role of rearrangements of chromosomes 7 and 19 in the immortalization and malignant transformation of embryo fibroblasts is discussed, as well as the roles of other chromosomes during acquisition of the specific signs of the transformed phenotype by the LRec-1 and LRec-1sf cells.     

The nucleotide sequence of the right-hand terminus of adenovirus type 5 DNA: implications for the mechanism of DNA replication.

The nucleotide sequence of the right-hand terminal 3% of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) DNA has been determined, using the chemical degradation technique developed by Maxam and Gilbert (1977). This region of the genome comprises the 1003 basepair long HindIII-I fragment and the first 75 nucleotides of the adjacent HindIII-F fragment, extending from the right-hand terminus to the sequences from which the main body of the mRNA of early region 4 is transcribed. One of the origins of adenovirus DNA replication is located within this part of the genome. The sequencing results are discussed in relation to several models proposed for the mechanism of replication of linear DNA molecules, which invariably depend on the presence of specific arrangements of nucleotides at the termini of those linear DNAs.     

The nucleotide sequence of the polypeptide IX gene of human adenovirus type 3

The nucleotide sequence of the DNA segment encompassing the polypeptide IX gene of class B human adeno-virus serotype 3 (Ad3) has been determined using cloned restriction fragments. There is only a single, open translational reading frame capable of specifying a protein of 138 amino acids, comparable to the M_r 12000–13000 of protein IX detected in virions (Wadell, 1980). The corresponding region of a closely related class B virus, Ad7, is virtually identical (Dijkema et al., 1981), but the comparable segments of class C viruses Ad2 or Ad5 are much less homologous (Aleström et al., 1980; Maat et al., 1980). There are 150 single bp changes and 19 deletion-insertions, at least one frameshift, together affecting 210 nucleotides within the 455 bp comparison positions of the protein-coding regions of Ad2 (423 bp) and Ad3 (417 bp). Each of the 19 deletion-insertions involves an integral multiple of 3 bp in phase with the open translation frame. There is no “TATA” promoter box in Ad3 DNA at the position comparable to that of Ad2. The deduced protein sequences near the amino-terminus are extensively conserved between the two classes of viruses, but the carboxy-terminal portion and the nucleotide sequences flanking the gene are much more diverged. In both classes, these N- and C-terminal regions of the inferred proteins are linked by an alanine-rich chain, an arrangement suggestive of two functional domains.     

Reduced microfilament organization in adenovirus type 5-infected rat embryo cells: a function of early region 1a.

The actin microfilament organization in rat embryo cells was examined by fluorescence microscopy with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-phallacidin and by electron microscopy, after mock infection or infection with adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). Infected cells showed severely reduced numbers of actin microfilaments and stress fibers, detectable early after infection. Mutants defective in Ad5 early genes were used to show that reduced microfilament organization was a function of the Ad5 transformation early gene 1a (E1a) and did not require expression of any other viral gene. The product of the E1a 13s mRNA was essential for the effect, although the 12s mRNA product appeared to contribute. Ad5 infection of the cells had no observable effect on total cell actin levels or on the ratio of monomeric to polymeric actin. E1a, therefore, affected only the higher-order organization of actin.     

Alterations in cellular phenotype induced by the type 5 adenovirus E1A and the beta 1 protein kinase C genes in cloned rat embryo fibroblast cells.

The E1A gene of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) induces morphological transformation and anchorage-independent growth in cloned rat embryo fibroblast (CREF) cells. In contrast, CREF cells transfected with a beta 1 protein kinase C (PKC) gene and expressing low-levels of beta 1 PKC display a CREF-like morphology and do not form colonies when grown in agar. The combination of Ad5 E1A and low-level beta 1 PKC expression in the same CREF cell line results in an enhanced ability to grow when suspended in agar. In Ad5 E1A and Ad5 E1A + low-level beta 1 PKC expressing CREF clones, the tumor promoting agent 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) further enhances anchorage-independence. In contrast, TPA does not induce CREF cells or transfected CREF cells expressing low-levels of beta 1 PKC to grow in agar. Low-level beta 1 PKC expression in transfected CREF cells is associated with a modest 1.2 to 1.6-fold increase in binding of [3H]-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) and only a 2.3-fold increase in PKC enzymatic activity. In contrast, specific beta 1 PKC-retroviral vector transformed CREF clones (CREF-RV-PKC) display higher levels of PKC mRNA, PDBu binding and PKC enzymatic activity. A majority of CREF-RV-PKC clones exhibit a transformed morphology and grow more rapidly in monolayer culture, form macroscopic colonies in agar in the absence of TPA and in many independent clones TPA further enhances anchorage-independent growth. This effect is not directly related to the level of enhanced [3H]-PDBu binding. The present study indicates that the effect of beta 1 PKC on cellular phenotype in immortal rat embryo cells is complex and is affected by its mode of insertion into CREF cells, i.e. transfection versus retroviral insertion. In addition, the combination of a transfected Ad5 E1A and a beta 1 PKC gene in the same CREF clone results in an enhanced expression of the transformed phenotype in both the absence and presence of TPA.     

The nucleotide sequence of the transforming HindIII-G fragment of adenovirus type 5 DNA. The region between map positions 4.5 (HpaI site) and 8.0 (HindIII site).

The nucleotide sequence of the region between map positions 4.5 (HpaI-site) and 8.0 (HindIII-site) of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) DNA has been determined. This stretch of DNA is part of the transforming HindIII-G fragment, which is 2809 nucleotides long. The sequenced segment was found to have a long open reading frame for protein biosynthesis, starting 23 nucleotides from the HpaI site and extending all the way to the HindIII-G site, which could code for a protein of at least 44 000 daltons. The possible correlation beteen the coding capacity of the HindIII-G fragment and the "transforming" proteins specified by it will be discussed in the light of the recent data on the splicing of early mRNAs.     

The nucleotide sequence of adenovirus type 5 early region E1: the region between map positions 8.0 (HindIII site) and 11.8 (SmaI site)

The nucleotide sequence of the region between map positions 8.0 (HindIII site) and 11.8 (SmaI site) of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) has been determined. Together with the sequences reported earlier (Van Ormondt et al., 1978; Maat and Van Ormondt, 1979) it encompasses the entire leftmost early region E1 of Ad5 DNA (4126 base pairs). The total sequence revealed a number of potential regulatory signals (promoter sites, ribosome binding sites, 3'-poly(A)-associated sequences), which confirm that region E1 is divided into subregions, E1a and E1b, and a region coding for semi-late viral protein IX. By taking into account the adenovirus 2 (Ad2) RNA-splicing data of Perricaudet et al. (1979; 1980) and the Ad2 RNA mapping data of Chow et al. (1979) we predict that E1a codes for polypeptides of 32, 26 and ca. 13 kd, and subregion E1b for polypeptides of 67 kd and 20 kd; the expected molecular weight of protein IX is 14.4 kd.     

Phenotypic changes and gene expression in human colon mucosal epithelial cells upon transfection of a SV40 DNA-GPT recombinant

Summary Phenotypic changes (increased longevity, decreased growth factor requirements, altered cell surface features, growth in semisolid agarose, and SV40 T antigen expression) suggesting in vitro transformation were displayed by human normal colon mucosal epithelial cells transfected with pSV3gpt, a pBR322 recombinant containing the SV40 “early” T antigen coding region and the dominant selectable marker bacterial gene, xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. In contrast, control cultures which received neither DNA nor the recombinatn pSV2gpt (which is identical to pSV3gpt but lacks the SV40 T antigen region) were not phenotypically altered.     

Structure of the amplified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase gene in glyphosate-resistant carrot cells

The structure of amplified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) DNA of carrot suspension-cultured cell lines selected for glyphosate resistance was analyzed to determine the mechanism of gene amplification in this plant system. Southern hybridization of the amplified DNA digested with several restriction enzymes probed with a petunia EPSPS cDNA clone showed that there were differences in fragment sizes in the amplified DNA from one highly resistant cell line in comparison with the parental line. Cloning of the EPSPS gene and 5 flanking sequences was carried out and two different DNA structures were revealed. A 13 kb clone contained only one copy of the EPSPS gene while a 16 kb clone contained an inverted duplication of the gene. Southern blot analysis with a carrot DNA probe showed that only the uninverted repeated DNA structure was present in all of the cell lines during the selection process and the inverted repeat (IR) was present only in highly amplified DNA. The two structures were present in about equal amounts in the highly amplified line, TC 35G, where the EPSPS gene was amplified about 25-fold. The presence of the inverted repeat (IR) was further verified by resistance to S1 nuclease hydrolysis after denaturation and rapid renaturation, showing foldback DNA with the IR length being 9.5 kb. The junction was also sequenced. Mapping of the clones showed that the size of the amplified carrot EPSPS gene itself is about 3.5 kb. This is the first report of an IR in amplified DNA of a target enzyme gene in selected plant cells.     

抗H5N1病毒嵌合IgA抗体基因的构建及其在CHO细胞中的表达

为了表达具有中和活性的抗禽流感H5N1病毒人-鼠嵌合IgA抗体,采用RT-PCR法克隆具有中和活性的抗禽流感H5N1-HA鼠源单克隆抗体的轻重链可变区基因及相应的信号肽编码序列,分别与人免疫球蛋白IgA2重链恒定区、Kappa恒定区基因拼接,构建表达质粒pEF-IGHA9和pEF-IGK9,共转染二氢叶酸还原酶缺陷型CHO(CHO-dhfr-)细胞,用ELISA检测培养上清中嵌合IgA抗体的表达,对纯化的嵌合抗体进行SDS-PAGE、Western blotting印迹分析。结果成功地在CHO细胞中表达了抗禽流感H5N1病毒人-鼠嵌合IgA抗体,为制备抗H5N1重组分泌型IgA预防性抗体制剂奠定了良好的基础。     

The relationship between region E1a and E1b of human adenoviruses in cell transformation

Baby rat kidney (BRK) cells were transfected either with intact region E1 DNA of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) or with mixtures of DNA fragments containing the separated E1a and E1b regions. The results showed that mixtures of regions E1a and E1b transform with a similar efficiency as intact region E1. DNA fragments containing region E1b alone have no detectable transforming activity in primary BRK cells nor in established rat cell lines. When region E1a and Ad5 was combined with region E1b and Ad12 complete transformation was also obtained. Characterization of the cell lines transformed by separated E1a and E1b regions have led to the following conclusions: (1) Expression of region E1b is not dependent on specific linkage to region E1a as it occurs in the intact E1 region. (2) Region E1b is normally expressed into the corresponding major adenovirus T antigens (65,000 and 19,000 Mr with region E1b of Ad5; 60,000 and 19,000 Mr with E1b or AD12). (3) Region E1b of Ad12 can be activated by region E1a of Ad5 indicating that the Ela regions of both serotypes are functionally similar in transformation. (4) Cell lines containing region E1b of Ad5 are weakly oncogenic in nude mice whereas cells containing E1b of Ad12 are highly oncogenic in nude mice, indicating that the degree of oncogenicity is determined by region E1b.     

Induction of the cell cycle in baby rat kidney cells by adenovirus type 5 E1A in the absence of E1B and a possible influence of p53.

From previous studies on the induction of DNA synthesis in quiescent primary baby rat kidney cells by adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) E1A deletion mutants, we concluded that induction is prevented only when cellular proteins p300 and pRb are both uncomplexed with E1A (J.A. Howe, J.S. Mymryk, C. Egan, P.E. Branton, and S.T. Bayley, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:5883-5887, 1990). We have now examined induction by these same mutants in virus lacking the E1B region, so that cellular p53 was no longer complexed to the E1B 55-kDa protein. E1A mutants that fail to bind pRb induced DNA synthesis at a significantly lower level in Ad5 lacking E1B than in Ad5 containing E1B. Apparently, therefore, uncomplexed p53 can partially replace p300 in cooperating with pRb to suppress DNA synthesis in baby rat kidney cells.