Transfer of isolated nuclei into protoplasts ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Cell nuclei were prepared from protoplasts of an adenine-requiring strain ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, then purified in a discontinuous sucrose gradient, and applied to protoplasts of a recipient strain auxotrophic for uracil, leucine, and histidine. The transfer of the isolated nuclei into protoplasts was induced with polyethylene glycol. The main products of nuclear transfer in young complemented colonies were heterokaryons giving rise to parental type spontaneuos segregants on nutritionally complete medium. After several passages in minimal medium, however, the prototrophic colonies consisted exclusively of stable heterozygous diploid cells.     

Cotransfer and phenotypic stabilisation of syntenic and asyntenic mink genes into mouse cells by chromosome-mediated gene transfer

Summary By means of metaphase chromosomes, the genes for mink thymidine kinase (TK) and hypoxanthine-phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) were transferred to mutant mouse cells, LMTK^-, A9 (HPRT^-) and teratocarcinoma cells, PCC4-aza 1 (HPRT^-). Eighteen colonies were isolated from LMTK^- (series A), 9 from A9 (series B) and none from PCC4-aza 1. The transformed clones contained mink TK or HPRT. Analysis of syntenic markers in series B demonstrated that one clone contained mink glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and the other alpha-galactosidase; in series A, nine clones contained mink galactokinase (GALK) and six mink aldolase C (ALDC). Analysis of 12 asyntenic markers located in ten mink chromosomes showed the presence of only aconitase-1 (ACON1) (the marker of mink chromosome 12) in three clones of series A. The clones lost mink ACON1 between the fifth to tenth passages. Cytogenetic analysis established the presence of a fragment of mink chromosome 8 in eight clones of series A, but not in series B. The clones of series A lost mink TK together with mink GALK and ALDC during back-selection; in B, back-selection retained mink G6PD. No stable TK⁺ phenotype was detected in clones with a visible fragment of mink chromosome 8. Stability analysis demonstrated that about half of the clones of series B have stable HPRT⁺ phenotype whereas only three clones of series A have stable TK⁺ phenotype. It is suggested that the recipient cells, LMTK^- and A9, differ in their competence for genetic transformation and integration of foreign genes.     

Electrophoretic mobility of mouse cells and homologous isolated nuclei

The electrophoretic mobilities of Ehrlich ascites, sarcoma 37 ascites, mouse liver cells and their isolated nuclei were measured under similar environmental conditions. No differences in mobility were detected between cells and homologous nuclei from the same cell population and it was concluded that their surface charge densities were probably the same. The effect of neuraminidase on Ehrlich ascites and liver cells and nuclei was also determined; neuraminidase reduced the mobility of Ehrlich ascites cell nuclei as well as cells. The reduction in mobility of cells and nuclei prepared by a sucrose method was the same; however, the reduction in mobility of citric acid prepared nuclei was less than that of citric acid treated cells. The reduction in mobility of both liver cells and nuclei was small or insignificant. It is suggested that although cells and nuclei have similar electrophoretic mobilities, possibly different groups contribute to their surface charge.     

Cotransfer of syntenic human genes into mouse cells using isolated metaphase chromosomes or cellular DNA

Summary Chromosome-mediated gene transfer (CMGT) of the human genes for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) and cytosol thymidine kinase (TK1) into HPRT deficient mouse A9 cells or TK deficient Swiss mouse 3T3TK^– cells was found to occur at frequencies at least one order of magnitude higher than DNA-mediated gene transfer (DMGT). The frequency of CMGT into 3T3TK^– cells was reduced by more than an order of magnitude by a posttreatment of the recipient cells with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). After CMGT, expression of the non-selected genes coding for galactokinase (GALK) and acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA), both syntenic with TK1, was observed in a number of transformants. From the pattern of cotransfer, a tentative gene ordering of CENTROMERE-GALK-TK1-GAA on human chromosome 17 was deduced. Chromosome-mediated cotransfer of X-linked human phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) with HPRT was observed in two out of 33 A9 transformants analysed. DNA-mediated cotransfer of a syntenic gene was only observed for GALK, cotransferred with TK1 in two out of 18 TK⁺ transformants of mouse LTK^– cells. Therefore, with murine cells as recipients of human donor genetic material, CMGT results in a higher frequency of transfer and a higher incidence of cotransfer of syntenic genes than DMGT using cellular DNA in the same cell system.     

Transfer of human globin genes to erythroleukemic mouse cells.

Thymidine kinase negative (TK-) Friend cells were transformed with recombinant molecules carrying human globin genes and the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA. Transformation frequencies of 1 transformant/microgram donor DNA/1 x 10(6) cells were obtained by standard procedures and this was increased 20- to 30-fold by treating recipient cells with dimethyl sulfoxide or glycerol. Transformed cell lines expressed thymidine kinase activity of viral origin as determined by its insensitivity to 0.2 mM dTTP and electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels. The physical status of donor DNA in the transformed cells was examined in Hirt precipitates and supernatants by Southern blot hybridization and spot hybridization techniques. This analysis showed that most donor sequences were present in a circular or concatenate configuration, but also was suggestive of some donor sequences being integrated into high molecular weight DNA. Expression of human globin genes and particularly the epsilon-globin gene in the transformed Friend cells was studied by Northern blot hybridization analysis.     

The RNA synthesizing capacity of nuclei isolated from cultured mouse cells.

Nuclei isolated from rapidly proliferating mouse L cells synthesize considerably more RNA than nuclei prepared from resting cells.     

Transfer of liposome encapsulated carboxyfluorescein to isolated nuclei

The interaction between phosphatidylcholine vesicles and isolated rat liver nuclei has been examined by studying the uptake of the fluorophore carboxyfluorescein. The kinetics of transfer of the dye, analyzed by flow cytofluorimetry with a Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS IV), indicate an efficient delivery to the nucleoplasm. The results reflect a liposome-nuclear membrane interaction which may contribute to the processes which underlie our previously described morphological and functional changes in isolated nuclei treated with phospholipids.     

Transcription of specific genes in isolated nuclei from HeLa cells in vitro.

Isolated HeLa cell nuclei were employed to catalyze the synthesis of RNA in vitro. In the presence of low concentrations of alpha-amanitin (1 mug/ml), used to suppress the formation heterogeneous nRNA, these nuclei synthesize RNA very efficiently for extended periods of time (at least 60 min) at an elongation rate of about seven nucleotides per second. The product, analyzed on sucrose density gradients and polyacrylamide gels was found to exist of two predominant size classes. Synthesis of the 45-S ribosomal precursor was completely resistant even to high concentrations of alpha-amanitin (150 mug/ml) and hence was catalyzed by enzyme A (or I). A limited degree of processing of the 45-S precursor occurred in vitro. In addition, a second RNA class of low molecular weight (4-8 S) was synthesized by HeLa cell nuclei in the presence of 1 mug/ml alpha-amanitin in vitro. Analysis on 8% polyacrylamide gels resolved the RNA into four distinct components. Their synthesis was resistant to low (1 mug/ml) but clearly sensitive to high (150 mug/ml) concentrations of alpha-amanitin. Consequently the synthesis of all these small-molecular-weight RNA species is catalyzed by RNA polymerase C (or III). For the assessment of the initiation frequency of the individual classes of RNA, a new technique was developed independent of labelling the 5' end of the RNA molecule with the gamma-phosphate of the initiating nucleotide. It employs the double labelling of an RNA molecule with two different isotopes added sequentially at different stages of completion of the chain. From the incorporation ratio of the two isotopes into a particular class of RNA, conclusions can be drawn concerning their initiation frequency. The results obtained have shown a high reinitiation frequency for the small-molecular-weight RNA species at all stages of the incubation reaction. In contrast, reinitiation of the 45-S precursor RNA occurs only to a limited extent in isolated HeLa cell nuclei in vitro.     

Transfer into the mouse of mast cells differentiated in vitro

A population of mast cells can be derived in vitro by culturing normal spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice with the factor Interleukin 3. These mast cells share the morphological and histochemical features of mast cells at different stages of maturation. We have labelled these in vitro produced mast cells with 111In-Ox and injected them i. v. into normal syngeneic mice. The localisation of labelled cells has been determined 24 and 96 hours after the injection in the spleen, thymus and lymph-nodes.     

Transfer of nitrogen fixation genes into Pseudomonas putida isolated from Finnish tundra soil

The plasmid pRD1 containing the nif genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae was transferred by conjugation from Escherichia coli to Pseudomonas putida isolated from the tundra soil. 6-Cyanopurine, acetylene reduction and immunological tests showed that the nif genes were not expressed in P. putida. Existence of the nif genes in P. putida transconjugants was detected by transferring them to E. coli C600, which does not fix nitrogen. Existence of the nif genes in E. coli C600 transconjugants was detected immunologically and by acetylene reduction tests.     

Transplantation of isolated nuclei into plant protoplasts

The uptake of isolated nuclei from Vicia hajastana Grossh. cells into protoplasts of an auxotrophic cell line of Datura innoxia P. Mill. was induced under the influence of polyethylene glycol and Ca²⁺ at pH 6.8. The frequency of nuclear uptake varied from 0.8 to 2.3% and that of the recovery of prototrophic clones from 10^-5 to 6·10^-4. The prototrophic nuclear fusion products following nuclear uptake could be rescued by initial culture of the protoplasts in non-selective conditions and by the subsequent use of feeder cell layers to support the growth of surviving colonies on a selective medium. The presence of Vicia genomic DNA in some prototrophic clones was confirmed by dot-blot hybridization using Datura and Vicia DNA probes. In certain transformed clones, the recovery of prototrophy was accompanied by the restoration of morphogenetic potential. Welldeveloped shoots typical of wild-type Datura could be regenerated employing an appropriate regeneration medium.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - PEG polyethylene glycol     

Three-dimensional positioning of genes in mouse cell nuclei

To understand the regulation of the genome, it is necessary to understand its three-dimensional organization in the nucleus. We investigated the positioning of eight gene loci on four different chromosomes, including the β-globin gene, in mouse embryonic stem cells and in in vitro differentiated macrophages by fluorescence in situ hybridization on structurally preserved nuclei, confocal microscopy, and 3D quantitative image analysis. We found that gene loci on the same chromosome can significantly differ from each other and from their chromosome territory in their average radial nuclear position. Radial distribution of a given gene locus can change significantly between cell types, excluding the possibility that positioning is determined solely by the DNA sequence. For the set of investigated gene loci, we found no relationship between radial distribution and local gene density, as it was described for human cell nuclei. We did find, however, correlation with other genomic properties such as GC content and certain repetitive elements such as long terminal repeats or long interspersed nuclear elements. Our results suggest that gene density itself is not a driving force in nuclear positioning. Instead, we propose that other genomic properties play a role in determining nuclear chromatin distribution. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Transfer of the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene from human cells to mouse cells by means of metaphase chromosomes.

Thymidine kinase (TK)-deficient human cells were infected with ultraviolet light-inactivated Herpes simplex virus type 1, and "transformed" cells that expressed Herpes TK activity were isolated. Purified metaphase chromosomes were isolated from the transformed human line and incubated with TK-deficient mouse cells. TK+ cells were selected, and it was shown that these cells were gene transferents which expressed Herpes TK activity, identical to that found in the transformed human cells. The gene transferents contained no intact human chromosomes. When removed from selective pressure, the gene transferents rapidly lost the TK+ phenotype. However, upon continued growth in nonselective medium, a subpopulation in which the TK+ phenotype had become more stabilized appeared. These results suggest that the Herpes gene for thymidine kinase has integrated into the genome of the HSV-transformed human cells and that it can be transferred to other cells by means of purified metaphase chromosomes.     

Expression of cloned immunoglobulin genes introduced into mouse L cells.

Functionally rearranged immunoglobulin heavy-chain (gamma 2b) and light-chain (lambda 1 and kappa) genes were introduced into mouse L tk- cells by co-transformation with the Herpes virus tk gene. Cloned cell lines were selected in HAT medium and tested for the presence of transfected immunoglobulin gene sequences by Southern blotting analysis. It was found that the gamma 2b gene was accurately transcribed at a low level in transfected mouse L cells and cytoplasmic gamma 2b, heavy-chain protein was detected by immunoprecipitation of cell extracts. Light-chain genes, on the other hand, were not accurately transcribed. Instead, lambda 1 or kappa RNA species were detected which were approximately 200 to 300 bases longer than the authentic mRNAs. These results suggest that the expression of rearranged heavy-chain and light-chain genes are controlled differently and that these differences can be seen in transfected, non-lymphoid cells.     

Introduction of mouse C epsilon genes into Cos-7 cells and fertilized mouse eggs

A fragment of the cloned gene for the mouse C epsilon chain, coding for the first, second, third, and fourth domains, has been coupled to the SV40 promotor region (pSV2-mC epsilon). About 50 copies of pSV2-mC epsilon or its PvuII-EcoRI fragments were introduced into Cos-7 cells. Expression of PvuII-EcoRI fragments of pSV2-mC epsilon was observed in about 50% of the Cos-7 cells by indirect fluorescence staining. However, no expression of circular pSV2-mC epsilon was observed. About 200 copies of linearized pSV2-mC epsilon with EcoRI were introduced into fertilized mouse eggs. Two of 78 mice born from these eggs had integrated mouse C epsilon genes. Mouse C epsilon gene was shown to be integrated in a tandem array and as intact structures without undergoing gross deletions or rearrangements, judged from the Southern blotting patterns from several restriction enzymes. The first transgenic mouse was mated to a normal male to examine whether mouse C epsilon gene were stably transmitted to progeny. Among 5 mice to which the C epsilon gene had been transmitted, one deleted 5 copies of this gene and another deleted one junction fragment, thus demonstrating relatively unstable transmission. No C epsilon mRNA was detected in the liver, kidney, brain, lung, skeletal muscle, heart, testis, or spleen of a transgenic mouse.     

Production of pyruvate by isolated mouse cumulus cells

Cumulus cells were isolated by hyaluronidase treatment of whole cumulus masses from superovulated, non-mated mice. The cells, in groups of approximately 200, were incubated for up to 4 h in 50 nl medium M2 at 37 degrees C, and serial 3-nl samples assayed for pyruvate using an ultramicrofluorescence technique. With 5.55 mM glucose, 23.3 mM lactate, or a mixture of the two substrates, the cumulus cells formed pyruvate at rates of 10.2, 9.6, and 8.9 fmol/cell/h, respectively. The concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, and lactate, as measured in 3-nl aliquots of rabbit oviduct fluid were 1.5 mM, 0.3 mM, and 3.7 mM, respectively. When incubated with 1 mM glucose and 3 mM lactate, mouse cumulus cells formed 7.5 fmol pyruvate/cell/h. The mean number of cumulus cells per ovum within a cumulus mass was 2,060. Intact cumulus masses from mated and non-mated superovulated mice, incubated with 1 mM glucose and 3 mM lactate, formed 22.6 and 23.3 pmol pyruvate/ovum/h, respectively. The results suggest that pyruvate production by cumulus cells may be important in supporting the nutrition of unfertilized and fertilized ova, and of spermatozoa, within the oviduct lumen.