De novo synthesis of NGF subunits in S-180 mouse sarcoma cell line

It is an accepted hypothesis that the nerve growth factor protein (NGF) plays an important role in the development of vertebrate sympathetic and sensory ganglia and has effects on some central neurons. The best known NGF species is that isolated from the mouse submaxillary gland, MSG-NGF. MSG-NGF can be isolated as a subunit containing protein, 7S-NGF, made up of three dissimilar subunits called alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF. Beta-NGF is the biologically active subunit and its synthesis in vivo and in vitro has been demonstrated. Less is known about the synthesis of the alpha- and gamma-NGF or the assembly of the subunits into the 7S complex. In order to develop a clonal model system for the study of NGF synthesis, processing and secretion, affinity chromatography techniques were applied to cell extracts of S180 mouse sarcoma, a cell line known to synthesize NGF. After incubating S180 cells in³⁵S-Methionine, cell extracts were exposed to antibody directed against alpha-NGF, gamma-NGF or beta-NGF covalently bound to Sepharose beads in order to elute and characterize the desired NGF subunits. Parallel experiments using immunoabsorbed [³⁵S]Methionine-beta-NGF were carried out in the presence or absence of excess NGF, in order to demonstrate the specificity of this procedure. Affinity chromatography with a substrate analogue to arginine ester bound to Sepharose beads was also used to isolate de novo synthesized gamma-NGF. We were able to show that the S180 line synthesized alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF indistiguishable from alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF isolated from mouse submaxillary gland in terms of antigenic and physicochemical properties, and biological and enzymatic activities. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that NGF is synthesized, assembled and secreted by a single cell type.Special Issue dedicated to Dr. E. M. Shooter and Dr. S. Varon.     

Loss and stabilization of amplified dihydrofolate reductase genes in mouse sarcoma S-180 cell lines.

We studied the loss and stabilization of dihydrofolate reductase genes in clones of a methotrexate-resistant murine S-180 cell line. These cells contained multiple copies of the dihydrofolate reductase gene which were associated with double minute chromosomes. The growth rate of these cells in the absence of methotrexate was inversely related to the degree of gene amplification (number of double minute chromosomes). Cells could both gain and lose genes as a result of an unequal distribution of double minute chromosomes into daughter cells at mitosis. The loss of amplified dihydrofolate reductase genes during growth in the absence of methotrexate resulted from the continual generation of cells containing lower numbers of double minute chromosomes. Because of the growth advantage of these cells, they became dominant in the population. We also studied an unstably resistant S-180 cell line (clone) that, after 3 years of continuous growth in methotrexate, generated cells containing stably amplified dihydrofolate reductase genes. These genes were present on one or more chromosomes, and they were retained in a stable state.     

Changes in fatty acyl chains of phospholipids induced by interferon in mouse sarcoma S-180 cells

S-180 mouse sarcoma cells exhibit antiviral and antiproliferative responses to mouse β interferon. The composition of cellular phospholipids was specifically altered as a result of treatment with interferon. The unsaturated fatty acid content of all of the major phospholipids was decreased, resulting in an increase in the relative proportions of the saturated acyl side chains. These changes can be prevented by anti-interferon antibody and they are not observed with human interferon.     

Evaluation of a xenogeneic VEGF vaccine in dogs with soft tissue sarcoma

Active immunization against pro-angiogenic growth factors or their receptors is an emerging strategy for controlling tumor growth and angiogenesis. Previous studies in rodent tumor models have indicated that immunization against xenogeneic growth factors is more likely to induce effective anti-tumor responses than immunization against the autologous growth factor. However, the effectiveness or safety of the xenogeneic vaccination approach has not been previously assessed in a clinically relevant outbred, spontaneous tumor model. Therefore, we investigated the safety and anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects of a xenogeneic vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) vaccine in pet dogs with spontaneous cancer. Nine dogs with soft tissue sarcoma were immunized with a recombinant human VEGF vaccine over a 16-week period. The effects of immunization on antibodies to human and canine VEGF, circulating VEGF concentrations, tumor microvessel density (MVD), and tumor growth were assessed. The xenogeneic VEGF vaccine was well-tolerated by all dogs and resulted in induction of humoral responses against both human and canine VEGF in animals that remained in the study long enough to receive multiple immunizations. Three of five multiply immunized dogs also experienced sustained decreases in circulating plasma VEGF concentrations and two dogs had a significant decrease in tumor MVD. The overall tumor response rate was 30% for all treated dogs in the study. We conclude therefore that a xenogeneic VEGF vaccine may be a safe and effective alternative means of controlling tumor growth and angiogenesis.     

CYTOKINETICS OF THE S-180 ASCITES TUMOR SYSTEM

The cytokinetics of the S-180 mouse ascites tumor system was determined on Days 2, 4, 6 and 9 of growth. Studies included volume tumor growth, per cent labeled mitoses curves, and repeated injections of tritiated thymidine. It was possible to extrapolate the cytokinetic compartment values to Day 0 of growth. Results indicate that the growth fraction of the S-180 system remains close to 1 throughout its growth, with progressive lengthening of G₁, S and G₂ times. Cell loss is minimal through 6 days but becomes significant thereafter. A theoretical growth curve constructed from cytokinetic values is similar to the actual volume growth curve.     

Coexistence of three major isoactins in a single sarcoma 180 cell

Actin in transformed sarcoma 180 cells is composed of the nonmuscle β and γ species and of a third, more acidic stable variant termed ζ. Two-dimensional peptide analysis shows that ζ is similar to β actin, differing in the mobility of only one tryptic peptide. Several lines of evidence indicate that ζ is not a modified β-actin species. This third actin species comprises 20% of the total labeled actin, has the same molecular weight as the β and γ actins and has a different mobility in isoelectric focusing gels from that of the known a actins from skeletal, cardiac and vascular smooth muscle. Like β and γ actin, ζ can be extracted with the actin depolymerizing factor from slime mold. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (isoelectric focusing) of the ³⁵S-methionine-labeled polypeptides synthesized by a single sarcoma 180 cell showed that all three major actin species coexist within the same cell. This analysis also showed for the first time the coexistence of α and β tubulin, vimentin, α actinin and three other polypeptides present in intermediate-filament-enriched cytoplast cytoskeletons (spots 12, 24 and 31). Determination of the ratio of γ plus β to ζ actin in different cytoskeletal preparations of intact and enucleated sarcoma 180 cells indicated that this actin species is not localized specifically to any of the major actin-containing structures preserved in the cytoskeletons.     

Characterization of acidic actin in mouse sarcoma 180 cells

Mouse sarcoma 180 cells have a polypeptide that has the same molecular weight as actin but it is more acidic than alpha-actin. Its tryptic peptide pattern on reversed-phase HPLC was very similar to that of beta + gamma-actin, an actin sample prepared by affinity chromatography on DNase I-Sepharose contained the acidic polypeptide, and monoclonal anti-actin antibody reacted with it; therefore, the polypeptide is considered an actin isoform. The mRNA for this variant actin was identified by analyzing the polypeptides translated in vitro, which indicated that the variant actin is not a post-translationally modified form of any known actin. The variant actin was not stained by polyclonal anti-gizzard actin antibody which reacts with gamma-cytoplasmic, alpha-smooth and gamma-smooth muscle actins, nor by polyclonal anti-skeletal muscle actin antibody which reacts with skeletal, cardiac and alpha-smooth muscle actins. These results suggest that this variant actin is related to beta-cytoplasmic actin or, is a novel species whose N-terminal amino acid sequence is not Glu-Glu-Glu.