Correlation between changes in intracellular level of cyclic AMP, activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, and the morphology of Chinese hamster ovary cells in culture.

The morphological conversion of Chinese hamster ovary cells induced by treatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP is correlated with increases in the intracellular level of cyclic AMP and the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. When cholera toxin is used to induce the increase in intracellular cyclic AMP, a similar correlation is obtained. Treatment of cells with prostaglandin E₁, which causes a transient increase in intracellular cyclic AMP and a transient activation of protein kinase activity, does not result in the morphology change. From these studies we conclude that a stable activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, which results from an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP, induces the morphological conversion of Chinese hamster ovary cells through phosphorylation of one or more cellular components.     

Cholera toxin treatment stimulates tumorigenicity of Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells.

Chinese hamster ovary cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus form tumors poorly in nude mice. Tumorigenicity was markedly stimulated by pretreatment of the cells with cholera toxin, which raises cyclic AMP levels and activates cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Increased tumorigenicity was manifested by a severalfold increase in the rate of tumor formation, as well as earlier appearance and more rapid growth of tumors. In contrast, spontaneously transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells showed decreased tumorigenicity after cholera toxin treatment. The activation of tumorigenic potential in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells by cholera toxin correlated with increased phosphorylation of the viral oncogene product pp60src and stimulation of its tyrosine kinase activity.     

Characterization of two adenosine 3':5'-phosphate-dependent protein kinase species from Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Chinese hamster ovary cells exhibit several characteristic morphological and physiological responses upon treatment with agents which increase the intracellular level of adenosine 3':5'-phosphate (cyclic AMP). To better understand the mechanism of these cyclic AMP-mediated responses, we separated two cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases (ATP:protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) (protein kinase I and protein kinase II) from the cytosol of Chinese hamster ovary cells by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and studied their properties. Protein kinase I is eluted at a lower salt concentration than protein kinase II and is stimulable to 10 times its basal catalytic activity, while protein kinase II is stimulable only 2-fold. Both kinases are completely dissociated by cyclic AMP and inhibited by specific cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. They have similar Km values for magnesium (approximately 1 mM), cyclic AMP (approximately 60 nM), and ATP (approximately 0.1 mM), and the dissociation constant (Kdis) for cyclic AMP (approximately 13 nM) is the same for both enzymes. However, they appear to have different substrate preferences and cyclic AMP-binding properties in that cyclic AMP bound to protein kinase II exchanges readily with free cyclic AMP, while that bound to protein kinase I is not exchangeable. The native enzymes have different sedimentation coefficients (6.4 S for protein kinase I and 4.8 S for protein kinase II), whereas those of the activated enzymes are the same (2.9--3.0 S). It appears that the two cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases which differ from each other in their regulatory subunits may play different roles in the mediation of cyclic AMP action in Chinese hamster ovary cells.     

Regulation of transglutaminase activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells

We have investigated the regulation of transglutaminase activity (epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine crosslinking enzyme) in Chinese hamster ovary cells in culture. We report that transglutaminase activity increases several-fold in CHO cells at maximum density in suspension culture. This increase cannot be explained by the presence of soluble regulators of the enzyme activity or the appearance of a new enzyme activity with a different affinity for substrate, but appears to be due to an increase in total enzyme activity. Treatment of CHO cells at low cell density with 8-bromo cyclic AMP results in a small increase (20--70%) in transglutaminase activity. By studying CHO mutants which have altered or absent cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinases, we have demonstrated that the effect of cyclic AMP on transglutaminase activity at low cell density is mediated by cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase. However, the protein kinase mutants show normal increases in transglutaminase activity at high cell density, indicating that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase does not mediate density-dependent changes in transglutaminase activity.     

Cyclic AMP treatment of Rous sarcoma virus-transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells increases phosphorylation of pp60src and increases pp60src kinase activity

Treatment of growing Rous sarcoma virus-transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells with the cyclic AMP analog 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-bromo-cyclic AMP) stimulates the incorporation of 32Pi into the viral transforming protein pp60src. Based on one-dimensional and two-dimensional peptide analysis and phosphoamino acid analysis, the increase is on a single phosphoserine residue at the NH2 terminus of the protein. The phosphate incorporation increases during the first 4 h of treatment. The pp60src kinase activity in extracts of cells treated with 8-bromo-cyclic AMP was stimulated about 2- to 3-fold. This stimulation of kinase activity increased during the first 3 h of treatment with 1 mM 8-bromo-cAMP and the activity was increased in both the soluble and particulate fraction of the cells. These results suggest that cyclic AMP can modulate the activity of pp60src in transformed cells.     

Regulation of transglutaminase activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells

We have investigated the regulation of transglutamine activity (-(γ-glutamyl)lysine crosslinking enzme) in Chinese hamster ovary cells in culture. We report that transglutaminase activity increases several-fold in CHO cells at maximum density in suspension culture. This increase cannot be explained by the presence of the soluble regulators of the enzyme activity or the appearance of a new enzyme activity with a different affinity for substrate, but appears to be due to an increase in total enzyme activity. Treatment of CHO cells at low cell density with 8-bromo cyclic AMP results in a small increase (20–70%) in transglutaminase activity. By studying CHO mutants which have altered or absent cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinases, we have demonstrated that the effect of cyclic AMP on transglutaminase activity at low cell density is mediated by cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase. However, the protein kinase mutants show normal increases in transglutaminase activity at high cell density, indicating that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase does not mediate density-dependent changes in transglutaminase activity.     

A recombinant foot-and-mouth disease virus antigen inhibits DNA replication and triggers the SOS response in Escherichia coli

Abstract The 3D gene of foot-and-mouth disease virus encodes the viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase, also called virus infection associated (VIA) antigen, which is the most important serological marker of virus infection. This 3D gene from a serotype Cl virus has been cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli under the control of the strong lambda lytic promoters. The resulting 51 kDa recombinant protein has been shown to be immunoreactive with sera from infected animals. After induction of gene expression, an immediate and dramatic arrest of cell DNA synthesis occurs, similar to that produced by genotoxic doses of the drug mitomycin C. This effect does not occur during the production of either a truncated VIA antigen or other related and non-related viral proteins. The inhibition of DNA replication results in a subsequent induction of the host SOS DNA-repair response and in an increase of the mutation frequency in the surviving cells.     

Prostacyclin receptor-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2

The prostacyclin mimetic cicaprost increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in Chinese hamster ovary cells transiently expressing human (hIP-CHO) or mouse prostacyclin (mIP-CHO) receptors, but not in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells or rat/mouse neuroblastoma-glioma NG108-15 cells which endogenously express IP receptors. Cicaprost stimulated ERK1/2 activity in hIP-CHO and mIP-CHO cells with EC50 values of 60 and 83 nM, respectively, and this response was significantly inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors and agents which elevate cyclic AMP. A poor correlation was discovered between the level of ERK1/2 activity and the ability of agents to increase or decrease cyclic AMP production. The potent inhibitory effect of 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine on cicaprost-stimulated phospho-ERK1/2 may be due to inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Therefore, IP receptor-mediated activation of ERK1/2 in CHO cells occurs through a Gq/11/protein kinase C-dependent and a phosphoinoside 3-kinase-dependent process which is insensitive to IP receptor-generated cyclic AMP.     

The effect of inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis on dibutyryl cyclic AMP mediated morphological transformations of Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro

Morphological transformation of cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-Kl) produced by the addition and removal of dibutyryl cyclic AMP plus testosterone are unaffected by inhibition of either RNA synthesis or protein synthesis.     

Polyoma virus and cyclic AMP-mediated control of dihydrofolate reductase mRNA abundance in methotrexate-resistant mouse fibroblasts.

As a model cell culture system for studying polyoma-mediated control of host gene expression, we isolated methotrexate-resistant 3T6 cells in which one of the virus-induced enzymes, dihydrofolate reductase, is a major cellular protein. In highly methotrexate-resistant cell lines dihydrofolate reductase synthesis accounts for over 10% that of soluble portein, corresponding to an increase of approximately 100-fold over the level in parental cells. This increase in dihydrofolate reductase synthesis is due to a corresponding increase in the abundance of dihydrofolate reductase mRNA and gene sequences. We have used these cells to show that infection with polyoma virus results in a 4- to 5-fold increase in the relative rate of dihydrofolate reductase synthesis and a corresponding increase in dihydrofolate reductase mRNA abundance. The increase in dihydrofolate reductase synthesis begins 15 to 20 h after infection and continues to increase until cell lysis. These observations represent the first direct evidence that viral infection of eukaryotic cells results in the increased synthesis of a specific cellular enzyme and an increase in the abundance of a specific cellular mRNA. In order to gain additional insight into the control of dihydrofolate reductase synthesis we examined other parameters affecting dihydrofolate reductase synthesis. We found that the addition of fresh serum to stationary phase cells results in a 2-fold stimulation of dihydrofolate reductase synthesis, beginning 10 to 12 h after serum addition. Serum stimulation of dihydrofolate reductase synthesis is completely inhibited by the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP as well as by theophylline or prostaglandin E1, compounds which cause an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP levels. In fact, the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline results in a 2- to 3-fold decrease in the rate of dihydrofolate reductase synthesis and the abundance of dihydrofolate reductase mRNA. However, in contrast to the effect on serum stimulation, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline do not inhibit polyoma virus induction of dihydrofolate reductase synthesis or dihydrofolate reductase mRNA levels. These observations suggest that dihydrofolate reductase gene expression is controlled by at least two regulatory pathways: one involving serum that is blocked by high levels of cyclic AMP and another involving polyoma induction that is not inhibited by cyclic AMP.     

In vivo activation of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-phosphate-dependent protein kinase in Chinese hamster ovary cells treated with N-6, O-2'-diburyl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-phosphate.

Treatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, which results in a net increase of the intracellular cyclic AMP level, converts the epithelial-like cells to a fibroblast-like shape. Protein kinase activity in cells treated with 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP show a 3-fold increase in V_max but no appreciable changes in the apparent K_m for ATP. When cells are treated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, there is a time-dependent conversion of cyclic AMP-stimulable protein kinase to cyclic AMP-independent catalytic subunits, as demonstrated by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. These experiments demonstrate the activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase $\text{in vivo}$. This activation may lead to phosphorylation of certain cellular constituent(s) and thus may be involved in the observed morphological transformation.     

The in vitro activation of cyclic AMP production by either forskolin or isoproterenol in the Syrian hamster pineal during the day is not accompanied by an increase in melatonin production

The role of cyclic AMP in the regulation of melatonin production was investigated in cultured Syrian hamster pineal glands. Forskolin markedly increased cyclic AMP production in pineal glands collected either late in the light period or in the dark period. The effect of forskolin was synergistically enhanced by 3-isobutylmethylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor; however, increase in cyclic AMP after isoproterenol was only apparent in the presence of 3-isobutylmethylxanthine. Since beta-adrenergic agonists are able to stimulate melatonin production late in the dark period only, these data suggest that, in the hamster pineal gland, there may be intracellular mechanisms in addition to a cyclic AMP increase required for induction of melatonin production by beta-adrenergic agonists.     

G1 specific increases in cyclic AMP levels and protein kinase activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Chinese hamster ovary cells were synchronized by selective detachment of cells in mitosis. The adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) intracellular concentrations and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activities were measured as these cells traversed G1 phase and entered S phase. Protein kinase activity, assayed in the presence or absence of saturating exogenous cyclic AMP in the reaction mixture, was lowest in early G1 phase (2 h after mitosis), increased 2-fold (plus exogenous cyclic AMP in reaction mixture) or 3.5-fold (minus cyclic AMP in reaction mixture) to maximum values in mid to late G1 phase (4-5 h after mitosis), and then decreased as cells entered S phase. Intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations were minimal 1 h after mitosis, increased 5-fold to maximum levels at 4-6 after mitosis, and decreased as cells entered S phase. Similar to the fluctuations in intracellular cyclic AMP, the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio increased more than 40% in late G1 or early S phase. Puromycin (either 10 mug/ml or 50 mug/ml) administered 1 h after mitosis inhibited cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity up to 50% by 5 h after mitosis, while similar treatment (10 mug/ml) had no effect on the increase in cyclic AMP formation. These data demonstrate that: (1) total protein kinase activity changed during G1 phase and this increase was dependent on new protein synthesis; (2) the increased intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP were not dependent on new protein synthesis; and (3) the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was temporally coordinated with increased intracellular concentration of cycli AMP as Chinese hamster ovary cells traversed G1 phase and entered S phase. These results suggest that cyclic AMP acts during G1 phase to regulate the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.     

A model of the binding, entry, uncoating, and RNA synthesis of Semliki Forest virus in baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells

A quantitative understanding of viral trafficking would be useful in treating viral-mediated diseases, designing protocols for viral gene therapy, and optimizing heterologous protein production. In this article, a model for the trafficking of Semliki Forest virus and its RNA synthesis in baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells is presented. This model includes the various steps leading to infection such as attachment, endocytosis, and viral fusion in the endosome. The model estimates a mean fusion time of 4 to 6 min for the wild-type virus, and 38 min for Fus-1, an SFV mutant which requires a lower pH for fusion. These mean fusion times are consistent with the time-scale of endosomal acidification, suggesting viruses fuse almost instantaneously with the endosomal membrane as soon as the pH of the endosome drops below the pH threshold of the virus. Infection is most likely controlled at the level of viral uncoating, as shown by the close agreement between the efficiency of uncoating and the experimentally determined fraction of viruses that is infectious. The viral RNA synthesized per cell is best described by assuming that it depends on the number of uncoated viruses prior to the onset of replication according to a saturation-type expression. A Poisson distribution is used to determine the distribution of uncoated viruses among the cells. Because attachment is the rate-limiting step in the uncoating of the virus, increasing the attachment rate can lead to enhanced RNA synthesis and, hence, new virion production. Such an increase in the attachment rate may be obtained by lowering the medium pH or the addition of a polycation. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mutation of glycine 49 to valine in the alpha subunit of GS results in the constitutive elevation of cyclic AMP synthesis

The G-protein GS couples hormone-activated receptors with adenylyl cyclase and stimulates increased cyclic AMP synthesis. Transient expression in COS-1 cells of cDNAs coding for the GS alpha-subunit (alpha S) or alpha S cDNAs having single amino acid mutations Gly49----Val or Gly225----Thr elevated cyclic AMP levels, resulting in the activation of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase. Stable expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells of alpha S Val49 cDNA resulted in a small constitutive elevation of cyclic AMP that was sufficient to persistently activate cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase activity 1.5-2-fold over basal activity. Stable expression of wild-type alpha S or alpha S Thr225 in Chinese hamster ovary cells was less effective in sustaining elevated cyclic AMP synthesis and kinase activation compared to alpha SVal49.     

Genetic structure, transforming sequence, and gene product of avian sarcoma virus UR1

We analyzed the genetic structure and gene products of the newly isolated avian sarcoma virus UR1, which recently has been shown to be replication defective and to contain no sequences homologous to the src gene of Rous sarcoma virus. The sizes of the genomic RNAs of UR1 and its associated helper virus, UR1AV, were determined to be 29S and 35S (5.9 and 8.5 kilobases), respectively, by gel electrophoresis and sucrose gradient sedimentation. RNase T1 oligonucleotide mapping of purified viral RNAs indicated that UR1 RNA contains eight unique oligonucleotides in the middle of the genome and shares four 5'-terminal and three 3'-terminal oligonucleotides with UR1AV RNA. The unique sequences of UR1 and Fujinami sarcoma virus were found to be closely related to each other by molecular hybridization of UR1 RNA with DNA complementary to the unique sequence of Fujinami sarcoma virus RNA, but minor differences were found by oligonucleotides fingerprinting. In the regions flanking the unique sequences, UR1 and Fujinami sarcoma viral RNAs contain distinct oligonucleotides, which are shared with oligonucleotides of the respective helper viral RNAs. Cell transformed with UR1 produce a single 29S RNA species which contains a UR1 unique sequence; this species is most likely the mRNA coding for the transforming protein. In UR1-transformed cells, a phosphoprotein fo 150,000 daltons (p150) was detected by immunoprecipitation with antiserum against gag proteins. p150 was associated with a protein kinase activity that was capable of phosphorylating p150 itself, immunoglobulin G of antiserum, and a soluble substrate, alpha-casein. This enzyme transferred phosphate exclusively to tyrosine residues of substrates in vitro, but p 150 labeled in vivo with 32P contained both phosphoserine and phosphotyrosine. The in vitro kinase reaction was not affected by the presence of cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP and strongly preferred Mn2+ over Mg2+. Thus, the properties of UR1 protein are almost identical to those of Fujinami sarcoma virus protein.