Cytoskeletal control of cell length regulation

It was shown that mouse embryo fibroblasts and human foreskin diploid fibroblasts of AGO 1523 line cultivated on specially prepared substrates with narrow (15 +/- 3 microns) linear adhesive strips were elongated and oriented along the strips, but the mean lengths of the fibroblasts of each type on the strips differed from those on the standard culture substrates. In contrast to the normal fibroblasts, the length of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with inactivated gene-suppresser Rb responsible for negative control of cell proliferation (MEF Rb-/-), ras-transformed mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF Rb-/-ras), or normal rat epitheliocytes of IAR2 line significantly exceeded those of the same cells on the standard culture substrates. The results of experiments with the drugs specifically affecting the cytoskeleton (colcemid and cytochalasin D) suggest that the constant mean length of normal fibroblasts is controlled by a dynamic equilibrium between two forces: centripetal tension of contractile actin-myosin microfilaments and centrifugal force generated by growing microtubules. This cytoskeletal mechanism is disturbed in MEF Rb-/- or MEF Rb-/-ras, probably, because of an impaired actin cytoskeleton and also in IAR2 epitheliocytes due to the different organization of the actin-myosin system in these cells, as compared to that in the fibroblasts.     

Sensitivity of the proliferation of normal and tumor cells to cytochalasin D

The effect of cytochalasin D, which is known to disrupt specifically actin cytoskeleton, on DNA replication was studied. The incubation of cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), cells of Balb/3T3 line and cells of minimally transformed clones 12 MC and 6 st/T CAK-7 line with cytochalasin D leads to inhibition of DNA synthesis. A complete inhibition of labeled index in MEF culture was observed after an 8 day incubation in cytochalasin D. Part of cells of clones 12 MC and 6 st/T were insensitive to cytochalasin D and continued to enter to S-phase even after a 10 day incubation. The transfer of cells into a fresh medium leads to a rapid restoration of DNA synthesis. Strongly transformed L cells were almost insensitive to cytochalasin D. Thus, the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton caused by cytochalasin D can inhibit the cycle of normal and minimally transformed cells. In the course of neoplastic progression, in the transformed cells there is a loss of dependence of cell proliferation on microfilament system.     

Availability of oncogene activated production system for mass production of light chain of human antibody in CHO cells

We previously established a ras-oncogene amplified Chinesehamster ovary (CHO) cell line, named ras clone I, as anuniversal host cell line for oncogene activated production(OAP) system to mass-produce recombinant protein by activationof the cytomegalovirus immediate early (CMV) promoter with ras protein. The light chain(C5) of human monoclonal antibody HB4C5 is expected tobe potentially useful for lung cancer targeting. We generated aC5 hyper-producing cell line by transfecting ras cloneI with the C5 gene expression plasmid regulated by theCMV promoter, of which productivity was 5.3 times greater thanthe hyper productive CHO cell line generated by using conventional CHO cells. Introduction of the adenovirus E1A geneinto the hyper-producing cell line derived from ras clone I resulted in further 9.5 times enhancement of the productivity,suggesting the synergistic effect of E1A and ras oncogenes on the recombinant protein production driven by the CMV promoter. In addition, intracellular accumulation of C5 andupregulation of BiP was found in hyper-producing cell lineswhich were introduced E1A and ras oncogene. This resultsuggests that excessive intracellular accumulation ofC5 protein, which might be caused by that the amount of produced C5 in ER is beyond the ability of CHO cells to secrete, might signal the BiP promoter. Our data imply that ras clone I is available as a general host cell for establishing the recombinant protein hyper-producing CHOcells by the OAP system, and suggest that further mass production of recombinant proteins in the OAP system can be possible by clarifying the accurate role of upregulated BiP protein.     

Assignment of the gene for cystathionine β-synthase to human chromosome 21 in somatic cell hybrids

Summary Among several established mouse, rat, and Chinese hamster cell lines that were screened for cystathionine -synthase (CBS) activity, mouse 3T3 and Chinese hamster Don fibroblasts were found to contain no detectable activity. Somatic cell hybrids between human fibroblasts KG-7 with normal CBS activity and Don/a23TK^- cells (series XXI) were examined for CBS activity and for human chromosome content. Only chromosome 21 cosegregated with CBS activity. Because the activities measured could represent either Chinese hamster or human gene products, we have prepared a new series of hybrids between Don/a23TK^- cells and mutant human fibroblasts from a patient with homocystinuria due to deficiency of functional CBS mRNA. None of these (series XXV) hybrids contained detectable CBS activity, although collectively all human chromosomes were represented. Our results suggest that the human gene for CBS, called CBS, and thus for the most common form of homocystinuria, is located on chromosome 21.     

Derivation and maintenance of human embryonic stem cell line on human adult skin fibroblast feeder cells in serum replacement medium

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells were originally isolated and maintained on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder layers in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, if the hES cells are to be used for therapeutic applications, it is preferable to regulatory authorities that they be derived and cultured in animal-free conditions to prevent mouse antigen contamination that would exacerbate an immune response to foreign proteins, and the potential risk of transmission of retroviral and other zoonotic pathogens to humans. As a step towards this goal, we derived a new hES cell line (MISCES-01) on human adult skin fibroblasts as feeder cells using serum replacement (SR) medium. The MISCES-01 cells have a normal diploid karyotype (46XX), express markers of pluripotency (OCT4, GCTM-2, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, and alkaline phosphatase) and following in vitro and in vivo differentiation, give rise to derivatives of the three primary germ layers. This cell line can be obtained for research purposes from the Australian Stem Cell Centre (http://www.stemcellcentre.edu.au).     

Normal and transformed fibroblast spreading: Role of microfilament polymerization and actin-myosin contractility

The polymerization of microfilaments and their subsequent rearrangements under the control of actin-myosin interactions are two major processes that underlie the morphogenetic reactions of cells. We studied their role in the spreading of normal and transformed REF52tetRas fibroblasts with adjustable ras-oncogene expression. Treatment with inhibitors of cell contractility (Y27632 or blebbistatin) led to the disappearance of actin bundles and focal adhesions; however, pseudopodial activity in both normal and transformed cells remained high. Under these conditions, spreading was more accelerated in normal cells then in ras-transformed cells. In normal cells treated with low concentrations of latrunculin A actin polymerization was suppressed, stress fibers and focal adhesions were preserved, but lamellipodial activity was lost and spreading was dramatically inhibited. In transformed fibroblasts treated with low doses of latrunculin, actin bundles and focal adhesions almost disappeared, but pseudopodial activity was apparent and spreading was less suppressed. Therefore, the most significant process in the regulation of cell spreading and polarization is the microfilament polymerization at the leading edge. ras-Transformed cells are less sensitive to inhibitors that affecting the cytoskeletal structure than nontransformed cells. Possible mechanisms that underlie the difference are discussed.     

Protein Kinase Activities Associated with Actin Cytoskeleton in Xenopus laevis Oocytes and Eggs

Protein phosphorylation with specific protein kinases plays the key role in the regulation of meiotic maturation of oocytes. However, little is known about the contribution of kinases to the temporal and positional regulation of the cytoskeleton rearrangement in maturing oocytes, including the actin cytoskeleton. In order to study a relationship between the kinase activities and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, we analyzed protein phosphorylation in the isolated actin cytoskeleton of Xenopus laevis oocytes. Analysis of the full grown oocytes and eggs injected with [-³²P]ATP has revealed phosphorylation of many proteins associated with the actin cytoskeleton and shown the appearance of three additional major phosphoproteins, 20, 43, and 69 kDa, during oocyte maturation. A significant number of these phosphoproteins were also found after incubation of the isolated cytoskeleton with [-³²P]ATP in vitro, thus confirming that the kinases modifying these substrates are also specifically associated with actin. The in vivo and in vitro kinase activities were also stimulated during maturation. Analysis of kinase self-phosphorylation in situ and protein phosphorylation in solutions and substrate containing gels revealed a set of actin-associated kinases, including cAMP- and Ca²⁺-dependent kinases, as well as MAP, p34^cdc2, and tyrosine kinase activities. Their level was the highest in the eggs. The involvement of kinases in the actin cytoskeleton rearrangement during oocyte maturation is discussed.     

Modulation of HERG channel inactivation by external cations

We investigated the effect of external cations on the permeability characteristics and gating kinetics of the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG) current using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Inward HERG currents were recorded on hyperpolarization in 140 mM external Cs⁺ and Rb⁺, as well as K⁺. The permeability ratios of Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ relative to K⁺ were 1.25 and 0.56, respectively. Biphasic outward currents were recorded on depolarization in 140 mM Cs⁺ and in Rb⁺ with much smaller amplitude. The voltage dependence of inactivation was affected by external cations, such that the half-inactivation voltage shifted from –69.4±3.7 mV in K⁺ to –30.7±1.6 mV in Cs⁺ and to –35.8±1.9 mV in Rb⁺ (n=5). The time constants of inactivation were also changed significantly by external cations; of inactivation at +40 mV was 16.4±2.2 ms in 140 mM K⁺, 181±20.3 ms in Cs⁺, and 94.1±7.6 ms in Rb⁺ (n=5). Voltage dependence of activation was not altered significantly. The inhibition of the rapid inactivation mechanism by large cations may suggest that the foot-in-the-door model of gating is involved in HERG channel inactivation.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞在六种培养体系的培养观察

目的　观察小鼠胚胎干细胞在六种培养体系中的生长情况。方法　小鼠胚胎干细胞 (ESD3细胞株 )在以下六种培养体系中培养 :1 .原代小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞 (MEF)有血清培养 ,2 .MEF无血清培养 ,3.SNL细胞有血清培养 ,4.LIF(白血病抑制因子 )有血清无饲养层培养 ,5.LIF无血清无饲养层培养 ,6.大鼠肝细胞 (BRL)条件培养基培养。经体外培养 1 0代后 ,观察其克隆形态 ,同时进行碱性磷酸酶检测并将ES细胞接种于裸小鼠皮下 ,观察ESD3的未分化状态和多潜能性。结果　六种培养体系培养的ESD3具有典型的ES细胞克隆形态 :巢状 (集落状 )隆起生长 ,边缘清楚 ,表面平滑 ,结构致密 ;AKP强阳性 ;裸小鼠体内形成了由多种组织构成的畸胎瘤。结论　六种培养体系均能支持ESD3生长 ,并能保持其未分化性和多潜能性 ,为ES细胞的应用研究奠定了良好的基础。     

From MEFs to Matrigel 2: Splitting hESCs from MEFs onto Matrigel

This video demonstrates how to grow human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cells, how to passage hESCs from MEF plates to feeder cell-free Matrigel plates. Download video file.^{(134M, mov)}     

Rb-dependent cellular senescence,multinucleation and susceptibility to oncogenic transformation through PKC scaffolding by SSeCKS/AKAP12

A subset of AKAPs (A Kinase Anchoring Proteins) regulate signaling and cytoskeletal pathways through the spaciotemporal scaffolding of multiple protein kinases (PK), such as PKC and PKA, and associations with the plasma membrane and the actin-based cytoskeleton. SSeCKS/Gravin/Akap12 expression is severely downregulated in many advanced cancers and exhibits tumor- and metastasis-suppressing activity. akap12-null (KO) mice develop prostatic hyperplasia with focal dysplasia, but the precise mechanism how Akap12 prevents oncogenic progression remains unclear. Here, we show that KO mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) exhibit premature senescence marked by polyploidy and multinucleation, and by increased susceptibility to oncogenic transformation. Although p53 and Rb pathways are activated in the absence of Akap12, senescence is dependent on Rb. Senescence is driven by the activation of PKCα, which induces p16^Ink4a/Rb through a MEK-dependent downregulation of Id1, and PKCδ, which downregulates Lats1/Warts, a mitotic exit network kinase required for cytokinesis. Our data strongly suggest that Akap12 controls Rb-mediated cell aging and oncogenic progression by directly scaffolding and attenuating PKCα/δ.Key words: SSeCKS/Akap12, PKC, senescence, MEF, Rb, Lats1/Warts, p16^Ink4a, Id1, polyploidy, binucleation     

Studies on the iodination of aras protein and the detection ofras polymers

Several methods for the iodination of recombinant v-H-ras protein were compared. The Iodobead method gave greates incorporation of radioactivity with minimal modification of theras protein. Upon treatment of theras protein with [¹²⁵I] Nal and an Iodobead, radioactivity was initially incorporated into a 22 kDa species with a pl of 5.2, then predominantly into a 23 kDa species with a pl of 5.4. The specific activity of [¹²⁵I]ras was 6×10⁶ cpm/pmol totalras protein. Iondination did not alter the biological activity of theras protein as judged by its ability to bind GTPS and induced maturation ofXenopus laevis oocytes. It is concluded that while iodination alters the apparent molecular weight and pI ofras, presumably by the oxidation of one or more classes of amino acids, this does not affect the biological function of the protein. Theras protein, radioactively-labelled with iodine using the Iodobead method, should be suitable for studies of protein-protein interactions involvingras. Treatment of iodinatedras with the chemical cross-linking agent disuccinimidyl suberate revealed the presence of several minor high molecular weight protein species. This result shows that, in a dilute solution of purifiedras protein, the monomeric form is in equilibrium with small amounts of polymeric forms.Abbreviations DSS Disuccinimidyl Suberate - GTPS Guanosine 5-[-thio] triphosphate - ATPS Adenosine 5[-thio] Triphosphate     

Detection of a 65 kDaras binding protein in rat and sheep brain cytosol using a chemical cross linking agent

The ability of aras protein to associate with proteins present in rat brain cytosolin vitro was investigated using chemical cross-linking agents and the¹²⁵I-labelled v-H-ras protein. Two iodinated protein complexes with apparent molecular weights of 40 and 85 kDa were observed when a mixture of rat brain cytosol and [¹²⁵I]ras was treated with the cross-linking agent disuccinimidyl suberate and subjected to SDS-PAGE. Formation of the [¹²⁵I] 85 kDa complex was enhanced by a high concentration of EDTA while generation of the 40 kDa species was abolished by this treatment. Formation of the [¹²⁵I] 85 kDa complex was inhibited by unlabelledras protein, GTP, GTPS, and GDP but not by ATPS and GMP.Chromatography of the cross-linked brain cytosol-[¹²⁵I]ras mixture on DEAE cellulose partially resolved the [¹²⁵I] 85 kDa complex from the [¹²⁵I]ras protein. The [¹²⁵I] 85 kDa complex (formed using ethyleneglycolbis (succinimidylsuccinate) as the cross-linking agent) could be immunoprecipitated using a rabbit anti-ras polyclonal antibody. Treatment of the immunoprecipitate with hydroxylamine to cleave the cross-link yielded [¹²⁵I]-labelledras. A substantial enrichment of the proportion of the [¹²⁵I] 85 kDa complex in the cross-linked extract was achieved by preparative SDS-PAGE. It is concluded that thein vitro chemical cross-linking approach employed here has detected tworas binding proteins in rat brain cytosol: a 65 kDa heat-sensitive and a 20 kDa heat-stable protein. The possibility that the 65 kDaras binding protein is aras regulatory orras effector protein which has not so far been characterised is briefly discussed.Abbreviations DSS disuccinimidyl suberate - EGS ethyleneglycolbis (succinimidylsuccinate) - GTPS guanosine 5-[-thio] triphosphate - ATPS adenosine 5-[-thio] triphosphate     

Differential response of human and rodent cell lines to chemical inhibition of the repair of potentially lethal damage

Summary We have examined the effects of several classes of metabolic inhibitors on the repair of potentially lethal damage in density-inhibited cultures of two rodent and two human cell systems which differ in their growth characteristics. Aphidicolin, 1--d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) and hydroxyurea showed no effect on PLD repair, whereas the effects of 9--d-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A) and 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) were cell line dependent. For example, 3-AB suppressed PLD repair almost completely in CHO cells, but showed no inhibitory effects in human diploid fibroblasts. These results indicate that inhibitors of DNA replication and poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis are not efficient inhibitors of cellular recovery in irradiated cells and, moreover, that such effects may be cell line dependent.