Purification and properties of mouse thymus thymidylate synthase. Comparison of the enzyme from mammalian normal and tumour tissues

Mouse thymus thymidylate synthase has been purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity and compared with the enzyme from mouse tumour L1210 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. The enzyme is a dimer composed of 35,000 mol. wt monomers. Mouse thymus and tumour enzymes exhibit allosteric properties reflected by cooperative binding of both dUMP and 5-fluoro-dUMP. Activation energy for the reaction, catalyzed by thymidylate synthase from mouse tumour but not from mouse thymus, lowers at temperatures above 34 degrees C, reflecting a change of rate-limiting step in dTMP formation. MgATP at millimolar concentrations inhibits mouse thymus enzyme.     

Purification and characterization of thymidylate synthetase in the liver of the mouse bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor

The activity of thymidylate synthetase in the liver of the ddY strain male mouse increased transitorily according to the increase in tumor cell number at maximum 7-9 days after ip transplantation of Ehrlich ascites tumor. The enzyme was able to be purified from the tumor host mouse liver or from the normal mouse liver in the same manner as from tumor cells using Affi-Gel blue and methotrexate-Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography. The three enzyme preparations obtained were purified at 27,000-38,000-, and 8,000-fold, and yielded total activities of 11, 3, and 16% of these homogenates, respectively. These preparations were similar in molecular weight to the whole enzyme (67,000) and its subunit (34,000), optimum pH, and Km values either for deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate or tetrahydrofolate in the presence of formaldehyde. Furthermore, the amount of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate forming the ternary complex with the enzyme and tetrahydrofolate paralleled the enzyme activities in the cytosol fractions of the three tissues. The characteristics of the tumor host liver enzyme were similar to those of the proliferating tissues, the Ehrlich ascites tumor.     

Membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells and newborn mouse liver

5'-Nucleotidase activity in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells was undetectable. The cell homogenate, when mixed with adult mouse liver homogenate, inhibited the 5'-nucleotidase activity of the latter, without affecting its p-nitrophenyl phosphate-hydrolysing activity. The inhibitor activity was enriched (6.8-fold) in a membrane fraction which was enriched in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (14-fold) and alkaline phosphatase (8-fold). 5'-Nucleotidase activity in this membrane fraction could be detected only after separating the inhibitor activity from the enzyme on Sephadex G-50. The inhibitor activity was decreased by 27% when heat-treated, 33% when treated with 6 M urea and was almost completely lost when treated with trypsin. It was dialysable from a tubing with a molecular exclusion limit of 10,000, but was retained in a tubing with an exclusion limit of 3000. From these results we conclude that a small molecular weight protein inhibitor(s) of 5'-nucleotidase is present in the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. Also, the presence of such an inhibitor in the newborn mouse liver but not in the adult liver suggests that it may have some role in cellular ageing and cancer.     

Characterization of a factor inducing differentiation of mouse myeloid leukemic cells purified from conditioned medium of mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

A factor inducing differentiation of mouse myeloid leukemic cells (MI) into macrophages was purified to apparent homogeneity from 168 1 of CM of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The purified factor was half-maximally active at 2 X 10(-11) M. The factor was analyzed by radioiodination, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Its Mr was 40 000-50 000. On reduction, the factor lost activity, but showed no subunit structure. Treatment of the factor with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F, but not endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, gave rise to a molecule of Mr 20 000-28 000. The activity of the factor from Ehrlich cells was completely neutralized by antiserum to the factor of Mr 50 000-70 000 from mouse fibroblast L929 cells.     

DNA ligase from mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

The molecular (Mr = 120,000; s20, w = 5S) and catalytic properties (Km (ATP) = 3 microM; Km (nicked DNA) = 0.2 microM; Km (Mg2+) = 3 mM) of DNA ligase from mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells are similar to those of the enzymes from calf thymus and rodent liver. The activity level of DNA ligase from the tumor cells is about 10-fold higher than that from mouse liver. Immunochemical titration of DNA ligase with antibodies against the calf thymus enzyme showed that the higher level of DNA ligase activity in the tumor cells is due to an increase in enzyme quantity and not to elevation of the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme molecule. These results suggest that there is little apparent difference between the qualities of DNA ligases from the tumor cells and normal tissues of rodents and calf.     

Immunospecificity of non-histone chromosomal proteins in 89Sr-induced osteogenic sarcoma (mouse).

Antibodies against non-histone chromosomal proteins for 89Sr-induced osteogenic sarcoma (mouse) were prepared by immunization of rabbits. The immunoreactivity of this antigen was then compared with those of non-histone chromosomal proteins from Ehrlich ascites tumor, normal mouse liver, and calf thymus by the method of quantitative microcomplement fixation. The non-histone chromosomal proteins of 98Sr-induced osteogenic sarcoma, fractionated by hydroxylapatite chromatography, exhibited significant affinity for the antibodies. Similar proteins from Ehrlich ascites tumor, normal mouse liver, or calf thymus were virtually inactive, indicating the tissue-specificity of 89Sr-induced osteogenic sarcoma proteins.     

Characterization of the cell-cycle-regulated protein calcyclin from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Identification of two binding proteins obtained by Ca2(+)-dependent affinity chromatography

The nearly complete amino acid sequence obtained for murine calcyclin from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells reveals a very strong similarity with the rat and human sequences previously deduced from corresponding cDNA clones. While mouse and rat calcyclins are identical, the human protein shows at three positions a conservative amino acid replacement. Using a mouse calcyclin affinity matrix, two proteins with molecular masses of about 36 kDa have been purified from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The interaction between these two proteins and the immobilized calcyclin is strictly Ca2(+)-dependent. Immunological criteria and partial sequence data identify the two calcyclin-binding proteins as the phospholipid-binding protein annexin II (p36) and the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. These observations suggest that calcyclin may exert its physiological function by a Ca2(+)-dependent interaction with cellular targets, e.g. annexin II or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.     

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.     

Comparison of tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins by membrane fractions from mouse liver, Ehrlich ascites tumor and MH134 hepatoma

When membrane fractions from mouse liver, Ehrlich ascites tumor and MH134 hepatoma were incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP at 0 degree C in the presence of MnCl2, ZnCl2 and NaVO3, proteins were phosphorylated on tyrosines to a larger extent in liver membranes than in tumor membranes. Separation of labelled proteins by SDS-gel electrophoresis showed phosphorylated alkali-resistant bands of 170, 140, 130, 80, 56, 53 and 46 kDa proteins in Ehrlich ascites tumor membranes; liver membranes exhibited more strongly phosphorylated bands of 170, 56, 53 and 46 kDa proteins. Epidermal growth factor stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of only a 170 kDa protein, which was more significant in liver membranes. Liver membranes exhibited slightly higher levels of tyrosine protein kinase activity compared to tumor membranes.     

The DNA-mediated transformation of mouse fibroblasts after radiation damage to the cellular chromatin

In experiments with NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast the authors showed a dose-dependent (gamma- or UV-radiation) increase in the immortalized fibroblast transformation by purified DNA preparations from Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. The transformant yield was the highest when the transfection started within the first few minutes after irradiation, when radiation lesions occurred in the genome and the system of enzymic DNA repair was activated. The proteolytic activity inhibition by treating the exposed cells with phenylmethanesultonyl fluorine reduced the radiation-induced transformation.     

Effects of Mg2+ and adenine nucleotides on thymidylate synthetase from different mouse tumors

Summary Magnesium ions variably influenced activity of highly purified thymidylate synthetase preparations from different mouse tumors, activating the enzyme from Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells and inhibiting the enzyme from L1210 and L5178Y cells and from 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd)-resistant EAC cells. In the presence of Mg²⁺ in a concentration resulting in either maximum activation or inhibition (25–30 mM) the enzymes from both the sensitive and FdUrd-resistant EAC lines and L5178Y cells were activated by ATP. Under the same conditions of Mg²⁺ concentration ADP and AMP inhibited the enzyme from the parental but not from the FdUrd-resistant EAC cells.     

The inhibitory effect of l-cysteine and its derivatives on glycolysis in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

(1) l-Cysteine inhibits aerobic glycolysis and restores the Pasteur effect in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells or in their supernatants, while d-cysteine has no effect on this process. (2) Other compounds which have configuration l at the α-carbon and a thiol group in the β-position (penicillamine) or restore them in vivo (3-mercaptopyruvate, cystine or l-serine together with l-homocysteine) also show inhibitory properties. (3) dl-Homocysteine with a free thiol group in the γ-position, reduced glutathione, methionine and products of cysteine oxidation (cysteic acid, taurine) do not inhibit tumour aerobic glycolysis. (4) Glycolysis of normal tissue supernatants (mouse liver and muscle) is not sensitive to the inhibitory effect of cysteine. (5) Metabolic studies showing a cysteine-induced decrease in ATP content, coupled with cross-over of the pyruvate and 2-phosphoenolpyruvate concentrations in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells, indicate that tumour pyruvate kinase is an enzyme sensitive to cysteine inhibition. (6) Enzymatic studies carried out both after preincubation of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells with cysteine or during direct action of this substance on tumour and normal tissue supernatants indicate the presence of a cysteine-sensitive isoenzyme besides the normal cysteine-insensitive pyruvate kinase in tumour material.     

Heterogeneity of alkaline ribonuclease in the mouse and Ehrlich ascites cells.

The specific activity of alkaline RNase II was l00 to 1800 times higher in mouse pancreas than in mouse liver, serum, ascites fluid, and Ehrlich ascites cell grown intraperitoneally. Ehrlich ascites cells grown in cell culture medium had a much lower alkaline RNase II activity than cells grown intraperitoneally. Chromatography on CM-52 cellulose of acid- and heat-treated preparations showned a considerable heterogeneity of the mouse enzymes. Depending on the source of the extract, two to six forms fo alkaline RNase were eluted. Pancreatic extract contained two RNase forms. These also seemed to be present as minor components in preparations from other sources except Ehrlich ascites cells grown in vitro. Ehrlich ascites cells grown in vivo contained forms of the RNase which were not present in other extracts. Possible reasons for this heterogeneity were investigated. In addition to their stability to acid and heat the different RNase forms were similar in that they were much more active at alkaline pH than at acidic pH, they did not require divalent metal ions for activity, and they degraded RNA 'endonucleolytically.' Also, native DNA, denatured DNA, and poly A were poor substrates compared with RNA. Some differences seemed to exist, however, with respect to their abilities to degrade poly U and poly C and their sensitivities to the endogenous RNase inhibitor.     

Membrane-bound 5′-nucleotidase inhibitor in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells and newborn mouse liver

5′-Nucleotidase activity in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells was undetectable. The cell homogenate, when mixed with adult mouse liver homogenate, inhibited the 5′-nucleotidase activity of the latter, without affecting is p-nitrophenyl phosphate-hydrolysing activity. The inhibitor activity was enriched (6.8-fold) in a membrane fraction which was enriched in (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase (14-fold) and alkaline phosphatase (8-fold). 5′-Nucleotidase activity in this membrane fraction could be detected only after separating the inhibitor activity from the enzyme on Sephadex G-50. The inhibitor activity was decreased by 27% when heat-treated, 33% when treated with 6 M urea and was almost completely lost when treated with trypsin. It was dialysable from a tubing with a molecular exclusion limit of 10 000, but was retained in a tubing with an exclusion limit of 3000. From these results we conclude that a small molecular weight protein inhibitor(s) of 5′-nucleotidase is present in the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. Also, the presence of such an inhibitor in the newborn mouse liver but not in the adult liver suggests that it may have some role in cellular ageing and cancer.     

Synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase isozymes from rat and mouse livers: Immunochemical studies

The α- and β-forms of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase in rat liver were completely fractionated by chromatography on a hydrophobic resin, phenyl-Sepharose. The α-form was eluted in low-ionic strength buffer, and the β-form was eluted with 50% dimethylsulfoxide. The α-form is less sensitive to dimethylsulfoxide, whereas the β-form is strikingly stimulated by dimethylsulfoxide, after removal of the dimethylsulfoxide. The levels of the α-form activity in rat liver after treatment with ethionine and adenine for 2 consecutive days, and those of the β-form activity in mouse liver on the 12th day after transplantation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, were increased several fold compared to normal liver. Immunochemical titrations with specific antibody against the β-form as well as kinetic studies indicated that the observed increase in the levels of each activity from the S-adenosylmethionine synthetase isozymes is due to an increase in the cellular content of the enzyme.     

Specific binding of a factor inducing differentiation to mouse myeloid leukemic M1 cells

A factor inducing differentiation of mouse myeloid leukemic M1 cells into macrophages (differentiation-inducing factor, D-factor), which was purified to homogeneity from conditioned medium of mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, could be iodinated without detectable loss of biological activity. The binding of 125I-D-factor to M1 cells was specific; the binding was inhibited competitively by D-factor derived from Ehrlich cells and mouse fibroblast L929 cells, but not by other growth factors or D-factor derived from differentiated M1 cells. The latter differs from D-factor of Ehrlich cells and L929 cells in antigenicity and molecular weight. At 21 degrees C, the binding was saturated at 370 pM 125I-D-factor. M1 cells showed a high affinity for 125I-D-factor (dissociation constant, 1.0 X 10(-10) M) and expressed a small number of binding sites (170 per cell). Specific binding of 125I-D-factor was observed only to several clones derived from M1 cells, including those sensitive and resistant to induction of differentiation by D-factor.     

Purification of interferon from mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Interferon production was induced in mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by infection with Newcastle disease virus. The interferon produced was purified by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, chromatography on carboxymethyl-Sephadex, treatment with blue dextran and polyethylene glycol, gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-60 and Bio-Gel P-200, chromatography on phosphocellulose, isoelectric focusing, and chromatography on octyl-Sepharose. The specific activity of the product was 1.6 x 10(9) NIH mouse interferon reference standard units/mg of protein. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicated that the apparent molecular weight of the interferon-active material ranged from 25,000 to 35,000. As revealed by staining the gels with Coomassie brilliant blue, the interferon activity co-migrated with the major, broad protein band. Minor, stainable bands of proteins were free of interferon activity and their apparent molecular weight was smaller than 12,000.     

NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase from ascites tumor cells. Purification and properties

NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase is expressed in transformed or established mammalian cell lines in vitro but only in the developmental tissues of normal adult animals (Mejia, N. R. and MacKenzie, R. E. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 14616-14620). The enzyme, which contains methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase activity as well, has been purified 6000-fold from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The preparation is homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis (Mr = 34,000), and results from cross-linking with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate are consistent with a dimeric structure (Mr = 68,000) for the native bifunctional enzyme. The dehydrogenase is specific for NAD and requires both a divalent cation, Mg2+ or Mn2+, for activity and as well is stimulated by inorganic phosphate. When compared to the usual NADP-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase from mouse liver, the NAD-dependent dehydrogenase activity of the murine tumor enzyme shows a greater affinity for the polyglutamate forms of folate.     

Synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase isozymes from rat and mouse livers. Immunochemical studies

The alpha- and beta-forms of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase in rat liver were completely fractionated by chromatography on a hydrophobic resin, phenyl-Sepharose. The alpha-form was eluted in low-ionic strength buffer, and the beta-form was eluted with 50% dimethylsulfoxide. The alpha-form is less sensitive to dimethylsulfoxide, whereas the beta-form is strikingly stimulated by dimethylsulfoxide, after removal of the dimethylsulfoxide. The levels of the alpha-form activity in rat liver after treatment with ethionine and adenine for 2 consecutive days, and those of the beta-form activity in mouse liver on the 12th day after transplantation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, were increased several fold compared to normal liver. Immunochemical titrations with specific antibody against the beta-form as well as kinetic studies indicated that the observed increase in the levels of each activity from the S-adenosylmethionine synthetase isozymes is due to an increase in the cellular content of the enzyme.     

Isolation of nucleolar methylase producing only 5-methylcytidine in ribosomal RNA

Methylation of rRNA mostly occurs in the nucleolus of mammalian cells. We have isolated nucleoli from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells of mice and purified RNA methylase taken from them. This highly purified nucleolar methylase produces only 5-methylcytidine in hypomethylated 18S and 28S rRNAs prepared from the mouse tumor cells after treatment with cycloleucine. This enzyme, however, did not transfer the methyl-group to normally methylated rRNA from the same mouse tumor cells. This high substrate specificity and enrichment of this enzyme in the nucleoli strongly suggest that we have isolated one of the enzymes which physiologically methylate rRNA precursor in the nucleoli.