Isolation and characterization of phosphoprotein pp 105 from simian virus 40-transformed mouse fibroblasts

Investigation of the cellular distribution of a 105 kDa phosphoprotein (pp 105) in transformed mouse fibroblasts, showed that only a minor amount was located on the surface of logarithmically grown suspension cells. More than 90% of total pp 105 was contained in the cytosolic fracion representing about 0.2% of total cytosolic proteins. Surface and cytosolic pp 105 had identical phosphopeptide patterns. Cytosolic pp 105 was highly purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by three chromatographic steps and gel electrophoresis. The purified pp 105 was capable of weak autophosphorylation. In the stationary growth phase of suspension cells, the amount of pp 105 detectable by endogenous phosphorylation was only 10–15% of that observed during logarithmic growth. pp 105 was also detected in normal mouse tissue and its distribution determined.     

A comparison of ornithine decarboxylases from normal and SV40-transformed 3T3 mouse fibroblasts.

Ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) has been purified from 3T3- and SV40-transformed 3T3 mouse fibroblasts by affinity chromatography, and the physicochemical properties of the two enzymes compared. Measured properties include molecular weight of the active species, subunit molecular weight and specific activity of the purified enzymes, kinetic parameters, thermostability, degradation rate in vivo and immunological cross-reactivity. Although crude extracts of the transformant possess more ornithine decarboxylase activity per mg of protein than the parent strain, there is no evidence for the appearance of an altered form of the enzyme in these cells. The results reported in the present paper indicate that the increased ornithine decarboxylase activity in the transformed cells is the result of higher enzyme biosynthesis de novo.     

Identification and partial characterization of new antigens from simian virus 40-transformed mouse cells.

Two new species of antigens were detected in simian virus 40-transformed mouse cells, in addition to the large (94,000 daltons) and small (20,000 daltons) tumor antigens. These antigens were immunoprecipitated from cell extracts by using anti-T serum and not normal, nonimmune serum. One of these was a protein with a molecular weight of approximately 130,000 and was present in some but not all SV40-transformed mouse cells. The other, which we have named Tau antigen, has a molecular weight of 56,000 as estimated by electrophoresis through acrylamide gels and was found in all virus-transformed cells examined. The 13,000-daltons antigen contained about 15 methionine-tryptic peptides which were also present in the large SV40 tumor antigen as determined by ion-exchange chromatography. This strongly suggested that the protein was virus coded. The 56,000-dalton Tau antigen appeared to share only two methionine-tryptic peptides with the large species of SV40 tumor antigen, as determined by ion-exchange and paper chromatographies. Our results are compatible with a cellular origin for Tau antigen. However, our data do not exclude the possibility that this protein contains sequences specified by the virus DNA.     

Cell surface and other morphological changes accompanying growth inhibition in simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 mouse fibroblasts cells induced by glucocorticoids§

A number of morphological changes accompany the G₂ blockage caused by glucocorticosteroids in simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 mouse fibroblasts cells. Under phase contrast microscopy dexamethasone-treated cells have darkened and raised nuclear regions with ‘lines’ running over their cytoplasmic areas. They are more resistant to trypsinization and smaller in volume. Since inhibitors of DNA and protein synthesis prevent this ‘glucocorticoid morphology’, the ‘darkening’ may be due to the accumulation of macromolecules within G₂-blocked cells and the induction of a protein(s) may be needed for the morphological changes. Colchicine and cytochalasin B do not bring about the glucocorticoid morphology, suggesting that it is not due to a general de-polymerization of microtubules or microfilaments. With scanning electron microscopy treated cells show a great reduction in the amount and a re-organization of microvilli and microplicae. Granules of lead precipitate at the periphery are also clearly evident in transmission electron micrographs. These observations reveal profound morphological alterations, including cell surface changes, induced by glucocorticosteroids. This work was carried out at the Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 685, Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.     

Purification of simian virus 40 large T antigen by immunoaffinity chromatography.

Simian virus 40 large T antigen from lytically infected cells has been purified to near homogeneity by immunochromatography of the cell extract on a protein A-Sepharose-monoclonal antibody column. The resulting T antigen retains biochemical activity; i.e., it hydrolyzes ATP and binds to simian virus 40 DNA at the origin of replication.     

Purification of L-glutamate decarboxylase by affinity chromatography

L-Glutamate decarboxylase (L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15) from rat brain synaptosomal extract was partially purified by affinity chromatography. On further purification by DEAE-Sephadex A 50 and Sephadex G-200, L-glutamate decarboxylase was purified to greater extent. It was found that a single affinity chromatography by appropriate elution gave a highly purified protein giving a single band of high specific activity on polyacrylamide gradient gel slab electrophoresis with minimal contamination. Substrate specificity of the purified enzyme was modified in the presence of 6-azauracil or phenylalanine resulting in decreased specificity to L-glutamate and increased specificity to L-aspartate.     

Effects of a bacteriocin from Mycobacterium smegmatis on BALB/3T3 and simian virus 40-transformed BALB/c mouse cells

The effects of a bacteriocin from Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC 14468 on simian virus 40-transformed BALB/c mouse cells (mKS-A TU-7 cells) and nontransformed BALB/3T3 cells originating from the BALB/c mouse strain were studied. The percentage of nigrosin-unstained (viable) cells in the bacteriocin-treated mKS-A TU-7 cells decreased time-dependently with an increase in the bacteriocin activity. There was a time-dependent decrease in the bacteriocin activity after treatment with the cell membrane preparation from mKS-A TU-7 cells. There was no apparent effect of the bacteriocin on the viability of nontransformed BALB/3T3 cells. Wheat germ agglutinin blocked the toxic effect of bacteriocin on mKS-A TU-7 cells. These results indicate that the higher sensitivity and binding capacity of the tumor cells to the bacteriocin is probably due to the presence of a large amount of N-acetyl-glucosamine or closely related sugar residues with a high affinity for bacteriocin, as compared with normal cells. The bacteriocin produced morphological alterations and inhibition of synthesis of ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid and protein in the transformed but not in the nontransformed cells.     

Phosphorylation of p53 in normal and simian virus 40-transformed NIH 3T3 cells.

We observed six major tryptic phosphopeptides in p53 from simian virus 40-transformed and normal NIH 3T3 cells. Analyses of the phosphopeptides indicated that serines 37, 310 and/or 312, 389 and one or more of serines 7, 9, 12, 18, and 23 were phosphorylated. Phosphorylation of serines 310 and/or 312 was twofold higher in the simian virus 40-transformed cells as compared with that in normal NIH 3T3 cells.     

DNA binding properties of a mutant T antigen from the simian virus 40-transformed human cell line simian virus 80

We investigated whether the T antigen of the simian virus 40-transformed human cell line simian virus 80 ( SV80 ) specifically recognizes DNA sequences of its own template, i.e, the viral sequences integrated in the SV80 cellular genome. In vitro DNA binding experiments clearly indicated that, in contrast to wild-type T antigen, SV80 T antigen does not specifically bind to sites on the integrated viral DNA in SV80 cells.     

Physical characteristics of hyaluronate binding to the surface of simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells

The binding of labeled hyaluronate to the surface of Simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells was studied as a function of 1) pH, 2) ionic strength, 3) temperature, and 4) molecular weight of the hyaluronate. Binding occurred over a wide range of pH values with optima at pH 7 and at less than pH 4. Binding at low pH was eliminated at high ionic strength whereas that at physiological pH was enhanced, with a maximum at 0.5 M NaCl. The enhancement of binding at pH 7 was reversible and independent of the particular salt used. Scatchard plot analysis showed that increasing the ionic strength resulted in both a decrease in the dissociation constant (Kd) and an increase in the amount bound at saturation (Bmax). Temperature also influenced the binding of hyaluronate to the cell surface. The amount bound at low temperatures (0 degrees C) was 3 to 5 times that bound at high temperatures (40 degrees C) with a sharp transition occurring at 18 degrees C, the temperature of phase transition of the plasma membrane. The temperature effect was primarily a change in the Bmax and was reversible. Finally the molecular weight of the ligand influenced the binding. High molecular weight preparations of hyaluronate had a higher binding affinity (lower Kd) and a lower Bmax than did smaller molecular weight preparations.     

Sensitivity of simian virus 40-transformed C57BL/6 mouse embryo fibroblasts to lysis by murine natural killer cells

The susceptibility of mouse cells expressing full-length or truncated transforming protein (T antigen) of simian virus 40 (SV40) to lysis by murine natural killer (NK) cells was assessed. For these studies, C57BL/6 mouse embryo fibroblasts (B6/MEF) were transformed by transfection with SV40 DNA encoding the entire T antigen. The transformed cell lines were tested for susceptibility to lysis by nonimmune CBA splenocytes as a source of NK cells and to lysis by C57BL/6, SV40-specific cytolytic T cells (CTL). It was found that 13 of 15 clonally derived, SV40-transformed H-2b cell lines were susceptible to lysis by NK cells. However, there was some variation in their susceptibility to lysis by NK cells. There was no correlation between susceptibility to lysis by SV40-specific CTL and to lysis by NK cells. Cells transfected with a plasmid which encodes only the N-terminal half of the SV40 T antigen were consistently less susceptible to lysis by NK cells, suggesting that expression of only the N-terminus of the T antigen was insufficient for optimal susceptibility to lysis by NK cells. Primary mouse embryo fibroblasts transformed by human adenovirus type 5 E1 region DNA were also found to be susceptible to NK cell-mediated lysis. Lysis of SV40-transformed cells by nonimmune CBA splenocytes was mediated by NK cells because: lysis was augmented when the effector cells were treated with interferon before assay; and lysis was abrogated when the effector cells were obtained from mice that had been depleted of NK activity by treatment with antiserum against the asialo GM1 surface marker. These results indicate that primary mouse cells which are transformed by SV40 and which express the native T antigen are susceptible to lysis by mouse NK cells. Conversely, cells transformed by a plasmid encoding only the N-terminal half of the T antigen express reduced susceptibility to lysis by NK cells.     

Analysis of the reduced growth factor dependency of simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells.

We have measured in a defined serum-free medium the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin requirements of normal Swiss 3T3 cells, simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells, and partial revertants of simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells. Swiss 3T3 cells displayed strong requirements for both PDGF and insulin. Both of these requirements were significantly diminished in simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells. Analysis of the PDGF and insulin requirements of the revertants indicated that the loss of either of these two growth factor requirements was not necessarily linked to the other; rather, the growth factor requirements were specifically associated with other parameters of transformation. The reacquisition of a PDGF requirement cosegregated with reversion to density-dependent growth inhibition, whereas reacquisition of a normal insulin requirement cosegregated with reversion to a normal growth dependence on calf serum. Anchorage dependence was dissociable from both growth factor requirements. The relationship between the PDGF requirement and density-dependent growth inhibition was further analyzed in normal 3T3 cells by measuring the PDGF requirement at different cell densities. At high cell densities, the requirement for PDGF became significantly greater. We suggest that at least in part the ability of transformed cells to grow to high saturation densities results from their loss of a requirement for PDGF.     

Transport of phosphate in membrane vesicles from mouse fibroblasts transformed by simian virus 40.

Membrane vesicles were prepared from mouse fibroblasts transformed by SV40 virus (SV3T3). Following disruption of the cells by nitrogen cavitation, the membrane vesicles were obtained by differential centrifugation. As measured by enzyme markers, they consist mainly of membrane from the plasma membrane and smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The vesicles transport Pi by two separate, mediated systems: one is independent of Na+, and the other is secondary active transport driven by a Na+ gradient. Electrical and chemical energy can be provided by a Na+ gradient to drive the concentrative uptake of Pi by the vesicles, one or both forces being used to energize transport. Evidence is provided that both the electrical and chemical potentials produced by the asymmetric distribution of Na+ across the membrane of SV3T3 membrane vesicles are utilized to concentrate phosphate in the vesicles. Phosphate transport by the vesicles cannot be accounted for by a small contamination of this fraction with mitochondria (1 to 4%). The Pi transport properties of the membrane vesicles differ from those of the fraction enriched in mitochondria in the following respects: their kinetic properties, and their responses to a Na+ gradient, N-ethylmaleimide, mersalyl, and succinate/acetate. However, the membrane vesicles share some properties of Pi transport with mitochondria. Cyanide, azide, oligomycin, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and carbonyl cyanide m-cholophenylhydrazone, inhibitors of Pi transport by mitochondria, also inhibit membrane vesicle, Pi transport. The vesicles retain all the features of Pi transport by SV3T3 cells that have been examined. They provide a simplified system for a determination of the details of the mechanism of Pi transport under conditions where transport is dissociated from intracellular reactions and in the presence of a defined electrochemical driving force.     

Selectivity of interferon action in simian virus 40-transformed cells superinfected with simian virus 40.

Treatment of African green monkey kidney CV-1 cells with human alpha interferons before infection with simian virus 40 (SV40) inhibited the accumulation of SV40 mRNAs and SV40 T-antigen (Tag). This inhibition persisted as long as the interferons were present in the medium. SV40-transformed human SV80 cells and mouse SV3T3-38 cells express Tag, and interferon treatment of these cells did not affect this expression. SV80 and SV3T3-38 cells which had been exposed to interferons were infected with a viable SV40 deletion mutant (SV40 dl1263) that codes for a truncated Tag. Exposure to interferons inhibited the accumulation of the truncated Tag (specified by the infecting virus) but had no significant effect on the accumulation of the endogenous Tag (specified by the SV40 DNA integrated into the cellular genome). The level of Tag in SV40-transformed mouse SV101 cells was not significantly decreased by interferon treatment. SV40 was rescued from SV101 cells and used to infect interferon-treated and control African green monkey kidney Vero cells. Tag accumulation was inhibited in the cells which had been treated with interferons before infection. Our data demonstrate that even within the same cell the interferon system can discriminate between expression of a gene in the SV40 viral genome and expression of the same gene integrated into a host chromosome.     

Hyaluronate-binding protein of simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells: membrane distribution and reconstitution into lipid vesicles

Hyaluronate-binding protein (HABP) has been extracted in detergent from the membranes of simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 (SV-3T3) cells (Underhill et al, J Biol Chem 258:8086-8091, 1983). When SV-3T3 cells were treated with trypsin prior to isolation and dissolution of the membranes, no hyaluronate-binding activity could be detected. This indicates that all of the detectable HABP of SV-3T3 cells is located on the external surface of the plasma membrane rather than on internal membranes, which would be inaccessible to the trypsin. The detergent-extracted HABP from SV-3T3 membranes was reconstituted into the membrane of lipid vesicles, which were formed by addition of exogenous phosphatidylcholine and cholic acid to the extracts followed by removal of detergent by dialysis against 0.02 M Tris pH 8.0 in the presence of protease inhibitors. Reconstitution was assessed by sedimentation in a discontinuous sucrose gradient and by gel filtration on Sepharose 4B in the presence and absence of detergent. The characteristics of binding of hyaluronate to the reconstituted HABP were then compared with those studied previously for the original membrane-bound HABP and the detergent-extracted HABP (Underhill et al, J Biol Chem 258:8086-8091, 1983). It was observed previously that binding of hyaluronate to HABP in the cell membranes was of higher affinity and specificity than to HABP in the detergent extracts of these membranes. It was found here that reconstitution of the extracted HABP into the membranes of lipid vesicles led to restoration of affinity of binding to the level observed in the original cell membranes. However, whereas chondroitin sulfate does not compete significantly for binding of hyaluronate to cell membrane-bound HABP, partial competition was observed for the reconstituted HABP as well as for detergent-extracted HABP. Thus, it is concluded that the high affinity of binding of hyaluronate to the plasma membrane of SV-3T3 cells is in part dependent on insertion of the HABP in the membrane, but that other interactions, not duplicated in our reconstitution experiments, must be necessary for the specificity of the HABP.     

Species-specific phosphorylation of mouse and rat p53 in simian virus 40-transformed cells.

We have analyzed in detail the phosphorylation of p53 from normal (3T3) and simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed (SV3T3) BALB/c mouse cells and from normal (F111) and SV40-transformed [FR(wt648)] rat cells by two-dimensional tryptic peptide mapping and phosphoamino acid analyses. To accommodate the different half-lives of p53 in normal (half-life, 15 min) and transformed (half-life, 20 h) cells and possible differences in the rates of turnover of phosphate at specific sites, cells were labeled for 2 h (short-term labeling) or 18 h (long-term labeling). Depending on the labeling conditions, either close similarities or marked differences were observed in the phosphorylation patterns of p53 from normal and transformed cells. After the 2-h labeling, the phosphorylation patterns of p53 from normal and transformed mouse cells were quite similar. In contrast, p53 from normal and transformed rat cells exhibited dramatic quantitative and qualitative differences under these labeling conditions. The reverse was found after an 18-h label leading to steady-state phosphorylation of p53 in transformed cells: while p53 in transformed mouse cells revealed a marked quantitative increase in phosphorylation compared with p53 from normal cells, the corresponding patterns of p53 from normal and transformed rat cells were similar. Our data thus indicate species-specific differences in the phosphorylation of mouse and rat p53 in SV40-transformed cells, reflected by (i) different turnover rates at specific sites in mouse and rat p53 and (ii) phosphorylation of nonhomologous serine and threonine residues in rat p53, as revealed by indirect assignment of phosphorylation sites to the phosphopeptides of rat p53. Analyses of p53 from the SV40 tsA58 mutant-transformed F111 cell lines FR(tsA58)A (N type) and FR(tsA58)57 (A type) yielded no conclusive evidence for a direct correlation between phosphorylation of p53, the metabolic stabilization of p53, and expression of the transformed phenotype.