Component of Strain MC29 Avian Leukosis Virus with the Property of Defectiveness

Three clones of morphologically altered cells (L(-)MC29) of singular properties were isolated from MC29 (subgroup A) leukosis virus-infected chick embryo cells. Supernatant fluids from cultures of the cloned cells produced no transforming or interfering activity on chick embryo cells susceptible to known avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses. No virus associated with the cells was demonstrable by fluorescent-antibody staining or by electron microscopy. All L(-)MC29 clone cells were activated, however, by four strains of Rous-associated viruses (RAV) representative of A, B, C, and D subgroup avian leukosis viruses and by two strains of MC29 virus. Virus L(-)MC29 cells activated by superinfection with RAV-1 and RAV-2 was characterized by helper-dependent and helper-independent properties. These findings suggest that the strain MC29 leukosis virus, or a component thereof, possesses properties of defectiveness similar to those of the Bryan high-titer Rous sarcoma virus.     

Involvement of Directly Repeated Sequences in the Generation of Deletions of the Avian Sarcoma Virus src Gene

Nucleotide sequence analysis of two molecular clones of transformation-defective avian sarcoma virus indicate that direct repeated sequences of 6 and 20 nucleotides are involved in the formation of the src deletions in these clones.     

Nucleotide Sequence Relationships of Avian RNA Tumor Viruses: Measurement of the Deletion in a Transformation-Defective Mutant of Rous Sarcoma Virus

Stocks of cloned helper-independent Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) spontaneously segregate transformation-defective (td) mutants that appear to have an RNA genome composed of smaller subunits than those of the patent virus. Differential hybridization and competitive hybridization techniques involving reactions between viral RNA and proviral sequences in host cell DNA (under conditions of initial DNA excess) were used to measure the extent of the deletion in a td mutant of Prague strain (Pr) of RSV (Pr RSV-C). Viral 60 to 70S RNA sequences labeled to 1 to 5 x 10(7) counts per min per mug with (125)I were characterized with respect to their properties in hybridization reactions and used to reinforce data obtained with [(3)H]RNA of lower specific activity. By these techniques, about 13% +/- 3% of the sequences Pr RSV-C that formed hybrids with DNA from virus-induced sarcomas appeared to be deleted from the genome of td Pr RSV-C. Studies comparing hybridization of RNA from Pr RSV-C and td Pr RSV-C with RSV-related sequences in normal cells, and competition experiments with RNA from the endogenous chicken oncornavirus Rous-associated virus type 0 (RAV-0) provided evidence that the majority, if not all, of the RNA sequences of Pr RSV-C deleted from its transformation-defective mutant are not represented in normal chicken DNA. Competition studies with a leukosis virus, RAV-7, indicated this virus also lacks a genome segment of about the same size as the deletion in the td mutant. Finally, the genome of all three "exogenous" viruses was found to lack a small segment (about 12%) of sequences present in the endogenous provirus of RAV-O.     

In Vivo Selection of Rous Sarcoma Virus Mutants with Randomized Sequences in the Packaging Signal

Retrovirus genomes contain a sequence at the 5′ end which directs their packaging into virions. In Rous sarcoma virus, previous studies have identified important segments of the packaging signal, Ψ, and support elements of a secondary-structure prediction. To further characterize this sequence, we used an in vivo selection strategy to test large collections of mutants. We generated pools of full-length viral DNA molecules with short stretches of random sequence in Ψ and transfected each pool into avian cells. Resulting infectious virus was allowed to spread by multiple passages, so that sequences could compete and the best could be selected. This method provides information on the kinds of sequences allowed, as well as those that are most fit. Several predicted stem-loop structures in Ψ were tested. A stem at the base of element O3 was highly favored; only sequences which maintained base pairing were selected. Two other stems, at the base and in the middle of element L3, were not conserved: neither base pairing nor sequence was maintained. A single mutation, G213U, was seen upstream of the randomized region in all selected L3 stem mutants; we interpret this to mean that it compensates for the defects in L3. Randomized mutations adjacent to G213 maintained the wild-type base composition but not its sequence. The kissing-loop sequence at end of L3, postulated to function in genome dimerization, was not required for infectivity but was selected for over time. Finally, a deletion of L3 was constructed and found to be poorly infectious.     

Analysis of the Disease Potential of a Recombinant Retrovirus Containing Friend Murine Leukemia Virus Sequences and a Unique Long Terminal Repeat from Feline Leukemia Virus

We have molecularly cloned a feline leukemia virus (FeLV) (clone 33) from a domestic cat with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The long terminal repeat (LTR) of this virus, like the LTRs present in FeLV proviruses from other cats with AML, contains an unusual structure in its U3 region upstream of the enhancer (URE) consisting of three tandem direct repeats of 47 bp. To test the disease potential and specificity of this unique FeLV LTR, we replaced the U3 region of the LTR of the erythroleukemia-inducing Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) with that of FeLV clone 33. When the resulting virus, F33V, was injected into newborn mice, almost all of the mice eventually developed hematopoietic malignancies, with a significant percentage being in the myeloid lineage. This is in contrast to mice injected with an F-MuLV recombinant containing the U3 region of another FeLV that lacks repetitive URE sequences, none of which developed myeloid malignancies. Examination of tumor proviruses from F33V-infected mice failed to detect any changes in FeLV U3 sequences other than that in the URE. Like F-MuLV-infected mice, those infected with the F-MuLV/FeLV recombinants were able to generate and replicate mink cell focus-inducing viruses. Our studies are consistent with the idea that the presence of repetitive sequences upstream of the enhancer in the LTR of FeLV may favor the activation of this promoter in myeloid cells and contribute to the development of malignancies in this hematopoietic lineage.     

Expression of I-CreI Endonuclease Generates Deletions Within the rDNA of Drosophila

The rDNA arrays in Drosophila contain the cis-acting nucleolus organizer regions responsible for forming the nucleolus and the genes for the 28S, 18S, and 5.8S/2S RNA components of the ribosomes and so serve a central role in protein synthesis. Mutations or alterations that affect the nucleolus organizer region have pleiotropic effects on genome regulation and development and may play a role in genomewide phenomena such as aging and cancer. We demonstrate a method to create an allelic series of graded deletions in the Drosophila Y-linked rDNA of otherwise isogenic chromosomes, quantify the size of the deletions using real-time PCR, and monitor magnification of the rDNA arrays as their functions are restored. We use this series to define the thresholds of Y-linked rDNA required for sufficient protein translation, as well as establish the rate of Y-linked rDNA magnification in Drosophila. Finally, we show that I-CreI expression can revert rDNA deletion phenotypes, suggesting that double-strand breaks are sufficient to induce rDNA magnification.     

Presence of Cell and Virus Specific Sequences in the Same Molecules of Nuclear RNA from Virus Transformed Cells

Hybridization studies show that nuclear RNA in transformed cells contains both host and virus specific sequences. This suggests virus-specific mRNA could be formed by selective cleavage of high molecular weight nuclear RNA.     

Reaction of Chick Embryo Cells Infected with Leukosis Strain MC29 Virus with Fluorescein-Labeled Antibody

Immune serum was prepared in the rabbit with BAI strain A leukosis virus isolated by centrifugal fractionation from the plasma of chickens with myeloblastic leukemia and further purified on a potassium tartrate gradient. Antibody to group-specific antigen was demonstrated in the serum by immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion. Fluorescein-conjugated serum was used unabsorbed and absorbed with chick cells for study of acetone-fixed chick embryo cells uninfected or infected with strain MC29 avian leukosis virus. With unabsorbed serum, large numbers of cytoplasmic particles stained in a few cells within 2 hr after exposure to virus, and the cell number increased greatly in 24 hr. Absorption of the serum abolished the early reaction. Staining with absorbed serum was delayed until about 14 hr after culture exposure to virus, but essentially all cells were stained within 72 hr at the time when all cells were morphologically altered. Differences between the responses to unabsorbed and absorbed serum suggested cytoplasmic formation or concentration of chick tissue antigen similar to that incorporated in leukosis virus particles. The characteristics of staining with absorbed serum were similar to those observed by others in analogous studies with avian tumor viruses.     

Arrangement of Integrated Avian Sarcoma Virus DNA Sequences Within the Cellular Genomes of Transformed and Revertant Mammalian Cells

We have examined the arrangement of integrated avian sarcoma virus (ASV) DNA sequences in several different avian sarcoma virus transformed mammalian cell lines, in independently isolated clones of avian sarcoma virus transformed rat liver cells, and in morphologically normal revertants of avian sarcoma virus transformed rat embryo cells. By using restriction endonuclease digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, and hybridization with labeled avian sarcoma virus complementary DNA probes, we have compared the restriction enzyme cleavage maps of integrated viral DNA and adjacent cellular DNA sequences in four different mouse and rat cell lines transformed with either Bratislava 77 or Schmidt-Ruppin strains of avian sarcoma virus. The results of these experiments indicated that the integrated viral DNA resided at a different site within the host cell genome in each transformed cell line. A similar analysis of several independently derived clones of Schmidt-Ruppin transformed rat liver cells also revealed that each clone contained a unique cellular site for the integration of proviral DNA. Examination of several morphologically normal revertants and spontaneous retransformants of Schmidt-Ruppin transformed rat embryo cells revealed that the internal arrangement and cellular integration site of viral DNA sequences was identical with that of the transformed parent cell line. The loss of the transformed phenotype in these revertant cell lines, therefore, does not appear to be the result of rearrangement or deletions either within the viral genome or in adjacent cellular DNA sequences. The data presented support a model for ASV proviral DNA integration in which recombination can occur at multiple sites within the mammalian cell genome. The integration and maintenance of at least one complete copy of the viral genome appear to be required for continuous expression of the transformed phenotype in mammalian cells.     

Temperature-Sensitive Mutants of Murine Leukemia Virus IV. Further Physiological Characterization and Evidence for Genetic Recombination

Several temperature-sensitive mutants of the Rauscher strain of murine leukemia virus representing three distinct physiological groups have been further characterized. Genetic recombination between different pairs of these mutants has been demonstrated. Several representative genetic recombinants were isolated and shown to replicate equally well at the permissive (31 C) and nonpermissive (38 C) temperatures and to have serological characteristics of the wild-type parental virus. Alternative models for the mechanisms involved in recombination between type C RNA viruses are discussed.     

急性单核细胞白血病M5转为急性红白血病M6一例病例分析及文献复习

目的:红白血病为临床少见的急性髓系白血病亚型,白血病克隆转换不常见,在国内外文献中有关报道少见.通过对一例由急性单核细胞白血病转化的急性红白血病(acute erythroid leukemias,AEL)的病例分析,学习并探讨急性红白血病的临床特点及实验室检查特征,提高对急性红白血病疾病特点及白血病克隆转化的认识.方法:报道一例初诊为急性单核细胞白血病,后转为急性红白血病的患者.期间对其进行持续的细胞形态学,遗传学及分子生物学监测.结果:患者首次入院诊断为急性单核细胞白血病,经过一个疗程化疗后,骨穿显示从急性单核细胞白血病转为急性红白血病.随后再进行了一个疗程化疗,化疗结束后患者好转出院.后因经济原因,患者未继续治疗,2月后随访,患者死亡.结论:本例急性单核细胞性白血病化疗后转为红白血病.究其机制,可能有:一.发病是粒-单定向祖细胞和红系定向祖细胞同时受损,只是早期单核细胞系异常表现明显,红系异常早期表现不明显.或疾病起源于更早期造血干细胞,导致单核系和红系均有异常.二.在疾病过程中,骨髓微环境的变化,诱导红系异常而导致红白血病的发生.经过分析,本病例中,疾病可能起源于更早期造血干细胞的可能性较大,而骨髓微环境在疾病变化过程中则起到了重要的作用.这一结果有待进一步临床观察研究和肯定.提醒临床医生,提高动态的诊断和治疗意识,将有助于该疾病的预防、诊断和治疗.     

Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Induces Hypersensitivity to Radiation Therapy in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Cells Expressing Constitutively Active FLT3 Mutants

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) have shown promise as candidate radiosensitizer for many types of cancers. However, the mechanisms of action are not well understood, and whether they could have clinical impact on radiotherapy for leukemia is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) can increase radiosensitivity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells through posttranslational modification of Rad51 protein responses and selective inhibition of the homology-directed repair (HDR) pathway. Our data also showed that AML cells with mutant, constitutively active FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) were more radiation sensitive, caused by compromised non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. Furthermore, SAHA-induced radiosensitization were enhanced in AML cells with expression of these FLT3 mutants. The results of this study suggest that SAHA, a recently approved HDI in clinical trials, may act as a candidate component for novel conditioning regimens to improve efficacy for AML patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.