Showing papers in "Cell Growth & Differentiation in 1995"

The BTB/POZ domain : a new protein-protein interaction motif common to DNA- and actin-binding proteins

Abstract: The BTB/POZ domain defines a newly characterized protein-protein interaction interface. It is highly conserved throughout metazoan evolution and generally found at the NH2 terminus of either actin-binding or, more commonly, nuclear DNA-binding proteins. By mediating protein binding in large aggregates, the BTB/POZ domain serves to organize higher order macromolecular complexes involved in ring canal formation or chromatin folding.

Epidermal growth factor ligand-independent, unregulated, cell-transforming potential of a naturally occurring human mutant EGFRvIII gene

Abstract: The type III deletion-mutant gene for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) is frequently expressed in glioblastomas and in breast and non-small cell lung carcinomas. To understand its contribution to the malignant phenotype in humans, we transfected NR6 cells with the mammalian vector pH beta APr-1-neo containing cDNA for either EGFRvIII or wild-type EGFR. Western blot analyses showed that NR6 transfected with wild-type EGFR (NR6W) contained a normal-sized protein (170 kilodaltons); cells transfected with EGFRvIII (NR6M) contained a truncated protein (145 kilodaltons). NR6W cells demonstrated a saturation binding curve with 125I-labeled EGF (affinity, 1.8 x 10(8); r2 = 0.96). NR6M cells, however, showed a low but consistent level of 125I-labeled EGF binding (affinity, 4 x 10(7); r2 = 0.99) compared with NR6, which lacked binding. The population doubling time was shorter for NR6M (0.64 days) than for NR6W (1.1 days) and NR6V (2.27 days). Soft agar focus formation assay by NR6M was 4- to 5-fold higher than that by NR6W. In nude mice, NR6M (1 x 10(7) cells), without exogenous ligand, formed tumors within 12 days; no tumors were observed over 90 days in mice receiving identical doses of NR6W, NR6V, or NR6 cells. EGF stimulated autophosphorylation of receptor in NR6W (4- to 9-fold) but caused only slight (1.8- to 1.9-fold) to no enhancement in NR6M. Further, there was no difference in constitutive tyrosine kinase activity between NR6M and NR6W. Our results clearly indicate that EGFRvIII functions as an oncoprotein, but its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity may not be responsible for its biological function.

Rapid DNA binding by nuclear factor kappa B in hepatocytes at the start of liver regeneration.

Abstract: Liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) is a process in which quiescent, fully differentiated hepatocytes rapidly reenter the cell cycle and eventually divide until the original liver mass is restored. Although the exact nature of the growth-initiating signals is unknown, enhanced expression of growth-related genes has been detected during the first hour after operation. This suggests that activation of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory factors is likely to be a very early event in liver regeneration. Here we report the rapid, transient induction of DNA binding by nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B (p50/p65 heterodimer) and p50 homodimers within 30 min after PH. We also detected binding of post-hepatectomy factor. NF-kappa B binding peaks at 1 h after PH before declining and is not induced by sham operation. Liver cell separation studies indicated that the binding activation occurs in hepatocytes, a conclusion further supported by cell culture studies using the hepatocyte cell line AML-12. Furthermore, studies with the liver epithelial cell line LE-6 indicated that these DNA-binding activities are mitogen inducible. One-third hepatectomy, a procedure which primes hepatocytes to respond to growth factors, also induced NF-kappa B binding. We also found that tumor necrosis factor alpha, which may be involved in the control of liver regeneration, rapidly induced NF-kappa B DNA-binding activities in intact animals, similar to those induced by PH. These results suggest that NF-kappa B binding may play a role in making hepatocytes competent to proliferate.

Expression of retinoic acid receptor beta mediates retinoic acid-induced growth arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Abstract: The expression of the retinoic acid receptor 1�(RAR�) mRNA is absent or down-regulated in most human breast cancer cell lines. To investigate the role RARIJ may have in regulating the proliferation of breast cancer cells, we used retroviral vector-mediated gene transdudion to introduce the human RARI3 gene into two RARg3-negativebreast tumor cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 .RAR�-transduced clones underwent growth inhibition associated with G1 arrest when treated with 1 �M all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). Moreover, the MCF7-RARf3 transduced clones also underwent apoptosis after 4 to 6 days of RA treatment. The RA-induced growth arrest in MDA231 -RARI3 transduced cells is associated with c-myc mRNA down-regulation, whereas the RA-mediated apoptosis of MCF7-RAR�3 transduced cells is not associated with c-myc down-regulation.

Specific protein kinase C isozymes mediate the induction of keratinocyte differentiation markers by calcium.

Abstract: The maturation of epidermal keratinocytes is a tightly regulated, stepwise process which requires protein kinase C (PKC) activation. We investigated the effect of elevated extracellular Ca2’�, a potent differentiation signal which increases cellular sn-i ,2-diacylglycerol levels, on the PKC isozyme profile of cultured murine keratinocytes. Five PKC isozymes (a, 8, #{128},�, and ip) were detected by immunoblotting. During Ca2’�-induced differentiation, total cellular PKCa decreased, PKC#{128} and TJ increased 3-5-fold, and the level of other PKC isozymes was relatively unchanged. PKCa underwent a progressive translocation from the soluble to the particulate fraction following elevation of extracellular Ca2’. The kinetics of PKCa translocation corresponded with the induction of keratinocyte differentiation markers. Both PKCB and #{128} were selectively lost from the soluble fraction of keratinocytes exposed to elevated extracellular Ca2�, resulting in an increase in the proportion of these isoforms in the particulate fraction. PKCtp increased in both the soluble and particulate fractions, while PKCCdid not change in amount or distribution during keratinocyte differentiation. Selective down-regulation of PKC isoforms by either 12deoxyphorbol-1 3-phenylacetate or bryostatin 1 inhibited Ca2’�-induced expression of differentiation markers at doses most specific for the down-regulation of PKCa. Taken together, these observations suggest that the induction of keratinocyte differentiation by Ca2� results in the activation of specific PKC isozymes.

Human neuroblastoma I-type cells are malignant neural crest stem cells.

Abstract: Human neuroblastoma I-type cells isolated from cell lines in vitro are morphologically intermediate between neuroblastic (N) cells, with properties of embryonic sympathoblasts, and substrate-adherent (S) cells having properties of embryonic Schwann/glial/melanocytic cells of the neural crest. I cells have biochemical features of both N and S cells. We propose that the I-type cell represents a malignant neural crest stem cell. The strongest evidence in support of this hypothesis is that: (a) I cells can generate progeny that have neuronal properties, i.e., are committed neuroblasts, or properties of nonneuronal, embryonic neural crest-derived cells; and (b) I-type cells can generate multipotent I-type progeny, indicating their capacity for self-renewal, a feature of stem cells. We report here that I-type cells, derived from four different human neuroblastoma cell lines and experimentally induced to differentiate, give rise to cells with distinct N or S cell phenotypes, indicative of I cell multipotentiality. Experiments with a large panel of I-type subclones, isolated from clonal I-type BE(2)-C cells and exposed to retinoic acid to induce neuronal differentiation or 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine to obtain S-type cells, demonstrated that differentiation occurs via induction and selection and not by selection of spontaneously arising variants. The differentiation phenotype was stable. We conclude that human neuroblastoma I-type cells are multipotent embryonic precursor cells of the peripheral nervous system, capable of either neuronal or nonneuronal neural crest cell differentiation.

Coexpression of the c-kit and stem cell factor genes in breast carcinomas.

Abstract: Expression of the c-kit tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor has been reported in some breast tumors; however, no data exist concerning expression of its ligand, stem cell factor. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently the c-kit and stem cell factor genes were coexpressed in breast tumors and tumor-derived cell lines and to determine whether coexpression of c-kit and stem cell factor could result in growth stimulation of breast tumor cells. Expression of the c-kit and stem cell factor genes in tissue specimens and cell lines was determined using an RNase protection assay, with confirmation of c-kit protein expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in tumor tissue and cell lines, respectively. Of 11 tumor specimens studied, 9 expressed variable but detectable quantities of c-kit; 7 of 13 tumor-derived cell lines also expressed c-kit. All tumor specimens and cell lines expressed detectable stem cell factor mRNA, suggesting that an autocrine growth loop could exist in the majority of breast carcinomas. To determine the biological effects of coexpression of c-kit and stem cell factor, the MCF-7 cell line, which expresses only stem cell factor, was transfected with a c-kit expression vector. Coexpression of c-kit and stem cell factor in MCF-7 cells resulted in an enhanced growth rate and cloning efficiency but not a loss of the dependence of this cell line upon estrogen. Analysis of subclones expressing different amounts of c-kit protein revealed that, although they all showed enhanced growth relative to control transfectants in serum-free medium containing IGF-1, only the highest c-kit expressor responded with additional growth to exogenous soluble stem cell factor. However, all c-kit-expressing clones, but not control clones, showed growth inhibition when exposed to a blocking anti-c-kit antibody. This blocking antibody also significantly inhibited the growth of the established ZR75-1 cell line in serum-free medium containing IGF-1. Taken together, these data suggest that coexpression of stem cell factor and c-kit could be responsible for growth deregulation in a significant number of breast carcinomas.

Identification of p90RSK as the probable CREB-Ser133 kinase in human melanocytes.

Abstract: Normal human melanocytes proliferate in vitro only in response to costimulation by at least two selected peptide growth factors. In the presence of only one mitogen, melanocytes become quiescent or die. These mitogens also enhance expression of differentiated functions, since in their presence the proliferating melanocytes become progressively more pigmented. To assess the intermediates participating in this dual response, we have determined the activated state of several known ligand-induced signal transducers. We demonstrate that hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, mast/stem-cell growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and endothelin-1 induce phosphorylation of Ser133 within the KID domain of the cAMP-responsive element binding protein, a modification necessary for transcriptional activation of all members of this family of transcription factors, including also cAMP-responsive element modulator tau and activating transcription factor 1. The costimulation with synergistic growth factors prolonged the phosphorylated state and activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase 2 cascade. cAMP-responsive element binding protein Ser133 phosphorylation in response to synergistic growth factors was due probably to the activation of p90RSK and, to a lesser extent, to p70S6K. Our findings support the concept that signals initiated at the cell surface converge on regulatory proteins that sustain both cell division and differentiation.

Cell growth stimulation by the redox protein thioredoxin occurs by a novel helper mechanism

Abstract: Thioredoxins are a class of low molecular weight redox proteins that undergo reversible reduction-oxidation of two active-site cysteine residues with reduction catalyzed by the NADPH-dependent flavoenzyme thioredoxin reductase. Human thioredoxin has been shown to be identical to a previously reported leukemic cell growth factor. We now report that recombinant human thioredoxin added to minimal culture medium in the absence of serum stimulates the proliferation of a number of human solid tumor cell lines measured over several days. The concentration of thioredoxin producing half-maximal stimulation of MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation was 350 nM, and the maximum stimulation occurred at 5 microM. The maximum increase in cell proliferation caused by thioredoxin was up to 90% of that seen with 10% bovine serum in the medium. There was a positive correlation between the ability of cell lines to proliferate in minimal medium, presumably, due to the autocrine production of growth factors by the cells, and the stimulation of proliferation by thioredoxin. Neither a redox inactive, mutant human thioredoxin, C32S/C35S, nor reduced Escherichia coli thioredoxin were able to stimulate MCF-7 cell proliferation. MCF-7 cell proliferation caused by human thioredoxin was completely abolished if the culture medium was changed each day. Antibody to thioredoxin blocked the cell proliferation caused by thioredoxin. Studies with 125I-labeled thioredoxin showed time-dependent binding to the surface of MCF-7 cells, but the binding was not saturable, indicating the absence of specific binding of thioredoxin to a cell surface receptor. Most of the thioredoxin associated with the cell could be released by trypsinization, and relatively little intact thioredoxin was taken up by the cell. The results of the study suggest that thioredoxin acts by a novel helper, redox mechanism to increase the cell proliferation response to growth factor(s) produced by the cell itself.

Resistance to transforming growth factor beta and activin due to reduced receptor expression in human breast tumor cell lines

Abstract: Lossof sensitivity to growth inhibition by transforming growth factor (TGF)-1J is a phenomenon often observed in human epithelial tumor cells and is linked to malignant progression. We tested a panel of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and -negative breast cell lines for their sensitivity to TGF-13 and a related member of the TGF-fJ superfamily, activin. Both TGF-�3-sensitive (MCF7, Hs578T, and BT2O) and -resistant (two T47D variants, ZR75-1, MDA-MB231, and MDA-MB468) cell lines were found, with no strict correlation between ER content and sensitivity to TGF4i. In contrast, all four ER-positive cell lines were inhibited by activin A, whereas the ERnegative lines were not. To examine whether resistance to TGF-�3 and activin resulted from the absence of the corresponding receptors, mRNA expression of the types I and II receptors was studied. TGF-13 receptor II was not expressed in the two T47D variants and was low in ZR75-1 cells. Upon stable transfection of the TGF-�receptor II in one of the T47D variants, sensitivity to TGF-�1 and TGF-fi2 was restored with respect to inhibition of anchorage-dependent and -independent proliferation, indicating that other signal transduction components are functionally intact. Sensitivity to TGF-fJ in the transfectants was dependent on the expression level of the newly introduced receptor. Resistance to activin in the ER-negative cell lines could be explained in BT2O and Hs578T cells, but not in MDA-MB231 and MDA-MB468, by low activin receptor expression. These results show that resistance to TGF-j3 and activin is often, but not always, due to reduced expression of the signaling receptor in breast cancer cells. The activin resistance of ER-negative breast tumor cells may be involved in their increased malignancy compared with ER-positive cells.

Expression of interstitial collagenase during skeletal development of the mouse is restricted to osteoblast-like cells and hypertrophic chondrocytes.

Abstract: We determined the expression pattern of the matrix metalloproteinase interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) during mouse embryo development using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Localized MMP-1 mRNA was first detected at 14.5 days postconceptus. The spatial and temporal expression was restricted to areas of endochondral and intramembranous bone formation, such as in the mandibula, maxilla, clavicle, scapula, in the vertebrae, and in the dorsal, but not the ventral part of the ribs. The highest levels of MMP-1 transcripts and MMP-1 protein were found in the metaphyses and diaphyses of the long bones. MMP-1 was expressed by hypertrophic chondrocytes and by osteoblastic cells localized along the newly formed bone trabeculae. No expression was detected in osteoclasts. Two other related members of the MMP family, stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) and stromelysin-2 (MMP-10), were not expressed during days 7.5 and 16.5 of mouse embryogenesis. The tissue-specific expression of MMP-1 and the exclusive ability of interstitial collagenase to digest native collagen of types I, II, III, and X, the major components of bone, cartilage, and tendon, strongly suggests an important and specific function of this enzyme in bone development and remodeling.

Connexin43 reverses the phenotype of transformed cells and alters their expression of cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinases.

Abstract: Communication between adjacent cells through gap junctions is believed to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation. This stems in part from the observation that transfection and overexpression of connexin (cx) 32 or cx43 genes into neoplastic cells lead to normalization of growth and decrease their tumorigenicity. The molecular mechanism(s) responsible for this phenomenon has not been characterized. We transfected the rat cx43 gene into a phenotypically transformed dog kidney epithelial cell line, TRMP, and were successful in restoring gap junctional communication as measured by dye coupling. In addition, cx43-transfected clones reverted to a flat morphology and were sensitive to density-dependent inhibition of proliferation with their G1 and S phase duration almost doubled. These cx43-induced effects were coupled with a decreased expression of specific cell cycle regulatory genes critical to cell cycle progression in nonneoplastic cells including cyclin A, D1, D2, and the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 5 and CDK6. The protein levels of cyclin E, CDK2, and CDK4 were not affected. These results suggest that overexpression of cx43 and the formation of gap junctions with the establishment of gap junctional communication can affect the phenotype of transformed cells and alter specific gene expressions involved in cell cycle regulation.

Overexpression of Bcl-XL by cytotoxic drug exposure confers resistance to ionizing radiation-induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation.

Abstract: Acquired resistance to diverse chemotherapeutic agents has been associated with overexpression of the P-glycoprotein. We have selected human U-937 cells for clones resistant to the cytotoxic agents doxorubicin (U-A20) and vincristine (U-V20). The results demonstrate that P-glycoprotein-positive U-A20 and U-V20 cells exhibit resistance to inducers of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Although parental U-937 cells responded to ionizing radiation with the DNA laddering characteristic of physiological cell death, the drug-resistant lines were insensitive to this effect. The U-A20 and U-V20 clones were also resistant to endonucleolytic DNA cleavage associated with exposure to tumor necrosis factor or ceramide. Previous work has demonstrated that physiological cell death is inhibited by overexpression of the Bcl-2 protein. However, analysis of Bcl-2 revealed similar levels in the parental and drug-resistant cells. In contrast, we show that U-A20 and U-V20 cells overexpress the Bcl-2-related protein, Bcl-xL. Moreover, studies with a U-937 cell line transfected with a Bcl-XL expression vector confirm resistance to ionizing radiation-induced DNA fragmentation and cell killing. These findings suggest that, unlike Bcl-2, Bcl-XL may be constitutively overexpressed as a result of selection for cytotoxic drug resistance and that Bcl-XL participates in an acquired form of multimodality resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and radiation.

Apoptosis in 7-hydroxystaurosporine-treated T lymphoblasts correlates with activation of cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2 [published erratum appears in Cell Growth Differ 1995 Oct;6(10):1339]

Abstract: 7-Hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes alpha, beta, and gamma [Seynaeve et al., Mol. Pharmacol, 45: 1207-1214, 1994] that also has antitumor effects in vivo. To determine whether inhibition of PKC can be related to inhibition of cell growth with induction of apoptosis, we compared the effects of UCN-01 to those of the highly selective bisindolylmaleimide PKC antagonist GF 109203X in leukemic T-cell lines. Both compounds potently inhibited PKC activity when added to T-cell membrane preparations and reversed phorbol ester-induced c-fos gene expression in intact cells. However, whereas UCN-01 potently inhibited growth of Jurkat, Molt-3, Molt-4, and Hut-78 cells (IC50 = 20-65 nM, irreversible after 24 h of exposure), GF 109203X had IC50s for cell growth of 3.6-5.0 muM. Less than 3 h after addition, UCN-01 but not GF 109203X-treated cells displayed loss of cells with G2-M DNA content, appearance of a hypodiploid DNA fraction, and evidence of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Six h after treatment, cells appeared to accumulate with S-phase DNA content. These effects correlated with selective UCN-01 but not GF 109203X-induced decrease in total and tyrosine phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) 1 and 2, and with increases in the histone H1 kinase activities of cdk1 and cdk2. UCN-01 was relatively less potent in inhibition of properly activated cdk1 and cdk2 when added in vitro to H1 kinase assays (IC50 = 1000 and 600 nM, respectively). We conclude that inhibition of PKC alone is not sufficient to account for the actions of UCN-01 and are led to the hypothesis that inappropriate cdk activation either correlates with or actually mediates cell growth inhibition with apoptosis in T lymphoblasts exposed to UCN-01.

The LAZ3/BCL6 oncogene encodes a sequence-specific transcriptional inhibitor: a novel function for the BTB/POZ domain as an autonomous repressing domain.

Abstract: Rearrangements and mutations of the LAZ3/BCL6 gene are the most frequent events associated with diffuse large-cell lymphoma, a particular class of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. This gene encodes a putative regulatory protein with six COOH-terminal Kruppel-like zinc fingers and a NH2-terminal hydrophobic region, the so-called BTB/POZ domain, which mediates homo- as well as heterotypic interactions in other related proteins. Recently, a consensus binding sequence has been defined using the isolated LAZ3/BCL6 zinc finger region produced in bacteria. To understand the normal and oncogenic functions of LAZ3/BCL6, we examined its properties as a transcription factor. We thus demonstrated that its full-length product binds to the same consensus sequence, although the BTB/POZ domain decreases this activity, at least in vitro. In transient transfection experiments, the LAZ3/BCL6 protein exerts a repressive effect, both as a wild-type protein on its own target sequence and as a GAL-4 fusion protein. Furthermore, our results indicate that the BTB/POZ domain plays a prominent role in the mediation of this activity. Indeed, on the LAZ3/BCL6 cognate sequence, deletion of the BTB/POZ domain diminishes the repressive function. Conversely, as a GAL-4 chimera, the isolated LAZ3/BCL6 BTB/POZ domain appears nearly as efficient as the entire protein at inducing transcriptional repression. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the LAZ3/BCL6 is a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor and point to a novel function for the BTB/POZ region, at least in LAZ3/BCL6, as an autonomous transcriptional inhibitory domain.

Growth imbalance and altered expression of cyclins B1, A, E, and D3 in MOLT-4 cells synchronized in the cell cycle by inhibitors of DNA replication.

Abstract: Expression of cyclins at the translational level is generally studied by immunoblotting lysates of cells synchronized in the cycle. Most methods used to synchronize transformed cells induce growth imbalance. The aim of the present study was to analyze levels of cyclins B1, A, E, and D3 in the respective phases of the cycle in synchronized human leukemic MOLT-4 cells, correlate them with total cellular protein content (reflecting growth imbalance), and compare the synchronized cells with cells from unperturbed, asynchronous cultures. Expression of cyclins detected immunocytochemically in individual permeabilized cells was analyzed by multiparameter flow cytometry, which made it possible to relate position of the cell in the cell cycle with cyclin expression. Cells synchronized at the G1-S boundary by thymidine, mimosine, or aphidicolin had about 40% increased total protein and 4-5 fold higher levels of cyclins E and B1 compared to their G1 counterparts from unperturbed cultures. Expression of cyclin A in synchronized cells was 2-fold higher, while expression of cyclin D3 was essentially unaltered. The synchronized cells traversing S phase after release from the block had elevated but decreasing levels of cyclins E, B1, and A. Although the cyclin expression of cells reentering G1 was similar to that of their counterparts from asynchronous cultures, the total protein content was still elevated by about 30%. The data indicate that due to different degrees of imbalance in total protein and individual cyclin content, levels of cyclins detected by immunoblotting of cell lysates from synchronized cultures may not be representative of their expression in unperturbed cells. The elevated level of cyclin B1 in the cells arrested at the G1-S boundary may reflect the increased half-life of this protein, stabilized as the result of the overexpression of cyclin E.

Constitutive Expression of a Truncated INT3 Gene in Mouse Mammary Epithelium Impairs Differentiation and Functional Development

Abstract: INT3 is interrupted by retroviral DNA insertion in approximately 18% of primary Czech mouse mammary tumors induced by mouse mammary tumor virus. One consequence of these insertions is the production of a 2.4-kilobase, tumor-specific RNA transcript encoding the entire intracellular domain of the Int3 protein which is initiated from the 3' long terminal repeat promoter of the inserted viral genome. Female mice (FVB-3) transgenic for a genomic fragment comprised of this truncated region of INT3 express the 2.4-kilobase truncated INT3 transcript and exhibit focal mammary tumors at 100% penetrance. INT3 is a member of a family of genes, highly conserved through evolution and characterized by Drosophila melanogaster Notch and Caenorhabditis elegans lin-12, the function of which relates to cell fate determination. Upon transfection into the appropriate hosts, expression vectors of truncated Notch and lin-12, representing their respective cytoplasmic domains, have been demonstrated to effect their complete gene function with respect to cell fate determination. This suggests that the extracellular portion of these proteins function only to regulate activity. Reciprocal transplantation of transgenic FVB-3 and normal mammary tissue to the epithelium-divested fat pads of the respective donor females demonstrates that FVB-3 mammary epithelium is unable to grow and/or to functionally differentiate. However, normal epithelium grows and fully differentiates in transgenic FVB-3 fat pads, indicating that the dysfunction of FVB-3 mammary glands is due to a deficiency inherent in their epithelium. Electron microscopy reveals that transgenic INT3 epithelial cells do not form intercellular junctional complexes in the developing subadult mammary gland. The hormonal stimulation of pregnancy overcomes the deficiency for ductal growth so apparent in the virgin gland such that pregnant FVB-3 glands produce complete ductal systems. Nevertheless, during pregnancy, FVB-3 mammary cells fail to form secretory lobules and to produce milk. Examination of INT3 expression by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase-PCR show that INT3 is expressed constitutively in mammary stroma and epithelia at all stages of postpubertal mammary evolution. These results indicate that deregulated expression of a truncated Int3 in mammary epithelial cells limits their capacity to perform the cell fate decisions required for morphogenesis and functional differentiation.

G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis are induced in NIH 3T3 cells by KN-93, an inhibitor of CaMK-II (the multifunctional Ca2+/CaM kinase)

Abstract: CaMK-II (the type II multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin kinase) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine protein kinase that is activated by Ca2+ and calmodulin (CaM) and has been implicated in cell cycle control. NIH 3T3 fibroblast cytosolic extracts contain CaMK-II enzymatic activity and two major Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphoproteins of M(r) 55,000 and 115,000. Reverse transcription-PCR indicates that the gamma B and gamma C isozymes of CaMK-II are predominately expressed. KN-93, a novel membrane-permeant synthetic inhibitor of purified neuronal CaMK-II, inhibits serum-induced fibroblast cell growth in a comparable dose-dependent fashion to its inhibition of CaMK-II activity. After 2 days of KN-93 treatment, 95% of cells are arrested in G1. G1 arrest is reversible; 1 day after KN-93 release, a peak of cells had progressed into S and G2-M. KN-92, a similar but inactive compound, had no effect on CaMK-II activity or cell growth. KN-93 also blocked cell growth stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, epidermal growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1. After 3 days of KN-93-induced G1 arrest, cell size and viability decreased and DNA fragmented, indicating apoptosis. These data suggest that CaMK-II is necessary for cell cycle progression through G1 and operates at a site common to the transduction of signals from growth and/or survival factors.

Chronic exposure of cultured transformed mouse epidermal cells to transforming growth factor-beta 1 induces an epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation and a spindle tumoral phenotype.

Abstract: Transformed mouse epidermal keratinocytes of the cell line PDV, when cultured under the presence of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), escaped the block of growth exerted by this factor in normal keratinocytes and underwent marked changes in cell differentiation. TGF-beta 1 induced disruption of epithelial interactions, dispersion of cells, increased local movement, and conversion to a fibroblast-like morphology. These changes were reversible and correlated with down-regulation of epithelial protein markers such as E-cadherin and cytokeratins and upregulation of vimentin. TGF-beta 1-treated cells with a fibroblast-like phenotype induced spindle cell carcinomas upon transplantation in athymic nude mice, whereas untreated PDV cells or fusiform cells reverted to the epithelial phenotype and produced well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Nontumorigenic immortalized epidermal keratinocytes, when grown under the presence of TGF-beta 1, did not transdifferentiate to a mesenchymal phenotype, their proliferation was blocked, and cells finally died. These results suggest a role of TGF-beta 1 in the progression of squamous carcinoma cells to spindle carcinomas in mouse skin carcinogenesis.

Vgr-1/BMP-6 induces osteoblastic differentiation of pluripotential mesenchymal cells

Abstract: The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily is a group of secreted growth factors that appears to play a central role in mesenchymal differentiation, including cartilage and bone formation. The present study examines the role of one member of this family, vgr-1, also called bone morphogenetic protein-6, in mesenchymal cell differentiation. This factor may be considered as a prototype for the largest subgroup of related factors within the TGF-beta superfamily, the function of which has as yet been poorly defined. vgr-1 has been localized previously to hypertrophic cartilage and has been shown to induce endochondral bone formation in vivo. To further characterize the role of vgr-1 in bone and cartilage differentiation, we stably transfected the pluripotent mesenchymal cell line ROB-C26 with a vector to overexpress vgr-1. Overexpression of this factor did not affect cell shape or morphology, but it enhanced osteoblastic differentiation in vitro and altered cellular responsiveness to retinoic acid. Furthermore, the extracellular matrix produced by these vgr-1-overexpressing cells induced ectopic bone formation in vivo and osteoblastic differentiation in vitro, similar to the matrix produced by C26 cells treated with retinoic acid. The osteoinductive effect of the matrix from vgr-1-overexpressing cells was blocked using a neutralizing vgr-1 antibody but not with a neutralizing TGF-beta 1 antibody, indicating that vgr-1 alone was required for this osteogenic effect. In contrast, the osteoinductive effect of matrix from retinoic acid-treated cells was blocked with both vgr-1 and TGF-beta 1 antibodies, suggesting that TGF-beta 1 may act prior to vgr-1 during osteoblastic differentiation. We further demonstrated that osteoinduction by vgr-1 was dependent on presentation of vgr-1 within the matrix, because the osteoinductive effect of matrix from vgr-1-overexpressing cells could not be mimicked with the addition of soluble vgr-1 to parental C26 cells. Finally, overexpression of MyoD within the C26 cells overexpressing vgr-1 converted the cells to myoblasts, indicating that vgr-1 had induced early osteoblastic.

Transfection of TRK-A into human neuroblastoma cells restores their ability to differentiate in response to nerve growth factor.

Abstract: Human neuroblastoma cell lines frequently express the TRK-A proto-oncogene and bind nerve growth factor (NGF) but do not differentiate when exposed to NGF. Transient transfection of an exogenous TRK-A gene into SH-SY5Y and LA-N-5 neuroblastoma cells restored the ability of these tumor cells to differentiate with NGF. Stable TRK-A-transfected SH-SY5Y cell clones were isolated, and they responded to NGF by autophosphorylation of p140trk-A, c-fos induction, morphological differentiation, and increased expression of two neuronal marker genes, neuropeptide tyrosine and GAP-43. In phorbol ester-induced differentiated wild-type cells, TRK-A expression was increased with no change in NGF responsiveness. Thus, the restoration of the NGF-induced differentiation pathway by exogenous TRK-A presents a system of NGF-responsive human cultured cells and focuses attention on the trk-A protein and its function or malfunction in neuroblastoma.

Growth inhibition and apoptosis of RL human B lymphoma cells by vitamin E succinate and retinoic acid: role for transforming growth factor beta

Abstract: Vitamin E succinate (VES) and all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) were determined to be growth inhibitory for B lymphoma cells in vitro. RI, an Epstein-Barr virusnegative human cell line, was growth suppressed 87% with VES (5 pg/mI) and 58% with RA (1O6M); both agents blocked the cells in G1 of the cell cycle. The antiproliferative effed of VES seems to be independent of its potential antioxidant property because both fatand water-soluble antioxidants were found to have no effed on RI cell proliferation. VES and RA increased 1gM antibody concentrations in cell supernatants 5.8and 9.9-fold, respedively. DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry studies showed VES- and RA-induced apoptosis in RI cells. VES- and RA-treated RI cells

FGF-8 isoforms differ in NIH3T3 cell transforming potential

Abstract: We previously identified Fgf-8 as a frequently activated gene in tumors from mouse mammary tumor virus-infected Wnt-1 transgenic mice, suggesting that Fgf-8 is a proto-oncogene. We further determined that multiple, secreted protein isoforms that differ at their mature amino termini are encoded by alternatively spliced mRNAs transcribed from the gene. We now present evidence that there are differences in the potency of NIH3T3 cell transformation displayed by three of the FGF (fibroblast growth factor)-8 isoforms. We find that stable transfection of a cDNA for the FGF-8b isoform leads to marked morphological transformation of NIH3T3 cells and rapid tumorigenicity of the transfected cells in nude mice. In contrast, transfection of a cDNA for the FGF-8a or FGF-8c isoform results in moderate morphological changes in the NIH3T3 cells, and the transfected cells are weakly tumorigenic in nude mice. All three transfections result in cells that express comparable amounts of Fgf-8 mRNA and that produce the FGF-8 protein isoforms. The morphological changes observed in NIH3T3 cells can be reproduced by the addition of recombinant FGF-8 protein isoforms to the culture medium. Therefore, these results indicate that there are differences in the potency of transformation of NIH3T3 cells by FGF-8 protein isoforms and suggest that these FGF-8 isoforms may have different in vivo functions.

Transforming potential of the insulin receptor substrate 1.

Abstract: Abstrad The role of the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-i) in cellular transformation was studied in R- cells, which are 3T3-like fibroblasts derived from mouse embryos with a targeted disruption of the insulin-like growth fador I receptor gene. These cells cannot be transformed by oncogenes that readily transform cells originating from wild-type littermate embryos (or other 3T3-Iike cells). In the present study, we demonstrate that in R- cells, the overexpression of the fundional IRS-i protein was sufficient to induce a mitogenic response to insulin but did not promote transformation, as measured by colony formation in soft agar. The coexpression of IRS-i and the SV4O T antigen, however, induced transformation. Conversely, expression of an antisense IRS-i RNA reversed the transformed phenotype in wildtype cells carrying the T antigen. Since the type 1 insulin-like growth fador receptor, by itself, is fully transforming, we propose the hypothesis that the transforming competence of this receptor is based on at least two signaling pathways, one of which is IRS-i dependent, whereas the other(s) can be substituted with the 5V40 T antigen.

Regulation of bcl-2, bcl-XL and bax in the control of apoptosis by hematopoietic cytokines and dexamethasone.

Abstract: Treatment of M1 myeloid leukemic cells with interleukin 6 (IL-6) or dexamethasone (DEX), both of which induce differentiation in these cells, down-regulated expression of the apoptosis-suppressing gene bcl-2 and the apoptosis-promoting gene bax but up-regulated expression of the apoptosis-suppressing gene bcl-XL. There was a higher expression of bcl-XL in cells treated with DEX or DEX plus IL-6 compared to cells treated with IL-6 alone. The alternatively spliced bcl-X gene, bcl-Xs, which interferes with the action of bcl-2, was not expressed. Treatment with IL-6 increased the susceptibility of these cells to induction of apoptosis by Adriamycin or cycloheximide, but treatment with DEX or with IL-6 and DEX did not. Withdrawal of DEX after up-regulation of bcl-XL resulted in a decrease in bcl-XL expression and a concomitant increase in cell susceptibility to induction of apoptosis. Another myeloid leukemia that shows barely detectable expression of bcl-2 also showed up-regulated expression of bcl-XL but no change in bax after induction of differentiation with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and this reduced cell susceptibility to induction of apoptosis by Adriamycin or cycloheximide. The results indicate that the related apoptosis-regulating genes bcl-2, bcl-XL, and bax are differently regulated and that up-regulation of bcl-XL expression may compensate for down-regulation of bcl-2 in the balance between genes that control apoptosis.

p53-independent apoptotic and necrotic cell deaths induced by adenovirus infection: suppression by E1B 19K and Bcl-2 proteins

Abstract: Adenovirus El B 19K protein prevents premature death of adenovirus-infected cells. Viral mutants (19K mutants) defective in the 19K protein induce enhanced cell death, resulting in fragmentation of viral and cellular DNA. The 19K protein can also suppressthe effects of certain external cell death-inducing stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor a and various DNA-damaging agents that induce apoptosis. We have examined viral infection of permissive human cells and nonpermissive rat cells to determine if the 19K mutant induces apoptotic or necrotic type of cell death. Infection of normal rat kidney cells with an adenovirus type 2 19K deletion mutant induces internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin. Electron microscopic examination of these cells revealed the presence of condensed subnuclear bodies characteristic of apoptosis. In contrast, infection of human A549 cells induces random DNA fragmentation, and these cells do not exhibit characteristic condensation of the nuclear chromatin but contain enlarged nuclei loaded with virus particles. Therefore, it appears that adenovirus infection induces both apoptotic and necrotic types of cell death, depending on the cell type. Both types of cell death can be suppressed by El B 19K protein. Similarly, a recombinant adenovirus expressing the human BcI-2 protein but lacking the El B proteins can efficiently suppress both apoptotic and necrotic cell death induced by adenovirus infection. The requirement of p53 tumor suppressor protein in adenovirus-induced cell death was investigated by infection of human Saos2 and mouse p53 nullizygous (pS3-/-) cells lacking p53 tumor suppressor protein. In both cell types, the 19K mutant induced enhanced DNA fragmentation, indicating that the adenovirus-induced cell death program can occur independently of p53 expression.

Synergistic interaction of transforming growth factor alpha and c-myc in mouse mammary and salivary gland tumorigenesis.

Abstract: The c-myc oncogene is commonly amplified in breast cancer and is known to interact synergistically with transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) in vitro to promote phenotypic transformation of mammary epithelial cells. In addition, both genes are under sex steroid hormone regulation in breast cancer. We have used a bitransgenic mouse approach to test the relevance of Myc-TGF alpha interaction in mammary gland tumorigenesis of virgin animals in vivo. We mated single transgenic TGF alpha and c-myc mouse strains to yield double transgenic offspring for TGF alpha and c-myc. All (20 of 20) double transgenic TGF alpha/c-myc animals developed synchronous mammary tumors at a mean age of 66 days. An unexpected finding was that tumor latency and frequency in males and virgin females were identical. Thus, two gene products that are known to be coinduced in breast cancer by the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone strongly synergize to induce synchronous mammary tumors, independent of sex. The tumors, despite being estrogen receptor positive, were readily transplanted as highly malignant s.c. cancers in ovariectomized nude mice. Although approximately one-half of single transgenic c-myc virgin females also eventually developed mammary gland tumors, these were stochastic and arose after a long latency period of 9-12 months. Single transgenic virgin TGF alpha females and males, c-myc males, and transgene-negative littermates did not develop tumors (ages up to 15 months). The salivary glands of double transgenic animals also coexpress the two transgenes and show pathological abnormalities ranging from hyperplasias to frank adenocarcinomas. In contrast, the salivary glands of single transgenic and wild-type animals showed only mild hyperplasias or metaplasias, but tumors were not observed. In situ hybridization analysis of mammary and salivary glands revealed that hyperplastic and tumorous areas colocalize with regions that overexpress both the TGF alpha and c-myc transgenes. This indicates that there is a requirement for the presence of both proteins for transformation of these glands. In summary, TGF alpha and c-Myc synergize in an extremely powerful way to cause breast and salivary gland tumorigenesis in males and virgin females without a requirement for pregnancies.

Expression and activity of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB)-family proteins, p107 and p130, during L6 myoblast differentiation

Abstract: The activity of the E2 F-family of transcription factors is tightly linked to control of the cell cycle. p107 and p130, two closely related members of the retinoblastoma protein-family of negative cell cycle regulators, modulate the activity of the E2f-family proteins by direct interaction with these factors. To understand the role of p107 and p130 in progression through or exit from the cell cycle, we have characterized the expression, phosphorylation state, cyclin-binding, and E2f-binding activity of p107 and p130 during terminal differentiation of rat myoblast cells into immature skeletal muscle (myotubes). In exponentially growing L6 myoblasts, p107 is phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, and E2f-site binding complexes containing p107 is phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, and E2f-site binding complexes containing p107 can be observed throughout the cell cycle. During differentiation of L6 cells, p107 levels are reduced, while p130 protein levels are increased 8-fold. Despite both p107 and p130 becoming hypophosphorylated during myogenesis, the E2F-site DNA-binding complexes containing p107 observed in exponentially growing myoblasts are quantitatively replaced in myotubes with complexes containing only p130. In myotubes, p107 is not associated with E2f-family proteins that are capable of binding DNA. The failure to observe p107-containing complexes in myotubes appears to be due to the differentiation-specific induction of both p130 and cyclin D3, p107 is found in complexes with cyclin D3 in myotubes, and the addition of exogenous cyclin D3 or p130 to lysates from undifferentiated L6 cells was able to disrupt p107-containing E2F-site binding complexes. In myotubes, p130 also forms complexes with cyclin D3 as well as cyclin E, cdk2, and cdk4. We are able to copurify cyclin D3 with cyclin E from myotubes, indicating the presence of a macromolecular complex containing both cyclin E and cyclin D3 simultaneously bound to p130. Thus, in myoblasts, p107 is normally involved in regulation of E2f-family proteins during cell cycle progression, while p130 is a differentiation-specific regulator of E2f activity. Our results also provide evidence that the apparent positive regulator of cell cycle progression, cyclin D3, has a function in terminally differentiated muscle cells.

Expression of the neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) isoforms in developing and adult rat tissues.

Abstract: The neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) gene encodes a large M(r) approximately 250,000 phosphoprotein, the expression of which in adult tissues is limited to neurons, Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, adrenal medulla, and leukocytes. The presence of two alternatively spliced exons (23a and 48a) in the NF1 gene allow for the generation of four possible neurofibromin isoforms. Type 1 neurofibromin contains neither 23a or 48a exon sequences, while type 2 neurofibromin contains only the 23a exon insertion. Previous studies have demonstrated that types 1 and 2 neurofibromin might have different functional properties relative to microtubule association and GTPase-activating protein activity towards p21-ras. To determine the normal pattern of expression of these NF1 isoforms, the adult and developmental expression of types 1 and 2 NF1 was examined. Herein, we demonstrate that NF1 mRNA is expressed at varying levels in adult tissues and is developmentally regulated during embryogenesis. Neurons in the central nervous system express predominantly type 1 NF1. Using mouse neocortical cultures enriched for neurons or glial cells, type 1 NF1 predominance was demonstrated in neurons, while type 2 NF1 predominated in glial cells. In contrast to central nervous system neurons, neurons expressing the type 2 NF1 isoform were identified in the developing dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord by in situ hybridization using a type 2-specific oligonucleotide probe. The elucidation of the differential expression pattern of these two NF1 isoforms during development and in adult life provides the foundations for future studies aimed at determining the functions of these neurofibromin isoforms.

Cholesterol sulfate activates multiple protein kinase C isoenzymes and induces granular cell differentiation in cultured murine keratinocytes.

Abstract: The accumulation of cholesterol sulfate (CS) in differentiating keratinocytes coincides with the expression of protein kinase C (PKC)-regulated granular layer differentiation markers both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the ability of Cs to induce differentiation marker expression in primary mouse keratinocytes and to modulate keratinocyte PKC isozymes (alpha, delta, epsilon, eta, and sigma). Treatment of basal keratinocytes with CS induced the expression of the granular layer proteins filaggrin and loricrin and decreased the level of the spinous keratin K1. CS stimulated cornification and blocked the induction of K10 in keratinocytes induced to differentiate by calcium. The induction of filaggrin and loricrin by CS corresponds to a granular layer differentiation program, where PKC activation occurs and was blocked by the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. Treatment of keratinocytes with CS caused PKC epsilon, eta, and sigma to be selectively lost from the cytosol fraction and increased in the cytoskeletal fraction. The loss of soluble PKC epsilon, eta, and sigma was rapid (1 h) and sustained (44 h). PKC alpha and delta were not redistributed. In vitro, CS induced kinase activity of PKC epsilon, eta, and sigma to a greater extent than did the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate for these isoforms. PKC alpha and delta were activated to a lesser extent by CS than by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. The translocation of PKC epsilon, eta, and sigma in intact cells treated with CS, together with the in vitro activation of recombinant PKC epsilon, eta, and sigma preferentially by CS, suggests a role for these isoforms in the induction of keratinocyte differentiation by CS.