[Study of postgastrectomy fatty liver].

Fatty liver was often found concomitantly by the ultrasound during the follow up study of the gastric cancer operation. By ultrasound, development of postgastrectomy fatty liver was seen in 29 out of 176 patients (16.5%) with several gastrectomies. The number of the patients with postgastrectomy fatty liver was 12 out of 104 patients (11.5%) with distal partial gastrectomy with B-I reconstruction, while that was 17 of 72 patients (23.6%) with total gastrectomy with several reconstructions. The incidence of postoperative fatty liver change was significantly higher in the patients under 59 years old compared to the elders. Seventy-five g oral glucose test induced oxyhyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in patients with gastrectomy, especially with total gastrectomy. Integrated plasma insulin and triglyceride responses during first one hour in postgastrectomy patients were significantly higher than preoperative values. Moreover, plasma insulin and blood sugar in response to oral glucose test were significantly higher in patients with postgastrectomy fatty liver, compared to those in patients without fatty liver. These results suggested that the postgastrectomy fatty liver was resulted from the abnormality of the glucose metabolism.


[Changes in hepatic volume following direct interrupting surgery for patients with esophageal varices].

The aim of this study is to assess the long term changes in hepatic volume and liver function after direct interrupting surgery. Twenty-four patients with esophageal varices associated with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) or liver cirrhosis (LC) who received esophageal transection combined with splenectomy and paraesophago-cardial devascularization were studied, retrospectively. Volume of the liver was obtained by CT scan and was estimated before and after the operation. Plasma indocyanine green disappearance rate (KICG), body weight and liver function test were also evaluated at the same time. In patients with IPH, liver volume and KICG reduced significantly after direct interrupting surgery (liver volume: -21.3%, p < 0.01, KICG: -25.7%, p < 0.01). And in patients with LC, liver volume and KICG also significantly reduced after the surgery (liver volume: -9.6%, p < 0.05, KICG: -15.2%, p < 0.05). However, neither postoperative weight loss nor deterioration of hepatic function was observed. Decreasing rate of the liver volume showed a significant correlation to the spleen volume. These results suggest that interruption of the splenic blood flow by splenectomy leads to reduction of the effective hepatic blood flow and eventually to decrease in the liver volume.


[An experimental study on mechanism of regurgitation of the intrabiliary endotoxin into the blood stream in obstructive jaundice].

Using adult mongrel dogs with or without obstructive jaundice (OJ) the significance of the biliary pressure and the route of regurgitation were investigated by intrabiliary injection of endotoxin (ET) (10 micrograms/kg) or saline (control group) under various intrabiliary pressure levels (not carried, 25cmH2O, 35cmH2O). Some of dogs were cannulated into the thoracic duct for the purpose of drainage of the hepatic lymph. The dogs with OJ, of which the common biliary duct had been ligated and resected for two weeks, had ET shock under lower intrabiliary pressure level (25cmH2O) than the dogs without OJ. The drainage of the hepatic lymph could not attenuate ET shock. The ET volume per minute and the total ET volume extracted from the thoracic duct lymph was not increased in the dogs with OJ compared with the control group, while they were significantly increased in the dogs without OJ in proportion to the intrabiliary pressure level. These results suggest that in OJ, ET shock is easily caused by regurgitation of the intrabiliary ET into the blood stream under lower intrabiliary pressure level, and the intrabiliary ET is mainly regurgitated by cholangio-venous reflux, while the cholangio-lymphatic pathway does not function for the route of regurgitation.


[Effectiveness of intraoperative cytological examination of peritoneal washings for patients with pancreatic cancer].

To confirm the effectiveness of cytological examination of peritoneal washings for detecting invisible micro-peritoneal dissemination in patients with pancreatic cancer, results were analyzed with the survival and the background factors of the patients. Cytological examination of peritoneal washings or ascitic fluid at recto-vesical pouch or pouch of Douglas was performed in 37 patients with primary pancreatic cancer. Positive results for cancer cells were obtained in five of 9 patients (55.6%) who received cytological examination of ascitic fluid and in seven of 28 patients (25.0%) who received that of peritoneal washings. Four of 6 patients (66.7%) with visible peritoneal dissemination showed positive results. These 6 patients died of peritoneal dissemination with about 10 months. Eight of 31 patients (25.8%) without visible peritoneal dissemination showed positive results of the cytological examination. Two of the 8 patients received resection of the tumor. Other 6 patients without resection developed clinically evident peritoneal carcinomatosis. A high positive rate (66.7%) of cytological examination of the patients with visible peritoneal dissemination and a high incidence of appearance of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with positive cytological results but without visible peritoneal dissemination (75.0%; positive vs 26.1%; negative) indicate a high reliability of the cytological examination to detect invisible micro-peritoneal dissemination.


[Prognostic factors of papillary carcinomas of the thyroid gland--retrospective multivariate analysis of 227 patients with median follow-up 130 months].

I carried out the retrospective analysis of the prognostic factors of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland by using Cox's proportional hazard model using SAS program, and obtained the following conclusions. Two hundred and twenty seven patients who received surgical treatment under the diagnosis of carcinoma of the thyroid in the 1st Department Surgery of Yokohama City University during 24 years from 1964 to 1987 were subjected to this study. As prognostic factors, sex, age at the diagnosis, size of the tumor, presence of lymph node metastasis, number of the metastatic lymph nodes, presence of the local infiltration, presence of the distant metastasis and thyroidectomy were investigated. From these results, age at the diagnosis (chi 2 = 18.93, p < 0.0001, beta = 0.06, risk ratio = 0.203), presence of the local infiltration (chi 2 = 14.55, p < 0.0001, beta = 0.75, risk ratio = 0.175) and sex (chi 2 = 7.63, p < 0.01, beta = -0.91, risk ratio = 0.175) were considered statistically significant. Patients over 50 years of age at the diagnosis and presence of the local infiltration had high risk of death from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Particularly, age at the diagnosis was the most important prognostic factor. Therefore, it was considered that therapeutic approach taking age into consideration is important for the treatment of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.


[A role of interpectoral (Rotter's) lymph node dissection in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer].

To study the influence of interpectoral lymph node (IPN) dissection on the prognosis of patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy, IPN was carefully dissected and studied pathologically on 168 cases of our breast cancer patients operated with modified radical mastectomy. There were 1.2 lymph nodes on an average in the interpectoral region, and they were almost 1-2mm in diameter. IPN metastases were found in 10 cases. (Tis: 0%, Stage I: 4.9%, Stage II: 5.7%, Stage III: 13%). Tumors located in outer quadrant in almost all these cases. Positive IPN were found in 6 (16%) of n1 alpha group, 1 (10%) of n1 beta group, and in 3 (50%) of n2 group. All these 3 cases of n2 died of distant metastasis and local recurrence. Two (1.7%) of axillary node (1a, 1b) negative patients had microinvolvement of cancer only in IPN, and are currently disease-free. These data suggest that IPN metastasis may occur even in the early breast cancer patients, and that may be controllable by lymph node excision. Therefore, routine and careful dissection of IPN through wide opening of sulcus interpectoralis is necessary for modified radical mastectomy and even for breast preserving operation.


[Operative strategy for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with concomitant reconstruction of four main abdominal branches].

A thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) involving major abdominal branches remains still difficult to be managed. From 1983 to 1990, we successfully operated five such cases. Our operative strategy for TAAA which necessitates concomitant reconstruction of four major abdominal branches is i) to utilize temporary bypass to maintain distal perfusion during aortic cross-clamping, ii) to reconstruct bilateral renal arteries prior to aortic clamping in order to shorten renal ischemic time as much as possible, iii) to reconstruct celiac and superior mesenteric arteries by Crawford's method, iv) to reconstruct two pairs of intercostal arteries by using diagonal anastomosis in the proximal site, and v) to divide the left renal vein temporarily for easy manipulation of renal arteries. All five cases were recovered uneventfully. This procedure, in which the renal ischemic time is saved as short as possible, is considered a safe and reasonable one for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.


[Serum and tissue lysosomal enzymes and liver dysfunction after an experimental acute lower limbs ischemia in the rats].

Adult male Wistar rats were divided in 3 groups. In the first group, infrarenal abdominal aorta was occluded for 6 hours and reperfused thereafter. In the second group, the reperfusion was not made, and the third group underwent a sham operation. Lysosomal enzymatic activities were assessed in serum tissues. Lysosomal membrane fragilities were estimated also in these tissues. Finally, 14C-aminopyrine breath test (ABT) was studied to define the possible liver dysfunction caused by limb ischemia. As a result, release of lysosomal enzymes from ischemic muscle was confirmed in vitro experiments, and the increase in the serum was statistically significant in the first and second groups as compared to the third group. Particularly prominent was a marked elevation of cathepsin-D in the first group which was observed immediately after the release of occlusion. Results of liver lysosomal enzymes and ABT revealed significant cellular damages and depression of microsomal function of the liver both in the first and second groups. These studies suggest that lysosomal enzymes derived from ischemic muscle exert a possible toxicity on the liver, and liver damage thus resulted may play a roll on the pathogenesis of whole body injury associated with acute and critical lower limb ischemia.


Dietary level of protein regulates glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase content and synthesis rate in mouse liver cytosol.

The content of liver cytosolic proteins was studied in mice subjected to protein depletion followed by refeeding with a normal diet. Depletion elicited either the accumulation or the decrease of several polypeptides, being the early increase of a M(r) 36,000 polypeptide the most pronounced change observed. The refeeding with a normal diet for 2 days caused a return of the cytosol protein composition to that of normally fed animals. The M(r) 36,000 polypeptide was identified as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Its molecular weight, the sequence of its first twenty amino acid residues, its amino acid composition and its antigenic properties were found to be similar with those of GAPDH from different mammalian cells. During the first 2 days of protein depletion, both the GAPDH polypeptide content and activity increased. Thereafter, the enzymatic activity of GAPDH decreased, whereas GAPDH protein mass decreased in a lesser extent. The accumulation of GAPDH and other particular polypeptides in the cytosols of protein depleted mice was associated with an increased synthesis. The refeeding with a normal diet caused an immediate return to the synthesis pattern of normal livers.


Evidence for a lack of functional receptors for nerve growth factor (NGF) in chick bone cells in vitro.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essential for the development and differentiation of sympathetic and sensory neurons. Recently, NGF receptors were demonstrated in non-neural cells, and several mesenchymal cell types including lymphocytes and skeletal myotubes were shown to be stimulated to proliferate by NGF. Our purpose was to examine for the presence of functional NGF receptors in osteoblasts. Bone cells from chick calvaria were used as a model; PC-12 cells derived from rat adrenal pheochromocytoma were used as positive controls. NGF was examined for functions in chick bone cells by studying effects on (1) [3H]-thymidine incorporation; (2) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; and (3) protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Effects of NGF on thymidine incorporation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation by PC-12 cells were also measured. A radioreceptor assay was used to test for the presence of receptors. In chick calvarial cells, NGF had no effect on thymidine incorporation, ALP activity or protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Radioreceptor assay with bone cells showed no evidence of NGF receptors. In contrast, in PC-12 cells, NGF (1) decreased thymidine incorporation; (2) increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation; and (3) showed receptor activity by radioreceptor assay. In conclusion, unlike several other mesenchymal cell types, chick bone cells show no evidence of NGF receptors or functional responses to NGF in vitro.


Dual anomeric specificity of phosphomannoisomerase assessed by 2D phase sensitive 13C EXSY NMR.

The reversible conversion between D-mannose 6-phosphate and D-fructose 6-phosphate catalyzed by yeast phosphomannoisomerase was studied by phase sensitive 2D 13C-(1H) EXSY NMR spectroscopy at 100.623 MHz, using 13C enriched substrates in the C2 position of the D-hexose 6-phosphates. The unique pair of isomerization cross-peaks observed in the 2D EXSY map correlates the 13C2 resonances of the beta-anomers of both D-[2-13C]-mannose 6-phosphate and D-[213C]-fructose 6-phosphate. This indicates that phosphomannoisomerase specifically catalyzes the reversible conversion between beta-D-mannose 6-phosphate and beta-D-fructose 6-phosphate. Since phosphoglucoisomerase was recently found to catalyze specifically the interconversion of alpha-D-glucose 6-phosphate and beta-D-fructose 6-phosphate, the beta-anomer of the ketohexose ester could be directly channeled in a multi-enzyme system involving phosphoglucoisomerase, phosphomannoisomerase and phosphofructokinase.


Effect of ethanol on hepatic ribosomal proteins and mRNA.

Levels of RNA, mRNA and separation of ribosomal proteins from control and ethanol treated rat liver, showed no change in total RNA content, but poly(A+)mRNA was reduced significantly in ethanolic rats. Ribosomal proteins S2, S3a, S3b, S4, L3, L4, L4a, L10a and L15 were found substantially reduced in experimental rat livers. This study suggests decrease in poly(A+) mRNA coupled with loss of ribosomal proteins must be responsible for decreased protein synthesis in chronic alcoholism.


Alterations in human gingival glycosaminoglycan pattern in inflammation and in phenytoin induced overgrowth.

Glycosaminoglycans were extracted from normal, inflamed and phenytoin induced overgrowth of human gingival tissue by proteolysis and alcohol precipitation. Extracts were run in a Dowex-1 column and the fractions were treated with mucopolysaccharidases. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was carried out with or without enzyme digestion for identification of individual glycosaminoglycans. Glycosaminoglycans were found to be decreased in inflammation but were observed to increase in the overgrowth. Hyaluronic acid was found to be increased in both the pathological conditions. Dermatan sulphate, chondroitin sulphate and heparan sulphate were observed to be decreased in inflammation. In overgrowth, dermatan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate were found to increase while the presence of heparan sulphate was not significant. The changes in the pattern of individual glycosaminoglycan in the two varied conditions are discussed.


Presence of a highly specific histone H1-like protein in the chromatin of the sperm of the bivalve mollusks.

Chromatin organization in the sperm of the bivalve mollusks results from the interaction between a discrete number of protamine-like proteins (PL) and DNA. A small variable amount of histones is also present. An extensive study carried out on a relatively large number of species, within the class Bivalvia, has shown that it is possible to arrange these mollusks into five major categories on the basis of their PL composition (Ausio, J. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 85, 439-449, (1986) [1]). In the present work, we have extended this analysis to a larger number of species and found that in spite of the inter- and intra-specific similarity of all PL proteins in their chemical composition, they exhibit different degrees of structural variability. Moreover one of these PL proteins is present in all the species analyzed, and bears an enormous resemblance to histones of the H1 family. The evolutionary significance of this finding is discussed.


Homeostatic restoration of microsomal lipids and enzyme changes in HMG-CoA reductase and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase in chick liver.

We have studied the correlation between changes in the lipid composition in chick liver microsomes and the activities of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) by in vivo and in vitro experiments with 21-day-old chicks. A 5% cholesterol diet for 3 hr produced an increase in the microsomal and plasmatic cholesterol content, a decrease in HMG-CoA reductase activity and a concomitant increase in ACAT activity. The effect produced by the short-term treatment virtually disappeared 27 hr after ending the cholesterol diet. In vitro experiments were carried out by using vesicles constituted by phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine.


The effects of insulin, cycloheximide and phalloidin on the content of actin and p35 in extracts prepared from the nuclear fraction of Krebs II ascites cells.

The nuclear fraction isolated from Krebs II ascites cells following cell disruption by nitrogen cavitation was separated into four fractions by salt/detergent extraction: NP-40 soluble fraction, 130 mM KCl extract, DOC/Triton x 100 soluble fraction and salt/detergent treated nuclei. The protein composition of the individual fractions was studied by SDS-PAGE and the relative amounts of actin and a 35 kDa protein (p35) were measured from gel scans. There was a time-dependent shift of actin from the 130 mM KCl extract to the NP-40 soluble fraction upon storage of the nuclear fraction on ice, indicating a progressive depolymerization of microfilaments. Compared with actin there was a slower release of p35 into the NP-40 soluble fraction. The results suggest that p35 is not integrated in the microfilament network. Phalloidin, which stabilizes the microfilaments, enriched the amount of both proteins in the 130 mM KCl extracts, together with a series of other proteins in the range 50-205 kDa. The presence of phalloidin also resulted in a large increase in the actin content in both the DOC/Triton x 100 extract and the fraction containing salt/detergent treated nuclei. Incubation of cells with insulin and/or cycloheximide enriched the amount of actin in the 130 mM KCl fraction. The results show that short term incubation of cells with phalloidin, insulin or cycloheximide increases the actin content of the nuclear fraction and also affects the presence of several other proteins.


The effect of ischaemia-reperfusion on [3H]inositol phosphates and ins(1,4,5)P3 levels in cardiac atria and ventricles--a comparative study.

In this study incorporation of [3H]inositol into inositol phosphates and phosphoinositides as well as tissue Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels of the atria and ventricles of isolated, perfused rat hearts were compared. Although the incorporation of [3H]inositol into the phosphoinositides of atria and ventricles was similar, significantly higher (2-3 fold) incorporation rates into inositol phosphates were observed in atrial tissue. Using a D-myo-[3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 assay system, the Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels observed in atria from perfused rat hearts were also significantly higher than those obtained under the same experimental circumstances in the ventricles. Since previous studies on whole hearts showed inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) pathway during ischaemia with an immediate significant stimulation upon reperfusion [12, 20], the effects of ischaemia and 1 min postischaemic reperfusion were also examined separately in atria and ventricles. The results showed that 20 min of global ischaemia significantly depressed Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels as well as incorporation of [3H]inositol into ventricular InsP2 and InsP3. Reperfusion caused an immediate (within 1 min) increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels and also [3H]inositol incorporation into all three cytosolic inositol phosphates in the ventricles. However, the effect of ischaemia and reperfusion on Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels as well as the incorporation of [3H]inositol into the inositol phosphates were less prominent in the atria. It therefore appears that the differential responses of the atria and the ventricles to an oxygen deficiency [41] are also reflected in the differences in PI metabolism during ischaemia-reperfusion.


A novel 7-nucleotide motif located in 3' untranslated sequences of the immediate-early gene set mediates platelet-derived growth factor induction of the JE gene.

A cohort of the serum and growth factor regulated immediate-early gene set is induced with slower kinetics than c-fos. Two of the first immediate-early genes characterized as such, c-myc and JE, are contained within this subset. cis-acting genomic elements mediating induction of the slower responding subset of immediate-early genes have never been characterized. Herein we characterize two widely separated genomic elements which are together essential for induction of the murine JE gene by platelet-derived growth factor, serum, interleukin-1, and double-stranded RNA. One of these elements is novel in several regards. It is a 7-mer, TTTTGTA, found in the proximal 3' sequences downstream of the JE stop codon. The 3' element is position dependent and orientation independent. It does not function in polyadenylation, splicing, or destabilization of the JE transcript. Copies of the 7-mer or its inverse are found at comparable 3' sites in 25 immediate-early genes that encode transcription factors or cytokines. Given its general occurrence, the 7-mer may be a required cis-acting control element mediating induction of the immediate-early gene set.


Purine biosynthetic genes are required for cadmium tolerance in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Phytochelatins (PCs) are metal-chelating peptides produced in plants and some fungi in response to heavy metal exposure. A Cd-sensitive mutant of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, defective in production of a PC-Cd-sulfide complex essential for metal tolerance, was found to harbor mutations in specific genes of the purine biosynthetic pathway. Genetic analysis of the link between metal complex accumulation and purine biosynthesis enzymes revealed that genetic lesions blocking two segments of the pathway, before and after the IMP branchpoint, are required to produce the Cd-sensitive phenotype. The biochemical functions of these two segments of the pathway are similar, and a model based on the alternate use of a sulfur analog substrate is presented. The novel participation of purine biosynthesis enzymes in the conversion of the PC-Cd complex to the PC-Cd-sulfide complex in the fission yeast raises an intriguing possibility that these same enzymes might have a role in sulfur metabolism in the fission yeast S. pombe, and perhaps in other biological systems.


Specific changes of Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and a GAP-associated p62 protein during calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation.

Induction of tyrosine phosphorylation occurs as an early and specific event in keratinocyte differentiation. A set of tyrosine-phosphorylated substrates which transduce mitogenic signals by tyrosine kinases has previously been identified. We show here that of these substrates, the Ras GTPase-activating protein, GAP, is specifically affected during calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation. As early as 10 min after calcium addition to cultured primary mouse keratinocytes, GAP associates with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and translocates to the membrane. In addition, a GAP-associated protein of approximately 62 kDa (p62) becomes rapidly and heavily tyrosine phosphorylated in both membrane and cytosolic fractions. This protein corresponds to the major tyrosine-phosphorylated protein that is induced in differentiating keratinocytes as early as 5 min after calcium addition. p62 phosphorylation was not observed after exposure of these cells to epidermal growth factor, phorbol ester, or transforming growth factor beta. In contrast, PLC gamma and P13K were tyrosine phosphorylated after epidermal growth factor, but not calcium, stimulation. Thus, changes of Ras GAP and an associated p62 protein occur as early and specific events in keratinocyte differentiation and appear to involve a calcium-induced tyrosine kinase.


Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine is stimulated by Ras proteins during mitogenic signal transduction.

We have used a dominant inhibitory ras mutant (Ha-ras Asn-17) to investigate the relationship of Ras proteins to hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the transduction of mitogenic signals. Expression of Ha-Ras Asn-17 inhibited NIH 3T3 cell proliferation induced by polypeptide growth factors or phorbol esters. In contrast, the mitogenic activity of PC-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) was not inhibited by Ha-Ras Asn-17 expression. Similarly, cotransfection with a cloned PC-PLC gene bypassed the block to NIH 3T3 cell proliferation resulting from expression of the inhibitory ras mutant. Hydrolysis of PC can therefore induce cell proliferation in the absence of normal Ras activity, suggesting that PC-derived second messengers may act downstream of Ras in mitogenic signal transduction. This was substantiated by the finding that Ha-Ras Asn-17 expression inhibited growth factor-stimulated hydrolysis of PC. Taken together, these results indicate that PC hydrolysis is a target of Ras during the transduction of growth factor-initiated mitogenic signals.


Multiple in vivo footprints are specific to the active allele of the X-linked human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gene 5' region: implications for X chromosome inactivation.

Dosage compensation of X-linked genes in male and female mammals is accomplished by random inactivation of one X chromosome in each female somatic cell. As a result, a transcriptionally active allele and a transcriptionally inactive allele of most X-linked genes reside within each female nucleus. To examine the mechanism responsible for maintaining this unique system of differential gene expression, we have analyzed the differential binding of regulatory proteins to the 5' region of the human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene on the active and inactive X chromosomes. Studies of DNA-protein interactions associated with the transcriptionally active and inactive HPRT alleles were carried out in intact cultured cells by in vivo footprinting by using ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction and dimethyl sulfate. Analysis of the active allele demonstrates at least six footprinted regions, whereas no footprints were detected on the inactive allele. Of the footprints on the active allele, at least four occur over canonical GC boxes or Sp1 consensus binding sites, one is associated with a potential AP-2 binding site, and another is associated with a DNA sequence not previously reported to interact with a sequence-specific DNA-binding factor. While no footprints were observed for the HPRT gene on the inactive X chromosome, reactivation of the inactive allele with 5-azacytidine treatment restored the in vivo footprint pattern found on the active allele. Results of these experiments, in conjunction with recent studies on the X-linked human PGK-1 gene, bear implications for models of X chromosome inactivation.


Mitogenic signaling by colony-stimulating factor 1 and ras is suppressed by the ets-2 DNA-binding domain and restored by myc overexpression.

The activity of p21ras is required for the proliferative response to colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), and signals transduced by both the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) and p21ras stimulate transcription from promoter elements containing overlapping binding sites for Fos/Jun- and Ets-related proteins. A sequence encoding the DNA-binding domain and nuclear localization signal of human c-ets-2, which lacked portions of the c-ets-2 gene product necessary for trans activation, was fused to the bacterial lacZ gene and expressed from an actin promoter in NIH 3T3 cells expressing either the v-ras oncogene or human CSF-1R. Nuclear expression of the Ets-LacZ protein, confirmed by histochemical staining of beta-galactosidase, inhibited the activity of ras-responsive enhancer elements and suppressed morphologic transformation by v-ras as well as CSF-1R-dependent colony formation in semisolid medium. When CSF-1R-bearing cells expressing the Ets-LacZ protein were stimulated by CSF-1, induction of c-ets-2, c-jun, and c-fos ensued, but the c-myc response was impaired. Enforced expression of the c-myc gene overrode the suppressive effect of ets-lacZ and restored the ability of these cells to form colonies in response to CSF-1. NIH 3T3 cells engineered to express a CSF-1R (Phe-809) mutant similarly cannot form CSF-1-dependent colonies in semisolid medium and exhibit an impaired c-myc response, but expression of an exogenous myc gene resensitizes these cells to CSF-1 [M. F. Roussel, J. L. Cleveland, S. A. Shurtleff, and C. J. Sherr, Nature (London) 353:361-363, 1991]. The ability of these cells to respond to CSF-1 was also rescued by enforced expression of an endogenous c-ets-2 gene. The ets family of transcription factors therefore plays a central role in integrating both CSF-1R and ras-induced mitogenic signals and in modulating the myc response to CSF-1 stimulation.


Biological function of the retinoblastoma protein requires distinct domains for hyperphosphorylation and transcription factor binding.

Despite the importance of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene to tumor growth control, the structural features of its encoded protein (pRb) and their relationship to protein function have not been well explored. We constructed a panel of deletion mutants of pRb expression vectors and used a biological assay for pRb that measures growth inhibition and morphologic changes in pRb-transfected Saos-2 cells to correlate structural alterations of the pRb coding region with function. We tested the deleted proteins for the ability to bind to viral oncoprotein E1A and to the transcription factor E2F. We also measured the ability of the mutant proteins to become hyperphosphorylated in vivo and to be recognized as substrates in vitro by a cell cycle-regulatory kinase associated with cyclin A. We identified two regions of pRb that are required for E2F binding and for hyperphosphorylation. E1A binding domains partially overlap but are distinct from both of these other two regions. Biological function of pRb is dependent on retention of the integrity of both of these biochemically defined domains. These data support the model that pRb is a transducer of afferent signals (via the kinase that phosphorylates it) and efferent signals (through transcription factor binding), using distinct structural elements. Preservation of both of these features is essential for the ability of pRb to induce growth inhibition and morphologic changes upon reintroduction into transfected cells.


Hypoxic induction of the human erythropoietin gene: cooperation between the promoter and enhancer, each of which contains steroid receptor response elements.

Transcription of the human erythropoietin (Epo) gene is stimulated by exposure to hypoxia and/or cobalt in whole animals and in Hep3B cells. We have systematically investigated the promoter and 3' enhancer elements necessary for this induction by transient transfection of Hep3B cells. We define a promoter region of 53 bp and an enhancer region of 43 bp that confer hypoxia and cobalt inducibility. Each element gives rise to a 6- to 10-fold induction alone. In combination they produce a 50-fold induction after stimulation, similar to the 50- to 100-fold induction of the endogenous Epo gene. Two areas of DNA sequence homology are present in these regions. We demonstrate specific DNA-protein interactions in the enhancer and the ability of the promoter element to compete with these interactions in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. DNase I footprinting and methylation interference data further refine the cis-acting element in the 43-bp enhancer to a short region containing a direct repeat of a steroid/thyroid hormone receptor response element half-site separated by a 2-bp gap. Two half-site consensus sequences are also present in the 53-bp promoter. Site-specific mutation of the half-site sequences in the enhancer destroys the functional activity of the enhancer.


ACR1, a yeast ATF/CREB repressor.

Members of the mammalian ATF/CREB family of transcription factors, which are associated with regulation by cyclic AMP and viral oncogenes, bind common DNA sequences (consensus TGACGTCA) via a bZIP domain. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ATF/CREB-like sequences confer either repression or activation of transcription, depending on the promoter context. By isolating mutations that alleviate the repression mediated by ATF/CREB sites, we define a new yeast gene, ACR1, which encodes an ATF/CREB transcriptional repressor. ACR1 contains a bZIP domain that is necessary for homodimer formation and specific DNA binding to an ATF/CREB site. Within the bZIP domain, ACR1 most strongly resembles the mammalian cyclic AMP-responsive transcriptional regulators CREB and CREM; it is less similar to GCN4 and YAP1, two previously described yeast bZIP transcriptional activators that recognize the related AP-1 sequence (consensus TGACTCA). Interestingly, deletion of the ACR1 gene causes increased transcription through ATF/CREB sites that does not depend on GCN4 or YAP1. Moreover, extracts from acr1 deletion strains contain one or more ATF/CREB-like DNA-binding activities. These genetic and biochemical observations suggest that S. cerevisiae contains a family of ATF/CREB proteins that function as transcriptional repressors or activators.


Several distinct types of sequence elements are required for efficient mRNA 3' end formation in a pea rbcS gene.

We have conducted an extensive linker substitution analysis of the polyadenylation signal from a pea rbcS gene. From these studies, we can identify at least two, and perhaps three, distinct classes of cis element involved in mRNA 3' end formation in this gene. One of these, termed the far-upstream element, is located between 60 and 120 nt upstream from its associated polyadenylation sites and appears to be largely composed of a series of UG motifs. A second, termed the near-upstream element, is more proximate to poly(A) sites and may be functionally analogous to the mammalian polyadenylation signal AAUAAA, even though the actual sequences involved may not be AAUAAA. The third possible class is the putative cleavage and polyadenylation site itself. We find that the rbcS-E9 far-upstream element can replace the analogous element in another plant polyadenylation signal, that from cauliflower mosaic virus, and that one near-upstream element can function with either of two poly(A) sites. Thus, these different cis elements are largely interchangeable. Our studies indicate that a cellular plant gene possesses upstream elements distinct from AAUAAA that are involved in mRNA 3' end formation and that plant genes probably have modular, multicomponent polyadenylation signals.


Effect of terminal nonhomologies on homologous recombination in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Homologous recombination of linear DNA molecules in Xenopus laevis oocytes is very efficient. The predictions of molecular models for this recombination process were tested with substrates with terminal nonhomologies (nonhomologous sequences). It was found that nonhomologies on one or both ends of an otherwise efficient substrate substantially reduced the yield of recombination products. In the case of a single nonhomology, inhibition was observed for all lengths of nonhomology, from 60 to 1,690 bp, being most dramatic for the longer blocks. Examination of time courses of recombination showed that the blocks were largely kinetic; that is, substrates with short nonhomologies eventually yielded substantial levels of completed products. Intermediates that accumulated after the injection of end-blocked substrates were characterized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and hybridization with strand-specific oligonucleotide probes. These blocked intermediates were shown to have base-paired junctions, but resolution was prevented by the failure to remove the 3'-ending strand of the original nonhomology. Continuing exonuclease action created a single-strand gap adjacent to the position of the persistent nonhomology. In contrast, the strand that included the unblocked side of the junction could be sealed. These results are consistent with a nonconservative, resection-annealing mechanism of homologous recombination in the oocytes and suggest the absence of any activity that can efficiently remove 3' tails.


p59fyn tyrosine kinase associates with multiple T-cell receptor subunits through its unique amino-terminal domain.

Several lines of evidence link the protein tyrosine kinase p59fyn to the T-cell receptor. The molecular basis of this interaction has not been established. Here we show that the tyrosine kinase p59fyn can associate with chimeric proteins that contain the cytoplasmic domains of CD3 epsilon, gamma, zeta (zeta), and eta. Mutational analysis of the zeta cytoplasmic domain demonstrated that the membrane-proximal 41 residues of zeta are sufficient for p59fyn binding and that at least two p59fyn binding domains are present. The association of p59fyn with the zeta chain was specific, as two closely related Src family protein tyrosine kinases, p60src and p56lck, did not associate with a chimeric protein that contained the cytoplasmic domain of zeta. Mutational analysis of p59fyn revealed that a 10-amino-acid sequence in the unique amino-terminal domain of p59fyn was responsible for the association with zeta. These findings support evidence that p59fyn is functionally and structurally linked to the T-cell receptor. More importantly, these studies support a critical role for the unique amino-terminal domains of Src family kinases in the coupling of tyrosine kinases to the signalling pathways of cell surface receptors.


A nuclear factor induced by hypoxia via de novo protein synthesis binds to the human erythropoietin gene enhancer at a site required for transcriptional activation.

We have identified a 50-nucleotide enhancer from the human erythropoietin gene 3'-flanking sequence which can mediate a sevenfold transcriptional induction in response to hypoxia when cloned 3' to a simian virus 40 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and transiently expressed in Hep3B cells. Nucleotides (nt) 1 to 33 of this sequence mediate sevenfold induction of reporter gene expression when present in two tandem copies compared with threefold induction when present in a single copy, suggesting that nt 34 to 50 bind a factor which amplifies the induction signal. DNase I footprinting demonstrated binding of a constitutive nuclear factor to nt 26 to 48. Mutagenesis studies revealed that nt 4 to 12 and 19 to 23 are essential for induction, as substitutions at either site eliminated hypoxia-induced expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays identified a nuclear factor which bound to a probe spanning nt 1 to 18 but not to a probe containing a mutation which eliminated enhancer function. Factor binding was induced by hypoxia, and its induction was sensitive to cycloheximide treatment. We have thus defined a functionally tripartite, 50-nt hypoxia-inducible enhancer which binds several nuclear factors, one of which is induced by hypoxia via de novo protein synthesis.


Histone H3 transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is controlled by multiple cell cycle activation sites and a constitutive negative regulatory element.

The promoters of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae histone H3 and H4 genes were examined for cis-acting DNA sequence elements regulating transcription and cell division cycle control. Deletion and linker disruption mutations identified two classes of regulatory elements: multiple cell cycle activation (CCA) sites and a negative regulatory site (NRS). Duplicate 19-bp CCA sites are present in both the copy I and copy II histone H3-H4 promoters arranged as inverted repeats separated by 45 and 68 bp. The CCA sites are both necessary and sufficient to activate transcription under cell division cycle control. A single CCA site provides cell cycle control but is a weak transcriptional activator, while an inverted repeat comprising two CCA sites provides both strong transcriptional activation and cell division cycle control. The NRS was identified in the copy I histone H3-H4 promoter. Deletion or disruption of the NRS increased the level of the histone H3 promoter activity but did not alter the cell division cycle periodicity of transcription. When the CCA sites were deleted from the histone promoter, the NRS element was unable to confer cell division cycle control on the remaining basal level of transcription. When the NRS element was inserted into the promoter of a foreign reporter gene, transcription was constitutively repressed and did not acquire cell cycle regulation.


Multiple functional domains of human U2 small nuclear RNA: strengthening conserved stem I can block splicing.

We showed previously that a branch site mutation in simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA that prevented small t antigen mRNA splicing could be efficiently suppressed by a compensatory mutation in a coexpressed U2 small nuclear (sn) RNA gene. We have now generated second-site mutations in this suppressor gene to investigate regions of U2 RNA required for function. A number of mutations in a putative stem at the 5' end of the molecule inhibited splicing, indicating that bases in this region are important for activity. However, several lines of evidence suggested that formation of the entire stem is not essential for splicing. Indeed, mutations that strengthen the stem actually inhibited splicing, and evidence that this prevents a required base-pairing interaction with U6 snRNA is presented. These results suggest that the relative stabilities of competing intra- and intermolecular base-pairing interactions play an important role in the splicing reaction. Mutations in a conserved single-stranded region immediately 3' to the branch site recognition sequence all inhibited splicing, indicating that this region is required for U2 function, although its exact role remains unknown. Finally, two mutations in the loop of stem IV at the 3' end of the molecule, which destroy the binding site of U2 sn ribonucleoprotein B", prevented small t splicing; this finding contrasts with previous studies which utilized different assay systems. Analysis of the accumulation and subcellular localization of all of the mutant RNAs showed that they were similar to those of the parental suppressor U2 RNA, indicating that the effects observed indeed reflect defects in splicing.


Fission yeast pap1-dependent transcription is negatively regulated by an essential nuclear protein, crm1.

The fission yeast pap1+ gene encodes an AP-1-like transcription factor that contains a leucine zipper motif. We identified a target gene of pap1, the p25 gene. The 5' upstream region of the p25 gene contains an AP-1 site, and by DNase I footprint analysis, we showed that the pap1 protein binds to the AP-1 site as well as to a 14-bp palindrome sequence. p25 is overproduced when the pap1+ gene is overexpressed, whereas p25 is not produced at all in the pap1 deletion mutant. p25 was previously found to be overproduced in strains carrying cold-sensitive crm1 mutations whose gene product is essential for viability and is thought to play an important role in maintenance of a proper chromosomal architecture. Deletion and site-directed mutagenesis of sequences upstream of the p25 gene demonstrated that the AP-1 site as well as the palindrome sequence are crucial for transcriptional activation either by pap1 overproduction or by the cold-sensitive crm1 mutation; pap1+ is apparently negatively regulated by crm1+. Moreover, we found that cold-sensitive crm1 mutations are suppressed by the deletion of pap1+, further indicating a close relationship between crm1+ and pap1+. The crm1 protein is highly conserved; the budding yeast homolog, CRM1, which complements the fission yeast cold-sensitive crm1 mutation, was isolated and found to also be essential for viability. These results suggest the functional importance of chromosome structure on the regulation of gene expression through the pap1 transcription factor.


Unstable amplification of two extrachromosomal elements in alpha-difluoromethylornithine-resistant Leishmania donovani.

We describe the first example of unstable gene amplification consisting of linear extrachromosomal DNAs in drug-resistant eukaryotic cells. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)-resistant Leishmania donovani with an amplified ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene copy number contained two new extrachromosomal DNAs, both present in 10 to 20 copies. One of these was a 140-kb linear DNA (ODC140-L) on which all of the amplified copies of the odc gene were located. The second was a 70-kb circular DNA (ODC70-C) containing an inverted repeat but lacking the odc gene. Both ODC140-L and ODC70-C were derived from a preexisting wild-type chromosome, probably by a conservative amplification mechanism. Both elements were unstable in the absence of DFMO, and their disappearance coincided with a decrease in ODC activity and an increase in DFMO growth sensitivity. These results suggest the possibility that ODC70-C may play a role in DFMO resistance. These data expand the diversity of known amplification mechanisms in eukaryotes to include the simultaneous unstable amplification of both linear and circular DNAs. Further characterization of these molecules will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying gene amplification, including the ability of linear amplified DNAs to acquire telomeres and the determinants of chromosomal stability.


A common intermediary factor (p52/54) recognizing "acidic blob"-type domains is required for transcriptional activation by the Jun proteins.

The ability of the c-Jun protein, the main component of the transcription factor AP1, to interact directly or indirectly with the RNA polymerase II-initiation complex to activate transcription was investigated by in vivo transcription interference ("squelching") experiments. Coexpression of a Jun mutant lacking its DNA binding domain strongly represses the activity of wild-type c-Jun. Repression depends on the presence of the transactivation domains (TADs), suggesting that a limiting factor interacting with the TADs is essential to link Jun and the components of the transcriptional machinery. The activity of this intermediary factor(s) is restricted to TADs characterized by an abundance of negatively charged amino acids, as demonstrated by the abilities of the TADs of JunB, GAL4, and VP16 to repress c-Jun activity. Depending on the presence of the TADs of Jun, we found physical interaction between Jun and a cluster of three proteins with molecular masses of 52, 53, and 54 kDa (p52/54). Association between Jun and p52/54 is strongly reduced in the presence of VP16, suggesting that the two proteins compete for binding to p52/54. Transcription factors containing a different type of TAD (e.g., GHF1, estrogen receptor, or serum response factor) fail to inhibit Jun activity, suggesting that these proteins act through a different mechanism. We consider the requirement of Jun to interact with p52/54 utilized by other transcription factors a new mechanism in the regulation of transcription of Jun-dependent target genes.


A REB1-binding site is required for GCN4-independent ILV1 basal level transcription and can be functionally replaced by an ABF1-binding site.

The ILV1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes the first committed step in isoleucine biosynthesis and is regulated by general control of amino acid biosynthesis. Deletion analysis of the ILV1 promoter revealed a GC-rich element important for the basal level expression. This cis-acting element, called ILV1BAS, is functional independently of whether GCN4 protein is present. Furthermore, unlike the situation at HIS4, the magnitude of GCN4-mediated derepression is independent of ILV1BAS. The element has homology to the consensus REB1-binding sequence CGGGTARNNR. Gel retardation assays showed that REB1 binds specifically to this element. We show that REB1-binding sites normally situated in the SIN3 promoter and in the 35S rRNA promoter can substitute for the ILV1 REB1 site. Furthermore, a SIN3 REB1 site containing a point mutation that abolishes REB1 binding does not support ILV1 basal level expression, suggesting that binding of REB1 is important for the control of ILV1 basal level expression. Interestingly, an ABF1-binding site can also functionally replace the ILV1 REB1-binding site. A mutated ABF1 site that displays a very low affinity for ABF1 does not functionally replace the ILV1 REB1 site. This suggests that ABF1 and REB1 may have related functions within the cell. Although the REB1-binding site is required for the ILV1 basal level expression, the site on its own stimulates transcription only slightly when combined with the CYC1 downstream promoter elements, indicating that another ILV1 promoter element functions in combination with the REB1 site to control high basal level expression.


A mammalian cell line deficient in activity of the DNA repair enzyme 5-hydroxymethyluracil-DNA glycosylase is resistant to the toxic effects of the thymidine analog 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine.

We isolated a mutant mammalian cell line lacking activity for the DNA repair enzyme 5-hydroxymethyluracil-DNA glycosylase (HmUra-DNA glycosylase). The mutant was isolated through its resistance to the thymidine analog 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (HmdUrd). The mutant incorporates HmdUrd into DNA to the same extent as the parent line but, lacking the repair enzyme, does not remove it. The phenotype of the mutant demonstrates that the toxicity of HmdUrd does not result from substitution of thymine in DNA by HmUra but rather from the removal via base excision of large numbers of HmUra residues in DNA. This finding elucidates a novel mechanism of toxicity for a xenobiotic nucleoside. Furthermore, the isolation of this line supports our hypothesis that the enzymatic repairability of HmUra derives not from its formation opposite adenine via the oxidation of thymine, but rather from its formation opposite guanine as a product of the oxidation and subsequent deamination of 5-methylcytosine.


Osteoblast-specific expression of growth hormone stimulates bone growth in transgenic mice.

Growth hormone (GH) is an important regulator of postnatal growth, acting on a wide variety of target tissues. Here, we show that local production of GH in osteoblasts is able to stimulate bone growth directly without significant systemic effects. Mice were made transgenic by microinjection of an osteocalcin-human GH (osteocalcin-hGH) gene construct in which approximately 1,800 bp of the rat osteocalcin promoter was fused to the hGH gene. Five lines of transgenic mice, each with measurable amounts of serum hGH (ranging from 1 to 1,000 ng/ml), were analyzed. Northern (RNA) blot hybridization showed that the hGH transcript was detectable only in the bone. Further characterization of hGH mRNA distribution by in situ hybridization revealed that in neonates the most intense signal was found in periosteal osteoblasts, while in adults, trabecular and endosteal osteoblasts were favored. In one transgenic line (992-1), hGH was expressed at a much lower level and had minimal systemic effects; however, the local concentrations of hGH in bone were sufficient to stimulate bone growth in these animals.


Isolation and structural analysis of a 1.2-megabase N-myc amplicon from a human neuroblastoma.

Oncogene amplification is observed frequently in human cancers, but little is known about the mechanism of gene amplification or the structure of amplified DNA in tumor cells. We have studied the N-myc amplified domain from a representative neuroblastoma cell line, SMS-KAN, and compared the map of the amplicon in this cell line with that seen in normal DNA. The SMS-KAN cell line DNA was cloned into yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), and clones were identified by screening the YAC library with amplified DNA probes that were obtained previously (B. Zehnbauer, D. Small, G. M. Brodeur, R. Seeger, and B. Vogelstein, Mol. Cell. Biol. 8:522-530, 1988). In addition, YAC clones corresponding to the normal N-myc locus on chromosome 2 were obtained by screening two normal human YAC libraries with these probes, and the restriction maps of the two sets of overlapping YACs were compared. Our results suggest that the amplified domain in this cell line is a approximately 1.2-Mb circular molecule with a head-to-tail configuration, and the physical map of the normal N-myc locus generally is conserved in the amplicon. These results provide a physical map of the amplified domain of a neuroblastoma cell line that has de novo amplification of an oncogene. The head-to-tail organization, the general conservation of the normal physical map in the amplicon, and the extrachromosomal location of the amplified DNA are most consistent with the episome formation-plus-segregation mechanism of gene amplification in these tumors.


The fission yeast genes pyp1+ and pyp2+ encode protein tyrosine phosphatases that negatively regulate mitosis.

We have used degenerate oligonucleotide probes based on sequences conserved among known protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) to identify two Schizosaccharomyces pombe genes encoding PTPases. We previously described the cloning of pyp1+ (S. Ottilie, J. Chernoff, G. Hannig, C. S. Hoffman, and R. L. Erikson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:3455-3459, 1991), and here we describe a second gene, called pyp2+. The C terminus of each protein contains sequences conserved in the apparent catalytic domains of all known PTPases. Disruption of pyp2+ results in viable cells, as was the case for pyp1+, whereas disruption of pyp2+ and pyp1+ results in synthetic lethality. Overexpression of either pyp1+ or pyp2+ in wild-type strains leads to a delay in mitosis but is suppressed by a wee1-50 mutation at 35 degrees C or a cdc2-1w mutation. A pyp1 disruption suppresses the temperature-sensitive lethality of a cdc25-22 mutation. Our data suggest that pyp1+ and pyp2+ act as negative regulators of mitosis upstream of the wee1+/mik1+ pathway.


Identification of a minimal transforming domain of p53: negative dominance through abrogation of sequence-specific DNA binding.

Mutations in the p53 gene are most frequent in cancer. Many p53 mutants possess transforming activity in vitro. In cells transformed by such mutants, the mutant protein is oligomerized with endogenous cell p53. To determine the relevance of oligomerization for transformation, miniproteins containing C-terminal portions of p53 were generated. These miniproteins, although carrying no point mutation, transformed at least as efficiently as full-length mutant p53. Transforming activity was coupled with the ability to oligomerize with wild-type p53, as well as with the ability to abrogate sequence-specific DNA binding by coexpressed wild-type p53. These findings suggest that p53-mediated transformation may operate through a dominant negative mechanism, involving the generation of DNA binding-incompetent oligomers.


Alternative topogenic signals in peroxisomal citrate synthase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The tripeptide serine-lysine-leucine (SKL) occurs at the carboxyl terminus of many peroxisomal proteins and serves as a peroxisomal targeting signal. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has two isozymes of citrate synthase. The peroxisomal form, encoded by CIT2, terminates in SKL, while the mitochondrial form, encoded by CIT1, begins with an amino-terminal mitochondrial signal sequence and ends in SKN. We analyzed the importance of SKL as a topogenic signal for citrate synthase, using oleate to induce peroxisomes and density gradients to fractionate organelles. Our experiments revealed that SKL was necessary for directing citrate synthase to peroxisomes. C-terminal SKL was also sufficient to target a leaderless version of mitochondrial citrate synthase to peroxisomes. Deleting this tripeptide from the CIT2 protein caused peroxisomal citrate synthase to be missorted to mitochondria. These experiments suggest that the CIT2 protein contains a cryptic mitochondrial targeting signal.


Identification of a cysteine-rich receptor for fibroblast growth factors.

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family consists of seven members whose activities are thought to be mediated by multiple receptors. Here we describe the cDNA cloning, expression, and characterization of a cysteine-rich FGF receptor (CFR) that is distinct from previously identified FGF receptors. The deduced amino acid sequence for CFR suggests that it is an integral membrane protein containing a large extracellular domain comprising 16 cysteine-rich repeated units and an intracellular domain of 13 amino acids. No reported sequences exhibit significant homologies to either the repeated extracellular motif or to the entire CFR amino acid sequence. Several CFR transcripts are present in embryonic chick tissue, suggesting that CFR undergoes alternate mRNA splicing or that related genes are present. Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the CFR cDNA express a 150-kDa polypeptide that binds FGF-1, FGF-2, and FGF-4 but does not bind several non-FGF family members. The high degree of evolutionary conservation among vertebrate CFRs and its ability to bind three different FGFs with high affinity suggest that this unique receptor plays an important role in FGF biology.


Activation of the HLA-DRA gene in primary human T lymphocytes: novel usage of TATA and the X and Y promoter elements.

Human T lymphocytes express human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-alpha (DRA) upon mitogenic or antigenic stimulation. DR+ T cells are also found in a number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and have a proposed role in these diseases. The molecular mechanism of DR regulation in untransformed blood T lymphocytes was studied here by transient transfection of DRA-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene constructs. Several novel features of this regulation were observed. During the early stages of T-cell activation by mitogens or antigens, strong promoter induction was exhibited with the proximal 43 bp of the DRA promoter which contains a TATTA motif. Addition of upstream X and Y DNA elements augmented the response. This contrasts with data from transformed cell lines in which the proximal 43 bp produced no detectable promoter function, and the inclusion of X and Y elements is essential for basal level expression. Mutation of the TATTA motif or substitution with a functional but different TATA element produced errant initiation and greatly reduced gene expression. Interestingly, T lymphocytes from a normal donor were DR+ prior to in vitro stimulation, and again, strong promoter activity was observed with 43 bp of proximal sequence. Unexpectedly, the presence of the X and Y elements correlated with a suppression of class II promoter function and surface antigen expression. This study of nontransformed lymphocytes reveals several novel features of DRA gene regulation and underscores the value and necessity of such studies.


Molecular cloning of cellular genes encoding retinoblastoma-associated proteins: identification of a gene with properties of the transcription factor E2F.

The retinoblastoma protein interacts with a number of cellular proteins to form complexes which are probably crucial for its normal physiological function. To identify these proteins, we isolated nine distinct clones by direct screening of cDNA expression libraries using purified RB protein as a probe. One of these clones, Ap12, is expressed predominantly at the G1-S boundary and in the S phase of the cell cycle. The nucleotide sequence of Ap12 has features characteristic of transcription factors. The C-terminal region binds to unphosphorylated RB in regions similar to those to which T antigen binds and contains a transactivation domain. A region containing a potential leucine zipper flanked by basic residues is able to bind an E2F recognition sequence specifically. Expression of Ap12 in mammalian cells significantly enhances E2F-dependent transcriptional activity. These results suggest that Ap12 encodes a protein with properties known to be characteristic of transcription factor E2F.


Cloning and characterization of SRP1, a suppressor of temperature-sensitive RNA polymerase I mutations, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The SRP1-1 mutation is an allele-specific dominant suppressor of temperature-sensitive mutations in the zinc-binding domain of the A190 subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase I (Pol I). We found that it also suppresses temperature-sensitive mutations in the zinc-binding domain of the Pol I A135 subunit. This domain had been suggested to be in physical proximity to the A190 zinc-binding domain. We have cloned the SRP1 gene and determined its nucleotide sequence. The gene encodes a protein of 542 amino acids consisting of three domains: the central domain, which is composed of eight (degenerate) 42-amino-acid contiguous tandem repeats, and the surrounding N-terminal and C-terminal domains, both of which contain clusters of acidic and basic amino acids and are very hydrophilic. The mutational alteration (P219Q) responsible for the suppression was found to be in the central domain. Using antibody against the SRP1 protein, we have found that SRP1 is mainly localized at the periphery of the nucleus, apparently more concentrated in certain regions, as suggested by a punctate pattern in immunofluorescence microscopy. We suggest that SRP1 is a component of a larger macromolecular complex associated with the nuclear envelope and interacts with Pol I either directly or indirectly through other components in the structure containing SRP1.


Separate information required for nuclear and subnuclear localization: additional complexity in localizing an enzyme shared by mitochondria and nuclei.

The TRM1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae codes for a tRNA modification enzyme, N2,N2-dimethylguanosine-specific tRNA methyltransferase (m2(2)Gtase), shared by mitochondria and nuclei. Immunofluorescent staining at the nuclear periphery demonstrates that m2(2)Gtase localizes at or near the nuclear membrane. In determining sequences necessary for targeting the enzyme to nuclei and mitochondria, we found that information required to deliver the enzyme to the nucleus is not sufficient for its correct subnuclear localization. We also determined that mislocalizing the enzyme from the nucleus to the cytoplasm does not destroy its biological function. This change in location was caused by altering a sequence similar to other known nuclear targeting signals (KKSKKKRC), suggesting that shared enzymes are likely to use the same import pathway as proteins that localize only to the nucleus. As with other well-characterized mitochondrial proteins, the mitochondrial import of the shared methyltransferase depends on amino-terminal amino acids, and removal of the first 48 amino acids prevents its import into mitochondria. While this truncated protein is still imported into nuclei, the immunofluorescent staining is uniform throughout rather than at the nuclear periphery, a staining pattern identical to that described for a fusion protein consisting of the first 213 amino acids of m2(2)Gtase in frame with beta-galactosidase. As both of these proteins together contain the entire m2(2)Gtase coding region, the information necessary for association with the nuclear periphery must be more complex than the short linear sequence necessary for nuclear localization.


Repression and activation of the Drosophila dopa decarboxylase gene in glia.

Glial expression of the Drosophila dopa decarboxylase gene (Ddc) is repressed by a regulatory region located approximately 1 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site. We have used in vitro mutagenesis and germ line transformation to determine which elements within the Ddc promoter mediate repression. Our evidence suggests that the hypodermal cell activator elements IIA and IIB play a major role in the transcriptional regulation of Ddc in glial cells. A variety of mutations demonstrate that element IIA is a strong glial activator element and that element IIB is necessary for glial repression. Although these two regulatory elements are nearly identical in sequence, our data suggest that they are not redundant. Altering the wild-type number and spacing of elements IIA and IIB indicates that the wild-type arrangement of this repeat is critical for repression. We conclude that these key elements of the Ddc promoter regulate both activation and repression in glia.


A novel DNA-binding motif abuts the zinc finger domain of insect nuclear hormone receptor FTZ-F1 and mouse embryonal long terminal repeat-binding protein.

Fruit fly FTZ-F1, silkworm BmFTZ-F1, and mouse embryonal long terminal repeat-binding protein are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, which recognizes the same sequence, 5'-PyCAAGGPyCPu-3'. Among these proteins, a 30-amino-acid basic region abutting the C-terminal end of the zinc finger motif, designated the FTZ-F1 box, is conserved. Gel mobility shift competition by various mutant peptides of the DNA-binding region revealed that the FTZ-F1 box as well as the zinc finger motif is involved in the high-affinity binding of FTZ-F1 to its target site. Using a gel mobility shift matrix competition assay, we demonstrated that the FTZ-F1 box governs the recognition of the first three bases, while the zinc finger region recognizes the remaining part of the binding sequence. We also showed that the DNA-binding region of FTZ-F1 recognizes and binds to DNA as a monomer. Occurrence of the FTZ-F1 box sequence in other members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily raises the possibility that these receptors constitute a unique subfamily which binds to DNA as a monomer.


Sequence of cDNA comprising the human pur gene and sequence-specific single-stranded-DNA-binding properties of the encoded protein.

The human Pur factor binds strongly to a sequence element repeated within zones of initiation of DNA replication in several eukaryotic cells. The protein binds preferentially to the purine-rich single strand of this element, PUR. We report here the cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding a protein with strong affinity for the PUR element. Analysis with a series of mutated oligonucleotides defines a minimal single-stranded DNA Pur-binding element. The expressed Pur open reading frame encodes a protein of 322 amino acids. This protein, Pur alpha, contains three repeats of a consensus motif of 23 amino acids and two repeats of a second consensus motif of 26 amino acids. Near its carboxy terminus, the protein possesses an amphipathic alpha-helix and a glutamine-rich domain. The repeat region of Pur cDNA is homologous to multiple mRNA species in each of several human cell lines and tissues. The HeLa cDNA library also includes a clone encoding a related gene, Pur beta, containing a version of the 23-amino-acid consensus motif similar, but not identical, to those in Pur alpha. Results indicate a novel type of modular protein with capacity to bind repeated elements in single-stranded DNA.


The EGD1 product, a yeast homolog of human BTF3, may be involved in GAL4 DNA binding.

A variety of techniques, including filter binding, footprinting, and gel retardation, can be used to assay the transcriptional activator GAL4 (Gal4p) through the initial steps of its purification from yeast cells. Following DNA affinity chromatography, Gal4p still bound DNA selectively when assayed by filter binding or footprinting. However, the affinity-purified protein was no longer capable of forming a stable complex with DNA, as assayed by gel retardation. Mixing the purified Gal4p with the flowthrough fraction from the DNA affinity column restored gel retardation complex formation. Gel retardation assays were used to monitor the purification of a heat-stable Gal4p-DNA complex stabilization activity from the affinity column flowthrough. The activity coeluted from the final purification step with polypeptides of 21 and 27 kDa. The yeast gene encoding the 21-kDa protein was cloned on the basis of its N-terminal amino acid sequence. The gene, named EGD1 (enhancer of GAL4 DNA binding), encodes a highly basic protein (21% lysine and arginine) with a predicted molecular mass of 16.5 kDa. The amino acid sequence of the EGD1 product, Egd1p, is highly similar to that of the human protein BTF3 (X. M. Zheng, D. Black, P. Chambon, and J. M. Egly, Nature [London] 344:556-559, 1990). Although an egd1 null mutant was viable and Gal+, induction of the galactose-regulated genes in the egd1 mutant strain was significantly reduced when cells were shifted from glucose to galactose.


Yeast RHO3 and RHO4 ras superfamily genes are necessary for bud growth, and their defect is suppressed by a high dose of bud formation genes CDC42 and BEM1.

RHO3 and RHO4 are members of the ras superfamily genes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and are related functionally to each other. Experiments using a conditionally expressed allele of RHO4 revealed that depletion of both the RHO3 and RHO4 gene products resulted in lysis of cells with a small bud, which could be prevented by the presence of osmotic stabilizing agents in the medium. rho3 rho4 cells incubated in medium containing an osmotic stabilizing agent were rounded and enlarged and displayed delocalized deposition of chitin and delocalization of actin patches, indicating that these cells lost cell polarity. Nine genes whose overexpression could suppress the defect of the RHO3 function were isolated (SRO genes). Two of them were identical with CDC42 and BEM1, bud site assembly genes involved in the process of bud emergence. A high dose of CDC42 complemented the rho3 defect, whereas overexpression of RHO3 had an inhibitory effect on the growth of mutants defective in the CDC24-CDC42 pathway. These results, along with comparison of cell morphology between rho3 rho4 cells and cdc24 (or cdc42) mutant cells kept under the restrictive conditions, strongly suggest that the functions of RHO3 and RHO4 are required after initiation of bud formation to maintain cell polarity during maturation of daughter cells.


Molecular cloning of casein kinase II alpha subunit from Dictyostelium discoideum and its expression in the life cycle.

A Dictyostelium discoideum cDNA encoding an alpha-type subunit of casein kinase II was isolated, and its cDNA was used to study developmental expression of casein kinase II during the Dictyostelium life cycle. The 1.3-kb cDNA insert contained an open reading frame of 337 amino acids (M(r) 39,900). The deduced amino acid sequence has high homology with those of casein kinase II alpha subunits from other species. Genomic Southern blot analysis suggested that there is a single gene encoding casein kinase II alpha subunit in D. discoideum. Northern (RNA) blot analysis showed that the casein kinase II alpha-subunit gene is expressed constitutively as a 1.9-kb mRNA throughout vegetative growth and multicellular development. Casein kinase purified from normal vegetative cells contained a major protein band of approximately 36 kDa, which was recognized by antisera raised against rat testis casein kinase II. Comparison of the in vitro transcription/translation product of the alpha-subunit cDNA clone and the purified 36-kDa protein by partial proteolysis indicated that the isolated cDNA clone encodes the Dictyostelium casein kinase II alpha subunit. No protein corresponding to a beta subunit was detected in purified casein kinase. Immunoblot analysis using anti-rat casein kinase II sera showed that the alpha subunit of casein kinase II is expressed constitutively like its mRNA during the life cycle of D. discoideum. Casein kinase II activity measured by using a specific peptide substrate paralleled the level of alpha subunit detected by immunoblotting during the life cycle, with a maximum variation of approximately 2-fold. We were unable to obtain disruptants of the casein kinase II alpha gene, suggesting that there is a single casein kinase II alpha gene, which is essential for vegetative growth of D. discoideum.


Evidence that POB1, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein that binds to DNA polymerase alpha, acts in DNA metabolism in vivo.

Potential DNA replication accessory factors from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have previously been identified by their ability to bind to DNA polymerase alpha protein affinity matrices (J. Miles and T. Formosa, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:1276-1280, 1992). We have now used genetic methods to characterize the gene encoding one of these DNA polymerase alpha-binding proteins (POB1) to determine whether it plays a role in DNA replication in vivo. We find that yeast cells lacking POB1 are viable but display a constellation of phenotypes indicating defective DNA metabolism. Populations of cells lacking POB1 accumulate abnormally high numbers of enlarged large-budded cells with a single nucleus at the neck of the bud. The average DNA content in a population of cells lacking POB1 is shifted toward the G2 value. These two phenotypes indicate that while the bulk of DNA replication is completed without POB1, mitosis is delayed. Deleting POB1 also causes elevated levels of both chromosome loss and genetic recombination, enhances the temperature sensitivity of cells with mutant DNA polymerase alpha genes, causes increased sensitivity to UV radiation in cells lacking a functional RAD9 checkpoint gene, and causes an increased probability of death in cells carrying a mutation in the MEC1 checkpoint gene. The sequence of the POB1 gene indicates that it is identical to the CTF4 (CHL15) gene identified previously in screens for mutations that diminish the fidelity of chromosome transmission. These phenotypes are consistent with defective DNA metabolism in cells lacking POB1 and strongly suggest that this DNA polymerase alpha-binding protein plays a role in accurately duplicating the genome in vivo.


Two cellular proteins bind specifically to a purine-rich sequence necessary for the destabilization function of a c-fos protein-coding region determinant of mRNA instability.

The c-fos proto-oncogene mRNA is rapidly degraded within minutes after its appearance in the cytoplasm of growth factor-stimulated mammalian fibroblasts. At least two functionally independent sequence elements are responsible for the lability of c-fos mRNA. One of these determinants is located within a 0.32-kb sequence present in the protein-coding region. We demonstrate by gel mobility shift experiments and UV cross-linking that at least two protein factors specifically interact with a 56-nucleotide purine-rich sequence located at the 5' end of the 0.32-kb coding region determinant of mRNA instability (CRDI). One protein is predominantly associated with the polysomes, while the other is detected in the post-ribosomal supernatant. Sequence comparison of members of the fos gene family revealed that the high purine content of the protein-binding region is conserved through evolution. Deletion of this region from the 0.32-kb CRDI severely impedes its function as an RNA-destabilizing element. Our results suggest that binding of the two proteins to the purine-rich sequence may participate in the rapid mRNA decay mediated by this 0.32-kb c-fos CRDI.


A mutation outside the two zinc fingers of ADR1 can suppress defects in either finger.

A second-site mutation that restored DNA binding to ADR1 mutants altered at different positions in the two zinc fingers was identified. This mutation (called IS1) was a conservative change of arginine 91 to lysine in a region amino terminal to the two zinc fingers and known from previous experiments to be necessary for DNA binding. IS1 increased binding to the UAS1 sequence two- to sevenfold for various ADR1 mutants and twofold for wild-type ADR1. The change of arginine 91 to glycine decreased binding twofold, suggesting that this arginine is involved in DNA binding in the wild-type protein. The increase in binding by IS1 did not involve protein-protein interactions between the two ADR1 monomers, nor did it require the presence of the sequences flanking UAS1. However, the effect of IS1 was influenced by the sequence of the first finger, suggesting that interactions between the region amino terminal to the fingers and the fingers themselves could exist. A model for the role of the amino-terminal region based on these results and sequence homologies with other DNA-binding motifs is proposed.


P25 gene regulation in Bombyx mori silk gland: two promoter-binding factors have distinct tissue and developmental specificities.

The gene encoding the silk protein P25 is expressed in the posterior silk gland of Bombyx mori with strict territorial and developmental specificities. The cis-acting regulatory elements previously located within the 441-bp 5' proximal sequence of the gene were examined for protein-binding capacities. We identified two factors, BMFA and SGFB, that lead to prominent band shifts and the target sites for which are included in a region homologous to the fibroin gene enhancer sequence. Analysis of the tissue-specific incidence of both factors showed that BMFA is ubiquitous, whereas SGFB is restricted to the silk gland cells. However, SGFB was found in both posterior and middle silk gland cells and therefore likely directs organ-specific, but not territory-specific, expression. Developmental studies throughout the fourth larval molt, at which the P25 gene status changes from derepressed to repressed, revealed that BMFA is reversibly modified at the transition from intermolt to molt. Indeed, the preexisting BMFA is replaced by a structurally related factor, BMFA', during the 2 h following head capsule apolysis. The exact temporal coincidence of this conversion with the onset of gene repression suggests that BMFA' is involved in transcription inactivation and likely results from a transduction process initiated by the hormonal change at molting.


A mutation in the tRNA nucleotidyltransferase gene promotes stabilization of mRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

To identify trans-acting factors involved in mRNA decay in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have begun to characterize conditional lethal mutants that affect mRNA steady-state levels. A screen of a collection of temperature-sensitive mutants identified ts352, a mutant that accumulated moderately stable and unstable mRNAs after a shift from 23 to 37 degrees C (M. Aebi, G. Kirchner, J.-Y. Chen, U. Vijayraghavan, A. Jacobson, N.C. Martin, and J. Abelson, J. Biol. Chem. 265:16216-16220, 1990). ts352 has a defect in the CCA1 gene, which codes for tRNA nucleotidyltransferase, the enzyme that adds 3' CCA termini to tRNAs (Aebi et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1990). In a shift to the nonpermissive temperature, ts352 (cca1-1) cells rapidly cease protein synthesis, reduce the rates of degradation of the CDC4, TCM1, and PAB1 mRNAs three- to fivefold, and increase the relative number of ribosomes associated with mRNAs and the overall size of polysomes. These results were analogous to those observed for cycloheximide-treated cells and are generally consistent with models that invoke a role for translational elongation in the process of mRNA turnover.


Multiple mechanisms of interference between transformation and differentiation in thyroid cells.

Transformation of the thyroid cell line FRTL-5 results in loss or reduction of differentiation as measured by the expression of thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase, two proteins whose genes are exclusively expressed in thyroid follicular cells. The biochemical mechanisms leading to this phenomenon were investigated in three cell lines obtained by transformation of FRTL-5 cells with Ki-ras, Ha-ras, and polyomavirus middle-T oncogenes. With the ras oncogenes, transformation leads to undetectable expression of the thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase genes. However, the mechanisms responsible for the extinction of the differentiated phenotype seem to be different for the two ras oncogenes. In Ki-ras-transformed cells, the mRNA encoding TTF-1, a transcription factor controlling thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase gene expression, is severely reduced. On the contrary, nearly wild-type levels of TTF-1 mRNA are detected in Ha-ras-transformed cells. Furthermore, overexpression of TTF-1 can activate transcription of the thyroglobulin promoter in Ki-ras-transformed cells, whereas it has no effect on thyroglobulin transcription in the Ha-ras-transformed line. Expression of polyoma middle-T antigen in thyroid cells leads to only a reduction of differentiation and does not severely affect either the activity or the amount of TTF-1. Another thyroid cell-specific transcription factor, TTF-2, is more sensitive to transformation, since it disappears in all three transformed lines, and probably contributes to the reduced expression of the differentiated phenotype.


Mutations activating the yeast eIF-2 alpha kinase GCN2: isolation of alleles altering the domain related to histidyl-tRNA synthetases.

The protein kinase GCN2 stimulates expression of the yeast transcriptional activator GCN4 at the translational level by phosphorylating the alpha subunit of translation initiation factor 2 (eIF-2 alpha) in amino acid-starved cells. Phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha reduces its activity, allowing ribosomes to bypass short open reading frames present in the GCN4 mRNA leader and initiate translation at the GCN4 start codon. We describe here 17 dominant GCN2 mutations that lead to derepression of GCN4 expression in the absence of amino acid starvation. Seven of these GCN2c alleles map in the protein kinase moiety, and two in this group alter the presumed ATP-binding domain, suggesting that ATP binding is a regulated aspect of GCN2 function. Six GCN2c alleles map in a region related to histidyl-tRNA synthetases, and two in this group alter a sequence motif conserved among class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that directly interacts with the acceptor stem of tRNA. These results support the idea that GCN2 kinase function is activated under starvation conditions by binding uncharged tRNA to the domain related to histidyl-tRNA synthetase. The remaining GCN2c alleles map at the extreme C terminus, a domain required for ribosome association of the protein. Representative mutations in each domain were shown to depend on the phosphorylation site in eIF-2 alpha for their effects on GCN4 expression and to increase the level of eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation in the absence of amino acid starvation. Synthetic GCN2c double mutations show greater derepression of GCN4 expression than the parental single mutations, and they have a slow-growth phenotype that we attribute to inhibition of general translation initiation. The phenotypes of the GCN2c alleles are dependent on GCN1 and GCN3, indicating that these two positive regulators of GCN4 expression mediate the inhibitory effects on translation initiation associated with activation of the yeast eIF-2 alpha kinase GCN2.


The SH2/SH3 domain-containing protein Nck is recognized by certain anti-phospholipase C-gamma 1 monoclonal antibodies, and its phosphorylation on tyrosine is stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor treatment.

In the course of our investigation of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 1 phosphorylation by using a set of anti-PLC-gamma 1 monoclonal antibodies (P.-G. Suh, S. H. Ryu, W. C. Choi, K.-Y. Lee, and S. G. Rhee, J. Biol. Chem. 263:14497-14504, 1988), we found that some of these antibodies directly recognize a 47-kDa protein. We show here that this 47-kDa protein is identical to the SH2/SH3-containing protein Nck (J. M. Lehmann, G. Riethmuller, and J. P. Johnson, Nucleic Acids Res. 18:1048, 1990). Nck was found to be constitutively phosphorylated on serine in resting NIH 3T3 cells. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) treatment led to increased Nck phosphorylation on both tyrosine and serine. Nck was also found to be phosphorylated on tyrosine in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-treated A431 cells and in v-Src-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. Multiple sites of serine phosphorylation were detected in Nck from resting cells, and no novel sites were found upon PDGF or EGF treatment. A single major tyrosine phosphorylation site was found in Nck in both PDGF- and EGF-treated cells and in v-Src-transformed cells. This same tyrosine was phosphorylated in vitro by purified PDGF and EGF receptors and also by pp60c-src. We compared the phosphorylation of Nck and PLC-gamma 1 in several cell lines transformed by oncogenes with different modes of transformation. Although PLC-gamma 1 and Nck have significant amino acid identity, particularly in their SH3 regions, and both associate with growth factor receptors in a ligand-dependent manner, they were not always phosphorylated on tyrosine in a coincident manner.


Characterization of complementary DNA encoding the rat neuromedin U precursor.

Neuromedin U (NmU), a peptide originally isolated from porcine spinal cord, is known for its ability to stimulate uterine smooth muscle contraction and to cause selective vasoconstriction. It was subsequently isolated from a number of species. Among the species studied, the five amino acids at the C-terminus of the peptide are totally conserved, suggesting that this region is of major importance. We have cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding the rat NmU precursor protein using the anchor polymerase chain reaction technique. Sequence analysis revealed that NmU is synthesized as a 174-amino acid precursor. Like the precursors of most other small regulatory peptides, it has a hydrophobic signal peptide and a number of paired dibasic amino acids, which may serve as signals for enzymatic cleavage, to release NmU and a series of other peptides. These predicted flanking peptides of NmU show no significant homology with entries in the protein databases searched, and the cDNA likewise shows no homology with entries in the GenBank database. Northern blot analysis using total RNA extracted from different rat tissues shows high levels of NmU mRNA in the ileum, thyroid, and anterior pituitary. Southern blot analysis of rat genomic DNA demonstrates that NmU is a single copy gene.


Structural and functional analysis of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor gene promoter.

The insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-I-R) gene is expressed in most body tissues. The levels of IGF-I-R mRNA, however, are regulated by a number of physiological conditions (development, differentiation, and hormonal milieu) as well as in certain pathological states (diabetes and tumors). To understand the molecular mechanisms which control the transcription of the IGF-I-R gene, we have cloned the promoter of the rat receptor gene and have characterized its activity by transient expression assays. Different fragments of the 5'-flanking region (subcloned upstream of a luciferase reporter gene) were transfected into buffalo rat liver 3A cells (a cell line with a low number of IGF-I binding sites) and Chinese hamster ovary cells (a cell line with a higher number of cell-surface receptors). In both cell lines, most of the promoter activity was located in the proximal 416 base pairs of 5'-flanking region. However, further dissection of this proximal fragment revealed a cell type-specific pattern of promoter activity. Thus, in buffalo rat liver 3A cells, subfragments of this region each contributed to total activity, suggesting that contiguous cis-elements can act together to activate transcription. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, on the other hand, subfragments of the proximal promoter region partially substituted for the proximal 416 base pairs of 5'-flanking region. Coexpression studies using an IGF-I-R promoter reporter construct together with an Sp1 expression vector (under the control of an ADH promoter) were performed in SL2 cells, a Drosophila cell line which lacks endogenous Sp1. The results obtained showed that Sp1 can trans-activate the IGF-I-R promoter in vivo. Transient transfection assays were complemented with gel-retardation assays and DNase I footprinting experiments, which showed that transcription factor Sp1 is potentially an important regulator of IGF-I-R gene expression.


Testicular expression of PC4 in the rat: molecular diversity of a novel germ cell-specific Kex2/subtilisin-like proprotein convertase.

The rat cDNA sequence of PC4 (rPC4), representing a new member of the Kex2/subtilisin-like proprotein convertases, demonstrated the presence of at least three rPC4 mRNAs resulting in the production of rPC4-A (654 amino acids), rPC4-B (619 amino acids), and rPC4-C (609 amino acids) with different C-terminal sequences. Analogous to rat PC4, three cDNAs were also found for the mouse PC4. The observed molecular diversity of PC4 mRNA possibly results from the differential splicing and/or exon skipping of the parent gene. PC4 mRNA, with a major form at 2.8 kilobases, was highly abundant in the rat testis but could not be detected by Northern analysis in any other tissues including the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Testicular cell separation studies combined with Northern analysis indicate the high expression levels of PC4 in germ cells but not in Leydig, Sertoli, or peritubular cells. In situ hybridization histochemistry confirms the site of PC4 gene expression as the pachytene spermatocytes and the round spermatids but not in the elongating spermatids. We also demonstrate the colocalization of PC4 with proenkephalin in testicular germ cells by in situ hybridization. A study of the ontogeny of PC4 indicated that PC4 mRNA was first expressed postnatally between days 19 and 22, coinciding with the first stages of spermiogenesis. The stage-specific expression of PC4 in testis indicates its potential role in the developmental maturation of germ cells and that this convertase may play a specific physiological function in reproduction.


The multifunctional peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase gene: exon/intron organization of catalytic, processing, and routing domains.

Peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM; EC 1.14.17.3) is a multifunctional protein containing two enzymes that act sequentially to catalyze the alpha-amidation of neuroendocrine peptides. Peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) catalyzes the first step of the reaction and is dependent on copper, ascorbate, and molecular oxygen. Peptidyl-alpha-hydroxyglycine alpha-amidating lyase (PAL) catalyzes the second step of the reaction. Previous studies demonstrated that alternative splicing results in the production of bifunctional PAM proteins that are integral membrane or soluble proteins as well as soluble monofunctional PHM proteins. Rat PAM is encoded by a complex single copy gene that consists of 27 exons and encompasses more than 160 kilobases (kb) of genomic DNA. The 12 exons comprising PHM are distributed over at least 76 kb genomic DNA and range in size from 49-185 base pairs; four of the introns within the PHM domain are over 10 kb in length. Alternative splicing in the PHM region can result in a truncated, inactive PHM protein (rPAM-5), or a soluble, monofunctional PHM protein (rPAM-4) instead of a bifunctional protein. The eight exons comprising PAL are distributed over at least 19 kb genomic DNA. The exons encoding PAL range in size from 54-209 base pairs and have not been found to undergo alternative splicing. The PHM and PAL domains are separated by a single alternatively spliced exon surrounded by lengthy introns; inclusion of this exon results in the production of a form of PAM (rPAM-1) in which endoproteolytic cleavage at a paired basic site can separate the two catalytic domains. The exon following the PAL domain encodes the trans-membrane domain of PAM; alternative splicing at this site produces integral membrane or soluble PAM proteins. The COOH-terminal domain of PAM is comprised of a short exon subject to alternative splicing and a long exon encoding the final 68 amino acids present in all bifunctional PAM proteins along with the entire 3'-untranslated region. Analysis of hybrid cell panels indicates that the human PAM gene is situated on the long arm of chromosome 5.


Ligands induce conformational changes in the carboxyl-terminus of progesterone receptors which are detected by a site-directed antipeptide monoclonal antibody.

We have prepared a monoclonal antibody, C-262, to a synthetic peptide that contains the carboxy-terminal 14 amino acids from progesterone receptors (PR). This sequence is 100% conserved in all species of PRs that have been cloned to date, suggesting that this antibody will recognize all mammalian and avian PR. The C-262 antibody recognizes both native and denatured forms of the receptor. However, it does not recognize PR when they are bound to the hormone agonists progesterone or R5020. Surprisingly the antibody does recognize PR when they are bound to the steroid antagonist RU486. This suggests that progestin agonists induce a conformational change in the receptor that occludes the C-262 epitope in the carboxyl-terminus, whereas unliganded receptors and receptors bound with RU486 assume distinct conformations that leaves the C-terminal tail accessible to the C-262 antibody.


One of the two trout proopiomelanocortin messenger RNAs potentially encodes new peptides.

POMC is the precursor for a number of biologically active peptides such as ACTH, alpha-MSH, beta-MSH, and beta-endorphin. It is well known that some of these peptides, especially beta-endorphin, are involved in the regulation of reproductive functions in mammals. In order to investigate the possible role of POMC-derived peptides in the control of fish reproduction, we have cloned and sequenced two different trout POMC cDNAs called POMC A and POMC B. These cDNAs exhibited limited sequence homology (44%). The deduced amino acid sequences also showed weak similarity (43%), despite the high conservation of some peptide sequences (alpha-MSH, beta-MSH, and beta-endorphin). The POMC A coding sequence exhibited an unusual length, generating the longest endorphin ever sequenced. The long carboxy-terminal part of the beta-endorphin A contained three potential dibasic cleavage sites, allowing the occurrence of three new peptides: EQWGREEGEE, ALGE, and YHFQG. Using in situ hybridization, we found that the two POMC genes were expressed in the same pituitary cells. POMC A mRNA was the only one detectable in the hypothalamus of sexually inactive fish, whereas the two POMC genes were expressed in the hypothalamus of sexually active fish. These results indicate that two functional POMC genes are present in the rainbow trout. In POMC neurons, the expression of the POMC B gene is likely to be under the control of sexual steroids.


Regulation of c-jun and jun-B by progestins in T-47D human breast cancer cells.

To investigate further the molecular mechanisms of progestin regulation of human breast cancer cell growth, we studied the effect of progestins on expression of the protooncogene c-jun and other members of the jun family, jun-B and jun-D, in T-47D human breast cancer cells. The progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) increased c-jun mRNA levels in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Maximal effects were seen after 3 h of treatment with 10-100 nM MPA. Under these conditions, the c-jun mRNA was increased 5.4-fold above the control level. Although the c-jun mRNA level was increased by cycloheximide alone, a further 2.4-fold increase was seen when the cells were treated with MPA in the presence of cycloheximide. The p39 c-jun protein was also increased 3.8-fold by this treatment. Maximum levels of p39 c-jun protein were achieved 9 h after treatment, and this level was maintained for at least 24 h. Dexamethasone and dihydrotestosterone did not increase the p39 c-jun protein level under these conditions. However, MPA treatment of T-47D cells resulted in a 55% decrease in overall AP-1 activity, as measured by transient transfection of an AP-1-regulated chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. These effects were all reversible by cotreatment with a 10-fold higher concentration of the antiprogestin RU 486. MPA decreased jun-B mRNA levels 50% 1 h after treatment in T-47D cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)