bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in oncogenic potency but not target cell specificity distinguish the two forms of the BCR/ABL oncogene.
Authors: Kelliher M , Knott A , McLaughlin J , Witte O N , Rosenberg N
Published: October 2015

Two forms of activated BCR/ABL proteins, P210 and P185, that differ in BCR-derived sequences, are associated with Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias. One of these diseases is chronic myelogenous leukemia, an indolent disease arising in hematopoietic stem cells that is almost always associated with the P210 form of BCR/ABL. Acute lymphocytic leukemia, a more aggressive malignancy, can be associated with both forms of BCR/ABL. While it is virtually certain that BCR/ABL plays a central role in both of these diseases, the features that determine the association of a particular form with a given disease have not been elucidated. We have used the bone marrow reconstitution leukemogenesis model to test the hypothesis that BCR sequences influence the ability of activated ABL to transform different types of hematopoietic cells. Our studies reveal that both P185 and P210 induce a similar spectrum of hematological diseases, including granulocytic, myelomonocytic, and lymphocytic leukemias. Despite the similarity of the disease patterns, animals given P185-infected marrow developed a more aggressive disease after a shorter latent period than those given P210-infected marrow. These data demonstrate that the structure of the BCR/ABL oncoprotein does not affect the type of disease induced by each form of the oncogene but does control the potency of the oncogenic signal.
A codon change in beta-tubulin which drastically affects microtubule structure in Drosophila melanogaster fails to produce a significant phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Authors: Praitis V , Katz W S , Solomon F
Published: October 2015

The relative uniformity of microtubule ultrastructure in almost all eukaryotic cells is thought to be a consequence of the conserved elements of tubulin sequence. In support of this idea, a mutation in a beta-tubulin gene of Drosophila melanogaster, occurring at a highly conserved position, produces U-shaped microtubules, suggesting a defect in either nucleation or packing during assembly (M. T. Fuller, J. H. Caulton, J. A. Hutchens, T. C. Kaufman, and E. C. Raff, J. Cell Biol. 104:385-394, 1987, and J. E. Rudolph, M. Kimble, H. D. Hoyle, M. A. Subler, and E. C. Raff, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:2231-2242, 1987). Surprisingly, we find that introducing the same mutation into the sole beta-tubulin gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has virtually no consequences for microtubule structure or function in that organism.
Retinoic acid-induced down-regulation of the interleukin-2 promoter via cis-regulatory sequences containing an octamer motif.
Authors: Felli M P , Vacca A , Meco D , Screpanti I , Farina A R , Maroder M , Martinotti S , Petrangeli E , Frati L , Gulino A
Published: October 2015

Retinoic acid (RA) is known to influence the proliferation and differentiation of a wide variety of transformed and developing cells. We found that RA and the specific RA receptor (RAR) ligand Ch55 inhibited the phorbol ester and calcium ionophore-induced expression of the T-cell growth factor interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene. Expression of transiently transfected chloramphenicol acetyltransferase vectors containing the 5'-flanking region of the IL-2 gene was also inhibited by RA. RA-induced down-regulation of the IL-2 enhancer is mediated by RAR, since overexpression of transfected RARs increased RA sensitivity of the IL-2 promoter. Functional analysis of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase vectors containing either internal deletion mutants of the region from -317 to +47 bp of the IL-2 enhancer or multimerized cis-regulatory elements showed that the RA-responsive element in the IL-2 promoter mapped to sequences containing an octamer motif. RAR also inhibited the transcriptional activity of the octamer motif of the immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer. In spite of the transcriptional inhibition of the IL-2 octamer motif, RA did not decrease the in vitro DNA-binding capability of octamer-1 protein. These results identify a regulatory pathway within the IL-2 promoter which involves the octamer motif and RAR.
Ribonucleoprotein particles with LINE-1 RNA in mouse embryonal carcinoma cells.
Authors: Martin S L
Published: October 2015

The LINE-1 repeat family is interspersed throughout mammalian genomes and is thought to be the result of duplicative transposition of LINE-1 sequences via an RNA intermediate. This report describes a ribonucleoprotein particle with LINE-1 RNA in the mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line F9. This ribonucleoprotein particle is a potential intermediate in the transposition of LINE-1 in the mouse genome.
A site of tyrosine phosphorylation in the C terminus of the epidermal growth factor receptor is required to activate phospholipase C.
Authors: Vega Q C , Cochet C , Filhol O , Chang C P , Rhee S G , Gill G N
Published: October 2015

Cells expressing mutant epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors have been used to study mechanisms through which EGF increases phospholipase C (PLC) activity. C-terminal truncation mutant EGF receptors are markedly impaired in their ability to increase inositol phosphate formation compared with wild-type EGF receptors. Mutation of the single tyrosine self-phosphorylation site at residue 992 to phenylalanine in an EGF receptor truncated at residue 1000 abolished the ability of EGF to increase inositol phosphate formation. C-terminal deletion mutant receptors that are impaired in their ability to increase inositol phosphate formation effectively phosphorylate PLC-gamma at the same tyrosine residues as do wild-type EGF receptors. EGF enhances PLC-gamma association with wild-type EGF receptors but not with mutant receptors lacking sites of tyrosine phosphorylation. These results indicate that formation of a complex between self-phosphorylated EGF receptors and PLC-gamma is necessary for enzyme activation in vivo. We propose that both binding of PLC-gamma to activated EGF receptors and tyrosine phosphorylation of the enzyme are necessary to elicit biological responses. Kinase-active EGF receptors lacking sites of tyrosine phosphorylation are unable to signal increased inositol phosphate formation and increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration.
Characterization and primary structure of the poly(C)-binding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex K protein.
Authors: Matunis M J , Michael W M , Dreyfuss G
Published: October 2015

At least 20 major proteins make up the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes of heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) in mammalian cells. Many of these proteins have distinct RNA-binding specificities. The abundant, acidic heterogeneous nuclear RNP (hnRNP) K and J proteins (66 and 64 kDa, respectively, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) are unique among the hnRNP proteins in their binding preference: they bind tenaciously to poly(C), and they are the major oligo(C)- and poly(C)-binding proteins in human HeLa cells. We purified K and J from HeLa cells by affinity chromatography and produced monoclonal antibodies to them. K and J are immunologically related and conserved among various vertebrates. Immunofluorescence microscopy with antibodies shows that K and J are located in the nucleoplasm. cDNA clones for K were isolated, and their sequences were determined. The predicted amino acid sequence of K does not contain an RNP consensus sequence found in many characterized hnRNP proteins and shows no extensive homology to sequences of any known proteins. The K protein contains two internal repeats not found in other known proteins, as well as GlyArgGlyGly and GlyArgGlyGlyPhe sequences, which occur frequently in many RNA-binding proteins. Overall, K represents a novel type of hnRNA-binding protein. It is likely that K and J play a role in the nuclear metabolism of hnRNAs, particularly for pre-mRNAs that contain cytidine-rich sequences.
MAS5, a yeast homolog of DnaJ involved in mitochondrial protein import.
Authors: Atencio D P , Yaffe M P
Published: October 2015

The nuclear mas5 mutation causes temperature-sensitive growth and defects in mitochondrial protein import at the nonpermissive temperature in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The MAS5 gene was isolated by complementation of the mutant phenotypes, and integrative transformation demonstrated that the complementing fragment encoded the authentic MAS5 gene. The deduced protein sequence of the cloned gene revealed a polypeptide of 410 amino acids which is homologous to Escherichia coli DnaJ and the yeast DnaJ log SCJ1. Northern (RNA blot) analysis revealed that MAS5 is a heat shock gene whose expression increases moderately at elevated temperatures. Cells with a deletion mutation in MAS5 grew slowly at 23 degrees C and were inviable at 37 degrees C, demonstrating that MAS5 is essential for growth at increased temperatures. The deletion mutant also displayed a modest import defect at 23 degrees C and a substantial import defect at 37 degrees C. These results indicate a role for a DnaJ cognate protein in mitochondrial protein import.
Divergent regulation of the human atrial natriuretic peptide gene by c-jun and c-fos.
Authors: Kovacic-Milivojević B , Gardner D G
Published: October 2015

Employing transient transfection analysis in neonatal rat cardiocytes, we have demonstrated that overexpression of c-jun results in a dose-dependent induction of the human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) gene promoter. Studies using a series of mutations in the hANP gene promoter identified a TRE-like, cis-acting regulatory sequence which conferred c-jun sensitivity. This same region was shown to interact with the c-jun/c-fos complex in an in vitro gel mobility shift assay. Selective mutation of this site suppressed basal activity of the hANP promoter and significantly reduced c-jun-dependent activation. Overexpression of c-fos had a biphasic effect on hANP gene promoter activity. At low levels, in concert with c-jun, it activated, while at higher levels it suppressed, transcription from the hANP gene promoter. This inhibition was both cell and promoter specific. hANP gene promoter sequences which mediate c-fos-dependent inhibition appear to be separable from those responsible for the induction. In addition, the protein domains on c-fos responsible for transcriptional activation and repression can be segregated topographically, with the inhibitory activity being localized to the carboxy-terminal domain. Thus, c-fos can activate or repress hANP gene expression through two separate functional domains that act on distinct regulatory elements in the hANP gene promoter. These data imply that the ANP gene may be a physiological target for c-fos- and c-jun-dependent activity in the heart and suggest a potential mechanism linking environmental stimuli to its expression.
Gene replacement with one-sided homologous recombination.
Authors: Berinstein N , Pennell N , Ottaway C A , Shulman M J
Published: October 2015

Homologous recombination is now routinely used in mammalian cells to replace endogenous chromosomal sequences with transferred DNA. Vectors for this purpose are traditionally constructed so that the replacement segment is flanked on both sides by DNA sequences which are identical to sequences in the chromosomal target gene. To test the importance of bilateral regions of homology, we measured recombination between transferred and chromosomal immunoglobulin genes when the transferred segment was homologous to the chromosomal gene only on the 3' side. In each of the four recombinants analyzed, the 5' junction was unique, suggesting that it was formed by nonhomologous, i.e., random or illegitimate, recombination. In two of the recombinants, the 3' junction was apparently formed by homologous recombination, while in the other two recombinants, the 3' junction as well as the 5' junction might have involved a nonhomologous crossover. As reported previously, we found that the frequency of gene targeting increases monotonically with the length of the region of homology. Our results also indicate that targeting with fragments bearing one-sided homology can be as efficient as with fragments with bilateral homology, provided that the overall length of homology is comparable. The frequency of these events suggests that the immunoglobulin locus is particularly susceptible to nonhomologous recombination. Vectors designed for one-sided homologous recombination might be advantageous for some applications in genetic engineering.
Altered expression of protein kinase C, lck, and CD45 in a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-dependent leukemic T-cell variant that expresses a high level of interleukin-2 receptor.
Authors: Tchou-Wong K M , Weinstein I B
Published: October 2015

The compound 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is extremely toxic to the P13 subclone of the Jurkat human T-cell leukemia line. By selecting for growth in the presence of TPA, we have isolated two TPA-resistant variants of these cells, P13-50 and P13-5/A8. Studies of protein kinase C (PKC) enzyme activity, immunoblot analyses, and assays for PKC mRNAs indicate that both of these variants express lower levels of PKC than do the parental P13 cells. We suggest that this protects them from the toxic effects of TPA. The P13-5/A8 cells are of particular interest because not only are they resistant to TPA toxicity but they actually require TPA for optimal growth. These cells have a more profound decrease in PKC expression that do P13-50 cells. In addition, P13-5/A8 cells display very little, if any, surface expression of CD45, a receptor-linked tyrosine protein phosphatase, and lck, a lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase. On the other hand, they express a very high level of interleukin-2 receptor. A model is proposed that suggests that these cells are dependent on TPA because they have defects in both the PKC and tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathways, and that TPA compensates for these defects by providing a strong stimulus to the residual level of PKC. This variant may be useful for studying the interactions between tyrosine kinase and PKC pathways in controlling the various functions of T lymphocytes.
Unusual aspects of in vitro RNA processing in the 3' regions of the GAL1, GAL7, and GAL10 genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Authors: Sadhale P P , Platt T
Published: October 2015

A striking feature of the 3'-end regions in polymerase II transcripts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae adjacent to their processing and polyadenylation sites is the lack of well-defined signal elements. Nonetheless, essential signals have seemed to be confined to compact regions in vivo, and we find that a short RNA with only 70 bases of GAL7 sequence upstream and 8 to 10 bases downstream of the poly(A) addition site is processed in vitro, as is an analogous CYC1 pre-RNA. Specific polyadenylation of a precleaved species further delimits the poly(A) signal and rules out obligatory coupling between cleavage and poly(A) addition. Although little proximal and even less distal sequence is required for accurate cleavage with CYC1 and GAL7, we have been unable to identify common features to which processing could be ascribed. We therefore turned to the coregulated set of genes in the galactose cluster (GAL1, GAL7, and GAL10) to assay their corresponding pre-mRNAs in vitro, in hopes of finding a common theme. By contrast to GAL7, short pre-mRNAs corresponding to GAL1 and GAL10 fail to be cleaved detectably, and only much longer transcripts are susceptible to processing. This indicates that signals, even if preserved, are more widely dispersed than the poly(A) addition site, and these results are unchanged whether extracts are from cells grown on glucose or galactose. As a further surprise, RNAs corresponding to the antisense orientation of the 3'-end regions of all three GAL genes are also effective substrates for the processing machinery in vitro. Computer analysis reveals the presence of polydisperse dyad symmetries that might account for these observations.
Regulation of T-cell lymphokine gene transcription by the accessory molecule CD28.
Authors: Fraser J D , Weiss A
Published: October 2015

T-cell activation results in the production of multiple lymphokines. Efficient lymphokine gene expression appears to require both T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) signal transduction and an uncharacterized second or costimulatory signal. CD28 is a T-cell differentiation antigen that can generate intracellular signals that synergize with those of the TCR to increase T-cell activation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression. In these studies, we have examined the effect of CD28 signal transduction on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) promoter activity. Stimulation of CD28 in the presence of TCR-like signals increases the activity of the GM-CSF, IL-3, and IFN-gamma promoters by three- to sixfold. As previously demonstrated for the IL-2 promoter, the IL-3 and GM-CSF promoters contain distinct elements of similar sequence which specifically bind a CD28-induced nuclear complex. Mutation of the CD28 response elements in the IL-3 and GM-CSF promoters abrogates the CD28-induced activity without affecting phorbol ester- and calcium ionophore-induced activity. UV cross-linking indicates that the CD28-induced nuclear complex contains polypeptides of approximately 35, 36, and 44 kDa. These studies indicate that the TCR and CD28-regulated signal transduction pathways coordinately regulate the transcription of several lymphokines and that the influence of CD28 signals on transcription is mediated by a common complex.
Promoter-specific trans-activation by the adenovirus E1A12S product involves separate E1A domains.
Authors: Kraus V B , Moran E , Nevins J R
Published: October 2015

Recent studies have shown that the adenovirus E1A12S product can trans-activate transcription by activating the transcription factor E2F. However, E2F cannot be the only target for the E1A12S product, since several cellular promoters have been found to be activated by the E1A12S protein even though they lack E2F sites. Indeed, we now show that activation of the hsp70 promoter by the E1A12S product requires the TATAA sequence. Moreover, activation of the hsp70 promoter requires the N-terminal domain of the E1A protein and does not require the conserved region 2 sequences which are required for the E2F-dependent activation of transcription. We conclude that the targeting of distinct transcription factors, leading to trans-activation of transcription of multiple promoters, involves distinct domains of the E1A proteins that are also required for oncogenic activity.
Ectopic recombination between Ty elements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is not induced by DNA damage.
Authors: Parket A , Kupiec M
Published: October 2015

Mitotic recombination is increased when cells are treated with a variety of physical and chemical agents that cause damage to their DNA. We show here, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that carry marked Ty elements, that recombination between members of this family of retrotransposons is not increased by UV irradiation or by treatment with the radiomimetic drug methyl methanesulfonate. Both ectopic recombination and mutation events were elevated by these agents for non-Ty sequences in the same strain. We discuss possible mechanisms that can prevent the induction of recombination between Ty elements.
A CD44-like endothelial cell transmembrane glycoprotein (GP116) interacts with extracellular matrix and ankyrin.
Authors: Bourguignon L Y , Lokeshwar V B , He J , Chen X , Bourguignon G J
Published: October 2015

We used complementary biochemical and immunological techniques to establish that an endothelial cell transmembrane glycoprotein, GP116, is a CD44-like molecule and binds directly both to extracellular matrix components (e.g., hyaluronic acid) and to ankyrin. The specific characteristics of GP116 are as follows: (i) GP116 can be surface labeled with Na 125I and contains a wheat germ agglutinin-binding site(s), indicating that it has an extracellular domain; (ii) GP116 displays immunological cross-reactivity with a panel of CD44 antibodies, shares some peptide similarity with CD44, and has a similar 52-kDa precursor molecule, indicating that it is a CD44-like molecule; (iii) GP116 displays specific hyaluronic acid-binding properties, indicating that it is a hyaluronic acid receptor; (iv) GP116 can be phosphorylated by endogenous protein kinase C activated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and by exogenously added protein kinase C; and (v) GP116 and a 20-kDa tryptic polypeptide fragment of GP116 from the intracellular domain are capable of binding the membrane-cytoskeleton linker molecule, ankyrin. Furthermore, phosphorylation of GP116 by protein kinase C significantly enhances GP116 binding to ankyrin. Together, these findings strongly suggest that phosphorylation of the transmembrane glycoprotein GP116 (a CD44-like molecule) by protein kinase C is required for effective GP116-ankyrin interaction during endothelial cell adhesion events.
Modulation of interferon signaling in human fibroblasts by phorbol esters.
Authors: Petricoin E F , Hackett R H , Akai H , Igarashi K , Finbloom D S , Larner A C
Published: October 2015

Phorbol esters activate the expression of a variety of early-response genes through protein kinase C-dependent pathways. In addition, phorbol esters may promote cell growth by the inhibition of expression of cellular gene products regulated by antiproliferative agents such as interferons (IFN)s. In human diploid fibroblasts, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) selectively inhibits the IFN-alpha-induced cellular gene ISG54. Using transient transfection assays, we have delineated two elements in the promoter of this gene that are necessary for the inhibitory actions of PMA. These elements include (i) the IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) which is necessary for IFN-alpha-induced cellular gene expression, and (ii) an element located near the site of transcription initiation. IFN-alpha treatment resulted in the rapid induction of ISGF3, a multisubunit transcription factor which binds to the ISRE. PMA caused a substantial reduction in IFN alpha-induced ISGF3 in both nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays with the ISRE as a probe. In vitro reconstitution experiments revealed that IFN-alpha activation of the ISGF3 alpha component of ISGF3 was not affected by PMA. Further experiments were consistent with the possibility that PMA regulated the activity of a cellular factor which competed with ISGF3 gamma for binding of the activated ISGF3 alpha polypeptides. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the cap site of ISG54 as a probe demonstrated the formation of a specific complex whose DNA binding activity was not affected by treatment of cells with PMA or IFN-alpha. Competitive inhibition studies were consistent with the DNA-protein complex at the cap site of ISG54 containing proteins with DNA binding sites in common with those which also interact with the ISRE. These data suggest a unique regulatory mechanism by which phorbol esters can modulate IFN signaling.
The posttranslational processing of ras p21 is critical for its stimulation of yeast adenylate cyclase.
Authors: Horiuchi H , Kaibuchi K , Kawamura M , Matsuura Y , Suzuki N , Kuroda Y , Kataoka T , Takai Y
Published: October 2015

Mammalian ras genes substitute for the yeast RAS gene, and their products activate adenylate cyclase in yeast cells, although the direct target protein of mammalian ras p21s remains to be identified. ras p21s undergo posttranslational processing, including prenylation, proteolysis, methylation, and palmitoylation, at their C-terminal regions. We have previously reported that the posttranslational processing of Ki-ras p21 is essential for its interaction with one of its GDP/GTP exchange proteins named smg GDS. In this investigation, we have studied whether the posttranslational processing of Ki- and Ha-ras p21s is critical for their stimulation of yeast adenylate cyclase in a cell-free system. We show that the posttranslationally fully processed Ki- and Ha-ras p21s activate yeast adenylate cyclase far more effectively than do the unprocessed proteins. The previous and present results suggest that the posttranslational processing of ras p21s is important for their interaction not only with smg GDS but also with the target protein.
Distinct roles for the two cGATA-1 finger domains.
Authors: Yang H Y , Evans T
Published: October 2015

We have generated and analyzed by functional assays mutations of the chicken erythroid transcription factor GATA-1. The cGATA-1 protein contains two related finger domains highly conserved across species and characteristic of the family of GATA-binding factors. We find that mutations in the C-terminal finger or adjacent basic region abolish sequence-specific DNA binding, confirming that this region constitutes a novel DNA-binding domain sufficient to recognize the consensus WGATAR motif. At least three separate regions outside of this finger II domain contribute in a cooperative manner to the trans-activation potential of the protein. As expected from previous results analyzing the mouse homolog, we find that the N-terminal finger plays a role in DNA binding by affecting the stability of the DNA-protein complex. In addition, we find mutations of finger I subtly altered in DNA-binding function which greatly diminish trans-activation. Our results support the notion that the GATA-1 protein must be positioned precisely on the GATA cis element to enable the activation of target genes.
In vivo transcriptional analysis of the TATA-less promoter of the Drosophila melanogaster vermilion gene.
Authors: Fridell Y W , Searles L L
Published: October 2015

Transcriptional regulation of the TATA-less promoter of the Drosophila melanogaster vermilion (v) gene was investigated. Developmental Northern (RNA) blot analysis showed that v transcripts accumulate during late embryo, larval, and adult stages. Sequences that control expression in adults were delineated by analyzing a series of 5' and 3' deletion constructions after germ line transformation. These studies defined two regions, -300 to -600 and -60 to -160, relative to the major transcription start site, as important for maximal levels of expression. Analysis of transformants bearing v-lacZ promoter fusions showed that larval expression is fat body specific and that expression depends on sequences located between +19 and +36 downstream of transcription start site. This downstream element can be functionally replaced by a TATA box in vivo. Furthermore, when added to the wild-type v promoter, a TATA element augments the level of v transcription by three- to fivefold.
Downregulation of JE and KC genes by glucocorticoids does not prevent the G0----G1 transition in BALB/3T3 cells.
Authors: Rameh L E , Armelin M C
Published: October 2015

The effects of glucocorticoid hormones on the expression of the growth factor-inducible genes JE, KC, and c-myc were analyzed in parental BALB/3T3 and polyomavirus middle-T antigen-transfected cell lines. Northern (RNA) blot hybridization and run-on transcription analysis showed that (i) glucocorticoid hormones selectively inhibit JE and KC expression at the transcriptional level and (ii) the downregulatory effect of glucocorticoids on JE and KC expression is partial for serum-stimulated and middle T antigen-transformed cells and total for quiescent and exponentially growing cells. Gel mobility assays using AP-1 oligonucleotides showed a positive correlation between glucocorticoid downregulating effect and presence of the AP-1 complex. JE and KC downregulation by means of the AP-1 complex may play a role in the actions of glucocorticoids as anti-inflammatory and antitumor agents. The ability of glucocorticoids to downregulate JE and KC was used to investigate the relevance of these genes to the mitogenic response to serum growth factors. Hydrocortisone did not alter the basal DNA synthesis level displayed by quiescent 3T3 cells, but it potentiated both the mitogenic effect of platelet-derived growth factor and c-myc induction by serum growth factors. Upon serum restimulation, untreated and dexamethasone-treated quiescent 3T3 cultures entered the S phase after an identical time lag (G1). These results suggest that (i) JE and KC are not necessary for the G0----G1----S transition and (ii) c-myc overexpression is likely to be the basis for the potentiating effect of glucocorticoids on serum growth factors.
Characterization of the human lipoprotein lipase (LPL) promoter: evidence of two cis-regulatory regions, LP-alpha and LP-beta, of importance for the differentiation-linked induction of the LPL gene during adipogenesis.
Authors: Enerbäck S , Ohlsson B G , Samuelsson L , Bjursell G
Published: October 2015

When preadipocytes differentiate into adipocytes, several differentiation-linked genes are activated. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is one of the first genes induced during this process. To investigate early events in adipocyte development, we have focused on the transcriptional activation of the LPL gene. For this purpose, we have cloned and fused different parts of intragenic and flanking sequences with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Transient transfection experiments and DNase I hypersensitivity assays indicate that several positive as well as negative elements contribute to transcriptional regulation of the LPL gene. When reporter gene constructs were stably introduced into preadipocytes, we were able to monitor and compare the activation patterns of different promoter deletion mutants at selected time points representing the process of adipocyte development. We could delimit two cis-regulatory elements important for gradual activation of the LPL gene during adipocyte development in vitro. These elements, LP-alpha (-702 to -666) and LP-beta (-468 to -430), contain a striking similarity to a consensus sequence known to bind the transcription factors HNF-3 and fork head. Results of gel mobility shift assays and DNase I and exonuclease III in vitro protection assays indicate that factors with DNA-binding properties similar to those of the HNF-3/fork head family of transcription factors are present in adipocytes and interact with LP-alpha and LP-beta. We also demonstrate that LP-alpha and LP-beta were both capable of conferring a differentiation-linked expression pattern to a heterolog promoter, thus mimicking the expression of the endogenous LPL gene during adipocyte differentiation. These findings indicate that interactions with LP-alpha and LP-beta could be a part of a differentiation switch governing induction of the LPL gene during adipocyte differentiation.
Localization of the rap1GAP catalytic domain and sites of phosphorylation by mutational analysis.
Authors: Rubinfeld B , Crosier W J , Albert I , Conroy L , Clark R , McCormick F , Polakis P
Published: October 2015

rap1GAP is a GTPase-activating protein that specifically stimulates the GTP hydrolytic rate of p21rap1. We have defined the catalytic domain of rap1GAP by constructing a series of cDNAs coding for mutant proteins progressively deleted at the amino- and carboxy-terminal ends. Analysis of the purified mutant proteins shows that of 663 amino acid residues, only amino acids 75 to 416 are necessary for full GAP activity. Further truncation at the amino terminus resulted in complete loss of catalytic activity, whereas removal of additional carboxy-terminal residues dramatically accelerated the degradation of the protein in vivo. The catalytic domain we have defined excludes the region of rap1GAP which undergoes phosphorylation on serine residues. We have further defined this phosphoacceptor region of rap1GAP by introducing point mutations at specific serine residues and comparing the phosphopeptide maps of the mutant proteins. Two of the sites of phosphorylation by cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent kinase were localized to serine residues 490 and 499, and one site of phosphorylation by p34cdc2 was localized to serine 484. In vivo, rap1GAP undergoes phosphorylation at four distinct sites, two of which appear to be identical to the sites phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent kinase in vitro.
Interactions among LRF-1, JunB, c-Jun, and c-Fos define a regulatory program in the G1 phase of liver regeneration.
Authors: Hsu J C , Bravo R , Taub R
Published: October 2015

In regenerating liver, a physiologically normal model of cell growth, LRF-1, JunB, c-Jun, and c-Fos among Jun/Fos/LRF-1 family members are induced posthepatectomy. In liver cells, high levels of c-Fos/c-Jun, c-Fos/JunB, LRF-1/c-Jun, and LRF-1/JunB complexes are present for several hours after the G0/G1 transition, and the relative level of LRF-1/JunB complexes increases during G1. We provide evidence for dramatic differences in promoter-specific activation by LRF-1- and c-Fos-containing complexes. LRF-1 in combination with either Jun protein strongly activates a cyclic AMP response element-containing promoter which c-Fos/Jun does not activate. LRF-1/c-Jun, c-Fos/c-Jun, and c-Fos/JunB activate specific AP-1 and ATF site-containing promoters, and in contrast, LRF-1/JunB potently represses c-Fos- and c-Jun-mediated activation of these promoters. Repression is dependent on a region in LRF-1 that includes amino acids 40 to 84 (domain R) and the basic/leucine zipper domain. As the relative level of LRF-1/JunB complexes increases posthepatectomy, c-Fos/Jun-mediated ATF and AP-1 site activation is likely to decrease with simultaneous transcriptional activation of the many liver-specific genes whose promoters contain cyclic AMP response element sites. Thus, through complex interactions among LRF-1, JunB, c-Jun, and c-Fos, control of delayed gene expression may be established for extended times during the G1 phase of hepatic growth.
Mutated alpha subunit of the Gq protein induces malignant transformation in NIH 3T3 cells.
Authors: Kalinec G , Nazarali A J , Hermouet S , Xu N , Gutkind J S
Published: October 2015

The discovery of mutated, GTPase-deficient alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2 in certain human endocrine tumors has suggested that heterotrimeric G proteins play a role in the oncogenic process. Expression of these altered forms of G alpha s or G alpha i2 proteins in rodent fibroblasts activates or inhibits endogenous adenylyl cyclase, respectively, and causes certain alterations in cell growth. However, it is not clear whether growth abnormalities result from altered cyclic AMP synthesis. In the present study, we asked whether a recently discovered family of G proteins, Gq, which does not affect adenylyl cyclase activity, but instead mediates the activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C harbors transforming potential. We mutated the cDNA for the alpha subunit of murine Gq in codons corresponding to a region involved in binding and hydrolysis of GTP. Similar mutations unmask the transforming potential of p21ras or activate the alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2. Our results show that when expressed in NIH 3T3 cells, activating mutations convert G alpha q into a dominant acting oncogene.
Biphasic increase in c-jun mRNA is required for induction of AP-1-mediated gene transcription: differential effects of muscarinic and thrombin receptor activation.
Authors: Trejo J , Chambard J C , Karin M , Brown J H
Published: October 2015

Activation of either muscarinic cholinergic or thrombin receptors increases phosphoinositide turnover, Ca2+ mobilization, and redistribution of protein kinase C and induces rapid transient increases in c-fos mRNA and c-jun mRNA in 1321N1 cells. To determine whether the increases in c-fos and c-jun mRNA induced by carbachol and thrombin are sufficient to stimulate AP-1-mediated transactivation, 1321N1 cells were transfected with a reporter carrying two copies of the tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate response element and the firefly luciferase gene. Thrombin was significantly more effective than carbachol at stimulating AP-1-mediated transactivation. To identify the factors underlying the difference in AP-1 activity induced by carbachol and thrombin, members of the fos and jun families which encode components of AP-1 were examined. Carbachol and thrombin have similar effects on expression of c-fos, fosB, fra-2, junB, and junD, both acutely and over a 24-h time course. However, whereas carbachol leads only to transient induction of c-jun (maximal at 0.5 h), thrombin induces a biphasic increase in c-jun mRNA--an initial peak at 0.5 h and a second, more-prolonged increase at 12 h. Thrombin but not carbachol also induces a late increase in fra-1 mRNA, which peaks at 12 h. The secondary increase in c-jun mRNA is associated with marked increases in c-Jun protein levels and AP-1 DNA-binding activity. The late induction of c-jun and fra-1 mRNA can be prevented by adding the antagonist hirudin 30 min after thrombin, which results in loss of thrombin-stimulated increases in c-Jun protein, AP-1 DNA-binding activity, and AP-1-mediated transactivation. These findings suggest that rapid and transient conduction of c-fos and c-jun mRNA is insufficient to induce prominent changes in gene transcription, while the sustained increase in c-jun mRNA and perhaps the late induction of fra-1 mRNA are required for generation of AP-1 DNA-binding activity and transactivation through AP-1.
Analysis of the defect in DNA end joining in the murine scid mutation.
Authors: Harrington J , Hsieh C L , Gerton J , Bosma G , Lieber M R
Published: October 2015

Murine severe combined immune deficiency (scid) is marked by a 5,000-fold reduction in coding joint formation in V(D)J recombination of antigen receptors. Others have demonstrated a sensitivity to double-strand breaks generated by ionizing radiation and bleomycin. We were interested in establishing the extent of the defect in intramolecular and intermolecular DNA end joining in lymphoid and nonlymphoid cells from scid mice. We conducted a series of studies probing the ability of these cells to resolve free ends of linear DNA molecules having various biochemical end configurations. We find that the stable integration of linear DNA into scid fibroblasts is reduced 11- to 75-fold compared with that in normal fibroblasts. In contrast, intramolecular and intermolecular end joining occur at normal frequencies in scid lymphocytes and fibroblasts. This normal level of end joining is observed regardless of the type of overhang and regardless of the requirement for nucleolytic activities prior to ligation. The fact that free ends having a wide variety of end configurations are recircularized normally in scid cells rules out certain models for the defect in scid. We discuss the types of DNA end joining reactions that are and are not affected in this double-strand break repair defect in the context of a hairpin model for V(D)J recombination.
Elements responsible for hormonal control and tissue specificity of L-type pyruvate kinase gene expression in transgenic mice.
Authors: Cuif M H , Cognet M , Boquet D , Tremp G , Kahn A , Vaulont S
Published: October 2015

L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) is a key enzyme of the glycolytic pathway specifically expressed in the liver and, to a lesser degree, in the small intestine and kidney. One important characteristic of L-PK gene expression is its strong activation by glucose and insulin and its complete inhibition by fasting or glucagon treatment. Having previously established that the entire rat L-PK gene plus 3.2 kbp of 5'-flanking region functions in mice in a tissue-specific and hormonally regulated manner, various deletions of these 3.2 kbp of 5'-flanking regions were tested in transgenic animals to map the cis-acting elements involved in transcriptional gene regulation. Our experiments indicate that the proximal region between -183 and +11 confers tissue specificity and contains all the information necessary for dietary and hormonal control of L-PK gene expression in vivo. We found, however, that the transcriptional activity generated by this proximal promoter fragment can be modulated by distal sequences in a tissue-specific manner. (i) Sequences between bp -183 and -392 seem to play a dual role in the liver and small intestine; they induce L-PK expression in the liver but repress it in the small intestine. (ii) Sequences from bp -392 up to -1170 do not seem to have any additional effect on promoter activity. (iii) Between bp -1170 and -2080, we found a putative extinguisher whose transcriptional inhibitory effect is much more marked in the small intestine than in the liver. (iv) Finally, between bp -2080 and -3200, we identified an activating sequence required for full expression of the gene in the liver.
Functional interference between the ubiquitous and constitutive octamer transcription factor 1 (OTF-1) and the glucocorticoid receptor by direct protein-protein interaction involving the homeo subdomain of OTF-1.
Authors: Kutoh E , Strömstedt P E , Poellinger L
Published: October 2015

The ubiquitous and constitutive octamer transcription factor OTF-1 (Oct 1) is the target of positive regulation by the potent herpes simplex virus trans-activator VP16, which forms a complex with the homeodomain of OTF-1. Here we present evidence that the glucocorticoid receptor can negatively regulate OTF-1 function by a mechanism that is independent of DNA binding. In vivo-expressed glucocorticoid receptor inhibited in a hormone-dependent manner activation of a minimal promoter construct carrying a functional octamer site. Moreover, expression of the receptor in vivo resulted in hormone-dependent repression of OTF-1-dependent DNA-binding activity in nuclear extract. In vitro, the DNA-binding activity of partially purified OTF-1 was repressed following incubation with purified glucocorticoid receptor. Cross-linking and immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that the functional interference may be due to a strong association between these two proteins in solution. Finally, preliminary evidence indicates that the homeo subdomain of OTF-1 that directs formation of a complex with VP16 may also be critical for interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor. Thus, OTF-1 is a target for both positive and negative regulation by protein-protein interaction. Moreover, the functional interference between OTF-1 and the glucocorticoid receptor represents a novel regulatory mechanism in the cross-coupling of signal transduction pathways of nuclear receptors and constitutive transcription factors.
A transcriptionally active form of GAL4 is phosphorylated and associated with GAL80.
Authors: Parthun M R , Jaehning J A
Published: October 2015

The GAL4 activator and GAL80 repressor proteins regulate the expression of yeast genes in response to galactose. A complex of the two proteins isolated from glucose-grown cells is inactive in an in vitro transcription reaction but binds DNA and blocks activation by the GAL4-VP16 chimeric activator. The complex purified from galactose-grown cells contains a mixture of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of GAL4. The galactose-induced form of GAL4 activates in vitro transcription to levels similar to those seen with GAL4-VP16. The induced GAL4 complex is indistinguishable in size and apparent shape from the uninduced complex, consistent with a continued association with GAL80. These results confirm in vivo analyses that correlate GAL4 phosphorylation with galactose induction and support a model of transcriptional activation that does not require GAL80 dissociation.
Effects of histone acetylation on chromatin topology in vivo.
Authors: Lutter L C , Judis L , Paretti R F
Published: October 2015

Recently a model for eukaryotic transcriptional activation has been proposed in which histone hyperacetylation causes release of nucleosomal supercoils, and this unconstrained tension in turn stimulates transcription (V. G. Norton, B. S. Imai, P. Yau, and E. M. Bradbury, Cell 57:449-457, 1989; V. G. Norton, K. W. Marvin, P. Yau, and E. M. Bradbury, J. Biol. Chem. 265:19848-19852, 1990). These studies analyzed the effect of histone hyperacetylation on the change in topological linking number which occurs during nucleosome assembly in vitro. We have tested this model by determining the effect of histone hyperacetylation on the linking number change which occurs during assembly in vivo. We find that butyrate treatment of cells infected with simian virus 40 results in hyperacetylation of the histones of the extracted viral minichromosome as expected. However, the change in constrained supercoils of the minichromosome DNA is minimal, a result which is inconsistent with the proposed model. These results indicate that the proposed mechanism of transcriptional activation is unlikely to take place in the cell.
Raf-1 protein kinase is an integral component of the oncogenic signal cascade shared by epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor.
Authors: Kizaka-Kondoh S , Sato K , Tamura K , Nojima H , Okayama H
Published: October 2015

Our recent studies with cell mutants indicate that a cascade shared by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signals exists in NRK cells and mediates oncogenic signals induced by many oncogenes (A. Masuda, S. Kizaka-Kondoh, H. Miwatani, Y. Terada, H. Nojima, and H. Okayama, New Biol. 4:489-503, 1992). We have employed the antisense RNA technique to investigate possible involvement of Raf-1 kinase in this signal transduction cascade. NRK cell clones highly reduced in the Raf-1 production are generated by the expression of a c-raf-1 antisense RNA. They have no apparent growth defects and retain proper mitotic responses to growth factors but are refractory to transformation by EGF or PDGF plus transforming growth factor beta, v-erbB, v-fms, v-K-ras, v-mos, v-fos, v-src, simian virus 40 large T, and polyomavirus middle T but not by v-raf or adenovirus E1A. These results not only support our model for the oncogenic signal cascade but also lead to the conclusion that Raf-1 protein kinase is a downstream component of this oncogenic signal cascade shared by EGF and PDGF.
C-terminal truncation of RAP1 results in the deregulation of telomere size, stability, and function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Authors: Kyrion G , Boakye K A , Lustig A J
Published: October 2015

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA-binding protein RAP1 is capable of binding in vitro to sequences from a wide variety of genomic loci, including upstream activating sequence elements, the HML and HMR silencer regions, and the poly(G1-3T) tracts of telomeres. Recent biochemical and genetic studies have suggested that RAP1 physically and functionally interacts with the yeast telomere. To further investigate the role of RAP1 at the telomere, we have identified and characterized three intragenic suppressors of a temperature-sensitive allele of RAP1, rap1-5. These telomere deficiency (rap1t) alleles confer several novel phenotypes. First, telomere tract size elongates to up to 4 kb greater than sizes of wild-type or rap1-5 telomeres. Second, telomeres are highly unstable and are subject to rapid, but reversible, deletion of part or all of the increase in telomeric tract length. Telomeric deletion does not require the RAD52 or RAD1 gene product. Third, chromosome loss and nondisjunction rates are elevated 15- to 30-fold above wild-type levels. Sequencing analysis has shown that each rap1t allele contains a nonsense mutation within a discrete region between amino acids 663 and 684. Mobility shift and Western immunoblot analyses indicate that each allele produces a truncated RAP1 protein, lacking the C-terminal 144 to 165 amino acids but capable of efficient DNA binding. These data suggest that RAP1 is a central regulator of both telomere and chromosome stability and define a C-terminal domain that, while dispensable for viability, is required for these telomeric functions.