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D Housman

Publications and source records attributed to D Housman.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Calcium regulates the commitment of murine erythroleukemia cells to terminal erythroid differentiation.

An alteration in the rate of calcium transport appears to be the rate-limiting event for the commitment of murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells to initiate a program of terminal erythroid differentiation. The dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-induced commitment of MEL cells to erythroid differentiation can be inhibited by treatment of cells with the calcium-chelating agent EGTA. Upon removal of EGTA, cells initiate commitment without the 12-h lag normally observed after treatment with DMSO alone. Treatment of cells with DMSO in the presence of calcium ionophore A23187 causes cells to initiate commitment from time zero with no lag. These results suggest that the lag is the time required for DMSO to alter the calcium transport properties of the cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Amiloride inhibits murine erythroleukemia cell differentiation: evidence for a Ca2+ requirement for commitment.

The effect of amiloride (an inhibitor of passive Na+ transport in many tissues) on the differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells was investigated. Amiloride completely blocked the dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO)-induced erythroid differentiation of cells at a concentration (10 microgram/ml) that did not affect cell proliferation. Amiloride also prevented the decrease in cell volume normally observed afte a 20-hr exposure to Me2SO. The ratio of total cell Na+ to total cell water was essentially the same for control cells, Me2SO-treated cells, and cells treated with Me2SO plus amiloride. However, cells treated for 24 hr with Me2SO had a rate of Ca2+ uptake that was twice that of untreated cells and a similarly higher Ca2+ content. Addition of amiloride plus Me2SO prevented both the increase in Ca2+ uptake rate and the increase in Ca2+ content. Cells grown in the presence of Me2SO plus amiloride initiated differentiation immediately after removal of amiloride or addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (1 microgram/ml). Addition of sufficient ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid to reduce free extracellular Ca2+ to submicromolar levels prevented Me2SO-induced differentiation while only slightly affecting cell proliferation. These results suggest that an increase in in the Ca2+ level is an essential step in Me2SO induction, that amiloride either directly or indirectly inhibits this process, and that Me2SO has an early effect on cells that is necessary for differentiation and is not mimicked by A23187.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1980

Isolation and localization of DNA segments from specific human chromosomes.

Recombinant DNA techniques have been combined with somatic cell genetic methods to identify, isolate, and amplify fragments of human DNA localized at specific regions of human chromosome 11 selected as a model system. A library of genomic DNA segments has been constructed, in lambda Charon 4A bacteriophage, from the DNA of a somatic cell hybrid carrying a portion of human chromosome 11 on a Chinese hamster ovary cell background. Using a nucleic acid hybridization technique that distinguishes human and Chinese hamster interspersed, repetitive DNA, we have been able to distinguish recombinant phages carrying DNA segments of human origin from recombinant phages carrying DNA segments of Chinese hamster origin. We have isolated 50 human DNA segments thus far and have characterized 5 in detail. For each DNA segment characterized, a subsegment that carries no repetitive human DNA sequences has been identified. These segments have been used as hybridization probes in experiments that localize the DNA fragment on the chromosome. In each case an unequivocal chromosomal localization has been obtained with reference to a panel of hybrid cell clones each of which carries a deletion of a portion of the short arm of chromosome 11. At least one DNA segment has been identified which maps to each of the four regions on the short arm defined by the panel of hybrid cell clones used. The approaches described here appear to be general. They can be extended to produce a fine structure map of human chromosome 11 and other human chromosomes. This approach promises implications for human genetics generally, for the human genetic diseases, and possibly for understanding of gene regulation in normal and abnormal differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Synchronization of MEL cell commitment with cordycepin.

The response of differentiating MEL cells to the nucleotide analogue cordycepin reveals a previously unrecognized aspect of the molecular events which cause commitment of these cells to terminal erythroid differentiation. Cordycepin rapidly inhibits commitment of DMSO-treated MEL cells in a dose range which does not cause cytotoxicity. Reversal of cordycepin treatment in the presence of inducer leads to a rapid and synchronous commitment of a significant proportion of cells in the culture. These results suggest that MEL cells can be blocked just prior to the point of commitment by cordycepin treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Memory of MEL cells to a previous exposure to inducer.

The mechanism of commitment of murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells to terminal differentiation has been examined. Before a significant proportion of cells becomes committed, a lag period of at least 9 hr of exposure to inducer is observed. Cells withdrawn from inducer can reinitiate commitment without a lag when reexposed. The proportion of committed cells in a culture discontinuously exposed to inducer is identical to that in a continuously exposed culture even if withdrawal from inducer lasts for 18 hr. The ability to tolerate an interruption in the exposure has been termed "memory." The memory of a previous exposure to inducer is complete up to 18 hr. It is partially erased after 36 hr and completely erased after 72 hr. The length of time the memory persists is not affected by the length of the initial exposure to inducer. These results suggest that a cellular component necessary for the commitment event accumulates in response to inducer and that this component has a decay time on the order of 10 hr.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Precise localization of human beta-globin gene complex on chromosome 11.

Cloned DNA probes were used in combination with a panel of five hybrid cell clones containing a series of different terminal deletions in human chromosome 11 to map precisely the human hemoglobin beta and delta chain structural genes contained on this chromosome. The region of deletion in each clone of the panel has been defined by biochemical, immunologic, and cytogenetic markers. DNA from clones containing successively larger terminal deletions was tested with appropriate DNA probes to determine the point on the chromosome at which DNA for these two closely linked hemoglobin genes is deleted. These genes, and by inference the closely linked G gamma and A gamma globin genes as well, have been assigned to the intraband region 11p1205 leads to 11p1208 on the short arm of chromosome 11, an interval containing approximately 4500 kilobases of DNA. The approach appears to have potential for even greater resolution and reasonably wide applicability for gene mapping.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Developmental program of murine erythroleukemia cells. Effect of the inhibition of protein synthesis.

The relationship between protein synthesis and commitment to terminal erythroid differentiation by dimethylsulfoxide-treated murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells has been studied. Treatment with cycloheximide blocks the commitment of MEL cells. The effects of cycloheximide are completely reversible, however. Treatment of MEL cells before commitment delays commitment for a period of time equal to the length of inhibitor treatment. Puromycin exerts a similar effect on the commitment of MEL cells. These results indicate that there is a continuous requirement for protein synthesis before the commitment event.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Significance of the cell cycle in commitment of murine erythroleukemia cells to erythroid differentiation.

The relationship between differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells (MEL) induced by DMSO and the cell division cycle has been analyzed. We demonstrate that incubation in the presence of DMSO increases the length of the G1 phase of the cell cycle. A method of synchronization of MEL cells by unit gravity sedimentation has been developed and characterized. Using this method, a series of synchronized cell populations covering the entire cell division cycle can be generated simultaneously. Cells synchronized by this technique were challenged with DMSO and analyzed for kinetics of commitment to the differentiation program. Our results indicate that populations of cells in G1 or G2 at the time of addition of inducer give rise to a greater proportion of committed cells than an unfractionated population, while cells in S phase result in a lower percentage of committed cells than the unfractionated population when cultured in DMSO.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Variability in the amount of beta-globin mRNA in beta0 thalassemia.

Globin mRNA isolated from a number of beta0 thalassemia patients of different ethnic origins was analyzed by RNA-cDNA hybridization and, in two cases, by fingerprint analysis of 125I-labeled mRNA. Quantitation of the relative amounts of alpha- and beta-mRNA by hybridization to purified alpha-and beta-cDNA revealed that in approximately half the cases, there was less than 1% as much beta-mRNA as alpha-mRNA. In the rest of the cases, low levels of beta-like mRNA were detected in amounts 4-12% as abundant as alpha-mRNA. There was variability in the yield of beta-like mRNA in patients of the same racial group, in the same patient at different times and in similarly affected siblings: beta-mRNA was virtually absent in some samples, whereas low but significant levels were found in other samples. In one patient, beta-like mRNA was not detected in peripheral blood RNA, but was present in the RNA of bone marrow cells. In one case, the thermal stability of the beta0 thalassemia mRNA-beta-cDNA hybrid was measured and found to be slightly lower than that of the authentic beta-mRNA-beta-cDNA hybrid. In none of the cases tested was there synthesis of beta-globin chains directed by beta0 thalassemia mRNA in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system, even when beta-like mRNA was detected in the sample by hybridization assays. mRNA from two patients was labeled in vitro with 125I, digested with T1 RNAase and fractionated in two dimensions. Analysis of the resulting fingerprints revealed the presence of prominent alpha chain-specific oligonucleotides without detectable beta chain-specific oligonucleotides, and thereby confirmed the results of hybridization assays showing absent or very low levels of beta-mRNA in the same RNA samples. Our results support the concept that beta0 thalassemia is heterogeneous in its molecular basis even within the same racial group: in some patients, it is associated with absent beta globin mRNA, whereas in other patients, it is associated with low but significant levels of nonfunctional beta or beta-like globin mRNA. The variable amounts of beta-like mRNA detected in different samples from the same patient, and in patients with the same genotype, indicate that as yet undefined factors can influence the yield of beta-like mRNA observed in beta0 thalassemia.

Blood Cells↗
PubMed1978

Lack of erythroid characteristics in Ia-positive leukemia cell lines induced by Friend murine leukemia virus: brief communication.

A group of mouse leukemia cell lines induced by the Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) was examined for a cell membrane antigens (regulated by the I-region of the H-2 complex), as well as for erythroid characteristics. Erythroid traits tested were hemoglobin synthesis, incorporation of 59Fe into heme, and presence of globin mRNA. Of 19 lines, 13 were positive for erythroid characteristics. All of these 13 lines were a-negative. Of 19 lines, 6 were negative for erythroid characteristics, and 5 of the 6 were a-positive. The data suggested that F-MuLV-induced leukemogenesis may operate in more than 1 cell type. In addition to the primitive erythroid type of cell usually involved in leukemia induced by F-MuLV, nonerythroid Ia-positive cells may also be transformed. The exact origin of the Ia-positive leukemia cells is unknown.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Studies of globin chain synthesis and globin mRNA content in a patient homozygous for hemoglobin Lepore.

Globin chain synthesis and globin mRNA content were studied in blood cells of a patient homozygous for Hb Lepore. Peripheral blood cells incubated with tritiated leucine synthesized approximately 1.5 to 3% as many Lepore globin chains as alpha chains. Globin mRNA in peripheral blood cell RNA was assayed by molecular hybridization assays using human alpha and beta cDNA, and the results indicated the presence of approximately 1% to 2% as much beta-like mRNA (presumably deltabeta Lepore mRNA) as alpha mRNA. The amount of Lepore deltabeta chain mRNA in peripheral blood cells is therefore proportional to the amount of Lepore globin chain synthesis in the same cells. An incidental observation was the finding that peripheral blood cell RNA of this patient, at a time when she was being heavily transfused, contained substantially higher levels of beta-like mRNA (relative to alpha mRNA) than in subsequent studies. Cell-free translation of this mRNA however revealed that it contained authentic beta chain mRNA which must have been derived in some way from the transfused blood cells.

Child↗
PubMed1977

Characterization of an erythroid precursor cell of high proliferative capacity in normal human peripheral blood.

We have found that the peripheral blood of normal humans contains a significant number of committed erythroid stem cells of high proliferative capacity. These erythroid stem cells closely resemble the murine erythroid burst-forming unit (BFU-E) with respect to proliferative capacity, colony morphology, and erythropoietin requirement. BFU-E were isolated from the peripheral blood of normal individuals by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation and cultured in vitro using the plasma culture technique. Macroscopic erythroid colonies of between 100 and 1000 cells were observed after 10-14 days of culture in the presence of either sheep or human erythropoietin at 0.5-4 units/ml. Individual colonies contained between 3 and 20 subcolonies and reached a maximum mean size of approximately 500 cells. Colony number was linearly related to the cell input, suggesting that a single cellular entity was precursor to each colony. The frequency of cells capable of giving rise to an erythroid colony was at least 100 per ml of blood in a number of individuals tested. The ability to assay significant numbers of erythroid precursor cells of high proliferative capacity from normal peripheral blood should facilitate the study of both normal erythropoiesis and of disease states affecting erythropoiesis in which marrow samples are not available on a routine basis.

Blood Cells↗
PubMed1976

Erythroid cell differentiation.

We have reviewed erythroid cell differentiation from two points of view: 1) differences between fetal and adult human red cells with particular reference to alterations which can occur in the normal pattern of erythroid cell development during the course of leukemia; 2) beochemical events which occur during erythroid cell maturation, as a model system for the study of the control of gene expression. During the course of many leukemias there is the synthesis of red cells containing fetal hemoglobin. In most cases this phenomenon is limited to a small population or clone of red cells and probably represents a nonspecific response of the bone marrow to a hematologic stress. However, in juvenile chronic myeloid leukemia and, in rare cases of erythroleukemia, there is a major reversion to fetal erythropoiesis, with progressive increase in fetal hemoglobin levels and synthesis of red cells which contain not only fetal hemoglobin but have a true fetal pattern of protein synthesis affecting proteins other than Hb F, namely Hb A2, carbonic anhydrase and the membrane antigens i and I. In this case, the fetal erythropoiesis may be a more specific manifestation of the leukemic process and may be related to the phenomenon of fetal protein synthesis (alpha-fetoprotein of carcinoembryonic antigen) observed in other types of neoplasia. Further information on the etiology and pathogenesis of abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation in the leukemias can be obtained by the study of experimental systems permitting the investigation of the regulation of gene expression in differentiating mammalian cells. Maturing erythroid cells provide a promising system for such investigations for many reasons: differentiating erythroid cells can be obtained relatively free of other cell types; a large amount of a well characterized product, hemoglobin, is synthesized; techniques are now available that permit isolation of erythroid precursors at different stages of differentiation (5-8); and finally, highly sensitive methods of measuring globin mRNA levels by DNA-RNA hybridization are currently available (13, 26, 27). We have used such techniques to measure levels of globin mRNA in separated populations of murine erythroid cells at different stages of maturation. These studies demonstrated a correlation between globin mRNA content and degree of morphological maturation. In the least well differentiated cells, however, there appeared to be a disproportionate amount of mRNA for the level of hemoglobin synthesis in these cells. These results suggest the presence of some translational control of globin mRNA in the early stages of erythroid development, although the major control of globin gene expression in this system seems to be at the transcriptional level...

Anemia, Hemolytic↗