Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D T Denhardt

Publications and source records attributed to D T Denhardt.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

The murine gene encoding secreted phosphoprotein 1 (osteopontin): promoter structure, activity, and induction in vivo by estrogen and progesterone.

Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp-1) is a 41.5-kDa bone sialoprotein presumed to be important in the development and functioning of a number of mammalian organs and possibly also in the progression of malignancies. We report here the isolation of a phage lambda genomic clone of the murine Spp-1 gene containing the promoter and first six exons (4.6 kb of the 5.7-kb gene). We have found another exon located 5' to the 'exon 1' reported by Miyazaki et al. [J. Biol. Chem. 265 (1990) 14432-14438]. The DNA upstream from this 5' exon functions as a promoter in epidermal fibroblast and osteoblast-like cells, as demonstrated by transient transfection assays, S1 mapping of the transcription start point, and sequence analysis revealing TATA-like (TTTAAA) and CAAT (its inverse complement) boxes. A small region of the promoter (nt -253 to +79) was able to direct high-level expression of a fused cat reporter gene in JB6 mouse epidermal cells. The transient transfection assays indicated the presence of a positive transcription element between nt -543 and -253 and a negative transcription element between nt -777 and -543. Addition of the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), resulted in a 1.5-3-fold induction of transcription, depending on the promoter construct and the TPA concentration. The Spp-1 mRNA was localized in several tissues, consistent with previous reports, and to novel sites in ovary, and in the skin and ventral fatty tissue of pregnant and lactating mice. The induction of Spp-1 mRNA was partially mimicked by painting beta-estradiol or progesterone on the skin of nonpregnant females.

Animals↗

Cell cycle-regulated and proliferation stimulus-responsive genes.

We have reviewed here genes whose expression may vary during the "cell cycle" and we discuss the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Given a correlation between the cell cycle and expression of a particular gene, the question arises whether that gene regulates the cycle, whether the cycle regulates that gene, or whether the correlation is simply the consequence that both the cell cycle and that gene respond to the same signal(s). Gene expression is regulated at diverse levels, and the relative importance of regulation at these different levels depends on which version of the cell cycle one has in mind; depending upon the context, the concept of the (higher eukaryote) cell cycle has a number of different operational meanings. Thus the first few divisions of the fertilized egg consist of successive S and M phases, with insignificant G1 and G2 phases, regulated entirely at the translational and post-translational level by the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 and the synthesis/degradation of one or more cyclins-keyed perhaps to the cytoplasm/nucleoplasm ratio and the completion of DNA replication. In contrast, cells stimulated to exit quiescence, (G0), require new gene transcription and changes in the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Cells proliferating in a constant environment proceed directly from mitosis into G1 and are less dependent on (but not independent of) new transcription; here controls at the post-transcriptional and post-translational levels are more pronounced. In addition to regulation by p34cdc2, input from cell-specific growth factors or other extracellular signals is essential for most untransformed cells to continue through the cycle. Many transformed cells in contrast do not require exogenous signals and are altered in the way that key regulatory genes (e.g., p53, RB) are controlled. While cells of many lower eukaryotes appear capable of an indefinite number of cell cycles, the typical higher eukaryotic cell appears to have a limit on this number--untransformed, nonestablished vertebrate cells are usually mortal. For unknown reasons, established cell lines and certain embryonic or stem cells under the right conditions, are immortal and capable of indefinite proliferation. Apparently, the price paid to construct a differentiated multicellular organism is a limit on the number of cell divisions that the constituent somatic cells are capable of undergoing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunochemical comparison of transformation-associated protein and secreted phosphoprotein.

Transformation-associated protein (TAP) has been detected in MSV-M-transformed rat cell lines as glycosylated, weakly phosphorylated protein of molecular weight (Mr) 66,000 and 68,000. In the ts-MSV-M-transformed rat kidney cell line (6m2), the synthesis of TAP and the v-mos gene product is temperature-sensitive and accompanies the expression of transformation phenotypes. Therefore, TAP potentially plays a role in cellular transformation. On the other hand, SPP represents a family of glycosylated phosphoprotein with apparent Mr ranging from 42,000 to 69,000. SPP has been detected in osteoblasts and in avian and murine retrovirus-transformed rat and mouse epithelial cells. Therefore, the potential relatedness of TAP and SPP was studied. Using the 6m2 cells, we found that SPP was strongly phosphorylated and was synthesized at both the permissive (33 degrees C) and non-permissive (39 degrees C) temperatures. By contrast, TAP was weakly phosphorylated, and was synthesized, as we found previously, only at the permissive temperature of 33 degrees C. Furthermore, in 35S-methionine incorporation studies, TAP became heavily labelled whereas SPP was not (consistent with its amino acid composition having few methionine residues). Using 125I-TAP in both immunoprecipitation and radioimmunoassays, it was found that an antiserum raised against SPP did not cross-react with 125I-TAP. Additionally, SPP has now been found in many human and rodent cells, while TAP thus far has only been detected in MSV-transformed rat cells. These data suggest that structurally, TAP and SPP are not closely related phosphoproteins.

Animals↗

Secreted phosphoprotein mRNA is induced during multi-stage carcinogenesis in mouse skin and correlates with the metastatic potential of murine fibroblasts.

Secreted phosphoprotein I (SPP), also known as 2ar, osteopontin, 44-kDa bone phosphoprotein, bone sialoprotein I, and transformation-related phosphoprotein, is a 41.5-kDa glycosylated phosphoprotein secreted by many mammalian cell lines and expressed in a limited set of tissues. Using a cDNA probe, we found that SPP mRNA, which is barely detectable in normal mouse epidermis, was expressed at moderate-to-high levels in 2 of 3 epidermal papillomas and at consistently high levels in 7 of 7 squamous-cell carcinomas induced by an initiation-promotion regimen. This contrasts with the transient induction we had previously observed after a single application of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In a set of 5 independently isolated T24-H-ras-transfected mouse C3H 10T1/2 cell lines, the levels of SPP mRNA correlated well with ras mRNA levels and with both experimental and spontaneous metastatic ability. SPP mRNA expression was also elevated in a derivative of mouse LTA cells transfected with genomic DNA from B16F1 melanoma cells and selected for increased experimental metastatic ability in the chick embryo. This apparent association of SPP expression with invasion, progression and metastasis, along with the presence of a functional ArgGlyAsp (RGD) cell adhesion site in SPP (osteopontin), leads us to propose that SPP may act as an autocrine adhesion factor for tumor cells.

Animals↗

Modulation of translation by the 5' leader sequence of the mRNA encoding murine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases.

Murine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) is a Mr 28,000 secreted glycoprotein. The nucleotide sequence has been determined previously, and evidence for a multiplicity of TIMP transcripts presented. The longest TIMP transcript contains a small open reading frame (ORF) which is upstream of and overlaps the TIMP ORF, whereas the shorter inducible transcripts lack the AUG start codon of the upstream putative ORF. Serum stimulation of quiescent fibroblasts selectively enhances the abundance of the shorter transcripts (Edwards, D. R., Waterhouse, P., Holman, M. L., and Denhardt, D. T. (1986) Nucleic Acids Res. 14, 8863-8878). Here we have used an in vitro transcription/translation system to determine the effect of the upstream region on the efficiency of TIMP translation. TIMP transcripts either containing or lacking a segment including the AUG of the 5' ORF were generated by SP6 polymerase, and equal amounts of these transcripts were translated in reticulocyte lysates. TIMP synthesized in vitro was immunoprecipitable by an antiserum raised against a recombinant TIMP protein. TIMP was translated 3-fold more efficiently from the 5'-truncated transcript, consistent with the possibility that induction of shorter, more efficiently translated, TIMP transcripts are an important means of amplifying TIMP expression in response to serum.

Animals↗

Identification of a DNA sequence responsible for binding of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhancement of mouse secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP-1 or osteopontin) gene expression.

Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp-1; osteopontin) is one of the abundant noncollagenous proteins in bone matrix and is produced by osteoblasts. We examined the promoter region of the mouse Spp-1 gene and identified a sequence responsible for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhancement of the Spp-1 gene expression. This 24-base-pair (bp) sequence (vitamin D response element) is located 761 bp upstream of the transcription start site and consists of two direct repeats of a unique 9-bp motif, AGGTTCACG. The vitamin D response element confers responsiveness of a heterologous promoter to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in a position- and orientation-independent and copy-number-dependent manner. The basal level of expression of the reporter constructs containing this sequence and its response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were not affected by cotreatment with transforming growth factor beta or the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or by cotransfection with a JUN expression vector. The vitamin D response element forms DNA-protein complexes, as indicated by gel-retardation assays. The addition of a monoclonal antibody raised against the vitamin D receptor further retarded the mobility of the DNA-protein complex. Another antibody that recognizes the DNA binding region of the vitamin D receptor attenuated its binding to the sequence. These results indicate that this 24-bp sequence containing two 9-bp motifs binds to the vitamin D receptor and mediates the vitamin D3 enhancement of murine Spp-1 gene expression.

Animals↗

Expression of attachment proteins during cementogenesis.

There is general agreement that during development the extracellular environment plays a critical role in controlling cell differentiation. Data generated from numerous studies support the possibility that cell attachment proteins and their corresponding cell receptors are possible candidates for this role. In particular, our studies are directed at identifying attachment proteins in mature cementum and establishing the function of these proteins during root formation. Fractionation of guanidine HCL/EDTA extracts of cementum revealed the presence of a bone-associated attachment, BSP, as well as fractions containing as of yet undetermined attachment proteins. Immunofluorescent examination of 1st molar tissues during root formation, obtained from 7 day-old mice neonates, for bone-associated attachment proteins indicated that osteopontin is expressed in the area of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, but not in the region of the dental papillae. However, dental papillae cells, considered to have the capacity to form cementum, attached to osteopontin coated dishes, in vitro. Thus, unique attachment proteins, as well as those previously identified, were found in mature cementum and during root development. Future studies focused on identifying attachment proteins of mature cementum and determining the spatial and temporal localization of these proteins, pre- and post-cementogenesis, will provide important information necessary for establishing the function of these proteins during root development.

Animals↗

Identification of a serum-inducible messenger RNA (5B10) as the mouse homologue of calcyclin: tissue distribution and expression in metastatic, ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells.

A mouse mRNA, provisionally designated 5B10, has been cloned based on its inducibility by serum in quiescent murine fibroblasts. Here we report the full-length complementary DNA sequence and a partial characterization. There are about five copies of the gene in the mouse genome. Sequence analysis of the 5B10 coding region reveals 94 and 97% amino acid identity to human and rat calcyclin, respectively. Although the coding region has been highly conserved during evolution of the rodent and human genomes, the untranslated flanking sequences differ significantly. A protein of Mr about 8000 was produced by in vitro translation of the mRNA transcribed in vitro from 5B10 complementary DNA in a riboprobe vector. An antiserum raised against a portion of the predicted human calcyclin protein cross-reacted with this mouse protein. 5B10 mRNA was found in greatest amount in organs containing proliferating cells, e.g., epidermis, skin, stomach, uterus of pregnant mouse, placenta, and decidua. Brain, liver, mature thymus, and skeletal muscle had little or no detectable 5B10 mRNA. 5B10 mRNA levels were higher in cells treated with 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate than in their normal counterparts, suggesting a role in tumorigenesis. In addition, high 5B10 mRNA levels were associated with metastatic ability in a series of ras-transformed cells, in proportion to levels of ras p21 expressed by the cells, implicating 5B10 even more deeply in carcinogenesis.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Differential screening of a cDNA library with cDNA probes amplified in a heterologous host: isolation of murine GRP78 (BiP) and other serum-regulated low-abundance mRNAs.

A novel method was used to screen differentially a cDNA library for clones representing serum-regulated mRNA species of low abundance. To increase the amount of probe available for screening, the cDNA probe was cloned and amplified. Two separate cDNA 'probe' libraries were constructed in the Escherichia coli plasmid vector pDE613, using poly(A)+mRNA from murine cells at 0 and 16 h after stimulation of a G0 population. Radiolabelled plasmid DNA from each library was hybridized sequentially to colony blots of the third 'target' library, constructed with mRNA from serum-stimulated cells in the Bacillus subtilis vector pBD214. Differential screening of the target cDNA library with the two probe libraries identified novel murine cDNA clones, some representing cytoplasmic poly(A)+RNA species of low (0.01%) abundance, accumulating after serum stimulation of a quiescent mouse embryo fibroblast population. One cDNA clone was found to correspond to mitochondrial 16S rRNA and a second was identified as the murine equivalent of previously described cDNA clones for the hamster 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and the rat immunoglobulin heavy-chain-binding protein. GRP78 mRNA has not previously been recognized as a serum-inducible message.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a mouse mitogen-regulated protein/proliferin gene and its promoter: a member of the growth hormone/prolactin gene superfamily.

A genomic clone containing the complete gene, designated mrp/plf3, of a member of the mitogen-regulated protein/proliferin (MRP/PLF) multi-gene family was isolated from a mouse genomic library constructed in lambda L47.1. The DNA sequences of the 5' flanking region, the exons, and the exon/intron boundaries have been determined. The size and organization of the five exons in the murine mrp/plf3 gene are very similar to those of members of the prolactin/growth hormone family, confirming that mrp/plf3 is a part of this superfamily. Removal of an upstream negative regulatory element revealed an active mrp/plf promoter that was responsive to TGF-alpha and contains known regulatory elements. Intracellular mrp/plf mRNA levels were increased by 17 beta-estradiol and reduced by dexamethasone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suppression by cathepsin L inhibitors of the invasion of amnion membranes by murine cancer cells.

Cysteine proteinases, particularly cathepsins B and L, have been strongly implicated in fostering metastasis in mice. In this work four different inhibitors of cysteine proteinases have been shown to inhibit the invasion of the human amnion by murine melanoma and mammary carcinoma cells in vitro. Two of the inhibitors are synthetic peptides [ZPhePheCHN2 (benzyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanyldiazomethane) and ZPheAlaCH2F [3-(N-benzyloxycarbonylphenylalanylamido)-DL-1-fluoro-2-butanone]] and two are thiol protease inhibitors (TPIn, TPId) isolated from the skeletal muscle of the hind limbs of normal and dystrophic mice, respectively. The inhibitors (ZPhePheCHN2, TPId), with apparent selectivity for cathepsin L, blocked invasion as effectively as inhibitors (ZPheAlaCH2F, TPIn) effective on both cathepsins. The data reveal that in these cell lines the cysteine proteinases contribute significantly to the invasive capacity of the cells, but to a lesser extent than do the metalloproteinases. We suggest that the cysteine proteinases facilitate the action of metalloproteinases (collagenase, gelatinase, and stromelysin), possibly by activating them, by inactivating the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, and/or by making basement membrane matrix more accessible.

Amnion↗

Osteopontin, a transformation-associated cell adhesion phosphoprotein, is induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in mouse epidermis.

A murine mRNA (provisionally called 2ar) is described whose abundance is greatly increased by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate both in JB6 epidermal cells in vitro and in epidermis in vivo. We have previously shown induction of 2ar in epidermal or fibroblast cell lines by tumor promoters, growth factors, and transformation with H-ras. The 2ar mRNA appears to be derived from a single copy gene. It encodes the mouse homolog of rat osteopontin, a 41.5-kDa glycosylated bone phosphoprotein that binds to fibroblasts and osteosarcoma cells and to hydroxylapatite (bone matrix). The rat and mouse sequences are 84% identical at the amino acid level and 87% identical at the nucleotide level. Many of the primary structural features are conserved, including a run of 9-10 aspartic residues and a Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser cell adhesion sequence. Antiserum raised against portions of the predicted polypeptide immunoprecipitated proteins of apparent Mr 55,000-70,000 both from reticulocyte lysates containing the translation products of hybrid-selected mRNA and from cell culture medium containing metabolically labeled proteins secreted by JB6 cells. The results presented here demonstrate that osteopontin is identical to a transformation-associated phosphoprotein whose level of expression by cultured cells and abundance in human sera has been correlated with tumorigenicity. These results suggest a role for osteopontin in carcinogenesis. The murine version of osteopontin has been given the formal name "secreted phosphoprotein 1" and the designation spp.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanisms of cellular invasiveness: a comparison of amnion invasion in vitro and metastatic behavior in vivo.

We employed a sensitive in vitro amnion invasion assay to examine the relationship of the invasive ability of numerous mouse and human tumor cell lines and their variants to their ability to spontaneously or artificially metastasize; we also studied possible enzymatic activities involved in the in vitro invasion process. In vitro invasive ability of tumor cells was strongly correlated with spontaneous metastatic ability from the subcutaneous site, regardless of the ability of tumor cells to form artificial metastases when introduced intravenously. However, normal nontumorigenic human trophoblast cells were also highly invasive. Various collagenase inhibitors totally abrogated amnion penetration by all invasive cells; various inhibitors of plasmin, plasminogen, and plasminogen activators prevented invasion in most, but not all, cases. Thus, amnion penetration provides a rigorous test for tumor cell invasiveness required for spontaneous metastasis in vivo, and invasiveness is strongly dependent on metalloproteinase activity, which usually follows plasmin activation.

Amnion↗

Antisense RNA-induced reduction in murine TIMP levels confers oncogenicity on Swiss 3T3 cells.

Mouse 3T3 cell lines capable of constitutively synthesizing an RNA complementary to the messenger RNA encoding TIMP, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, were constructed by transfection with appropriate plasmid constructs. Many of the lines were down-modulated for TIMP messenger RNA levels and secreted less TIMP into the culture medium. In comparison to noninvasive, nontumorigenic controls, these cells not only were invasive in a human amnion invasion assay, but also were tumorigenic and metastatic in athymic mice. These results indicate that TIMP suppresses oncogenicity, at least in immortal murine 3T3 cells.

Animals↗

Evidence for two pathways of protein kinase C induction of 2ar expression: correlation with mitogenesis.

2ar is a cDNA clone of an mRNA that is inducible by 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in mouse JB6 epidermal cells. This mRNA is stably induced in confluent cells but only transiently induced in subconfluent cells; the elevated level of 2ar mRNA in TPA-treated cells appears to be the result of enhanced transcription (Smith and Denhardt: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 34:13-22, 1987). Phorbol dibutyrate, teleocidin, and aplysiatoxin, which activate protein kinase C and are also tumor promoters, are shown here to induce 2ar to the same extent as TPA at both cell densities. The increased expression by TPA was prevented by cycloheximide and by H7, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C. Epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and the nonphorbol promoter diethylhexylphthalate were more effective inducers in confluent than in subconfluent cultures. All-trans retinoic acid, dexamethasone and fluocinolone acetonide, inhibitors of tumor promotion, diminished 2ar induction in both acetonide, inhibitors of tumor promotion, diminished 2ar induction in both confluent and subconfluent cells. In TPA-treated subconfluent cultures indomethacin produced a slight inhibition, whereas difluoromethyl ornithine potentiated the induction. In TPA-treated confluent cultures, in contrast, indomethacin enhanced 2ar mRNA levels and difluoromethyl ornithine was inhibitory. We conclude that the protein kinase C-mediated induction of 2ar expression is controlled by different pathways in subconfluent cultures and confluent cultures, indicative of apparent changes in the regulation of gene expression as proliferating cells become quiescent.

Animals↗

Regulation of the mRNA for monocyte-derived neutrophil-activating peptide in differentiating HL60 promyelocytes.

A cDNA library was constructed from HL60 human promyelocyte poly(A)+ RNA harvested 3 h after induction of macrophage differentiation with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate in the presence of cycloheximide. We isolated from this library a 1.6-kilobase full-length clone designated b4 whose corresponding mRNA was greatly increased in abundance in cytoplasmic RNA under these conditions. Dideoxy sequencing revealed that this mRNA encoded MONAP (monocyte-derived neutrophil-activating peptide), a 10-kilodalton monokine with neutrophil-specific chemotactic and enzyme-releasing activities. The 3' untranslated region of this mRNA was found to be 1.2 kilobases long and possessed nine copies of the AUUUA sequence known to be associated with regulation of mRNA stability. Actinomycin D chase experiments yielded evidence that cytoplasmic stabilization was one of the means of regulation of MONAP expression. Analysis of cytoplasmic poly(A)- RNA revealed the presence of several discrete truncated species that shared a common 5' end and appeared to be intermediates of degradation. S1 mapping showed that the 3' ends of these molecules were distributed throughout the 3' untranslated region, preferentially in A + U-rich regions, broadly correlating with the distribution of AUUUA sites. Nuclear run-on experiments indicated that transcriptional induction accounted for less than 15% of the accumulation of MONAP mRNA. This mRNA was induced in HL60 cells by treatment with several differentiation-inducing agents: 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-myristate alone, sodium butyrate, vitamin D3, and dimethyl sulfoxide. It was also induced in quiescent diploid lung fibroblasts stimulated to divide by serum, and it was constitutively overexpressed by some human tumor lines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases: a review of their role in tumorigenesis and tissue invasion.

We review the metalloproteinase/metalloproteinase inhibitor field, past work implicating metalloproteinases in invasion and metastasis, and our research using sense and antisense tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) RNA to manipulate TIMP expression. Experiments on murine 3T3 cell lines downmodulated for TIMP expression have revealed a role for TIMP in controlling tumorigenesis as well as invasion; in tumors that develop from these cell lines there is an apparent increase in expression of genes encoding metalloproteinases. Growth patterns of cells engineered to produce different levels of TIMP and the characteristics of tumor cell lines derived from cells downmodulated for TIMP expression have been investigated. The evidence that metalloproteinases are an essential contributor to the metastatic process, and that TIMP is a prominent regulator, is quite conclusive.

Animals↗

Identification of the major phosphoprotein secreted by many rodent cell lines as 2ar/osteopontin: enhanced expression in H-ras-transformed 3T3 cells.

/ar, a tumor promoter-inducible protein secreted by mouse JB6 epidermal cells, is the murine homolog of rat osteopontin, or 44 kD bone phosphoprotein. We report here that 2ar is also related to pp69, a major phosphoprotein secreted by normal rat kidney cells. Antisera raised against pp69 and against beta-galactosidase-2ar fusion proteins are able to immunoprecipitate the same major phosphoproteins, of apparent Mr 55-69 kD, secreted by several rat and mouse cell lines. The levels of secreted protein and cytoplasmic mRNA are dramatically elevated in NIH 3T3 cells transformed with the human bladder cancer T24 (H-ras) oncogene. These results and the work of Senger and colleagues (Cancer Res., 45, 5818-5823, 1985) imply that enhanced secretion of 2ar/pp69/osteopontin by transformation of a wide variety of mammalian fibroblasts and epithelial cells is often correlated with tumorigenicity.

Animals↗