Arbitrarily primed PCR fingerprints resolved on SSCP gels.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Welsh.
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1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2-D3) increases membrane-associated protein kinase C (PKC) activity and immunoreactivity in renal epithelial (Madin Darby bovine kidney, MDBK) cells (Simboli-Campbell, M., Franks, D. J., and Welsh, J. E. (1992) Cell Signalling 4, 99-109). We have now characterized the effects of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 on the subcellular localization of three individual isozymes by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. Although the total amount of PKC alpha, PKC beta, and PKC zeta are unaffected by 1,25-(OH)2-D3, this steroid hormone induces subcellular redistribution of both PKC alpha and PKC beta. Treatment with 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (100 nM, 24 h) enhances plasma membrane association of PKC alpha and induces translocation of PKC beta to the nuclear membrane. The effects of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 appear to be limited to the calcium-dependent PKC isozymes, since 1,25-(OH)2-D3 has no effect on the calcium independent isozyme, PKC zeta. In contrast to rapid transient PKC translocation seen in response to agents which interact with membrane receptors to induce phospholipid hydrolysis, modulation of PKC alpha and PKC beta is observed after 24 h treatment with 1,25-(OH)2-D3. In MDBK cells, the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (100 nM, 24 h) down-regulates PKC alpha and, to a lesser extent, PKC zeta, without altering their subcellular distribution. TPA also induces translocation of PKC beta to the nuclear membrane. MDBK cells treated with 1,25-(OH)2-D3, but not TPA, exhibit enhanced phosphorylation of endogenous nuclear proteins. In addition to the distinct effects of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 and TPA on PKC isozyme patterns, 1,25-(OH)2-D3 up-regulates both the vitamin D receptor and calbindin D-28K, whereas TPA down-regulates the expression of both proteins. These data support the involvement of PKC in the mechanism of action of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 and specifically implicate PKC beta in 1,25-(OH)2-D3-mediated nuclear events.
RNA arbitrarily primed PCR (RAP-PCR) was used to isolate cDNAs that represent developmentally regulated brain-specific genes. Five clones with a restricted pattern of expression were identified and sequenced. Four cDNAs had no obvious homology to the sequences in GenBank. One clone had over 95% homology to a Ca2+/calmodulin-insensitive adenylyl cyclase, a recently cloned gene that was isolated from rat brain and was shown to be expressed only in adult brain and lung. Two novel cDNAs were investigated further by Northern blot analysis and were found to be expressed differentially during development; their expression was confined to the forebrain in the adult mouse. Further characterization by in situ hybridization showed that the mRNA corresponding to one clone was localized to a limited number of differentiating functional structures in the developing nervous system. In the adult brain, this message is confined to the forebrain with the highest level of expression in the cortex. These data suggest that the product of this gene is involved in the establishment of neuronal networks during brain development and in synaptic plasticity in the mature cortex. This work demonstrates that RAP-PCR is a powerful method for the simultaneous detection of differences between multiple RNA populations and, as such, can be used to study differential gene expression in the brain.
Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are commonly found in the major human cancers and the mutational spectrum in some cancer types is consistent with the genotoxic effects of the associated environmental risk factors. Thus far there is little information on p53 mutations in cancers of factory workers with a history of carcinogen exposure in the workplace. Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride causes liver angiosarcomas (ASL) and also increases the risk of several other cancers. Loss of p53 function in osteo- and fibrosarcomas can occur by two different mechanisms, p53 mutation and amplification of the MDM2 gene. We examined tumors from five vinyl chloride-exposed patients, four with ASL and one with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for evidence of MDM2 proto-oncogene amplification or p53 mutation in exons 5-8. Amplification of MDM2 was not found, but in two of the angiosarcomas an A:T to T:A missense mutation was detected. p53 sequence analysis of vinyl chloride associated cancers may provide valuable information on the relationship between carcinogen exposure and DNA damage in cancer-related genes.
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Numerous murine monoclonal antibodies reactive with human mammary tumor cells have been developed and used for identification of various breast tumor antigens. The problems encountered with these murine monoclonal antibodies include poor sensitivity and cross reactivity with normal tissue. We report here the use of a human monoclonal antibody (JDB1) as a more sensitive and specific method for staining of paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma tissue. This human clone was constructed by fusing the human lymphoma cell line (Ball-1) and peripheral blood lymphocytes from a breast cancer patient in active immunological remission of her disease. Several benign and malignant breast lesions in addition to a variety of apparently normal human tissues have been stained. To date, a variety of breast carcinomas have stained positively with JDB1, while normal breast tissue samples as well as other forms of malignant tissue were negative for staining. In addition, unlike most commercially available murine monoclonals, JDB1 was able to identify metastatic infiltrating ductal carcinoma to both axillary nodes and skin. These results represent one of the first reported findings of immunostaining using a human monoclonal antibody on paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed human breast carcinoma. These human antibodies provide new research tools with which to evaluate human breast cancer and allow for a more complete understanding of the heterogeneity associated with this disease.
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RNA fingerprinting using arbitrarily primed PCR (RAP) samples an RNA population and allows the detection of differentially expressed genes between two or more populations. This method was applied to mink lung epithelial cells, which respond to treatment with transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) by undergoing cell cycle arrest at or near the G1/S-phase boundary. The steady-state abundances of approximately 200 RNAs were surveyed, a few of which displayed differential regulation in response to TGF-beta 1. Three products were isolated, cloned, and sequenced. One differentially regulated RNA corresponded to cyclin A, a gene known to be required for the progression of mammalian fibroblasts through S phase. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the cyclin A mRNA steady-state abundance decreased dramatically in response to a 24-hr TGF-beta 1 treatment and also in response to cell cycle arrest caused by contact inhibition. A second RAP product corresponded to a previously unknown 7.5-kb mRNA, the level of which decreased dramatically in response to TGF-beta 1 treatment. Unlike the cyclin A mRNA, the abundance of this transcript did not decrease in response to growth arrest induced by contact inhibition. A third RAP product corresponded to the mRNA for osteonectin, an extracellular matrix protein. The abundance of this mRNA increased at least 2-fold during TGF-beta 1 treatment. This observation is consistent with other reports of increases in extracellular matrix proteins during TGF-beta treatment. RAP should be able to identify many of the genes that change in steady-state expression during the cell cycle.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate two molecular epidemiologic methods used in the analysis of a nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak. DESIGN: Restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA (REAP) was used in the analysis of 45 MRSA isolates. After termination of the outbreak, isolates were retrospectively analyzed in a blind fashion using the newly described technique of arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR). Molecular analyses were compared with epidemiologic and antimicrobial susceptibility data. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight patients and 12 employees infected or colonized with MRSA during a 6-week period. RESULTS: A clonal relationship demonstrated among isolates from burn unit patients and staff was clearly distinguishable from MRSA isolates arising from other hospital wards. The combination of REAP and AP-PCR provided complementary information in several instances. Aggressive measures to isolate infected patients and eradicate colonization from patients and staff terminated the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: Although traditional epidemiologic methods retain their central role in modern hospital infection control, molecular epidemiologic analysis can significantly enhance the ability of infection control officers to analyze and terminate hospital epidemics. The combination of AP-PCR and REAP may prove to be a particularly informative means of tracking the nosocomial spread of microbial strains and their mobile genetic elements.
Differential gene expression between various tissues and developmental stages or between cells in vitro under different growth conditions can be rapidly and efficiently compared using the RNA arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (RAP) fingerprinting method (Welsh et al., 1992b; Liang and Pardee, 1992). In RAP, a primer of arbitrary sequence primes both first and second strand cDNA synthesis. The mixture of products is then PCR amplified and resolved electrophoretically, yielding highly reproducible fingerprints that are tissue-specific or growth condition-specific. Differences between fingerprints arise from differentially expressed genes, as verified by Northern blot analysis. RAP can be performed on the RNA samples using various DNA primers. Each two day experiment yields a sample of approximately twenty cDNA products per lane making the identification of differentially or developmentally regulated genes no longer rate limiting. Those PCR products representing genes that are regulated can be cloned from the gel and sequenced. Sequences can be compared to the DNA and protein sequence databases to identify homologs, motifs and members of gene families. The clones can be placed on the genetic map as Expression Tagged Sites (ETS, Adams et al., 1991a).
The induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II expression was studied on cerebrovascular endothelial cells (CVE) obtained from strains of mice that are resistant (BALB/c) and susceptible (SJL and CBA) to Theiler's virus-induced demyelination (TVID). Following 24 h treatment with interferon (IFN)-gamma, MHC Class II was induced on CVE derived from susceptible but not resistant strains of mice. However, IFN-gamma induced the expression of MHC Class II on late passages of BALB/c CVE. These results demonstrate a correlation between susceptibility to demyelination and the ability of IFN-gamma to induce the expression of MHC Class II on CVE. In susceptible strains of mice, the presence of activated, IFN-gamma-secreting T cells, in the vicinity of CVE would increase the antigen-presenting capabilities of CVE and result in increased T cell traffic into the central nervous system.
To determine the relevance of circulating 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3] to the pathogenesis of hypocalcemia during magnesium deficiency, growing chicks were pair fed control or Mg-deficient diets with or without 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation. Within 14 d, chicks fed the Mg-deficient diet without 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation exhibited hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia compared to control chicks. 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol supplementation in Mg-deficient chicks elevated plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 twofold and increased plasma calcium to control levels. Supplementation with 1,25(OH)2D3 did not increase plasma Mg concentration in Mg-deficient chicks, indicating that exogenous 1,25(OH)2D3 prevented hypocalcemia in the absence of greater Mg availability. Magnesium-deficient chicks supplemented with 1,25(OH)2D3 had more intestinal calbindin D-28K relative to Mg-deficient nonsupplemented chicks, suggesting that increased absorption of dietary Ca may have contributed to the greater plasma Ca concentration in 1,25(OH)2D3 supplemented Mg-deficient chicks. Although clinical hypomagnesemia has been associated with vitamin D resistance, our data indicate that primary Mg deficiency did not impair target tissue responsiveness to 1,25(OH)2D3, at least at the level of the intestine. Supplementation with 1,25(OH)2D3 did not increase bone Mg concentration and did not alter the characteristic skeletal morphology. It also did not increase bone Ca concentration in Mg-deficient chicks. The data suggest that skeletal alterations during Mg deficiency result from hypomagnesemia per se, rather than hypocalcemia or insufficient 1,25(OH)2D3.
Reference strains from 48 selected serovars representing eight species of Leptospira were examined by two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategies. First, mapped restriction site polymorphisms (MRSP) were examined in PCR products from portions of rrs (16S rRNA gene) and rrl (23S rRNA gene). Twenty MRSP and 2 length polymorphisms were used to group reference strains into 16 MRSP profiles. Species assignments were consistent with those obtained by a second method, genomic fingerprinting with arbitrarily primed PCR, in which strains within a species were characterized by many shared arbitrarily primed PCR products. The results of both of these methods were in general agreement with those of previous studies that used DNA-DNA relatedness and confirmed the high level of divergence among the recognized species of Leptospira. However, Leptospira meyeri serovar ranarum and evansi strains were indistinguishable from some strains of Leptospira interrogans sensu stricto. Intervening sequences of about 485 to 740 bp were located near base 1230 in rrl of some strains.
Fingerprinting of RNA populations was achieved using an arbitrarily selected primer at low stringency for first and second strand cDNA synthesis. PCR amplification was then used to amplify the products. The method required only a few nanograms of total RNA and was unaffected by low levels of genomic double stranded DNA contamination. A reproducible pattern of ten to twenty clearly visible PCR products was obtained from any one tissue. Differences in PCR fingerprints were detected for RNAs from the same tissue isolated from different mouse strains and for RNAs from different tissues from the same mouse. The strain-specific differences revealed are probably due to sequence polymorphisms and should be useful for genetic mapping of genes. The tissue-specific differences revealed may be useful for studying differential gene expression. Examples of tissue-specific differences were cloned. Differential expression was confirmed for these products by Northern analysis and DNA sequencing uncovered two new tissue-specific messages. The method should be applicable to the detection of differences between RNA populations in a wide variety of situations.
Using a xenotransplantation system in which immortalized nontumorigenic human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) are grown in deepithelialized rat tracheas that are subcutaneously transplanted into athymic nude mice, we exposed BEAS-2B cells either to cigarette smoke condensate or to the tobacco-specific N-nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1- butanone. After 6 mo the carcinogen-exposed BEAS-2B cells were neoplastically transformed to invasive adenocarcinomas. Cell lines obtained from xenografts exposed in vivo to chemicals exhibited several features typical of malignant lung cancer cells, such as increased in vivo invasiveness that correlated well with enhanced type IV collagenolytic activity, resistance to serum-induced growth inhibition, and increased expression of transforming growth factor alpha and its cellular-membrane receptor. Invasiveness, similar to that seen after exposure to phorbol esters, was also detected after in vitro exposure of BEAS-2B cells to cigarette smoke condensate. Collectively, these data indicate that cigarette smoke condensate and N-nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone induce in vivo phenotypic changes in BEAS-2B cells similar to the progressive changes that occur during human lung carcinogenesis.
The effect of the phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) on vitamin D receptors (VDRs) was studied in MDBK cells, a normal bovine renal epithelial cell line. 24 h treatment of MDBK cells with TPA resulted in down-regulation of VDR number, with no change in the binding affinity for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) or approximate molecular weight determined by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). TPA treatment also reduced the level of calbindin D-28K, a vitamin D-dependent renal protein. 4 alpha-Phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha-PDD), an inactive phorbol ester, did not affect either 1,25(OH)2D3 binding or calbindin D-28K levels. TPA elicited a significant decrease in membrane-associated protein kinase C (PKC) activity which coincided with the reduction in VDR number and calbindin D-28K. These data support a link between TPA, PKC activity and vitamin D actions in kidney.