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K Huppi

Publications and source records attributed to K Huppi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A murine antibody to Shigella dysenteriae type 1 employs V-genes that contain a rearranged codon for the lambda light chain.

The cDNA coding for a hybridoma anti Shigella dysenteriae type 1 antibody (3707 E9) has been cloned, and sequenced. Binding patterns with fragments of the bacterial polysaccharide antigen had already been studied in detail. The VH sequence utilizes the VH441 gene, first identified amongst beta-(1,6)galactan-binding antibodies, while the VL is closely related to the V lambda 1 gene. We found that the VL3707 E9 gene employed a VL-J combinatorial joining leading to a rare Trp-->Leu substitution at position L96.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amplified extrachromosomal elements containing c-Myc and Pvt 1 in a mouse plasmacytoma.

After adaptation of a mouse plasma cell tumor, MOPC265, to culture, we have found several unique chromosomal alterations in addition to the T(12;15) translocation and trisomy 11 frequently observed in plasmacytomas. Among these alterations is a specific coamplification of the c-Myc and Pvt 1 gene loci from mouse chromosome 15. Further analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrates that the amplicons of c-Myc and Pvt 1 exist as extrachromosomal elements as well as within intact chromosomes. Most importantly, the presence of both Pvt 1 and c-Myc in these extrachromosomal elements indicates ongoing coselection for these loci in the propagation of MOPC265.

Animals↗

Chimeric transcripts with an open reading frame are generated as a result of translocation to the Pvt-1 region in mouse B-cell tumors.

Some mouse plasmacytomas exhibit a t(6;15) chromosomal translocation in which the breakpoint resides within the Pvt-1 locus located 260 kilobases (kb) downstream of c-myc on mouse chromosome 15. In this report, we show that the Pvt-1 locus does not exhibit allelic exclusion in that Pvt-1 transcripts continue to be expressed from the non-translocated allele in t(6;15) plasmacytomas. From the translocated allele, we find chimeric transcripts containing a short 57-bp segment of Pvt-1 (termed Pvt-1a) spliced directly to the immunoglobulin constant region sequence (Ig-Ck). These short transcripts have replaced a Jk segment with a trytophan residue via RNA splicing and contain a continuous open reading frame (ORF) from Pvt-1a through Ck. Since this Pvt-1a/Ck transcript is found in all 3 t(6;15) plasmacytomas examined, regardless of the location of the chromosomal breakpoint, we suggest that the Pvt-1a/Ck chimera may have a functional role in the development of mouse plasmacytomas.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning, functional expression, and chromosomal localization of the human cholecystokinin type A receptor.

The results presented here describe for the first time the molecular cloning of the human CCKA-R. Expression of the recombinant receptor shows the expected subtype pharmacology and coupling to phosphoinositide hydrolysis reported for the native human CCKA-R. This knowledge will enhance our understanding of its distribution, pharmacology, and structure and will improve our understanding of its physiological role in the gastrointestinal and nervous systems in humans. Ultimately, this should hasten the understanding and therapy of gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assignment of the protein kinase C delta polypeptide gene (PRKCD) to human chromosome 3 and mouse chromosome 14.

The protein kinase C (pkc) enzymes are a family of serine-threonine protein kinases, each encoded by a distinct and separate gene. The chromosomal locations of human PRKCA, PRKCB, and PRKCG have previously been established. We now report that PRKCD, a novel member of the pkc gene family, maps to human chromosome 3. The chromosomal location of Pkcd has also been determined in the mouse by analysis of recombination frequency in an interspecific panel of backcross mice. We find that the locus encoding pkcd resides proximal to nucleoside phosphorylase (Np-2) and Tcra on mouse chromosome 14 in a region syntenic with human 3p.

Animals↗

Murine splenic hematopoietic subpopulations: the enlarged undifferentiated subset in New Zealand black mice is multipotent stem cells.

We recently reported that a significant population of the murine splenic non-T, non-B "null" cell compartment consists of non-lineage-specific, undifferentiated cells which are in the G0 and G1 phases of the cell cycle and that their numbers are particularly high in the spleens of New Zealand Black mice. A highly enriched population of these non-lineage-specific cells obtained by successive elimination of differentiated cells was further purified to homogeneity by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The morphologic, phenotypic, and histochemical characteristics of this purified population suggest that these cells may be primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The germ line configuration of the genomic DNA establishes that these are uncommitted stem cells. In vivo, these cells form day 12 colonies in the spleen and liver of lethally irradiated recipients and confer radioprotection. These cells also differentiate into T- and B-cell lineages and reconstitute the immunodeficiency in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency. In response to a combination of a very few early-acting lymphokines and/or stromal cell-conditioned medium in vitro, these cells differentiate into both myeloid and lymphoid cell types. More of these cells are obtained from the enlarged spleens of New Zealand Black mice than from those of BALB/c mice. The presence of a comparatively higher number of stem cells in the spleen than in the marrow or fetal liver provides an alternative, and possibly superior, source of uncommitted stem cells for a variety of experimental investigations or therapeutic manipulations.

Animals↗

DNA repair defects associated with chromosomal translocation breaksite regions.

Using an assay that measures the removal of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers in specific DNA sequences, we have found that the Pvt-1, immunoglobulin H-C alpha (IgH-C alpha), and IgL-kappa loci are poorly repaired in normal B lymphoblasts from plasmacytoma-susceptible BALB/cAnPt mice. Breaksites in these genes are associated with the chromosomal translocations that are found in > 95% of BALB/cAnPt plasmacytomas. In contrast to those from BALB/cAnPt mice, B lymphoblasts from plasmacytoma-resistant DBA/2N mice rapidly repair Pvt-1, IgH-C alpha, and IgL-kappa. Further, (BALB/cAnPt x DBA/2N)F1 hybrids, which are resistant to plasmacytoma development, carry an efficient (DBA/2N-like) repair phenotype. Analysis of allele-specific repair in the IgH-C alpha locus indicates that efficient repair is controlled by dominant, trans-acting factors. In the F1 heterozygotes, these factors promote efficient repair of BALB/cAnPt IgH-C alpha gene sequences. The same sequences are poorly repaired in the BALB/cAnPt parental strain. Analysis of the strand specificity of repair indicates that both strand-selective and nonselective forms of repair determine repair efficiency at the gene level in nonimmortalized murine B lymphoblasts.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning, sequencing, chromosomal localization and expression of mouse p21 (Waf1).

The recent discovery that expression of Waf1 (p21), an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases, is induced by the tumor suppressor p53 provides an important linkage between growth suppression and the cell cycle. We report here the cloning and sequencing of a mouse p21 cDNA that contains the entire coding region. Hybridization of the mouse p21 probe in Southern blot analyses confirms that p21 is a single-copy gene and that the corresponding locus, Waf1, lies proximal to H-2 on mouse chromosome 17. In northern analyses, the expression of p21 is found in most normal mouse tissues, but a surprising lack of correlation is found between mRNA levels of p21 and p53. In order to determine which regions of p21 are most evolutionarily conserved, we have compared the cDNA sequences for the entire p21 coding region in 13 different mouse strains or species and the human p21 sequence. We conclude that two regions (corresponding to human codons 21-60 and 130-164) are strongly conserved in p21 and that these regions may represent domains that are especially critical to a functional p21 protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A single nucleotide substitution at codon 31 (Ser/Arg) defines a polymorphism in a highly conserved region of the p53-inducible gene WAF1/CIP1.

The recently discovered WAF1/CIP1 gene is a mediator of p53 tumor suppressor activity. To analyse WAF1/CIP1 for possible mutations, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified cDNAs from several tumor cell lines were cloned and sequenced. A single point mutation which changes codon 31 from AGC to AGA (Ser to Arg) was found. This change resulted in the loss of a Bpu1102I and gain of an Esp3I restriction site, allowing for rapid screening of this mutation in human DNAs. Analysis of genomic DNAs from 50 randomly selected individuals revealed that this base pair substitution represents a polymorphism with an allelic frequency of 0.14. Transfection studies demonstrated that the expression of the Arg allele of WAF1/CIP1 was not associated with loss of tumor suppressor activity. Moreover, screening of 22 tumor DNA samples revealed no association between the tumor phenotype and the Arg allele of WAF1/CIP1 (two out of 22 tumor DNAs contained the Arg31 allele). This polymorphism will be a useful molecular marker in the analysis of loss of heterozygosity in human cancers, and further studies using a larger panel of tumors may reveal an association between this polymorphism and specific types of cancer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel c-myc-activating reciprocal T(12;15) chromosomal translocation juxtaposes S alpha to Pvt-1 in a mouse plasmacytoma.

Oil-induced murine plasmacytomas typically carry c-myc-activating non-random reciprocal chromosomal translocations that take the form of either a T(12;15) that fuses the c-myc proto-oncogene to an immunoglobulin heavy chain switch region or a T(6;15) that juxtaposes the Pvt-1 locus, located 220 kb 3' of c-myc, to the immunoglobulin light china locus, C kappa. In this report we show that the plasmacytoma ABPC 60 harbors a novel c-myc-activating T(12;15) in which the chromosome 15 breakpoint occurs in the Pvt-1 region, resulting in the head-to-tail juxtaposition of the Pvt-1 major breakpoint cluster to the IgA switch region. Restriction mapping and nucleotide sequencing of this atypical translocation indicate that a paracentric inversion in chromosome 12 must have preceeded the translocation. This is the first example of a T(12;15) with a break 3' of the c-myc gene. The rearrangement places the 3' C alpha enhancer (3' alpha E) greater than 200 kb downstream of the c-myc promoters, however c-myc mRNA levels are similar to those observed in plasmacytomas with typical T(12;15)s that translocate 3' alpha E much closer (15-25 kb) and upstream of c-myc. The up regulation of c-myc that results from this rearrangement is thought to be brought about by the interaction of the c-myc promoters with the IgA enhancer element that has been strategically relocated into the Pvt-1 region.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning, functional expression and chromosomal localization of the human cholecystokinin type A receptor.

The cholecystokinin (CCK) family of peptides and receptors are present throughout the brain and gastrointestinal tract and can be pharmacologically subdivided into two subtypes: CCKA and CCKB. Little is known about the localization, pharmacology and function of CCKA receptors (CCKAR) in humans. We used the rat CCKAR cDNA to isolate the human CCK receptor cDNA homologue from human gallbladder which encodes a unique 428 amino acid protein having > 90% homology to the rat and guinea pig CCKAR. Expression of the recombinant CCKAR in COS-7 cells displayed a pharmacological profile characteristic of a CCKAR subtype and mediated agonist stimulated increase in total inositol phosphates. Northern hybridization identified a transcript measuring 6 Kb. The human CCKAR gene maps to chromosome 4. These results describe for the first time the molecular cloning, expression and chromosomal localization of the human CCKA receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Co-amplification of c-myc/pvt-1 in immortalized mouse B-lymphocytic cell lines results in a novel pvt-1/AJ-1 transcript.

In a series of mouse pvt-1 cDNA clones prepared from an immortalized B-cell line that contains an amplified c-myc/pvt-1 region, we have identified a unique cDNA, AJ-I, which contains 57 bp of pvt-1 sequence (pvt-1a) spliced to a novel sequence of 2.1 kb. We report here that this 3' segment (termed AJ-IX) maps more than 60 kb telomeric to pvt-1a and is encoded by a novel locus (AJ-I) on mouse chromosome 15. The AJ-IX probe detects a transcript that is expressed only in normal mouse brain and testis. Several mast-cell tumors, Ly-I+ B-lymphocytic cell lines and a neuroblastoma also display abundant levels of AJ-IX-specific mRNA. However, splicing of pvt-1a to AJ-IX is found exclusively in Ly-I+ B-cell lines that contain amplified c-myc/pvt-1. We conclude that some features in the generation of this amplicon facilitates the synthesis of a pvt-1/AJ-IX chimeric mRNA that may play a role in immortalization of these Ly-I+ B-cell lines.

Animals↗

VH family utilization by IgG anti-DNA-secreting lymphocytes derived from autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the heterogeneity of the IgG anti-DNA autoantibody response of MRL/lpr mice. METHODS: B cell clones were grown on nitrocellulose membranes. Those producing IgG anti-DNA antibodies were identified by a modified enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and their utilization of IgVH genes was determined by hybridization. RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-eight IgG anti-DNA-secreting colonies were derived from 9 autoimmune MRL/lpr mice. Individual VH families contributed to anti-DNA production at a frequency roughly proportional to their representation in the expressed repertoire (except for the more frequent use of VH 7183 and less frequent use of VH 36-60). In individual mice, anti-DNA antibodies were encoded by 2-5 different IgVH families, with no single family constituting more than 27-65% of any animal's anti-DNA response. CONCLUSION: The IgG anti-DNA response of individual MRL/lpr mice is oligoclonal.

Animals↗

Association of tumorigenic and nontumorigenic (immunogenic) variants in a mouse T-cell lymphoma with two distinct p53 mutations.

An in vitro model system for xenogenization has been developed in which an immunogenic, nonmalignant phenotype was selected from a highly malignant T-cell line (S49). We showed by single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequence analysis that specific point mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene correlated with a change from a tumorigenic to a nontumorigenic (immunogenic) phenotype. Specifically, we found that the highly malignant S49 cell line T-60 contains an Arg-->Gln substitution at residue 246 in exon 7 of p53. In contrast, nontumorigenic (immunogenic) variants (T-25-Adh and Rev-1) exhibited a Gly-->Ser substitution at residue 242 of p53. In two subsequent tumorigenic revertants derived from Rev-1, we again found the Arg-->Gln substitution at residue 246 that was found initially in the T-60 cells. Thus, mutation at residue 246 of p53 was associated with a highly malignant phenotype, whereas a novel mutation at residue 242 of p53 appeared to be associated with a nonmalignant phenotype and may have actually protected the host through immunization. We conclude that mutation of residue 242 may represent a new class of permissive (nonmalignant) mutations in the mouse that are analogous to the Li-Fraumeni mutation in humans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Point mutations in the c-Myc transactivation domain are common in Burkitt's lymphoma and mouse plasmacytomas.

We have screened the entire coding region of c-myc in a panel of Burkitt's lymphomas (BLs) and mouse plasmacytomas (PCTs). Contrary to the belief that c-myc is wild type in these tumours, we found that 65% of 57 BLs and 30% of 10 PCTs tested exhibit at least one amino acid (aa) substitution. These mutations were apparently homozygous in all BL cell lines tested and two tumour biopsies, implying that the mutations often occur before Myc/Ig translocation in BL. In PCTs, only the mutant c-myc allele was expressed indicating a functional homozygosity, but occurrence of mutations after the translocation. Many of the observed mutations are clustered in regions associated with transcriptional activation and apoptosis, and in BLs, they frequently occur at sites of phosphorylation, suggesting that the mutations have a pathogenetic role.

Alleles↗

Retroviral enhancer insertion 5' of c-myc in two translocation-negative mouse plasmacytomas upregulates c-myc expression to different extents.

Essentially all murine plasmacytomas have deregulated c-myc expression that is typically brought about by chromosomal translocations between the c-myc/Pvt-1 locus and one of the immunoglobulin loci. ABPC 22 and RFPC 2782 are BALB/c plasmacytomas that lack chromosomal translocations yet have Southern blot evidence of c-myc gene rearrangements. In this report we show that proviral integrations 5' of the c-myc gene can deregulate c-myc expression in mouse plasmacytomas. Analysis of DNA sequences 5' of the c-myc genes from both tumors demonstrated that rearrangements were caused by retroviral integrations 5' of c-myc exon 1. The proviral insertion in RFPC 2782 was associated with a high steady-state c-myc mRNA level comparable to that seen in plasmacytomas with typical translocations. An analogous proviral insertion in ABPC 22 was associated with a c-myc RNA level that was only 38% of that of RFPC 2782. Nuclear run-on studies of c-myc transcription showed that ABPC 22 has both a lower rate of transcription and a greater degree of transcriptional attenuation than RFPC 2782. DNA sequencing of the long terminal repeat of each tumor provirus showed that the ABPC 22 provirus harbors a deletion of one of the two direct repeats in the viral enhancer, whereas both repeats are present in the RFPC 2782 provirus. These data indicate that maximum LTR enhancer effectiveness in plasmacytomas in vivo requires the presence of both LTR direct repeats. The documentation of the low level of steady-state c-myc mRNA in ABPC 22 supports the notion that deregulated c-myc expression, even at low steady state levels, is effective in supporting the development of plasmacytomas.

Animals↗