Biomedical subjects

M Montenarh

Publications and source records attributed to M Montenarh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Two different protein-protein interactions in oligomeric complexes of SV40 large T antigen with the cellular oncoprotein p53.

The simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen appears in monomers, dimers and various high molecular weight homo-oligomers. EDTA treatment of cell extracts from SV40-infected and -transformed cells leads to a dissociation of the high molecular weight oligomers which can be reconstituted by dialysis against an EDTA free buffer. Hetero-oligomers, composed of T antigen and the oncoprotein p53 become disassembled in the presence of EDTA into forms sedimenting minimally at 7S and maximally at 14S. These low molecular weight T-p53 complexes are resistant to EDTA treatment. Therefore, our results suggest at least two kinds of protein-protein interactions, an EDTA resistant linkage between large T antigen and p53 and an EDTA-sensitive ionic interaction between T antigen molecules in highly oligomeric complexes.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Complex interaction of SV40 large T antigen with the control region on the SV40 DNA.

SV40 large T antigen interacts specifically with three different DNA sequences within the SV40 control region namely site I, II and III, in order to regulate the viral DNA replication and the stimulation of late, or repression of early viral transcription. We define three different plasmids, containing either site I alone, site II with SV40 specific flanking sequences or both sites I and II with additional neighbouring sequences which were used to study the interaction of T antigen with each of its binding sites. We found that binding of T antigen to site II reduced binding of T antigen to site I as opposed to the interaction of T antigen with site I alone. These results were supported by our findings that T antigen from an SV40 temperature-sensitive mutant, tsA58, which is heat-sensitive for binding to site II, exhibited the same binding affinity for site I as for the DNA fragment containing both binding sites. Thus, binding of T antigen to binding site II seems to interfere with binding to site I, thereby influencing the regulatory functions of T antigen in the repression of early viral gene transcription.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

SV40 T-antigen binding to site II is functionally separated from binding to site I.

During lytic infection SV40 T antigen binds specifically to three different regions of the SV40 DNA to initiate viral DNA replication and to regulate early and late transcription. We have used the recently described plasmids pKB1, containing a 23-bp oligonucleotide coding for site I, pdl1085 containing sites II and III together with SV40 specific flanking sequences, and as a control pATC, a plasmid which contains all three binding sites (D. Müller et al. (1987), Virology 161, 81-91) to analyze the differential binding of T antigen to these individual binding sites in the course of an SV40 infection. We found that shortly after infection the amount of bound DNA increased with the concentration of T antigen reaching a steady-state level at about 20 hr after infection. In comparison to binding at site I, binding to site II appeared with a delay of about 8-9 hr corresponding to the onset of viral DNA replication. The correlation between binding of T antigen to site II and the SV40 DNA replication could be further corroborated by using T antigen from the heat-sensitive mutant tsA58 which completely failed to bind to site II at nonpermissive temperature but exhibited a residual binding to site I. This reduced binding to site I proved insufficient for the proper functioning of autorepression. Our results support the hypothesis that distinctly different subclasses of T-antigen binding to site I or site II may exist.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

PubMed1988

Oligomerization of oncoprotein p53.

Cellular phosphoprotein p53, which seems to be a multifunctional protein, may be assigned to different structural subclasses. Recently established immortalized or transformed cell lines that overexpress p53 allowed us to perform a detailed analysis of the quaternary structure of p53. By means of sucrose density gradient centrifugation, we found in simian virus 40-transformed cells that overexpress p53, in addition to high-molecular-weight T-p53 complexes, low-molecular-weight forms. The level of T-p53 complexes within simian virus 40-transformed cells seemed to be determined by the intracellular concentration of p53. However, the presence of uncomplexed T antigen and p53 indicated that an appropriate modification of at least one of the two proteins appears to be necessary for complex formation. Using different monoclonal antibodies that distinguish between (i) p53 associated with T antigen or heat shock proteins and (ii) p53 in apparently free form, we found p53 from transformed cells always in high-molecular-weight forms. p53 from normal and immortalized cells, however, was found mainly in low-molecular-weight forms. Pulse-labeling experiments revealed that oligomerization of p53 is a very rapid process. Monomeric forms of p53 which could be detected only by 2 min of pulse-labeling were rapidly converted to stable, high-molecular-weight oligomers. Furthermore, our data indicate a correlation between the occurrence of p53 in high-molecular-weight forms and the transformation state of the cell.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Early gene expression and cellular DNA synthesis after stimulation of quiescent NIH3T3 cells with serum or purified simian virus 40.

Like growth factors or hormones, the DNA tumor virus simian virus 40 can stimulate quiescent cells to re-enter the S-phase. Time course experiments revealed similar kinetics for the stimulation of cellular DNA synthesis by growth factors or SV40 infection, although there was a delay in DNA synthesis of about 2 h in the case of the SV40 infection. The analysis of the transcriptional activation of proto-oncogenes in cells stimulated by serum or SV40 infection revealed an enhanced transcription of a common set of proto-oncogenes, including c-myc and c-fos. Early on after infection of quiescent cells SV40 induced in addition the transcription of the c-sis gene which did not occur with UV-irradiated SV40 virus. Furthermore, we could demonstrate the presence of growth stimulating activities in medium from SV40 infected quiescent cells, which triggered quiescent cells to re-enter the cell cycle. These data suggest that SV40 might stimulate quiescent cells by inducing the transcription and ultimately the release of growth-factors.

Blood Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1987

The phosphorylation at Thr 124 of simian virus 40 large T antigen is crucial for its oligomerization.

SV40 large T antigen is phosphorylated at up to ten different amino acids clustered in an N-terminal and a C-terminal part of the polypeptide chain. The N-terminal phosphorylated residues include Ser 123 and Thr 124. We have analyzed the oligomerization, the complex formation with the cellular oncoprotein p53 and the DNA-binding properties of T antigen from two different SV40 transformed cell lines which have either an amino acid exchange at Ser 123 to Phe (W7) or Thr 124 to Ile (D29). In comparison to wild-type T antigen both mutant T antigens have a slightly reduced binding affinity for both binding sites, I and II, of SV40 DNA. Phosphorylation at both residues of T antigen is not essential for formation of the complex with p53. Only the phosphorylation at Thr 124 seems to be critical for the formation of high molecular mass oligomers. Our data support the hypothesis that the oligomerization of T antigen seems to be implicated in viral DNA replication.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

PubMed1987

Enhanced protein phosphorylation in SV40-transformed and -infected cells.

We have studied the phosphorylation of cellular phosphoproteins and, in more detail, of SV40 T antigen and the cellular protein p53 in SV40 tsA-transformed cells. As detected by radiolabeling cold-sensitive tsA1499- or heat-sensitive tsA58-transformed rat fibroblasts with [32P]orthophosphate or by in vitro labeling extracts with [gamma-32P]ATP the hyperphosphorylation of certain cellular phosphoproteins including p53 and also of free SV40 large T antigen and T antigen complexed with p53 is strictly correlated with the expression of the transformed phenotype. This hyperphosphorylation can be observed as early as 30 min after shifting to the temperature where the cells expressed the transformed phenotype and, furthermore, it is dependent on protein synthesis. To evaluate the influence of a functional T antigen and to exclude properties of individual transformants we 32P labeled in vitro cellular proteins from rat F111, mouse NIH 3T3, and monkey TC-7 cells infected with tsA58 or tsA1499. In tsA58-infected cells we found a heat-sensitive enhancement of protein phosphorylation just as in tsA58 transformants. In tsA1499-infected monkey cells we observed a heat-sensitive and in abortively infected rat or mouse cells a cold-sensitive hyperphosphorylation of proteins. Thus in tsA-transformants and in various tsA-infected cells we found a strong correlation among the transformed phenotype, functions of T antigen, and the phosphorylation of various cellular proteins and in particular T antigen and p53.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The AT-rich sequence of the SV40 control region influences the binding of SV40 T antigen to binding sites II and III.

During lytic infection SV40 T antigen binds specifically to three different regions of the SV40 DNA to initiate DNA replication and to regulate early and late transcription. We constructed plasmids containing either 23-bp synthetic oligonucleotides representing site I or II or SV40 DNA fragments with combinations of binding sites II and III with or without SV40 specific flanking regions. These plasmids were used to determine which sequences are sufficient for specific binding to isolated regions II and III. Under identical conditions T antigen bound in a sensitive in vitro binding assay efficiently to site I but not to the corresponding oligonucleotide of site II. Binding to site II could only be observed in the presence of the adjacent 17-bp AT-rich region of the SV40 DNA. On account of the markedly low affinity for binding site II, T antigen concentrations were required which exceeded those necessary to achieve saturation of binding to site I. The very low affinity for isolated site III could be slightly raised by the same AT-rich region. An increased binding to site II at 37 degrees compared to 0 degree in the presence of this region points to an indirect influence on the DNA structure of the binding site.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Dimers and complexes with p53 are the prevalent oligomeric forms of a transforming nonkaryophilic T antigen of simian virus 40.

The oligomers formed by a mutant nonkaryophilic large T antigen of simian virus 40, which lacks residues 110 through 152 of normal large T antigen and transforms only established cells (L. Fischer-Fantuzzi and C. Vesco, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:1891-1895, 1985), were found to consist predominantly of dimers. Anti-p53 antibodies precipitated 14 to 16S complexes containing the mutant nonkaryophilic large T antigen and p53 from extracts of transformed cells, and anti-p53 indirect immunofluorescence stained these cells in the cytoplasm.

Antigens, Viral, Tumor↗

PubMed1986

Regions of SV40 large T antigen necessary for oligomerization and complex formation with the cellular oncoprotein p53.

The simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen is composed of 708 amino acids and forms monomers and various oligomers and, in small amounts, heterologous complexes with the cellular oncoprotein p53 (T-p53). Using SV40 mutants coding for T antigen fragments which are either deleted in the N-terminal half or truncated by various lengths at the C-terminal end, we found that a region between amino acids 114 and 152 and a C-terminal region up to amino acid 669 are essential for the formation of high Mr oligomers of T antigen. Furthermore, only the C-terminal end up to amino acid 669 is essential for T-p53 complex formation but not the N-terminus up to amino acid 152.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1986

Complex formation of simian virus 40 large T antigen with cellular protein p53.

We investigated the formation of native complexes between simian virus 40 large T antigen and the cellular protein p53 (T-p53) by using simian virus 40 tsA58-transformed mouse fibroblasts (tsA58 F2b). We observed that newly synthesized p53 bound to all structural subclasses of large T antigen detectable on sucrose density gradients. This led to various intermediates of T-p53 complexes which converted within 2 h into typical mature aggregates. The final levels of stable T-p53 complexes seemed to be determined by p53 rather than by large T antigen.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Oligomerization of simian virus 40 tumor antigen may be involved in viral DNA replication.

Biological implications of the oligomerization of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen for viral DNA replication were studied by using two temperature-sensitive SV40 A-gene mutants, tsA 58 and tsA 1499. Both mutants are defective at elevated temperature for viral DNA replication whereas tsA 58 is like most other tsA mutants additionally heat sensitive for cell transformation. We found that in contrast to tsA 58 encoded T antigen, tsA 1499 T antigen is thermostable in the ability to bind specifically to the origin of replication of SV40 DNA. Detailed structural analysis of tsA 1499 T antigen by sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed that it is strictly temperature sensitive for the formation of homologous oligomers but, as we reported previously (M. Montenarh, M. Kohler, and R. Henning, 1984, J. Virol, 49, 658-664), not for the association with the cellular phosphoprotein p53. These observations are compatible with the idea that, in addition to the specific origin-binding ability as well as other functional features, the oligomerization of T antigen may be essential for viral DNA replication.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Relationship of phosphorylation to the oligomerization of SV40 T antigen and its association with p53.

The potential significance of the phosphorylation of SV40 large T antigen for oligomers and complexes with the cellular protein p53 was investigated. We observed that T antigen oligomers remain stable after enzymatic dephosphorylation by alkaline phosphatase up to 80%. Separate analysis of free and p53-bound T antigen revealed a considerably lower phosphorylation of the p53-bound subclass. Therefore, a simple correlation between the overall phosphorylation of T antigen and the formation of oligomers and T-p53 complexes is highly unlikely.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

PubMed1985

Structural prerequisites of simian virus 40 large T antigen for the maintenance of cell transformation.

We have investigated the functional roles of two structural subsets of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen, namely homo-oligomers and complexes with the host cellular p53 protein, for the transformed phenotype. We examined T antigen produced in cells transformed by temperature-sensitive SV40 large T mutants: heat-sensitive or unrestricted SV40 tsA58-transformed rat cells and unrestricted tsA1499 transformants. In both unrestricted cell lines, T antigen was temperature-sensitive only for the formation of fast sedimenting homo-oligomers. Corresponding to our recent observations obtained with tsA1499-infected monkey cells, in tsA1499 transformants large T was competent to form stable T-p53 complexes independently of the temperature. However, T antigen coded for by tsA58, which is heat-sensitive for binding to p53, occurred in stable complexes with this protein in unrestricted tsA58 transformants under all conditions. Furthermore, in both unrestricted transformants T-p53 complexes arise in the absence of homo-oligomers of T antigen. In conclusion, T antigen homo-oligomers are not involved in cell transformation, whereas T-p53 complexes may be involved in the maintenance of this phenotype.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Oligomerization of simian virus 40 large T antigen is not necessarily repressed by temperature-sensitive A gene lesions.

Simian virus 40 large T antigen is a multifunctional protein which exists in different molecular weight forms. According to several reports, T antigen encoded by temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 A locus mutants (tsA) is unable to oligomerize into high-molecular-weight species. To try to correlate structural and functional properties, we selected tsA58 and tsA1499, both of which are heat sensitive for lytic growth, but only tsA58 is heat sensitive for transformation. Here we report that at permissive and nonpermissive temperatures, T antigen from tsA1499-infected monkey cells retained the ability to oligomerize, whereas reported previously, tsA58 T antigen failed to oligomerize at the nonpermissive temperature. Furthermore, we studied the formation of complexes between T antigen and the cellular p53 protein (T-p53) late in infection. Corresponding to its heat-stable oligomerization properties, T antigen encoded by tsA1499 formed T-p53 complexes regardless of temperature. In contrast, tsA58 encoded T-p53 complexes, preformed at the permissive temperature, remained heat stable after shifting up to the nonpermissive temperature; but at this temperature no new T-p53 complexes arose. The mutants did not replicate viral DNA at the nonpermissive temperature, suggesting that neither the oligomerization of T antigen nor the formation of T-p53 complexes seems to be sufficient for viral DNA replication or for the expression of late viral proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Disaggregation and reconstitution of oligomeric complexes of simian virus 40 large T-antigen.

Biochemical properties of multiple species of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T-antigen produced in SV40-infected monkey cells were investigated by zonal sedimentation centrifugation of radiolabelled cell extracts on sucrose gradients. Two major subpopulations of T-antigen detected by immunoprecipitation and gel electrophoresis could be distinctly separated: low molecular weight forms ranging approximately between 5S and 10S and higher oligomeric forms at about 16S to 23S. Removal of divalent cations by chelating agents such as EDTA disassembled higher oligomers into low molecular weight forms (5S to 10S). Adding divalent cations in excess of the EDTA concentration reassembled the higher oligomeric forms, showing a sedimentation behaviour like T-antigen in untreated cell extracts. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that divalent cation binding properties of T-antigen participate in the natural pathway of assembling multiple oligomeric species.

Antigens, Viral↗

PubMed1983

Self-assembly of simian virus 40 large T antigen oligomers by divalent cations.

In simian virus 40-transformed cells, simian virus 40 large T antigen can be detected in different forms separable by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. In our experiments, light forms sedimented around 5 to 7S, oligomers such as tetramers were detected around 16S, and higher aggregates sedimented in a broad distribution reaching above 23S. The oligomers sedimenting at and above 16S could be disassembled into the slowly sedimenting 5 to 7S forms by chelating agents [EDTA or ethylene bis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate]. After the addition of divalent cations (CaCl2 or MgCl2) in excess of chelating agents, oligomeric forms reassembled and appeared in a sedimentation pattern resembling that observed before treatment with chelating agents. Time course studies permitted the identification of the 5 to 7S forms as precursors upon pulse-labeling (15 min); the 16S and higher oligomers were identified as the successors after a 14-h chase. Treatment of extracts of pulse-chase-labeled cells with chelating agents again disassembled the oligomers, whereas pulse-labeled precursors did not change their 5 to 7S sedimentation pattern. Adding an excess of divalent cations reassembled the pulse-chase-labeled T antigen to oligomers but did not influence the sedimentation behavior of pulse-labeled 5 to 7S precursors. It is therefore reasonable to assume that a posttranslational modulation induces divalent cation binding, leading finally to the oligomerization of T antigen. Thus, some of the multifunctional activities of T antigen can be dictated by divalent cation binding properties.

Antigens, Viral↗

PubMed1982

The binding of simian virus 40 large T antigen to the polyphosphate backbone of nucleic acids.

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen (T antigen), a phosphoprotein found in nuclei of SV40-infected and -transformed cells, binds nonspecifically to DNA. To study this mechanism the binding properties of T antigen to double-stranded (ds) and single-stranded (ss) DNA-cellulose as well as to phosphocellulose were compared. After incubation of [35S] methionine or [3H] leucine/[32 P] phosphate radioactively-labeled cell extracts at different pH values (6.0, 7.3, 9.0) with DNA- or phosphocellulose, bound and unbound species of T antigen were purified and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for both the yield and the possible correlation with protein phosphorylation. T antigens bound with comparable affinities to ds- and ss-DNA-cellulose and phosphocellulose. These results suggest the binding of T antigen to the polyphosphate backbone of DNA as a molecular mechanism for its nonspecific binding. The evidence for this observation was supported by blocking the binding of T antigen to DNA-cellulose by divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+). 3H/32P ratios of T antigen obtained by double-labeling cells for various times imply that higher phosphorylated forms of T antigen bound more strongly to ds- and ss-DNA as well as to phosphocellulose. Thus, in the presence of cellular proteins and other components the binding activity of T antigen to the polyphosphate backbone of DNA seems to be positively correlated with its phosphorylation. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the binding affinities of SV40 T antigen to host cell DNA may be regulated by its phosphorylation.

Antigens, Viral↗