The G0-G1 transition of WI38 cells. I. Laser flow microfluorimetric studies.
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Cell Division↗
Biomedical subjects
R Baserga
Publications and source records attributed to R Baserga.
Relationship between cell proliferation, chromatin template activity and accumulation of nuclear proteins.
Trypsinization of confluent monolayers of WI-38 cells causes an extensive loss of nuclear proteins. The loss of nuclear proteins is restored only several hours after the cells have been replated at a lower density in 10% serum. When trypsinized fibroblasts are replated at a lower density in 10% serum, there is also a sustained progressive leading to DNA synthesis and cell division. If 0.3% serum is used instead of 10%, there is a modest increase in nuclear template activity, but not accumulation of nuclear proteins and no DNA synthesis or cell division.
Blood↗
Cell cycle-dependent expression of proteins reacting with anti-human antiserum in a somatic cell hybrid between human and hamster cells.
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Cell Cycle↗
Isolation of transcriptionally active chromatin from mammalian nucleoli.
Nucleoli isolated from HeLa cells are functionally active but contain large amounts of RNA and proteins (RNA/DNA ratio 1:1; protein/DNA ratio 7:1). We have isolated from the nucleolus a DNA-protein complex that has the characteristics of nucleolar chromatin (RNA/DNA ratio less than 0.05:1; protein/DNA ratio 1.7:1). This nucleolar chromatin has most of the transcriptional activity of the intact nucleolus and, as assayed by circular dichroism and dye binding, has largely preserved its structure. The isolation of a transcriptionally active, fragment of chromatin, which constitutes only a small part of the total genome and codes for only one recognizable product, offers several advantages for the study of chromatin structure and function.
Cell Nucleolus↗
Stimulation of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei by partially purified preparations of simian virus 40 T-antigen.
T-Antigen was partially purified from nuclei of cells transformed by simian virus 40 (SV 40). When nuclei isolated from either rat liver or quiescent hamster cells were preincubated with T-antigen preparations, there was a marked stimulation of RNA synthesis in an in vitro assay, up to 150% above control levels. The stimulation of RNA synthesis was inhibited by hamster antiserum against T-antigen but not by normal hamster serum. When the T-antigen preparations were fractionated on glycerol gradients, the fractions containing complement-fixing activity with antiserum to T-antigen also had the highest stimulatory activity on nuclear RNA synthesis. T-Antigen was also partially purified from nuclei of cells transformed by a temperature-sensitive A mutant of SV40. When preincubated up to 2 hr at 50 degrees, the T-antigen preparation from these temperature-sensitive A mutants was rapidly inactivated, in terms of both complement-fixing activity and ability to stimulate RNA synthesis in isolated rat liver nuclei. Under the same conditions of preincubation, T-antigen preparations from cells transformed by wild-type SV40 maintained their complement-fixing activity and ability to stimulate RNA synthesis. These results suggest that the biological action of T-antigen may be exerted at the level of transcription.
Animals↗
Different survival of normal and transformed cells exposed to nutritional conditions nonpermissive for growth.
When human diploid fibroblasts (WI-38 cells) in culture are maintained under conditions nonpermissive for growth (serum restriction), cell proliferation ceases but the cells remain viable for extended periods of time. Under similar restrictive conditions nonpermissive for growth. SV-40-transformed WI-38 fibroblasts (2RA cells) die off at a rate of 10% per day. In resting WI-38 cells, the template activity of isolated nuclei is related to both cell density and the length of time the cells have been quiescent. In 2RA cells, nuclear template activity is related to time after plating, regardless of cell density. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that normal cells can enter a G0 state more easily than transformed cells. This, in turn, would allow normal cells to survive under conditions nonpermissive for growth, whereas transformed cells gradually die off.
Cell Adhesion↗
Effect of cyclic AMP on chromatin-bound protein kinases in WI-38 fibroblasts stimulated to proliferate.
When resting confluent monolayers of WI-38 fibroblasts are stimulated to proliferate by serum, DNA synthesis begins to increase between 15-18 h after stimulation. Chromatin-bound protein kinase activity increases in stimulated cells within 1 h after the nutritional change, concomitant with an increase in the template activity of nuclear chromatin. Addition of dibutyryl 3' : 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic) AMP to the stimulating medium inhibits the entrance of cells into S phase, but only if dibutyryl cyclic AMP (5-10(-4) M) is added before the onset of DNA synthesis. The increases in chromatin template activity and in the chromatin-bound kinase activity are not inhibited by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the early hours after stimulation, but are completely inhibited after the 5th hour from the nutritional change. This seems to indicate that in stimulated WI-38 cells, dibutyryl cyclic AMP exerts its inhibitory action somewhere between 5 and 12 h after stimulation. A number of protein kinase activities were extracted from chromatin with 0.3 M NaCl and partially resolved on a phosphocellulose column. Two distinct peaks of protein kinase activity appeared to be markedly increased in WI-38 cells 6 h after serum stimulation. Both peaks of increased activity were inhibited by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in vivo. Adenosine, sodium butyrate and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) do not inhibit the increase in DNA synthesis nor the increase in protein kinase activity. The results suggest that stimulation of cell proliferation in confluent monolayers of WI-38 cells causes an increase (or the new appearance) of certain chromatin-bound protein kinases, and that this increase is inhibited by cyclic AMP in vivo.
Bucladesine↗
Circular dichroic studies of the DNA and RNA of nucleoli.
Circular dichroism (CD) in the 240-300-nm region was used to study the conformation of DNA and RNA complexed with proteins in isolated nucleoli form HeLa cells. Deoxyribonuclease or ribonuclease digestion was employed to obtain (1) the individual CD spectra of nucleolar DNA or RNA in complex form with proteins, or in free form; and (2) the experimental CD baseline correction to exclude contributions from nonnucleic acid sources such as light scattering artifacts and proteins. The CD spectrum of nucleolar DNA in DNA-protein complexes was highly reduced in ellipticity in comparison with protein-free DNA. It showed a positive peak at 283 nm with a molar ellipticity [theta]283 = 1200 deg cm2 dmol-1 and a crossover at 262 nm. Addition of sodium dodecylsulfate shifted the peak to 276 nm with [theta]276 8000 deg cm2 dmol-1 and a crossover at 254 nm. The CD spectrum of nucleolar RNA in RNA-protein complexes was also reduced in comparison with protein-free RNA, showing a peak at 269 nm ([theta]269 = 6900 deg cm2 dmol-1), and a crossover at 250 nm. Addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate shifted the peak to 265 nm with [theta]265 = 18 000 deg cm2 dmol-1 and a crossover at 246 nm. The low ellipticity of both nucleolar DNA and RNA when complexed with proteins was increased by treatment with sodium chloride, urea, or heparin. This suggests that some ionic, hydrophobic, and hydrogen bondings are involved in the nucleic acid-protein interaction in nucleolar chromatin similar to that observed in nuclear chromatin.
Amanitins↗
DNA structure in sheared and unsheared chromatin.
Shearing chromatin, by either sonication or vortex homogenization, introduces significant structural artifacts. These may be detected by the anomalously large increase in the number of ethidium bromide binding sites and the large alteration of the circular dichroism spectra of chromatin. Structural alterations are also suggested by the disappearance of differential light scattering after shearing.
Binding Sites↗
Chromatin structure and function in proliferating cells.
The conclusions that we would like to draw from this review are the following: (a) Chromatin structure and function are exceedingly sensitive to changes in the proliferative state of a cell. Differences can be detected between cells in mitosis, G1 and S, and even between G0 and G1 cells. (b)These differences are very unlikely to be artifactual, since similar changes can also be demonstrated in intact nuclei. (c) Some of these differences can be abolished by extraction of chromatins with low concentrations of salt. (d) Differences between chromatins of normal and neoplastic cells can also be detected, but they are largely related to differences in the extent of cell proliferation. (e) A number of laboratories have been very busy in trying to elucidate chromatin structure with different technologies. Sometimes a change in a macromolecule cause by a physiological stimulus can tell us as much about its structure as a thousand instruments. The changes occuring in chromatin of proliferating cells could perhaps be profitably used to know more about chromatin structure.
Animals↗
Translational control of protein synthesis in stimulated WI-38 fibroblasts.
A cell-free protein synthesis system employing ribosomes from WI-38 human diploid fibroblasts was developed and its optimum MgC12 and KC1 levels and pH value found. The rate at which ribosomes are able to incorporate radioactive leucine into proteins ([14C]leucine incorporation/10 min/100 mug rRNA) and the number of growing peptide chains [3H]puromycinpeptides formed/100 mug rRNA) was determined. When confluent monolayers of WI-38 cells were stimulated to proliferate by serum, a transient increase in the rate of peptide elongation by ribosomes was observed at 60 min after stimulation. This increase was not affected by the presence of actinomycin D (10 mug/ml) in the stimulating medium. A change in the relative amount of certain ribosome-associated proteins accompanied the increased elongation rate of peptide growth. The alteration in associated proteins could not be accounted for by an increased synthesis of protein. Finally, the early activation of ribosomes in stimulated WI-38 cells appears to result from the removal of an inhibitor(s) of ribosome function.
Animals↗
Circular dichroism and ethidium bromide binding capacity of chromatin from cells temperature sensitive for the transformed phenotype.
Clone H6-15/163 is a clone of cells, originally derived from SV-40 transformed 3T3 cells, which express the transformed phenotype at low (32 degrees C) but not at high (39 degrees C) temperature. Chromatin was isolated from these cells grown at either temperature and studied by circular dichroism and for its ability to bind the intercalating dye, ethidium bromide. During the exponential phase of growth the chromatins of cells grown at either 32 or 39 degrees C are undistinguishable. Cessation of growth in confluent cultures results in marked changes in circular dichroism spectra and in ethidium bromide binding capacity of chromatin. The changes are much are much more pronounced at 39 degrees C (where the cells truly become quiescent) than at 32 degrees C (where cell proliferation continues although the number of cells per culture remains stationary). Temperature shifts and medium replacement also cause changes in chromatin structure, but the changes are again related to the extent of cell proliferation. It is concluded that the chromatin changes occurring in H6-15/163 cells and detectable by circular dichroism and ethidium bromide binding can be related to the proliferating activity of the cultured cells rather than to the expression of the transformed or untransformed phenotype.
Binding Sites↗
Effects of prolonged quiescence on neuclei and chromatin of WI-38 fibroblasts.
DNA synthesis and cell division are markedly reduced in confluent mono-layers of WI-38 diploid fibroblasts, but resume again if the depleted medium is replaced by fresh medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. If the cells are kept quiescent for prolonged periods of time after confluence (1 or 2 weeks), the fraction of cells that can be stimulated to proliferate by fresh serum decreases and the length of the prereplicative phase increases. The template activity of isolated nuclei decreases with increasing time of quiescence, and parallel changes occur in chromatin as evidenced by circular dichroism spectra and capacity to bind the intercalating dye, ethidium bromide. When WI-38 cells are stimulated to proliferate after prolonged quiescence, the increase in template activity of nuclei is delayed by several hours in comparison to cells stimulated after short periods of quiescence. Two distinct steps, both requiring serum, can be identified in the prereplicative phase of cells stimulated to proliferative after prolonged quiescence. We interpret the results as indicating that, during prolonged quiescence, WI-38 fibroblasts go into a deeper GO state from which they can be rescued only after prolonged stimulation. In this respect, prolonged quiescence may bear some resemblance to the process of aging.
Binding Sites↗
Release by human chromosome 3 of the block at G1 of the cell cycle, in hybrids between tsAF8 hamster and human cells.
A temperature-sensitive mutant of Syrian hamster cells, AF8 was fused with simian-virus-40-transformed Lesch-Nyhan fibroblasts; LNSV, in the presence of beta-propiolactone-inactivated Sendai virus. The AF8 cells grow well at 33.5 degrees but are arrested in mid G1 period when shifted to 39 degrees. The LNSV cells are deficient in hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. The hybrid clones were selected in hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine medium at 39 degrees. A total of 20 clones was isolated and karyotyped. All clones contained most of the hamster chromosomes and one to eight human chromosomes. The preferential retention of human chromosome 3 was observed in 100% of the metaphases of all clones. In nine of the clones, the only human chromosome present was chromosome 3. The results indicate that human chromosome 3 is responsible for conferring to the hybrid cells the ability to grow at nonpermissive temperature for AF8 cells, i.e., the ability to overcome the G1 block. These findings, together with other reports in the cell cycle may be regulated by genes located on different chromosomes.
Antigens, Viral↗
Circular dichroism studies of ethidium bromide binding to the isolated nucleolus.
Circular dichroism in the 300-360 nm region and fluorescence induced by intercaltating binding of ethidum bromide to both DNA and RNA components were studied in isolated HeLa nucleoli. Both DNA and RNA compoents contribute to the induced dichroic elliticity. Digestion of nucleoli by RNase or DNase shows that most of the induced ellipticity comes from the DNA component. In nucleoli with an RNA/DNA = 0.8/1.0 the RNA component gives only 20% of the total ellipticity when measured at an ethidium bromide/DNA = 0.25. Spectro-fluorometric titration shows that ethidium bromide intercalates mostly into DNA in nucleoli. Both circular dichroism and fluorescence studies indicate that both DNA and RNA components in isolated nucleoli are less accessible to intercalating binding by ethidium bromide when compared to purified nucleolar DNA, DNA in chromatin or purified ribosomal RNA. Circular dichroic measurements of intercalating binding of ethidium bromide to to nucleoli may be used to study changes in nucleoli under different physiological or pathological conditions.
Binding Sites↗
Proceedings of the Symposium on Cell Kinetics and Cancer Chemotherapy (Annapolis, Maryland, November 4-6, 1975): Introduction to session on recruitment and synchrony--in vitro.
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Cell Division↗
Salt extraction of chromatin from normal diploid and SV-40 transformed human fibroblasts.
Regulation of cell proliferation is a complex but exceedingly interesting form of gene expression. Overwhelming evidence in the past ten years has shown that the flow of cells through the cell cycle, and the regulation of cell population density, are under the control of the eukaryotic genome. Changes in the function and structure of chromatin have been reported when G0 cells are stimulated to proliferate and when continuously dividing cells move through the different phases of the cell cycle from G1 to S, G2 and mitosis. The changes occurring in the structure and function of chromatin seem to be related to changes occurring in the chromosomal proteins, especially non-histone chromosomal proteins and chromatin-bound protein kinases. Studies are now in progress to isolate the genes, with their respective proteins, that regulate the different steps of the cell cycle.
Animals↗
Physical-chemical characterization of living cells by laser-flow microfluorometry.
A rapid method for the laser-flow microfluorometry determination of nucleic-acid content per cell is presented. A frequency distribution of fluorescence is obtained from suspensions of living cells treated with ethidium bromide directly in their own medium (or calcium-magnesium-free Hanks' balanced solution). For a fixed number of cells, a frequency distribution of fluorescence is obtained as a function of the amount of ethidium bromide progressively added to the suspension until staturation. At any ratio of added dye per unit of DNA, histograms generated from cells stained with this method give results similar to those generated after fixation and staining by the Feulgen technique, both in terms of cell-cycle phases and ploidy-level determination. The present technique requires a minimal amount of material, is instantaneous, and is conducted directly on living cells. Furthermore, dye concentration-dependence studies of mean fluorescence per cell allow determination of association constant and binding process (primary and secondary) between the intact cell and ethidium bromide. Cells which have the same amount of DNA but vary in the amount of RNA and/or chromatin conformation (like G0 and G1) can then be distinguished.
Animals↗