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Biomedical subjects

T Pawson

Publications and source records attributed to T Pawson.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Interactions of phosphatidylinositol kinase, GTPase-activating protein (GAP), and GAP-associated proteins with the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor.

The interactions of the macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) receptor with potential targets were investigated after ligand stimulation either of mouse macrophages or of fibroblasts that ectopically express mouse CSF-1 receptors. In Rat-2 cells expressing the mouse CSF-1 receptor, full activation of the receptor and cellular transformation require exogenous CSF-1, whereas NIH 3T3 cells expressing mouse c-fms are transformed by autocrine stimulation. Activated CSF-1 receptors physically associate with a phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase. A mutant CSF-1 receptor with a deletion of the kinase insert region was deficient in its ability to bind functional PI 3'-kinase and to induce PI 3'-kinase activity precipitable with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. In fibroblasts, CSF-1 stimulation also induced the phosphorylation of the GTPase-activating protein (GAP)-associated protein p62 on tyrosine, although GAP itself was a relatively poor substrate. In contrast to PI 3'-kinase association, phosphorylation of p62 and GAP was not markedly affected by deletion of the kinase insert region. These results indicate that the kinase insert region selectively enhances the CSF-1-dependent association of the CSF-1 receptor with active PI 3'-kinase. The insert deletion mutant retains considerable transforming activity in NIH 3T3 cells (G. Taylor, M. Reedijk, V. Rothwell, L. Rohrschneider, and T. Pawson, EMBO J. 8:2029-2037, 1989). This mutant was more seriously impaired in Rat-2 cell transformation, although mutant-expressing Rat-2 cells still formed small colonies in soft agar in the presence of CSF-1. Therefore, phosphorylation of GAP and p62 through activation of the CSF-1 receptor does not result in full fibroblast transformation. The interaction between the CSF-1 receptor and PI 3'-kinase may contribute to c-fms fibroblast transformation and play a role in CSF-1-stimulated macrophages.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Mutational activation of c-raf-1 and definition of the minimal transforming sequence.

A series of wild-type and mutant raf genes was transfected into NIH 3T3 cells and analyzed for transforming activity. Full-length wild-type c-raf did not show transforming activity. Two types of mutations resulted in oncogenic activity similar to that of v-raf: truncation of the amino-terminal half of the protein and fusion of the full-length molecule to gag sequences. A lower level of activation was observed for a mutant with a tetrapeptide insertion mapping to conserved region 2 (CR2), a serine- and threonine-rich domain located 100 residues amino-terminal of the kinase domain. To determine essential structural features of the transforming region of raf, we analyzed point and deletion mutants of v-raf. Substitutions of Lys-56 modulated the transforming activity, whereas mutation of Lys-53, a putative ATP binding residue, abolished it. Deletion analysis established that the minimal transforming sequence coincided precisely with CR3, the conserved Raf kinase domain. Thus, oncogenic activation of the Raf kinase can be achieved by removal of CR1 and CR2 or by steric distortion and requires retention of an active kinase domain. These findings are consistent with a protein structure model for the nonstimulated enzyme in which the active site is buried within the protein.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1990

Myeloid expression of the human c-fps/fes proto-oncogene in transgenic mice.

The mammalian c-fps/fes proto-oncogene encodes a 92-kilodalton cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinase (p92c-fes), which is expressed in immature and differentiated hematopoietic cells of the myeloid lineage. To determine the limits of the c-fps/fes locus and to investigate the cis-acting sequences required to direct appropriate tissue-specific expression, a 13-kilobase-pair fragment of human genomic DNA containing the entire c-fps/fes coding sequence was introduced into the mouse germ line. Transcription of the human c-fps/fes transgene was highest in bone marrow and showed a tissue distribution identical to that of the endogenous mouse gene. Macrophages cultured from transgenic mouse bone marrow contained particularly high levels of human and murine c-fps/fes RNA. Furthermore, expression of human c-fps/fes RNA induced a proportionate increase in the level of the p92c-fes protein-tyrosine kinase in bone marrow, bone marrow-derived macrophages, and spleen. Elevated levels of normal human p92c-fes had no obvious effect on mouse development or hematopoiesis. Remarkably, given the short 5'- and 3'-flanking sequences, expression of the human proto-oncogene in bone marrow was independent of integration site, was proportional to the transgene copy number, and was of comparable efficiency to that of the endogenous mouse c-fps/fes gene. The 13-kilobase-pair fragment therefore defines a genetic locus sufficient for the appropriate tissue-specific expression of the fps/fes protein-tyrosine kinase and includes a dominant cis-acting element that directs integration-independent myeloid expression in transgenic mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

p185neu is phosphorylated on tyrosine in human primary breast tumors which overexpress neu/erbB-2.

A series of primary human breast tumors was analysed by immunoblotting with anti-neu antibodies. Overproduction of the neu protein-tyrosine kinase, p185neu, was observed in 23 of 56 malignant tumor samples. 29 of these tumors were also immunoblotted with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. A single prominent phosphotyrosine-containing protein, which co-migrated with p185neu was identified in 11 of the 29 tumors examined. There was an exact concordance between the tumors with a 185kDa phosphotyrosine-containing protein, and those with elevated p185neu. These results indicate that overexpressed p185neu in primary human breast cancer is phosphorylated on tyrosine, most likely by autophosphorylation, and by inference is enzymatically activated as a protein-tyrosine kinase. Aberrant tyrosine phosphorylation may therefore be important in the development of a substantial fraction of breast cancers.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1990

Distribution and patterns of staining of Neu oncogene product in benign and malignant breast diseases.

Amplification of the Neu oncogene (c-erbB-2) has been reported by various researchers as a marker for poor clinical outcome in patients with breast cancer. We have performed immunohistochemical staining using a polyclonal antibody to the Neu oncoprotein on formalin-fixed material from normal breast, benign breast lesions, and 102 stage I node-negative breast cancers. Hybridization studies were also performed on 66 of the breast cancer cases. In the cancers 33% of cases showed positive staining of the in situ and invasive component, whereas only 25% of cases showed amplification of the Neu oncogene. The staining pattern in the tumor cells was cytoplasmic with plasma membrane accentuation. Focal positive cytoplasmic staining was noted in some cases of fibrocystic disease, fibroadenoma, and normal breast duct epithelium. Myoepithelial cells and smooth muscle of blood vessels also showed a positive reaction. This study shows that the Neu oncoprotein can be demonstrated on formalin-fixed material from normal, benign, and malignant breast lesions. In the breast cancers the differences in the number of cases showing amplification and those showing a positive immunohistochemical reaction could be due to increased transcriptional activity. It is possible that the node-negative patients whose tumors express the Neu oncogene may correspond to the group of patients who are expected to have a poor prognosis.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMed1989

The unique insert of cellular and viral fms protein tyrosine kinase domains is dispensable for enzymatic and transforming activities.

The receptors for colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), platelet derived growth factor and the c-kit protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) contain within their catalytic domains a stretch of 60-100 residues, largely unrelated in sequence, with no counterpart in other PTKs. Of the 64 amino acids within this kinase insert, 58 were deleted from the mouse CSF-1 receptor by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The mutant CSF-1 receptor was not markedly affected in its kinase activity, post-translational processing or its ability to induce autocrine transformation of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Similarly, retention of kinase and transforming activities were observed following deletion of part or all of the kinase insert from the v-fms oncoprotein. The c- and v-fms kinase inserts were probed using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and were found to be highly antigenic. Two monoclonal antibodies raised to the v-fms cytoplasmic domain both recognized epitopes within the insert, and bound enzymatically active v-fms glycoproteins. These results indicate that the fms kinase insert is located on the surface of the protein and folds separately from the rest of the catalytic domain, but is not required for the biological activity of fms PTKs ectopically expressed in mouse fibroblasts. The insert may therefore play a specific function in cells such as monocytes and trophoblasts that normally express the CSF-1 receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Cardiac and neurological abnormalities in v-fps transgenic mice.

Transgenic mice that widely express the v-fps protein-tyrosine kinase develop several independent pathological conditions, in addition to a high tumor incidence. v-fps expression and protein-tyrosine kinase activity in the heart were directly correlated with cardiac enlargement. This cardiomegaly was accompanied by severe myocardial and endocardial damage, which was concentrated in the left ventricular wall, and characterized by a progressive atrophy and necrosis of cardiac muscle fibers with concomitant fibrosis. This pathology was associated with congestive heart failure. Mice from five lines developed a marked trembling, correlated with expression of the v-fps transgene in the brain, and two lines showed a striking bilateral enlargement of the trigeminal nerves. Unlike tumor formation, these cardiac and neurological phenotypes were evident shortly after birth and showed 100% penetrance. The pleiotropic effects of the v-fps transgene suggest the involvement of protein-tyrosine kinases in mammalian neural development and cardiac function.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The common src homology region 2 domain of cytoplasmic signaling proteins is a positive effector of v-fps tyrosine kinase function.

A conserved noncatalytic domain SH2 (for src homology region 2) is located immediately N terminal to the kinase domains of all cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinases. We found that the wild-type v-fps SH2 domain stimulated the enzymatic activity of the adjacent kinase domain 10-fold and functioned as a powerful positive effector of catalytic and transforming activities within the v-fps oncoprotein (P130gag-fps). Partial proteolysis of P130gag-fps and supporting genetic data indicated that the v-fps SH2 domain exerts its effect on catalytic activity through an intramolecular interaction with the kinase domain. Amino acid alterations in the SH2 domain that impaired kinase function interfered with association of the SH2 domain with the kinase domain. Deletion of a conserved octapeptide motif converted the v-fps SH2 domain from an activator to an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase activity. This latent inhibitory activity of v-fps SH2 has functional implications for phospholipase C-gamma and p21ras GTPase-activating protein, both of which have two distinct SH2 domains suggestive of complex regulation. In addition to regulating the specific activity of the kinase domain, the SH2 domain of P130gag-fps was also found to be required for the tyrosine phosphorylation of specific cellular proteins, notably polypeptides of 124 and 62 kilodaltons. The SH2 domain therefore appears to play a dual role in regulation of kinase activity and recognition of cellular substrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Lymphoid and mesenchymal tumors in transgenic mice expressing the v-fps protein-tyrosine kinase.

src, abl, and fps/fes are prototypes for a family of genes encoding nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases. The oncogenic potential of the v-fps protein-tyrosine kinase was investigated by introduction of the gag-fps coding sequence of Fujinami sarcoma virus into the mouse germ line. Transgenic mice with v-fps under the transcriptional control of a 5' human beta-globin promoter (GF) or with both 5' and 3' beta-globin regulatory sequences (GEF) were viable. Unexpectedly, both GF and GEF transgenes were expressed in a wide variety of tissues and induced a spectrum of benign and malignant tumors. These tumors, which included lymphomas, thymomas, fibrosarcomas, angiosarcomas, hemangiomas, and neurofibrosarcomas, developed with various frequencies after latent periods of 2 to 12 months. The majority of lymphoid neoplasms appeared to be of T-cell origin and were monoclonal, as judged by rearrangements of the T-cell receptor beta or immunoglobulin genes. Some tissues that expressed the v-fps oncogene, such as heart, brain, lung, and testes, developed no malignant tumors. The v-fps protein-tyrosine kinase therefore has a broad but not unrestricted range of oncogenic activity in cells of lymphoid and mesenchymal origin. The incomplete penetrance of the neoplastic phenotype and the monoclonality of lymphoid tumors suggest that tumor formation in v-fps mice requires genetic or epigenetic events in addition to expression of the P130gag-fps protein-tyrosine kinase.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The FER gene is evolutionarily conserved and encodes a widely expressed member of the FPS/FES protein-tyrosine kinase family.

We have recently isolated human and rat cDNAs (designated FER and flk, respectively) which encode nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases which are very similar to one another and related in sequence and domain structure to the c-fps/fes gene product. We show that FER and flk are human and rat counterparts of an evolutionarily conserved gene, hereafter termed FER regardless of species. The human and rat FER genes encode a widely expressed 94-kilodalton protein-tyrosine kinase which is antigenically related to the fps/fes protein-tyrosine kinase. The structural and antigenic similarities between the FER and fps/fes proteins suggest that they are members of a new family of nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The myristylation signal of p60v-src functionally complements the N-terminal fps-specific region of P130gag-fps.

The P130gag-fps protein-tyrosine kinase of Fujinami sarcoma virus contains an N-terminal fps-specific domain (Nfps) that is important for oncogenicity. The N-terminal 14 amino acids of p60v-src, which direct myristylation and membrane association, can replace the gag-Nfps sequences of P130gag-fps (residues 1 to 635), producing a highly transforming src-fps polypeptide. Conversely, gag-Nfps can restore modest transforming activity to a nonmyristylated v-src polypeptide. These results emphasize the modular construction of protein-tyrosine kinases and indicate that Nfps, possibly in conjunction with gag, functions in the subcellular localization of P130gag-fps.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

High incidence of lung, bone, and lymphoid tumors in transgenic mice overexpressing mutant alleles of the p53 oncogene.

We have investigated the role of the p53 gene in oncogenesis in vivo by generating transgenic mice carrying murine p53 genomic fragments isolated from a mouse Friend erythroleukemia cell line or BALB/c mouse liver DNA. Elevated levels of p53 mRNA were detected in several tissues of two transgenic lines tested. Increased levels of p53 protein were also detected in most of the tissues analyzed by Western blotting (immunoblotting). Because both transgenes encoded p53 proteins that were antigenically distinct from wild-type p53, it was possible to demonstrate that overexpression of the p53 protein was mostly, if not entirely, due to the expression of the transgenes. Neoplasms developed in 20% of the transgenic mice, with a high incidence of lung adenocarcinomas, osteosarcomas, and lymphomas. Tissues such as ovaries that expressed the transgene at high levels were not at higher risk of malignant transformation than tissues expressing p53 protein at much lower levels. The long latent period and low penetrance suggest that overexpression of p53 alone is not sufficient to induce malignancies and that additional events are required. These observations provide direct evidence that mutant alleles of the p53 oncogene have oncogenic potential in vivo and that different cell types show intrinsic differences in susceptibility to malignant transformation by p53. Since recent data suggest that p53 may be a recessive oncogene, it is possible that the elevated tumor incidence results from functional inactivation of endogenous p53 by overexpression of the mutant transgene. The high incidence of lung and bone tumors suggests that p53 transgenic mice may provide a useful model to investigate the molecular events that underlie these malignancies in humans.

Alleles↗
PubMed1989

Modulated adhesion: a proposal for the role of myelin-associated glycoprotein in myelin wrapping.

Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is a 100-kDa integral membrane glycoprotein expressed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems, respectively. It is found first in loosely wrapped myelin and then periaxonally after compaction. Clinical findings, structural analysis, and cell assays indicate a role for MAG in adhesion. We propose that the phosphorylation state of MAG modulates its adhesion and that a minimum spatial requirement for the separation of the kinase and phosphatase activities postulated by this model may explain the correlation between axon size and myelination state.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1988

Dexamethasone effects on induction of neoplastic transformation by Fujinami sarcoma virus in an in vitro chick embryo periosteal model for osteosarcoma.

Recently we have developed a model in vitro system for the study of factors regulating the histogenesis of osteosarcoma. In this system, Fujinami sarcoma virus (FSV) induces osteosarcomatous changes such as increased cell proliferation and altered patterns of bone and nonmineralized matrix (osteoid) formation. Such changes can be quantitated at the individual cell level, by computer-assisted morphometry. Here we report on the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on FSV-induced neoplastic transformation and osteogenesis in chick embryonic periosteum cultures, as reflected by a series of histopathological parameters. Most significantly, it was found that compared to 10(-9) M DEX treated cultures, in 10(-7) M DEX pretreated cultures, the bone/osteoid ratio was increased due to a relative increase in the area of bone and a decrease in the area of osteoid. The number of [3H]thymidine-labeled cells decreased significantly, while the proportion of alkaline phosphatase positive cells increased. Double-label immunohistochemistry (with anti-P140gag-fps) and histochemistry for alkaline phosphatase activity was performed, to demonstrate production of the oncogene-encoded protein, and osteoblastic differentiation, respectively. In an in vitro transformation assay single cells derived from 10(-9) M DEX treated cultures formed a significantly higher number of colonies than those obtained from 10(-7) M DEX pretreated cultures. Taken together, the data indicate that in the chick embryonic periosteum culture system, pretreatment with 10(-7) M DEX inhibits the ability of FSV to induce neoplastic transformation. This effect is probably the result of DEX-induced cell differentiation, prior to infection with FSV.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Neoplastic transformation of osteogenic cells: quantitative morphometric analysis of an in vitro model for osteosarcoma.

Previously we have reported the development of a model in vitro system for the study of osteosarcoma. In this system, when chick periosteal explants are infected with Fujinami sarcoma virus (FSV), osteosarcoma-like tissue is formed. In the present study, a series of histopathologic parameters of neoplastic transformation and osteogenesis were quantitated, at a single cell level, by computer-assisted morphometry. Most significantly, it was found that compared to uninfected (control) cultures, in the FSV-infected (experimental) cultures, the bone to osteoid ratio per unit area was decreased due to a relative decrease in the area of bone and an increase in the area of osteoid. The cellularity of the FSV-infected tissues was significantly increased due to an increase in the number of unlabeled and [3H]thymidine-labeled cells, while the proportion of alkaline phosphatase (AP) positive cells decreased. Double-label immunohistochemistry (with anti-P140gag-fps) and histochemistry for AP activity was performed, to demonstrate production of the oncogene-encoded protein, and osteoblastic differentiation respectively. In an in vitro transformation assay, single cells derived from control, uninfected cultures did not grow, while those derived from FSV-infected cultures formed colonies in semisolid medium. Some of these colonies demonstrated AP staining. Taken together these data show that in this in vitro system (i) neoplastic transformation of osteogenic cells does occur, (ii) changes in osteoid and bone production are related to neoplastic transformation, and (iii) osteosarcoma-like changes can be quantitated at the individual cell level.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Cooperative transforming activities of ras, myc, and src viral oncogenes in nonestablished rat adrenocortical cells.

Early-passage rat adrenocortical cells were infected with Kirsten murine sarcoma virus and MMCV mouse myc virus, two retroviruses carrying the v-Ki-ras and v-myc oncogenes, respectively. Efficient morphological transformation required coinfection with the two viruses, was dependent on the presence of high serum concentrations, and was not immediately accompanied by growth in soft agar. The doubly infected cells coordinately acquired the capacity for anchorage- and serum-independent growth during passage in culture. The appearance of such highly transformed cells was correlated with the emergence of a dominant clone, as suggested by an analysis of retrovirus integration sites. These results indicate that the concerted expression of v-Ki-ras and v-myc could induce rapid morphological transformation of nonestablished adrenocortical cells but that an additional genetic or epigenetic event was required to permit full transformation by these two oncogenes. In contrast, v-src, introduced by retrovirus infection in conjunction with v-myc, rapidly induced serum- and anchorage-independent growth. Therefore, the p60v-src protein-tyrosine kinase, unlike p21v-ras, is apparently not restricted in the induction of a highly transformed phenotype in adrenocortical cells. This system provides an in vitro model for the progressive transformation of epithelial cells by dominantly acting oncogenes.

Adrenal Cortex↗