Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T T Puck

Publications and source records attributed to T T Puck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Confocal microscopy of genome exposure in normal, cancer, and reverse-transformed cells.

Genome exposure studies were carried out on malignant CHO-K1 and C6 rat glioma cells and their respective, phenotypically normal counterparts (reverse-transformed CHO-K1, and both reverse-transformed C6 glioma and normal rat fibroblasts). Cells were subjected to the nick-translation technique previously developed to make visible the exposed (i.e., DNase I-sensitive) nuclear DNA, and examined by both epifluorescence and confocal microscopy. The confocal microscopy, by permitting examination of sections throughout the nucleus, made possible clearer identification of the regions of exposed and sequestered DNA in the cells studied. A peripheral shell of exposed DNA with some discontinuities was displayed in the great majority of the cells with normal phenotype, but in none of the cancer cells. Both types of cells displayed regions of exposed DNA in the nuclear interior, particularly surrounding the nucleoli. In accordance with previous theoretical proposals we postulate: the peripheral nuclear shell of exposed DNA contains differentiation-specific genes that include the specific growth-control genes and that are functional in normal cells but not in cancer; the exposed genes surrounding the nucleoli may represent housekeeping genes active in both normal and cancer cells; and the DNase I-resistant DNA in the interior of the nucleus we postulate to consist for the most part of genes specific to alternative differentiation states and to be sequestered and inactive. Previous differences in evaluation of roles of peripheral and internal DNA sensitivity to DNAse I hydrolysis appear to be reconciled by this formulation. Identification of exposed DNA may be useful in cancer diagnosis.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1990

The spatial distribution of exposed nuclear DNA in normal, cancer, and reverse-transformed cells.

The malignant CHO-K1 cell is reverse-transformed by cAMP, regaining the phenotype of a normal fibroblast. During this reaction, much of its DNA re-acquires sensitivity to hydrolysis by DNase I in a way characteristic of the normal fibroblast. Exposed DNA forms a rim about the nucleus in both the normal and reverse-transformed cell but not in the malignant CHO-K1. Reacquisition of the nuclear rim requires an organized cytoskeleton. Sequestered DNA forms families of different degrees of sequestration. In accordance with previous theoretical developments it is proposed that (i) genes specific to a given differentiation state are stored in the nuclear rim, whereas genes specific to other states are sequestered within the nucleus; (ii) only exposed genes are active, and their activity is modulated by regulatory molecules in the fluid medium; (iii) exposure and sequestration are regulated by cytoskeletal and nuclear protein structures; (iv) in at least several types of cancer the regulatory defect lies in the genome exposure process so that the specific DNA sequences and their associated growth regulatory loci have been transferred from the exposed to the sequestered condition with consequent loss of the nuclear rim of exposed DNA. The methodology described should be generally applicable to examining the accessibility state of subsets of DNA during various physiological modulations of cell function.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1979

Role of the microfibrillar system in knob action of transformed cells.

Transformed cells often display knobs (or blebs) distributed over their surface throughout most of interphase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and time-lapse cinematography on CHO-K1 cells reveal roughly spherical knobs of 0.5-4 micron in diameter distributed densely around the cell periphery but sparsely over the central, nuclear hillock and oscillating in and out of the membrane with a period of 15-60 sec. Cyclic AMP derivatives cause the phenomenon of reverse transformation, in which the cell is converted to a fibroblastic morphology with disappearance of the knobs. A model was proposed attributing knob formation to the disorganization of the jointly operating microtubular and microfilamentous structure of the normal fibroblast. Evidence for this model includes the following: 1) Either colcemid or cytochalasin B (CB) prevents the knob disappearance normally produced by cAMP, and can elicit similar knobs from smooth-surfaced cells; 2) knob removal by cAMP is specific, with little effect on microvilli and lamellipodia; 3) immunofluorescence with antiactin sera reveals condensed, amorphous masses directly beneath the membrane of CB-treated cells instead of smooth, parallel fibrous patterns of reverse-transformed cells or normal fibroblasts; 4) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of sections show dense, elongated microfilament bundles and microtubules parallel to the long axis of the reverse-transformed CHO cell, but sparse, random microtubules throughout the transformed cell and an apparent disordered network of 6-nm microfilaments beneath the knobs; 5) cell membranes at the end of telophase, when the spindle disappears and cleavage is complete, display typical knob activity as expected by this picture.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Studies on cell transformation.

Seven different transformation stigmata of the transformed CHO cell line, including morphological characteristics, growth behavior, cell membrane biochemical properties, and failure of fibronectin deposition, are reversed by addition of cAMP derivatives to the medium. Simultaneously the microtubular pattern changes from a sparse, relatively random set to an orderly arrangement of tubules largely parallel to each other and to the long axis of the resulting fibroblastic cell. Agents like colcemid and cytochalasin B, respectively disorganizing microtubular and particular microfilamentous structures, prevent at least certain aspects of the reverse transformation reaction induced by cAMP in interphase cells. It is proposed that malignant transformation can be effected by damage to the microtubular and microfilamentous structures which changes cell constitution and behavior in two ways: (1) chromosomal instability is introduced which promotes continuous selection for variants better able to resist environmental signals to limit reproduction and (2) a variety of metabolic defects in biochemical processes such as specific membrane functions are introduced which may alter the growth responses of the cell. This picture offers a reasonable explanation for a number of aspects of normal and malignant cell behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Precise localization of human beta-globin gene complex on chromosome 11.

Cloned DNA probes were used in combination with a panel of five hybrid cell clones containing a series of different terminal deletions in human chromosome 11 to map precisely the human hemoglobin beta and delta chain structural genes contained on this chromosome. The region of deletion in each clone of the panel has been defined by biochemical, immunologic, and cytogenetic markers. DNA from clones containing successively larger terminal deletions was tested with appropriate DNA probes to determine the point on the chromosome at which DNA for these two closely linked hemoglobin genes is deleted. These genes, and by inference the closely linked G gamma and A gamma globin genes as well, have been assigned to the intraband region 11p1205 leads to 11p1208 on the short arm of chromosome 11, an interval containing approximately 4500 kilobases of DNA. The approach appears to have potential for even greater resolution and reasonably wide applicability for gene mapping.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Measurement of mutagenesis in mammalian cells.

A method using mammalian cells in vitro for detection and quantitation of mutagenic actions that appears to be useful for screening for carcinogenesis and genetic damage by environmental agents is presented. The method involves use of stable human--Chinese hamster ovary hybrid cells that have retained a single human chromosome not necessary for cell reproduction. Forward mutations are detected in genes necessary for production of specific human cell surface antigens. Such mutants form colonies in the presence of specific antisera and complement that destroy the unmutagenized cells. Use of the method is illustrated for the action of x-irradiation, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and caffeine. The method appears to be unique in that it permits assessment of lesions that cause loss of all or most of the chromosome as well as various localized gene mutations. The former action is particularly important because of the major involvement of chromosomal lesions in an extremely important class of human genetic disease.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1978

The role of butyrate in the reverse transformation reaction in mammalian cells.

The reverse transformation reaction of Chinese hamster ovary cells from compact, epithelial-like, randomly growing, heavily knobbed, lectin reactive cells into stretched, tighly adherent, smooth-surfaced, lectin resistant, fibroblast-like cells normally elicited by dibutyryl cAMP can be produced to its complete extent by N6-monobutyryl cAMP or 8-bromo-cAMP, O2'-monobutyryl cAMP is ineffective as is cAMP itself in the absence of an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase activity. In the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, cAMP is fully effective. These results indicate that the role of the butyryl groups of dibutyryl cAMP and, especially, the N6-butyryl, in the reverse transformation reaction is protection of the cAMP analogue from degradation. Butyrate at concentrations of about 1 mM does produce a response which to some extent mimics that of cAMP analogues. The cells, however, fail to assume a fibroblastic-like shape, but rather become flattened. The butyrate effect is much slower and less readily reversible than that evoked by cAMP analogues. Butyrate produces an approximately 2-fold increase in intracellular cAMP levels. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that butyrate effects, in part, are mediated by AMP.

Butyrates↗
PubMed1977

Trisomy clusters.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Colorado↗
PubMed1977

Premature chromosome condensation and cell cycle analysis.

The application of the phenomenon of premature chromosome condensation for cell cycle analysis in HeLa and CHO cells has been examined. Random populations of HeLa and CHO cells pulse labelled with H3-TdR were separately fused with mitotic HeLa cells using U.V. inactivated Sendai virus. The resulting prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC) were scored and classified into G1, S and G2-PCC on the basis of both morphological and autoradiographic data, The results of this study indicated that the G1, S and G2 phase cells are equally susceptible to virus-induced fusion with mitotic cells and subsequent induction into PCC. Hence the PCC method for cell cycle analysis is both practical and accurate. This study also revealed that the process of chromosome decondensation initiated during the telophase of mitosis continues throughout the G1 period reaching an ultimate state of decondensation by the end of G1, at which point the fusion of such cells with those in mitosis yield PCC with the most diffused morphology instead of the discrete single stranded structures characteristic of early G1-PCC. Thus, the decondensation of chromatin during G1 appears to be a prerequisite for the subsequent initiation of DNA synthesis.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1977

Further studies on hybrid cell-surface antigens associated with human chromosome 11.

A new human immunogenetic cell-surface activity associated with human chromosome 11 in the AL human-Chinese hamster ovary cell hybrid is described. Like a1, but not a2, it is present on the human erythrocyte. By mutagenesis and selection, specific, stable, variants of the AL hybrid have been prepared exhibiting various combinations of a1, a2, a3, and lactic dehydrogenase A activities. The antigens of the AL system can be demonstrated by the horseradish peroxidase system which offers a promising approach to scanning of tissue cells.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1977

Genetics of cell-surface antigens: regional mapping of three components of the human cell-surface antigen complex, AL, on chromosome 11.

Cytogenetic analysis has been performed on a series of deletion mutations on human chromosome 11 of AL hybrid clones in which specific markers have been lost as a result of treatment with mutagenic agents. Such analysis has localized the three previously identified components of the AL cell-surface antigen complex to the indicated regions of chromosome 11: a1 and a3:11p13 leads to 11pter; a2:11q13 leads to 11qter. Using these methodologies human lactic dehydrogenase A localization on the short arm as reported by others has been confirmed. Evidence is presented provisionally assigning this gene to 11p13 leads to 11pter.

Antigens↗
PubMed1977

Cyclic AMP, the microtubule-microfilament system, and cancer.

Additional evidence is presented for the previously proposed existence in normal fibroblasts of a cyclic AMP-dependent network of microtubules and microfilaments, which is connected with cell membrane elements on one end and with nuclear structures on the other and whose disorganization leads to malignant transformation. In the presence of cyclic AMP derivatives sufficient to promote integrity of this network, cell growth limitation in suspension, increased transport of alpha-[14C]aminobutyrate, and the relatively tranquilized membrane of the normal fibroblast are also achieved. A pattern of distribution of actin and tubulin has been demonstrated showing aggregated actin deposits which are presumably responsible for the oscillatory knob activity of cells with the transformed habitus. Specific orientations of microtubular and filamentous elements with respect to the nucleus can be demonstrated. The hypothesis that the microtubular-microfilamentous structure conveys growth-regulatory information from the cell membrane to the nucleus and that its disorganization can lead to malignancy has been extended to explain various cellular manifestations.

Actins↗