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Biomedical subjects

W C Summers

Publications and source records attributed to W C Summers.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Error-prone mutagenesis detected in mammalian cells by a shuttle vector containing the supF gene of Escherichia coli.

When a shuttle vector containing a tyrosine suppressor tRNA (supF) gene as a target for mutagenesis replicated in a monkey kidney cell line, the frequency of SupF+ mutations was 2.3 +/- 0.5 x 10(-3). When the host cells were treated with ethyl methanesulfonate 40 h before transfection, a 10-fold increase in SupF+ mutation frequency was observed. These results supported the hypothesis that a damage-inducible mutagenic pathway exists in mammalian cells and also demonstrated the utility of this shuttle vector for the study of mutagenesis in mammalian cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Transcription of herpes simplex virus genes in vivo: overlap of a late promoter with the 3' end of the early thymidine kinase gene.

We identified in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells six cytoplasmic transcripts which were complementary to BamHI restriction endonuclease fragment Q. Two transcripts appeared in major amounts compared with the other four. One major transcript of about 1.4 kilobases was the mRNA for the viral thymidine kinase, was synthesized at intermediate times, and was classified as a beta transcript. The other major transcript was synthesized at late times and was classified as a gamma transcript. This late transcript was about 3 kilonucleotides long and was transcribed in the same direction as the gene for thymidine kinase. The 5' end of this late RNA was located by RNA sequence analysis and was 23 nucleotides downstream from the polyadenylation site for the thymidine kinase mRNA. This finding led to the conclusion that the control region for the 3-kilobase gamma transcript is contained within the 3' untranslated region of the thymidine kinase transcript.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Functional suppression in mammalian cells of nonsense mutations in the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene by suppressor tRNA genes.

A nonsense mutation (UAG) in the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 can be suppressed in vivo to produce active thymidine kinase by prior infection with a defective simian virus 40 stock which acts as a vector to introduce a functional suppressor tRNA gene into mammalian cells in culture. The suppression is specific for UAG, but not UGA or missense, mutants and restores thymidine kinase activity to 20 to 40% of the wild-type level. These results suggest that many cell lines susceptible to simian virus 40 infection may be transiently converted to a suppressor-positive phenotype for use in the genetic study of mammalian viruses.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Herpes simplex encephalitis: analysis of a cluster of cases by restriction endonuclease mapping of virus isolates.

In December 1979, there were three deaths from culture-proven herpes encephalitis in 3 weeks in the New Haven area, and a nurse caring for one of these patients developed a herpetic lesion on her nose. The three brain isolates, the isolate from the nurse, and several epidemiologically unrelated strains were analyzed by restriction endonuclease mapping. All were determined to be distinct strains of herpes simplex virus. The possibility that a single strain of virus caused this cluster of cases was therefore examined directly and disproved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

In vitro transcription of the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus.

We transcribed in vitro a cloned 3.5-kilobase fragment of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA that contains the gene for the viral thymidine kinase. Extracts from uninfected HeLa cells produced five in vitro transcripts, one of which initiated at the in vivo start site for the thymidine kinase mRNA (an early viral message). A second in vitro transcript initiated at or near the start site for a major late in vivo viral mRNA. The remaining three in vitro transcripts may correspond to minor in vivo mRNA species. Sequences similar to the "T-A-T-A" and "C-A-A-T" boxes, which may be involved in the control of transcription of a variety of viral and cellular genes, were found to precede the initiation site of each of the five in vitro transcripts. Considerable overlap of transcription units was observed.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1981

Genome of a mononucleosis Epstein-Barr virus contains DNA fragments previously regarded to be unique to Burkitt's lymphoma isolates.

We wished to learn whether the genomes of strains of EMB isolated from patients with infectious mononucleosis are consistently distinguishable from those of strains from Burkitt's lymphoma. The genome of a new transforming strains (FF41) of EBV isolated from saliva of a patient with uncomplicated infectious mononucleosis was compared with the DNA of B95-8, the only other available virus from mononucleosis. It had been found previously that B95-8 has a deletion of about 8 Md in the region of the physical map represented by the Eco RI C, Hind III D, and Bam HI I fragments. The W91 and HR-1 isolates for Burkitt's lymphoma are not deleted in this region and it had been proposed that additional information was characteristic of EBV isolates from Burkitt's lymphoma. By means of restriction enzyme analysis, blot hybridization experiments and molecular cloning of FF41 DNA we demonstrate that the deletion found in B95-8 is not present in the new mononucleosis isolate. The FF41 genome contains an extra 8 Md of DNA, represented by Bam HI fragments B', W' and I', which are located in a larger Eco RI C fragment. Thus the genome of this salivary isolate contains DNA that had previously been regarded to be unique to strains from Burkitt's lymphoma. It is therefore unlikely that major insertions or deletions in the EBV genome account for differences in disease manifestation following EBV infection.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMed1981

Nucleotide sequence of the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1.

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5' phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.21) gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 strain CL101 from a plasmid clone of viral DNA derived by Enquist et al. [Enquist, L. W., Vande Woude, G. F., Wagner, M., Smiley, J. R. & Summers, W. C. (1979) Gene 7, 335-342]. A cDNA copy of the 5' end of thymidine kinase mRNA was also analyzed to locate the transcribed sequences. The transcribed portion of the gene is approximately 1300 nucleotides in length and appears to contain no intervening sequences. There is an untranslated region of 107 nucleotides at the 5' end of the mRNA followed by an open reading frame of 1128 nucleotides. The gene is thus capable of coding for a protein of 376 amino acids. Sequences similar to those thought to be involved in control of transcription and translation of a variety of eukaryotic and viral genes such as a "Hogness box" and A-A-T-A-A-A polyadenylylation signals are also present in the herpesvirus thymidine kinase gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1980

Genetic recombination of herpes simplex virus, the role of the host cell and UV-irradiation of the virus.

Recombination frequencies for two sets of genetic markers of herpes simplex virus were determined in various host cells with and without ultraviolet irradiation of the virus. UV irradiation increased the recombination frequency in all the cell types studied in direct proportion to the unrepaired lethal damage. In human skin fibroblasts derived from a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) of complementation group A, a given dose of UV stimulated recombination more than that in fibroblasts from normal individuals. On the other hand, UV stimulation of HSV recombination was slightly less than normal in fibroblasts derived from a patient with a variant form XP and from an ataxia telangiectasia patient. Caffeine, an agent known to inhibit repair of UV damage, reduced recombination in most of the cell types studied and did not suppress the UV-induced increase in recombination. These findings suggest that for virus DNA with the same number of unrepaired UV-lesions, each of the tested cell types promoted HSV-recombination to an equivalent extent.

DNA Repair↗
PubMed1980

The structure of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA as probed by micrococcal nuclease digestion.

Micrococcal nuclease digestion was used to probe the structures in which herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) DNA is found during virus replication. Parental DNA, progeny DNA and DNA in nucleocapsids were analysed. Parental DNA was examined after infection of Vero cells with 32P- or 3H-thymidine-labelled HSV-I. Progeny DNA was examined after HSV-I-infected Vero cells were pulse-labelled with 3H-thymidine during HSV-I DNA synthesis. In both cases, nuclei were isolated and digested with micrococcal nuclease. Digestion products were analysed by agarose or polacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Most parental DNA remained as intact molecules. However, a small amount was degraded into fragments which were heterogeneous in size or the size of nucleosomal cell DNA. These two classes of fragments were also produced upon digestion of progeny DNA. The heterogeneous fragments and nucleosomal fragments comprised major and minor fractions, respectively, of digested progeny DNA. When digested DNA from HSV-I-infected cells was transferred from composite polyacrylamide-agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper, nucleosomal fragments hybridized to 32P-labelled HSV-I DNA as well as to 32P-labelled Vero cell DNA.. Therefore, nucleosomal fragments contained HSV-I DNA sequences. HSV-I DNA in nucleocapsids was analysed by micrococcal nuclease digestion after nucleocapsids were disrupted with PH 9.3 buffer, pyridine, Sarkosyl or NcCl/urea. Only fragments of heterogeneous size were produced. Thus, HSV-I DNA is found predominantly in structures other than nucleosomes during virus replication.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

New endogenous herpesvirus of guinea pigs: biological and molecular characterization.

Two known guinea pig herpesviruses, guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) and guinea pig herpes-like virus (GPHLV), and well characterized. A third herpesvirus (GPXV) was originally isolated from leukocytes of healthy strain 2 guinea pigs. Growth of GPXV in guinea pig embryo fibroblastic cells produced a characteristic cytopathic effect. Electron microscopy of guinea pig cells infected with GPXV revealed the morphological development of a herpesvirus. Cross-neutralization tests and immunoferritin electron microscopy demonstrated that GPXV, GPCMV, and GPHLV were serologically distinct herpeviruses of guinea pigs. To confirm the distinction between these three herpesviruses, DNA genomes were compared by CsCl equilibrium buoyant density measurements and restriction endonuclease cleavage analysis. 32P-labeled viral DNA ws obtained from nucleocapsids isolated from virus-infected cells, and the buoyant density of GPXV DNA differed from that of GPCMV and GPHLV. Cleavage of viral DNAs with restriction endonucleases followed by gel electrophoresis revealed distinct patterns for each virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Construction and characterization of a recombinant plasmid encoding the gene for the thymidine kinase of Herpes simplex type 1 virus.

We have constructed a hybrid plasmid by insertion of the thymidine kinase (TK) gene of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I at the BamHI site on Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322. The restriction endonuclease cleavage site map for the viral DNA fragment was determined for ten nucleases, and the insert in the recombinant plasmid has the same restriction nuclease digestion pattern as bona fide viral DNA. This result indicates that the plasmid contains an accurate copy of the viral DNA. The viral TK gene carried on the plasmid can be introduced into mammalian cells where it is expressed. This source of DNA with a selectable marker should be of considerable practical use in gene-transfer experiments in mammalian cells.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1979

In vitro suppression of UAG and UGA mutants in the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus.

We have studied the in vitro translation, in nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysates, of mRNA from cells infected with several thymidine kinase-deficient mutants of herpes simplex virus type I. The addition of suppressor tRNAs from yeast resulted in suppression of the mutant property in the case of two mutants. Synthesis of enzymatically active viral thymidine kinase was restored by serine-inserting amber suppressor tRNA in the case of HSV TK4- and synthesis of the intact, but inactive, thymidine kinase protein was restored by serine- and leucine-inserting UGA suppressor tRNAs in the case of HSV TK43-. Read-through of the normal termination at the end of the thymidine kinase gene was promoted by UGA suppressor tRNAs. We conclude that HSV-TK4- is an amber (UAG) mutant and that HSV-TK43- is an opal (UGA) mutant.

Cell-Free System↗
PubMed1979

Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of isogenic Epstein-Barr virus genome-negative and -positive Burkitt's lymphoma-derived cell lines.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome-negative Burkitt's lymphoma-derived cell lines BJAB and Ramos and their in vitro EBV-converted sublines BJAB-B1, BJAB-A5, BJAB-B95-8, and AW-Ramos were infected with high multiplicities of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1; 10 to 70 PFU/cell). Cultures were monitored for cell growth and HSV-1 DNA synthesis. EBV-converted BJAB cultures were more permissive for HSV-1 infection than BJAB cultures. Significant cell killing and HSV-1 DNA synthesis were observed during the first 48 h of infection in the EBV-converted BJAB cultures but not in the BJAB cultures. The EBV-converted BJAB-B1 cell line contains an appreciable fraction of EBV-negative cells. Therefore, it was cloned. EBV-positive and -negative cells were identified by using EBV-determined nuclear antigen anti-complement immunofluorescence. Two types of subclones were identified: (i) those which contained both EBV-determined nuclear antigen-positive and -negative cells and (ii) those which contained only EBV-determined nuclear antigen-negative cells. When levels of HSV-1 DNA synthesis were measured in these subclones, it was found that the former were more permissive for HSV-1 infection than the latter. Thus, the presence of the EBV genome in BJAB cells correlates with increased permissiveness of these cells for HSV-1 during the first 48 h of infection. Nonetheless, persistent HSV-1 infections were established in both BJAB and EBV-converted BJAB-B1 cultures. No differences in extent of permissiveness for HSV-1 infection were found for Ramos and EBV-converted AW-Ramos cells.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMed1979

Characterization of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside kinase (thymidine kinase) and thymidylate kinase as a multifunctional enzyme in cells transformed by herpes simplex virus type 1 and in cells infected with mutant strains of herpes simplex virus.

Pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside kinase (thymidine kinase [TK]) was purified from two herpes simplex virus type 1 (HVS-1)-transformed TK-deficient mouse (LMTK-) cell lines and from LMTK- cells infected with HSV-1 mutant viruses coding for variant TK enzymes. These preparations exhibited normal or variant virus-induced thymidylate kinase activities correlating with their relative TK activities. Neither virus-induced activity was detected in LMTK- cells infected with an HSV-1 TK-deficient mutant. These results suggest that HSV-1 thymidylate kinase activity and TK activity are mediated by the same protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Ultraviolet reactivation of herpes simplex virus is mutagenic and inducible in mammlian cells.

The survival of UV-irradiated herpes simplex virus on UV-irradiated Vero cells was increased over that on unirradiated cells. A time period between irradiation of the host cells and infection with virus was needed to achieve maximum reactivation. In parallel experiments in which the frequencies of occurrence of the forward mutation in the thymidine kinase gene of the virus were measured, growth of herpes simplex virus on UV-irradiated cells yielded progeny virus that had higher frequencies of TK- mutants than did progeny from infections of control cells. The time course of development of this mutagenic effect was the same as that for the development of the UV-reactivation capacity. Furthermore, development of the UV reactivation could be blocked by inhibition of protein synthesis. These results suggest that an "error prone" inducible UV-reactivation phenomenon exists in mammalian cells.

Cell Line↗