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Antileukemic effects of deferoxamine on human myeloid leukemia cell lines.

Deferoxamine (DFO) possesses antiproliferative activity against mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, several tumor cell lines, and human leukemia and neuroblastoma cells. We have investigated its effects on the human myeloid leukemia lines HL-60, HEL, and U-937. In suspension culture, DFO causes a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation of each cell line, with maximal inhibition observed at concentrations greater than 20 microM. These effects were prevented by cotreatment with iron salts and were at least partially reversible by removal of DFO from the culture system or addition of iron before 48 h of DFO exposure. Similar results were obtained in methylcellulose cultures of leukemic cells, with complete abolition of cell aggregates at day 7 in concentrations of 20 microM DFO or higher. DFO treatment caused a dose- and time-related decrease in DNA synthesis as measured by [3H]thymidine uptake, which was also reversed by treatment with iron salts. DFO caused slight reduction in RNA synthesis and did not affect protein synthesis. DFO caused significant antiproliferative effects on three myeloid leukemia cell lines, associated with inhibition of DNA synthesis, with in vitro effects observed at concentrations attainable in vivo. Evaluation of the antileukemic properties of DFO should continue.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Expression of human tenascin in synovitis and its regulation by interleukin-1.

OBJECTIVE: Tenascin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein with effects on cell adhesion, cell migration, and lymphocyte activation. We proposed to identify the expression of human tenascin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in inflammatory synovitis and in normal synovium, and to identify potential regulatory cytokines. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to identify the expression of tenascin in synovium. Northern blot analysis of RNA and both immunoblot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of proteins were used to identify tenascin in synovial cell cultures. RESULTS: Tenascin was found along the synovial lining layer and in perivascular areas of normal synovium. In inflammatory synovitis, tenascin protein and mRNA expression were shown to be increased in the synovial lining layer, in perivascular areas, in lymphoid aggregates, and in areas of fibrosis. Interleukin-1, a major mediator of tissue injury in inflammatory synovitis, induced tenascin expression and deposition in primary synovial fibroblast cultures. CONCLUSION: Tenascin mRNA and protein are increased in inflammatory synovitis, and interleukin-1 is an inducer of tenascin in synovial fibroblasts. This identifies a new pathway by which interleukin-1 alters the extracellular matrix composition in synovitis. Since tenascin has effects on lymphocyte activation and cell adhesion, the induction of tenascin in inflammatory synovitis may play a role in the pathophysiology of arthritis.

Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal↗

ermSF, a ribosomal RNA adenine N6-methyltransferase gene from Streptomyces fradiae, confers MLS (macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B) resistance to E. coli when it is expressed.

The Erm family of methyltransferases confers the MLS antibiotic resistance to pathogenic microorganism through the mono- or dimethylation of a single adenine residue in 23S rRNA, which is known as the target site for modification. One of the erm genes, ermSF was cloned from Streptomyces fradiae NRRL 2702 by PCR and overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) as both a soluble protein and insoluble aggregate (inclusion body) using the T7 promoter driven expression vector, pET23b. Even though most of the overexpressed protein existed as an inclusion body, E. coli cells showed resistance to erythromycin. The lowering of incubation temperature from 37 degrees C to 22 degrees C facilitated the purification of the protein by increasing the fraction of soluble protein. The soluble protein was purified using immobilized metal ion (Ni2+) affinity chromatography in a one-step manner to the apparent homogeneity. The 23S rRNA of E. coli was found to be a good substrate for the purified ErmSF.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Identification and structure of the anti-sigma factor-binding domain of the disulphide-stress regulated sigma factor sigma(R) from Streptomyces coelicolor.

The extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor sigma(R) is a global regulator of redox homeostasis in the antibiotic-producing bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor, with a similar role in other actinomycetes such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Normally maintained in an inactive state by its bound anti-sigma factor RsrA, sigma(R) dissociates in response to intracellular disulphide-stress to direct core RNA polymerase to transcribe genes, such as trxBA and trxC that encode the enzymes of the thioredoxin disulphide reductase pathway, that re-establish redox homeostasis. Little is known about where RsrA binds on sigma(R) or how it suppresses sigma(R)-dependent transcriptional activity. Using a combination of proteolysis, surface-enhanced laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry and pull-down assays we identify an N-terminal, approximately 10kDa domain (sigma(RN)) that encompasses region 2 of sigma(R) that represents the major RsrA binding site. We show that sigma(RN) inhibits transcription by an unrelated sigma factor and that this inhibition is relieved by RsrA binding, reaffirming that region 2 is involved in binding to core RNA polymerase but also demonstrating that the likely mechanism by which RsrA inhibits sigma(R) activity is by blocking this association. We also report the 2.4A resolution crystal structure of sigma(RN) that reveals extensive structural conservation with the equivalent region of sigma(70) from Escherichia coli as well as with the cyclin-box, a domain-fold found in the eukaryotic proteins TFIIB and cyclin A. sigma(RN) has a propensity to aggregate, due to steric complementarity of oppositely charged surfaces on the domain, but this is inhibited by RsrA, an observation that suggests a possible mode of action for RsrA which we compare to other well-studied sigma factor-anti-sigma factor systems.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Germ line development in the grasshopper Schistocerca gregaria: vasa as a marker.

Vasa is a widely conserved germline marker, both in vertebrates and invertebrates. We identify a vasa orthologue, Sgvasa, and use it to study germline development in the grasshopper Schistocerca gregaria, a species in which no germ plasm has been identified. In adults, Sgvasa is specifically expressed in the ovary and testis. It is expressed at high levels during early oogenesis, but no detectable vasa RNA and little Vasa protein are present in mature unlaid eggs. None appears to be localized to any defined region of the egg cortex, suggesting that germline specification may not depend on maternal germ plasm expressing vasa. Vasa protein is expressed in most cleavage energids as they reach the egg surface and persists at high levels in most cells aggregating to form the embryonic primordium. However, after gastrulation, Vasa protein persists only in extraembryonic membranes and in cells at the outer margin of the late heart-stage embryo. In the embryo, it then become restricted to cells at the dorsal margin of the forming abdomen. In older embryos, these Vasa-positive cells move toward the midline; Vasa protein accumulates asymmetrically in their cytoplasm, a pattern closely resembling that of germ cells in late embryonic gonads. Thus, we suggest that the Vasa-stained cells in the abdominal margin are germ cells, as proposed by Nelson (1934), and not cardioblasts, as has been proposed by others.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Repair of the secretion defect in the Z form of alpha 1-antitrypsin by addition of a second mutation.

Homozygous inheritance of the Z-type mutant form of the alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) gene results in the most common form of alpha 1AT deficiency, a human hereditary disease associated with a high risk for the development of emphysema and an increased incidence of neonatal hepatitis. The alpha 1AT-synthesizing cells of individuals with the Z gene have normal alpha 1AT messenger RNA levels, but alpha 1AT secretion is markedly reduced secondary to accumulation of newly synthesized alpha 1AT in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Crystallographic analysis of alpha 1AT predicts that in normal alpha 1AT, a negatively charged Glu342 is adjacent to positively charged Lys290. Thus the Glu342----Lys342 Z mutation caused the loss of a normal salt bridge, resulting in the intracellular aggregation of the Z molecule. The prediction was made that a second mutation in the alpha 1AT genet that changed the positively charged Lys290 to a negatively charged Glu290 would correct the secretion defect. When the second mutation was added to the Z-type complementary DNA, the resulting gene directed the synthesis and secretion of amounts of alpha 1AT similar to that directed by the normal alpha 1AT complementary DNA in an in vitro eukaryotic expression system. This suggests the possibility that a human hereditary disease can be corrected by inserting an additional mutation in the same gene.

Animals↗

Enhancement of RNA synthesis in chick liver by food intake: possible role of high mobility group nonhistone proteins.

RNA synthesis in the nuclei of liver from newly hatched (4-d-old) chicks is enhanced by intake of food. The enhanced synthesis was ascribed not to an increase in the activity of solubilized DNA-dependent RNA polymerase but to an increase in the initiation of RNA synthesis. Enhanced RNA synthesis in fed chicks was accompanied by greater susceptibility of nuclei to digestion by micrococcal nuclease. Salt extraction abolished the difference in nuclease sensitivity between the fed and fasted groups. Reconstitution with either 0.35 M NaCl extracts or high mobility group (HMG) nonhistone proteins restored digestion susceptibility, but changing the source of extracted proteins did not equalize the extent of digestion in nuclei from livers of fed and fasted chicks. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of HMG proteins revealed the presence of HMGs 1 and 2 as well as a 38,000-dalton protein. The nuclear HMG protein content in fed chicks was greater than that of fasted chicks (121 +/- 17 micrograms/mg DNA vs. 31 +/- 12 micrograms/mg DNA). The electron microscopic examination of hepatocyte nuclei revealed the enlargment of nucleoli and scarcity of aggregated heterochromatin structures in the fed chicks as compared with the fasted chicks. These morphological features are compatible with the high transcriptional activity in liver of fed chicks.

Animals↗

Myelin basic protein isoforms in myelinating and remyelinating rat brain aggregate cultures.

Recent evidence suggests that myelin basic protein (MBP) exon-2-containing isoforms play a significant role in the onset of myelination because they are more abundant during early development. The pattern of expression of MBP exon-2-containing isoforms was studied in rat brain aggregate cultures during myelination to draw comparisons with the developing brain and at remyelination after demyelinative treatment. The pattern of MBP isoform expression in the aggregate cultures was found to be similar to that of the brain and was recapitulated after demyelination with antimyelin antibodies. Macrophage enrichment, resulting in increased accumulation of total MBP in the cultures, did not alter the isoform distribution. Both control and enriched cultures expressed a 16-kDa protein (26+/-9.8% of total MBP for control samples) that reacted with MBP antisera at the onset of myelination (day in vitro 14) but was barely detectable by day in vitro 21. The expression of this protein, also present in postnatal day 6 rat brain but no longer by day 11, has been predicted by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in embryonic mouse brain. The results of the present study reinforce the value of the aggregate culture system as a versatile yet accurate model of myelination and remyelination.

Animals↗

Cell-to-cell contact modulates the expression of the beta 1 family of integrins in primary cultures of thyroid cells.

The expression of the beta 1 family of integrins was studied in normal thyroid tissue cultures and monolayer cell cultures. The expression of the various subunits was measured by flow cytofluorometry with specific monoclonal antibodies and by Northern analysis. In monolayer cell cultures but not in tissue cultures, the expression of the alpha 3 subunit on the cell membrane progressively increased soon after plating, reaching a 30-fold higher intensity. The alpha 2 subunit, not detectable in native follicular cells, was expressed de novo and reached a remarkable high level. Up-regulation of alpha 2 and alpha 3 in monolayer cell cultures was serum-independent and preceded the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, [3H]thymidine incorporation, and cell replication. Northern analysis demonstrated an increased level of beta 1 integrin mRNA. The increase of alpha 2 and alpha 3 was readily reversible since the expression of these molecules returned to a lower level when cultures reached a high cell density. Down-regulation did not occur until cell cultures were confluent. When cells from high cell density and low integrin expression were harvested and sparsely seeded in culture, up-regulation of integrins was observed again, while rapid reaggregation of isolated cells inhibited this phenomenon. Altogether these data suggest that cell-to-cell contact may regulate the expression of beta 1 integrins in thyroid primary cultures.

Antigens, CD↗

Tap: a novel cellular protein that interacts with tip of herpesvirus saimiri and induces lymphocyte aggregation.

Tip of herpesvirus saimiri associates with Lck and down-regulates Lck-mediated activation. We identified a novel cellular Tip-associated protein (Tap) by a yeast two-hybrid screen. Tap associated with Tip following transient expression in COS-1 cells and stable expression in human Jurkat-T cells. Expression of Tip and Tap in Jurkat-T cells induced dramatic cell aggregation. Aggregation was likely caused by the up-regulated surface expression of adhesion molecules including integrin alpha, L-selectin, ICAM-3, and H-CAM. Furthermore, NF-kappaB transcriptional factor of aggregated cells had approximately 40-fold higher activity than that of parental cells. Thus, Tap is likely to be an important cellular mediator of Tip function in T cell transformation by herpesvirus saimiri.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Utilizing Nottingham Prognostic Index in microarray gene expression profiling of breast carcinomas.

We report a novel approach to gene expression profiling using the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) to stratify 26 patients with invasive breast carcinoma. As an aggregate index of parameters reflecting metastatic potential, growth rate, and genetic instability the NPI has distinct advantages over other clinicopathologic features used to segregate breast cancer patients. As a continuous variable it offers a responsive and sensitive means of modeling a continuum of clinical aggressiveness. Using RNA extracted from 26 tumors and cDNA microarrays with 23 343 unique genetic elements, 84 genes and expressed sequence tags were identified whose expression patterns correlated with NPI. Differential expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) was also observed for two of three genes evaluated by this method. Correlation was determined by the Spearman rank correlation method with null distribution analysis. Among the 84 genetic elements were seven previously implicated in neoplastic progression (including the two demonstrating differential expression by IHC), 11 without specific cancer association but localized to chromosomal sites whose loss or gain has been identified in cytogenetic studies of breast carcinoma, and 73 not previously associated with breast carcinoma. Collectively, the expression patterns of these 84 elements have potential to distinguish high and low NPI patient samples. These data add support to the assertion that prognostic groups of breast carcinoma are reflected in distinguishable expression profiles of a limited set of genes.

Adult↗

The sedimentation of rat skeletal-muscle ribosomes. Effect of hydrocortisone, insulin and diet.

1. The influence of hydrocortisone, insulin and diet on the size distribution of ribosomes in a post-mitochondrial supernatant prepared from rat skeletal muscle was studied by sedimentation analysis with a linear 15-40% (w/v) sucrose gradient. 2. Within 4hr. after the injection of 5mg. of hydrocortisone to well-nourished rats, a decrease in the yield per g. of muscle and proportion of total RNA due to polyribosomes was observed. Similar results were obtained in rats given a protein-free diet for 3 days before administration of the hormone. 3. Insulin injection increased the yield and proportion of polyribosomes within 2hr. and decreased the proportion of the lighter ribosomal aggregates. Similar results were noted in rats given a protein-free diet for 3 days before injection. A protein-free diet given for 3 days decreased the yield and proportion of polyribosomes. Insulin did not increase the yield of polyribosomes if rats were starved for 52hr. before injection, but decreased the yield and proportion of the lighter ribosome species. 4. A 52hr. period of starvation or 2,4-dinitrophenol (15mg./kg. body wt.) given 1hr. before the rats were killed resulted in a decreased yield and proportion of polyribosomes, and, within 6hr. of re-feeding the rats with protein-free diets, an increased concentration of polyribosomes was noted. 5. The effects of a protein-free diet, hydrocortisone and insulin on the sedimentation of muscle ribosomes were found to be in accord with their net effects on muscle protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy-like nuclear inclusions are present in normal magnocellular neurosecretory neurons of the hypothalamus.

Intranuclear inclusions composed of tubular filaments constitute a pathological hallmark of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). Autosomal dominant OPMD is caused by (GCG) repeat expansions in the gene that encodes for poly(A) binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1). The mutation results in the expansion of a polyalanine stretch in the N-terminus of the protein. It has been proposed that mutated PABPN1 induces protein aggregation, which in turn causes the formation of the filamentous nuclear inclusions. Here we report the presence of intranuclear inclusions composed of tubular filaments in oxytocin-producing neurons from normal rat hypothalamus. Like OPMD inclusions, the filamentous structures in neurosecretory neurons accumulate PABPN1, poly(A) RNA, ubiquitin and proteasomes. These inclusions do not contain members of Hsp40 and HDJ-2/DNAJ families of chaperones. The proportion of oxytocin-producing neurons that contain inclusions decreases during parturition and lactation (when synthesis and release of oxytocin is maximal) and increases at 1 day post-weaning (when occurs a drastic reduction in the production of the hormone). Thus, PABPN1 filaments in normal neurons are dynamic structures, the appearance of which correlate with changes in cellular activity. These data provide the first physiological evidence that polyalanine expansions are not essential to induce polymerization of PABPN1 into filamentous nuclear inclusions.

Animals↗

Inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta 1 alters the growth, anchor-dependent cell aggregation and integrin mRNA expression in human promonocytes: implications for endometriosis and peritoneal adhesion formation.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a major secretory product of macrophages which, through autocrine/paracrine pathways, play a central role in normal reproductive tissues as well as in disorders such as endometriosis and intraperitoneal adhesion formation. Using TGF-beta antisense oligonucleotides and U937 cells (a promonocytic human cell line) as an in-vitro model, the present study examined the autocrine mediated action of TGF-beta 1 on proliferation, anchor-dependent and -independent cell aggregation and expression of several mRNAs of cell surface adhesion molecules including integrins and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1). Northern blot analysis and enzyme-linked inmmunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that treatment with TGF-beta 1 antisense, but not sense or nonsense oligomers, in a dose-dependent manner (0.1-10 microM) down-regulated the expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA and protein to undetectable amounts at the highest antisense concentration. TGF-beta 1 antisense at < 1 mM slightly increased, while at > 3 microM significantly inhibited, the rate of DNA synthesis and proliferation of these cells (P < 0.05). Treatment with TGF-beta 1 antisense promoted cell aggregation under anchor-independent culture conditions (plastic dishes), while it suppressed colony formation under anchor-dependent culture conditions (soft agar assay). U937 cells expressed alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha 6, beta 1 and beta 2 integrin mRNA and PECAM-1 mRNA, while alpha v, beta 3 and beta 5 integrin mRNA was undetectable. The relative amount of alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4, alpha 6, beta 1 and beta 2 integrin and PECAM-1 mRNA expression were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner after TGF-beta 1 antisense treatment, while alpha 5 integrin mRNA expression was up-regulated, although it was undetectable at 10 microM antisense. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 antisense up-regulated beta 3 mRNA expression with maximal effect occurring at 10 microM. These results provide evidence that the autocrine loop of monocyte/macrophage-derived TGF-beta 1 action is essential for regulation of growth, aggregation and the expression of adhesion molecules by these cells. We propose that in disorders such as endometriosis and peritoneal fibrous adhesions, significantly higher numbers of tissue macrophages with the capacity to express excess TGF-beta 1 yield an environment able to promote cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and thus lead to further complications from these abnormalities. We are currently investigating whether site-specific inhibition of TGF-beta using antisense strategy is a useful tool for management of these lesions, particularly after their post-surgical removal.

Base Sequence↗

Regulation of motility behavior in Myxococcus xanthus may require an extracytoplasmic-function sigma factor.

Using interaction trap technology, we identified a putative extracytoplasmic-function (ECF) sigma factor (RpoE1) in Myxococcus xanthus, a bacterium which has a complex life cycle that includes fruiting body formation. The first domain of the response regulator protein FrzZ, a component of the Frz signal transduction system, was used as bait. Although the RpoE1 protein displayed no interactions with control proteins presented as bait, a weak interaction with a second M. xanthus response regulator (AsgA) was observed. While the specificity of the FrzZ-RpoE1 interaction therefore remains speculative, cloning and sequencing of the region surrounding rpoE1 localized it to a position downstream of the frzZ gene. A potential promoter site for binding of an ECF sigma factor was identified upstream of rpoE1, suggesting the gene may be autoregulated. However, primer extension studies suggested that transcription of rpoE1 occurs under both vegetative and developmental conditions from a sigma70-like promoter. Dot blot analysis of RNA preparations confirmed the low-level, constitutive expression of rpoE1 during both stages of the life cycle. Analysis of an insertion mutant also indicated a role for RpoE1 under both vegetative and developmental conditions, since swarming was reduced on nutrient-rich agar and developmental aggregation was effected under starvation conditions, especially at high cell densities. An insertion mutation introduced into the gene directly downstream of rpoE1 (orf5) did not result in either swarming or developmental aggregation defects, even though the gene is transcribed as part of the same operon. Therefore, we propose that this new ECF sigma factor could play a role in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in motility behavior during both stages of the complex M. xanthus life cycle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗