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Genetic and physiological variations in megakaryocyte DNA content distributions.

The DNA content of normal megakaryocytes usually ranges from 8N to 64N, with 16N as the modal DNA content. The frequency of cells at each DNA content can be altered by experimental induction of thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis or marrow ablation, and in various disease states; however, the mechanisms and regulation involved in the process of polyploidization remain obscure. This discussion will focus on genetic and physiologic variations in megakaryocyte DNA content distributions. The genetic variations are those we have observed among mouse strains, with the most pronounced present in several C3H substrains in which the modal megakaryocyte DNA content is 32N, rather than 16N. The physiologic variation reported here is a shift to the right in megakaryocyte DNA content distributions during late pregnancy in the rat.

Animals↗

Regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.

Megakaryocytopoiesis is the cellular developmental process prior to the release of platelets into the circulation. Regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis is a complex phenomenon that begins with commitment of hematopoietic stem cells to the replication and maturation of progenitor cells through endomitosis and megakaryocyte differentiation [1-4]. Platelet production is determined by the number and size of megakaryocytes in the marrow and may be regulated at two levels: at early stages of cell proliferation resulting in increased megakaryocyte numbers, and at later stages by endoreplication which increases DNA content and the size of megakaryocytes [5]. The mature megakaryocyte is a large polyploid cell with a highly defined invaginated membrane (demarcation membrane) and contains the membrane molecules necessary for platelet function [6-9]. Platelet shedding appears to occur by fragmentation of the cytoplasm of the megakaryocyte. Platelet release is thought to occur via transendothelial processes projecting into the vascular compartment [10, 11], although several studies indicate that megakaryocytes lodged in the lungs are capable of platelet formation [12-17]. The factors stimulating megakaryocytopoiesis in the lung have not been well characterized. In the past, the study of megakaryocyte development in vivo and in vitro was hampered by the rarity of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, the poorly defined cell populations, and inadequate assays. These prior studies of megakaryocyte development have been discussed in the recent past by R. Hoffman [1], N. Williams [3], and M. W. Long [2]. An attempt will be made in this review to highlight and synthesize various new concepts of regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.

Animals↗

Cyclin D3 and megakaryocyte development: exploration of a transgenic phenotype.

The roles of cell cycle regulatory proteins in megakaryocyte development are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that cyclin D3 is expressed in megakaryocytes and is induced upon treatment with Mpl ligand. Transgenic mice in which cyclin D3 is overexpressed in the megakaryocytic lineage show features similar to in vivo Mpl ligand treatment, including increased megakaryocyte number and ploidy. Terminal maturation and platelet production are not enhanced, however, and transgenic megakaryocytes show a defect in demarcation membrane development. We have examined expression of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-E2, known to be involved in cytoplasmic maturation and platelet fragmentation, in these transgenic mice and controls treated with Mpl ligand. Our findings demonstrate marked induction of NF-E2 mRNA in control megakaryocytes in response to Mpl ligand, but no NF-E2 increase in transgenic cells, potentially explaining the lack of platelet increase in these transgenic mice. Transgenic megakaryocytes treated with Mpl ligand display a limited increase in NF-E2. In response to literature reports of Mpl ligand-induced transient increases in p21Cip1/WAF1 mRNA in polyploidizing megakaryocytic cell lines, we have examined p21 transcript levels in both normal and transgenic megakaryocytes. In normal mouse spleen, only a small percentage of megakaryocytes express detectable levels of p21 mRNA, with the majority of these cells expressing at high intensity. p21 levels are not affected by treatment with Mpl ligand, while the frequency of expressing cells increases transiently. Transgenic megakaryocytes exposed to Mpl ligand also show an increased frequency of p21-positive cells, and stimulation with Mpl ligand resulted in a further increase in this frequency. The nature of this effect will require further investigation.

Animals↗

A physical comparison of chromosome III in six strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have tested the clones used in the European Yeast Chromosome III Sequencing Programme for possible artefacts that might have been introduced during cloning or passage through Escherichia coli. Southern analysis was performed to compare the BamHI, EcoRI, HindIII and PstI restriction pattern for each clone with that of the corresponding locus on chromosome III in the parental yeast strain. In addition, further enzymes were used to compare the restriction maps of most clones with the map predicted by the nucleotide sequence (Oliver et al., 1992). Only four of 506 6-bp restriction sites predicted by the sequence were not observed experimentally. No significant cloning artefacts appear to disrupt the published sequence of chromosome III. The restriction patterns of six yeast strains have also been compared. In addition to two previously identified sites of Ty integration on chromosome III (Warmington et al., 1986; Stucka et al., 1989; Newlon et al., 1991), a new polymorphic site involving Ty retrotransposition (the Far Right-Arm transposition Hot-Spot, FRAHS) has been identified close to CRY1. On the basis of simple restriction polymorphisms, the strains S288C, AB972 and W303-1b are closely related, while XJ24-24a and J178 are more distant relatives of S288C. A polyploid distillery yeast is heterozygous for many polymorphisms, particularly on the right arm of the chromosome.

Artifacts↗

Two insulin genes are present in the salmon genome.

According to the accepted hypothesis, polyploid evolution is necessary to achieve meaningful gene duplication. Some fish, namely those belonging to the suborder Salmonidae, appear to be autotetraploid species that probably originated from a diploid ancestor relatively recently and that appear to be progressing toward diploidization to various degrees. The Pacific chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) has almost completed this process of diploidization. Thus, with regard to practically any gene product, theory predicts a freshly diploidized, autotetraploid species to possess twice the number of gene loci as diploid animals. Here we show that the chum salmon genome contains two nonallelic insulin genes that are both expressed in chum salmon Brockman bodies. Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals structural diversification of this pair of duplicated genes.

Animals↗

Bistratene A induces a microtubule-dependent block in cytokinesis and altered stathmin expression in HL60 cells.

Bistratene A is a cyclic polyether which affects cell cycle progression and can induce phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Treatment of HL60 cells with 100 ng/ml bistratene A was found to inhibit cytokinesis but had no effect on DNA synthesis and nuclear division. Consequently, bistratene A-treated cells became polyploid and multinucleate. In association with the development of this phenotype, the cytoplasmic protein stathmin was biphasically phosphorylated and levels of expression were doubled. Immunostaining of binucleate cells (bistratene A for 24 h) revealed increased alpha-tubulin localization where the cleavage furrow might be expected to form, i.e., along the equatorial plane. Treatment of these binucleate cells with the microtubule depolymerizing agent nocadazole promoted cleavage furrow formation and partially ameliorated the bistratene A-induced block in cell division. These findings implicate the polymerization status of microtubules and stathmin function in the regulation of cytokinesis.

Acetamides↗

cDNA cloning and expression of a C-terminus motor kinesin-like protein KLP-17, involved in chromosomal movement in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Members of the kinesin protein family transport intracellular cargo to their correct cellular destination. Previously we have characterized the klp-3 gene from Caenorhabditis elegans, which encodes an ortholog of the retrograde C-terminus kinesin motors, such as Drosophila NCD, and yeast KAR3, involved in the chromosomal movement. Here we report the cloning of a full-length klp-17 cDNA in C. elegans, encoding a C-terminus kinesin of 605 amino residues. KLP-17 sequence defines a novel phylogenetic group, distinct from the NCD/KAR3 family. Interestingly, the klp-17 gene transcript is restricted to the nuclear compartment, as deduced by the RNA in situ hybridization in embryos. The klp-17::gfp-expressing transgenic animals do not display any GFP fluorescence signal, but expression of the extra chromosomal arrays cause production of abnormal males, and embryos with morphological defects and lethality in the progeny. Similarly, the klp-17 RNA interference assay results in embryonic death, arrested embryos, and polyploid cells. Thus, KLP-17 represents a new motor protein that mediates chromosome movement, essential for cell divisions during metazoan development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Repression of AIM-1 kinase mRNA as part of a program of genes regulated by Mpl ligand.

Megakaryocytes give rise to platelets that are essential for thrombosis and hemostasis. During development, megakaryocytes undergo an endomitotic cell cycle by which they skip late anaphase and cytokinesis to yield high ploidy cells. This process is regulated by the c-Mpl receptor ligand. In the current study we used differential display PCR as well as degenerate cloning of kinases to identify part of the program of genes regulated during Mpl ligand-induced differentiation. Several of the induced genes were identified as encoding metabolic proteins as carnitine palmitolytransferase, while other altered genes were identified as encoding kinases. Of these, AIM-1 kinase mRNA was severely downregulated by Mpl ligand at the onset of polyploidy in megakaryocytes. This effect was not related to message stability, but rather to a change in transcriptional rate. These data point to the potential importance of the transcriptional regulation of the AIM-1 gene for promoting megakaryocyte polyploidization.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of mouse homolog of the neutrophil activating peptide-2.

In the presence of thrombopoietin (TPO), megakaryocytes mature by polyploidization and cytoplasmic maturation, and the matured megakaryocytes induce drastic morphological change and proplatelet formation and release a number of platelets. However, the regulatory mechanism of this unique differentiation process is still obscure. We therefore attempted to identify the factors, expression of which is induced by TPO stimulation in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes. We isolated the mouse homolog of the neutrophil activating peptide-2 (NAP-2). Mouse NAP-2 cDNA encodes a predicted sequence of 113 amino acids and contains the Cys motif (CXC) found in other members of the alpha-chemokine family. At the amino acid level, the predicted mouse NAP-2 has 50.4%, 51.8%, and 72.6% identity with the predicted human, pig, and rat NAP-2, respectively. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that mouse NAP-2 is expressed only in spleen. Furthermore, the RT-PCR technique shows that the mouse NAP-2 gene is clearly upregulated by TPO stimulation in mouse megakaryocytes.

Animals↗

p53 does not control the spindle assembly cell cycle checkpoint but mediates G1 arrest in response to disruption of microtubule system.

p53 plays a critical role as a tumour-suppressor in restricting the proliferation of damaged cells, thus preventing formation of genetically altered cell clones. Its inactivation leads, in particular, to accumulation of polyploid and aneuploid cells. To elucidate the role of p53 in control of chromosome number, we analysed its participation in the cell cycle checkpoints controlling: (1) spindle assembly; and (2) G1-to-S transitions in cells with disintegrated microtubule cytoskeleton. Treatment with 8-10 ng/ml of colcemid causing no visible destruction of the spindle leads to arrest of metaphase-to-anaphase transition in both p53-positive and p53-negative murine fibroblasts, as well as in p53-positive REF52 cells and their counterparts (where the p53 function was inactivated by transduction of dominant-negative p53 fragment). Furthermore, p53-positive and p53-defective rodent and human cells showed no significant difference in kinetics of metaphase-to-interphase transitions in cultures treated with high colcemid doses preventing spindle formation. These data argue against the hypothesis that p53 is a key component of the spindle-assembly checkpoint. However, p53 mediates activation of the G1 checkpoint in response to depolymerization of microtubules in interphase cells. Treatment of synchronized G0/G1 cells with colcemid causes arrest of G1-to-S transition. Inactivation of the p53 function by transduction of dominant-negative p53 fragment abolishes the G1 checkpoint that prevents entry into S phase of cells with disrupted microtubules. Transduction of kinase-defective dominant-negative c- raf mutant or application of PD 098059, a specific inhibitor of MEK1, also abrogates the G1 cell cycle arrest in cells with disintegrated microtubule system. It seems that Raf-MAP-kinase signalling pathways are responsible for p53 activation induced by depolymerization of microtubules.

Animals↗

Arrest in metaphase and anatomy of mitotic catastrophe: mild heat shock in two human osteosarcoma cell lines.

The exits from metaphase arrest and anatomy of mitotic catastrophe were studied in two human osteosarcoma cell lines, nontumorigenic HOS TE85 and its chemically transformed strain MNNG-HOS, applying mild genotoxic damage by heat shock at 41.8 degrees C for 24 h. Under these conditions, both cell lines doubled or tripled their mitotic index entering arrest in metaphase. On return to 37 degrees C, the arrest was either released or ended in apoptosis. The transformed strain showed a greater capacity to arrest in metaphase as well as a greater probability of developing the third pathway: to restitute this arrest in polyploid interphase. This, in turn, either entered an 'endocycle' or, following a delay, apoptosis. Thus, arrest in metaphase was a cross-point of the mitotic cycle, apoptosis, and endocycle. Mitotic catastrophe can morphologically manifest combinations of elements of these three processes.

Anaphase↗

Apoptosis is a mode of cell death in the polykaryon-forming unit assay.

In the polykaryon-forming unit (PFU) assay, which defines cell survival as the ability to form a cytochalasin-induced polykaryon of predetermined ploidy, the mode of PFU deletion is not known. Incubation of L5178Y-S PFU in cytochalasin resulted in polyploidy (> or =32C) and most polykaryons (>75%) ultimately underwent apoptosis, detected using chromatin condensation and externalised phosphatidylserine. However, large polykaryons carrying terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL)-labelled DNA strand breaks were not observed, presumably due to rapid loss of DNA. Gamma irradiation of PFU prior to cytochalasin exposure caused a reduction in the frequency of highly polyploid cells (>16C), consistent with either a supra-induction of apoptosis or a reduction in the ability of PFU to reach high ploidies. We conclude that L5178Y-S PFU are deleted by apoptosis.

Animals↗

Analysis of p53-dependent mechanisms in the maintenance of genetic stability in diploid tumourigenic line SK-UT-1B of human uterine leiomyosarcoma.

The cells of tumourigenic line SK-UT-1B combine features characteristic both of normal (diploid karyotype, a low level of polyploid cells, absence of chromosomal marker) and tumour cells (high level of chromosomal instability, high malignancy). We suggest that maintenance of diploid karyotype in this line is controlled via the p53/p21 pathway. We demonstrate that the amount of p53 increases following gamma-irradiation and accumulated p53 protein seems to be functional as p53-luc and p21/Waf-luc reporter plasmids were found to be activated. However, gamma-irradiation-induced increase of p53 was not accompanied by increase of p21/Waf on the protein level. Apparently this is one of the reasons for G1/S and G2/M checkpoint control disruption. The absence of these checkpoints could not prevent the proliferation of cells with intrachromosomal rearrangements. The only effective checkpoint in SK-UT-1B is the p53-dependent M checkpoint, which directed the cells with changed chromosome numbers to apoptosis and therefore strictly guarded the diploidy of the cell population. This indicates that p53 can control the preservation of genetic stability at different levels via different pathways.

Apoptosis↗

Unusual cytological patterns of microsporogenesis in Brachiaria decumbens: abnormalities in spindle and defective cytokinesis causing precocious cellularization.

Cytogenetic studies carried out in the tetraploid accession BRA001068 of Brachiaria decumbens, also known as cv. Basilisk, revealed an unusual pattern of microsporogenesis. The spindle in metaphase I and anaphase I became heavily stained with propionic carmine. In telophase I, the interzonal microtubules continued to be intensely stained, and during the phragmoplast formation the fibers were pushed to the cell wall, persisting until prophase II, even after cytokinesis. Due to its tetraploid condition, the accession presented many cells with precocious chromosome migration to the poles in metaphase I and laggards in anaphase I that gave rise to micronuclei in telophase I. While in other polyploid accessions of Brachiaria micronuclei remained in this condition until the second cytokinesis, the micronuclei in this accession organized their own spindle in the second division. In several microsporocytes, the micronuclei with their minispindle were divided further into microcytes by additional cytokinesis. Some curious planes of cytokinesis were found in some cells, with partitioning of cytoplasm into cells of irregular shape. The result consisted of a high frequency of abnormal products of meiosis. Quadrivalents were observed in diakinesis at low frequency, which suggests a segmental allotetraploid and the inability of both genomes to co-ordinate their activities, leading to multiple spindle and precocious cellularization. In spite of abnormal meiotic products reducing pollen fertility, seed production was normal. Enough normal pollen was available to fertilize the central-cell nucleus of the embryo sac and produce normal endosperm in this pseudogamous aposporous apomictic accession.

Brachiaria↗

The transition to endoreduplication in trophoblast giant cells is regulated by the mSNA zinc finger transcription factor.

Terminal cell differentiation is usually associated with cell cycle exit. In some lineages, however, cells undergo continued rounds of DNA synthesis without intervening mitoses (endoreduplication) resulting in polyploid nuclei. This is striking in rodent trophoblast giant cells which contain up to 1000N of DNA. In Drosophila, the Escargot gene has been implicated in regulating the transition from mitotic cell cycles to endocycles during development. We found that a murine homologue, mSna, was expressed in mouse trophoblast and was downregulated during giant cell differentiation. The mSNA zinc finger protein bound to E-box DNA elements and, in transfected C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts, acted as a transcriptional repressor. The maximal repressive effect was dependent on both the zinc finger DNA-binding domain and the N-terminal, seven-amino-acid SNAG domain. Misexpression experiments in Rcho-1 trophoblast cells revealed that mSna regulates the transition from replicating precursor cells to committed giant cells: overexpression blocked, whereas antisense RNA-mediated underexpression promoted trophoblast giant cell differentiation. Overexpression of mSna in precursor cells had no effect on cell cycle kinetics, but did increase cyclin A and B levels, implying actions during G2. These effects were dependent on both the zinc finger and SNAG domains. Together, these data suggest that mSNA has an ESCARGOT-like function to repress the transcription of genes that promote the transition from mitotic to endoreduplicative cell cycles in rodent trophoblast.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Spermiogenesis is impaired in mice bearing a targeted mutation in the protein phosphatase 1cgamma gene.

Type 1 protein phosphatases (PP1) are involved in diverse cellular activities, ranging from glycogen metabolism to chromatin structure modification, mitosis, and meiosis. The holoenzymes are composed of two or more subunits, including a catalytic subunit (PP1c) and one or more regulatory subunits. Many eukaryotes possess several catalytic subunit genes which encode highly conserved isoforms. In rodents, one of these isoforms, PP1cgamma2, appears to be expressed predominantly in testes. Whether PP1cgamma2 performs a testis-specific function is unclear. To address this and other questions, the PP1cgamma gene was disrupted by targeted insertion in murine embryonic stem cells. Mice derived from these cells were viable, and homozygous females were fertile. However, males homozygous for the targeted insertion were infertile. Histological examination revealed severe impairment of spermiogenesis beginning at the round spermatid stage. In addition, defects in meiosis were inferred from the presence of polyploid spermatids. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of PP1calpha protein on condensing spermatids in both wild-type and mutant testes, suggesting that this closely related isoform is unable to compensate for the loss of PP1cgamma. These defects are discussed in the light of known functions of protein phosphatase 1.

Animals↗

Nodal regulates trophoblast differentiation and placental development.

Nodal has been thought to be an embryo-specific factor that regulates development, but nodal is also expressed in the mouse placenta beginning at midgestation, specifically in the spongiotrophoblasts. In an insertional null nodal mutant, not only is embryonic development disrupted, but mouse placental development is also grossly altered with the loss of the diploid spongiotrophoblasts and labyrinth and an expansion of the polyploid giant cell layer. A hypomorphic mutation in nodal results in an expansion of the giant cell and spongiotrophoblast layers, and a decrease in labyrinthine development. Expression of nodal in trophoblast cell cultures is sufficient to inhibit trophoblast giant cell differentiation, demonstrating that nodal can act directly on trophoblasts. The mechanism of nodal action includes the inhibition of junB gene transcription. These results suggest that nodal may be involved in redirecting trophoblast fate towards the midgestational expansion of the labyrinth region while maintaining the thin layer of trophoblast giant cells and the underlying layer of spongiotrophoblasts that form the boundary between the maternal and extraembryonic compartments.

Animals↗

Anteroposterior patterning in adult abdominal segments of Drosophila.

The cuticle of the adult abdomen of Drosophila is produced by nests of imaginal histoblasts, which proliferate and migrate during metamorphosis to replace the polyploid larval epidermal cells. In this report, we present a detailed description of the expression of four key patterning genes, engrailed (en), hedgehog (hh), patched (ptc), and optomotor-blind (omb), in abdominal histoblasts during the first 42 h after pupariation, a period in which the adult pattern is established. In addition, we describe the expression of the homeotic genes Ultrabithorax, abdominal-A, and Abdominal-B, which specify the fates of adult abdominal segments. Our results indicate that abdominal segments develop in isolation from one another during early pupal stages, and that some patterning events are independent of hh, wingless, and decapentaplegic signaling. We show that pattern and polarity in a large anterior portion of the segment are specified without input from Hh, and present evidence that abdominal tergites possess an underlying symmetric pattern upon which patterning by Hh is superimposed. The signals responsible for this underlying symmetry remain to be identified.

Abdomen↗