Cell Fusion Experiments Research Articles

Trans-acting factors regulate the expression of CD44 splice variants.

Variant isoforms of the cell surface glycoprotein CD44 (CD44v) are expressed during development, in selected adult tissues and in certain metastatic tumor cells. CD44v differ from the standard isoform (CD44s) by up to ten additional exon sequences included by alternative splicing. By cell fusion experiments, we have obtained evidence for the existence of cell-type specific trans-acting factors recruiting CD44 variant exon sequences. Stable cell hybrids of CD44s and CD44v expressing cells indicated a dominant mechanism for variant-exon inclusion. In transient interspecies heterokaryons of human keratinocytes and rat fibroblasts, the ability of the keratinocytes to include all variant exon sequences in CD44 was conferred completely on the rat fibroblast nucleus. Fusions of cells with complex CD44 splice patterns do not permit interpretation of splice control by the relative abundance of a single trans-acting factor, but rather by (a) positively acting factor(s) recruiting variant exon sequences in the 3' to 5' direction and additional factors selecting individual exons. Since the pancreatic carcinoma cell line BSp73ASML (in contrast to the cervix carcinoma cell lines SiHa and ME180) could not transfer its specific splice pattern in cell fusions, we conclude that in some tumors, splicing is also controlled by mutation of cis-acting recognition sites.

A zinc finger protein that represses transcription of the human MHC class II gene, DPA.

The proximal promoters of all MHC class II genes contain a sequence element, the 19-bp X box, that is conserved in both sequence and position. Extensive analysis using a wide variety of approaches has demonstrated that the integrity of the X box is essential for transcription initiation from all class II genes studied. However, the X box is now recognized to contain two subregions, termed X1 and X2. Radiolabeled oligonucleotides corresponding to the X2 box of the MHC class II genes DPA and DQB were used to screen B cell and T cell expression libraries. A novel cDNA, termed XBR (X box repressor), encoding a putative zinc finger protein that binds specifically to the DPA X2 box was isolated from a human T cell line. The XBR gene encodes a 7-kb message that is ubiquitously transcribed, although at higher levels in tissues of the lymphocytic compartment. Southern blots indicate that this gene is single copy in primates and contains regions that are highly divergent in other species. Overexpression of XBR in a B cell line resulted in a dramatic reduction of transcription from a reporter gene construct driven by the DPA promoter, but not from similar constructs with mutations in the X2 box. Similarly, overexpression of XBR reduced induction of reporter gene activity driven from the DPA promoter in HeLa cells treated with IFN-gamma. XBR may, therefore, mediate transcriptional repression, thus preventing inappropriate MHC class II expression. XBR function may in part explain the dominant trans-acting repression of MHC class II expression reported in cell fusion experiments.

Cell fusion in space: Plasma membrane fusion in human fibroblasts during short term microgravity

During short-term microgravity in sounding rocket experiments (6 min.) the cytoskeleton under-goes changes and therefore it is possible that cell processes which are dependent on the structure and function of the cytoskeleton are influenced. A cell fusion experiment, initiated by a short electric pulse, was chosen as a model experiment for this sounding rocket experiment. Confluent monolayers of primary human skin fibroblasts, grown on coverslips, were mounted between two electrodes (distance 0.5 cm) and fused by discharging a capacitor (68 μF; 250 V; 10 msec) in a low conductive medium. During a microgravity experiment in which nearly all the requirements for an optimal result were met (only the recovery of the payload was delayed) results were found that indicated that microgravity during 6 minutes did not influence cell fusion since the percentage of fused products did not change during microgravity. Within the limits of discrimination using morphological assays microgravity has no influence on the actin/cortical cytoskeleton just after electrofusion.

Transient inhibition of protein synthesis induces expression of proto-oncogenes and stimulates resting cells to enter the cell cycle.

There is evidence that resting cells are able to produce molecules with antiproliferative activity, some of which behave as short-lived repressor proteins. We suggest that transient inhibition of protein synthesis in resting cells would lead to a decrease in the levels of these negative growth regulators and might, therefore, promote mitogenic responses. We report that treatment of resting (serum-deprived) NIH 3T3 cells with cyclocheximide (CH) or puromycin induces expression of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc proto-oncogenes in a manner similar to that of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Actinomycin D (Act D) abrogates the induction of proto-oncogene expression. Transient inhibition of protein synthesis by CH or puromycin also induces the resting NIH 3T3 and C3H 1OT1/2 cells to enter the cell cycle. Inhibition of new RNA or protein synthesis abolishes the proliferative response. These findings show that control mechanisms at both transcriptional and translational levels are operative in the resting cells treated with protein synthesis inhibitors. Cell fusion experiments with resting and serum-stimulated NIH 3T3 cells revealed that brief pre-incubation of resting cells with either PDGF, CH or puromycin abrogates their ability to suppress the onset of DNA synthesis in the nuclei of stimulated cells in heterodikaryons. However, the abrogative effect of PDGF disappeared in the presence of Act D, whereas the effects of protein synthesis inhibitors did not, indicating their independence of the induction of transcription. The data suggest that the observed effects of protein synthesis inhibitors are connected with elimination of some short-lived negative growth regulators, since a brief translational arrest is sufficient for the resumption of DNA synthesis in the nuclei of stimulated cells blocked by resting cells in heterodikaryons.

DNA, FISH and complementation studies in ICF syndrome: DNA hypomethylation of repetitive and single copy loci and evidence for a trans acting factor

ICF syndrome (ICFS) is a rare immunodeficiency disorder characterized by instability of the pericentromeric heterochromatin predominantly of chromosomes 1 and 16. DNA methylation studies in two unrelated ICFS patients provide further evidence for a marked hypomethylation of satellite 2 DNA. The ICFS-specific disturbances of chromatin structure take place within the satellite 2 DNA regions, as demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Moreover, methylation studies of genomic imprinted loci D15S63, D15S9, and H19 have revealed hypomethylation to different degrees in both patients; this provides evidence for hypomethylation at autosomal single copy loci in ICFS. Cell fusion experiments have revealed a distinct reduction of chromosomal abnormalities in ICFS cells after fusion with normal cells, suggesting that the abnormalities are caused by the loss of function of an as yet unknown trans acting factor. Although it is now clear that wide-spread DNA hypomethylation is a characteristic feature of ICFS, neither the cause and mechanism of hypomethylation nor their relationship to the clinical symptoms is known. We speculate that a phenotypic effect might result from tissue-dependent abnormal gene expression and/or from a possible structural disturbance of DNA domains, which, with respect to the immunodeficiency, partially prevents the normal somatic recombinations in immunologically active cells.

Dominant Mutations Confer Resistance to the Immunosuppressant, Rapamycin, in Variants of a T Cell Lymphoma

Rapamycin (RAP) disrupts signaling events implicated in cytokine-dependent proliferation of lymphocytes and other cells. This action is known to involve the formation of molecular complexes between the drug and intracellular binding proteins, termed FKBPs. However, the biochemical target(s) for the effector RAP-FKBP complexes remain uncharacterized. As an approach to explore the mechanism of action of RAP, we have isolated three independent sets of somatic mutants of the YAC-1 murine T cell line with markedly reduced sensitivity to the drug's inhibitory effects on proliferation and on IL-1-induced IFN-γ production. These mutants were still fully sensitive to FK-506, an immunosuppressant structurally related to RAP whose mode of action also involves art interaction with FKBPs. Furthermore, the 12-kDa FKBP, FKBP12, was detectable in immunoblots from cytosolic extracts and eluates from RAP-affinity matrix in the mutants as in wild-type cells, suggesting that the resistance to RAP in the mutants is not due to a lack of FKBP12 expression. Cell fusion experiments were conducted to further define the nature of the alterations imparting RAP resistance in these mutants. Clones deficient in either thymidine kinase or hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, suitable as fusion partners for aminopterin-based selection of hybrids were generated from the wild-type or mutant lines. In most instances, the hybrids derived from the fusion between RAP-sensitive clones and RAP-resistant clones exhibited a RAP-resistant phenotype. Similar results were obtained with hybrids between RAP-resistant YAC-1 clones and the RAP-sensitive EL-4 cell line. Therefore, the mutations that confer resistance to RAP in the present system are dominant. Altogether, our observations are consistent with a model where pharmacologically relevant targets for the RAP-FKBP complex, rather than FKBP, might be altered in the mutants such that the inactivation of these targets by the effector complex is prevented.

Qualifying for the license to replicate

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco,California 94143-0448A single replication fork would take more than a year to replicate the genome of Xenopus. Bydividing the task among many thousands of replicons, each replicated by forks emanating fromindividual origins, replication is instead completed in as little as 30 min. While this efficientstrategy has been adopted by all eukaryotes, it introduces a complication. To maintain theintegrity of the genome, multiple replicons must now be coordinated so that all sequences arereplicated exactly once per cell cycle. Because different replicons are often replicated atdifferent times during S phase, replicated regions must be distinguishable from unreplicatedregions to avoid problems of rereplication. We suggest that this distinction is based upon afundamental feature of replication initiation.Two things happen at origins of replication: proteins are recruited to origins to assemblemultiprotein replication machines (Figure 1, left), and these assemblies are triggered to initiatereplication forks (Figure 1, right). Replication components accompany the departing forks,leaving behind a spent origin. Consequently, reinitiation should require assembly of newcomponents at the origin. If this assembly is restricted to one part of the cell cycle and theinitiation of forks to another, then origin firing would occur only once per cell cycle (Figure1).The transition between replication-competent and replication-incompetent phases of the cellcycle has been explored in a series of early and influential cell fusion experiments (Rao andJohnson, 1970). Upon fusion with an S phase cell, nuclei from G1 cells, but not from G2 cells,replicate their DNA. Thus, even when present in cytoplasm capable of supporting S phase, theG2 nucleus is incompetent to replicate. Since G2 nuclei are converted into G1 nuclei by thepassage through mitosis, mitosis must provide replication competence to the G2 nucleus. Inthe last several years, in vitro experiments using Xenopus egg extracts as well as geneticexperiments using fission yeast have given rise to two rather different models for the basis ofthis mitotic transition. We outline each of these areas of research below and evaluate featuresof each model in an attempt to bring us closer to a unified understanding of these events.

Interallelic complementation of beta-subunit defects in fibroblasts of patients with propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency microinjected with mutant cDNA constructs.

Propionic acidemia results from deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) activity. PCC is a biotin-dependent, mitochondrial enzyme composed of alpha- and beta-subunits (structure, alpha 4 beta 4), with the alpha-subunit containing the biotin ligand. About two-thirds of fibroblast lines from patients with mutations in the PCCB (beta-subunit) gene show interallelic complementation in cell fusion experiments (the pccB and pccC subgroups of the pccBC major group defining beta-subunit mutations, where pccB x pccC fusions show complementation). We previously identified the mutations in several pccB or pccC cell lines and suggested that point mutations or small, in-frame insertions or deletions were likely responsible for the complementation obtained between beta-subunit defects. To test this hypothesis, we have introduced five different mutations (three pccB and two pccC) that fit these criteria into a PCC beta-subunit cDNA plasmid expressed from a cytomegalovirus promoter. The cDNA plasmids were microinjected into mutant fibroblasts and the cells were assayed by radioautographic detection of 14C-propionate incorporation into cellular macromolecules. Four different mutations (Pro228Leu or dupKICK140 from pccB or delta IIe408 or Arg410Trp from pccC) complemented cells from complementation subgroups in a pattern congruent with the results obtained in cell fusion experiments. The fifth mutation, Arg536Asn, which was found both in a complementing pccB and a non-complementing pccBC cell line, failed to complement any of the mutant cell lines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Correlation between Complementation Group for Immortality and the Cellular Distribution of Mortalin

The dominance of cellular senescence over the immortal phenotype has been demonstrated by cell fusion experiments utilizing human and mouse cells. Mortalin, a novel 66-kDa member of the murine hsp70 family of proteins, has recently been identified as a marker of the mortal phenotype by virtue of its characteristic cytosolic distribution in mortal cells. Here we report the mortalin immunostaining observations on 21 human cell lines. These cell lines have previously been assigned by somatic cell hybridization analysis to one (18 lines) or more than one (3 lines) of the four complementation groups (A, B, C, and D) for immortalization. Four patterns of mortalin immunostaining were observed: granular-juxtanuclear cap, granular-gradient from nuclear to cell membrane, granular-juxtanuclear arch, and fibrous-perinuclear. In 17 of 18 cell lines assigned to a single complementation group, the mortalin staining corresponded with the complementation group. In two of the three cell lines previously assigned to multiple complementation groups, the mortalin staining corresponded to one of the assigned groups. Two cell lines, however, exhibited staining patterns which did not match to their assigned complementation groups. The basis of correlation between cellular distribution of mortalin and the complementation group remains unclear at present. However, the data (i) suggest that the intracellular distribution of mortalin can be used to distinguish mortal and immortal cells, confirming the association of mortalin with senescence; (ii) provide supportive evidence for the existence of at least four different pathways of immortalization in human cells; and (iii) indicate that mortalin is involved in processes that result in immortalization.

Developmental extinction of major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression in plasmocytes is mediated by silencing of the transactivator gene CIITA.

Constitutive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene expression is tightly restricted to antigen presenting cells and is under developmental control. Cells of the B cell lineage acquire the capacity to express MHC class II genes early during ontogeny and lose this property during terminal differentiation into plasma cells. Cell fusion experiments have suggested that the extinction of MHC class II expression in plasma cells is due to a dominant repression, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. CIITA was recently identified as an MHC class II transactivator that is essential for MHC class II expression in B lymphocytes. We show here that inactivation of MHC class II genes in plasmocytes is associated with silencing of the CIITA gene. Moreover, experimentally induced expression of CIITA in plasmocytes leads to reexpression of MHC class II molecules to the same level as that observed on B lymphocytes. We therefore conclude that the loss of MHC class II expression observed upon terminal differentiation of B lymphocytes into plasmocytes results from silencing of the transactivator gene CIITA.

Single-cell cloning of a crown gall from protoplasts regenerated in hormone-free medium. Establishment of pure transformed cell-lines of Catharanthus roseus

Protoplasts enzymatically isolated from cell line of Catharanthus roseus G. Don crown gall, were cultured at high density (105 P ml-1) in modified B5 liquid medium (Gamborg et al. 1976). In the absence of growth regulators C. roseus protoplasts were able to regenerate a cell-wall, divide and, subsequently, yield very numerous clones in the absence of growth regulators. After two weeks, the cultures were greatly diluted in order to obtain clones of single-cell origin. Most of the clones individually transferred onto solid medium can proliferate indefinitely, without growth regulators. Among analyzed clones, 90% were nopaline positive. Their ajmalicine and serpentine content was compared with that of the parental crown gall line, and was found to be low. The CR10 protoplasts were very easy to grow, they were an interesting model for the development of pure tumorous lines. Moreover, we found that the tumorous protoplasts were useful for cell fusion experiments or for the delicate culture of tree protoplasts.

Laser Applications in Chemistry and Biology: Stimulation, Observation, and Manipulation

AbstractResults from three different types of laser‐based experiments are presented. Using translationally‐excited H atoms, the reaction dynamics of H(2S) + O2(3Σg−) → OH(2Π) + O(3P) was investigated. In order to study the influence of selective reagent translational excitation on the reactivity, absolute reaction cross sections and nascent OH product quantum‐state distributions were measured at different collision energies by means of the laser photolysis/laser‐induced fluorescence (LP/LIF) “pump‐probe” technique. The measured absolute reaction cross sections: σR(1.0eV) = (0.20 ± 0.08) Å2, σR(1.6 eV) = (0.58 ± 0.17) Å2, and σR(1.9 eV) = (0.35 ± 0.14) Å2 clearly confirm the presence of a pronounced maximum in the excitation function (Keßler, K.; Kleinermanns, K. J. Chem. Phys. 1992, 97: 374). The experimental results are compared with results from quasiclassical and recent 3D quantum scattering calculations on ab initio potential energy surfaces.In addition, results from experiments are reported in which two‐dimensional laser light sheet techniques were applied to investigate both the NO formation in a domestic natural gas burner and fuel mixing processes in combustion engines. Images of temperature and NO concentration distributions, as well as series of images of the fuel distribution, are presented.Finally, recent results of laser applications in biology are reported. A new concept in biodiagnostics using multiplex dyes, which have different characteristic fluorescence lifetimes but identical excitation and emission spectra, to distinguish different biomolecules has been developed. First experiments are described in which multiplex dyes in capillaries were identified by steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy using a diode laser system. In combination with a pattern recognition technique, a detection limit of about 100 molecules per 25 picoliters detection volume was determined. The possible application in DNA sequencing is discussed. Results from laser‐induced cell fusion experiments, in which the laser nanoscalpel and photonic tweezers techniques were combined, are also presented.

Regulation of IL-3 receptor expression: evidence for a post-transcriptional mechanism that dominantly suppresses the expression of beta subunits.

The IL-3 receptor (IL-3R) is composed of alpha and beta subunits. Two homologous beta subunits of IL-3R are present in the mouse: AIC2A is the IL-3 specific beta subunit, and AIC2B is the common beta subunit shared by IL-3, IL-5 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating (GM-CSF) factor receptors. Both beta subunits form functionally indistinguishable high-affinity IL-3Rs with the same IL-3R specific alpha subunit (IL-3R alpha or SUT-1). Cell surface expression of the alpha and beta subunits of IL-3R was found to be diminished in an IL-3 non-responsive variant (MC/9.IL-4) derived from an IL-3-dependent mast cell line, MC/9. This IL-3R-defective phenotype was dominant based on cell fusion experiments. Moreover, regulatory mechanisms of the alpha and beta subunits are distinct since cell hybrids between MC/9.IL-4 and a CTLL-2 transfectant (CTLL/AS) expressing AIC2A and IL-3R alpha showed a significantly reduced expression of the AIC2A mRNA, while the IL-3R alpha expression was unchanged. Since transcription of both AIC2A and IL-3R alpha cDNAs in the CTLL/AS was driven by an artificial promoter, SR alpha, and nuclear run-off assays showed similar transcriptional rates of the AIC2A gene in both CTLL/AS and the cell hybrids between MC/9.IL-4 and CTLL/AS, the dominant suppression of the beta subunits is post-transcriptional and sequence-specific. A target sequence of the negative regulator must be present within 2756 bases of AIC2A mRNA, which is transcribed from the transfected cDNA in CTLL/AS cells. Similar dominant suppression of the beta subunit expression was also found in a B cell line WEHI231. As the negative regulator suppresses expression of the beta subunits of IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSF receptors, it has the potential to eliminate all three high-affinity receptors simultaneously.

Suppression of Viral Transformation in Rat Embryo Fibroblast Cells Immortalized with Transforming Genes of Human Papillomavirus Type 16

The E6 and E7 genes of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) immortalize rat primary embryo fibroblast cells (REF) but do not transform them, irrespective of the expressions of the two genes. Previously, we reported that REF cells suppress the transformed phenotypes of a rat cell line transformed by the E6 and E7 genes of HPV16 in somatic hybrid cells. REF cells immortalized by HPV16 E6E7 genes (671 cells) also retained the ability to suppress E6E7-mediated transformation. Transformation of 671 cells by retroviruses containing middle T of polyomavirus, v-K- ras, or v- mos was also suppressed. 671 cells infected with retrovirus having middle T of polyomavirus (PyMLV) expressed sufficient middle T protein to transform a rat cell line. Cell fusion experiments showed that 671 cells suppressed transformation by middle T of polyomavirus without affecting the expression of middle T. These results suggest that REF cells immortalized by HPV 16 E6E7 genes possess an intracellular function that suppresses transformation not only by E6E7 genes but also by other viral oncogenes including middle T of polyomavirus.

RAG-1 and RAG-2 are not sufficient to direct all phases of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in pre-B-cell lines.

To probe the factors controlling immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement, we analyzed Abelson virus-transformed pre-B-cell lines that fail to undergo VH-to-DJH joining at an appreciable frequency. Despite this feature, some of these cell lines (rechi) rearrange an extrachromosomal recombination substrate at levels normal for transformed pre-B cells. Others (reclo) rearrange these substrates at levels characteristic of nonlymphoid hematopoietic cells. The DJH rearrangements from a representative rechi cell line were aberrant, suggesting that these cells probably fail to complete heavy-chain gene assembly because some of the necessary cis-acting signals are missing. In contrast, both DJH rearrangements from a reclo cell line appeared normal in structure, indicating that trans-acting factors necessary for recombination might be missing. Introduction of the RAG-1 and RAG-2 genes, genes encoding two such factors, failed to confer a rechi phenotype to these cells. However, fusion of the reclo cells to a rechi cell line generated a high frequency of rechi hybrids. In addition, most of the hybrids rearranged the endogenous kappa light-chain locus. Neither the rechi phenotype nor kappa-chain rearrangement correlated with levels of RAG-1 and RAG-2 expression in all of the hybrids. Thus, both gene transfer and cell fusion experiments indicate that RAG-1 and RAG-2 are not sufficient to activate immunoglobulin gene recombination in at least some pre-B-cell lines. In addition, the fusion experiments suggest that two gene products in addition to RAG-1 and RAG-2 may be required for kappa-gene rearrangement.

RAG-1 and RAG-2 are not sufficient to direct all phases of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in pre-B-cell lines.

To probe the factors controlling immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement, we analyzed Abelson virus-transformed pre-B-cell lines that fail to undergo VH-to-DJH joining at an appreciable frequency. Despite this feature, some of these cell lines (rechi) rearrange an extrachromosomal recombination substrate at levels normal for transformed pre-B cells. Others (reclo) rearrange these substrates at levels characteristic of nonlymphoid hematopoietic cells. The DJH rearrangements from a representative rechi cell line were aberrant, suggesting that these cells probably fail to complete heavy-chain gene assembly because some of the necessary cis-acting signals are missing. In contrast, both DJH rearrangements from a reclo cell line appeared normal in structure, indicating that trans-acting factors necessary for recombination might be missing. Introduction of the RAG-1 and RAG-2 genes, genes encoding two such factors, failed to confer a rechi phenotype to these cells. However, fusion of the reclo cells to a rechi cell line generated a high frequency of rechi hybrids. In addition, most of the hybrids rearranged the endogenous kappa light-chain locus. Neither the rechi phenotype nor kappa-chain rearrangement correlated with levels of RAG-1 and RAG-2 expression in all of the hybrids. Thus, both gene transfer and cell fusion experiments indicate that RAG-1 and RAG-2 are not sufficient to activate immunoglobulin gene recombination in at least some pre-B-cell lines. In addition, the fusion experiments suggest that two gene products in addition to RAG-1 and RAG-2 may be required for kappa-gene rearrangement.

Adenovirus transformation revenant resistant to retransformation by E1 but not by SV40-T and HPV16-E7 oncogenes

We have previously described a revertant cell line which expresses a dominant tumor suppressor phenotype to E1 but not to heterologous oncogenes such as c-myc, N-ras, or polyoma middle t (Sircar et al. (1988) Oncogene 3, 725–728). DNA tumor virus oncogenes have been suggested to transform cells via the common mechanism of sequestering the Rb-105 antioncoprotein. This paradigm would predict that our revertant cell line, which is resistant to retransformation by E1a, should also be resistant to the other members of the Rb-105 binding family of oncogenes. To test this hypothesis we transfected the revenant cell line with plasmids bearing SV40-T or the HPV16-E7 oncogenes. Because transformation was obtained by both oncogenes at efficiencies similar to the transformation of a related revertant cell line, the results suggest that the resistance phenotype is specific to E1a. This specificity was further confirmed by cell fusion experiments.

DNA radiation damage and asymmetric somatic hybridization: Is UV a potential substitute or supplement to ionising radiation in fusion experiments?

Recent reports have revealed that the asymmetric nature of the nuclear genome of somatic hybrids, produced following the irradiation of one of the parents with X‐ or gamma rays, is generally much less than had been anticipated. As a consequence, we have begun to investigate whether UV radiation might be used as an alternative or indeed a supplement to the presently‐used ionising radiation techniques in such experiments. Cell culture studies have revealed that UV radiation induces the desired physiological effects in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) protoplasts, namely, a prevention of cell division without immediate cytotoxicity. Preliminary studies using denaturing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis have shown that UV can also induce substantial physical fragmentation of DNA. When using the same techniques, less breakdown was observed following gamma radiation. All results were highly reproducible. Such results augur well for the potential use of UV in asymmetric somatic cell fusion experiments.

A mechanism generating heterogeneity in thyroid epithelial cells: suppression of the thyrotropin/cAMP-dependent mitogenic pathway after cell division induced by cAMP-independent factors.

The mechanisms that generate the intercellular heterogeneity of functional and proliferation responses in a tissue are generally unknown. In the thyroid gland, this heterogeneity is peculiarly marked and it has been proposed that it could result from the coexistence of genetically different subpopulations of thyrocytes. To evaluate the heterogeneity of proliferative responses in primary culture of dog thyrocytes, we asked whether the progeny of cells having incorporated 3H thymidine in a first period of the culture could have a distinct proliferative fate during a second labeling period (incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine revealed by immunofluorescence staining combined with autoradiography of 3H thymidine). No growth-prone subpopulations were detected and the great majority of cells were found to response to either EGF or thyrotropin (TSH) through cAMP. However, only a fraction of cells replicated DNA at one given period and a clustered distribution of labeled cells within the monolayer, which was different for thymidine- or bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells, indicates some local and temporal synchrony of neighboring cells. The TSH/cAMP-dependent division of thyrocytes preserved their responsiveness to both TSH and EGF mitogenic pathways. By contrast, cells that had divided during a momentary treatment with EGF lost the mitogenic sensitivity to TSH and cAMP (forskolin) but retained the sensitivity to EGF. Since cells that had not divided kept responsiveness to both TSH and EGF, this generated two subpopulations differing in mitogen responsiveness. The extinction of the TSH/cAMP-dependent mitogenic pathway was delayed (1-2 d) but stable. Cell fusion experiments suggest it was due to the induction of a diffusible intracellular inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent growth pathway. These findings provide a useful model of the generation of a qualitative heterogeneity in the cell sensitivity to various mitogens, which presents analogies with other epigenetic processes, such as differentiation and senescence. They shed a new light on the significance of the coexistence of different modes of cell cycle controls in thyroid epithelial cells.

Constitutive activity of the tumor necrosis factor promoter is canceled by the 3' untranslated region in nonmacrophage cell lines; a trans-dominant factor overcomes this suppressive effect.

The role of the mouse tumor necrosis factor (TNF) promoter, 5' untranslated region (UTR), and 3' UTR in TNF gene expression has been examined in three nonmacrophage cell lines (HeLa, NIH 3T3, and L-929). The TNF promoter is not macrophage-specific. On the contrary, it constitutively drives reporter gene expression in all three cell lines. Not only the full-length promoter but also truncated versions of the promoter, lacking NF-kappa B binding motifs, are active in each type of cell. The TNF 3' UTR effectively cancels reporter gene expression in HeLa cells and in NIH 3T3 cells but fails to block expression in L-929 cells. L-929 cells contain a factor that overcomes the inhibitory influence of the TNF 3' UTR. Its action depends upon the presence of sequences found in the TNF 5' UTR. Cell-fusion experiments reveal that this activator is trans-dominant. These studies highlight the essential role played by the TNF 3' UTR, which silences the TNF gene in cells that might otherwise express TNF. They also reveal the existence of an escape mechanism whereby inappropriate synthesis of TNF might occur.