Hamster Somatic Cell Hybrids Research Articles

Biochemical and genetic identity of alpha-keto acid reductase and cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase from human erythrocytes.

We have recently shown that cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (MDH-s) from several non-human species catalyses the reduction of aromatic alpha-keto acids in the presence of NADH (Friedrich et al. 1987), an activity previously attributed to the enzyme aromatic alpha-keto acid reductase (KAR E.C.1.1.1.96). Here we present evidence that this also occurs in humans, and that the previously characterized human KAR is not the product of a genetically distinct locus. Human MDH-s and KAR activities co-migrate after starch gel electrophoresis, and electrophoretic variants of human MDH-s exhibited identical variation for KAR. Both enzymes show almost no electrophoretic variation among human populations of diverse origin. The reduction of aromatic alpha-keto acids is substantially inhibited by malate, the end-product of the MDH reaction. Antibodies raised against purified chicken MDH-s equally inhibited both MDH-s and KAR in chickens and humans. The bulk of the KAR activity in human blood appears to be due to MDH-s, with a minor fraction catalysed by LDH, as is the case in most other species studied. The previous assignment of a gene for KAR to human chromosome 12 in human/Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids is questioned because interspecific hybrid bands of both MDH-s and LDH appear with slightly different mobility approximately midway between the human and hamster controls in somatic cell hybrid studies, and the meaning of this artifact is discussed. The discovery that MDH reacts with intermediate metabolites of phenylalanine and tyrosine has implications in relation to the mechanism by which mental retardation may be produced in phenylketonuria (PKU), and the effect of MDH inhibition on oxidative phosphorylation in the various tyrosinaemias is discussed.

Simultaneous identification and banding of human chromosome material in somatic cell hybrids.

We have developed a method that identifies human chromosomes in human x hamster somatic cell hybrids and simultaneously bands these same metaphases. Other methods generally require separate slides for banding and detection of human chromosome material, making the precise characterization of human material difficult. Our procedure involves denaturing metaphase chromosomes, followed by in situ hybridization of biotinylated whole human DNA. Fluoresceinated avidin is then bound to the biotinylated DNA, staining the human chromosomes yellow-green when excited with UV light. Chromosome banding is achieved by staining the slides with DAPI and actinomycin D. The fluorescein and DAPI excite maximally at 488 and 355 nm and emit at 520 and 450 nm, respectively. This permits identification of the human material at one excitation wavelength and visualization of the banding patterns at another wavelength. With this procedure, we have successfully identified both intact and broken human chromosomes, as well as human material involved in human x hamster translocations. The results indicate that this procedure is more accurate and considerably more rapid than previous methods and can be routinely employed for the cytogenetic analysis of human x rodent hybrids.

Localization of the processed gene for human ceruloplasmin to chromosome region 8q21.13----q23.1 by in situ hybridization.

A processed gene for human ceruloplasmin has been localized to 8q21.13---q23.1 by in situ hybridization. This result confirms the assignment of this locus to chromosome 8 by Southern blot analysis using human x hamster somatic-cell hybrids and localizes the gene to the long arm of chromosome 8.

Localization of the murine λ 5 gene on chromosome 16

The chromosomal location of the murine λ 5 gene was analyzed by Southern hybridization using restriction enzyme-digested DNA from a panel of 15 mouse × hamster somatic cell hybrids. Sequences homologous with those of λ 5 DNA were detected in DNA of 5 hybrids. In all 5 hybrids λ 5 was contained in restriction fragments of equal sizes, the lengths of which indicated that the germline configuration of λ 5 with three exons and the restriction sites expected from its genomic structure were present. Southern hybridization with the murine λ 1 gene as a probe detected the same 5 hybrids as positive. The only mouse chromosome present on all of the positive hybrids, and absent from negative ones, was number 16. We conclude that λ 5 is situated on the same chromosome as λ 1, i.e., on the murine chromosome 16.

5 Persistence of fragmented mouse HSR chromatin in mouse-chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids resistant to actinomycin D

5 Persistence of fragmented mouse HSR chromatin in mouse-chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids resistant to actinomycin D

Three distinct epitopes of the human MSK20 cell surface antigen are expressed on human and nonhuman primate cells

Five monoclonal antibodies which indirectly agglutinate human rbc were isolated and designated 2D8, 4E12, 4H10, 5A8, and 5H5. Expression of the antigen denned by 2D8 was 100% concordant with the presence of human chromosome 19 in a panel of human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids. Secondary clones isolated from antigen positive hybrids exposed to antibody 2D8 and complement were shown to have lost both the cell surface antigen and chromosome 19. Small terminal deletions of 19p were observed in the karyotypes of two antigen negative clones that continued to express human GPI. All five monoclonal antibodies and the previously isolated F10 labelled the surface of parental cells and did not label the surface of deletion mutants, and the five monoclonal antibodies produced in this study inhibited the binding of F10 to the human rbc surface. Therefore, all must recognize the MSK20 cell surface antigen which was defined previously by antibody F10. Chimpanzee cells bind 5A8 and 5H5, orangutan cells bind 4E12, and neither bind 2D8 and 4H10. Therefore, the monoclonal antibodies produced in this study must recognize at least three distinct epitopes of the MSK20 cell surface antigen which are expressed on the human rbc.

Debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase: characterization of a new P450 gene subfamily, regulation, chromosomal mapping, and molecular analysis of the DA rat polymorphism.

Debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase (P450db1) was purified from rat liver microsomes. Polyclonal antibody was produced and, in conjunction with immunoblots, was used to identify and purify a second immunorelated P450 (P450db2) that does not have debrisoquine hydroxylating activity. The cDNA clones to db1 and db2 were isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library, sequenced, and found to share 78% nucleotide and 73% deduced amino acid similarities. These similarities are evenly dispersed along the sequence except for a region of 190 nucleotides with 99% similarity near the carboxyl terminus of the protein-coding region; this similarity is probably the remnant of a gene conversion event. Both proteins share between 38% and 43% amino acid similarity with P450a, P450b, P450e, P450f, P450PB1, and P450j; these data indicate that P450db1 and P450db2 are members of a separate subfamily within the P450II gene family. Southern blot analysis and preliminary genomic cloning suggest that at least four genes exist in the subfamily, although the present evidence suggests that only db1 and db2 are expressed in rat liver. With the use of 19 mouse X hamster somatic cell hybrids, the db1 and db2 genes were localized to mouse chromosome 15 (P450-2D locus). A polymorphism has been described for debrisoquine metabolism in the DA rat strain, adult females having markedly decreased debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase activity. Our immunoblot analysis and mRNA analysis suggest that debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase deficiency in the female DA rat is not due to a decrease in db1 protein or mRNA. The db1 and db2 proteins are differentially regulated: during development db2 is present at birth while db1 is absent, and db1 increases by 1 week of age; in addition, db1 is slightly induced by phenobarbital, 3-methyl-cholanthrene, and dexamethasone whereas db2 is marginally increased by these latter two agents. These results demonstrate that debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase is a member of a new constitutively expressed P450II sub-family containing two or more genes in the rat and establish that the debrisoquine polymorphism in the DA rat is probably due to a structurally altered db1 protein.

Close genetic and physical linkage between the murine haemopoietic growth factor genes GM-CSF and Multi-CSF (IL3).

The two murine haemopoietic growth factors, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and Multi-CSF (interleukin 3) stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of an overlapping set of haemopoietic progenitor cells and are produced coordinately following activation of T lymphocytes. Here we report the chromosomal location of the genes encoding these two factors. Initially both genes were assigned to chromosome 11 by analysis of mouse/Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids. Genetic analysis using an interspecies (Mus musculus X Mus spretus) back-cross confirmed this assignment by demonstrating that both the GM-CSF and Multi-CSF genes are genetically linked to the SPARC gene, which had been independently assigned to sub-band B1 of chromosome 11. Analysis of physical distances by pulsed field gel electrophoresis demonstrated further that the two CSF genes lie within 230 kb of each other. However examination of the subchromosomal region containing all three loci by pulsed field gel analysis showed that SPARC is at least 400-500 kb distant from the region containing the two CSF genes.

Localization of UDP glucuronosyltransferase gene(s) on mouse chromosome 5.

The drug-metabolizing UDP glucuronosyltransferases are encoded by genes which constitute a multigene family. One rat gene subfamily codes for at least four constitutive enzyme forms, including those which glucuronidate the androgenic steroids testosterone (UDPGTr-3) and androsterone (UDPGTr-4). In the present study, UDPGTr-3 and UDPGTr-4 cDNAs were used to demonstrate that an homologous subfamily is present in the mouse genome. Using mouse X Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids, we mapped at least one gene of this UDP glucuronosyltransferase subfamily (UDPGTr-3) to mouse chromosome 5 and suggest the name as the Udpgt-3 locus.

The gene for galactosyltransferase maps to mouse chromosome 4.

The chromosomal localization of the gene for UDP-galactosyltransferase (glycoprotein 4-B-galactosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.38) has been determined to be on mouse chromosome 4 by the use of mouse X hamster somatic cell hybrids. It has been proposed that galactosyltransferase is associated with the mouse T/t complex which has been localized to mouse chromosome 17. These results show that galactosyltransferase is not encoded within the T/t complex.

Assignment of mouse beta-spectrin gene to chromosome 12.

The structural gene for the beta-subunit of the mouse erythrocyte spectrin, hereinafter designated as Sp-b, was assigned to the mouse chromosome 12. This assignment was made by Southern analysis of genomic DNA from mouse X Chinese hamster hybrid cells using cloned mouse erythrocyte beta-spectrin cDNA as a probe. In the PstI-digested genomic hamster cell DNA a single band of 2.0 kb was detected, whereas PstI-digested mouse DNA gave a band of 4.2 kb, when probed with the mouse erythroid beta-spectrin cDNA clone. This allowed us to analyze a panel of mouse X Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids to map this gene to chromosome 12. Interestingly, this assignment is different from that observed for the alpha-subunit of spectrin, which has been mapped to chromosome 1 in mouse. These results serve as a basis for further genetic characterization of the mouse hemolytic anemias.

Genes for synapsin I, a neuronal phosphoprotein, map to conserved regions of human and murine X chromosomes.

Synapsin I is a neuron-specific phosphoprotein associated with the membranes of small synaptic vesicles. Its function is not entirely clear, but evidence points to a possible role in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Its biosynthesis is under developmental control. Assignment of the human synapsin I gene to the X chromosome at band Xp11 was accomplished by in situ hybridization, using a rat cDNA probe. Southern blot analysis of DNAs from a panel of human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids with defined regions of the human X chromosome confirmed the in situ mapping data. The mouse synapsin I gene was assigned to the X chromosome, proximal to band XD, by Southern blot analysis of Chinese hamster-mouse somatic cell hybrids with normal or rearranged mouse X chromosomes. In situ chromosomal hybridization experiments localized the mouse synapsin I gene more precisely to bands XA1----A4. These results add to the comparative gene map of mammalian species and support certain hypotheses regarding the evolutionary relationship between human and mouse X chromosomes. We hypothesize that the synapsin I gene could be mutated in human X-linked disorders with primary neuronal degeneration, such as the Rett syndrome.

A straightforward approach to isolate DNA sequences with potential linkage to the retinoblastoma locus.

From a human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrid a clone was derived containing chromosome 13 in duplicate as its only human material. This clone was used to construct a human chromosome 13-specific recombinant DNA-library. Overlapping Sau3AI DNA sequences (11.9-17.2 kb) from the cell hybrid were inserted into the lambda phage vector EMBL4. From eleven recombinants having a human insert thirteen putative unique DNA sequences were isolated and cloned into the plasmid vector pBR329. A human-mouse hybrid containing a human chromosome 13 with a deletion of 13q14 and lacking its undeleted homologue was constructed to be used in a selection procedure for DNA sequences belonging to band q14. Three probes originating from two different phages were assigned to 13q14 because they did not hybridise to DNA from this cell hybrid. One of these 13q14 probes detects a low frequency (2/44) MspI restriction fragment length polymorphism. The probes are now being used for screening a cosmid library to find adjacent polymorphic sequences with a RFLP information content suitable for application in the diagnosis of hereditary retinoblastoma.

Genetic analysis of a mouse t complex locus that is homologous to a kidney cDNA clone.

A mouse kidney cDNA clone, pMK174, identifies restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) that map to two unlinked loci. One, designated D17Rp17, has been mapped near quaking, (qk), on chromosome 17 using three sets of recombinant inbred (RI) strains. A study of several t haplotypes resulted in the identification of t-specific alleles of D17Rp17 that map to the proximal half of the t complex. Neither t-specific nor wild-type D17Rp17 alleles are present in chromosomes carrying either the T Orleans (TtOrl) or the T hairpin tail (Thp) deletions. Comparison with other molecular markers indicates that pMK174 identifies a new proximal t complex locus, Rp17. The second locus identified by pMK174, termed D4Rp18, is tentatively assigned to chromosome 4 by mouse-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrid analysis.

Assignment of a human beta-crystallin gene to 17cen-q23.

The gene map assignment of a human beta-crystallin gene to 17cen-q23 has been made using a bovine probe in the study of human-mouse and human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids containing parts of human chromosome 17.

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for human argininosuccinate lyase.

Using antibodies specific for argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1), we isolated two cDNA clones by screening a human liver cDNA library constructed in the lambda gt11 expression vector. The identity of these isolates was confirmed by in vitro translation of plasmid-selected mRNA. One of these isolates was used to rescreen the cDNA library and a 1565-base-pair (bp) clone was identified. The entire nucleotide sequence of this clone was determined. An open reading frame was identified which encoded a protein of 463 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 51,663. The clone included 115 bp of 5' untranslated sequence and 46 bp of 3' untranslated sequence. A canonical poly(A) addition site was present in the 3' end, 16 bp from the beginning of the poly(A) tract. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the human enzyme with that of the yeast enzyme revealed a 56% homology, when conservative amino acid changes were taken into consideration. The yeast protein is also 463 amino acids long, with a molecular weight of 51,944. By use of a genomic DNA panel from human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids, the human gene was mapped to chromosome 7. Another hybridizing region, corresponding to a portion of the 5' end of the cDNA, was found on chromosome 22.

Chromosomal assignment of the human erythropoietin gene and its DNA polymorphism.

Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein hormone, is the major physiological regulator of erythrocyte production in mammals. A cDNA clone containing the entire human EPO-coding region was used for Southern blot analysis of a series of human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids containing different combinations of human chromosomes. Synteny analysis revealed 100% concordance between the EPO gene and human chromosome 7. Further localization to the region q11-q22 was accomplished by in situ hybridization of 3H-labeled human EPO cDNA to metaphase chromosomes prepared from both human lymphocytes and the cell hybrid 879-2a that contained human chromosomes 5, 7, 9, 12, and 21. In addition, restriction fragment length polymorphisms were detected at a frequency of approximately 20% in a Chinese population using restriction enzymes either HindIII or HinfI. These polymorphisms were inherited in a Mendelian fashion. Thus, the EPO marker is reasonably polymorphic and should be useful in linkage analysis with other genetic markers on chromosome 7, including the locus for cystic fibrosis.

Chromosomal assignment of gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II in the mouse.

The gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II was mapped to mouse chromosome 11 by Southern blotting analysis of mouse-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization. This assignment extends the previously defined homology between mouse chromosome 11 and human chromosome 17.

The human C-reactive protein gene (CRP) and serum amyloid P component gene (APCS) are located on the proximal long arm of chromosome 1.

The genes encoding two pentraxins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid P component (SAP), are located on the proximal long arm of human chromosome 1. Mapping of the CRP and SAP genes between the centromere and band q32 was achieved by Southern blot analysis of DNA from a panel of human X Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids carrying defined fragments of human chromosome 1. Both genes were localized more precisely between bands q12 and q23 by in situ hybridization to human metaphase chromosomes.

Assignment of the human gene for beta-glycerol phosphatase to chromosome 8.

The segregation of the human gene for beta-glycerol phosphatase (GPB) was examined in human-Syrian hamster and human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids. Electrophoretic analysis of the GPB in hybrids suggested that the enzyme is a dimer. Human GPB cosegregated with chromosome 8 in the twenty-five hybrids examined.