Hygromycin-resistant Colonies Research Articles

Efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated stable genetic transformation of green microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02750-7.

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of Dictyosphaerium pulchellum for the expression of erythropoietin

Recombinant proteins are extensively used for a growing number of fields in biology. However, microalgal species have not been widely adopted as cell factories for recombinant protein production. Unique metabolic properties, ease of cultivation, fast growth rates, and continuous progress in genetic engineering of microalgae have raised interest in the use of microalgae species for recombinant protein production. Here, we report an Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system for the heterologous expression of a therapeutic protein, “erythropoietin,” in a nonmodel green microalga, Dictyosphaerium pulchellum. Hygromycin resistance gene (Hyg) was used as a selectable marker. The genetic transformation of D. pulchellum was performed in modified AF6 medium supplemented with 150 μM acetosyringone, co-cultivated for 48 h at 25 ± 2 °C and a light intensity of 18 ± 2 μmol photons m−2 s−1. Co-cultivation of D. pulchellum with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring the binary expression vector pCAMBIA1301-Hyg-EPO-Histag yielded hygromycin-resistant colonies on selective medium after 2–3 weeks. Gene integration into the D. pulchellum nuclear genome was confirmed by PCR amplification of T-DNA from the genomic DNA of hygromycin-resistant and wild-type strains. Interestingly, SDS-PAGE and subsequent Western blotting with His-tag monoclonal and anti-erythropoietin monoclonal antibodies revealed an EPO-specific signal slightly below 34 kDa. Furthermore, EPO gene expression and transgene copy numbers were estimated by quantitative real-time PCR. Approximately, 500 μg L−1 of extracellular recombinant erythropoietin protein was purified by His-tag affinity chromatography. The developed genetic transformation system would allow the metabolic engineering and a better alternative to produce recombinant therapeutic proteins from nonmodel freshwater microalgae species.

Efficient and simple generation of unmarked gene deletions in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Genetic research in molecular laboratories relies heavily on directed mutagenesis and gene deletion techniques. In mycobacteria, however, genetic analysis is often hindered by difficulties in the preparation of deletion mutants. Indeed, in comparison to the allelic exchange systems available for the study of other common model organisms, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli, mycobacterial gene disruption systems suffer from low mutant isolation success rates, mostly due to inefficient homologous recombination and a high degree of non-specific recombination. Here, we present a gene deletion system that combines efficient homologous recombination with advanced screening of mutants. This novel methodology allows for gene disruption in three consecutive steps. The first step relies on the use of phage Che9c recombineering proteins for directed insertion into the chromosome of a linear DNA fragment that encodes GFP and confers hygromycin resistance. In the second step, GFP positive and hygromycin resistant colonies are selected, and in the last step, the gfp-hyg cassette is excised from the chromosome, thus resulting in the formation of an unmarked deletion. We provide a detailed gene deletion methodology and demonstrate the use of this genetic system by deleting the prcSBA operon of Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Illegitimate recombination: An efficient method for random mutagenesis in Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis

BackgroundThe genus Mycobacterium (M.) comprises highly pathogenic bacteria such as M. tuberculosis as well as environmental opportunistic bacteria called non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). While the incidence of tuberculosis is declining in the developed world, infection rates by NTM are increasing. NTM are ubiquitous and have been isolated from soil, natural water sources, tap water, biofilms, aerosols, dust and sawdust. Lung infections as well as lymphadenitis are most often caused by M. avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH), which is considered to be among the clinically most important NTM. Only few virulence genes from M. avium have been defined among other things due to difficulties in generating M. avium mutants. More efforts in developing new methods for mutagenesis of M. avium and identification of virulence-associated genes are therefore needed.ResultsWe developed a random mutagenesis method based on illegitimate recombination and integration of a Hygromycin-resistance marker. Screening for mutations possibly affecting virulence was performed by monitoring of pH resistance, colony morphology, cytokine induction in infected macrophages and intracellular persistence. Out of 50 randomly chosen Hygromycin-resistant colonies, four revealed to be affected in virulence-related traits. The mutated genes were MAV_4334 (nitroreductase family protein), MAV_5106 (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), MAV_1778 (GTP-binding protein LepA) and MAV_3128 (lysyl-tRNA synthetase LysS).ConclusionsWe established a random mutagenesis method for MAH that can be easily carried out and combined it with a set of phenotypic screening methods for the identification of virulence-associated mutants. By this method, four new MAH genes were identified that may be involved in virulence.

Development of a green fluorescent tagged strain of Aspergillus carbonarius to monitor fungal colonization in grapes

An enhanced green fluorescent protein has been used to tag an OTA-producing strain of Aspergillus carbonarius (W04-40) isolated from naturally infected grape berries. Transformation of the fungus was mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The most efficient transformation occurred when the co-cultivation was done with 10(4) conidia due to higher frequency of resistance colonies (894 per 10(4) conidia) and lower background obtained. To confirm the presence of the hph gene in hygromycin resistant colonies, 20 putative transformants were screened by PCR analysis. The hph gene was identified in all the transformants. Variation on the expression levels of the eGFP was detected among the transformants and 50% of them appeared bright green fluorescent under the microscope. Microscopic analysis of all the bright fluorescent transformants revealed homogeneity of the fluorescent signal, which was clearly visible in the hyphae as well as in the conidia. eGFP expression in A. carbonarius was shown to be stable in all transformants. Confocal Laser scanning microscopy images of grape berries infected with the eGFP transformant demonstrated fungal penetration into the berry tissues. OTA production was importantly increased in the eGFP transformant in comparison with the wild type strain and pathogenicity on grape berries was slightly decreased after four days of inoculation. However, no differences in virulence were found after seven days of inoculation, thus allowing utilization of this eGFP mutant for in situ analysis of A. carbonarius infection of grape berries. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the construction of a GFP-tagged strain belonging to Aspergillus section Nigri for monitoring Aspergillus rot on grape berries.

Slow-growing heterokaryons as potential intermediates in supernumerary chromosome transfer between biotypes of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The vegetative transfer of a supernumerary chromosome between two biotypes (A and B) of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides pathogenic on Stylosanthes spp. has been previously demonstrated. The mechanism of transfer is unknown, and transient heterokaryosis has been implicated as an intermediary step, but inter-biotype heterokaryons have not so far been isolated. Conidia of a hygromycin-resistant strain of biotype A and a phleomycin-resistant strain of biotype B were mixed, co-cultured and plated on media containing both antibiotics and extremely slow-growing colonies resistant to both antibiotics isolated using repeated hyphal tip sub-culturing. Mononucleate conidia derived from these colonies were unable to germinate on media containing both antibiotics, but were able to germinate on media containing only one antibiotic, with hygromycin-resistant colonies predominating, indicating that unbalanced heterokaryons had formed. The heterokaryons had highly impaired growth rates suggesting some incompatibility. DNA marker analysis confirmed their heterokaryon status. These results demonstrate that unfit inter-biotype heterokaryons can form and potentially provide an intermediate step for supernumerary chromosomal exchange.

<i>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</i>-mediated transformation of the violet root-rot fungus, <i>Helicobasidium mompa</i>, and the effect of activated carbon

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) has been successfully applied to the violet root-rot fungus Helicobasidium mompa, which is the causal agent of violet root-rot disease. The A. tumefaciens strains carried a binary plasmid vector containing the hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) controlled by the heterologous fungal Agaricus bisporus P-gpd (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) promoter and the trpC terminator. The transformation system was optimized using defined cocultivation conditions. When H. mompa strain V17 was cocultivated with A. tumefaciens strain AGL-1 using 5% agar, we obtained more hygromycin-resistant colonies than with strains EHA105 or MAFF301222 using 2% agar. In addition, our results suggest that the activated carbon is necessary in ATMT to reduce background growth of H. mompa. The presence of the hph gene in transformants was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and single-copy integration of the marker gene was demonstrated by Southern blot analysis. Thus, the ATMT system can be considered a promising tool for insertional mutagenesis studies of H. mompa

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the violet root-rot fungus, Helicobasidium mompa, and the effect of activated carbon

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) has been successfully applied to the violet root-rot fungus Helicobasidium mompa, which is the causal agent of violet root-rot disease. The A. tumefaciens strains carried a binary plasmid vector containing the hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) controlled by the heterologous fungal Agaricus bisporus P-gpd (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) promoter and the trpC terminator. The transformation system was optimized using defined cocultivation conditions. When H. mompa strain V17 was cocultivated with A. tumefaciens strain AGL-1 using 5% agar, we obtained more hygromycin-resistant colonies than with strains EHA105 or MAFF301222 using 2% agar. In addition, our results suggest that the activated carbon is necessary in ATMT to reduce background growth of H. mompa. The presence of the hph gene in transformants was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and single-copy integration of the marker gene was demonstrated by Southern blot analysis. Thus, the ATMT system can be considered a promising tool for insertional mutagenesis studies of H. mompa

Establishing Molecular Tools for Genetic Manipulation of the Pleuromutilin-Producing FungusClitopilus passeckerianus

We describe efficient polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems for a pharmaceutically important basidiomycete fungus, Clitopilus passeckerianus, which produces pleuromutilin, a diterpene antibiotic. Three dominant selectable marker systems based on hygromycin, phleomycin, and carboxin selection were used to study the feasibility of PEG-mediated transformation of C. passeckerianus. The PEG-mediated transformation of C. passeckerianus protoplasts was successful and generated hygromycin-resistant transformants more efficiently than either phleomycin or carboxin resistance. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with plasmid pBGgHg containing hph gene under the control of the Agaricus bisporus gpdII promoter led to hygromycin-resistant colonies and was successful when homogenized mycelium and fruiting body gill tissue were used as starting material. Southern blot analysis of transformants revealed the apparently random integration of the transforming DNA to be predominantly multiple copies for the PEG-mediated system and a single copy for the Agrobacterium-mediated system within the genome. C. passeckerianus actin and tubulin promoters were amplified from genomic DNA and proved successful in driving green fluorescent protein and DsRed expression in C. passeckerianus, but only when constructs contained a 5' intron, demonstrating that the presence of an intron is prerequisite for efficient transgene expression. The feasibility of RNA interference-mediated gene silencing was investigated using gfp as a target gene easily scored in C. passeckerianus. Upon transformation of gfp antisense constructs into a highly fluorescent strain, transformants were recovered that exhibited either reduced or undetectable fluorescence. This was confirmed by Northern blotting showing depletion of the target mRNA levels. This demonstrated that gene silencing is a suitable tool for modulating gene expression in C. passeckerianus. The molecular tools developed in this study should facilitate studies aimed at gene isolation or characterization in this pharmaceutically important species.

HIV-1 VPR impairs cell growth through the inactivation of two genetically distinct host cell proteins

The most widely recognized property of the HIV-1 Vpr auxiliary protein is its ability to arrest cell cycle progression at the G2 phase, which eventually triggers an apoptotic response. There is a long standing controversy as to whether Vpr might exhibit cytopathic activity independently of its G2 arrest property. We developed a clonogenic assay based on the expression of wild-type and mutant versions of Vpr using an EBV-based episome carrying a hygromycin resistance selection marker. Expression of the wt Vpr protein abrogated the formation of hygromycin-resistant cell colonies, confirming that long-term expression of Vpr is lethal in dividing cells. We previously showed that Vpr promotes G2 arrest through the recruitment of the DCAF1 adaptor of the Cul4A ubiquitin ligase. Intriguingly, several HIV-1 Vpr mutants, which are devoid of G2 arrest properties but conserve DCAF1 binding, strongly reduced the formation of hygromycin-resistant cell colonies. Long term expression of these mutants induced G1 arrest and apoptosis. Thus Vpr expression can cause cell death independently of its G2 arrest activity. Disruption of the DCAF1-binding function of Vpr restored efficiency of colony formation indicating that recruitment of DCAF1 is required for this second cytotoxic activity of Vpr. However, DCAF1 binding is not sufficient to confer cytopathicity since Vpx from HIV-2/SIVsm does not impair colony formation. Altogether our data indicate that Vpr exhibits two dictinct cytotoxic activities in dividing cells, which both require the recruitment of DCAF1. Based on the current view of Vpr mechanism of action, i.e. hijacking of the host ubiquitination machinery, Vpr likely induces the proteasome-mediated degradation of two host proteins which are independently required for proper cell growth. This work was supported by grants from ANRS, Sidaction, Fondation de France and Mairie de Paris.

Regulation of Myoblast Motility and Fusion by the CXCR4-associated Sialomucin, CD164

Myoblast fusion is fundamental to the development and regeneration of skeletal muscle. To fuse, myoblasts undergo cell-cell recognition and adhesion and merger of membranes between apposing cells. Cell migration must occur in advance of these events to bring myoblasts into proximity, but the factors that regulate myoblast motility are not fully understood. CD164 is a cell surface sialomucin that is targeted to endosomes and lysosomes via its intracellular region. In hematopoietic progenitor cells, CD164 forms complexes with the motility-stimulating chemokine receptor, CXCR4, in response to the CXCR4 ligand, CXCL12/SDF-1 (Forde, S., Tye, B. J., Newey, S. E., Roubelakis, M., Smythe, J., McGuckin, C. P., Pettengell, R., and Watt, S. M. (2007) Blood 109, 1825-1833). We have previously shown that CD164 stimulates myotube formation in vitro. We report here that CD164 is associated with CXCR4 in C2C12 myoblasts. Cells in which CD164 levels are increased or decreased via overexpression or RNA interference-mediated knockdown, respectively, show enhanced or reduced myotube formation and cell migration, the latter both basally and in response to CXCL12/SDF-1. Furthermore, expression of CD164 cytoplasmic tail mutants that alter the endosome/lysosome targeting sequence and, consequently, the subcellular localization in myoblasts, reveals a similar correlation between cell motility and myotube formation. Finally, Cd164 mRNA is expressed in the dorsal somite (the early myogenic compartment of the mouse embryo) and in premuscle masses. Taken together, these results suggest that CD164 is a regulator of myoblast motility and that this property contributes to its ability to promote myoblast fusion into myotubes.

Alloanatigenic Reactions after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Induce Genomic Alterations in Epithelial Cells as Shown in Human Studies and in an In Vitro Model.

Previous studies from our group demonstrated frequent genomic alterations measured by microsatellite instability (MSI) in non-neoplastic epithelial tissues of patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) (Blood 2006; 107:3389–3396). These genomic alterations were found only after allogeneic but not after autologous HCT, and therefore we hypothesized that an “allogeneic” effect is substantially involved in the mutation process. We extended our previous analyses by examining 210 bucall swabs obtained from 70 patients between day (d+) 26 and d+3514 after allogeneic HCT for the presence of MSI. MSI analysis was performed by PCR and denaturing capillary electrophoresis at three tetranucleotide (THO-1, SEE33, D14S120) and three mononucleotide microsatellite (ZP3, BAT26, SRY) loci. MSI was found in the buccal smears of 38% allografted patients (median time of occurence 322 days). In a prospective trial, in which patients were followed from time before transplantation until d+365, 5 out of 14 (35%) patients exhibited MSI after transplantation although all of them showed stable microsatellites before transplantation. We are currently pefroming statistical analyses in order to identify which clinical factors influence the presence of MSI and we will present the data in the meeting. To test the hypothesis that an “alloantigenic” effect is responsible for th induction of MSI, we developed a model system in which keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells were transfected with a palsmid vector which carries a G418 (neo) selectable marker and a microsatellite repeat (CA) that places the sequence for Hygromycin Resistance (HygR) out of frame for protein translation. In this reporter system, DNA slippage mutations can restore the HygR reading frame and become detectable by hygromycin treatment as hygromycin resistant (HygR+) colonies. Pools of stably transfected (neo+) HaCaT cells were treated with supernatant (SN) of major histocompatibility complex nonmatched mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) and assayed for HygR+ colonies 48h later. Cells transfected with a control, in-frame hygromycin B gene construct (p12) were used as positive controls. Using this system, we found that HaCaT cells aquire hygromycin resistance after treatment with supernatatant from MLC. Treatment of cells with hydrogen hyperoxid which has been shown in a E. Coli system to induce MSI (PNAS 1998, 95:12468–12473) generated HygR+ colonies at a >80% lower frequency than the SN-MLC treatment. Control p12 transfected cells were grown with high efficiency in the presence of hygromycin B. In summary, our in vivo data confirm our previous results and provide evidence of genomic alterations after allogeneic HCT and our in vitro data are compatible with the hypothesis that an “alloantigenic” factor is the driving force in producing detectable MSI in the allografted patients. Elucidating the ultimate mechanisms underlying the genomic instability following allogeneic HCT may prove to be of major therapeutic value.

Small interfering RNA-mediated inhibition of hepatitis G virus gene expression in human hepatoma cell Huh-7

The RNA interference (RNAi) phenomenon is a recently observed process in which the introduction of a double-stranded, small interfering RNA (siRNA) into a cell causes the specific degradation of a homologous single-stranded RNA. It represents an exciting new technology that could have therapeutic applications for the treatment of viral infections. Since hepatitis G virus (HGV) genome is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA, the replication of HGV does not lead to an integrated DNA genome, suggesting a particularly attractive target for RNAi study that could eliminate viral RNA from infected cells. The eukaryotic expression vector pVAX.EH containing the cDNA sequences of the entire HGV structural genes and hygromycin resistance gene downstream from the encephalomyocarditis virus (ECMV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) was constructed and transfected into human hepatoma cell Huh-7. The modified cleavage products of the structural proteins of HGV expressed in hygromycin-resistant cell line Huh-7-EH were confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot methods. Two specific HGV E2 siRNAs (1-E2 siRNA, 2-E2 siRNA) synthesized with T7 RNA polymerase by transcription in vitro were transfected into the Huh-7-EH cells. With the analyses of Western blot and the formation of hygromycin-resistant colonies, the inhibitions of expression of HGV structural protein by two HGV E2 siRNAs were detected and found lasting at least one week. The inhibition of 2-E2 siRNA was stronger and only 1% of the cells treated with 2-E2 siRNA formed hygromycin-resistant colonies. These results support that specific HGV 2-E2 siRNAs mediate the degradation of mRNA spanning from HGV structural gene cDNA to hygromycin resistance gene in a majority of cells. In conclusion, the Huh-7-EH cells expressing HGV structural proteins stably can be used as a cell model for studying the replication of HGV and RNAi and the enlargement of RNAi may exist, in mammalian cells.

TATA-binding Protein-associated Factor 7 Regulates Polyamine Transport Activity and Polyamine Analog-induced Apoptosis

Identification of the polyamine transporter gene will be useful for modulating polyamine accumulation in cells and should be a good target for controlling cell proliferation. Polyamine transport activity in mammalian cells is critical for accumulation of the polyamine analog methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) that induces apoptosis, although a gene responsible for transport activity has not been identified. Using a retroviral gene trap screen, we generated MGBG-resistant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to identify genes involved in polyamine transport activity. One gene identified by the method encodes TATA-binding protein-associated factor 7 (TAF7), which functions not only as one of the TAFs, but also a coactivator for c-Jun. TAF7-deficient cells had decreased capacity for polyamine uptake (20% of CHO cells), decreased AP-1 activation, as well as resistance to MGBG-induced apoptosis. Stable expression of TAF7 in TAF7-deficient cells restored transport activity (55% of CHO cells), AP-1 gene transactivation (100% of CHO cells), and sensitivity to MGBG-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of TAF7 in CHO cells did not increase transport activity, suggesting that TAF7 may be involved in the maintenance of basal activity. c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase inhibitors blocked MGBG-induced apoptosis without alteration of polyamine transport. Decreased TAF7 expression, by RNA interference, in androgen-independent human prostate cancer LN-CaP104-R1 cells resulted in lower polyamine transport activity (25% of control) and resistance to MGBG-induced growth arrest. Taken together, these results reveal a physiological function of TAF7 as a basal regulator for mammalian polyamine transport activity and MGBG-induced apoptosis.

Effect of Heat Shock Treatment on Hordeum Vulgare Protoplast Transformation Mediated by Polyethylene Glycol

The stable transformation of barley protoplasts has been observed in cv. Dissa by PEG-mediated pGL2 plasmid DNA uptake containing hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene under the control of 35S transcript of CaMV. Hygromycin resistant colonies were obtained, when protoplasts were incubated with hygromycin B (25 μg cm−3) at 3 – 4 cell stage. Heat shock treatment, prior to polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment, markedly increased the protoplast transformation frequency. The presence of active hph gene product, and integration of hph gene was confirmed by hygromycin assay and Southern blotting, respectively. Analysis indicated that rearrangement had possibly occurred during the integration of plasmid DNA into genomic DNA of barley callus. These transformed calli showed no morphogenic response onto the regeneration medium.

Efficient transformation of lavender (Lavandula latifolia Medicus) mediated by Agrobacterium

SummaryA stable transformation system has been established in lavender (Lavandula latifolia Medicus) using Agrobacterium. Friable calli with high regeneration ability induced from leaf explant were infected with three strains of A. tumefaciens, and spread over the filter paper placed on the bacterial elimination medium containing 500 mg l–1 cefotaxime. After 7 d of culture, the filter paper with infected calli was transferred to the selection medium containing 50 mg l–1 hygromycin and 200 mg l–1 cefotaxime. One month after the transfer, many hygromycin-resistant colonies were obtained irrespective of the difference in A. tumefaciens strains used for infection. The most efficient bacterial strain was LBA4404 (pTOK233), and the addition of acetosyringone to the co-cultivation medium increased the transformation efficiency. About 90% of the hygromycin-resistant calli obtained were GUS-positive in X-gluc histochemical analysis. Introduction of foreign genes into the genome of plants regenerated from hygromycin-resistant calli was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. The transformation efficiency using the friable calli was much higher than that using leaf explants.

Mutations in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase D,D(35)E motif do not eliminate provirus formation.

The core domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) contains a D,D(35)E motif, named for the phylogenetically conserved glutamic acid and aspartic acid residues and the invariant 35 amino acid spacing between the second and third acidic residues. Each acidic residue of the D,D(35)E motif is independently essential for the 3'-processing and strand transfer activities of purified HIV-1 IN protein. Using a replication-defective viral genome with a hygromycin selectable marker, we recently reported that a mutation at any of the three residues of the D,D(35)E motif produces a 10(3)- to 10(4)-fold reduction in infectious titer compared with virus encoding wild-type IN (A. D. Leavitt et al., J. Virol. 70:721-728. 1996). The infectious titer, as measured by the number of hygromycin-resistant colonies formed following infection of cells in culture, was less than a few hundred colonies per microg of p24. To understand the mechanism by which the mutant virions conferred hygromycin resistance, we characterized the integrated viral DNA in cells infected with virus encoding mutations at each of the three residues of the D,D(35)E motif. We found the integrated viral DNA to be colinear with the incoming viral genome. DNA sequencing of the junctions between integrated viral DNA and host DNA showed that (i) the characteristic 5-bp direct repeat of host DNA flanking the HIV-1 provirus was not maintained, (ii) integration often produced a deletion of host DNA, (iii) integration sometimes occurred without the viral DNA first undergoing 3'-processing, (iv) integration sites showed a strong bias for a G residue immediately adjacent to the conserved viral CA dinucleotide, and (v) mutations at each of the residues of the D,D(35)E motif produced essentially identical phenotypes. We conclude that mutations at any of the three acidic residues of the conserved D,D(35)E motif so severely impair IN activity that most, if not all, integration events by virus encoding such mutations are not IN mediated. IN-independent provirus formation may have implications for anti-IN therapeutic agents that target the IN active site.

IL-1alpha gene-transfected human melanoma cells increase tumor-cell adhesion to endothelial cells and their retention in the lung of nude mice.

The interleukin-1alpha(IL-1) gene was introduced by retroviral gene transfer into the A375P human melanoma cell line. Two hygromycin-resistant colonies, colony 3 and colony 6, which respectively do not and do express and release IL-1, were selected on the basis of Northern blot and ELISA. Both colonies adhered to resting human endothelial cells (EC) to the same extent. Pre-treatment of EC for 6 hr with conditioned medium (CM) from colony 6, but not from colony 3, increased the adhesion of A375P melanoma and HT-29 colon-carcinoma cells to EC. This increase was blocked by adding interleukin-l-receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) to the EC monolayer. Treatment of EC with colony-6-CM increased the expression of intercellular-adhesion molecule I (ICAM-1), vascular-cell-adhesion molecule I (VCAM-1) and E-selectin. Co-cultivation of colony-6 but not colony-3 melanoma cells with EC caused time-dependent increased expression of these adhesion proteins, reflecting their kinetics of expression on EC. Treating the EC with monoclonal antibodies to VCAM-1 and E-selectin abolished the colony-6-CM-induced increase in adhesion respectively to A375P melanoma and HT-29 colon-carcinoma cells. In vivo, i.v. injection of colony-6 cells in nude mice increased the expression of VCAM-1 on lung microvascular EC. The retention of radiolabeled A375P melanoma cells in the lung was increased in nude mice primed with colony-6 cells, but not with colony-3 cells, injected 6 hr earlier. These results demonstrate that IL-1 produced constitutively by transformed A375P melanoma cells is functionally active, inducing adhesion molecules on EC that enhance their adhesiveness for tumor cells and increase tumor-cell retention in the lung of nude mice.

Hypersensitivity to diphtheria toxin by mouse cells expressing both diphtheria toxin receptor and CD9 antigen.

DTS-II is a highly diphtheria toxin (DT)-sensitive cell line previously isolated by transfection of wild-type DT-resistant mouse L-M(TK-) cells with the cDNA encoding a monkey Vero cell DT receptor. DTS-II cells are as toxin-sensitive as Vero cells, have approximately 3-fold more receptors than Vero cells, and have approximately 10-fold lower affinity for DT than Vero cells. We now cotransfected DTS-II cells with a plasmid containing the Vero cell cDNA coding for CD9 antigen (pCD9) and with a plasmid containing the gene for hygromycin resistance (pHyg). The stably transfected hygromycin-resistant colonies were screened for DT hypersensitivity employing a replica plate system. A DT-hypersensitive colony was isolated and purified. The purified DT-hypersensitive cells, DTS-III, (i) are approximately 10-fold more toxin-sensitive than DTS-II and Vero cells and (ii) bear approximately 10(6) DT receptors per cell (i.e., approximately 20-fold and approximately 60-fold more receptors than DTS-II and Vero cells, respectively), but their receptor affinity is still approximately 10-fold lower than that of Vero cells. Cross-linking experiments employing 125I-labeled DT demonstrated that DTS-II and DTS-III cells have essentially the same profile of DT-binding cell-surface protein(s), suggesting that CD9 antigen, although expressed on the cell surface of DTS-III cells, may not be in close proximity to the DT-binding domain of the receptor. CD9 may affect DT receptor expression by increasing receptor density at the cell surface. By employing DTS-III cells it should be possible to purify and characterize the DT cell-surface receptor protein(s).

Transformation ofBipolaris sorokinianawith the GUS gene and Use for Studying Fungal Colonization of Barley Roots

Bipolaris sorokiniana, a fungal pathogen of cereals, was transformed with the GUS (β-glucuronidase) gene, using a plasmid (pGUS5) containing GUS A with the constitutive promotor GPD-1 and a hygromycin-resistance gene (hph) under the control of the same promotor. Hygromycin resistance was used as the selectable marker. Colonies growing on medium with hygromycin were obtained at a frequency of 6.5×10 -7 per viable fungal protoplast. Nineteen out of 20 tested hygromycin-resistant colonies were also GUS positive. Transformants that showed a stable expression of GUS activity and hygromycin resistance after several conidiation cycles and several months of growth on nonselective medium could be selected [...]