Simian Sarcoma Virus Research Articles

A v-sis oncogene protein produced in bacteria competes for platelet-derived growth factor binding to its receptor.

The oncogene of simian sarcoma virus, v-sis, encodes a protein which is homologous to human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This v-sis-encoded protein was expressed in bacteria using an inducible promotor of lambda phage. Soluble extracts from these bacteria contained a substance which competed with 125I-PDGF for PDGF receptor sites in fibroblast membranes. The receptor competition activity was correlated with the presence of the v-sis-encoded protein as assessed by genetic and immunochemical criteria. These results directly demonstrate that the v-sis oncogene product is functionally related to PDGF.

Nucleotide sequence of the large terminal repeat of two different strains of gibbon ape leukemia virus

Gibbon ape leukemia virus, SEATO strain (GaLV-SEATO), a virus that induces myeloid leukemia in gibbon apes, and GaLV, San Francisco strain (GaLV-SF), a virus associated etiologically with lymphocytic leukemia in gibbon apes, have been molecularly cloned. The complete nucleotide sequence of the large terminal repeats (LTRs) of both viruses are reported and compared to the previously published nucleotide sequence of the LTR of another member of the same virus group, the simian sarcoma virus (SSV). Substantial homology is evident among all three LTR sequences. The most striking feature of the GaLV-SEATO LTR is the presence of a 45-bp tandem direct repeat in the U3 region, an area likely to contain transcriptional enhancers. Both GaLV-SEATO and GaLV-SF contain a deletion in U3 when compared to SSV. Each of the three LTRs differ from the other two by short deletions in R-U5 and short additions in U3, as well as by numerous point mutations. The possibility that the structural changes observed in the LTR contribute to the differences in the pathogenic effects of these viruses is discussed.

Simian sarcoma virus--transformed cells secrete a mitogen identical to platelet-derived growth factor.

Normal rat kidney (NRK) cells transformed by simian sarcoma virus (SSV) release into the culture medium a biologically active mitogen with properties identical to those of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Like PDGF, the growth factor derived from SSV-NRK cells was shown to be stable to heat and sensitive to reducing agents. It was capable of inhibiting binding of labeled PDGF to the receptor on human fibroblasts. It also stimulated the phosphorylation of the same membrane protein (185 kilodaltons) in isolated plasma membranes from human fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled proteins released by SSV-NRK cells showed that a 34-kilodalton protein was specifically precipitated by antiserum to PDGF. Upon reduction, this protein had a molecular size of 17 kilodaltons. PDGF has been shown to consist of two 14- to 18-kilodalton proteins linked by disulfide bonds.

Simian sarcoma virus transformation-specific glycopeptide: Immunological relationship to human platelet-derived growth factor

The simian sarcoma virus transformation-specific glycopeptide (SSV-TrSgp) represents a proteoglycan which is released from SSV-transformed cells and can be detected by an autologous goat serum against SSV nonproducer cells (SSV-NP serum) ( H.-J. Thiel, R. Hafenrichter, and B. Gregor, 1984, Virology, 134, 138–147). This antiserum has now been shown to react also with human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Antiserum to PDGF precipitated a glycosylated molecule from the tissue culture supernatant of SSV-NP cells. The respective antigen was identified as the SSV-TrSgp (after immunoprecipitation including enzymatic treatment with chondroitinases). The anti-SSV-TrSgp reactivity of both the anti-PDGF serum and the SSV-NP serum could be absorbed by pure PDGF. Therefore, the SSV-TrSgp is apparently immunologically related to human PDGF. Additional studies indicated that the SSV-TrSgp protein backbone and PDGF have very similar molecular weights.

Cellular transformation by coordinated action of three peptide growth factors from human platelets.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is known to be involved in regulating the mitosis of connective tissue cells, and recent studies have also shown that it may function in mediating cellular transformation. The oncogene carried by simian sarcoma virus, sis, is homologous to one chain of PDGF, and treatment of non-neoplastic cells with this growth factor results in increased transcription of another oncogene, myc (ref. 9). PDGF also stimulates the synthesis of proteins that are characteristic of transformed cells. However, phenotypic transformation does not appear to result from the action of PDGF alone. For example, expression of myc does not transform cells in the absence of other oncogene expression. We have recently shown that platelets contain another peptide growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)12,13, in addition to PDGF. We report here that extracts of human platelets can induce anchorage-independent growth of nonneoplastic rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts, but that purified PDGF alone does not elicit this effect. Rather, the transforming activity of the platelet extract is due to a concerted action of three distinct peptides: PDGF, TGF-ss and a newly identified analogue of epidermal growth factor (EGF).

The c-sis gene encodes a precursor of the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor.

The relationship between platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the proto-oncogene c-sis has been determined by amino acid sequence analysis of PDGF and nucleotide sequence analysis of c-sis genomic clones. The nucleotide sequences of five regions of the human c-sis gene which are homologous to sequences of the transforming region (v-sis) of simian sarcoma virus (SSV) were determined. By alignment of the c-sis and v-sis nucleotide sequences the predicted amino acid sequence of a polypeptide homologous to the putative transforming protein p28sis of SSV was deduced. Both predicted sequences use the same termination codon and additional coding sequences may lie 5' to the homologous regions. Amino acid sequence analysis of the PDGF B chain shows identity to the amino acid sequence predicted from the c-sis sequences over 109 amino acid residues. Polymorphism may exist at two amino acid residues. These results suggest that c-sis encodes a polypeptide precursor of the B chain. A partial amino acid sequence of the PDGF A chain is also described. This chain is 60% homologous to the B chain and cannot be encoded by that part of c-sis which has been sequenced but could be encoded by sequences which lie 5' to the five regions of v-sis homology in c-sis, or at a separate locus.

Nucleotide sequence analysis identifies the human c- sis proto-oncogene as a structural gene for platelet-derived growth factor

The simian sarcoma virus transforming gene, v- sis, encodes a protein, p28 sis , that is closely related to human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The human locus related to v- sis was cloned and shown to contain at least five exons corresponding to the v- sis coding region. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these exons revealed that the predicted amino acid sequence of human c- sis differed by 6% from that of the woolly monkey-derived v- sis. These findings imply that the sis proto-oncogene has been well conserved during primate evolution. By comparison of the known amino acid sequences of PDGF peptides with the predicted human c- sis protein, it was possible to demonstrate that this human proto-oncogene is the structural gene encoding one of the two major polypeptides of this potent mitogen for connective tissue cells.

Production of platelet-derived growth factor-like molecules and reduced expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptors accompany transformation by a wide spectrum of agents.

A series of nontransformed human and murine cells and derivative cell lines transformed by methylcholanthrene; by simian virus 40, Kirsten and Moloney murine sarcoma viruses, simian sarcoma virus, and adenovirus; and by a "spontaneous" event in culture were examined for the expression of receptors for the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and for production of substances able to compete with 125I-labeled PDGF for binding to the cell-surface PDGF receptor. In each case, transformation resulted in a 50-100% decrease in available PDGF receptors. All transformed cells except the methylcholanthrene-transformed mouse cells produce a PDGF competitor into the conditioned medium. Levels of PDGF competitor in conditioned medium at the end of a 48-hr collection were as high as 2 ng/ml--high enough to be measured by radioreceptor assay diluted 1:30 and to maximally stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation by human fibroblasts. The PDGF competitor activity detected in a radioreceptor assay does not reflect irreversible (e.g., proteolytic) damage to the receptor of test cells since its effects are reversed by acetic acid dissociation. Antiserum against human PDGF neutralizes 20-80% of the PDGF competitor found in conditioned medium from different transformed human cells and 100% of the activity from normal human endothelial cells. The possibility that induction of expression of the cellular PDGF gene may be involved in the mechanism of transformation of PDGF-responsive mesenchymal cells is discussed.

Transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by a human c-sis cDNA clone.

The mechanism of leukaemogenic transformation by human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV), a retrovirus implicated in the aetiology of certain adult T-cell leukaemias and lymphomas, is unknown but is conceivably associated with the expression of the cellular analogues of retroviral oncogenes. The HUT-102 cell line, derived from a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and infected with HTLV, expresses several cellular oncogenes. It is unusual among haemopoietic cell lines in that one of these is c-sis, the gene from which the oncogene v-sis of the simian sarcoma virus was derived, and perhaps the gene for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). To explore the possible role of c-sis expression in HTLV-induced disease, we have obtained cDNA clones of c-sis from HUT-102 cells. Here we describe two such clones and report that one of them transforms NIH-3T3 cells. This is the first example of transformation of NIH-3T3 cells by a human onc gene other than c-ras or Blym, as well as the first demonstration of transformation by a human cDNA clone.

Location of human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) p19 antigen on virus-producing cells.

Mouse monoclonal antibody to HTLV p19 was used to locate HTLV p19 on the surface of cells and virions by immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). When HTLV-producing cells HUT 102 (B2 clone), MT-2 and strain A were used as target cells, HTLV p19 was detected on the surface of cells and virions as spots or small sectors by both IFM and IEM. Cells infected with animal type-C retroviruses, e.g., gibbon ape leukemia virus, simian sarcoma virus, feline leukemia virus, and Gross murine leukemia virus, were completely negative for HTLVp19 expression. Other human T cells not producing HTLV, including HUT78 and HSB2-0, immature or pre-T cells (Molt-3) derived from leukemia patients, and fresh peripheral blood T cells from healthy persons, were also negative. In addition, B cells including Rob-B, IM-9, Raji, and BT-1 did not react with the monoclonal antibody to HTLV p19. In the light of the presence of HTLV p19 in the periphery of acetone-fixed HTLV-producing cells as shown by IFM, it seems most likely that HTLV p19 is an internal antigen of HTLV with part of its structure protruding out of the viral and cell membrane. The monoclonal antibody to HTLV p19 did not lyse HTLV-producing cells in the presence of complement, as expected, because the antibody is an IgG1. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also studied by the 51Cr-release assay. No cytotoxicity was observed. Although HTLV p19 does not contribute to the destruction of malignant T cells for treatment and/or virions for prophylaxis, this protein is an important marker for diagnosis of HTLV infection. The patterns of HTLV p19 expression described above were exactly the same for American HTLV-producing HUT 102 (B2 clone), for strain A cells and for Japanese HTLV-producing MT-2 cells. These results further substantiate the close relationship of the Japanese and American HTLV isolates.

A glioma-derived analog to platelet-derived growth factor: demonstration of receptor competing activity and immunological crossreactivity.

A human clonal glioma cell line, U-343 MGa Cl 2, cultured under serum-free conditions, was found to release a factor that competed with 125I-labeled platelet-derived growth factor (125I-PDGF) for binding to human foreskin fibroblasts. The concentration of competing activity in conditioned medium was equal to 20-30 ng of PDGF per ml. The PDGF receptor competing activity had an elution position on Sephadex G-200 close to that of tracer PDGF. The same fractions in the chromatogram also contained growth-promoting activity and material active in a PDGF radioimmunoassay. Incubation of partially purified, 125I-labeled glioma factor with fibroblasts, or rabbit anti-PDGF serum, led to the selective binding of a component with an estimated Mr of 31,000, as shown by NaDodSO4/gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions. After reduction this component migrated as a Mr 18,000 protein. Thus, the behavior in NaDodSO4/gel electrophoresis was similar to that of PDGF. Furthermore, incubation of partially purified glioma factor with immobilized PDGF antibodies markedly decreased the amount of PDGF receptor competing activity remaining in the supernatant. These results suggest that the factor produced by glioma cells has structural, immunological, and functional resemblance to PDGF. We previously reported that a human osteosarcoma cell line produces a PDGF-like molecule with growth-promoting activity. Taken together with the recent finding that PDGF is homologous to the transforming gene product of simian sarcoma virus, our present data give additional support for the idea that an autocrine activation of the PDGF receptor may be operational in the growth of human tumors of mesenchymal or glial origin.

Localization of the cellular oncogenes ABL, SIS, and FES on human germ-line chromosomes.

The human germ-line positions of the oncogenes ABL, SIS, and FES, the cellular counterparts of the v-onc genes of Abelson murine leukemia virus, simian sarcoma virus, and feline sarcoma virus, respectively, have been determined by in situ molecular hybridization of 3H-labeled v-onc gene probes to meiotic pachytene chromosomes. The position of ABL at 9q34.1 corresponds to the breakpoint in chromosome 9 in the translocation that gives rise to the Philadelphia chromosome, t(9;22) (q34; q11); the position of SIS at 22q13.1 is distal to the breakpoint in this chromosome. FES at 15q26.1 is also distal to the breakpoint in chromosome 15 in the translocation commonly seen in acute promyelocytic leukemia, t(15;17) (q24;q22).

Antisera to a synthetic peptide of the sis viral oncogene product recognize human platelet-derived growth factor.

It has recently been reported that the sequences of the sis oncogene of simian sarcoma virus (SSV) and of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are very similar, establishing the most solid link yet between the mitogenic actions of growth factors and the transforming proteins of retroviruses. To investigate molecular mechanisms of transformation I have produced antisera against synthetic peptides corresponding to segments of the protein sequences predicted by the nucleotide sequences of viral oncogenes. Applying this approach to the case of sis and PDGF, I report here the results of probing outdated human platelets with an antiserum directed against a synthetic peptide representing residues 139-155 of the predicted sequence of the SSV transforming protein, p28sis (ref. 3). I detected peptides of apparent molecular weights (MWs) 30,000 to 31,000 (30-31K) and 16-18K, which correspond to the apparent molecular weights of nonreduced and reduced PDGF. In addition, a peptide of MW 21,000 was detected in platelets and a protein of MW 56,000 was detected in SSV-infected marmoset cells.

Specific covalent binding of platelet-derived growth factor to human plasma alpha 2-macroglobulin.

Attempts to measure the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in human plasma resulted in the discovery of a specific plasma binding protein. The 125I-labeled PDGF (125I-PDGF)-plasma binding protein complex retained mitogenic activity but lost reactivity against rabbit anti-PDGF antiserum. Copurification of the plasma binding protein and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) in human plasma, the formation of a complex between 125I-PDGF and purified alpha 2M, and the comigration of the 125I-PDGF-plasma binding protein complex and the 125I-PDGF-alpha 2M complex in NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in pore-limiting polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis strongly suggested that alpha 2M is the plasma binding protein for 125I-PDGF. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-PDGF-alpha 2M and 125I-PDGF-plasma binding protein complexes by anti-human alpha 2M antiserum further established that alpha 2M and the plasma binding protein are the same molecule. Approximately 20% of 125I-PDGF is complexed by alpha 2M; further 125I-PDGF is complexed if the remaining 125I-PDGF is incubated with additional alpha 2M. Complex formation of 125I-PDGF with plasma or with alpha 2M was completely inhibited by 0.2 mM p-chloromercuric benzoate or 0.2 mM N-ethylmaleimide. The 125I-PDGF-alpha 2M complex or 125I-PDGF-plasma binding protein complex was not dissociated by 8 M urea, 1 M acetic acid, 0.1 M NaOH, or 1% NaDodSO4 but was dissociated by 2-mercaptoethanol, suggesting that the covalent binding of 125I-PDGF to alpha 2M occurs through a disulfide/sulfhydryl exchange reaction. The 125I-PDGF-alpha 2M complex (780,000 daltons) appears to contain two molecules of 125I-PDGF and two dimers of alpha 2M. The precise physiological role of the 125I-PDGF-alpha 2M interaction is unknown. alpha 2M may serve to limit PDGF released locally at sites of blood vessel injury. Alternatively, because of the nearly complete homology between the partial amino acid sequence of PDGF and the predicted amino acid sequence of the transforming protein of the simian sarcoma virus, p28sis, alpha 2M may play an important role in limiting the activity of a PDGF-like activity expressed by virus-transformed cells.

Protamine inhibits platelet derived growth factor receptor activity but not epidermal growth factor activity.

Protamine sulfate blocked 125I-PDGF binding to its specific physiological receptor on Swiss mouse 3T3 cells. Reduced 125I-PDGF binding in the presence of protamine sulfate correlated directly with a protamine sulfate dose-dependent decrease in the PDGF-dependent incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into 3T3 cells and a decreased PDGF-stimulated tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity in isolated membrane preparations of 3T3 cells. Protamine sulfate blocked 125I-PDGF binding to simian sarcoma virus transformed cells (SSV-NIH 3T3 and SSV-NP1 cells) and to nontransformed cells in a manner qualitatively identical to unlabelled PDGF. In contrast, protamine sulfate enhanced the specific binding of 125I-EGF by increasing the apparent number of EGF receptors on the cell surface. The increase in 125I-EGF receptor binding was not prevented by cycloheximide nor by actinomycin D. Protamine sulfate did not affect 125I-EGF binding to membranes from 3T3 cells or the EGF-stimulated 3T3 cell membrane tyrosine specific protein kinase activity, suggesting that protamine sulfate may have exposed a population of cryptic EGF receptors otherwise not accessible. Protamine sulfate was fractionated into four active fractions by Sephadex G-50 gel filtration columns; the half maximum inhibition concentration of 125I-PDGF binding to 3T3 cells of protamines I and II (MW approximately 11,000 daltons and 7,000 daltons, respectively) is approximately 0.4 microM. Protamine II (MW approximately 4,800 daltons) was equally active (half maximum inhibition concentration approximately 0.4 microM); protamine IV (MW approximately 3,300 daltons) was substantially less active (half maximum inhibition concentration approximately 2.8 microM). These investigations have extended previous observations that protamine sulfate is a potent inhibitor of PDGF binding and establish that protamine sulfate blocks PDGF binding at the physiological receptor, preventing PDGF initiated biological activities. Protamine sulfate can be used as a reagent to separate the influence of PDGF and EGF on cells with high specificity and has been used to demonstrate that the receptors on simian sarcoma virus transformed 3T3 cells qualitatively respond identically to protamine sulfate as to unlabelled PDGF and are likely identical to those on nontransformed 3T3 cells.

Synthesis of a PDGF-like growth factor in human glioma and sarcoma cells suggests the expression of the cellular homologue to the transforming protein of simian sarcoma virus

Several human normal and neoplastic cell lines were screened for production of PDGF receptor competing activity. Conditioned medium from two sarcomas and one glioma blocked 125I-PDGF binding to human foreskin fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. In each case this effect was abolished when the conditioned medium was pretreated with PDGF-antiserum, indicating that the receptor competing activity was immunologically related to PDGF. Direct evidence for de novo synthesis of a PDGF-like component in the cultures was afforded by 35S-cysteine labeling of the three cell lines, followed by immunoprecipitation with PDGF antiserum. This resulted in the specific precipitation of a 31,000 molecular weight labeled protein, which upon reduction was split into two polypeptides of molecular weights 17,000 and 16,500. The significance of these findings in view of the recently discovered structure homology between PDGF and the transforming gene product of simian sarcoma virus, p28 sis, is discussed.

Expression of a platelet-derived growth factor-like protein in simian sarcoma virus transformed cells.

The near identity of the partial amino acid sequence of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and that predicted for p28sis, the putative transforming protein of the simian sarcoma virus (SSV), suggests expression of a growth factor activity may be central for transformation by SSV. It is now reported that SSV-transformed cells but not control cells contain a growth factor activity that is identical to PDGF in immunoassay, in mitogenic dose response, and in specific mitogenic activity. The protein immunoprecipitated by antiserum to human PDGF has an apparent molecular weight of 20,000, identical to that of p20sis, the putative intracellular degradation product of p28sis. The results support the concept that expression of a PDGF-like molecule, which appears to be the product of the viral-sis gene, is responsible for the abnormal regulation of growth is SSV-transformed cells.

Human T‐cell leukemia virus type I: Induction of syncytia and inhibition by patients' sera

HTLV-producing T-cell lines induce cell fusion when co-cultivated with a wide variety of indicator cells, suggesting that HTLV envelope antigens interact with the membranes of many cell types. Serum antibodies from adult T-cell lymphoma-leukemia (ATL) patients inhibited the formation of syncytia, and sera from British, American and Japanese ATL patients inhibited cell fusion induced by American and Japanese HTLV isolates equally well. No serological cross-inhibition of syncytium induction was found between HTLV and bovine leukosis virus, Moloney murine leukemia virus and simian sarcoma-associated virus. A simple syncytium inhibition test in microtiter plates has been developed to provide a rapid screen for antibodies presumed to be specific to HTLV envelope glycoproteins.

Publishing flurry attends oncogene—growth factor link

In what of the principal investigators refers to as one of life's gentle ironies, two teams of researchers recently simultaneously announced the identification of a protein product of an oncogene ( Science 1983; 221:275-276; Nature 1983;304:35-39). The oncogene, sis , is associated with the simian sarcoma virus; its product appears to be plateletderived growth factor (PDGF). The linking of the two represents the first association of a previously identified oncogene with a protein known to have a normal physiological function—in this case, the stimulation of fibroblastic and neuroglial cell proliferation. The discovery has intriguing implications on several levels. It provides long-sought evidence that an oncogene codes for a cellular growth factor. Because PDGF stimulates growth in normal cells, its overproduction could be a factor in the genesis of tumor cells. This possibility is reinforced by the fact that sarcomas and gliomas, human tumors in which there is evidence of heavy sis

Genetic mapping of the mouse proto-oncogene c-sis to chromosome 15.

The mouse homolog (c-sis) of the transforming gene of the simian sarcoma virus was mapped to chromosome 15 by the Southern blot analysis of DNA's from hamster-mouse somatic cell hybrids. Alterations in c-sis expression may thus play a role in the various murine neoplastic diseases characterized by rearrangements or duplications of chromosome 15.