The immunosuppressant SR 31747 blocks cell proliferation by inhibiting a steroid isomerase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

SR 31747 is a novel immunosuppressant agent that arrests cell proliferation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SR 31747-treated cells accumulate the same aberrant sterols as those found in a mutant impaired in delta 8- delta 7-sterol isomerase. Sterol isomerase activity is also inhibited by SR 31747 in in vitro assays. Overexpression of the sterol isomerase-encoding gene, ERG2, confers enhanced SR resistance. Cells growing anaerobically on ergosterol-containing medium are not sensitive to SR. Disruption of the sterol isomerase-encoding gene is lethal in cells growing in the absence of exogenous ergosterol, except in SR-resistant mutants lacking either the SUR4 or the FEN1 gene product. The results suggest that sterol isomerase is the target of SR 31747 and that both the SUR4 and FEN1 gene products are required to mediate the proliferation arrest induced by ergosterol depletion.

P73 expression in basal layers of head and neck squamous epithelium: a role in differentiation and carcinogenesis in concert with p53 and p63?

P73, a p53-homologue gene, has been studied for its possible role in head and neck squamous epithelium (HNSE) differentiation and carcinogenesis. P73 RNA and protein were analysed in 50 biopsies, including well- and moderately-differentiated carcinomas, and 21 matched normal adjacent tissues. P73 immunohistochemical analyses revealed intense p73 nuclear staining in basal and parabasal cells of normal squamous epithelium, in contrast with complete absence of staining in the more superficial cell layers. Moderately-differentiated carcinomas demonstrated homogeneous and diffuse staining in all tumour cells, while only basal cells were stained in well-differentiated carcinomas as in normal tissue. No correlation was observed between p73 and p53 protein expression. Immunostaining for p63, another p53-related protein previously described as being involved in HNSE morphogenesis and overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), was found to be similar to p73 labelling in carcinomas, but spread to the more differentiated layers in normal epithelium. Biallelic expression of p73 was found in tumours as well as in matched normal tissues. Comparison of p73 transcript levels between tumours and normal tissues showed decreased mRNA expression in 5/17 (30%) tumours independently of the differentiation status. Mutation and loss of heterozygosity analyses of the p73 gene revealed wild type status and no deletion. Our results strongly suggest that: (i) p73 is associated with homeostasis and control of differentiation of head and neck squamous epithelium probably in concert with p53 and p63; (ii) down-regulation of p73 expression could participate in HNSE carcinogenesis.

Loss of heterozygosity, allele silencing and decreased expression of p73 gene in breast cancers: prevalence of alterations in inflammatory breast cancers.

The p73 gene is a p53 homologue located at 1p36-33, a region submitted to deletions in breast cancer (BC) and putatively imprinted. To study whether p73 was associated with breast carcinogenesis, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), allele expression and transcript levels were assessed in 59 BC, including 39 BC presenting no inflammatory symptoms (NBC) and 20 inflammatory BC (IBC). IBC is a rare but aggressive form of cancer with a very poor prognosis. Normal breast epithelium (BE) and lymphocytes from patients were used as controls. StyI polymorphism generating GC and/or AT alleles was used to select 22 heterozygous patients. p73 LOH was significantly higher in IBC than in NBC [five of eight cases (62%) versus two of 14 cases (14%); Fisher's exact test, P=0.05]. p73 was biallelically expressed in all BE. In contrast, 12 of 16 (75%) BC were monoallelically expressed, showing that allele silencing was significantly associated with breast carcinogenesis (P=0.012), AT being the preferential silent allele (10 out of 12 tumours). p73 mRNA levels in NBC and IBC were two- and threefold lower than in BE, respectively, suggesting that decreased expression could be related to tumour aggressiveness. In conclusion, LOH, allele silencing and decreased expression of the p73 gene may play a role in breast carcinogenesis.

Differentially expressed genes in C6.9 glioma cells during vitamin D-induced cell death program.

C6.9 rat glioma cells undergo a cell death program when exposed to 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-D3). As a global analytical approach, we have investigated gene expression in C6.9 engaged in this cell death program using differential screening of a rat brain cDNA library with probes derived from control and 1,25-D3-treated cells. Using this methodology we report the isolation of 61 differentially expressed cDNAs. Forty-seven cDNAs correspond to genes already characterized in rat cells or tissues. Seven cDNAs are homologous to yeast, mouse or human genes and seven are not related to known genes. Some of the characterized genes have been reported to be differentially expressed following induction of programmed cell death. These include PMP22/gas3, MGP and beta-tubulin. For the first time, we also show a cell death program induced up-regulation of the c-myc associated primary response gene CRP, and of the proteasome RN3 subunit and TCTP/mortalin genes. Another interesting feature of this 1,25-D3 induced-cell death program is the down-regulated expression of transcripts for the microtubule motor dynein heavy chain/MAP 1C and of the calcium-binding S100beta protein. Finally 15 upregulated cDNAs encode ribosomal proteins suggesting a possible involvement of the translational apparatus in this cell program. Alternatively, these ribosomal protein genes could be up-regulated in response to altered rates of cellular metabolism, as has been demonstrated for most of the other isolated genes which encode proteins involved in metabolic pathways. Thus, this study presents to our knowledge the first characterization of genes which are differentially expressed during a cell death program induced by 1, 25-D3. Therefore, this data provides new information on the fundamental mechanisms which participate in the antineoplastic effects of 1,25-D3 and on the machinery of a cell death program in a glioma cell line.

Genomic cloning of human thioredoxin-encoding gene: mapping of the transcription start point and analysis of the promoter.

Thioredoxin (TR) is a small ubiquitous dithiol-reductase enzyme first identified in bacteria and plants. In recent years, this protein has been recognized as playing an important role in the growth control of eukaryotic cells, especially in lymphocytes. It was first cloned from a human Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid B-cell line by our group in 1988 [Wollman et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263 (1988) 15506-15512] and localized on chromosome 3 p11-p12 by in situ hybridization [Lafage-Pochitaloff-Huvalé et al., FEBS Lett. 255 (1989) 89-91]. The present work was performed to study the genomic organization of the human thioredoxin (hTR)-encoding gene (hTR). The screening of a human genomic library in lambda EMBL4 phage led to the identification of two genomic clones which encompassed the entire gene, including the promoter region. The coding region of hTR spans over 13 kb and is organized into five exons separated by four introns which were 60% sequenced. We determined the transcription start point (tsp) by primer extension. This tsp located, in lymphocytes, 22-bp downstream from a TATA box (TATAA) defines a 5' untranslated region of 74 bp. We analyzed 2149-bp upstream from the promoter for sequence motifs which could bind regulatory proteins. This promoter contains many possible regulatory elements compatible with both a basal constitutive expression and a regulated inducible transcription, especially by cytokines such as interleukin-6 and interferons. Finally, Southern hybridization of genomic DNAs from several donors detected only one active gene encoding hTR.

Biologically active A-chain of the plant toxin ricin expressed from a synthetic gene in Escherichia coli.

To assess the biological activity and pharmacokinetic properties of nonglycosylated ricin A-chain (RA), we have obtained the polypeptide following expression of a synthetic 842-bp RA gene in Escherichia coli. Expression of the gene was carried out using the phage T5 PN25 promoter fused to the E. coli lac operator. The RA polypeptide was synthesized in a completely soluble form and was purified in one step by immunoabsorption. It was shown to be as cytotoxic for a human cell line as both native RA and chemically deglycosylated native RA. Reconstituted whole ricin and an immunotoxin containing the recombinant RA were also biologically active. Immunotoxins made with recombinant and deglycosylated RA had similar clearance rates in vivo showing, after a short period of rapid elimination, stabilities far higher than that of an immunotoxin made with native RA. Our results show that the complete elimination of sugar side chains from the RA is not sufficient to entirely eradicate the rapid initial in vivo clearance of RA-based biologicals.

Human interleukin 1 beta fused to the human growth hormone signal peptide is N-glycosylated and secreted by Chinese hamster ovary cells.

A hybrid gene consisting of the sequences coding for the signal peptide of human growth hormone and the mature form of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) was chemically synthesized. This sequence was inserted into a eukaryotic expression vector and introduced into Chinese hamster ovary cells. The resulting stably transformed cell lines produced large amounts of recombinant IL-1 beta, which was secreted into the culture medium mainly as a 22-kDa form. Expression in the presence of tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-glycosylation, led to the complete disappearance of the 22-kDa form and the appearance of a new form of 17.5 kDa, indicating that the hybrid protein had been both processed and N-glycosylated. However, transformed cells producing mature IL-1 beta without a signal peptide produced the predicted 17.5-kDa nonglycosylated form. These results suggest that fusion to a heterologous leader sequence allowed IL-1 beta to be translocated across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum and to be transported and secreted by the exocytotic pathway.

Improved differential screening approach to analyse transcriptional variations in organized cDNA libraries.

A cDNA library was generated from rat brain tissues and organized into 1536-well plates, using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS), acting as a single cell deposition system. The organized library containing 10,000 clones, with 60% full-length cDNA inserts, allowed the generation of multiple identical membrane replicas. Each replica was hybridized with a complex probe obtained from a particular brain tissue or a given cultured cell. The signal intensity for each of the clones present on the membrane, quantified with a standard image-analysis software, is proportional both to the abundance of the corresponding mRNA in the probe and to the amount of plasmid template on the membrane. The latter value was thus used to normalize the signals produced with complex probes, to optimize the comparison of mRNA expression levels for the different systems under study. The construction of high-quality cDNA libraries, the generation of identical membrane replicas and comparable probes, and the utilization of an image-analysis software package, coupled with the normalization of the spot intensity by assaying plasmid quantity, significantly improves the differential screening approach. Altogether, these technical improvements open the possibility to compare a great number of different probes and, in consequence, to accumulate biological information for each clone present in an organized cDNA library. The functional information obtained should complement data from DNA sequencing projects.

The rat beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene contains an intron.

We report that the rat beta 3-adrenergic receptor (beta 3-AR) gene has an intron. The intron starts with an in-frame stop codon with the result that unspliced transcripts will encode a C-terminal truncated protein. The reported protein sequences of mouse and human beta 3-AR were both deduced from genomic DNA sequences. Given the heterogeneity at the C-termini of the otherwise highly similar rat, mouse and human sequences, we discuss the intriguing possibility that the beta 3-AR gene of the latter two species also contain an intron near the extremity of the open reading frame. A beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) cDNA we have cloned from rat colonic tissue which has a sequence essentially identical to that previously reported for the rat adipose beta 3-AR cDNA [(1991) J. Chem. 266, 24053], encodes the spliced version of the beta 3-AR.

Role of P2Y1 purinoceptor in ADP-induced platelet activation.

ADP acts as an agonist of platelet aggregation via specific receptors which are still to be characterised. Amplification by PCR of a human platelet cDNA library confirmed the presence of mRNA of the P2Y1 receptor in platelets. In order to determine if these P2Y1 receptors were involved in ADP-induced platelet activation, we determined the effects of A3P5PS, an antagonist of the P2Y1 receptor, on the binding of [33P]2-MeS-ADP, a potent analogue of ADP. We found that A3P5PS displaced about 27% of [33P]2-MeS-ADP binding, a receptor population which has been shown to be resistant to treatment with clopidogrel, a selective anti-ADP agent. A3P5PS specifically inhibited 2-MeS-ADP-induced shape change and calcium increase but did not affect adenylyl cyclase down-regulation. 2-MeS-ADP-induced platelet aggregation was also inhibited by A3P5PS but was restored when platelets were further activated by serotonin, a non-aggregating compound, therefore suggesting that P2Y1-mediated stimulation is an absolute prerequisite for ADP to induce platelet aggregation and a key event for platelet activation and aggregation to occur. These results therefore show that ADP-induced aggregation cannot be attributed to activation of P2Y1 alone, but must be attributed to the simultaneous activation of the high affinity receptor (P2Y1) and a low affinity receptor of ADP (still to be discovered), each of them essential, but neither able to trigger aggregation alone.

Cloning and expression of a complementary DNA encoding a high affinity human neurotensin receptor.

A human neurotensin receptor (hNTR) cDNA was cloned from the colonic adenocarcinoma cell line HT29. The cloned cDNA encodes a putative peptide of 418 amino acids with 7 transmembrane domains. The amino acid sequence of the hNTR is 84% identical to the rat NTR [Neuron, 4 (1990) 847-854]. Transfection of this cDNA into COS cells results in the expression of receptors with pharmacological properties similar to those found with HT29 cells. Northern blot analysis using the hNTR cDNA probe indicated a single transcript of 4 kb in the brain, the small intestine and blood mononuclear cells.

Molecular cloning of a human beta 3-adrenergic receptor cDNA.

We report the molecular cloning of a beta 3-adrenergic receptor [beta 3-AR] cDNA from human brown adipose tissue. The cDNA-encoded protein is identical to the previously cloned beta 3-AR but with 6 additional amino acids at the C-terminus. The C-terminus is shared by the beta 3 receptors expressed in human neuroblastoma cells [SK-N-MC] [Mol. Pharmacol. 42 (1992) 964-970]. Furthermore, using a polymerase chain reaction strategy we have cloned and sequenced the beta 3-AR introns. Sequence analysis demonstrates that the human beta 3-AR gene comprises at least 3 exons and 2 introns and that the most abundant beta 3-AR transcripts encode a protein with an exon 3-derived C-terminus. Interestingly, although a similar organization has been found in rodent genes, the rat beta 3-AR transcripts encode a receptor with an exon 2-derived C-terminus.

Primary structure and functional expression of mouse pituitary and human brain corticotrophin releasing factor receptors.

Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) is the principal hypothalamic factor governing the pituitary-adrenal axis, but the wide extra-pituitary distribution of CRF and its receptors suggest a major role for this neuropeptide in the integration of the overall physiological and behavioral responses of an organism to stress. We have cloned a CRF receptor complementary DNA (cDNA) by expression in COS-7 cells of a cDNA library from the AtT20 mouse pituitary tumour cell line. The cloned mouse cDNA was then as a probe to isolate a human CRF receptor cDNA from a human brain cDNA library. The mouse and human cDNAs both encode 415 amino acid proteins that are 97% identical, containing seven putative transmembrane domains characteristic of G protein-coupled receptors. The CRF receptor shows homology with the receptors for growth hormone-releasing factor, vasoactive intestinal peptide, secretin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin. COS-7 cells transfected with the mouse CRF receptor cDNA bind radiolabelled ovine CRF with high affinity and respond specifically to CRF by accumulation of intracellular cAMP. A 2.7 kb mRNA coding for the CRF receptor could be detected in AtT20 cells and human cortex tissue. PCR analysis also detected the receptor transcript in human pituitary, brainstem, and testis.

Molecular cloning of a levocabastine-sensitive neurotensin binding site.

A search for sequences homologous to the neurotensin receptor cDNA in a rat hypothalamic library has identified a novel neurotensin receptor (NTR-2). The 1539 bp cDNA encodes a 416 amino acid protein and shows highest homology to the previously cloned neurotensin receptor (NTR-1) (64% homology and 43% identity). Binding and pharmacological studies demonstrate that NTR-2 expressed in COS cells recognizes neurotensin (NT) with high affinity as well as several other agonists and antagonists. However, a fundamental difference was found; unlike NTR-1, NTR-2 recognizes, with high affinity, levocabastine, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist previously shown to compete with NT for low-affinity binding sites in brain.

Nucleotide sequence and analysis of the new chromosomal abortive infection gene abiN of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris S114.

A 7.275-kb DNA fragment which encodes resistance by abortive infection (Abi+) to bacteriophage was cloned from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris S114. The genetic determinant for abortive infection was subcloned from this fragment. This gene was found to confer a reduction in efficiency of plating and plaque size for prolate-headed bacteriophage phi 53 (group I homology) and for small isometric-headed bacteriophage phi 59 (group III homology). This new gene, termed abiN, is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 178 amino acid residues with a deduced molecular mass of 20,461 Da and an isoelectric point of 4.63. No homology with any previously described genes was found. A probe was used to determine the presence of this gene only in S114 from 31 strains tested.

Neurotensin is an antagonist of the human neurotensin NT2 receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The human levocabastine-sensitive neurotensin NT2 receptor was cloned from a cortex cDNA library and stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in order to study its binding and signalling characteristics. The receptor binds neurotensin as well as several other ligands already described for neurotensin NT1 receptor. It also binds levocabastine, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist that is not recognised by neurotensin NT1 receptor. Neurotensin binding to recombinant neurotensin NT2 receptor expressed in CHO cells does not elicit a biological response as determined by second messenger measurements. Levocabastine, and the peptides neuromedin N and xenin were also ineffective on neurotensin NT2 receptor activation. Experiments with the neurotensin NT1 receptor antagonists SR48692 and SR142948A, resulted in the unanticipated discovery that both molecules are potent agonists on neurotensin NT2 receptor. Both compounds, following binding to neurotensin NT2 receptor, enhance inositol phosphates (IP) formation with a subsequent [Ca2+]i mobilisation; induce arachidonic acid release; and stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity. Interestingly, these activities are antagonised by neurotensin and levocabastine in a concentration-dependent manner. These activities suggest that the human neurotensin NT2 receptor may be of physiological importance and that a natural agonist for the receptor may exist.

Molecular cloning of the MCP-3 chemokine gene and regulation of its expression.

We have isolated a cDNA (NC28) transcribed from a mRNA which is transiently induced in U937 promonocytic cells by PMA and super-induced by cycloheximide. NC28 cDNA encodes a new member of the chemokine family, MCP-3, recently purified from MG-63 osteosarcoma cells by Van Damme et al. [1]. The MCP-3 protein sequence shows 74% identity with human monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and, like MCP-1, recombinant MCP-3 protein shows chemotactic activity for monocytes but not for neutrophils. However the secreted MCP-3 protein differs from MCP-1 in being N-glycosylated. The 3' noncoding regions of MCP-3 and MCP-1 mRNAs are more diverged (44%), allowing specific cDNA probes to be made, and indicating that the two genes are evolutionarily distant. Sequence comparisons of the 3' noncoding regions suggest that MCP-3 may be the human homologue of the mouse MARC gene [2], and that MCP-1 and MCP-3 genes arose by a gene duplication event before the mammalian radiation. Both MCP-1 and MCP-3 mRNAs are expressed by PBMC, principally by monocytes, with MCP-1 mRNA being expressed at levels 2-4 times that of MCP-3 mRNA. However, while MCP-1 mRNA is also expressed at high levels in fibroblast or astrocytoma cell lines after IL-1 and TNF stimulation, MCP-3 mRNA is expressed only at very low levels in these cells. The cellular origin of MCP-3 is thus more restricted than that of MCP-1. In our experiments on PBMC, LPS is not a consistent inducer of MCP-1 and MCP-3 mRNAs. In some experiments, it actually decreases levels of these two mRNAs, while concomitantly increasing IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA levels. Levels of MCP-1 and MCP-3 mRNAs in PBMC are both increased by IFN-gamma, although IL-6 mRNA is not induced. They are also increased by PHA-P and are decreased, in most cases, by IL-13 [3]. MCP-1 and MCP-3 mRNAs are thus co-ordinately regulated in monocytes in response to a number of inducing or inhibitory agents, in a manner differing in several respects from that of other monokines such as IL-6.

Retroviral characteristics of the long terminal repeat of murine E.Tn sequences.

E.Tn sequences form a family of long moderately repeated sequences which are abundantly transcribed in the pluripotent cell lineage between day 3.5 and 7.5 of early mouse embryogenesis. The structure of the long terminal repeat (LTR) bordering the E.Tn sequences has been investigated by nucleotide sequencing, primer extension and S1 mapping experiments. This has allowed the identification of U3, R and U5 domains, and of several other structural features all of which are characteristics of retroviral LTRs.

Covalent modification of p73alpha by SUMO-1. Two-hybrid screening with p73 identifies novel SUMO-1-interacting proteins and a SUMO-1 interaction motif.

Two-hybrid screening in yeast with p73alpha isolated SUMO-1 (small ubiquitin-like modifier 1), the enzyme responsible for its conjugation, Ubc-9, and a number of novel SUMO-1-interacting proteins, including thymine DNA glycosylase, PM-Scl75, PIASx, PKY, and CHD3/ZFH. A subset of these proteins contain a common motif, hhXSXS/Taaa, where h is a hydrophobic amino acid and a is an acidic amino acid, that is shown to interact with SUMO-1 in the two-hybrid system. We show here that p73alpha, but not p73beta, can be covalently modified by SUMO-1. The major SUMO-1-modified residue in p73alpha is the C-terminal lysine (Lys(627)). The sequence surrounding this lysine conforms to a consensus SUMO-1 modification site b(X)XXhKXE, where b is a basic amino acid. SUMO-1-modified p73 is more rapidly degraded by the proteasome than unmodified p73, although SUMO-1 modification is not required for p73 degradation. SUMO-1 modification does not affect the transcriptional activity of p73alpha on an RGC-luciferase reporter gene in SK-N-AS cells. Instead, SUMO-1 modification may alter the subcellular localization of p73, because SUMO-1-modified p73 is preferentially found in detergent-insoluble fractions. Alternatively, it may modulate the interaction of p73 with other proteins that are substrates for SUMO-1 modification or which interact with SUMO-1, such as those identified here.

Cloning and mutation of the gene encoding endothiapepsin from Cryphonectria parasitica.

Endothiapepsin is an aspartic protease secreted by Cryphonectria parasitica. It has a milk-clotting activity and is used in the cheese industry. The eapA gene encoding endothiapepsin has been cloned and sequenced. An open reading frame of 419 codons, which encodes a precursor differing from mature endothiapepsin by the presence of an 89 aa residue prepro-sequence, was found. The eapA gene is interrupted by three introns. C. parasitica mutant strains deficient in the production of endothiapepsin (eapA-) were constructed using a gene-replacement strategy. Two nonsense mutations were introduced at the beginning of the coding sequence by PCR-induced mutagenesis. The mutated DNA fragment was introduced in C. parasitica by co-transformation with a benomyl-resistant (benR) selection plasmid. Transformants which have the eapA- phenotype were obtained. Protein analysis confirmed that they secreted no detectable amount of endothiapepsin. No ectopic integration of the mutated eapA gene occurred in the eapA- transformants. Moreover, after one conidiation step, eapA- transformants yielded benomyl-sensitive (benS) segregants which were analyzed by Southern blotting experiments. The results revealed no difference with the wild-type strain, suggesting that the eapA-, benS segregants differed from the non-transformed strain only by the presence of the two nonsense mutations in the eapA locus.