Detection of T cell receptor alpha chain locus rearrangements in human antigen-specific T lymphocyte clones using a DNA probe specific for chromosome region 14q11.

Human cloned antigen-specific T lymphocytes were used to characterize DNA rearrangements using a cDNA probe from the T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha chain gene. Rearranged patterns were detected in some T cell clones, confirming that normal mature T cells are rearranged in TCR-alpha locus. Similarly, rearranged DNA patterns were found in T cell clones from the same panel, using a DNA probe (clone K-40, [1]) isolated from chromosome 14 (14q11), where the TCR-alpha locus has been mapped. These results suggest that this genomic DNA clone is located within the TCR-alpha chain locus.

A third tal-1 promoter is specifically used in human T cell leukemias.

A common feature of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs) is the presence of structural alteration of the 5' part of the tal-1 locus, localized on chromosomal band 1p32. These alterations consist of either a t(1;14)(p32;q11) chromosomal translocation (3% of T-ALLs) or tald submicroscopic deletion (12-25% additional T-ALLs). We have characterized a case of T-ALL with t(1;14)(p32;q11) in which, unlike the majority of t(1;14), the recombination with the T cell receptor delta elements affected the 3' side of the tal-1 locus. In this case, tal-1 transcription is initiated from a promoter located within the fourth exon similarly to the DU 528 cell line. In a T-ALL bearing a t(1;14) affecting the 5' part of tal-1, two types of tal-1 transcripts were observed, namely those probably initiated from the D delta region juxtaposed to tal-1 by the translocation, and those from the exon 4 promoter. It is interesting that this exon 4 promotion was also found in leukemic T cell lines and T-ALL samples without apparent tal-1 genomic alteration. In contrast, no transcript initiated from the exon 4 promoter was found in T-ALL with tald1 or tald2 deletion. In these cells, tal-1 is expressed via SIL-tal-1 fused transcripts. Finally, this exon 4 initiation was detected neither in normal bone marrow, nor in malignant cells from the erythroid/megakaryocytic lineages. Taken as a whole, these data suggest that the exon 4 promoter is specifically active in T cell lineage.

A single point mutation responsible for c-mos polymorphism in cancer patients.

A rare EcoRI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the 3' end of the human c-mos locus has been identified in DNA from patients with breast tumors, esophageal carcinomas and leukemias. Until now, this RFLP has not been found in normal populations, suggesting that its presence may reflect some cancer susceptibility. To characterize this RFLP, we have isolated both alleles of the c-mos locus from DNA of a breast cancer patient and determined the nucleotide sequence of the polymorphic region. Our results show that this RFLP is due to a single nucleotide substitution (T instead of C), resulting in the disappearance of EcoRI site.

Anti-apoptotic activity of p53 maps to the COOH-terminal domain and is retained in a highly oncogenic natural mutant.

The tumour suppressor p53 plays a complex role in the regulation of apoptosis. High levels of wild type p53 potentiate the apoptotic response, while physiological range, low levels of the protein have an anti-apoptotic activity in serum starved immortalized fibroblasts. Here we report that primary fibroblast-like cells that show normal growth control are also efficiently protected from apoptosis by the endogenous p53 activity. The capacity to inhibit apoptosis is not restricted to the wild type protein: the R-->H175 p53 mutant fully retains the anti-apoptotic activity of the wild type p53, providing a possible explanation for its high oncogenicity. Using a series of point and deletion mutants of p53 under the control of tetracycline-regulated promoter we show that certain mutants, like the wild type, protect cells at low levels but lead to apoptosis when overexpressed. This latter effect is lost upon deletion of a proline-rich domain in the NH2 part of the protein. The anti-apoptotic activity can be mapped to the extreme carboxy-terminal part of the protein and is therefore independent of other well characterized p53 activities. Our results add a new level of complexity to the network of interactions mediated by p53 in normal physiology and pathology.

Physical interaction of the bHLH LYL1 protein and NF-kappaB1 p105.

The LYL1 gene was first identified upon the molecular characterization of the t(7;9)(q35;p13) translocation associated with some human T-cell acute leukemias (T-ALLs). In adult tissues, LYL1 expression is restricted to hematopoietic cells with the notable exclusion of the T cell lineage. LYL1 encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein highly related to TAL-1, whose activation is also associated with a high proportion of human T-ALLs. A yeast two-hybrid system was used to identify proteins that specifically interact with LYL1 and might mediate its activities. We found that p105, the precursor of NF-kappaB1 p50, was the major LYL1-interacting protein in this system. The association between LYL1 and p105 was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo in mammalian cells. Biochemical studies indicated that the interaction was mediated by the bHLH motif of LYL1 and the ankyrin-like motifs of p105. Ectopic expression of LYL1 in a human T cell line caused a significant decrease in NF-kappaB-dependent transcription, associated with a reduced level of NF-kappaB1 proteins.

GATA-and SP1-binding sites are required for the full activity of the tissue-specific promoter of the tal-1 gene.

The tal-1 gene, which is frequently activated in human T cell acute leukemias (T-ALLs), codes for a protein of the basic helix-loop-helix family (b-HLH) and potentially a transcription factor. In human and murine hematopoiesis tal-1 is expressed during the differentiation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic and mastocytic cell lineages. The expression of tal-1 appears to be comodulated with that of the transcription factor GATA-1 gene, suggesting that the GATA-1 protein may regulate the tal-1 gene activity in these hematopoietic lineages. To get further insights into the molecular mechanisms that control tal-1 expression, we have isolated 5' sequences of the murine gene and compared them to their human counterparts. The 5' flanking sequences from the two genes show several regions of high homology. The alignment of both sequences enabled us to predict that similarly, to the human, the mouse gene contains two alternative first exons (Ia and Ib). Remarkably, in both species, the proximal region of the tissue-specific exon Ia (i.e. gene segment -122 to +1) contains two GATA-motifs (at -65 and -33) and one SP-1 consensus binding site (-59). Mobility shift assays demonstrate that GATA proteins are able to interact with both GATA-motifs in a sequence specific fashion, but with different efficiencies. Moreover transfection studies show that the GATA-1 protein directly mediates tal-1 transcription by interacting with the -122/+1 fragment, defined as a minimal promoter in erythroid cells. Mutagenesis of the promoter establishes that the -33 GATA-binding site present in this fragment is critical for tal-1 expression in erythroid cells, but by itself does not lead to full promoter activity. Indeed, further mutations show that the second -65 GATA-binding site and the binding motif for SP1 (-59) significantly contribute to the overall activity of the proximal tal-1 promoter. Altogether, our data provide evidence that GATA-1 cooperates with the transcription factor SP1 to mediate the erythroid-specific expression of the tal-1 gene.

Molecular mechanisms of a t(8;14)(q24;q11) translocation juxtaposing c-myc and TcR-alpha genes in a T-cell leukaemia: involvement of a V alpha internal heptamer.

We have recently described a t(8;14)(q24;q11) translocation which appeared secondarily in a non-established acute T-cell leukaemia and involved the 3' region of c-myc proto-oncogene and the alpha chain of the T-cell receptor gene (TcR-alpha). In order to elucidate the mechanism of the translocation, we have isolated breakpoint regions from normal and recombinant chromosomes. Our results show that the translocation occurred at the 3' end of a V alpha segment in the proximity of recombination signal sequences (5'-heptamer-23bp spacer-nonamer-3'). Interestingly, an inverted heptamer internal to the V alpha segment was found at two nucleotides 5' of the break. Nucleotide sequence analysis also revealed the presence of homologous signal sequences on chromosome 8, suggesting that the recombination enzymatic system played an important role in the generation of the translocation. This hypothesis is supported by the addition of N nucleotides and the loss of only three nucleotides during the rejoining process. These data established the involvement of a V alpha segment and its recombination signals in the mechanisms of t(8;14) translocations in T-cell leukaemias.

Two site-specific deletions and t(1;14) translocation restricted to human T-cell acute leukemias disrupt the 5' part of the tal-1 gene.

Analysis of several cases of t(1:14)(p32;q11) translocation present in 3% of T-cell acute leukemias (T-ALL) has revealed the tal-1 gene. This gene encodes a helix-loop-helix protein. It has been found to be expressed in normal bone marrow and in leukemic T-cell and erythroleukemia cell lines, but not in normal T cells. Recently, a site-specific deletion, tald, renamed tald1 in this paper, has been detected in a high proportion of pediatric T-ALL, which arose by a site-specific DNA recombination between tal-1 and a new locus termed SIL. In this study we searched for structural rearrangements within tal-1 in a panel of 134 non-selected leukemic patients (including 66 with T-ALL). Only 6% of patients with T-ALL harbored the tald1 deletion. A second specific deletion termed tald2 was observed in another 6% of T-ALL patients; it involves another site within tal-1 plus the same site as tald1 in the SIL locus. Similarly to tald1 deletion, tald2 junctions harbor structural characteristics that are reminiscent of aberrant recombinase activity. Moreover, we report a detailed analysis of the tal-1 gene structure. Transcription analysis and in vitro translation data are consistent with the differential expression of several TAL-1 protein species containing the HLH motif but differing in their amino terminus. Taken together, our data indicate that t(1;14) translocations and both tald deletions disrupt the 5' part of the tal-1 gene, placing its entire coding sequences under the control of the regulatory elements of the TCR-delta gene or the SIL gene, both of which are normally expressed in T-cell lineage.

Characterization of translocation t(1;14)(p32;q11) in a T and in a B acute leukemia.

The TAL1 locus on chromosome band 1p32 is rearranged in 15 to 29% of human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs). These alterations consist of either a tald submicroscopic deletion (12-26% of T-ALL) or a t(1;14)(p32;q11) chromosomal translocation (3% of childhood T-ALL). Both types of alterations preferentially affect the 5' part of the TAL1 locus. Their main consequence appears to be transcriptional activation of the TAL1 gene. We have characterized two cases of t(1;14)(p32;q11) in ALL. Both affect the TCR delta gene segments at 14q11 and the 5' part of the TAL1 locus at 1p32. The first case represented a 'classical' t(1;14), associated with T-ALL. Its analysis indicates the use of a recombination signal-like sequence localized in the third exon of TAL1 in the translocation process. In the other case, the rearrangement to the D delta region occurred 5' to the TAL1 transcription start sites. This case exhibited a B-lymphoid immunophenotype thus suggesting that the putative oncogenicity of TAL1 activation is not restricted to T-cell malignancies.

c-myc gene expression in a leukemic T-cell line bearing a t(8;14) (q24;q11) translocation.

We have examined the expression of the c-myc protooncogene in human T-cell leukemic KE-37R cells carrying a t(8;14) (q24;q11) translocation. The breakpoint on chromosome 8 is located at 2.2 kb downstream of c-myc exon 3 and the 3' part of the TcR-alpha gene (14q11) has been juxtaposed to c-myc. Our results showed that the steady-state levels of c-myc RNA transcripts were increased and the P1/P2 ratio of c-myc promoter utilization did not change, indicating that preferential utilization of P2 was maintained in the rearranged gene. High levels of electrophoretically normal p64 and 67 c-myc proteins were detected and both products kept their instability. In addition, transcription from promoter P0 was not detectable. Our results suggest that the activation of the gene is likely to result from its juxtaposition to the enhancer element of the TcR-alpha gene located downstream of the Ca region which stimulates constitutive synthesis of normal c-myc transcripts from the rearranged allele.

T cell-derived blast crisis in chronic myelocytic leukemia.

We describe herein the occurrence of a T cell-derived blast crisis of chronic myelocytic leukemia which presented as a typical T cell leukemia on clinical (thymic mass and high white blood cells) and immunological grounds (T6+ T4+ T8+), with rearranged T cell receptor genes and germ line immunoglobulin genes. A Philadelphia chromosome was detected in all blast cell mitoses. The significance of T cell involvement during the chronic and acute phases of chronic myelocytic leukemia is discussed.

Structural organization of the hCTLA-1 gene encoding human granzyme B.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer/lymphokine-activated cells produce granzymes, a family of serine esterase proteins located in cytoplasmic granules. These might be involved in different cytotoxic pathways. We report the structural organization of the human gene encoding granzyme B (hCTLA-1). A 4.75-kb genomic DNA fragment containing all the sequences of granzyme B-encoding cDNA clones has been sequenced. The gene is composed of five exons and four introns. A comparison with the genomic organization of murine CCP1/CTLA-1 showed very similar structure and a 76% nucleotide homology in the coding sequences. This suggests that both genes may have a common ancestor. No typical regulatory element was detected in the 1160 bp upstream from the ATG start codon. The detection of a second locus related to hCTLA-1 is also described.

Effect of toyocamycin on oncornaviral production by acutely infected cells.

The adenosine analogue toyocamycin incorporates into the RNA species of mammalia cells and abolishes at low concentrations of the processing of 45S preribosomal nucleolar RNA into the mature 28 and 18S cytoplasmic ribosomal RNAs. We have previously shown that toyocamycin depresses the production of the Friend leukemia viral complex by chronically infected cells. In this article, we report the study of the action of the drug on viral RNA in acutely infected cells. We found that, although abolishing viral production, the incorporation of toyocamycin does not inhibit the formation of mature viral messenger RNAs nor prevent the synthesis of specific viral proteins. These results are obtained at concentrations of analogue sufficient to abolish the appearance of mature cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA.

Isolation and characterization of a gp 70+ non producer Friend tumor cell clone.

Viral expression was analyzed in ten cell clones of a Friend erythroleukemia cell line (HFL/b cell line [3]), which had lost its capacity to produce infectious particles. All the ten subclones were non producers but expressed spleen focus forming virus (SFFV) polypeptides in the form of p48-p50gag and gp50-gp52env. One subclone (subclone 9) expressed the gp70env of the Friend-MuLV helper component of the Friend virus complex. Comparative analysis of viral RNA expression in one gp70- subclone (subclone 2) and in the gp70+ subclone (subclone 9) was performed using specific ecotropic env gene probe and MCF/xenotropic env gene probe. In both subclones 2 and 9, the MCF/xenotropic env gene probe detected 32S SFFV genomic RNA, 20S SFFV env gene mRNA and a 34S RNA. The ecotropic env probe failed to characterize any 38S F-MuLV genomic RNA in both clones but detected 34S RNA and 24S env mRNA in the gp70+ subclone 9. These data show that expression of a complete F-MuLV genome is not required for synthesis of env gene products.

[Effect of toyocamycin on the biosynthesis of viral glycoproteins in a cell line chronically infected with a murine retrovirus]. / Action de la toyocamycine sur la biosynthèse des glycoproéines virales dans une lignée chroniquement infectée par un rétrovirus murin.

Toyocamycin (TMC), an adenosine analog has been previously reported to inhibit both number and infectivity of retrovirus particles released by chronically infected cells (Bonar et al., 1970; Riman, 1971; Mauchauffé et al., 1979). We have previously shown that loss of infectivity could result from the incorporation of TMC in place of adenosine in the genomic 35S RNA (Larsen et al., 1979). This phenomenon is likely to impair the structure of the viral genome in such a way that reverse transcriptase cannot properly copy the template. Another consequence of the Toyocamycin action on the retrovirus particles released by analog-treated cells was their reduced content in envelope glycoprotein or gp70 (Mathieu - Mahul et al., 1979). In order to find the origin of this defect, which could also explain the loss of infectivity, viral polypeptides present in the cytoplasm of Toyocamycin-treated cells were analyzed by immunoprecipitation with specific antisera. The results indicated a diminution of the biosynthesis of the envelope glycoprotein and other GAG gene-related polypeptides. However, the gpr85env precursor was normally synthesized and processed into its final products (gp70 + p15E), which accumulated in the cells. These result make it likely that Toyocamycin has no specific effect on the virus replicative process in chronically infected cells but acts by deteriorating cellular functions, which are necessary to virus assembly. Indeed, it was found that a membrane fraction corresponding to smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus was severely reduced if not totally suppressed in TMC-treated cells.

Genetic variability of proto-oncogenes for breast cancer risk and prognosis.

This paper summarizes the results of a study on human breast cancers performed mainly at the Centre René Huguenin in collaboration with other American and French groups, and supported in part by a Grant from the Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (ARC) Villejuif. During this work, the following conclusions emerged: c-myc proto-oncogene amplification is a common alteration in ductal invasive tumors, more frequently found in recurrent and metastatic tumors, suggesting a role for c-myc in tumor progression. However, in the current state of our study, it does not appear to be linked to prognosis; parts of the short arm of chromosome 11 are deleted in 20% of tumors resulting in hemizygosity for several genes (c-ha-ras, beta globin, pTH, calcitonin, catalase). These deletions seem to be linked with aggressiveness of tumors; a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) study of c-ha-ras has shown a significant association of the frequency of rare ha-ras alleles in cancer patients compared to that of normal individuals. Although this result is currently a matter of controversy, further studies must be independently repeated to be conclusive; -- another RFLP was found in c-mos proto-oncogene, which is detected only in patients with breast cancers or other types of tumors. The molecular basis for this RFLP has been elucidated. The significance of this association is unknown.

What is a T-cell clone? Effect of rIFN on T-cell clone function and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement.

A T4+ proliferative, noncytotoxic cloned line acquires specific lytic function by treatment with recombinant interferon alpha or gamma. Simultaneous with the acquisition of this new cell function, a rearrangement of the T-cell receptor alpha gene occurs. These changes necessitate a revised concept of a T-cell clone regarding its T-cell receptor gene configuration and cell function.

SCL/Tal-1 expression in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an immunohistochemical and genotypic study.

A comparative study of the immunohistochemical (Stem cell leukemia/T-cell acute leukemia [SCL/TAL-1] protein expression) and genotypic (deletions in the SCL/tal-1 gene) findings in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is presented. Formalin-fixed tissue from 50 cases of T-ALL were stained with a novel monoclonal antibody, 2TL 242, which recognizes SCL/TAL-1 protein. Twenty-four cases showed nuclear immunolabeling of leukemic cells. Nuclear positivity was not evident in any other type of leukemia or lymphoma tested with the antibody. Genotypic analysis of 25 cases of T-ALL showed a deletion involving the SCL/tal-1 gene in nine cases. These results suggest that protein expression is not dependent on derangement of the SCL/tal-1 gene, because immunohistochemical detection of the protein was noted in the presence and absence of a tal-d1 deletion.