Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy for localized chemotherapeutics in allograft and xenograft tumor models.

Most chemotherapy regimens rely on systemic administration of drugs leading to a wide array of toxicities. Using viral-vector-mediated gene modification of muscle tissues, we have developed a method for gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy that allows for localized drug administration. An inactive prodrug of geldanamycin was activated locally for inhibition of tumor growth without systemic toxicities. A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) was used to deliver ß-galactosidase (LacZ) to the treatment group and green fluorescent protein to the control group. After 1 week, both groups received adenocarcinoma cells in the same location as the previous rAAV injection. The geldanamycin prodrug was administered 1 h later via intraperitoneal injection. Tumor growth was significantly suppressed in animals whose muscles were gene modified to express ß-galactosidase compared with the control. Serum assay to access hepatotoxicity resulted in no significant differences between the animals treated with the inactive or activated form of geldanamycin, indicating minimal damage to non-target organs. Using gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy, in combination with novel recombinant AAV vectors, we have developed a method for localized activation of chemotherapeutic agents that limits the toxicities seen with traditional systemic administration of these potent drugs.

c-Jun promotes neurite outgrowth and survival in PC12 cells.

We investigated the function of c-Jun in PC12 cells by transfecting them with a plasmid containing a c-Jun cDNA transcription cassette. Transfected cells expressed high levels of c-Jun mRNA and protein and demonstrated an increase in both AP-1 DNA binding and gene activation. The c-Jun over-expressing cells showed marked neurite outgrowth but no evidence of spontaneous cell death. In fact, c-Jun over-expressing cells were more resistant to okadaic acid-induced apoptosis. The process outgrowth was not indicative of a full neuronal differentiation response as the transfected PC12 cells did not display action potentials when examined with whole-cell patch-clamping. The phosphorylation of c-Jun on serine 73 appears to be important for this neurite sprouting effect as mutagenesis at this site reduced sprouting whereas a serine 63 mutant tended to increase sprouting. Thus, in PC12 cells c-Jun expression does not induce apoptosis, but rather functions as a neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival signal.

CREB phosphorylation promotes nerve cell survival.

The cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) is a posttranslationally activated transcription factor that has been implicated in numerous brain functions including cell survival. In this study we investigated whether CREB overexpression using transient transfection of a pAAV/CMV-CREB plasmid altered neuronal cells' susceptibility to apoptosis. We found that elevated CREB protein inhibited apoptosis induced by okadaic acid. At least part of this effect is critically dependent on prolonged Ser133 phosphorylation, as a directed mutation at this site decreased CREB-induced protection. These results suggest that CREB is a survival factor for neuronal cells and that treatments aimed at augmenting CREB phosphorylation in the brain may be neuroprotective.

[A new PCR-primer for specific amplification of human DNA fragments selected on the basis of computer analysis of the nucleotide sequences of MER1 dispersed repeats in man]. / Novyi PTsR-praimer dlia spetsifichnoi amplifikatsii fragmentov DNK cheloveka, vybrannyi na osnove komp'iuternogo analiza nukleotidnykh posledovatel'nostei dispergirovannykh povtorov cheloveka MER1.

The possibility of using oligonucleotides from MER1 family repeats as PCR primers for the amplification of human genome DNA fragments was studied. The recommended oligonucleotide primers were chosen by computer analysis of the data base of the EMBL (release 37.0) nucleotide sequences. Use of one of the oligonucleotides was shown to allow specific human DNA amplification to be carried out.

[Mapping of the genes for ribosomal proteins S26, L19, and L32 on human chromosomes]. / Kartirovanie genov ribosomnykh belkov S26, L19, i L32 na khromosomakh cheloveka.

A fragment of cDNA and an intron-containing fragment of the human L19 ribosomal protein (RPL19) gene, and introns of the human ribosomal proteins S26 (RPS26) and L32 (RPL32) genes were cloned and sequenced. The intron-containing genes of these ribosomal proteins were mapped to human chromosomes by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a human/rodent hybrid DNA panel.

[The 5'-region of mink ribosomal protein S26 cDNA: sequencing and comparative analysis]. / 5'-Oblast' kDNK ribosomnogo belka S26 norki: sekvenirovanie i sravnitel'nyi analiz.

The 5'-terminal region of the mink S26 ribosomal protein cDNA was cloned using polymerase chain reaction. The nucleotide sequences of the 5'-UTR (24 bp) and a 120-bp fragment of the coding region of RPS26 mRNA were determined. The homology between the coding regions of the human and mink RPS26 mRNAs proved to be 90.8%. The nucleotide sequences of the 5'-UTRs of mink, human, and rat RPS26 mRNAs, as well as mRNAs of the Drosophila S31 protein and Neurospora crp-5 protein, which are homologous to mammalian RPS26, were compared. A highly conserved 9-bp sequence located immediately upstream of the AUG codon was revealed in the 5'-UTR of the RPS26 mRNAs from different species.

[Protective activity of vaccinia virus envelope proteins isolated using nonionic detergents]. / Protektivnaia aktivnost' belkov obolochki virusa ospovaktsiny, vydelennykh s ispol'zovaniem neionnykh detergentov.

Several detergents and chemical compounds--Tweens 40, 60, 80, Triton X-100, Triton WR-1340, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide, urea, n-butyl, MESK, and combinations thereof were used for the isolation of surface proteins of vaccinia virus. Optimal conditions for the treatment of the virus with detergents were selected, permitting isolation of vaccinia virus surface proteins p35 and p61. Mouse experiments yielded data on the protective properties of the isolated proteins. Protein p35 may turn to be one of the major proteins responsible for the formation of protective immunity in vaccination with vaccinia virus.

[Mapping the genes for ribosomal proteins S14 and S17 on human chromosomes using cDNA from a panel of hybrid cells]. / Kartirovanie genov ribosomnykh belkov S14 i S17 na khromosomakh cheloveka s ispol'zovaniem kDNK iz paneli gibridnykh kletok.

A new method of mapping transcriptionally active genes of ribosomal proteins onto human chromosomes is proposed. The method is based on the detection of the expression of human ribosomal protein mRNA in rodent-human hybrid cells carrying different human chromosomes. Using this method, the functional gene of the human ribosomal protein S17 was mapped and the location of the S14 ribosomal protein gene on chromosome 5 was confirmed.

[Cloning and determination of the primary structure of DNA complementary to the mRNA of human ribosomal protein L11]. / Klonirovanie i opredelenie pervichnoi struktury DNK, komplementarnoi mRNK ribosomnogo belka L11 cheloveka.

A polymerase chain reaction strategy was employed to isolate cDNA encoding L11 human ribosomal protein. Based on the known nucleotide sequence of 5'-region of the ribosomal protein L11 mRNA, we have designed primers and used them in amplification of corresponding sequence of human cDNA from total placenta cDNA. The fragment of RPS26 cDNA was cloned in plasmid vector and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that there is high homology (88%) between coding regions of RPS26 mRNAs in rat liver and human placenta. The amino acid exchanges were observed at positions: 91 (Asp-->Glu), 217 (Thr-->Ala), 352 (Lys-->Glu).

[Cloning cDNA of human S26 ribosomal protein and determination of its primary structure]. / Klonirivanie kDNK ribosomnogo belka S26 cheloveka i opredelenie ee pervichnoi struktury.

The polymerase chain reaction technique was employed to isolate cDNA encoding S26 human ribosomal protein. Based on the known sequence of rat S26 ribosomal protein we have designed primers and amplified the corresponding sequence of human cDNA from total placenta cDNA. The fragment of S26 cDNA was cloned in a plasmid vector and sequenced by the Sanger method. Extremely high homology (87.7%) between coding regions of S26 mRNAs in rat liver and human placenta was revealed. The only amino acid substitution (Ser-->Val) at position 38 was observed. Results of blot hybridization with partially digested human genomic DNA suggest the presence of more than 6 copies of the S26 gene.

Comparative analysis of the conserved region of the orthopoxvirus genome encoding the 36K and 12K proteins.

Genes encoding virus-specific proteins with molecular masses of 36 kDa and 12 kDa were mapped in HindIII-P and HindIII-U DNA fragments of vaccinia strain LIVP and ectromelia strain K-1 viruses, respectively, by hybrid selection of RNA to cloned DNA fragments followed by in vitro translation. The 36K translation initiation codon was detected in the HindIII-J fragment. The nucleotide sequences of corresponding genes from vaccinia, ectromelia, cowpox and variola virus genomes were determined. The 12K protein has similarity to mammalian glutaredoxins. The derived amino acid sequence of the 36K polypeptide was compared with the protein bank PIR. No homology was found between the 36K protein and known structures of proteins. The 36K protein genes of vaccinia and ectromelia viruses were cloned in pUR290, which led to the production of E. coli chimeric proteins, consisting of the sequence of beta-galactosidase and the viral protein on their C-ends. The chimeric proteins were shown to possess viral antigenic specificity. To identify the protein product of the 36K gene monospecific antisera to chimeric proteins were obtained. The late 36K protein is associated with virosomes but is not incorporated into the virions of orthopoxviruses.

[Immunochemical analysis of Escherichia coli expression products of I3 and A2 genes of vaccinia virus strain L-IVL genome]. / Immunokhimicheskii analiz produktov ékspressii v Escherichia coli genov I3 i A2 genoma virusa ospovaktsiny shtamma L-IVL.

Genes I3 and A2 of the vaccinia virus strain L-IVP DNA were cloned into bacterial expressing vectors. The monospecific antisera to the expression products of these genes in E. coli were obtained. By means of immunochemical cross-analysis two polypeptides of equal electrophoretic mobility were found in the virion preparations in the band of the major envelope protein p35. The major of them is the product of gene I3, and the minor is encoded by gene A2.

[Mapping the genes of the vaccinia virus, coding membrane proteins p34 and p40, by mRNA hybridization selection]. / Kartirovanie genov virusa ospovaktsiny, kodiruiushchikh membrannye belki p34 i p40, metodom gibridizatsionnoi selektsii mRNK.

The HindIII--J HindIII-F fragments of the vaccinia virus DNA strain Lister have been analysed by the technique of mRNA hybridization selection with the subsequent translation in cell-free protein synthesizing system from the rabbit reticulocytes. The viral mRNA hybridizable with the HindIII--J fragment was shown to direct the synthesis of 30 kDa polypeptide in the cell-free system. This polypeptide was demonstrated to react specifically with antiserum to plasma membrane protein p34. The viral mRNA hybridizable with the HindIII-F fragment was shown to direct the synthesis of 37 kDa polypeptide in the cell-free system. This polypeptide reacts specifically with antiserum to major membrane protein p40.

[A structure-activity study of the HindIII-I fragment of the L-IVP strain of vaccinia virus genome. I. Cloning of T5 gene and identification of its protein product]. / Strukturno-funktsional'noe issledovanie HindIII-I-fragmenta genoma virusa ospovaktsiny shtamma L-IVP. I. Klonirovanie gena T5 i identifikatsiia ego belkovogo produkta.

The I5 gene from the HindIII-I-fragment of the vaccinia virus strain L-IVP DNA was cloned into bacterial vector pUC19. The monospecific antiserum to the expression product of this gene in E. coli was obtained. This antiserum was demonstrated to co-precipitate the virion protein p90. The vaccinia virus strain L-LVP DNA was shown to have only one ORF coding the p90 protein instead of two ORF H5 and H4 as known for vaccinia virus strain WR. This protein is associated with the core of vaccinia virion, but some of its antigenic determinants are exposed on the surface of the viral particles.

[Structure-activity study of the HindIII-I fragment of the L-IVP strain of vaccinia virus genome. II. Cloning the I(sub 6) gene and identification of its protein product]. / Strukturno-funktsional'noe issledovanie HindIII-I-fragmenta genoma virusa ospovaktsiny shtamma L-IVP. II. Klonirovanie gena I(6) i identifikatsiia ego belkovogo produkta.

The I6 gene from the HindIII-I-fragment of the vaccinia virus strain L-IVP DNA was cloned into bacterial vector pUC19. The monospecific antiserum to the expression product of this gene in E. coli was obtained. Using this antiserum the I6 gene was shown to code the viral protein of 34 kDa molecular weight estimated from SDS-PAGE. This protein is not included into the mature virion, but can be detected in the cytoplasm of the vaccinia virus infected cells.

[Cloning, sequencing and translation analysis of the Vaccinia virus LIVP HINDIII N genome fragment]. / Klonirovanie, sekvenirovanie i transliatsionnyi analiz HindIII-N-fragmenta genoma virusa ospovaktsiny shtamma LIVP.

The sequence of vaccinia virus (VV) LIVP HindIII N DNA fragment has been determined to be 2215 b.p. Three open reading frames designated LN1, N1 and NO1 and coding polypeptides with the calculated molecular masses (32.5 kDa, 21.8 kDa and 47.8 kDa) were located. mRNAs selected by hybridization with the VV HindIII N were translated in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Proteins of genes for host range and resistance to alpha-amanitin corresponding to 29 and 47 kDa were detected. Two forms of polypeptides of the ORF LN1 (32 and 29K), and anomalous electrophoresis mobility of the ORF LN1 are discussed.

[Molecular-biological study of vaccinia virus genome. II. Localization and nucleotide sequence of vaccinia virus genes coding for proteins 36K and 12K]. / Molekuliarno-biologicheskoe izuchenie genoma virusa ospovaktsiny. II. Lokalizatsiia i opredelenie posledovatel'nosti nukleotidov genov virusa ospovaktsiny, kodiruiushchikh belki 36K i 12K.

Genes encoding virus-specific late proteins with molecular mass 36 kDa and 12 kDa were mapped in HindIII-P DNA fragment of vaccinia virus strain L-IVP by hybrid selection of RNA to cloned DNA fragments followed by in vitro translation. RNA origin site of the 36K protein was detected in HindIII-J fragment. Nucleotide sequences of these genes were determined. Amino acid sequences of the 36K and 12K polypeptides were compared with the protein bank PIR.

[Molecular-biological study of vaccinia virus genome. III. Identification of the late gene product protein 36K from Hind-III-P-fragment of vaccinia virus strain L-IVP]. / Molekuliarno-biologicheskoe izuchenie genoma virusa ospovaktsiny. III. Identifikatsiia produkta pozdnego gena belka 36K iz HindIII-P-fragmenta genoma virusa ospovaktsiny shtamma L-IVP.

Vaccinia virus gene encoding 36K protein was cloned in pUR290 bacterial expressing vector and resulted in the synthesis of a chimeric protein in E. coli. The chimeric protein consists of beta-galactosidase and virus protein in C-termini. It has virus antigen specificity. By monospecific antibody 36K protein of vaccinia virus was determined to be non-virion. It is localized in the cytoplasm of infected cells.

[Immunochemical analysis of the products of translation of mRNA hybridized with the left HindIII-A-Sa1-fragment of vaccinia virus DNA]. / Immunokhimicheskii analiz produktov transliatsii mRNK, gibridiziruiushcheisia s levym HindIII-A-Sa1-fragmentom DNK virusa ospovaktsiny.

The left HindIII-A-Sal fragment of the vaccinia virus DNA has been analyzed by the technique of mRNA hybridizational selection with the subsequent translation in cell-free protein-synthesizing system from the rabbit reticulocytes. The viral mRNA hybridizable with the fragment was shown to direct the synthesis of 12, 17, 27, 42, 70 kD polypeptides in the cell-free protein-synthesizing system. Each of 12 and 42 kD polypeptides was demonstrated to react specifically with antisera to structural p12 and p42 coat proteins. The structural coat proteins p12, p20, p42 of the vaccinia virus are concluded to be the products of the same viral gene.