Identification and characterization of a radiation-inducible glycosylated human early-response gene.

A radiation-inducible immediate-early gene, IEX-1, was identified and characterized in human squamous carcinoma cells. Sequence analysis revealed 156-amino acid nucleotides, encoding a protein of Mr 20,000. The protein is glycosylated (Mr approximately 27,000) in the presence of microsomal membranes. Northern analysis reveals a 1.2-kb transcript. Treatment with cycloheximide was associated with superinduction of this transcript suggesting that it is an immediate-early gene. The abundance of IEX-1 mRNA increased rapidly after exposure of the cells to ionizing radiation (2-10 Gy), reaching a maximum by 15 min and returning subsequently to basal levels by 4 h. Expression of IEX-1 was also induced significantly by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, whereas treatment of cells with UV light and H2O2 had little effect on IEX-1 expression. Cells depleted of PKC by prolonged incubation with TPA showed no attenuated IEX-1 response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha. This is the first report of IEX-1, a radiation-inducible glycosylated human protein, whose expression can be mediated through multisignal transduction pathways.

Elongation factor 1 delta is enhanced following exposure to ionizing radiation.

We have used the technique of differential display of mRNA to investigate gene expression patterns in a human squamous carcinoma cell line, SCC-35, following exposure to ionizing radiation. We observed that elongation factor 1 delta (EF-1 delta) expression increased within 2 h of radiation exposure with maximum expression at 8 h. These data identify EF-1 delta as a radiation-inducible gene. Cell cycle analysis shows that EF-1 delta expression enhancement precedes G2 arrest in these cells, suggesting that EF-1 delta may participate in the G2-M cell cycle checkpoint.

Nerve growth factor stimulates protein kinase C translocation in PC12 cells.

The effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the activity and intracellular localization of protein kinase C (PKC) in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was studied. By using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence method and phorbol ester binding, NGF was found to induce PKC translocation from the cytoplasm into the cell membrane. This process was accompanied by an increase in the protein kinase activity in the membrane fraction. Translocation was completely blocked by H-7, a protein kinase inhibitor potentiating the neurite-stimulating activity of NGF.

Immunofluorescence localization of the regulatory subunit type II of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in PC12 and 3T3 cells in different proliferative states.

Localization of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II was studied in proliferating and quiescent fibroblasts 3T3 and in a cell line of neural origin pheochromocytoma PC12. In actively proliferating PC12 cells the regulatory subunit was found to be localized in the nucleus. Transition of these cells into a quiescent state was accompanied by a regulatory subunit translocation to the cytoplasm. In 3T3 cells the regulatory subunit was localized in the cytoplasm both in the quiescent and proliferating (though less actively than PC12 cells) states. Similar results were obtained both with monoclonal antibodies and with rabbit monospecific antiserum raised against the regulatory subunit type II from pig brain.

Effect of protein kinase modulators on the induction of morphological differentiation of pheochromocytoma PC12 cells by nerve and fibroblast growth factors.

The effect of protein kinase modulators on the ability of nerve and fibroblast growth factors to induce neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was studied. The protein kinase inhibitor H7 increased the neurite-stimulating capacity of these factors. The effect of H7 was observed within 1 h and was dose-dependent. HA 1004, an inhibitor of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases, did not affect the neurite-stimulating activity of NGF. Substances inhibiting protein kinase C, ganglioside GT1b and quercetin, acted in a similar way whereas sphingosine had an opposite effect.

The influence of nerve growth factor on the activities of adenylate cyclase and high-affinity GTPase in pheochromocytoma PC12 cell.

The influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the activities of adenylate cyclase and high-affinity GTPase in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was studied. Incubation of cells with nerve growth factor led to a rapid activation of adenylate cyclase accompanied by an inhibition of high-affinity GTPase. By the 10th min of incubation the activity of adenylate cyclase had been reduced 2-fold when compared to the control. The activity of GTPase, however, increased. No significant changes in the cAMP level were detected. The data obtained indicate that NGF interaction with PC12 cells induces changes in the adenylate cyclase system and this process involves G-proteins that regulate the adenylate cyclase activity.

Production and immunohistochemical characterization of primary cultures of human embryo brain cells.

Primary cultures of human embryo brain cells (9-12 weeks of pregnancy) were obtained. The use of selective substrates (poly-L-lysine, poly-L-ornithine, reconstructed collagen) made it possible to obtain neuron-rich (up to 80%) cultures viable for no less than 30 days. The highest selectivity with respect to neurons was observed when reconstructed collagen was used. Cell types present in the cultures were identified immunohistochemically using antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein, galactocerebroside, fibronectin and neurofilaments. The dynamics of cell growth under different cultivation conditions was studied. Cells in culture have been found to preserve the ability to release neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin). Such primary cultures can serve as a suitable model for studying human brain biochemistry in vitro.

Regulation of differentiation of PC12 cells by nerve growth factor.

The effect of NGF from bovine seminal plasma on the adenylate cyclase system of pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line was studied. It was shown that the elevation of the intracellular level of cAMP caused the NGF-like morphological differentiation of PC12 cells cultured in the serum-free medium. This effect was very transitory because of the compensatory action of phosphodiesterase of cAMP, the biosynthesis of which was induced by the elevated level of intracellular cAMP. Inhibition of the adenylate cyclase activity in the membrane preparation of PC12 cells was observed. This inhibition can be a result of a decrease in the level of endogenous ADP-ribosylation which was detected after incubation of cells with NGF. The parameters of this process were investigated. It was demonstrated that morphological differentiation of PC12 cells can be induced by serotonin (neurotransmitter), L-carnosine (dipeptide) and retinoic acid (vitamin A derivative). The possible mechanisms of action of these substances were suggested. It was shown that serotonin inhibited adenylate cyclase of PC12 cells, whereas the combined action of NGF and serotonin led to the activation of the enzyme. The hypothetic mechanism of this process was proposed.