The intracellular distribution and pattern of expression of Mcl-1 overlap with, but are not identical to, those of Bcl-2.

A family of genes related to the bcl-2 protooncogene has recently emerged. One member of this family, mcl-1, was cloned from a human myeloblastic leukemia cell line (ML-1) undergoing differentiation. The intracellular localization of mcl-1, as well as the kinetics of its expression during differentiation, have now been studied. These studies show that the intracellular distribution of mcl-1 overlaps with, but is not identical to, that of bcl-2: mcl-1 is similar to bcl-2 in that the mcl-1 protein has a prominent mitochondrial localization, and in that it associates with membranes through its carboxyl hydrophobic tail. mcl-1 differs from bcl-2, however, in its relative distribution among other (nonmitochondrial/heavy membrane) compartments, mcl-1 also being abundant in the light membrane fraction of immature ML-1 cells while bcl-2 is abundant in the nuclear fraction. Similarly, in differentiating ML-1 cells, the timing of expression of mcl-1 overlaps with, but is not identical to, that of bcl-2: the mcl-1 protein increases rapidly as cells initiate differentiation, and mcl-1 is a labile protein. In contrast, bcl-2 decreases gradually as cells complete differentiation. Overall, the mcl-1 and bcl-2 proteins have some properties in common and others tht are distinct. A burst of expression of mcl-1, prominently associated with mitochondria, complements the continued expression of bcl-2 in ML-1 cells differentiating along the monocyte/macrophage pathway.

Early decline in c-myb oncogene expression in the differentiation of human myeloblastic leukemia (ML-1) cells induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

The relationship of oncogene expression to proliferation and differentiation has been examined in a line of human myeloblastic leukemia (ML-1) cells. Proliferating leukemic cells were found to express a 4.3-kilobase cellular homologue (c-myb) of the transforming sequence of avian myeloblastosis virus. A rapid decline in the expression of this transcript was seen in cells induced to differentiate with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. The level of c-myb RNA was decreased by greater than 50% as early as 3 hr after 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate exposure, and at 8 to 72 hr the reduction was greater than or equal to 4-fold. Subsequent to the decrease in oncogene expression at 3 hr, DNA synthesis began to decline; by 24 hr, cell proliferation had ceased. At this time, monocyte- and macrophage-like cells were beginning to emerge. These findings demonstrate that c-myb is expressed during ML-1 cell proliferation and declines prior to the loss of DNA synthesis that accompanies the differentiation process.

Increased activation of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine by hydroxyurea in L1210 cells.

Hydroxyurea (0.1 to 10 mM), incubated with L1210 cells in the presence of 1 microM 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), produced a concentration- and time-dependent increase in levels of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine 5'-triphosphate (ara-CTP). This effect was abolished upon removal of hydroxyurea from cells. The enhancement of ara-CTP by hydroxyurea was observed for concentrations of ara-C ranging from 0.1 to 100 microM. These changes were not associated with alteration in the activity of deoxycytidine kinase, measured in extracts from L1210 cells both with and without deoxycytidine triphosphate. Hydroxyurea did, however, increase the apparent maximum velocity of this enzyme when determined with intact cell preparations, a finding consistent with alteration in endogenous regulation of this enzyme. Four-hr i.v. infusion of hydroxyurea (192 mg/kg/hr) with ara-C (1 mg/kg/hr) into ascites tumor-bearing mice also resulted in increased L1210 cell concentrations of ara-CTP. ara-C levels in plasma and L1210 cells were unaffected by hydroxyurea. Therefore, the enhancement of ara-CTP concentration in vivo, like in vitro, resulted from changes in ara-C conversion in the L1210 cells.

Macromolecular and cell cycle effects of different classes of agents inducing the maturation of human myeloblastic leukemia (ML-1) cells.

The effect of various classes of differentiation-inducing agents on macromolecular synthesis was studied in a human myeloblastic leukemia cell line (ML-1). Antineoplastic drugs such as 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, daunorubicin, and actinomycin D caused early inhibition of DNA synthesis, which generally preceded the accrual of differentiation markers. In contrast, retinoic acid and conditioned medium from mitogen-stimulated leukocytes caused a delayed decline in DNA synthesis, which accompanied the appearance of maturing morphology. With 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, the decline in DNA synthesis was temporally linked to the onset of maturation, and this agent evidenced some properties of both the antineoplastic agents and the more physiological inducers, retinoic acid and conditioned medium. Antineoplastic agents and conditioned medium, when applied simultaneously, induced differentiation in an additive or synergistic manner, simulating the effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. RNA and protein synthesis continued during maturation induced with all these agents, although a partial reduction in RNA synthesis was observed at later time points (greater than or equal to 24 hr). Agents incapable of inducing differentiation, such as cordycepin and cycloheximide, were characterized by a lack of sustained inhibition of DNA synthesis and/or by early (3 hr) inhibition of RNA or protein synthesis. The decline in DNA synthesis caused by the inducing agents was accompanied by decreased cell cycle progression, cells accumulating largely in G1 phase. With daunorubicin and actinomycin D, block of the G1-S transition was evident at 24 hr, whereas with conditioned medium and retinoic acid, accumulation in G1 occurred in a progressive fashion, greater than 77% of cells residing in this phase on Day 6. Maximal inducing doses of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (greater than 80% differentiation) caused an accumulation of cells in G1, as well as an accumulation of cells with a G2-M-phase DNA content (approximately 40%). These observations indicate that early inhibition of DNA synthesis, with sparing of RNA and protein synthesis, is characteristic of the differentiation-inducing antineoplastic drugs examined. These agents may induce differentiation by inhibition of the proliferation path, whereas conditioned medium and retinoic acid may act by the stimulation of differentiation paths. Differentiation can be enhanced by the simultaneous application of agents targeting both of these paths.

Participation of p53 protein in the cellular response to DNA damage.

The inhibition of replicative DNA synthesis that follows DNA damage may be critical for avoiding genetic lesions that could contribute to cellular transformation. Exposure of ML-1 myeloblastic leukemia cells to nonlethal doses of the DNA damaging agents, gamma-irradiation or actinomycin D, causes a transient inhibition of replicative DNA synthesis via both G1 and G2 arrests. Levels of p53 protein in ML-1 cells and in proliferating normal bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells increase and decrease in temporal association with the G1 arrest. In contrast, the S-phase arrest of ML-1 cells caused by exposure to the anti-metabolite, cytosine arabinoside, which does not directly damage DNA, is not associated with a significant change in p53 protein levels. Caffeine treatment blocks both the G1 arrest and the induction of p53 protein after gamma-irradiation, thus suggesting that blocking the induction of p53 protein may contribute to the previously observed effects of caffeine on cell cycle changes after DNA damage. Unlike ML-1 cells and normal bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells, hematopoietic cells that either lack p53 gene expression or overexpress a mutant form of the p53 gene do not exhibit a G1 arrest after gamma-irradiation; however, the G2 arrest is unaffected by the status of the p53 gene. These results suggest a role for the wild-type p53 protein in the inhibition of DNA synthesis that follows DNA damage and thus suggest a new mechanism for how the loss of wild-type p53 might contribute to tumorigenesis.

Mcl-1, a member of the Bcl-2 family, delays apoptosis induced by c-Myc overexpression in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Mcl-1, a protein increased early in the differentiation of human myeloblastic ML-1 cells, has sequence similarity to Bcl-2. In the present study, we determined whether Mcl-1 has functional similarity to Bcl-2 by testing its ability to inhibit apoptosis induced by c-Myc overexpression. This was carried out using Chinese hamster ovary 5AHSmyc cells which contain the human c-myc proto-oncogene under the control of a heat shock promoter. Heat treatment induces c-Myc overexpression and thus apoptosis as determined by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. We transfected 5AHSmyc cells with mcl-1 and found that clones expressing the introduced Mcl-1 protein exhibited reduced DNA fragmentation. Mcl-1 was also capable of delaying the onset of cell death as judged by loss of membrane integrity, although it could not provide complete protection from c-Myc overexpression. Thus, Mcl-1 has functional homology to Bcl-2 in that Mcl-1 can enhance cell viability under conditions that otherwise cause apoptosis.

Levels of p53 protein increase with maturation in human hematopoietic cells.

Transfection of the wild-type p53 gene into malignant cell lines usually results in an inhibition of proliferation. However, the physiological function of the endogenous p53 gene product has been difficult to ascertain. In order to examine whether p53 is involved in the regulation of proliferation and/or differentiation of hematopoietic tissue, we modified a recently developed flow cytometric assay to assess p53 protein expression in normal human hematopoietic cells, primary leukemias, and selected leukemia cell lines. In normal human bone marrow, p53 protein was not detected in the proliferative, progenitor cell populations identified by the cell surface antigens CD34 (progenitor cells of multiple lineages) or glycophorin (erythroid precursors). In contrast, low but detectable levels of p53 protein were observed in the nonproliferative, mature lymphoid, granulocytic, and monocytic cell populations. Similarly, p53 levels increased and DNA synthesis decreased during 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced differentiation of ML-1 myeloblastic leukemia cells. Both of these results suggest that endogenous, wild-type p53 protein may play a role in hematopoietic cell maturation, possibly by contributing to the inhibition of proliferation that occurs during terminal differentiation. Leukemia cells deviated from this pattern of expression: (a) in contrast to the normal, proliferative bone marrow progenitor cells, a significant percentage of patient leukemia samples expressed detectable levels of p53 protein; and (b) leukemia cell lines exhibited lineage-specific abnormalities in p53 expression, with overexpression in lymphoid cell lines and lack of expression in myeloid cell lines.

Induction of BCL2 family member MCL1 as an early response to DNA damage.

When ML-1 human myeloid leukemia cells are exposed to DNA damaging agents, they exhibit dramatic changes in the expression of a variety of gene products. This includes an increase in p53 (wild-type), a decrease in BCL2, a p53-dependent increase in the BCL2 family member BAX, and increases in Growth Arrest and DNA Damage-inducible (GADD) genes such as GADD45; these changes occur as early events in a sequence that culminates in DNA damage-induced apoptosis. DNA damaging agents have now been tested for effects on expression of another BCL2 family member, MCL1, a gene expressed during ML-1 cell differentiation. Expression of MCL1 was found to increase upon exposure of ML-1 cells to various types of DNA damaging agents, including ionizing radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and alkylating drugs. The increase in MCL1 occurred rapidly and was transient, levels of the MCL1 mRNA being elevated within 4 h and having returned to near baseline within 24 h. An increase in the Mcl1 protein was also seen, with the maximal increase occurring at an intermediate dose of IR (5 Gray) and lesser increases occurring at either lower or higher doses. The increase in expression of MCL1 was further studied using a panel of human cell lines that includes cells containing or not containing alterations in p53 as well as cells sensitive or insensitive to the apoptosis-inducing effects of DNA damage. The DNA damage-induced increase in MCL1 mRNA did not depend upon p53 as it was seen in cells lacking functional p53. However, the increase did depend upon susceptibility to apoptosis as it was not seen in cells insensitive to apoptosis-induction by DNA damaging agents. These findings demonstrate that cytotoxic DNA damage causes an increase in the expression of MCL1 along with increases in GADD45 and BAX and a decrease in BCL2. Furthermore, while the increase in GADD45 is seen both in cells that undergo growth arrest and in cells that undergo apoptosis in response to DNA damage, alterations in the profile of expression of BCL2 family members occur exclusively in cells that undergo the apoptotic response, with some family members increasing through p53-dependent (BAX) and others through p53-independent (MCL1) pathways. Overall, expression MCL1 can increase during the induction of cell death as well as during the induction of differentiation.

Expression of the antiapoptotic MCL1 gene product is regulated by a mitogen activated protein kinase-mediated pathway triggered through microtubule disruption and protein kinase C.

Members of both the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase and BCL2 gene families, acting in concert with other gene products, are involved in the regulation of cell viability. However, the relationship between these families, and the signal transduction networks that control viability-regulating genes, are only beginning to be elucidated. MCL1 is a viability-promoting member of the BCL2 family that exhibits a rapid increase in expression in response to specific differentiation- and apoptosis-inducing stimuli. The signal transduction pathway involved in eliciting this increase has now been investigated. In the ML-1 human myeloblastic leukemia cell line, a rapid and sustained increase in phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) members of the MAP kinase family was found to precede the increase in MCL1 expression produced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or the microtubule-disrupting agents colchicine and vinblastine. ERK activation was necessary for the increase in MCL1, as inhibition of the increase in ERK phosphorylation (with the inhibitor PD 98059) prevented the increase in MCL1 expression and caused rapid cell death by apoptosis. In addition, other agents that markedly increased ERK phosphorylation (lipopolysaccharide, okadaic acid) also increased MCL1 expression. In contrast, agents that did not have this marked effect did not increase MCL1. Upstream components in this ERK-mediated pathway were also identified, where the pathway was found to be stimulated by microtubule disruption acting through protein kinase C (PKC). These results indicate that expression of the MCL1 viability-enhancing gene is regulated through a cytoskeletal disruption-induced ERK-mediated signal transduction pathway. They therefore suggest a mechanism through which the cytoskeleton and MAP kinases can exert effects on cell viability.

MCL1 provides a window on the role of the BCL2 family in cell proliferation, differentiation and tumorigenesis.

The MCL1 gene (myeloid cell leukemia-1) was discovered serendipitously about a decade ago and proved to be a member of the emerging BCL2 gene family. Ongoing studies of this gene provide an interesting perspective on the role of the BCL2 family in transitions in cell phenotype. Specifically, gene products that influence cell viability as a major effect (eg MCL1, BCL2 and other family members) can act as key determinants in cell proliferation, differentiation and tumorigenesis. Although they do not have a direct role in proliferation/differentiation programs, these genes can either permit these programs to proceed or prevent them. Through such effects, the BCL2 family regulates the normal flow of cells through cycles of proliferation and along various pathways of differentiation. A model is presented suggesting that this is accomplished by sustaining or inhibiting viability at critical points in the cell lifecycle. These critical points represent windows of time during which cell fate transitions are effected. They can also be visualized as windows that open or close to promote or prevent continued progression along various cell fate pathways. The pattern of BCL2 family expression at these points allows for the proliferation differentiation, and continued viability of cell types that are needed, while aborting these processes for cells that are overabundant or no longer needed. The combined action of the various family members can therefore control the fate of cells, tissues and even the organism. This mechanism involving apoptosis-related genes is readily executable, and is poised to respond to external signals through the differential regulation of BCL2 family members. As such, it plays an important role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and function. Alterations that affect the BCL2 family impair the capacity to control the flow of cells through these critical points, and thereby 'leave the window open' for cell immortalization and cancer. Targeting this family may thus provide a means of inhibiting cancer development and inducing apoptosis in tumor cells.

The Allee effect in site choice behaviour of egg-laying dengue vector mosquitoes.

Surveillance and control of the dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is commonly reliant on its egg-laying behaviour, which is affected by the presence of conspecific eggs. However, the influence of varying egg density and breeding site choice on Ae. aegypti egg-laying strategy is unclear. In this laboratory study Ae. aegypti demonstrated a strong oviposition preference for substrates with intermediate numbers of conspecific eggs, thus demonstrating an 'Allee effect'. The withholding of some eggs, a trait required for skip oviposition, was almost non-existent when no site choice was available, regardless of egg density; indicating that skip oviposition behaviour is modulated according to the availability of suitable sites. These experiments have revealed a hierarchy of oviposition choices in Ae. aegypti that may thwart attempts to use semiochemicals from eggs to enhance oviposition-based surveillance and control methods.

The bcl-2 gene family.

Viability is a fundamental determinant of all cellular functions, and regulation of cell viability is important in shaping tissue differentiation and organism development. The genes in the bcl-2 family can profoundly influence cell viability. In addition to bcl-2, cellular genes in this family include bcl-x, bax, mcl-1, and A1 (from vertebrates), as well as ced9 (from Caenorhabditis elegans). Different members of the family exhibit a spectrum of activity, ranging from survival-enhancement of death-enhancement. Thus, the combinatorial effects of various bcl-2 family members may allow a fine level of control over the important function of cell viability. In addition, alterations in these genes may cause aberations in cell death and thus contribute to cancer.

Differentiation-inducing and cytotoxic effects of tumor necrosis factor and interferon-gamma in myeloblastic ML-1 cells.

The effects of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and a second pleiotropic cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN), were examined in a line of human myeloblastic leukemia cells (ML-1). By itself, TNF causes ML-1 to differentiate along the monocytic pathway. The cells exhibit an increase in Fc receptors and acquire the morphological characteristics of maturing phenotype. They remain viable and continue to proliferate (at greater than or equal to 50% of the control growth rate) even with 10(2)-10(4) units/ml TNF. IFN alone has similar effects, causing an increase in Fc receptors but little cytotoxicity. In contrast to either cytokine alone, the combination of TNF plus IFN causes a cessation of proliferation and extensive cell death. Cytotoxicity occurs in a synergistic fashion; it requires the simultaneous presence of both cytokines, occurring with concurrent but not sequential exposure. These different responses, differentiation (TNF alone) and cytotoxicity (TNF + IFN), occur with a similar range of doses (approximately 10(2)-10(4) units/ml) and in a similar time frame (beginning on day 2). In other cell types, IFN can augment either the differentiation-inducing or the cytotoxic effect of TNF. In ML-1, the combined application of TNF plus IFN results in a shift from differentiation to cytotoxicity.

Suppression of tumorigenicity in hybrids of normal and oncogene-transformed CHEF cells.

Somatic cell hybridization experiments were carried out to determine whether normal cells have the ability to suppress the transforming effects of a defined oncogene. A nontransformed Chinese hamster embryo fibroblast cell line (CHEF/18-dm2) was used as the normal parent, and a CHEF/18 transfectant carrying the human mutant c-Ha-ras (EJ) oncogene was used as the tumorigenic parent. Selected hybrids (L318 cell lines) were assayed for the presence of EJ DNA, for the p21 product of the c-Ha-ras gene, and for various indices of cell transformation. These hybrids exhibited a fibroblastic morphology similar to the normal parent, although they contained the EJ gene and expressed its p21 protein product at levels comparable with the transformed parent. They had a reduced capacity for anchorage-independent growth (plating efficiency in methylcellulose of less than 0.3-13%, as compared with greater than 90% for the transformed parent) and decreased tumor-forming ability in athymic mice. These findings show that normal CHEF/18 cells contain suppressor genes capable of inhibiting expression of the transformed phenotype, and tumor-forming ability, in the presence of an activated EJ oncogene.

Genetic analysis of tumorigenesis. XXXI: Retention of short arm of chromosome 3 in suppressed CHEF cell hybrids containing c-Ha-ras (EJ) gene.

Hybrids between nontransformed Chinese hamster embryo fibroblast (CHEF) cells and their c-Ha-ras (EJ) -transformed derivatives are suppressed for tumor-forming ability when tested at early passage. Hybrid subclones with suppressed (fibroblastic) or transformed appearance have now been selected by multiple recloning. Morphology, but not serum or anchorage requirement, was a sensitive indicator of suppression: Subclones with normal morphology were nontumorigenic, subclones with transformed morphology were highly tumorigenic, and intermediate subclones (7-70% normal colonies) formed tumors with a frequency of 17-50%. Suppressed lines retained the short arm of chromosome 3, but transformed and tumor-derived lines had lost this region (greater than or equal to 1 copy). Transformed and tumor-derived cells exhibited additional chromosome changes, including the loss of at least one copy of chromosomes 7 and/or 8. These findings suggest that a tumor suppressor gene lies on the short arm of chromosome 3, consistent with prior studies from this laboratory. Other suppressor genes may be located on chromosomes 7 and 8.

Improved coupling between proliferation-arrest and differentiation-induction in ML-1 human myeloblastic leukemia cells.

Proliferation and differentiation are coupled in normal cells and are aberrant in leukemia cells. The studies reported here were aimed at more effectively coupling proliferation-arrest and differentiation-induction in a human myeloblastic leukemia cell line (ML-1). This was accomplished by using reduced serum conditions in conjunction with a differentiation-inducing agent: cells were first incubated in reduced serum [0.3% fetal bovine serum (FBS)] instead of standard conditions (7.5% FBS) and, second, exposed to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The effects of this protocol were as follows: first, cell proliferation was slowed and cells accumulated in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle; this occurred with only a minimal decrease in viability [to approximately 88-92% (0.3% FBS) from greater than or equal to 96% (7.5% FBS)]. Second, the induction of differentiation was accelerated; this allowed the time of exposure to TPA to be decreased. Acceleration of induction was very pronounced when cells were maintained in 0.3% FBS both before and during exposure to TPA, with TPA at concentrations above the minimum sufficient for induction but below those causing significant cytotoxicity; as little as 1 hour of TPA exposure resulted in near-maximal induction (approximately 80%) with this protocol, compared to the greater than or equal to 1 day required with previous standard protocols. In sum, conditions that slow ML-1 cell proliferation (0.3% FBS) enhance TPA-induced differentiation, substantially narrowing the time frame of induction; these conditions should be useful for studying the molecular mechanisms that underlie the induction process.

Protection from cell death by mcl-1 is mediated by membrane hyperpolarization induced by K(+) channel activation.

Mcl-1, a member of the Bcl-2 family, has been identified as an inhibitor of apoptosis induced by anticancer agents and radiation in myeloblastic leukemia cells. The molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, however, is not yet understood. In the present study, we report that hyperpolarization of the membrane potential is required for prevention of mcl-1 mediated cell death in murine myeloblastic FDC-P1 cells. In cells transfected with mcl-1, the membrane potential, measured by the whole-cell patch clamp, was hyperpolarized more than -30 mV compared with control cells. The membrane potential was repolarized by increased extracellular K(+) concentration (56 mV per 10-fold change in K(+) concentration). Using the cell-attached patch-clamp technique, K(+) channel activity was 1.7 times higher in mcl-1 transfected cells (NP(o) = 22.7 +/- 3. 3%) than control cells (NP(o) = 13.2 +/- 1.9%). Viabilities of control and mcl-1 transfected cells after treatment with the cytotoxin etoposide (20 microgram/ml), were 37.9 +/- 3.9% and 78.2 +/- 2.0%, respectively. Suppression of K(+) channel activity by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) before etoposide treatment significantly reduced the viability of mcl-1 transfected cells to 49.0 +/- 4.6%. These results indicate that as part of the prevention of cell death, mcl-1 causes a hyperpolarization of membrane potential through activation of K(+) channel activity.

Myeloid cell leukemia 1 is phosphorylated through two distinct pathways, one associated with extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and the other with G2/M accumulation or protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibition.

Protein kinase C activators and microtubule-damaging drugs stimulate BCL2 phosphorylation, which has been associated with either enhancement or inhibition of cell viability. In a Burkitt lymphoma cell line, both types of agents likewise stimulated phosphorylation of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1), another viability-promoting BCL2 family member. However, while MCL1 phosphorylation induced by the protein kinase C activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), did not affect its electrophoretic mobility, microtubule-damaging agents, such as taxol, induced MCL1 phosphorylation associated with a band shift to decreased mobility. Inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation blocked TPA-induced MCL1 phosphorylation but not the taxol-induced band shift. TPA-induced MCL1 phosphorylation occurred rapidly and was not associated with decreased viability, while the taxol-induced band shift occurred upon extended exposure as cells accumulated in G(2)/M followed by cell death. Protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitors also induced the MCL1 band shift/phosphorylation. Thus, MCL1 undergoes two distinct types of phosphorylation: (i) TPA-induced, ERK-associated phosphorylation, which does not alter the electrophoretic mobility of MCL1, and (ii) ERK-independent phosphorylation, which results in an MCL1 band shift and is induced by events in G(2)/M or protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitors.

Gene transfer by lipofection in rabbit and human secretory epithelial cells.

Lipofection, a recently-developed method for gene transfer, was tested in secretory epithelial cells. Lipofection facilitated both transient DNA transfection with plasmids containing the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and stable transfection with a plasmid containing the neomycin resistance gene, which confers resistance to the antibiotic G418 (Geneticin). Gene transfer occurred efficiently in a rabbit kidney medullary thick ascending limb cell line and in primary cultures of rabbit tracheal epithelial cells. The method was also effective in Simian virus 40-transformed human airway cells isolated from a normal individual and from a patient with cystic fibrosis (CF). Cytotoxicity was minimal, particularly when the time of exposure to the lipofectin-DNA was limited to 3-5 h (less than 5% cell loss). Thus, the lipofection method is useful for gene transfer in a variety of secretory epithelial cells and should be ideal for studies of defective secretory epithelial cell function in CF.

Protein switches in muscle contraction.

Two types of Ca2+-sensitive protein complexes control the contraction of muscle: Troponin (TN) and tropomyosin (TM) are associated with the thin actin filaments, and a specific light chain is a regulatory subunit of myosin itself. Most muscles have both types of regulation. X-ray diffraction diagrams from whole muscle have shown changes in the position of tropomyosin and changes in the pattern of myosin crossbridge attachment associated with different states of the regulatory switches. The full interpretation of these diagrams is often ambiguous, however, and structural studies of the purified proteins provide essential information. Recent crystallographic results reveal that the TM molecule has unusual local domains of marginal stability, leading to extensive motions of the tropomyosin filaments. Electron microscopy of negatively stained thin filaments decorated with subfragments of scallop myosin yields unusually detailed images that show marked conformational changes in myosin crossbridges that are dependent on the presence or absence of the regulatory light chain. These observations suggest that both the special dynamic design of tropomyosin and the striking structural changes in the myosin crossbridges are significant clues for detailed models for the regulatory mechanism.