Transformation and plasmacytoid differentiation of EBV-infected human B lymphoblasts by ras oncogenes

The biological effects of ras oncogene activation in B cells were studied by using amphotropic retroviral vectors to introduce H- or N-ras oncogenes into human B lymphoblasts immortalized by Epstein-Barr virus. Expression of both H- and N-ras oncogenes led to malignant transformation of these cells, as shown by clonogenicity in semisolid media and tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice. In addition, terminal differentiation into plasma cells was detectable as specific changes in morphology, immunoglobulin secretion, and cell surface antigen expression. This combined effect, promoting growth and differentiation in human lymphoblasts, represents a novel biological action of ras oncogenes and has implications for the pathogenesis of terminally differentiated B-lymphoid malignancies such as multiple myeloma.     

Expression of high-affinity binding of human immunoglobulin E by transfected cells

The receptor with high affinity for immunoglobulin E (IgE) on mast cells and basophils is critical in initiating allergic reactions. It is composed of an IgE-binding alpha subunit, a beta subunit, and two gamma subunits. The human alpha subunit was expressed on transfected cells in the presence of rat beta and gamma subunits or in the presence of the gamma subunit alone. The IgE binding properties of the expressed human alpha were characteristic of receptors on normal human cells. These results now permit a systematic analysis of human IgE binding and a search for therapeutically useful inhibitors of that binding.     

Infection of normal human epithelial cells by Epstein-Barr virus

Primary cultures of epithelial cells were grown from the tonsils and adenoids of patients with diseases not related to Epstein-Barr virus. The cells could not be infected by Epstein-Barr virus. Fluorescein-labeled Epstein-Barr virus and a cytofluorograph were then used to show that the epithelial cells do not have detectable receptors for the virus. However, implantation with Epstein-Barr virus receptors gave the cells the ability to bind the labeled virus. One to 5 percent of receptor-implanted cells exposed to the transforming B95-8 substrain of the virus expressed Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen. The early and viral capsid Epstein-Barr virus-determined antigens were not detected in the virus-infected cultures. The results show that normal human epithelial cells from the nasopharynx become susceptible to infection by Epstein-Barr virus when the membrane barrier resulting from the lack of viral receptors is overcome by receptor implantation.     

A model for the tertiary structure of p21, the product of the ras oncogene

A model was developed for the structure of p21, the protein with a molecular weight of 21,000 that is produced by the ras genes. This model predicts that p21 consists of a central core of beta-sheet structure, connected by loops and alpha helices. Four of these loops comprise the guanine nucleotide binding site. The phosphoryl binding region is made up of amino acid sequences from 10 to 16 and from 57 to 63 of p21. The latter sequence may contain a site for magnesium binding. Amino acids defining guanine specificity are Asn-116 and Asp-119, and sequences around amino acid 145 may contribute to guanine binding. The model makes it possible to visualize how oncogenic mutations of p21 affect interaction with guanine nucleotides.     

The oncogenic activation of human p21ras by a novel mechanism

Single amino acid changes were introduced into normal (non-oncogenic) and activated forms of the human H-ras protein at a position (residue 116) proposed on structural grounds to represent a contact site with guanine nucleotides. Substitutions at this site could significantly reduce the ability of both forms to bind and hydrolyze guanosine 5'-triphosphate; these substitutions, however, did not necessarily diminish the transforming capacity of activated derivatives. One substitution that severely impairs these functions activated the transforming potential of the otherwise normal polypeptide.     

Identification and characterization of the protein encoded by the human N-myc oncogene

The human N-myc gene is related to the c-myc proto-oncogene, and has been shown to have transforming potential in vitro. Many studies have reported amplification of N-myc in human neuroblastoma and retinoblastoma cell lines. In primary tumors, amplification of the gene was found to correlate directly with behavior of the tumor. Specific restriction fragments of a partial complementary DNA clone of N-myc from LA-N-5 human neuroblastoma cells were placed into a bacterial expression vector for the purpose of producing antigens representative of the N-myc protein. Rabbits immunized with these antigens produced antisera that recognized a protein of 62-64 kilodaltons in neuroblastoma cells. By several criteria, this protein appears to be part of the same proto-oncogene family as the c-myc protein. Moreover, the antisera to fragments of this protein were capable of histochemically identifying malignant cells in clinical specimens.     

Structure of the GDP domain of EF-Tu and location of the amino acids homologous to ras oncogene proteins

A 2.7 angstrom resolution x-ray diffraction analysis of a trypsin-modified form of the Escherichia coli elongation factor Tu reveals that the GDP-binding domain has a structure similar to that of other nucleotide-binding proteins. The GDP ligand is located at the COOH-terminal end of the beta sheet and is linked to the protein via a Mg2+ ion salt bridge. The location of the guanine ring is unusual; the purine ring is located on the outer edge of the domain, not deep within a hydrophobic pocket. The amino acids from Pro10 to Arg44 and from Gly59 to Glu190 have been assigned to the electron density with computer graphic techniques, and the resulting model is consistent with all known biochemical data. An analysis of the structure reveals that four regions of the amino acid sequence that are homologous with the family of ras oncogene proteins, termed p21, are located in the vicinity of the GDP-binding site, and most of the invariant amino acids shared by the proteins interact directly with the GDP ligand.     

Formaldehyde damage to DNA and inhibition of DNA repair in human bronchial cells

Cultured bronchial epithelial and fibroblastic cells from humans were used to study DNA damage and toxicity caused by formaldehyde. Formaldehyde caused the formation of cross-links between DNA and proteins, caused single-strand breaks in DNA, and inhibited the resealing of single-strand breaks produced by ionizing radiation. Formaldehyde also inhibited the unscheduled DNA synthesis that occurs after exposure of cells to ultraviolet irradiation or to benzo[a]pyrene diolexpoxide but at doses substantially higher than those required to inhibit the resealing of x-ray-induced single-strand breaks. Therefore, formaldehyde could exert its mutagenic and carcinogenic effects by both damaging DNA and inhibiting DNA repair.     

Nuclear localization and DNA binding properties of a protein expressed by human c-myc oncogene

Antisera to the human cellular myc oncogene product were used to identify a human c-myc specific protein with a molecular weight of 65,000. Subcellular fractionation showed that the human c-myc protein is predominantly found in the cell nucleus. The p65Kc-myc protein binds to double- and single-stranded DNA as measured by a DNA affinity chromatography assay.     

Induction of the c-fos oncogene by thyrotropic hormone in rat thyroid cells in culture

Rat thyroid cells in culture, rendered quiescent by hormone deprivation, can be stimulated to undergo DNA synthesis in the absence of serum by the addition of purified thyrotropin. The primary effect in response to thyrotropin action in thyroid cells is the induction of the c-fos oncogene, followed by c-myc expression. This suggests that thyrotropin acts as a competence growth factor.     

Transformation of human lymphocytes: inhibition by homologous alpha globulin

An alpha globulin fraction prepared from normal human plasma by column chromatography prevents homologous lymphocyte transformation and the stimulation of DNA, and also protein synthesis induced by phytohemagglutinin and specific antigens. These observations support the concept of a normal circulating immunosuppressant factor which prevents lymphoid cell proliferation.     

IL-18对人近端肾小管上皮细胞增殖及凋亡的影响

目的探讨白细胞介素18(IL-18)对肾小管上皮细胞增殖及凋亡的作用以进一步明确其在慢性肾病进展中的作用。方法在体外实验中应用不同质量浓度(0.1、1、10、100 mg/L)的IL-18分别处理人类近端肾小管上皮细胞株(HK-2)24、36、48、72h,应用改良的MTT法检测细胞增殖,应用Hoechst33258染色法检测细胞凋亡。结果同一质量浓度不同作用时间,随时间的延长其光吸收值(A值)增加,两两比较差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05);同一作用时间不同质量浓度时的A值,各组与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);IL-18作用24、36、48h随时间增加凋亡百分数与对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),IL-18作用72h细胞凋亡明显增多,且随质量浓度增加而增加,凋亡百分数与对照组相比差异有统计学义(P<0.01)。结论慢性肾病状态下IL-18可能具有促进肾小管萎缩以至丢失的作用。     

Genotoxicity of formaldehyde in cultured human bronchial fibroblasts

Formaldehyde, a common environmental pollutant, inhibits repair of O6-methylguanine and potentiates the mutagenicity of an alkylating agent, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, in normal human fibroblasts. Because formaldehyde alone also causes mutations in human cells, the compound may cause genotoxicity by a dual mechanism of directly damaging DNA and inhibiting repair of mutagenic and carcinogenic DNA lesions caused by other chemical and physical carcinogens.     

人源抗菌肽LL-37真核表达载体的构建及其在奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中的表达

【目的】使人源抗菌肽LL-37在真核表达载体中获得高效表达.【方法】采用RT-PCR技术,从人的血样中扩增出LL-37基因片段,并将其连接至pcDNA3.1-His-V5(+)载体.通过脂质体介导法将重组质粒转入奶牛乳腺上皮细胞,G418筛选获得稳定阳性细胞株,并且利用RT-PCR和Western-blot检测目的基因在转录及翻译水平的表达情况.【结果】RT-PCR结果显示,经转染的乳腺上皮细胞能够扩增出523bp的LL-37基因.qRT-PCR结果发现,LL-37mRNA在转染后的不同时期均有表达,经稳定转染的表达量最高.通过Western-blot检测,获得了约17kU的目的蛋白.【结论】结果表明,LL-37基因成功整合至奶牛乳腺上皮细胞并能够正确表达,这为构建分泌LL-37蛋白的奶牛乳腺生物反应器提供了依据.     

奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的原代培养

【目的】探索一种简单且高效的原代奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的培养方法。【方法】采用组织块培养法、酶消化法培养奶牛乳腺上皮细胞;通过MTT法检测吸光度绘制细胞生长曲线;通过免疫组化法鉴定角蛋白-18的表达。【结果】酶消化法相比组织块培养法获得的细胞具有耗时短,获得量高等优点,MTT法绘制的生长曲线符合一般生物学特性,呈"S"型,奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中角蛋白-18阳性表达。【结论】酶消化法是一种简单且高效的培养原代奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的方法。     

Translocation of Helicobacter pylori CagA into gastric epithelial cells by type IV secretion

The Gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a causative agent of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in humans. Strains producing the CagA antigen (cagA(+)) induce strong gastric inflammation and are strongly associated with gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma. We show here that such strains translocate the bacterial protein CagA into gastric epithelial cells by a type IV secretion system, encoded by the cag pathogenicity island. CagA is tyrosine-phosphorylated and induces changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation state of distinct cellular proteins. Modulation of host cells by bacterial protein translocation adds a new dimension to the chronic Helicobacter infection with yet unknown consequences.