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Biomedical subjects

B G Neel

Publications and source records attributed to B G Neel.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Localization of the cellular oncogenes ABL, SIS, and FES on human germ-line chromosomes.

The human germ-line positions of the oncogenes ABL, SIS, and FES, the cellular counterparts of the v-onc genes of Abelson murine leukemia virus, simian sarcoma virus, and feline sarcoma virus, respectively, have been determined by in situ molecular hybridization of 3H-labeled v-onc gene probes to meiotic pachytene chromosomes. The position of ABL at 9q34.1 corresponds to the breakpoint in chromosome 9 in the translocation that gives rise to the Philadelphia chromosome, t(9;22) (q34; q11); the position of SIS at 22q13.1 is distal to the breakpoint in this chromosome. FES at 15q26.1 is also distal to the breakpoint in chromosome 15 in the translocation commonly seen in acute promyelocytic leukemia, t(15;17) (q24;q22).

Abelson murine leukemia virus↗

Localization of c-ras oncogene family on human germ-line chromosomes.

The c-ras family is a set of c-onc genes that are highly conserved in vertebrates. The genes in this family are homologous to the transforming genes of Harvey and Kirsten murine sarcoma viruses (v-Ha-ras and v-Ki-ras, respectively). Using an in situ molecular hybridization method, we detected three sites on the human pachytene chromosomes that exhibited significant hybridization to v-Ki-ras and v-Ha-ras probes. These were chromomere positions that corresponded to bands 11p14.1, 12p12.1, and 12q24.2 of somatic chromosomes. The relationship between these chromosomal sites and previously defined members of the human c-ras gene family is discussed. These chromosomal sites are known to be involved in specific chromosome changes in a variety of tumors and in several congenital disorders that predispose to neoplastic disease.

Autoradiography↗

Isolation of 16L virus: a rapidly transforming sarcoma virus from an avian leukosis virus-induced sarcoma.

We have isolated a replication-defective rapidly transforming sarcoma virus (designated 16L virus) from a fibro-sarcoma in a chicken infected with td107A, a transformation-defective deletion mutant of subgroup A Schmidt-Ruppin Rous sarcoma virus. 16L virus transforms fibroblasts and causes sarcomas in infected chickens within 2 wk. Its genomic RNA is 6.0 kilobases and contains sequences homologous to the transforming gene (fps) of Fujinami sarcoma virus (FSV). RNase T1 oligonucleotide analysis shows that the 5' and 3' terminal sequences of 16L virus are indistinguishable from (and presumably derived from) td107A RNA. The central part of 16L viral RNA consists of fps-related sequences. These oligonucleotides fall into four classes: (i) oligonucleotides common to the putative transforming regions of FSV and another fps-containing avian sarcoma virus, UR1; (ii) an oligonucleotide also present in FSV but not in UR1; (iii) an oligonucleotide also present in UR1 but not in FSV; and (iv) an oligonucleotide not present in either FSV, UR1, or td107A. Cells infected with 16L virus synthesize a protein of Mr 142,000 that is immunoprecipitated with anti-gag antiserum. This protein has protein kinase activity. These results suggest that 16L virus arose by recombination between td107A and the cellular fps gene.

Animals↗

Two human c-onc genes are located on the long arm of chromosome 8.

We have used in situ chromosome hybridization techniques to map the human cellular counterparts (c-onc genes) of the transforming genes of two RNA tumor viruses on human meiotic pachytene and somatic metaphase chromosomes. We find that the human c-mos gene is located on chromosome 8 at a position corresponding to band 8q22 on the somatic map. The human c-myc gene is found on chromosome 8 at position 8q24. These regions on the long arm of chromosome 8 have been previously reported to be involved in specific translocations found in the M-2 subset of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemias. Burkitt lymphoma, and other forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and a familial abnormality that predisposes to renal cell carcinoma. These results suggest that translocations of the human c-mos or c-myc genes may be causally related to neoplastic transformation.

Chromosome Banding↗

Molecular analysis of the c-myc locus in normal tissue and in avian leukosis virus-induced lymphomas.

We isolated molecular clones of the provirus-host cell junctions (tumor junction fragments) from two avian leukosis virus-induced lymphomas and compared the structures of these clones with a clone of the normal c-myc gene. Restriction mapping and DNA sequencing demonstrated that normal proviral integration events occurred adjacent to c-myc in both tumors, without gross structural alteration of c-myc. The right long terminal repeat of an avian leukosis virus provirus is integrated upstream from the bulk of the c-myc coding sequences and oriented such that transcription can initiate within the long terminal repeat and proceed downstream into c-myc. A comparison of a tumor junction fragment with the v-myc gene showed that there are two regions of v-myc-related sequences (which are probably exons) separated by 1 kilobase of sequences unrelated to v-myc (probably an intron). A DNA sequence analysis of the tumor junction fragments suggested that integration had occurred in exons adjacent to splice donor sites. This suggests that there are additional exons and introns in c-myc. Based on these findings, a model is proposed for the genesis of the tumor-specific RNAs containing viral-5' and c-myc information in avian leukosis virus-induced lymphomas.

Animals↗

Activation of a cellular onc gene by promoter insertion in ALV-induced lymphoid leukosis.

Analyses of DNA and RNA from avian leukosis virus (ALV)-induced lymphomas have provided strong evidence that, in most tumours, ALV induces neoplastic disease by activating the c-myc gene, the cellular counterpart of the transforming gene of MC29 virus. The data indicate that, as a rare event, the ALV provirus integrates adjacent to the c-myc gene and that transcription, initiating from a viral promoter, causes enhanced expression of c-myc, leading to neoplastic transformation.

Avian Leukosis Virus↗

Avian leukosis virus-induced tumors have common proviral integration sites and synthesize discrete new RNAs: oncogenesis by promoter insertion.

Unlike other RNA tumor viruses, avian leukosis viruses (which cause lymphomas and occasionally other neoplasms) lack discrete "transforming genes". We have analyzed the virus-related DNA and RNA of avian leukosis virus (ALV)-induced tumors in an attempt to gain insight into the mechanism of ALV oncogenesis. Our results show that viral gene products are not required for maintenance of neoplastic transformation. Primary and metastatic tumors are clonal and thus presumably derived from a single infected cell. Most importantly, tumors from different birds have integration sites in common. Tumor cells synthesize discrete new poly(A) RNAs consisting of viral sequences covalently linked to cellular sequences. These RNA species are expressed at high levels in tumor cells. Our results suggest that in lymphoid tumors, an ALV provirus is integrated adjacent to a specific cellular gene, and the insertion of the viral promoter adjacent to this gene results in its enhanced expression, leading to neoplasia. These results have potentially important implications for the mechanism of non-viral carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Avian erythroblastosis virus produces two mRNA's.

We analyzed the viral mRNA's present in fibroblast nonproducer clones transformed by avian erythroblastosis virus. Two size classes of mRNA (28 to 30S and 22 to 24S) were identified by solution hybridization with both complementary DNA strong stop and complementary DNA made against the unique sequences of avian erythroblastosis virus. Based upon the kinetics of hybridization with complementary DNA made against the unique sequences of avian erythroblastosis virus, we estimated that there were 400 to 500 copies of the 28 to 30S RNA per cell and 200 to 250 copies of the 22 to 24S RNA per cell. Both RNA species were packaged in the virion. In vitro translation of the 28 to 30S virion RNA yielded a 75,000-dalton protein which was the 75,000-dalton gag-related polyprotein found in avian erythroblastosis virus-transformed cells. In vitro translation of the 22 to 24S virion RNA yielded two proteins (46,000 and 48,000 daltons). This indicates that there may be two genes in avian erythroblastosis virus, one coding for the 75,000-dalton gag-related polyprotein and the second coding for the 46,000- or 48,000-dalton protein or both.

Alpharetrovirus↗