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E Huberman

Publications and source records attributed to E Huberman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding IMP dehydrogenase from Arabidopsis thaliana.

We have cloned and characterized the gene encoding inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) from Arabidopsis thaliana (At). The transcription unit of the At gene spans approximately 1900 bp and specifies a protein of 503 amino acids with a calculated relative molecular mass (M(r)) of 54,190. The gene is comprised of a minimum of four introns and five exons with all donor and acceptor splice sequences conforming to previously proposed consensus sequences. The deduced IMPDH amino-acid sequence from At shows a remarkable similarity to other eukaryotic IMPDH sequences, with a 48% identity to human Type II enzyme. Allowing for conservative substitutions, the enzyme is 69% similar to human Type II IMPDH. The putative active-site sequence of At IMPDH conforms to the IMP dehydrogenase/guanosine monophosphate reductase motif and contains an essential active-site cysteine residue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dual effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on hsp28 and PKC beta gene expression in phorbol ester-resistant human myeloid HL-525 leukemic cells.

We investigated the effect of 1 alpha-25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] on the expression of the 28-kDa heat shock protein gene (hsp28) and the protein kinase C beta gene (PKC beta) in the human myeloid HL-60 leukemic cell variant HL-525, which is resistant to phorbol ester-induced macrophage differentiation. Northern and western blot analysis showed little or no hsp28 gene expression in the HL-60 cell variant, HL-205, which is susceptible to such differentiation, while a relatively high basal level of hsp28 gene expression was observed in the HL-525 cells. However, both cell lines demonstrated heat shock-induced expression of this gene. During treatment with 50-300 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3, a marked reduction of hsp28 gene expression along with an induction of PKC beta gene expression was observed in HL-525 cells. A gel mobility-shift assay demonstrated that the 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced alteration of hsp28 gene expression was associated with decreased binding activity to the vitamin D3 receptor-vitamin D3 response element (VDR-VDRE), whereas binding to the heat shock transcription factor-heat shock element (HSF-HSE) was not altered. Our results suggest that the dual effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on hsp28 and PKC beta gene expression is due to the different sequence composition of the vitamin D response element in the promoter region as well as an accessory factor for each gene or that 1,25-(OH)2D3 increases PKC beta gene expression, which, in turn, negatively regulates the expression of the hsp28 gene or vice versa.

Calcitriol↗

Interferon-independent activation of (2'-5') oligoadenylate synthetase in Friend erythroleukemia cell variants exposed to HMBA.

To provide evidence for the implication of interferon (IFN)-induced proteins in the regulation of cell growth during differentiation, the activation of (2'-5') oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase) as well as of PKR, two IFN-induced proteins, during differentiation of Friend erythroleukemia cells, was studied. Two cell variants were used. The first (FL) was completely susceptible to hexamethylene bis-acetamide (HMBA)-treatment and responded in both growth-retardation and hemoglobin synthesis. The second (R1) failed to synthesize hemoglobin in response to HMBA although cell growth was still inhibited. In both cell variants, 2-5A synthetase enzyme activity was induced in a similar fashion, reaching a peak at 26 hours after treatment with HMBA. However, the down regulation of activity thereafter was not identical in both cases. In R1 cells, the reduction was much slower compared to FL cells. A similar pattern was observed with the appearance of the 43 kDa isoform of 2-5A synthetase in immunoblots. An analysis of 2-5A synthetase gene expression revealed the presence of 1.7 kb transcripts which peaked at 16 hours after HMBA-treatment in both cell variants. Again, the down-regulation in expression was slower in R1 than in FL cells. Addition of anti-murin alpha/beta-IFN antibodies did not reduce the level of either 2-5A synthetase expression or enzyme activity in either cell variant. Interestingly, the presence of antibodies also did not affect the pattern of pRb phosphorylation in the cell variants exposed to HMBA. In both cell variants, an increase in the amount of the phosphorylated form (ppRb) was observed in immunoblots after 4 hours. This form was gradually transformed to the underphosphorylated molecule (pRb) with time in culture, even in the presence of antibodies. This further substantiates the notion that IFN-induced regulation of pRb phosphorylation is mediated by IFN-induced proteins. The basal level of either expression or ezymatic activity of PKR detected in untreated FL or R1 cells, was relatively high. Treatment with HMBA did not result in further induction of PKR in either cell variant.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

Recombinant human inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase type I and type II proteins. Purification and characterization of inhibitor binding.

Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity results from the expression of two separate genes, and the resulting proteins (type I and type II) are 84% identical at the amino acid level. Although the type II mRNA is expressed at higher levels in proliferating cells, both mRNAs, and by extrapolation both proteins, are present in normal and malignant cells. Since IMPDH is an important target for the development of drugs with both chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive activity, we have compared the kinetic and physical properties of the two human enzymes expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli. Type I and II IMPDH had kcat values of 1.8 and 1.4 sec-1, respectively, with Km values for IMP of 14 and 9 microM and Km values for NAD of 42 and 32 microM. The two enzymes were inhibited competitively by the immunosuppressive agent mizoribine 5'-monophosphate (MMP) with Ki values of 8 and 4 nM and inhibited uncompetitively by mycophenolic acid with Ki values of 11 and 6 nM. The association of MMP to either isozyme, as monitored by fluorescence quenching, was relatively slow with kon values of 3-8 x 10(4) M-1 sec-1 and koff values of 3 x 10(-4) sec-1 (half-lives of 36-43 min). Thus, MMP is a potent, tight-binding competitive inhibitor that does not discriminate between the two IMPDH isozymes.

Binding, Competitive↗

Analysis of proteins from human breast epithelial cells using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

The human breast is a highly specialized, complex tissue comprised of a heterogeneous population of cells with varying functions. Interactions between the different cell types, changes in their relative abundance, state of differentiation and function in response to stimuli, as well as the alterations that lead to the aberrant growth associated with malignancy are poorly understood. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is being used to compare the proteins found in different breast cells in order to identify the gene products that are common or specific to particular cell types so as to provide markers that will be useful in studies of normal breast cell differentiation and the dedifferentiation or blocked differentiation characteristic of cancer. Protein patterns have been obtained from cells prepared for electrophoresis immediately after isolation from human milk, from cells cultured for fewer than ten passages after isolation from healthy breast tissue removed during reduction mammoplasty, and from cells maintained in long-term tissue culture after isolation from the pleural effusions of patients with breast carcinomas. Differential expression of cytokeratins 8, 18, and 19, shown previously to be predominantly expressed by epithelial cells in the luminal layer of breast tissue, was observed among the cells analyzed. Other non-cytokeratin proteins were also found to be differentially expressed in subsets of both the normal and tumor cells. A composite human breast cell protein pattern was created which includes all the commonly and specifically expressed proteins found in this study. This pattern will be the basis for continuing studies of proteins in the human breast.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genistein as an inducer of tumor cell differentiation: possible mechanisms of action.

Decreased activity of either topoisomerases or tyrosine kinases has been implicated in the differentiation of a number of cell types. It is therefore conceivable that genistein, because of its reported ability to inhibit these activities in vitro, may be an inducer of cellular differentiation. We investigated this possibility in human promyelocytic HL-60 and erythroid K-562 leukemia cells and in human SK-MEL-131 melanoma cells. Our results indicated that genistein, in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited cell multiplication and induced cell differentiation. The maturing HL-60 cells acquired granulocytic and monocytic markers. The differentiating K-562 cells stained positively with benzidine, which indicates the production of hemoglobin, an erythroid marker. Following genistein treatment, maturing SK-MEL-131 melanoma cells formed dendrite-like structures and exhibited increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content. Experiments were designed to identify the molecular mechanism of genistein's action. Data from our laboratory suggest that this isoflavone triggers the pathway that leads to cellular differentiation by stabilizing protein-linked DNA strand breakage. Other possible mechanisms reported in the literature are discussed.

Animals↗

Heterogeneity in c-jun gene expression in normal and malignant cells exposed to either ionizing radiation or hydrogen peroxide.

We investigated the role of reactive oxygen intermediates and protein kinase C in the induction of expression of the c-jun gene in human ML-2 leukemic cells and normal human DET-551 fibroblasts by comparing the effects of exposure to either ionizing radiation or H2O2 in the presence or absence of appropriate inhibitors. In these cell types, the radiation- and H2O2-mediated increase in c-jun mRNA levels could be prevented by pretreatment of the cells with N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, or H7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C and protein kinase A, but not by HA1004, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A and G. These results suggest a role for protein kinase C and reactive oxygen intermediates in the induction of c-jun gene expression in both normal and tumor cells. We also investigated potential differences in c-jun gene expression induced by radiation or H2O2 in normal and tumor cells by examining steady-state c-jun mRNA levels in a number of human fibroblast, leukemia, melanoma, sarcoma and carcinoma cell types. We observed heterogeneity in the steady-state level of c-jun mRNA in both the untreated normal and tumor cells and in such cells exposed to ionizing radiation or to H2O2. Exposure to radiation produced a varied response which ranged from little or no induction to an increase in the steady-state level of the c-jun mRNA of more than two orders of magnitude. Exposure to H2O2 gave a pattern similar to that of ionizing radiation. The basis for the differential induction in response to these agents may be attributable to either cell lineage or genetic heterogeneity or a combination of these two parameters.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning and sequence of the human type II IMP dehydrogenase gene.

Human type II inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.205) is the rate-limiting enzyme in de novo guanine nucleotide biosynthesis. Regulated inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase activity is associated with cellular proliferation, transformation, and differentiation. We cloned and sequenced the entire gene for type II inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase and here provide details regarding the organization of the gene and its transcriptional start sites. The gene spans approximately 5 kb and is disrupted by 12 introns. The transcriptional start sites were determined by S1 nuclease mapping to be somewhat heterogeneous but predominated at 102 and 85 nucleotides from the translational initiation codon.

Base Sequence↗

Protein kinase C-beta is required for macrophage differentiation of human HL-60 leukemia cells.

The requirement for protein kinase C (PKC)-beta in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced macrophage differentiation of human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells was studied by using the variant HL-525, which is deficient in PKC-beta and is resistant to PMA-induced differentiation. Transfecting these resistant HL-525 cells with expression vectors containing either PKC-beta I or PKC-beta II cDNA resulted in clones that displayed PKC-beta transcript levels similar to or higher than those of the parental HL-60 cells or cells from a PMA-susceptible HL-60 clone, HL-205. These productive transfectants also exhibited PMA-induced cell attachment and spreading, inhibition of cell replication, reactivity to the OKM1 monoclonal antibody, and the ability to phagocytize opsonized beads, which are all characteristic macrophage markers. No PMA-induced differentiation markers were observed in any of the PKC-beta I or PKC-beta II transfectants that did not exhibit an increased PKC-beta RNA level or in cells transfected with control plasmids. These results indicate that restoration of the PKC-beta isozyme deficiency by productive gene transfection causes HL-525 cells to revert to a phenotype like that of the parental HL-60 cells, which is characterized by susceptibility to PMA-induced macrophage differentiation. Therefore, we can conclude that PKC-beta is one of the essential elements in the PMA-induced signal transduction pathway which leads to macrophage differentiation in HL-60 cells and perhaps in other related cell types.

Cell Differentiation↗

All-trans retinoic acid reverses phorbol ester resistance in a human myeloid leukemia cell line.

Treatment of human HL-60 leukemic cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is associated with activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and induction of monocytic differentiation. An HL-60 variant cell line, termed HL-525, derived from long-term exposure to TPA (Homma et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 83: 7316, 1986) is resistant to TPA-induced differentiation and displays decreased PKC beta expression compared with the HL-60 parent line. However, this variant exhibits features of granulocytic differentiation, including nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, when exposed to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Whereas treatment of HL-525 cells with ATRA or TPA alone had no effect on features of monocytic differentiation, these agents in combination resulted in cellular adhesion, nonspecific esterase staining, and induction of the c-fms (monocyte growth factor receptor) gene. In order to measure PKC expression associated with the reversal of TPA resistance by ATRA, we exposed HL-525 cells to ATRA and analyzed PKC-mRNA and protein levels. Exposure of HL-525 cells to ATRA for 3 days resulted in induction of PKC beta transcripts, whereas there was little change in PKC alpha mRNA levels. ATRA treatment was also associated with an increase in PKC activity and an induction of cytosolic PKC beta protein levels. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that ATRA reverses TPA resistance in HL-525 cells by enhancing the expression of PKC.

Cell Differentiation↗

Localization of oxidative damage by a glutathione-gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase system in preneoplastic lesions in sections of livers from carcinogen-treated rats.

Previous studies from our laboratories have shown that catabolism of glutathione (GSH) by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in the presence of transition metals leads to oxidative damage (OD). This damage is exemplified in vitro by GGT-dependent GSH mutagenesis which involves reactive oxygen species and by GGT-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products in systems containing polyunsaturated fatty acid and GSH. In order to test whether catabolism of GSH by membranal GGT in enzyme-altered preneoplastic hepatic lesions can induce oxidative damage in situ, and to test whether the OD is localized in these lesions, 21 day old Fischer rats were treated with 12 mg/kg diethylnitrosamine (DEN) followed by 0.1% or 0.25% phenobarbital (PB) in the diet. Cryostat sections were examined histochemically for GGT-rich hepatic lesions. Adjacent sections were incubated with GSH and iron and examined for areas staining for lipid peroxidation. Distinct LPO-positive areas were shown to correspond well with the GGT-positive hepatic lesions. Promotion with 0.25% PB led to increasing proportions of LPO-positive lesions with time among GGT-positive lesions. The visualization of LPO in GGT-rich hepatic lesions depended on the presence of GSH and iron, and was not observed following chelation of iron by diethyl triaminopentaacetic acid (DTPA), in the presence of acivicin, an inhibitor of GGT, or in the presence of the radical scavenger butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The factors affecting GSH-GGT-dependent LPO in the GGT-rich foci were identical to those affecting GSH-GGT-driven LPO in vitro, and were similar to those affecting oxidative GSH-mutagenesis catalyzed by GGT. The results indicate that metabolism of GSH by GGT in preneoplastic liver foci can initiate an oxidative process leading to a radical-rich environment and to oxidative damage. Such damage may contribute to the processes by which cells within such foci progress to malignancy.

Animals↗

p210 bcr-abl confers overexpression of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase: an intrinsic pathway to drug resistance mediated by oncogene.

The p210 bcr-abl fusion protein tyrosine kinase oncogene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL). Specific intracellular functions performed by p210 bcr-abl have recently been delineated. We considered the possibility that p210 bcr-abl may also regulate the abundance of inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) which is a rate-limiting enzyme for de novo guanylate synthesis. We performed studies of the inhibition of IMPDH by tiazofurin, which acts as a competitive inhibitor through its active species that mimics nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), i.e. thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD). The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) of tiazofurin for cellular proliferation inhibition was 2.3-2.8-fold greater in cells expressing p210 bcr-abl than in their corresponding parent cells proliferating under the influence of growth factors or in growth factor-independent derivative cells not expressing detectable p210 bcr-abl. IMPDH activity was 1.5-2.3-fold greater within cells expressing p210 bcr-abl than in their parent cells. This increase in enzyme activity was a result of 2-fold increased IMPDH protein as determined by immunoblotting. In addition, an increase in the Km value for NAD utilization by IMPDH was observed in p210 bcr-abl transformed cells, but this increase was within the range of resident NAD concentrations observed in the cells. Increased IMPDH protein in p210 bcr-abl transformed cells was traced to an increased level of IMP dehydrogenase II messenger RNA. Thus, regulation of IMPDH gene expression is mediated at least in part by the bcr-abl gene product and may therefore be indicative of a specific mechanism of intrinsic resistance to tiazofurin.

Animals↗

Differential induction of apoptosis in human breast tumor cells by okadaic acid and related inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A.

To investigate a possible relationship between apoptosis induction and protein phosphorylation in human breast carcinoma cells, we treated three such cell types, MB-231, MCF-7, and AU-565, with okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, or phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C. We then examined these cells for the appearance of apoptosis markers. While OA caused multiplication arrest and cytotoxicity in all three cell lines, apoptosis was induced in MB-231 and MCF-7 cells but not in AU-565 cells. A similar cell-specific apoptosis induction was also observed after treatment with dinophysistoxin-1 (an active OA analogue) and with calyculin A (a structurally unrelated protein phosphatase inhibitor) but not with analogues that either are inactive or penetrate epithelial cells poorly. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate also inhibited cell multiplication but was without effect in inducing apoptosis in these cells. Levels of the apoptosis-inhibitory protein BCL2 were examined in these cells, but they did not correlate with this differential susceptibility. We additionally treated the three cell types with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and genistein to determine whether the AU-565 cell line would also be resistant to apoptosis induction by other chemical stimuli. Both of these agents led to the induction of apoptosis in all three cell lines. These results indicate that the AU-565 cells are specifically resistant to apoptosis induction by inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. This cell-specific resistance may thus allow one to identify cellular mediators of apoptosis by comparing protein phosphorylation patterns in these cells before and after treatment with OA or related inhibitors.

Apoptosis↗

Induction of differentiation in human promyelocytic HL-60 leukemia cells activates p21, WAF1/CIP1, expression in the absence of p53.

The melanoma differentiation associated gene, mda-6, which is identical to the P53-inducible gene WAF1/CIP1, encodes an M(r) 21,000 protein (p21) that can directly inhibit cell growth by repressing cyclin dependent kinases. mda-6 was identified using subtraction hybridization by virtue of its enhanced expression in human melanoma cells induced to terminally differentiate by treatment with human fibroblast interferon and the anti-leukemic compound mezerein (Jiang and Fisher, 1993). In the present study, we demonstrate that mda-6 (WAF1/CIP1) is an immediate early response gene induced during differentiation of the promyelocytic HL-60 leukemia cell line along the granulocytic or macrophage/monocyte pathway. mda-6 gene expression in HL-60 cells is induced within 1 to 3 h during differentiation along the macrophage/monocyte pathway evoked by 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Vit D3) or the granulocytic pathway produced by retinoic acid (RA) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Immunoprecipitation analyses using an anti-p21 antibody indicate a temporal induction of p21 protein following treatment with TPA, DMSO or RA. A relationship between rapid induction of mda-6 gene expression and differentiation is indicated by a delay in this expression in an HL-60 cell variant resistant to TPA-induced growth arrest and differentiation. A similar delay in mda-6 gene expression is not observed in Vit D3 treated TPA-resistant variant cells that are also sensitive to induction of monocytic differentiation. Since HL-60 cells have a null-p53 phenotype, these results demonstrate that p21 induction occurs during initiation of terminal differentiation in a p53-independent manner. In this context, p21 may play a more global role in growth control and differentiation than originally envisioned.

Cell Differentiation↗

Activation of the jun-D gene during treatment of human myeloid leukemia cells with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine.

The jun-D gene is a member of the c-jun family of early response genes that code for DNA binding proteins. The present studies demonstrate that 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) increases jun-D expression in HL-525 myeloid leukemia cells. This induction by ara-C was maximal at 6 hr and transient. In contrast, ara-C had no detectable effect on the gene coding for the cAMP-responsive element binding protein 1. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrated that ara-C treatment is associated with an increased rate of jun-D transcription. The results also show that jun-D transcripts are stabilized at a posttranscriptional level in ara-C-treated cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ara-C induces expression of the jun-D gene and that this effect is regulated by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

Glycosphingolipid patterns in human promyelocytic HL-60 leukemia cells susceptible or resistant to differentiation induction by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.

The patterns of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) were analyzed in an HL-60 cell variant, HL-205, which is susceptible to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced monocyte/macrophage differentiation, and in an HL-60 cell variant, HL-525, which is resistant to such differentiation. The amounts and types of the GSLs were similar in both the HL-205 and HL-525 cells and they resemble those of granulocytes. Treatment with 3 nM PMA caused the susceptible HL-205 cells (but not the resistant cells) to acquire a new GSL pattern which resembles that of monocytes. This new pattern was characterized by increases in the level of a neutral GSL, Gb3Cer, from trace levels to 0.05 mg/10(9) cells and of an acidic GSL, GM3 ganglioside, from 0.03 to 0.33 mg/10(9) cells. The increases in the level of this ganglioside were found to be due to an increase in CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid:lactosylceramide sialyltransferase activity. These results indicate an association between PMA-induced terminal differentiation along the monocyte/macrophage cell lineage and PMA-evoked increases in specific GSLs, GM3 in particular, which is due to a rise in the activity of its synthetic enzyme.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Regulated expression of the MRP8 and MRP14 genes in human promyelocyticleukemic HL-60 cells treated with the differentiation-inducing agents mycophenolic acid and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

The calcium-binding proteins MRP8 and MRP14 present in mature monomyelocytic cells are induced during differentiation and may mediate the growth arrest in differentiating HL-60 cells. We determined the levels of a protein complex (PC) containing MRP8 and MRP14 and investigated the mechanism by which the genes encoding these proteins are regulated in HL-60 cells treated with the differentiation-inducing agent mycophenolic acid (MPA). While the PC was barely detectable in untreated cells, MPA treatment resulted in elevated levels of the PC which were maximal at 3-4 days and were found to directly parallel gains in the steady-state levels of MRP8 and MRP14 mRNA. Transcription studies with the use of nuclear run-on experiments revealed increased transcription initiation at the MRP8 and MRP14 promoters after MPA treatment. 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, which induces HL-60 cell differentiation by another mechanism, was also found to increase transcription initiation at the MRP8 and MRP14 promoters. Our results suggest that this initiation is the major control of maturation agent-mediated increases in MRP8 and MRP14 gene expression, and supports a role for the PC in terminal differentiation of human monomyelocytic cells.

Calcitriol↗