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Biomedical subjects

E M Scolnick

Publications and source records attributed to E M Scolnick.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Increased sarcoma virus RNA in cells transformed by leukemia viruses: model for leukemogenesis.

A morphologically flat revertant of mink cells nonproductively infected with Moloney sarcoma virus exhibited contact inhibition and lacked detectable sarcoma virus RNA. Superinfection by usually nontransforming type C mammalian leukemia-causing viruses induced transformation and increased sarcoma virus RNA. The results suggest a model for leukemogenesis in animals by increasing, during replication of usually nontransforming leukemia viruses, the levels of RNA from potentially oncogenic cell or integrated virus transforming genes.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗

High frequency variation in mammary tumor virus expression in cell culture.

Clonal derivatives of C3HMT murine mammary cell lines in culture demonstrate conversion of mammary tumor virus (MMTV) expression at a rate of appriximately 6 per 100 clones. This alteration is largely unidirectional from a relatively high level (MMTV(H)) to a 10 fold lower level (MMTV(L)). This high rate of MMTV(L) variant conversion is in apparent contrast to the presumably mutational rate (approximately 3 per million cells) that governs development of resistance to 6-thioguanine (TG) in the same mammary cells. In somatic cell hybrids between different MMTV TGr clones and mouse or hamster TK- cells, expression of constitutive levels of MMTV and responsiveness to dexamethasone induction is dominant. Thus MMTV expression is regulated by at least two levels of positive control, constitutive expression and glucocorticoid stimulation, but the former is subject to a high rate of variant formation.

Cell Line↗

Deletion mapping of moloney type C virus: polypeptide and nucleic acid expression in different transforming virus isolates.

The viral polypeptides and viral RNA present in cells transformed by various replication-defective type C viruses derived from Maloney murine leukemia virus were examined. Different portions of the Maloney type C viral genome were retained in the different transforming viruses, thus providing an opportunity for deletion mapping of the Moloney type C genome. DNA transcripts were prepared that are complementary to three distinct nonoverlapping portions of the Moloney viral geonome. Based on an anlysis of the polypeptides produced in the different transformed cells, one complementary DNA apparently respresents sequences coding for Moloney gp70; one complementary DNA represents a region of the Moloney genome common to all of the transforming viruses examined, and one complementary DNA represents the sequences for p30, p15, p10,12. A partial map of the different replication-defective transforming viruses is suggested.

Antigens, Viral↗

Characterizatiion of rat genetic sequences of Kirsten sarcoma virus: distinct class of endogenous rat type C viral sequences.

The nucleic acid sequences found in DNA and RNA from rat cells which are homologous to Kirsten sarcoma virus have been characterized. The homologous sequences are present in multiple copies per diploid rat cellular genome in a variety of different rat cellular dna's. In certain cells that constitutively express only low levels of sequences homologous to Kirsten sarcoma virus, bromodeoxyuridine treatment leads to the expression of high levels of these sequences in RNA. Supernatants from cell lines producing the sequences homologous to Kirsten sarcoma virus contain high levels of these sequences which are purified to the same degree as the previously known rat type C viral nucleic acid sequences by type C particles being released from such cells. The results indicate that the sequences in rat cells homologous to Kisten sarcoma virus have three characteristics of known mammalian type C viruses, and suggest that at least part of Kirsten sarcoma virus rat-derived sequences represent a distinct class of endogenous rat type C virus that has no detectable homology to the other known class of endogenous rat type C virus.

Animals↗

Type C particle-positive and type C particle-negative rat cell lines: characterization of the coding capacity of endogenous sarcoma virus-specific RNA.

Various rat cell lines have been analyzed for expression of endogenous RNA homologous either to RT21C, a typical rat type C virus, or to Kirsten sarcoma virus. Cells have been found that express either (i) high levels of RNA homologous to RT21C rat type C virus and low levels of RNA homologous to Kirsten sarcoma virus (RT21Chigh,sarclow) or (ii) high levels of RNA homologous to Kirsten sarcoma virus and low levels of RNA homologous to typical rat type C virus (sarchigh, RT21Clow). The properties of these two classes of cell lines have been compared. Each type of cell contains an equal amount of the expressed RNA on polysomes. Cell lines that are RT21Chigh produce abundant rat p30 nad p12 structural proteins and release rat type C particles containing viral RNA and reverse transcriptase into supernatant fluids from these cultures. Cell lines that are sarchigh,RTC21Clow have no detectable rat viral p12 protein and no p30 protein immunoreactive in even broad interspecies radioimmunoassays, and do not release type C particles into the supernatant from the cultures. When the particle-negative cell lines are superinfected with heterologous mouse or wooly type C viruses or are producing typical rat type C virus particles, the endogenous sarcoma virus-specific RNA is secreted from these cells. The sarcoma virus-specific RNA can be transcribed in complementary DNA in the endogenous reverse transcriptase reactions carried out in vitro with such virus preparations. However, exposure of cells that are permissive to the helper virus with the particles containing sarcoma virus-specific RNA has not yet resulted in cell transformation or in the synthesis of these RNA sequences. The results suggest: (i) that the first step in the genesis of sarcoma viruses involves the packaging of this expressed sarcoma virus-specific RNA in helper viral particles; (ii) that efficient transmission of the sarcoma virus-specific RNA requires additional events; and (iii) that the formation of a stable sarcoma virus by recombination between the helper viral genome and part of the rescued sarcoma virus-specific RNA is much less common event than the rescue process itself.

Base Sequence↗

Glucocorticoid-receptor interaction and induction of murine mammary tumor virus.

The relationship between the cellular uptake of glucocorticoid hormones, the binding of these hormones to specific in vitro receptors, and the induction of mouse mammary tumor viruses in an established mouse mammary tumor cell line was highly correlated. These results suggest that the induction of mouse mammary tumor virus by glucocorticoid hormones is a physiological process acting through a mechanism of high affinity, saturable steroid-receptors. A temperature-sensitive or salt-dependent step following glucocorticoid-receptor interaction was required for nuclear uptake of the steroid. Induction studies with different adrenocorticoids indicate that the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (1,4-pregnadiene-9-fluor-16alpha-methyl-11beta,17alpha,21-triol-3,20-dione), is the most potent inducer of mouse mammary tumor viruses and all steroids which caused significant induction were glucocorticoids. Other glucocorticoids appear to stimulate murine mammary tumor virus production by a mechanism similar to that of dexamethasone; for example, corticosterone competes with dexamethasone for binding to the glucocorticoid receptor and blocks the uptake of dexamethasone into cells. Progesterone also blocks the cellular uptake of dexamethasone and can bind to the glucocorticoid receptor at low concentrations (10-7 to 10-8 M) but progesterone does not consistently induce virus at hormone concentrations even as high as 10-4 M. Thus, in this system, binding to a cytoplasmic receptor is necessary but not sufficient for induction by glucocorticoids. Estrogens and androgens interfere with receptor binding and cellular uptake of dexamethasone but only at much higher concentration (10-4 M) than progesterone, and do not induce mammary tumor virus production. Although there was a positive correlation between steroid structure, binding, and biologic induction, other factors clearly affect the physiological manifestations of steroid actions. Mouse cells with comparable cytoplasmic receptor levels and comparable nuclear uptake differed absolutely in their degree of murine mammary tumor virus induction following hormone treatment. Although all mouse cells examined contain comparable levels of murine mammary tumor virus DNA, only cells producing constitutive levels of murine mammary tumor virus RNA could be induced to higher levels by a variety of glucocorticoids.

Aldosterone↗

Mammary tumor virus induction by glucocorticoids. Characterization of specific transcriptional regulation.

Dexamethasone (1,4-pregnadiene-9-fluor-16alpha-methyl-11beta,17alpha,21-triol-3,20-dione), a potent synthetic glucocorticoid, stimulates mouse mammary tumor virus expression 10- to 20-fold in tissue culture cells. This hormone effect was observed at concentrations as low as 1 times 10-10 M and was maximal at 10-7 to 10-8 M. The time course of induction indicated that detectable increases in extracellular viral DNA polymerase were first noted 18 to 24 hours following the addition of dexamethasone, and cells produced the highest polymerase levels at the time monolayers approached confluence. Steroid responsiveness was associated with specific increases in type B murine mammary tumor virus structural polypeptide (gp52(sl) expression and murine mammary tumor virus RNA that quantitatively paralleled the increase in extracellular virus production as measured by electron microscopy and supernatant RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity. Another virally transformed murine cell line, KA 31, did not contain detectable levels of murine mammary tumor virus gp52(sl) or RNA before or after dexamethasone stimulation; thus induction was noted only in murine cells with pre-existing murine mammary tumor virus expression. No increase in basal levels of type C murine leukemia viral proteins or RNA was detected in dexamethasone-treated mammary cell lines which were producing increased levels of murine mammary tumor virus. Therefore, increases in murine mammary tumor virus gene products are specific for murine mammary tumor virus DNA sequences under these conditions.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Separation of sarcoma virus-specific and leukemia virus-specific genetic sequences of Moloney sarcoma virus.

We have studied the nucleic acid sequences in nonproducer cells transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus or Abelson leukemia virus (two types of replication-defective, RNA-containing, viruses isolated by passage of Moloney leukemia virus in BALB/c mice). DNA probes from the Moloney leukemia in virus detect RNA in both Abelson virus-transformed nonproducer cells and Moloney sarcoma virus-transformed nonproducer cells. A sarcoma-specific cDNA, prepared from the Moloney sarcoma virus, has extensive homology to RNA found in heterologous nonproducer cells transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus, has little homology to RNA in cells producing Moloney leukemia virus, and no detectable homology to RNA in nonproducer cells transformed by the Abelson virus. By analogy to earlier data on avian and mammalian sarcoma viruses, these results suggest that the Moloney sarcoma virus arose by recombination between a portion of the Moloney leukemia virus genome and additional sarcoma-specific information, and indicate that the expression of this information in not essential for Abelson virus-mediated fibroblast transformation.

Cell Line↗

Effect of chemical inactivating agents on glucocorticoid receptor proteins in mouse and hamster cells.

The ffect of N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide on the glucocorticoid receptor activity extracted from the cytosol of either mouse of hamster cells has been investigated. Treatment of mouse or hamster cytosol with N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetamide rapidly inactivates the [3H]glucocorticoid hormone binding activity of either cytosol. Prebinding the glucocorticoid hormone, dexamethasone, to the cytosol receptor blocks the rapid inactivation of the receptor by N-ethylmaleimide. Treatment of the prebound hormone-receptor complex with iodoacetamide prevents the subsequent binding of the hormone-receptor complex to DNA without causing a dissociation of the complex. Although the conclusions may be limited by the lack of purity of the receptor, the results suggest that a sulfhydryl group is involved in the binding of glucocorticoid hormones to the receptor protein. In addition, the results suggest that iodoacetamide is inactivating a separate chemical site which is necessary for the binding of the hormone-receptor complex to DNA.

Binding Sites↗

Isolation of infectious xenotropic mouse type C virus by transfection of a heterologous cell with DNA from a transformed mouse cell.

An endogenous xenotropic type C virus has been isolated from a Kirsten sarcoma virus-transformed BALB/c mouse cell line by transfection of a mink fibroblast cell with the DNA from the transformed cells. The results indicate that transfection may be used as a technique to isolate this endogenous type C virus without the need to chemically induce the cell line containing the provirus prior to attempting to isolate the virus.

Journal Article↗

Serological studies with low-molecular-weight polypeptides from the Moloney strain of murine leukemia virus.

Major virion low-molecular-weight polypeptides were isolated from the Moloney strain of murine leukemia virus (type C) by agarose chromatography in 6M guanidine hydrochloride and were shown to have molecular weights of 15,000 (p15), 12,000 (p12), and 10,000 (p10) by their elution volumes and by their relative mobilities in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Each polypeptide could be iodinated and employed in double antibody radioimmunoassay procedures. All three polypeptides demonstrated a high degree of type-specificity in serologic immunoprecipitation analysis and in corresponding competition immunoassays. The p15 was immunologically distinct from other viron polypeptides including p12 and p10; the p12 and p10 were highly related to each other but not to other virion polypeptides and were even more type-specific than the p15 in serologic tests. Competition immunoassays with p15 and p10 indicate that the Moloney strain of MuLV is only a distant relative of the Friend-Rauscher group. The combined use of the Kirsten and Moloney low-molecular-weight polypeptide immunoassays suggest that xenotropic viruses constitute yet another group(s) of murine leukemia virus with distinct type-specific antigens, further expanding an already heterogeneous group of mouse type C viruses.

Amino Acids↗

Base sequence differences between the RNA components of Harvey sarcoma virus.

The 50 to 70S RNA of the Harvey sarcoma-Moloney leukemia virus (MLV) complex consists of 30 to 40S RNA subunits of two different size classes and contains sequences homologous to Moloney mouse leukemia virus and to information contained in a C-type rat virus, termed NRK virus. We have isolated by preparative gel electrophoresis the large (component 1) and the small (component 2) 30 to 40S RNA species from the Harvey sarcoma-MLV complex. Harvey RNA component 1 was completely complementary to DNA transcribed from MLV RNA and showed no homology to DNA transcribed from NRK virus when annealed under conditions of DNA excess. Harvey RNA component 2 was about 65% complementary to MLV DNA and about 33% complementary to NRK virus DNA. Approximately 60 to 80% of the MLV-specific sequences in RNA component 2 is either a distinct molecular species or is part of a hydrid molecular including NRK virus- and MLV-specific sequences. The rest of the MLV sequences in component 2 could be accounted for by degraded component 1 co-purifying with component 2. The possible role of these sequences in the ability of the virus to transform cells is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Quantitative analysis of the rescue of RNA sequences by mammalian type C viruses.

The specificity and quantitation of the rescue of RNA sequences by mammalian type C viruses has been investigated. Type C virus can package with specificity only type C viral RNA. Type C viruses do not encapsidate with comparable efficiency either type B viral or cellular globin mRNA. Conversely, a non-type C mammalian retravirus, MP-MV, cannot encapsidate type C RNA. A revertant of Kirsten sarcoma virus (Ki-SV)-transformed nonproducer cells which fails to rescue biologically active Ki-SV after superinfection with helper virus had no detectable intracellular Ki-SV-specific RNA. The results suggest specific mechanisms by which type C viral proteins can package type C viral RNA and provide an approach to classifying RNA of potentially defective endogenous retraviruses as type C in origin.

Base Sequence↗

Isolation of a primate type-C virus from a lymphomatous baboon.

A type-C RNA virus has been isolated from various tissues of a lymphomatous baboon (sp. P hamadryas). Virus isolations were made by co-cultivating baboon cells from the inguinal and mesenteric lymph nodes, testes, kidneys and spleen with cells of canine or human origin. The isolated virus grew in canine, bat, rhesus, and human cells but not in cells of mouse, rat, cat or rabbit origin. The baboon isolate resemble a type-C virus when infected cells were examined by thin section in the electron microscope. In addition, the virus was capable of providing helper function by rescuing and transmitting the Moloney and Kirsten sarcoma virus genome from non-productively transformed cells. Antibody directed against the RD114 virus reverse transcriptase was very effective in inhibiting the baboon virus polymerase while while anti-mouse and woolly type-C virus polymerase antibodies had no significant inhibitory activity. Further analysis by immunodiffusion and competitive radioimmune assay revealed a close immunological relationship between this virus, RD114 and another type-C virus isolated from the placenta of a different species of baboon. Finally, three different classes of interspecies antigenic determinants have been demonstrated in mammalian type-C virus isolated from the placenta of a different species of baboon. Finally, three different classes of interspecies antigenic determinants have been demonstrated in mammalian type-C viruses.

Animals↗