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Biomedical subjects

G T Merlino

Publications and source records attributed to G T Merlino.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Characterization of epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression in malignant and normal human cell lines.

To investigate the possibility that the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor functions as an oncogene product, we have determined the levels of EGF receptor protein and RNA in a variety of malignant and normal human cells, using a specific polyclonal antibody to the EGF receptor and a cDNA clone (plasmid pE7) that encodes the EGF receptor, respectively. Besides A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells, which are known to make large amounts of EGF receptor, cell lines from two ovarian cancers, two cervical cancers, and one kidney cancer were found to contain substantial amounts of receptor protein (11-22% of A431). Normal human fibroblasts (Detroit 551), a human lymphocyte line (IM-9), and a leukemic lymphocyte line (CEM) contained low or undetectable levels of EGF receptor. RNA blot analysis showed that among the human cell lines examined the levels of a 10- and a 5.6-kilobase species of pE7-specific RNA generally correlated with the amount of the EGF receptor protein. Genomic DNA blot analysis revealed that except for A431 none of these cell lines expressing high levels of EGF receptor protein possessed amplified receptor gene sequences. A431 cells are known to secrete a truncated form of the EGF receptor. An abundant 2.9-kilobase RNA is found only in A431 cells; it could encode the truncated form of the EGF receptor.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1983

Regulation of the expression of genes encoding types I, II, and III collagen during chick embryonic development.

During the embryonic development of the chicken, stimulation of production of collagen-enriched tissue such as bone matrix, cartilage matrix, and skin dermis occurs between day 7 and day 15. We have examined the levels of the RNAs encoding the interstitial collagens (types I, II, and III) to determine if this developmental progress is associated with increased accumulation of collagen RNA. Using cell-free translation and DNA:RNA hybridization techniques, we have detected a coordinate enhancement of approximately 10-fold in the steady state levels of whole embryo RNAs encoding the alpha 1(I), alpha 2(I), alpha 1(II), and alpha 1(III) collagens between 5 and 10 days of chick embryonic development. The developmental pattern of expression of these collagen genes in whole embryos is in marked contrast to that of two noncollagenous proteins, cellular fibronectin and beta-actin, whose RNA levels were not found to change dramatically during early chicken development. In addition, we have observed that at least 3 of the 4 collagen genes examined were expressed at low levels beginning between 1-2 days. Both 5'- and 3'-specific alpha 2(I) collagen gene DNA probes hybridized to early stage and late stage chick embryo RNAs of identical sizes. DNase I-hypersensitive sites have been detected near the 5' end of the alpha 2(I) collagen gene in chromatin isolated from both 2-day and 5-day embryos, representing developmental time points well before and at the threshold of the onset of enhanced collagen RNA synthesis, respectively. These results suggest that the same gene is expressed in early and late chick embryos to yield alpha 2(I) collagen RNAs of similar structure.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Transcriptional control of the fibronectin gene in chick embryo fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus.

Rous sarcoma virus transformed-chick embryo fibroblasts contain decreased amounts of the adhesive protein fibronectin that results from a lowering of fibronectin mRNA levels (Fagan, J.B., Sobel, M.E., Yamada, K.M., de Crombrugghe, B., and Pastan, I. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 520-525). In the present study, nuclei isolated from chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and Rous sarcoma virus transformed-chick embryo fibroblasts (RSV-CEF) were used to measure relative rates of fibronectin RNA synthesis. [32P]RNA was synthesized by preinitiated endogenous RNA polymerases in nuclei, and the radioactive RNA was subsequently hybridized to DNA fragments spanning approximately 40 kilobase pairs (approximately 85%) of the fibronectin gene. Transformation of CEF by RSV resulted in a 7- to 8-fold reduction in the amount of 32P-labeled nuclear RNA hybridizing with fibronectin DNA sequences when the nuclei were incubated for either 3.5 or 45 min. These results indicate that decreased transcription and not reduced RNA stability plays a major role in lowering fibronectin mRNA levels in RSV-CEF. When nuclear RNA was transcribed in the presence of Sarkosyl, diminished RNA synthesis was still observed suggesting that reduced fibronectin transcription in RSV-CEF is not due to a block in RNA chain elongation. Our data indicate that transcriptional regulation of the fibronectin gene is an important mechanism of lowering steady state levels of fibronectin mRNA in RSV-CEF.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

A versatile method for the coupling of protein to DNA: synthesis of alpha 2-macroglobulin-DNA conjugates.

We describe a simple, general method to link proteins covalently to DNA. The method uses two reagents, N-acetyl-N'-(p-glyoxylylbenzoyl)cystamine and 2-iminothiolane. The former reacts specifically with nonpaired quanine residues and upon reduction generates a free sulfhydryl group. The latter reacts with a protein to provide another sulfhydryl group which is subsequently conjugated to DNA by an intermolecular disulfide interchange reaction. Using this method alpha 2-macroglobulin was conjugated to plasmid DNA encoding the Herpes simplex virus-1 thymidine kinase gene or a DNA fragment containing the E. coli chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. Up to 20% of the total DNA was conjugated to alpha 2-macroglobulin and the alpha 2-macroglobulin-DNA conjugate had a protein/DNA molar ratio of approximately two. The whole reaction takes place under very mild conditions in aqueous solution. The structure of DNA appears not to be significantly affected by the chemical modification. This method may prove useful in ligand directed gene transfer studies.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗
PubMed1982

Chicken embryo extracts contain a factor that preferentially blocks the accumulation of RNA polymerase II transcripts in a cell-free system.

Chick embryos, chick embryo fibroblasts, and Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts contain a factor that preferentially blocks the accumulation of DNA-directed RNA polymerase II transcripts. The factor was detected by inhibition of transcription in a cell-free assay system utilizing partially purified RNA polymerase II from calf thymus, soluble factors from HeLa cells, and a purified DNA template. At low concentrations, it specifically prevents the accumulation of RNA polymerase II transcripts; at higher concentrations, it blocks the accumulation of other transcripts. The factor has been partially purified by sequential chromatography on BioRex 70, DNA-cellulose, Bio-Gel P-6, and HPX-87 from extracts of chicken embryos. The activity was resistant to treatment with trypsin, pronase, or micrococcal nuclease. A partial characterization of the molecule indicates that (i) it has an apparent molecular mass of about 200-300 daltons, (ii) it is stable at pH 2 and pH 12 and to heating at 100 degrees C, (iii) it is not extractable by ether or chloroform:methanol, (2:1, v/v), and (iv) it is labile to heating at 800 degrees C. These data suggest that it is a small, hydrolphilic compound probably organic in nature. The factor is active in a transcription assay utilizing either the Rous sarcoma virus Long Terminal Repeat promoter or the chick alpha 2 (Type I) collagen-promoter as DNA templates. The accumulation of promoter-specific transcripts is blocked in a cell-free assay utilizing either Rous sarcoma virus-chick embryo fibroblast extracts or HeLa S-100 factors and calf thymus RNA polymerase II. In the absence of S-100, the factor does not appreciably affect the accumulation of randomly initiated transcripts produced by calf thymus RNA polymerase II on a DNA template; this result indicates the factor interacts directly or indirectly with some component(s) of HeLa S-100 to prevent the accumulation of RNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Transcription of the chicken alpha 2 (Type I) collagen gene by homologous cell-free extracts.

We have used two methods to detect specific transcription of the chicken alpha 2 (type I) collagen gene in cell-free extracts derived from Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts. The first method is a modification of the S1 nuclease mapping procedure which utilizes a DNA probe labeled with 32P at the 5' end of the HindIII linker originally used to clone the collagen promoter region into PBR322. The probe distinguishes newly made, specific RNA from endogenous RNA and nonspecific transcripts. Using this procedure we have found that chicken whole cell extracts support accurate initiation of transcription of the chicken alpha 2 (type I) collagen DNA template. Addition of either creatine phosphate, GTP, or UTP to concentrations of approximately 3 to 5 mM was found to stimulate RNA polymerase II transcription by 5- to 10-fold. The second method employs an avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase-catalyzed primary extension procedure, rendered in vitro-specific by use of a pBR322 fragment as primer. These two techniques should be useful for analyzing specific transcription in other types of cell-free extracts.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

The Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat is a strong promoter when introduced into a variety of eukaryotic cells by DNA-mediated transfection.

We characterized the transcriptional activity of the long terminal repeat (LTR) of Rous sarcoma virus by constructing a recombinant plasmid, pRSVcat, in which bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT; acetyl-CoA:chloramphenicol 3-O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.28) coding sequences are placed under LTR control. We find that the LTR directs relatively high levels of CAT synthesis within 48 hr after calcium phosphate-mediated introduction of this plasmid into CV-1 monkey kidney cells, chicken embryo fibroblasts, Chinese hamster ovary cells, HeLa cells, or mouse NIH/3T3 cells. The level of CAT synthesis is 3-fold higher in CV-1 cells and up to 10-fold higher in HeLa and mouse NIH/3T3 cells than after transfection with a related vector, pSV2cat, carrying CAT sequences under control of the simian virus 40 early promoter. We have shown, by primer extension, that the amounts of CAT-specific mRNAs encoded by pRSVcat and pSV2cat correlate with the levels of CAT enzyme activity. By both S1 nuclease mapping and primer extension, we have demonstrated that the start site for RNA transcription within the LTR of pRSVcat corresponds to previous mapping data. We estimated transfection efficiencies by monitoring immunofluorescence induced by a rhodamine-labeled CAT antibody. Our results indicate that the Rous sarcoma virus LTR can direct synthesis of high levels of functional mRNA and has a wide expression range. The observed high transcriptional activity of the LTR is significant because it has been postulated that this LTR promotes activity of adjacent cellular oncogenes.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1981

Characterization of five members of the actin gene family in the sea urchin.

Hybridization of an actin cDNA clone (pSA38) to restriction enzyme digests of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus DNA indicates that the sea urchin genome contains at least five different actin genes. A sea urchin genomic clone library was screened for recombinants which hydridize to pSA38 and four genomic clones were isolated. Restriction maps were generated which indicate that three of these recombinants contain different actin genes, and that the fourth may be an allele to one of these. The restriction maps suggest that one clone contains two linked actin genes. This fact, which was confirmed by heteroduplex analysis, indicates that the actin gene family may be clustered. The linked genes are oriented in the same direction and spaced about 8.0 kilobases apart. In heteroduplexes between genomic clones two intervening sequences were seen. Significant homology is confined to the actin coding region and does not include any flanking sequence. Southern blot analysis reveals that repetitive DNA sequences are found in the region of the actin genes.

Actins↗
PubMed1981

Accurate in vitro transcriptional initiation of the chick alpha 2 (Type I) collagen gene.

Chick genomic DNA containing the extreme 5' end of the alpha 2 (type I) collagen gene has been used as template in an in vitro HeLa cell transcription system. RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription initiates from a specific site on this DNA. The precise location of this site was determined by three types of experiments: sizing of in vitro-synthesized RNA runoff transcripts, comparing the sequence of the in vitro-made RNA transcripts with the structure of the DNA template, and identifying the first and second nucleotides of the in vitro-synthesized transcripts. Transcription was found to initiate 33 base pairs downstream from a canonical Goldberg-Hogness sequence (TATAAATA). This in vitro start site is the same as the initiation site of in vivo-synthesized collagen RNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Cloning of sea urchin actin gene sequences for use in studying the regulation of actin gene transcription.

In order to investigate the regulation of actin gene transcription during early sea urchin development, a specific hybridization probe for actin sequences is required. Such a probe was produced by cloning cDNA transcribed from a sea urchin poly(A)-containing mRNA preparation enriched for actin message. Double-stranded DNA was ligated into the BamHI restriction site of plasmid pBR322, and the resulting hybrid molecules were used to transform the Escherichia coli strain ML100. After preliminary screening of bacterial colonies by antibiotic sensitivity and hybridization back to the original cDNA, clones containing sea urchin DNA were further characterized by a positive translation assay in which total sea urchin mRNA was hybridized to plasmid, and the hybridized message then was eluted and translated in a reticulocyte cell-free protein-synthesizing system. In this way, one clone (pSA38) was found to hybridize selectively to sea urchin mRNA coding for a protein of 43,000 daltons. This protein was identified as actin by three criteria: electrophoretic migration in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels, affinity for DNase I, and peptide mapping. Restriction endonuclease and heteroduplex mapping of pSA38 indicate that it contains a 1.5-kilobase-pair insert and is therefore likely to contain a large portion of the actin coding sequence. By using pSA38 as a hybridization probe, it has been found that the level of actin-specific RNA sequences increases dramatically during early sea urchin development.

Actins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human epidermal growth factor receptor cDNA is homologous to a variety of RNAs overproduced in A431 carcinoma cells.

The recently discovered similarity between the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and the avian erythroblastosis virus v-erb-B protein supports the hypothesis that viral oncogenes share a common evolutionary origin with genes encoding growth-regulating cell-surface receptors. To elucidate the relationship between receptors and malignant transformation, we have now used a fragment of v-erb-B as a probe to screen a cDNA library of mRNA from A431 human carcinoma cells, which possess a large number of EGF receptors. Of the six clones isolated, the largest (pE7) contains an insert of 2.4 kilobase pairs (kbp) whose deduced amino acid sequence is homologous to the v-erb-B protein and identical to reported EGF receptor peptide sequences. This pE7 cDNA hybridized to three prominent RNAs of approximately 10, 5.6 and 2.9 kilobases (kb), and to three minor species of 6.3, 4.6 and 3.3 kb. All were present in elevated levels in A431 cells. The prominent 2.9-kb RNA was homologous only to the 5' portion of the pE7 insert. This result raises the possibility that differential RNA processing is used by A431 cells to generate a variety of RNAs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗