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G U Ryffel

Publications and source records attributed to G U Ryffel.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Regulation of hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis and secretion by steroid hormones.

The regulation of angiotensinogen gene expression by steroid hormones in the rat liver has been examined. In the intact animal, dexamethasone (7 mg/kg ip) and estradiol (7 mg/kg sc) caused an increase in plasma angiotensinogen, which became first apparent after 5 or 9 h, respectively, and resulted in plasma concentrations 4.6- and 1.9-fold higher than in controls at 24 h. These changes were preceded by comparable increases in hepatic angiotensinogen messenger RNA (mRNA). In contrast, dihydrotestosterone (10 mg/kg sc) failed to alter plasma angiotensinogen, although hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA and total RNA were slightly elevated. In isolated hepatocytes exposed to either dexamethasone or estradiol (10 microM each) angiotensinogen mRNA started to increase within less than 1 or 3 h, respectively, followed, with a further time lag of about 2 h, by an increase in secretion rate of angiotensinogen. Dihydrotestosterone (10 and 100 microM) induced a rapid increase in total hepatocyte RNA (1.3-fold) and angiotensinogen mRNA (2-fold) with a peak at 2 h. Surprisingly, angiotensinogen secretion remained either unaltered (10 microM dihydrotestosterone) or even decreased (100 microM dihydrotestosterone). In a hepatoma cell line (FT02B) and a subclone (Fe 33) stably transfected with the human estrogen receptor, dexamethasone and estradiol induced an increase in angiotensinogen mRNA and secretion with the same characteristics as in hepatocytes. In conclusion, in this study a direct effect of estradiol on angiotensinogen mRNA and secretion in hepatocytes could be established, which differs from that of dexamethasone by a delayed onset of action. The observation, both in vivo and in vitro, that dihydrotestosterone induced an increase in total RNA and angiotensinogen mRNA, which is not accompanied by an increased angiotensinogen secretion, cannot be explained at present. This study also demonstrates the usefulness of a hepatoma cell line stably transfected with the estrogen receptor gene for the investigation of estrogen-dependent effects in vitro.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Liver specific transcription factors of the HNF3-, C/EBP- and LFB1-families interact with the A-activator binding site.

The A-activator binding site (AABS), present in the Xenopus A2 vitellogenin gene and several mammalian liver specifically expressed genes, interacts with different liver specific transcription factors including LFB1- and C/EBP-isobinders. We have now isolated some additional proteins interacting with AABS and show that they are HNF3-isobinders. The interactions between AABS and members of the HNF3 family are confirmed by binding studies using bacterially made HNF3-alpha protein. Thus a short DNA module of 24 bp is able to bind proteins of three different families of liver specific transcription factors. Competition experiments in the cell free in vitro transcription show that AABS dependent transcriptional activation is mediated by transcription factors belonging to at least two different families, the C/EBP- and the HNF3-isobinders. Being able to mediate the action of several distinct transactivators, AABS may thus be a prototype for a novel kind of tissue specific promoter modules with unique regulatory capacities.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Two types of antiprogestins identified by their differential action in transcriptionally active extracts from T47D cells.

Transcriptionally active nuclear extracts from human breast carcinoma cells (T47D) were used to compare the action of progestins and several antiprogestins of the 11 beta-aryl substituted steroid series on the DNA-binding properties and the trans-activating potential of progesterone receptor (PR) in vitro. Using the gel-shift assay we identified a novel type of antiprogestin (ZK98299, type I), which in contrast to type II antiprogestins, including RU486, does not induce binding of PR to progesterone response elements (PREs). In competition experiments excess of type I antiprogestin inhibits induction of DNA binding of PR by progestins and type II antiprogestins suggesting that its binding to PR interferes with the formation of stable receptor dimers. Moreover, we demonstrate that the antagonistic action of ZK98299 can be fully mimicked in vitro by using cell-free nuclear extracts from T47D cells and a 'simple' test promoter. In contrast, type II antiprogestins known to induce certain promoters in vivo exert strong agonistic effects on in vitro transcription of the test template used.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Liver-specific gene expression: A-activator-binding site, a promoter module present in vitellogenin and acute-phase genes.

The A2 vitellogenin gene of Xenopus laevis, which is expressed liver specifically, contains an A-activator-binding site (AABS) that mediates high in vitro transcriptional activity in rat liver nuclear extracts. Footprint experiments with DNase I and gel retardation assays revealed the binding of several proteins to AABS. Using binding sites of known DNA-binding proteins as competitors in the gel retardation assay, we found that the transcription factor C/EBP and/or one of its "iso-binders" as well as LFB1/HNF1 bound AABS. These interactions were confirmed by in vitro transcription experiments using various oligonucleotides as competitors. However, saturating amounts of C/EBP- and LFB1/HNF1-binding sites as competitors only partially blocked AABS-mediated transcriptional activity. This finding implies that at least a third distinct transcription factor interacts with AABS. In vitro transcription experiments revealed that AABS was present not only in the closely related Xenopus A1 vitellogenin gene but also in acute-phase genes as a liver-specific regulatory element known to confer the interleukin-6 response. Both AABS and the interleukin-6 response element are promoter modules interacting with at least three distinct transcription factors, including C/EBP and LFB1/HNF1.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1979

Enrichment and characterization of the DNA coding for vitellogenin in Xenopus laevis.

Purified vitellogenin mRNA of Xenopus laevis was incubated with mechanically sheared DNA in high concentrations of formamide and the resulting R-loops (i.e. RNA . DNA hybrid fragments) separated from the bulk DNA by caesium chloride buoyant density centrifugation. Hybridization with 125I-labeled vitellogenin mRNA revealed a 15--30-fold enrichment of the DNA coding for vitellogenin. Restriction analysis of the R-loop-enriched DNA demonstrated that all known endonuclease HindIII fragments coding for vitellogenin of unfractionated Xenopus DNA were also present in the enriched material, including the specific fragments for the oligo(A)-containing segment of the RNA. Comparison of these restriction data with the structure found in cloned vitellogenin cDNA, indicates the presence of at least one intervening sequence in the genomic DNA coding for vitellogenin.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Vitellogenin in Xenopus laevis is encoded in a small family of genes.

Vitellogenin, the yolk protein precursor, is produced in X. laevis liver from a 6.3 kilobase (kb) mRNA. Sequences of this mRNA have been transcribed into cDNA and cloned in E. coli. Some properties of 21 of these cloned DNAs, ranging in size from 1 to 3.7 kb, have been reported by Wahli et al. (1978b). This paper reports restriction endonuclease mapping, cross hybridization, heteroduplex mapping in the electron microscope and heteroduplex melting experiments with these DNAs. We conclude that the cloned DNAs fall into two main groups of sequences which differ from each other in approximately 20% of their nucleotides. Each main group contains two subgroups which differ from each other by about 5% sequence divergence. By hybridizing cloned DNAs with restricted genomic DNA, we showed that sequences corresponding to all four sequence groups are present in a single animal. Furthermore, we have obtained tentative evidence for the presence of large intervening sequences in genomic vitellogenin DNA. Analysis of R loop molecules demonstrated that all four sequences are present in the vitellogenin mRNA population purified from individual animals. While some alternate explanations are not entirely excluded, we suggest that vitellogenin is encoded by a small family of related genes in Xenopus.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Synthesis of vitellogenin, an attractive model for investigating hormone-induced gene activation.

The estrogen-induced synthesis of vitellogenin in the frog Xenopus and the chicken is an attractive system for investigating the molecular events leading to the activation of a specific gene. In this review article the events occurring at the level of the protein and mRNA in the cytoplasm are discussed. The available data show that the induction of vitellogenin synthesis is due to the accumulation of the corresponding vitellogenin mRNA in the cytoplasm. This suggests that transcriptional or posttranscriptional events in the nucleus are activated by the hormone. The few experiments investigating the processes in the nuclear compartment are reviewed.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Estradiol-induced accumulation of vitellogenin mRNA and secretion of vitellogenin in liver cultures of Xenopus.

Explants of male Xenopus liver maintained in a serum-free culture medium respond to stimulation by 2 X 10(-8) M 17beta-estradiol with an increasing rate of accumulation of vitellogenin mRNA, as revealed by hybridization of cDNA to the total cytoplasmic RNA extracted from the cultures. A similar response is observed for secretion of 32PO4-labeled vitellogenin into the culture medium. The in vitro response is improved in liver tissue of prestimulated animals, and by adaptation of liver explants to the culture medium prior to hormone treatment, but attains only about 10% of the in vivo response. Since essential features of the in vivo response are maintained in liver explants, organ culture appears suitable for investigating initial events of estradiol action leading to enhanced synthesis of vitellogenin.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Electron-microscopic demonstration of terminal and internal initiation sites for cDNA synthesis on vitellogenin mRNA.

cDNA synthesized on purified vitellogenin mRNA from Xenopus liver was hybridized to the template in formamide/urea at 22 degrees C to avoid degradation of the RNA. The hybrids formed were visualized by spreading for electron microscopy. Contour length measurements proved that most of the RNA molecules in the hybrids were still intact showing the expected molecular weight of 2.3 x 10(6). The hybridized cDNA corresponded on the average to 12% of the RNA length. In about 80% of the molecules the cDNA was located at one end. Since cDNA synthesis was primed by oligo(dT), the terminal duplex region marks the 3' end of the vitellogenin mRNA molecule. Internal duplex regions were mainly located at a specific position starting about 2800 nucleotides from the 3' end. Since the cDNA hybridizing at the internal position could specifically be synthesized on a vitellogenin RNA fragment isolated on poly(U)-Sepharose as an oligo(A)-containing RNA, we conclude that cDNA synthesis is not only initiated by the poly(A) of the 3' end, but also by a specific internal sequence.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Size, complexity and abundance of a specific poly(A)-containing RNA of liver from male Xenopus induced to vitellogenin synthesis by estrogen.

Estrogen treatment of Xenopus males leads to the appearance of a new species of poly (A)-containing RNA in the liver, at a stage when large amounts of the estrogen-induced yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin, is produced. This estrogen-induced RNA sediments at 28 S and migrates on gels in aqueous solution with an apparent molecular weight of 2.0 X 10(6). Contour length measurements under denaturing conditions in the electron microscope reveal a molecular weight of 2.34 X 10(6) compared to the mouse 28-S rRNA. Labeling experiments show that the estrogen-induced RNA has a stability than the average liver poly(A)-containing RNA and represents 10-20% of the poly(a)-containing RNA in the cytoplasm after 24 h of labeling. Hybridization of complementary DNA, synthesized on the isolated estrogen-induced RNA, with its template suggests a complexity corresponding to a single species of poly(A)-containing RNA of such a high molecular weight. Hybridization of the complementary DNA with cytoplasmic poly (A)-containing RNA from estrogen-treated Xenopus males and control toads show that the estrogen-induced RNA constitutes 12-15% of all cytoplasmic poly(A)-containing RNA, and is at least 2000-fold less abundant in untreated males. Size, complexity and abundance of the estrogen-induced RNA are characteristics expected for a mRNA coding for vitellogenin.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Comparison of cytoplasmic and nuclear poly(A)-containing RNA sequences in Xenopus liver cells.

Poly(A)-containing RNAs from cytoplasm and nuclei of adult Xenopus liver cells are compared. After denaturation of the RNA by dimethysulfoxide the average molecule of nuclear poly(A)-containing RNA has a sedimentation value of 28 S whereas the cytoplasmic poly(A)-containing RNA sediments slightly ahead of 18 S. To compare the complexity of cytoplasmic and nuclear poly(A)-containing RNA, complementary DNA (cDNA) transcribed on either cytoplasmic or nuclear RNA is hybridized to the RNA used as a template. The hybridization kinetics suggest a higher complexity of the nuclear RNA compared to the cytoplasmic fraction. Direct evidence of a higher complexity of nuclear poly(A)-containing RNA is shown by the fact that 30% of the nuclear cDNA fails to hybridize with cytoplasmic poly(A)-containing RNA. An attempt to isolate a specific probe for this nucleus-restricted poly(A)-containing RNA reveals that more than 10(4) different nuclear RNA sequences adjacent to the poly(A) do not get into the cytoplasm. We conclude that a poly(A) on a nuclear RNA does not ensure the transport of the adjacent sequence to the cytoplasm.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Complexity of cytoplasmic RNA in different mouse tissues measured by hybridization of polyadenylated RNA to complementary DNA.

The kinetics of hybridization of polyadenylated RNA from mouse L-cells with complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesized with reverse transcriptase revealed three classes of differing abundance. The simplest interpretation requires three frequency classes representing polyadenylated RNA; 5, 45, and 50 percent of the total polyadenylated RNA and about 3, 300, and 7600 different RNA sequences of 6 times 10-5 daltons, respectively. The complementary DNA synthesized with L-cell polyadenylated RNA as template hybridized efficiently with RNA from different mouse tissues, indicating that most species of the L-cell RNA in the highand middle frequency class are present in all mouse tissues. Kinetics of hybridization of complementary DNA synthesized with cytoplasmic polyadenylated brain RNA as template suggested a higher complexity for brain RNA. Thirty-five percent of this brain cDNA failed to hybridize with L-cell RNA. This complementary DNA fraction, isolated by hydroxylapatite chromatography, represented approximately 11,000 RNA sequences specific for the brain. On the other hand, hybridization of complementary DNA synthesized on polyadenylated mouse liver RNA with L-cell RNA failed to demonstrate differences between these two groups of polyadenylated RNA.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1975

Polyadenylated RNA complementary to repetitive DNA in mouse L-cells.

Complementary DNA, synthesized with L-cell polyadenylated RNA as template, renatured with total L-cell DNA to about 70%. About 30% complementary to unique sequence DNA and another 10 and 30% corresponded to sequences about 20- and 500-fold repetitive. Complementary DNA was fractionated after partial hybridization with total polyadenylated RNA to obtain preparations enriched or impoverished in complements of the most frequent polyadenylated RNA. Renaturation of these complementary DNA fractions with L-cell DNA revealed that most frequent RNAs are transcribed from repetitive DNA sequences, Complementary DNA, density labeled with bromodeoxyuridine, was fractionated by renaturation with L-cell DNA to yield fractions enriched in repetitive and unique sequence DNA. The denisty labeled complementary DNA was purified by equilibrium centrifiguation in an alkaline Cs2SO4 gradient. The complementary DNA representing mainly repetitive DNA sequences hybridized preferentially to frequent polyadenylated RNA.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1975

Nuclear receptors for thyroid hormone: evidence for nonrandom distribution within chromatin.

Chromatin receptor proteins appear to mediate some actions of thyroid hormone. In this study, sheared mammalian chromatin containing [125I]triiodothyronine (T3) bound by these receptors was separated using sucrose gradient velocity sedimentation. T3-receptor complexes were distributed throughout the chromatin fractions, but were enriched in the slowly sedimenting fractions. The latter contain most of the template capacity for RNA synthesis and most of the endogenous RNA polymerase activity but a minor portion of the total DNA. Formaldehyde treatment of chromatin containing receptor-bound [125 I ]T3 resulted in fixation of radioactivity, as evidenced by its migration with chromatin after equilibrium density gradient sedimentation in both cesium chloride and Conray. This fixation implies that the T3 receptor protein is closely associated with chromatin. These results suggest that proteins involved in the regulation of gene function may be nonrandomly distributed within chromatin subfractions, and are consistent with a direct role for thyroid hormone in regulating genetic expression.

Animals↗