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H E Varmus

Publications and source records attributed to H E Varmus.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Mouse mammary tumors express elevated levels of RNA encoding the murine homology of SKY, a putative receptor tyrosine kinase.

To gain insight into the signal transduction pathways utilized by the Wnt-1-responsive mammary epithelial cell line C57MG, we screened for non-src family member tyrosine kinases expressed in these cells using a polymerase chain reaction-based technique. We identified five cDNA clones encoding receptor tyrosine kinases for which the ligand is known (fibroblast growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, epithelial growth factor receptor, insulin receptor, and insulin-like growth factor receptor), two putative receptor tyrosine kinases for which the ligand remains to be identified (the products of ryk and the mouse klg homolog), and a novel tyrosine kinase. We cloned cDNAs encoding both the murine and human homologs of this kinase, the sequences of which were subsequently published under the names sky (Ohashi, K., Mizuno, K., Kuma, K., Miyata, T., and Nakamura, T. (1994) Oncogene 9, 699-705) and rse (Mark, M. R., Scadden, D. T., Wang, Z., Gu, Q., Goddard, A., and Godowski, P. J. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 10720-10728). Mouse sky RNA levels are abundant in mammary tumors derived from transgenic mice that express wnt-1, fgf-3, or both oncogenes in their mammary glands. However, little or no expression of sky is detected in mammary glands from virgin animals or in preneoplastic mammary glands from wnt-1 transgenic mice. Moreover, we find that the human homolog of sky is expressed at elevated levels when normal human mammary epithelial cells are rendered tumorigenic by the introduction of two viral oncogenes. Transient transfection of the human SKY cDNA into the quail fibrosarcoma cell line QT6 reveals that SKY is an active tyrosine kinase that augments the level of cellular phosphotyrosine. Introduction of murine Sky into RatB1a fibroblasts by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer results in morphological transformation, growth in soft agar, and the formation of tumors in nude mice. These data raise the possibility that the Sky tyrosine kinase is involved in the development and/or progression of mammary tumors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Structural and functional studies of retroviral RNA pseudoknots involved in ribosomal frameshifting: nucleotides at the junction of the two stems are important for efficient ribosomal frameshifting.

Ribosomal frameshifting, a translational mechanism used during retroviral replication, involves a directed change in reading frame at a specific site at a defined frequency. Such programmed frameshifting at the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) gag-pro shift site requires two mRNA signals: a heptanucleotide shifty sequence and a pseudoknot structure positioned downstream. Using in vitro translation assays and enzymatic and chemical probes for RNA structure, we have defined features of the pseudoknot that promote efficient frameshifting. Heterologous RNA structures, e.g. a hairpin, a tRNA or a synthetic pseudoknot, substituted downstream of the shifty site fail to promote frameshifting, suggesting that specific features of the MMTV pseudoknot are important for function. Site-directed mutations of the MMTV pseudoknot indicate that the pseudoknot junction, including an unpaired adenine nucleotide between the two stems, provides a specific structural determinant for efficient frameshifting. Pseudoknots derived from other retroviruses (i.e. the feline immunodeficiency virus and the simian retrovirus type 1) also promote frameshifting at the MMTV gag-pro shift site, dependent on the same structure at the junction of the two stems.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Binding in vitro of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins to pp60c-src SH2 domain does not correlate with CEF transformation.

We have previously described pp60c-src SH2 mutants that are host-range-dependent for cell transformation; most of these mutants can transform CEF cells but not NIH3T3 cells, and other transform NIH3T3 cells more efficiently than CEF (Hirai and Varmus, 1990c). In an attempt to understand the molecular basis of these phenotypes, we analysed the ability of mutant SH2 domains in GST fusion proteins to bind to tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in lysates from CEF and NIH3T3 cells. The relative affinity of mutated versions of the SH2 domain for phosphotyrosine-containing proteins from CEF and NIH3T3 cells was compared with the relative ability of the mutant Src proteins to transform the two cell types. While the affinity of the SH2 domain for phosphotyrosine-containing proteins was closely correlated with transformation in NIH3T3 cells, there was no correlation between phosphotyrosine binding and transformation of CEF cells, and none of the host range mutant SH2 domains showed significant differences in their ability to bind phosphotyrosine-containing proteins from lysates from either cell type. In addition, the SH3 domain was shown to augment the capacity of mutant SH2 domain to bind phosphotyrosine-containing proteins.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Mutations associated with familial melanoma impair p16INK4 function.

Cell division is controlled by a series of positive and negative regulators which act at sequential points throughout the cell cycle. Disturbance of these checks could contribute to cancer by allowing excessive cell proliferation. The point in G1 at which cells irrevocably commit to DNA synthesis is controlled by protein complexes consisting of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4 or CDK6) and cyclins (D1, D2 or D3). These complexes are inhibited by low molecular weight proteins, such as p16INK4 (refs 1,2), p15INK4B (ref. 3) and p18 (ref. 4). Deletion or mutation of these CDK-inhibitors could lead to unchecked cell growth, suggesting that members of the p16INK4 family may be tumour suppressor genes. The recent detection of p16INK4 (MTS1) mutations in familial melanoma kindreds, many human tumour cell lines, and primary tumours is consistent with this idea. Previously, we described eight germline p16INK4 substitutions in 18 familial melanoma kindreds. Genetic analyses suggested that five mutations predisposed carriers to melanoma, whereas two missense mutations had no phenotypic effect. We now describe biochemical analyses of the missense germline mutations and a single somatic mutation detected in these families. Only the melanoma-predisposing mutants were impaired in their ability to inhibit the catalytic activity of the cyclin D1/CDK4 and cyclin D1/CDK6 complexes in vitro. Our data provide a biochemical rationale for the hypothesis that carriers of certain p16INK4 mutations are at increased risk of developing melanoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Harold E. Varmus, MD.

On November 19, 1993, the Senate approved the nomination of Harold E. Varmus, MD, as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Varmus, who received the 1989 Nobel Prize in Medicine, brought unquestioned credentials as a scientist to the NIH. Despite his limited background as an administrator, Varmus has received high marks from most observers for improving the morale of NIH staffers and implementing streamlined procedures in the grant review process. His tenure has not been free of controversy, however. Many clinical researchers have long felt there is a bias in NIH study sections against patient-oriented research. A recent study sponsored by the Division of Research Grants confirmed the lower success rate of patient-oriented research proposals, but the outcome of these findings remains unclear. Faced with mounting political pressure for a balanced budget, and the resultant reduction of funding to many branches of government, Varmus has been a strong voice for non-targeted investigator initiated research. Interviewed in his office in Building One on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, Varmus discussed the state of patient oriented research, the evolving role of the NIH in supporting science, and just where the money to pay for it should be found.

Financing, Government↗
PubMed1994

A system for tissue-specific gene targeting: transgenic mice susceptible to subgroup A avian leukosis virus-based retroviral vectors.

Avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) have been used extensively as genetic vectors in avian systems, but their utility in mammals or mammalian cell lines is compromised by inefficient viral entry. We have overcome this limitation by generating transgenic mice that express the receptor for the subgroup A ALV under the control of the chicken alpha sk-actin promoter. The skeletal muscles of these transgenic animals are susceptible to efficient infection by subgroup A ALV. Because infection is restricted to cell lineages that express the transgene, the method has utility for studies of development and oncogenesis and will provide models for tissue-specific gene therapy.

Actins↗
PubMed1994

Association of the amino-terminal half of c-Src with focal adhesions alters their properties and is regulated by phosphorylation of tyrosine 527.

We have characterized the mechanism by which the subcellular distribution of c-Src is controlled by the phosphorylation of tyrosine 527. Mutation of this tyrosine dramatically redistributes c-Src from endosomal membranes to focal adhesions. Redistribution to focal adhesions occurs independently of kinase activity and cellular transformation. In cells lacking the regulatory kinase (CSK) that phosphorylates tyrosine 527, c-Src is also found predominantly in focal adhesions, confirming that phosphorylation of tyrosine 527 affects the location of c-Src inside the cell. The first 251 amino acids of c-Src are sufficient to allow association with focal adhesions, indicating that at least one signal for positioning c-Src in focal adhesions resides in the amino-terminal half. Point mutations and deletions in the first 251 amino acids of c-Src reveal that association with focal adhesions requires the myristylation site needed for membrane attachment, as well as the SH3 domain. Expression of the amino-terminal region alters both the structural and biochemical properties of focal adhesions. Focal adhesions containing this non-catalytic portion of c-Src are larger and exhibit increased levels of phosphotyrosine staining. Our results suggest that c-Src may regulate focal adhesions and cellular adhesion by a kinase-independent mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

DNA bending creates favored sites for retroviral integration: an explanation for preferred insertion sites in nucleosomes.

The choice of retroviral integration sites is strongly influenced by chromatin: integration in vitro occurs more efficiently into nucleosomal DNA than into naked DNA, and a characteristic pattern of preferred insertion sites with a 10 bp periodicity is observed at the outer face of the nucleosomal DNA. At least three features of nucleosomal DNA could be responsible for the creation of these favored sites: the presence of histones, attachment of the DNA to a protein surface, and DNA bending. To test each of these possibilities, we studied integration in vitro with human immunodeficiency virus and murine leukemia virus integrases into four model targets that mimic features of nucleosomal DNA: (i) catabolite activator protein-DNA complexes; (ii) lac repressor-operator complexes; (iii) lac repressor-induced loops; and (iv) intrinsically bent A-tract DNA. We found that bending of the target DNA can create favored integration sites at the outer face of the helix, irrespective of whether the bent DNA is attached to a protein surface. Our findings offer an explanation for the preferred usage of nucleosomes as integration targets. In addition, they suggest that bending of the target DNA might be an intrinsic feature of the integration reaction.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Functional overlap in the src gene family: inactivation of hck and fgr impairs natural immunity.

We have generated mice with targeted disruptions of the src-like genes hck and fgr to assess the role of these kinases in myeloid cell development and function. Hematopoiesis appears to proceed normally in both hck-l- and fgr-l- animals, and in hck-l(-)-fgr-l- double homozygotes, but phagocytosis is impaired in hck-l- macrophages. Macrophages cultured from doubly homozygous, hck-l(-)-fgr-l- animals retain many other normal functional properties, suggesting that the deficiency of these kinases is complemented by other src family members. The specific activity of the Lyn protein kinase is increased in hck-l- macrophages, implying that Lyn may compensate for a deficiency in Hck. Doubly mutant animals, however, have a novel immunodeficiency characterized by an increased susceptibility to infection with Listeria monocytogenes, indicating that either hck or fgr is required to maintain a normal natural immune response. These data provide the first direct example of genetic interactions between src gene family members.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The receptor for the subgroup A avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses binds to subgroup A but not to subgroup C envelope glycoprotein.

The putative subgroup A avian leukosis-sarcoma virus (ALSV) receptor (Tva) was recently cloned by gene transfer (P. Bates, J. A. Young, and H. E. Varmus, Cell 74:1043-1051, 1993; J. A. T. Young, P. Bates, and H. E. Varmus, J. Virol. 67:1811-1816, 1993). Susceptibility to infection by subgroup A ALSV is conferred on cells upon transfection with cDNAs encoding tva. The hypothesis that tva encodes a specific receptor for subgroup A ALSV predicts that the Tva protein should bind to subgroup A, but not to subgroup C, envelope glycoprotein. In this study, we examined this prediction by using several biochemical assays. We established stable NIH 3T3 cell lines expressing either Tva, the subgroup A envelope glycoprotein (Env-A), or the subgroup C envelop glycoprotein (Env-C) and used them in conjunction with soluble forms of these molecules to demonstrate specific binding. When cell lysates containing Tva were mixed with lysates of either Env-A or Env-C, an immunoprecipitable complex formed between Tva and Env-A but not between Tva and Env-C. A soluble, oligomeric form, of Env-A, not Env-C, binds to cells expressing Tva. Reciprocally, a secreted form of Tva can bind to cells expressing Env-A but not to cells expressing Env-C. A specific and stable complex formed between soluble Env-A and secreted Tva as demonstrated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Thus, by three kinds of assays, Tva appears to bind specifically to Env-A, which is consistent with genetic evidence that it serves as the cell surface receptor of subgroup A ALSV and the main determinant of subgroup specificity.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Highly conserved amino acids in the SH2 and catalytic domains of v-src are altered in naturally occurring, transformation-defective alleles.

We have identified 11 novel point mutations that abolish the transforming capacity of the oncogene v-src. These transformation-defective alleles were originally identified in morphologically flat subclones of rat cells transformed by wild type v-src. Nine of the mutations affect amino acid residues that are highly conserved in the catalytic domain of pp60v-src and completely abolish kinase activity. The other 2 mutations alter conserved residues in the SH2 domain (Phe-172 replaced with Val in one case [F172V] and Leu-186 replaced with Phe in the other [L186F]), drastically reducing, but not eliminating, kinase activity. The enzymatic and transforming functions of one of the SH2 mutants, L186F are host dependent; the mutant protein is active in chicken cells, but inactive in rat cells, as previously observed for some other SH2 mutants. These results are interpreted in relation to the recently described three-dimensional structures of SH2 domains and of the catalytic domain of a protein kinase. In addition, they support a role for the SH2 domain in the regulation of kinase activity.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

A receptor for subgroup A Rous sarcoma virus is related to the low density lipoprotein receptor.

Cellular receptors are required for efficient entry of retroviruses into cells. We previously cloned a chicken gene responsible for susceptibility to the retrovirus subgroup A Rous sarcoma virus (RSV(A)). Here we have isolated the quail homolog and generated two alternatively spliced processed genes encoding cellular receptors for RSV(A). Predicted products of the processed genes appear to be small membrane-associated proteins with identical 83 amino acid extracellular domains but different membrane anchors. Within the extracellular domain is a region closely related to the ligand-binding repeat of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Expression of either processed gene renders mammalian cells specifically susceptible to RSV(A). Antibodies directed against the receptor block subgroup A infection of avian cells via endogenous receptors and have no effect on entry of other RSV subgroups. Thus, small LDLR-related proteins are cellular receptors for RSV(A).

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Site-directed mutagenesis of HIV-1 integrase demonstrates differential effects on integrase functions in vitro.

The retroviral integrase (IN) protein is essential for integration of retroviral DNA into the host cell genome. To identify functional domains within the protein and to assess the importance of conserved residues, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of HIV-1 IN and analyzed the mutants in vitro for IN-mediated activities: 3' processing (att site-specific nuclease activity), strand transfer (the joining of att site oligonucleotides to target DNA), disintegration (the reverse of strand transfer), and integration site selection. Changing the conserved residue His-16 either to Cys or to Val in a proposed zinc-finger region had minimal effect on IN activities. Alteration of two highly conserved amino acid residues, Asp-116-->Ile and Glu-152-->Gly, each resulted in complete or nearly complete loss of 3' processing, strand transfer, and disintegration, whereas alteration of another conserved residue, Trp-235-->Glu, had no demonstrable effect on any of the activities in vitro. Two mutants, Asp-64-->Val and Arg-199-->Cys delta, each demonstrated differential effects on IN activities. Asp-64-->Val has no demonstrable strand transfer or disintegration activity yet maintains 3' processing activity at a diminished level. Arg-199-->Cys delta, which lacks part of the carboxyl terminus of IN, has impaired strand transfer activity without loss of disintegration activity. Use of a target site selection assay showed that all of our mutants with strand transfer activity maintain the same integration pattern as wild type IN. We conclude that not all highly conserved IN residues are essential for IN activities in vitro, zinc coordination by the proposed zinc-finger domain may not be required for the activities assayed, alteration of single residues can yield differential effects on IN activities, and target site selection into naked DNA is not necessarily altered by changes in strand transfer activity.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

Mouse mammary tumor virus infection accelerates mammary carcinogenesis in Wnt-1 transgenic mice by insertional activation of int-2/Fgf-3 and hst/Fgf-4.

Transgenic mice carrying the Wnt-1 protooncogene modified for expression in mammary epithelial cells exhibit hyperplastic mammary glands and stochastically develop mammary carcinomas, suggesting that additional events are necessary for tumorigenesis. To induce such events and to identify the genes involved, we have infected Wnt-1 transgenic mice with mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), intending to insertionally activate, and thereby molecularly tag, cooperating protooncogenes. Infection of breeding female Wnt-1 transgenics decreased the average age at which tumors appeared from approximately 4 months to approximately 2.5 months and increased the average number of primary tumors per mouse from 1-2 to > 5. A smaller effect was observed in virgin females, and infection of transgenic males showed no significant effect on tumor latency. More than half of the tumors from the infected breeding group contained one or more newly acquired MMTV proviruses in a pattern suggesting that most cells in tumors arose from a single infected cell. Analyses of provirus-containing tumors for induced or altered expression of int-2/Fgf-3, hst/Fgf-4, int-3, and Wnt-3 showed activation of int-2 in 39% of tumors, hst in 3%, and both int-2 and hst in 3%. DNA analyses with probes for protooncogenes and MMTV confirmed that the activations resulted from proviral insertions. There was no evidence for proviral insertions at the int-3, Wnt-3, or Wnt-1 loci. These findings provide further evidence that fibroblast growth factors Int-2 and Hst can cooperate with Wnt-1, another secreted factor, in mammary tumorigenesis, and they illustrate the capacity of this system to identify cooperating oncogenes.

Animals↗