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S Aaronson

Publications and source records attributed to S Aaronson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Reform, not rhetoric: a critique of welfare policy and charting of new directions.

Current changes in welfare policy are examined, and the likelihood that they will be unworkable or counterproductive is discussed. Based on knowledge and data from the articles in this special section, as well as other relevant research, policy and program recommendations are offered for welfare reform that would most effectively help poor women support themselves and their families.

Aid to Families with Dependent Children↗

The bovine papillomavirus type 1 E5 transforming protein specifically binds and activates the beta-type receptor for the platelet-derived growth factor but not other related tyrosine kinase-containing receptors to induce cellular transformation.

The 44-amino-acid E5 protein of bovine papillomavirus type 1 is a highly hydrophobic protein which appears to transform cells through the activation of growth factor receptors. To investigate the specificity of E5-growth factor receptor interactions required for mitogenic signaling, we utilized a nontumorigenic, murine myeloid cell line (32D) which is strictly dependent on interleukin-3 (IL-3) for sustained proliferation in culture. This IL-3 dependence can be functionally substituted by the expression of a variety of surrogate growth factor receptors and the addition of the corresponding ligand. Several receptor cDNAs for the alpha- and beta-type platelet-derived growth factor receptors [alpha PDGFR and beta PDGFR], the epidermal growth factor receptor, and the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor) were transfected into 32D cells constitutively expressing the E5 protein to test for IL-3-independent growth. Only beta PDGFR was capable of abrogating the IL-3 dependence of 32D cells. The proliferative signal induced by the coexpression of beta PDGFR and E5 was accompanied by stable complex formation between these proteins, constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor, and tumorigenicity in nude mice. The lack of cooperative interaction between E5 and the epidermal growth factor receptor, the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor, and the highly related alpha PDGFR was paralleled by the inability of E5 to bind to these receptors and failure to increase receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, these data indicate that the ability of E5 to induce sustained proliferation and transformation of 32D cells is a direct consequence of specific interaction between the E5 protein and the beta PDGFR signaling complex and the subsequent stimulation of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation.

Animals↗

Tumorigenicity of the met proto-oncogene and the gene for hepatocyte growth factor.

The met proto-oncogene is the tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). It was previously shown that, like the oncogenic tpr-met, the mouse met proto-oncogene transforms NIH 3T3 cells. We have established NIH 3T3 cells stably expressing both human (Methu) and mouse (Metmu) met proto-oncogene products. The protein products are properly processed and appear on the cell surface. NIH 3T3 cells express endogenous mouse HGF/SF mRNA, suggesting an autocrine activation mechanism for transformation by Metmu. However, the tumor-forming activity of Methu in NIH 3T3 cells is very low compared with that of Metmu, but efficient tumorigenesis occurs when Methu and HGF/SFhu are coexpressed. These results are consistent with an autocrine transformation mechanism and suggest further that the endogenous murine factor inefficiently activates the tumorigenic potential of Methu. The tumorigenicity observed with reciprocal chimeric human and mouse receptors that exchange external ligand-binding domains supports this conclusion. We also show that HGF/SFhu expressed in NIH 3T3 cells produces tumors in nude mice.

3T3 Cells↗

Mouse platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene is deleted in W19H and patch mutations on chromosome 5.

The mouse W19H mutation is an x-ray-induced deletion of more than 2 centimorgans on chromosome 5 encompassing the white spotting mutation W (encoded by the Kit protooncogene), patch (Ph), and recessive lethal (l) loci. The platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene (PDGFRA) like Kit encodes a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. By using mouse-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids and haplotype analysis in interspecific backcross mice, mouse Pdgfra was mapped to chromosome 5 in tight linkage with Kit. Hybridization of a PDGFRA probe to DNAs from W19H/ + heterozygous mice and patch heterozygous mice, and their wild-type littermates, demonstrated deletion of Pdgfra. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that Kit and Pdgfra are linked on a 630-kilobase Mlu I DNA fragment. Thus the W19H deletion removes at least two receptor tyrosine kinases and the results suggest Pdgfra as a candidate for the Ph locus.

Animals↗

Isolation of a novel receptor cDNA establishes the existence of two PDGF receptor genes.

A genomic sequence and cloned complementary DNA has been identified for a novel receptor-like gene of the PDGF receptor/CSF1 receptor subfamily (platelet-derived growth factor receptor/colony-stimulating factor type 1 receptor). The gene recognized a 6.4-kilobase transcript that was coexpressed in normal human tissues with the 5.3-kilobase PDGF receptor messenger RNA. Introduction of complementary DNA of the novel gene into COS-1 cells led to expression of proteins that were specifically detected with antiserum directed against a predicted peptide. When the new gene was transfected into COS-1 cells, a characteristic pattern of binding of the PDGF isoforms was observed, which was different from the pattern observed with the known PDGF receptor. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor in response to the PDGF isoforms was also different from the known receptor. The new PDGF receptor gene was localized to chromosome 4q11-4q12. The existence of genes encoding two PDGF receptors that interact in a distinct manner with three different PDGF isoforms likely confers considerable regulatory flexibility in the functional responses to PDGF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

TGF alpha stimulates growth of skin papillomas by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms but does not cause neoplastic progression.

To investigate the role of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) in tumor development, we introduced the human TGF alpha (hTGF alpha) cDNA into cultured primary mouse epidermal cells or papilloma cells using a replication-defective retroviral vector and analyzed skin grafts constructed with such cells. Expression of the exogenous gene was confirmed by detection of hTGF alpha mRNA by northern RNA blot analysis, and the secreted hTGF alpha was measured by ELISA of culture supernatants. Tumor cells expressing hTGF alpha produced benign tumors (papillomas), which were 1.5- to 2-fold larger than tumors of parental cells when tested as skin grafts on nude mice. Grafts of normal cells that expressed hTGF alpha produced normal skin. When mixtures of parental tumor cells and normal mouse keratinocytes were grafted to nude mice, papilloma formation was suppressed and tumors that did form were small. Grafts of hTGF alpha-producing papilloma cells combined with either normal epidermal cells or hTGF alpha-producing epidermal cells yielded large tumors. Mixed grafts containing keratinocytes expressing hTGF alpha and parental papilloma cells also produced large tumors. While the tumor size was substantially increased by hTGF alpha expression, the tumors that developed in all groups were histologically benign and reached a stable size 4-5 wk after grafting. These results indicate that expression of hTGF alpha by either tumor cells (autocrine) or adjoining normal cells (paracrine) can stimulate tumor growth, particularly when tumor growth is suppressed by normal tissue. However, expression of this growth factor did not appear to influence tumor progression directly.

Animals↗

Microinjection of ras p21 induces a rapid rise in intracellular pH.

Quiescent mouse NIH 3T3 cells responded to microinjection of activated ras p21 with a rapid and sustained rise in intracellular pH (approximately 0.17 pH units). The p21-induced pH change was inhibited by amiloride treatment or growth of cells in medium low in sodium, suggesting a role for the Na+/H+ antiporter. Amiloride was found to suppress p21-induced mitosis, also.

Amiloride↗

Selective impairment of nutrient absorption from intestines with chronic venous hypertension.

Malnutrition is frequently associated with advanced cirrhosis. To investigate the role of portal hypertension in nutritional impairment, we developed an animal model to isolate and characterize the effects of chronic intestinal venous hypertension on intestinal nutrient absorption. We performed mesenteric arteriovenous anastomosis combined with portal vein banding in rats. Hepatic architecture and excretory function (bile flow and bile salt output) were unaltered, while severe and persistent intestinal venous hypertension was produced. We then measured in vivo absorption rates of three test nutrients (vitamin D3, valine, and tryptophan) and water. Vitamin D3 absorption was significantly impaired by intestinal congestion, while amino acid absorption was unaffected. Splanchnic hypertensive rats absorbed less water than controls. We conclude that chronic intestinal venous hypertension alone selectively impairs nutrient absorption.

Animals↗

Translocation of the c-myc gene into the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in human Burkitt lymphoma and murine plasmacytoma cells.

The consistent appearance of specific chromosomal translocations in human Burkitt lymphomas and murine plasmacytomas has suggested that these translocations might play a role in malignant transformation. Here we show that transformation of these cells is frequently accompanied by the somatic rearrangement of a cellular analogue of an avian retrovirus transforming gene, c-myc. Moreover, we map c-myc to human chromosome 8 band q24, the chromosomal segment involved in the reciprocal Burkitt translocations [t(8;14), t(8;22) and t(2;8)]. In two t(8;14) human Burkitt cell lines, c-myc appears to have been translocated directly into a DNA restriction fragment that also encodes the immunoglobulin mu chain gene. In the case of a specific cloned fragment of DNA derived from a mouse plasmacytoma, we demonstrate directly that c-myc has been translocated into the immunoglobulin alpha switch region. Our data provide a molecular basis for considering the role that specific translocations might play in malignant transformation.

Animals↗