Characterization of a mouse interferon gene locus II. Differential expression of alpha-interferon genes

A cluster of four MuIFN-alpha genes was recently isolated and characterized (1); one of the genes in this cluster had, in the coding region, an internal deletion of 5 amino acids. Bacterial expression plasmids were constructed to examine the effect of this deletion on the antiviral activity of the MuIFN-alpha 4 peptide and it was found that the alpha 4 interferon peptide had a 100-fold lower antiviral activity than full length alpha-interferon proteins when expressed in E. coli. Three of the four MuIFN-alpha genes identified were expressed coordinately in L-cells infected with NDV. The relative levels of alpha 4 mRNA were substantially higher than the levels of the other alpha mRNAs. Comparison of the 5' end flanking sequences of these four alpha interferon genes revealed that the promoter sequences of alpha 1, alpha 5 and alpha 6 are more homologous to each other than to the alpha 4 promoter which also contains a G rich cluster not seen in the other three promoters.

Localization of the mouse interferon-beta 1 gene to chromosome 4

Using Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA isolated from hamster/mouse somatic cell hybrids, we have mapped the mouse interferon-beta 1 gene to chromosome 4. Thus, as in humans, both the alpha- and beta-interferon genes are localized on the same chromosome in mouse.

Differential regulation of interferon synthesis in lymphoblastoid cells

We have examined the molecular mechanisms involved in the induction and regulation of expression of alpha and beta 1 human interferons (HuIFN) in Namalva cells. Cloned IFN-alpha and -beta 1 cDNAs, and antisera to purified IFN-alpha and -beta 1 were used as specific probes to determine the expression of HuIFN genes both on the RNA and protein levels. The rates of gene transcription were correlated with the relative levels of HuIFN mRNA present in induced cells and with the amounts of HuIFN peptides synthesized by these cells. The comparative rate of transcription of HuIFN-alpha and -beta 1 genes was measured in nuclei isolated from Namalva cells before and after induction. No transcription of HuIFN-alpha and -beta 1 genes was detected in nuclei isolated from the uninduced cells. The correspondence in the rate of HuIFN-alpha and -beta 1 genes transcription after virus infection with the relative levels of HuIFN mRNA in the induced cells indicates that the stimulation of HuIFN synthesis by viral infection results from the activation of the transcription of HuIFN genes. The relative levels of alpha and beta 1 induced transcripts were the same in spite of the differences in the number of copies of HuIFN-alpha and -beta 1 genes indicating that the beta 1 gene is transcribed more efficiently than the alpha genes. The steady-state levels of HuIFN-alpha and -beta 1 mRNAs in induced Namalva cells are comparable, however, the overall amount of HuIFN-beta 1 synthesized (as determined by radioimmunoassay and biological activity) is approximately 10-fold lower than that of IFN-alpha. No evidence has been found that would indicate that HuIFN-beta 1 mRNA induced in Namalva cells is different from that induced in human fibroblasts. The data indicate, however, that in Namalva cells, the IFN-beta 1 polypeptide has a higher turnover rate and slower rate of release into medium than the HuIFN-alpha polypeptides, indicating that the observed difference in the overall amounts of these two types of interferons present in the medium is due to regulation on posttranslational level.

Linkage analysis of the murine interferon-alpha locus on chromosome 4

Southern blot analysis with a murine interferon-alpha2 (MuIFN-alpha2) cDNA probe revealed restriction fragment polymorphism of EcoRI- and HindIII-digested C57BL/6 and BALB/cDNA. The inheritance pattern of this polymorphism was examined using DNA from each of the seven recombinant inbred strains derived from C57BL/6 and BALB/c; the strain distribution pattern suggests linkage of INF-alpha genes to two histocompatibility loci on chromosome 4. Southern blot analysis of DNA from six bilinear congenic strains carrying different fragments of the BALB/c chromosome 4 on a C57BL/6 background showed linkage of IFN-alpha genes to the histocompatibility locus H-15. It can therefore be concluded that the IFN-alpha gene cluster is situated on chromosome 4 near the H-15 locus, between loci Mup-1 and b.

Mapping of murine interferon-alpha genes to chromosome 4

A cDNA library was constructed from polysomal poly(A)+RNA from Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-induced mouse C243 cells, and screened with a human interferon-alpha (HuIFN-alpha) cDNA probe. A cDNA clone for one of the murine interferon-alpha (MuIFN-alpha) genes was isolated, and sequencing analysis revealed that it was a partial copy which is almost identical to the published sequence for the MuIFN-alpha 2 gene. This partial cDNA clone represents a virus-induced message as seen by Northern blot analysis of RNA from NDV-induced C243 cells, and Southern blot analysis of DNA from BALB/c mouse revealed the presence of a multiple IFN-alpha gene family. The MuIFN-alpha genes were mapped to chromosome 4 by Southern blot analysis of hamster/mouse somatic cell hybrid DNAs.

Two levels of regulation of beta-interferon gene expression in human cells

We cloned alpha- and beta-interferon cDNA and used them as specific probes to determine the relative levels of interferon mRNA in human fibroblasts cells induced with poly(rI).poly(rC) or Newcastle disease virus to synthesize interferon. Both inducers activated only the beta-interferon gene; however, the half life of beta-interferon mRNA in cells induced with virus was substantially longer than in poly(rI).poly(rC)-induced cells. The transcription rate of beta-interferon RNA sequences was examined in nuclei isolated from poly(rI).poly(rC)-induced cells; it was found that the induction leads to transcriptional activation of the beta-interferon gene and that the shutoff period when no interferon synthesis or cytoplasmic betamRNA are detected. Thus, the synthesis of beta interferon in poly(rI).poly-(rC)-induced human fibroblasts is controlled both by activation of transcription of the beta-interferon gene and by alteration of the beta-interferon mRNA stability.

Interferon treatment of murine Meth-A sarcoma cells: effects on the malignant phenotype and expression of tumor-specific and H-2 antigens

A virus-free methycholanthrene-induced sarcoma (Meth-A) in BALB/c mice was grown in culture and treated with purified mouse interferon (alpha and beta mixture) prior to testing for oncogenicity in the host animal. Use of interferon in vitro caused growth inhibition, but not cytotoxic effects; such effects were fully reversible upon interferon removal from the system. There was a significant decrease in tumor incidence in mice challenged with interferon-treated cells, but this could be overcome by sufficiently increasing the number of cells in the inoculating dose. By transplanting these BALB/c sarcoma cells into Sprague-Dawley nude mice, the effects of interferon could be negated. Since these mice have an unaltered activity of NK cells, the results suggest that NK cells do not play a major role in rejection of the Meth-A tumor, but that the reduction in tumor incidence is dependent on the presence of functional T cells. Interferon caused a detectable reduction in the expression of the tumor-specific transplantation antigen (TSTA) associated with Meth-A cells, but increased the expression of H-2 antigens. It has recently been shown that H-2 antigens play a role in host recognition of the TSTA of methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas. It is suggested that the increased expression of H-2 antigens on interferon-treated Meth-A cells could lead to an increased frequency of recognition by T-cells.

Induction of human beta-interferon synthesis with poly(rI . rC) in mouse cells transfected with cloned cDNA plasmids

Human genomic DNA and plasmids carrying portions of the cDNA gene for human beta-interferon have been introduced into mouse Ltk- cells by cotransfection with a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) gene. One plasmid contains 840 base pairs of human DNA complementary to pre-beta-interferon mRNA inserted into pBR322, whereas the other plasmids have hybrid genes containing only the 560-base pair coding region inserted under the transcriptional control of the TK promoter. Constitutive interferon production could not be detected in any of the mouse TK+ cell lines tested. Nevertheless, synthesis of interferon could be induced by poly(rI . rC) treatment in at least 16 of these cell lines, including clones transfected with genomic DNA, the beta-interferon cDNA, and the TK-beta-interferon cDNA hybrid gene. The interferon produced was specific for human cells and could be neutralized by antiserum against human beta-interferon. In contrast to human fibroblast cells, in which the synthesis of induced beta-interferon is transient, the poly(rI . rC)-induced TK+ lines continued to produce beta-interferon for prolonged periods of time and did not respond to superinduction conditions. Therefore, in transfected mouse cells, the coding DNA sequence from the human beta-interferon gene, without any of the adjacent 3' or 5' flanking human DNA sequences, was sufficient both to direct synthesis of biologically active product and to respond to the specific induction system that operates in human cells. However, the mechanism that switches off the synthesis of induced interferon in human cells appears not to operate in mouse cells transfected with beta-interferon cDNA.

Effect of interferon on the replication of mink cell focus-inducing virus in murine cells: synthesis, processing, assembly, and release of viral proteins

Treatment of mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) virus (isolate AK-13) producing SC-1 cells with mouse fibroblast interferon (150 to 600 U/ml) led to a 100-fold decrease in the release of infectious virus, whereas there was a 2.5- to 10-fold decrease in various parameters of virus particle release. Analysis of labeled virion proteins indicated that a temporal change in virion protein composition occurred after interferon treatment. After a 24-h exposure of chronically infected cells to interferon, the virions produced contained a 85,000-dalton glycoprotein (apparently of nonviral origin) which was in excess of the virus envelope glycoprotein gp70. Particles produced from cells treated with interferon for 32 to 48 h were nearly devoid of gp70 and contained substantially lower quantities of p30. Intracellular processing of viral precursor polyproteins to the mature virion structural proteins was not altered in the presence of interferon. However, an accumulation of the viral p30 and p12E proteins was observed in interferon-treated cells, consistent with an increase in cell-associated virions. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the tissue culture fluids from [35S]methionine-labeled control and interferon-treated cells revealed marked decrease in p30 and p15E/p12E released after interferon treatment. In contrast, gp70 did not accumulate in interferon-treated cells, but was released into the culture medium in a form that was neither pelletable nor associated with p15E/p12E.

Human beta interferon gene localization and expression in somatic cell hybrids

The human fibroblast interferon gene beta 1 was mapped to human chromosome 9. Sequence homology with a beta 1 cDNA clone was detected in both genomic DNA and induced mRNA of human/mouse or human/hamster somatic cell hybrids containing human chromosome 9, but not in lines lacking this chromosome or those retaining a complex translocation involving chromosomes 9 and 11. Interferon mRNA that did not share sequence homology with the beta 1 cDNA clone was detected in lines containing human chromosomes 2 and 5 but lacking chromosome 9, suggesting the presence of other unlinked interferon sequences in the human genome.

Radioimmunoassay of human beta interferon

A solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human fibroblast-derived beta (beta) interferon is described using dinitrophenylated (DNP) IgG from rabbit anti-interferon serum and quantitation of the antigen-bound antibodies by subsequently measuring the attachment of 125I-labeled anti-DNP. The sensitivity limit of the assay is 50 u of interferon corresponding to 0.5 ng of interferon protein. Preparations of alpha leukocyte-derived interferon show only marginal cross-reactivity (less than 0.01%) while the mouse interferons (mixture of alpha and beta)are negative in this assay. The simplicity, reproducibility and the possibility of using 125I-labeled anti-DNP as a universal reagent for different anti-interferon sera may widen the development of RIA tests for interferons both in research and clinical areas.

Methylation and a polymorphic restriction site adjacent to human beta-interferon gene

High-molecular-weight DNA from cultured human fibroblast cells and tissues was analyzed with the restriction endonucleases Msp I and Hpa II for the presence of methylated sites in the sequences flanking the beta-interferon gene. The majority of the DNAs analyzed were methylated in the restriction site (CCGG) for these two enzymes and thus were sensitive to cleavage by Msp I, but resistant to Hpa II. A polymorphic Msp I restriction site was identified approximately 1000 bp upstream from the beta-interferon gene. The results show an association of the beta-interferon gene with Msp I fragments of either 2.7 kb or 4.2 kb, which are inherited as Mendelian alleles. An unusual Msp I site upstream from the beta-interferon gene was present in 22% of the DNA from peripheral leukocytes of healthy individuals, and in 36% of the DNA from leukocytes of individuals with different forms of leukemia. Induction of beta-interferon with poly(rl X rC) did not alter the methylation pattern in the sequences flanking the beta-interferon gene, and the levels of beta-interferon induced in cells by poly(rl X rC) could not be directly related to the presence or absence of a polymorphic Msp I restriction site in the 5'-flanking region.

Analysis of interferon mRNA in human fibroblast cells induced to produce interferon

The levels of interferon mRNA as a function of interferon induction by poly(rI) . poly(rC) in human fibroblast cells were determined by RNA hybridization using a cloned beta interferon cDNA and by translation in Xenopus oocytes. Whereas previous studies analyzed mixtures of interferons, the availability of the cloned beta interferon cDNA and the antiserum to purified beta interferon enabled us to focus on the expression of only one class (beta) of interferon genes. The induction of interferon synthesis depends primarily on the accumulation of interferon beta mRNA in the cells, and the interferon beta mRNA rapidly disappears several hours after its appearance in the cytoplasm. No detectable interferon beta mRNA sequences are present in uninduced cells. The degradation of interferon beta mRNA in the induced cells requires ongoing protein synthesis; accumulation of interferon beta mRNA was observed in the continuous presence of cycloheximide. The interferon beta mRNA detected at the early stages of induction is 1100 nucleotides long and its size progressively decreases with time. By both the hybridization and the translational assay in Xenopus oocytes, only one size of interferon beta mRNA and one species of beta interferon could be identified.

Interferon heterogeneity resulting from differences in glycosylation

35S methionine-labeled interferon synthesized in mouse C-243 induced by NDV in the presence and absence of glycosylation was analyzed after immunoprecipitation by gel electrophoresis. Interferons produced in the induced cells show large size heterogeneity in the region of 24,000-35,000-daltons. Interferon synthesized in the tunicamycin treated induced cells show two major bands of 15,000 and 18,000 daltons, which synthesis was also coded for by the interferon mRNA in cell-free system. The results indicate that the size heterogeneity of mouse interferons is due to the variability in the carbohydrate moiety of interferon polypeptides (alpha, beta).

The messenger RNA sequences in human fibroblast cells induced with poly rI.rC to produce interferon

Induction of human fibroblast cells with poly rI.rC induces interferon mRNA which can be translated into interferon precursor in wheat germ cell free system or in Xenopus oocytes into biologically active interferon. The extent of gene expression in the poly rI.rC induced cells was compared to that of the uninduced cells by hybridization of the mRNA to complementary DNA. Homologous template driven hybridization of cDNA revealed the presence of two clearly defined transitions in the total poly A RNA from the induced cells; abundant class and a scarce class comprising approximately 37,000 diverse species of RNA. Heterologus hybridization of the cDNA with total uninduced mRNA showed that the majority of the mRNA sequences are the same in both the induced and uninduced cells. The results of the hybridization using cDNA prepared to the fraction enriched for interferon mRNA, however, showed that about 4% of the sequences present in the interferon enriched fraction are not present in the uninduced cells. These differences may result from the poly rI.rC induced alterations in gene expression.

Synthesis of new proteins associated with the induction of interferon in human fibroblast cells

The relative amounts of translatable cellular mRNAs and newly synthesized cellular proteins were examined in poly(I) x poly(C)-induced human fibroblast cells early during induction. At this time interferon and interferon mRNA synthesis are maximal and cells have not acquired their antiviral thesis are maximal and cells have not acquired their antiviral state. Translation of the mRNA from poly(I) x poly(C)-induced cells in a wheat germ cell-free system led to the synthesis of a [35S]methionine-labeled 22,000-dalton protein that is precipitated by antiserum to highly purified human fibroblast interferon. The synthesis of this protein was detected only with the mRNA preparations that, when translated in Xenopus oocytes, coded for the synthesis of biologically active human interferon. Two-dimensional gel analysis of the [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides translated from the total mRNA of the induced and uninduced cells revealed the presence of 23 new proteins that were translated from mRNAs of the induced cells but not from the mRNAs of the controls. These polypeptides ranged from 15,000 to 70,000 daltons. Thirteen of these proteins were detected in induced cells labeled with [35S]methionine. It is concluded that, in human fibroblasts, poly(I) x poly(C) induces, in addition to interferon, the synthesis of a variety of "interferon-associated" proteins.

Effect of interferon on mouse leukaemia virus (MuLV). V. Abnormal proteins in virions of Rauscher MuLV produced in the presence of interferon

Interferon treatment of JLSV-6 cells chronically infected with Rauscher MuLV leads to the formation of non-infectious particles ('interferon' virions) containing the structural proteins coded by the env and gag genes as well as additional virus polypeptides. The major glycoprotein detected in the control virions is gp71, but 'interferon' virions contain in addition an 85K mol. wt. (gp85) glucosamine-containing, fucose-deficient glycoprotein. This is recognized by antiserum to MuLV and may be related to env pr85. Surface iodination of intact virions indicates that gp71 and gp85 are the two major components of the external envelope. However, whereas in control virions gp71 associates with p15E (gp90), this complex was not detected in 'interferon' virions. Analysis of radio-labelled (3H-amino acids or iodinated) proteins from disrupted 'interferon' virions revealed the presence of 65K, 55K, 40K, 20K and 12K mol. wt. polypeptides which could be precipitated with antiserum against MuLV. There was a distinct difference in the patterns of incorporation of pulse-labelled 3H-amino acid polypeptides into virions in the presence and absence of interferon. Those polypeptides labelled in the presence of interferon and recovered in the extracellular virions in a chase with interferon appeared to have substantially fewer copies of p30 and more of gag pr55 polypeptide than the controls. These results indicate that in the presence of interferon there are changes in the proteolytic cleavage associated with virion assembly.

Effect of interferon on murine leukaemia virus infection. IV. Formation of non-infectious virus in chronically infected cells

Interferon (150 units/ml) was used to treat SC-1 and AKR-2B cells which were chronically infected with murine leukaemia virus (MuLV). This led to a 100-fold decrease in the amount of infectious virus released into the medium and a 10-fold decrease in the number of virus particles measured by the virion-associated reverse transcriptase assay. However, there was little change in the amount of cell-associated infectious virus, though nearly twice as many cell-associated virions were counted in electron micrographs. With both types of cells, interferon blocked MuLV replication at the post-budding stage, but it did not change the morphology of the particles produced or their content of virion 70S RNA. Infectious virus assembled on the cell membranes of interferon-treated cells was less stable at 37 degrees C than that grown in the absence of interferon. Release of infectious virus from interferon-treated cells was not inhibited by actinomycin D or cycloheximide, though both agents inhibited virus production in controls. These results show that interferon inhibits MuLV replication through effects on virion assembly; these lead both to the formation of non-infectious particles and of fewer virions. Kinetic analysis further shows that interferon affects MuLV assembly rapidly and induction of an antiviral protein may not be required.

The errors in assembly of MuLV in interferon treated cells

Interferon treatment of JLSV-6 cells chronically infected with Rauscher MuLV leads to the formation of noninfectious particles (interferon virions) containing the structural proteins of env and gag genes as well as additional viral polypeptides. In the control virions the major glycoprotein detected is gp71, interferon virions contain in addition to gp71 and 85k dalton (gp85) glucosamine-containing, fucose-deficient glycoprotein which is recognized by antiserum to MuLV but not by the gp71 antiserum. The surface iodination of the intact virions indicates that both gp71 and gp85 are the major components of the external virions envelope. However, unlike the control virions in which gp71 associates with p15E (gp90), the gp71-p15E complex was not detected in interferon virions. The analysis of the iodinated proteins of the disrupted interferon virions revealed the presence of 85k and 65k dalton polypeptides preciptable with antiserum against MuLV, which are not present in the control virions. The difference in the polypeptide pattern of virions produced in the presence of interferon does not seem to be a consequence of the slowdown in the synthesis of viral proteins or their processing in the interferon-treated cells. Both the structural proteins of env and gag genes seem to be synthesized and processed at a comparable rate in the interferon-treated and -untreated cells. These results indicate an alteration of virus assembly in the presence of interferon.

Relationship between interferon production and interferon messenger RNA synthesis in human fibroblasts

Poly(A) containing mRNA prepared from poly(rI)-poly(rC)-induced human fibroblasts stimulated [14C]leucine incorporation into protein in wheat germ cell-free extracts. For the translation of interferon mRNA into a biologically active product, the presence of spermine was essential. The protein synthesized in vitro fulfilled the criteria for human interferon--namely, its antiviral activity was species specific, and its activity was completely neutralized by antiserum to human fibroblast interferon. The amount of interferon synthesized in human fibroblasts induced by poly(rI)-poly(rC) (normal induction) and poly(rI)-poly(rC) in the presence of cycloheximide (superinduction) was compared to the amount of translatable interferon mRNA both in the wheat germ cell-free system and the Xenopus oöcyte system. Although the production of interferon after the termination of transcription by actinomycin D was markedly increased in superinduced cells, the measurable amount of interferon mRNA as assayed in the oöcyte system was only slightly higher in superinduced cells than in cells induced with poly(rI)-poly(rC) alone. When compared in the wheat germ cell-free system, however, the translational product of mRNA preparation from cells induced with poly(rI)-poly(rC) alone was inactive while that from superinduced cells was active.

Uptake and fate of water-soluble, nondegradable polymers with antiviral activity in cells and animals

Poly(9-vinyladenine) and poly(1-vinyluracil) which are nondegradable, soluble polymers are taken up partially by mammalian cells grown in culture. The polymers remain associated with cells for several generations. In mice, after ip application, polymers slowly accumulate in liver, spleen, and thymus and remain there for as long as a month. Thus, these polymers which suppress the replication of murine leukemia viruses also accumulate in organs where the virus replicates. However, their antiviral activity does not reflect the amount of polymer found in these animal tissues. We propose that the polymers are gradually segregated into a group of cells or into subcellular organelles away from primary sites of virus replication. The results suggest that for a directly acting polymeric drug, a half-life over 24 h is without advantage.

The role of cell membrane in the antiviral effect of interferon

The mechanism of interferon action in human fibroblasts has been studied by use of both antisera to human fibroblast interferon and the antisera to the surface of human fibroblast cell. The anti-interferon serum completely neutralized the antiviral effect of human fibroblast interferon. Interferon antiserum prevented the intracellular antiviral state from developing when added to the medium of the cells in which interferon synthesis had already been induced by poly (I-C). This suggests that development of the antiviral state involves interferon interaction with the external part of the producing cell. Treatment with the serum directed against the surface of human fibroblast cells failed to inhibit the antiviral activity of human interferon in these cells. In addition, the effect of gangliosides on the antiviral activity of human interferon was studied and it was found that human interferon binds to gangliosides and that this interaction leads to inactivation of the antiviral effect of interferon. Pretreatment of human fibroblasts with gangliosides had no effect on the sensitivity of these cells to exogenous interferon.

Interferon activity produced by translation of human interferon messenger RNA in cell-free ribosomal systems and in Xenopus oöcytes

Translation of messenger RNA isolated from poly(rI)-poly(rC)-induced human fibroblasts in cell-free ribosomal systems and in Xenopus oocytes resulted in the production of biologically active proteins that had the properties of human fibroblast interferon. The translation in the oocytes was much more efficient, giving approximately 500 times higher titers of interferon activity than the cell-free systems. A control messenger RNA isolated from noninduced human fibroblasts, did not code for interferon synthesis in these systems. Both messenger RNA preparations stimulated [3H]amino-acid incorporation into trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material. The radioactive products and their immunoprecipitates were electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions. The products resulting from the translation of the control (uninduced) messenger RNA in oocytes contained a major protein of approximately 45,000 molecular weight. The messenger RNA isolated from poly(rI)-poly(rC)-induced cells stimulated the synthesis of an additional 25,000 molecular weight protein that electrophoresed in the same position as human fibroblast interferon. These results suggest that human fibroblast interferon was synthesized by the translation of its messenger RNA in Xenopus oocytes and in cell-free ribosomal systems.

Inhibition of murine leukemia virus replication by poly(vinyluracil) and poly(vinyladenine)

Poly(1-vinyluracil) and poly(9-vinyladenine), as well as the corresponding polynucleotides poly(uridylate) and poly(adenylate), inhibit acute murine leukemia virus infection in mouse-embryo cells, but they do not significantly inhibit the replication of Sindbis and vesicular stomatitis viruses. The polymers were most effective as inhibitors when added during an early stage of virus replication. Effects of vinyl polymers on the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase from the virions of murine leukemia virus were also observed.