Measurement of apoptosis in heterogenous cell populations

The increasing interest in programmed cell death has created the need to measure apoptosis in complex cell systems. We have combined the use of fluorescent antibodies with the Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide system in order to quantitate programmed cell death in fractions of heterogenous cell populations. Here we describe the analysis of T-cell apoptosis after ligation of the T-cell antigen receptor by superantigen in vitro and ex vivo. This technique can separate cells according to seven parameters, fluorescence caused by FITC, PE, allophycocyanin, incorporation of Hoechst 33342, PI, forward scatter, and side scatter, and it allows determination of elevated Hoechst 33342 uptake in less than 10% of the cell population.

Multiple molecular chaperones complex with misfolded large oligomeric glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum

Thyroglobulin (Tg), the major protein secreted by thyroid epithelial cells and precursor of thyroid hormones, is a large dimeric glycoprotein with multiple disulfide bonds. The folding and assembly of this complex molecule begins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is likely to involve a variety of reactions catalyzed by molecular chaperones (Kuznetsov, G., Chen, L. B., and Nigam, S. K. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 22990-22995). By coimmunoprecipitation in rat thyroid cells, we were able to demonstrate that BiP, grp94, ERp72, and grp170, four proteins believed to function as specific molecular chaperones, complex with Tg during its maturation. The same complex of the four putative chaperones with Tg was observed in cells treated with tunicamycin, indicating that these four ER chaperones stably associate with Tg when it is misfolded/misassembled due to inhibition of its glycosylation. BiP, grp94, and ERp72 were also found to associate with Tg in cells in which misfolding was induced by perturbing ER calcium stores. To determine if the assembly of a complex between the four chaperones and Tg under conditions of misglycosylation was unique to the maturation of this particular secretory protein or a more general phenomenon, adenovirus-transformed rat thyroid cells that do not synthesize Tg were analyzed. In these transformed cells, the only protein these same four chaperones were found to complex with was a protein of approximately 200 kDa. This protein was subsequently identified as thrombospondin, which, like Tg, is a large oligomeric secreted glycoprotein with multiple disulfide bonds. We therefore propose that these ER chaperones complex together with a variety of large oligomeric secretory glycoproteins as they fold and assemble in the ER.

Loss of hIRH mRNA expression from premalignant adenomas and malignant cell lines

We recently isolated from differential displays and subsequently cloned a human alpha-intercrine (hIRH) whose mRNA is reduced in human hepatocellular carcinomas. We now report that on Northern blots its mRNA is absent from premalignant colonic adenomas and from all of 27 human malignant cell lines (including breast, cervix, colon, duodenal, gastric, leukemia, liver, lung, melanoma, and pancreatic lines). hIRH mRNA was present in most normal human and mouse tissues and fibroblast derived cell lines but absent from leukocytes and brain. Two mRNA signals, at approximately 2 Kb and approximately 3.5 Kb, had variation in signal strength or size between tissues and species.

p130CAS forms a signaling complex with the adapter protein CRKL in hematopoietic cells transformed by the BCR/ABL oncogene

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) translocation generates a chimeric tyrosine kinase oncogene, BCR/ABL, which causes chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and a type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In primary samples from virtually all patients with CML or Ph+ALL, the CRKL adapter protein is tyrosine phosphorylated and physically associated with p210(BCR/ABL). CRKL has one SH2 domain and two SH3 domains and is structurally related to c-CRK-II (CRK) and the v-Crk oncoprotein. We have previously shown that CRKL, but not the related adapter protein c-CRK, is tyrosine phosphorylated in cell lines transformed by BCR/ABL, and that CRKL binds to BCR/ABL through the CRKL-SH3 domains. Furthermore, the CRKL-SH2 domain has been shown to bind one or more cellular proteins, one of which is p120(CBL). Here we demonstrate that another cellular protein linked to BCR/ABL through the CRKL-SH2 domain is p130(CAS). p130(CAS) was found to be tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with CRKL in BCR/ABL expressing cell lines and in samples obtained from CML and ALL patients, but not in samples from controls. In both normal and BCR/ABL transformed cells, p130(CAS) was detected in focal adhesion-like structures, as was BCR/ABL. In normal cells, the focal adhesion proteins tensin, p125(FAK), and paxillin constitutively associated with p130(CAS). However, in BCR/ABL transformed cells, the interaction between p130(CAS) and tensin was disrupted, while the associations between p130(CAS), p125(FAK), and paxillin were unaffected. These results suggest that the BCR/ABL oncogene could alter the function of p130(CAS) in at least three ways: tyrosine phosphorylation, inducing constitutive binding of CRKL to a domain in p130(CAS) containing Tyr-X-X-Pro motifs (substrate domain), and disrupting the normal interaction of p130(CAS) with the focal adhesion protein tensin. These alterations in the structure of signaling proteins in focal adhesion like structures could contribute to the known adhesion abnormalities in CML cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor-induced formation of tensin and phosphoinositide 3-kinase complexes

Tensin is an SH2 domain-containing cytoskeletal protein that binds to and caps actin filaments. Investigation of signal transduction mechanisms associated with tensin revealed the presence of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity in tensin immunoprecipitates from platelet-derived growth factor-treated cells. Association of PI 3-kinase activity with tensin was transitory, and the amount of activity was approximately 1% of the total PI 3-kinase activity found in anti-phosphotyrosine (anti-pY) immunoprecipitates. In vitro, PI 3-kinase activity associated with the SH2 domain of tensin in a platelet-derived growth factor-dependent manner. The optimal phosphopeptide binding specificity of the SH2 domain of tensin was determined to be phospho-Y (E or D), N, (I, V, or F). Synthetic phosphopeptides containing the sequence YENI could specifically block the association of PI 3-kinase activity with tensin in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that PI 3-kinase interacts with the cytoskeleton via the SH2 domain of tensin and may play an important role in platelet-derived growth factor-induced cytoskeletal reorganization that is concomitant with cell migration and proliferation.

Interaction of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and the Lyn tyrosine kinase in cells treated with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

The cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) is required for initiation and progression of DNA replication. Activation of Cdk2 involves binding to cyclin E or cyclin A and dephosphorylation of Tyr15. The present studies demonstrate that treatment of U-937 cells with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) is associated with tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdk2 and inhibition of Cdk2 activity. The results also demonstrate that Cdk2 directly associates with the Src-like tyrosine kinase Lyn as a consequence of ara-C-treatment. Confocal microscopy studies show that Lyn is detectable in the nucleus and that it colocalises with Cdk2. Subcellular fractionation and coimmunoprecipitation studies further demonstrate nuclear binding of Lyn and Cdk2. We also show that Lyn phosphorylates Tyr15 of Cdk2 and that incubation of Lyn with Cdk2 results in inhibition of Cdk2 activity. These findings suggest that the association of Lyn and Cdk2 in ara-C-treated cells may contribute to regulation of Cdk2-dependent cell cycle checkpoints.

Transmembrane-4 superfamily proteins CD81 (TAPA-1), CD82, CD63, and CD53 specifically associated with integrin alpha 4 beta 1 (CD49d/CD29)

Anti-alpha 4 integrin mAb coprecipitated CD81 (TAPA-1), a 25-kDa cell surface protein, from various alpha 4 beta1 -positive hemopoietic cell lines, including Molt4, Jurkat, Ramos, and alpha 4-transfected K562 (KX4C4) cells. In reciprocal experiments, the integrin alpha 4 beta 1 (VLA4, CD49d/CD29) could be reprecipitated from CD81 immunoprecipitates. Anti-alpha 4 integrin mAb also coprecipitated CD81 from the alpha 4 beta 7-positive B cell line RPMI 8866. In contrast, no CD81 was identified in alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, or alpha L beta 2 immunoprecipitates. Abs to other members of the transmembrane-4 superfamily, including CD53, CD63, and CD82, also coprecipitated alpha 4 beta 1. As shown by confocal microscopy, CD81 and CD82 colocalized with alpha 4 beta 1 in cell surface clusters. The cytoplasmic domain of the alpha 4 integrin was not necessary for alpha 4 beta 1/CD81 association, nor was the association influenced by divalent cations, EDTA, integrin-activating mAb, or alpha 4 subunit cleavage. Notably, two independent alpha 4 adhesion-deficient mutants (D346E and D408E) were deficient in their ability to associate with CD81. Thus, CD81 and other transmembrane-4 superfamily members may participate in functionally relevant interactions with alpha 4 beta 1 and other integrins.

Transmembrane-4 superfamily proteins CD81 (TAPA-1), CD82, CD63, and CD53 specifically associated with integrin alpha 4 beta 1 (CD49d/CD29)

Anti-alpha 4 integrin mAb coprecipitated CD81 (TAPA-1), a 25-kDa cell surface protein, from various alpha 4 beta1 -positive hemopoietic cell lines, including Molt4, Jurkat, Ramos, and alpha 4-transfected K562 (KX4C4) cells. In reciprocal experiments, the integrin alpha 4 beta 1 (VLA4, CD49d/CD29) could be reprecipitated from CD81 immunoprecipitates. Anti-alpha 4 integrin mAb also coprecipitated CD81 from the alpha 4 beta 7-positive B cell line RPMI 8866. In contrast, no CD81 was identified in alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, or alpha L beta 2 immunoprecipitates. Abs to other members of the transmembrane-4 superfamily, including CD53, CD63, and CD82, also coprecipitated alpha 4 beta 1. As shown by confocal microscopy, CD81 and CD82 colocalized with alpha 4 beta 1 in cell surface clusters. The cytoplasmic domain of the alpha 4 integrin was not necessary for alpha 4 beta 1/CD81 association, nor was the association influenced by divalent cations, EDTA, integrin-activating mAb, or alpha 4 subunit cleavage. Notably, two independent alpha 4 adhesion-deficient mutants (D346E and D408E) were deficient in their ability to associate with CD81. Thus, CD81 and other transmembrane-4 superfamily members may participate in functionally relevant interactions with alpha 4 beta 1 and other integrins.

Nuclear localization of nucleoside diphosphate kinase type B (nm23-H2) in cultured cells

Nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinases are metabolic enzymes found ubiquitously in cells. Recently, two known human isoforms of NDP kinase (A and B), identical to the protein products of the genes nm23-H1 and nm23-H2, respectively, have been implicated in cancer metastasis and transcriptional regulation. To date, NDP kinase has been studied extensively in tissue sections and its cellular localization was described as being cytoplasmic. However, the recently discovered role of the nm23-H2 gene product in transcriptional activation of the c-myc proto-oncogene also suggests a nuclear localization of the protein. In this study, we used isoform-specific antibodies against NDPK-B to examine the subcellular localization of the nm23-H2 gene product. The cytoplasmic fluorescence is intense and homogeneous with pronounced labeling in the centromere region. The distribution of NDPK-B in interphase nuclei exhibits a pattern of numerous uniformly dispersed fine dots with reduced staining of the nucleoli. To further characterize the nuclear localization of NDPK-B, in situ sequential extraction of nuclear components was performed. Brief exposure to Triton X-100 and subsequent treatment with RNase A do not change the nuclear staining pattern of NDPK-B. In contrast, treatment of Triton X-100-permeabilized nuclei with DNase I results in a significant loss of fluorescence. In mitotic prophase cells, the protein segregates from forming chromosomes and reappears in newly formed daughter nuclei after cell division. Taken together, the results indicate an association of NDPK-B with chromatin in interphase nuclei, supporting its proposed role in transcription.

Two differentially expressed genes in normal human prostate tissue and in carcinoma

Alterations in transcriptional control may contribute directly to carcinogenesis. Using the differential display technique in prostate cancer cells compared to normal prostate epithelial cells, we identified a down-regulated gene and an up-regulated gene in cancer cells. The down-regulated gene encodes human epithelial tropomyosin (TMe1), a member of the family of actin filament-binding proteins. The up-regulated gene encodes cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIc (COSVIc), a protein of the respiration chain in the mitochondrial inner membrane. The differential display pattern was confirmed by Northern hybridization in both prostate tissue and cell lines. In situ hybridization of malignant prostate epithelial tissue using a digoxigenin-labeled antisense riboprobe detected strong staining for mRNA of COSVIc, as opposed to very weak staining in normal prostate epithelium. The expression pattern of COSVIc may be a useful marker for studying the alteration of energy metabolism in cancer cells and for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Nuclear signaling induced by ionizing radiation involves colocalization of the activated p56/p53lyn tyrosine kinase with p34cdc2

The Src-like protein-tyrosine kinase p56/p53lyn associates with cell membranes and transduces signals from activated cell surface receptors. In the present work, cell fractionation and confocal microscopy studies demonstrate expression of Lyn in the nucleus. We also demonstrate that exposure of intact cells to ionizing radiation is associated with selective activation of nuclear Lyn. Similar findings have been obtained following irradiation of purified nuclei. Immunoprecipitation studies of nuclear lysates demonstrate radiation-induced binding of Lyn to p34cdc2. Nuclear colocalization of Lyn with Cdc2 has been confirmed by confocal microscopy. Other studies with glutathione S-transferase-Lyn fusion proteins demonstrate that the binding of Lyn to nuclear Cdc2 is associated with inhibition of Cdc2 activity. These findings suggest that the association of activated Lyn with Cdc2 in the nucleus may contribute to regulation of a DNA damage-dependent premitotic checkpoint.

Anticarcinoma activity of a novel drug, 3-ethyl-3'-methyl-thiatelluracarbocyanine iodide (Te), a tellurium-containing cyanine targeted at mitochondria

Lipophilic cationic compounds such as rhodamine 123, AA1, and dequalinium chloride have been reported to constitute a new class of anticarcinoma agents based on their selective localization, accumulation, and retention within the mitochondria of certain carcinoma cells. After screening more than 1000 lipophilic cationic compounds in clonogenic assays, we found that a tellurium-containing cyanine, 3-ethyl-3'-methyl-thiatelluracarbocyanine iodide (Te), exhibits significant anticarcinoma activity. In vitro testing showed that Te was 64-fold more toxic to the carcinoma cell line CX-1 than to the normal epithelial cell line CV-1. In vivo testing showed that Te significantly prolonged the survival of mice implanted with tumors. For C57BL x DBA/2 F1 mice implanted with the mouse bladder carcinoma cell line MB49, the treated:control (T:C) ratio ranged from 250 to 268%. For Swiss nu/nu mice implanted with the human melanoma cell line LOX, the T:C ratio ranged from 176 to 270%. For Swiss nu/nu mice implanted with the human ovarian tumor cell line OVCA-III, the T:C ratio was 344%. These anticarcinoma activities warrant further investigation of Te as a potential anticarcinoma agent.

Analysis of MHC class II presentation of particulate antigens of B lymphocytes

To generate Ab responses to most protein Ags, B cells must first degrade proteins in endocytic compartments and then display antigenic peptides bound to MHC class II molecules. T helper lymphocytes recognize these complexes and stimulate the B cell to synthesize Ab. Although Ab play a key role in host defense against bacteria, it is believed that B cells are incapable of internalizing particulate Ags. However, we find that B lymphoblastoid cell lines and LPS-activated B lymphocytes can present particulate Ag up to 10(5)-fold more efficiently compared with soluble Ag. Moreover, particulate Ags are presented efficiently by unstimulated B cells when they bind to surface Ig. In comparison to B cells, macrophages in general presented particulate Ags 10- to 1000-fold more efficiently and could also present Ag from particles of a much wider range of sizes. We document by ultrastructural and immunofluorescence analysis that B lymphoblastoid cell lines bind and internalize these particles. The internalization and presentation of the particulate Ag is inhibited by cytochalasin B. In contrast, a similar morphologic analysis of normal lymphocytes demonstrated that while Ag beads are bound to the cell surface, they are internalized only rarely. These results suggest there may be both surface and intracellular pathways for the presentation of particulate Ags by B cells. Interestingly, for both macrophages and B cells, the epitopes generated from particulate and soluble Ags were not identical quantitatively or qualitatively, indicating that there are differences in how these forms of Ag are processed and presented.

Analysis of MHC class II presentation of particulate antigens of B lymphocytes

To generate Ab responses to most protein Ags, B cells must first degrade proteins in endocytic compartments and then display antigenic peptides bound to MHC class II molecules. T helper lymphocytes recognize these complexes and stimulate the B cell to synthesize Ab. Although Ab play a key role in host defense against bacteria, it is believed that B cells are incapable of internalizing particulate Ags. However, we find that B lymphoblastoid cell lines and LPS-activated B lymphocytes can present particulate Ag up to 10(5)-fold more efficiently compared with soluble Ag. Moreover, particulate Ags are presented efficiently by unstimulated B cells when they bind to surface Ig. In comparison to B cells, macrophages in general presented particulate Ags 10- to 1000-fold more efficiently and could also present Ag from particles of a much wider range of sizes. We document by ultrastructural and immunofluorescence analysis that B lymphoblastoid cell lines bind and internalize these particles. The internalization and presentation of the particulate Ag is inhibited by cytochalasin B. In contrast, a similar morphologic analysis of normal lymphocytes demonstrated that while Ag beads are bound to the cell surface, they are internalized only rarely. These results suggest there may be both surface and intracellular pathways for the presentation of particulate Ags by B cells. Interestingly, for both macrophages and B cells, the epitopes generated from particulate and soluble Ags were not identical quantitatively or qualitatively, indicating that there are differences in how these forms of Ag are processed and presented.

Selective damage to carcinoma mitochondria by the rhodacyanine MKT-077

We investigated the mitochondrial toxicity of the lipophilic cation, MKT-077, and the role of mitochondria in selective malignant cell killing by this compound by examining the effect of MKT-077 on mitochondrial structure and function in treated cells and in isolated organelles. Results of this study demonstrate changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure that are induced by MKT-077 treatment in carcinoma cells but not in similarly treated normal epithelial cells. In addition, MKT-077 was found to inhibit respiratory activity in isolated intact mitochondria and electron transport activity in freeze-thawed mitochondrial membrane fragments in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration of MKT-077 necessary to obtain half-maximal inhibition of ADP-stimulated respiration was approximately 4-fold greater in mitochondria isolated from cells of the normal epithelial cell line, CV-1 (15 micrograms MKT-077/mg protein), as compared to the human colon carcinoma cell line, CX-1 (4 micrograms MKT-077/mg protein). Further, the data show a selective loss of mitochondrial DNA in CX-1 and CRL1420 cells (carcinoma) but not CV-1 cells (normal epithelial) treated with 3 microgram/ml MKT-077 for up to 3 days. Under the same conditions, nuclear DNA was unaffected in all three cell lines. The sensitivity of the cell lines tested to mitochondrial damage by MKT-077 correlates well with their sensitivity to cytotoxicity by MKT-077. These results demonstrate selective mitochondrial damage by MKT-077 at the cellular, biochemical, and molecular levels and suggest that selective effects on mitochondrial structure and function may provide a basis for the selective malignant cell killing exhibited by this compound.

MKT-077, a novel rhodacyanine dye in clinical trials, exhibits anticarcinoma activity in preclinical studies based on selective mitochondrial accumulation

MKT-077 (formerly known as FJ-776) is a newly synthesized, highly water-soluble ( > 200 mg/ml) rhodacyanine dye that exhibits significant antitumor activity in a variety of model systems. In culture, MKT-077 inhibits the growth of five human cancer cell lines (colon carcinoma CX-1, breast carcinoma MCF-7, pancreatic carcinoma (CRL 1420, bladder transitional cell carcinoma EJ, and melanoma LOX) but not monkey kidney CV-1, an indicator cell line for normal epithelial cells. In nude mice, MKT-077 inhibits the growth of s.c. implanted human renal carcinoma A498 and human prostate carcinoma DU145 and prolongs the survival of mice bearing i.p. implanted human melanoma LOX (tumor:control = 344%). Subcellular localization indicates that MKT-077 is taken up and retained by mitochondria, and flow cytometric analysis suggests that CX-1 cells take up MKT-077 to a much greater extent than CV-1 cells. Quantitation of MKT-077 uptake by ethanol extraction shows that CX-1 cells accumulate 65-fold more MKT-077 than do CV-1 cells. MKT-077 is the first delocalized lipophilic cation with a favorable pharmacological and toxicological profile in preclinical studies. MKT-077 is now being investigated in Phase I clinical trials.

In vivo administration of MKT-077 causes partial yet reversible impairment of mitochondrial function

The effects of in vivo administration of a pharmacologically toxic dose of the lipophilic cationic compound, MKT-077, were investigated in selected vital organs of the rat. MKT-077 (15 mg/kg body weight), administered by bolus i.v. injection every day for 5 days, did not detectably influence rat heart and kidney mitochondrial respiration. Although the same dosage of MKT-077 significantly decreased respiratory rates in rat liver mitochondria relative to untreated controls, complete recovery was evident within 3 days following drug withdrawal. Whereas the mitochondrial DNA of rat kidney and liver appeared to be unaffected by MKT-077 treatment, levels of heart mtDNA were noticeably less than control levels in the immediate interval following drug administration. However, this latter effect was partially reversed as early as 10 days following treatment and completely reversed within a 30-day posttreatment period. These results strongly suggest that a pharmacologically toxic dose of MKT-077 minimally affects the overall functional integrity of mitochondria in such critical, although highly vulnerable, tissues as the heart, liver, and kidney.

Ubiquitin fusion proteins are overexpressed in colon cancer but not in gastric cancer

A cDNA clone (AF3) encoding the ubiquitin A gene 52 amino acid extension fusion protein (UbA52) was isolated from a subtracted cDNA library of human colorectal carcinoma minus adjacent normal mucosa. In Northern hybridization the mRNA signal for UbA52 was greater in surgical samples of colonic carcinoma (T) than in paired adjacent normal (N) tissues in 24 of 29 cases (T/N = 3.4 +/- 0.5, P < 0.01). An oligonucleotide probe specific for only the 52 amino acid extension confirmed the overexpression of UbA52. In contrast, there was no overexpression of UbA52 mRNA in gastric cancer samples (n = 7, T/N = 1.0 +/- 0.3). The mRNA of several ribosomal proteins, and of another ubiquitin A gene fusion protein, UbA80, with an 80 amino acid extension of ribosomal protein S27a, have been reported to be over-expressed in colon cancer, but not as yet at the protein level. Using rabbit antisera to the ribosomal protein component S27a we demonstrate over-expression of S27a at the protein level in colonic (n = 5), but not gastric (n = 6) carcinomas. Therefore it is likely that both UbA80 and UbA52 are overexpressed in colon cancer, but not in gastric cancer.

CRKL links p210BCR/ABL with paxillin in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

The Philadelphia chromosome translocation generates a chimeric oncogene, BCR/ABL, which causes chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In primary neutrophils from patients with CML, the major novel tyrosine-phosphorylated protein is CRKL, an SH2-SH3-SH3 linker protein which has an overall homology of 60% to CRK, the human homologue of the v-crk oncogene product. Anti-CRKL immunoprecipitates from CML cells, but not normal cells, were found to contain p210BCR/ABL and c-ABL. Several other phosphoproteins were also detected in anti-CRKL immunoprecipitates, one of which has been identified as paxillin, a 68-kDa focal adhesion protein which we have previously shown to be phosphorylated by p210BCR/ABL. Using GST-CRKL fusion proteins, the SH3 domains of CRKL were found to bind c-ABL and p210BCR/ABL, while the SH2 domain of CRKL bound to paxillin, suggesting that CRKL could physically link p210BCR/ABL to paxillin. Paxillin contains three tyrosines in Tyr-X-X-Pro (Y-X-X-P) motifs consistent with amino acid sequences predicted to be optimal for binding to the CRKL-SH2 domain (at positions Tyr-31, Tyr-118, and Tyr-181). Each of these tyrosine residues was mutated to a phenylalanine residue, and in vitro binding assays indicated that paxillin tyrosines at positions 31 and 118, but not 181, are likely to be involved in CRKL-SH2 binding. These results suggest that the p210BCR/ABL oncogene may be physically linked to the focal adhesion-associated protein paxillin in hematopoietic cells by CRKL. This interaction could contribute to the known adhesive defects of CML cells.

Increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins in myeloid cell lines expressing p210BCR/ABL

The BCR/ABL oncogene causes chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in humans and induces growth factor independence of hematopoietic cell lines in tissue culture. p210BCR/ABL is localized at least in part to the cytoskeleton, and has been shown to interact directly with actin filaments through an actin binding domain located in the C-terminus of ABL. CML cells have reduced adhesion to some extracellular matrix components but the mechanism of this phenomenon is unknown. In this study we examined tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins in cells expressing p210BCR/ABL. An interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line, 32Dc13, was transformed with a BCR/ABL cDNA, and the patterns of localization, expression, and tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins were compared among untransformed 32Dc13 cells with and without IL-3 stimulation and BCR/ABL-transformed 32Dc13 cells. Of the focal adhesion proteins examined, only paxillin exhibited tyrosine phosphorylation in response to IL-3; while in cells transformed by p210BCR/ABL, paxillin, vinculin, p125FAK, talin and tensin were constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated. IL-3 induced a transient association between paxillin and vinculin, while in BCR/ABL-transformed cells, several proteins coimmunoprecipitated with paxillin, including vinculin, p125FAK, talin and tensin. Pseudopodia enriched in focal adhesion proteins were transiently detected in 32Dc13 cells in response to IL-3, but constitutively detected in cells expressing p210BCR/ABL. p210BCR/ABL protein was also found concentrated in punctate structures adjacent to the cell membrane in myeloid cell lines, which often contained vinculin and paxillin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Removal of carcinoma cells from contaminated bone marrow using the lipophilic cation rhodamine 123

Autologous bone marrow transplants for solid tumor treatment are severely limited by the potential presence of residual cancer cells in the reinfused bone marrow and can lead to future tumor recurrence. This article presents a novel method of removing carcinoma cells from bone marrow with contaminating cancer cells. This method is based on our previous studies demonstrating that carcinoma cells have a higher uptake of lipophilic cations such as rhodamine 123 than their normal epithelial counterparts. When the relative differences in rhodamine 123 uptake are quantified, carcinoma cell lines demonstrated a 7.4-21 times greater uptake of rhodamine 123 than normal mouse bone marrow cells. More important, when normal bone marrow cells and carcinoma cell lines are mixed to simulate carcinoma-contaminated bone marrow, individual cell populations continue to exhibit characteristic and identifiable relative differences (10-20 times) in rhodamine 123 uptake. Differential sorting of bone marrow/carcinoma cell mixtures with respect to rhodamine 123 fluorescence intensity resulted in the removal of 95-99% of the "contaminating carcinoma cells." The recovered bone marrow cells were fully viable as ascertained by their ability to form splenic colonies. In our preliminary experiments, sorted bone marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated C57BL6 mice allowed the mice to survive for more than 8 months. In light of these promising results, we propose that lipophilic cations may play a role in the purification of autologous bone marrow used in transplants for patients with advanced solid tumors.

Photosensitization by 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide: specific disruption of microtubules and inactivation of organelle motility

Photodynamic therapy is a useful new direction for cancer treatment. However, relatively little is currently known about the cellular targets and processes underlying the efficacy of these therapies. In this study, we report evidence of specific photosensitization of a novel intracellular target, cytoskeletal microtubules, that has great importance for cancer treatment. Photosensitization destroys microtubules, halts intracellular organelle motility processes, and leads to rapid cell death. We have examined the cell biological effects of photosensitization with the carbocyanine dye 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide, which concentrates in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Exposure of stained CV-1 kidney epithelial cells to as little as 30-120 s standard fluorescence excitation light caused disruption of the interphase microtubule network and complete inhibition of motility of the endoplasmic reticulum and all phase-contrast visible organelles, as specific effects of dye photoexcitation. Photoexcitation of rhodamine 123 or Hoechst produced neither of these effects. Furthermore, 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide-mediated photodamage was specific to microtubules; other elements of the cytoskeleton, including vimentin intermediate filaments and actin stress fibers, were unaffected. We have reproduced the photoinactivation of microtubules in vitro with purified microtubule proteins.

Tensin: a potential link between the cytoskeleton and signal transduction

Cytoskeletal proteins provide the structural foundation that allows cells to exist in a highly organized manner. Recent evidence suggests that certain cytoskeletal proteins not only maintain structural integrity, but might also be associated with signal transduction and suppression of tumorigenesis. Since the time of the discovery of tensin, a fair amount of data has been gathered which supports the notion that tensin is one such protein possessing these characteristics. In this review, we discuss recent studies that: (1) elucidate a role for tensin in maintenance of cellular structure and signal transduction; (2) implicate tensin as the anchor for actin filaments at the focal adhesion; (3) describe the phosphorylation of tensin; (4) describe potential targets for its Src homology region 2 domain; (5) describe the association between tensin and the nuclear protein p130; and (6) demonstrate that increased tensin expression in a cell line appears to reduce its transformation potential.

Several endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins, including ERp72, interact with thyroglobulin during its maturation

We have previously demonstrated that several endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins, including BiP, ERp72, grp94, and protein disulfide isomerase, bind to a denatured thyroglobulin (Tg) affinity column and can be specifically eluted by ATP (Nigam, S.K., Goldberg, A.L., Ho, S., Rohde, M.F., Bush, K.T., and Sherman, M.Y. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 1744-1749). Using chemical cross-linking, we now demonstrate that BiP, ERp72, and grp94 associate with Tg in two types of cultured thyroid cells, FRTL-5 and PCC13. Whereas BiP could be coimmunoprecipitated with anti-Tg antibodies in the absence of cross-linking, only trace amounts of ERp72 and grp94 were coimmunoprecipitated. Likewise, in both cell types, anti-BiP antibodies were able to coimmunoprecipitate Tg in the absence of cross-linking, though ERp72 and grp94 were only minimally present. Coprecipitation of BiP and Tg was abolished when ATP and Mg2+ were added to cell lysates. In contrast, after cross-linking, there was a large increase in the amount of ERp72 and grp94 that coimmunoprecipitated with anti-Tg antibodies, although there was only a slight increase in BiP. Similarly, in cross-linked lysates, grp94 and ERp72 were also coimmunoprecipitated with anti-BiP antibodies. An apparently novel 200-kDa protein was also consistently immunoprecipitated by anti-BiP antibodies in both cell types. In addition, anti-ERp72 antibodies coimmunoprecipitated Tg, BiP, and grp94 only after cross-linking. Analysis of uncross-linked and cross-linked samples by sucrose density gradient centrifugation confirmed that Tg, BiP, grp94, and ERp72 are present together in high molecular weight complexes only after treatment of cells with cross-linking reagent. These results suggest that ERp72, as well as BiP and grp94, function as molecular chaperones in the maturation of Tg, potentially as part of a macromolecular complex.