Effect of mitochondrial DNA composition on the cellular properties of interspecific hybrid cells

Four subclones with single species of mitochondria and three subclones with both parental mitochondria were isolated from a mouse-rat hybrid cell line H2. The effects of the coexistence of different species of mitochondria on cellular properties were examined in these clones. Growth properties were studied by comparing the plating efficiencies and doubling times. The numbers of growing colonies and the doubling times of all the subclones were found to be almost the same, indicating that these growth properties were not affected by the presence of both mouse and rat mitochondria within the cells. The correlation between the expression of chloramphenicol (CAP)-resistance and the relative contents of mtDNA of CAP-resistant (CAPr) rat and CAP-sensitive (CAPs) mouse parent cells in the subclones were also examined. The expression of CAP resistance was measured as the relative plating efficiency. Subclones with a high content of mtDNA from CAPr rat parent cells showed high relative plating efficiency.

Flat revertants isolated from Kirsten sarcoma virus-transformed cells are resistant to the action of specific oncogenes

Two flat revertants have been isolated from mutagen-treated populations of Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (Ki-MuSV)-transformed NIH/3T3 cells. These revertants, which appear to be cellular variants resistant to transformation by the Ki-MuSV oncogene v-Ki-ras, contain Ki-MuSV-specific DNA, elevated levels of the v-Ki-ras gene product p21, and rescuable transforming virus. Cell hybridization studies indicated that the revertant phenotype is dominant in hybrids between revertant cells and cells transformed by Ki-MuSV or the closely related Harvey MuSV and BALB MuSV. Analysis of hybrid cells resulting from the fusion of these revertants to cell lines transformed by other retroviruses showed that the action of certain oncogenes structurally unrelated to v-Ki-ras also could be suppressed. Thus, there appear to be functional relationships and diversities among transforming genes (oncogenes) not readily apparent from their structural characteristics.

The mouse genome contains two nonallelic pro-opiomelanocortin genes

In the anterior pituitary pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is the protein precursor to both adrenocorticotropin and beta-lipotropin but in the intermediate pituitary POMC serves as the precursor to alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and beta-endorphin. In addition, POMC expression in the anterior pituitary is inhibited by glucocorticoids but stimulated by corticotropin-releasing factor while POMC expression in the intermediate lobe is not responsive to glucocorticoids but is inhibited by dopamine. In this study we have asked whether tissue-specific processing and regulation of POMC could be related to the presence of more than one POMC gene. We report here that the mouse genome contains two POMC related gene sequences, alpha- and beta-POMC, that alpha-POMC is located on mouse chromosome 12 while beta-POMC is on a different chromosome, probably chromosome 19. Sequencing of phage lambda recombinants containing alpha- and beta-POMC sequences indicated that the alpha-POMC gene in mouse is very similar to the single POMC gene found in human, bovine, and rat genomes. The sequence of the mouse beta-POMC gene is quite different from that of the alpha-POMC gene. One important difference is that the beta-POMC gene has a translation stop signal in place of the first amino acid in beta-endorphin (Tyr). The beta-POMC gene has many features in common with the pseudogene of the beta-globin family.

Two distinct types of mitochondrial DNA segregation in mouse-rat hybrid cells. Stochastic segregation and chromosome-dependent segregation

Two distinct patterns of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) segregation were found in different mouse-rat hybrid cell lines. On mouse-rat hybrid cell line, H2, retained complete sets of chromosomes and mtDNAs of both mouse and rat. Even after cultivation for about one year after cloning, the H2 cell population still retained both parental mtDNAs. However, when mtDNAs of H2 subclones were examined, it was found that some individual cells in the H2 cell population contained only mouse or only rat mtDNA, although they still retained complete sets of both kinds of parental chromosomes. This type of mtDNA segregation, named stochastic segregation, is bidirectional and may be caused by the repetition of random sharing of mouse and rat mtDNAs with daughter cells. This segregation occurred spontaneously during long-term cultivation. The second type of mtDNA segregation, named chromosome-dependent segregation, was found in the other mouse-rat hybrid cell lines that segregated either mouse or rat chromosomes. In these hybrid cells, chromosomes and mtDNA of the same species co-segregated. This second type of segregation is unidirectional. The types of mtDNA segregation appear to depend on the stability of the parental chromosomes in the hybrid cells. When both mouse and rat chromosomes retain stably, mtDNA shows stochastic segregation. On the contrary, when either species of chromosomes is segregated from the cells, mtDNA shows chromosome-dependent segregation.

Genetic mapping of the mouse oncogenes c-Ha-ras-1 and c-fes to chromosome 7

The mouse homologs of the cellular oncogenes c-Ha-ras-1 of Harvey sarcoma virus and c-fes of feline sarcoma virus were both mapped to chromosome 7 by Southern blot analysis of hamster-mouse somatic cell hybrid DNAs.

Identification of transforming gene in two human sarcoma cell lines as a new member of the ras gene family located on chromosome 1

A molecular clone containing part of the transforming gene from two human sarcoma cell lines, HT1080 and RD, has been obtained and shown to represent a new member of the human ras gene family. The transforming gene has undergone no major rearrangements and has not been amplified in either sarcoma cell line. The major transcript from the gene is 2,200 nucleotides long and is present at the same levels in both normal fibroblasts and tumour cells. The same gene is also activated in HL60, a promyelocytic leukaemia line and in SK-N-SH, a neuroblastoma line. The gene, N-ras, is located on chromosome 1.

Coexistence of expressed and non-expressed alpha-fetoprotein genes in somatic cell hybrids

Hybrids have been generated between mouse hepatoma cells, which actively synthesize alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and adult hepatocytes, where AFP production is shut off. These hybrids maintain an active synthesis of mouse AFP. Using a specific radioimmunoassay, we found that rat AFP production is not activated. Southern blot analysis showed that mouse and rat AFP DNA sequences can be distinguished and that hybrid clones possessing something close to the complete chromosome sets of both parents have retained both parental AFP DNA sequences. Thus expressed and non-expressed AFP genes coexist in these hybrid cells as if their expression were dependent on a cis-acting event.

Suppression of the simian virus 40 tumorigenic phenotype in hybrid cells formed from simian virus 40- and adenovirus 2-transformed hamster embryo cells

Hamster cells transformed by adenovirus 2 (Ad2) or simian virus 40 (SV40) have different tumorigenic phenotypes. In the present study, somatic cell hybrids formed from Ad2- and SV40-transformed hamster cells were used to determine whether possible interactions between the integrated viral genomes would influence the tumorigenic phenotype of hybrid transformed cells. These somatic cell hybrids were of two types, one expressing both Ad2 and SV40 T-antigens and the other expressing only SV40 T-antigens. Tumor induction by hybrid cells that expressed both Ad2 and SV40 T-antigens was reduced in adult syngeneic hamsters and abrogated in adult allogeneic hamsters. These results indicate that the tumorigenic phenotype of transformed somatic cell hybrids that contain both the Ad2 and SV40 genome is governed by the genetic expression of Ad2. This expression may alter the ability of SV40-transformed hamster cells to resist the immunologically nonspecific defenses of the host.

Genome intermixing and sister chromatid exchange in newly-formed HeLa-3T3 Hybrid cells

Mouse and human genomes occupy distinct regions within hybrid interphase nuclei following division of HeLa-3T3 heterokaryons. With subsequent cell division the proportion of interphase cells displaying separation of human and mouse genomes decreases. Examination of several hundred hybrid colonies revealed a linear relation between the log of the fraction of interphase cells with separated genomes and the log of clone size. This indicates that there is a constant probability that separated genomes will intermingle at each mitosis. Human and mouse chromosomes can also occupy distinct sectors in metaphase spreads derived from heterokaryons. Computer analysis of the distribution of chromosomes within 548 hybrid metaphases showed that mouse and human chromosomes are randomly intermixed within several divisions and before the onset of rapid chromosome loss. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rates were also measured in mass populations of newly-formed HeLa-3T3 hybrid cells. For most hybrid metaphases there was not significant change in SCE rates within the human chromosome set. In a small minority of hybrid metaphases, characterized by asynchronous condensation of chromosome sets, there was a 50-fold increase in SCE. However, chromosomes are progressively lost from all hybrid cells. Thus, the two processes examined in the present studies, the distribution of human chromosomes at metaphase and SCE, are not implicated in the preferential loss of human chromosomes from HeLa-3T3 cells.

Polymorphic human somatostatin gene is located on chromosome 3

Somatostatin is a 14-amino-acid neuropeptide and hormone that inhibits the secretion of several peptide hormones. The human gene for somatostatin SST has been cloned, and the sequence has been determined. This clone was used as a probe in chromosome mapping studies to detect the human somatostatin sequence in human-rodent hybrids. Southern blot analysis of 41 hybrids, including some containing translocations of human chromosomes, placed SST in the q21 leads to qter region of chromosome 3. Human DNAs from unrelated individuals were screened for restriction fragment polymorphisms detectable by the somatostatin gene probe. Two polymorphisms were found: (i) an EcoRI variant located at the 3' end of the gene, found in Caucasian, U.S. Black, and Asian populations with a frequency of approximately 0.10 and (ii) a BamHI variant in the intron, which occurs in Caucasians at a frequency of 0.13.

Isolation and characterization of a major tandem repeat family from the human X chromosome

We report the identification and characterization of a family of repeated restriction fragments whose molecular organization is apparently specific to the human X chromosome. This fragment, identified as an ethidium bromide-staining 2.0 kilobase (kb) band in BamHI-digested DNA from a Chinese hamster-human somatic cell hybrid containing a human X chromosome, has been cloned into pBR325 and characterized. The 2.0 kb repeated family has been assigned to the Xp11 leads to Xq12 region on the X by Southern blot analysis of somatic cell hybrids and is predominantly arranged in tandem clusters of up to seven 2.0 kb monomers. Homologous DNA sequences, not organized as 2.0 kb BamHI fragments, are found elsewhere on the X chromosome and on at least some autosomes, but are not found on the Y chromosome. From a dosing experiment using various amounts of the cloned repeat, we estimate that there are 5,000-7,500 copies of the 2.0 kb BamHI repeat per haploid genome. Since the vast majority, if not all, of these are confined to the X chromosome, this repeated DNA family must account for 5-10% of all X chromosome DNA and must constitute the major sequence component of the pericentromeric region of the X.

Isolation of a polymorphic DNA segment unique to human chromosome 7 by molecular cloning of hybrid cell DNA

DNA isolated from a rodent-human hybrid cell line containing human chromosomes 3, 7, 9, 10, 14 and 22 was cloned in the plasmid vector pAT153. Recombinant plasmids containing inserts of human origin were identified by colony hybridization to 32P-labelled human DNA under conditions in which only repetitive sequences interact. Single- and low-copy sequences were liberated from these plasmids by restriction endonuclease digestion and used as hybridization probes against human DNA and DNA isolated from a panel of Chinese hamster-human hybrids. One single-copy probe was shown to react with a genomic sequence unique to human chromosome 7 and to recognize an apparent restriction fragment size polymorphism in human DNA.

Multiple endorphins in neuronal hybrid cell lines

Neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells (NG 108CC15) and tumors derived thereof were examined for dynorphin- and alpha-neoendorphin-like material. The techniques employed for analyses of opiate-like material were the isolated mouse vas deferens bioassay and gel chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography in combination with radioimmunoassays. Dynorphin- and alpha-neoendorphin-like material was detected in both the hybrid cells and the corresponding tumors. Immunoreactive dynorphin and alpha-neoendorphin was also in NCB 20 hybrid cells and in tumors thereof assayed. In all samples investigated, the amounts of alpha-neoendorphin-like material was higher than that of dynorphin-like material. The results revealed considerable variability in the amount of dynorphin- and alpha-neoendorphin-activity between particular samples, suggesting the need for studies into the responsible mechanisms.

Human immune interferon gene is located on chromosome 12

A cDNA clone for human immune interferon (IFN-gamma) gene sequences, plasmid p69, was used to chromosomally map the IFN-gamma gene by detecting human IFN-gamma gene sequences in DNA isolated from human-rodent somatic cell hybrids. We were able to map the IFN-gamma gene by correlating the human chromosomes present in these hybrids with the human specific 8.8 and 2.0 kilobase pair fragments produced by EcoRI digestion of genomic DNA. Southern blot analysis of 37 hybrid cell lines indicated that the gene for IFN-gamma was on human chromosome 12. A hybrid containing a portion of chromosome 12 localized the IFN-gamma gene to the p1205 leads to qter region.

Chromosomal assignment of the endogenous proto-oncogene C-abl

Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) is a replication-defective retrovirus that transforms lymphocytes of the B-cell lineage. This virus is a recombinant between the parental Moloney murine leukemia virus and a cellular gene termed C-abl. By analysis of a series of mouse x Chinese hamster hybrid celllines containing various mouse chromosomes, we have mapped the C-abl gene to mouse chromosome 2.

Identification of a Mr 58 000 glycoprotein subunit of the opiate receptor

A Mr 58 000 subunit of the opiate receptor has been identified using tritiated fentanyl isothiocyanate, a potent opiate alkylating reagent with specificity for the delta-opiate receptor subclass. The subunit is alkylated in the presence of dextrorphan but not levorphanol. The specifically labelled protein was retained on columns of immobilized wheat germ agglutinin and is therefore presumably a glycoprotein. Partial purification of the Mr 58 000 opiate receptor subunit from neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 hybrid cell membranes is described.

Truncated mu chain in a Burkitt lymphoma line (P3HR-1) and its fate in various hemapoietic somatic cell hybrids

Hybrids obtained by the fusion of PUT, an ouabain and TG-resistant subline of the Burkitt lymphoma(BL)-derived P3HR-1 line, with hemopoietic cells of various differentiation types were tested for their membrane and intracellular immunoglobulin expression. PUT cells carry no membrane immunoglobulin, but contained intracellular 61K mu chain and kappa chain. The PUTKO-1 hybrid, derived from the fusion of PUT with the erythroleukemia line K562 contains no detectable immunoglobulin. NAMPUT, a hybrid between PUT and the IgM-lambda-producing BL line Namalwa, synthetizes cellular mu, lambda and kappa chains, but its surface-Ig is exclusively mu-lambda. Two different mu chains could be detected, both precipitated by either anti-mu or anti-lambda sera. Immunoprecipitation with anti-kappa precipitated neither kappa nor mu. PUTRAL was derived by fusing PUT with Rael, an unusual surface-IgG-lambda-carrying BL line. In this hybrid, the ability to synthesize gamma and lambda chains has been eclipsed, but two mu chains are present: one corresponding to the truncated 61K chain of PUT, and a normal-sized 74K. Between 20 and 30% of the cells stain for surface IgM.

Mapping of polypeptide genes by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of hybrid cell extracts

A series of 18 Chinese hamster X human somatic cell hybrid subclones segregating human chromosomes were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to determine the chromosomal location of the human genes responsible for the expression of specific proteins. Two independent methods, side by side comparison and double label autoradiography-fluorography, were used to identify the human proteins that were unambiguously resolved from those of the Chinese hamster (CH). Of the 83 human spots resolved, 22 were determined to be associated with nine specific chromosomes or chromosome regions by correlation with quantitative cytogenetic analysis of the hybrid clones. An additional five spots were associated with three different chromosomes that had identical patterns of segregation. A total of 12 resolvable polypeptides of apparently human origin were present in all 18 hybrid subclones and may be coded for by one of the nine human autosomes that were also consistently present. Future investigations using a variety of available methods to determine the identity of the polypeptide spots will permit the mapping of genes for specific enzymes and for other classes of proteins that are not detectable by the commonly used zymogram methods.

Membrane-bound and cellular immunoglobulins in human B-lymphoma lines and derived hybrids

Hybrids derived from the fusion of cell lines representing different maturation stages were studied for their membrane and cellular immunoglobulin expression. The hybrids can be subdivided into 3 groups, with one common parental line in each group. In the first group, Raji cells represent the common parent: it contains small amounts of membrane and cytoplasmic mu (mu) and kappa (kappa) chains. In the second group, PUT is the common parent, an ouabain and TG-resistant subline of the BL-derived P3HR-1 line. PUT contains a truncated intracellular mu chain. The third group consists of hybrids between K562, an EBV-negative human erythroleukemia line and 2 different BL lines. Membrane-immunoglobulin expression was intermediate between the parental lines in the first two groups derived from the fusion of 2 BL lines. In the third group, hybridization with the K562 cell suppressed the membrane-Ig expression of the B-cell partner. Total cellular immunoglobulin determinations showed that some cells synthesized light chains in excess of heavy chains, others contained an excess of heavy chains, while still others had equal amounts of heavy and light chains. The hybrids showed a variety of patterns, including amplification of the parental phenotypes, appearance of new phenotypic combinations, and eclipse of one or both parental phenotypes. A comparison of the total and the membrane-associated immunoglobulin patterns suggests independent handling of intracellular and membrane immunoglobulin synthesis.