Moloney murine leukemia virus infection accelerates lymphomagenesis in E mu-bcl-2 transgenic mice

E mu-bcl-2 transgenic mice bearing the bcl-2 proto-oncogene linked to the immunoglobulin enhancer (E mu) sporadically develop B or T cell lymphomas after a long latent period. To identify genes that play important roles in development of lymphoid malignancies, proviral insertional mutagenesis with Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMuLV) was carried out in two lines of transgenic mice expressing the bcl-2 gene primarily in B or T cells. MMuLV infection of non-transgenic mice induced primarily mature T cell lymphomas. By contrast, infection of newborn E mu-blc-2 mice with the virus accelerated lymphomagenesis, and nearly all of the mice eventually succumbed to clonal pre-B, B, or mainly immature T cell lymphoma, indicating the active contribution of the bcl-2 gene in lymphomagenesis. Southern blot analysis of tumor DNA from MMuLV-infected transgenic mice revealed a proviral insertion at the c-myc gene in 26% (9/35) of tumors, at the pim-1 gene in 6% (2/35) and at the pim-2 (recently renamed tic-1) gene in 23% (8/35). Some tumors carried two activated oncogenes. No insertion was detected at the bmi-1 gene. These data suggest the usefulness of this transgenic system for analysis of lymphomagenesis involving the activated bcl-2 gene.

Unexpected transcriptional signals in normal and mitotically defective cells mediated through cytokine and growth factor receptors

Polypeptide growth factors and cytokines mediate their biochemical functions through their responsive receptors. Known cytokine receptors do not possess intrinsic kinase domains whereas several polypeptide growth factor receptors do. Nevertheless, both classes of ligands are capable of activating sets of overlapping genes. In human epidermoid carcinoma cells, for example, both cytokines and epidermal growth factor (EGF) promote a common transcriptional activation signal through the tyrosine phosphorylation of stat91 (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins. The stat family of cytoplasmic proteins also appear to have dual functions. Tyrosine phosphorylated 'stats' are employed for signal transduction and, second, for activation of transcription of several genes. The transcription factor-SIE-DNA binding patterns are now known to be different for EGF and interferon-gamma IFN-gamma-treated cells. Nevertheless, in the active DNA-bound complex, the stat91 polypeptide is a component found in either EGF or INF-gamma-treated extracts. Other stat family members of transcription factors may also be present in the complexes. In this case, tyrosine phosphorylated stat91 polypeptides may form into homodimeric or heterodimeric assemblies with other stat-related transcription factors. We describe a novel stat-related factor, p93, that is found in EGF-treated A431 cell extracts but appears to be absent in bovine fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and untreated cells. p93 appears to be antigenically related to stat91. p185c-neu+, EGFr+ (M1), and p185c-neu- kinase inactive, EGFr+ (NEN757) expressing cells undergo different mitotic responses to EGF. M1 can respond to EGF mitotically while NEN757 cannot. Both cell lines respond to 10 ng/ml of EGF and also to IFN-gamma in transducing transcriptional activation signals to the nucleus, despite the distinct growth response to EGF. Our work has analyzed the stat pathway in these types of cells and found similar patterns of usage despite the distinct EGF-responsive features. Cytoplasmic nonreceptor tyrosine kinases Jak1 and Jak2 may be involved in the activation of stat91 and other transcription factors in EGF and IFN-gamma signaling pathways. Collectively, these studies suggest that the major EGF-stimulated mitotic growth pathways may not be absolutely linked to the stat91 signaling pathways and that such transcription complexes are more complex than previously reported.

Use of the teleost saccule to identify genes involved in inner ear function

The vertebrate inner ear sensory epithelia contain different types of hair cells and supporting cells. The teleost saccule is anatomically similar to the mammalian saccule and is primarily involved in the detection of translational acceleration and orientation with respect to gravity. To facilitate molecular studies of the teleost saccule cDNA libraries were constructed from microdissected Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill sunfish) saccular maculae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cDNA libraries constructed from the saccule. In one instance, a non-polymerase chain reaction-based method of amplifying a mRNA population from limited amounts of starting tissue was employed that allowed construction of cDNA libraries from nanogram amounts of tissue mRNA. Conventional cDNA libraries were constructed from the sunfish saccular maculae as well. These cDNA libraries enriched in hair cell and supporting cell transcripts should facilitate molecular biological studies of inner ear sensory epithelia. As an example of their utility, efforts to identify tyrosine kinases expressed in the saccular endorgan using low-stringency hybridization screening of these cDNA libraries and the partial sequence of a cDNA found to encode an erbB-2-related tyrosine kinase are also reported.

A receptor that subserves reovirus binding can inhibit lymphocyte proliferation triggered by mitogenic signals

A novel surface receptor complex involved in inhibition of T-cell proliferation is described. Biochemical isolation revealed two non-covalently associated proteins of about M(r) 65,000 (p65) and 95,000 (p95). These polypeptides may be related. The p65 form is expressed after cellular activation and replication and is recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 87.92.6 or reovirus hemagglutinin as unnatural ligands. The p95 species is associated with tyrosine kinase enzymatic activity. Receptor ligation results in rapid alteration of the phosphotyrosine content of cellular substrates, and this activity correlates with antiproliferative effects. The inhibition of proliferation is a time-dependent reversible arrest at the G1-S phase of the cell cycle. Activation through the T-cell receptor, protein kinase C, or addition of cytokines does not reverse the antiproliferative effect. This receptor complex may define novel features of T-cell proliferation.

A kinase associated with chromatin that can be activated by ligand-p185c-Neu or epidermal growth factor-receptor interactions

Some growth factors transduce positive growth signals, while others can act as growth inhibitors. Nuclear signaling events of previously quiescent cells stimulated with various growth factors have been studied by isolating the complexed chromatin-associated proteins and chromatin-associated proteins. Signals from the plasma membrane are integrated within the cells and quickly transduced to the nucleus. It is clear that several growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha (but not transforming growth factor beta), and platelet-derived growth factor, utilize similar intracellular signaling biochemistries to modulate nucleosomal characteristics. The very rapid and consistent phosphorylation of nuclear p33, p54, and low molecular mass proteins in the range of 15-18 kDa after growth factor stimulation implies that there is a coordination and integration of the cellular signaling processes. Additionally, phosphorylation of p33 and some low molecular mass histones has been found to occur within 5 min of growth factor treatment and to reach a maximum by 30 min. In this study, we report that Neu receptor activating factor also utilizes the same signaling mechanism and causes p33 to become phosphorylated. In addition, both the tumor promoter okadaic acid (which inhibits protein phosphatases 1 and 2A) and phorbol ester (phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate) stimulate phosphorylation of p33, p54, and low molecular mass histones. However, transforming growth factor beta, which is a growth inhibitor for fibroblasts, fails to increase p33 phosphorylation. In general, p33 phosphorylation patterns correspond to positive and negative mitogenic signal transduction. p33 isolated from the complexed chromatin-associated protein fraction appears to be a kinase, or tightly associated with a kinase, and shares antigenicity with the cell division cycle-dependent Cdk2 kinase as determined by antibody-dependent analysis. The rapid phosphorylation of nucleosomal proteins may influence sets of early genes needed for the induction and progression of the cell cycle.

Down-regulation of c-neu receptors by nerve growth factor in PC12 cells

A small number of p185c-neu receptors have been found on PC12 cells. These receptors show some basal phosphorylation in quiescent cells. When the cells are treated with nerve growth factor (NGF) for a short time, some increase in phosphorylation is seen, mainly on serine and threonine residues, and this is accompanied by a slight shift in the apparent molecular weight. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) also increases the phosphorylation of p185c-neu, in this case on tyrosine residues. Neither heregulin-beta 1 nor gp30 stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of p185c-neu, and neither has a proliferative effect on the cells. Treatment of the cells with NGF for 5 days produces a 70-80% reduction in the number of p185c-neu receptors. This down-regulation does not occur when PC12nnr5 cells, which lack the high-affinity NGF receptor, p140trk, are treated with NGF. The level of p185c-neu mRNA is not altered by NGF treatment, suggesting that the down-regulation is due to either a translational or a posttranslational alteration.

Prevention of breast tumour development in vivo by downregulation of the p185neu receptor

Certain strains of transgenic mice that express the rat neu oncogene (neuT) in mammary epithelial cells develop breast tumours at an average of 44 weeks of age. In this study, intraperitoneal injection of a monoclonal anti-receptor antibody specific for the rat neuT oncogene product dramatically affected tumour development in these transgenic mice in a dose-dependent manner. A significant proportion (50%) of mice, when injected with anti-receptor antibodies, did not develop tumours even after 90 weeks of age. The phosphotyrosine levels of the membrane fraction of breast tissues in the anti-receptor antibody-treated mice were almost completely abolished when a higher dose of antibodies was used. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that immunologic manipulation of an oncogene product can effectively prevent the development of tumours in a rodent transgenic model.

Molecular cloning and characterization of an inner ear-specific structural protein

Molecular biological studies of the mammalian inner ear have been limited by the relatively small size of the sensory endorgans contained within. The saccular otolithic organ in teleostian fish is structurally similar to its mammalian counterpart but can contain an order of magnitude more sensory cells. The prospect of the evolutionary conservation of proteins utilized in the vertebrate inner ear and the relative abundance of teleostian saccular sensory tissue made this an attractive system for molecular biological studies. A complementary DNA obtained by differential screening of a saccular complementary DNA library was identified that encodes an inner ear-specific collagen molecule.

Intermolecular association and trans-phosphorylation of different neu-kinase forms permit SH2-dependent signaling and oncogenic transformation

The neu oncogene encodes a 185 kDa receptor tyrosine kinase. A single point mutation (Val664-->Glu) within the p185neu transmembrane region results in higher efficiency of receptor dimerization, constitutive activity of tyrosine kinase and cellular transformation. The oncogenic potential of this mutated form of p185neu (termed Tneu) can be inactivated by site-directed alteration of a lysine residue in the conserved catalytic domain. In this report, we have utilized the physical and functional interaction of a full-length kinase-deficient neu protein (T757) and truncated kinase-active Tneu forms to determine critical protein domains for Tneu oligomerization and the resultant biological consequences. Analysis of various truncated Tneu mutants confirmed that the transmembrane region was crucial for p185 dimerization. Receptor association facilitates intermolecular phosphorylation of kinase-deficient mutant T757 by truncated kinase-active p185 proteins, and the trans-phosphorylated kinase-deficient T757 was able to associate in vitro with proteins containing SH2 domains. Receptor-receptor interactions resulted in enhanced signal transduction potential and transformation of cell-lines co-expressing different neu-kinase forms. These studies emphasize a novel feature of protein-protein interaction and the functional significance of p185 dimerization, intermolecular phosphorylation and signaling which may result in cellular transformation.

Considerations in the design and production of small anti-receptor antibody forms: optimizing gains while reducing size

Recent advances which have lead to the cloning of numerous immunoglobulin genes has resulted in the production of a variety of recombinant small antibody-like molecules. These smaller immunoglobulin derived molecules have potential for the development of diagnostic and pharmaceutical compounds. The considerations in the design and production of smaller antibody-like molecules and their clinical applications will be summarized in this review.

Antibody-structure-based design of pharmacological agents

The well-studied antigen-combining sites of antibody molecules hold considerable promise as a model system for the design of bioactive peptides. These small, immunoglobulin-derived peptides can be used in the development of alternative treatments for disease and in diagnostic strategies. The general principles derived from the design of small pharmacological agents based on the structural features of antibodies may also be extended to the design of other bioactive peptides.

The neu-oncogene: signal transduction pathways, transformation mechanisms and evolving therapies

A variety of pathways exist to transmit biological signals. One mechanism used for the regulated control of cell growth and differentiation is through the transduction of signals resulting from the binding of soluble polypeptide growth factors to their cognate receptors. The specificity of growth factor action is mediated by the interaction of ligand with cognate receptors which can lead to exquisite control in a tissue- and developmental-specific manner. In addition, individual receptors on the cell surface can form complex assemblies with other receptor/signal transduction molecules that potentially lead to additional levels of signal transmissions. Biological signaling by peptide ligands can be mediated through the enzymatic activation of the receptor resulting in the triggering of a defined biochemical pathway. Ultimately, a mitogenic or differentiation signal is delivered to the nucleus, completing the biological action of the growth factor. The biochemical mechanisms of signal transduction by the p185 neu/c-erbB-2 growth factor receptor and the subsequent physiological responses are the topics of this review. Study of the p185 growth factor receptor has helped to illustrate the functional role of receptor homo- (and hetero-) dimerization in enzyme activation and, in malignant cells, the detrimental results of structural mutations or aberrant gene expression which may effect this dimerization. The ability of one type of growth factor receptor to affect the activity of another (as illustrated by the p185/epidermal growth factor receptor heterodimeric complex) is likely to be a common regulatory feature of growth factor receptor action. The nomenclature to be used in this review will refer to the oncogenic mutated form of the rat protein as 'p185neu', the proto-oncogenic rat protein as 'p185c-neu' and the human form as 'p185c-erbB-2'. The term 'p185' will be used to refer to any type of protein, regardless of the source.

Delayed allograft rejection by T cell receptor V beta 8.1 transgenic mice peripherally tolerized to Mls-1

One commonly studied model system for peripheral tolerance is the antigen-specific unresponsiveness of T cells from mice previously inoculated with superantigens such as Mls-1a. In this study, we used a TcR V beta 8.1 transgenic mouse model to investigate whether mice peripherally tolerized to Mls-1a exhibit delayed skin allograft rejection. We report dramatic prolongation of skin allograft survival in V beta 8.1 transgenic but not in non-transgenic mice tolerized to Mls-1a. Peripherally induced unresponsiveness to Mls-1a can, therefore, be considered true tolerance.

Kinase-deficient neu proteins suppress epidermal growth factor receptor function and abolish cell transformation

p185c-neu and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) associate into an active heterodimer, and overexpression of these two receptors leads to a transformed phenotype. However, the association of EGFR and kinase-deficient Neu proteins (point mutant N757 or cytoplasmic domain deletion mutant N691stop) results in a defective or inactive heterodimeric complex. In this report we explore the biological consequences of heterodimerization between EGFR and wild-type (WT) or kinase-deficient mutant Neu proteins in living cells. We show that co-expression of EGFR and kinase-deficient Neu proteins abolished the synergistic transformation and tumorigenicity. Moreover, the normal responses of EGFR to ligand were significantly suppressed, e.g., loss of EGF-dependent transformation, reduced rate of receptor endocytosis and turnover, diminished DNA synthesis, and decreased EGF binding affinity. These results provide the first evidence that kinase-deficient Neu proteins suppress normal EGFR function and display a dominant negative mutant phenotype. Together with the stimulatory effects observed in cells forming active heterodimers, these studies provide a role for heterodimerization of EGFR and Neu/c-erbB2 in interreceptor activation and synergistic signaling which may be responsible for the transition from normal receptor function into oncogenesis.

Ligand and p185c-neu density govern receptor interactions and tyrosine kinase activation

The neu protooncogene (also known as c-erbB2, NGL, and HER2) encodes a 185-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity that resembles the receptor for epidermal growth factor. The p185 gene and protein were originally identified in the brain and are thought to play a critical role in neurogenesis. Aberrant c-erbB2 protein overexpression also occurs in several human adenocarcinomas. A ligand for p185, neu-activating factor (NAF), specifically binds to neu receptor and increases the p185c-neu tyrosine phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. We now show that NAF specifically binds to purified p185 expressed in baculovirus. Direct binding analysis showed that NAF binds with high affinity (Kd = 1.3 nM). We have investigated changes in the structure and association state of baculovirus-produced neu holoreceptor that are induced by ligand binding. In this study, we used sucrose gradients to show that purified p185c-neu exists mainly in the monomeric form at low concentrations, whereas at higher concentrations p185c-neu exists as dimers or multimers. At low concentrations, but in the presence of ligand, p185c-neu sediments as a dimeric or multimeric form. Monomer-oligomer interconversion is absolutely ligand dependent at low receptor concentrations. The high molecular weight form of the receptor is enzymatically more active, as a consequence of ligand-driven activation of the receptor kinase. Oncogenic p185neu receptors sediment predominantly as high molecular weight forms and have constitutively active kinases.

Heterodimerization of epidermal growth factor receptor and wild-type or kinase-deficient Neu: a mechanism of interreceptor kinase activation and transphosphorylation

We have shown that members of the erbB family undergo homodimer and heterodimer formation. The rat p185c-neu and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can associate into an active heterodimeric tyrosine kinase. Overexpression of these two receptors also results in a transformed phenotype. We now show that mutant Neu proteins resulting from a point mutation at the ATP-binding site (N757) or cytoplasmic domain deletions (N691stop) are still able to undergo EGF-induced heterodimerization with EGFR. Analysis of heterodimer formation between EGFR and truncated Neu proteins revealed that heterodimerization is preferred over homodimerization of EGFR. N757 can be transphosphorylated by associated EGFR upon EGF stimulation. However, the heterodimer composed of EGFR and N691stop is kinase inactive. These results provided evidence that the Neu ectodomain is sufficient to associate with EGFR physically, and the cytoplasmic domain interaction is required for heterodimeric kinase activation, indicating that Neu/c-erbB2 is not just a simple substrate for EGFR but a transactivator as well.

Demonstration by two-color flow cytometry that tyrosine kinase activity is required for down-modulation of the oncogenic neu receptor

Expression of rat oncogenic neu receptor, p185T-neu (a growth factor receptor with constitutive tyrosine kinase activity), causes cells to become transformed. Treatment with anti-neu receptor monoclonal antibodies reverts the transformed phenotype by down-modulation of p185T-neu. Monoclonal antibody treatment of cells expressing normal neu receptor, p185C-neu (which lacks constitutive tyrosine kinase activity), does not result in down-modulation of p185C-neu. To understand further the role the biochemical activity of p185T-neu plays in transformation and endocytosis, we created a series of mutations in p185T-neu. We found that fibroblasts expressing the tyrosine kinase-defective mutants cannot form foci in culture, colonies in soft agar, or tumors in immunocompromised mice. To follow the antibody-induced endocytosis of neu receptors expressed in these transfectants, we developed a novel two-color flow cytometric assay and confirmed receptor localization by electron microscopy. Cells were treated with mAb7.16.4 over time. After 4 hr of antibody treatment, less than 50% of full-length p185T-neu and of mutant T691 remained on the cell surface, whereas internal expression of the neu receptors within these cells initially increased and then decreased to the original internal receptor level. In contrast, the level of kinase-deficient mutated neu receptors remaining on the cell surface initially decreased by 35%, but, after 4 hr of antibody treatment, the cell surface expression level returned to approximately the original level. Concurrently, fluctuations in expression levels were seen internally over time as well. These cell lines were also treated with gold-conjugated mAb7.16.4. Using electron microscopy, we consistently found the gold particles within multivesicular bodies of cell lines expressing full-length or mutated neu receptor. These data strongly suggest that the fate of the neu receptor, once internalized, is directed by its tyrosine kinase activity. When the kinase activity of the neu receptor is disrupted, the receptor is internalized but recycled to the cell surface, whereas neu receptors which have constitutive kinase activity are internalized and presumably degraded when engaged with anti-neu receptor mAb. Understanding the regulation of receptor endocytosis, degradation, and recycling will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic protocols to combat human malignancies, particularly those associated with the overexpression of the human homologue of the neu receptor, c-erbB2.

Bound water molecules and conformational stabilization help mediate an antigen-antibody association

We report the three-dimensional structures, at 1.8-A resolution, of the Fv fragment of the anti-hen egg white lysozyme antibody D1.3 in its free and antigen-bound forms. These structures reveal a role for solvent molecules in stabilizing the complex and provide a molecular basis for understanding the thermodynamic forces which drive the association reaction. Four water molecules are buried and others form a hydrogen-bonded network around the interface, bridging antigen and antibody. Comparison of the structures of free and bound Fv fragment of D1.3 reveals that several of the ordered water molecules in the free antibody combining site are retained and that additional water molecules link antigen and antibody upon complex formation. This solvation of the complex should weaken the hydrophobic effect, and the resulting large number of solvent-mediated hydrogen bonds, in conjunction with direct protein-protein interactions, should generate a significant enthalpic component. Furthermore, a stabilization of the relative mobilities of the antibody heavy- and light-chain variable domains and of that of the third complementarity-determining loop of the heavy chain seen in the complex should generate a negative entropic contribution opposing the enthalpic and the hydrophobic (solvent entropy) effects. This structural analysis is consistent with measurements of enthalpy and entropy changes by titration calorimetry, which show that enthalpy drives the antigen-antibody reaction. Thus, the main forces stabilizing the complex arise from antigen-antibody hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, enthalpy of hydration, and conformational stabilization rather than solvent entropy (hydrophobic) effects.

Biological studies and potential therapeutic applications of monoclonal antibodies and small molecules reactive with the neu/c-erbB-2 protein

The overexpression of the growth factor receptor p185neu/c-erbB-2 has been observed in a number of human adenocarcinomas and is mechanistically linked to neoplastic growth. Monoclonal antibodies raised against extracellular domains of the p185neu/c-erbB-2 receptor oncoprotein have been utilized to inhibit the pathway of neu-induced tumor development. Our laboratory has demonstrated a direct effect of anti-p185neu/c-erbB-2 antibodies which requires receptor ligation. This induced aggregation causes the downmodulation of cell-surface expression and eventual degradation of p185neu/c-erbB-2 protein. In cells transformed by the neu oncogene, the result of antibody-induced p185neu/c-erbB-2 receptor modulation is the reversion of the malignant phenotype. We are exploiting the direct efficacy of this monoclonal antibody by developing small molecules (peptides and organic mimietics) based on anti-p185neu/c-erbB-2 antibody structure that can mediate similar receptor binding and biological effects.

Gld and lpr mice: single gene mutant models for failed self tolerance

Mice homozygous for the gld or lpr mutations develop autoimmunity, and a lymphoproliferative disorder involving accumulation of huge numbers of unusual CD4-CD8-TCR alpha beta lo T cells. Here we review our past work with gld mice, and attempt to explain lymphoproliferation in terms of current models of T cell maturation and self-tolerance induction. The availability of molecular probes to the gene products of lpr and gld should shortly lead to a better understanding of the acquisition of self tolerance during T cell maturation and of autoimmunity.

Reduced CD3-mediated protein tyrosine phosphorylation in anergic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

Mice inoculated i.v. with superantigens exhibit long lived Ag-specific T cell tolerance. An in vitro model for this phenomenon is the ensuing unresponsiveness of Th1 T cell clones activated via the TCR/CD3 complex in the absence of co-stimulation. We have previously demonstrated alterations in TCR-mediated early protein tyrosine phosphorylation events in Th1 clones anergic for IL-2 production. In this study, we demonstrate unresponsiveness in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from V beta 8.1 transgenic mice inoculated i.v. with the superantigen Mls-1a. The unresponsiveness of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells involves defective IL-2 production upon restimulation, with CD4+ T cells exhibiting an additional defect in IL-2 utilization. The transgenic model allowed study of T cell signaling in a relatively homogeneous population of unresponsive cells without elaborate purification of Ag-reactive populations. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells exhibit altered tyrosine phosphorylation of two protein substrates upon CD3-mediated restimulation. The substrates involved, p38 and p75, are of identical size to substrates similarly affected in anergic Th1 clones. Altered tyrosine phosphorylation is therefore closely associated with defective IL-2 production in these three anergic T cell types, and may play a role in the maintenance of anergy.

Reduced CD3-mediated protein tyrosine phosphorylation in anergic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

Mice inoculated i.v. with superantigens exhibit long lived Ag-specific T cell tolerance. An in vitro model for this phenomenon is the ensuing unresponsiveness of Th1 T cell clones activated via the TCR/CD3 complex in the absence of co-stimulation. We have previously demonstrated alterations in TCR-mediated early protein tyrosine phosphorylation events in Th1 clones anergic for IL-2 production. In this study, we demonstrate unresponsiveness in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from V beta 8.1 transgenic mice inoculated i.v. with the superantigen Mls-1a. The unresponsiveness of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells involves defective IL-2 production upon restimulation, with CD4+ T cells exhibiting an additional defect in IL-2 utilization. The transgenic model allowed study of T cell signaling in a relatively homogeneous population of unresponsive cells without elaborate purification of Ag-reactive populations. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells exhibit altered tyrosine phosphorylation of two protein substrates upon CD3-mediated restimulation. The substrates involved, p38 and p75, are of identical size to substrates similarly affected in anergic Th1 clones. Altered tyrosine phosphorylation is therefore closely associated with defective IL-2 production in these three anergic T cell types, and may play a role in the maintenance of anergy.

Interaction of the neu/p185 and EGF receptor tyrosine kinases: implications for cellular transformation and tumor therapy

Growth factor receptors such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the p185c-neu protein serve vital roles in the transduction of differentiation, developmental, or mitogenic signaling within normal cells. Two methods of analysis suggest that the inappropriately high expression of either protein tyrosine kinase promotes malignant transformation. First, data from in vitro experiments indicate that overexpression of either EGFR or p185c-neu (or the human homolog c-erbB-2) transforms cell-lines. Second, analysis of primary tumors and tumor cell-lines derived from many epithelial tissues (breast, stomach, ovary, and pancreas) show growth factor receptor gene amplification and elevated protein levels. The physical and functional interaction of p185c-neu and EGFR leads to the formation of a highly active, heterodimeric tyrosine kinase complex which synergistically activates cellular transformation. Anti-receptor antibodies have shown potential utility for the down modulation of these cell-surface proteins and suppression of the malignant phenotype. Design of organic antibody "mimetics" based on the structure of antireceptor antibodies may provide useful therapies and biological reagents to affect growth factor receptor function.

Characterization of a mouse beta 1-adrenergic receptor genomic clone

A beta 1-adrenergic receptor (beta 1AR) clone, designated Clone 5, was isolated from a BALB/c mouse liver genomic library screened at low stringency with a human brain beta 2 AR cDNA probe. Sequence analysis of Clone 5 revealed a 1,395-bp open reading frame encoding a 464-amino-acid polypeptide. The predicted protein exhibited structural features characteristic of members of the G-protein-coupled receptor family including seven hydrophobic segments corresponding to putative transmembrane domains, a potential N-linked glycosylation site near the amino-terminus, and multiple potential phosphorylation sites in the third cytoplasmic loop and carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail. The sequence of the Clone 5-encoded protein was nearly identical to those previously reported for the rat and human beta 1 ARs. Potentially important differences were noted in the third cytoplasmic loop and carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Reverse transcription-primer extension studies of adult mouse brain RNA demonstrated the predominant transcriptional start site to be 415 nucleotides upstream of the translational start site. A GC-box precedes the transcriptional start site by 40 nucleotides. No consensus TATA or CAAT box sequences were identified in this region. Southern blot analysis of a Chinese hamster x mouse somatic cell hybrid panel and of the progeny of an inter-subspecies backcross mapped the Clone 5-encoded gene to mouse chromosome 19, the localization previously determined for the mouse homolog of the human beta 1AR gene. Binding studies of transient COS-7 transfectants and stable L-cell transfectants confirmed that Clone 5 encodes a beta AR of the beta 1 subtype. A probe derived from Clone 5 selectively hybridized in Northern blot studies to mRNA isolated from adult mouse cerebrum, lung, and heart. These data should serve as the basis for further studies of the regulation and function of the beta 1AR.

Frequent deletion of the transgene in T cell receptor beta chain transgenic mice

TCR V beta 8.1 transgenic mice were generated using a genomic TCR V beta gene construct under the control of its promoter and enhancer. Among three lines of transgenic mice, one line expressed the transgenic TCR on only approximately 70% of peripheral T cells, while the other two lines expressed it on almost all mature T cells. T cells which lacked expression of the transgenic TCR beta chain expressed endogenous TCR beta chains. The molecular basis underlying the lack of transgene expression in T cells of this line of transgenic mice was investigated. The transgenic TCR- cells were isolated by two methods. First, Thy-1+ V beta 8.1/8.2- cells were purified from peripheral T cells using cell sorting. Second, transgenic TCR- T cell clones were established. In both cases, Southern blotting indicated that V beta 8.1- T cells had deleted the transgenic TCR gene. Thus, deletion of the transgenic TCR can occur in a high proportion of T cells, which allows rearrangement and expression of endogenous TCR beta chains.