Detection of a complex of SV40 large tumor antigen and 53K cellular protein on the surface of SV40-transformed mouse cells

Transformation by the simian virus 40 T antigen is regulated by IGF-I receptor and IRS-1 signaling

Previous work has shown that the Simian Virus 40 T antigen (T antigen) cannot transform mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) that do not express the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR). We have now investigated the mechanism(s) by which the transforming activity of T antigen is affected by IGF-IR signaling. We demonstrate that transformation by T antigen of MEFs and several other cell lines requires an insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) phosphorylated on tyrosines. If IRS-1 is not expressed, or is serine phosphorylated or otherwise inactive, T antigen fails to transform cells in culture. For instance, while T antigen cannot transform 32D myeloid cells (that do not express IRS-1), its transforming activity is restored by the expression of a wild-type IRS-1, but not of an IRS-1 mutated at the PI3K binding sites. The importance of IRS-1 activation of PI3K in T-antigen transformation is supported by the finding that a constitutively activated p110 subunit of PI3K, a target of IRS-1, overcomes the inability of T antigen to transform MEFs with a serine phosphorylated IRS-1. Taken together, these results indicate that the IRS-1/PI3K signaling is one of the mechanisms regulating transformation by the SV40 T antigen. We propose that the requirement for a tyrosyl-phosphorylated IRS-1 provides a mechanism to explain the failure of T antigen to transform MEFs with deleted IGF-IR genes.

Nuclear translocation of insulin receptor substrate-1 by oncogenes and Igf-I. Effect on ribosomal RNA synthesis

The insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is one of the major substrates of both the insulin and IGF-I receptors and is generally localized in the cytosol/membrane fraction of the cell. We show here that a substantial fraction of IRS-1 is translocated to the nucleus in mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) expressing the simian virus 40 T antigen. Nuclear translocation of IRS-1 occurs also in MEF stimulated with IGF-I or in MEF expressing the oncogene v-src. Nuclear translocation of IRS-1 can be demonstrated by confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, or subcellular fractionation. An antibody to IRS-1 immunoprecipitates from nuclear fractions (but not from cytosolic fractions) the upstream binding factor, which is a key regulator of RNA polymerase I activity and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis. In agreement with this finding, in 32D murine hemopoietic cells, nuclear translocation of IRS-1 correlates with a markedly increased rRNA synthesis. Our experiments suggest that nuclear IRS-1 may play a specialized role in rRNA synthesis and/or processing.

Nuclear translocation of insulin receptor substrate-1 by the simian virus 40 T antigen and the activated type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor

32D cells are a murine hemopoietic cell line that undergoes apoptosis upon withdrawal of interleukin-3 (IL-3) from the medium. 32D cells have low levels of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) receptor and do not express insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) or IRS-2. Ectopic expression of IRS-1 delays apoptosis but cannot rescue 32D cells from IL-3 dependence. In 32D/IRS-1 cells, IRS-1 is detectable, as expected, in the cytosol/membrane compartment. The SV40 large T antigen is a nuclear protein that, by itself, also fails to protect 32D cells from apoptosis. Co-expression of IRS-1 with the SV40 T antigen in 32D cells results in nuclear translocation of IRS-1 and survival after IL-3 withdrawal. Expression of a human IGF-I receptor in 32D/IRS-1 cells also results in nuclear translocation of IRS-1 and IL-3 independence. The phosphotyrosine-binding domain, but not the pleckstrin domain, is necessary for IRS-1 nuclear translocation. Nuclear translocation of IRS-1 was confirmed in mouse embryo fibroblasts. These results suggest possible new roles for nuclear IRS-1 in IGF-I-mediated growth and anti-apoptotic signaling.

Polyomavirus large T antigen induces alterations in cytoplasmic signalling pathways involving Shc activation

It has been extensively demonstrated that growth factors play a key role in the regulation of proliferation. Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that for the induction of cell cycle progression in the absence of exogenous growth factors, oncogenes must either induce autocrine growth factor secretion or, alternatively, activate their receptors or their receptor substrates. Cells expressing polyomavirus large T antigen (PyLT) display reduced growth factor requirements, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have yet to be explored. We conducted tests to see whether the reduction in growth factor requirements induced by PyLT was related to alterations of growth factor-dependent signals. To this end, we analyzed the phosphorylation status of a universal tyrosine kinase substrate, the transforming Shc adapter protein, in fibroblasts expressing the viral oncogene. We report that the level of Shc phosphorylation does not decrease in PyLT-expressing fibroblasts after growth factor withdrawal and that this PyLT-mediated effect does not require interaction with protein encoded by the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene. We also found that the chronic activation of the adapter protein is correlated with the binding of Shc to Grb-2 and with defects in the downregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. In fibroblasts expressing the nuclear oncoprotein, we also observed the formation of a PyLT-Shc complex that might be involved in constitutive phosphorylation of the adapter protein. Viewed comprehensively, these results suggest that the cell cycle progression induced by PyLT may depend not only on the direct inactivation of nuclear antioncogene products but also on the indirect induction, through the alteration of cytoplasmic pathways, of growth factor-dependent nuclear signals.

Association of p300 and CBP with simian virus 40 large T antigen

p300 and the CREB-binding protein CBP are two large nuclear phosphoproteins that are structurally highly related. Both function, in part, as transcriptional adapters and are targeted by the adenovirus E1A oncoprotein. We show here that p300 and CBP interact with another transforming protein, the simian virus 40 large T antigen (T). This interaction depends on the integrity of a region of T which is critical for its transforming and mitogenic properties and includes its LXCXE Rb-binding motif. T interferes with normal p300 and CBP function on at least two different levels. The presence of T alters the phosphorylation states of both proteins and inhibits their transcriptional activities on certain promoters. Although E1A and T show little sequence similarity, they interact with the same domain of p300 and CBP, suggesting that this region exhibits considerable flexibility in accommodating diverse protein ligands.

Initial characterization of the membrane-associated form of ICP4 of herpes simplex virus type 1

The immediate-early gene product, ICP4, of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of the major transcriptional regulatory proteins in the virus replicative process and is localized primarily within the nucleus soon after its synthesis. Earlier studies have shown that detectable amounts of ICP4 are also associated with the plasma membranes of infected cells (F. Yao and R. J. Courtney, J. Virol. 65:1516-1524, 1991). To extend our understanding of the properties of the membrane-associated ICP4, we have used various electrophoretic techniques, including sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and isoelectric focusing, to compare the membrane- and nuclear-associated forms of ICP4. The data from all of these methods revealed that a single unique form of ICP4 associates with plasma membranes of HSV-1-infected cells. While multiple forms of ICP4 were detected in infected cell nuclei, the membrane-associated form of ICP4 appeared to have a lower apparent molecular weight and a more acidic pI than the various forms of ICP4 found in infected cell nuclei. These results suggest that a novel form of ICP4 may associate with plasma membranes of HSV-1-infected cells. A recombinant adenovirus, AdICP4 (encoding an ICP4 protein), was used to determine the role that other herpesvirus proteins may play in the membrane association of ICP4. The results suggest that the expression of other HSV-1 proteins is not required for the membrane association of ICP4.

Association of insulin receptor substrate 1 with simian virus 40 large T antigen

Mouse embryo cells expressing a wild-type number of insulin-like growth factor I receptors (IGF-IR) (W cells) can be transformed either by simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40 T) or by overexpressed insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), singly transfected. Neither SV40 T antigen nor IRS-1, individually, can transform mouse embryo cells with a targeted disruption of the IGF-IR genes (R- cells). However, cotransfection of SV40 T antigen and IRS-1 does transform R- cells. In this study, using different antibodies and different cell lines, we found that SV40 T antigen and IRS-1 are coprecipitated from cell lysates in a specific fashion, regardless of whether the lysates are immunoprecipitated with an antibody to SV40 T antigen or an antibody to IRS-1. The same antibody to SV40 T antigen, however, fails to coprecipitate another substrate of IGF-IR, the transforming protein Shc, and two other signal-transducing molecules, Grb2 and Sos. Finally, an SV40 T antigen lacking the amino-terminal 250 amino acids fails to coprecipitate IRS-1 and also fails to transform R- cells overexpressing mouse IRS-1. These experiments indicate that IRS-1 associates with SV40 T antigen and that this association plays a critical role in the combined ability of these proteins to transform R- cells. This finding is discussed in light of the crucial role of the IGF-IR in the establishment and maintenance of the transformed phenotype.

Quantitative analysis of cell surface-associated SV40 large T antigen using a newly developed 3H-protein A binding assay

We have established a sensitive assay for the quantitative determination of large T antigen determinants on the surface of living simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed cells (mKSA). Cells in suspension culture were incubated with monoclonal antibodies specific for large T antigen (KT3, directed against the carboxyterminus of large T antigen, and PAb 108, directed against an aminoterminal determinant on large T antigen). After incubation with secondary antibody (rabbit anti-mouse IgG), followed by incubation with 3H-protein A, the cells were sequentially extracted first with the nonionic detergent NP-40, followed by ultrasonication and extraction with the zwitterionic detergent Empigen BB. NP-40 solubilized large T antigen associated with NP-40-soluble constituents of the plasma membrane, whereas Empigen BB solubilized the plasma membrane lamina-associated subclass of large T antigen (U. Klockmann and W. Deppert, 1983, EMBO J., 7, 1151-1157). The amount of cell surface-bound 3H-protein A in the NP-40 and Empigen BB extracts was determined by liquid scintillation counting. In agreement with earlier reports, cell surface large T antigen was mainly found in association with the plasma membrane lamina (PML). Since the specific activity of 3H-protein A was known, it was possible to calculate the number of surface-bound 3H-protein A molecules, and thus to estimate the average number of surface-exposed amino- and carboxyterminal determinants of large T antigen per cell. KT3 recognized about 450-900 carboxyterminal determinants, while PAb 108 bound to about 1200-2400 aminoterminal determinants on the surface of a single mKSA cell. The cellular protein p53 also was detected on the surface of mKSA cells and was found to be present in amounts comparable to cell surface large T antigen.

Fine mapping two distinct antigenic sites on simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen reactive with SV40-specific cytotoxic T-cell clones by using SV40 deletion mutants

The existence of two distinct antigenic sites at the surface of simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed H-2b cells has been previously demonstrated (A. E. Campbell, L. F. Foley, and S. S. Tevethia, J. Immunol. 130:490-492, 1983) by using two independently isolated SV40-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) clones, K11 and K19. We identified amino acids in the amino-terminal half of SV40 T antigen that are essential for the recognition of antigenic sites by these CTL clones by using H-2b cells transformed by mutants that produce T antigen truncated from the amino-terminal or carboxy-terminal end or carrying overlapping internal deletions in the amino-terminal regions of SV40 T antigen. The results show that CTL clone K11 failed to recognize and lyse target cells missing SV40 T-antigen amino acids 189 to 211, whereas CTL clone K19 lysed these cells. The cell lines missing SV40 T-antigen amino acids 220 to 223 and 220 to 228 were not lysed by CTL clone K19 but were susceptible to lysis by CTL clone K11. Two other cell lines missing amino acids 189 to 223 and 189 to 228 of SV40 T antigen were not lysed by either of the CTL clones but were lysed by SV40-specific bulk-culture CTL if sufficient amounts of relevant restriction elements were expressed at the cell surface. The SV40 T-antigen amino acids critical for the recognition of an antigenic site by CTL clone K11 were identified to be 193 to 211; 220 to 223 were identified as critical for recognition by CTL clone K19. The deletion of these amino acids from the T antigen resulted in the loss of antigenic sites specific for CTL clones K11 and K19.

Visualisation, by immunocytochemistry, of p53 at the plasma membrane of both nontransformed and SV40-transformed cells

The cellular protein p53 normally functions in the control of cell proliferation; but, when expressed abnormally p53 also contributes towards the process of cell transformation. The functioning of p53 is thought to involve interaction with specific cellular targets and, in SV40- and other transformed cells, p53 is located in the nucleus: thus p53 may function via interacting with specific nuclear components. In addition, there is indirect evidence that in SV40-transformed cells p53 is also associated with the plasma membrane; however, this is not evident in cells stained by immunofluorescence. We have sought to obtain direct evidence for p53 at the plasma membrane by staining with a very sensitive immunocytochemical procedure. We have compared SV40-transformed BALB 3T3 cells with BALB 3T3, NIH 3T3, and NIH 3T3 transfected with v-mos provirus. The last cell line is tumorogenic. We found direct evidence for p53 at the plasma membrane for each cell line. In nontransformed and SV40-transformed cells the association of p53 with the plasma membrane was restricted to the period of mitosis. These results indicate that association of p53 with the plasma membrane is a normal, rather than a transformation-related phenomenon, and is temporally linked to the period of mitosis.

Evidence for transmembrane orientation of acylated simian virus 40 large T antigen

In mKSA cells (a simian virus 40-transformed BALB/c mouse tumor cell line), plasma membrane-associated large T antigen (large T) is found in two subfractions of the plasma membrane; a minor amount of large T is recovered from the Nonidet P-40 (NP-40)-soluble plasma membrane fraction, whereas the majority is tightly bound to a substructure of the plasma membrane, the plasma membrane lamina (PML). Only PML-associated large T is fatty acid acylated (U. Klockmann and W. Deppert, EMBO J. 2:1151-1157, 1983). We have analyzed whether these two forms of plasma membrane-associated large T might differ in features like cell surface expression or metabolic stability. In addition, we have asked whether one of the two large Ts might represent the hypothetic, large T-related protein T* (D. F. Mark and P. Berg, Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 44:55-62, 1979). We show that in mKSA cells grown in suspension culture, large T associated with the PML is also exposed on the cell surface. This form of large T, therefore, exhibits properties of a transmembrane protein. Large T in the NP-40-soluble plasma membrane fraction could not be labeled with radioiodine on the cell surface and, for this reason, does not seem to be oriented towards the cell surface. In contrast, when mKSA cells were grown on substratum (culture dish), we found that in these cells both NP-40-soluble large T as well as large T anchored in the PML could be cell surface iodinated. We also have analyzed the plasma membrane association of surface T antigen in mKSA cells grown in a mouse as ascites tumor. In tumor cells, only PML-bound large T is cell surface associated. We conclude that differences in extractibility of cell surface-associated large T most likely depend on cell shape and are not an artifact of cell culture. Both NP-40-soluble and PML-bound large Ts are associated with the plasma membrane in a metabolically stable fashion. Neither of the two large Ts represents T*.

Surface T-antigen expression in simian virus 40-transformed mouse cells: correlation with cell growth rate

Cell growth control appears to be drastically altered as a consequence of transformation. Because the cell surface appears to have a role in modulating cell growth and simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed cells express large T antigen (T-Ag) in the plasma membrane, we investigated whether surface T-Ag expression varies according to cell growth rate. Different growth states were obtained by various combinations of seeding density, serum concentration, and temperature, and cell cycle distributions were determined by flow microcytofluorometry. Actively dividing SV40-transformed mouse cell cultures were consistently found to express higher levels of surface T-Ag and T-Ag/p53 complex than cultures in which cells were mostly resting. In addition, the T-Ag/p53 complex disappeared from the surface of tsA7-transformed cells cultured under restrictive conditions known to induce complete growth arrest (39.5 degrees C), although the surface complex did not disappear from other tsA transformants able to keep cycling at 39.5 degrees C. These results suggest that surface SV40 T-Ag or surface T-Ag/p53 complex, or both, are involved in determining the growth characteristics of SV40-transformed cells.

SV40 T antigen and the exocytotic pathway

A chimeric gene consisting of DNA coding for the 15-amino acid signal peptide of influenza virus hemagglutinin and the C-terminal 694 amino acids of SV40 large T antigen was inserted into a bovine papilloma virus (BPV) expression vector and introduced into NIH-3T3 cells. Cell lines were obtained that express high levels (approximately 5 X 10(6) molecules/cell) of the chimeric protein (HA-T antigen). The biochemical properties and intracellular localization of HA-T antigens were compared with those of wild-type T antigen. Wild-type T antigen. Wild-type T antigen is located chiefly in the cell nucleus, although a small fraction is detected on the cell surface. By contrast, HA-T antigen is found exclusively in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). During biosynthesis, HA-T antigen is co-translationally translocated across the membrane of the ER, the signal peptide is cleaved and a mannose-rich oligosaccharide is attached to the polypeptide (T antigen contains one potential N-linked glycosylation site at Asn154). HA-T antigen does not become terminally glycosylated or acylated and little or none reaches the cell surface. These results suggest that T antigen is incapable of being transported along the exocytotic pathway. To explain the presence of wild-type T antigen on the surface of SV40-transformed cells, an alternative route is proposed involving transport of T antigen from the nucleus to the cell surface.

Surface T-antigen expression in simian virus 40-transformed mouse cells: correlation with cell growth rate

Cell growth control appears to be drastically altered as a consequence of transformation. Because the cell surface appears to have a role in modulating cell growth and simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed cells express large T antigen (T-Ag) in the plasma membrane, we investigated whether surface T-Ag expression varies according to cell growth rate. Different growth states were obtained by various combinations of seeding density, serum concentration, and temperature, and cell cycle distributions were determined by flow microcytofluorometry. Actively dividing SV40-transformed mouse cell cultures were consistently found to express higher levels of surface T-Ag and T-Ag/p53 complex than cultures in which cells were mostly resting. In addition, the T-Ag/p53 complex disappeared from the surface of tsA7-transformed cells cultured under restrictive conditions known to induce complete growth arrest (39.5 degrees C), although the surface complex did not disappear from other tsA transformants able to keep cycling at 39.5 degrees C. These results suggest that surface SV40 T-Ag or surface T-Ag/p53 complex, or both, are involved in determining the growth characteristics of SV40-transformed cells.

Plasma membrane orientation of simian virus 40 T antigen in three transformed cell lines mapped with monoclonal antibodies

Simian virus 40 large T antigen transforms cells from several species. Recent studies show that it is present on the cell surface. As in other tumor virus systems, this may be important for transformation. We have used a radioimmunoassay to map antigenic determinants on living and formaldehyde-fixed transformed cells with six different monoclonal antibodies to T antigen. Nonrelevant monoclonal antibodies of the same subclasses served as controls. With the transformed mouse line SVT2, antibody PAb 101, which reacts with the C-terminal region of T antigen, and PAb 1700, which is directed against an internal region of T, reacted with both formaldehyde-fixed and living cells. Antibodies PAb 402 (C terminus) and 419 (N terminus) reacted only with living cells, their determinants being destroyed upon formaldehyde fixation. Antibodies PAb 405 (C terminus) and 100 (internal) fail to react on either fixed or living cells. Similar results were obtained on the simian virus 40-transformed human line SV80 and the fixed hamster line CHLwt23, although all antibodies failed to react with living CHLwt23 cells. The data suggest that T antigen is inserted into the plasma membrane of transformed cells in a specific, nonrandom manner, with the C and N termini exposed on the cell surface and the midportion either buried in the lipid bilayer, hidden by the tertiary structure of T antigen, or masked by a post-translational modification such as fatty acid acylation.

Antigenic structure of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen and association with cellular protein p53 on the surfaces of simian virus 40-infected and -transformed cells

The antigenic structure of simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen (T-ag) in the plasma membranes of SV40-transformed mouse cells and SV40-infected monkey cells was characterized as a step toward defining possible biological function(s). Wild-type SV40, as well as a deletion mutant of SV40 (dl1263) which codes for a truncated T-ag with an altered carboxy terminus, was used to infect permissive cells. Members of a series of monoclonal antibodies directed against antigenic determinants on either the amino or the carboxy terminus of the T-ag polypeptide were able to precipitate surface T-ag (as well as nuclear T-ag) from both SV40-transformed and SV40-infected cells. Cellular protein p53 was coprecipitated with T-ag by all T-ag-reactive reagents from the surface and nucleus of SV40-transformed cells. In contrast, T-ag, but not T-ag-p53 complex, was recovered from the surface of SV40-infected cells. These results confirm that nuclear T-ag and surface T-ag are highly related molecules and that a complex of SV40 T-ag and p53 is present at the surface of SV40-transformed cells. Detectable levels of such a complex do not appear to be present on SV40-infected cells. Both the carboxy and amino termini of T-ag are exposed on the surfaces of SV40-transformed and -infected cells. The possible relevance of the presence of a T-ag-p53 complex on the surface of SV40-transformed cells and its absence from SV40-infected cells is considered.

Dynamic nature of the association of large tumor antigen and p53 cellular protein with the surfaces of simian virus 40-transformed cells

A molecular complex of simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (T-Ag) and p53 cellular protein is present on the surface of simian virus 40-transformed mouse cells. The stability of the association of the two proteins with the cell surface was characterized. Cells were either surface iodinated by the lactoperoxidase technique or metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine, and surface antigens were detected by differential immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies immediately after labeling or after incubation at 37 degrees C. A rapid, concomitant disappearance of T-Ag and p53 from the cell surface was observed. The half-life of iodinated surface T-Ag was less than 30 min, whereas that of [35S]methionine-labeled surface T-Ag was 1 to 2 h. Although T-Ag and p53 were rapidly lost, both were also rapidly replaced on the cell surface, since newly exposed molecules could be detected when cells were reiodinated after a 2-h chase period. Control experiments established that the loss of the surface molecules was not induced by the iodination reaction. The appearance of surface T-Ag was prevented when cellular protein synthesis was inhibited with cycloheximide. The disappearance and replacement of T-Ag and p53 appeared to be energy-independent processes, as neither was inhibited by sodium azide or 2,4-dinitrophenol. Incubation of iodinated cells at 4 degrees C did block the loss of T-Ag and p53. These observations suggest that T-Ag and p53 are coordinately turned over in the plasma membrane. The nature of the association of the T-Ag-p53 complex with the cell surface can best be described as highly dynamic.