Differential regulation of myelin gene expression in SV40 T antigen-transfected rat glioma C6 cells

Expression of SV40 T antigen gene in the oligodendroglia induced primitive neuroectodermal tumor-like tumors in the mouse brain

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are classified as the embryonal tumors developed in the brain, except for the cerebellum. Although many studies have been reported, the origin and pathogenesis of PNET are still unclear. In this study, we observed the development of undifferentiated tumors indistinguishable from PNET in the transgenic mice which expressed simian virus 40 T antigen (SV40-Tag) selectively in the oligodendroglia under the control of mouse myelin basic protein gene promoter. These PNET-like tumors reproducibly developed in the brain stem of the founder mice and the transgenic progeny derived from one founder mouse. Oligodendroglia-specific expression of SV40-Tag in these transgenic mice was observed by immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, expression of the oligodendroglia-specific marker genes was decreased in the tumors as well as in the transgenic brains. These findings suggested that tumors developed in transgenic mice were indistinguishable from PNET, and one of them showed oligodendroglia-like characteristics. Consequently, this transgenic line is a useful animal model to study the pathogenesis of undifferentiated tumor.

Calpain is required for MMP-2 and u-PA expression in SV40 large T-antigen-immortalized cells

The absence of both mu- and m-calpain activity, caused by disruption of the capn4 gene in mice, retarded migration, and disrupted the cytoskeleton, both in primary capn4(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts (mEF) and in capn4(-/-) mEF immortalized with SV40 large T-antigen (TAg). These results are thought to reflect the role of calpain in integrin signaling to the cytoskeleton. The integrins are also involved, together with matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and plasminogen activators (PA), in cellular invasion. This study therefore aimed to establish whether links exist between the calpain, MMP, and PA systems, using both primary and TAg-immortalized capn4(+/+) and capn4(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts. Both Matrigel invasion, and expression of MMP-2 and u-PA activities, correlated with calpain expression in TAg-containing cells, but not in primary cells. MMP-2 mRNA synthesis also correlated with calpain expression in the presence of TAg, but u-PA mRNA synthesis was not so correlated. The results suggest that calpain acquires new regulatory roles in the presence of TAg. Calpain is also required for v-Src-mediated transformation. It appears that calpain may have previously unsuspected roles in oncogenic transformation.

Mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of cellular genes by SV40 large T- and small T-antigens

During the past decade a number of virus-encoded transcriptional trans-activators that regulate the expression of viral genes have been reported. These trans-activators may also affect the expression or activity of several cellular genes or gene products to create an optimal cellular environment that favors viral replication. Among the better-studied viral trans-activating proteins are the Simian virus 40 large T- and small t-antigens. During the last few years, mechanisms by which these two viral proteins influence cellular gene expression start to emerge. They are grouped provisionally and reflect the methods used to determine the effects of large T-antigen. Large T-antigen may influence cellular gene expression by: i. altering mRNA levels of cellular transcription factors; ii. interacting with and regulating the DNA-binding or transcriptional activity of specific transcription factors; iii. functionally substitution of eukaryotic transcription factors; iv. direct binding to DNA; or v. regulating components of signaling transduction pathways. Small t-ag seems to exert its effect mainly through inhibiting a cellular phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A, thereby modulating components of signal transduction pathways and preventing dephosphorylation of several transcription factors. However, small t-ag may also control cellular gene expression by regulating mRNA levels of transcription factors or by interacting with other transcription factors.

Structural characterization of myelin-associated glycoprotein gene core promoter

Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is emerging as an important molecule involved in the plasticity and regeneration of the central nervous system. In this study, the structure of MAG gene promoter was characterized in cultured rat oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Heterogeneous transcription initiation with five major and eight minor start sites scattered within 72 bp was shown by primer extension analysis. This TATA-less core promoter contains no prominent initiator (Inr) elements associated with the transcription initiation sites, and hence, appears to utilize novel positioning mechanisms. Genomic footprinting analysis revealed several putative protein-binding regions overlapping the initiation sites and containing a multitude of CG-rich sequences. However, no conspicuous alterations in the protein-binding pattern were evident between O2A progenitors in which the gene is inactive, and mature oligodendrocytes with fully upregulated gene. The core promoter DNA features a differentiation-dependent demethylation as shown by genomic sequencing analysis. Three of eight cytosines are totally demethylated in oligodendrocyte chromosomes, indicating that these unmodified bases may be critical for full activation of the promoter. The core promoter is located within an internucleosomal linker, and the upstream regulatory region appears to be organized into an array of nucleosomes with hypersensitive linkers.

Myelin gene expression in glia treated with oligodendroglial trophic factor

Oligodendroglia synthesize myelin in the CNS. In vitro, oligodendroglia may be identified by the binding of monoclonal antibodies against galactocerebroside, a myelin-specific galactolipid. Oligodendroglial trophic factor is a protein mitogen for cells of the oligodendroglial lineage. When oligodendroglia in cerebral white matter cultures are treated with oligodendroglial trophic factor, galactocerebroside-positive cells undergo mitosis but fail to express the myelin structural proteins, myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein. Oligodendroglia treated with oligodendroglial trophic factor, however, do express 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase and myelin-associated glycoprotein in a manner similar to oligodendroglia treated with platelet-derived growth factor. Oligodendroglial trophic factor, therefore, generates a population of somewhat 'immature' oligodendroglia, which are galactocerebroside, myelin-associated glycoprotein and 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3' phosphodiesterase positive but myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein negative.

Differentiation-specific demethylation of myelin associated glycoprotein gene in cultured oligodendrocytes

The methylation status of a 4.4-kb 5' end of the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) gene was assessed in cells with different levels of transcriptional activity of the gene, i.e., liver, brain, O-2A oligodendrocyte precursors cells, mature oligodendrocytes, and glioma C6 cells. Purified DNA was digested with methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, and the cuts were mapped by the indirect end-labeling technique. The restriction sites within the 4.4-kb fragment revealed a highly heterogenous methylation pattern among cells and tissues, and liver DNA was the most heavily methylated. Most of the restriction sites were partly demethylated in the nervous system cells. Notably, two adjacent Hha1 sites at +94 and +96 were fully methylated in liver, but partially demethylated in the brain, OL, and O2A. Two Hpa2 site located at -1836 and at -39 were progressively demethylated in oligodendrocyte lineage cells, indicating specific hypomethylation associated with the oligodendrocytic differentiation. Most of the restriction sites were weakly methylated in the DNA from neoplastic C6 cells, although the Hha1 sites were fully methylated. No clear-cut correlation between the extent of CpG dinucleotide methylation and the chromatin conformation was found. For example, out of four heavily methylated sites only two comapped with MNase hypersensitive sites. Also, the -1836 Hpa2 site whose demethylation is concomitant with oligodendrocytic differentiation seems to be localized within precisely positioned nucleosomal arrays of the MAG gene chromatin. The results indicate that the MAG gene undergoes progressive demethylation concomitant with the oligodendrocyte differentiation/maturation. However, certain CpG dinucleotides remain heavily methylated even in the fully active gene in mature oligodendrocytes, indicating that they may be essential in maintaining proper chromatin structure.

Glucocorticoid-induced upregulation of proteolipid protein and myelin-associated glycoprotein genes in C6 cells

The effect of dexamethasone on the expression of proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) genes was investigated in rat C6 glioma cells. The steady state level of the respective mRNAs was quantitated by Northern blot analysis. The treatment of cells with dexamethasone transiently upregulated the expression of both genes with peak mRNA levels of approximately 10-fold over control levels occurring at day 3 for the PLP gene and at day 5 for the MAG gene. The effect was directly related to the drug concentration in the range from 10(-9) to 10(-5) M. Combined exposure of the cells to dexamethasone and retinoic acid featured an additive effect on PLP gene expression, whereas MAG gene expression was depressed below detectability level. The dissimilarity in the response of the genes to dexamethasone and retinoic acid supports the contention that the genes are controlled by different mechanisms. Furthermore, the results indicate that the effects of dexamethasone and retinoic acid on the myelin genes are mediated by different regulatory pathways.

Expression of myelin protein genes and other myelin components in an oligodendrocytic cell line conditionally immortalized with a temperature-sensitive retrovirus

We have conditionally immortalized oligodendrocytes isolated from normal and shiverer primary mouse brain cultures through the use of the retroviral vector ZIPSVtsA58. This vector encodes an immortalizing thermolabile simian virus 40 large T antigen (Tag) and allows for clonal selection by conferring neomycin (G418) resistance. We isolated 14 shiverer and 10 normal lines that expressed the early oligodendrocyte marker 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase mRNA. These cell lines grew continuously at the permissive temperature (34 degrees C) and displayed Tag nuclear immunostaining. On shifting to nonpermissive temperatures (39 degrees C), the cells showed rapid arrested cell growth and loss of Tag staining. One line (N20.1) engineered from normal oligodendrocytes also expressed myelin basic protein (MBP) and proteolipid protein (PLP) mRNAs, genes normally expressed by mature, differentiated oligodendrocytes. No differences in any of the myelin-specific protein mRNA levels were observed in N20.1 cells grown at 39 degrees C for > 9 days compared with cells maintained at 34 degrees C. Immunocytochemical staining revealed N20.1 cells to be positive for the oligodendrocyte surface markers--galactocerebroside, A007, and A2B5. However, MBP and PLP polypeptides could not be detected by western blot or immunocytochemical staining at either the permissive or nonpermissive temperature. Cell-free protein synthesis experiments indicated that the MBP mRNAs isolated from N20.1 cells were translatable and directed the synthesis of the 17-, 18.5-, and 21.5-kDa MBP isoforms. Analysis of the PLP/DM20 gene splice products by polymerase chain reaction indicated that the expression of DM20 mRNA predominated over that of PLP mRNA in this cell line. Because the cell line expressed the MBP and PLP genes, it represents a "mature" oligodendrocyte, but the splicing patterns of these genes indicate that it is at an early stage of "maturation." This cell line has now been passaged > 40 times with fidelity of phenotype and genotype.

Differential upregulation of PLP and MAG genes in C6 glioma cells by N2A neuroblastoma conditioned medium

The effect of factors released from N2A neuroblastoma cells on the expression of myelin protein genes in glioma C6 cells, i.e., proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), was studied. Both cells lines were propagated in serum-free DMEM-F10 (1:1) medium. The addition of 50% N2A conditioned medium (N2ACM) stimulated the proliferation of C6 cells by approximately 4.5 fold as compared to control cells. The N2ACM-treated cells formed aggregates indicating increased cell-cell affinity. The exposure of C6 cells to N2ACM transiently stimulated the expression of both the MAG-specific and the PLP-specific messages up to eight and four fold over the control values, respectively. The maximal upregulation of the PLP gene occurred two days after N2ACM administration and preceded that of the MAG gene by two days. The effect of N2ACM was dose-dependent in the range of 12.5 to 50%. The secretion of N2A paracrine factors that stimulated the myelin gene expression was also time-dependent. The optimal conditioning time for the release of the PLP gene-stimulating activity was one day, while the maximal MAG gene-stimulating activity was found in the medium conditioned for 3 days. This cellular system may provide a convenient model for studies on trophic neuronal-glial interaction. Furthermore, the results indicate a difference in the regulatory mechanisms between the PLP and the MAG genes.

Calcium-activated neutral proteinase (calpain) activity in C6 cell line: compartmentation of mu and m calpain

Calcium-activated neutral proteinase (calpain) activity was determined, including in cytosol and membrane fractions, in rat glioma C6 cell line. The mu and m forms of calpain were separated by DEAE and phenylsepharose column chromatography and with removal of the endogenous inhibitor calpastatin. C6 cells contained more mcalpain than the mu isoform. More than 70% of mcalpain activity was membrane-associated and 20% was cytosolic. Isolated plasma membrane also contained 69% of the mcalpain activity. In contrast, approximately 80% of mucalpain activity was cytosolic and 16% was membranous. Half-maximal activity for mu and mcalpain was obtained at 1 microM and 0.2 mM CaCl2, respectively. Trypsin dissociation of cells reduced activity. Triton X-100 stimulated mcalpain activity of the whole homogenate and the membrane pellet but not of the cytosol. Activity of the myelin marker enzyme adenosine 2'3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase), was also found in C6 cells. The identification of calpain and CNPase in C6 cells is in keeping with an interpretation that C6 differentiation resembles, at least in part, that of the myelin-forming oligodendroglial cells.

Retinoic acid-regulated expression of proteolipid protein and myelin-associated glycoprotein genes in C6 glioma cells

The effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the expression of myelin-specific genes, i.e., proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) in rat glioma C6 cells, was analyzed by Northern blot hybridization. RA-treatment increased the steady-state level of the PLP-specific messages within one day after RA administration and the upregulation reached a maximum on the third day. Concomitantly, the expression of MAG-specific messages in the RA-treated C6 cells dropped below the detectability limit. The expression of the PLP gene was directly related to the RA concentration increasing to approximately 44-fold over the control (untreated cells) level at 10(-6) M RA. The stimulatory effect was vitiated by cycloheximide indicating the involvement of intermediate genes in the PLP gene activation. The total cellular RNA content and the level of cyclophilin mRNA was not changed by the RA-treatment. The present data indicate that RA can be a potent modulator of the myelin-specific gene expression. Furthermore, the reciprocal response of PLP versus MAG genes to RA demonstrates that these two genes utilize different regulatory mechanisms.

Effect of culture conditions on PLP and MAG gene expression in rat glioma C6 cells

The effects of culture conditions on the expression of myelin-specific genes, i.e. proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) in rat glioma C6 cells was studied. Early passage (40-46) cells had higher steady-state level of PLP- and MAG-specific mRNA than late (100) passage cells when grown in defined (serum-free) medium. The PLP gene expression was increased whereas the MAG gene expression was reduced in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum in either passage. The level of both PLP- and MAG-specific messages was also directly related to the cell density indicating cell contact-induced stimulation of the gene expression. Furthermore, the cells apparently secrete factors into the medium, which upregulate the gene expression in autocrine fashion. The results also indicate a dissimilarity of regulatory mechanisms involved in the expression of the PLP and MAG genes.