Isolation and characterization of mitomycin-C-sensitive mouse lymphoma cell mutants

Radio-sensitive murine thymoma cell line 3SB: characterization of its apoptosis-resistant variants induced by repeated X-irradiation

3SB, a mouse thymoma cell line, is one of the most radio-sensitive cells (D0 = 0.3 Gy), and its rapid apoptosis (4 h after 5 Gy irradiation, 90% apoptosis) seems to play a decisive role in enhancing the radiosensitivity. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying extremely high radiosensitivity and rapid apoptosis, we attempted to isolate X-ray-resistant (XR) variants from 3SBH5, a stable subclone of 3SB, by repeating exposure of the cells to 2-5 Gy X-rays. Four independent stable XR variants, R111, R223, R316 and R429, were isolated by the repeated irradiation protocols. All XR cells possessed about 3 times higher D10 values than that of their parental 3SBH5. They were also resistant to apoptosis; only 10% cells underwent apoptosis 4 h after 5 Gy irradiation. The p53 protein was induced in all the cell lines after 5 Gy X-irradiation. These variants showed a cross resistance to a chemical reagent daunorubicin (DNR) that is known to be involved in the ceramide-mediated apoptosis. DNR, as well as C2-ceramide (5 muM) induced apoptosis in parental 3SBH5 cell, but not in two XR variants, R233 and R316 cells. Present result suggests that the induction of X-ray resistance by repeated X-irradiation might be achieved, at least partly, by the enhanced resistance to the ceramide-mediated apoptosis.

CHO.K1 cell mutants sensitive to active oxygen-generating agents. I. Isolation and genetic studies

Nine mutants isolated from CHO.K1 cells with increased sensitivity to the lethal effect of plumbagin (PG), a powerful superoxide generator, were classified into five groups, A-E, according to their sensitivity to PG and methyl viologen (MV). Two mutants of group B (Pa13 and Pb4) were sensitive to both drugs, and two mutants of group C (Pa14 and Pa15) were moderately sensitive to PG and extremely sensitive to MV. To mitomycin C (MMC) these mutants showed cross-sensitivity; especially Pa13 and Pb4 (group B) were highly sensitive to MMC. Genetic complementation analyses of these four mutants were carried out using MV sensitivity. Sensitivity group B was divided into two complementation group, I and II. Pa14 and Pa15 belonged to the same complementation group III. These four mutants were also classified into three complementation groups for MMC sensitivity. Because Pa13 and Pb4 were also sensitive to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), they may have a defect in the repair of DNA crosslinks induced by these agents. A complementation group IV (Pa2 and Pa8) was also suggested based on the studies of MMC sensitivity.

Genetic diversity of mitomycin C-hypersensitive Chinese hamster cell mutants: a new complementation group with chromosomal instability

A Chinese hamster cell mutant (V-C8) isolated previously, which is approximately 100 fold more sensitive to mitomycin C (MMC) than its parental wild-type V79 cells (judged by D10 values), was further characterized. V-C8 cells exhibit an increased sensitivity towards other cross-linking agents, such as cis-DDP (approximately 40-fold), DEB (approximately 30-fold), and also to adriamycin (approximately 5-fold), and the monofunctional alkylating agents: MMS (approximately 5-fold) and EMS (approximately 6-fold). V-C8 cells show a higher level induction of chromosomal aberrations by cross-linking agents (MMC, cis-DDP, and DEB) and an increased level of spontaneous chromosomal aberrations in comparison to the wild-type V79 cells. To determine whether the V-C8 mutant represents a new complementation group among Chinese hamster cell mutants that also display the extreme sensitivity to MMC, V-C8 cells were fused with irs1, irs1SF, UV20, UV41, and V-H4 cells. In all cases, the derived hybrids regained the MMC sensitivity similar to wild-type cells, indicating that the V-C8 mutant belongs to a new sixth complementation group.

Nuclease modification in Chinese hamster cells hypersensitive to DNA cross-linking agents--a model for Fanconi anemia

Fanconi anemia is a human inherited disease that is characterized by cellular hypersensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents. A number of potential experimental models for that disorder have been developed by selecting mutants that are hypersensitive to bifunctional mutagens. The six mutants of that class in Drosophila, all of which map to the mus308 locus, express an alteration in a mitochondrial nuclease. A recent extension of that observation to cell lines from complementation group A of Fanconi anemia has established a new cellular phenotype for that disorder. In the current study an analogous enzyme has been analyzed in eight recently isolated Chinese hamster cell lines that are hypersensitive to cross-linking agents. Among these lines. V-H4 and V-B7 are shown to exhibit an enzyme modification analogous to that observed in the mutant Drosophila and human cells. These results validate the nuclease assay as an indicator of the Fanconi defect and further establish the V-H4 cell line as a valuable cellular model for analysis of the Fanconi A defect.

Abnormal lymphokine production: a novel feature of the genetic disease Fanconi anemia. I. Involvement of interleukin-6

The correction of chromosomal hypersensitivity to mitomycin C (MMC) in Fanconi anemia (FA) human lymphoblasts is observed by growth in a medium conditioned by normal human cells. Under the same conditions, the cytotoxic effect of MMC on FA cells is restored to an almost normal level. The addition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) to an unconditioned culture medium increased the resistance of FA cells to MMC cytotoxicity. This correcting effect is partially abolished by addition of an anti-IL-6 antibody to the conditioned medium. Both lymphoblasts and fibroblasts derived from FA patients demonstrate a reduction in IL-6 production. Moreover, this lymphokine is not induced by tumor necrosis factors alpha and beta (TNF alpha and TNF beta) in FA cells, as is the case in normal cells. It is suggested that the observed deficiency in IL-6 production may account for one of the major characteristics of FA disease, i.e., the defect in differentiation of the hematopoietic system.

Cross-sensitivity of gamma-ray-sensitive hamster mutants to cross-linking agents

A range of hamster cell mutants, which have been characterised as sensitive to ionising radiation, were examined for their cross-sensitivity to four DNA-DNA cross-linking agents and the protein-DNA cross-linking agent, camptothecin. The mutants represent 7 distinct complementation groups. Two complementation groups were identified as having a major sensitivity to cross-linking damage, more marked than their sensitivity to ionising radiation (irs1, irs1SF). These two mutants also show sensitivity to UV-irradiation. Two of the remaining complementation groups (xrs and XR-1) have a defect in rejoining DNA double-strand breaks, and these exhibit sensitivity to 3 of the 4 DNA-DNA cross-linking agents. The results with these mutants suggest an involvement of double-strand break rejoining in the repair of certain cross-link damage. Two mutants were also notably sensitive to the topoisomerase I inhibiting anticancer drug, camptothecin. One of these mutants was sensitive to the DNA cross-linking agents examined (irs1SF), but the other was not at all sensitive to this class of drug (EM9).

Transfection of wild-type and 'Fanconi anemia-like' mouse lymphoma mutant cells by electroporation

An electroporation protocol for the successful transfection of mouse lymphoblastoid cells has been developed. Two cell lines, a normal and a mutant sensitive to DNA cross-linking agents, were used. The optimum conditions of electroporation in terms of uptake of the fluorescent dye lucifer yellow coupled with low toxicity were established. Subsequently, these conditions were used to achieve stable transfection by a plasmid expression vector. The plasmid integration patterns were determined by Southern blot analysis.

The Chinese hamster V79 cell mutant V-H4 is phenotypically like Fanconi anemia cells

It has been shown by genetic complementation analysis that a mitomycin C-sensitive mutant (V-H4) of Chinese hamster V79 cells is the first rodent equivalent of Fanconi anemia (FA) group A. The V-H4 mutant shows many typical characteristics of cells derived from FA patients. V-H4 cells exhibit increased sensitivity towards cross-linking agents as MMC (approximately 30-fold), cis-DDP (approximately 10-fold), DEB (approximately 10-fold), and PUVA (approximately 1.6-fold), but an only slightly increased sensitivity to monofunctional alkylating agents (EMS and MMS) and actinomycin D. V-H4 cells are also moderately sensitive to adriamycin (1.6-fold), and not sensitive to H2O2. The levels of chromosomal aberrations induced by MMC and cis-DDP treatment are higher (4- to 6-fold) in V-H4 cells than in the wild-type V79 cells. Genetic complementation analysis with other Chinese hamster mutants hypersensitive to MMC (irs1, irs1SF, UV20 and UV41) indicates clearly that V-H4 belongs to a different, new complementation group. This unique mutant is very stable and can serve as a vehicle to isolate the complementing FA-A gene from normal human DNA.

Cocultivation of Fanconi anemia cells and of mouse lymphoma mutants leads to interspecies complementation of chromosomal hypersensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents

We have studied the effects of cocultivation on the frequency of mitomycin C (MMC)-induced chromosomal aberrations. This was carried out by cocultivating Fanconi anemia (FA) cells from the genetic complementation groups A and B with both normal mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells and the derived "FA-like" mutant cells, MCN-151 and MCE-50, assigned to complementation groups I and II, respectively. The results show a partial complementation of the defect (i.e. a reduction in the frequency of chromosomal aberration) in FA group A cells cocultured with normal or group II mouse cells, and a partial correction of mouse group I cells cocultived with normal or FA group B human cells. No reciprocal effects were observed between FA group A cells and mouse group I mutant cells; the frequencies of MMC-induced chromosomal aberrations in these cells remained unchanged by cocultivation. Moreover, no complementation was observed for both FA group B cells and mouse group II cells, after cocultivation with normal cells of either mouse or human origin. This implies that a diffusible factor released by normal human and mouse cells, and by FA group B and mouse group II mutant cells, can correct at least in part the chromosomal defect of FA group A and mouse group I mutant cells. With normal human or mouse cells, the frequency of chromosomal breakage after cocultivation remains the same as that observed in non-cocultived cells. This suggests that no detectable clastogenic factor is released by human FA or "FA-like" mouse cells.

Chromosomal hypersensitivity in mutant MCN-151 mouse cells exposed to mitomycin C

After exposure to mitomycin C, the mouse lymphoma cell mutant MCN-151, previously shown to be sensitive to the toxic effect of the drug, demonstrates higher frequencies of chromatid-type aberrations and of aberrant cells in comparison to L5178Y cells. At any given dose of mitomycin C, the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations increased with time reaching a plateau in both cell strains, with the mutant in all cases being more sensitive than normal cells.

Survival and mutagenic responses of mitomycin C-sensitive mouse lymphoma cell mutants to other DNA cross-linking agents

Mitomycin C-sensitive mutants MCN 151 (complementation group I) and MCE 50 (complementation group II) derived from mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells were found to be also highly sensitive to the lethal effects of other DNA cross-linking agents, such as photoaddition of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (cis-DDP). They were less sensitive to the monofunctional derivative 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CPs) and to trans-DDP to trans-DDP than their bifunctional counterparts. Incorporation levels of labeled 8-MOP or 3-CPs in wild-type cells and 2 mutants were almost the same, indicating that the sensitivity is not caused by differential incorporation of the agents. The rates of photoinduced mutations to 6-thioguanine resistance in the mutants, per unit dose of 8-MOP, were about 4 times higher for MCN 151 and 3 times higher for MCE 50 than that in L5178Y cells. However, the rates of induced mutations per viable cells in the mutants were nearly equal to those in wild-type cells. Cross-link repair was compared between mutants and wild-type cells by using the alkaline sucrose-gradient sedimentation technique. The results show that normal cells and both mutants are able to incise the cross-linked DNA, which is the first step of cross-link repair.

Introduction of definite amounts of nonpermeant molecules into living cells after electropermeabilization: direct access to the cytosol

The possibility of introducing definite amounts of nonpermeant molecules into electropermeabilized living cells has been approached by quantifying the amounts of Lucifer Yellow (LY; a 457-Da highly fluorescent molecule) and Phytolacca americana (Pokeweed) antiviral protein (PAP; a 30,000-Da ribosome-inactivating protein) retained by the cells after closure of the electric-field-induced transient structures of permeation. Without the electropermeabilization, these two molecules enter the cell only in very small amounts by fluid-phase pinocytosis. Under our experimental conditions, using the NIH 3T3 cells, the intracellular LY concentration can reach a value equivalent to the extracellular concentration and can be regulated by controlling the external concentration. We describe the use of LY in a rapid and efficient test for the determination of the best electrical-shock conditions of other cell lines. After electropermeabilization, PAP is 2 X 10(5) times more cytotoxic. Its toxicity can be detected at external concentrations (10(-11) M) corresponding to less than 10 internalized molecules per electropermeabilized cell. Therefore, after electropermeabilization, the nonpermeant molecules have a direct access to the cytosol and the biological effect of nonpermeant substances can be revealed.

Cell fusion-mediated improvement in transfection competence for repair-deficient mutant of mouse T cell line

A multiple mutagen-sensitive mutant (XUM1) of mouse T-cell lymphoma line, L5178Y, is hypersensitive to ionizing radiation, ultraviolet (UV) light, and cross-linking agents (such as mitomycin C). The frequency of transfection for XUM1 cells after exposure to calcium phosphate-coprecipitated pSV2neo DNA was more than 10(4)-fold less effective than that for Ltk-aprt- (LTA) cells. Other transfection methods (DEAE-dextran and polybrene-DMSO) were not effective for L5178Y and XUM1 cells. The transfection-proficient trait of LTA cells was demonstrated to be genetically dominant by examining the the transfection frequency in hybrid clones constructed between XUM1 and LTA cells. To circumvent the problem with XUM1, the LTA genes necessary for transformation processes were introduced into XUM1 cells by constructing hybrids between XUM1 and LTA cells irradiated with X-rays which causes directional chromosome elimination for hybrid cells. Four of 194 hybrid clones tested were transfection-proficient and hypersensitive to UV (XL102, XL107, XL215, and XL216). All four clones were not hypersensitive to X-rays or mitomycin C. The frequencies of transfection for XL102 and XL216 were nearly the same level as that for LTA cells. The efficiency of transfection for XL107 and XL215 was 10 to 100-fold lower than that for LTA cells.

Mutagen detection with a mouse line containing 3 distinct mutations conferring sensitivity

A mouse-cell mutant sensitive to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), X-rays, ultraviolet light (UV), and crosslinking agents was selected using the replica plating and cell suspension spotting methods. This mutant (XUM1) is a mitomycin C-sensitive derivative of previously reported XU1, a mutant sensitive to MMS, X-rays and UV. Since XU1 is highly susceptible to the lethal effect of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO), XUM1 is also hypersensitive to 4NQO. Growth inhibition area tests showed that low concentrations of mutagens were detected with the multiple mutagen-sensitive mutant XUM1. Hence XUM1 cells will be useful in detecting with high sensitivity a wide range of mutagens and carcinogens which mimic X-rays, UV and crosslinking agents.

Mutagen-sensitive cell lines are obtained with a high frequency in V79 Chinese hamster cells

A replica-plating technique has been adopted for the isolation of mutagen-sensitive mutants of Chinese hamster V79 and CHO cell lines. After the mutagenic treatment (ENU) clones derived from these cell lines were replica plated into micro wells and replicas were treated with UV (254 nm), X-ray, MMC, EMC or MMS. Clonal cell lines which demonstrated mutagen sensitivity were retested by the determination of survival. Only one UV-sensitive line was obtained in 1500 clonal lines derived from CHO cells. This mutant appeared also sensitive to 4NQO and MMC. The sensitivity to UV and MMC was 2-3-fold enhanced, while the increase in sensitivity to 4NQO was 4-5-fold. In V79 cells 9 mutagen-sensitive lines were found after screening of 500 clonal lines; six of them showed increased sensitivity towards UV, two towards MMC, and one cell line was found to be X-ray sensitive. A considerable cross-sensitivity for the various agents was found among the isolated mutants. When a 2-fold increase is taken as a minimum to indicate mutagen sensitivity 6 mutants were sensitive to UV, 8 mutants were sensitive to MMC, 6 mutants were sensitive to 4NQO and 4 mutants were sensitive to X-rays. The difference in sensitivity to UV versus 4NQO makes it unlikely that 4NQO can be considered as a UV-mimetic agent. The sensitivity to MMC appears to fall into 2 classes: a class with moderate sensitivity (2-8-fold) and a class with high sensitivity (30-100-fold). The presence of similar classes is indicated for UV. Except for the two lines V-E5, V-B7 and the two lines V-H11, V-H4 all obtained mutants have a different spectrum of mutagen sensitivities which suggests that different genetic alterations underly these effects. The observed high frequency of mutagen-sensitive mutants in V79 cells, although unexpected and substantially higher than those published for CHO cells and L5178Y cells, can still be explained by the presence of functionally hemizygous loci.

Chromosomal instability in mutagen-sensitive mutants isolated from mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells. I. Five different genes participate in the formation of baseline sister-chromatid exchanges and spontaneous chromosomal aberrations

In a search for cell mutants that show an increase or a decrease in the frequency of baseline sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) or spontaneous chromosomal aberrations (CAs), large numbers of mutagen-sensitive clones previously isolated from mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells were analyzed. In addition to two SCE mutants (ES 4 and AC 12) previously reported, three other mutants were identified as an SCE mutant. An ethyl methanesulfonate-sensitive mutant ES 2 and an alkylating agent-sensitive mutant MS 1 exhibited, respectively, 1.4-fold and 1.8-fold higher baseline SCE frequencies than did the parental L5178Y. In contrast, M10, which is sensitive to X-ray and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, showed a reduced frequency of baseline SCEs (0.65-fold). These 5 mutants including ES 4 and AC 12 had 3--9-fold increases in spontaneous CA frequencies. Measurement of baseline SCE formation in inter-mutant hybrids revealed that M10 mutation is dominant, MS 1 and ES 4 mutations are semidominant, and ES 2 and AC 12 mutations are recessive. Because SCE frequencies in hybrids formed between pairs of 4 mutants (ES 2, MS 1, ES 4 and AC 12) were significantly lower than those in the tetraploid mutant cells, these 4 mutants probably belong to different complementation groups. Since M10 behaved dominantly with respect to SCE phenotype, it was not possible to determine by complementation test whether it belongs to a different group from the other mutants. However, the finding that M10 is complemented by other mutants for EMS sensitivity indicates that the M10 mutation is different from the other mutations. From these results, it is concluded that at least 4 different genes participate in the formation of high levels of baseline SCEs. The defects in ES 2, MS 1, ES 4, and AC 12 produce common lesions responsible for the formation of both SCEs and CAs. In contrast, the defect in M10 is associated with a high increase in spontaneous CA frequency, but conversely associated with a decrease in baseline SCE frequency. This suggests that M10 is defective in the process involved in the formation of baseline SCEs.

Genetic analysis of mitomycin-C-sensitive mutants of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line

5 mutants of a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, which exhibit similar levels of sensitivity to killing by mitomycin C, have been analysed genetically to determine whether they represent one or more genetic complementation groups. Hybrids were constructed by fusing cells carrying either the neo or the Ecogpt marker and selecting in medium containing G418 and mycophenolic acid. Selectable markers were introduced into the cells by DNA transfection using pSV5-neo or pSV5-gpt, which represents a quick and convenient method for generating resistant derivatives. Hybrids generated by crosses between any one mutant and the parental cell line exhibited near wild-type resistance to mitomycin C, indicating that the mutants are phenotypically recessive. Self-cross hybrids for all 5 mutants had D37 values for killing by mitomycin C of between 20 and 30 ng/ml. The values obtained for crosses between different mutants were 60-105 ng/ml, with the exception of 1 pairing which gave a value of 33 ng/ml. These results indicate that that the mutants represent at least 4 different genetic complementation groups, suggesting that cellular resistance to mitomycin C is mediated via a number of different mechanisms.

A quantitative analysis of the cytotoxic action of chemical mutagens

A quantitative hypothesis is developed to explain the cytotoxic action of chemical mutagens on eukaryotic cells. The hypothesis forms an extrapolation of previously developed concepts used to explain the effect of ionizing radiation and the cytotoxic action of UV light. The crucial potentially lethal lesion is assumed to be a DNA double-strand lesion which may be an interstrand cross-link or a pair of DNA single-strand alkylations, for example. The effect of repair processes is included in the analytical equation derived to describe cell survival. The analysis of several sets of cell survival data for different chemical mutagens is used to demonstrate the applicability of the hypothesis. The logical extension of the hypothesis permits a division of chemical mutagens into 4 separate classes on the basis of the mechanisms proposed for the cytotoxic activity, and the relative importance of the risk associated with low-level exposure to each class is discussed. The hypothesis is amenable to further experimental verification.