Transformation of a rat cell line by an adenovirus type 12 DNA fragment

A cell cycle G0-ts mutant, tsJT60, becomes lethal at the nonpermissive temperature after transformation with adenovirus 12 E1B 19K mutant

tsJT60, a temperature-sensitive (ts) cell-cycle mutant of Fischer rats, is viable at both the permissive (34 degrees C) and nonpermissive (40 degrees C) temperatures. The cells grow normally in exponential growth phase at both temperatures, but when stimulated with serum from G0 phase they enter S phase at 34 degrees C but not at 40 degrees C. tsJT60 cells transformed with human adenovirus (Ad) 12 dl205, which lacks the E1B 19-kDa polypeptide gene, were lethal at 40 degrees C, whereas tsJT60 cells transformed with Ad12 wt, dl207, which lacks E1B 58-kDa protein gene, or in206B, which produces 19- to 58- kDa fused protein, were viable. Degradation of cell DNA occurred in dl205-transformed tsJT60 cultured at both 34 degrees C and 40 degrees C. Neither cytocidal phenotype nor degradation of DNA occurred in 3Y1 cells (a parental line of tsJT60) transformed with dl205. These results suggest that the lethal phenotype and degradation of DNA are related to the ts mutation in tsJT60 and also to the lack of Ad12 E1B 19kDa polypeptide.

tsJT60, a cell cycle G0-ts mutant, becomes lethal at non-permissive temperature by transformation with adenovirus 5 when the expression of E1B gene is lacking

tsJT60, a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant cell line of Fischer rat, is viable at both permissive (34 degrees C) and non-permissive (39.5 degrees C) temperatures. The cells grow normally in exponential growth phase at both temperatures, but when stimulated with fetal bovine serum (FBS) from G0 phase they re-enter S phase at 34 degrees C but not at 39.5 degrees. When tsJT60 cells were transformed with adenovirus (Ad) 5 wild type, they grew well at both temperatures, expressed E1A and E1B genes, and formed colonies in soft agar. When tsJT60 cells were transformed with Ad5 dl313, that lacks E1B gene, the transformed cells grew well at 34 degrees C but failed to form colony in soft agar. They died very soon at 39.5 degrees C. 3Y1 cells (a parental line of tsJT60) transformed with dl313 grew well at both temperatures, although neither expressed E1B gene nor formed colonies in soft agar. The phenotype of being lethal at 39.5 degrees C of dl313-transformed tsJT60 cells was complemented by cell fusion with 3Y1BUr cells (5-BrdU-resistant 3Y1), but not with tsJT60TGr cells (6-thioguanine resistant tsJT60). These results indicate that the lethal phenotype is related to the ts mutation of tsJT60 cells and also to the deletion of E1B gene of Ad5.

Demonstration of T antigens on the surface of cells transformed with primate polyoma viruses

Primate polyoma virus-transformed hamster, mouse, and rat cell lines were examined by indirect immunofluorescence staining for cell surface-associated T antigens, by using a rabbit antiserum prepared against sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured large T antigen of simian virus 40 (anti-SV40-SDS-T serum). Positive surface staining was shown not only on SV40-transformed cells, but also on BK and JC virus-transformed cells. In contrast, normal cells and cells transformed with mouse polyoma-, human adeno-, and murine sarcoma viruses were negative. The data on SV40-transformed cells confirmed the reports of others demonstrating the cell surface location of SV40 large T antigen, and the data on BK and JC virus-transformed cells proved that these cells have cell-surface T antigens that cross-react with anti-SV40-SDS-T serum.

Expression of the E4 gene is required for establishment of soft-agar colony-forming rat cell lines transformed by the adenovirus 12 E1 gene

Rat 3Y1 cells were transfected with recombinant gARC ( pSV2gpt carrying the adenovirus 12 early region 1 [E1] gene), and focus formation was observed in monolayer cultures after culture of cells in gpt-selective medium (Eagle medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, xanthine, thymidine, aminopterin, and mycophenolic acid) for 10 days, followed by focus formation. Transformed E1Y cell lines were then established from these foci. The E1Y cells were transformed morphologically similarly to cells transformed with intact adenovirus 12 DNA but formed no colonies in soft-agar culture and induced tumors in transplanted rats only after a long incubation period. For the establishment of completely transformed cells, 3Y1 cells were transformed with combinations of gARC , pE3 (pBR322 carrying the adenovirus 12 E3 gene), and gE4 ( pSV2gpt carrying the adenovirus 12 E4 gene) DNA. E1- 3Y cells (3Y1 cells transformed with gARC and pE3 DNA), E1- 4Y cells (3Y1 cells transformed with gARC and gE4 DNA), and E1-3- 4Y cells (3Y1 cells transformed with gARC , pE3 , and gE4 DNA) were established. These transformed cell lines were compared for growth in Eagle medium with 2 or 10% fetal calf serum, colony formation in soft-agar culture, and tumor growth in rats transplanted with the transformed cells. Several transformed cell lines of E1- 4Y and E1-3- 4Y cells showed colony formation in soft-agar culture and abundant expression of the E1B gene. T antigen f was seen by immunofluorescence as flecks in these cells, in which the E4 gene was transcribed, but was not seen in E1Y cells, suggesting that T antigen f was encoded by the E4 gene. The suggestion was confirmed by the observation that T antigen f was detected in COS-1 cells transfected singly with gE4 DNA by immunofluorescence with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Transcription of the E4 gene was confirmed in gE4 -transfected COS-1 cells. T antigen f, one of the E4 gene products, was identified as a polypeptide of molecular weight 11,000 (E4- 11K ) by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibodies. The above results also suggest that expression of the E4 gene gives cells the advantage of forming colonies in soft-agar culture. A tendency was noticed for E1B gene expression to be enhanced by E4 gene expression. The relationship between enhancement of colony formation in soft-agar culture and enhancement of E1B gene expression is discussed.

Isolation of transformation-defective, replication-nondefective early region 1B mutants of adenovirus 12

We isolated three adenovirus 12 early region 1B mutants (in205B, in205C, and dl205) by ligation of the cleaved DNA-protein complex and transfection of human embryo kidney cells with the ligation products. These mutants could replicate efficiently in human embryo kidney or KB cells but showed markedly reduced transforming capacities both in vitro and in vivo. In cells infected with the mutants, the early region 1B gene was transcribed efficiently. In cells infected with in205B, the products corresponding to the early region 1B-coded 19,000-molecular-weight polypeptide was detected by in vitro translation but not immunoprecipitated extract of labeled cells. In cells infected with in205C or dl205, the products corresponding to the same polypeptide were not detected by either in vitro translation or immunoprecipitation of labeled cell extracts. The results suggest that the 19,000-molecular-weight polypeptide encoded by early region 1B is required for cell transformation but not for viral propagation.

Adenovirus type 12 specific cell surface antigen in transformed cells is a product of the E1b early region

Six syngeneic rat cell lines transformed with isolated or cloned left end fragments of adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) DNA were used in a study of the Ad12-specific cell surface antigen. Cells transformed with EcoRI-C, SalI-C, and HindIII-G fragments of Ad12 DNA fragment-transformed express the E1a and a part of or a complete E1b early regions. Two AccI-H DNA fragment-transformed cell lines contain and express only the E1a region. All these cells contain nuclear Ad12 antigen. Cytotoxic antibodies raised against syngeneic EcoRI-C DNA fragment-transformed cells kill EcoRI-C, SalI-C and HindIII-G fragment-transformed cells, but fail to kill cells transformed with AccI-H DNA fragment. Immunofluorescence analysis shows that such antibodies, which stain the surface of cells expressing the E1b region, do not stain the surface of AccI-H DNA fragment-transformed cells. Cells transformed with AccI-H fragment are also not killed by secondary cytolytic T cells, raised and effective against cells transformed with EcoRI-C, SalI-C, and HindIII-G DNA fragments. Cells transformed with AccI-H fragment do not elicit cytolytic T cells against any of the studied cell lines. The only Ad12-specific product shared by all cell lines killed in cytolytic assays which is absent from AccI-H fragment-transformed cells is the E1b 18K protein. Since it has also been shown in other studies that this protein is associated with the cellular membrane, the simplest interpretation of these data is that the Ad12-specific cell surface antigen in transformed rat cells is a product of the left end of the E1b region.

The 19-kDal protein encoded by early region 1b of adenovirus type 12 is synthesized efficiently in Escherichia coli only as a fused protein

We have constructed recombinant plasmids that direct the synthesis of the Mr 19 000 protein encoded by the adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) E1b region as either a native protein or a protein fused to the amino-terminal portion of the elongation factor EF-TuB in Escherichia coli cells. Using these recombinants, we could synthesize a large amount of the fused protein, while only a small amount of the native Mr 19 000 protein was produced. The failure to synthesize the native Mr 19 000 protein in E. coli cells was ascribed to inefficient translation.

mRNA species and proteins of adenovirus type 12 transforming regions: identification of proteins translated from multiple coding stretches in 2.2 kb region 1B mRNA in vitro and in vivo

Analysis of cytoplasmic RNA in Ad12-infected and -transformed cells showed that more than 20 mRNA species are transcribed from regions 1A and 1B. These mRNA species could be classified into four classes according to the extent to which they were expressed in infected and transformed cells under various conditions. The proteins synthesized from the major species of each of these mRNAs were identified by in vitro translation. In region 1A, the 40K (and 38K) proteins were synthesized from three mRNA species that differed from one another in their 5' ends, and in region 1B three proteins with molecular weights of 19,000 (19K), 50K, and 17K were synthesized from a single species of 2.2 kb mRNA. Only the 19K protein was immunoprecipitated by anti-T serum (G serum) from rats bearing GY1 cell tumors, [GY1 cells are rat cells transformed by the Ad12 HindIII-G fragment (0-6.8 map units).] The 19K protein was also detected by immunoprecipitation in extracts from both transformed and infected cells. The 17K protein was immunoprecipitated by anti-T serum (C serum) derived from rats bearing CY1 cell tumors, but was not by G serum. [CY1 cells are rat cells transformed by the Ad12 EcoRI-C fragment (0-16.5 map units).] The 17K protein was also translated in vitro from the 0.5 kb region 1B mRNA. These results suggest that the 19K and 17K proteins correspond to Ad12 T antigen f and polypeptide IX, respectively, and that these two proteins are translated in vivo from different coding regions in 2.2 kb mRNA in CY1 cells.

Analysis of retinoblastoma for human adenovirus type 12 genome

Adenovirus type 12 has high oncogenic potential in newborn rodents. Moreover, adenovirus 12 induces retinoblastoma-like tumours in baboons and transforms in vitro human embryo retinoblasts. Since adenovirus-transformed cells contain adenovirus transforming gene sequences, the detection of adenovirus 12 transforming gene in tumour cell DNA can provide evidence for or against a possible aetiological role of adenovirus 12 in retinoblastoma. In this experiment, cell DNAs from six retinoblastomas were assayed for adenovirus 12 transforming gene sequences by spot hybridization and Southern blot hybridization, using the labelled EcoRI-C fragment of adenovirus 12 DNA as a probe (the far left 16.5% of the viral genome). No adenovirus 12 transforming gene sequences were detected at the level of 0.1 or 0.5 copy of the probe per diploid cell DNA in all of six retinoblastomas.

Incomplete transformation of rat cells by a deletion mutant of adenovirus type 5

Rat 3Y1 cells were infected with adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) wild type, dl312 (deletion of 902 base pairs between 1.5-4.5 map units), and dl313 (deletion of 2,350 base pairs between 3.5-10.5 map units). After cultivation for 4 weeks, transformed foci appeared in wild type- and dl313-infected cells. No focus was observed in dl312- and mock-infected cells. Foci induced by dl313 were less dense than those induced by wild type. Cell lines (313Y cells) established from dl313-induced foci contained the E1 gene of the dl313 genome (E1a only). Cell lines (5WY cells) established from Ad5 wild type-induced foci contained the E1 gene of wild type (E1a and b). The difference between the transcriptional patterns of the E1 gene in 313Y cells and that in 5WY cells was the same as the difference in dl313- and wild type-infected cells. Colonies were formed in soft agar culture inoculated with 5WY cells, but no colony was formed after inoculation of 313Y cells. The transformed phenotype of 313Y cells was incomplete compared with that in 5WY cells. In nongrowing 3Y1 cells, dl313 and Ad5 wild type induced cellular DNA synthesis but dl312 did not. The above results suggest that the E1a gene is functioning in dl313-infected but not in dl312-infected cells and that such functions as induction of cellular DNA synthesis and transformation of cells are dependent on expression of the Ad5 E1a gene.

Complementation of adenovirus type 5 host range mutants by adenovirus type 12 in coinfected HeLa and BHK-21 cells

We have studied the ability of adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) to complement the Ad5 transformation-defective host rang (hr) mutants during infection of human cells (HeLa) or hamster cells (BHK-21). The group I mutant hr3 (mapped within 1.3 to 3.7 map units), which is incapable of synthesizing viral DNA, was complemented for both DNA synthesis and infectious virus production in nonpermissive HeLa cells during coinfection with Ad12. Similarly, the group II mutant hr6 (6.1 to 9.4 map units), which does synthesize DNA, was also shown to be complemented for virus production. When the host cells were BHK-21, an established hamster cell line that is permissive for Ad5 but nonpermissive for Ad12 DNA synthesis and virus production, coinfection with Ad5 and Ad12 did not overcome the block to Ad12 DNA synthesis. Coinfection of BHK-21 cells with Ad12 and either hr3 or hr6 leads to the complementation of only the group I mutant (hr3). The inability of Ad12 to complement hr6 in BHK-21 cells may be due to the failure of Ad12 to express an early gene product from the region corresponding to early region 1B (4.5 to 11 map units) Ad5 where hr6 and the other group II mutations are located.

Mapping of adenovirus 12 mRNA's transcribed from the transforming region

Adenovirus 12 mRNA's transcribed from the transforming region were analyzed and mapped on viral DNA by the nuclease S1 gel and diazobenzyloxymethyl paper blot techniques in cells transformed of adenovirus 12 DNA and in cells early and late after lytic infection with adenovirus 12. Two initiation sites of mRNA transcription and two kinds of splicing were found in each of early regions 1A and 1B. For early region 1A mRNA's, four species were found in lytically infected cells. Three of them were commonly found in cells transformed by either HindIII-G or EcoRI-C. Cells transformed by HindIII-G contained two additional 1A transcripts, which could be the 3' portions of chimeric mRNA's of cellular-viral or viral-viral sequences. Transcription in the 1B region diverged among the above cell lines. Early after lytic infection, no appreciable amount of 1B mRNA was detected, whereas two species of mRNA's, one corresponding to protein IX mRNA and another having splicing, were found at the late stage. In cells transformed by EcoRI-C, a distinct mRNA species with splicing was observed. Cells transformed by HindIII-G contained a transcript from the leftmost part of the 1B sequence at the 5' portion of chimeric mRNA species, suggesting the presence of tandem integration of viral DNA in the cells. Other mRNA species in the 1A and 1B regions were also detected in both transformed cell lines. The results are discussed in relation to the nucleotide sequence of the HindIII-G fragment of adenovirus 12 DNA.

Chromosomal alterations of rat cell lines transformed by human adenovirus type-12 virion, whole DNA and left-end DNA fragments

A normal rat cell line, 3Y1-B clone 1-6 (3Y1) and its adenovirus (Ad) type-12-transformed derivatives, W4 (transformed by Ad12 Virion), WY3 (transformed by Ad12 whole DNA), CY1-1 (transformed by the Ad12 EcoRI-C fragment, left 16.5%), GY1-1 (transformed by the Ad12 HindIII-G fragment, left 6.8%) and HY1 (transformed by the Ad12 Acd-H fragment, left 4.7%) were studied cytogenetically. 3Y1 and some of the transformed cell lines (W4, WY3 and GY1-1) were diploid or pseudodiploid, while others (CY1-1 and HY1) were hypotetraploid. A metacentric marker M1 was detected in GY1-1 cells and another marker M2 in W4 and CY1-1 cells at a high frequency. By the Giemsa banding technique, the metacentric markers M1 and M2 from these fully transformed cell lines were identified as isochromosomes derived from 1q (M1) and 3q (M2), respectively. On the other hand, the markers were detected only at a low frequency in incompletely transformed HY1 cells. However, hypersomy in chromosome No. 1 was observed at a high frequency in this cell line. It can be concluded that hypersomy of chromosomes No. 1 or 3 found in transformants and metacentric markers found in complete transformants are characteristic features in rat cells transformed by Ad12.

Structure and gene organization in the transformed Hind III-G fragment of Ad12

The nucleotide sequence of the transforming Hind III-G fragment of Ad12 DNA which encompasses the left 6.8% of the genome has been determined. The fragment was 2320 nucleotides long, and contained a GC cluster at positions 126-155 and a region extremely rich in AT at positions 1098-1142 (number from the leftmost end). Possible coding regions for the two transforming gene products were assigned. The predicted coding region for T antigen g is positions 502-1069 and positions 1144-1373, which are joined by splicing (266 amino acid residues, 30 kd), and that for T antigen f is positions 1845-2126 (94 amino acid residues, 10 kd). The sequence of the Hind III-G fragment was compared with that of the transforming DNA fragment of Ad5 which encompasses the left 8.0% of the genome (2809 nucleotides). There are several discrete regions with significant sequence homology. The comparison suggests that the regions in the left two thirds of the Ad5 and Ad12 transforming DNA fragments (map units 0-4.7% in Ad5 and 0-4.4% in Ad12) bear some resemblance in their gene organizations, and code for proteins containing structurally homologous regions.

Phenotypic characterization of adenovirus type 12 temperature-sensitive mutants in productive infection and transformation

Eleven temperature-sensitive mutants of adenovirus type 12, capable of forming plaques in human cells at 33 C but not at 39.5 C, were isolated from a stock of a wild-type strain after treatment with either nitrous acid or hydroxylamine. Complementation tests in doubly infected human cells permitted a tentative assignment of eight of these mutants to six complementation groups. Temperature-shift experiments revealed that one mutant is affected early and most of the other mutants are affected late. Only the early mutant, H12ts505, was temperature sensitive in viral DNA replication. Infectious virions of all the mutants except H12ts505 and two of the late mutants produced at 33 C, appeared to be more heat labile than those of the wild type. Only H12ts505 was temperature sensitive for the establishment of transformation of rat 3Y1 cells. One of the late mutants (H12ts504) had an increased transforming ability at the permissive temperature. Results of temperature-shift transformation experiments suggest that a viral function affected in H12ts505 is required for "initiation" of transformation. Some of the growth properties of H12ts505-transformed cells were also temperature dependent, suggesting that a functional expression of a gene mutation in H12ts505 is required to maintain at least some aspects of the transformed state.

Two tumor antigens and their polypeptides in adenovirus type 12-infected and transformed cells

A tumor (T) antigen, designated T antigen g, was visualized as fine fluorescent granules in nuclei of adenovirus type 12 (Ad12)-infected cells by immunofluorescence with sera from rats bearing HY cell tumors (H sera). HY cells are rat cells incompletely transformed by the Acc I-H endonuclease fragment (0-4.7 map units) of Ad12 DNA. The antigen is different from the usually described T antigen, designated T antigen f, which is visualized as fluorescent flecks or filaments in both nucleus and cytoplasm of Ad12-infected cells when tested with narrowly reacting T sera. Extracts of [(35)S]methioninelabeled infected cells were immunoprecipitated with H sera, and the resultant precipitate was analyzed by the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique of O'Farrell. The autoradiogram showed the presence of a cluster of several polypeptides (M(r) 35,000-40,000, pI 5.0-5.5) that was absent in extracts of mock-infected cells. A similar autoradiogram of infected cells analyzed with narrowly reacting T sera showed the presence of a small polypeptide (M(r) 10,000, pI 6.4), that was absent in extracts of mock-infected cells. The results show that M(r) 35,000-40,000 polypeptides are components of T antigen g and a M(r) 10,000 polypeptide is a component of T antigen f. Ad12-transformed cells showed a similar result. T antigen g was present and T antigen f was absent in HY cells. Both T antigen g and T antigen f were present in CY cells, which are rat cells completely transformed by the EcoRI-C endonuclease fragment (0-16 map units) of Ad12 DNA. The possible functions of these proteins are discussed.

Tumor-specific transplantation and surface antigen in cells transformed by the adenovirus 12 DNA fragments

Adenovirus type 12 (Ad 12) tumor-specific transplantation antigen (TSTA) and the surface (S) antigen were examined using rat cells transformed with Ad 12 DNA and its fragments. WY3 (3Yl cells transformed with Ad 12 whole DNA), CYl (3Yl cells transformed with the EcoRI-C fragment of Ad 12 DNA), and GY cells (3Yl cells transformed with the HindIII-G fragment of Ad 12 DNA) contained TSTA and S antigen, but HY cells (3Y1 cells transformed with the BpaI-H fragment of Ad12 DNA) did not. These results suggest that TSTA and S antigens contain a protein(s) coded for by a portion of the transforming gene.

Comparative study by immunofluorescence of T and P antigens induced by adenovirus type 12 in permissive and nonpermissive cells

The development of adenovirus type 12 T antigen and of the complex of antigenic early proteins designated as P antigen was studied by immunofluorescence in productively infected KB cells and abortively infected RK-13 cells. T antigen is detected in both cell types very early in infection. In KB cells it presents the well known pattern of nuclear dots and flecks but in RK-13 cells at the time of maximum abundance, 18 hours p.i., T antigen forms a net of long filaments that fills the nucleus. Later, part of the filaments condense into a large aggregate that finally is apparently degraded. P antigen in infected RK-13 cells looks like T antigen in KB cells. In these cells, besides an early phase wherein P antigen is almost indistinguishable from T antigen, a late component is evident under the form of large balls and rosettes. The possible identification of this component with the DNA binding protein is discussed.

Biochemical studies on bovine adenovirus type 3. IV. Transformation by viral DNA and DNA fragments

By the calcium technique, intact DNA of bovine adenovirus type 3 (BAV3) was found to transform A31 cells, a clone of BALB/3T3. Transforming activity was resistant to RNase and Pronase but sensitive to DNase. The efficiency of transformation was approximately 5 to 10 foci per mug of DNA. Attempts were also made to test for transforming activity of BAV3 DNA fragments prepared with restriction endonucleases EcoRI and HindIII. The activity was found to associate exclusively with the EcoRI D fragment mapped in the region of 3.6 and 19.7 units (molecular weight, 3.9 x 10(6)). No transformation could be obtained with three HindIII fragments, J, E, and B, located at the left-hand end of the BAV3 genome. However, the enzymatic joining of J and E fragments (0 to 11.9 map units) with a ligase restored the transforming activity. These results suggest that all the genetic information of BAV3 required for transformation is located in the region between 3.6 and 11.9 units on the viral genome. Some properties of A31 cells transformed by BAV3 DNA EcoRI D fragment (TrD) and the ligated DNA of HindIII J and E fragments (TrJE), as well as those transformed by whole BAV3 DNA (Tr), were examined. As compared to untransformed A31 cells, all the transformed cell lines tested showed rapid growth, high saturation densities, and anchorage-independent growth. Moreover, they contained BAV3-specific T antigen and induced tumors in adult nude and BALB/c mice. These properties of Tr, TrD, and TrJE lines were similar to those of BAV3-transformed cells.