Protein synthesis in human lymphoblastoid cells (Namalwa) after treatment with butyrate and 5'-bromodeoxyuridine

The effect of cyclic AMP on the accumulation of newly synthesized protein in the extracellular matrix of PFHR-9 teratocarcinoma cells

The effect of elevated cyclic AMP levels on the accumulation of newly synthesized extracellular matrix protein was examined in PFHR-9 cells producing Type IV collagen. The effect of dbcAMP, 8-BrcAMP, IBMX and forskolin on the synthesis of total protein, non-collagen protein and collagen were compared. DbcAMP increased the accumulation of total protein but did not affect the distribution of collagen and non-collagen protein. 8-BrcAMP, IBMX and forskolin also increased collagen and non-collagen accumulation. However, the effect on collagen was significantly greater with 8-BrcAMP and IBMX. Consequently, 8-BrcAMP and IBMX resulted in an increased percent collagen synthesis in the extracellular matrix. Elevated cAMP levels had no effect on cell proliferation or DNA synthesis but did produce a significant effect on cell morphology.

Chemical modifications of human and murine interferons

Methods that modify the carbohydrate and peptide portions of human and murine interferons have been described. Such work has helped considerably in our understanding of these fascinating substances. The most powerful of the methods relies on gene manipulation: it has already led, and will lead in the future, to further species with altered biological activities. Some of them may prove clinically advantageous, but one will have to be aware of the fact that some of these "unnatural" interferons could lead to immunological complications.

Translation and transcription in imbibed and germinating spores of Anemia phyllitidis L.Sw

Induction of germination by gibberellin or light is not a prerequisite for protein and RNA synthesis in spores of A. phyllitidis. Imbibed but non-induced spores of this fern show a high rate of translation as well as appreciably transcription of all RNA types. The pattern of in-vitro translation of polyadenylated RNA present in the dry spore corresponds with the in-vivo translation products under non-inductive conditions. New proteins are not detectable among the in-vitro and in-vivo translation products until 48 h after a germination stimulus. Although the dark imbibition of spores is accompanied by a reduction in the lengths of polyadenylated tracts of the stored mRNA, this fraction is characterized by a remarkable stability which is undoubtedly a prerequisite for the high viability of these fern spores. The importance of these results for the general meaning of stored mRNA in spore and seed germination processes is discussed.

Expression of interferon-alpha and interferon-beta genes in human lymphoblastoid (Namalwa) cells

Treatment of human lymphoblastoid (Namalwa) cells with Sendai virus induced the coordinate synthesis of both IFN-alpha and IFN-beta interferon mRNAs. One sub-line of Namalwa cells (WRL) produced no IFN-beta activity, although IFN-beta mRNA was induced and was associated with polysomes. The IFN-alpha mRNA was heterogeneous, ranging in size over 1.20-1.35 X 10(3) bases, probably because of variation in the size of the transcribale DNA in the alpha-gene family. The IFN-beta mRNA was monodisperse with a size of 1.05 X 10(3) bases. The kinetics of accumulation and decay of both IFN-alpha and IFN-beta mRNAs, as assessed by hybridization with cDNA probes, were very similar to those of translatable interferon mRNA, as assessed by translation in Xenopus oocytes. Treatment of the cells with butyrate or 5'-bromodeoxyuridine increased the amount of hybridizable IFN-alpha and IFN-beta mRNA about 15-fold and 4-fold respectively, again demonstrating coordinate control of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta production.