Prostaglandin E1 binding and adenylate cyclase activation in normal and transformed fibroblasts

Adenylate cyclase activity of NIH 3T3 cells morphologically transformed by ras genes

The observed homology between G-proteins which regulate adenylate cyclase and ras proteins and the suggested role of ras in the regulation of adenylate cyclase in yeast prompted us to examine the regulation of adenylate cyclase in three cell lines: (i) NIH 3T3 cells, (ii) NIH 3T3 cells transformed by high levels of the normal rasH gene product and (iii) NIH 3T3 cells transformed by a mutated rasH gene product. We found that the regulation of adenylate cyclase by G-proteins is identical in the three cell lines, although the response of the transformed NIH 3T3 cells to agonists is strongly attenuated. Our data suggest that mammalian ras products do not interact directly with adenylate cyclase, although their increased expression may indirectly inhibit the interaction of adenylate cyclase stimulatory receptors with G-proteins.

Selective protection of cells against X-irradiation. Isoproterenol protects only those cells that possess beta-adrenoreceptors

In mixed culture of Chinese hamster fibroblasts, clone 431, and transformed murine L fibroblasts, clone B-82, isoproterenol was found to protect only 431 cells against ionizing radiation. It was shown that 431 cells, in contrast to B-82 cells, possess beta-adrenoreceptors, and the radioprotective effect of isoproterenol can be realized only if this agent interacts with beta-adrenoreceptors coupled with the cAMP system. Since malignization often causes the disappearance of beta-adrenergic and other hormone receptors, the combined culturing and irradiation of the cells studied can be regarded as a model of the growth of malignant cells (B-82) among normal tissue cells (431 cells) under conditions of radiation therapy. A possibility of selective protection against radiation damage of normal tissue cells, with retention of the former radiosensitivity of tumor cells, is discussed.