Temperature-sensitive mutants of Abelson murine leukemia virus deficient in protein tyrosine kinase activity

Natural course and biology of CML

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder arising in the haemopoietic stem cell (HSC) compartment. This disease is characterised by a reciprocal t(9;22) chromosomal translocation, resulting in the formation of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome containing the BCR-ABL1 gene. As such, diagnosis and monitoring of disease involves detection of BCR-ABL1. It is the BCR-ABL1 protein, in particular its constitutively active tyrosine kinase activity, that forges the pathogenesis of CML. This aberrant kinase signalling activates downstream targets that reprogram the cell to cause uncontrolled proliferation and results in myeloid hyperplasia and 'indolent' symptoms of chronic phase (CP) CML. Without successful intervention, the disease will progress into blast crisis (BC), resembling an acute leukaemia. This advanced disease stage takes on an aggressive phenotype and is almost always fatal. The cell biology of CML is also centred on BCR-ABL1. The presence of BCR-ABL1 can explain virtually all the cellular features of the leukaemia (enhanced cell growth, inhibition of apoptosis, altered cell adhesion, growth factor independence, impaired genomic surveillance and differentiation). This article provides an overview of the clinical and cell biology of CML, and highlights key findings and unanswered questions essential for understanding this disease.

Mutations affecting the MA portion of the v-Abl protein reveal a conserved role of Gag in Abelson murine leukemia virus (MLV) and Moloney MLV

Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) arose from a recombination between gag sequences in Moloney MLV (Mo-MLV) and the c-abl proto-oncogene. The v-Abl oncoprotein encoded by Ab-MLV contains MA, p12, and a portion of CA sequences derived from the gag gene of Mo-MLV. Previous studies indicated that alteration of MA sequences affects the biology of Mo-MLV and Ab-MLV. To understand the role of these sequences in Ab-MLV transformation more fully, alanine substitution mutants that affect Mo-MLV replication were examined in the context of Ab-MLV. Mutations affecting Mo-MLV replication decreased transformation, while alanine mutations in residues dispensable for Mo-MLV replication did not. The altered v-Abl proteins displayed aberrant subcellular localization that correlated to transformation defects. Immunofluorescent analyses suggested that aberrant trafficking of the altered proteins and improper interaction with components of the cytoskeleton were involved in the phenotype. Similar defects in localization were observed when the Gag moiety containing these mutations was expressed in the absence of abl-derived sequences. These results indicate that MA sequences within the Gag moiety of the v-Abl protein contribute to proper localization by playing a dominant role in trafficking of the v-Abl molecule.

Gag influences transformation by Abelson murine leukemia virus and suppresses nuclear localization of the v-Abl protein

Like the v-Onc proteins encoded by many transforming retroviruses, the v-Abl protein is expressed as a Gag-Onc fusion. Although the Gag-derived myristoylation signal targets the v-Abl protein to the plasma membrane, the protein contains the entire MA and p12 sequences and a small number of CA-derived residues. To understand the role of Gag sequences in transformation, mutants lacking portions of these sequences were examined for the effects of these deletions on v-Abl function and localization. Deletion of the N-terminal third of p12 or all of p12 enhanced the transformation of both pre-B cells and NIH 3T3 cells. In contrast, deletions in MA or a deletion removing all of Gag except the first 34 amino acids important for myristoylation highly compromised the ability to transform either cell type. Although all of the mutant proteins retained kinase activity, those defective in transformation were reduced in their ability to activate Erk, suggesting a role for Gag sequences in v-Abl signaling. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that a v-Abl protein retaining only the first 34 amino acids of Gag localized to the nucleus. These data indicate that Gag sequences are important for normal v-Abl signaling and that they suppress nuclear localization of the molecule.

The BCR-ABL story: bench to bedside and back

The twenty-first century is beginning with a sharp turn in the field of cancer therapy. Molecular targeted therapies against specific oncogenic events are now possible. The BCR-ABL story represents a notable example of how research from the fields of cytogenetics, retroviral oncology, protein phosphorylation, and small molecule chemical inhibitors can lead to the development of a successful molecular targeted therapy. Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, STI571, or CP57148B) is a direct inhibitor of ABL (ABL1), ARG (ABL2), KIT, and PDGFR tyrosine kinases. This drug has had a major impact on the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) as well as other blood neoplasias and solid tumors with etiologies based on activation of these tyrosine kinases. Analysis of CML patients resistant to BCR-ABL suppression by Imatinib mesylate coupled with the crystallographic structure of ABL complexed to this inhibitor have shown how structural mutations in ABL can circumvent an otherwise potent anticancer drug. The successes and limitations of Imatinib mesylate hold general lessons for the development of alternative molecular targeted therapies in oncology.

v-Abl Signaling Disrupts SOCS-1 Function in Transformed Pre-B Cells

The v-Abl oncogene activates Jak-Stat signaling during transformation of pre-B cells in mice. Disrupting Jak activation by deleting the Jak binding domain of v-Abl or by expressing a dominant-negative Jak1 decreases v-Abl transformation efficiency. As SOCS-1 is a known potent inhibitor of Jak kinases, the mechanism by which v-Abl bypasses SOCS-1 regulation to constitutively activate Jak kinases was investigated. SOCS-1 is expressed in v-Abl-transformed cells but is unable to inhibit v-Abl-mediated Jak-Stat signaling. In v-Abl transformants, SOCS-1 can inhibit cytokine signals, but it is more efficient at doing so when the cells are treated with STI571, an Abl kinase inhibitor. Downstream effects of v-Abl signaling include phosphorylation of SOCS-1 on nontyrosine residues, disruption of the interaction between SOCS-1 and the Elongin BC complex, and inhibition of SOCS-1-mediated proteasomal targeting of activated Jaks. These findings reveal a mechanism by which Jak-dependent oncogenes may bypass SOCS-1 inhibition.

Active Akt and functional p53 modulate apoptosis in Abelson virus-transformed pre-B cells

Suppression of apoptosis is an important feature of the Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) transformation process. During multistep transformation, Ab-MLV-infected pre-B cells undergo p53-dependent apoptosis during the crisis phase of transformation. Even once cells are fully transformed, an active v-Abl protein tyrosine kinase is required to suppress apoptosis because cells transformed by temperature-sensitive (ts) kinase mutants undergo rapid apoptosis after a shift to the nonpermissive temperature. However, inactivation of the v-Abl protein by a temperature shift interrupts signals transmitted via multiple pathways, making it difficult to identify those that are critically important for the suppression of apoptosis. To begin to dissect these pathways, we tested the ability of an SH2 domain Ab-MLV mutant, P120/R273K, to rescue aspects of the ts phenotype of pre-B cells transformed by the conditional kinase domain mutant. The P120/R273K mutant suppressed apoptosis at the nonpermissive temperature, a phenotype correlated with its ability to activate Akt. Apoptosis also was suppressed at the nonpermissive temperature by constitutively active Akt and in p53-null pre-B cells transformed with the ts kinase domain mutant. These data indicate that an intact Src homology 2 (SH2) domain is not critical for apoptosis suppression and suggest that signals transmitted through Akt and p53 play an important role in the response.

Increased Expression of Bcl-xL and c-Myc Is Associated with Transformation by Abelson Murine Leukemia Virus

Transformation mediated by the v-Abl oncoprotein, a tyrosine kinase encoded by the Abelson murine leukemia virus, is a multi-step process requiring genetic alterations in addition to expression of v-Abl. Loss of p53 or p19ARF was previously shown to be required for Abelson murine leukemia virus transformation of primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). By comparing gene expression patterns in primary p53-/- MEFs acutely infected with the v-Abl retrovirus, v-Abl-transformed MEF clones, and v-Abl-transformed MEF clones treated with Abl kinase inhibitor STI 571, we have identified additional genetic alterations associated with v-Abl transformation. Bcl-xL mRNA was elevated in three of five v-Abl-transformed MEF clones. In addition, elevated expression of c-Myc mRNA, caused either by c-myc gene amplification or by enhanced signaling via STAT3, was observed in five v-Abl-transformed MEF clones. The data suggest that increases in cell survival associated with Bcl-xL and increases in cell growth associated with c-Myc facilitate the transformation process dependent on constitutive mitogenic signaling by v-Abl.

Absence of p53 complements defects in Abelson murine leukemia virus signaling

The v-Abl protein encoded by Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) induces transformation of pre-B cells via a two-stage process. An initial proliferative phase during which cells with limited tumorigenic potential expand is followed by a crisis period marked by high levels of apoptosis and erratic growth. Transformants that survive this phase emerge as fully malignant cells and usually contain mutations that disable the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Consistent with the importance of p53 in this process, pre-B cells from p53 null animals bypass crisis. Thus, the transformation process reflects a balance between signals from the v-Abl protein that drive transformation and those coming from the cellular response to inappropriate growth. One prediction of this hypothesis is that Ab-MLV mutants that are compromised in their ability to transform cells may be less equipped to overcome the effects of p53. To test this idea, we examined the ability of the P120/R273K mutant to transform pre-B cells from wild-type, p53 null, and Ink4a/Arf null mice. The SH2 domain of the v-Abl protein encoded by this mutant contains a substitution that affects the phosphotyrosine-binding pocket, and this mutant is compromised in its ability to transform NIH 3T3 and pre-B cells, especially at 39.5 degrees C. Our data reveal that loss of p53 or Ink4a/Arf locus products complements the transforming defect of the P120/R273K mutant, but it does not completely restore wild-type function. These results indicate that one important transforming function of v-Abl proteins is overcoming the effects of a functional p53 pathway.

Modeling Philadelphia chromosome positive leukemias

The Ph chromosome has been genetically linked to CML and ALL. Its chimeric fusion gene product, BCR-ABL, can generate leukemia in mice. This review will discuss selected model systems developed to study BCR-ABL induced leukemia and focuses on what we have learned about the human disease from these models. Five main experimental approaches will be discussed including: (i) Reconstitution of mice with bone marrow cells retrovirally transduced with BCR-ABL; (ii) Transgenic mice expressing BCR-ABL; (iii) Knock-in mice with BCR-ABL expression driven from the endogenous bcr locus; (iv) Development of CML-like disease in mice with loss of function mutations in heterologous genes; and (v) ES in vitro hematopoietic differentiation coupled with regulated BCR-ABL expression.

Caveolin-1 and a 29-kDa caveolin-associated protein are phosphorylated on tyrosine in cells expressing a temperature-sensitive v-Abl kinase

Caveolin-1 was originally identified as a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in v-Src-transformed cells and it was suggested that phosphorylation of this protein could mediate transformation by the tyrosine kinase class of oncogenes (J. R. Glenney, 1989, J. Biol. Chem. 264, 20163--20166). We found that caveolin-1 is also phosphorylated on tyrosine in v-Abl-transformed cells. In fact, caveolin-1 and a caveolin-associated protein of 29 kDa are among the strongest phosphotyrosine signals detected in the Abl-expressing cells. In addition, v-Abl shows a preferential phosphorylation of caveolin-1 and the 29-kDa caveolin-associated protein over other proteins in the caveolin-enriched Triton-resistant cell fraction. These data indicate that caveolin-1 and the 29-kDa caveolin-associated protein may be preferred substrates of the Abl kinase. Caveolin-1 is phosphorylated at tyrosine 14 in v-Abl-expressing cells as has been observed previously in v-Src-expressing cells. However, using a temperature-sensitive allele of v-Abl (ts120 v-Abl) we provide evidence that caveolin-1 phosphorylation is not sufficient to mediate the loss of caveolin expression or loss of cell adhesion induced by v-Abl.

Temperature-sensitive transformation by an Abelson virus mutant encoding an altered SH2 domain

Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) encodes the v-Abl protein tyrosine kinase and induces transformation of immortalized fibroblast lines and pre-B cells. Temperature-sensitive mutations affecting the kinase domain of the protein have demonstrated that the kinase activity is absolutely required for transformation. Despite this requirement, mutations affecting other regions of v-Abl modulate transformation activity. The SH2 domain and the highly conserved FLVRES motif within it form a phosphotyrosine-binding pocket that is required for interactions between the kinase and cellular substrates. To understand the impact of SH2 alterations on Ab-MLV-mediated transformation, we studied the Ab-MLV mutant P120/R273K. This mutant encodes a v-Abl protein in which the beta B5 arginine at the base of the phosphotyrosine-binding pocket has been replaced by a lysine. Unexpectedly, infection of NIH 3T3 or pre-B cells with P120/R273K revealed a temperature-dependent transformation phenotype. At 34 degrees C, P120/R273K transformed about 10-fold fewer cells than wild-type virus of equivalent titer; at 39.5 degrees C, 300-fold fewer NIH 3T3 cells were transformed and pre-B cells were refractory to transformation. Temperature-dependent transformation was accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of Shc, a protein that interacts with the v-Abl SH2 and links the protein to Ras, and decreased induction of c-Myc expression. These data suggest that alteration of the FLVRES pocket affects the ability of v-Abl to interact with at least some of its substrates in a temperature-dependent fashion and identify a novel type of temperature-sensitive Abelson virus.

Loss of heterozygosity at the Ink4a/Arf locus facilitates Abelson virus transformation of pre-B cells

In many tumor systems, analysis of cells for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) has helped to clarify the role of tumor suppressor genes in oncogenesis. Two important tumor suppressor genes, p53 and the Ink4a/Arf locus, play central roles in the multistep process of Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) transformation. p53 and the p53 regulatory protein, p19Arf, are required for the apoptotic crisis that characterizes the progression of primary transformed pre-B cells to fully malignant cell lines. To search for other tumor suppressor genes which may be involved in the Ab-MLV transformation process, we used endogenous proviral markers and simple-sequence length polymorphism analysis to screen Abelson virus-transformed pre-B cells for evidence of LOH. Our survey reinforces the role of the p53-p19 regulatory pathway in transformation; 6 of 58 cell lines tested had lost sequences on mouse chromosome 4, including the Ink4a/Arf locus. Consistent with this pattern, a high frequency of primary pre-B-cell transformants derived from Ink4a/Arf +/- mice became established cell lines. In addition, half of them retained the single copy of the locus when the transformation process was complete. These data demonstrate that a single copy of the Ink4a/Arf locus is not sufficient to fully mediate the effects of these genes on transformation.

Inactivation of wild-type BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase in hematopoietic cells by mild hyperthermia

Temperature-sensitive mutants of BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase have been extensively used to study the mechanisms of cell transformation and signal transduction. However, little is known about the effect of temperature on the activity of wild-type BCR/ABL gene product. In this study, we demonstrate that in vivo tyrosine kinase activity of p210, p190 BCR/ABL and v-abl are temperature-sensitive when expressed in hematopoietic cells and decline when temperature is raised 2 degrees C above normal range. In vitro tyrosine kinase activities of purified recombinant Abl and immunoprecipitated p210 BCR/ABL were also sensitive to increased temperature. Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins was markedly reduced in BCR/ABL transformed cells after 16 h at 39 degrees C, whereas the expression of BCR/ABL was unchanged. Temperature-induced downregulation of BCR/ABL kinase activity was reversible when cells were shifted back to 37 degrees C. The downregulation of Abl tyrosine kinase activity was not influenced by mutation or deletion of SH2 or SH3 domains or mutation of the GRB2 binding site. No increase in functional activity or expression of protein-tyrosine phosphatases, PTP-1B, SH-PTP1 or SH-PTP2 was detected in cells grown at 39 degrees C. Temperature-induced downregulation in tyrosine kinase activity correlated with decline in phosphotyrosine-associated PI 3-kinase whereas there was no change in growth factor independence of transformed hematopoietic cells. In conclusion, Abl tyrosine kinase has intrinsic sensitivity to temperature and BCR/ABL expressed in hematopoietic cells is downregulated by increasing temperature 2 degrees C. These observations provide a unique opportunity to identify cellular factor(s) which regulate BCR/ABL kinase in vivo and suggests possible novel treatment of CML by a mild hyperthermia.

p53 mediates apoptotic crisis in primary Abelson virus-transformed pre-B cells

Transformation of pre-B cells by Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) involves a balance between positive, growth-stimulatory signals from the v-Abl oncoprotein and negative regulatory cues from cellular genes. This phenomenon is reflected by the clonal selection that occurs during Ab-MLV-mediated transformation in vivo and in vitro. About 50% of all Ab-MLV-transformed pre-B cells express mutant forms of p53 as they emerge from this process, suggesting that this protein may play an important role in the transformation process. Consistent with this idea, expression of p19(Arf), a protein whose function depends on the presence of a functional p53, is required for the apoptotic crisis that characterizes primary Ab-MLV transformants. To test the role of p53 in pre-B-cell transformation directly, we examined the response of Trp53(-/-) mice to Ab-MLV. The absence of p53 shortens the latency of Abelson disease induction but does not affect the frequency of cells susceptible to Ab-MLV-induced transformation. However, primary transformants derived from the null animals bypass the apoptotic crisis that characterizes the transition from primary transformant to fully malignant cell line. These effects do not require p21(Cip-1), a major downstream target of p53; however, consistent with a role of p19(Arf), transformants expressing mutant p53 and abundant p19 retain wild-type p19 sequences.

Mutation of Tp53 contributes to the malignant phenotype of Abelson virus-transformed lymphoid cells

Abelson murine leukemia virus transforms pre-B cells in vitro and induces rapid-onset pre-B-cell lymphoma in vivo. Expression of an active v-Abl protein tyrosine kinase is required for the oncogenic functions of the virus. Despite the strong growth-stimulatory signal provided by v-Abl, the virus-induced tumors are clonal or oligoclonal, and changes in the growth and oncogenic potential of in vitro transformants occur during the derivation of the cell lines. Both of these features suggest that v-Abl expression must be complemented by changes in expression of one or more cellular genes for cells to acquire a fully malignant phenotype. Such genes could include other oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Among the latter is Tp53, a gene mutated in many spontaneous cancers. To determine if mutation of the Tp53 tumor suppressor gene plays a role in Abelson virus transformation, conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies were used to examine p53 expression in a panel of Abelson virus-transformed pre-B cells. Expression of mutant forms of p53 was detected in over 40% of the isolates. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of point mutations affecting the highly conserved central portion of the protein. These mutations interfered with the ability of p53 to activate transcription from a promoter containing p53-responsive elements and to induce apoptosis in response to DNA damage. In addition, cells expressing mutant forms of p53 induced a higher frequency of tumors with a more rapid course compared to transformants expressing wild-type p53. These data suggest that Tp53 is one important cellular gene involved in malignant transformation by Abelson virus.

Recombinant expression of caveolin-1 in oncogenically transformed cells abrogates anchorage-independent growth

Caveolae are plasma membrane-attached vesicular organelles. Caveolin-1, a 21-24-kDa integral membrane protein, is a principal component of caveolae membranes in vivo. Both caveolae and caveolin are most abundantly expressed in terminally differentiated cells: adipocytes, endothelial cells, and muscle cells. Conversely, caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expression are lost or reduced during cell transformation by activated oncogenes such as v-abl and H-ras (G12V); caveolae are absent from these cell lines. However, its remains unknown whether down-regulation of caveolin-1 protein and caveolae organelles contributes to their transformed phenotype. Here, we have expressed caveolin-1 in oncogenically transformed cells under the control of an inducible-expression system. Regulated induction of caveolin-1 expression was monitored by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy. Our results indicate that caveolin-1 protein is expressed well using this system and correctly localizes to the plasma membrane. Induction of caveolin-1 expression in v-Abl-transformed and H-Ras (G12V)-transformed NIH 3T3 cells abrogated the anchorage-independent growth of these cells in soft agar and resulted in the de novo formation of caveolae as seen by transmission electron microscopy. Consistent with its antagonism of Ras-mediated cell transformation, caveolin-1 expression dramatically inhibited both Ras/MAPK-mediated and basal transcriptional activation of a mitogen-sensitive promoter. Using an established system to detect apoptotic cell death, it appears that the effects of caveolin-1 may, in part, be attributed to its ability to initiate apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells. In addition, we find that caveolin-1 expression levels are reversibly down-regulated by two distinct oncogenic stimuli. Taken together, our results indicate that down-regulation of caveolin-1 expression and caveolae organelles may be critical to maintaining the transformed phenotype in certain cell populations.

Assessing the pathogenic potential of the V(D)J recombinase by interlocus immunoglobulin light-chain gene rearrangement

Chromosomal translocations involving antigen receptor genes and oncogenes have been observed in several forms of lymphoid malignancy. Observations of their lymphocyte-restricted occurrence and a molecular analysis of some translocation breakpoints have suggested that some of these rearrangements are generated by V(D)J recombinase activity. However, a direct correlation between this activity and the generation of such rearrangements has never been established. In addition, because these aberrant rearrangements are usually detected only after a tumor has been formed, the frequency with which the recombinase machinery generates translocations has never been assessed directly. To approach these issues, immunoglobulin light-chain gene rearrangements were induced in pre-B cells transformed by temperature-sensitive mutants of Abelson murine leukemia virus and PCR was used to identify interlocus recombinants. Vlambda Jkappa and Vkappa Jlambda rearrangements as well as signal joints resulting from the recombination of Vlambda and Jkappa coding elements were recovered and were found to be similar in structure to conventional intrachromosomal joints. Because these products were detected only when the cells were undergoing active intralocus rearrangement, they provide direct evidence that translocations can be generated by the V(D)J recombinase machinery. Dilution analyses revealed that interlocus rearrangements occur about 1,000 times less frequently than conventional intralocus rearrangements. Considering the large numbers of lymphocytes generated throughout life, aberrant rearrangements generated by the V(D)J recombinase may be relatively common.

Ras complements the carboxyl terminus of v-Abl protein in lymphoid transformation

Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) mutants expressing v-Abl proteins lacking the carboxyl terminus are compromised in the ability to transform lymphoid but not NIH 3T3 cells. This feature correlates with the presence of low levels of phosphotyrosine in lymphoid cells infected with carboxyl-terminal truncation mutants. In contrast, high levels of phosphotyrosine are observed in NIH 3T3 cells infected with wild-type and mutant Ab-MLV. Two downstream targets affected in lymphoid transformants are the GTPase-activating protein and GTPase-activating protein-associated protein p62, molecules which are heavily tyrosine phosphorylated in lymphoid cells transformed by wild-type Ab-MLV but not carboxyl-terminal truncation mutants of Ab-MLV. This difference suggested that signaling mediated via the Ras pathway may be compromised in lymphoid cells expressing the carboxyl-terminal truncation mutants. Consistent with this idea, expression of v-Ha-ras complemented these mutants in primary bone marrow transformation assays and increased transformation frequencies obtained with the Ab-MLV mutants 8- to 20-fold. These data suggest that a biologically important link exists between the carboxyl terminus of v-Abl protein and the Ras pathway. Signals transmitted via this connection may enhance those mediated via other regions of the v-Abl protein and facilitate transformation of primary, nonimmortalized cells such as pre-B lymphocytes.

v-Abl activates c-myc transcription through the E2F site

The v-abl oncogene of Abelson murine leukemia virus encodes a deregulated form of the cellular nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. v-Abl activates c-myc transcription, and c-Myc is an essential downstream component in the v-Abl transformation program. To explore the mechanism by which v-Abl activates c-myc transcription, a cotransfection assay was developed. We show that transactivation of a c-myc promoter by v-Abl requires the SH1 (tyrosine kinase) and SH2 domains of v-Abl; the C-terminal domains are not required for transactivation. The assay also identified the E2F site in the c-myc promoter as a v-Abl-responsive element. In addition, multimerized E2F sites were shown to be sufficient to confer v-Abl-dependent activation on a minimal promoter. This is the first identification of a v-Abl response element for transcriptional activation. v-Abl tyrosine kinase-dependent changes in proteins binding the c-myc E2F site were also demonstrated, including induction of a complex containing DP1, p107, cyclin A, and cdk2. Identification of v-Abl-dependent changes in E2F-binding proteins provides an important link between v-Abl, transcription, cell cycle regulation, and control of cellular growth.

Jak-STAT signaling induced by the v-abl oncogene

The effect of the v-abl oncogene of the Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) on the Jak-STAT pathway of cytokine signal transduction was investigated. In murine pre-B lymphocytes transformed with A-MuLV, the Janus kinases (Jaks) Jak1 and Jak3 exhibited constitutive tyrosine kinase activity, and the STAT proteins (signal transducers and activators of transcription) normally activated by interleukin-4 and interleukin-7 were tyrosine-phosphorylated in the absence of these cytokines. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that in these cells v-Abl was physically associated with Jak1 and Jak3. Inactivation of v-Abl tyrosine kinase in a pre-B cell line transformed with a temperature-sensitive mutant of v-abl resulted in abrogation of constitutive Jak-STAT signaling. A direct link may exist between transformation by v-abl and cytokine signal transduction.

Molecular requirements for rapid plasmacytoma and pre-B lymphoma induction by Abelson murine leukemia virus in myc-transgenic mice

Mutants and fusion products of the c-abl gene were used to define some of the molecular requirements for rapid plasmacytoma (PC) and pre-B-lymphoma induction in pristane-treated N-myc transgenic BALB/c mice. A-MuLV induced PCs in 21 of 25 mice with a mean post-pristane latency period of 46 +/- 9 days, compared to 134 +/- 25 days in controls exposed to pristane alone. delta XB, a mutant of type IV c-abl with a deletion of the SH3 domain, was equally effective in inducing PCs in 7 of 7 mice with a latency period of 49 +/- 7 days, indicating that gag sequences are not required for rapid PC induction. The delta XB delta Nar mutant that carried a large C-terminal deletion in addition showed only a negligible activity, if any, suggesting that PC acceleration requires the C-terminal domain in the same way as lymphoid transformation and in contrast to fibroblast transformation. BCR-ABL fusion constructs encoding an 185-kDa protein as in acute leukemia, or a 210-kDa protein as in chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), did not accelerate pristane-induced PC development in the N-myc transgenic mice, in contrast to their known ability to immortalize lymphoid cells in vitro. Only one of 14 non-transgenic littermates developed a pre-B lymphoma after A-MuLV infection, and none of 10 normal littermates infected with delta XB virus developed a construct-carrying tumor. This result suggests that PC acceleration is due to co-operative interaction of the N-myc transgene and activated abl. Infection of N-myc transgenic bone marrow or spleen cells with A-MuLV in vitro led to the outgrowth of pre-B lymphomas after transplantation to pristane-treated BALB/c recipients. The lymphoma-inducing activity of A-MuLV depends on its high titer, since diluted A-MuLV or the lower-titered delta XB induced only PCs under the same conditions. The v-abl, delta XB and BCR-ABL-carrying viruses generated immortalized lymphoblastoid lines in vitro, regardless of the presence of the N-myc transgene, suggesting that lymphoid transformation is a direct function of appropriate abl sequences in contrast to PC acceleration.

An active v-abl protein tyrosine kinase blocks immunoglobulin light-chain gene rearrangement

Lymphoid cells transformed by Abelson murine leukemia virus have provided one of the classic models for study of early B-cell development and immunoglobulin rearrangement. Most of these cells have rearranged their heavy-chain locus but not their light chain genes, suggesting that an active v-abl protein interferes with this differentiation step. To test this hypothesis, light-chain gene structure was examined in pre-B cells transformed by temperature-sensitive mutants of the Abelson virus and in derivatives that survive at the nonpermissive temperature because they express a human BCL-2 gene. Our studies reveal that inactivation of the v-abl protein tyrosine kinase triggers high-frequency rearrangement of kappa and lambda light-chain genes. These events are accompanied by marked increases in the expression of RAG-1 and RAG-2 RNAs. These increases occur in the absence of protein synthesis but are dependent on inactivation of the v-abl protein tyrosine kinase. As documented in the accompanying paper (Klug et al., this issue), an active v-abl protein also suppresses the activity of NF-kappa B/rel and expression controlled by the kappa intron enhancer. Together these data demonstrate that the v-abl protein specifically interferes with light-chain gene rearrangement by suppressing at least two pathways essential for this stage of B-cell differentiation and suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation is important in regulating RAG gene expression.

The v-abl tyrosine kinase negatively regulates NF-kappa B/Rel factors and blocks kappa gene transcription in pre-B lymphocytes

Transformation of B-lineage precursors by the Abelson murine leukemia virus appears to arrest development at the pre-B stage. Abelson-transformed pre-B cell lines generally retain transcriptionally inactive, unrearranged immunoglobulin kappa alleles. We demonstrate that nontransformed pre-B cells expanded from the mouse bone marrow efficiently transcribe unrearranged kappa alleles. In addition, they contain activated complexes of the NF-kappa B/Rel transcription factor family, in contrast with their Abelson-transformed counterparts. Using conditionally transformed pre-B cell lines, we show that the v-abl viral transforming protein, a tyrosine kinase, blocks germ-line kappa gene transcription and negatively regulates NF-kappa B/Rel activity. An active v-abl kinase specifically inhibits the NF-kappa B/Rel-dependent kappa intron enhancer, which is implicated in promoting both transcription and rearrangement of the kappa locus. v-abl inhibits the activated state of NF-kappa B/Rel complexes in a pre-B cell via a post-translational mechanism that results in increased stability of the inhibitory subunit I kappa B alpha. This analysis suggests a molecular pathway by which v-abl inhibits kappa locus transcription and rearrangement.

Ala-->Gly mutation in the putative catalytic loop confers temperature sensitivity on Ros, insulin receptor, and insulin-like growth factor I receptor protein-tyrosine kinases

Temperature-sensitive mutations in the avian sarcoma virus UR2 oncogene ros, encoding a receptor protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK), were identified. The Ala385-->Gly change mapping within the highly conserved RDLAARN motif in the Ros kinase domain was responsible for the temperature-sensitive phenotype. Based on the sequence homology of all known protein kinases and the crystalline structure of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, this conserved region probably represents the PTK catalytic loop. The same mutation when introduced into the human insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors made these PTKs temperature sensitive in both biological function and kinase activity. Our results support the presumed catalytic role of this highly conserved sequence in PTKs. Due to its highly conserved nature, we predict that the same mutation would probably confer temperature sensitivity on other PTKs.

Lymphoid cells transformed by Abelson virus require the v-abl protein-tyrosine kinase only during early G1

Cells infected with temperature-sensitive transformation mutants of the Abelson murine leukemia virus express low levels of kinase activity at the nonpermissive temperature, causing transformed pre-B cells to die under these conditions. Examination of cell cycle profiles of such populations prior to cell death reveals that the cells accumulate in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Following G1 arrest, the cells die via apoptosis, an active process of cell elimination. Cell synchronization and temperature-shift experiments show that G1 arrest reflects the requirement for a functional v-abl protein during early G1 and that the molecule is not required at other phases of the cell cycle. These data indicate that the substrate(s) critical to v-abl-mediated transformation is involved in regulating G1 transit and that these interactions are dominant over all other changes required for the multistep process that results in the fully malignant phenotype associated with v-abl expression in lymphoid cells.

Vaccinia virus B1 kinase: phenotypic analysis of temperature-sensitive mutants and enzymatic characterization of recombinant proteins

The vaccinia virus B1 gene encodes a 34-kDa protein with homology to protein kinases. In L cells infected nonpermissively with mutants containing lesions in the B1 gene (ts2 and ts25), the infectious cycle arrests prior to DNA replication. In this report, we demonstrate that DNA synthesis ceases when cultures infected with these mutants at 32 degrees C are shifted to the nonpermissive temperature (39.5 degrees C) in the midst of DNA replication. We also show that B1 protein is synthesized transiently during the early phase of infection, even when the progression to later stages of gene expression is prevented. Although wild-type (wt) B1 is stable, the ts B1 proteins are markedly labile in both L and BSC40 cells at both permissive and nonpermissive temperatures. These results suggest that the ts phenotype of the mutants is complex and may in part reflect a temperature-dependent requirement for kinase activity, an induction of temperature sensitivity in B1 substrates under nonpermissive conditions, and/or ts complementation by host factors. To facilitate biochemical analyses, recombinant wt B1, ts2 B1, and ts25 B1 were produced in Escherichia coli. The wt protein was able to phosphorylate serine and threonine residues on several exogenous substrates in vitro. The activity of ts25 B1 was 3% that of the wt enzyme, and no detectable kinase activity was associated with ts2 B1. In light of the inactivity of the ts2 B1 protein in vitro and its extreme lability in vivo, we attempted to isolate a vaccinia virus B1 null mutant by targeted interruption of the B1 gene at 32 degrees C. No null mutants were isolated. These results indicate that the B1 protein kinase provides a vital function which cannot be supplied by the host or circumvented by incubation at 32 degrees C.

Carboxyl-terminal determinants of Abelson protein important for lymphoma induction

The carboxyl-terminal region of the Abelson protein is not absolutely required for Abelson virus transformation. However, Abelson virus strains encoding proteins missing portions of this region have a reduced ability to transform lymphoid cells in vitro and in vivo. One such strain, called P90A, is unique in that P90A-injected mice almost always develop tumors containing highly oncogenic variants that encode new forms of Abelson protein. In this work, we have examined the mechanism by which these variants are generated and used the variants to identify carboxyl-terminal protein sequences important for the induction of Abelson disease. Analysis of mice injected with helper-free P90A virus stocks demonstrates that the variants are generated during viral replication in vivo, probably as a consequence of error-prone reverse transcription. The sequence of the P90A viral genome reveals that a 19-base deletion is responsible for synthesis of the truncated Abelson protein. As a consequence of this mutation, 167 carboxyl-terminal amino acids normally found in the wild-type protein have been replaced by 33 amino acids derived from an alternative reading frame. Site-directed mutants show that the combination of the deletion and the P90A carboxyl terminus is required for the generation of variants. Thus, the particular structure of the P90A protein, not the specific residues lost or gained, alters the transforming potential of the Abelson protein. Finally, the sequence of the variants encoding smaller Abelson proteins reveals that as few as 452 v-abl-encoded amino acids are required for rapid induction of Abelson disease.