Single Copy Transgene Integration in a Transcriptionally Active Site for Recombinant Protein Synthesis

For the biomanufacturing of protein biologics, establishing stable cell lines with high transgene transcription is critical for high productivity. Modern genome engineering tools can direct transgene insertion to a specified genomic locus and can potentially become a valuable tool for cell line generation. In this study, the authors survey transgene integration sites and their transcriptional activity to identify characteristics of desirable regions. A lentivirus containing destabilized Green Fluorescent Protein (dGFP) is used to infect Chinese hamster ovary cells at a low multiplicity of infection, and cells with high or low GFP fluorescence are isolated. RNA sequencing and Assay for Transposase Accessible Chromatin using sequencing data shows integration sites with high GFP expression are in larger regions of high transcriptional activity and accessibility, but not necessarily within highly transcribed genes. This method is used to obtain high Immunoglobulin G (IgG) expressing cell lines with a single copy of the transgene integrated into transcriptionally active and accessible genomic regions. Dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange is then employed to swap the IgG transgene for erythropoietin or tumor necrosis factor receptor-Fc. This work thus highlights a strategy to identify desirable sites for transgene integration and to streamline the development of new product producing cell lines.

Enhancement of monoclonal antibody production in CHO cells by exposure to He-Ne laser radiation

This study tested the effectiveness of laser biostimulation in small-scale cultures in vitro. We investigated the response of recombinant CHO cells, which are used for the production of monoclonal antibody, to low level laser radiation. The cells were irradiated using a 632.8 nm He-Ne laser in a continuous wave mode at different energy doses. We incubated the irradiated cells in small batch cultures and assessed their proliferation and productivity at various time intervals. Compared to untreated cells, the irradiated cells showed a significant increase in antibody production. Moreover, the results showed that laser irradiation did not affect viability and slightly enhanced proliferation rate.

Confocal microscopy study of pertussis toxin and toxoids on CHO-cells

Pertussis toxin in its detoxified form is a major component of all current acellular pertussis vaccines. Here we report the membrane translocation and internalization activities of pertussis toxin and various pertussis toxoids using Chinese hamster ovary cells and confocal microscopy based on indirect immunofluorescence labeling. Chemically detoxified pertussis toxoids were able to translocate/internalize into cells at the concentration about 1,000 times higher than the native toxin. Pertussis toxoids detoxified with different procedures (glutaraldehyde, glutaraldehyde plus formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide or genetic mutation) showed differences in fluorescence intensity under the same condition, indicating toxoids from different detoxification methods may have different translocation/internalization activities on cells.

Genotoxicity of 2,6- and 3,5-dimethylaniline in cultured mammalian cells: the role of reactive oxygen species

Several alkylanilines with structures more complex than toluidines have been associated epidemiologically with human cancer. Their mechanism of action remains largely undetermined, and there is no reported evidence that it replicates that of multicyclic aromatic amines even though the principal metabolic pathways of P450-mediated hydroxylation and phase II conjugation are very similar. As a means to elucidate their mechanisms of action, lethality and mutagenicity in the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt (+/-)) gene induced in several Chinese hamster ovary cell types by 2,6- and 3,5-dimethylaniline (2,6-DMA, 3,5-DMA) and their N- and ring-hydroxyl derivatives (N-OH-2,6-DMA, N-OH-3,5-DMA, 2,6-DMAP, 3,5-DMAP) were assessed. Dose-response relationships were determined in the parental AA8 cell line, its repair-deficient UV5 subclone and other repair-deficient 5P3NAT2 or -proficient 5P3NAT2R9 subclones engineered to express mouse cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) and human N-acetyltransferase (NAT2), and also in AS52 cells harboring the bacterial guanine-hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (gpt) gene. Mutations in the gpt gene of AS52 cells were characterized and found to be dominated by G:C to A:T and A:T to G:C transitions. Separately, treatment of AS52 cells with N-OH-2,6-DMA, N-OH-3,5-DMA, 2,6-DMAP, 3,5-DMAP, and 3,5-DMAP led to intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for at least 24h after removal of the mutagens in every case. Using the comet assay, DNA strand breaks were observed in a dose-dependent manner in AS52 cells when treated with each of the four N-OH-2,6-DMA, N-OH-3,5-DMA, 2,6-DMAP, and 3,5-DMAP derivatives. Comparative evaluation of the results indicates that the principal mechanism of mutagenic action is likely to be through redox cycling of intracellularly bound aminophenol/quinone imine structures to generate ROS rather than through formation of covalent DNA adducts.

Surface masking shapes the traffic of the neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor

The neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y2 receptor shows a large masked surface population in adherent CHO cells or in forebrain cell aggregates, but not in dispersed cells or in particulates from these sources. This is related to adhesion via acidic motifs in the extracellular N-terminal domain. Masking of the Y2 receptor is lifted by non-permeabilizing mechanical dispersion of cells, which also increases internalization of Y2 agonists. Mechanical dispersion and detachment by EDTA expose the same number of surface sites. As we have already shown, phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a cysteine-bridging agent, and to a lesser extent also the cysteine alkylator N-ethylmaleimide, unmask the surface Y2 sites without cell detachment or permeabilization. We now demonstrate that unmasking by permeabilizing but non-detaching treatment with cholesterol-binding detergents digitonin and edelfosine compares with and overlaps that of PAO. The caveolar/raft cholesterol-targeting macrolide filipin III however produces only partial unmasking. Depletion of the surface sites by N-terminally clipped Y2 agonists indicates larger accessibility for a short highly helical peptide. These findings indicate presence of a dynamic masked pool including majority of the cell surface Y2 receptors in adherent CHO cells. This compartmentalization is obviously involved in the low internalization of Y2 receptors in these cells.

Deep ultraviolet mapping of intracellular protein and nucleic acid in femtograms per pixel

By using imaging spectrophotometry with paired images in the 200- to 280-nm wavelength range, we have directly mapped intracellular nucleic acid and protein distributions across a population of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells. A broadband 100× objective with a numerical aperture of 1.2 NA (glycerin immersion) and a novel laser-induced-plasma point source generated high-contrast images with short (∼100 ms) exposures and a lateral resolution nearing 200 nm that easily resolves internal organelles. In a population of 420 CHO-K1 cells and 477 nuclei, we found a G1 whole-cell nucleic acid peak at 26.6 pg, a nuclear-isolated total nucleic acid peak at 11.4 pg, and, as inferred by RNase treatment, a G1 total DNA mass of 7.4 pg. At the G1 peak, we found a whole-cell protein mass of 95.6 pg, and a nuclear-isolated protein mass of 39.3 pg. An algorithm for protein quantification that senses peptide-bond (220-nm) absorbance was found to have a higher signal-to-noise ratio and to provide more reliable nucleic acid and protein determinations when compared to more classical 280/260-nm algorithms when used for intracellular mass mapping. Using simultaneous imaging with common nuclear stains (Hoechst 33342, Syto-14, and Sytox Orange), we have compared staining patterns to deep-UV images of condensed chromatin and have confirmed bias of these common nuclear stains related to nuclear packaging. The approach allows absolute mass measurements with no special sample preparation or staining. It can be used in conjunction with normal fluorescence microscopy and with relatively modest modification of the microscope.

Expression of functional bacterial undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase in the yeast rer2{Delta} mutant and CHO cells

During evolution the average chain length of polyisoprenoid glycosyl carrier lipids increased from C55 (prokaryotes) to C75 (yeast) to C95 (mammalian cells). In this study, the ability of the E. coli enzyme, undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (UPPS), to complement the loss of the yeast cis-isoprenyltransferase in the rer2Δ mutant was tested to determine if (55)dolichyl phosphate (Dol-P) could functionally substitute in the protein N-glycosylation pathway for (75)Dol-P, the normal isoprenologue synthesized in S. cerevisiae. First, expression of UPPS in the yeast mutant was found to complement the growth and the hypoglycosylation of carboxypeptidase Y defects suggesting that the (55)polyprenyl-P-P intermediate was converted to (55)Dol-P and that (55)Dol-P could effectively substitute for (75)Dol-P in the biosynthesis and function of Man-P-Dol, Glc-P-Dol and Glc(3)Man(9)GlcNAc(2)-P-P-Dol (mature DLO) in the protein N-glycosylation pathway and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor assembly. In support of this conclusion, mutant cells expressing UPPS (1) synthesized (55)Dol-P based on MS analysis, (2) utilized (55)Dol-P to form Man-P-(55)Dol in vitro and in vivo, and (3) synthesized N-linked glycoproteins at virtually normal rates as assessed by metabolic labeling with [(3)H]mannose. In addition, an N-terminal GFP-tagged construct of UPPS was shown to localize to the endoplasmic reticulum of Chinese hamster ovary cells. Consistent with the synthesis of (55)Dol-P by the transfected cells, microsomes from the transfected cells synthesized the [(14)C](55)polyprenyl-P-P intermediate when incubated with [(14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate and [(3)H]Man-P-(55)Dol when incubated with GDP-[(3)H]Man. These results indicate that (C55)polyisoprenoid chains, significantly shorter than the natural glycosyl carrier lipid, can function in the transbilayer movement of DLOs in the endoplasmic reticulum of yeast and mammalian cells, and that conserved sequences in the cis-isoprenyltransferases are recognized by, yet to be identified, binding partners in the endoplasmic reticulum of mammalian cells.

Toll-like receptor 2 senses hepatitis C virus core protein but not infectious viral particles

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pathogen recognition molecules activating the innate immune system. Cell surface expressed TLRs, such as TLR2 and TLR4, have been shown to play an important role in human host defenses against viruses through sensing of viral structural proteins. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether TLR2 and TLR4 participate in inducing antiviral immunity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) by sensing viral structural proteins. We studied TLR2 and TLR4 activation by cell culture-derived infectious virions and serum-derived virions in comparison to purified recombinant HCV structural proteins and enveloped virus-like particles. Incubation of TLR2 or TLR4 transfected cell lines with recombinant core protein resulted in activation of TLR2-dependent signaling. In contrast, neither infectious virions nor enveloped HCV-like particles triggered TLR2 and TLR4 signaling. These findings suggest that monomeric HCV core protein but not intact infectious particles are sensed by TLR2. Impairment of interaction between TLR and the core in infectious viral particles may contribute to escape from innate antiviral immune responses.

Measuring cell viscoelastic properties using a force-spectrometer: influence of protein-cytoplasm interactions

Cell adhesive and rheological properties play a very important role in cell transmigration through the endothelial barrier, in particular in the case of inflammation (leukocytes) or cancer metastasis (cancer cells). In order to characterize cell viscoelastic properties, we have designed a force spectrometer (AFM) which can stretch cells thereby allowing measurement of their rheological properties. This custom-made force spectrometer allows two different visualizations, one lateral and one from below. It allows investigation of the effects of rheology involved during cell stretching. To test the ability of our system to characterize such viscoelastic properties, ICAM-1 transfected CHO cells were analyzed. Two forms of ICAM-1 were tested; wild type ICAM-1, which can interact with the cytoskeleton, and a mutant form which lacks the cytoplasmic domain, and is unable to associate with the cytoskeleton. Stretching experiments carried out on these cells show the formation of long filaments. Using a previous model of filament elongation, we could determine the viscoelastic properties of a single cell. As expected, different viscoelastic components were found between the wild type and the mutant, which reveal that the presence of interactions between ICAM-1 and the cytoskeleton increases the stiffness of the cell.

Initial analysis of the phosphoproteome of Chinese hamster ovary cells using electrophoresis

Protein phosphorylation is a common post-translational modification of enormous biological importance. Analysis of phosphorylation at the global level should shed light on the use of this modification to regulate metabolism, signal transduction, and other processes. We have begun a proteomic analysis of phosphorylation using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were metabolically labeled using 32P-orthophosphate. The proteins were extracted and run on two-dimensional electrophoresis. Gels were stained using colloidal Coomassie stain, dried, and phosphorimaged. The Coomassie stain allowed the observation of 468 individual protein spots. The phosphorimage showed 181 spots. The phosphoproteome of CHO cells therefore comprises around one third as many proteins as the CHO cell abundance proteome. However, the most intense spots in the phosphoproteome usually do not correlate with intense spots in the abundance proteome. We investigated the effects of labeling time, finding that the number of observable spots increases but the relative intensities also change. We also investigated the effects of adding a phosphatase inhibitor during labeling. Finally, we evaluated a phosphoprotein-specific stain (Pro-Q Diamond) in comparison with radiolabeling methods. There is not perfect correlation between radiolabeled phosphoproteins and Pro-Q Diamond-stained phosphoproteins.

Dual effects of muscarinic M(2) acetylcholine receptors on the synthesis of cyclic AMP in CHO cells: dependence on time, receptor density and receptor agonists

1. Muscarinic M(2) receptors normally inhibit the production of cyclic AMP via G(i) proteins, but a stimulatory component occurs in their effect at high agonist concentrations, believed to be based on the activation of G(s) proteins. We investigated the conditions which determine the occurrence and extent of the stimulatory component in CHO cells stably expressing muscarinic M(2) receptors. 2. Biphasic concentration-response curves (decline followed by return towards control values) were obtained after 10 min incubation with carbachol, oxotremorine-M, acetylcholine, arecoline and arecaidine propargyl ester, but the upward phase was missing with oxotremorine, methylfurmethide, furmethide and pentylthio-TZTP. Shortening the incubation favoured the occurrence of the stimulatory component. Carbachol (1 mM) and oxotremorine-M (1 mM) brought about net stimulation (above 100% of control) of cyclic AMP synthesis during 2 min incubations. The stimulatory components disappeared after the density of receptors had been lowered with oxyphenonium mustard. 3. All agonists stimulated the synthesis of cyclic AMP in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. 4. Most differences between agonists regarding the stimulatory component of their effect on cyclic AMP synthesis could be explained by differences in their efficacy and the induced receptor internalization. 5. We propose that the G(s)-mediated stimulatory component of the effect of muscarinic M(2) receptors on cyclic AMP synthesis only occurs if the density of activated receptors is high enough to saturate the G(i) proteins and proportionate to the receptors' low affinity for the G(s) proteins. It tends to be abolished by receptor internalization.

Hydroxyapatite-pulp composite fiber sheet bed: A new material for the immobilization of CHO-K1 cells

A new immobilization material for cell culture, ahydroxyapatite-pulp composite fiber (HAPC) sheet bed, was usedto grow CHO-K1 cells. The sheet bed for cell culture wasprepared from HAPC fiber by paper-making techniques. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that the HAPCsheet bed had a structure consisting of piled fibers with spaces 10-200 mum in diameter and a pore surface area of 0.32 m(2) g(-1). Using a 25 x 25 mm(2) squareHAPC sheet bed 0.41 mm in thickness (85 g m(-2) basis weight) for cell culture, CHO-K1 cells grew to a cell densityof 3.7 x 10(7) cells cm(-3) in a 60 mm plastic dish over a 6-day culture period. High-density culture of CHO-K1 cells was successfully performed using the HAPC sheet bed in a 500 ml spinner flask over a 21-day culture period. The HAPC sheet bed, wound around the stirrer paddle, was rotated in the spinner flask in order to supply nutrientsand remove waste products efficiently. The HAPC sheet bedhas a large surface area to support cell growth and there islarge diffusion space inside of the bed. This newautoclavable substrate for anchorage-dependent cells can be easily scaled-up.

Influence of alterations in culture condition and changes in perfusion parameters on the retention performance of a 20 mum spinfilter during a perfusion cultivation of a recombinant CHO cell line in pilot scale

Since 1969 much attention has been devoted to the useof spinfilter systems for retention of mammalian cellsin continuous perfusion cultivations. Previousinvestigations dealt with hydrodynamic conditions,fouling processes and upscaling. But hydrodynamicconditions and fouling processes seem to have asecondary importance in spinfilter performance duringauthentic perfusion cultivations. Obviously,alterations in culture condition are more relevantespecially during long-term processes. Therefore, ourpratical approach focussed on the performance qualityof a commercially available 20 mum spinfilterduring a perfusion cultivation of a recombinant CHOcell line in pilot scale regarding the followingissues: 1) retention of viable cells in thebioreactor; 2) removal of dead cells and cell debrisfrom the bioreactor; 3) alterations in culturecondition; and 4) changes in perfusion mode.Furthermore, we tested the performance of 20 mumspinfilters in 2 and 100 l pilot scale using solidmodel particles instead of cells. Our investigationsshowed that retention of viable cells in pilot scalewas independent of spinfilter rotation velocity andperfusion rate; the retention increased from 75 to 95%corresponding to operation time, enlarging celldiameter and enhanced formation of aggregates in theculture during the perfusion cultivation. By means ofthe Cell Counter and Analyzer System (CASY) anoperation cut off of 13 mum was determined forthis spinfilter. Using solid model particles in 2 lscale, optimal retention was achieved at a tip speedof 0.43 m s(-1) (141 rpm) - furtherenhancement of spinfilter rotation velocity up to0.56 m s(-1) (185 rpm) decreased the retentionrapidly. In pilot scale best retention performance wasobtained with tip speeds of 0.37 m s(-1)(35 rpm) and 1.26 m s(-1) (120 rpm). Hence,significant retention in pilot scale could already beachieved with low agitation. Therefore, the additionof shear force protectives could be avoided so thatthe purification of the target protein from thesupernatant would be facilitated.

Pharmacological characterization of extracellular acidification rate responses in human D2(long), D3 and D4.4 receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells

This study characterized pharmacologically the functional responses to agonists at human dopamine D2(long) (hD2), D3 (hD3) and D4.4 (hD4) receptors separately expressed in cloned cells using the cytosensor microphysiometer. Dopaminergic receptor agonists caused increases in extracellular acidification rate in adherent Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) clones expressing hD2, hD3 or hD4 receptors. Acidification rate responses to agonists in other cell lines expressing these receptors were smaller than those in adherent CHO cells. The time courses and maximum increases in acidification rate of the agonist responses in adherent CHO cells were different between the three dopamine receptor clones. Responses were blocked by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin or amiloride analogues. Most agonists had full intrinsic activity at each of the dopamine receptor subtypes, as compared to quinpirole, however both enantiomers of UH-232 and (-)3-PPP were partial agonists in this assay system. The functional potency of full agonists at each of the three receptors expressed in CHO cells was either higher than, or similar to, the apparent inhibition constants (Ki) determined in [125I]-iodosulpride competition binding studies. Functional selectivities of the agonists were less than radioligand binding selectivities. The rank orders of agonist potencies and selectivities were similar, but not identical, to the rank orders of radioligand binding affinities and selectivities. The dopamine receptor antagonists, iodosulpride and clozapine, had no effect on basal acidification rates but inhibited acidification responses in CHO cells to quinpirole in an apparently competitive manner. Antagonist potencies closely matched their radioligand binding affinities in these cells.

Subtype-selective inhibition of [methyl-3H]-N-methylscopolamine binding to muscarinic receptors by alpha-truxillic acid esters

Seven esters of alpha-truxillic acid have been synthesized: bis-3-piperidylpropyl ester and its quaternary bis-N-ethyl derivative, bis-N-diethylaminopropyl ester and its quaternary bis-N-methyl derivative, and bis-4-piperidylbutyl ester and its quaternary bis-N-methyl and bis-N-ethyl derivatives. All esters inhibited the specific binding of muscarinic receptor antagonist [methyl-3H]-N-methylscopolamine ([3H]-NMS) to muscarinic receptors in membranes of CHO cell lines stably expressing the human gene for the M1, M2, M3 or M4 subtype of muscarinic receptors. All esters displayed the highest potency at the M2 and the lowest potency at the M3 receptor subtype. In experiments performed on the M2 muscarinic receptor subtype, the affinity between the receptors and the esters was greatly increased when the concentration of ions was diminished. The highest affinities were found for the tertiary bis-3-piperidylpropyl and bis-4-piperidylbutyl aminoesters (equilibrium dissociation constants of 52 and 179 pM, respectively, in the low ionic strength medium). All investigated esters slowed down the dissociation of [3H]-NMS from the M2 muscarinic receptor subtype. [3H]-NMS dissociation from the M1, M3 and M4 muscarinic receptor subtypes was investigated in experiments with the bis-4-piperidylbutyl aminoester and also found to be decelerated. It is concluded that the esters of alpha-truxillic acid act as M2-selective allosteric modulators of muscarinic receptors and that, by their potency, the tertiary bis-3-piperidylpropyl and bis-4-piperidylbutyl aminoesters surpass the other known allosteric modulators of these receptors.

Quantitative analysis of transcription and translation in gene amplified Chinese hamster ovary cells on the basis of a kinetic model

The elevation of expression levels for secreted glycoproteins by gene amplification in mammalian cells shows a saturation behavior at high levels of gene amplification. At high expression levels a drop in the secretion efficiency for the recombinant protein occurs (Schröder and Friedl, 1997), coinciding with the appearance of misfolded protein in the cell. In this communication we investigated whether additional limitations exist at the levels of transcription and translation. Four Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines expressing different amounts of human antithrombin III (ATIII) were used as a model system. A tenfold increase in the ATIII cDNA copy number from the lowest to the highest producing cell line coincided with a 38-fold increase in ATIII mRNA levels, and an 80-fold increase in the amount of intracellular ATIII levels. The data was analyzed using a simple kinetic model. The following conclusions were derived: I. The transcriptional activity for the recombinant protein is not saturated. II. Translation itself is not saturated either, but may be downregulated as secretion efficiency drops. III. Two explanations for the previously reported drop in secretion efficiency for the recombinant protein with increasing expression level are possible: A. Protein degradation is an alternative fate for translated ATIII and the fraction of ATIII degraded after translation increases as expression level is increased. B. Translation is downregulated as the secretory apparatus becomes exhausted to maintain cell viability.

Distinction between surmountable and insurmountable selective AT1 receptor antagonists by use of CHO-K1 cells expressing human angiotensin II AT1 receptors

1. CHO-K1 cells that were stably transfected with the gene for the human AT1 receptor (CHO-AT1 cells) were used for pharmacological studies of non-peptide AT1 receptor antagonists. 2. In the presence of 10 mM LiCl, angiotensin II caused a concentration-dependent and long-lasting increase of inositol phosphates accumulation with an EC50 of 3.4 nM. No angiotensin II responses are seen in wild-type CHO-K1 cells. 3. [3H]-Angiotensin II bound to cell surface AT1 receptors (dissociates under mild acidic conditions) and is subject to rapid internalization. 4. Non-peptide selective AT1 antagonists inhibited the angiotensin II (0.1 microM) induced IP accumulation and the binding of [3H]-angiotensin II (1 nM) with the potency order: candesartan > EXP3174 > irbesartan > losartan. Their potencies are lower in the presence of bovine serum albumin. 5. Preincubation with the insurmountable antagonist candesartan decreased the maximal angiotensin II induced inositol phosphate accumulation up to 94% and, concomitantly, decreased the maximal binding capacity of the cell surface receptors. These inhibitory effects were half-maximal for 0.6 nM candesartan and were attenuated by simultaneous preincubation with 1 microM losartan indicating a syntopic action of both antagonists. 6. Losartan caused a parallel rightward shift of the angiotensin II concentration-response curves and did not affect the maximal binding capacity. EXP3174 (the active metabolite of losartan) and irbesartan showed a mixed-type behavior in both functional and binding studies. 7. Reversal of the inhibitory effect was slower for candesartan as compared with EXP3174 and irbesartan and it was almost instantaneous for losartan, suggesting that the insurmountable nature of selective AT1 receptor antagonists in functional studies was related to their long-lasting inhibition.

Cell cycle-related changes in the conducting properties of r-eag K+ channels

Release from arrest in G2 phase of the cell cycle causes profound changes in rat ether-à-go-go (r-eag) K+ channels heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The most evident consequence of the onset of maturation is the appearance of rectification in the r-eag current. The trigger for these changes is located downstream of the activation of mitosis-promoting factor (MPF). We demonstrate here that the rectification is due to a voltage-dependent block by intracellular Na+ ions. Manipulation of the intracellular Na+ concentration indicates that the site of Na+ block is located approximately 45% into the electrical distance of the pore and is only present in oocytes undergoing maturation. Since the currents through excised patches from immature oocytes exhibited a fast rundown, we studied CHO-K1 cells permanently transfected with r-eag. These cells displayed currents with a variable degree of block by Na+ and variable permeability to Cs+. Partial synchronization of the cultures in G0/G1 or M phases of the cell cycle greatly reduced the variability. The combined data obtained from mammalian cells and oocytes strongly suggest that the permeability properties of r-eag K+ channels are modulated during cell cycle-related processes.

Potentiation of adenosine A1 receptor-mediated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by tyrosine kinase inhibitors in CHO cells

1. The effect of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors on human adenosine A1 receptor-mediated [3H]-inositol phosphate ([3H]-IP) accumulation has been studied in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-A1) cells. 2. In agreement with our previous studies the selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) stimulated the accumulation of [3H]-IPs in CHO-A1 cells. Pre-treatment with the broad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (100 microM; 30 min) potentiated the responses elicited by 1 microM (199+/-17% of control CPA response) and 10 microM CPA (234+/-15%). Similarly, tyrphostin A47 (100 microM) potentiated the accumulation of [3H]-IPs elicited by 1 microM CPA (280+/-32%). 3. Genistein (EC50 = 13.7+/-1.2 microM) and tyrphostin A47 (EC50 = 10.4+/-3.9 microM) potentiated the [3H]-IP response to 1 microM CPA in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. Pre-incubation with the inactive analogues of genistein and tyrphostin A47, daidzein (100 microM; 30 min) and tyrphostin A1 (100 microM; 30 min), respectively, had no significant effect on the accumulation of [3H]-IPs elicited by 1 microM CPA. 5. Genistein (100 microM) had no significant effect on the accumulation of [3H]-IPs produced by the endogenous thrombin receptor (1 u ml(-1); 100+/-10% of control response). In contrast, tyrphostin A47 produced a small augmentation of the thrombin [3H]-IP response (148+/-13%). 6. Genistein (100 microM) had no effect on the [3H]-IP response produced by activation of the endogenous Gq-protein coupled CCK(A) receptor with the sulphated C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (1 microM CCK-8; 96+/-6% of control). In contrast, tyrphostin A47 (100 microM) caused a small but significant increase in the response to 1 microM CCK-8 (113+/-3% of control). 7. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY 294002 (30 microM) and the MAP kinase kinase inhibitor PD 98059 (50 microM) had no significant effect on the [3H]-IP responses produced by 1 microM CPA and 1 microM CCK-8. 8. These observations suggest that a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway may be involved in the regulation of human adenosine A1 receptor mediated [3H]-IP responses in CHO-A1 cells.

Differential agonist activity of somatostatin and L-362855 at human recombinant sst4 receptors

1. The operational characteristics of somatostatin (SRIF) sst4 receptors are poorly understood. In this study, we have characterized human recombinant sst4 receptors expressed in CHO cells (CHOsst4) by radioligand binding and microphysiometry. 2. Increasing concentrations SRIF or other SRIF receptor ligands inhibited specific [125I]-Tyr11-SRIF binding in CHOsst4 cell membranes with respective pIC50 values of SRIF (8.82), L-362855 (7.40), BIM-23027 (<5.5) and MK-678 (<5.5). 3. These ligands displayed agonist activity, producing concentration-dependent increases in rates of extracellular acidification (EAR) with pEC50 values of SRIF (9.6) and L-362855 (8.0), respectively. BIM-23027 and MK-678 were at least 1000 times weaker than SRIF. The SRIF maximum was about 40% of that observed with L-362855. 4. In the presence of SRIF (0.1-1 nM), concentration-effect curves to L-362855 were displaced to the right with a progressive reduction in the L-362855 maximum. 5. When cells were only exposed to a single maximally effective concentration of SRIF or L-362855, there was no difference in the magnitude of the agonist-induced increase in EAR. However, a second agonist challenge, 30 min later showed that responses to SRIF but not L-362855 were markedly desensitized. 6. When concentration-effect curves to SRIF and L-362855 were obtained by combining data from cells exposed to only a single agonist concentration, SRIF (pEC50 9.2) was approximately 20 times more potent than L-362855 (pEC50 8.0) but the maxima were the same. Responses to both SRIF and L-362855 were abolished by pertussis toxin. 7. SRIF and L-362855-induced increases in EAR were inhibited by N-ethyl isopropyl amiloride (10 microM) but were not modified by inhibitors of PKC (Go-6976), MAP kinase (PD-98059), tyrosine kinase (genistein) or tyrosine phosphatase (sodium orthovanadate). 8. The results suggest that SRIF-induced increases in EAR in CHOsst4 cells involved activation of the Na+/H+ antiporter and were mediated via Gi/Go G proteins. Responses to SRIF, but not L-362855, were subject to marked desensitization which may be a consequence of differential activation of receptor-effector coupling pathways.

Direct dopamine D2-receptor-mediated modulation of arachidonic acid release in transfected CHO cells without the concomitant administration of a Ca2+-mobilizing agent

In CHO cells transfected with the rat dopamine D2 receptor (long isoform), administration of dopamine per se elicited a concentration-dependent increase in arachidonic acid (AA) release. The maximal effect was 197% of controls (EC50=25 nM). The partial D2 receptor agonist, (-)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine [(-)-3-PPP], also induced AA release, but with somewhat lower efficacy (maximal effect: 165%; EC50=91 nM). The AA-releasing effect of dopamine was counteracted by pertussis toxin, by the inhibitor of intracellular Ca2+ release, 8-(N N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), by excluding calcium from the medium, by the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, quinacrine, and by long-term pretreatment with the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In addition, it was antagonized by the D2 antagonists, raclopride and (-)-sulpiride--but not by (+)-sulpiride--and absent in sham-transfected CHO cells devoid of D2 receptors. The results obtained contrast to the previous notion that dopamine and other D2 receptor agonists require the concomitant administration of calcium-mobilizing agents such as ATP, ionophore A-23187 (calcimycin), thrombin, and TRH, to influence AA release from various cell lines.

Human adenosine A1 receptor and P2Y2-purinoceptor-mediated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in transfected CHO cells

1. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signalling pathway can be activated by a variety of heterotrimeric Gi/Go protein-coupled and Gq/G11 protein-coupled receptors. The aims of the current study were: (i) to investigate whether the Gi/Go protein-coupled adenosine A1 receptor activates the MAP kinase pathway in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-A1) and (ii) to determine whether adenosine A1 receptor activation would modulate the MAP kinase response elicited by the endogenous P2Y2 purinoceptor. 2. The selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) stimulated time and concentration-dependent increases in MAP kinase activity in CHO-A1 cells (EC50 7.1+/-0.4 nM). CPA-mediated increases in MAP kinase activity were blocked by PD 98059 (50 microM; 89+/-4% inhibition), an inhibitor of MAP kinase kinase 1 (MEKI) activation, and by pre-treating cells with pertussis toxin (to block Gi/Go-dependent pathways). 3. Adenosine A1 receptor-mediated activation of MAP kinase was abolished by pre-treatment with the protein tyrosine inhibitor, genistein (100 microM; 6+/-10% of control). In contrast, daidzein (100 microM), the inactive analogue of genistein had no significant effect (96+/-12 of control). MAP kinase responses to CPA (1 microM) were also sensitive to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin (100 nM; 55+/-8% inhibition) and LY 294002 (30 microM; 40+/-5% inhibition) but not to the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (10 microM). 4. Activation of the endogenous P2Y2 purinoceptor with UTP also stimulated time and concentration-dependent increases in MAP kinase activity in CHO-A1 cells (EC50=1.6+/-0.3 microM). The MAP kinase response to UTP was partially blocked by pertussis toxin (67+/-3% inhibition) and by the PKC inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (10 microm; 45+/-5% inhibition), indicating the possible involvement of both Gi/Go protein and Gq protein-dependent pathways in the overall response to UTP. 5. CPA and UTP stimulated concentration-dependent increases in the phosphorylation state of the 42 kDa and 44 kDa forms of MAP kinase as demonstrated by Western blotting. 6. Co-activation of CHO-A1 cells with CPA (10 nM) and UTP (1 microM) produced synergistic increases in MAP kinase activity which were not blocked by the PKC inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (10 microM). 7. Adenosine A1 and P2Y2 purinoceptor activation increased the expression of luciferase in CHO cells transfected with a luciferase reporter gene containing the c-fos promoter. However, co-activating these two receptors produced only additive increases in luciferase expression. 8. In conclusion, our studies have shown that the transfected adenosine A1 receptor and the endogenous P2Y2 purinoceptor couple to the MAP kinase signalling pathway in CHO-A1 cells. Furthermore, co-stimulation of the adenosine A1 receptor and the P2Y2 purinoceptor produced synergistic increases in MAP kinase activity but not c-fos mediated luciferase expression.

Barium influx mediated by the cardiac sodium-calcium exchanger in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells

We examined Ba2+ influx using isotopic and fura-2 techniques in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the bovine cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (CK1.4 cells). Ba2+ competitively inhibited exchange-mediated 45Ca2+ uptake with a Ki approximately 3 mM. Ba2+ uptake was stimulated by pretreating the cells with ouabain and by removing extracellular Na+, as expected for Na+/Ba2+ exchange activity. The maximal velocity of Ba2+ accumulation was estimated to be 50% of that for Ca2+. When the monovalent cation ionophore gramicidin was used to equilibrate internal and external concentrations of Na+, Ba2+ influx was negligible in the absence of Na+ and increased to a maximum at 20-40 mM Na+. At higher Na+ concentrations, Ba2+ influx declined, presumably due to the competition between Na+ and Ba2+ for transport sites on the exchanger. Unlike Ca2+, Ba2+ did not appear to be taken up by intracellular organelles. Thus, 133Ba2+ uptake in ouabain-treated cells was not reduced by mitochondrial inhibitors such as-Cl-CCP or oligomycin-rotenone. Moreover, intracellular Ca2+ stores that had been depleted of Ca2+ by pretreatment of the cells with ionomycin (a Ca2+ ionophore) remained empty during a subsequent period of Ba2+ influx. Ca2+ uptake or release by intracellular organelles secondarily regulated exchange activity through alterations in [Ca2+]i. Exchange-mediated Ba2+ influx was inhibited when cytosolic [Ca2+] was reduced to 20 nM or less and was accelerated at cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations of 25-50 nM We conclude that (a) Ba2+ substitutes for Ca2+ as a transport substrate for the exchanger, (b) cytosolic Ba2+ does not appear to be sequestered by intracellular organelles, and (c) exchange-mediated Ba2+ influx is accelerated by low concentrations of cytosolic Ca2+.

Is rhodamine 123 an appropriate fluorescent probe to assess P-glycoprotein mediated multidrug resistance in vinblastine-resistant CHO cells?

Cellular drug resistance, which involves several mechanisms such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression, kinetic and metabolic quiescence, or the increase in the intracellular levels of glutathione, limits the effectiveness of cancer treatment. It has been reported that functional assessment of the cationic dye rhodamin 123 (Rho123) efflux reveals accurately the drug-resistant phenotype. To study cellular drug resistance, we have obtained a CHO-K1 derived cell line resistant to vinblastine by means of multistep selection. This cell line (CHOVBR) displays high reactivity with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) (C219) directed against an internal domain of P-gp, and an active Rho123 efflux, as shown by parallel flow cytometric and fluorometric assays. However, under similar experimental conditions, the drug-sensitive parental cell line CHO-K1 (as well as the myeloblastic KG1 and KG1a cell lines), was also able to pump Rho123 out. These parental CHO-K1 cells had a very low reactivity against the C219 Mab, as confirmed by Western blot analysis. Both vinblastine and verapamil inhibited Rho123 efflux in CHO-K1 cells, but had no effect on CHOVBR cultures. Also, deprivation of vinblastine for one month did not affect Rho123 efflux in these cells. Our results suggest that the activity of P-gp appears to be essential, but not sufficient to confer drug resistance, and that Rho123-based functional assays of drug resistance should be evaluated for each cellular experimental model.

A mammalian cell mutant with a temperature-sensitive leucyl-transfer RNA synthetase

A cell mutant of the Chinese hamster ovary line, which is temperature sensitive for protein synthesis, is specifically defective in vivo in its ability to charge tRNA with leucine. Cytoplasmic extracts exhibited temperature-sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase activity. It is, therefore, highly likely that the mutant has a structural alteration in leucyl-tRNA synthetase. The low leakiness and low reversion rate of this mutant, combined with the specificity of the defect in its protein-synthesizing machinery, make it an appealing tool for investigating regulatory mechanisms in animal cells.

Initiation and continuation of DNA replication are not associated with the nuclear envelope in mammalian cells

For determination of whether DNA replication is initiated at the nuclear envelope, synchronized Chinese hamster ovary cells labeled with [(3)H]thymidine were examined by electron microscope radioautography. The cells were synchronized initially by mitotic shake-off and held at the G(1)-S border by 5-fluorodeoxyuridine plus amethopterin. Cells were fixed at 1, 5, 10, and 30 min after the inhibitors were counteracted with [(3)H]thymidine. Radioautographic silver grains in each case were present over the more central parts of nuclei and were generally absent from the region of the nuclear envelope. We conclude that neither initiation nor continuation of DNA replication is associated with the nuclear envelope.