The c-Ha-ras oncogene and a tumor promoter activate the polyoma virus enhancer

Control of VEGF expression in triple-negative breast carcinoma cells by suppression of SAF-1 transcription factor activity

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in cancer by providing increased blood supply to the affected tissues and thus bringing in growth factors, cytokines, and various nutrients for tumor growth. VEGF is the most prominent angiogenic agent that is markedly induced in cancer. Induction of VEGF has been widely studied but as cancer cells are quite adept at acquiring new alternative processes to circumvent surrounding environmental pressures, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating VEGF expression in cancer, especially in triple-negative breast cancer cells, remains incomplete. Here, we present evidence of a novel mode of VEGF induction in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that is regulated by serum amyloid A activating factor 1 (SAF-1) transcription factor. Inhibition of SAF-1 by antisense short hairpin RNA profoundly reduces VEGF expression along with reduction in endothelial cell proliferation and migration. By both in vitro and in vivo molecular studies, we show that the effect of SAF-1 is mediated through its direct interaction with the VEGF promoter. In correlation, DNA-binding activity of SAF-1 is found to be significantly higher in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Examination of several breast cancer samples further revealed that SAF-1 is overexpressed in clinical breast cancer tissues. Taken together, these findings reveal that SAF-1 is a hitherto unrecognized participant in inducing VEGF expression in triple-negative breast cancer cells, an aggressive form of breast cancer that currently lacks effective treatment options. Suppression of SAF-1 activity in these cells can inhibit VEGF expression, providing a possible new method to control angiogenesis.

RUNX genes in development and cancer: regulation of viral gene expression and the discovery of RUNX family genes

Mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, also called teratocarcinoma stem cells, are nonpermissive for polyomavirus growth, whereas differentiated derivatives of the cells are permissive. Mutant viruses capable of growing in EC cells can be isolated. They have genomic alterations within the viral enhancer, which is required for viral gene expression and DNA replication. This viral regulatory region was considered as a potential probe for mouse cell differentiation. The 24-bp-long A element within the enhancer was identified as a minimum element, which also shows a lower activity in EC cells compared with the differentiated cells. Transcription factors PEA1/AP1, PEA2/PEBP2, and PEA3/ETS were identified as A element-binding proteins. All of them are absent in EC cells and induced to be expressed when the cells are differentiated. Although PEBP2 has a weaker transactivation activity compared with other two, it is essential for the enhancer function of the A element. Purification and cDNA cloning revealed that PEBP2 has two subunits, DNA-binding alpha (PEBP2alpha) and non-DNA-binding beta (PEBP2beta). PEBP2alpha was found to be highly homologous to a Drosophila segmentation gene, runt, and a human gene AML1 that was identified as a part of the fusion gene, AML1/ETO (MTG8) generated by t(8;21) chromosome translocation associated with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Core-binding factor (CBF), which interacts with a murine retrovirus enhancer, was found to be identical to PEBP2. runt, PEBP2alpha and AML1 are now termed RUNX family, which are involved in cell specification during development. There are three mammalian RUNX genes, RUNX1, RUNX2, and RUNX3. RUNX1 is essential for generation of hematopoietic stem cells and is involved in human leukemia. RUNX2 is essential for skeletal development and has an oncogenic potential. RUNX3 is expressed in wider ranges of tissues and has multiple roles. Among others, RUNX3 is a major tumor suppressor of gastric and many other solid tumors.

A new role for the Kruppel-like transcription factor KLF6 as an inhibitor of c-Jun proto-oncoprotein function

Kruppel-like transcription factors (KLFs) represent one of the most diverse set of regulators in vertebrate organisms. KLF family members are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation control in normal as well as in pathological situations. Here, we demonstrate that KLF6 behaves as a functional antagonist of the c-Jun proto-oncoprotein. Thus, KLF6 overexpression downregulated c-Jun-dependent transcription and a physical interaction between c-Jun and KLF6 was detected. Moreover, cell proliferation induced by c-Jun was significantly decreased by KLF6. The inhibition of c-Jun functions correlates directly with c-Jun protein degradation induced by KLF6. We also show that all KLF6 effects on c-Jun were largely dependent on phorbol ester (TPA/ionomycin) extracellular stimulation, which enhanced KLF6 nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity and modified its phosphorylation status. Our data are consistent with a novel mechanism of KLF6's role as an inhibitor of cell proliferation by counteracting the function of the c-Jun proto-oncoprotein involving enhanced c-Jun degradation by the proteasome-dependent pathway, and further reinforces KLF6 as a potential tumor suppressor gene product.

The tumor suppressor p53 inhibits Net, an effector of Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling

The tumor suppressor function of p53 is linked to its ability to repress gene expression, but the mechanisms of specific gene repression are poorly understood. We report that wild-type p53 inhibits an effector of the Ras oncogene/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, the transcription factor Net. Tumor-associated mutant p53s are less efficient inhibitors. p53 inhibits by preventing phosphorylation of Net by MAP kinases. Loss of p53 in vivo leads to increased Net phosphorylation in response to wound healing and UV irradiation of skin. Our results show that p53 can repress specific gene expression by inhibiting Net, a factor implicated in cell cycle entry.

The transcription factor Net regulates the angiogenic switch

Angiogenesis is fundamental to physiological and pathological processes. Despite intensive efforts, little is known about the intracellular circuits that regulate angiogenesis. The transcription factor Net is activated by phosphorylation induced by Ras, an indirect regulator of angiogenesis. Net is expressed at sites of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis during early mouse development, suggesting that it could have a role in blood vessel formation. We show here that down-regulation of Net inhibits angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro. Ras-activated phosphorylated Net (P-Net) stimulates the mouse VEGF promoter through the -80 to -53 region that principally binds Sp1. P-Net and VEGF are coexpressed in angiogenic processes in wild-type mouse tissues and in human tumors. We conclude that Net is a regulator of angiogenesis that can switch to an activator following induction by pro-angiogenic molecules.

The ternary complex factor Net contains two distinct elements that mediate different responses to MAP kinase signalling cascades

The ternary complex factors (TCFs), Elk-1, Sap-1a and Net, are key integrators of the transcriptional response to different signalling pathways. Classically, three MAP kinase pathways, involving ERK, JNK, and p38, transduce various extracellular stimuli to the nucleus. Net is a repressor that is converted into an activator by Ras/ERK signalling. Net is also exported from the nucleus in response to stress stimuli transduced through the JNK pathway, leading to relief from repression. Here we show that ERK and p38 bind to the D box and that binding is required for phosphorylation of the adjacent C-terminally located C-domain. The D box as well as the phosphorylation sites in the C-domain (the DC element) are required for transcription activation by Ras. On the other hand, JNK binds to the J box in the middle of the protein, and binding is required for phosphorylation of the adjacent EXport motif. Both the binding and phosphorylation sites (the JEX element) are important for Net export. In conclusion, specific targeting of Net by MAP kinase pathways involves two different docking sites and phosphorylation of two different domains. These two elements, DC and JEX, mediate two distinct functional responses.

The net repressor is regulated by nuclear export in response to anisomycin, UV, and heat shock

The ternary complex factors (TCFs) are targets for Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways. They integrate the transcriptional response at the level of serum response elements in early-response genes, such as the c-fos proto-oncogene. An important aim is to understand the individual roles played by the three TCFs, Net, Elk1, and Sap1a. Net, in contrast to Elk1 and Sap1a, is a strong repressor of transcription. We now show that Net is regulated by nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling in response to specific signalling pathways. Net is mainly nuclear under both normal and basal serum conditions. Net contains two nuclear localization signals (NLSs); one is located in the Ets domain, and the other corresponds to the D box. Net also has a nuclear export signal (NES) in the conserved Ets DNA binding domain. Net is apparently unique among Ets proteins in that a particular leucine in helix 1, a structural element, generates a NES. Anisomycin, UV, and heat shock induce active nuclear exclusion of Net through a pathway that involves c-Jun N-terminal kinase kinase and is inhibited by leptomycin B. Nuclear exclusion relieves transcriptional repression by Net. The specific induction of nuclear exclusion of Net by particular signalling pathways shows that nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of transcription factors can add to the specificity of the response to signalling cascades.

A dominant negative mutant of jun blocking 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced invasion in mouse keratinocytes

We previously reported that induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcriptional activity appears to be required for tumor promoter-induced transformation in mouse epidermal JB6 cells. To extend this investigation to a keratinocyte culture model and a transgenic mouse model, we constructed K14TAM67, a keratin 14 promoter-controlled version of the dominant negative jun mutant to directly block AP-1 activity and possibly indirectly block NF kappa B activity in basal squamous epithelia. This study was directed at characterizing TAM67 expression and biological activity in the mouse cell line 308, a keratinocyte model for studying carcinogenesis. Cotransfection of K14TAM67 with luciferase plasmid reporter DNAs produced inhibition of basal and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced AP-1 and NF kappa B activity but had no effect on p53-dependent transcriptional activity. In an in vitro invasion assay, stable expression of TAM67 in 308 cells blocked TPA-induced Matrigel invasion. This suggests that blocking TPA-induced AP-1- or NF kappa B-regulated gene expression by TAM67 inhibits TPA-induced progression. Recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 reduced TPA-induced in vitro invasion, thus implicating metalloproteinases at least in part in the transcription factor-dependent process. Analysis of mRNA levels for members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, however, revealed that the expression of any single MMP family member did not correlate with regulation of AP-1 or NF kappa B activity. However, the combination of substantial levels of mRNA for stromelysin-1, stromelysin-2, collagenase, membrane type 1 MMP, and gelatinase A occurred only in TPA-treated cells in the absence of TAM67. These results suggest that the action of the dominant negative jun mutant on AP-1 and NF kappa B gene regulation results in complex alterations in the levels of downstream effector genes, such as the metalloproteinases, that effect TPA-induced cellular invasion.

AP-1/jun is required for early Xenopus development and mediates mesoderm induction by fibroblast growth factor but not by activin

In Xenopus, normal mesoderm formation depends on signaling through the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) tyrosine kinase receptor. An important signaling pathway from receptor tyrosine kinases involves Ras/Raf/MAP kinase. However, the downstream pathway that occurs in the nucleus to finally trigger gene expression for mesoderm formation remains unknown. We report here that a high level of activator protein-1 (AP-1)-dependent transcriptional activity is detected during the early development of Xenopus embryos. Injection of a dominant negative mutant jun (DNM-jun or TAM67) RNA into the two-cell stage embryos inhibited endogenous AP-1 activity and blocked normal embryonic development with severe posterior truncation in tadpoles. The inhibition of AP-1 activity and the phenotypic change induced by TAM67 was rescued by co-injection of wild-type c-jun RNA, but not by the control beta-galactosidase RNA. The FGF-stimulated mesoderm induction was markedly inhibited in animal cap explants from the embryos injected with TAM67. Activin induction of mesoderm, on the other hand, was normal in the embryos injected with TAM67 RNA. These findings suggest that AP-1 mediates FGF, but not activin, receptor signaling during mesoderm induction and the AP-1/Jun is a key signaling molecule in the development of posterior structure.

Dbl and Vav mediate transformation via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways that are distinct from those activated by oncogenic Ras

Vav and Dbl are members of a novel class of oncogene proteins that share significant sequence identity in a approximately 250-amino-acid domain, designated the Dbl homology domain. Although Dbl functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and activator of Rho family proteins, recent evidence has demonstrated that Vav functions as a GEF for Ras proteins. Thus, transformation by Vav and Dbl may be a consequence of constitutive activation of Ras and Rho proteins, respectively. To address this possibility, we have compared the transforming activities of Vav and Dbl with that of the Ras GEF, GRF/CDC25. As expected, GRF-transformed cells exhibited the same reduction in actin stress fibers and focal adhesions as Ras-transformed cells. In contrast, Vav- and Dbl-transformed cells showed the same well-developed stress fibers and focal adhesions observed in normal or RhoA(63L)-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. Furthermore, neither Vav- or Dbl-transformed cells exhibited the elevated levels of Ras-GTP (60%) observed with GRF-transformed cells. Finally, GRF, but not Vav or Dbl, induced transcriptional activation from Ras-responsive DNA elements (ets/AP-1, fos promoter, and kappa B). However, like Ras- and GRF-transformed cells, both Vav- and Dbl-transformed cells exhibited constitutively activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (primarily p42MAPK/ERK2). Since kinase-deficient forms of p42MAPK/ERK2 and p44MAPK/ERK1 inhibited Dbl transformation, MAPK activation may be an important component of its transforming activity. Taken together, our observations indicate that Vav and Dbl transformation is not a consequence of Ras activation and instead may involve the constitutive activation of MAPKs.

Dbl and Vav mediate transformation via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways that are distinct from those activated by oncogenic Ras

Vav and Dbl are members of a novel class of oncogene proteins that share significant sequence identity in a approximately 250-amino-acid domain, designated the Dbl homology domain. Although Dbl functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and activator of Rho family proteins, recent evidence has demonstrated that Vav functions as a GEF for Ras proteins. Thus, transformation by Vav and Dbl may be a consequence of constitutive activation of Ras and Rho proteins, respectively. To address this possibility, we have compared the transforming activities of Vav and Dbl with that of the Ras GEF, GRF/CDC25. As expected, GRF-transformed cells exhibited the same reduction in actin stress fibers and focal adhesions as Ras-transformed cells. In contrast, Vav- and Dbl-transformed cells showed the same well-developed stress fibers and focal adhesions observed in normal or RhoA(63L)-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. Furthermore, neither Vav- or Dbl-transformed cells exhibited the elevated levels of Ras-GTP (60%) observed with GRF-transformed cells. Finally, GRF, but not Vav or Dbl, induced transcriptional activation from Ras-responsive DNA elements (ets/AP-1, fos promoter, and kappa B). However, like Ras- and GRF-transformed cells, both Vav- and Dbl-transformed cells exhibited constitutively activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (primarily p42MAPK/ERK2). Since kinase-deficient forms of p42MAPK/ERK2 and p44MAPK/ERK1 inhibited Dbl transformation, MAPK activation may be an important component of its transforming activity. Taken together, our observations indicate that Vav and Dbl transformation is not a consequence of Ras activation and instead may involve the constitutive activation of MAPKs.

Hepatitis B virus transactivator HBx uses a tumour promoter signalling pathway

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) transactivator protein HBx is enigmatic in that it stimulates a striking variety of promoters which do not share a common cis-regulatory element. As it does not bind to DNA, it has been speculated that HBx acts indirectly through cellular pathways. Under certain conditions HBx can have an oncogenic potential, which may be relevant for HBV-associated liver carcinogenesis, but until now the mechanism for transactivation and cell transformation by HBx was unclear. We report here that HBx uses a complex signal transduction pathway for transactivation. An increase in the endogenous protein kinase C (PKC) activator sn-1,2-diacylglycerol and the subsequent activation of PKC give rise to activation of the transcription factor AP-1 (Jun-Fos). As a result, HBx transactivates through binding sites for AP-1 and other PKC-dependent transcription factors (AP-2, NF-kappa B), thereby explaining the as-yet incomprehensible variety of HBx-inducible genes. As the PKC signal cascade also mediates cell transformation by tumour-promoting agents, the mechanism presented here might account for the oncogenic potential of HBx.

Different levels of v-Ha-ras p21 expression in primary keratinocytes transformed with Harvey sarcoma virus correlate with benign versus malignant behavior

Primary mouse keratinocytes transformed with an activated ras oncogene transduced by helper-free Harvey sarcoma virus (HaSV) form predominantly benign tumors. In contrast, keratinocytes transformed with helper-associated HaSV form malignant tumors. We report here that this different tumorigenic behavior correlated with a much higher level of v-Ha-ras p21 protein in cells transformed with the helper-associated virus. The high level of v-ras expression in these cells was due to viral spread beyond the initial infection. The low level of v-ras p21 expression that resulted from single-hit infection with helper-free virus, together with the intrinsic heterogeneity of primary keratinocytes, explains, at least in part, the different tumorigenic behavior of keratinocytes transformed by the two types of viruses.

Differentiation and proliferation in mouse embryonal carcinoma cells

How cell commitment and differentiation are controlled in the early stages of embryogenesis is a problem that has long fascinated developmental biologists. Retinoic acid-induced differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells in culture provides a model in which these questions can be explored. Recent work has yielded exciting insights into the central series of molecular changes which drives the commitment of these cells to formation of a new phenotype. Interacting with the key molecules in this central pathway is a variety of transcription factors, many of which show changes in availability and/or activity during differentiation. In various combinations, these modulate the activities of genes involved in both cell proliferation and in the production of extracellular matrix and other proteins characteristics of differentiated cells.

Harderian gland hyperplasia in c-mos transgenic mice

Transgenic mice carrying the mouse mos proto-oncogene linked to a retroviral LTR develop hyperplasia of the Harderian glands. Enlargement of the glands is evident as early as 18 weeks after birth, with glands reaching up to 10 times their normal weight. Approximately 65% of the cases of hyperplasia occur bilaterally, and the majority of mice affected are male (66%). Elevated levels of mos expression are found in all Harderian glands of mice from the affected transgenic line, but not in glands of normal mice or a non-affected transgenic line, indicating that hyperplasia is dependent on mos expression. Histological examination of the tissue reveals a general involvement of the entire gland epithelium in hyperplastic growth, with no evidence of focal or malignant tumours. These observations show that in addition to neu, myc, ras and ret transgenes, mos, a member of the protein-serine/threonine kinase family of oncogenes, can induce Harderian gland hyperplasia, thus revealing an unusual response by this organ to various classes of oncogenes. Analysis of fos, jun, myc and ets oncogene RNA in mos-induced hyperplastic Harderian glands shows that there are no consistent changes in the level of expression of these oncogenes, suggesting that mos acts via a mechanism other than by increasing the expression of these genes.

Molecular cloning and characterization of PEA3, a new member of the Ets oncogene family that is differentially expressed in mouse embryonic cells

The PEA3 motif, first recognized in the polyomavirus enhancer, is an oncogene, serum growth factor, and phorbol ester-responsive element. An activity capable of binding to this sequence, termed PEA3 (polyomavirus enhancer activator 3), was identified in mouse 3T6 cell nuclear extracts. We have cloned cDNAs that encode PEA3 from a mouse FM3A cell cDNA library. A continuous open reading frame in the longest cDNA predicts a 555-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 61 kD. Recombinant PEA3 binds to DNA with the same sequence specificity as that endogenous to FM3A cells and activates transcription through the PEA3 motif in HeLa cells. Deletion mapping of the protein revealed that the DNA-binding domain is located within a stretch of 102 amino acids near the carboxyl terminus. This region shares extensive sequence similarity with the ETS domain, a conserved protein sequence common to all ets gene family members. PEA3 is encoded by a 2.4-kb mRNA that is expressed to differing extents in fibroblastic and epithelial cell lines but not in hematopoietic cell lines. In the mouse, PEA3 expression is highly restricted; only the epididymis and the brain contain readily detectable amounts of its mRNA. Interestingly, the amount of PEA3 mRNA is down-regulated during retinoic acid-induced differentiation of mouse embryonic cell lines. These findings suggest that PEA3 plays a regulatory role during mouse embryogenesis.

Elevated expression of the ribosomal protein S2 gene in human tumors

Differential screening of a cDNA library was used to isolate genes differentially expressed in a nontumorigenic clone and a ras-transformed variant of the human teratocarcinoma cell line PA-1. The RNA transcript for one of the cDNA clones that we identified was expressed at a 25-fold higher level in the ras-transformed PA-1 cells than in the nontumorigenic PA-1 cells. DNA sequence analysis of this clone showed that it had 86% nucleic acid homology to the mouse LLRep3 gene and only differed at a single amino acid codon (codon 198), which is changed from serine in LLRep3 to threonine in this cDNA clone. The rat ribosomal S2 protein is closely related to the yeast omnipotent informational suppressor SUP44, which encodes the yeast ribosomal protein S4; to the mouse protein LLRep3; and to the human cDNA clone we describe in this report. We therefore concluded that this clone codes for the human ribosomal S2 protein. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that expression of this gene was elevated in cultured human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas compared with normal keratinocytes. In situ hybridization experiments also demonstrated that expression of this gene was elevated in histological sections of human premalignant leukoplakia, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, and colon and breast cancers compared with the adjacent normal tissues. S2 expression may be a useful diagnostic or prognostic marker for grading human tumors.

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate--induced levels of AP-1 proteins: a 46-kDa protein immunoprecipitated by anti-fra-1 and induced in promotion-resistant but not promotion-sensitive JB6 cells

Neoplastic transformation and transcriptional activation by activator protein-1 (AP-1) complex are stimulated by tumor-promoting agents in promotion-sensitive (P+) but not promotion-resistant (P-) mouse epidermal JB6 cells in culture. This implicates AP-1 as a specific regulator of signal transduction pathways in the promotion phase of neoplastic transformation. We therefore hypothesized that the defective P- responsiveness may be due to limiting levels of AP-1 protein components in those cells. In this investigation, steady-state levels of AP-1 protein components were measured by immunoprecipitating proteins from 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated P+ and P- cells to discern what may limit the AP-1 response. Whereas the AP-1 proteins junB, junD, and fosB did not show differential basal or TPA-inducible levels in P+ and P- cells, a 46-kDa species precipitated by anti-fra-1 antibody was TPA-inducible in P- cells but not in P+ cells, and c-jun protein was present at higher levels in TPA-treated and untreated P+ cells than in P- cells. These data raise the possibility that the 46-kDa fra-1-related protein may be a negative modulator of AP-1 activity and suggest that elevated levels of this 46-kDa species and limiting levels of c-jun may significantly impair AP-1 function or transformation response in P- cells or both.

Differential c-jun expression in response to tumor promoters in JB6 cells sensitive or resistant to neoplastic transformation

The activity of AP-1, a trans-acting transcription factor, is stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in promotion-sensitive (P+) but not in promotion-resistant (P-) JB6 mouse epidermal cell lines. TPA and EGF also promote neoplastic transformation only in P+ cells. Thus, it has been proposed that AP-1-dependent gene expression is involved in determining sensitivity to tumor promotion. This paper explores the possible basis for the differential inducibility of AP-1 activity in P+ and P- JB6 cells, focusing in particular on the regulation of expression of the components of the AP-1 complex at the mRNA level. The expression of jun and fos gene family members, which make up the AP-1 complex, can be stimulated by serum and a number of growth factors, including EGF, and by TPA. Therefore, the possibility that differential expression of one or more forms of jun or fos contributes to the differential AP-1 activity was considered. The data presented here demonstrate both similarities and differences in the basal and TPA- or EGF-induced levels of fos and jun family members between P+ and P- cells. The most striking observation was that the overall TPA- and EGF-induced levels of jun but not fos expression were higher in P+ cells. This suggests that tumor promoter-regulated c-jun expression may contribute to the differential AP-1 activation observed in these cells and may be important in determining sensitivity to promotion of neoplastic transformation.

Gene expression and metastasis of somatic cell hybrids between murine fibroblast cell lines of different malignant potential

We have used somatic cell hybrids to study the relationship between ras sensitivity, metastasis, and the expression of ras-responsive or "metastasis-associated" genes. We have previously shown that NIH 3T3 cells are nontumorigenic, but are made metastatic by transfection and expression of activated ras (i.e., they are ras-sensitive). LTA cells, however, are initially tumorigenic, but nonmetastatic, and are not altered in malignancy by ras (i.e., they are ras-resistant). We also have shown that patterns of expression of ras-responsive and "metastasis-associated" genes differ markedly between these two cell types. In the present work, we have constructed three sets of somatic cell hybrids: NIH 3T3 X LTA cells (designated NL), NIH 3T3 X ras-transfected LTA cells (designated NLR), and LTA X ras-transfected NIH 3T3 cells (designated LNR). In all three sets of cell hybrids, pooled clones were found to be highly metastatic in the chick embryo assay, suggesting complementation had occurred. Those cell hybrids that contained ras (NLR and LNR hybrids) were significantly more metastatic than those that did not (NL hybrids). Selected clones of low and high metastatic ability from both NL and LNR fusions were examined for tumorigenicity and "experimental" metastatic ability in nude mice, as well as for expression of several genes thought to be involved in ras-induced progression and malignancy. Patterns of expression of these genes showed a relationship to level of malignancy of the hybrids and demonstrated a responsiveness to the expression of activated ras. These results suggest that the complementation of phenotype observed in the hybrids may arise through a gene regulatory factor(s) supplied by the NIH 3T3- to the LTA-derived parent.

Lovastatin selectively inhibits ras activation of the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element in mammalian cells

To evaluate ras-mediated signal transduction, an alkaline phosphatase gene (SEAP) was placed under the control of the ras-inducible phorbol ester response element (TRE) in murine fibroblasts (TRE-SEAP cells). The Kirsten ras gene was placed under the control of the glucocorticoid-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus promoter and introduced into the TRE-SEAP cells. Dexamethasone increased ras expression in the TRE-SEAP cells carrying the Kirsten ras gene and stimulated SEAP activity 25-fold. Lavostatin blocked dexamethasone induction of SEAP activity (50% inhibitory concentration, 0.5 microM) but did not affect phorbol ester-induced SEAP activity in the same cells. Lovastatin also did not block forskolin induction of SEAP activity in cells expressing SEAP under the control of the cyclic AMP response element.

Lovastatin selectively inhibits ras activation of the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element in mammalian cells

To evaluate ras-mediated signal transduction, an alkaline phosphatase gene (SEAP) was placed under the control of the ras-inducible phorbol ester response element (TRE) in murine fibroblasts (TRE-SEAP cells). The Kirsten ras gene was placed under the control of the glucocorticoid-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus promoter and introduced into the TRE-SEAP cells. Dexamethasone increased ras expression in the TRE-SEAP cells carrying the Kirsten ras gene and stimulated SEAP activity 25-fold. Lavostatin blocked dexamethasone induction of SEAP activity (50% inhibitory concentration, 0.5 microM) but did not affect phorbol ester-induced SEAP activity in the same cells. Lovastatin also did not block forskolin induction of SEAP activity in cells expressing SEAP under the control of the cyclic AMP response element.

Alpha B crystallin accumulation is a specific response to Ha-ras and v-mos oncogene expression in mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts

The conditional expression of the v-mos and Ha-ras(EJ) oncogenes in NIH 3T3 cells leads to the accumulation of a 23-kDa protein (p23) (R. Klemenz, S. Hoffmann, R. Jaggi, and A.-K. Werenskiold, Oncogene 4:799-803, 1989). We purified p23 to homogeneity and determined part of the amino acid sequence. The obtained sequence is identical with that of the eye lens protein alpha B crystallin. Northern (RNA) blot and Western immunoblot experiments were performed to demonstrate that alpha B crystallin mRNA and protein do indeed accumulate as a consequence of v-mos and Ha-ras oncogene expression. Comparison of cDNA clones obtained from the mRNA of eye lenses and of oncogene-expressing fibroblasts revealed identity between them. The major transcription initiation site of the alpha B crystallin gene in our experimental system was shown by primer extension experiments to be identical with the one used in eye epithelial cells. In addition, we identified a second minor initiation site 49 nucleotides further upstream. Serum growth factors did not stimulate alpha B crystallin expression in growth-arrested cells.

How does p21ras transform cells?

Oncogenic forms of p21ras are found in a wide range of human tumors. However, the mechanism by which p21ras transforms remains obscure. Genetic evidence has identified a domain of p21ras that is involved with interaction with an effector molecule required for transformation. Two proteins, GAP and the tumor suppressor NF1, interact with p21ras in this region but it is an unresolved puzzle whether either of these is the an unresolved puzzle whether either of these is the effector. After interaction with an effector, two downstream events--activation of protein kinase C and another pathway--are necessary for induction of DNA synthesis by oncogenic p21ras; however, morphological transformation does not require activation of protein kinase C.

Repression by Jun of the Polyoma-virus enhancer overrides activation in a cell specific manner

The activities of promoters and enhancers are generated by the combinatorial effects of the factors which interact with them. The Polyoma virus (Py) enhancer contains sequences that are positively regulated by the proto-oncogene Jun. Surprisingly, Jun has an additional and overriding repressing effect on enhancer activity, which is cell specific. Thus overall enhancer activity cannot be simply deduced from the properties of individual elements. We present evidence that repression is indirect.

Characterization of the mouse transforming growth factor-beta 1 promoter and activation by the Ha-ras oncogene

We have cloned and sequenced a mouse genomic transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) DNA fragment that includes the 5' untranslated and regulatory regions of the gene. High-sequence homology with the human TGF-beta 1 gene (66% nucleotide identity in 2.7 kb of DNA upstream of the translational start site) suggested evolutionary conservation of transcriptional regulation for TGF-beta 1. The absence of TATA or CAAT box sequences but the presence of several Sp1-binding and AP-2-like sequences in the promoter region was noted, as previously reported for the human gene. Two transcriptional initiation sites separated by 290 bp were identified by S1 nuclease analysis; these corresponded to transcripts with 866 and 576 nucleotides of 5' untranslated leader sequence. S1 analysis of different mouse tissues indicated that the two transcripts were present in the same ratio even though the total level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA transcripts varied between tissues. Promoter activity adjacent to both transcriptional start sites was demonstrated by using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion genes assayed in mouse AKR-2B fibroblast cells. Transcriptional activation of the promoter by the Ha-ras oncogene was also demonstrated. The minimal promoter constructs (113 and 104 bp 5' of the first and second transcriptional start sites, respectively) were sufficient for induction by Ha-ras. These studies characterize the 5' structure and basal promoter activity of the mouse TGF-beta 1 gene as well as the transcriptional activation of TGF-beta 1 by the Ha-ras oncogene.

Alpha B crystallin accumulation is a specific response to Ha-ras and v-mos oncogene expression in mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts

The conditional expression of the v-mos and Ha-ras(EJ) oncogenes in NIH 3T3 cells leads to the accumulation of a 23-kDa protein (p23) (R. Klemenz, S. Hoffmann, R. Jaggi, and A.-K. Werenskiold, Oncogene 4:799-803, 1989). We purified p23 to homogeneity and determined part of the amino acid sequence. The obtained sequence is identical with that of the eye lens protein alpha B crystallin. Northern (RNA) blot and Western immunoblot experiments were performed to demonstrate that alpha B crystallin mRNA and protein do indeed accumulate as a consequence of v-mos and Ha-ras oncogene expression. Comparison of cDNA clones obtained from the mRNA of eye lenses and of oncogene-expressing fibroblasts revealed identity between them. The major transcription initiation site of the alpha B crystallin gene in our experimental system was shown by primer extension experiments to be identical with the one used in eye epithelial cells. In addition, we identified a second minor initiation site 49 nucleotides further upstream. Serum growth factors did not stimulate alpha B crystallin expression in growth-arrested cells.

Involvement of fos in spontaneous and ultraviolet light-induced genetic changes

Transient overexpression of ras, mos, or fos transcribed from various inducible promoters in NIH 3T3 cells causes significant increases in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and, as shown for fos, in gene mutations. Under the experimental conditions of exponential growth and full serum supply, overexpression of the oncogenes does not increase the proliferation rate of cells. The generation of ras- and mos-induced chromosomal aberrations was suppressed in cells that had been deprived of fos protein by antisense c-fos oligodeoxynucleotides. The induction of chromosomal aberrations by ultraviolet irradiation is also suppressed by antisense c-fos oligodeoxynucleotides. The data suggest that fos protein alone, or a transcription factor that contains fos protein as a subunit, activates or induces the synthesis of one or several mutator functions. Oncogene-driven mutagenesis could account for the accumulation of additional mutations after the activation of an oncogene, which may furnish a mechanistic basis for tumor promotion and tumor progression.

Characterization of the mouse transforming growth factor-beta 1 promoter and activation by the Ha-ras oncogene

We have cloned and sequenced a mouse genomic transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) DNA fragment that includes the 5' untranslated and regulatory regions of the gene. High-sequence homology with the human TGF-beta 1 gene (66% nucleotide identity in 2.7 kb of DNA upstream of the translational start site) suggested evolutionary conservation of transcriptional regulation for TGF-beta 1. The absence of TATA or CAAT box sequences but the presence of several Sp1-binding and AP-2-like sequences in the promoter region was noted, as previously reported for the human gene. Two transcriptional initiation sites separated by 290 bp were identified by S1 nuclease analysis; these corresponded to transcripts with 866 and 576 nucleotides of 5' untranslated leader sequence. S1 analysis of different mouse tissues indicated that the two transcripts were present in the same ratio even though the total level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA transcripts varied between tissues. Promoter activity adjacent to both transcriptional start sites was demonstrated by using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion genes assayed in mouse AKR-2B fibroblast cells. Transcriptional activation of the promoter by the Ha-ras oncogene was also demonstrated. The minimal promoter constructs (113 and 104 bp 5' of the first and second transcriptional start sites, respectively) were sufficient for induction by Ha-ras. These studies characterize the 5' structure and basal promoter activity of the mouse TGF-beta 1 gene as well as the transcriptional activation of TGF-beta 1 by the Ha-ras oncogene.

A polyomavirus enhancer-binding protein, PEBP5, responsive to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate but distinct from AP-1

Element I, homologous to the adenovirus type 5 E1A enhancer core, is a 10-bp sequence in the A core of the polyomavirus enhancer and was shown previously to be responsive to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We found that element I by itself was capable of activating polyomavirus DNA replication in COP-5 cells which express the polyomavirus large T antigen. A nuclear factor, polyomavirus enhancer-binding protein 5 (PEBP5), which bound to the entire sequence of element I and was responsive to TPA was identified by an in vitro binding assay. Although the binding site of PEBP5 partly overlaps with that of PEBP1 (PEA1), a member of the AP-1 family, PEBP5 appears to be a distinct factor. Since we previously showed that element I alone was able to activate transcription, our present results suggest that PEBP5 is involved in the regulation of both transcription and replication of DNA. The amount of PEBP5 increased after F9 cells were induced to differentiate by retinoic acid. A relatively large amount of PEBP5 was detected in lymphoid and trophoblast cells.

Inhibition of HSV-1 multiplication in rat embryo fibroblasts constitutively expressing the EJ-ras oncogene

In order to examine cellular gene involvement in HSV-1 expression, we constructed different rat embryo fibroblast cell lines immortalized by adenovirus E1A or c-myc, with or without the human EJ bladder carcinoma transforming oncogene EJ-ras. HSV-1 multiplication was strongly inhibited in cells expressing EJ-ras genes compared to immortalized control cells. Virus adsorption and penetration were not quantitatively modified, but HSV-1 DNA replication was inhibited. The expression of viral thymidine kinase (TK) activity after infection by recombinant virus with the TK coding sequence under immediate-early (IE) promoter control showed that IE gene expression is inhibited in cells expressing EJ-ras. Analysis of IE gene transcription by Northern-blot hybridization and by nuclear run-off transcription assay indicates that this inhibition takes place at the transcriptional level.

Purification of a mouse nuclear factor that binds to both the A and B cores of the polyomavirus enhancer

We have previously identified a protein factor, PEBP2 (polyomavirus enhancer-binding protein), in the nuclear extract from mouse NIH 3T3 cells which binds to the sequence motif, PEA2, located within the polyomavirus enhancer A element. Upon cellular transformation with activated oncogene c-Ha-ras, this factor frequently undergoes drastic molecular modifications into an altered form having a considerably reduced molecular size. In this study, the altered form, PEBP3, was purified to near homogeneity. The purified PEBP3 comprised two sets of families of polypeptides, alpha-1 to alpha-4 and beta-1 to beta-2, which were 30 to 35 kilodaltons and 20 to 25 kilodaltons in size, respectively. Both kinds of polypeptides possessed DNA-binding activities with exactly the same sequence specificity. Individual alpha or beta polypeptides complexed with DNA showed faster gel mobilities than did PEBP3. However, the original gel retardation pattern was restored when alpha and beta polypeptides were mixed together in any arbitrary pair. These observation along with the results of UV- and chemical-cross-linking studies led us to conclude that PEBP3 is a heterodimer of alpha and beta subunits, potentially having a divalent DNA-binding activity. Furthermore, PEBP3 was found to bind a second, hitherto-unnoticed site of the polyomavirus enhancer that is located within the B element and coincides with the sequence previously known as the simian virus 40 enhancer core homology. From comparison of this and the original binding sites, the consensus sequence for PEBP3 was defined to be PuACCPuCA. These findings provided new insights into the biological significance of PEBP3 and PEBP2.

Minimal subenhancer requirements for high-level polyomavirus DNA replication: a cell-specific synergy of PEA3 and PEA1 sites

The cell-specific regulation of DNA replication has important implications for the molecular strategy of cellular gene control. Mouse polyomavirus (Py) DNA replication is examined as a model of cell-specific replication control. Using an FM3A-derived mouse cell line which expresses early viral proteins (FOP cells), we determined the minimal sequence requirements for viral DNA replication. FOP cells were observed to have much simpler enhancer requirements than 3T6 and many other cells and did not need a B enhancer for high levels of DNA replication. Using these cells, we show that the individual or tandem binding sites for several unrelated trans-acting factors which are generally subfunctional as transcriptional enhancers (simian virus 40 A core, TGTGGAATG; EBP20, TGTGGTTTT; PEA1 [an AP-1 analog], GTGACTAA; PEA2, GACCGCAG; and PEA3, AGGAAG) stimulated low levels of Py DNA replication. The ordered dimeric combination of PEA3 and PEA1 factor-binding sites, however, acted synergistically to stimulate viral DNA replication to high wild-type levels. This is in contrast to prior results in which much larger enhancer sequences were necessary for high-level viral DNA replication. PEA3/PEA1-stimulated DNA replication showed a distance and orientation independence relative to the origin, which disagrees with some but not other prior analyses of enhancer-dependent DNA replication. It therefore appears that trans-acting factor-binding sites (enhansons) can generally activate DNA replication and that the AP-1 family of sites may act synergistically with other associated trans-acting factors to strongly affect Py DNA replication in specific cells.

Minimal subenhancer requirements for high-level polyomavirus DNA replication: a cell-specific synergy of PEA3 and PEA1 sites

The cell-specific regulation of DNA replication has important implications for the molecular strategy of cellular gene control. Mouse polyomavirus (Py) DNA replication is examined as a model of cell-specific replication control. Using an FM3A-derived mouse cell line which expresses early viral proteins (FOP cells), we determined the minimal sequence requirements for viral DNA replication. FOP cells were observed to have much simpler enhancer requirements than 3T6 and many other cells and did not need a B enhancer for high levels of DNA replication. Using these cells, we show that the individual or tandem binding sites for several unrelated trans-acting factors which are generally subfunctional as transcriptional enhancers (simian virus 40 A core, TGTGGAATG; EBP20, TGTGGTTTT; PEA1 [an AP-1 analog], GTGACTAA; PEA2, GACCGCAG; and PEA3, AGGAAG) stimulated low levels of Py DNA replication. The ordered dimeric combination of PEA3 and PEA1 factor-binding sites, however, acted synergistically to stimulate viral DNA replication to high wild-type levels. This is in contrast to prior results in which much larger enhancer sequences were necessary for high-level viral DNA replication. PEA3/PEA1-stimulated DNA replication showed a distance and orientation independence relative to the origin, which disagrees with some but not other prior analyses of enhancer-dependent DNA replication. It therefore appears that trans-acting factor-binding sites (enhansons) can generally activate DNA replication and that the AP-1 family of sites may act synergistically with other associated trans-acting factors to strongly affect Py DNA replication in specific cells.

Comparison of the mode of action of ras p21 with those of protein kinases A and C in the stimulation of gene expression in NIH/3T3 cells

To compare the mode of action of ras p21 with those of protein kinases A and C in the regulation of gene expression in NIH/3T3 cells, we investigated the transcriptional activity of various enhancer/promoters and enhancer motifs in the cells transfected with the c-Ha-rasva112 complementary DNA (cDNA). The results indicate that the c-Ha-rasva112 protein stimulates the enhancer/promoters of the c-fos gene, the metallothionein IIA gene, the simian virus 40 (SV40) virus genome and the Rous sarcoma (RS) virus genome, and the serum-response element and the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-response element in a manner independent of protein kinases A and C in NIH/3T3 cells.

Immortalization of primary rat embryo cells by human papillomavirus type 11 DNA is enhanced upon cotransfer of ras

Transfer of human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV11) DNA and a neo(r) marker into primary rat embryo cells (REC) led to colony formation in G418-selective medium. About 20% of HPV11 clones were eventually established in culture but displayed low growth rates. Cotransfection of HPV11 DNA and an activated ras oncogene led to formation of both drug-resistant flat colonies and phenotypically transformed clones which grew efficiently when expanded in culture. A number of transformants reverted to a flat, "normal" morphology shortly after isolation. Nontransformed clones expressed only HPV11 genes, while those maintaining a transformed phenotype transcribed both ras and HPV11 genes efficiently and were highly tumorigenic. Expression of HPV11 thus seems, necessary for induction of colony formation, but efficient long-term growth seems to require at least the transient presence of ras.

Transfected human beta-polymerase promoter contains a ras-responsive element

beta-Polymerase is a vertebrate cellular DNA polymerase involved in gap-filling synthesis during some types of genomic DNA repair. We report that a cloned human beta-polymerase promoter in a transient expression assay is activated by p21v-rasH expression in NIH 3T3 cells. A decanucleotide palindromic element, GTGACGTCAC, at positions -49 to -40 in the promoter is required for this ras-mediated stimulation.

Transfected human beta-polymerase promoter contains a ras-responsive element

beta-Polymerase is a vertebrate cellular DNA polymerase involved in gap-filling synthesis during some types of genomic DNA repair. We report that a cloned human beta-polymerase promoter in a transient expression assay is activated by p21v-rasH expression in NIH 3T3 cells. A decanucleotide palindromic element, GTGACGTCAC, at positions -49 to -40 in the promoter is required for this ras-mediated stimulation.

Expression of ras oncogene leads to down-regulation of protein kinase C

The effect of mutated c-Ha-ras expression on Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) activity during the process of transformation was analysed using an inducible metallothionein-ras hybrid oncogene system. A close correlation was found between the timing of ras expression and the loss of PKC enzymatic activity measured in a cell-free system. Examination of the subcellular distribution of the enzyme in inducible and constitutive ras-transformants revealed that expression of ras was associated with an apparent translocation of PKC to the plasma membrane concomitant with down-regulation of PKC enzymatic activity in particulate as well as cytosolic fractions. Quantitation of PKC protein utilizing a PKC-specific antiserum showed that ras expression was associated with a decrease in the total amount of PKC protein present in the cell. We conclude that transformation by c-Ha-ras is accompanied by down-regulation of PKC activity and that the basis of this effect may, to a large extent, lie in the down-regulation of the amount of PKC protein.

Transient expression directed by homologous and heterologous promoter and enhancer sequences in fish cells

In order to construct fish specific expression vectors for studies on gene regulation in vitro and in vivo a variety of heterologous enhancers and promoters from mammals and from viruses of higher vertebrate cells were tested for expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter gene in three teleost fish cell lines. Several viral enhancers were found to be constitutively active at high levels. The human metallothionein promoter showed inducible expression in the presence of heavy metal ions. A fish sequence was isolated that can be used as a homologous constitutively active promoter for expression of foreign genes. Using the human growth hormone gene with an active promoter in fish cells for transient expression insufficient splicing and lack of translation were observed, pointing to limitations in the use of heterologous genes in gene transfer experiments. On the contrary, some heterologous promoters and enhancers functioned in fish cells as well as in their cell type of origin, indicating that corresponding transcription factors are sufficiently conserved between fish and human over a period of 900 million years of independent evolution.

Extra mouse mammary tumor proviruses in DBA/2 mouse lymphomas acquire a selective advantage in lymphocytes by alteration in the U3 region of the long terminal repeat

We determined the nucleotide sequences of the long terminal repeats (LTRs) from mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviruses acquired in two DBA/2 mouse lymphoma cell lines, MLA and DL-8. Proviruses from MLA contained a 352-base-pair deletion from nucleotides 669 to 1020 in the U3 region of the LTR, whereas the LTR alteration of the DL-8 provirus involved both a similar 360-base-pair deletion and generation of a tandem repeat region consisting of sequences of flanking deletions. To assess the function of the rearranged LTRs, we constructed plasmids in which normal and rearranged LTRs drove the reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and transfected them into T-cell lines (Jurkat, Molt-3, and DL-8) and the mammary tumor cell line T47D. Both rearranged LTRs were transcriptionally active, but normal LTRs were not active in either the presence or absence of glucocorticoids in all T-cell lines. In T47D cells, however, the MLA provirus LTR showed the same glucocorticoid- or progestin-dependent transcriptional activity as did normal LTRs. The DL-8 provirus LTR acquired a novel enhancer(s) by rearrangement and thus had a high basal transcriptional activity in T47D cells. The results of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays using plasmids with various chimeric MMTV LTRs revealed that the rearranged LTRs had lost their negative regulatory element and contained an enhancer element that was highly homologous to the enhancer A element of polyomavirus (from nucleotides 525 to 558). GR but not C3H mouse MMTV contained this enhancer. These results elucidate some of the molecular mechanisms involved in the selection of mutant MMTVs with rearranged LTRs in lymphoma cells.

c-Ha-ras down regulates the alpha-fetoprotein gene but not the albumin gene in human hepatoma cells

We studied the effects of transfection of the normal c-Ha-ras gene, rasGly-12, and its oncogenic mutant, rasVal-12, on expression of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin genes in a human hepatoma cell line, HuH-7. The mutant and, to a lesser extent, the normal ras gene caused reduction of the AFP mRNA but not the albumin mRNA level in transfected HuH-7 cells. Cotransfection experiments with a rasVal-12 expression plasmid and a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene fused to AFP regulatory sequences showed that rasVal-12 suppressed the activity of enhancer and promoter regions containing A + T-rich sequences (AT motif). In contrast, rasVal-12 did not affect the promoter activity of the albumin and human hepatitis B virus pre-S1 genes even though these promoters contain homologous A + T-rich elements. ras transfection appeared to induce phosphorylation of nuclear proteins that interact with the AFP AT motif, since gel mobility analysis revealed the formation of slow-moving complexes which was reversed by phosphatase treatment. However, similar changes in complex formation were observed with the albumin and hepatitis B surface antigen pre-S1 promoters. Therefore, this effect alone cannot explain the specific down regulation of the AFP promoter and enhancer activity. ras-mediated suppression of the AFP gene may reflect the process of developmental gene regulation in which AFP gene transcription is controlled by a G-protein-linked signal transduction cascade triggered by external growth stimuli.

c-Ha-ras down regulates the alpha-fetoprotein gene but not the albumin gene in human hepatoma cells

We studied the effects of transfection of the normal c-Ha-ras gene, rasGly-12, and its oncogenic mutant, rasVal-12, on expression of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin genes in a human hepatoma cell line, HuH-7. The mutant and, to a lesser extent, the normal ras gene caused reduction of the AFP mRNA but not the albumin mRNA level in transfected HuH-7 cells. Cotransfection experiments with a rasVal-12 expression plasmid and a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene fused to AFP regulatory sequences showed that rasVal-12 suppressed the activity of enhancer and promoter regions containing A + T-rich sequences (AT motif). In contrast, rasVal-12 did not affect the promoter activity of the albumin and human hepatitis B virus pre-S1 genes even though these promoters contain homologous A + T-rich elements. ras transfection appeared to induce phosphorylation of nuclear proteins that interact with the AFP AT motif, since gel mobility analysis revealed the formation of slow-moving complexes which was reversed by phosphatase treatment. However, similar changes in complex formation were observed with the albumin and hepatitis B surface antigen pre-S1 promoters. Therefore, this effect alone cannot explain the specific down regulation of the AFP promoter and enhancer activity. ras-mediated suppression of the AFP gene may reflect the process of developmental gene regulation in which AFP gene transcription is controlled by a G-protein-linked signal transduction cascade triggered by external growth stimuli.

ras oncogene activation of a VL30 transcriptional element is linked to transformation

The activity of a murine VL30 transcriptional element was increased 20-fold in transient assays by coexpression of mutant ras genes. The cis element did not respond to ras in a revertant cell line that was transformation defective. Therefore, ras-dependent alterations in transcription and ras transformation are linked. Deletion analysis of the VL30 long-terminal-repeat U3 region showed that a minimal 53-base-pair segment is required in cis for oncogene activation of transcription. Gel retention assays using a probe that contained the minimal cis element revealed that a unique complex was formed with nuclear proteins prepared from transformed cells. Exonuclease III footprinting and gel retention experiments that used oligonucleotide probes and competitors indicated that two distinct nuclear factors interact with the minimal cis-responsive element. Site-directed deletion of the 5'-proximal binding site (TGACTCT) resulted in a complete loss of ras responsiveness. However, deletion of this site did not affect stimulation by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ras and TPA signal transduction mechanisms for transcriptional activation are distinct.

Regulation of gene expression by tumor promoters

Tumor promoters change the program of genes expressed in cells in culture and in the multicellular organism. The growing list of genes that are induced or repressed includes protooncogenes, transcription factors, secreted proteases and viruses. Most of the regulation is at the level of transcription. Several of the cis-acting promoter elements mediating regulation, the transcription factors binding to these elements and their post-translational activation, as well as some of the initial steps of the interaction of cells with tumor promoters have been characterized. The components of the signal transduction chain to the nucleus are, however, still unknown. Mutant and inhibitor studies suggest that the activation or inactivation of certain genes constitute the basis for the development of the tumor promotion phenotype.

ras oncogene activation of a VL30 transcriptional element is linked to transformation

The activity of a murine VL30 transcriptional element was increased 20-fold in transient assays by coexpression of mutant ras genes. The cis element did not respond to ras in a revertant cell line that was transformation defective. Therefore, ras-dependent alterations in transcription and ras transformation are linked. Deletion analysis of the VL30 long-terminal-repeat U3 region showed that a minimal 53-base-pair segment is required in cis for oncogene activation of transcription. Gel retention assays using a probe that contained the minimal cis element revealed that a unique complex was formed with nuclear proteins prepared from transformed cells. Exonuclease III footprinting and gel retention experiments that used oligonucleotide probes and competitors indicated that two distinct nuclear factors interact with the minimal cis-responsive element. Site-directed deletion of the 5'-proximal binding site (TGACTCT) resulted in a complete loss of ras responsiveness. However, deletion of this site did not affect stimulation by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ras and TPA signal transduction mechanisms for transcriptional activation are distinct.