Neoplastic human fibroblast proteins are related to epidermal growth factor precursor

Discovery and characterization of two novel human cancer-related proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Comparative examination of protein synthesis in normal and neoplastic human fibroblasts led to the discovery of two novel microfilament proteins with roles in human neoplasia. One protein, a mutant beta-actin was found to convert nontumorigenic human fibroblasts to tumorigenicity. Recently, the oncogenic potential of this mutant beta-actin was verified independently and shown to alter the metastatic phenotype of human cells in conjunction with the myc and ras oncogenes. A second protein, leukocyte plastin, was discovered to be a marker of a majority of human cancer cells of nonhemopoietic origin. A survey of SV40-transformed human fibroblasts and human sarcoma and carcinoma cell types demonstrated that the L-plastin gene was activated at widely varying degrees in nearly all human cancer cells. Activation of the L-plastin gene was not detected in normal nonhemopoietic cells using sensitive reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction, excepting those cells that expressed estrogen and progesterone receptors which mediate activation of L-plastin synthesis in reproductive tissues. Our most recent findings have revealed that activation of L-plastin synthesis in neoplastic cells that cannot phosphorylate L-plastin (e.g. those neoplastic cell types that express only trace amounts of L-plastin) results in the coinduction of two alternative inflammatory programs of gene expression which mediate cytolytic effects on surrounding cells. This inflammatory response appears to be mediated by "inappropriate" constitutive synthesis of L-plastin and failure of the induced cell to phosphorylate L-plastin. Our findings suggest explanations for the novel resistance of human cells to in vitro transformation and one role of oncogene activation in cancer. As a consequence of the interplay of two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoretic analyses with other sophisticated techniques of molecular biology, the formal characterization of two fundamentally important multigene families was completed with determination of many aspects of the structure and function of these proteins and their genes. The discovery and characterization of the mutant beta-actin and L-plastin and their relationship to the human neoplastic phenotype serve as useful models for the discovery of other important disease-related proteins/genes using 2-D gel electrophoresis.

A common factor regulates skeletal and cardiac alpha-actin gene transcription in muscle

The skeletal and cardiac alpha-actin genes are coexpressed in muscle development but exhibit distinctive tissue-specific patterns of expression. We used an in vivo competition assay and an in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay to demonstrate that both genes interact with a common trans-acting factor(s). However, there was at least one gene-specific cis-acting sequence in the skeletal alpha-actin gene that interacted with a trans-acting factor which was not rate limiting in the expression of the cardiac alpha-actin gene. The common factor(s) interacted with several cis-acting regions that corresponded to sequences that are required for the transcriptional modulation of these sarcomeric alpha-actin genes in muscle cells. These regulatory regions contained the sequence motif CC(A + T-rich)6GG, which is known as a CArG box. Results of in vivo competition assays demonstrated that the factor(s) bound by the skeletal alpha-actin gene is also essential for the maximal activity of the cardiac alpha-actin, simian virus 40 (SV40), alpha 2(I)-collagen, and the beta-actin promoters in muscle cells. In contrast, fibroblastic cells contained functionally distinct transcription factor(s) that were used by the SV40 enhancer but that did not interact with the sarcomeric alpha-actin cis-acting sequences. The existence of functionally different factors in these cell types may explain the myogenic specificity of these sarcomeric alpha-actin genes. Results of in vitro studies suggested that both the sarcomeric alpha-actin genes interact with the CArG box-binding factor CBF and that the skeletal alpha-actin promoter contains multiple CBF-binding sites. In contrast, CBF did not interact in vitro with a classical CAAT box, the SV40 enhancer, or a linker scanner mutation of an alpha-actin CArG box. Furthermore, methylation interference and DNase I footprinting assays demonstrated the precise sites of interaction of CBF with three CArG motifs at positions -98, -179, and -225 in the human skeletal alpha-actin gene.

A common factor regulates skeletal and cardiac alpha-actin gene transcription in muscle

The skeletal and cardiac alpha-actin genes are coexpressed in muscle development but exhibit distinctive tissue-specific patterns of expression. We used an in vivo competition assay and an in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay to demonstrate that both genes interact with a common trans-acting factor(s). However, there was at least one gene-specific cis-acting sequence in the skeletal alpha-actin gene that interacted with a trans-acting factor which was not rate limiting in the expression of the cardiac alpha-actin gene. The common factor(s) interacted with several cis-acting regions that corresponded to sequences that are required for the transcriptional modulation of these sarcomeric alpha-actin genes in muscle cells. These regulatory regions contained the sequence motif CC(A + T-rich)6GG, which is known as a CArG box. Results of in vivo competition assays demonstrated that the factor(s) bound by the skeletal alpha-actin gene is also essential for the maximal activity of the cardiac alpha-actin, simian virus 40 (SV40), alpha 2(I)-collagen, and the beta-actin promoters in muscle cells. In contrast, fibroblastic cells contained functionally distinct transcription factor(s) that were used by the SV40 enhancer but that did not interact with the sarcomeric alpha-actin cis-acting sequences. The existence of functionally different factors in these cell types may explain the myogenic specificity of these sarcomeric alpha-actin genes. Results of in vitro studies suggested that both the sarcomeric alpha-actin genes interact with the CArG box-binding factor CBF and that the skeletal alpha-actin promoter contains multiple CBF-binding sites. In contrast, CBF did not interact in vitro with a classical CAAT box, the SV40 enhancer, or a linker scanner mutation of an alpha-actin CArG box. Furthermore, methylation interference and DNase I footprinting assays demonstrated the precise sites of interaction of CBF with three CArG motifs at positions -98, -179, and -225 in the human skeletal alpha-actin gene.

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding transformation-sensitive tropomyosin isoform 3 from tumorigenic human fibroblasts

We isolated a cDNA clone from the tumorigenic human fibroblast cell line HuT-14 that contains the entire protein coding region of tropomyosin isoform 3 (Tm3) and 781 base pairs of 5'- and 3'-untranslated sequences. Tm3, despite its apparent smaller molecular weight than Tm1 in two-dimensional gels, has the same peptide length as Tm1 (284 amino acids) and shares 83% homology with Tm1. Tm3 cDNA hybridized to an abundant mRNA of 1.3 kilobases in fetal muscle and cardiac muscle, suggesting that Tm3 is related to an alpha fast-tropomyosin. The first 188 amino acids of Tm3 are identical to those of rat or rabbit skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin, and the last 71 amino acids differ from those of rat smooth muscle alpha-tropomyosin by only 1 residue. Tm3 therefore appears to be encoded by the same gene that encodes the fast skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin and the smooth muscle alpha-tropomyosin via an alternative RNA-splicing mechanism. In contrast to Tm4 and Tm5, Tm3 has a small gene family, with, at best, only one pseudogene.

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding transformation-sensitive tropomyosin isoform 3 from tumorigenic human fibroblasts

We isolated a cDNA clone from the tumorigenic human fibroblast cell line HuT-14 that contains the entire protein coding region of tropomyosin isoform 3 (Tm3) and 781 base pairs of 5'- and 3'-untranslated sequences. Tm3, despite its apparent smaller molecular weight than Tm1 in two-dimensional gels, has the same peptide length as Tm1 (284 amino acids) and shares 83% homology with Tm1. Tm3 cDNA hybridized to an abundant mRNA of 1.3 kilobases in fetal muscle and cardiac muscle, suggesting that Tm3 is related to an alpha fast-tropomyosin. The first 188 amino acids of Tm3 are identical to those of rat or rabbit skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin, and the last 71 amino acids differ from those of rat smooth muscle alpha-tropomyosin by only 1 residue. Tm3 therefore appears to be encoded by the same gene that encodes the fast skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin and the smooth muscle alpha-tropomyosin via an alternative RNA-splicing mechanism. In contrast to Tm4 and Tm5, Tm3 has a small gene family, with, at best, only one pseudogene.

Expression of transfected mutant beta-actin genes: alterations of cell morphology and evidence for autoregulation in actin pools

Two different mutant human beta-actin genes have been introduced into normal diploid human (KD) fibroblasts and their immortalized derivative cell line, HuT-12, to assess the impact of an abnormal cytoskeletal protein on cellular phenotypes such as morphology, growth characteristics, and properties relating to the neoplastic phenotype. A mutant beta-actin containing a single mutation (Gly-244----Asp-244) was stable and was incorporated into cytoskeletal stress fibers. Transfected KD cells which expressed the stable mutant beta-actin in excess of normal beta-actin were morphologically altered. In contrast, a second mutant beta-actin gene containing two additional mutations (Gly-36----Glu-36 and Glu-83----Asp-83, as well as Gly-244----Asp-244) did not alter cell morphology when expressed at high levels in transfected cells, but the protein was labile and did not accumulate in stress fibers. In both KD and HuT-12 cells, endogenous beta- and gamma-actin decreased in response to high-level expression of the stable mutant beta-actin, in a manner consistent with autoregulatory feedback of actin concentrations. Since the percent decreases in the endogenous beta- and gamma-actins were equal, the ratio of net beta-actin (mutant plus normal) to gamma-actin was significantly increased in the transfected cells. Antisera capable of distinguishing the mutant from the normal epitope revealed that the mutant beta-actin accumulated in stress fibers but did not participate in the formation of the actin filament-rich perinuclear network. These observations suggest that different intracellular locations differentially incorporate actin into cytoskeletal microfilaments. The dramatic impact on cell morphology and on beta-actin/gamma-actin ratios in the transfected diploid KD cells may be related to the acquisition of some of the characteristics of cells that underwent the neoplastic transformation event that originally led to the appearance of the beta-actin mutations.

Expression of transfected mutant beta-actin genes: transitions toward the stable tumorigenic state

Mutant human beta-actin genes were introduced into normal human (KD) fibroblasts and the derivative cell line HuT-12, which is immortalized but nontumorigenic, to test their ability to promote conversion to the tumorigenic state. Transfected substrains of HuT-12 fibroblasts that expressed abundant levels of mutant beta-actin (Gly-244----Asp-244) produced subcutaneous tumors in athymic mice after long latent periods (1.5 to 3 months). However, transfected substrains of KD fibroblasts retained their normal finite life span in culture and consequently were incapable of producing tumors. Substrains of HuT-12 cells transfected with the wild-type beta-actin gene and some transfected strains that expressed low or undetectable levels of mutant beta-actin did not produce tumors. Cell lines derived from transfectant cell tumors always exhibited elevated synthesis of the mutant beta-actin, ranging from 145 to 476% of the level expressed by the transfected cells that were inoculated to form the tumor. In general, primary transfectant cells that expressed the highest levels of mutant beta-actin were more tumorigenic than strains that expressed lower levels. The tumor-derived strains were stable in tumorigenicity and produced tumors with shortened latent periods of only 2 to 4 weeks. These findings imply that the primary transfectant strains develop subpopulations of cells that are selected to form tumors because of their elevated rate of exogenous mutant beta-actin synthesis. Actin synthesis and accumulation of gamma-actin mRNA from the endogenous beta- and gamma-actin genes were diminished in tumor-derived strains, apparently to compensate for elevated mutant beta-actin synthesis and maintain the normal cellular concentration of actin. Synthesis of the transformation-sensitive tropomyosin isoforms was decreased along with mutant beta-actin expression. Such modulations in tropomyosin synthesis are characteristically seen in transformation of avian, rodent, and human fibroblasts. Our results suggest that this mutant beta-actin contributes to the neoplastic phenotype of immortalized human fibroblasts by imposing a cytoarchitectural defect and inducing abnormal expression of cytoskeletal tropomyosins.

Expression of transfected mutant beta-actin genes: alterations of cell morphology and evidence for autoregulation in actin pools

Two different mutant human beta-actin genes have been introduced into normal diploid human (KD) fibroblasts and their immortalized derivative cell line, HuT-12, to assess the impact of an abnormal cytoskeletal protein on cellular phenotypes such as morphology, growth characteristics, and properties relating to the neoplastic phenotype. A mutant beta-actin containing a single mutation (Gly-244----Asp-244) was stable and was incorporated into cytoskeletal stress fibers. Transfected KD cells which expressed the stable mutant beta-actin in excess of normal beta-actin were morphologically altered. In contrast, a second mutant beta-actin gene containing two additional mutations (Gly-36----Glu-36 and Glu-83----Asp-83, as well as Gly-244----Asp-244) did not alter cell morphology when expressed at high levels in transfected cells, but the protein was labile and did not accumulate in stress fibers. In both KD and HuT-12 cells, endogenous beta- and gamma-actin decreased in response to high-level expression of the stable mutant beta-actin, in a manner consistent with autoregulatory feedback of actin concentrations. Since the percent decreases in the endogenous beta- and gamma-actins were equal, the ratio of net beta-actin (mutant plus normal) to gamma-actin was significantly increased in the transfected cells. Antisera capable of distinguishing the mutant from the normal epitope revealed that the mutant beta-actin accumulated in stress fibers but did not participate in the formation of the actin filament-rich perinuclear network. These observations suggest that different intracellular locations differentially incorporate actin into cytoskeletal microfilaments. The dramatic impact on cell morphology and on beta-actin/gamma-actin ratios in the transfected diploid KD cells may be related to the acquisition of some of the characteristics of cells that underwent the neoplastic transformation event that originally led to the appearance of the beta-actin mutations.

Expression of transfected mutant beta-actin genes: transitions toward the stable tumorigenic state

Mutant human beta-actin genes were introduced into normal human (KD) fibroblasts and the derivative cell line HuT-12, which is immortalized but nontumorigenic, to test their ability to promote conversion to the tumorigenic state. Transfected substrains of HuT-12 fibroblasts that expressed abundant levels of mutant beta-actin (Gly-244----Asp-244) produced subcutaneous tumors in athymic mice after long latent periods (1.5 to 3 months). However, transfected substrains of KD fibroblasts retained their normal finite life span in culture and consequently were incapable of producing tumors. Substrains of HuT-12 cells transfected with the wild-type beta-actin gene and some transfected strains that expressed low or undetectable levels of mutant beta-actin did not produce tumors. Cell lines derived from transfectant cell tumors always exhibited elevated synthesis of the mutant beta-actin, ranging from 145 to 476% of the level expressed by the transfected cells that were inoculated to form the tumor. In general, primary transfectant cells that expressed the highest levels of mutant beta-actin were more tumorigenic than strains that expressed lower levels. The tumor-derived strains were stable in tumorigenicity and produced tumors with shortened latent periods of only 2 to 4 weeks. These findings imply that the primary transfectant strains develop subpopulations of cells that are selected to form tumors because of their elevated rate of exogenous mutant beta-actin synthesis. Actin synthesis and accumulation of gamma-actin mRNA from the endogenous beta- and gamma-actin genes were diminished in tumor-derived strains, apparently to compensate for elevated mutant beta-actin synthesis and maintain the normal cellular concentration of actin. Synthesis of the transformation-sensitive tropomyosin isoforms was decreased along with mutant beta-actin expression. Such modulations in tropomyosin synthesis are characteristically seen in transformation of avian, rodent, and human fibroblasts. Our results suggest that this mutant beta-actin contributes to the neoplastic phenotype of immortalized human fibroblasts by imposing a cytoarchitectural defect and inducing abnormal expression of cytoskeletal tropomyosins.

Tropomyosin isoform switching in tumorigenic human fibroblasts

We identified six tropomyosin (Tm) isoforms in diploid human fibroblasts. We used computerized microdensitometry of 2-dimensional protein profiles to measure the relative rates of synthesis and abundance of the individual Tm isoforms and actin, the two major structural constituents of microfilaments. In carcinogen-transformed human fibroblasts (HuT-14), the rates of synthesis of three Tm isoforms (Tm1, Tm2, and Tm6) were greatly decreased relative to normal diploid parental fibroblasts and to actin. In contrast, related nontumorigenic HuT fibroblasts which are "immortalized" and anchorage independent exhibited both slight down-regulation of Tm1 and Tm6 and 3.5-fold up-regulation of Tm3. Thus, Tm isoform switching from the predominance of the larger more avid Tm isoforms (Tm1, Tm2, Tm3, and Tm6) to the smaller, less avid Tm isoforms (Tm4 and Tm5) in microfilaments was a transformation-induced change correlated with tumorigenicity in human fibroblasts.

Tropomyosin isoform switching in tumorigenic human fibroblasts

We identified six tropomyosin (Tm) isoforms in diploid human fibroblasts. We used computerized microdensitometry of 2-dimensional protein profiles to measure the relative rates of synthesis and abundance of the individual Tm isoforms and actin, the two major structural constituents of microfilaments. In carcinogen-transformed human fibroblasts (HuT-14), the rates of synthesis of three Tm isoforms (Tm1, Tm2, and Tm6) were greatly decreased relative to normal diploid parental fibroblasts and to actin. In contrast, related nontumorigenic HuT fibroblasts which are "immortalized" and anchorage independent exhibited both slight down-regulation of Tm1 and Tm6 and 3.5-fold up-regulation of Tm3. Thus, Tm isoform switching from the predominance of the larger more avid Tm isoforms (Tm1, Tm2, Tm3, and Tm6) to the smaller, less avid Tm isoforms (Tm4 and Tm5) in microfilaments was a transformation-induced change correlated with tumorigenicity in human fibroblasts.

Identification and order of sequential mutations in beta-actin genes isolated from increasingly tumorigenic human fibroblast strains

We have sequenced the mutant beta-actin gene of a tumorigenic human fibroblast cell line (HuT-14T) and found that it carries three mutations that alter the amino acids at positions 36, 83, and 244 as well as a 22-base-pair "insertion" sequence, in the 5' intron, not present in a wild-type gene. The less tumorigenic cell line HuT-14, a progenitor of HuT-14T, has the same codon-244 mutation and the insertion sequence but not the other two mutations. A nontumorigenic cell line that is related to HuT-14 but that has no beta-actin mutations does carry the intron-length polymorphism. We conclude that the mutation at codon 244 occurred first in a beta-actin allele already bearing the 22-base-pair intron insert and that mutations at codons 36 and 83 arose subsequently during the selection for the HuT-14T phenotype. Rat-2 cells synthesize the appropriate charge-variant species of mutant actin protein when transfected with either the singly or the triply mutated beta-actin gene.