Relationship of repair and replicative DNA synthesis to cell cycle in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells

Synchronization of Mammalian Cells and Nuclei by Centrifugal Elutriation

Synchronized populations of large numbers of cells can be obtained by centrifugal elutriation on the basis of sedimentation properties of small round particles, with minimal perturbation of cellular functions. The physical characteristics of cell size and sedimentation velocity are operative in the technique of centrifugal elutriation also known as counterstreaming centrifugation. The elutriator is an advanced device for increasing the sedimentation rate to yield enhanced resolution of cell separation. A random population of cells is introduced into the elutriation chamber of an elutriator rotor running in a specially designed centrifuge. By increasing step-by-step the flow rate of the elutriation fluid, successive populations of relatively homogeneous cell size can be removed from the elutriation chamber and used as synchronized subpopulations. For cell synchronization by centrifugal elutriation, early log S phase cell populations are most suitable where most of the cells are in G1 and S phase (>80 %). Apoptotic cells can be found in the early elutriation fractions belonging to the sub-Go window. Protocols for the synchronization of nuclei of murine pre-B cells and high-resolution centrifugal elutriation of CHO cells are given. The verification of purity and cell cycle positions of cells in elutriated fractions includes the measurement of DNA synthesis by [³H]-thymidine incorporation and DNA content by propidium iodide flow cytometry.

Synchronization of mammalian cells and nuclei by centrifugal elutriation

Synchronized populations of large numbers of cells can be obtained by centrifugal elutriation on the basis of sedimentation properties of small round particles, with minimal perturbation of cellular functions. The physical characteristics of cell size and sedimentation velocity are operative in the technique of centrifugal elutriation also known as counterstreaming centrifugation. The elutriator is an advanced device for increasing the sedimentation rate to yield enhanced resolution of cell separation. A random population of cells is introduced into the elutriation chamber of an elutriator rotor running in a specially designed centrifuge. By increasing step by step the flow rate of the elutriation fluid, successive populations of relatively homogeneous cell size can be removed from the elutriation chamber and used as synchronized subpopulations. For cell synchronization by centrifugal elutriation early log S phase cell populations are most suitable where most of the cells are in G1 and S phase (>80%). Protocols for the synchronization of nuclei of murine pre-B cells and high-resolution centrifugal elutriation of CHO cells are given. The verification of purity and cell cycle positions of cells in elutriated fractions includes the measurement of DNA synthesis by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation and DNA content by propidium iodide flow cytometry.

Preapoptotic chromatin changes induced by ultraviolet B irradiation in human erythroleukemia K562 cells

Exponentially growing human erythroleukemia K562 cells were permeabilized and the dose dependent decrease of DNA synthesis rate was measured after ultraviolet (UV B, 290 nm) irradiation. Cells were able to overcome 2 and 5 J/m2 UV doses, partial recovery was observed at 15 J/m2, while at high (25 J/m2) UV dose replicative DNA synthesis remained suppressed. K562 cells were subjected to synchronization prior to and after UV irradiation (24 J/m2) and 18 fractions were collected by centrifugal elutriation. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry did not show early apoptotic cells after UV irradiation. The gradual increase in DNA content typical for non-irradiated cells was contrasted by an early S phase block between 2.2 and 2.4 C-values after UV irradiation. Cell cycle dependent chromatin changes after ultraviolet irradiation were seen as a fine fibrillary network covering the mainly fibrous chromatin structures and incompletely folded primitive chromosomes. Based on observations after UV irradiation and on earlier results with cadmium treatment and gamma irradiation, we confirm that typical chromatin changes characteristic to genotoxic agents can be recognized and classified.

Cell culture density dependent toxicity and chromatin changes upon cadmium treatment in murine pre-B-cells

Murine pre-B-cells grown in the presence of lower (1 microM) or higher (5 microM) concentration of cadmium chloride were separated into 13 fractions by centrifugal elutriation. The rate of DNA synthesis after cadmium treatment determined in permeable cells was dependent on cell culture density during cadmium treatment. Cell cycle analysis revealed a shift in the profile of DNA synthesis from replicative to repair DNA synthesis upon cadmium treatment. The study of the relationship between cell culture density and cell diameter at lower and higher cell densities in the presence of 1 microM cadmium chloride concentration showed that a. at 5 x 10(5) cell/ml or lower densities cells were shrinking indicating apoptotic changes, b. at higher cell culture densities the average cell size increased, c. the treatment of cells with low CdCl(2) concentration (1 microM) at higher cell culture density (>5 x 10(5) cell/ml) did not change significantly the average cell diameter. At 5 microM cadmium concentration and higher cell culture densities (>5 x 10(5) cell/ml) the average cell size decreased in each elutriated fraction. Most significant inhibition of cell growth took place in early S phase (2.0-2.5 C value). Apoptotic chromatin changes in chromatin structure after cadmium treatment were seen as large extensive disruptions, holes in the nuclear membrane and stickiness of incompletely folded chromosomes.

Cadmium induced apoptotic changes in chromatin structure and subphases of nuclear growth during the cell cycle in CHO cells

CHO cells were grown in the presence of 1 mu M CdCl(2) and subjected to ATP-dependent replicative DNA synthesis after permeabilization. By decreasing the density of the cell culture replicative DNA synthesis was diminishing. At higher than 2 x 10(6) cell/ml concentration Cd had virtually no effect on the rate of DNA replication. Growth at higher cell concentrations could be suppressed by increasing Cd concentration. After Cd treatment cells were synchronized by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. Cadmium toxicity on cell growth in early and mid S phase led to the accumulation of enlarged cells in late S phase. Flow cytometry showed increased cellular and nuclear sizes after Cd treatment. As the cells progressed through the S phase, 11 subpopulations of nuclear sizes were distinguished. Apoptotic chromatin changes were visualized by fluorescent microscopy in a cell cycle dependent manner. In the control untreated cells the main transitory forms of chromatin corresponded to those we have published earlier (veil-like, supercoiled chromatin, fibrous, ribboned structures, chromatin strings, elongated prechromosomes, precondensed chromosomes). Cadmium treatment caused: (a) the absence of decondensed veil-like structures and premature chromatin condensation in the form of apoptotic bodies in early S phase (2.2-2.4 average C-value), (b) the absence of fibrous structures, the lack of supercoiled chromatin, the appearance of uncoiled ribboned chromatin and perichromatin semicircles, in early mid S phase (2.5-2.9 C), (c) the presence of perichromatin fibrils and chromatin bodies in mid S phase (2.9-3.2 C), (d) early intra-nuclear inclusions, elongated forms of premature chromosomes, the extrusion and rupture of nuclear membrane later in mid S phase (3.3-3.4 C), (e) the exclusion of chromatin bodies and the formation of clusters of large-sized perichromatin granules in late S phase (3.5-3.8 C) and (f) large extensive disruptions and holes in the nuclear membrane and the clumping of incompletely folded chromosomes (3.8-4. C).

Multiple subphases of DNA repair and poly (ADP-ribose) synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells

The two types of DNA synthesis as well as poly(ADP-ribose) biosynthesis were measured simultaneously in synchronized intact populations of CHO cells throughout the duration of S phase. Naturally occurring DNA fragmentation was detected by random primed oligonucleotide synthesis (ROPS assay). Fractions of synchronous cell populations were obtained by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. By gradually increasing the resolution of centrifugal elutriation multiple non-overlapping repair and replication peaks were obtained. The elutriation profile of DNA repair peaks corresponded to the DNA fragmentation pattern measured by ROPS assay. The number and position of poly(ADP-ribose) peaks during S phase resembled those seen in the DNA replication profile. Our results indicate that PAR synthesis is coupled to DNA replication serving the purpose of genomic stability.

Key role of a downstream specificity protein 1 site in cell cycle-regulated transcription of the AP endonuclease gene APE1/APEX in NIH3T3 cells

Abasic (apurinic/apyrimidinic or AP) sites are a frequent type of DNA damage that threatens genetic stability. The predominant mammalian enzyme initiating repair of AP sites is the Ape1 AP endonuclease (also called Apex or Hap1), which also facilitates DNA binding by several transcription factors (Ref1 activity). We found that expression of the APE1 gene was coordinated with the cell cycle in murine NIH3T3 cells: APE1 mRNA levels rose after the G(1)-S transition and peaked approximately 4-fold higher in early to mid-S phase. The increased APE1 mRNA was the result of transcriptional activation rather than increased mRNA stability. Fusions of various APE1 promoter fragments to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase CAT reporter gene indicated that APE1 expression depends on two transcription factor Sp1 binding sites within the promoter region. Mutation of these sites or of two CCAAT elements within the APE1 promoter, in conjunction with protein binding studies, demonstrated their specific roles. The Sp1 site upstream of the transcription start, together with an adjacent CCAAT element, establishes a protein-DNA complex required for basal transcription of APE1. The Sp1 site downstream of the transcription start was required for the response to cell growth. Because Ape1 is a dual function enzyme, its cell cycle-dependent expression might affect both DNA repair and the activity of various transcription factors as a function of the cell cycle.

Effect of cadmium on the relationship between replicative and repair DNA synthesis in synchronized CHO cells

Repair and replicative DNA synthesis were measured at different stages of the cell cycle in control and cadmium-treated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells. Cells were synchronized by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. Elutriation resulted in five repair and four replication subphases. On Cd treatment, repair synthesis was elevated in certain subphases. Replicative subphases were suppressed by Cd treatment, with some of the peaks almost invisible. The number of spontaneous strand breaks measured by random oligonucleotide primed synthesis assay showed a cell-cycle-dependent fluctuation in control cells and was greatly increased after Cd treatment throughout the S phase. Elevated levels of the oxidative DNA damage product, 8-oxodeoxyguanosine, were observed after Cd treatment, with the highest level in early S phase, which gradually declined as damaged cells progressed through the cell cycle.

Subphases of DNA replication in Drosophila cells

Exponentially growing Drosophila S2 cells in suspension culture were synchronized at low- and high-resolution centrifugal elutriation, and DNA synthesis was measured by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation throughout the S phase. At low resolution, one repair peak at the G(1)/G(0) border and two replication peaks known as early and late S subphases were observed. At high resolution, six chronologic compartments were distinguished. The distribution of these peaks indicated one repair peak at 2.05 C value, one minor replication peak at 2.43C, and four major subphases of replication corresponding to 2.64C, 2.89C, 3.32C, and 3.60C, representing 6.7%, 3.4%, 15.3%, 20.4%, 32.1%, and 22.0% of the synthetic activity, respectively. The five major peaks of cell growth with 2.32C, 2.56C, 2.85C, 3.18C, and 3.58C values consistently preceded those of replication subphases.

Multiple subphases of DNA replication in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells

Replicative DNA synthesis has been measured throughout the S phase in synchronized populations of Chinese hamster ovary cells. When exponentially growing, cells in suspension cultures were subjected to counterflow centrifugal elutriation and the resolution power was increased the biphasic replication profile has been resolved and multiple subphases were distinguished. These replication peaks, termed replication checkpoints, are distributed evenly throughout the S phase. The replication checkpoints have been characterized by their average C values corresponding to 2.05, 2.12, 2.2, 2.45, 2.6, 2.8, 2.95, 3.15, 3.3, 3.45, and 3.85.