Rapid assay for extrachromosomal homologous recombination in monkey cells

Dysfunctional homologous recombination mediates genomic instability and progression in myeloma

A prominent feature of most if not all cancers is a striking genetic instability, leading to ongoing accrual of mutational changes, some of which underlie tumor progression, including acquisition of invasiveness, drug resistance, and metastasis. Thus, the molecular basis for the generation of this genetic diversity in cancer cells has important implications in understanding cancer progression. Here we report that homologous recombination (HR) activity is elevated in multiple myeloma (MM) cells and leads to an increased rate of mutation and progressive accumulation of genetic variation over time. We demonstrate that the inhibition of HR activity in MM cells by small inhibitory RNA (siRNAs) targeting recombinase leads to significant reduction in the acquisition of new genetic changes in the genome and, conversely, the induction of HR activity leads to significant elevation in the number of new mutations over time and development of drug resistance in MM cells. These data identify dysregulated HR activity as a key mediator of DNA instability and progression of MM, with potential as a therapeutic target.

Characterization of in vivo recombination activities in the mouse embryo

Homologous recombination makes use of sequence homology to repair DNA and to rearrange genetic material. In mammals, these processes have mainly been characterized using cultured cell systems. We have developed an assay that allows us to quantitatively analyze homologous recombination in vivo in the mouse embryo. Transgenic mouse lines were generated by microinjection into a fertilized mouse ovum of a vector containing two homologous LINE-1 (L1) sequences arranged as a direct repeat: these sequences can recombine with each other and with endogenous L1 sequences before, during or after integration of the vector into the genome. Using a plasmid rescue procedure, we determined the composition of the integrated vector array in several transgenic mice and their descendants. Homologous recombination frequencies were found to be strikingly high, involving 70% of integrated vectors in some arrays, with homologous deletions being five times more frequent than gene conversion without crossing-over. Interestingly, non-homologous recombination was found to be much less frequent. We also found that endogenous L1 sequences could be involved in homologous recombination events in the mouse embryo, and that the integrated arrays could be modified from generation to generation by homologous recombination between the integrated L1 sequences.

Quantitative measurement of translesion replication in human cells: evidence for bypass of abasic sites by a replicative DNA polymerase

Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are critical in the development of cancer. A major pathway for the formation of mutations is the replication of unrepaired DNA lesions. To better understand the mechanism of translesion replication (TLR) in mammals, a quantitative assay for TLR in cultured cells was developed. The assay is based on the transient transfection of cultured cells with a gapped plasmid, carrying a site-specific lesion in the gap region. Filling in of the gap by TLR is assayed in a subsequent bioassay, by the ability of the plasmid extracted from the cells, to transform an Escherichia coli indicator strain. Using this method it was found that TLR through a synthetic abasic site in the adenocarcinoma H1299, the osteogenic sarcoma Saos-2, the prostate carcinoma PC3, and the hepatoma Hep3B cell lines occurred with efficiencies of 92 +/- 6%, 32 +/- 2%, 72 +/- 4%, and 26 +/- 3%, respectively. DNA sequence analysis showed that 85% of the bypass events in H1299 cells involved insertion of dAMP opposite the synthetic abasic site. Addition of aphidicolin, an inhibitor of DNA polymerases alpha, delta, and epsilon, caused a 4.4-fold inhibition of bypass. Analysis of two XP-V cell lines, defective in DNA polymerase eta, showed bypass of 89%, indicating that polymerase eta is not essential for bypass of abasic sites. These results suggest that in human cells bypass of abasic sites does not require the bypass-specific DNA polymerase eta, but it does require at least one of the replicative DNA polymerases, alpha, delta, or epsilon. The quantitative TLR assay is expected to be useful in the molecular analysis of lesion bypass in a large variety of cultured mammalian cells.

Elevated recombination in immortal human cells is mediated by HsRAD51 recombinase

Normal diploid cells have a limited replicative potential in culture, with progressively increasing interdivision time. Rarely, cell lines arise which can divide indefinitely; like tumor cells, such "immortal" lines display frequent chromosomal aberrations which may reflect high rates of recombination. Recombination frequencies within a plasmid substrate were 3.5-fold higher in nine immortal human cell lines than in six untransformed cell strains. Expression of HsRAD51, a human homolog of the yeast RAD51 and Escherichia coli recA recombinase genes, was 4.5-fold higher in immortal cell lines than in mortal cells. Stable transformation of human fibroblasts with simian virus 40 large T antigen prior to cell immortalization increased both chromosomal recombination and the level of HsRAD51 transcripts by two- to fivefold. T-antigen induction of recombination was efficiently blocked by introduction of HsRAD51 antisense (but not control) oligonucleotides spanning the initiation codon, implying that HsRAD51 expression mediates augmented recombination. Since p53 binds and inactivates HsRAD51, T-antigen-p53 association may block such inactivation and liberate HsRAD51. Upregulation of HsRAD51 transcripts in T-antigen-transformed and other immortal cells suggests that recombinase activation can also occur at the RNA level and may facilitate cell transformation to immortality.

Identification of an origin of bidirectional DNA replication in the ubiquitously expressed mammalian CAD gene

Most DNA replication origins in eukaryotes localize to nontranscribed regions, and there are no reports of origins within constitutively expressed genes. This observation has led to the proposal that there may be an incompatibility between origin function and location within a ubiquitously expressed gene. The biochemical and functional evidence presented here demonstrates that an origin of bidirectional replication (OBR) resides within the constitutively expressed housekeeping gene CAD, which encodes the first three reactions of de novo uridine biosynthesis (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase, aspartate carbamoyltransferase, and dihydroorotase). The OBR was localized to a 5-kb region near the center of the Syrian hamster CAD transcriptional unit. DNA replication initiates within this region in the single-copy CAD gene in Syrian baby hamster kidney cells and in the large chromosomal amplicons that were generated after selection with N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate, a specific inhibitor of CAD. DNA synthesis also initiates within this OBR in autonomously replicating extrachromosomal amplicons (CAD episomes) located in an N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate-resistant clone (5P20) of CHOK1 cells. CAD episomes consist entirely of a multimer of Syrian hamster CAD cosmid sequences (cCAD1). These data limit the functional unit of replication initiation and timing control to the 42 kb of Syrian hamster sequences contained in cCAD1. In addition, the data indicate that the origin recognition machinery is conserved across species, since the same OBR region functions in both Syrian and Chinese hamster cells. Importantly, while cCAD1 exhibits characteristics of a complete replicon, we have not detected autonomous replication directly following transfection. Since the CAD episome was generated after excision of chromosomally integrated transfected cCAD1 sequences, we propose that prior localization within a chromosome may be necessary to "license" some biochemically defined OBRs to render them functional.

Homologous recombination between plasmid DNA molecules in maize protoplasts

The requirements for homologous recombination between plasmid DNA molecules have been studied using the PEG (polyethylene glycol)-mediated transformation system of maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts coupled with the transient expression assay for beta-glucuronidase (GUS). Two plasmids were introduced into maize protoplasts; one plasmid (pB x 26) contained a genomic clone of the Adh1 maize gene; the other plasmid (piGUS) was a promoterless construction containing part of intron A of the Adh1 gene fused to the gusA coding sequence. Thus, the two vectors shared an effective homologous region consisting of a 459 bp (HindIII-PvuII) fragment of the Adh1 intron A sequence. An active gusA fusion gene would result upon homologous recombination between the plasmids within the intron A sequence, and indeed GUS activity was observed in extracts following co-transformation of maize protoplasts with the two plasmids. The presence of recombinant DNA molecules in protoplast DNA isolated 1 day after co-transformation was verified using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and Southern blots. For efficient homologous recombination, both plasmids had to be linearized. The recombination reaction was induced by restriction of the plasmid molecules either inside the effective homologous region or at the borders of the intron sequence. However, the presence of even small, terminal, nonhomologous sequences at the 3' end of the pB x 26 fragment inhibited the recombination reaction. Also, both ends of the linearized piGUS DNA molecules were involved in the recombination reaction. The results revealed some features of homologous recombination reactions occurring in plant cells which cannot be accommodated by mechanisms postulated for similar reactions in animal system and in lower eukaryotes.

Homologous recombination in a mammalian plasmid

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) shuttle vectors replicate as a circular plasmid in mouse cell nuclei without impairing host cell viability. We used these vectors to analyze homologous recombination in mammalian cells. When several BPV-based plasmids carrying direct repeats were introduced into C127 cells, we detected many recombinant plasmid molecules that have lost the sequence between the repeats. Many recombinant type molecules as well as parental type molecules were detected in all the cell clones isolated for analysis. Sequencing after rescue of the plasmid in Escherichia coli showed that most of the recombinants were from accurate homologous recombination. When the repeats on the plasmid were in inverted orientation, no crossing-over type products were detected. We discuss possible mechanisms that explain these features.

Preferred crossover sites on polyomavirus DNA

RmI is a hybrid replicon consisting of polyomavirus (Py) and mouse sequences that yields unit-length polyomavirus DNA via recombination between two directly repeated viral sequences of 182 base pairs (S repeats). To define the contribution of the S repeats in this intramolecular recombination, we derived from RmI a series of replicons containing the original S repeats as well as additional direct viral repeats which were 1 to 2 kilobases in length (L repeats). After mouse 3T6 cells were transfected with these constructs, recombination products that displayed the physical properties of homologous recombinants were detected. The structures of these recombinants indicated that whereas repeat length influences the likelihood of recombination, crossover occurs preferentially near the S repeats, provided that one of them is proximal to the viral origin of replication. This finding suggests that recombination near the S repeats depends on a process initiated near the viral origin of replication.

Homologous recombination enhancement conferred by the Z-DNA motif d(TG)30 is abrogated by simian virus 40 T antigen binding to adjacent DNA sequences

The Z-DNA motif polydeoxythymidylic-guanylic [d(TG)].polydeoxyadenylic-cytidylic acid [d(AC)], present throughout eucaryotic genomes, is capable of readily forming left-handed Z-DNA in vitro and has been shown to promote homologous recombination. The effects of simian virus 40 T-antigen-dependent substrate replication upon the stimulation of recombination conferred by the Z-DNA motif d(TG)30 were analyzed. Presence of d(TG)30 adjacent to a T-antigen-binding site I can stimulate homologous recombination between nonreplicating plasmids, providing that T antigen is absent, in both simian CV-1 cells and human EJ cells (W. P. Wahls, L. J. Wallace, and P. D. Moore, Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:785-793). It has also been shown elsewhere that the presence of d(TG)n not adjacent to the T-antigen-binding site can stimulate homologous recombination in simian virus 40 molecules replicating in the presence of T antigen (P. Bullock, J. Miller, and M. Botchan, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:3948-3953, 1986). However, it is demonstrated here that d(TG)30 nine base pairs distant from a T-antigen-binding site bound with T antigen does not stimulate recombination between either replicating or nonreplicating substrates in somatic cells. The bound T antigen either prevents the d(TG)30 sequence from acquiring a recombinogenic configuration (such as left-handed Z-DNA), or it prevents the interaction of recombinase proteins with the sequence by stearic hindrance.

Homologous recombination enhancement conferred by the Z-DNA motif d(TG)30 is abrogated by simian virus 40 T antigen binding to adjacent DNA sequences

The Z-DNA motif polydeoxythymidylic-guanylic [d(TG)].polydeoxyadenylic-cytidylic acid [d(AC)], present throughout eucaryotic genomes, is capable of readily forming left-handed Z-DNA in vitro and has been shown to promote homologous recombination. The effects of simian virus 40 T-antigen-dependent substrate replication upon the stimulation of recombination conferred by the Z-DNA motif d(TG)30 were analyzed. Presence of d(TG)30 adjacent to a T-antigen-binding site I can stimulate homologous recombination between nonreplicating plasmids, providing that T antigen is absent, in both simian CV-1 cells and human EJ cells (W. P. Wahls, L. J. Wallace, and P. D. Moore, Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:785-793). It has also been shown elsewhere that the presence of d(TG)n not adjacent to the T-antigen-binding site can stimulate homologous recombination in simian virus 40 molecules replicating in the presence of T antigen (P. Bullock, J. Miller, and M. Botchan, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:3948-3953, 1986). However, it is demonstrated here that d(TG)30 nine base pairs distant from a T-antigen-binding site bound with T antigen does not stimulate recombination between either replicating or nonreplicating substrates in somatic cells. The bound T antigen either prevents the d(TG)30 sequence from acquiring a recombinogenic configuration (such as left-handed Z-DNA), or it prevents the interaction of recombinase proteins with the sequence by stearic hindrance.

Recombination between irradiated shuttle vector DNA and chromosomal DNA in African green monkey kidney cells

An autonomously replicating shuttle vector was used to investigate enhancement of plasmid-chromosome recombination in mammalian host cells by gamma irradiation and UV light. Sequences homologous to the shuttle vector were stably inserted into the genome of African green monkey kidney cells to act as the target substrate for these recombination events. The shuttle vector molecules were irradiated at various doses before transfection into the mammalian host cells that contained the stable insertions. The homologous transfer of the bacterial ampicillin resistance gene from the inserted sequences to replace a mutant ampicillin sensitivity gene on the shuttle vector was identified by the recovery of ampicillin-resistant plasmids after Hirt extraction and transformation into Escherichia coli host cells. Gamma irradiation increased homologous shuttle vector-chromosome recombination, whereas UV light did not increase the frequency of recombinant plasmids detected. Introducing specific double-strand breaks in the plasmid or prolonging the time of plasmid residence in the mammalian host cells also enhanced plasmid-chromosome recombination. In contrast, plasmid mutagenesis was increased by UV irradiation of the plasmid but did not change with time. The ampicillin-resistant recombinant plasmid molecules analyzed appeared to rise mostly from nonconservative exchanges that involved both homologous and possibly nonhomologous interactions with the host chromosome. The observation that similar recombinant structures were obtained from all the plasmid treatments and host cells used suggests a common mechanism for plasmid-chromosome recombination in these mammalian cells.

Recombination between irradiated shuttle vector DNA and chromosomal DNA in African green monkey kidney cells

An autonomously replicating shuttle vector was used to investigate enhancement of plasmid-chromosome recombination in mammalian host cells by gamma irradiation and UV light. Sequences homologous to the shuttle vector were stably inserted into the genome of African green monkey kidney cells to act as the target substrate for these recombination events. The shuttle vector molecules were irradiated at various doses before transfection into the mammalian host cells that contained the stable insertions. The homologous transfer of the bacterial ampicillin resistance gene from the inserted sequences to replace a mutant ampicillin sensitivity gene on the shuttle vector was identified by the recovery of ampicillin-resistant plasmids after Hirt extraction and transformation into Escherichia coli host cells. Gamma irradiation increased homologous shuttle vector-chromosome recombination, whereas UV light did not increase the frequency of recombinant plasmids detected. Introducing specific double-strand breaks in the plasmid or prolonging the time of plasmid residence in the mammalian host cells also enhanced plasmid-chromosome recombination. In contrast, plasmid mutagenesis was increased by UV irradiation of the plasmid but did not change with time. The ampicillin-resistant recombinant plasmid molecules analyzed appeared to rise mostly from nonconservative exchanges that involved both homologous and possibly nonhomologous interactions with the host chromosome. The observation that similar recombinant structures were obtained from all the plasmid treatments and host cells used suggests a common mechanism for plasmid-chromosome recombination in these mammalian cells.

Homologous plasmid recombination is elevated in immortally transformed cells

The levels of intramolecular plasmid recombination, following transfection of a plasmid substrate for homologous recombination into normal and immortally transformed cells, have been examined by two independent assays. In the first assay, recovered plasmid was tested for DNA rearrangements which regenerate a functional neomycin resistance gene from two overlapping fragments. Following transformation of bacteria, frequencies of recombinationlike events were determined from the ratio of neomycin-resistant (recombinant) colonies to ampicillin-resistant colonies (indicating total plasmid recovery). Such events, yielding predominantly deletions between the directly repeated sequences, were substantially more frequent in five immortal cell lines than in any of three normal diploid cell strains tested. Effects of plasmid replication or interaction with T antigen and of bacterially mediated rejoining of linear molecules generated in mammalian cells were excluded by appropriate controls. The second assay used limited coamplification of a control segment of plasmid DNA, and of the predicted recombinant DNA region, primed by two sets of flanking oligonucleotides. Each amplified band was quantitated by reference to a near-linear standard curve generated concurrently, and recombination frequencies were determined from the ratio of recombinant/control DNA regions. The results confirmed that recombinant DNA structures were generated within human cells at direct repeats in the transfected plasmid and were markedly more abundant in an immortal cell line than in the diploid normal cells from which that line was derived.

Homologous plasmid recombination is elevated in immortally transformed cells

The levels of intramolecular plasmid recombination, following transfection of a plasmid substrate for homologous recombination into normal and immortally transformed cells, have been examined by two independent assays. In the first assay, recovered plasmid was tested for DNA rearrangements which regenerate a functional neomycin resistance gene from two overlapping fragments. Following transformation of bacteria, frequencies of recombinationlike events were determined from the ratio of neomycin-resistant (recombinant) colonies to ampicillin-resistant colonies (indicating total plasmid recovery). Such events, yielding predominantly deletions between the directly repeated sequences, were substantially more frequent in five immortal cell lines than in any of three normal diploid cell strains tested. Effects of plasmid replication or interaction with T antigen and of bacterially mediated rejoining of linear molecules generated in mammalian cells were excluded by appropriate controls. The second assay used limited coamplification of a control segment of plasmid DNA, and of the predicted recombinant DNA region, primed by two sets of flanking oligonucleotides. Each amplified band was quantitated by reference to a near-linear standard curve generated concurrently, and recombination frequencies were determined from the ratio of recombinant/control DNA regions. The results confirmed that recombinant DNA structures were generated within human cells at direct repeats in the transfected plasmid and were markedly more abundant in an immortal cell line than in the diploid normal cells from which that line was derived.

Recombinational resolution in primate cells of two homologous human DNA segments with a gradient of sequence divergence

Human alpha-thalassemia-2 genotype -alpha 4.2 is the result of meiotic recombination between two 1.3 kb long, homologous DNA segments, X(alpha 2) and X(alpha 1), located in the adult alpha globin locus. The two segments can also undergo intramolecular recombination on extrachromosomal vectors transfected into mitotically dividing primate cells (COS 7). The existence of a gradient of sequence divergence between X(alpha 2) and X(alpha 1) makes them an interesting system to study the relationship between efficiencies of homologous DNA recombination and the extent of dispersed and localized base mismatches. By partial restriction mapping and DNA sequencing of plasmids recombined in COS 7 cells and rescued from bacteria HB 101, we have determined the distribution of recombinational resolution sites along the two X blocks. Most, if not all, of the homologous recombination events between the two X blocks appear to be single crossing-over without efficient gene correction or repair of base mismatches. The distribution of the sites of recombinational resolution is inversely correlated with that of the gradient of sequence divergence, with only approximately 7% of the X recombinants resolved within the 3' third of the X blocks where two diverged Alu family repeats reside. The Alu sequence within which one of the X recombinants resolved is homologous to a previously characterized alpha thalassemia deletion point.

Homologous recombination of SV40 DNA in COS7 cells occurs with high frequency in a gene dose independent fashion

Homologous recombination between microinjected SV40 DNA fragments and endogenous SV40 DNA in COS7 cells was analysed by immunofluorescence staining and DNA blotting. Time course experiments revealed that recombination between the transferred (trans) DNA and the chromosomal DNA occurred about 8 hours after microinjection with high efficiency in a gene dose independent fashion. Deletions of up to 1018 basepairs (bp) within the early or the late SV40 region were efficiently repaired after the transfer of linear but not of circular DNA molecules. A 22 bp homology between the trans DNA and the endogenous DNA was sufficient to initiate recombination but 14 nonhomologous bp at one open end of the SV40 DNA fragments hindered gap repair.

Carcinogens can induce homologous recombination between duplicated chromosomal sequences in mouse L cells

The ability of a series of DNA-damaging agents to induce homologous intrachromosomal recombination between duplicated genes in the chromosome of mouse cells was investigated. The target cells were the thymidine kinase-deficient mouse L-cell strain 333M, which contains a single integrated copy of a plasmid with two herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Htk) genes, each containing an 8-base-pair XhoI linker inserted at a unique site. Expression of a functional Htk enzyme requires a productive recombinational event between the two nonfunctional genes. The spontaneous rate of recombination in this strain is 3 per 10(6) cells per generation. The agents tested represent physical carcinogens (UV and ionizing radiation), a simple alkylating agent (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine), an alkylating cross-linking agent (mitomycin C), and a reactive metabolite of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ((+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [BPDE] ). The background frequency of tk+ recombinants in the untreated population averaged 18 X 10(-6) +/- 5 X 10(-6). Ionizing radiation had little or no effect on recombination; exposure to mitomycin C, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, BPDE, or UV, at doses that lowered the survival to between 90 and 10% of the control, caused a dose-dependent increase in frequency of recombinants, reaching 50 X 10(-6) to 100 X 10(-6). No tk+ cells could be generated with a control cell line that contained only one mutant copy of the Htk gene. Molecular hybridization analysis showed that 85 to 90% of the tk+ recombinants retained the Htk gene duplication, consistent with nonreciprocal transfer of wild-type genetic information, gene conversion. In the rest, only a single copy of the Htk gene remained, reflecting a single reciprocal exchange within a chromatid or a single unequal exchange between sister chromatids. Each recombinant tested contained an XhoI-resistant (wild-type) Htk gene.

Carcinogens can induce homologous recombination between duplicated chromosomal sequences in mouse L cells

The ability of a series of DNA-damaging agents to induce homologous intrachromosomal recombination between duplicated genes in the chromosome of mouse cells was investigated. The target cells were the thymidine kinase-deficient mouse L-cell strain 333M, which contains a single integrated copy of a plasmid with two herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Htk) genes, each containing an 8-base-pair XhoI linker inserted at a unique site. Expression of a functional Htk enzyme requires a productive recombinational event between the two nonfunctional genes. The spontaneous rate of recombination in this strain is 3 per 10(6) cells per generation. The agents tested represent physical carcinogens (UV and ionizing radiation), a simple alkylating agent (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine), an alkylating cross-linking agent (mitomycin C), and a reactive metabolite of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ((+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [BPDE] ). The background frequency of tk+ recombinants in the untreated population averaged 18 X 10(-6) +/- 5 X 10(-6). Ionizing radiation had little or no effect on recombination; exposure to mitomycin C, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, BPDE, or UV, at doses that lowered the survival to between 90 and 10% of the control, caused a dose-dependent increase in frequency of recombinants, reaching 50 X 10(-6) to 100 X 10(-6). No tk+ cells could be generated with a control cell line that contained only one mutant copy of the Htk gene. Molecular hybridization analysis showed that 85 to 90% of the tk+ recombinants retained the Htk gene duplication, consistent with nonreciprocal transfer of wild-type genetic information, gene conversion. In the rest, only a single copy of the Htk gene remained, reflecting a single reciprocal exchange within a chromatid or a single unequal exchange between sister chromatids. Each recombinant tested contained an XhoI-resistant (wild-type) Htk gene.

Intermolecular recombination assay for mammalian cells that produces recombinants carrying both homologous and nonhomologous junctions

We present an intermolecular recombination assay for mammalian cells that does not involve the reconstitution of a selectable marker. It is based on the generation of a shuttle vector by recombination between a bacterial and a mammalian vector. The recombinants can thus be amplified in mammalian cells, isolated by plasmid rescue in an Escherichia coli RecA- host, and identified by in situ hybridization, by using mammalian vector sequences as probes. Since both parental molecules can share defined lengths of homology, this assay permits a direct comparison between homologous and nonhomologous intermolecular recombination. Our results indicate that the dominant intermolecular recombination mechanism is a nonhomologous one. The relative frequency of homologous to nonhomologous recombination was influenced by the length of shared homology between parental molecules and the replicative state of the parental molecules, but not by the introduction of double-strand breaks per se. Finally, almost all of the recombinants with a homologous junction did not have the reciprocal homologous junction but instead had a nonhomologous one. We propose a model to account for the generation of these recombinants.

Homologous recombination between coinjected DNA sequences peaks in early to mid-S phase

We have examined the effect of cell cycle position on homologous recombination between plasmid molecules coinjected into synchronized rat fibroblasts. Recombination activity was found to be low in G1 and to rise 10- to 15-fold, peaking in early to mid-S phase.

Homologous recombination between coinjected DNA sequences peaks in early to mid-S phase

We have examined the effect of cell cycle position on homologous recombination between plasmid molecules coinjected into synchronized rat fibroblasts. Recombination activity was found to be low in G1 and to rise 10- to 15-fold, peaking in early to mid-S phase.

Intermolecular recombination assay for mammalian cells that produces recombinants carrying both homologous and nonhomologous junctions

We present an intermolecular recombination assay for mammalian cells that does not involve the reconstitution of a selectable marker. It is based on the generation of a shuttle vector by recombination between a bacterial and a mammalian vector. The recombinants can thus be amplified in mammalian cells, isolated by plasmid rescue in an Escherichia coli RecA- host, and identified by in situ hybridization, by using mammalian vector sequences as probes. Since both parental molecules can share defined lengths of homology, this assay permits a direct comparison between homologous and nonhomologous intermolecular recombination. Our results indicate that the dominant intermolecular recombination mechanism is a nonhomologous one. The relative frequency of homologous to nonhomologous recombination was influenced by the length of shared homology between parental molecules and the replicative state of the parental molecules, but not by the introduction of double-strand breaks per se. Finally, almost all of the recombinants with a homologous junction did not have the reciprocal homologous junction but instead had a nonhomologous one. We propose a model to account for the generation of these recombinants.

Extrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells as studied with single- and double-stranded DNA substrates

We have previously proposed a model to account for the high levels of homologous recombination that can occur during the introduction of DNA into mammalian cells (F.-L. Lin, K. Sperle, and N. Sternberg, Mol. Cell. Biol. 4:1020-1034, 1984). An essential feature of that model is that linear molecules with ends appropriately located between homologous DNA segments are efficient substrates for an exonuclease that acts in a 5'----3' direction. That process generates complementary single strands that pair in homologous regions to produce an intermediate that is processed efficiently to a recombinant molecule. An alternative model, in which strand degradation occurs in the 3'----5' direction, is also possible. In this report, we describe experiments that tested several of the essential features of the model. We first confirmed and extended our previous results with double-stranded DNA substrates containing truncated herpesvirus thymidine kinase (tk) genes (tk delta 5' and tk delta 3'). The results illustrate the importance of the location of double-strand breaks in the successful reconstruction of the tk gene by recombination. We next transformed cells with pairs of single-stranded DNAs containing truncated tk genes which should anneal in cells to generate the recombination intermediates predicted by the two alternative models. One of the intermediates would be the favored substrate in our original 5'----3' degradative model and the other would be the favored substrate in the alternative 3'----5' degradative model. Our results indicate that the intermediate favored by the 3'----5' model is 10 to 20 times more efficient in generating recombinant tk genes than is the other intermediate.

Reconstruction of human alpha thalassemia-2 genotypes in monkey cells

The human adult alpha globin genes, alpha 2 and alpha 1, are contained within two tandemly arranged duplication units. Each unit spans 4 kb of DNA, and contains three homology blocks (X, Y, Z) separated by non-homologous sequences. Segmental DNA recombination processes between the two units have resulted in high frequencies of two types of deletions in certain human populations, each deletion removing one alpha globin gene from chromosome 16, (alpha-thalassemia 2). In order to study the molecular mechanisms of alpha-thalassemia 2, and of homologous DNA recombination in general in mammalian cells, we have reconstructed these two alpha-thalassemia 2 genotypes in monkey cells. The two duplication units have been cloned in an SV40 origin-containing vector, and transfected into COS 7 cells. Newly replicated plasmid DNA was isolated and analyzed by Southern blot hybridization. Homologous DNA recombination occurs with high frequencies (10-20% per kb of homology), and this generates both types of alpha-thalassemia 2 deletions on the episomes in the monkey cells. Removal of the 5' end of either one, or both, of the X blocks prior to DNA transfection affects the relative frequencies of the two alpha-thalassemia 2 genotypes in a novel way. We consider and discuss these results in terms of several alternative models. Our data suggest the existence of hot spot(s) for initiation of homologous DNA recombination, or recombination promoting element(s), in a specific region of the human adult alpha globin locus. A DNA sequence that defines the boundaries of the two duplication units, and has been implicated in the initiation of gene conversion of the two X blocks, is contained within this region.

Recombination of DNAs in Xenopus oocytes based on short homologous overlaps

Linear molecules of pBR322 and closely related plasmid DNAs were injected into Xenopus oocyte nuclei. Such molecules were degraded unless their ends were recombined. Non-homologous ends were joined rarely, if at all, but measurable recombination was supported by homologous sequences of less than 10 base pairs (bp). The efficiency of recombination increased as the length and degree of homology improved, in the range of about 8-20 bp. The homologous sequences had to be very close to the original molecular ends (within about 20 bp); internal homologies, even when they included better matches, were never used. These observations are best accommodated by a model of recombination which envisions exonucleolytic resection to expose homologous sequences, followed by annealing of single-stranded tails, tidying up and sealing of the new joint. Some of the recombined plasmids had novel tetracycline resistance genes; their properties give some insight into the function of the tet gene product.

Extrachromosomal and chromosomal gene conversion in mammalian cells

We constructed substrates to study gene conversion in mammalian cells specifically without the complication of reciprocal recombination events. These substrates contain both an insertion mutation of the neomycin resistance gene (neoX) and an internal, homologous fragment of the neo gene (neo-526), such that gene conversion from neo-526 to neoX restores a functional neo gene. Although two reciprocal recombination events can also produce an intact neo gene, these double recombination events occur much less frequently that gene conversion in mammalian cells, We used our substrates to characterize extrachromosomal gene conversion in recombination-deficient bacteria and in monkey COS cells. Chromosomal recombination was also studied after stable integration of these substrates into the genome of mouse 3T6 cells. All extrachromosomal and chromosomal recombination events analyzed in mammalian cells resulted from gene conversion. Chromosomal gene conversion events occurred at frequencies of about 10(-6) per cell generation and restored a functional neo gene without overall effects on sequence organization.

Rescue of chromosomal T-antigen sequences onto extrachromosomally replicating, defective simian virus 40 DNA by homologous recombination

Recombination between chromosomal and extrachromosomal DNA sequences was analyzed by investigation of the recombinational rescue of a 1,018-base-pair (bp) segment of the T-antigen gene of simian virus 40 from the chromosome of monkey COS cells to two different, extrachromosomally replicating, simian virus 40 DNA molecules lacking this 1,018-bp sequence. The ratio of rescued to unrecombined virus was as high as 10(-3). The rescued molecules, detected optimally 5 to 9 days after transfection of COS cells, had completely recovered the 1,018-bp DNA segment from the chromosome. The recombination event is proposed to occur either by double reciprocal recombination or by gene conversion between the chromosomal T-antigen gene and the extrachromosomal molecules missing the 1,018-bp sequence.

Extrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells as studied with single- and double-stranded DNA substrates

We have previously proposed a model to account for the high levels of homologous recombination that can occur during the introduction of DNA into mammalian cells (F.-L. Lin, K. Sperle, and N. Sternberg, Mol. Cell. Biol. 4:1020-1034, 1984). An essential feature of that model is that linear molecules with ends appropriately located between homologous DNA segments are efficient substrates for an exonuclease that acts in a 5'----3' direction. That process generates complementary single strands that pair in homologous regions to produce an intermediate that is processed efficiently to a recombinant molecule. An alternative model, in which strand degradation occurs in the 3'----5' direction, is also possible. In this report, we describe experiments that tested several of the essential features of the model. We first confirmed and extended our previous results with double-stranded DNA substrates containing truncated herpesvirus thymidine kinase (tk) genes (tk delta 5' and tk delta 3'). The results illustrate the importance of the location of double-strand breaks in the successful reconstruction of the tk gene by recombination. We next transformed cells with pairs of single-stranded DNAs containing truncated tk genes which should anneal in cells to generate the recombination intermediates predicted by the two alternative models. One of the intermediates would be the favored substrate in our original 5'----3' degradative model and the other would be the favored substrate in the alternative 3'----5' degradative model. Our results indicate that the intermediate favored by the 3'----5' model is 10 to 20 times more efficient in generating recombinant tk genes than is the other intermediate.

Efficient homologous recombination of linear DNA substrates after injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes

When DNA molecules are injected into Xenopus oocyte nuclei, they can recombine with each other. With bacteriophage lambda DNAs, it was shown that this recombination is stimulated greatly by introduction of double-strand breaks into the substrates and is dependent on homologous overlaps in the recombination interval. With plasmid DNAs it was shown that little or no recombination occurs between circular molecules but both intra- and intermolecular events take place very efficiently with linear molecules. As with the lambda substrates, homology was required to support recombination; no simple joining of ends was observed. Blockage of DNA ends with nonhomologous sequences interfered with recombination, indicating that ends are used directly to initiate homologous interactions. These observations are combined to evaluate possible models of recombination in the oocytes. Because each oocyte is capable of recombining nanogram quantities of linear DNA, this system offers exceptional opportunities for detailed molecular analysis of the recombination process in a higher organism.

Recombination of homologous DNA fragments transfected into mammalian cells occurs predominantly by terminal pairing

The mechanism by which double-strand cleavages stimulate the joining of plasmid DNA fragments introduced into cultured mammalian cells was investigated by cotransfecting pairs of plasmids encoding deletion mutations in a dominant selectable gene into LMtk- cells. Plasmid recombination substrates were produced by creating deletions of different sizes within the neo coding region of the pSV2neo plasmid. Complementing pairs of deleted plasmid DNAs were linearized at specific unique sites before cotransfection into mouse LMtk- cells by the calcium phosphate precipitation method. Cleaving one donor plasmid produced a 4- to 10-fold stimulation in the production of colonies able to survive in medium containing G-418. The linearization of the second plasmid further increased the efficiency by another factor of 6 to 15 when the cut was made on the opposite side of the homology, approximately equidistant from the center of the overlap. Fifty-seven individual G-418-resistant colonies representing the products of individual crosses were isolated, and the genomic DNAs containing the presumably integrated, functional recombinant neo genes were analyzed on Southern blots. A band consistent with the exchange of markers flanking the neo gene was present in 90% of the DNAs examined. In only one case was the pattern indicative of either a double crossover or a gene conversion event. These results support the idea that homologous extrachromosomal DNA fragments are joined through annealing of overlapping single-stranded ends. This DNA-joining phenomenon may represent the activity of cellular DNA repair enzymes; its relationship to genetic recombination occurring at the chromosomal level remains to be determined.

Mechanism of intramolecular recyclization and deletion formation following transformation of Escherichia coli with linearized plasmid DNA

The deletion end-points of a number of type I (less than monomeric) plasmid deletants obtained by transforming recA+ or recA- E. coli with linear pBR322 DNA were determined by DNA sequencing. In both monodirectional and bidirectional deletions the recyclization point was normally characterized by recombination between directly repeated sequences of between 4 and 10 bp present on each arm of the linearized pBR322 molecule. Frequently, short tracts of uninterrupted homology involved in recombinational recircularization were embedded in regions of relative non-homology. A model predicting the probability of matching sequences in either end of a linear plasmid molecule is presented. It is proposed that exonucleolytic processing of the exposed termini of linear plasmid molecules generates substrates for subsequent recombinational recyclization and deletion. The activity of host recombination and repair functions in recircularizing linear DNA molecules explains the generation of many of the aberrant recombinant DNA constructs obtained during gene cloning procedures.

Enhancer-dependent expression of the rat preproinsulin gene in bovine papillomavirus type 1 vectors

The effect of position in a bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) vector on foreign gene expression was assessed with the rat preproinsulin (rI1) gene. The rI1 gene was inserted at each of the BPV-1/pML2d junctions in either transcriptional orientation in derivatives of the pdBPV-1(142-6) vector which consists of the BamHI linear genome of BPV-1 DNA cloned into pML2d. Transformed lines of C127 cells were established and assayed for rI1 gene expression. Cells containing the rI1 gene at the 3' end of the BPV-1 transforming region expressed rat proinsulin, whereas cells with the gene at the 5' end of the nontransforming region did not. Variability in the plasmid copy number or in the extent of DNA rearrangement could not account for this difference. We conclude that the expression of the rat preproinsulin gene (which is normally tissue specific for pancreatic islet cells) in C127 cells depends on the transcriptional activation afforded by viral enhancer sequences located at the 3' end of the transforming region. Intervening BPV-1 or pML2d sequences appear to block this enhancer-mediated gene activation. In agreement with enhancer-dependent activation, a rat preproinsulin gene located in a blocked position (i.e., not adjacent to the BPV-1 enhancer) could be activated by the insertion of a DNA fragment containing the simian virus 40, Moloney murine sarcoma virus, or BPV-1 enhancer element adjacent to the rI1 gene. Thus, a gene which is normally not expressed in a particular cell may be activated when placed adjacent to a viral enhancer in a BPV-1 vector.

Recombination of homologous DNA fragments transfected into mammalian cells occurs predominantly by terminal pairing

The mechanism by which double-strand cleavages stimulate the joining of plasmid DNA fragments introduced into cultured mammalian cells was investigated by cotransfecting pairs of plasmids encoding deletion mutations in a dominant selectable gene into LMtk- cells. Plasmid recombination substrates were produced by creating deletions of different sizes within the neo coding region of the pSV2neo plasmid. Complementing pairs of deleted plasmid DNAs were linearized at specific unique sites before cotransfection into mouse LMtk- cells by the calcium phosphate precipitation method. Cleaving one donor plasmid produced a 4- to 10-fold stimulation in the production of colonies able to survive in medium containing G-418. The linearization of the second plasmid further increased the efficiency by another factor of 6 to 15 when the cut was made on the opposite side of the homology, approximately equidistant from the center of the overlap. Fifty-seven individual G-418-resistant colonies representing the products of individual crosses were isolated, and the genomic DNAs containing the presumably integrated, functional recombinant neo genes were analyzed on Southern blots. A band consistent with the exchange of markers flanking the neo gene was present in 90% of the DNAs examined. In only one case was the pattern indicative of either a double crossover or a gene conversion event. These results support the idea that homologous extrachromosomal DNA fragments are joined through annealing of overlapping single-stranded ends. This DNA-joining phenomenon may represent the activity of cellular DNA repair enzymes; its relationship to genetic recombination occurring at the chromosomal level remains to be determined.

Efficient homologous recombination of linear DNA substrates after injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes

When DNA molecules are injected into Xenopus oocyte nuclei, they can recombine with each other. With bacteriophage lambda DNAs, it was shown that this recombination is stimulated greatly by introduction of double-strand breaks into the substrates and is dependent on homologous overlaps in the recombination interval. With plasmid DNAs it was shown that little or no recombination occurs between circular molecules but both intra- and intermolecular events take place very efficiently with linear molecules. As with the lambda substrates, homology was required to support recombination; no simple joining of ends was observed. Blockage of DNA ends with nonhomologous sequences interfered with recombination, indicating that ends are used directly to initiate homologous interactions. These observations are combined to evaluate possible models of recombination in the oocytes. Because each oocyte is capable of recombining nanogram quantities of linear DNA, this system offers exceptional opportunities for detailed molecular analysis of the recombination process in a higher organism.

Extrachromosomal and chromosomal gene conversion in mammalian cells

We constructed substrates to study gene conversion in mammalian cells specifically without the complication of reciprocal recombination events. These substrates contain both an insertion mutation of the neomycin resistance gene (neoX) and an internal, homologous fragment of the neo gene (neo-526), such that gene conversion from neo-526 to neoX restores a functional neo gene. Although two reciprocal recombination events can also produce an intact neo gene, these double recombination events occur much less frequently that gene conversion in mammalian cells, We used our substrates to characterize extrachromosomal gene conversion in recombination-deficient bacteria and in monkey COS cells. Chromosomal recombination was also studied after stable integration of these substrates into the genome of mouse 3T6 cells. All extrachromosomal and chromosomal recombination events analyzed in mammalian cells resulted from gene conversion. Chromosomal gene conversion events occurred at frequencies of about 10(-6) per cell generation and restored a functional neo gene without overall effects on sequence organization.

Rescue of chromosomal T-antigen sequences onto extrachromosomally replicating, defective simian virus 40 DNA by homologous recombination

Recombination between chromosomal and extrachromosomal DNA sequences was analyzed by investigation of the recombinational rescue of a 1,018-base-pair (bp) segment of the T-antigen gene of simian virus 40 from the chromosome of monkey COS cells to two different, extrachromosomally replicating, simian virus 40 DNA molecules lacking this 1,018-bp sequence. The ratio of rescued to unrecombined virus was as high as 10(-3). The rescued molecules, detected optimally 5 to 9 days after transfection of COS cells, had completely recovered the 1,018-bp DNA segment from the chromosome. The recombination event is proposed to occur either by double reciprocal recombination or by gene conversion between the chromosomal T-antigen gene and the extrachromosomal molecules missing the 1,018-bp sequence.

Enhancer-dependent expression of the rat preproinsulin gene in bovine papillomavirus type 1 vectors

The effect of position in a bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) vector on foreign gene expression was assessed with the rat preproinsulin (rI1) gene. The rI1 gene was inserted at each of the BPV-1/pML2d junctions in either transcriptional orientation in derivatives of the pdBPV-1(142-6) vector which consists of the BamHI linear genome of BPV-1 DNA cloned into pML2d. Transformed lines of C127 cells were established and assayed for rI1 gene expression. Cells containing the rI1 gene at the 3' end of the BPV-1 transforming region expressed rat proinsulin, whereas cells with the gene at the 5' end of the nontransforming region did not. Variability in the plasmid copy number or in the extent of DNA rearrangement could not account for this difference. We conclude that the expression of the rat preproinsulin gene (which is normally tissue specific for pancreatic islet cells) in C127 cells depends on the transcriptional activation afforded by viral enhancer sequences located at the 3' end of the transforming region. Intervening BPV-1 or pML2d sequences appear to block this enhancer-mediated gene activation. In agreement with enhancer-dependent activation, a rat preproinsulin gene located in a blocked position (i.e., not adjacent to the BPV-1 enhancer) could be activated by the insertion of a DNA fragment containing the simian virus 40, Moloney murine sarcoma virus, or BPV-1 enhancer element adjacent to the rI1 gene. Thus, a gene which is normally not expressed in a particular cell may be activated when placed adjacent to a viral enhancer in a BPV-1 vector.