ras-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells: possible involvement of fos and jun

Brain development is impaired in c-fos -/- mice

c-Fos is a proto-oncogene involved in diverse cellular functions. Its deregulation has been associated to abnormal development and oncogenic progression. c-fos−/− mice are viable but present a reduction in their body weight and brain size. We examined the importance of c-Fos during neocortex development at 13.5, 14.5 and 16.5 days of gestation. At E14.5, neocortex thickness, apoptosis, mitosis and expression of markers along the different stages of Neural Stem Progenitor Cells (NSPCs) differentiation in c-fos−/− and wild-type mice were analyzed. A ∼15% reduction in the neocortex thickness of c-fos−/− embryos was observed which correlates with a decrease in the number of differentiated cells and an increase in apoptosis at the ventricular zone. No difference in mitosis rate was observed, although the mitotic angle was predominantly vertical in c-fos−/− embryos, suggesting a reduced trend of NSPCs to differentiate. At E13.5, changes in differentiation markers start to be apparent and are still clearly observed at E16.5. A tendency of more AP-1/DNA complexes present in nuclear extracts of cerebral cortex from c-fos−/− embryos with no differences in the lipid synthesis activity was found. These results suggest that c-Fos is involved in the normal development of NSPCs by means of its AP-1 activity.

The role of rab proteins in neuronal cells and in the trafficking of neurotrophin receptors

Neurotrophins are a family of proteins that are important for neuronal development, neuronal survival and neuronal functions. Neurotrophins exert their role by binding to their receptors, the Trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases (TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC) and p75NTR, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily. Binding of neurotrophins to receptors triggers a complex series of signal transduction events, which are able to induce neuronal differentiation but are also responsible for neuronal maintenance and neuronal functions. Rab proteins are small GTPases localized to the cytosolic surface of specific intracellular compartments and are involved in controlling vesicular transport. Rab proteins, acting as master regulators of the membrane trafficking network, play a central role in both trafficking and signaling pathways of neurotrophin receptors. Axonal transport represents the Achilles' heel of neurons, due to the long-range distance that molecules, organelles and, in particular, neurotrophin-receptor complexes have to cover. Indeed, alterations of axonal transport and, specifically, of axonal trafficking of neurotrophin receptors are responsible for several human neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and some forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. In this review, we will discuss the link between Rab proteins and neurotrophin receptor trafficking and their influence on downstream signaling pathways.

The basic region and leucine zipper transcription factor MafK is a new nerve growth factor-responsive immediate early gene that regulates neurite outgrowth

We used serial analysis of gene expression to identify new NGF-responsive immediate early genes (IEGs) with potential roles in neuronal differentiation. Among those identified was MafK, a small Maf family basic region and leucine zipper transcriptional repressor and coactivator expressed in immature neurons. NGF treatment elevates the levels of both MafK transcripts and protein. In contrast, there is no effect on expression of the closely related MafG. Unlike many other NGF-responsive IEGs, MafK regulation shows selectivity and is unresponsive to epidermal growth factor, depolarization, or cAMP derivatives. Inhibitor studies indicate that NGF-promoted MafK regulation is mediated by an atypical isoform of PKC but not by mitogen-activated kinase kinase, phospholipase Cgamma, or phosphoinositide 3'-kinase. Interference with MafK expression or activity by small interfering RNA and dominant negative strategies, respectively, suppresses NGF-promoted outgrowth and maintenance of neurites by PC12 cells and neurite outgrowth by immature telencephalic neurons. Our findings support a role for MafK as a novel regulator of neuronal differentiation.

Neuronal differentiation and protection from nitric oxide-induced apoptosis require c-Jun-dependent expression of NCAM140

c-Jun, a crucial component of the dimeric transcription factor activating protein 1 (AP-1), can regulate apoptosis induced by oxidative stress and has been implicated in neuronal differentiation, but the mechanisms are largely unknown. We found that specific inhibition of transcription or stable transfection with cDNA encoding dominant-negative c-Jun sensitized SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells (TAM-67 cells) to apoptosis induced by the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside or SIN-1. TAM-67 cells also became refractory to nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neuronal differentiation. Dominant-negative c-Jun abolished expression of a 140-kDa neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM140) and dramatically enhanced the expression of NCAM180 in TAM-67 cells. Inhibition of c-Jun in TAM-67 cells also resulted in a corresponding decrease in the amount of NCAM140 mRNA and an increase in the amount of NCAM180 mRNA. Reexpression of NCAM140 in TAM-67 cells restored NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and resistance to NO-induced apoptosis. Our results show that c-Jun/AP-1, through up-regulation of NCAM140, plays an important role in both NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and resistance to apoptosis induced by NO in neuroblastoma cells. As NCAM140 and NCAM180 are translated from differentially spliced mRNAs transcribed from the same gene, alternative splicing of NCAM pre-mRNA (and consequently the synthesis of the smaller NCAM140 species) appears to be regulated by c-Jun/AP-1.

Cooperative and redundant effects of STAT5 and Ras signaling in BCR/ABL transformed hematopoietic cells

The Akt, Ras and STAT5 signaling pathways have each been linked to transformation of hematopoietic cells by BCR/ABL. However the relative contributions of these signaling pathways to BCR/ABL mediated cytokine-independent survival, proliferation and resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis have not been systematically defined. Here we report that activation of either Akt, Ras or STAT5 confers cytokine-independent survival to IL-3 dependent BaF3 cells. Ras or STAT5, but not Akt, also drives cytokine-independent proliferation and imparts sustained resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis. We also show that dominant negative (DN) inhibition of STAT5, but not Ras or Akt, significantly reduces resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis in BCR/ABL transformed BaF3 cells. Whereas inhibition of STAT5 or Ras alone does not compromise cytokine-independent proliferation of BaF3-BCR/ABL cells, simultaneous blockade of both STAT5 and Ras reduces proliferation and maximally sensitizes BaF3-BCR/ABL cells to DNA damage induced by gamma-irradiation, suggesting a cooperative role for these two signaling pathways in BCR/ABL transformation. The anti-apoptotic properties of BCR/ABL can be partly explained by an increase in the expression of Pim-1 and Bcl-XL, as ectopic expression of these STAT5 target genes imparts both cytokine-independent survival and partial gamma-radiation resistance. These data illustrate both cooperative and redundant effects of STAT5 and Ras signaling in BCR/ABL transformed cells, with STAT5 playing a dominant role in resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis.

Oncogenic insertional mutations in the P-loop of Ras are overactive in MAP kinase signaling

Mutations of Ras with three extra amino acids inserted into the phosphate-binding (P) loop have been investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Such mutants have originally been detected as oncogenes both in the ras and the TC21 genes. Biochemical experiments reveal the molecular basis of their oncogenic potential: the mutants show a strongly attenuated binding affinity for nucleotides, most notably for GDP, leading to a preference for GTP binding. Furthermore, both the intrinsic as well as the GAP-stimulated GTP hydrolysis are drastically diminished. The binding interaction with GAP is reduced, whereas binding to the Ras-binding domain of the downstream effector c-Raf1 is not altered appreciably. Microinjection into PC12 cells shows the mutants to be as potent to induce neurite outgrowth as conventional oncogenic Ras mutants. Unexpectedly, their ability to stimulate the MAP kinase pathway as measured by a reporter gene assay in RK13 cells is much higher than that of the normal oncogenic mutant G12V. This characteristic was attributed to an increased stimulation of c-Raf1 kinase activity by the insertional Ras mutants.

Basic fibroblast growth factor activates serum response factor gene expression by multiple distinct signaling mechanisms

Serum response factor (SRF) plays a central role in the transcriptional response of mammalian cells to a variety of extracellular signals. It is a key regulator of many cellular early response genes which are believed to be involved in cell growth and differentiation. The mechanism by which SRF activates transcription in response to mitogenic agents has been extensively studied; however, significantly less is known about regulation of the SRF gene itself. Previously, we identified distinct regulatory elements in the SRF promoter that play a role in activation, including a consensus ETS domain binding site, a consensus overlapping Sp/Egr-1 binding site, and two SRF binding sites. We further showed that serum induces SRF by a mechanism that requires an intact SRF binding site, also termed a CArG box. In the present study we demonstrate that in response to stimulation of cells by a purified growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), the SRF promoter is upregulated by a complex pathway that involves at least two independent mechanisms: a CArG box-independent mechanism that is mediated by an ETS binding site, and a novel CArG box-dependent mechanism that requires both an Sp factor binding site and the CArG motifs for maximal stimulation. Our analysis indicates that the CArG/Sp element activation mechanism is mediated by distinct signaling pathways. The CArG box-dependent component is targeted by a Rho-mediated pathway, and the Sp binding site-dependent component is targeted by a Ras-mediated pathway. Both SRF and bFGF have been implicated in playing an important role in mediating cardiogenesis during development. The implications of our findings for SRF expression during development are discussed.

An essential role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in myogenic differentiation

The oncogene p3k, coding for a constitutively active form of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase; EC 2.7.1.137), strongly enhances myogenic differentiation in cultures of chicken-embryo myoblasts. It increases the size of the myotubes and induces elevated levels of the muscle-specific proteins MyoD, myosin heavy chain, creatine kinase, and desmin. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase activity with LY294002 or with dominant-negative mutants of PI 3-kinase interferes with myogenic differentiation and with the induction of muscle-specific genes. PI 3-kinase is therefore an upstream mediator for the expression of the muscle-specific genes and is both necessary and rate-limiting for the process of myogenesis.

Overexpression of an activated rasG gene during growth blocks the initiation of Dictyostelium development

Transformants that expressed either the wild-type rasG gene, an activated rasG-G12T gene, or a dominant negative rasG-S17N gene, all under the control of the folate-repressible discoidin (dis1gamma) promoter, were isolated. All three transformants expressed high levels of Ras protein which were reduced by growth in the presence of folate. All three transformants grew slowly, and the reduction in growth rate correlated with the amount of RasG protein produced, suggesting that RasG is important in regulating cell growth. The pVEII-rasG transformant containing the wild-type rasG gene developed normally despite the presence of high levels of RasG throughout development. This result indicates that the down regulation of rasG that normally occurs during aggregation of wild-type strains is not essential for the differentiation process. Dictyostelium transformants expressing the dominant negative rasG-S17N gene also differentiated normally. Dictyostelium transformants that overexpressed the activated rasG-G12T gene did not aggregate. The defect occurred very early in development, since the expression of car1 and pde, genes that are normally induced soon after the initiation of development, was repressed. However, when the transformant cells were pulsed with cyclic AMP, expression of both genes returned to wild-type levels. The transformants exhibited chemotaxis to cyclic AMP, and development was synergized by mixing with wild-type cells. Furthermore, cells that were pulsed with cyclic AMP for 4 h before being induced to differentiate by plating on filters produced small, but otherwise normal, fruiting bodies. These results suggest that the rasG-G12T transformants are defective in cyclic AMP production and that RasG - GTP blocks development by interfering with the initial generation of cyclic AMP pulses.

Functional interaction between a RARE and an AP-2 binding site in the regulation of the human HOX A4 gene promoter

HOX A genes are induced in a temporal fashion after retinoic acid (RA) treatment in non-N-ras-transformed PA-1 human teratcarcinoma cells. However, In N-ras-transformed PA-1 cells, RA-Induced expression of HOX A genes is delayed. The mRNA for the transcriptional activator AP-2 is overexpressed in these ras-transformed cells, but AP-2 transcriptional activity is inhibited relative to non ras-transformed PA-1 cells. Constitutive expression of AP-2 mimics the effect of ras by transforming cells and inhibiting differentiation in culture. We analyzed 4 kb of the human HOX A4 gene promoter and identified seven putative AP-2-binding sites in the DNA sequence. Transcription assays with variably sized HOX A4 promoter reporter constructs revealed that a 365 bp region of the promoter, -2950 to -3315 relative to the mRNA start, controls RA responsiveness and ras-mediated inhibition of HOX A4 activity. This region contains an AP-2 binding site and a RARE. Elimination of the AP-2 site by site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the AP-2 site is involved in RA-mediated transcriptional activation of the human HOX A4 promoter in combination with the RA receptor response element (RARE). In N-ras-transformed cells, low HOX A4 promoter activity results from ras inhibition of AP-2 transactivation.

Generation of truncated forms of the NG2 proteoglycan by cell surface proteolysis

NG2 is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan that is expressed on dividing progenitor cells of several lineages including glia, muscle, and cartilage. It is an integral membrane proteoglycan with a core glycoprotein of 300 kDa. In the present study we have characterized three molecular forms of the NG2 core protein expressed by different cell lines. Many cell lines that express the full length 300-kDa NG2 core protein also release a 290-kDa form into the medium. This species lacks the cytoplasmic domain but contains almost the entire ectodomain. Two core protein species, the intact 300-kDa form and a truncated 275-kDa form, are expressed at the surface of an NG2-transfected cell line U251NG52. The 275-kDa species lacks the cytoplasmic domain and at least 64 amino acids of the ectodomain. Mild trypsinization of B49 cells also generates the 275-kDa species, suggesting that this component is produced by proteolysis of the 300-kDa form. Conversion of the 300-kDa species to the 275-kDa form in U251NG52 cells is stimulated by reagents such as phorbol esters, which activate protein kinase C. Phorbol esters are also known to induce expression of metalloproteinases such as collagenase and stromelysin, which could be responsible for cleavage of the 300-kDa core protein. Although B49 cells do not spontaneously produce the truncated 275-kDa species, use of monoclonal antibodies against NG2 to block the interaction between NG2 and type VI collagen results in the appearance of the 275-kDa component in these cells. Thus the interaction between NG2 and type VI collagen, which contains a Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor sequence in the alpha 3 chain, may protect the proteoglycan against proteolysis. This is consistent with the observed deficiency of U251NG52 cells in anchoring type VI collagen at the surface.

The neurotensin gene is a downstream target for Ras activation

Ras regulates novel patterns of gene expression and the differentiation of various eukaryotic cell types. Stable transfection of Ha-ras into the human colon cancer line CaCo2 results in the morphologic differentiation to a small bowel phenotype. The purpose of our study was to determine whether the Ras regulatory pathway plays a role in the expression of the neurotensin gene (NT/N), a terminally differentiated endocrine product specifically localized in the gastrointestinal tract to the adult small bowel. We found that CaCo2-ras cells, but not parental CaCo2, express high levels of the human NT/N gene and, moreover, that this increase in gene expression is regulated at the level of transcription. Transfection experiments using NT/N-CAT mutation constructs identify the proximal 200 bp of NT/N flanking sequence as sufficient for maximal Ras-mediated NT/N reporter gene induction. Furthermore, a proximal AP-1/CRE motif is crucial for this Ras-mediated NT/N activation. Wild-type Ha-ras induces NT/N gene expression, albeit at lower levels than activated Ras; a dominant-negative Raf blocks this NT/N induction, suggesting that Raf lies down-stream of Ras in this pathway. In addition, postconfluent cultures of CaCo2 cells, which are differentiated to a small bowel phenotype, express the NT/N gene by 6 d after reaching confluency; this increase of NT/N expression is associated with concomitant increases of cellular p21ras protein. We conclude that Ras (both wild-type and activated) enhances expression of the NT/N gene in the gut-derived CaCo2 cell line, suggesting an important role for the Ras signaling pathway in NT/N gene transcription. Our results underscore the possibility that tissue-specific genes (such as NT/N) expressed in distinct subpopulations of the gut may be subject to Ras regulation. Finally, we speculate that the NT/N gene and the CaCo2 and CaCo2-ras cell systems will provide unique models to further define the cellular mechanisms leading to mammalian intestinal differentiation.

Analysis of c-fos expression in the butyrate-induced F-98 glioma cell differentiation

The functional induction of c-fos in the sodium butyrate-induced differentiation of F-98 glioma cells was studied. Fos protein level was increased by butyrate. In contrast, c-Jun protein was constitutively expressed and was not affected by butyrate. Gel-retardation assay indicates Fos as a component of the complex formed between the consensus oligonucleotide of the TPA (PMA, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) response element (TRE) and nuclear extract prepared from butyrate-treated cells. Transfection studies showed that butyrate increased transcription from a multimeric TRE-driven reporter construct, and the effect was mimicked by transfecting cells with fos-expression plasmid. Furthermore, under conditions of c-fos over-expression, transactivation by butyrate was essentially abolished. These data suggest that Fos induction had a functional role in gene activation. Characterization of stable c-fos transfectants demonstrated that these cells displayed alterations in morphology, showed serum-dependent growth, had slower growth rates and grew to lower saturation densities than did untransfected F-98 cells or transfected cells that did not express c-fos. Immunofluorescent staining indicated that fos transfectants also had elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein ('GFAP') expression. Transfection of the c-fos promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene into F-98 cells revealed that activation of c-fos by butyrate was exerted at the promoter level, and sequences located within nucleotides -757 to -402 of the c-fos promoter were responsible for butyrate induction. Our data indicate that transcriptional activation of c-fos through its promoter by butyrate resulted in increased Fos protein expression. Transfection studies show that both c-fos and butyrate activate TRE-containing genes, and fos may be a downstream mediator of butyrate. Furthermore, expression of c-fos plays a major role in modulating the growth properties of F-98 cells.

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.

Protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors block the growth of ras-dependent tumors in nude mice

The posttranslational addition of a farnesyl moiety to the Ras oncoprotein is essential for its transforming activity. Cell-active inhibitors of the enzyme that catalyzes this reaction, protein farnesyltransferase, have been shown to selectively block ras-dependent transformation of cells in culture. Here we describe the protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor 2(S)-[2(S)-[2(R)-amino-3-mercapto]propylamino-3(S)-methyl] pentyloxy-3-phenylpropionylmethioninesulfone methyl ester (L-739,749), which suppressed the anchorage-independent growth of Rat1 cells transformed with viral H-ras and the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line PSN-1, which harbors altered K-ras, myc, and p53 genes. This compound also suppressed the growth of tumors arising from ras-transformed Rat1 cells in nude mice by 66%. Under the same conditions, doxorubicin inhibited tumor growth by 33%. Control tumors formed by v-raf- or v-mos-transformed Rat1 cells were unaffected by L-739,749. Furthermore, mice treated with L-739,749 exhibited no evidence of systemic toxicity. This is a demonstration of antitumor activity in vivo using a synthetic small molecule inhibitor of protein farnesyltransferase.

Oncogenic Ras activates c-Jun via a separate pathway from the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases

c-Jun transcriptional activity is augmented by expression of oncogenic Ras and Raf proteins. This study demonstrates a direct correlation between Ras transforming activity and c-Jun activation, supporting an important role for c-Jun in transformation by Ras. Since we observed that Ras activated c-Jun transcriptional activity by increasing phosphorylation of the c-Jun activation domain at residues Ser-63/Ser-73 and that oncogenic Ras proteins activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) (also known as mitogen-activated protein kinases), we evaluated the possibility that ERKs were directly responsible for c-Jun activation. Coexpression of wild-type ERKs with oncogenic Ras proteins potentiated, while kinase-defective ERKs inhibited, Ras-induced transcriptional activation from the Ras-responsive element (Ets-1/AP-1) present in the NVL-3 enhancer and the serum-response element in the c-fos promoter. In contrast, coexpression of either wild-type or kinase-defective ERKs inhibited Ras and Raf activation of c-Jun transcriptional activity. Thus, although activation of both ERK and c-Jun are downstream consequences of activation of the Ras signal transduction pathway, our results suggest that Ras-induced c-Jun phosphorylation and transcriptional activation are not a direct consequence of ERK1 and ERK2 activation.

Identification of the functional components of the Ras signaling pathway regulating pituitary cell-specific gene expression

Ras, a small GTP-binding protein, is required for functional receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Ultimately, Ras alters the activity of specific nuclear transcription factors and regulates novel patterns of gene expression. Using a rat prolactin promoter construct in transient transfection experiments, we show that both oncogenic Ras and activated forms of Raf-1 kinase selectively stimulated the cellular rat prolactin promoter in GH4 rat pituitary cells. We also show that the Ras signal is completely blocked by an expression vector encoding a dominant-negative Raf kinase. Additionally, using a molecular genetic approach, we determined that inhibitory forms of p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase and an Ets-2 transcription factor interfere with both the Ras and the Raf activation of the rat prolactin promoter. These findings define a functional requirement for these signaling constituents in the activation of the prolactin gene, a cell-specific gene which marks the lactotroph pituitary cell type. Further, this analysis allowed us to order the components in the Ras signaling pathway as it impinges on regulation of prolactin gene transcription as Ras-->Raf kinase-->mitogen-activated protein kinase-->Ets. In contrast, we show that intact c-Jun expression inhibited the Ras-induced activation of the prolactin promoter, defining it as a negative regulator of this pathway, whereas c-Jun was able to enhance the Ras activation of an AP-1-driven promoter in GH4 cells. These data show that c-Jun is not the nuclear mediator of the Ras signal for the highly specialized, pituitary cell-specific prolactin cellular promoter. Thus, we have defined a model system which provides an ideal paradigm for studying Ras/Raf signaling pathways and their effects on neuroendocrine cell-specific gene regulation.

Identification of the functional components of the Ras signaling pathway regulating pituitary cell-specific gene expression

Ras, a small GTP-binding protein, is required for functional receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Ultimately, Ras alters the activity of specific nuclear transcription factors and regulates novel patterns of gene expression. Using a rat prolactin promoter construct in transient transfection experiments, we show that both oncogenic Ras and activated forms of Raf-1 kinase selectively stimulated the cellular rat prolactin promoter in GH4 rat pituitary cells. We also show that the Ras signal is completely blocked by an expression vector encoding a dominant-negative Raf kinase. Additionally, using a molecular genetic approach, we determined that inhibitory forms of p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase and an Ets-2 transcription factor interfere with both the Ras and the Raf activation of the rat prolactin promoter. These findings define a functional requirement for these signaling constituents in the activation of the prolactin gene, a cell-specific gene which marks the lactotroph pituitary cell type. Further, this analysis allowed us to order the components in the Ras signaling pathway as it impinges on regulation of prolactin gene transcription as Ras-->Raf kinase-->mitogen-activated protein kinase-->Ets. In contrast, we show that intact c-Jun expression inhibited the Ras-induced activation of the prolactin promoter, defining it as a negative regulator of this pathway, whereas c-Jun was able to enhance the Ras activation of an AP-1-driven promoter in GH4 cells. These data show that c-Jun is not the nuclear mediator of the Ras signal for the highly specialized, pituitary cell-specific prolactin cellular promoter. Thus, we have defined a model system which provides an ideal paradigm for studying Ras/Raf signaling pathways and their effects on neuroendocrine cell-specific gene regulation.

Differential antagonism of Ras biological activity by catalytic and Src homology domains of Ras GTPase activation protein

Ras p120 GTPase activation protein (GAP), a cytosolic protein, is a negative mediator and potential downstream effector of Ras function. Since membrane association is critical for Ras function, we introduced the Ras membrane-targeting signal (a 19-residue peptide ending in CAAX, where C = cysteine, A = aliphatic amino acid, and X = any amino acid) onto the GAP N-terminal Src homology 2 and 3 and the C-terminal catalytic domains (designated nGAP/CAAX and cGAP/CAAX, respectively) to determine the role of membrane association in GAP function. cGAP/CAAX and full-length GAP/CAAX, but not GAP or nGAP/CAAX, exhibited potent growth inhibitory activity. Whereas both oncogenic and normal Ras activity were inhibited by cGAP/CAAX, nGAP/CAAX, despite lacking the Ras binding domain, inhibited the activity of oncogenic Ras without affecting the action of normal Ras. Altogether, these results demonstrate that membrane association potentiates GAP catalytic activity, support an effector function for GAP, and suggest that normal and oncogenic Ras possess different downstream interactions.

Regulation of collagen I gene expression by ras

Although transformation of rodent fibroblasts can lead to dramatic changes in expression of extracellular matrix genes, the molecular basis and physiological significance of these changes remain poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism(s) by which ras affects expression of the genes encoding type I collagen. Levels of both alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) collagen mRNAs were markedly reduced in Rat 1 fibroblasts overexpressing either the N-rasLys-61 or the Ha-rasVal-12 oncogene. In fibroblasts conditionally transformed with N-rasLys-61, alpha 1(I) transcript levels began to decline within 8 h of ras induction and reached 1 to 5% of control levels after 96 h. In contrast, overexpression of normal ras p21 had no effect on alpha 1(I) or alpha 2(I) mRNA levels. Nuclear run-on experiments demonstrated that the transcription rates of both the alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) genes were significantly reduced in ras-transformed cells compared with those in parental cells. In addition, the alpha 1(I) transcript was less stable in transformed cells. Chimeric plasmids containing up to 3.6 kb of alpha 1(I) 5'-flanking DNA and up to 2.3 kb of the 3'-flanking region were expressed at equivalent levels in both normal and ras-transformed fibroblasts. However, a cosmid clone containing the entire mouse alpha 1(I) gene, including 3.7 kb of 5'- and 4 kb of 3'-flanking DNA, was expressed at reduced levels in fibroblasts overexpressing oncogenic ras. We conclude that oncogenic ras regulates the type I collagen genes at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels and that this effect, at least for the alpha 1(I) gene, may be mediated by sequences located either within the body of the gene itself or in the distal 3'-flanking region.

Regulation of collagen I gene expression by ras

Although transformation of rodent fibroblasts can lead to dramatic changes in expression of extracellular matrix genes, the molecular basis and physiological significance of these changes remain poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism(s) by which ras affects expression of the genes encoding type I collagen. Levels of both alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) collagen mRNAs were markedly reduced in Rat 1 fibroblasts overexpressing either the N-rasLys-61 or the Ha-rasVal-12 oncogene. In fibroblasts conditionally transformed with N-rasLys-61, alpha 1(I) transcript levels began to decline within 8 h of ras induction and reached 1 to 5% of control levels after 96 h. In contrast, overexpression of normal ras p21 had no effect on alpha 1(I) or alpha 2(I) mRNA levels. Nuclear run-on experiments demonstrated that the transcription rates of both the alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) genes were significantly reduced in ras-transformed cells compared with those in parental cells. In addition, the alpha 1(I) transcript was less stable in transformed cells. Chimeric plasmids containing up to 3.6 kb of alpha 1(I) 5'-flanking DNA and up to 2.3 kb of the 3'-flanking region were expressed at equivalent levels in both normal and ras-transformed fibroblasts. However, a cosmid clone containing the entire mouse alpha 1(I) gene, including 3.7 kb of 5'- and 4 kb of 3'-flanking DNA, was expressed at reduced levels in fibroblasts overexpressing oncogenic ras. We conclude that oncogenic ras regulates the type I collagen genes at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels and that this effect, at least for the alpha 1(I) gene, may be mediated by sequences located either within the body of the gene itself or in the distal 3'-flanking region.

Novel revertants of H-ras oncogene-transformed R6-PKC3 cells

Rat 6 fibroblasts that overproduce protein kinase C beta 1 (R6-PKC3 cells) are hypersensitive to complete transformation by the T24 H-ras oncogene; yet T24 H-ras-transformed R6-PKC3 cells are killed when exposed to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (W.-L. W. Hsiao, G. M. Housey, M. D. Johnson, and I. B. Weinstein, Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:2641-2647, 1989). Treatment of an R6-PKC3 subclone that harbors a T24 H-ras gene under the control of an inducible mouse metallothionein I promoter with ZnSO4 and TPA is extremely cytocidal. This procedure was used to isolate rare revertants that are resistant to this toxicity. Two revertant lines, R-1a and ER-1-2, continue to express very high levels of protein kinase C enzyme activity but, unlike the parental cells, do not grow in soft agar. Furthermore, these revertants are resistant to the induction of anchorage-independent growth by the v-src, v-H-ras, v-raf, and, in the case of the R-1a line, v-fos oncogenes. Both revertant lines, however, retain the ability to undergo morphological alterations when either treated with TPA or infected with a v-H-ras virus, thus dissociating anchorage independence from morphological transformation. The revertant phenotype of both R-1a and ER-1-2 cells is dominant over the transformed phenotype in somatic cell hybridizations. Interestingly, the revertant lines no longer induce the metallothionein I-T24 H-ras construct or the endogenous metallothionein I and II genes in response to three distinct agents: ZnSO4, TPA, and dexamethasone. The reduction in activity of metallothionein promoters seen in these revertants may reflect defects in signal transduction pathways that control the expression of genes mediating specific effects of protein kinase C and certain oncogenes in cell transformation.

Novel revertants of H-ras oncogene-transformed R6-PKC3 cells

Rat 6 fibroblasts that overproduce protein kinase C beta 1 (R6-PKC3 cells) are hypersensitive to complete transformation by the T24 H-ras oncogene; yet T24 H-ras-transformed R6-PKC3 cells are killed when exposed to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (W.-L. W. Hsiao, G. M. Housey, M. D. Johnson, and I. B. Weinstein, Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:2641-2647, 1989). Treatment of an R6-PKC3 subclone that harbors a T24 H-ras gene under the control of an inducible mouse metallothionein I promoter with ZnSO4 and TPA is extremely cytocidal. This procedure was used to isolate rare revertants that are resistant to this toxicity. Two revertant lines, R-1a and ER-1-2, continue to express very high levels of protein kinase C enzyme activity but, unlike the parental cells, do not grow in soft agar. Furthermore, these revertants are resistant to the induction of anchorage-independent growth by the v-src, v-H-ras, v-raf, and, in the case of the R-1a line, v-fos oncogenes. Both revertant lines, however, retain the ability to undergo morphological alterations when either treated with TPA or infected with a v-H-ras virus, thus dissociating anchorage independence from morphological transformation. The revertant phenotype of both R-1a and ER-1-2 cells is dominant over the transformed phenotype in somatic cell hybridizations. Interestingly, the revertant lines no longer induce the metallothionein I-T24 H-ras construct or the endogenous metallothionein I and II genes in response to three distinct agents: ZnSO4, TPA, and dexamethasone. The reduction in activity of metallothionein promoters seen in these revertants may reflect defects in signal transduction pathways that control the expression of genes mediating specific effects of protein kinase C and certain oncogenes in cell transformation.

Mutational and kinetic analyses of the GTPase-activating protein (GAP)-p21 interaction: the C-terminal domain of GAP is not sufficient for full activity

The GTPase-activating protein (GAP) stimulates the GTPase reaction of p21 by 5 orders of magnitude such that the kcat of the reaction is increased to 19 s-1. Mutations of residues in loop L1 (Gly-12 and Gly-13), in loop L2 (Thr-35 and Asp-38), and in loop L4 (Gln-61 and Glu-63) influence the reaction in different ways, but all of these mutant p21 proteins still form complexes with GAP. The C-terminal domain of the human GAP gene product, GAP334, which comprises residues 714 to 1047, is 20 times less active than full-length GAP on a molar basis and has a fourfold lower affinity. This finding indicates that the N terminus of GAP containing the SH2 domains modifies the interaction between the catalytic domain and p21.

Transformation and transactivation suppressor activity of the c-Jun leucine zipper fused to a bacterial repressor

Transcription factor c-Jun appears to be a nuclear target of the Ras-induced signal transduction pathway. In fact, some experiments show that transforming forms of the Ras protein cooperate with Jun in transcriptional activation mediated by an AP-1 site and others indicate that the two oncoproteins cooperate in cellular transformation. Although it is likely that intracellular signaling systems activated by Ras might act directly on c-Jun by inducing specific phosphorylation, it is unclear how c-Jun participates in the transformation process. Here, we present results obtained with a LexA-Jun zipper fusion that lacks both the transcriptional activation domains and the basic region of the DNA-binding domain of c-Jun and contains only the intact leucine-zipper domain. This fusion product has a dominant negative effect on the transcriptional activation elicited by phorbol esters, c-Jun, c-Fos, Ras and E1A on an AP-1-responsive site. An analogous LexA-Fos zipper fusion has similar effects on transcriptional induction. The LexA-Jun zipper fusion acts further as a transformation suppressor, since it causes the generation of nontransformed revertants of ras-transformed cells. This effect is likely to be elicited by the dimerization potential of the Jun leucine zipper trapping cellular Jun and/or Fos in a protein complex unable to bind to DNA. These data implicate further that Ras-mediated transformation involves functional transcription factor AP-1 and that it is possible to interfere with cell transformation by interfering simply with the dimerization of transcription factors involved in the transformation process.

Mutational and kinetic analyses of the GTPase-activating protein (GAP)-p21 interaction: the C-terminal domain of GAP is not sufficient for full activity

The GTPase-activating protein (GAP) stimulates the GTPase reaction of p21 by 5 orders of magnitude such that the kcat of the reaction is increased to 19 s-1. Mutations of residues in loop L1 (Gly-12 and Gly-13), in loop L2 (Thr-35 and Asp-38), and in loop L4 (Gln-61 and Glu-63) influence the reaction in different ways, but all of these mutant p21 proteins still form complexes with GAP. The C-terminal domain of the human GAP gene product, GAP334, which comprises residues 714 to 1047, is 20 times less active than full-length GAP on a molar basis and has a fourfold lower affinity. This finding indicates that the N terminus of GAP containing the SH2 domains modifies the interaction between the catalytic domain and p21.

Testing the in vivo role of protein kinase C and c-fos in neurite outgrowth by microinjection of antibodies into PC12 cells

To define the molecular bases of growth factor-induced signal transduction pathways, antibodies known to block the activity of either protein kinase C (PKC) or the fos protein were introduced into PC12 cells by microinjection. The antibody against PKC significantly inhibited neurite outgrowth when scored 24 h after microinjection and exposure to nerve growth factor (NGF). Microinjection of antibodies to fos significantly increased the percentage of neurite-bearing cells after exposure to either NGF or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) but inhibited the stimulation of DNA synthesis by serum, suggesting that in PC12 cells, fos is involved in cellular proliferation. Thus, activation of PKC is involved in the induction of neurite outgrowth by NGF, but expression of the fos protein, which is induced by both NGF and bFGF, is not necessary and inhibits neurite outgrowth.

Two dominant inhibitory mutants of p21ras interfere with insulin-induced gene expression

Insulin induces a rapid activation of p21ras in NIH 3T3 and Chinese hamster ovary cells that overexpress the insulin receptor. Previously, we suggested that p21ras may mediate insulin-induced gene expression. To test such a function of p21ras more directly, we studied the effect of different dominant inhibitory mutants of p21ras on the induction of gene expression in response to insulin. We transfected a collagenase promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene or a fos promoter-luciferase gene into NIH 3T3 cells that overexpressed the insulin receptor. The activities of both promoters were strongly induced after treatment with insulin. This induction could be suppressed by cotransfection of two inhibitory mutant ras genes, H-ras(Asn-17) or H-ras(Leu-61,Ser-186). In particular, insulin-induced activation of the fos promoter was inhibited completely by H-ras(Asn-17). These results show that p21ras functions as an intermediate in the insulin signal transduction route leading to the induction of gene expression.

Two dominant inhibitory mutants of p21ras interfere with insulin-induced gene expression

Insulin induces a rapid activation of p21ras in NIH 3T3 and Chinese hamster ovary cells that overexpress the insulin receptor. Previously, we suggested that p21ras may mediate insulin-induced gene expression. To test such a function of p21ras more directly, we studied the effect of different dominant inhibitory mutants of p21ras on the induction of gene expression in response to insulin. We transfected a collagenase promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene or a fos promoter-luciferase gene into NIH 3T3 cells that overexpressed the insulin receptor. The activities of both promoters were strongly induced after treatment with insulin. This induction could be suppressed by cotransfection of two inhibitory mutant ras genes, H-ras(Asn-17) or H-ras(Leu-61,Ser-186). In particular, insulin-induced activation of the fos promoter was inhibited completely by H-ras(Asn-17). These results show that p21ras functions as an intermediate in the insulin signal transduction route leading to the induction of gene expression.

Wild-type p53 can down-modulate the activity of various promoters

The wild-type (wt) p53 protein is the product of a tumor suppressor gene that is a frequent target for inactivation in many types of tumors. The nuclear localization of the protein, as well as additional features, suggest that it may be involved in the regulation of gene expression. To explore this possibility, the effects of overproduced wt p53 were investigated in a number of systems. Induction of growth arrest via the antiproliferative effect of wt p53 greatly impaired the ability of cells to exhibit an increase in c-fos mRNA upon serum stimulation. Experiments in which cells were cotransfected with p53 expression plasmids together with a reporter gene linked to various promoters revealed that wt p53 could effectively reduce transcription from a series of promoters derived from serum-inducible genes, but not from a major histocompatibility complex gene. The p53-mediated repression of c-fos gene expression occurred even in the presence of cycloheximide. Kinetic studies indicate that the effect of wt p53 is rapid, rather than representing a secondary consequence of growth arrest. These findings support a role for p53 in transcriptional regulation, perhaps by reducing the expression of genes that are needed for ongoing cell proliferation.

Signal transduction by nerve growth factor and fibroblast growth factor in PC12 cells requires a sequence of src and ras actions

We have investigated the roles of pp60c-src and p21c-ras proteins in transducing the nerve growth factor (NGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signals which promote the sympathetic neuronlike phenotype in PC12 cells. Neutralizing antibodies directed against either Src or Ras proteins were microinjected into fused PC12 cells. Each antibody both prevented and reversed NGF- or FGF-induced neurite growth, a prominent morphological marker for the neuronal phenotype. These data demonstrate the involvement of both pp60c-src and p21c-ras proteins in NGF and FGF actions in PC12 cells, and establish a physiological role for the pp60c-src tyrosine kinase in signal transduction pathways initiated by receptor tyrosine kinases in these cells. Additional microinjection experiments, using PC12 transfectants containing inducible v-src or ras oncogene activities, demonstrated a specific sequence of Src and Ras actions. Microinjection of anti-Ras antibody blocked v-src-induced neurite growth, but microinjection of anti-Src antibodies had no effect on ras oncogene-induced neurite growth. We propose that a cascade of Src and Ras actions, with Src acting first, is a significant feature of the signal transduction pathways for NGF and FGF. The Src-Ras cascade may define a functional cassette in the signal transduction pathways used by growth factors and other ligands whose receptors have diverse structures and whose range of actions on various cell types include mitogenesis and differentiation.

The biochemistry of ras p21

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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.

Transcriptional control of c-jun by retinoic acid

The proto-oncogene c-jun, a major component of transcription factor AP-1, is expressed at very low levels in undifferentiated embryonal carcinoma (EC) end embryonic stem (ES) cells. Retinoic acid (RA) induced differentiation causes a strong increase in the levels of c-jun mRNA. In this paper we report the cloning and characterization of the mouse c-jun promoter. Our results show that RA treatment causes a strong enhancement in c-jun promoter activity, an effect probably mediated by the RA-receptor beta (RAR beta). Sequences located between -329 and -293 are responsible for the observed RA effect, and bind at least five different protein complexes, of which three are decreased upon RA treatment. These protein binding sites do not resemble RA-responsive elements (RARE's) found in the promoters of retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR beta) and laminin B1. Furthermore, we could not detect a direct interaction of RAR alpha and RAR beta to these sequences, indicating that RA-induced c-jun expression is an indirect effect of RAR action.

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.

Positive regulation of jun/AP-1 by E1A

Proteins encoded by the adenovirus E1A oncogene are capable of positive and negative transcriptional regulation of both viral and cellular genes. E1A regulatory function is commonly thought to involve modifications of specific cellular factors that interact with responsive promoters. In this report we present evidence that E1A induces the activity of the jun/AP-1 transcription factor in three different cell types: P19, JEG-3, and HeLa. AP-1 binds to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-responsive elements (TREs); therefore, E1A might modulate a specific signal transduction pathway normally induced by activation of the protein kinase C. Binding of jun/AP-1 to a TRE is induced in all cell types studied when E1A is expressed. We observe that the expression of endogenous c-jun and jun B genes is induced by E1A, which directly transactivates the promoters of c-fos, c-jun, and jun B. Similar inducibility is obtained by treatment with retinoic acid and differentiation of P19-embryonal carcinoma cells. The E1A 13S product transactivates TRE sequences and cooperates with c-jun in the transcriptional stimulation. The 12S E1A product does not activate a TRE sequence, but cotransfection with c-jun circumvents this lack of stimulation. Coexpression of c-fos and E1A 12S, however, blocks the transactivation by c-jun, suggesting an important role for fos in determining the dominance of the 12S or 13S protein.

Positive regulation of jun/AP-1 by E1A

Proteins encoded by the adenovirus E1A oncogene are capable of positive and negative transcriptional regulation of both viral and cellular genes. E1A regulatory function is commonly thought to involve modifications of specific cellular factors that interact with responsive promoters. In this report we present evidence that E1A induces the activity of the jun/AP-1 transcription factor in three different cell types: P19, JEG-3, and HeLa. AP-1 binds to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-responsive elements (TREs); therefore, E1A might modulate a specific signal transduction pathway normally induced by activation of the protein kinase C. Binding of jun/AP-1 to a TRE is induced in all cell types studied when E1A is expressed. We observe that the expression of endogenous c-jun and jun B genes is induced by E1A, which directly transactivates the promoters of c-fos, c-jun, and jun B. Similar inducibility is obtained by treatment with retinoic acid and differentiation of P19-embryonal carcinoma cells. The E1A 13S product transactivates TRE sequences and cooperates with c-jun in the transcriptional stimulation. The 12S E1A product does not activate a TRE sequence, but cotransfection with c-jun circumvents this lack of stimulation. Coexpression of c-fos and E1A 12S, however, blocks the transactivation by c-jun, suggesting an important role for fos in determining the dominance of the 12S or 13S protein.

Revertants of v-fos-transformed rat fibroblasts: suppression of transformation is dominant

Phenotypic revertants of Finkel-Biskis-Riley (FBR)-murine sarcoma virus-transformed rat fibroblasts were isolated on the basis of their adherence to plastic tissue culture dishes in the absence of divalent cations. Some revertants had sustained deletions or inactivating mutations of the v-fos gene. However, two revertants expressed a functional v-fos gene at levels equal to that in the transformed parental cells, and therefore phenotypic reversion was due to mutations in nonviral genes. These revertants were considered nontransformed according to four criteria: (i) they were flat and had a nontransformed morphology, (ii) they were contact inhibited when grown to confluence, (iii) they did not display anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, and (iv) they did not form tumors in nude mice. Somatic-cell hybrids between the revertants and the transformed parental cells were nontransformed, suggesting that the revertants had sustained an activating mutation of a gene capable of suppressing transformation. The expression of c-jun, junB, and junD was not altered in the revertants, and they could not be transformed by transfection with a c-jun expression vector. The revertants were resistant to transformation by an activated c-Ha-ras gene but were susceptible to transformation by simian virus 40. Our results demonstrate the existence of a class of revertants that harbor genes capable of suppressing transformation by v-fos and some other oncogenes. This contrasts with previously described revertants of transformation by v-fos that contain recessive mutations.

Differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells induced by the c-jun and activated c-Ha-ras oncogenes

The activated c-Ha-ras oncogene induced AP1-site DNA-binding activity in F9 cells. This induction appeared to be due, at least in part, to the induction of c-jun transcription. Both activated c-Ha-ras and c-jun induced the differentiation of F9 cells to endoderm-like cells. Thus, AP1 appears to play a key role in the initial stage of F9 cell differentiation.

Revertants of v-fos-transformed rat fibroblasts: suppression of transformation is dominant

Phenotypic revertants of Finkel-Biskis-Riley (FBR)-murine sarcoma virus-transformed rat fibroblasts were isolated on the basis of their adherence to plastic tissue culture dishes in the absence of divalent cations. Some revertants had sustained deletions or inactivating mutations of the v-fos gene. However, two revertants expressed a functional v-fos gene at levels equal to that in the transformed parental cells, and therefore phenotypic reversion was due to mutations in nonviral genes. These revertants were considered nontransformed according to four criteria: (i) they were flat and had a nontransformed morphology, (ii) they were contact inhibited when grown to confluence, (iii) they did not display anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, and (iv) they did not form tumors in nude mice. Somatic-cell hybrids between the revertants and the transformed parental cells were nontransformed, suggesting that the revertants had sustained an activating mutation of a gene capable of suppressing transformation. The expression of c-jun, junB, and junD was not altered in the revertants, and they could not be transformed by transfection with a c-jun expression vector. The revertants were resistant to transformation by an activated c-Ha-ras gene but were susceptible to transformation by simian virus 40. Our results demonstrate the existence of a class of revertants that harbor genes capable of suppressing transformation by v-fos and some other oncogenes. This contrasts with previously described revertants of transformation by v-fos that contain recessive mutations.

Effect of a dominant inhibitory Ha-ras mutation on neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells

A dominant inhibitory mutation of Ha-ras which changes Ser-17 to Asn-17 in the gene product p21 [p21 (Asn-17)Ha-ras] has been used to investigate the role of ras in neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. The growth of PC12 cells, in contrast to NIH 3T3 cells, was not inhibited by p21(Asn-17)Ha-ras expression. However, PC12 cells expressing the mutant Ha-ras protein showed a marked inhibition of morphological differentiation induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF). These cells, however, were still able to respond with neurite outgrowth to dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Induction of early-response genes (fos, jun, and zif268) by NGF and FGF but not by TPA was also inhibited by high levels of p21(Asn-17)Ha-ras. However, lower levels of p21(Asn-17) expression were sufficient to block neuronal differentiation without inhibiting induction of these early-response genes. Induction of the secondary-response genes SCG10 and transin by NGF, like morphological differentiation, was inhibited by low levels of p21(Asn-17) whether or not induction of early-response genes was blocked. Therefore, although inhibition of ras function can inhibit early-response gene induction, this is not required to block morphological differentiation or secondary-response gene expression. These results suggest that ras proteins are involved in at least two different pathways of signal transduction from the NGF receptor, which can be distinguished by differential sensitivity to p21(Asn-17)Ha-ras. In addition, ras and protein kinase C can apparently induce early-response gene expression by independent pathways in PC12 cells.

Effect of a dominant inhibitory Ha-ras mutation on neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells

A dominant inhibitory mutation of Ha-ras which changes Ser-17 to Asn-17 in the gene product p21 [p21 (Asn-17)Ha-ras] has been used to investigate the role of ras in neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. The growth of PC12 cells, in contrast to NIH 3T3 cells, was not inhibited by p21(Asn-17)Ha-ras expression. However, PC12 cells expressing the mutant Ha-ras protein showed a marked inhibition of morphological differentiation induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF). These cells, however, were still able to respond with neurite outgrowth to dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Induction of early-response genes (fos, jun, and zif268) by NGF and FGF but not by TPA was also inhibited by high levels of p21(Asn-17)Ha-ras. However, lower levels of p21(Asn-17) expression were sufficient to block neuronal differentiation without inhibiting induction of these early-response genes. Induction of the secondary-response genes SCG10 and transin by NGF, like morphological differentiation, was inhibited by low levels of p21(Asn-17) whether or not induction of early-response genes was blocked. Therefore, although inhibition of ras function can inhibit early-response gene induction, this is not required to block morphological differentiation or secondary-response gene expression. These results suggest that ras proteins are involved in at least two different pathways of signal transduction from the NGF receptor, which can be distinguished by differential sensitivity to p21(Asn-17)Ha-ras. In addition, ras and protein kinase C can apparently induce early-response gene expression by independent pathways in PC12 cells.

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.

Unusual c-fos induction upon chromaffin PC12 differentiation by sodium butyrate: loss of fos autoregulatory function

Induction of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells neuronal differentiation upon treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF) is accompanied by a coupled stimulation of c-fos and c-jun oncogene transcription. We found that induction of c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogene mRNAs levels following the endocrine differentiation of PC12 cells by sodium butyrate is uncoupled. While c-fos mRNA level increased within minutes, the content of c-jun mRNA was significantly elevated only 24 hours after treatment. Continuous presence of sodium butyrate for 72 hours resulted in stable high levels of c-fos and c-jun mRNAs. Gene transcription of the other members of the jun family, jun B and jun D, was not significantly modified at any induction time. The early accumulation of c-fos mRNA was accompanied by increased levels of c-Fos protein. While the NGF-induced c-Fos protein migrates with an apparent homogeneous molecular weight of 62 kDa, the sodium butyrate-stimulated Fos protein is of heterogeneous lower molecular weight. The different gel mobility of the Fos immunoreactive bands induced by sodium butyrate and the sustained Fos mRNA levels after induction suggested that the sodium butyrate-induced c-Fos protein could be non-functional in the autoregulation of the c-fos gene. Gel shift analysis showed unimpaired capacity of the butyrate-induced c-Fos protein to participate in the formation of transcriptional complexes with the Jun/AP-1 protein. However, transfection experiments indicate that the sodium butyrate-induced c-Fos protein is not able to negatively trans-regulate the c-fos promoter.

Transforming growth factor alpha and a PC12-derived growth factor induce neurites in PC12 cells and enhance the survival of embryonic brain neurons

We have identified and characterized a 5000-Da protein that induces neurite outgrowth from PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, enhances the survival of embryonic rat brain neurons in primary culture, and induces the multiplication of embryonic rat brain astrocytes in primary culture. The factor is produced by a flat cell PC12 variant that expresses the activated ras oncogene after transfection of the gene. The factor resembles transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in that it induces anchorage-independent colony formation of normal rat kidney cells in soft agar and competes with EGF for binding to the EGF receptor. Rat TGF alpha and human TGF alpha also induce neurite outgrowth from PC12 and enhance the survival of embryonic brain neurons. The PC12 variant-derived factor can be distinguished from TGF alpha and EGF immunologically and by migration rates on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Functional expression of dihydropyridine-insensitive calcium channels during PC12 cell differentiation by nerve growth factor (NGF), oncogenic ras, or src tyrosine kinase

1. Recombinant retroviruses were used to introduce a temperature-sensitive v-src gene and oncogenic c-Ha-ras into PC12 cells, and stable cell lines expressing these genes were established. 2. As previously reported, expression of v-src (Alema et al., 1985) or c-Ha-ras (Noda et al., 1985) in PC12 cells results in neurite outgrowth resembling that induced by NGF. We report here that v-src but not oncogenic c-Ha-ras induces a stable morphologic neuronal differentiation similar to treatment with NGF. Oncogenic c-Ha-ras-induced neurite outgrowth is not stable with long-term culture, rather the cells revert to an undifferentiated morphology with altered cell cycle kinetics. 3. The stable neuronal phenotype induced by v-src and NGF is characterized by the functional expression of dihydropyridine-insensitive calcium currents.