Unregulated and basal transcriptional activities of the regulatory sequence of the type 18 human papillomavirus genome in transgenic mice

Low frequency of p53 mutations in cervical carcinomas among Brazilian women

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the high-risk types are strongly linked to the development of cervical carcinoma. The HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 are thought to play a crucial role in this process through their interactions with the p53 protein and the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product pRb, respectively. E6 binds to p53 protein promoting its degradation. This is considered to contribute to the oncogenesis of HPV-associated anogenital cancer. On the other hand, in HPV-negative cervical carcinoma, p53 mutations are thought to have a role in the transformation process. A total of 122 HPV-positive cervical carcinoma tissue samples were evaluated for the presence of mutations in exons 5-8 of the p53 gene by single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. Only four missense point mutations were detected. These findings suggest that other mechanisms independent of p53 inactivation may play a role in the genesis of cervical carcinomas.

The human papillomavirus type 11 upstream regulatory region triggers hair-follicle-specific gene expression in transgenic mice

We have generated transgenic mice carrying the URR of the human papillomavirus type 11 ligated in front of the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase coding region sequence. Using X-Gal staining to demonstrate beta-galactosidase production, we observed a hair-specific transcription of the reporter gene. This transcription was limited to the epithelial cells of the hair bulge region. The transgene was developmentally regulated, as no LacZ staining was demonstrated during embryogenesis and specific staining was first observed after birth. Surprisingly, dexamethasone and ultraviolet B, but not phorbol myristate acetate or progesterone treatment of the animals resulted in an increase in number and intensity of hair follicles expressing the reporter gene.

Frequent deletions and sequence aberrations at the transgene junctions of transgenic mice carrying the papillomavirus regulatory and the SV40 TAg gene sequences

Exogenous DNA microinjected into one-cell mouse zygotes either integrates into the host genome within a short time span, or is rapidly degraded. On integration, a transgene sequence is frequently reiterated. In this report, we describe the enzymatic amplification analysis of transgene junctions of 12 transgenic mice carrying different copy numbers of the same transgene with dissimilar ends. The transgene was composed of the regulatory sequence of the type 18 human papillomavirus linked to the TAg gene of the SV40 virus. Nucleotide sequences of 36 of these junctions were also determined. Deletions were found in 33 (91.7%) of the junctions analysed. At the crossover regions, 55.6% contained short overlapping sequences of one to six nucleotides. Insertions of 2-6 extraneous nucleotides were also found in 8.3% of the transgene junctions. Within a 10-nucleotide sequence on both sides of the transgene junctions, topoisomerase I (topo I) cleavage sites, runs of homogeneous purines or pyrimidiens, alternating purine-pyrimidine tracks and (A-T)-rich sequences were found frequently. Stringent control experiments were also performed to ascertain that the observations made were not artefacts resulting from the polymerase chain reaction. Our data therefore indicate that damage had occurred quite frequently and extensively in our transgene construct. Such transgene damage may also occur to various extents in mice carrying other transgenes. Primary structure of the nucleotide sequences of the injected DNA seems to influence the process of transgene reiteration and aberration.

Cell-type-specific activity of the human papillomavirus type 18 upstream regulatory region in transgenic mice and its modulation by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate and glucocorticoids

The upstream regulatory region (URR) of human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV-18) harbors transcriptional promoter and enhancer elements which are thought to determine the cell-type specificity of the virus. In order to study the regulation of HPV-18 expression in vivo, we constructed transgenic mice carrying the bacterial lacZ gene under the control of the HPV-18 URR. Analysis of beta-galactosidase activity by histochemical staining of tissue sections of four independent transgenic mice showed that the viral promoter was specifically active in epithelial cells within a variety of organs (e.g., tongue, ovary, uterus, testis, and small intestine). Very strong staining was observed in newborn transgenic mice in contrast to a weak activity found during fetal life. Determination of beta-galactosidase activity in crude extracts from tissues of three lines of transgenic mice proved to be a useful tool for a quantitative analysis of transgene expression. In mice from two different transgenic lines treated with dexamethasone such measurements revealed a biphasic effect of the hormone on the activity of the enzyme in the stratified epithelium of the tongue (transient increase followed by a decrease). Northern (RNA) blot analysis showed similar changes in beta-galactosidase mRNA in that tissue. Treatment with tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) led to a twofold increase in both enzymatic activity and mRNA levels. Finally, combined treatments with dexamethasone and TPA showed that both factors interfered with each other in their respective effects on transgene expression, suggesting that a cross-talk mechanism between transcription factors could be involved in the regulation of the HPV-18 URR.

Exploring pathogenetic mechanisms using transgenic animals

Molecular technologies for the permanent germ-line transformation of animals are now well established and routine. These new strains of animals, called transgenic, offer an unprecedented opportunity to gain a basic understanding of human genetic disorders. In this brief review we discuss the role of transgenic animals in the creation of new models of human disease and their experimental use in biomedical research. Models are now available for the study of the genetic processes involved in the pathogenesis of neoplasia, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and developmental abnormalities. Many others are available and new ones are being produced at a great rate. Principles of gene replacement therapy are amenable to analysis with transgenic animals and the information gained will be important for the development of rational therapy.