Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and bulky chemical DNA adducts are efficiently repaired in both strands of either a transcriptionally active or promoter-deleted APRT gene

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have the capacity to repair DNA damage preferentially in the transcribed strand of actively expressed genes. However, we have found that several types of DNA damage, including cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) are repaired with equal efficiency in both the transcribed and nontranscribed strands of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells. We further found that, in two mutant cell lines in which the entire APRT promoter region has been deleted, CPDs are still efficiently repaired in both strands of the promoterless APRT gene, even though neither strand appears to be transcribed. These results suggest that efficient repair of both strands at this locus does not require transcription of the APRT gene. We have also mapped CPD repair in exon 3 of the APRT gene in each cell line at single nucleotide resolution. Again, we found similar rates of CPD repair in both strands of the APRT gene domain in both APRT promoter-deletion mutants and their parental cell line. Our findings suggest that current models of transcription-coupled repair and global genomic repair may underestimate the importance of factors other than transcription in governing the efficiency of nucleotide excision repair.

Role of ERCC1 in removal of long non-homologous tails during targeted homologous recombination

The XpF/Ercc1 structure-specific endonuclease performs the 5' incision in nucleotide excision repair and is the apparent mammalian counterpart of the Rad1/Rad10 endonuclease from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In yeast, Rad1/Rad10 endonuclease also functions in mitotic recombination. To determine whether XpF/Ercc1 endonuclease has a similar role in mitotic recombination, we targeted the APRT locus in Chinese hamster ovary ERCC1(+) and ERCC1(-) cell lines with insertion vectors having long or short terminal non-homologies flanking each side of a double-strand break. No substantial differences were evident in overall recombination frequencies, in contrast to results from targeting experiments in yeast. However, profound differences were observed in types of APRT(+) recombinants recovered from ERCC1(-) cells using targeting vectors with long terminal non-homologies-almost complete ablation of gap repair and single-reciprocal exchange events, and generation of a new class of aberrant insertion/deletion recombinants absent in ERCC1(+) cells. These results represent the first demonstration of a requirement for ERCC1 in targeted homologous recombination in mammalian cells, specifically in removal of long non-homologous tails from invading homologous strands.

Role of the nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1 in formation of recombination-dependent rearrangements in mammalian cells

Spontaneous recombination between direct repeats at the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) locus in ERCC1-deficient cells generates a high frequency of rearrangements that are dependent on the process of homologous recombination, suggesting that rearrangements are formed by misprocessing of recombination intermediates. Given the specificity of the structure-specific Ercc1/Xpf endonuclease, two potential recombination intermediates are substrates for misprocessing in ERCC1(-) cells: heteroduplex loops and heteroduplex intermediates with non-homologous 3' tails. To investigate the roles of each, we constructed repeats that would yield no heteroduplex loops during spontaneous recombination or that would yield two non-homologous 3' tails after treatment with the rare-cutting endonuclease I-SCE:I. Our results indicate that misprocessing of heteroduplex loops is not the major source of recombination-dependent rearrangements in ERCC1-deficient cells. Our results also suggest that the Ercc1/Xpf endonuclease is required for efficient removal of non-homologous 3' tails, like its Rad1/Rad10 counterpart in yeast. Thus, it is likely that misprocessing of non-homologous 3' tails is the primary source of recombination-dependent rearrangements in mammalian cells. We also find an unexpected effect of ERCC1 deficiency on I-SCE:I-stimulated rearrangements, which are not dependent on homologous recombination, suggesting that the ERCC1 gene product may play a role in generating the rearrangements that arise after I-SCE:I-induced double-strand breaks.

Characterization and analysis of Chinese hamster ovary cell ERCC1 mutant alleles

We isolated and characterized the ERCC1 coding sequence from three Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) parental (CHO-AA8, CHO-AT3-2 and CHO-9) and 10 ERCC1 mutant cell lines. Two general classes of mutations were observed: two mutant cell lines exhibited nucleotide additions or deletions to produce frameshift mutations and seven mutant cell lines exhibited point mutations that resulted in transitions or transversions, including nonsense mutations and mutations that generated intron/exon splicing errors. One mutant (UV201) which had been provisionally assigned to ERCC1 complementation group 1 (CG1) had no detectable mutation in its coding sequence. Of the nine ERCC1 mutant alleles characterized two mutations were identified in the XpA binding region of the Ercc1 protein; no mutations were found in the N-terminal portion of the Ercc1 protein. Results of Northern hybridization analysis showed that the relative levels of ERCC1 mRNA differed significantly both among the parental cell lines and among the mutant cell lines derived from each parental cell line. Western analysis with a CHO Ercc1-specific antibody detected Ercc1 protein in each of the parental cell lines and also in UV201. The marked reduction in Ercc1 protein levels observed in all the other mutants examined supports the hypothesis that ERCC1 mutations may destabilize this polypeptide.

Targeted recombination at the Chinese hamster APRT locus using insertion versus replacement vectors

In this study, we have examined the effects of targeting vector configuration and site of vector linearization on the frequency of targeted recombination at the endogenous CHO APRT locus, and have analyzed the types and class distributions of APRT+ recombinants obtained in APRT targeting experiments employing uncut circular, insertion-type (ends-in), and replacement-type (ends-out) configurations of the same pAG7 targeting vector, including configurations produced by introduction of a double-strand break (DSB) at sites either within, or at the 5' or 3' boundaries of APRT targeting homology. Our results suggest that: 1) plasmid-chromosome targeted recombination in mammalian cells may not be stimulated to the same degree by a DSB in the targeting vector as by a DSB in the chromosomal target; 2) recombinant class distributions are highly dependent upon targeting vector configuration; and 3) one-sided invasion mechanisms may play a significant role in homologous recombination in mammalian cells.

Recombination-dependent deletion formation in mammalian cells deficient in the nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1

Nucleotide excision repair proteins have been implicated in genetic recombination by experiments in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Drosophila melanogaster, but their role, if any, in mammalian cells is undefined. To investigate the role of the nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1, the hamster homologue to the S. cerevisiae RADIO gene, we disabled the gene by targeted knockout. Partial tandem duplications of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene then were constructed at the endogenous APRT locus in ERCC1- and ERCC1+ cells. To detect the full spectrum of gene-altering events, we used a loss-of-function assay in which the parental APRT+ tandem duplication could give rise to APRT- cells by homologous recombination, gene rearrangement, or point mutation. Measurement of rates and analysis of individual APRT- products indicated that gene rearrangements (principally deletions) were increased at least 50-fold, whereas homologous recombination was affected little. The formation of deletions is not caused by a general effect of the ERCC1 deficiency on gene stability, because ERCC1- cell lines with a single wild-type copy of the APRT gene yielded no increase in deletions. Thus, deletion formation is dependent on the tandem duplication, and presumably the process of homologous recombination. Recombination-dependent deletion formation in ERCC1- cells is supported by a significant decrease in a particular class of crossover products that are thought to arise by repair of a heteroduplex intermediate in recombination. We suggest that the ERCC1 gene product in mammalian cells is involved in the processing of heteroduplex intermediates in recombination and that the misprocessed intermediates in ERCC1- cells are repaired by illegitimate recombination.

Differential induction of chromosomal instability by DNA strand-breaking agents

To investigate the role of DNA strand breakage as the molecular lesion responsible for initiating genomic instability, five different strand-breaking agents, bleomycin, neocarzinostatin, hydrogen peroxide, restriction endonucleases, and ionizing radiation, were examined for their capacity to induce delayed chromosomal instability. These studies used GM10115 human-hamster hybrid cells, which contain one copy of human chromosome 4 in a background of 20-24 hamster chromosomes. Chromosomal instability was investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization to visualize chromosomal rearrangements involving the human chromosome. Rearrangements are detected multiple generations after treatment, in clonal populations derived from single progenitor cells surviving treatment of the specified DNA-damaging agents. Clastogenic and cytotoxic activities of all agents were tested by examining chromosome aberration yields in first-division metaphases and by clonogenic survival assays. Analysis of over 250 individual clones representing over 50,000 metaphases demonstrates that when compared at comparable levels of cell kill, ionizing radiation, bleomycin, and neocarzinostatin are equally effective at eliciting delayed genomic instability. These observations document, for the first time, the persistent destabilization of chromosomes following chemical treatment. In contrast, the analysis of nearly 300 clones and 60,000 metaphases, involving treatment with four different restriction endonucleases and/or hydrogen peroxide, did not show any delayed chromosomal instability. These data indicate that DNA strand breakage per se does not necessarily lead to chromosomal instability but that the complexity or quality of DNA strand breaks are important in initiating this phenotype.

Survival, mutagenesis, and host cell reactivation in a Chinese hamster ovary cell ERCC1 knock-out mutant

Positive selection-negative selection gene targeting was used to disrupt the nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1 in a Chinese hamster ovary cell line, CHO-K1. Southern and Northern analysis showed that a cell clone isolated by this targeting approach, CHO-7-27, had an ERCC1 gene structure consistent with targeted disruption of ERCC1 exon V, and did not express ERCC1 mRNA. CHO-7-27 was further characterized with respect to UV and mitomycin C sensitivities, and was shown to exhibit severe mutagen sensitivity phenotypes consistent with those of other CHO cell ERCC1 mutants. Mutation frequency experiments showed that CHO-7-27 was UV-hypermutable at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase locus. Experiments assessing host cell reactivation of viral DNA synthesis for UV-irradiated adenovirus showed that CHO7-27 exhibited a severely deficient HCR phenotype similar to that of UV20 cells. Our results demonstrate that CHOK1 cells are hemizygous for the ERCC1 gene, and show that the comparatively mild mutagen sensitivities and lack of severely deficient HCR phenotypes of conventionally derived CHO-K1 ERCC1 mutants, in contrast to the severe phenotypes of CHO-AA8-derived mutants, are not due to any intrinsic genetic differences between CHO-K1 and CHO-AA8 parental cell lines.

Characterization of an apparent hotspot for spontaneous mutation in exon 5 of the Chinese hamster APRT gene

We describe an apparent hotspot for spontaneous deletions and base substitution mutations at a TTC trinucleotide direct repeat/MboII restriction site in exon 5 of the Chinese hamster APRT gene, in a region with the potential to form a relatively stable, quasipalindromic, stem-loop structure. The recurrent 3 bp TTC deletions observed at this site, which account for approx. 20% of the characterized spontaneous APRT deletions in hemizygous CHO cell lines, represent the only spontaneous deletion events that have been recovered more than once at this locus. A total of 11 independently derived, spontaneous CHO cell APRT mutants with identical 3 bp TTC deletions at this exon 5 MboII site, plus another five mutants that have single base substitutions at this site have been identified among spontaneous mutant collections in several different laboratories. Intriguingly, each of the frequently deleted or mutated bases at this exon 5 deletion hotspot site would correspond to one of the unpaired bases within a single-stranded 'loop' region of a stable, quasipalindromic, stem-loop structure that can be formed by intrastrand pairing of inverted repeats in this portion of the APRT gene sequence. An identical TTC trinucleotide direct repeat sequence at the same site in exon 5 of the human APRT gene also appears to be a hotspot for spontaneous deletion.

Homology dependence of targeted recombination at the Chinese hamster APRT locus

Using simple linear fragments of the Chinese hamster adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene as targeting vectors, we have investigated the homology dependence of targeted recombination at the endogenous APRT locus in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. We have examined the effects of varying either the overall length of targeting sequence homology or the length of 5' or 3' flanking homology on both the frequency of targeted homologous recombination and the types of recombination events that are obtained. We find an exponential (logarithmic) relationship between length of APRT targeting homology and the frequency of targeted recombination at the CHO APRT locus, with the frequency of targeted recombination dependent upon both the overall length of targeting homology and the length of homology flanking each side of the target gene deletion. Although most of the APRT+ recombinants analyzed reflect simple targeted replacement or conversion of the target gene deletion, a significant fraction appear to have arisen by target gene-templated extension and correction of the targeting fragment sequences. APRT fragments with limited targeting homology flanking one side of the target gene deletion yield proportionately fewer target gene conversion events and proportionately more templated extension and vector correction events than do fragments with more substantial flanking homology.

Targeting vector configuration and method of gene transfer influence targeted correction of the APRT gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells

A 21-bp deletion in the third exon of the APRT gene in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was corrected by transfection with a plasmid containing hamster APRT sequences. Targeted correction frequencies in the range of 0.3-3.0 x 10(-6) were obtained with a vector containing 3.2 kb of APRT sequence homology. To examine the influence of vector configuration on targeted gene correction, a double-strand break was introduced at one of two positions in the vector prior to transfection by calcium phosphate-DNA coprecipitation or electroporation. A double-strand break in the region of APRT homology contained in the vector produced an insertion-type vector, while placement of the break just outside the region of homology produced a replacement-type vector. Gene targeting with both linear vector configurations yielded equivalent ratios of targeted recombinants to nontargeted vector integrants; however, targeting with the two different vector configurations resulted in different distributions of targeted recombination products. Analysis of 66 independent APRT+ recombinant clones by Southern hybridization showed that targeting with the vector in a replacement-type configuration yielded fewer targeted integrants and more target gene convertants than did the integration vector configuration. Targeted recombination was about fivefold more efficient with electroporation than with calcium phosphate-DNA coprecipitation; however, both gene transfer methods produced similar distributions of targeted recombinants, which depended only on targeting vector configuration. Our results demonstrate that insertion-type and replacement-type gene targeting vectors produce similar overall targeting frequencies in gene correction experiments, but that vector configuration can significantly influence the yield of particular recombinant types.

Characterization of Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transformed by a plasmid with an inducible APRT gene

A plasmid was constructed by fusion of a selectable mammalian gene, hamster adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT), to the Zn(2+)-inducible sheep metallothionein I (MT I) promoter. This plasmid was used to produce stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell transformants by electroporation to study the effects of induced gene expression on DNA-mediated transformation. The sheep MT Ia promoter was chosen for these experiments because it regulates gene expression differently than murine MT promoters, exhibiting low basal levels of gene expression in uninduced conditions. We have shown that in the absence of Zn2+, there is very low expression of a sheep MT I-APRT fusion gene in stable CHO cells transformants; induction of APRT mRNA and enzyme activity by Zn2+ produced a "threshold" response, from low basal levels to high induced levels, in Zn2+ responsive stable transformant clones. In electroporation experiments, transformation frequencies were unaffected by Zn2+ treatments during a preselection period, but the presence of Zn2+ during selection increased the recovery of stable transformant clones 8- to 10-fold. All stable transformants analyzed displayed Zn(2+)-inducible APRT enzyme activity. Our results indicate that stable mammalian cell transformants with inducible genes under regulation of the sheep MT I promoter should be useful, because of low basal and high induced expression, for studies in which modulation of transcriptional activity is required.

Ultraviolet stimulation of intermolecular homologous recombination in Chinese hamster ovary cells

We previously showed that ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of cotransfected plasmid DNA molecules stimulated genetic transformation that depended on intermolecular homologous recombination in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Repair-proficient cells and an excision repair complementation class 1 (ERCC1) UV-sensitive DNA repair-deficient mutant responded similarly to UV stimulation in cotransfections with plasmids containing linker insertion-disrupted copies of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene. In this study, we cotransfected homologous DNA molecules containing nonoverlapping deletions of the hamster adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene into APRT-deficient CHO ERCC1 (UVL-10) and ERCC2 (UVL-1) excision-repair mutants and parental repair-proficient CHO cells. UV damage in cotransfected circular plasmid molecules stimulated transformation in repair-proficient cells and an ERCC1 mutant, but not in an ERCC2 mutant. Linearization of plasmids prior to cotransfection greatly enhanced transformation frequencies in all three cell lines, but UV stimulation using linear recombination substrates was no longer evident. Our results suggest (i) that the ERCC1 gene defect in CHO UVL-10 cells does not affect UV stimulation of homology-dependent extra-chromosomal recombination, and (ii) that a CHO cell ERCC2 excision-repair mutant, although recombination proficient, may exhibit altered recombination in response to UV damage.

A novel selection system for recombinational and mutational events within an intron of a eucaryotic gene

In order to identify a poison sequence that might be useful in studying illegitimate recombination of mammalian cell chromosomes, several DNA segments were tested for their ability to interfere with gene expression when placed in an intron. A tRNA gene and its flanking sequences (267 bp) were shown to inhibit SV40 plaque formation 100-fold, when inserted into the intron in the T-antigen gene. Similarly, when the same DNA segment was placed in the second intron of the adenosine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT) gene from CHO cells, it inhibited transformation of APRT-CHO cells 500-fold. These two tests indicated that the 267-bp DNA segment contained a poison sequence. The poison sequence did not affect replication since the replication of poisoned SV40 genomes was complemented by viable SV40 genomes and poisoned APRT genes were stably integrated into cell chromosomes. Cleavage of the poison sequence in the SV40 T-antigen intron by restriction enzymes indicated that the tRNA structural sequences and the 5' flanking sequences were not required for inhibition of SV40 plaque formation. Sequence analysis of viable mutant SV40, which arose after transfection of poisoned genomes, localized the poison sequence to a 35 bp segment immediately 3' of the tRNA structural sequences.

Targeted gene replacement at the endogenous APRT locus in CHO cells

We demonstrate the feasibility of targeted gene replacement at an endogenous, chromosomal gene locus in cultured mammalian cells, employing a two-step strategy similar to an approach routinely used for genetic manipulation in yeast. Utilizing an APRT+ recombinant generated by targeted integration of plasmid sequences (including a functional copy of the gpt gene) at the CHO APRT locus, we have been able to select gpt- "pop-out" recombinants that have arisen by intrachromosomal recombination between APRT direct repeats at the targeted integration site. Reciprocal exchanges leading to "pop-out" of integrated plasmid/gpt gene sequences occur at a rate of approximately 6.3 x 10(-6) per cell generation. Depending on the site of crossover, such "pop-out" events result in either replacement or restoration of the original APRT target gene sequence.

Spontaneous CHO APRT heterozygotes reflect high-frequency, allele-specific deletion of the chromosome Z4 APRT gene

In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, heterozygotes for the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) locus arise spontaneously at high frequencies. Paradoxically, such heterozygotes yield APRT mutants only at much lower spontaneous rates, suggesting that the high-frequency event may occur at only one of the two APRT genes. In an attempt to understand the genetic basis for the apparent refractivity of one of the APRT alleles to the high-frequency genetic event and to determine whether differences in the genomic environments of the two CHO APRT alleles specifically render one gene more susceptible to high-frequency spontaneous deletion or inactivation, we have mapped the wild-type APRT allele in 16 independently derived spontaneous APRT heterozygotes. In 15 of these 16 heterozygotes, the functional, wild-type APRT gene was found to reside on the Z7 chromosome, indicating that the high-frequency event is indeed highly specific for the Z4 APRT allele. All but one of these heterozygotes were hemizygous for the APRT locus, suggesting that the high-frequency event generally involves deletion rather than spontaneous inactivation or mutation of the Z4 APRT allele.

Inhibition of transient gene expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells by triplet-sensitized UV-B irradiation of transfected DNA

The biological effectiveness of thymine-thymine cyclobutane dimers specifically induced by photosensitized ultraviolet-B irradiation was analyzed by host-cell reactivation of triplet-sensitized, UV-B irradiated plasmid pRSV beta gal DNA transfected into normal and repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells. For comparison, pRSV beta gal DNA was also UV-C irradiated and transfected into the same cell lines. Ultraviolet endonuclease-sensitive site induction was determined after UV-C irradiation or acetophenone-sensitized UV-B irradiation of plasmid pRSV beta gal DNA. These data were used to calculate the number of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers required to inactivate expression of the lacZ reporter gene in each irradiation condition. Transfection with UV-C-irradiated plasmid DNA resulted in a significantly greater reduction of reporter gene expression than did transfection with acetophenone-sensitized UV-B-irradiated pRSV beta gal DNA at equivalent induction of enzyme-sensitive sites. Since only a fraction of the inhibition could be accounted for by noncyclobutane dimer photoproducts, these results suggest that cytosine-containing pyrimidine cyclobutane dimers may be more effective than thymine-thymine dimers in inhibiting transient gene expression as measured in such host-cell reactivation experiments in mammalian cells.

Preferential loss or inactivation of chromosome Z4 APRT allele in CHO cells

In CHO cells, heterozygotes for the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) locus arise spontaneously at high frequencies. However, such heterozygotes always yield APRT- mutants at low spontaneous rates. In an attempt to determine whether differences in the genomic environments of the two CHO APRT alleles might render one gene more susceptible to high-frequency spontaneous inactivation or deletion, we have mapped the functional APRT allele in four different spontaneous APRT heterozygotes. In each case, the functional APRT gene was found to reside on the Z7 chromosome; it was always the Z4 APRT allele that had been lost or inactivated. Two of these heterozygotes were shown to be physically hemizygous while the other two retained two copies of the APRT gene, indicating that the high-frequency event can involve either spontaneous deletion or inactivation.

Targeted homologous recombination at the endogenous adenine phosphoribosyltransferase locus in Chinese hamster cells

We have developed a system that permits analysis of targeted homologous recombination at an endogenous, chromosomal gene locus in cultured mammalian cells. Using a hemizygous, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT)-deficient, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutant as a transfection recipient, we have demonstrated correction of a nonrevertible deletion mutation by targeted homologous recombination. Transfection with a plasmid carrying a fragment of the APRT gene yielded APRT+ recombinants at a frequency of approximately 4.1 x 10(-7). The ratio of targeted recombination to nontargeted integrations of plasmid sequences was approximately 1:4000. Analysis of 31 independent APRT+ recombinants revealed conversions of the endogenous APRT gene, targeted integration at the APRT locus, and a third class of events in which the plasmid donor APRT fragment was converted to a full-length, functional gene.

UV mutagenesis, cytotoxicity and split-dose recovery in a human-CHO cell hybrid having intermediate (6-4) photoproduct repair

Somatic cell hybrids constructed between UV-hypersensitive Chinese hamster ovary cell line UV20 and human lymphocytes were used to examine the influence of a human DNA repair gene, ERCC1, on UV photoproduct repair, mutability at several drug-resistance loci, UV cytotoxicity and UV split-dose recovery. In hybrid cell line 20HL21-4, which contains human chromosome 19, UV-induced mutagenesis at the APRT, HPRT and Na+/K+-ATPase loci was comparable to that in repair-proficient CHO AA8 cells, whereas cell line 20HL21-7, a reduced human-CHO hybrid not containing human chromosome 19, exhibited a hypermutable phenotype at all 3 loci indistinguishable from that of UV20 cells. The response of 20HL21-4 cells to UV cytotoxicity reflected substantial but incomplete restoration of wild-type UV cytotoxic response, whereas responses of UV20 and 20HL21-7 cell lines to UV cytotoxicity were essentially the same, reflecting several-fold UV hypersensitivity. Repair of UV-induced (5-6) cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts was examined by radioimmunoassay; (6-4) photoproduct repair was deficient in UV20 and 20HL21-7 cell lines, and intermediate in 20HL21-4 cells relative to wild-type CHO AA8 cells. UV split-dose recovery in 20HL21-4 cells was also intermediate relative to AA8 cells. These results show that the human ERCC1 gene on chromosome 19 is responsible for substantial restoration of UV survival and mutation responses in repair-deficient UV20 cells, but only partially restores (6-4) UV photoproduct repair and UV split-dose recovery.

Processing of 2-aminofluorene and 2-acetylaminofluorene DNA adducts in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The effects of 2-aminofluorene (AF) DNA damage on cytotoxicity and DNA-mediated genetic transformation were investigated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. N-Acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (NA-AAF) treatment of DNA repair-proficient AT3-2 cells and UVL-10, a UV-hypersensitive mutant cell line derived from AT3-2, showed that UVL-10 cells were markedly more sensitive than AT3-2 cells to NA-AAF cytotoxicity. Analysis of cellular DNA from NA-AAF-treated cell cultures showed that AF was the predominant DNA adduct formed in both cell lines, while formation of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) DNA adducts was not detected in cellular DNA samples of either cell line. Analysis of AF adduct removal showed that kinetics and extent of AF removal were similar in both cell lines. The effects of cellular processing of AAF DNA adducts in CHO cells were examined by introducing plasmid pSV2gpt DNA containing AAF damage into AT3-2 and UVL-10 cell lines by transfection. For comparative purposes, AF-containing pSV2gpt was also used in parallel experiments. In transfection experiments with AAF-containing pSV2gpt DNA, yields of gpt+ transformants declined relative to control frequencies in a much more pronounced manner in repair-deficient UVL-10 cells than in repair-proficient AT3-2 cells. In contrast, transfection with pSV2gpt DNA containing AF adducts had no apparent effect on transformation frequencies in either cell line, even at very high levels of modification. Results of co-transformation experiments in which transfected AAF-containing pSV2gpt DNA molecules were not subjected to selection for phenotype showed that in repair-deficient UVL-10 cells, AAF damage in pSV2gpt apparently interfered with the ultimate association of transfected DNA with recipient cell DNA.

Transformation depending on intermolecular homologous recombination is stimulated by UV damage in transfected DNA

DNA-mediated gene transfer (DMGT) was performed in DNA repair-proficient and UV-hypersensitive, repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines using the UV-irradiated thymidine kinase gene from herpes simplex virus (HSV-TK). Transformation frequencies in repair-deficient CHO cell lines declined relative to repair-proficient cells with increasing UV damage in transfected DNA; approximately 3-fold higher UV fluence was required to inactivate 50% of irradiated HSV-TK plasmid molecules in repair-proficient cells. In cotransfection experiments performed with pairs of HSV-TK plasmids containing linker insertion mutations in TK coding sequences, moderate UV damage in plasmid DNA enhanced the yield of TK+ transformants resulting from homologous recombination between HSV-TK sequences up to 4-fold. These results suggest that UV damage in DNA can stimulate transformation of mammalian cells dependent on intermolecular DNA homology.

Transformation of UV-hypersensitive Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants with UV-irradiated plasmids

Transfection of UV-hypersensitive, DNA repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines and parental, repair-proficient CHO cells with UV-irradiated pHaprt-1 or pSV2gpt plasmids resulted in different responses by recipient cell lines to UV damage in transfected DNA. Unlike results that have been reported for human cells, UV irradiation of transfecting DNA did not stimulate the genetic transformation of CHO recipient cells. In repair-deficient CHO cells, proportionally fewer transformants were produced with increasing UV damage than in repair-proficient cells in transfections with the UV-irradiated hamster adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene contained in plasmid pHaprt-1. However, transfection of CHO cells with UV-irradiated pSV2gpt resulted in neither decline in transformation frequencies in repair-deficient cell lines relative to repair-proficient cells nor stimulation of genetic transformation by UV damage in the plasmid. Blot hybridization analysis of DNA samples isolated from transformed cells showed no dramatic changes in copy number or arrangement of transfected plasmid DNA with increasing UV dose. We conclude that the responses of recipient cells to UV-damaged transfecting plasmids depend both on the type of recipient cell and the characteristics of the genetic sequence used for transfection.

Repair of (6-4)photoproducts correlates with split-dose recovery in UV-irradiated normal and hypersensitive rodent cells

Chinese hamster ovary cells and two UV-hypersensitive derivatives were used to determine the importance of DNA excision repair for split-dose recovery. In the wild-type cells 75% of the maximum theoretical recovery was observed when the fractions were delivered at 2-h intervals. Very little recovery was evident in the two hypersensitive cell lines. Using radioimmunoassays specific for (6-4)photoproducts and cyclobutane dimers, the ability of UV-irradiated repair-deficient cells representing 5 complementation groups to repair these 2 photoproducts was determined. Removal of antibody-binding sites specific for (6-4)photoproducts was 80% complete in 6 h and was defective in the UV-sensitive cells. In contrast, only 20-60% of antibody-binding sites specific for cyclobutane dimers were removed 18 h post-irradiation, and the extent of removal was the same in normal and defective cell lines. We conclude that repair of (6-4)photoproducts accounts for split-dose recovery. In addition, we conclude that a consequence of DNA repair in CHO cells is modification rather than removal of cyclobutane dimers.

The DNA of UV-irradiated normal and excision-deficient mammalian cells undergoes relaxation in an initial stage of DNA repair

Using a radioimmunoassay specific for Pyr(6-4)Pyo photoproducts, we have demonstrated the removal of these lesions from denaturated DNA isolated from UV-irradiated Chinese hamster ovary cells at various times post irradiation. When assayed undenatured, these same DNA samples, which are initially 10-20 times less capable of binding antibody, show a substantial increase in binding capacity during the first few hours of repair. At 3 h post irradiation the difference between native and heat-denatured DNA samples is negligible, indicating that all of the residual lesions are contained in a single-stranded (relaxed) configuration. This relaxation also occurs in UV-hypersensitive cell lines, that are deficient in the ability to remove Pyr(6-4)Pyo photoproducts. Novobiocin, an inhibitor of topoisomerase II, prevents both the initial increase in binding and the subsequent excision of the antibody-binding sites.

Functional hemizygosity for the MDH2 locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Isolation of electrophoretic mobility shift mutants for a large number of enzyme loci in CHO cells has allowed the identification of many genes which are functionally hemizygous. To gain further insight into the nature of hemizygosity in CHO cells and the mechanisms by which it has arisen, we are attempting to determine whether hemizygous gene loci are clustered in a few localized chromosomal regions in CHO or are more generally distributed throughout the genome. Isozyme analysis of a series of CHO electrophoretic mobility shift mutants for MDH2 (malate dehydrogenase 2, EC 1.1.1.37) revealed that this locus is functionally hemizygous in CHO cells, but the locus could not be mapped by conventional approaches because of the similar electrophoretic mobilities of Chinese hamster and mouse MDH2 isozymes. Construction of intraspecific CHO X CHO hybrids using electrophoretic mobility shift mutants with secondary, selectable drug-resistance markers allowed us to determine that MDH2 is not closely linked to any previously mapped hemizygous marker loci in CHO, but is linked to alleles for two dizygous gene loci, PGM3 and APRT, on CHO chromosome Z7. A possible genetic basis for hemizygosity of the MDH2 locus in CHO cells is discussed.

Oncogenes and linkage groups: conservation during mammalian chromosome evolution

Proto-oncogenes, which represent the cellular progenitors of the transforming genes harbored by acute transforming oncogenic retroviruses, have been highly conserved during vertebrate evolution. In this report, we have assigned experimentally a subset of proto-oncogenes (SRC, ABL, FES, and FMS-all related to the SRC family) to Chinese hamster chromosomes by Southern filter hybridization analyses of DNAs isolated from both somatic cell hybrids and flow-sorted hamster chromosomes. These results demonstrate that several autosomal linkage groups containing proto-oncogenes originated prior to the radiation and speciation of mammals and have remained remarkably stable for nearly 80 million years.

Linkage of the MBG locus to another functionally hemizygous gene locus (IDH2) on chromosome Z3 in Chinese hamster ovary cells

To gain insight into the nature of hemizygosity in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and the mechanisms by which it has arisen, we are attempting to map and determine linkage relationships for as many hemizygous loci as possible. In this study, we have shown by segregation analysis of intraspecific somatic cell hybrids that the hemizygous gene locus associated with resistance to methylglyoxalbisguanyl hydrazone (MBG) in CHO cells is linked to the hemizygous IDH2 locus on chromosome Z3. Nine of the ten autosomal hemizygous gene loci that have been mapped to date in CHO cells are clustered on three chromosomes, with five such markers on chromosome 2, two on chromosome 8, and now two on the Z3 chromosome. With the mapping of MBG to the Z3 chromosome, selectable drug resistance markers are now available on eight different CHO chromosomes.

Chromosomal rearrangements and gene expression in CHO cells: mapping of alleles for eight enzyme loci on CHO chromosomes Z3, Z4, Z5, and Z7

Analysis of CHO electrophoretic mobility shift mutants for six enzyme loci ( LDHA , GAA, IDH2 , ME1, PGM3, and MPI) that have been previously mapped to Chinese hamsters chromosomes 3 and 4 indicated that each of these loci, with the exception of IDH2 , are functionally dizygous in CHO. Segregation analysis of CHO X mouse somatic cell hybrids allowed regional gene mapping assignments for a total of eight Chinese hamster chromosome 3- or 4-derived marker loci (the above six, plus APRT and PKM2) to CHO chromosomes Z3 , Z4 , Z5 , and Z7 . For seven of these enzyme loci (all but IDH2 ), two alleles are expressed in CHO cells, each segregating with a different Z-group chromosome. These gene mapping assignments confirm genetically that CHO chromosomes Z3 , Z4 , Z5 , and Z7 are, in fact, derived from Chinese hamster chromosomes 3 and 4, and provide insight into the effects of chromosomal rearrangements on gene expression and hemizygosity in CHO cells.

Expression and regional assignment of Chinese hamster ESD and rRNA genes associated with translocations giving rise to chromosomes Z1 and Z6 in CHO cells

The Chinese hamster genes ADK, NP, ESD, PGM2, PEPS, PEPB, GLO, and GSR, all of which are on Chinese hamster chromosome 1, were assigned to CHO-LA chromosomes by analysis of the segregation of CHO isozymes and chromosomes from interspecific somatic cell hybrids made with CHO cells and mouse C11D cells. One allele of each of these eight loci remained linked on the normal chromosome 1 homolog. For seven loci, the other allele remained linked on chromosome Z1, but ESD was shown to have been translocated to chromosome Z6 (Chinese hamster chromosome 5q +). Ag-NOR staining of CHO chromosomes indicated that the (1;5) translocation was very likely reciprocal, since the Chinese hamster chromosome 5, which gave rise to the CHO Z6, lacks an NOR and the Z1 now has one. These data allowed regional assignment of ESD to the distal portion of Chinese hamster chromosome 1p and provided genetic evidence for the origin of CHO chromosomes Z1 and Z6 from Chinese hamster chromosomes 1 and 5. Induced electrophoretic shift mutations of ESD and positive Ag-NOR staining for the rRNA genes on the Z1 showed that the activities of the genes lying close to the translocation breakpoints were maintained.

Provisional assignment of MPI, PKM2, PGM3, and ME1 to Chinese hamster chromosome 4

Concordant segregation analysis of Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) isozymes and chromosomes segregating from hamster X mouse interspecific somatic cell hybrids revealed that loci for ME1, PGM3, MPI, and PKM2 are located on Chinese hamster chromosome 4. Synteny of these loci in hamsters provides additional evidence for the conservation of mammalian autosomal linkage groups.

Genetic effects of chromosomal rearrangements in Chinese hamster ovary cells: expression and chromosomal assignment of TK, GALK, ACP1, ADA, and ITPA loci

Polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with mouse Cl1D cells produced interspecific somatic cell hybrids which slowly segregated CHO chromosomes. Cytogenetic and isozyme analysis of HAT- and bromodeoxyuridine-selected hybrid subclones and of members of a hybrid clone panel retaining different combinations of CHO chromosomes enabled provisional assignments of the following enzyme loci to CHO chromosomes: TK, GALK, and ACP1 to chromosome 7; TK and GALK to chromosome Z13; ACP1, ADA, and ITPA to chromosome Z8; and ADA and ITPA to chromosome Z9. These genetic markers reflect the origin of each of these Z group chromosomes and indicate the functional activity of alleles located on rearranged chromosomes. Identification of diploid electrophoretic shift mutations for ADA and ITPA was consistent with those observations. Assignment of the functional TK locus in TK+/- CHO-AT3-2 cells indicated that gene deletion may be responsible for TK hemizygosity in this subline.

The use of an immunological probe to measure the kinetics of DNA repair in normal and UV-sensitive mammalian cell lines

Chinese hamster ovary cells and human fibroblasts were used to study UV-light-induced repair replication and removal of antibody-binding sites. Whereas repair replication still continued 8 h post irradiation, removal of antibody-binding sites was 80% complete within 2 h and reached a plateau by 4 h. This was found to be independent of the method of DNA isolation. UV-hypersensitive CHO cells exhibited reduced levels of repair synthesis that closely correlated with the extent of removal of antibody-binding sites. XP group A, C and D cells, each of which had less than 15% of the level of repair synthesis found in the control fibroblasts, removed less than 30% of the antibody-binding sites. Group E cells demonstrated intermediate levels of DNA-repair capacity in both assays.

High-frequency structural gene deletion as the basis for functional hemizygosity of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The CHO-AT3-2 Chinese hamster ovary cell line is functionally hemizygous for the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT; EC 2.4.2.7) locus. Class 1 APRT +/- heterozygotes, such as CHO-AT3-2, can be isolated at high spontaneous frequencies from wild-type CHO cell populations. Simon et al. [Simon, A. E., Taylor, M. W., Bradley, W. E. C. & Thompson, L. (1982) Mol. Cell. Biol. 2, 1126-1133] have proposed that a high-frequency event that inactivates one APRT allele might be responsible for both the spontaneous generation of class 1 APRT +/- heterozygotes and the high-frequency occurrence of APRT- mutants in class 2 APRT +/- heterozygote populations. This event appears to occur at only one of the two APRT alleles. To investigate the nature of this high-frequency event, and to determine the genetic basis for functional hemizygosity of the APRT locus in CHO-AT3-2 cells, we have mapped the APRT locus by using CHO-AT3-2-mouse somatic cell hybrids. Our data confirm that CHO-AT3-2 cells have a single functional APRT allele, which is located on the Z7 chromosome. Karyotypic analysis of CHO-AT3-2 revealed an interstitial deletion on the long arm of the Z4 chromosome, in the very region where the other APRT allele should be located. To determine whether the Z4q interstitial deletion had resulted in physical loss of the APRT gene, DNA from CHO-AT3-2-mouse cell hybrids that had either lost or retained the Z4q- chromosome was analyzed for the presence of CHO APRT coding sequences. Our data suggest that allele-specific high-frequency structural gene deletion events involving the long arm of chromosome Z4 are responsible for the spontaneous generation of functional hemizygosity at the APRT locus in CHO cells.

Gene mapping and linkage analysis in Chinese hamster: assignment of the genes for APRT, LDHA, IDH2, and GAA to chromosome 3

Interspecific somatic cell hybrids were generated by fusion of Chinese hamster spleen cells or primary fibroblasts with cells from an adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT)-deficient mouse subline derived from LMTK- Cl.1D. Subclones which had been selected for either retention or loss of APRT were subjected to combined isozyme and chromosome segregation analysis. Concordant expression or segregation of Chinese hamster APRT, lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2), and alpha-glucosidase (GAA) with Chinese hamster chromosome 3 allowed provisional assignment of all four loci to that chromosome. Exceptional subclones, in which coordinate segregation of these syntenic markers was disrupted by chromosome breakage or deletions, allowed further localization of these genes to specific regions of the 3 chromosome.

Induction and expression of mutations at multiple drug-resistance marker loci in Chinese hamster ovary cells

We have observed quantitative and qualitative differences in the mutability and mutagen-specificity of various drug-resistance marker loci in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which suggest that mammalian gene loci may differ in their relative mutability by a given mutagenic agent. We have used the CHO-AT3-2 multiple-marker mutagenesis assay system to examine the dose-dependent induction and kinetics of expression of mutations at four well-characterized, drug-resistance marker loci, after treatment with chemical agents which produce various types of DNA damage. The CHO-AT3-2 subline allows simultaneous quantitation and direct comparison of induced mutation frequencies at the hgprt, oua (Na+/K+ ATPase), aprt, and tk loci. The agents tested in this study included ethyl methanesulfonate, methyl methanesulfonate, mitomycin C, ICR-191, benzo[a]pyrene, and dimethylnitrosamine. The expression kinetics and optimal expression times for each drug-resistance marker were determined in dose-response experiments in which cells from mutagen-treated populations were plated at 1-2-day intervals over a period of 10 days following mutagenesis. Comparison of induced mutation frequencies for each drug-resistance marker after mutagen treatments yielding equivalent cell survivals (equitoxic doses resulting in relative cell survivals of 0.37) revealed locus-specific differences in the relative mutagenicities of the agents tested. These results indicate that the apparent mutagenicity of a particular agent at a single genetic locus may not necessarily be an accurate indicator of that agent's mutagenic potential for the genome as a whole.

Provisional assignment of TPI, GPI, and PEPD to Chinese hamster autosomes 8 and 9: a cytogenetic basis for functional haploidy of an autosomal linkage group in CHO cells

Concordant segregation analysis of Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) isozymes and chromosomes segregating from interspecific somatic cell hybrids made with mouse C11D cells revealed the locations of GPI and PEPD on chromosome 9 and TPI on chromosome 8 in both euploid Chinese hamster and CHO cells. The patterns of electrophoretically detectable shift mutants of these loci in CHO cells were consistent with the observed presence of two normally banded chromosome 8's and monosomy for chromosome 9. These findings and the isolation of three independent, null PEPD mutants in only 527 ethyl methansulfonate-exposed clones indicate that the high frequency of recovery of recessive drug resistant mutants in CHO cells may be due not only to haploidy caused by deletions and monosomy but also by great sensitivity of certain loci to particular mutagens.

DNA-mediated gene transfer in Chinese hamster ovary cells: clonal variation in transfer efficiency

Thymidine kinase-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were genetically transformed with the BamHI restriction fragment encoding the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus (HSV-tk). We have observed considerable clonal variation among independent CHO sublines with respect to transformation competence for the DNA-mediated gene transfer of HSV-tk. Transformation frequencies greater than or equal to 3 X 10(-4) were observed consistently in one subline, with a transformation efficiency of approximately 1 transformant per ng viral gene. The frequency and efficiency of transformation we observed in this system are at least 10-fold greater than those previously reported for DNA-mediated transformation of CHO cells by HSV-tk. All of the CHO HSV-tk+ transformants examined were stable for the transferred genotype in the absence of selection, and all showed evidence of co-transformation by unselected plasmid pBR322 sequences.

Structural and functional hemi- and dizygous Chinese hamster chromosome 2 gene loci in CHO cells

Fourteen independent somatic cell hybrid clones made between diphtheria toxin (DT)-resistant mouse Cl1D cells and DT-sensitive Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells slowly segregated CHO chromosome. Concordant segregation analysis of electrophoretically resolvable Chinese hamster chromosome 2 gene products and CHO chromosomes 2 and Z2 (having q1-q24 deletion) in DT-selected and control hybrid subclones was conducted. Analysis revealed that loci for DT sensitivity and galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase could be regionally assigned to Chinese hamster chromosome 2q1-24 and were physically hemizygous in CHO cells. Enolase (ENO1), 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD), and phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) were located outside the q1-24 region on Chinese hamster chromosome 2 and were dizygous in CHO cells. Functional dizygosity of ENO1, PGD, and PGM1 in CHO cells, as determined by the isolation of diploid heterozygous electrophoretic shift mutants following UV and EMS exposure, confirmed their location outside the Z2 deletion and indicated that the deletion did not result in the inactivation of adjacent loci. These results are discussed in relation to current theories on the basis for high frequency of drug-resistant autosomal recessive mutants in CHO cells and conservation of mammalian autosomal linkage groups.

Mutagenicity testing in mammalian cells. I. Derivation of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line heterozygous for the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase and thymidine kinase loci

As a first step in the development of a multiple-marker, mammalian cell mutagenesis assay system, we have isolated a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line that is heterozygous for both the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt) and thymidine kinase (tk) loci. Presumptive aprt+/- heterozygotes with intermediate levels of APRT activity were selected from unmutagenized CHO cell populations on the basis of resistance to low concentrations of the adenine analog, 8-azaadenine. a functional aprt+/ heterozygote with approximately 50% wild-type APRT activity was subsequently used to derive sublines that were also heterozygous for the tk locus. Biochemical and genetic characterization of one such subline, CHO-AT3-2, indicated that it was indeed heterozygous at both the aprt and tk loci. CHO-AT3-2 cells permitted single-step selection of mutants resistant for 8-azaadenine or 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, allowing quantitation and direct comparison of mutation induction at the autosomal aprt or tk loci, as well as in the gene involved in ouabain resistance or at the X-linked, hypoxanthine--guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hgprt) locus. Significant dose-dependent increases in mutation frequency were observed for all 4 genetic markers after treatment of CHO-AT3-2 cells with ethyl methanesulfonate.

Mutagenicity testing in mammalian cells. II. Validation of multiple drug-resistance markers having practical application for screening potential mutagens

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines heterozygous at both the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt) and thymidine kinase (tk) loci were used for single-step selection of spontaneous and induced mutants resistant to 8-azaadenine (AAr), 6-thioguanine (TGr), ouabain (OUAR), or 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdRr). Mutation data are reported for direct mutagens (EMS, ethyl methanesulfonate; MNNG, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine; NQO, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide) and promutagens (DMN, dimethylnitrosamine; BP, benzo[a]-pyrene) activated by rat-liver homogenates. Optimal plating densities were established for AAr, TGr, OUAR and FUdRr. The induced mutant frequencies as a function of relative cell survival after treatment with EMS, DMN or BP were 2--4 d for AAr, 6--8 d for TGr, 3 d for OUAR, and 1--3 d for FUdRr. The induced mutant frequencies as a function of relative cell survival after treatment with EMS, DMN or BP showed locus-specific differences in sensitivity. Of 61 clonal isolates resistant to AA and assayed for APRT activity, 87% had less than or equal to 5% wild-type activity; of 30 TGr clones assayed, 83% had less than or equal to 5% wild-type HGPRT activity. Of 42 FUdRr clones assayed, 98% had less than or equal to 1% wild-type TK activity. 50 clones selected in medium containing FUdR displayed cross-resistance to 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) and trifluorothymidine (TFT) and all were sensitive to HAT (hypoxanthine--amethopterin--thymidine) medium. The tk locus showed the largest mutational response as a function of cell survival after mutagen treatment. The rapid expression kinetics for FUdRr and the possibility that the locus detects a broader spectrum of genetic lesions than the other drug-resistance markers are discussed in terms of a sensitive screening assay for detecting potential mutagens.

Evidence for structural gene alterations affecting aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in CHO cell mutants and revertants

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) activities in extracts of mutant strains of the Chinese hamster ovary line (CHO) were examined for alterations in thermal stability. Mutants having low activity for MetRS, AsnRS, or GlnRS contained aaRSs that were inactivated much more rapidly upon heating than those from wild-type cells. Revertant lines, isolated from cultures of these mutants (Asn-5, Met-2, and Gln-2) after treatment with nitrosoguanidine or ethyl methanesulfonate, had thermolabilities intermediate between mutant and wild-type, and consistently had higher activities than the mutants. With a modified in vivo aminoacylation procedure, two previously exceptional mutants. Arg-1 and His-1, showed pronounced reductions in the amount of arginyl-tRNA or histidyl-tRNA, respectively, under restrictive conditions, compared to wild type. Revertants of Arg-1 (like the mutant itself) had no measurable ArgRS in vitro activity (less than 0.4% of wild type) although in vivo aminoacylation in the one revertant tested was partially restored. These data provide evidence that the forward mutations have occurred in the structural genes of the aaRSs and that most of the reversions are probably the result of second-site point mutations in the aaRS genes.

Six complementation classes of conditionally lethal protein synthesis mutants of CHO cells selected by 3H-amino acid

Using a tritiated amino acid suicide procedure designed specifically to select conditional protein synthesis mutants, we have isolated and characterized a large number of such mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells. All of the mutants are genetically stable and behave as recessives in somatic cell hybrids. Most of the new mutants are phenotypically dependent on the concentration of a specific amino acid as well as on temperature. In addition to identifying many additional leucyl- and asparagyl-tRNA synthetase mutants, complementation analysis has distinguished four new genetic classes representing methionine-, glutamine-, histidine-, and arginine-dependent mutants. Biochemical characterization of representative mutants from each of these six classes has identified the primary lesions as being defective aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Our selection results further demonstrate the high specificity of the 3H-amino acid procedure for isolating protein synthesis mutants. Reconstruction experiments performed with two representative mutants indicated a selection efficiency of approximately 10% under standard conditions.