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Background Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), suspected to be transposition-defective, may reshape the transcriptional network of the human genome by regulatory elements distributed in their long terminal repeats (LTRs). HERV-K (HML-2), the most preserved group with the least number of accumulated of mutations, has been associated with aberrant gene expression in tumorigenesis and autoimmune diseases. Because of the high sequence similarity between different HERV-Ks, current methods have limitations in providing genome-wide mapping specific for individual HERV-K (HML-2) members, a major barrier in delineating HERV-K (HML-2) function. Results In an attempt to obtain detailed distribution information of HERV-K (HML-2), we utilized a PCR-based target enrichment sequencing protocol for HERV-K (HML-2) (PTESHK) loci, which not only maps the presence of reference loci, but also identifies non-reference loci, enabling determination of the genome-wide distribution of HERV-K (HML-2) loci. Here we report on the genomic data obtained from three individuals. We identified a total of 978 loci using this method, including 30 new reference loci and 5 non-reference loci. Among the 3 individuals in our study, 14 polymorphic HERV-K (HML-2) loci were identified, and solo-LTR330 and N6p21.32 were identified as polymorphic for the first time. Conclusions Interestingly, PTESHK provides an approach for the identification of the genome-wide distribution of HERV-K (HML-2) and can be used for the identification of polymorphic loci. Since polymorphic HERV-K (HML-2) integrations are suspected to be related to various diseases, PTESHK can supplement other emerging techniques in accessing polymorphic HERV-K (HML-2) elements in cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Acquisition of the immortal phenotype by tumor cells represents an essential and potentially rate-limiting step in tumorigenesis. To identify changes in gene expression that are associated with the early stages of cell immortalization, we compared genetically matched pairs of pre-immortal and immortal human cell clones by mRNA differential display. Two transcripts, denoted CIR1 and CIR2, were identified which were up-regulated in immortal cells. Sequence analysis revealed CIR1 to be identical to the recently cloned CROC1/UEV-1 gene, whereas CIR2 corresponds to an as yet uncharacterized 1.2 kb mRNA. A 5-6-fold elevation in CIR1/CROC1 expression and a 2-3-fold elevation in CIR2 expression were observed in SV40-transformed human embryonic kidney cells immediately following proliferative crisis, suggesting a potential role for these genes in immortalization. Expression of CIR1/CROC1 was found to be elevated also in a variety of immortal human tumor-derived cell lines, as compared to their normal tissue counterparts. These results are compatible with induction of CIR1/CROC1 being an early event in the acquisition of immortality and with a role for this gene in the immortal phenotype of tumor cells.

Systemically administered tumor-targeted Salmonella has been developed as an anticancer agent, although its use could be limited by the potential induction of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-mediated septic shock stimulated by lipid A. Genetic modifications of tumor-targeting Salmonella that alter lipid A and increase safety must, however, retain the useful properties of this bacteria. We report here that disruption of the Salmonella msbB gene reduces TNFα induction and increases the LD 50 of this pathogenic bacteria by 10,000-fold. Notwithstanding this enormous difference, Salmonella retains its tumor-targeting properties, exhibiting tumor accumulation ratios in excess of 1000:1 compared with normal tissues. Administration of this bacteria to mice bearing melanoma results in tumors that are less than 6% the size of tumors in untreated controls at day 18. Thus, the antitumor activity previously demonstrated using tumor-targeting Salmonella with normal lipid A is retained. Lipid modification of tumor-specific bacterial vectors provides a means for reducing septic shock and further suggests that the antitumor activity of these bacteria may be independent of TNFα.

Addition of mouse interferon-$\\alpha /\\beta $ (IFN) to confluent, quiescent BALB/c 3T3 (clone A31) mouse fibroblasts resulted in a block or delay in serum-induced activation of the cell cycle. It was necessary to add IFN within 6 hours after serum stimulation to inhibit nuclear labeling with [$^{3}$H]thymidine. This is consistent with the time required for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to induce cells to become competent to respond to additional growth factors present in platelet-poor plasma. Simultaneous addition of IFN with PDGF inhibited the PDGF-induced synthesis of a 29-kilodalton and a 35-kilodalton protein that normally occurs within 1 hour after PDGF addition. IFN also suppressed the general increase in protein synthesis that occurs by the fifth hour after PDGF addition. These results show that IFN antagonizes the action of PDGF, thereby interfering with the activation of G$_{0}$ cells for G$_{1}$ traverse and S-phase entry.

Since all 5‐HT1 receptors couple to Gi–type G proteins and inhibit adenylyl cyclase, the functional significance of five distinct subtypes of 5‐HT1 receptors has been unclear. In previous studies we have used transfected cells to demonstrate that 5‐HT1B receptors can couple more efficiently than 5‐HT1A receptors to activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. These findings suggested the possibility that individual 5‐HT1 receptors differentially couple to isoforms of Giα. In the present study we utilized a model system in which pertussis toxin resistant forms of human Giα1, Giα2, and Giα3 were used to directly compare the coupling of human 5‐HT1A, 5‐HT1B, and 5‐HT1D receptors to each Giα in transfected human HeLa cells. 5‐HT1A receptors displayed a preference for Giα1 and Giα2, relative to Giα3. Pertussis toxin resistant forms of Giα1, Giα2, and Giα3 rescued 73%, 76%, and 44%, respectively, of the ERK activation stimulated by 5‐HT in the absence of pertussis toxin. In contrast, pertussis toxin resistant forms of Giα1, Giα2, and Giα3 rescued 32%, 118%, and 35% of 5‐HT1B receptor‐stimulated activity, respectively, indicating that 5‐HT1B receptors coupled primarily through Giα2. A similar preference for Giα2 was found in studies of the 5‐HT1D receptor, where toxin resistant Giα1, Giα2, and Giα3 rescued 30%, 70%, and 40% of activity, respectively. In conclusion, the observed differential coupling of 5‐HT1 receptors to isoforms of Giα, provides additional evidence for our previous findings that the subtypes of 5‐HT1 receptors exhibit similar, but distinct, functions. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 136, 1072–1078. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704809

1: Since all 5-HT(1) receptors couple to G(i)-type G proteins and inhibit adenylyl cyclase, the functional significance of five distinct subtypes of 5-HT(1) receptors has been unclear. 2: In previous studies we have used transfected cells to demonstrate that 5-HT(1B) receptors can couple more efficiently than 5-HT(1A) receptors to activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. These findings suggested the possibility that individual 5-HT(1) receptors differentially couple to isoforms of G(ialpha). 3: In the present study we utilized a model system in which pertussis toxin resistant forms of human G(ialpha1), G(ialpha2), and G(ialpha3) were used to directly compare the coupling of human 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), and 5-HT(1D) receptors to each G(ialpha) in transfected human HeLa cells. 4: 5-HT(1A) receptors displayed a preference for G(ialpha1) and G(ialpha2), relative to G(ialpha3). Pertussis toxin resistant forms of G(ialpha1), G(ialpha2), and G(ialpha3) rescued 73%, 76%, and 44%, respectively, of the ERK activation stimulated by 5-HT in the absence of pertussis toxin. 5: In contrast, pertussis toxin resistant forms of G(ialpha1), G(ialpha2), and G(ialpha3) rescued 32%, 118%, and 35% of 5-HT(1B) receptor-stimulated activity, respectively, indicating that 5-HT(1B) receptors coupled primarily through G(ialpha2). A similar preference for G(ialpha2) was found in studies of the 5-HT(1D) receptor, where toxin resistant G(ialpha1), G(ialpha2), and G(ialpha3) rescued 30%, 70%, and 40% of activity, respectively. 6: In conclusion, the observed differential coupling of 5-HT(1) receptors to isoforms of G(ialpha), provides additional evidence for our previous findings that the subtypes of 5-HT(1) receptors exhibit similar, but distinct, functions.

Addition of mouse interferon-α/β (IFN) to confluent, quiescent BALB/c 3T3 (clone A31) mouse fibroblasts resulted in a block or delay in serum-induced activation of the cell cycle. It was necessary to add IFN within 6 hours after serum stimulation to inhibit nuclear labeling with [ 3 H]thymidine. This is consistent with the time required for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to induce cells to become competent to respond to additional growth factors present in platelet-poor plasma. Simultaneous addition of IFN with PDGF inhibited the PDGF-induced synthesis of a 29-kilodalton and a 35-kilodalton protein that normally occurs within 1 hour after PDGF addition. IFN also suppressed the general increase in protein synthesis that occurs by the fifth hour after PDGF addition. These results show that IFN antagonizes the action of PDGF, thereby interfering with the activation of G 0 cells for G 1 traverse and S-phase entry.

A system for the study of neoplastic transformation as induced by the incorporation of [methyl-3 H]thymidine is described. Normal diploid golden Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts were exposed to [methyl-3 H]thymidine for 17 hr, followed by a brief chase with deoxycytidine-and thymidine-containing growth medium. Analysis of cell killing curves suggested a multihit mechanism with $D_{{\\rm q}}$ and D o equal to 0.012 and 0.04 μCi/ml, respectively. Transformation studies demonstrate that expression of specific neoplastic phenotypes occurs at different post-treatment population doublings (PTPD), beginning with morphological alteration (PTPD 3-4), followed by enhanced fibrinolytic activity (PTPD 11-16) and the ability to clone in both medium containing 1% serum (PTPD 18-32) and soft agar (PTPD 25-32). All treated lines displayed tumorigenicity when examined at PTPD 46, whereas control cultures did not. Two tumor lines obtained from tumor explants were further characterized. Cells treated with equivalent tritium concentrations of [5-3 H]uridine display neither elevated somatic mutation nor enhanced morphological transformation. DNA damage occurring as a result of [3 H]thymidine incorporation was shown via mutagenicity studies at loci coding for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) (HPRT) and the Na+/ K+ ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3). $[methyl\\text{-}{}^{3}{\\rm H}]\\text{Thymidine}$ incorporation resulted in induction of HPRT but not ouabainresistant mutants. Present studies substantiate the importance of specific DNA/nuclear damage, induced by incorporation of tritiated thymidine, as a cause of neoplastic transformation.