Destabilization of the adenosine deaminase gene sequences in rat-rat somatic cell hybrids.

Rat hepatoma cells amplified for adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene sequences show the amplified DNA on large, homogeneously staining regions (HSRs). The amplified cells are stable in the absence of selection for 12 mo without loss of ADA activity or gene sequences. However, in hybrids formed between an amplified cell line with a prominent HSR and a nonamplified cell line, rapid loss of ADA activity, as well as gene sequences, occurs. Karyotype analyses of the hybrids indicate that the HSR structures are no longer visible in a large percentage of the hybrid metaphase spreads and appear to have been replaced by DNA structures that resemble double minutes. Our data provide evidence that the extent of the breakdown of the HSR in the hybrids may be affected by the presence of an active adenosine kinase or the level of ATP in the cells and additional unidentified factors are present in the hybrids that affect the integrity of the HSR structure. There is no evidence for a specific trans-acting factor in nonamplified cells that regulates gene amplification.

Chromosome anomalies associated with amplification of the adenosine deaminase gene (ADA) in rat hepatoma cells.

Two independently selected series of rat hepatoma cell lines resistant to the drug deoxycoformycin (dCF) were analyzed karyotypically. Several forms of homogeneously staining regions (HSRs) were present on metaphase chromosomes of these cells. In some instances HSRs comprised nearly an entire chromosome, which are among the largest chromosomes in the karyotype. Stable resistance to dCF is acquired in rat cells by overproduction of the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) as a result of amplification of ADA gene sequences. We have localized the amplified ADA gene sequences to HSRs on metaphase chromosomes from both series of dCF-resistant cell lines by in situ hybridization. Based upon the number of ADA gene sequences present and the lengths of the HSRs, we have estimated the size of the amplified unit to range from 450 to 1,000 kb.

Adenosine deaminase gene amplification in deoxycoformycin-resistant mammalian cells.

Deoxycoformycin (dCF)-resistant mutants of rat hepatoma, mouse LMTK-, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have been isolated and shown to overproduce adenosine deaminase (ADA). The overproduction of ADA was found to be due to ADA-gene amplification in rat and mouse cells but not in CHO cells. Deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells have large HSRs (homogeneously staining regions), mouse cells carry DMs (Double minutes), and CHO cells do not appear to have any gross chromosomal anomalies. When dCF-resistant rat hepatoma and mouse cells are selected by increasing the concentration of the inhibitor in small increments, there is a good correlation between the increase in ADA gene copy number and the increase in the level of expression of ADA, suggesting that all of the amplified genes are equally active in the expression of ADA.

Amplification of adenosine deaminase gene sequences in deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells.

Deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells exhibit up to a 2000-fold increase in adenosine deaminase activity compared to the sensitive parental cells. The increased enzyme activity in these cells is accompanied by similar increases in 1) the amount of adenosine deaminase protein, 2) the relative rate of adenosine deaminase synthesis in vivo, and 3) adenosine deaminase mRNA activity. To further investigate the mechanism(s) responsible for the overproduction of adenosine deaminase in these cells, we have isolated a recombinant plasmid containing a 1.4-kilobase insert complementary to at least part of the adenosine deaminase mRNA. Using this cDNA as a specific hybridization probe, all deoxycoformycin-resistant variants were shown to have increased amounts of adenosine deaminase mRNA and gene sequences. The relative increase in the level of mRNA and gene copy number was similar to the relative increase in enzyme activity for most resistant cell lines. However, the degree of adenosine deaminase gene amplification in one deoxycoformycin-resistant cell line (6-10-200) was 3-4-fold less than the relative increase in adenosine deaminase mRNA. These results indicate that the increased adenosine deaminase activity in deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells is due in large part, but not exclusively, to gene amplification.

Evidence for a trans-dominant regulator of purine nucleoside phosphorylase expression in rat hepatoma cells.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) levels are modulated during the growth cycle of rat hepatoma cells and increase two- to three-fold as cells go from early exponential growth phase to stationary growth phase. A mutant of these hepatoma cells has been isolated which is deficient in PNP activity. Quantitative immunoprecipitation tests indicate that the decrease in enzyme activity is due to a decrease in the number of PNP molecules. The low level of PNP enzyme produced by the mutant, however, is indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme, suggesting that the mutant may be defective in the ability to modulate PNP levels. Fusion of the mutant cells to wild-type parental cells results in hybrids that express the mutant phenotype. Segregants that arise from the hybrids show chromosome loss and reexpression of the wild-type parental phenotype, the mutant parental phenotype, and a 2S wild-type phenotype. These indicate the following about the defect in modulation in the mutant PNP-100: (1) it is trans dominant to the wild-type; (2) its effect is negative; (3) some genomic element is required for its continued effect; and (4) it does not act by obliterating its functioning counterpart in hybrid cells.

Increased adenosine deaminase synthesis and messenger RNA activity in deoxycoformycin-resistant cells.

The basis for the increased adenosine deaminase activity in deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells was investigated. Three variant cell lines with different levels of adenosine deaminase activity showed increases in the relative rate of synthesis of the enzyme in vivo. No difference in the rate of degradation of the enzyme was seen between the parental cell line and one variant cell line which exhibits a 180-fold increase in adenosine deaminase activity. Polysomal RNA isolated from this variant exhibited a 175-fold increase in the ability to direct the synthesis of adenosine deaminase in vitro.

Adenosine deaminase from deoxycoformycin-sensitive and -resistant rat hepatoma cells. Purification and characterization.

Deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells exhibit up to 300-fold increase in adenosine deaminase activity compared to the sensitive parental cells. In order to determine the basis of the increased enzyme activity in deoxycoformycin-resistant cells, adenosine deaminase was purified from rat liver and deoxycoformycin-sensitive and -resistant cells. Physical, kinetic, and immunological properties of the purified enzymes were compared. Purified adenosine deaminase from all sources was found to be a monomer with an Mr approximately 45,000. In addition, the purified enzymes had a similar isozyme pattern in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels. Km values for adenosine and Ki values for deoxycoformycin did not differ among the purified enzymes. By double diffusion analysis and quantitative immunoprecipitation, the purified enzymes were found to be immunologically indistinguishable. These data indicate that deoxycoformycin-resistant rat hepatoma cells produce increased amounts of adenosine deaminase protein which results in increased enzymatic activity.

Isolation of deoxycoformycin-resistant cells with increased levels of adenosine deaminase.

Deoxycoformycin (dCF) is a specific inhibitor of adenosine deaminase (ADA). Rat hepatoma cells deficient in adenosine kinase and growing on adenosine as the sole carbon source are sensitive to the lethal action of dCF. Mutants resistant to dCF arise spontaneously with a frequency of 1.7 x 10(-6). This frequency is increased to 2.6 x 10(-5) by prior mutagenesis with ethyl methane sulfonate. Initially, dCF-resistant cell lines have 3-10 times the level of adenosine deaminase when compared to sensitive parental cells. Subsequent selection of mutants resistant to increased concentrations of dCF results in cells with a 15- to 30-fold increase in ADA levels. Quantitative immunoprecipitation tests indicate that the increase in enzyme activity in one line tested is due to an increase in the number of ADA molecules. These dCF' cell lines may serve as a model system to study the human disease state, hereditary hemolytic anemia, which is associated with increased levels of ADA.

Genetic regulation of ribonucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside catabolism in Salmonella typhimurium.

Four enzymes involved in ribonucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside catabolism (deoxyribose-5-P aldolase, thymidine phosphorylase, phosphodeoxyribomutase, and purine nucleoside phosphorylase) are coded for by four closely linked structural genes on the Salmonella chromosome. The genetic order of these genes is (deoC-deoA-deoB-deoD)-serB-thr. Studies on polarity mutants and induction patterns indicate that the deoB and deoD genes may constitute a single operon and that the deoC and deoA genes may constitute a second closely linked operon.

2-Deoxyribose gene-enzyme complex in Salmonella typhimurium: regulation of phosphodeoxyribomutase.

Phosphodeoxyribomutase, the enzyme which catalyzes the interconversion of 2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate to 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate, has been partially purified from Salmonella typhimurium. The enzyme had an absolute requirement for manganese ion and was stimulated by glucose-1, 6-diphosphate. Phosphodeoxyribomutase was induced by deoxyribose-5-phosphate and was coordinately regulated with the enzymes thymidine phosphorylase and deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, type II. Mutants deficient in these three enzymes were isolated and mapped close to the threonine locus in S. typhimurium. The three enzymes thymidine phosphorylase, deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, type II, and phosphodeoxyribomutase are controlled by a series of linked genes and appear to constitute an operon.

2-deoxyribose gene-enzyme complex in Salmonella typhimurium. I. Isolation and enzymatic characterization of 2-deoxyribose-negative mutants.

Salmonella typhimurium was found to utilize 2-deoxyribose as a sole carbon and energy source. Cells grown in the presence of deoxyribose contained increased levels of deoxyribose kinase, thymidine phosphorylase, and two forms of deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DR5P aldolase). One form of DR5P aldolase was induced by deoxyribose and coordinately regulated with deoxyribose kinase. The second form of DR5P aldolase was induced by deoxyribose-5-phosphate and coordinately regulated with thymidine phosphorylase. Mutants unable to ferment deoxyribose have been isolated and shown to be lacking either deoxyribose kinase or deoxyribose permease, but none has been found from which DR5P aldolase is missing. Thymine-requiring mutants which are able to grow on low levels of thymine have been isolated and shown, in some cases, to be lacking one or both DR5P aldolases.